Nippon Ichi Software | My Gaming Studio Pick For 2018

Nippon Ichi software, or NISA, as we know it here in America is a niche studio that continues to stick to their paved niche route despite every other big studio chasing the trend dragon. Throughout 2018 they continued to release interesting value heavy titles as everyone else rehashed this or that in a pieced apart, exploitative, and unfinished fashion. Some games that were of NISA's own signature brand, and others that strayed from their usual series releases. Something that I'm truly appreciative of.

As a gaming journalist who has made a lasting connection with the NISA staff over the years they constantly kept me up to date with their plan for 2018, and for the coming year. Every time I opened one of their email updates I was excited to see what they had to say, and what they had to share. I was never disappointed. In fact I found myself excited for each future release even though I didn't cover everything. I'm seriously looking forward, as a fan and reviewer, to what NISA has to bring to gaming in 2019. I think it's going to be a big year for them, especially with them being onboard with the Nintendo Switch now. I hope that in 2019 NISA gets the gamer respect, and support that they so rightfully deserve. Not too many studios stick to a formula in the face of looming industry disaster, but NISA most certainly has. It goes to show that, unlike most Triple A studios, NISA appreciates their core fans and will stick by them to the end. That's why I love Nippon Ichi Software.

Battle Princess Madelyn (PS4)

From Kickstarter to Kickstarted "Battle Princess Madelyn" by CBit Games was promptly delivered as promised, and on multiple gaming platforms. The story driven, and oldschool gameplay inspired platformer which took ideas of Chris Obritsch's daughter's vision for a Ghouls 'N Ghosts themed adventure was given life in such a beautifully rendered, and audibly enjoyable way with a handful of options made readily available to tweak the experience to your liking. Along with a couple visual/audio style options it offers two different ways to play the game including a traditional story free Arcade Mode with 10 stages, and several branching paths within each along with epic boss fights as well as a protagonist modeled after Madelyn, the daughter of Chris. In addition to the arcade mode comes a Story Mode with comic panel style animations telling a tale of a sickly Madelyn being read a fairy tale story by her grandfather. A story about a princess knight who takes up arms to save her kingdom, and avenge the death of her loyal canine companion, Fritzy. A dog who comes back to life in ghost form to assist her on her journey to topple the ultimate evil. It is a story that is mirrored, if every so slightly, in both modes of platforming play.

Scintillatron 4096 (PS4)

Scintillate. To throw off sparks or flash. That is the dictionary meaning of the aforementioned word. Looking back at my playthrough of kFunction Limited's debut shoot'em up it's quite the fitting title piece if I do say so myself. When I first began playing "Scintillatron 4096" I could see with little effort what the title and game were inspired by. The neon particle effects, and neon colored details of the tunnel-like environment in which the waves you shoot through are displayed really pushed that point home. It was something akin to the futuristic neon lit Noir setting of Bladerunner, While I understood the theme, and liked the visual presentation along with the pulse pounding electronic soundtrack I was admittedly a little confused at first with the gameplay before me though, but that confusion came from me being a dufus, and not paying full attention to the clear directions I was given from the initial onscreen tutorial. It turns out this retro-future inspired take on the shmup genre has it's own unique combo and power-up mechanics. Nothing revolutionary, mind you, but definitely something different.

Unlike most combo based twin stick shooters "Scintillatron 4096" has you achieving combos by shooting a sequence of two different colored particles in the most efficient way possible. I did say "particles", btw. The underlying theme is that of an atomic or sub-atomic one, and has you banking the big point values by shooting, in order, all the yellow or pink glowing atomic particles. All while dodging various spark sapping sub-atomic hazards, and the constantly pursuing particles themselves. Wave after wave you will basically move your tiny aiming target in front of, beside or behind the main particles, and enemy targets for targeting advantage while they follow your lead as you shoot them into pixel dust with various power-up oriented shot types. As you do so additional power-ups will appear randomly on the given board that will either complicate or aid in your high scoring goal to some degree.

The VideoKid (PS4)

If 80's were a video game I think "The VideoKid" would be that game. Not only does it take the Paperboy formula and pepper it with iconic 80's characters, and film moments, but it also captures the everything that the 8o's was about.

Imagine taking on the role of a skateboarding teenage movie bootlegger with a route of customers whom you deliver VHS copies to for pay. Then imagine that route having every character from animated 80's cartoons to 80's movies, and even TV series making their way through your route as both targets for mischief, and obstacles to avoid. This is "The VideoKid' in a nutshell. Different from the escapades of the Paperboy though you'll have various scoring opportunities in form of different kinds of themed targets to hit, and skateboard grinding to take advantage of. You'll start off as Marty McFly, or the likeness thereof taking part in his signature shenanigans as you deliver unto your customers their bootleg VHS tapes en route to your date, Jessica. A girl who waits anxiously at the end of your route for your arrival.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Online Beta | Thoughts & Opinions

Though I've only gotten past the tutorial, and initial story elements of RDR2's online beta I'm finding myself enjoying it. The world within it is beautiful, and the character customization impressive. I was, for the first time ever, able to create a character that was so close to my likeness it was uncanny. I was ecstatic about it. It brought a smile to my face, and laughter to my heart. Seeing the virtual me ride around on a horse named Bork in the wild wild west while shooting bad guys was happiness personified for me. To that extent I am pleased, and while I don't know exactly how the economy works just yet I'd still be alright with it as I'm not one for the glitz & glamour of paid for marketplace offerings. On a side note though I do understand that longevity, and the mechanics of it all rely heavily on being able to afford upkeep. That in, and of itself could prove problematic, but hopefully it's remedied in such a fashion as to be more gamer friendly. Hopefully Rockstar fixes things in such a way that the grind isn't too much, and that the basics of upkeep aren't too reliant on gold bars (if at all). If they somehow manage to please the community I could see this game experience being on the top gaming charts for years to come. I could see myself investing a lot of time into it.