Joseph Barrood


143 games reviewed
71.4 average score
70 median score
67.1% of games recommended
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Oct 18, 2021

Aeon Drive is a high-octane speed-running platformer. I played as Jackelyne (Jack) and travelled through the same thirty seconds repeatedly, trying to rebuild my rocket ship. This gameplay loop seems tedious, but each thirty-second period takes place on a different level, making each period different from the last. Is this race against time worth your effort? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Oct 18, 2021

Despite having now played playing countless platforming gauntlets for the site, each one leaves a lasting impact on me. Dojoran was certainly no exception here. Does the low price point mean the game is of low quality? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Oct 12, 2021

Nexomon is a monster taming adventure that takes clear inspiration from the Pokémon series. I played as a child on her journey to save the world from an evil team. In this case, the Nexolord intends on destroying the world and reviving the Omnicron, an ancient deity known to bring demise to all humans. In concept, it seems like Pokémon titles I have played before. Is it worthwhile? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Sep 17, 2021

After playing Fire: Ungh’s Quest earlier this year, I was eager to try out another of Daedalic Entertainment’s titles, Anna’s Quest. It is another point-and-click adventure. Will this title build upon the strengths of their previous title? Or will it leave me searching for a different quest next time? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Aug 26, 2021

Eldest Souls is a strenuous boss rush title. I played as a cloaked hero and slashed my obsidian sword through a plethora of voracious opponents. As humanities last hope, I struggled through tenacious opponents and fought for my life. Is this game worth fighting for? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Aug 22, 2021

Within the Blade is an action-adventure game with various stealth elements. I stalked my foes through the tall grass, dashed from rooftop to rooftop, and strangled my foes mercilessly. Prepare to watch yourself get mangled in this macabre journey. Is it fulfilling? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Aug 17, 2021

Bamerang is an action-packed party game featuring boomerangs. Prepare to compete against your friends as you face off in this silly feud to please an almighty goddess. Is this game perfect for game night? Or will it leave you wanting more? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Aug 17, 2021

Fire: Ungh’s Quest is an excellent experience burdened by some substantial drawbacks. Even with an excellent gameplay loop, a game without tight controls is a game I find myself playing sparingly.

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A Tale of Synapse: The Chaos Theories is an education game that mixes learning with the action-platformer genre. Play as Nero on her quest to collect the four sacred books, learning math along the way. Is this mashup twice the fun? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Aug 14, 2021

Ayo the Clown is an action-platformer that follows Ayo on his quest to retrieve his lost dog. It clearly takes inspiration from Super Mario Bros., Yoshi, and Little Big Planet. With such iconic franchises cited as inspiration, these developers have big shoes to fill. Luckily, Ayo is a clown, and he is accustomed to wearing big shoes. Is Ayo the Clown a standout entrant in the Nintendo Switch catalogue? Or will it be soon forgotten? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Aug 2, 2021

Sun Wukong Vs. Robot is a short Metroidvania adventure. Instead of journeying far and wide to uncover upgrades and fight challenging enemies, this game will have you exploring a small area that still follows the Metroidvania tropes. Is this brief adventure still worth your time? Find out in this collaborative Rapid Review written by myself and Brent Gass.

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Jul 27, 2021

Samurai Warriors 5 is the latest addition to the Samurai Warriors series. Prepare to wield a variety of weapons, slaughter thousands of enemies, and learn about the tragedies that accompany war in this title. Will you be wanting a swift retreat or will it keep you coming back for war? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Jul 27, 2021

Battle Axe is a top-down hack and slash adventure developed by talented pixel artist Henk Nieborg. Having worked on many games in the past such as Wizard of Legend, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, and Xeno Crisis, there is no doubt that the development team has plenty of experience working in the field. Does this experience come through in Battle Axe? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Pecaminosa is a pixel noir adventure. I played as an ex-cop with a dream for revenge. I navigated an interconnected world, met an interesting cast of characters, and enjoyed a wonderful jazz soundtrack all throughout. Is this adventure one worth going on? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown is a fighting game in the Virtua Fighter franchise. It features mainly two-dimensional combat with the occasional movement into the Z-axis. With a wide variety of characters and customizable options, does Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown stand out from the crowd? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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The Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is a compilation of the three action-adventure titles. They are known for their intense action-packed gameplay as well as their difficulty. I have already published reviews for these three titles, so most of the detail will be in their respective reviews. However, I will cover my experience playing through each game sequentially and the main differences in each title.

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The Eternal Castle [Remastered] is a mysterious cinematic platformer. The main character needs to find parts to repair their ship. In doing so, they will encounter ferocious beasts, find fascinating characters, and uncover the secrets of the world around them. Does The Eternal Castle [Remastered] stand the test of time? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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Anodyne 2 is a narrative-focused action-adventure title with puzzles, combat, and exploration. Rid New Theland of Dust and learn about the residents as you venture inside them to cleanse their souls. Anodyne 2 offers substantial social commentary and will leave the audience thinking about and reconsidering their life choices.

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Jul 12, 2021

The Nintendo Switch is an excellent platform for puzzle games. The accessibility of a portable console works well with the short, fast-paced levels in them. Picross S6 is no exception. You progress through well over three hundred levels in this collection of puzzles.

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Jul 11, 2021

Boomerang X is the latest release from Devolver Digital. In this first-person shooter, the player wields a boomerang and fights hordes of dark beings. This title focuses on movement and encourages the player to gracefully soar through the air while bombarding their foes with attacks. Is Boomerang X worth a shot? Find out in this Rapid Review.

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