It’s one of those rare weeks where there are no easily definable big-name releases due. To call this week a write-off though would be folly – there are a couple of RPGs, an unexpected retro collection, and a few intriguing indies. Before We Leave has made a belated appearance on Switch too. It’s a post-apocalyptic …
I’m done with humans. And humanoid aliens, and anthropomorphised animals – all an utter waste of gaming’s unbounded potential. If nothing else, Stray demonstrates what an unusual protagonist can do for a game. This should be familiar territory: a post-apocalyptic city inhabited by robots, you have to find out what went wrong and help out, …
Coming as no surprise, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the UK’s new no.1 in the all-formats retail chart. The Switch exclusive JRPG arrived to rave reviews, with some critics calling it the best in the genre on the system. The Metacritic currently sits at an impressive 89%. Switch RPGs tend to chart highly one week before …
One of the most renowned tales in gaming is how Rare become so sick of making cutesy 3D platformers that they went entirely in the opposite direction, turning Twelve Tales: Conker 64 into the crass and chaotic Conker’s Bad Fur Day. Not even Nintendo themselves would touch it, leaving THQ to pick up publishing rights. …
ININ Games will be bringing two ‘Ray-series’ shoot’em up collections to PS4 and Switch next year, one as a download and as a retail release, and one that’s download only – outside of a physical limited/collector’s edition. RayForce was the first in the ‘Ray-series’ to be released, hitting Japanese arcades in 1994. Western gamers may …
This week was originally looking a little quiet, but as if by magic, a gaggle of new indie releases have appeared. A ‘gaggle’ is the correct term, we believe. The PS4 and PS5 are set to receive the giant monster brawler GigaBash, featuring destructible environments and ten titans to master, along with the Unreal Engine …
I only had limited knowledge of this 1991 arcade game prior to playing for this review, knowing only that the rare Game Boy version – with its hilarious regional box art – now sells for a hefty sum. Considering that said handheld version was the only home conversion, I think it’s safe to brand it …
Next week is looking lighter than usual for new releases (Massage Freaks, anyone?) so it’s fortunate that this week has a few noteworthy new games to tide us over. Hot on the heels of last week’s Nintendo-published Live A Live comes the colossal JPRG Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Reviews went live on Tuesday, with a handful …
The Switch’s vertical shooter Raiden IV x MIKADO remix – which boasts an impressive 86% Metacritic – is set to arrive on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC in early 2023. NISA are handling publishing duties, revealing Special and Deluxe versions for PS4, PS5, and Xbox One/Xbox Series. The Deluxe version includes a …
Say what you want about simulator games, but at least you always know what you’re getting into, whether it’s farming, pressure washing, or becoming a street artist. Street Artist Simulator gives the chance to become the next Banksy…or perhaps one of those annoying twerps that doodle wangers everywhere. A Wanksy. Set in a large …
A few months ago, the former Switch exclusive ‘Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion’ made a surprise Xbox Game Pass appearance. While we found much to enjoy, the quirky humour especially, it was hard to award it a score higher than 7/10. In less than two hours, it was all over. Considering a physical copy costs …
QUByte and PIKO’s next multiformat retro re-release is a bit of an oddity. QUByte Classics: Thunderbolt Collection by PIKO – to use its full title – brings together two rare and obscure unlicensed Taiwanese shoot’em ups. Thunderbolt did the rounds on the Famicom bootleg scene in 1993, while Thunderbolt II made it to Mega Drive in …
Square-Enix’s Live A Live was the only new entry in the UK top 40 last week, debuting at a respectable #6. The RPG remake also took #3 in the Switch top 20. Horizon Forbidden West returned to no.1 in the all-formats retail chart, proving that Sony’s PS5 hardware bundle is popular. That said, it’s likely …
Back in the days of the N64 and GameCube, publishers were very careful when it came to planning launch dates. Nintendo themselves was very selective with PAL release dates in particular, holding games back so they didn’t clash with similar titles, or to give first-party games breathing space. Nowadays, it’s a colossal free for all …
The industry has evolved to the point where niche games find their audiences instantly, often becoming runaway successes. For this, we can thank a combination of easy-to-use game engines, smaller development teams, digital distribution, and the desire to create the next surprise hit. PowerWash Simulator’s existence goes even further beyond this, owning its creation to …
