Overall, Blade Chimera is another win for Team Ladybug. Its slower, more methodical take on the Metroidvania formula feels refreshing, especially once you master Shin and Lux’s moveset. It really feels like a perfect blend of Metroid and Castlevania - particularly Symphony of the Night. The ruined streets of Osaka are brimming with secrets and enemies to tackle, making this a solid pick for both longtime fans of the genre and newcomers looking for a challenge. It’s not perfect — the level design can frustrate, the story doesn’t fully capitalize on its world, and some enemy placement and difficulty can be a real challenge — but it’s a damn good time nonetheless. I’d say it’s a must-play for anyone craving a neon-soaked demon hunt.
Antonblast is a delightful and silly platformer that successfully captures the spirit of those retro Wario-style games while still introducing some modern and fun twists. The fluid gameplay, vibrant visuals, and engaging mechanics make it a great pick for anyone who loves a good 2D challenge. The game can get pretty brutal and visually confusing, but its strengths far outweigh these minor issues, making Antonblast a fun and rewarding adventure.
I specifically avoided the price tag for Overdriven Reloaded: Special Edition until after I completed the game. Once I finished, I felt that the game shouldn't be priced above $9.99, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the asking price is only $7.99. At that price, Overdriven Reloaded is absolutely worth it. It's a fun, colorful entry-level shmup that is a blast to play with others. The game isn't too hard, but it gets really tough when you select the Nightmare difficulty. It's fun in short bursts, and the post-game content keeps it from getting stale. For those of you who grew up on shmups but feel a lot of the newer games are too difficult and complicated, Overdriven Reloaded: Special Edition is a great title to add to your collection.
Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania doesn't really do anything new with the game. It essentially takes what we know and love about Vampire Survivors and puts a fresh coat of bloody, teary paint on it. But you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. It's a great game and a total time suck (yes that's another vampire reference). Vampire Survivors is one of the best "bang for your buck" games out there this generation, and the Ode to Castlevania DLC only makes it more of a value. Now, go out and buy this right now - and have fun storming the castle!
Yars Rising is a fun title on its own, but is even better as a love letter to the Atari classic. You have to appreciate the effort put in to researching the game's lore and expanding on it, and fans of the original will absolutely love it. Those of you who are new to this world will still find an enjoyable Metroidvania game with some fun dialogue and new elements to keep things interesting. Not only that, but the addition of classic challenges will continue to test your abilities (and patience). The price tag may cause some to pause, but if you complete everything there is to do (including two playthroughs), you're easily putting 30-ish hours into it. I would recommend picking up this title especially if you're a fan of the genre, and I hope to see more WayForward interpretations of classic Atari games. A Centipede turn-based RPG, anyone?
The most important thing to know about Guardian Tales is that you'll only get out what you put into it. If you only want to work through the main story, you can just ignore all the other options and play through. But on the other hand, those looking for a deep and engaging experience will also feel right at home with this game. There is a ton of content here, which may intimidate some gamers at first, but don't let that dissuade you – Guardian Tales is a thoroughly enjoyable time.
At its surface, Gunslingers & Zombies is a run-of-the-mill tactical RPG with some performance issues. In spite of these concerns, the end result is still a fairly enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
If they ever offer a college course on the history of video games, Evoland: Legendary Edition should be a required read (or play). It's a fun title that takes you back through time and provides an interactive guide through the development of gaming from then till now. While the first game in the series is a fun, albeit short experience, the real enjoyment comes with its sequel. It's just a fun (and hilarious) experience that anyone who just wants to chill will find a lot of enjoyment with. I won't spoil all the surprises and throwbacks featured in these games, but anyone who grew up playing classic games will quickly find themselves grinning from ear to ear.
Battle Princess Madelyn is a love letter to the games of old, and at the same time acts as a history less on both what did and did not work. However, for those of us who grew up on these classic titles, it definitely scratches that retro itch. The difficulty and lack of direction in the story mode may be a turn-off to younger gamers, but if you have fond memories of only making it to the end of the first level in Ghosts 'n Goblins, you too will find this an enjoyable trip down memory lane.