Happy New Years! From OtakuDante's Gaming Inferno!!!

I hope all of you have had a good December if not a good holiday season. It's been a rocky year of ups and downs across the globe. War, rumors of war, and the ongoing threats of climate change and the pandemic. We never seem to catch a break from the fearmongering, and the seemingly hopelessness of our situation. 

Being the occasional optimist I have learned to not dwell on the things which I cannot change, and to only focus on making the most of the time I have. Building upon relationships, and friendships as I go through each day. I find the most important things in life are the bonds that strengthen us, lift us up, and carry us through the bad times. Good memories, though hard to come by, are a must for our wellbeing. Making those good memories means interacting with our fellow human beings on a mutually beneficial level, and putting in the effort to do so. I hope, in looking forward, that you choose to detach from the trappings of technology, and spend quality time with those you care about more often in 2023. That is my main goal going into the New Year ...

Jitsu Squad | PS4 Review

There's passion in this here project. Borne of a love for Saturday morning cartoons, and fighting games this kickstarted game called "Jitsu Squad" bursts forth with much deserved hype. It got the community so riled up in anticipation for it's release that it met it's goals, and then some. Enough to include cameos of some of gaming's most memorable icons including Maximilian, and his dog Benny. Through nostalgia, and nods to other inspirations the heart and soul of it is reflected in every feature. Be it the mechanics, voice acting, or set pieces there's enough Easter eggs to fill a basket. What it does in homage it equally does so in creating a multiplayer experience that's both fun, and challenging. 

Headbangers In Holiday Hell | PS4

Santa slays in this throwback to the indie 'Hotline Miami' formula. Featuring the holiday's jolliest heavy metal hating elf himself, Santa Clause, and a rival metal band known as Reign Fury it's Satanic Panic all over again. Against Santa's efforts to mute metal Reign Fury's lead guitarist embarks on a bloody rescue mission where infiltration, escape, and hostage rescue are the goals in mind. A mission where Santa, and his army are the targets of this disgruntled band member's rebellious retribution. Utilizing weapons, in-house distractions, and the quick in & out workings of a holiday hitman the unlikely hero of this heavy metal tale rampages through a series of roguelike stages filled with mobs, and bosses as he manages health and ammo. 

The Darkest Tales | PS4 Review

Prepare to enter a world of fantasy where fairytales become living nightmares. A tale of a little light, and a reluctant teddy bear. Guardians of a sleeping girl named Alicia. A girl who is now ensnared in a nightmare conjured up by dream demons. Through the actions this unlikely pair of would be heroes Alicia stands a fighting chance. Utilizing powers bestowed by the little light the teddy bear trudges ever forward as if through the pages of Grimm's fairytales. Encountering twisted versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack from Jack in the Beanstalk, and several others. Once aspiring heroes of their own tales these devilish dopplegangers stand between the daring duo, and their goal to free Alicia from her nightmarish torment.

Grime: Colors of Rot | PS4 Review

If ever there was a game that personified the grotesque nature of death, the crippling loss felt through mourning, and the unquenchable void that is unending grief "Grime" would take that mantle. Coming into theatrical view as if borne of a mix of Ray Harryhausen's and Cronenberg's artistic visions we see the birth of a void headed vessel of a man, and his trek through a world built of decay, ash, and malformed creatures of a graven/earthen design. Embodying the very essence of the grave, and taking place in a world established by unwritten and unsaid lore this Soulsborne Metroidvania moves forward with somber music, and an eerie atmosphere that is only livened by the presence of otherworldly beings who are drawn to an enigmatic weeping cry that echoes throughout the cavernous depths of this unnatural underworld. It is this driving force which calls the nameless void headed vessel forth, and ever deeper to face the haunts and horrors that lay before him.

Chained Echoes | PS4 Review

Chained Echoes, since release, has been touted as the perfect answer to the 16-bit era of RPGs. It's an ambitious project spearheaded by one man, Matthias Linda. It takes the tried and true formula of classic turn based party battles, and delivers it with a near constant story that's richly told through character dialogue and onscreen context. Filled to the brim with amazing pixel art, an awesome soundtrack, and a plot involving a war of nations and generations we find an adventure like no other. In a world of armored suits, animal humanoids, and kingdoms with bitter rivalries. 

Bot Gaiden | PS4 Review

Extreme speed running is here my friends! In the form of a tough as nails Ninja Gaiden inspired speed runner that has a hint of Mega Man thrown in for good measure. It seems that this future world of robotic lifeforms is in a dire predicament with the tyrannical Giorqio and his henchmen stealing it's power source. The golden skulls. In order to best this army of bogus bots two red and blue cyber ninjas named Robyu, and Bytron are called upon to save the day. Utilizing power-up skills meant to make fast work of enemies, and even faster work of stage traversal they have their work cut out for them. The ultimate goal being to get back what was taken, and destroy each boss in a timed stage by stage speed run.

Terror of Hemasaurus | PS4

Of all the political parodies in the world of gaming I think "Terror of Hemasaurus" hits the nail on the head better than any other. Through satirical storytelling, and wanton destruction brought on by climate change, and the resurrection of once frozen monsters we see the foolishness of it all. Our struggle to save what's precious while destroying it all in the process. From the cult-like mentality surrounding the climate agenda and forced destruction of nature and human lives for the supposed greater good to media's lies surrounding these issues it's all on display here in unabashed glory. A stark warning for our future, and simultaneous reflection of where we are in current year 2022. Told through the perspective of a fictitious cult that is waiting for it's moment to lead a beast to inflict fear, and destruction in order to save the world from destruction. The very embodiment of our hypocrisies.

The Knight Witch | PS4 Review

Welcome to a magical world on the brink of destruction. A fairytale world of Pagan-like peoples, goddess-like knight witches, and technocratic elites. It is here that the war between the natural world, and the unnatural is playing out much in the same way our similar real world problems are. With their leaders pushing technology, and science to the point of no return they face the consequences of those actions. The treachery ultimately turning this once flourishing fantasy planet into a dystopian wasteland while forcing it's inhabitants towards a do or die situation, much like our own. 

Just as things seem hopeless four named knight witches of legend including 'Robyn the Angel of Destruction' emerge to combat the elite and their army of war golems. We get to see, in retrospect, Robyn's brave stand against tyranny as she fight's to stop the devastation in a battle won long ago. In the heat of said battle, and through the spiritual links with her people there Robyn and her knight witch companions manage to punch a hole into the surface of the planet revealing a lost underground habitat forged by an ancient civilization. A new hope for the desperate surface dwellers. That is until during the anniversary celebration of the secured victory years later fate comes calling once again. A perilous predicament where the knight witches, and their people are faced with a familiar threat. Though this time around a would have been knight witch in the making named Rayne, and her supporting infernal husband Akai take on their role as the heroines and heroes of this modern day war for what's left of their natural habitat.