Super Hydorah (PS4/PS VITA)

Locomalito & Gryzor87's side scrolling shmup, "Super Hydorah" is in every way a tribute, or homage if your prefer, to similar oldschool arcade experiences. It plays very much like the classic Gradius series, and features the signature shmup power-up system reminiscent of a series like that. It is a hardcore scored based shoot' em up in which learning patterns, secrets, and surviving through multiple enemy filled stages is a must if you hope to top the local leaderboard. While the game is fairly straightforward in gameplay in that you'll be tasked with killing waves of statically placed enemies, collecting the power-ups left in their wake, and acquiring new weapons from bosses to progress further it does host a mild story of it's own about a space pilot fighting for humanity against an alien threat. As pilot Delta Lance you'll be taking your Unit 87 combat fighter to face the Meroptian threat at the command of your colonel. A story setup that is squared away instantly in an initial launch cutscene. You are fairly much thrust into the heat of intergalactic battle with basic weapons, and a ship that can be upgraded via randomized power-ups of a select variety. As you down enemy craft, and alien life forms you'll sometimes reveal power-up items in the form of turbo boosts, single use super weapons, shot upgrades, and shields among other things. The end goal is simple, but is also an unforgiving multiple path driven fight for survival that will take you from right to left, and up and down in automated fashion across the game's sectioned off stage inclusive universe.

Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX) (PS4)

I don't know how to say this without echoing every other review of 'Maldita Castilla', but it is definitely inspired by Capcom's "Ghouls & Ghosts/Ghosts & Goblins" games. It looks, and plays very much like those arcade-like retro gaming experiences. You have the basic platforming, the scoring setup, the simple back story, the map screen traversing, and even the weapon and item system used in those types of games. Everything from the onscreen displays to the 32bit pixel construction screams inspiration from said sources. Even the playable protagonist comes off as being inspired by Capcom's character, Arthur. While the game definitely has it's similarities it also has it's differences though. In the way of story, for example, this game takes place after the events surrounding the fall of a princess's love interest, and the unlocking of the demon realm through her tears which were turned into a magical key for the demon's loosing. Ultimately as one of the four named knights of the kingdom of Castilla you are ordered by the King to go out, and slay the demons that are bringing ruin to it's people. Thus freeing the kingdom from it's curse. Through short lived stages divided by multiple areas you must effectively fight off the demonic creatures while looting treasure chests, finding key items, and advancing to the final battle.