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WRITHE is a first-person arcade shooter. As an exterminator, you are tasked with killing mutated worms. Blast through infinite waves of mutating worms and try to stay alive for as long as possible before meeting inevitable demise.
Gnomes & Goblins is a passion project from executive producer Jon Favreau. In the game, you are surrounded by characters that resemble Grogu from the Mandalorian. The charm of Gnomes & Goblins can be seen and heard throughout the short run time in this creative cinematic experience. Gnomes & Goblins in VR melds exploration and adventure gameplay mechanics.
Injecting humour into games is nothing new. There is an easily recallable list of such titles for the Switch from the classic Undertale though to Thimbleweed Park and Jenny LeClue. Now, there is a new title to add to that list. Astrologaster is a comic look at the way certain people thought back in Shakespearian London. There are nods to all sorts of events and historic occurrences, both true and conspiratorial.
There are many RPGs to choose from on the Nintendo Switch. With the likes of Octopath Traveller, Dragon Quest XI and Divinity: Original Sin 2, why should you play Operencia: The Stolen Sun? I’m here to tell you.
No matter what type of gamer you are, whether you live and breathe video games or pick up a mobile game every now and again, life simulations seem to appeal to just about everyone. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is certainly proof of this, people who don’t usually play games are desperate to find a Switch which have shot up in demand during the pandemic. They’re relaxing, and don’t require a lot of skill or concentration. They’re the type of games you can play in chunks whenever you choose, during a lunch break or in bed late at night.
I’m a sucker for Roguelike games. The often simple yet challenging gameplay often leads to many moments of joy to then sheer frustration as you get “schooled” by a particularly nasty boss for the 100’th time. The benefits of Roguelikes is that no matter how many times you die. you grow a little stronger in both character and player as you unlock stats and learn the movements of your foes. Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos takes this formula and sprinkles a world builder on the top. Not only is progress measured by how powerful your hero is, it’s also based on how big your village is.
Curse of the Dead Gods is a skill-based roguelike set inside a cruel, dark temple with a seemingly infinite amount of endless rooms and corridors. Death is always just one step behind, and that’s if the constant threat of corruption doesn’t get to you first!
Emblazoned across Pumpkin Jack’s website is the slogan “Medieval meets Jak & Daxter”. If that isn’t an indicator of what’s to follow, I’m not sure what would be. It’s indicative of everything this game stands for, warts and all, and feels very much a take it or leave it approach by the developer. ‘Remember those games from the late 90’s and early 2000’s that we all know and loved? Well, if you think you’ll still love them now, I’ve made a new one.’
I’ve always loved puzzle games, despite them often being a niche genre. They can provide a relaxing experience that also keeps the mind engaged. In some cases, they are also able to weave memorable narratives and characters, such as the Professor Layton games. It can also be difficult to make a game stand out when puzzles are the main focus. Unfortunately for The Pillar: Puzzle Escape, while offering a short but enjoyable journey, it relies too heavily on its inspirations to leave much of an impression.
The tinny whisperings of a song leaking from headphones. Faces inching towards the window; those around me noticing structures that tour books have detailed and now seen for the first time. The silent transfer from ship to tarmac. All this and the world at my fingerprints. I’m describing the coach trip taken from England to Paris in late 2019; how one game made this multi-hour coach trip with all of its stops and traffic that more bearable. This game was 80 Days, a mobile text-based role player where you take on the role of Passepartout; managing resources, helping your master and navigating the world.
When is a Wrestling Game Not a Wrestling Game? The answer is when you’re playing Wrestling Empire. This game is unlike anything I have ever played before. Created by a single developer MDickie, this game is a strange testament to what can be achieved, while at the same time being an absolutely bizarre and unpredictable experience.
Wolf. Crinos. Human. Three forms that render the moment-to-moment gameplay of Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood as unique as it comes. When you aren’t sneaking around in the shadows in Cahal’s wolf form, you are shapeshifting into a human to snap necks or transitioning into a Crinos to wreak havoc on the environment and your enemies. It’s fascinating, yet oh-so-flawed.
Speed Limit is a genre swapping game following the life of a man who has just been handed a gun. The player fights off enemies in a side-scrolling shooter, blasts cars in a racing game, and defeats aerial foes in a fighter jet. Fighting through ten unique and challenging levels, Speed Limit pays homage to arcade games of the past. By switching genres frequently, Speed Limit keeps the player guessing.
Vera Blanc: Ghost in the Castle is very similar to Vera Blanc: Full Moon. So similar, in fact, that I could probably copy-paste my other review and call it a day.
The Wii U might have a bad rap, but anyone who owned one knew how good the Wii U game library was. Hence Nintendo keeps porting Wii U games to the infinitely more popular Nintendo Switch. As someone who owned and played the heck outta the criminally underrated Wii U, this isn’t my first time playing Super Mario 3D World. That was back in 2013, however, this Switch port breathes new life into it and is also bolstered by new addition, Bowser’s Fury. It couldn’t have come at a better time, either, with plenty of people like yours truly needing an injection of joy into their life.
I’ve never been one to play puzzle games or be any good at them for that matter. But with the release of the latest instalment of the critically acclaimed game series, The Room, I decided to try my hand at some puzzle-solving action.
Her Majesty’s Ship puts players into the boots of an ambitious British navy ship captain in a race to become admiral. The primary objective is promotion to Admiral of the Fleet. There is, however, more layers to the game than that. Managing the crew, the ship, and engaging in naval combat is of high importance. Her Majesty’s Ship transports players back to the 18th century – the time of England’s naval rivalry with the Spanish and Dutch. If you’ve seen the Pirates of the Caribbean films, you probably know the gist of this era.
Is it just me or are there not enough arcade shoot-em-ups these days? Back in the day, I used to adore these games. I needed nothing more to occupy my small child-like mind other than shooting baddies, collecting power-ups and dodging a screen full of projectiles. I miss them dearly.
Turrican, a game synonymous with the console boom of the ’90s is back. The Turrican Flashback Collection brings – Turrican, Turrican 2: The Final Fight, Mega Turrican, and Super Turrican together in one complete collection.
Perched atop the Empire State observing the snow-covered streets of Manhattan, I put the controller down and take it all in. So, this is what next-gen gaming is all about. The streets are alive with the hustle and bustle of downtown Manhattan. The visuals offer a crispness and clarity I have never seen before. And, there’s an affinity with the story that took hold from the off. As I dive off to protect the citizens of my city from the next crime in progress, it dawns on me.