Hellpoint (REVIEW)

Somewhere between Clive Barker's "Hellraiser", and H.R.Giger's "Prometheus" lies the video game vision that is "Hellpoint". A proper blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror with an atmosphere fitting of the setting. All presented in a somewhat familiar soulsborne gameplay loop ...

At the center of the story of a derelict AI driven space station known as Irid Novo which is floating near a swirling event horizon there exists a dark soulsborne tale about a human spawn brought to life to discover why exactly he is there. As a spawned human creation with a name of your choosing you are awakened, and tasked with the duty of facing the eerie inhabitants of Irid Novo while discovering it's dark past. As you progress you'll suit yourself up with increasingly better gear, and armor to face increasingly more formidable, and frightening foes. Both of the lesser, and more boss-like type. All while being guided in a foreign dialect by your creator, the space station's resident AI.

112th Seed (REVIEW)

112th Seed is a perplexing puzzle platformer about the last remaining plant life in human history. Plant life that was created in a lab to withstand extinction in a bleak future where food isn't plentiful. A future where the last remaining humans sleep in stasis hoping for a miracle that could be seed 112. As seed 112 you are awakened amid the astronauts slumber, and must find your way to them making plants sprout along the way. Between you, and them lies puzzling situations that involve everything from water droplets to sprouting plants, and even plants that will transform you so that you can make your way to the tubular pipe exit. Puzzles are everywhere, and in every lab you happen upon. Growing increasingly complex with each new mechanic introduced. It literally puts William Edward Hickson's famous quote to the test ... "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again".

Mini Island Challenge Bundle (REVIEW)

Mini Island Challenge Bundle. I have no doubt that a lot of you wouldn't be able to guess what this indie game was by the title alone. It can be quite misleading, and without proper introduction one would likely never guess what it really is. That's why I'm here to help the developer, and publisher get your attention for one of the more unique action rogue-likes that the Nintendo Switch has to offer. Developed by MACKINN7, and published by Forever Entertainment SA this game that is "Mini Island Challenge Bundle" is a game that is home to a unique chibi race of mouse eared people who like to slide, dodge, and gun their way from start to finish in a lively world.

The game's gimmick involves the five RPG attributes that can be upgraded, and downgraded between each intermittent skirmish via dropped optional power-ups. Not only will you be boosting five different RPG stats that includes ATK, DEF, HP, LUK, and BTR through power-ups, but you will also be powering up for each consecutive fight according to stat priority. In the heat of battle you'll also be using the dodge mechanic or a slide, and the underlined (quite literally) indicator which will determine the amount of damage you take according to the attached stat markers. It's an interesting take on the rogue-like genre in that how well you power-up will determine how easy or how difficult the battles at hand will be.

The Future of Gaming | My Concerns

As a gamer, and game reviewer I've gotten to see the industry and industry offerings from all points of view. I've seen the good, and bad side of things. In this current generation alone I've witnessed what could best be described as a decline in gamer friendly business. Whether it be microtransactions, politics, pandering, poor online management, or the lack of a quality experience for the price there is an obvious trend towards not caring about the gamer. The industry big wigs, in their desperate search for continuous growth, have all but forgotten what made video games so great. They've forgotten who got them where they are. They've cut corners, ignored fans' pleas, and have done business in the worst sorts of ways. Their bottom line being the money to be made.

Starlit Adventures: Golden Stars (REVIEW)

Starlit Adventures, for those of you who don't yet know, was originally a mobile or iOS game that made it to the PS4, and other platforms a few years back. It was inspired by games like Dig Dug, and used a collect-a-thon setup as it's core gameplay feature. Though the game was free to play on all platforms prior to the release of this full non-monetized version certain features were locked behind a grind, and a paywall. Namely the premium suits or costumes that could be used by the two protagonists that you play as. The rest of the game, and modes of play were available though making the experience worthwhile as the suits you could buy were not mandatory for experiencing a full playthrough.

While there is a story mode, and an obvious story going on in Starlit Adventure's world it's not shown in-game, clearly. What you need to know in regards to the story is that Bo & Kikki are the heroes of the tale, and that they are out to collect, and restore the stars taken by a three-eyed villain named Naru who stole it from a tribe of star nosed creatures. It is this end goal of star recovery which is the basis for the gameplay loop found within the game's three modes of play.

Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break (REVIEW)

Rolling onto the PS4 platform like a pinball trying to hit it's target we find the latest entry in the 'Rock of Ages' series. This third entry into said series seems to be a make or break deal for Ace Team, and their joining developers/publishers. I think a lot is riding on this new entry. Perhaps even the future of the studio. On a personal note, and from personal experience I've quite enjoyed Ace Team games over the years. They are in a league of their own when it comes to the unique, and unusual. The 'Rock of Ages' series, in particular, has kept me entertained along with it's Monty Python-esque humor. How it uses boulder rolling shenanigans, and tower defense mechanics to create an experience unlike any other is commendable. I also enjoy greatly seeing what the developers can cook up in regards to their pseudo-historical take on storytelling. With 'Rock of Ages 3' the development team continues doing what they do best, in my opinion, but opt to add in an element of gameplay not previously seen before. This time around the developers not only want you engaging in the single player campaign mode, but also creating levels for the community to play on. It's something that could very well make or break the future for this niche franchise, and it's creators.

void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium (REVIEW)

Taking on a sombre tone in regards to humanity, and the potentially destructive capabilities of AI NISA's latest JRPG attempts to bring to life the light of hope amid a dismal, and bleak situation brought on by an extinction level event. Through 'Void Terrarium', and it's robot protagonist Robbie the player is taken on a caring and humbling journey to save, and keep alive the last living human. In a world formerly devastated by a deadly fungal infection with the remaining underground human population ultimately destroyed by an AI meant to protect it we find Robbie the robot working hard to keep his precious human child alive. Robbie is sent on many a quests throughout the tunneled, and intersecting colonies of the collapsing human world to scavenge for food, and supplies meant to help in the various tasks related to saving the child, and maintaining her safety as well as her wellbeing. With the guidance of the AI that brought about humanity's end this is made possible.

Waifu Uncovered (REVIEW)

Nintendo does what Playstation don't. That is what comes to mind when I think about my playthrough of "Waifu Uncovered". This perverted shmup that is a mixture of those naughty Japanese picture clearing games, and Sexy Parodius (though top down) comes sailing balls to the wall with it's titillating infusion of memes, and anime waifu culture. Taking place in a world where alien clothing is turning girls ugly Master K. Vaio must fly his phallic shaped ship to victory as he destroys the clothing of waifus across the globe. Ridding them of an alien infestation of the adult kind.

The Eternal Castle Remastered (REVIEW)

I've played some unique games in my time. Some really interesting games that do something truly out of the ordinary. Never have I seen a developer take black, magenta, and teal though to create a visual masterpiece that is done in the lowest pixel count you can create a game with. With "The Eternal Castle Remastered" you not only get a visually impressive game the likes of which I'd compare to Frank Miller's 'Sin City', and the video game 'Another World', but something that makes you think. Something that makes you really think. This game about extraterrestrials, and AI plays on doomsday scenarios that are brewing in the current real world political, and global realms. It takes the player to a future where Earth is a devastated version of it's former self. With extreme weather conditions caused by pollution, biological threats by man, and the lingering remnants of civilization left wrought by war. It's part biological horror, part sci-fi, and part apocalypse in one lump sum.

CrossCode (REVIEW)

Centered around the MMO genre and including a diverse cast of characters, "CrossCode" slowly lifts the curtain of the story being told as chapters unfold, and characters involved interact. Heavy on the dialogue, and somewhat lighter on the action this oldschool looking isometric RPG introduces mechanics, and story elements not all that unique. Within the game we find an MMO world known as CrossWorld in which plugged in players from a real world can manifest as avatars, and take on quests. As with JRPGs which take on a similar theme this particular story takes that premise, doubles down on character amnesia, and has you fighting a threat from outside that is a threat to CrossWorld as well as to who you were before you lost your memory. Parading around as rookie player known as Lea you must find out who you are, why you lost your memory, and what your ties are to the enigmatic avatars that showed up on the scene with a mission of their own.