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Rogue Lords is an innovative mix of roguelike and RPG elements with clever new concepts to tax your tactical mind. There’s a constant one-more-encounter compulsivity as you look to make your band of villains ever more powerful, and a huge scope for creativity provided by the reality-bending devil mode. For an entertainingly strategic experience where you have free license to indulge your dark side and wreak havoc with a variety of ghosts and ghouls, Rogue Lords will sate your wicked desires.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is yet another excellent offering from the masters of horror at Supermassive Games. While not every facet of its choose-your-own-adventure style narrative works, its compelling cast of characters and immense replayability will keep you coming back for more. I’ve played through the game twice in the past week, and I’m already dying to return to the underground with four friends to experience Movie Night mode. If that’s not a testament to the game’s lasting power, then I don’t know what is.
Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is a fun puzzle-platformer that will absolutely please fans of the genre and/or Tim Burton. Don’t let its creepy cute demeanor fool you — these puzzles are definitely on the cerebral side and will take some time to tease that solution out. I can see this being a terrific Halloween title for streamers who don’t love the typical scary fare for this spooky holiday but still want to please their followers. In the very least, this little treat has a few tricks up its sleeve that make Tandem: A Tale of Shadows worth the price of admission.
I really was hoping I’d love Jack Axe. And while it’s still a good game, the issues I mentioned earlier held it back substantially. That said, if you’re up for a sometimes unfair challenge, the game does let you play with up to 3 friends. Honestly, what Jack Axe does right, it does quite well, glitches and all. Here’s hoping the next game from Keybol Games is a bit more polished and balanced out of the gate. Because I think there’s the potential for something really special next time around.
There’s an audience for YouTubers Life 2, certainly, but due to a series of odd choices, it’s not the same audience that fell in love with YouTubers Life. With the freedom of running around town comes the restriction of what videos you can actually make for your channel, which will frustrate those coming from its predecessor. If you’re in high school, love farming sims, and haven’t played the first title, this could very well be your next gaming obsession; for everyone else, be sure to like, subscribe, and check back later when the bugs have been fleshed out.
All in all, there’s a lot of heart to this little gem. It’s got some rough edges, particularly in its refusal to hold players’ hands. Players might find they need the extra help, and for that, we’ll have a plethora of guides to help smooth over that issue. But the fact does remain that there’s a lack of guidance where it counts here. It’s worth keeping in mind that this game doesn’t want, nor need, to take itself seriously, so someone hoping for a long-lasting, deep plot should approach with caution. Lastly, if there’s one thing someone could take from this game, it’s that voxel’s back baby, and Cococucumber proves it in spades. The shading, atmosphere, and vivid coloring make the whole world pop in ways that only Cococucumber could’ve pulled off. If you’re in the mood for an ’80s-inspired sci-fi adventure with solid combat and beautiful, voxel-based visuals, Echo Generation has exactly what you’re looking for.
Aeon Must Die is a complex and sprawling beat ’em up. Even with its initial learning curve, there is no denying that it presents a genuine evolution of the genre and for that, it should be applauded. The beat ’em up genre is one that seldom presents ideas and concepts as fresh and punishing as this, so on that basis alone, Aeon Must Die is something that is definitely worth checking out for those with even a passing interest in the genre.
So what’s the verdict for this trip down the synthwave highway? As an avid EDM junkie, this is the sweetest treat for my eclectic earholes, and this review should prove that Klang 2 dares to grab that fated fruit of masterful rhythm combat. The aesthetic is eye-catching, a raver’s paradise with a perfect pitch of neon, Tron-lines, and vibrant special effects. While the story does more to present itself than the last game does, it misses a few notes in the depth department and needs a lesson or two in conciseness. Most importantly, though, the difficulty spikes can absolutely set back a casual player that can’t catch on to the combat. Fans of EDM should absolutely tune in for the soundtrack bLiNd put together for this, while rhythm game fans should approach with caution if they’re not much for electronic music or the bold color choices. For just $15, you’re getting a serious bang for your buck here.
Inspector Waffles genuinely surprised me. I expected a good pixel art noir, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with a great buddy cop murder mystery. It’s also one of the few point and clicks that felt optimized for the Switch, a rare treat for those who enjoy the genre on this console. Featuring witty writing, a loveable cast, and even a secret ending to sniff out, the only mystery here is why wouldn’t you want to pick up Inspector Waffles?
Inscryption is refreshingly unique. With all the roguelike deckbuilders popping up these days, they can all start to blend together. Inscryption manages to stand out from the crowd in all the best ways. Complex card strategies blend with escape room puzzles far better than should be possible. And the whole package is wrapped in such wonderfully creepy trappings that it’s perfect for the Halloween season. Just remember: don’t ever assume you’ve reached the end.
It would be entirely understandable for a person to come into this review thinking that roguelikes are a dime a dozen these days and that this particular game is no different from the rest of the lot. However, between the traits mentioned above and the card attack system, I feel that Dandy Ace does enough to be a good game in its own right and to be a game that makes for quite the showstopper to stand out from amongst the crowd. I had a great deal of fun navigating the world of Dandy Ace, seeing what each new area had in store for me, and seeing what card combinations I could come up with. Hopefully, upon taking your own trip into the world of the Magic Mirror, you will also come away feeling a touch of magical delight as well.
Ruin Raiders is an attractive adventure featuring adorable animal characters. With surprisingly challenging gameplay and satisfying boss fights, every dungeon you descend into provides a unique challenge. The biggest qualms are that the game can occasionally devolve into a grind-fest and there’s a lack of coherent story. However, if you like the sound of a good turn-based strategy title in the spirit of X-Com combined with dungeon-crawling and combat featuring interesting animalistic abilities, you’ll probably enjoy Ruin Raiders.
Seeker: My Shadow is not without its issues, and it’s ultimately a fairly short journey, but it’s got adorable little diorama puzzles so full of charm that it’s really hard not to fall in love. If you have a young gamer in the house and want to play family friendly VR titles with them, I’d recommend Seeker: My Shadow right away. If you loved Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker and want to experience the whimsical world of the Seekers, look no further than Seeker: My Shadow.
Crash Drive 3 and its extremely simplistic and repetitive gameplay loops are difficult to recommend for anyone looking for a substantial arcade driving experience. If, however, you’re after a fun little time-waster that you just want to have to hand for a few moments of downtime here and there, then you may find Crash Drive 3 an adequate distraction; provided you can look past the technical issues, that is.
Death’s Gambit: Afterlife isn’t without its share of perplexing decisions, but, all-in-all, it’s a fun Soulslike Metroidvania with just the right amount of challenge. Sure, finding your way around the game’s world can be a little frustrating, but at least it’s fun once you get to where you need to be—and that, in my opinion, is what matters the most.
Featuring more modes and options than I knew what to do with, SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium is still worth the time of fighting game fans 22 years after its initial release. With tight controls, deep combat, and a huge roster, there’s so much to keep you busy. I’d love to see PC releases of the arcade Capcom vs. SNK titles, but for now, this alternative will keep fans plenty busy.
Chasing Static dials in a unique spin on the psychological horror genre with its lo-fi visuals and focus on sonic exploration. I only wish there was more substance to go along with its excellent sense of style. With more compelling puzzles to solve and a greater variety of locations to explore, it’d be a lot easier to recommend adding this one to your library. Even though the writing has its moments, the story ends so abruptly that it likely won’t stick with you long after the credits roll. If you’re a die-hard fan of horror games from the 32-bit era or are looking for a fresh twist on the genre, Chasing Static just might be worth tuning into. However, those in search of more substantial scares would probably be better off changing the station.
If the movie Hackers has left a lasting impression on you and you want to feel like a technical genius, Midnight Protocol is a dream come true. Its turn-based strategy gameplay with a mysterious narrative woven throughout will hook anyone who wants a uniquely cerebral challenge. If you’ve ever wondered how poking around private cyber places can effect change — either for the greater good or the greener gains — say “I’m in” to Midnight Protocol.
Waifu Discovered 2: Medieval Fantasy isn’t for everyone. But if you’re an adult gamer looking for something silly to pass the time with, I’d highly recommend it. Not only is it much more balanced than the first game (I even managed to beat the Arcade mode here), but the animation overall is higher quality, with better shading and less cartoony artwork. Plus, it allows multiplayer fun and streaming options. So if you’re a Switch owner looking for a new Shmup, look no further than Waifu Discovered 2!
It’s hard to complain about a ten-game collection where every game is at least good. The NeoGeo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 is a fascinating look back at a system that deserved better. With few games that are truly essential, though, and many of them having better versions out there, it’s also not a must-own. For those who have fond memories of these games, or who are just interested in checking out a sadly forgotten device, though, check it out.