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I wish I could say otherwise, but at least for me there simply wasn’t. There’s little about Zero Wing that stands out in its genre and the few things Toaplan tried to do a bit differently largely either aren’t useful or actively hinder the experience. Zero Wing is certainly playable, but there are far better options for SHMUP players to explore.
Out Zone is the sort of game that makes me love modern rereleases. A game stuck in arcades for decades, I had no expectations going in and found myself not wanting to put down my controller. Out Zone features fast-paced arcade action that players can jump right into but which will take a ton of practice to master. If you love classic games like Ikari Warriors or Commando, Out Zone is the game they wanted to be. Absolutely check it out.
I can usually find something to enjoy in most any SHMUP, but outside of a killer soundtrack, there wasn’t much that redeemed Twin Cobra for me. The basics all more or less work, it isn’t broken, and there are certainly worse games out there, but there’s nothing it does particularly well, and the slow speed of your ship gets old very quickly, as do the bland looking levels. There are a couple of gems in this set of Toaplan shooters Bitwave Games are releasing today, but Twin Cobra simply isn’t one of them.
Truxton has its flaws, and in a lot of ways, it feels very much of its time. That said, it has one major thing going for it. It simply feels good to play. With tight controls, one notably awesome weapon, and a soundtrack that sets the tone I want out of the genre, I came away from my time with Truxton with a smile on my face. It isn’t going to blow fans of the genre away, and there are definitely better options out there, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had with Truxton, even after all this time.
God of Riffs probably could have used more time in the oven; the enemies are far from diverse and its story mode is set to release sometime this year. With that being said, it’s still a pretty good rhythm game that makes you want to hack-n-slash the demons charging at you, so in that sense it accomplishes its task. If you’re on the hunt for a new rhythm game for your VR headset — something kinda like Beat Saber and Ragnarock but at the same time its own thing — God of Riffs has two axes with your name on them.
Avalanche Software has managed to turn a once far-fetched dream into a reality for many Harry Potter fans, as Hogwarts Legacy is simply a masterful fantasy experience. Despite a few hiccups here and there, this is still, hands down, the most authentic and immersive Wizarding World video game out there. My time with Hogwarts Legacy has been nothing short of remarkable, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the franchise from Warner Bros.
I really wanted to rave about how great Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder was. Unfortunately, while there are some genuinely noteworthy elements in the game, such as the unique combat and striking visual style, it’s ultimately held back by some problematic issues. The game is quite unbalanced in its current state, and the developers desperately need to fix some pretty glaring glitches. Until that happens, it’s hard to fully recommend.
Look, I can wax poetic about this absolute wonder all I want, but you’ve got to play it to really see how epic this game is. Not even the biggest nitpicker could find a thing to make better in this, because it just does such a damn good job of being exactly what it aims to be. Do you like music? Do you like action games with a bit of platforming? Do you like charm and atmosphere in your games? If you answered “yes” to any one of those three, go boot up your console or PC of choice and find this gem, you owe it to yourself.
There’s something great in Saint Kotar, but I can’t exactly tell you what. It feels like a great game is, well, kind of stuck inside of a “just okay” game at the present. The atmosphere, premise, and voice acting are stellar, but are ultimately brought down by pacing that doesn’t quite feel all too thought out. I spent the entire game feeling like I was working toward something great—only to still feel like I was “working my way up” by the time I got to the end. There was never really any true “closure” in Saint Kotar. And, while the game was good in many aspects, I think that that was what let me down the most. Ah, well, it’s still probably worth a play if you’re interested in this sort of thing.
Despite not feeling good about the way this collection has released, and the collection itself feeling like a cash-in more than a celebration of Wonder Boy, there are some excellent games present in Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection. While the two best games in the package have excellent modern remakes, playing the rest of these games is worthwhile, as is seeing the original versions of these classics. This isn’t a release for every player, certainly, but if you’ve yet to check out the series, Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection offers a thorough introduction.
The Pathless is still a beautiful, well-designed game on the Switch. If this is the only platform you have available to play it on, it’s still well worth your time and an easy recommendation. Players who have other options may want to consider them as performance is an occasional issue here, and the DualSense implementation on the PS5 is some of the best on the system, but I still enjoyed revisiting The Pathless.
Nitro Kid offers that slice of synthwave cyberpunk heaven in the form of a turn-based deckbuilding roguelike. It has a solid mechanic and balanced gameplay that proves addicting when you throw the amazing soundtrack into the fray. Although I wish there had been a little more in terms of a storyline — or even just backstory — that’s not a dealbreaker for an otherwise great game. If you’re looking for a fight with plenty of synthwave flair, Nitro Kid is ready to deal you in.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake lays the Spongebob charm on thick, the Bikini Bottomites and their worlds ripped right out of one of the many, many, many episodes we’ve come to know and love over the years. Although it has a lot of great ideas pulled from the vast Spongebob universe, there’s something just a little sticky about the way it all came together in the end. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is good, clean F.U.N., and as long as you don’t expect too much out of it, you’ll have a totally coral time.
Fire Emblem Engage is a clear step backward for a great series. While the strategy gameplay at the core of it is perhaps the series’ best, everything else here feels weaker. I still enjoyed my time with the game, ultimately thanks to its gameplay which is some of the best in the genre, but after how great Three Houses with, it’s hard not to come away from Engage disappointed.
The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow doesn’t do anything new for the adventure game genre, but its outstanding atmosphere and well-executed gameplay should interest any fan of the genre who doesn’t mind a story that isn’t afraid to go to some rather horrifying places. Make sure to check it out.
Rhythm Sprout is a seriously fresh serving of beats. It’s definitely recommended, on the understanding that you know what you’re in for. The music doesn’t stop often to rest, meaning neither will you, and while the gameplay seems barebones, it knows how to make itself just as involved as a more complex rhythm game. There’s absolutely something to simpler rhythm games as a fun romp for a couple minutes here and there, and I think that’s a precedent that was pushed well with Rhythm Sprout.
As Luminous Productions’ first project after being formed from the developers of Final Fantasy XV, Forspoken is a remarkable yet flawed experience. There’s so much potential here, with an outstanding magic parkour system and a beautiful open world. However, it’s clear that the ambition was a little too high for this studio, as there are just too many incomplete (but great) ideas at work here that just don’t come to fruition.
I know I’ve said a lot of negative things about Burrow of the Fallen Bear, and I want to make it clear it’s not because of the content. I previously reviewed a furry visual novel and actually loved it, and I have zero problem with adult content. It’s just that none of these things were done well in this game. Burrow of the Fallen Bear has potential, too: there are some heavy topics, like racism, genocide, religion and cults, and grappling with one’s dark past. The experience could have been so much richer if even just one of these topics had been given some real time. Unfortunately, Burrow of the Fallen Bear is just not a good game, bogged down by a poor translation, an uninspired story, flat characters, and clunky sex scenes. If you’re needing a furry and/or explicit visual novel to scratch any particular itch, you’re better off looking elsewhere.
A Space for the Unbound is Mojiken and Toge Productions at their best. If you weren’t paying attention to this powerhouse team yet, correct this mistake now with the literal masterpiece that is A Space for the Unbound. It proudly stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of To the Moon and Rakuen with its impeccably unique flair, ready to laugh with players during the high moments and cry with them in its lows. If you have a fondness for emotional narrative-driven games and have been even remotely curious about A Space for the Unbound, don’t wait a moment longer and get this game (and some tissues).
While Mahokenshi definitely reminds me of Castle Morihisa, its pacing and balance is a bit better than that unfortunate adventure. Keep in mind this is very much still a challenging and sometimes brutal game, and you’ll have to grind quite a bit to get through every mission. That said, it’s a game with a creative premise, attractive artwork, and many ways to strategize. If you’re at all a fan of deckbuilders and don’t mind some occasional difficulty spikes, I’d definitely check Mahokenshi out.