Monday, October 31, 2022

Missile Command: Recharged | PS4

Atari once again gives a classic from their video game library the "Recharged" treatment. A score based, and modernized minimalist reimagining of the retro experience of the same name. This time around that game is none other than "Missile Command". Released just in time for it's 40th anniversary. While the mechanics of Missile Command, at base level, are the same the newer features included in this recharged edition ramp up the action significantly with power-ups, upgrades, and a bonus modifier system that changes the way the game is played, and the way that high scores are achieved. Accompanied by a mission mode objectives that will try even the most battle hardened Missile Command pros this budget bundle is the perfect test of skill for those willing to revisit the past, and take the challenge. 

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Rule No. 1 | PS4 Review

Welcome to a game that's about as desperate as an e-girl flashing her naughty bits on a game streaming service for the resident simps' hard earned cash. This collection of mini-games, or modes if you so prefer, is as about basic as it gets. Including competitive score based mini-modes centered around a cringe worthy one-liner spewing female protagonist whose heart health determines her stay in the arena this blend of arcade antics is about as shallow as this intro paragraph reads. 

I speak of none other than EastAsiaSoft's "Rule No.1". A first person arena shooter, and arcade basketball sim wherein skill is determined by one's ability to beat an unfair undertaking filled with Bouncy Bois, and zombified girls who are out for blood. Armed with a pistol, and whatever other guns she can pick up our nameless heroine strafes around limited 3D space blasting the fool out of whatever comes her way. Additionally taking a break to shoot some hoops as if she were trying to win tickets for prizes at Chuck E. Cheese's pizza joint.

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Sophstar | PS4 Review

Decked out, and on deck Sophstar follows the story of recruited space pilot Soph as she tries to unravel the mysteries of her origin, and make sense of the battle she is now a part of. Led by an admiral in command Soph pilots one of several ships with distinct weapon capabilities, and power levels. Following leads to distant planets, and outer space locations fighting against an adversary whose intent is to destroy Soph's fleet. Utilizing innate warp abilities combined with the firepower of future technology Soph braves the final frontier in an attempt to come to terms with her past, present, and future. 

Friday, October 21, 2022

Yomawari: Lost in the Dark | PS4

NISA's "Yomawari" series is their most deeply disturbing, but morally aligned creation to date. It combines tragedies centered around suicide, depression, bullying, and other mentally taxing things in a modern Japanese setting with a chibi anime art style. Something that transitions through said tragedies into a nightmarish 'Alice in Wonderland' style experience which takes in account local folklore. It is horror survival at it's core with telling twists for audiences willing to brave it's story. 

As Yuzu, in "Yomawari: Lost in the Dark", you find yourself being brutally bullied by classmates from the start. Being told to go to Hell, and to die. Written abuse that is furthered by unrelenting physical attacks, and hurled insults. Something that appears to be so routine for the young female protagonist to the point she seemingly takes the hint, and jumps off the top of the school building to end her sorrow. While this intro detail is pointed towards that definitive direction the truth of the situation is made unclear as Yuzu awakes in a darkened, and heavily haunted version of her world. Eventually taking the advice of a mysterious girl who leads her out of the snow covered wilderness, and guides her to breaking the supposed curse cast on her in her own darkened hometown. A brief acquaintance which soon leaves Yuzu alone to tread on foot the spirit filled district with flashlight in hand in search of a series of locations with memories tied to them. Something that Yuzu is told will break her curse before the 6am deadline, so that she can be reunited with the mystery guide.

Monday, October 17, 2022

Chivalry 2 | PS4 Review

Hot off the backs of "Chivalry I", Tripewire's 'Chivalry II" brings back cannonballs to the wall medieval madness and mayhem. With several modes of play to choose from, and a highly detailed class and character customization system players' battlefield bloodlust will be satiated if they can get past some of the game's issues. Playing like a mixture of an FPS, and a fighting game Chivalry II's mechanics, and historically mirrored confrontations between four different kingdoms is realized in the most intricately detailed fashion. 

Featuring true to the period weapon based tactics, and objectives dependent upon offensive and defensive strategies these epic skirmishes play out in a truly merciless fashion. While the combat, and carnage is mostly historically accurate the developers have taken liberties with their sometimes comical voice commands that will have you both screaming like a madman as you run forth into the fray, or hurling insults as you are taunting your adversaries as they crawl around bleeding out from their mortal wounds.

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Killing Floor 2 | PS4 Review

Tripwire's "Killing Floor 2" is a long running and over-the-top horror themed FPS from yesteryear with squad roles in mind. It features wave and objective based combat with players taking on perks that act as militant style classes with special perk bonuses and skills meant to aid in clearing a monster filled match. It is this fun, fulfilling, and frantic formula that has kept this game from falling to the wayside over time. To this day fans still flock to each new seasonal event, and update to get their fix and fill. 

Teeming with both online, and offline features this solo or squad based shooter offers replay value in spades. Including everything from character, and weapon customization to a wealth of interesting maps to play on as well as Easter eggs to find, Killing Floor 2 kills it in more ways than one. Not only does it up the ante of available content with added gory creature effects in tow, but it also offers unrelenting bloody action with epic boss fights as well as a hard hitting soundtrack that is itself killer. To this day you will not be hard pressed on consoles to find some sort of sadistic enjoyment from this title and it's offerings.

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Witchcrafty | PS4 Review

Heroes. What defines a hero? That's what SometimesYou's game, "Witchcrafty", aims to answer in a roundabout way. In a modern fairytale that's not quite all that it seems we find a nameless forest witch on mission to find out about a corruption that has swept the lands, and pitted once known allies against each other. After having awoken from a drunken slumber caused by a night of partying with the local satyrs our witch heroine in the making finds that the village has been attacked by disgruntled Goblins. Seemingly for unknown reasons. Seeking the advice of the village elder the witch embarks on a journey of discovery in order to get to the root of the problem. 

Monday, October 10, 2022

Kamiwaza: Way of the Thief | PS4

Hailing from 2006, and the PS2 console era this 2022 remaster is a smaller sized game that's big on it's unique mechanics. Developed by Acquire, and published by NIS, "Kamiwaza" tells the tale of a band of thieves that are not unlike the West's Robin Hood. A thief's guild known as the Silver Ravens. Noble in their cause they set out to rob from the rich to give to the poor in a post Edo period where invasion from the West is rife, and famine is afoot. 

Unfortunately, thieves Ebizo and his partner in crime Ainosuke find out that there's dissent among the ranks in their routine rogue mission. Some of the thief's guild have gone rogue killing the innocent while robbing them for more selfish reasons. Caught off guard by this, Ebizo rescues a potential child victim caught up in the chaos, and makes a run for it. Ten years forward, and he goes legit as a carpenter. Up until his newly adopted daughter falls ill. It is here that Ebizo's past as a thief comes calling home, and a decision is made out of desperation to fall back into old habits to find a cure for Suzuna. Bumping into old acquaintances, and hooking up with a new underground thief community for benefits Ebizo tries to remedy his situation.

Friday, October 7, 2022

Splatter - Zombiecalypse | NS Review

The world has seen some sh*t these days. From the threat of nuclear war to viral outbreaks one might not be too far off to expect a zombie apocalypse on 2022's bingo card. Hell, we all act like zombies with our eyes glued to the idiot box and smartphones as we consume mindless entertainment like a junkie looking for his next fix. High on dopamine, but short of critical thinking. Zombies, more or less. Even games have become a hot bed for these carnivorous cannibal corpses. 

This game, Splatter - Zombiecalypse, is no exception to that rule. As commonplace as it might be the zombie genre is always in season, regardless. Be it for Halloween or any other day of the year. Fitting in nicely, Splatter takes a top down twin stick shooter approach with story driven content, and arcade style additions meant to expand upon the game's core mechanics. At heart it is survival horror, but with a shooter angle set within a apocalyptic film noir scenario featuring a nameless protagonist who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Josh Journey: Darkness Totems

Donning a cartoon look not unlike that of Adventure Time's, and taking it's own spin on the arcade brawler genre, "Josh Journey" aims to impress, but misses it's target due to a handful of issues ...

Josh Journey and his dealings with the darkness totems begins, as any adventure would, with an epic intro summarizing the plot in a few short lived cutscenes. In these scenes devoid of speech and text we, the viewer, come to realize there's a fight of good versus evil going on. That a goddess of light is fighting against a god of darkness over the fate of the world. As fate would have it the god of darkness momentarily gains the upper hand unleashing some darkness totems onto the planet below. On that planet a misfit band of heroes and heroines led by Josh is warned by a herald that they are the only hope. Up in arms they take to the road battling baddies, and destroying totems a they grow ever closer to the source of the corruption. The god of darkness himself.