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1978 was a good year for arcades and for anyone that could find room in their business for a Space Invaders machine. The simple machine was an immediate hit and people couldn’t shovel their quarters, ten pence pieces (and every other currency) into them fast enough; creating a global phenomenon that kick started the dominance of video games over the all-conquering pinball tables that now found themselves playing catch up forevermore. The heartbeat-like thud of the invaders as they slowly but inexorably inched down the screen was hypnotic. The joy of wiping the last of a bunch from the playing area unmatched. What I’m saying, is that Space Invaders deserves every plaudit ever heaped on it and I was one of those caught in the game and loving every minute.
I’m in the courtroom, cross-examining a witness for a trial that’s been developing for the past few hours. I raise an objection, as I finally get to present the piece of evidence that’s been on my mind for a while. Its significance ultimately becoming crystal clear. It’s moments like this that are part of what makes The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles such a brilliant and rewarding experience.
I’m sure that all gamers out there have played at least one skateboarding game in their time. The infamous Tony Hawk Pro Skater titles alongside Skate will probably be your answer, and they remain at the top of the genre even today thanks to sequel announcements and remasters. For me, it was Disney Extreme Skateboarding… but anyway, the fact remains that playing these games made us crave to be able to perform these sick tricks in real life with a great soundtrack accompanying us.
Song of Iron comes at the tail-end of gaming’s Viking craze. In recent years we’ve seen the likes of God of War, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and Valheim to name a few. Some of these are still receiving updates and ongoing support. As a lover of all things Norse, I’m delighted to see another game inspired by this influential and fascinating culture. But what makes Song of Iron stand out from its contemporaries is its size, style, and cinematic flair. Oh and the fact it was made by a solo developer.
A Little Lily Princess is something of a rarity amongst video games. Where there has been plenty of games that have been adapted from films, comics, and television there hasn’t been many that have been inspired by a novel. The only title that springs to my mind is the original Rainbow Six. But even then the game was only loosely based on the Tom Clancy novel.
What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a classic question and one that is very special to each of us. For me, I wanted to join the police. I came close, but eventually, my career path took me down a different route. However, thanks to Rapid Reviews I still got my chance to achieve my dream. Famicom Detective Club puts you in the driving seat as a member of the Utsugi Detective Agency.
Monster Hunter Stories was originally released on the Nintendo 3DS, and although it didn’t really take off over here, it’s back with its sequel – Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Was this a welcomed addition to the Switch library? Read on to find out.
Strategise before taking to the battlefield in the WW2 shooter Hell Let Loose. But should you enlist to play this 50 v 50 multiplayer experience? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Eldest Souls is a strenuous boss rush title. I played as a cloaked hero and slashed my obsidian sword through a plethora of voracious opponents. As humanities last hope, I struggled through tenacious opponents and fought for my life. Is this game worth fighting for? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Alfonzo’s Arctic Adventure tells the story of our titular character who embarks on a quest to find his best friend Bob who’s been missing. While this sounds pretty straightforward, our little Alfonzo decides to collect as many fishes as he can on his quest to find his missing friend. Why do you ask? Well, it’s simple fish is Bob’s favourite food. So why not gather a snack while searching for your best bud.
Nioh 2 arrived on PlayStation 4 in March 2020 and on Playstation 5 and PC, titled Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition, in February this year. The PC and PlayStation 5 versions include DLC packs released for the original PlayStation 4 version. Its events take place both before and after those in the original Nioh game, released on PlayStation 4 and PC in 2017. I let my passion for Japanese culture guide me in picking up this game to review. I have not played Nioh and therefore had no insight into backstory or game mechanics before beginning my playthrough. Was this a blessing in disguise? Or did this turn into a nightmare? Read my Rapid Review below to find out.
Everyone knows how much I love PSVR. It may be a bit outdated now but it is still a very enjoyable experience. The Move controllers are now three generations old but still, it was a great, affordable entry point to quality VR gaming. I used to write a monthly PSVR column and I really miss it. Anyway, enough of the pointless rambling, let’s talk about my Synth Riders PSVR review.
Although the subject matter is dark, the tone is devastating, and the outlook initially bleak, I firmly believe that anyone over the age of 12 should play this game. Many will cite Animal Crossing: New Horizons as their game of the pandemic, and with 200 hours of playtime, I’d have likely done the same. However, having recently played through Umurangi Generation, it is this that will stick with me in the years that follow.
Simulation as a genre is a very broad label over games that typically simulate real-world scenarios. In the case of Lawn Mowing Simulator, a chore or real-world job. What makes games like Job Simulator, Power Wash Simulator, or Lawn Mowing Simulator, to me is the way I can take part in a simulation for something I otherwise would not get a chance to. I don’t have access to large lawn mowers or a desire to run my own mowing company. Having the opportunity to cut grass may not seem exciting to some, but in Lawn Mowing Simulator the main draw is the zen-like monotony which can be satisfying.
At first glance Guild of Darksteel can be mistaken as a typical side-scrolling action-adventure. Yet, it’s both and neither. What it is, is a pixel-based narrative adventure that’s been crossed with a rhythm-based game. If you think along the lines of Flashback and Guitar Hero then you’re not too far off track.
Guilty Gear Strive is the latest entry in the long-running Guilty Gear franchise, one that spans more than 20 years. Documented as the 7th mainline instalment, but the 25th Guilty Gear game overall, Strive represents the first foray into next-gen gaming and my goodness does it make its mark.
Timothy Vs The Aliens is a smart, sort of original looking game, released on PS4 a few years ago to a few good reviews and a few more poor ones. It’s set in a 1940s style noir city, where everything is black and white (apart from the aliens) and your every move is accompanied by a rather unexciting smooth jazz soundtrack. You are Timothy, a gangster about town who has to repel an alien attack. It’s simple in principle and doesn’t get much more complex in practice. It’s been widely praised for its look, and to be fair that certainly stands out.
The gorgeous pixel art is definitely the star of the show in Mayhem In Single Valley, packed with detailed animations and incredible lighting effects. Though the other gameplay elements are average, there’s still fun to be found admiring the game’s visuals whilst navigating this world of mayhem.
Annapurna Interactive has quickly become one of my favourite publishers with the wide variety of inventive titles on offer. So when Annapurna’s latest title promised a mystery narrative title set in present-day London, I was eager to uncover the secrets of Last Stop.
A Plague Tale: Innocence sees you playing as Amicia running through the plagued streets of France with your brother Hugo. Set in the 1300’s, you’re running from soldiers of the inquisition and the terrifying hordes of rats that are ravaging the streets. There are a few different themes that run throughout: at the forefront of the story you’re surrounded by death and decay which is something you will quickly get used to seeing.