August of this year saw the return of a series I deeply admire in the form of The Game Kitchen’s Blasphemous 2. The original, released back in 2018, truly blew me away. The developers showed a depth of understanding in game design that is not often seen. Unique in its art style, with a luscious […]
It has become increasingly difficult to talk about FromSoftware without mentioning the Souls franchise and its cousins (Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring); Such is the impact these games have had, whether you love or loathe them. But it goes without saying that the success of these titles pulled focus away from one of FromSoft’s other treasured franchises: […]
Team Ninja are synonymous with games that have a high skill ceiling, but rewarding combat. As a young lad, I have fond memories of the Ninja Gaiden series and Nioh amplified that formula. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin was something of a misfire, with a lack of identity and balance that permeated the game. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty presents an opportunity for […]
Sci-fi is a tricky genre to nail. Sometimes, it can truly immerse you in its world, narrative, and characters. However, on other occasions, it can come across as rather shallow and unimaginative. Mad House Games have given fans of the genre a game that promises a “mysterious alien world”, “challenging” gameplay, and an “intricate” story. […]
December 2022 saw the release of The Callisto Protocol. Starting out as an in-universe PUBG shooter, the focus shifted when former Dead Space developers were brought on board. Thus, the game transformed into the product we were given – an undeniable ode to the aforementioned Sci-Fi horror franchise. Upon its launch late last year, The Callisto Protocol was met with widespread criticism, […]
Metroidvanias are surging in popularity. With simple mechanics that feature abilities, upgrades, backtracking, and exploration, two things serve to make one of these titles stand out amongst the crowd – world design and rewarding combat. This is what I paid the closest attention to when playing Moonscars, the début entry from developers Black Mermaid. Will […]
Point-and-click puzzlers. A genre synonymous with early PC gaming. Brain-bending puzzles wrapped within strong narratives, carried by a gripping cast of characters. Nine Noir Lives makes an attempt in earnest to tick all of these boxes, though with an added difference – cats! Developed by Slivernode Games, Nine Noir Lives offers a “point-and-lick” puzzle adventure, in a gritty city […]
Aeterna Noctis, the first game developed by Aeternum Game Studios, was originally announced back in 2020, via a Kickstarter campaign. The full release arrived in December of 2021, to much acclaim. Promising to be a “demanding metroidvania”, Aeterna Noctis offers challenging platforming, slick combat, and hours of exploration. Players will find new zones, enemies, and rewards as […]
Oftentimes, games that aim to capture some sort of 16-bit nostalgia can be hit and miss. The simple things need to be tight and there needs to be a coherent vision. As such, I was a pinch apprehensive about Pixadome’s Chenso Club. So did it make me feel young again, whilst also engaging my 30-some-old year self? […]
Salt and Sacrifice is the latest release from two-person development team, Ska Studios. It’s easy to think of Salt and Sacrifice as an out-and-out sequel to 2016’s Salt and Sanctuary. However, it is far more like a successor, an entry in the same franchise but standalone in many important ways. Whilst this iteration does stay true to the 2D, […]