SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake gives Nickelodeon's cute sponge a new foray into the world of 3D platformers, two and a half years after the remake of the beloved Battle for Bikini Bottom. Purple Lamp Studios makes a solid, down-to-earth product, full of love for the source material, strong in the humor typical of the animated series (thanks in part to the original voice actors), classic gameplay and a commendable presentation. It is surprising, in such a polished picture, to note some levity related to the management of transitions, overly stingy menus, and an overly accommodating difficulty curve. The Cosmic Shake, despite some limitations, is thus a great product for fans but also an enjoyable and fun title for everyone else.
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Albacete Warrior is a tiny production offering a satirical adventure as a boorish ninja accompanied by his trusty ... chicken? Strong in its trashy, generic humor, FAS3's title nevertheless stumbles with a lackluster realization in which all the problems related to the fusion of 2D characters and 3D environments emerge. Obvious inaccuracies related to controls, hitboxes as well as depth perception adversely affect a title that could have been much more interesting with a few extra touches. The madness keeps the work afloat, which will give you a few hours of fun, provided you turn a blind eye and a half to everything else.
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Rhythm Sprout: Sick Beats & Bad Sweets is an exponent of the small niche represented by rhythm games. SURT's production harmonizes the contrasting melodies of a music title and a linear adventure to create an entertaining symphony, thanks to an excellent soundtrack and the jovial humor of its own quirky story. An art direction that is not always fully in focus and a rather severe difficulty curve probably make it suitable only for stakanovists of the genre, who will find bread for their teeth. For everyone else, the advice is to give it a chance: trust us, it won't be like a cabbage patch.
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Fashion Police Squad has sincerely surprised us. The Mopeful Games production, far from hiding behind its eccentric concept, totally marries madness and extravagance by making an incredibly fun shooter. Both quotable and satirical, Sergeant Des's adventure won us over with gameplay somewhere between action and FPS, an excellent variety of situations, and hilarious dialogue. With these prerequisites, we regret having encountered a level design that was not as bold and some balancing issues. Just like a sartorial suit made in bright colors, Fashion Police Squad is not a product to suit all tastes...however, if it fits your standards, it will fit you like a glove.
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Trenches is a gritty title that aims to terrify the player with suggestions born of one of the most painful pages in human history. The Steelkrill Studio title borrows some great ideas from illustrious exponents of the survival horror genre, replicating them, however, with mixed fortunes due to the modesty of the production. A poor technical compartment, an imprecise control system and a very short duration prevent Trenches from aspiring to more flattering results. Nevertheless, the title remains a disturbing journey into the agonizing futility of war and its tragic consequences.
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One Piece Odyssey is a potential turning point in the history of video game adaptations of Eiichiro Oda's masterpiece. Drawing on the more traditional characteristics of JRPGs, the ILCA development team pours into the title an obvious love for the source material, enriching it with interesting ideas especially in the intriguing combat system. However, the production is not exempt from some problems related to pacing management, which is excessively flat in some phases, as well as an all too modest difficulty curve. Despite these considerations, the Bandai Namco title is a good JRPG but above all a dream come true for fans of the opera, which we hope will be just the beginning of a new, promising saga.
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Tactics Ogre: Reborn allows one to approach a classic tactical role-playing game with a long list of improvements, ranging from overall presentation to playful balance. A neatly packaged re-release, albeit with some minor levity, that opens up usability to a wider modern audience. Despite the decades that have passed, the epic of Denam, Catiua and Vyce still proves to be a total masterpiece, thanks to a deep narrative, rich gameplay and stellar replayability. A must-have title for fans of Yoshitsuna Kobayashi and Tomoya Asano, but not only.
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GRIS confirms itself, years later, as a small gem in the landscape of independent productions. Nomada Studio takes us on a synaesthetic experience in which art and music wrap themselves around a mysterious and melancholy story. A meaningful and touching journey through the stages of grief, from heartbreaking sorrow to heartwarming rebirth. If from the standpoint of presentation and themes GRIS excels, ludically the experience is unfortunately all too linear, simple and essential. A definite choice on the part of the development team, however, that may alienate some of the audience: for everyone else, it is impossible not to still cherish Devolver Digital's classic.
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The Beast Inside finally arrives on consoles bringing with it the undeniable appeal that has made it so successful on Steam. A charm due to a presentation that aspires to photorealism, with a compelling story somewhere between thriller and horror through two different historical eras. An excellent variety of situations and a very good longevity are further winning elements of a production that at the same time fails to hide a simplicity of structure and mechanics. This is a little gem from a small development team, which we recommend to fans of the genre and those who want to try something different and genuinely engaging.
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After the sinking of Google's console, Wavetale finally lands at other shores. It does so full of hope, to make known its own fascinating plot full of melancholy suggestions set in a watercolor world. If narratively the title has won us over with the delicacy of the story and ludically it has entertained us with its simple mechanics (for some people probably even too basic), unfortunately the technical compartment is to date embarrassing. A tsunami of problems that we hope will be fixed as soon as possible.
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Super Kiwi 64 is the latest effort by Marcus Horn, a game developer who over the years has set himself a goal with his own Siactro label: to offer gamers nostalgic experiences at affordable prices. The goal is once again met: the production is a tribute to the era of Nintendo 64 classics, from which it inherits both the gameplay and technical aspects. With a price tag of just €2.99, it is almost impossible to discourage, unless you are completely refractory to low-poly aesthetics. For everyone else, you can give it a chance with the knowledge that it will be a short but enjoyable experience.
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The Chant demonstrates how the indie world is fertile ground for experimentalism in the survival horror theme. Brass Token inaugurates its debut with a bold product, somewhere between the suggestions of a taut, well-structured plot and openings toward a more action-oriented balance at the expense of survival. Paradoxically, the title's resourcefulness prevents it from fully focusing on its playful components, ending up as an enjoyable but not unmissable experience. A fluctuating technical compartment and an all too modest duration make it a title suitable primarily for horror fans who are nevertheless open to the more “eventful” hybridization of the action genre.
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Evil West is an extremely honest product. Unlike other titles that promise to bring smoky innovations, the Flying Wild Hog title simply wants to be a fun action adventure inspired by typical AA productions of previous video game generations. An accomplished goal, thanks to a sparkling combat system and a proudly B-movie horror appeal. Unfortunately, the excessive linearity of the level design and a technical compartment on which the crossgen nature weighs excessively prevent the project from reaching higher levels. With these understandings, buckle up and adjust your hats: the hunt for monstrosities in the Wild West has just begun.
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Jitsu Squad arrives on consoles bringing with it exaggerated and excessive fighting with an equally explosive visual presentation. Tanuki Creative Studio treasures the years of development by churning out a reckless beat'em'up that is beautiful to look at and fun to play, thanks to influences taken from the best classics and Capcom and ArkSys fighting games. Unfortunately, at present it is complex to recommend the title except to fans of the genre. The absence of online and a sometimes challenging readability are aspects that add to the title's meager play offering, which awaits the arrival of the promised free content for 2023. If the prospect does not deter you, give it quiet confidence: this team of warriors will win you over!
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We confess that we have a soft spot for independent productions carried out with courage and ambition, especially if they are proposed by a handful of developers. Togges is the fruit of the brave love of two brothers, who want to try to infuse new ideas into 3D worlds. A goal fully achieved, thanks to a charismatic narrative premise and, above all, original, fresh and fun gameplay. More puzzle game collectathon than classic 3D platformer, a circumstance that might alienate one part of the audience (and perhaps bring another closer), the Regular Studio production is one of the last great little surprises of this 2022.
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Goat Simulator 3 is the perfect definition of guilty pleasure. A title that, on paper, should not work at all: narrative stripped down to the bone, essential gameplay, playful situations haphazardly put together, technical compartment full of minor uncertainties. But, similarly to the bumblebee that flies by disregarding the laws of physics, Pilgrim the Goat brings with it an unprecedented load of destruction and fun. The Coffee Stain title is resplendent with crazy ideas and resounding easter eggs that can't help but leave a grin on your face. And once in a while, a video game should do just that: simply, entertain lightly.
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Approaching Syberia: The World Before is a melancholy task, aware that it is the late Benoît Sokal's last work. In some ways, Kate Walker's adventure may represent a spiritual testament to the legendary Belgian artist: a delicate and intimate tale dense with meaning, enhanced by sublime art direction and an evocative soundtrack. Despite some technical uncertainties and some game design choices that might make it unsuitable for those seeking intricate puzzles in graphic adventures, the fourth installment of Syberia is a worthy and moving tribute to this historic saga.
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What happens by adding to a solid metrodivania some mechanics taken from shoot'em'ups and card games? The Knight Witch is the answer. Deckbuilding and bullet hell action combined with a lavish presentation and a narrative rich in contemporary messages allow the Super Awesome Hyper Dimensional Mega Team production to become a simply explosive alchemical potion. A few ingenuities in game design and some balancing issues do not prevent the title from being one of the most interesting products on the independent market this late 2022.
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Somewhere between a dream project and a homage to a bygone video game era, Lunistice rushes into the indie scene with great awe. With sincerity and intellectual honesty, the A Grumpy Fox production appeals to the audience of platformer aficionados, winking at 32-bit classics both ludically and technically. The end result is an amazing title, capable of amusing and entertaining both those looking for a contained experience and those who will want to tackle everything the game has to offer. There is no better way to invest 4.99 euros.
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After its debut on PC and the honors collected in its homeland, Saint Kotar arrives on consoles proposing an investigative adventure with horror overtones. The religious and esoteric theme, along with a coherent art direction, contribute to make the Red Martyr Entertainment production an interesting title, thanks also to an appreciable wealth of content. However, those looking for a puzzle-filled graphic adventure may be disappointed, partly because of an undoubtedly brave but perhaps far too orthodox plot with a few too many rigidities in character characterization.
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