The Gamerheads Podcast 's Reviews
Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania doesn't really do anything new with the game. It essentially takes what we know and love about Vampire Survivors and puts a fresh coat of bloody, teary paint on it. But you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. It's a great game and a total time suck (yes that's another vampire reference). Vampire Survivors is one of the best "bang for your buck" games out there this generation, and the Ode to Castlevania DLC only makes it more of a value. Now, go out and buy this right now - and have fun storming the castle!
Despite a few minor critiques, Crow Country is a fantastic game. I'm glad I gave Crow Country a try, as it has quickly become one of my favorite Halloween games because of its rich atmosphere and compelling narrative. The story is compelling, and though it’s set in a creepy, abandoned amusement park with Playstation One-style aesthetics, it leans more into the realm of a sci-fi thriller than pure horror. The twist takes me completely by surprise, and the ending leaves me wondering about Mara’s fate and the secret she uncovers. If you’re looking for the perfect spooky game to dive into this Halloween, Crow Country is definitely worth your time.
Last Time I Saw You offers a rich, unique story that is told through scripted dialogue, sought-out interactions, and some side reading. I appreciate that combat is minimal, but enough that it kept me aware when I entered a new area just in case something came from the dark. Despite some self-discovery of mechanics, progressing through the game is very fluid. I found myself wanting to learn more about each character’s story as I spoke with each of them, and it gave me a small-town feel with an ancestral history that only added to the plot! I highly recommend giving this hand-drawn game a play-through!
Flowstone Saga excels with its story. I loved uncovering Mirai’s past alongside her, learning the truth as the story unfolded. The cast of characters feels authentic, and at times, former enemies turn out to be misunderstood, while the real villain proves far more dangerous. The battle mechanics initially felt fresh, but they soon became repetitive—after all, how much Tetris can one really play? Considering some elements lacked depth, I think Flowstone Saga could have benefited from skipping a few underutilized features and focusing more on a traditional RPG approach. I appreciate that the developers tried something new, and the Tetris-inspired battle mechanics tie in well with Mirai’s abilities, but perhaps it ended up being a bit too much of the same thing.
Among the auto-battlers I've played, NeoDuel Backpack Monsters stands out as one of the best. I appreciate the strategic depth it offers, allowing me to have greater influence over the outcomes. While there is an element of chance that occasionally complicates my strategies or forces me to adapt my original plans, I ultimately found my time with the game to be enjoyable.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with Keylocker. The animation is stunning, the music is incredible, and the story is fantastic. Yes, the game is challenging, and no, it's not a passive experience—I had to stay engaged and pay attention during battles. But that’s exactly what I love about it. It dares to be different from a lot of other RPGs and takes some bold risks, most of which pay off beautifully. If you’re a fan of JRPGs, Keylocker is definitely a game that should be on your list.
Yars Rising is a fun title on its own, but is even better as a love letter to the Atari classic. You have to appreciate the effort put in to researching the game's lore and expanding on it, and fans of the original will absolutely love it. Those of you who are new to this world will still find an enjoyable Metroidvania game with some fun dialogue and new elements to keep things interesting. Not only that, but the addition of classic challenges will continue to test your abilities (and patience). The price tag may cause some to pause, but if you complete everything there is to do (including two playthroughs), you're easily putting 30-ish hours into it. I would recommend picking up this title especially if you're a fan of the genre, and I hope to see more WayForward interpretations of classic Atari games. A Centipede turn-based RPG, anyone?
If you’re looking for a new cozy game that involves saving frog’s habitats, this game is definitely worth a hop. It was relaxing and fun to discover all the different frogs. Not only that, I got to make the game my own with endless possibilities and customizations of the wetlands. Lastly, the story and visuals complemented each other in this cozy world that made me want to keep coming back for more.
Satryn DX is a vibrant twin-stick shooter that offers both fun gameplay and a satisfying challenge. Its unique use of color and enemy camouflage brings a fresh twist to the genre, setting it apart from other games. Priced at just $6.99, it's an excellent value and is undoubtedly worth every penny.
I appreciate Tavern Talk's fresh approach, which places the player in the unique role of a bartender rather than the typical adventurer embarking on quests. The game offers a cozy atmosphere, populated by a colorful cast of characters. However, I sometimes find myself wishing that my choices carried more weight. The game's world is rich and expansive, occasionally leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed. Nonetheless, for players seeking a relaxing experience to help them decompress after a busy day—a place where everyone knows your name—Tavern Talk perfectly fits the bill.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space summons the nostalgic thrill of a modern-day ghost in the graveyard. While I enjoyed playing as a Klown, taking on the role of a human also led to numerous hilarious moments. Whether a fan of the original movie or not, the game's whimsical antics and visually stunning design are sure to win many hearts. I highly recommend playing this game with friends, as the experience is greatly enhanced by sharing laughs and enjoying each other's company. Ultimately, that’s exactly what Killer Klowns offers—a genuinely fun time.
NeoSprint offers far more depth than is immediately apparent. Boasting nearly fifty playable tracks, and featuring the capability to design and share your own courses, this game provides limitless entertainment. While the campaign mode offers a fun and challenging single-player experience, the true appeal of NeoSprint lies in its arcade-style multiplayer gameplay. With options to organize Grand Prix events and challenge friends, NeoSprint is an essential addition for anyone seeking their next local multiplayer gaming adventure.
There’s a lot to love about Biomorph. The animation is stellar, and the cutscenes feel like something right out of a Saturday morning cartoon. The combat is the game's highlight, with the morphing aspect the centerpiece. Those who enjoy challenging Metroidvanias will certainly love Biomorph.
Resident Evil 2 is the pinnacle of a franchise that’s on an upswing after a series of ups and downs. It’s the product of a Capcom that understands its fanbase and reverently respects its survival horror roots. Resident Evil 2 improved nearly everything from the original without screwing anything up in the process, and it will be remembered as another Resident Evil classic because of it. This is Resident Evil at its unprecedented best, and it’s awe-inspiring to witness.
Visual novels aren’t for everyone - but those of you that enjoy a good story and the many choices that a good visual novel has to offer, then this is a good game for you. The story is straight out of 80's film with a ragtag group of characters each having their own aspirations and dreams, and with your help they can fulfill those dreams...or not. It’s all up to you based on who you interact with and how you interact with them. The story is solid and a lot of work was put into the creation of the characters, the options you have, and the outcomes of each possible choice. Even those that aren’t fans of visual novels can appreciate hard work and good art when they see it, and Arcade Spirits exudes passion that the creators put into it.
If they ever offer a college course on the history of video games, Evoland: Legendary Edition should be a required read (or play). It's a fun title that takes you back through time and provides an interactive guide through the development of gaming from then till now. While the first game in the series is a fun, albeit short experience, the real enjoyment comes with its sequel. It's just a fun (and hilarious) experience that anyone who just wants to chill will find a lot of enjoyment with. I won't spoil all the surprises and throwbacks featured in these games, but anyone who grew up playing classic games will quickly find themselves grinning from ear to ear.
Overall, Airheart - Tales of Broken Wings is a fun and challenging roguelike twin stick shooter that incorporates resource management and crafting. Even with the short falls of some of the UI issues and crafting lacking much direction, the game is fun to play. You may find yourself frustrated with the difficulty that quickly ramps up, but each run is short enough that it doesn’t become overly tiresome. Airheart is a perfect fit on the Nintendo Switch, allowing you to pick the game up for short bursts of time to complete a resource run.
The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince looks gorgeous and it tells a story straight out of a fairy tale, but its mechanics and gameplay sequences leave much to be desired. It would make for an excellent storybook, but it’s best to wait for a sizable discount on what amounts to a frustrating albeit interesting journey.
Battle Princess Madelyn is a love letter to the games of old, and at the same time acts as a history less on both what did and did not work. However, for those of us who grew up on these classic titles, it definitely scratches that retro itch. The difficulty and lack of direction in the story mode may be a turn-off to younger gamers, but if you have fond memories of only making it to the end of the first level in Ghosts 'n Goblins, you too will find this an enjoyable trip down memory lane.
Mages of Mystralia has a familiar and nostalgic feel. The beautiful artwork, the puzzles, and the boss battles all are done right. The game is hindered by the lack of world and character depth, and the loading screens can be a pain. However, overall, Mages of Mystralia is an enjoyable journey and for those of you that enjoy puzzles and spellcrafting, this is certainly a good choice.