A.J. Maciejewski
DELTAZEAL is a superb shoot 'em up and this release is bolstered by top-notch commentary that shines a light on shmup development.
From its nifty scoring mechanics to its diverse characters and its awesome music to its sharp 3D visuals, Castle of Shikigami2 is great stuff.
As one of my new favourite shmups for Switch, BATSUGUN Saturn Tribute Boosted will make you feel like a force to be reckoned with.
Vertigo 2 is a weird game that can be off-putting for sure but once you get immersed in its odd world, you'll end up having a blast.
Ven VR Adventure is a solid 3D platformer with a mix of fun and frustrating moments yet it doesn't do anything particularly special.
I initially had a great time with Ancient Dungeon VR but after a while, I began to feel defeated by its repetition and lack of rewards.
Towers and Powers VR is one of the best tower defense games I've played which goes to show that the formula can work great in VR.
Toy Trains is one of my new favourite PlayStation VR2 games with its wondrous world, oodles of charm, and satisfying gameplay.
Telenet Shooting Collection includes a variety of early '90s shooters from the multidirectional Granada to the enemy copying fun of Gaiares. If you have nostalgia for the genre then I certainly recommend picking up a copy for yourself. 💥
I had a solid time with Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger's Requiem and it is a step-up from the first game but it doesn't really go above and beyond what you'd expect from 2D action games. It's certainly worth at least a playthrough, though, especially if you're a Touhou fan.
Arashi: Castles of Sin: Final Cut can be enjoyable when it works; specifically, the stealth component. Even then, it doesn't do anything exceptional and the resulting formula struggles to rise above an average VR action game. That dog sure is cute, though. 🏯
I had a great time with TEVI and wholeheartedly recommend it to any fellow Metroidvania fan, especially if you love cute adventures.
Catering to both 2D action enthusiasts and casual gamers alike, Astral Ascent is a roguelike that anyone can thoroughly enjoy.
I had a blast with Teardown as it really got its hooks in me with its clever combo of destruction and strategic missions. Great stuff!
As a lover of trains and real-time strategy, Train Valley 2 - Community Edition really scratched an itch and it's a superb sequel to boot.
Backpack Hero is a novel game that can be enjoyable at first but its awkward controls and repetitive dungeons get stale rather quickly.
This Bed We Made is an intriguing mystery that warrants multiple playthroughs if you want to experience everything that it has to offer.
Lake: Season's Greetings is a wonderful holiday treat that will get anyone in the mood for the season even if it is a little repetitive.
SteamWorld Build is a relaxing simulation game that may lack challenge but it has plenty of heart. Watching your town and mine facilities expand to a bustling interconnected industry is satisfying stuff although once you reach the end, you'll likely never pick it up again. 🏜️
Irem Collection Volume 1 is a compilation of shoot 'em ups that any genre fan will happily add to their library. If you want to experience some history of the genre then check it out but just don't expect any supplementary content as that's where this package falls flat. 🚀