Sergey Noskov’s 7th Sector left quite the impression on us. This atmospheric adventure entailed a spark of electricity leaping around a cyberpunk city, harnessing the abilities of various electrical devices – from children’s toys to security drones. All the while, the threads of a plot started to emerge, mostly told using smart environmental storytelling. It …
Once known as Formula Fusion, Pacer is an anti-gravity combat racer, aiming to become the successor to WipEout – the game that helped make the PlayStation brand ‘cool’ in the ’90s. A pounding soundtrack accompanies needle-nosed ships streaking around beautifully designed tracks while decked out with a combination of deadly weapons. Like the saying goes, gotta …
It’s always nice to discover a game has more depth than it lets on. Kill It With Fire sells itself on the idea of destroying spiders with flamethrowers, explosives and other delightfully over the top weapons. Pre-release screenshots even show a petrol station completely ablaze. Not only does it make good on this promise of …
There’s no easy way to write this review without mentioning Donkey Kong, so we may as well get it out the way. Holding Nintendo’s breakout hit in high regard, developer Drowning Monkeys set about creating their own Donkey Kong-style single-screen platformer, mimicking not just the feel of the original but also its tough-but-fair difficulty level. …
Imagine you’re the ruler of a fancy realm. The citizens are great, and the land is lush and fertile, but there’s a bit of a creature problem. The beasties have managed to sneak into the castle and steal your hairiest (read: bearded!) daughter. Alas, you’ve sent all your worthy heroes on quests to slay dragons …
“How can we make retro-inspired shooters more rewarding?†Qute Corporation’s Natsuki Chronicles is seemingly a direct response to that question, constantly dishing out new weapons, upgrades and rewards via an XP/levelling-up system. Every failed attempt unlocks something new, while improved shields and additional credits are dolled regularly to ensure no gamer is left behind. It …
When describing long-running franchises, certain words roll right off the tongue. Super Mario games are playful and inviting; Mortal Kombat is bloody and brutal. Llamasoft games are always described as being trippy and psychedelic, but when it comes to their latest endeavour, I’d hesitate to use either descriptor. It features bright colours and has a …
Hoverboarding aliens surfing at warp speed over golden sparkling dunes? Sign me up. AnShi is a cinematic experience to be savoured slowly and at your leisure. It’s a short-lived experience lasting just a couple of hours, though this could be fleshed out only a little by the more exploratory players. Though it looks like an …
Although not an auto-runner, Gamechuck’s Speed Limit shares the same sense of urgency, constantly ushering the hapless central character – a nondescript chap caught in a time loop – onwards. Pursued by shade wearing FBI types, this mad dash for survival begins with a run ‘n gun shooting section on a train before escalating into a …
This twin-stick shooter is beyond great, and you should buy it as soon as possible. It’s a fun, neon-drenched affair with spaced-out Jeff Minter vibes, as quick as it is brutal. We’ve always lamented the lack of Geometry Wars games on Switch, and this manages to compensate in one fell swoop. End of review. [You …
The 16-bit Turrican series was so revered that speculation around a new iteration lasted not just throughout the N64’s lifecycle but that of the GameCube too. Of course, there’s no smoke without fire – a new Turrican was rumoured throughout both system’s lifes. Thornado, as it was known, sadly vanished into thin air. In fact, …
Shared universes are a hot commodity these days, helping to expand the reach and potential of various forms of media, be it a cinematic universe or a comic book series. Developer 34BigThings have tapped into this concept with this space shooter sharing both its name and universe with their futuristic racer Redout. This may not …
Cross-pollinate a farming simulator with a fetch quest game, expose it to sunshine, and you get Summer in Mara. You play as Koa, a young girl adopted by Yaya – a grandmotherly figure who found Koa lost at sea. After hopping into Yaya’s boat and skimming off across the seas to visit other islands, Koa …
Funnily enough, the John Wick films seem to be both perfect and impractical video game material. Set in a heightened fantasy version of the real world, they involve an assassin coming out of retirement to gun down goons while rival assassins argue out arcane rules and traditions. A couple of generations ago, a publisher would …
My other half has taught me a lot about cars over the years. I can’t tell you how many we’ve owned in this time – I lost count after the third Mark 4 Golf, the second Audi A3, the two Ford…somethings and the countless others. As he is an appreciator of older cars, things tend …