Tuesday, May 31, 2022

TEN | PS4 Review

Ten rooms. Ten Seconds. That's the catchphrase of this brutal action/puzzle platformer by 'The Bworg'. While it's vague in description the game does carry with it more than just a series of timed brutal challenges created to the tune of ten. It is a game with a moral. A moral centered around an awoken clone, and a gauntlet of hazard filled rooms known as Sisyphus that are meant to be a test for whatever lies in wait at the end of the tenth floor. 

You awaken from a test tube in a laboratory known as Sisyphus addressed by it's AI controlled computer terminal as #1010. You are told you have no memories, and that your only out is perseverance. As you step foot into the first room it grows ever more evident that you are about to be put through the ringer, so to speak. A red floor saw that is out for your blood is ahead of you and you are tasked, as with every room to follow, to survive for ten seconds before you can move on. Everything is explained in the first few rooms, and it basically boils down to red being bad, orange being safe, and ticking time bombs being an instantaneous end to your existence if you do not collect them in time. Leaving the rest of the trials to be as easy or as hard an experience as you desire, in that regard. The main thing, above all else, is that you see it through to the end no matter what ...

Monday, May 30, 2022

Source Of Madness | PS4 Review

Source Of Madness is an inspired Soulsborne roguelike done up in Metroidvania fashion. It is an action adventure title centered around Lovecraftian horror, and a particular cult that must enact a ritual at the Third Gate in order to stop an invasion of otherworldly monstrosities. Ultimately to bring back into focus the Bloodshot Moon, and summon the aid of their God, Yog-Sothoth. 

As named cultists of specialist fame you will journey forth into the heart of darkness making your way to wherever the Third Gate lies. Along the way you will face off against grotesque AI generated creatures assembled together like a lump of limbs. Void of definitive description, but fear inducing all the same. At your disposal are two rings of power, trinkets, and support items that will come together to create a favored elemental build worthy of besting the beastly invaders. Boosting performative, and passive stats which will aid in your long term survival ...

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Cotton Fantasy | PS4 Review

Cotton's adventures have become a shmup sensation here in the West. Leading to several releases not formerly known to the Western audience. On it's 30th anniversary the powers that be saw it fit to also release "Cotton Fantasy". Formerly known as "Cotton Rock 'N Roll". This updated, and modernized HD port is everything Cotton fans have dreamed of, and then some. A culmination of mechanics and features bringing the franchise to it's peak state. By reintroducing Cotton, and her fairy partner Silk in the company of six new playable characters from other series the developer has effectively improved upon the game's otherwise basic offerings. Creating new ways to play.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Underland: The Climb | PS4 Review

Hot off the heels of QUByte's 'Underland', the sequel "Underland the Climb" arrives on the scene trying to up the ante. As before it is a 2D puzzle platforming retro-like experience with physics, and fluid based puzzles presented on a level by level basis through increasingly complex challenges. This time around though you take control of a hooded female protagonist who is fed up with the invasion of monsters at her aunt's place. Her current residence. Taking the fight to the problem this rebellious young lass aims to end the world of the threat. At her disposal are tools, and abilities to interact with various mechanisms that will aid in her progress. Cycling through the function options is the key to success, but should she find herself stuck solving a puzzle she can restart it quickly to try something else.

Monday, May 23, 2022

Injection π23 'Ars Regia' | PS4 Review

Piggybacking off of Abramelin Games' previous two entries in the Injection π23 series, 'Ars Regia' continues at chapter 9 with the trippy psycho-supernatural survival horror antics bringing the players up to date with the protagonist's ongoing predicament. In the previous installment we found a man in a hoodie chasing his dog out into the street only to be wisped away into what can best be described as a darkened dream state filled with malformed horrors. Horrors that inhabit a vacant city with streets and derelict buildings. Including apartment doors mysteriously marked with the number 23 as if to give the protagonist a clue in this foreboding trip down a nightmarish rabbit hole. Something which continues onward in a similar fashion ...

Much like the genre that inspires this survival horror title you'll find that in order to progress through the provided narrative journey key items must be located, horrors avoided, and puzzles solved. Utilizing a decked out and detailed inventory system, access to a map, and an inspector's worthy compendium of files, audio cassette recordings, and interesting extras the protagonist will not only have to survive the ordeal, but sleuth his way through as well. Talking to key characters, and opening up points of interest guarded by creatures with a keen sense for approach. The only reprieve being stamina, the ability to run away, the ability to set traps, and consumables for restorative measures. That and the trusty weapon plus flashlight combo which is a staple feature for such an adventure.

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Galacticon | Nintendo Switch Review

Flynn Arcade's "Galacticon" is the echoing answer to the ZX Spectrum's Jetpac. More or less. It is a spiritual successor to that early 80's platform shooter, and while there's obvious similarities everything that Jetpac achieved in the retro gaming realm back in the day was improved upon tenfold in Galacticon. With Galacticon you'll find a very retro looking experience that pays homage to the source material, but in an incredibly updated way. In a way that is centered around collecting species trapped by humans, and dropping them off in multiple teleportation pads. A contrasting effort to Jetpac's fueling up, and constructing of a rocket to get to the next level. 

In a similar fashion Galacticon also grants the player only three lives initially with which to make it as far as possible while completing objectives, shooting enemy craft, and using a species combo system to score bonus points. This is all done via an alien God/Machine hero who gets around on a jetpack that gains power from power-ups. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Divination | PS4 Review

Divination. The seeking of one's future through fortune telling. It's a practice as old as time, and as humans we always seek that advantage of knowing even if it harms us in the end. For who would not want to be able to control their fate, their destiny? 

Mojiken's "Divination" tries, like the real practice of divining, to bring forth future predictions and enlighten those involved in the story using it's own brand of fortune telling. A brand involving disembodied robotic hands, and runes. Through guest visitations with a series of inquisitive questions, and the divination itself the ones seeking answers get the answers that the hands provide. For better or for worse. Through these sessions also unfolds a series of events tied to the suicide death of a governing A.I. known as Mother, and the domino effect her death and insight has brought upon the trans-humanist population of the given future dystopia. Having A.I. robots contemplating life, and humans struggling alongside them. Each trying to come to terms with their roles in life, and what life has afforded them.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Seven Pirates H | Nintendo Switch

Compile Heart and EastAsiaSoft seem to be a match made in horny heaven. Ever since the companies have decided to go rogue and against the grain by offering lewd content on the only modern gaming platform that will allow it they have gotten away with some rather controversial releases. Seven Pirates H is no different in that regard though it pushes the boundaries of decency a bit further than previous EastAsiaSoft titles. This touchy touchscreen release that is "Seven Pirates H" is all about breasts. Boobies, if you will. That and ill gotten pirate booty. 

It begins with the introduction of female pirate Parute Kairi, and her sailing misfortune. As fate would have it she bumps boobs with the infamous panty thief or monster boy Otton who actually hails from other Compile Heart titles. This time around though Otton is selling to the leading ladies his cure for flat chests. Booby training! Through booby training the girls of the game can raise RPG attributes, and learn new skills. Empowering them to take on the monster girls and boys of their world. Growing their breast size, cleavage, softness, and perkiness in the process. Through perfected party management in a turn based battle system these boob obsessed pillagers of pirate fame face the odds, loot, and plunder to their hearts content for all that they need to fulfill their perverted pirating fantasies. All at the promise of bigger, and better things ...