Cartel Tycoon review

Presumably to prevent angering an entire continent, it’s never revealed where Cartel Tycoon takes place – even though it’s glaringly obvious. The same applied to the Tropico series, clearly inspired by the Cuban lifestyle but instead falling back on the term ‘banana republic’. There’s fair reasoning behind this, with the writers of The Simpsons once …

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Cybertrash STATYX review

Had Cybertrash STATYX existed in the ‘90s, it would almost certainly be an Amiga 1200 title circa 1993. Not any Amiga game, but one heralded by the format centric magazines for showing the humble home computer can hold its own against the 16-bit consoles. It’s reminiscent of Elfmania and Fightin’ Spirit in particular, featuring anime …

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Atari are returning to arcades, via manufacturer Alan-1

Modern arcade game manufacturer Alan-1 has announced plans to create new arcade cabinets with Atari, each based on their revamped Recharged series. The company aims to produce “at least ten” different full size arcade games in the next three years, with the first due nationwide across the US during Q3 2024. Cabinets will be equipped with pinball …

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Inkulinati review

How can you tell something is the result of passion and care, rather than cold, hard economics? For me, it is the little touches. The things that developers add in when there’s absolutely no need whatsoever. In Inkulinati, a game where you draw beasts onto a battlefield, your hand is represented by a human hand. …

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GRANDIA HD Collection is coming to PS4 and Xbox One later this month

The spare time sapping RPG package GRANDIA HD Collection is coming to Xbox One and PS4 on March 26th, courtesy of GungHo Online Entertainment America.  Not only this, but Limited Run Games will be releasing a physical edition for $34.99, with pre-orders going live on March 15th. It’ll include a trio of art cards and a …

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System Shock rocks PlayStation and Xbox formats in May

All systems are go – Nightdive’s well received System Shock remake, which had an incredibly long development cycle, will launch on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series on May 21st. This classic sci-fi shooter reborn will support “up to” 4K 60fps on PS5 and Xbox Series, and also features redesigned controls intended for joypads. …

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UK retail chart sees three new arrivals, including WWE 2K24 at no.1

Square-Enix’s well-received Final Fantasy VII Rebirth could only hold onto the UK chart’s top spot for a single week, dislodged by new arrival WWE 2K24. The star-studded grappler seems to be a return to form for the franchise, boasting an 82% Metacritic, while being praised for its fun mechanics and wealth of modes. WWK 2K24 …

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REVEIL review

You’ve doubtlessly heard of the phrase ‘running away to join the circus.’ Publisher Daedalic’s latest horror game has an altogether different proposition, based around a former circus worker’s struggle to escape from an illusionary world filled with twisted fun houses, clowns, ghost trains, and an untimely death. It’s very much a case of trying to …

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Penny’s Big Breakaway review

For their next trick, the Sonic Mania team leaps into the world of 3D platforming. It’s a bold move, with even SEGA themselves infamously stumbling when it comes to creating fast-moving action platformers starring their blue-hued hedgehog. The team does at least have over two decades of mistakes to learn from, and as Sonic Mania …

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Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review

Not every video game is for everyone, and at a time when there are more people playing games than ever, that’s perfectly acceptable. Moreover, it’s commercially viable – these days even something offbeat has a good chance of finding its niche. It may seem strange to introduce The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island – the …

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the UK’s new no.1

Square-Enix’s anticipated PS5 exclusive Final Fantasy VII Rebirth took the lion’s share of sales in this week’s UK retail chart, topping the all formats top 40. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered – the PSone HD re-release from 2020 – also managed to enter the PS4 chart at #8. Curiously, it’s listed as a new entry and …

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