Logic and stealth. Two genres I generally avoid because I am neither a logical nor stealthy being. However, I am easily wooed by stunning 4K pixel art and the promise of fiery fun, prompting me to step outside my comfort zone for this ‘ye olde folke’ stealth platformer. Your village is under attack and your …
There’s arguably a difference between what you do in Art Sqool, and what Art Sqool is. And I think what you get out of it will depend to an unusual degree on what you put into it. Let’s get the facts out of the way: you play as Froshmin, who has just started at Art …
Sometimes Nintendo’s way of thinking is beyond baffling. Take this NES re-release for example. As you’re likely aware, Nintendo has a platform on Switch full of SNES, Famicom and NES games. A handful are added periodically for online subscribers, including Japan-only titles. So, where did Nintendo put this localised re-release of the first-ever Fire Emblem? …
This visual novel takes place in 2030 and is set in a nuclear research facility known as “LABO†– Laboratory of Atomic and Biological Organization. Two interconnected stories feature, both available from the outset. One part stars Watase Kasasagi, a rescue squad captain experiencing memory loss following a meltdown at the facility. The other features …
When the Past was Around should be right in my wheelhouse. It’s short – bingo. It’s about grief – good news. It’s a bit odd – please and thank you. It aims high, but I ended up with less than the sum of its well-crafted parts. It’s craft worthy of a better game. The hand-drawn …
Vaporwave seems to be the new big thing, with purple, pink and blue, clean lines and ‘80s soundtracks becoming the order of the day. Out of this trend has popped Electro Ride, a stylish street racer that leans into the aesthetic, maybe to its determent. Electro Ride initially appears to be a heavily stylised take …
I wasn’t alive when Space Invaders hit arcades in 1978, but if somebody told me back then that we’d still be playing Space Invaders games in 2020, it’s doubtful I would have believed them. Even during the late ‘70s arcade technology moved swiftly – a constant cycle of new cabinets replacing old. Not everything is …
The word ‘dreamlike’ perfectly summarises this physics-based puzzle platformer. Set in a vibrant, cartoon-like, world you play as a wiggly, stretchy, double-ended dog. It’s backed by a supporting cast of cutesy critters that could have easily escaped from Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. Specifically, the Candy Kingdom – PHOGS! has an entire world dedicated to foodstuffs …
Bullfrog’s much-loved management sim Theme Park was one of my first infatuations. On the humble Amiga to begin with, then on Mega Drive and finally on PSone and PC. The ability to create a theme park not only resonated on a personal level – especially at a time when most 16-bit games were limp licensed …
When Bubble Bobble 4 Friends arrived on Switch roughly a year ago, publisher ININ decided to launch the arcade revival in Europe first. Why? Simply because the first Bubble Bobble was a runaway success during the late ‘80s, with most European computer formats receiving a highly rated conversion. The Master System version from 1991 was …
Licensed games once appeared throughout the year, but now they’re almost exclusively reserved for the busy festive season. It’s always fascinating to see what brands and licenses publishers deem worthy and popular enough to warrant a video game tie-in. Slide Stars’ existence duly informs that social media influencers remain a hot commodity – it features …
The No More Heroes series strikes us as being one loads of gamers have heard of, but few have played. Almost the dictionary definition of a cult classic, it launched on Wii in 2009 when the platform was struggling with ‘shovelware’ and a perception of being a console for grandparents. A lot of gamers (myself …
Some might argue that there is nothing better in the world than pixel (Picross) puzzles and making out. The afterglow of a tough puzzle finally completed, and the burn of the first kiss with someone new. I haven’t played many dating simulators, if any at all, because I’ve personally never really seen the appeal (unless …
A few months after the original Xbox launched in the US, the gaming press was sent into a frenzy by the vehicular smash ‘n crasher Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions. Developed by a little-known Japanese studio, it took advantage of the Xbox’s then unrivalled power with all manner of fancy effects, such as impressive explosions and …
Japan is often perceived as being one of the most resourceful countries, going great lengths to reuse and recycle. Set in ancient Japan, Of Rice and Ruin draws upon this ethos, featuring a gameplay loop of demon-slaying, rice farming and home cooking. Everything serves a purpose, and nothing is wasted, with the spoils of battle …