Rick Henderson | PS4 Review

EastAsiaSoft, and Fat Pug Studio brings to us, this week, an indie shmup roguelite with endless replay value and two ways to play. Featuring an endless mode that loops around in accordance to two different difficulty settings, and three pilots with their own individual ships. Mechanics-wise it's shmup of borrowed or inspired proportions titled after the game's main, but unrealized protagonist, Rick Henderson. It has a trio of weapons to use on the fly as well as a special attack unique to each pilot. That and a grazing mechanic that will call in the other two pilots for support when filled. As Rick Henderson, Ben x9 or the porcine Zoraxx you will basically be blasting through waves of asteroids, and alien spacecraft before going head to head with an enemy boss ship. All in the name of saving the universe. After each boss is bested you'll have a selection of four different perks that will add to, or improve upon your ship functions. Adding in an additional roguelite element to the shmup part of the game ...

Dusk Diver 2 | PS4 Review

In the most heavy handed way possible the developers of 'Dusk Diver 2' bring the player forcefully up to speed while forwarding the new plot. Through Yumo, and a colorful cast of anime inspired characters we find a story about an advanced race of beings called kunlunians, their Dragon Vein technology geared towards combating interdimensional chaos beasts, the chaos beasts themselves, and a Dragon Vein control system. This is all information presented front and center through contextual character dialogue, and catch up referencing via an in-game glossary. All of this made available alongside a constant barrage of mechanics tutorial messages that span the entirety of chapter one, and beyond.

Fast forward to the present, and Yumo along with her ragtag group of kunlunian partners are in the midst of developing new D.ARMS tech so that Yumo can better harness and separate herself from the Dragon Vein Control System. Ultimately utilizing a diverse set of attacks, and skills to battle the ongoing chaos beast threat, and a new enemy orchestrating things behind-the-scenes. Her transformative abilities gives her superpowers with which she serves her Boss, and the kunlunians who setup up shop in the human world to be mediators for the ongoing conflict between that realm and Kunlun. It is with her party of newfound friends that her battle is made easier. 

Slaycation Paradise | PS4 Review

Slaycation Paradise is the answer to a specific scientific question. That question being, "What if humans gained interdimensional travel capabilities, and were able to travel to alternate worlds?". The answer to said question is not all that surprising. Humanity has a bad habit of destroying their own planet. Of stripping it bare of all resources, and taking more than their fair share from nature. As it turns out the travelers of the future have taken that inherent human greed, and envy to the next level. Looting, and plundering the metaverse, and it's endless array of alternate Earths for fortune and power. 

The only thing that stopped them in this pursuit was a ban of moral measures enacted, because of the ramifications of such travel. Through a loophole though humans, as they so often do, exploited the system and turned the advanced technology into a lucrative business endeavor, regardless. Creating Slaycations, or rather violence ridden vacations, for people willing to pay to visit post-apocalyptic worlds in order to kill, steal, and destroy to their hearts' content. All you need is the cash, a boarding pass, some weapons, and the right connections to get you where you want to go. It's a modern family affair where wanton destruction is the reason for that round trip.

Yars': Recharged | PS4 Review

The Yars' games of yesteryear and Atari fame were not without their lore. As such it kind of saddens me to say that once again the developer dropped that aspect of the game in favor of gameplay. Minor complaints aside, this recharged reimagining of Atari's "Yars' Revenge" packs a helluva punch with it's gameplay presentation. Focusing mainly on two modes of play including arcade, and mission you'll find plenty to return to as you shoot or nibble your way to that top score. 

The gameplay objectives, regardless of mode, are not unlike the methods of a murder hornet setting up shop in a bee's hive. As one of two winged alien humanoids you have to harvest energy from protective honeycomb like barriers surrounding your enemies, and destroy defense cores/turrets in order to make vulnerable said enemy's super weapon that lies behind them all. All while dodging bullets, and one hit cannon blasts. Doing so fills up an energy gauge, and gains you pilot seat access to a super cannon that can deal the deathblow to your alien adversary in two well placed shots. Attempts at clearing these battles are governed mostly by your life stock of three hits, and your ability to dodge threats while minding the end goal with your variety of attack options. It is with those three hits, and your skills that you'll either succeed or fail at your mission. It goes without saying that you can go solo or have a friend tag along for some local co-op in both the arcade and mission modes.

Cursed to Golf | PS4 Review

Thunderful's 'Cursed to Golf' takes club swingin' to the next level, and when I say the "NEXT LEVEL" I mean purgatory. Like that line from the undead golfer in Bill Murray's "Scrooged" you find yourself 18 holes in on the final shot, and the next thing you know you're a worm's feast. Dropped down to the great below in an afterlife of perpetuated golf tournaments against some of history's greats. Through the guidance of the resident Scotsman, and local Eterni-Tee business owner you are given a tour, and how-to before being sent on your repeated roguelike adventure course by course to ascend back to life. Supposing you can master all 18 holes.

Super Bullet Break | PS4 Review

BeXide's "Super Bullet Break" brings to us a cute casting of funny female gamers, bubbly bullet babes, and nefarious buggo infested waifus sent out by Singulaladies to make game characters across a collection of mobile games self-aware. Through protagonists Akari, Hikaru, and Sumire we find a collective of like-minded gamer girls who have their antics playout through their mobile phones in short lived chat sessions. With Akari's contextual conversations, in particular, we are introduced to an inquisitive AI girl named Nayuta. A character, who through Akari's mobile device, contacts her telling her about an AI ploy to destroy her games and make the resident characters of each game as self-aware as the Singulaladies are. Those Singulaladies being the sentient AI who have gone rogue in an attempt to infect other characters with buggos that alter their perceptions. With the guidance of an in-game guide called Black Cat the girls of Super Bullet Break are out to win back their games. One bullet at a time ...

GigaBash | PS4 Review

Through "GigaBash" PassionRepublic Games delivers unto us a true passion project. A passionate power trip fantasy centered around, and inspired by 80's Kaiju cinema. Allowing players to live out Kaiju battle fantasies of epic proportions in a competitive arena style of combat. Complete with destructible buildings, and environments set in key locales. Offering up things that can be used as weapons, and alternative ways to dish out bigger damage as the behemoths go all out to be the king of the monsters. 

The game, through a comic book style story mode, also weaves a timeless tale of four specific titans, and a supporting cast of other titanic beasts that round out the roster to ten. Everything from a devilish looking volcano deity, to an alien lobster, a cult operated snail, a Gundam wannabe, an Ultraman clone, and more. Showcasing their origin story, and their fight against government agencies looking to secure the power they wield. All in all it's your basic Kaiju vs the world military complex story setup with a modern flair.

After Wave: Downfall | PS4 Review

Enter a futuristic world guarded by helicopter carried MegaCats. A world plagued by an alien invasion of the Deathrix kind, and the resulting cataclysmic flood the likes of which have not been seen since the days of Noah. That is what awaits the brave souls willing to take on the upstream challenge that lies in wait within 7 Raven Studios', "After Wave: Downfall". Through three tiers of story inclusive challenges, a brutally difficult arcade experience, and four extra gimmick filled bonus modes you take control of the world's last surviving heroes, and heroines. A ragtag group of kids on militarized jet skis that aim, not only to take down the Deathrix, but the mutated animal and plant life that was created due to a release of toxins from meteorites that were a prelude to the invasion itself.

Sword & Fairy: Together Forever | PS4

Hyped or not some games have a lot to live up to due to anticipation, especially when it's a game not typically seen in a certain region of the world. Games like "Sword & Fairy: Together Forever", for example, have a lot to gain or a lot to lose depending on audience favor. Being a part of the social gaming scene I can tell you now that the hype for this title is set pretty high, and has been from the start. People I follow have been singing it's praises, and anxiously awaiting it's launch since it was first announced. Personally, I was one of those gamers. I tend to seek out games, as a reviewer, which I believe have what it takes to impress. Something worth writing home about. Sometimes I get it wrong despite that natural ability to sift through BS though, and find myself deeply disappointed alongside everyone else. 

To that end I'm oddly in a tug-of-war of thoughts with this one after having played it, and experienced it first hand. I find myself neck deep in a love & hate relationship with the game, and therein lies my dilemma. Before I get too far ahead of myself please allow me to properly introduce you to "Sword & Fairy: Together Forever" ...

Turrican Anthology Vol. 1 & 2

This isn't the first attempt at reviving the Turrican franchise, but it sure as heck is the best. These two separate action packed anthologies come filled to the brim, and fit to bust with an overabundance of features and games. Each anthology harboring several series entries per bundle including the staple numerically ordered releases as well as the Super, and Mega spin-offs. You even get some rare editions of some of the titles including director's cuts, and score attack editions. All games, of which, host a fight of good versus evil and man versus the machine. An intergalactic tale of universal destruction, and slavery stopped only by a lone soldier in a Turrican Assault Suit who answers the call no matter how far away it may be.