The character designs are nicely detailed, even with the slightly pixelated look, and as players wreak havoc onscreen, the animations are smooth and action-packed. The way Shou is animated makes him look like he was taken straight from a fighting game, and he would perfectly fit into a classic Marvel vs Capcom or Guilty Gear game.
Shutting a door or window not only leads to the goal, but also shoots out projectiles going left and right, which will temporarily stun enemies if they connect and players can kick them off the stage by simply running into them, but they can respawn. Each boss battle is different from the other, offering more variety and adding to the challenge.
They each have their own ‘Turtle Power’ which players can initiate anytime the meter is full to clear out the enemies on screen or deliver extra damage to the bosses. Leonardo creates a tornado, Raphael punches the ground causing an earthquake, Donatello channels his inner Thor and shoots lightning from his staff and Michelangelo throws pizza everywhere. Even though three of those make absolutely no sense with the character’s personalities and backgrounds, the Turtle Power is still a really handy tool for when things get tough.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is truly a passion project of Abubakar Salim. Opening his own game development studio was the best idea to help make his dream a reality and make the game in his vision. African culture, history, and mythology are represented in a big way through this game, and it is only the beginning for Surgent Studio. The price tag of $26.95 AUD shouldn’t be an indication of the game’s quality, as there is so much to enjoy and discover.
Unicorn Overlord is a brand-new IP that’s already made a big impact, impressing both gamers and critics. With about 50 hours of game time to enjoy, the epic story is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression, but it’s the gameplay that will first pull you in and make sure you stay for the ride. The 2D graphics with highly detailed anime art and smooth animations, along with the orchestral soundtrack and talented voice cast, are a marvel to behold. Unicorn Overlord is an RPG game like no other, and one that should not be overlooked.
Hi-Fi Rush may not have been successful the first time, but now it’s available to even more players on PlayStation 5. First, it was only accessible via the Xbox Game Pass, but now it’s available to purchase on its own and a physical version will also finally be available thanks to Limited Run Games. The bright and colourful characters, environments, enemies, bosses and more, all playing along to the beat, make this a must-buy for any console it’s available on. Hi-Fi Rush is the perfect game for anyone ready to rock!
Ubisoft is one of the leading brands in video games today with a library of successful franchises but doesn’t seem to realise the gem and piece of gaming history they have in Prince of Persia. While we can’t say “The Prince is back” since it’s not The Prince you’re playing as, finally getting a new Prince of Persia game after 14 years is still a good feeling. Even if it’s another reboot with a different genre, the latest entry in the legendary franchise is still a fun and challenging game, packed with loads of content with over 20 hours of playtime and plenty of replay value. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an excellent way to start 2024.
It’ll be interesting to see what other beat ’em ups get the modern retro treatment, maybe ‘Golden Axe’ or ‘Final Fight’? For now though, it’s time for the Dragons to rise from the ashes and beat down the streets once again, with hours upon hours of old-school couch co-op fun and soon, online as well. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is the long overdue modern classic that fans have been waiting for.
There isn’t really anything new in the latest entry of Let’s Sing, it’s mainly the same game with different songs, and the 30 new tracks by the various popular artists definitely give the game plenty of variety, but it would be more convenient if the new songs came as a DLC pack rather than be in their own game. Overall, Let’s Sing 2023 is another fun and enjoyable karaoke game to sing your heart out as a solo or with friends and family.
Both the French and English voice cast from the show reprise their iconic roles in the game, meaning fans can choose to listen to their favourite characters in either language, and everyone sounds just like they do in the show. A lot of work was clearly put into the dialogue during the cutscenes and character conversations, and every character stays true to how they are in the show. Unfortunately, this only applied to the cutscenes, and any conversations during the game are text-based, leaving this feeling like a missed opportunity.
It’s been a long time coming for fans to really step into the shoes of the blue hedgehog. Even though it’s a little rough around the edges, Sonic Frontiers is a huge step in the right direction and is no doubt the premiere Sonic game we’ve been wanting for the longest time. The feeling it gives you is unlike anything that’s come before it. It has to be played to be believed. This game could very well be the beginning of a new age of Sonic games, as its future has never looked brighter. The possibilities are never-ending. Sonic is here, reaching far across these new Frontiers.
Just like all the other games in the series, Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a fantasy-themed, turn-based RPG strategy game. Gameplay-wise, it focuses purely on turn-based mechanics, so players won’t have to worry about exploring various locations and solving puzzles, and will be put straight into the action in between all the dialogue segments. The turn-based combat mechanics are deep and offer so much variety for players to really strategise and plan out their attacks against the opposing factions.
LEGO Brawls was initially designed as a mobile game and can be an enjoyable way to kill some time playing online matches. As a console game that doesn’t add anything new to the gameplay, it’s just a generic platform fighter with little to no excitement. This wouldn’t be a bad thing if the game was cheap or just free, but it’s shockingly priced at $60 AUD which makes it impossible to justify. There are tons of indie games out there that offer so much more at a cheaper price. Even with some interesting ideas, LEGO Brawls offers very little and is probably more fun to watch than play, but the novelty wears off really quickly. The biggest letdown overall is its generic gameplay that just isn’t much fun at all. Non-fighting game players often describe the genre as button mashers, and this game accurately fits that description and is a poor representation of the genre. Even stepping on a LEGO piece is more entertaining than this.
ANNO: Mutationem is a solid game, definitely worth trying with a good 10 or more hours’ worth of story and action-packed gameplay. While there are a few things that could’ve been done better, the things it does do well are done incredibly well. The 2D side-scrolling action platform sections balance out the interesting, but confusing story and is more than enough to keep players engaged and help Ann Flores do whatever it takes to see things through to the end.
It’s amazing to see all these classic games ported to modern consoles. The Ninja Turtles, plus all their friends, and even the villains, have always had a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. These games played a huge part in not only the Turtles’ legacy but also video game history. Reliving these classics offline and online, and going through all their history in the Turtles Lair will create one shell of a trip down memory lane. Even if Konami has been a shell of its former self in recent years, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection’ is one of the best things they’ve ever done and gives the people what they want. COWABUNGA DUDE!
Ynglet is truly a unique game that needs to be played to experience its obscure but entrancing design, which players may not understand at first, but will find themselves drawn in and still playing long after questioning what it was to begin with. Ynglet will take you on a spiritual journey unlike anything else.
What was first seen as another Smash Bros clone has become something unique and isn’t afraid to try something different, which has been received very positively. Will it dethrone the legendary Nintendo game as the premiere 2D platform fighter? Probably not, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it stands out on its own, with its various iconic characters that date back almost a century to the exciting, intense, and fun fast-paced teamwork gameplay with smooth online and cross-platform experience. MultiVersus packs a punch and is here to stay.
In the past, Capcom has tried to bring their lesser-known titles to modern consoles but with little success. This latest attempt which was announced alongside the reveal of ‘Street Fighter 6’, has been its best yet. Hopefully, if this compilation sells well, it’ll encourage them to think of some possible sequels or even make a second compilation with all their 3D fighters. Until then, there is so much to enjoy and appreciate in Capcom Fighting Collection.