Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix | PS4

The turbo charged titan of the shmup genre that is 'Raiden IV' returns in a full blown MIKADO Remix. Given the NISA treatment this all inclusive, and updated package comes complete with a new MIKADO BGM soundtrack, four modes of play, and settings galore! It's a beautifully rendered, and extremely challenging game package deal that's all about that highscore, and more bang for your buck. Longtime fans of the series will recognize the title, and the mainstay designs as they return in all their glory with 4k enhancements to boot! 

Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters | PS4

Metaphorically speaking, and perhaps even prophetically so the goings on in Game Industri once again reflect on real world conflicts of technological and socially relevant interests. Returning with glorious graphics, a slightly reworked battle system, and an overall visual reimagining for the new era of gaming the Goddesses, and Goddess candidates head once again into the fray in a tale that starts off at the climactic end, but retroactively catches the gamer up to that impactful point in time in a "How we got here" kind of storytelling.

It is in this most recent timeline of events regarding our playful protagonists that new and old Industri deities clash at the apex of an all encompassing threat to their existence. An army of foes in the guise of a Trendi Phenomenon. Ever spawning through Trendfluencers. All coinciding with an emergence of a mysterious new Game Industri candidate that has not only enveloped and consumed the PC continent, but has drawn in the Four Renown Nations of Lowee, Lastation, Planeptune, and Leanbox. Introducing into the mix Anri, and Maho among others. 

The State of MWII Q1 2023

I, like so many other Call of Duty players, have slacked off on playing Modern Warfare II since launch. The common consensus is that it released in an unfinished state, has some features the community does not like, and has seen little to no significant updates to content or gameplay. Even on the store front things aren't looking all that great. The only upside I find as a committed player is the frantic online multiplayer experience in playlists like Shipment 24/7, or Scrapyard 24/7. They're the only real go to modes for leveling up everything including the battle pass. On the battle pass side of things, things are surprisingly more doable than before despite the heavy XP throttling, and dependency upon XP boosts. I actually feel, and it's odd saying this, that it's easier to complete MWII's battle pass than it is Fortnite's. Fortnite's throttling is beyond ridiculous by comparison. 

Wings of Bluestar | PS4 Review

Using a blend of hand drawn Western anime art, and pixel graphics EastAsiaSoft's, "Wings of Bluestar" comes at you hot and heavy. Loaded to the brim with contents including a handful of modes, extras, and a cautionary tale starring two elite pilots caught up in an ongoing war against a sentient AI known as the "Brain". The story begins with a discovery on the planet Accessia. Through an archaeological dig an advanced AI was unearthed. In turn telling of a planet's struggle with global war, and it's destruction at the hands of humans. As a result this AI unit was sent out into space to serve as a warning for any other civilizations that might be headed down the same path. 

Having finally been awakened on Accessia 100,000 years after crash landing there this AI called "Brain" ultimately fast tracks the planet's evolution, and brings it to a state of futuristic sustainability. A short lived time of peace and prosperity as the AI's intentions begin to delve into questionable transhumanist goals for the population. Melding humans with implants, and replacement parts while looking to eventually have all humans preserved in fully synthetic bodies. Something Accessia's ethics department does not agree with. Seeing this as a threat against the agenda, the Brain starts a war with Accessia's people. And that is where Aya, and Zarak come into play ...

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider | PS4

Returning to the 16-bit era of gaming greatness, and the inspirations of yesteryear we find a game that not only touches base on the real world threat of totalitarianism, but through it's protagonist manages to shed a faint glimmer of hope for a would be resistance. In the world of "Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider", a melding of biomechanical weaponry and super soldiers, we find a resurrected guardian intended to be the totalitarian regime's protector. Somehow though this guardian's programming turns it against it's creators in a twist of fate, and in a vengeful flash of steel the samurai clad cyber sentinel sets out to exact his revenge saving the world from tyranny.

Lone Ruin | Nintendo Switch

Little info is given on the mysterious backstory of Super Rare Games' published title, "Lone Ruin", other than the fact that you are a masked magic wielding elvish explorer going into what looks to be ancient Persian style ruins. This is shown through a pixel perfect parallax cinematic intro in which the protagonist, cloak and all, stands before a glowing portal with fist raised and imbued with magic flames. The entire spectacle being a collective of pinks, purples, and blues. Something of which carries on over into the isometric 3D point of view in which the actual adventure begins. 

Neon Souls | PS4 Review

Have you ever had a hankering for some hardcore parkour? The kind of parkour platforming experience that would put 'Super Meatboy" to shame? For a fraction of the price of such a prestigious indie title? Well, have I got the game for you!!! Meet the Meatboy slayer, "Neon Souls"!!! A rainbow colored acid trip through a void filled with illuminati symbolism!!! As an "UwU" faced blob of prismatic proportions you splash, slide, and jump your way from starting point to end portal as you face the increasingly challenging layouts of 50 uniquely obscured stages. With a few boss fights thrown into the mix for good measure and enough 'all seeing eyes' to make you question things ...