GameSpew's Reviews
Thanks to its moreish gameplay and wonderful visuals that combine solid black landmasses with pastel-coloured backdrops, Gravitar: Recharged is a must-have for those who enjoy arcade games with a lasting challenge. Revitalising a classic with gusto, the new Missions mode and co-op just bolster what’s already a very worthy addition to your game library.
Remote Life is very impressive, considering it’s made by just one person. But it does have some issues that will prevent it from being remembered as one of the classics. Still, shoot ’em up fans are likely to want to add this to their collection. Not only does it look great, but the twin-stick shooter element makes it unique. If only it didn’t have so many gates to wait around for.
Things picked up with the ending, but Silt‘s bosses are in sore need of an overhaul. Thankfully, Silt has plenty of stand-out encounters to help erase the memory of those few middling ones. If you’ve the remotest interest in what lies below, this atmospheric aquatic outing is well worth diving into.
There are plenty of exercise games available for Switch, but Let’s Get Fit might just be the best one yet. It lets you get straight into the action, tailoring workouts specifically for the parts of your body you want to target. Whether you want to tone your arms, strengthen your glutes, lose weight or simply improve your overall health, this is a great, low-cost way to get kick-start an exercise regime. As long as you’ve got the willpower to jump into it regularly, of course.
If you’re a Hatsune Miku fan that’s been deprived of the Project DIVA series over the years due to not having a console, you might want to consider Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix+ a must-have if your PC is up to the job. While the gameplay is starting to feel a little old now, the fact that there are over 170 songs to enjoy here is incredible. The VIP edition with its 250 songs is the way to go, though. This is the ultimate Hatsune Miku experience. And there’s even the possibility of more songs being added in the future.
It doesn’t contain every Pac-Man game ever made, but Pac-Man Museum+ is the most complete collection yet, for better or for worse. We love its arcade presentation – jarring sound effects and all – and even outside of the games, there’s fun to be had trying to collect everything and decorating your arcade as you see fit. There are some duff games here of course, but you’ll likely find a gem that you never even knew existed – for us it was block puzzle Pac-Attack. Either way, this is a very nice little trip through Pac-Man’s history, and one we’ll keep jumping back into time and again.
If you’re into action RPGs, chances are you’ll get plenty of enjoyment out of Deadcraft. Especially so if you also like survival elements, though for some they’ll get in the way. In any case, there’s much to like here, despite the unimpressive visuals and basic combat. And so, if you feel like stepping into yet another post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies, Deadcraft will meet your needs while also putting a unique spin on things.
This is the sort of game that’s easy-going, relaxing and enjoyable to play. You don’t need to think too much about it; simply turn the game on, switch yourself off and enjoy. And right now, that’s something we all need more of in our lives. If you’re looking for a platforming game that breaks the mould, this isn’t it. But if you simply want a solid entry into the genre, one that sticks to the rules but does so with finesse, you’ll love Kao the Kangaroo.
While Sniper Elite 5‘s campaign feels a little familiar, and largely more focused on sneaking than sniping, we can’t help but be impressed by the overall package. With co-op, competitive multiplayer modes and a new invasion mechanic, Sniper Elite 5 has something for everybody. And a range of difficulty settings make it suitable for all skill levels. So, unless you go into it expecting to snipe everything that moves, chances are you won’t be disappointed.
Overall, though, the good far outweighs the bad. Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers does a great job of living up to its predecessor, offering a story and cast of characters almost as engaging and lovable. Whether or not you’ve played the first game, this is a worthwhile visual novel for anyone who loves the arcade scene and wants to get engrossed in a narrative enriched with gaming culture.
Fans of Touken Ranbu will likely enjoy Touken Ranbu Warriors, but those who are also keen gamers will see its obvious flaws. This is a cut-down Warriors experience, for better and for worse. Newcomers may appreciate the more bite-sized maps that you move through in a linear fashion, but others will find them suffocating. And ultimately, the gameplay just feels more repetitive than ever. Still, if you want to follow the story of Touken Ranbu and feel like you’re part of the action, it might be worth a look.
For shoot ’em up fans, Rolling Gunner + Overpower truly is a treat. Everything about it – from visuals to gameplay – is top-notch, ensuring that you have a big grin on your face from the moment you boot it up until you decide to turn it off. But the amount of difficulty options here, and the features introduced by the Overpower DLC, make this accessible to newcomers, too. We reckon this will be remembered as a classic in years to come.
It may not be entirely original, then, and it’s certainly generic in the looks department, but Amazing Princess Sarah is good fun for those who like old-school platformers such as Castlevania. It’s the type of game that you can play through in one or two sittings, having fun flinging one enemy at another. Then maybe you’ll return to it from time to time to tackle its hoist of additional unlockable game modes. You certainly can’t go wrong for its budget price.
Ultimately, how much joy you’ll get out of Golf Gang depends how much you like playing online. For those who regularly have digital get-togethers with friends, this is a must have. And considering its bargain price (£7.99/$9.99), there really is no reason to jump in: mad-cap, hilarious fun is guaranteed. For those who prefer to play solo, though, you’re better off giving this one a miss.
Evil Dead: The Game has quickly become our favourite 4v1 horror title, and we can’t wait to see how it grows and develops. There are two distinct experiences to be had playing as either a demon or a survivor, but both are huge amounts of gory fun. And thanks to the fantastic atmosphere generated by the game’s visuals and map design, you’re genuinely kept on the edge of your seat as you play. We’re so glad that some 40 years after the release of The Evil Dead, the series remains relevant. And on the back of Evil Dead: The Game we think it’s got much more life in it yet. Come get some.
If you’re after a shoot ’em up that’s bold, colourful and offers plenty of replayability, you can’t really go wrong with Cotton Fantasy. For those new to the genre it will simply be fun working your way through its stages, doing your best to survive. But for veterans out there, there’s a high skill ceiling and a robust scoring system, presenting hours of fun to be had.
As far as sci-fi Souls-likes go, Dolmen sits somewhere between Hellpoint and The Surge in terms of quality. It can offer a rewarding experience to Souls-like fans, but it falls short of the bar set by the creators of the genre. Still, for those who have patience and persistence, and like the idea of exploring a new, futuristic setting while engaging in challenging combat, it’s worth checking out.
For fans of vampiric tales, dark narratives and grizzly visuals, there’s a lot to love about Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong.
You won’t have played anything like Eternal Threads before, and unless Cosmonaut Studios makes a follow-up, you likely never will again. This is a remarkable piece of storytelling, expertly written and crafted, weaving together the ordinary and the futuristic to create something incredibly compelling. You won’t want to put it down, and once you’ve finished, you’ll be thinking about it for weeks to come. It truly is something special.
So: if you like the idea of a puzzle game set against a backdrop of an old-school RPG, you’re going to love Dungeons of Dreadrock. Its aesthetic is excellent, and its puzzles are wonderfully designed, offering a meaty challenge for anyone willing to take it up. For such a budget price, you really can’t go wrong.