Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a compilation of hundreds of platforming levels featured in Super Monkey Ball, Super Monkey Ball 2, and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe. It was released to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the series. Does Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania pay homage to what makes the series fun? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Circa Infinity is a platformer that feels unique yet so familiar at the same time. Each level involves getting to the centre of a circle filled with enemies. Watching the enemies swirl around me was hypnotic, and it stood out from the other platformers in the genre because it focused so heavily on aesthetics. Did their decision pay off? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Boyfriend Dungeon is a dating simulation game with a unique twist. Each romantic partner is also a weapon that I could use in the dungeons. I was initially interested in the dungeon crawling elements and variety of weapons but went into the story with an open mind. Did the dating aspects captivate me too? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Unforeseen Incidents is a narrative-focused point-and-click adventure. Throughout my adventures, I learned about the Yelltown Fever, a viral disease that is rampantly spreading throughout the world. I was especially interested in this title after getting captivated by suspenseful scenes in the trailer. Moreover, I hoped it would shed some commentary on current world affairs. Did my journey meet my expectations? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Aspire: Ina’s Tale is a cinematic action-platformer that focuses both on puzzles and establishing a beautiful world to explore. Do the puzzles and exploring make for a fulfilling experience? Find out more in this Rapid Review.
SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters’ Clash is a card fighting game like Hearthstone or Plants Vs. Zombies Heroes. Though it takes inspiration from these titles, instead of focusing on multiplayer elements, SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters’ Clash features a story campaign like traditional Pokémon games. Do the gym fights pair well with the card battling? Find out in this Rapid Review.
PowerSlave Exhumed is a remake of PowerSlave, a first-person shooter that takes place in ancient Egypt. PowerSlave was originally developed in 1996 for the PlayStation and SEGA Saturn. This title takes the best elements of both original versions and updates them to meet modern standards. Does this relic belong in a museum? Or will it fade into obscurity? Find out in this Rapid Review.
What Lies in the Multiverse is a puzzle-platformer that combines traditional puzzles with the ability to swap between multiple dimensions. The innovative mechanics introduced me to various environments seamlessly. Was the final project woven together soundly like space and time? Or did it need some work? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space is a point-and-click adventure following Dexter on his quest to uncover the mysteries of the galaxy, and to get enough money to buy a couple of tacos along the way. Is this space escapade out of this world? Or was it nothing special? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Dawn of the Monsters is a beat-em-up title that features massive beasts and robotic mechs taking out other ferocious monsters. As I piloted these behemoths, I explored various landscapes and worked to save human civilization. Did these immense creatures make the game massively fun? Or did it end up being a big flop? Find out in this Rapid Review.
MultiVersus is a new platform fighter that focuses on two versus two team combat. Published by Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment, I was immediately excited to see what this publisher could do with its plethora of popular intellectual properties. Does this crossover stand out from the others? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Souldiers is a standard Metroidvania that follows different soldiers on their quest through the afterlife. I platformed different locales, solved simple puzzles, and defeated ferocious enemies. Does this classic formula still hold up today? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils is a retro pixel art action-platformer. As I progressed through the story, I navigated different locales, tackling tricky stages and ultimately taking on brutal bosses. Did this adventure keep me interested throughout? Or did I force my way to the end? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Bot Gaiden is a fast-paced action platformer with an emphasis on speed-running. I constantly had to consider my decisions as I rushed through the levels this game has to offer. Were those positive thoughts? Or did I want to find other things to think about? Find out in this Rapid Review.
River City Girls 2 is a traditional beat-em-up where I played as two high school girls taking on the grand task of defeating a yakuza gang. While I did not play the first title in the River City series, I have played other titles published by Way Forward such as Dawn of the Monsters and was excited to give this game a shot. Was the game any good? Find out in this Rapid Review.
OTXO is a fast-paced top-down shooter seemingly inspired by Hotline Miami. However, this game is a rogue-like, meaning upon death, I had to begin all the way from the very beginning. Did these two elements combine to create something meaningful? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Unto the End is an action-adventure title where recognizing and learning enemy patterns is crucial to completing the game. You wield a sword and can utilize a torch and a bone dagger to your advantage. As you progress through the game, the character rarely encounters upgrades, and the upgrades unlocked were quality of life improvements. This means that the player will fight more challenging fights without greatly improving the player’s character. Player skill is the most important thing here, and in playing this game, you will die many times before reaching the end.
After a successful kick-starter campaign, Kamina Dimension developed the action-adventure title MindSeize. The game plays like a standard Metroidvania, with upgrades distributed throughout the different environments. Your character, M.C. Fox, is a crippled private investigator. Despite this handicap, he can send his mind into a mech, allowing him to combat opponents. This mech begins with both a melee weapon and a machine gun, and as the game progresses, you unlock new weapons and abilities that increase your capabilities.
Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World is a remastered version of Wonder Boy IV released in 1994. It is an action-platformer, meaning the player needs to navigate side-scrolling gauntlets of platforming. There are specific levels for the player to traverse, and enemies to battle along the way. Along with a blue Pepelogoo, become the hero the town needs in Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World.
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.