Snakeybus (PS4)

Do you remember classic 'Snake" from the old Nokia cellphones? Do you remember Katamari Damacy from the the OG PlayStation? If you do you'll find that this particular game, "Snakeybus" is a familiar mixture of the two. As the title of the game suggests the gameplay contained within is all about a snake-like bus. A snake-like bus that picks up passengers, and grows in length as it does so. Ultimately dropping off said passengers for points. All while trying to dodge it's own trailing tail as well as collision with the vertically stacked, and boxed in environmental obstacles.

Beyond that basic premise of familiar origins lies a simple start menu where the action kicks off. A start menu with a simple setup consisting of bus types, map locations, modes of play, and a leaderboard listing for all those high scores you earn along the way. As previously mentioned Snakeybus is a score based game. In each of the given modes you will be earning points by picking up passengers, and dropping them off at highlighted locations, or by jumping through rings via boost in the Aerial mode. As you go about doing so your bus will lengthen very much like it does in "Snake", and will make traversing the 3D maps more challenging as they are tightly cramped and cluttered with limited space for movement. To counter the quick end by default flat level driving, and automated acceleration you are given a jump with a limited jump gauge that can get you out of stalled situations. Once you get stuck though or go out of bounds it is GAME OVER.

Freedom Finger (PS4)

Wide Right Interactive's "Freedom Finger" is an unapologetic middle finger to everything anti-freedom, and everything anti-American. It is coined as being a "Bat Sh*t Crazy Space Shooter", and that's exactly what it is. It takes politics, throws in some 'HEAVY METAL" inspired songs, and sends your ship the Eagle Claw on a fight and flight mission against communist China, and their imperial leader Kang. All while giving you absurd real world quotes during intermissions from real world politicians. At times inserting profanity the likes of which haven't been seen in a PS4 video game since I don't know when. Through grabbing, middle finger shooting, and fisting mechanics you will literally give the opposition what for in the most crude of ways. Led by a foul mouthed general whose daughter has been kidnapped, and a mission control supervisor of mediocre mannerisms you'll face a campaign, and arcade mode experience unlike any other as you fight for freedom. Complete with top tier voice acting, trippy visuals, a rocking soundtrack and pro-American sentiment this shoot 'em up is likely to go down in history as the final middle finger to those who go against human rights.

Oniken: Unstoppable Edition (PS4)

What can a ten dollar bill buy you in the world of PS4 gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic? Well, if you fancy a retro inspired action platformer of the 8-bit kind then developer Joymashers and publisher DigeratiDM might just have the game for you. That game being "Oniken: Unstoppable Edition". Oniken isn't anything new outside of it's own lore and design, mind you, but it holds it's own as a unique experience regardless. It personally reminds me a lot of games like the OG Ninja Gaiden back from the NES era without being a mirror image of said games. The plot, as it were, is your run of the mill sci-fi warfare setup with humanity ravaged by an invading cybernetic alien species known as Oniken, and the world falling apart due to the invasion. All taking place at a generic 20XX date with a heroic protagonist named Zaku who is working with a resistance leader and two tag along partners to thwart the extenction agenda at hand.

You basically play as Zaku, a sword wielding and grenade chucking warrior of legend, who looks like a mix of that dude from Berserk or a lost concept version of Mad Max. As Zaku you'll clear armies of lesser enemies of varying types along with bosses with multiple attacks using your sword, grenades, and a berserk power that is activated by collecting a sword power-up. It is with this trio of weapon options that you will have to figure out strategies, and an approach to each of the given six stages plus additional bonus missions or succumb to the "Surprise MF'er!!!" moments which happen so often they will no doubt catch you offguard time and time again in your initial playthroughs. It is ultimately learning the layout of each stage, and where enemies lie in waiting that will either help you accrue a leaderboard score worth noting, or keep you repeating the whole entire thing as you continue via GAME OVER prompt after exhausting each of your allotted lives.

Red Death (REVIEW)

Returning with a shmup that foregoes the nature of the first entry in their series, Panda Indie Studios brings to us a worthy prequel to 'Project Starship'. A four tone shoot 'em up that not only ramps up the challenge, and does away with the rogue-like formula, but that also gives background on the main two characters of the first game. Following pilot RED-001 we are invited along with the accompanying instructor to see the demise of worlds at the hands, or rather tentacles of the old gods. Gods of Lovecraftian origin who have decided to wage war on the Earth, and force pilots like Nick (aka, RED-001) to face a final fight for the remainder of humanity. In his fight, and flight of nightmarish proportions we learn that Nick's wife departs the planet via shuttle during his skirmish with a baby on the way. A surprise bundle of joy that ties-in with the 'Project Starship' plot. It is in the eerie, and ominous revelation of potential doom, and hope for the future that the color scheme of reds, greens, whites, and greys along with thematic music elements geared towards intensifying the situation plays out in a per stage basis, and in an oldschool way.

La-Mulana 1 & 2 (PS4/NS)

The La-Mulana series dates back to a time when world adventure was in the entertainment spotlight. A time when make believe heroes like Indiana Jones were around to give us an exciting look into the dangers of dungeon exploration, and the historically rewarding business that is archaeology. The very inspirations that no doubt inspired some of today's real world archaeologists to some degree. While it obviously has it's inspirations the La Mulana series also takes some inspiration from classic game design. When it comes to such game comparisons La-Mulana 1 & 2 are like a blend of 'Spelunky', and 'The Legend of Zelda II'. Both games in the La-Mulana series featuring Metroidvania style puzzle platforming with basic combat, and RPG mechanics for dealing with the risky navigation therein. All of which is centered around a renown bloodline of explorers who each bare the Kosugi namesake, and who each have their own reasons for exploring the ruins of La-Mulana. As with any ancient site there comes some mythology, and for Lemeza as well as his daughter Lumisa that mythology is more real than they ever dared to believe. Named after the Goddess La Mulana who created humankind in hopes of getting herself back home the ruins harbor an unsolved mystery that attracts the curious, and those who are brave enough to venture forth into it's depths. That, of course, is where you come in ...

Langrisser 1 & 2 Remake (PS4)

If options are your thing, and JRPGs your fling then this remake of a classic series for modern consoles might just be up your alley. With Langrisser 1, and 2 the way you approach the chapter to chapter story driven scenarios as the hero of the day are up to you. From your indoctrination as said hero, and your plight within the game's given world as a commander of mercenaries you'll find plenty of tactical situations with plenty of options at your beckon call. Done up in a per scenario setup you will find preset maps, and minions with their own commanders that are after you, and other NPCs for a variety of different reasons. As you battle it out alone, or with NPC allies in a familiar grid, and turn based affair while micro-managing your troops', and assisting commanders' every action you will find that strategy is king. That also being equipped with the skills, items, classes, spells, and mercenaries necessary for victory is the only way you'll see the two stories through to their end.