Stepping into the arena with KIBORG

It’s always neat when a demo of an upcoming game has more to offer than just a level or two. I’m not referring to things like ten-hour trials, as beneficial as they are, but rather when a developer turns a demo into a standalone product, such as a prologue. That’s the case with KIBORG: Arena, …

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The Sirena Expedition review

The currently popular faux PS1 aesthetic works incredibly well for horror games. PS1 visuals were often distorted by default, and the texture warping synonymous with the system arguably amplifies the fear of the unknown. Silent Hill and similar titles were rife with mysterious shadowy creatures formed of twisted polygons, forcing the mind to take a …

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Antstream Arcade is coming to PS4 and PS5, complete with Net Yaroze games

During today’s Antstream Arcade Connect presentation, it was confirmed that the retro streaming service – which features over 1,300 titles from a large variety of formats – is coming to PS4 and PS5. Although a release date is yet to be announced, pricing has been revealed as £39.99/$39.99/€39.99 for an annual pass, or £99.99/$99.99/€99.99 for a …

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Tiny Pixels Vol. 1 – Ninpo Blast review

Visit the upgrade screen in this pixel-powered vertical shooter and you may be surprised by what’s available. Alongside the usual assortment of weapon upgrades, you’ll also find a score multiplier extension and the ability to unlock new backdrops; with the action taking place on a sole infinitely scrolling playfield before purchasing a wider range. Working …

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The UK top ten sees a double-whammy of Mortal Kombat

Discounts at online retailers are seemingly behind this week’s UK retail chart irregularities. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the UK’s no.1 for a second week running, with EA Sports FC 24 holding onto #2. Then at #3 it’s the return of Mortal Kombat 1, up from #14. The bloody brawler also claims no.1 in both …

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Kena: Bridge of Spirits review (Xbox Series)

While playing this magical realm reviving third-person adventure, a sense of warm familiarity soon emerges. Not so much the fact that Kena first launched on PS5 in 2021 – with this review being of the belated Xbox version – but rather that it feels like an amalgam of similar games. It arguably knows where to …

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2005 shooter Under Defeat set for a multiformat re-release

The Xbox 360 and PS3 physical releases of Under Defeat are absurdly expensive these days, so it can only be good news to hear that a current-gen re-release is coming. Clear River Games are partnering with City Connection to bring the 2005 G.Rev developed shooter to PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Steam and Switch. Both the …

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Tomba! Special Edition review

Around twenty years ago, a fellow gamer asked me to look out for a reasonably priced copy of Tomba. Some two decades later, it’s a request I’ve been unable to fulfil. Since vanishing from store shelves in the late ‘90s, Tomba (and its 1998 sequel) have been tricky to track down. Although they were published …

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Natsu-Mon, Cat Quest III, Volgarr the Viking II, SteamWorld Heist II, Yokai Club, Gray Dawn, and Omochapon hit the Switch

Talk about perfectly timed. Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is, as the name brazenly suggests, set during the hot summer months. Published by Spike Chunsoft, you play as the son of a circus ringmaster and spend your days exploring the town where the circus currently resides, talking to townsfolk, fishing, bug catching, and watching the …

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Mists of Noyah review

A few things about this side-scrolling survival adventure are immediately obvious, such as the fantasy setting and its resource gathering/crafting elements. These two features alone are enough to draw early comparisons, with it resembling the 16-bit renditions of Castlevania – even having a vampire-esque character within its playable character pool – but playing more like …

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