Golem Gates (PS4)

I've got a joke for you. A MOBA, an RTS game, and Deck Building game walk into a bar ... out walks Golem Gates. I know it's not particularly the funniest thing you've ever read, but it sums up Golem Gates quite well. Golem Gates is it's own take on the whole demons versus angels mythos. One that has MOBA style lane objectives in the form of maps, and RTS and TCG strategy implementation via card decks and resource management. It ultimately pits harbingers of heaven against harbingers of darkness, or hell. As one such heavenly harbinger you must stand your ground against hidden armies of darkness as you make use of their energy sources to create glyphs that can be used to amass your own army of troops as well as defenses and enhancements to keep yourself from being stealth killed by unseen mobs. It is your use of energy, and crafting of glyphs that will allow you to meet various end goals. Whether it be facing, and dealing with like-minded harbingers, or downing generators to cut off power supplies to bigger targets you will need to strategically play the battlefield like a chess master if you hope to prevail.

Skelly Selest (PS4)

Skelly Selest is an interesting indie of imaginative inspiration. It takes old horror movie tropes, and combines them with indie game ideas already done to create perhaps one of the more interesting mixtures of modern day gaming genres. The game's story alone is a bold reminder of a certain line quoted from a more well known zombie film franchise. The one going on about an overcrowded hell, and the damned walking the Earth. So forth, and so on. George A. Romero would be proud. While that quote sets the foundation of the game's given plot the developer takes that very premise a step further by adding that the damned are basically trying to knock down heaven's gate in true Diablo fashion, and bring heaven down upon it's metaphorical knees. That, and the key fact that heaven's guardians aren't themselves the angelic beings you'd think they would be, but are instead skeletal vessels wielding heavenly weapons.

As a skeletal warrior of God you basically take up arms much like the hunter from Bloodborne with a gun in one hand, and an axe in the other. Ultimately facing off against endless hordes of the damned across multiple modes in a neverending fashion similar to the torment of hell itself. You'll fight in hunts for Arch Lichemancers, do some dungeon crawling in a similar fashion to "The Binding of Isaac", face endless waves of increasingly difficult to defeat denizens in a coliseum, and even play against the damned in a single player versus CPU card/tile game that utilizes diamond shaped character cards with four numerical values placed at each corner. In an attempt to go up against similar cards that have lesser or greater values themselves. The goal of the latter being to flip as many cards in your favor as possible by either having greater numbers that beat the opponents play by single or double digits. Double digits basically flipping multiple opponents cards that are connected by adjacent placing on a playing field of diamond slots with a random centerpiece value set before the coin is flipped, and the first turn taken. Kind of like Tic-Tac-Toe, but not. Needless to say there's plenty to play, and get into if you are a brave enough soul to face the insurmountable odds.

Lapis x Labyrinth (PS4)

Whether you choose to play it on PS4, or Nintendo Switch the experience that is NISA's "Lapis x Labyrinth" holds the same context, and content regardless of platform. Unlike a lot of their more deeply involved, and campaign heavy JRPGs of the past though this platforming cute 'em up takes the allure of looting, combines it with NISA's character stacking antics, and throws in a short story to boot. At the heart of it all is the briefly disclosed legend of a highly sought after tree of unimaginable treasure. That, and timeless accounts of adventurers seeking to find it, but forever failing. As a named leader of a party of mismatched character class types seeking the same object of wealth untold you set out on perhaps the last chance at looting this fabled fortune that time could soon forget. With the help of a village filled with quest givers, and other individuals of interest you will embark on this journey as you face off against many a foe in a floor by floor vertical descent to claim the ultimate prize or prizes.

Feudal Alloy (PS4)

Often times in the heat and hype of Triple A, and indie game releases we see gamers prioritize their purchases more around the hyped bigger releases, than the ambitious smaller indies. I have no doubt most of you chose to skip out on this week's selection of odd PS4 indies in lieu of "RAGE 2". Much like I did. While "RAGE 2" no doubt deserves at least some attention the other developers unfairly face uncertain sales numbers, and unfortunately so in light of said scheduled releases. What if I were to tell you though that a certain indie titled, "Feudal Alloy" was good enough for your money? That it took an old genre that's been rung through the ringer time and time again, and made it it's own unique experience? An experience just as a good as some Triple A releases, if not better. Well, that's exactly how I feel about Attu Games' first indie entry on the PS4 store. I think that not only did the developer give their 110% in effort, but the presentation also reflects such quality. From the voice acted intro narration to the hand drawn, and animated art it all comes together better than a lot of the Metroidvanias I've see on the indie front in the past few years.

Lovecraft's Untold Stories (PS4)

Like one of my other all-time favorite Lovecraft inspired indies called "The Darkest Dungeon", "Lovecraft's Untold Stories" really captures the essence of Lovecraft's lore. The very effects of insanity, and fear in a world haunted by the Old Ones. This time around the developer in question allows the gamer to experience the disorienting fright in the roles of a handful of unique individuals. Each with their own backstory, locations to explore, and mechanics based on a sort of twin stick shooter build. Initially you'll get to reprise the role of a named detective who finds himself, as most unfortunate Lovecraft characters do, searching for clues pertaining to a missing individual in a mansion. Through the shotgun armed detective you'll search for clues in the form of items with textual descriptions, and face off against cultist, and other Lovecraftian horrors as you try to solve the mystery at hand without completely losing your mind. Choosing the wrong actions in multiple choice situations can make things hairy scary though by inflicting an abnormal sanity status. Ultimately warping your perception of the world around you, and bringing you closer to facing the sum of all humankind's fears. Those fears being the Old Ones themselves. Fear inducing Old Gods such as Azataroth, Shubb-Niggurath, Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep, and Dagon. You will traverse various locales inspired by Lovecraftian lore including mansions, port city, hospitals, the jungle. and even the world beyond. Making rounds from area to area unlocking the mysteries through the roles of a detective, a professor, a witch, a thief, and even a ghoul. Each with their own unique play style.

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AngerForce Reloaded (PS4)

I have been playing "AngerForce Reloaded" by Zodiac Interactive for review purposes. I like it. It manages to add in a few tweaks to the standard bullet hell gameplay formula including an energy meter, and tied-in dual skills that can be used to maximize scoring potential. For some reason it reminds me of Borderlands in some ways, it's graphical design. Definitely with the visual cell-shading, and the named bosses you encounter. The fact that it has a campaign for each of the four main characters spanning 7 stages in total divided between Noob, Normal, and Hardcore difficulties really adds that incentive to play through it thoroughly. The perk system in Arcade, and Campaign mode adds a bit of enhancement to possible gameplay perfection for those who commit to the grind. In the campaign you'll use earned points to upgrade characters across the board. Things pertaining to health, energy, bombs, power-up suction, and other things can be upgraded to improve upon point earning potential as well as prolonged survival. These points can not only be spent at the final stage of the set difficulty or upon death, but can also be used to revive characters as well as buy intermediate power-up refills should you need them.

In total there are four main characters in the game that you can play as, and as the title suggests they all have some sort of anger issues, each pertaining to a sought out fight against a mysterious masked figure and a war against robots and humans. The characters include the adopted, and orphaned Samhill, Echo who happens to be the daughter of the man behind the creation of the robots, Asimo who is a robot himself, and a forest spirit named Shin who obviously has a beef with all the destruction and mayhem brought on by the ongoing conflict.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4)

By now you have likely heard the two different opinions of Sekiro. That some players think it's harder than the Souls games, and that others think it's easier. In accordance to opinions I have personally found Sekiro to be something of it's own. Something doable. While the base level design, and enemy layout harbor similarities to the Souls games it is functionally more diverse than said experiences. It is faster, more fluid, and offers different ways to progress and dispatch the foes in front of you. The new stealth mechanics, and the shinobi prosthetic gives the players multiple tools in dealing with the threats they face. Additionally there are skills with a skill tree that come into play later on that will add a sort of variation to the more traditional stance based parry and punish system that you are introduced to at the earlier stages of the game.

The gameplay itself is fairly straightforward though, in all due respect. You play as an aged shinobi named Wolf who was rescued at a younger age, and taught the ways of the shinobi in order to protect his master's young lord. As Wolf you will keep to that task as you forward your mission, and backtrack to unlock portions of the game previously hidden behind key items, and key NPC interactions. Your base of operations is a dilapidated Buddhist temple kept in order by a monk whose prosthetic arm you now don. As your savior early on he guides you with wisdom along with a shrine maiden or rather doctor's assistant, and helps tune-up your prosthetic with new shinobi tools when you find them, and bring them back to him.

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SNK 40th Anniversary Collection (PS4)

I think a lot of us gamers take the current strides in gaming tech for granted. We don't stop to realize that modern gaming as we know it wouldn't be what it was if the early pioneers of the industry didn't stick with game development through trial and error. SNK, or Shin Nihon Kikaku (as it was once known), is one such pioneer. In their quest to make a name for themselves they not only created competitive alternative options to the hottest genres for the time, but also innovated, and paved the way for other developers to follow in their footsteps as well. In this particular 40th anniversary tribute those feats, and near defeats are made all the more evident. Through the game collection's museum, and it's compendium of ads, manuals, arcade labels, guides, and in-game assets we get to see what exactly makes SNK so special. From the span of 1978 to 1990, and through 70+ game releases SNK's many development decisions earned them a proper place in gaming history among the greats. While there was some struggle with reception, and perception they still managed to survive, and create some of gaming's most memorable moments. Whether it be shmups, early fighting games, RPG platformers, or unique genres all their own SNK's efforts have paid off as they still continue to do what they do to this very day.

Fate/EXTELLA LINK (PS4)

This entry in the continuing Fate/Stay Night gaming series, which was adapted from an ongoing manga visual novel of the same namesake, extends upon the lore in a more combat heavy experience in which master and servant micromanagement is the key to victory. The key to keeping SE.RA.PH from being Oracilized by Karna, and his growing army of shadow servant clones. SE.RA.PH being Earth's enigmatic Moon server which brings to life the virtual world you inhabit along with all of it's servant residents. Servants which are historical recreations of warriors from ages gone by. It is through the master that these servants are guided as well as summoned, and through said servants that said masters are protected. Thus creating, in layman's terms, a world of kings, queens and kingdoms.

In true mosou form, and within SE.RA.PH, you will ultimately play as a main servant (I chose Charlemagne) in the company of supporting servant troops under the guide of the master as you navigate gated labyrinths traveling from portal to portal while clearing out key enemies and protecting the master as well as the key supporting servants. It's manic multitasking in a somewhat streamlined fashion that makes Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors look like a more tedious dragged on affair. From the base camp to the battlefield, and through a handful of increasingly difficult difficulty settings you will build bonds between master, and servant while you prepare them meticulously to face the threat to your virtual world, and it's housed NPCs. Including a complex set of main missions, and side missions with a progressive plot to forward.

The Caligula Effect: Overdose (PS4)

Imagine, if you will, a JRPG centered around a created classroom reality manifested by a virtuadoll name "Mu"who is hellbent on saving humanity from their own emotional suffering. Imagine even further still that this manufactured fantasy world is more of a prison, and less of an escape. One that holds it's classroom captives captive indefinitely even if they intend on returning to their long forgotten harsh reality. Thus is "The Caligula Effect". At the heart of the story is a male or female protagonist named by you, and controlled by you. He or she finds themselves in a sort of living nightmare as they see through the veil of supposed reality that is set before them. They see classmates corrupted by a digihead infection that has them doing the main antagonist's will according to the idol songs she both plays, and has playing out through associated Ostinato Musicians within Mobius, a paradise reserved for the emotionally distraught. Through your own manifested emotions, and as a counter to said threat, you are able to weaponize you and your fellow classmates who can also see beyond the veiled truth. A group of interesting individuals in a sort of high school club known as the "Go-Home Club". A club with the means with which to combat the mindless minions of the Mu. After your entrance, and joining of said club with your own virtuadoll companion you will find that fighting the good fight is done with the "Catharsis Effect", or rather a manifesting of your heart's hidden emotions brought forth into weapon form. It is this catharsis effect, and the imaginary Chain ability that ultimately allows for predictive assault, defense, and support options with which you'll take on the afflicted, face off against the antagonists, and eventually wake up in the real world ... if you are successful.

RemiLore: Lost Girl in the Lands of Lore (PS4)

I like Nicalis games. I like that they are their own unique thing. I like that the art style varies from most indie developers' creations, and I like more than anything that Nicalis is brave enough to mix things up with different genres. In the case of RemiLore this holds ever more true. Complete with a cutesy Japanese anime flair, likeable characters, a simple yet engaging story, and fun combat this hack-n-slash combo centered misadventure is one that will no doubt earn the attention of those willing to take a chance, and try it out.

Dead or Alive 6 Deluxe Demo

We are a not far away from the scheduled launch of DOA6 here in the US. I was excited, but in all honesty that excitement has waned a bit. The game has been delayed once before. Likely for pre-order reasons. In that delayed time period the team at Koei Tecmo has been gracious enough to give us two goes at the online beta. Having played the first time around, and this weekend with a more complete online experience, and roster I have to say that despite knowing things may supposedly change before release I'm left not wanting to buy into DOA6 right away. The game, from what I've experienced, is promising. I'll give it that much. It seems at least a little better than DOA5LR, but at the same time the online component is once again plagued by gamers who would exploit lag, and possibly even use mods to win.With online being one of the biggest reasons I buy into a fighter I'm left not wanting to buy into this one.

In my extended time with the open online beta I did note that there's gonna be some sort of quest mode, and the returning survival mode I'd hoped for (leaked in the tag listings), but it's not really enough to make me want to pass up two other games I have my sights set on in March. Though I was impressed to the point it might have been one of my game purchases for March the more I played the more obvious it became to me that other less than appreciative or considerate players were also testing the waters, and finding ways to manipulate the experience. It's a problem I've talked about many times before. The releasing of online betas to the public without screening said players. This never fares well, and ultimately leads to the release of day one mods, hacks, and exploits. There's nothing that can be done at this point though as the damage is already done.

RYM 9000 (PS4)

If you are a fan of things like Projekt MKUltra, and Polybius you might find yourself right at home playing this latest shmup by Sonoshee. Full of deliberate visual, and audio mind f**kery this one-of-a-kind shmup aims to take you on a hardcore flight to the moon. A sensory overload in the form of a shoot 'em up. As the story goes there is a prophecy detailing a certain eclipse foreseen by the green dweller which has come to be. According to said prophecy there is a treasure to be found upon the eclipsed moon called the RYM 9000 which will gift ownership of the world, and beyond to the one who finds it. You happen to be one of those pilots, a revolutionary. With your ship you will be tasked with piloting through several stages of alien infested defenses in an attempt to claim the RYM 9000 as your own. The task might seem simple at first, but through limited ship capabilities attributed to damage taken you will need to pilot carefully lest you find yourself among the many failed attempts.

The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince (PS4)

Nippon Ichi Software always seems to strike all the right chords with their artsy little indies. By "artsy indies" I simply mean their ambitious puzzle platformers that each contain a fairy tale driven lesson built into the story being told. As with other NISA releases in this particular sub-genre of puzzle platformers "The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince" weaves an interesting tale through hands-on gameplay and voiced art panel inclusive intermissions that border on being mature while pulling at your heartstrings in a nostalgic childlike manner. As if it were your own parents reading to you from your favorite children's storybook. The story at hand, as it were, is unfortunately one that if explained away in too much detail, could ruin the many surprises you'd get to enjoy by experiencing the experience for yourself. I can say, however, that it all starts with a curious prince and a gifted wolf who happens to have a beautiful singing voice. A voice that attracts the Prince, and in a twist of fate, has the two characters both leading a lie, and living one. In an accidental encounter the wolf feels morally obliged to right her wrongs against the prince, and ultimately seeks the help of a witch to restore what was lost to him. The journey that ensues due to the unfortunate circumstances and a metaphorical deal with the devil is an interesting, and endearing escort mission in which you get to control a now shape shifting wolf who can change forms from wolf into a human princess in order to maintain a lie about said wolf's identity. All due to a mutual appreciation that went awry without warning.

Death end re;Quest (PS4)

I never thought I'd see the day that IFI went full-on mature with their games. That day has come though, and as much of a surprise (or shock) as it was it was a pleasant one. I've always saw beyond the character driven antics into IFI's more brilliant plots pertaining to the industry, and it's many involvements in real world goings on. I could always read between the lines, and find a deeper meaning in the cute facade, and fantasy features that were a built upon staple of all their creations. In "Death end Re;Quest" all of the above still holds true. Through it's deeply applied character building, and layered mystery solving you will be fully immersed in the gritty world of cyber-hacking, criminal investigations, and the implementation of revolutionary VR game development accented by AI programming that is not too indifferent from applications of our own real world.

Enter Shina, and Arata. Two employees working for a game development studio known as Enigma. A studio working on a groundbreaking VRMMO engine known as the Alice Engine, and a virtually real gaming experience known as World's Odyssey. It is through the back and forth real world scenarios of Arata, and the resulting contact and ongoing combat situations of Shina through her mysterious VRMMO resurfacing in World's Odyssey after having gone missing for a year that we are clued into the spidery web of happenings that go beyond corporate interests into cyber-sleuthing in a dual attempt to get to the bottom of things. Through the staff at Enigma together with Shina, and Arata the fight to find out the truth about what's going on will take them deep into the metaphorical rabbit's hole as they follow Shina to the true ending of the World's Odyssey. A task, and undertaking that will not only effect Shina's fate, but also the fate of the world in which Arata, and his team of coders are struggling to deal with the aftermath of Shina's disappearance, and the resulting impact of it on the tech world.

Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal (PS4)

Going back to it's 3DS roots "Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal" renews the old 2.5D presentation of the original Nintendo handheld release allowing those dedicated PlayStation console gamers who missed out the first go around the opportunity to bare witness to the series' origin story. Not only did this entry point receive a visual overhaul with newer graphics, but it is also functionally fit for the PS4 controller. You'll get to experience the story mode mission by mission throughout two different Shinobi alliances' perspectives within 41 chapters each. Both "Ultimate Shadow", and "Burst" with their good versus evil alignments offer replay value in the form of three difficulty settings per mission, varying grades for completion quality, and the usual assortment of obtainable unlockables with which you can doll up your favorite femme fatales to your heart's desire, and equip them with the tools of their trade. That as well as videos, and music for after game enjoyment. Even the diorama mode returns with the posing, and dressing opportunities for those looking forward to that fan service feature. Speaking of fan service there are plenty of revealing, and provocative poses as well as damaged Shinobi attire to apply. While censorship is applied it is not aggressively so, as you might assume. You'll still see the bewbie sparkles in mid-transformation as one would expect returning to the series. That, and the infamous bounce.

Battle Princess Madelyn (PS4)

From Kickstarter to Kickstarted "Battle Princess Madelyn" by CBit Games was promptly delivered as promised, and on multiple gaming platforms. The story driven, and oldschool gameplay inspired platformer which took ideas of Chris Obritsch's daughter's vision for a Ghouls 'N Ghosts themed adventure was given life in such a beautifully rendered, and audibly enjoyable way with a handful of options made readily available to tweak the experience to your liking. Along with a couple visual/audio style options it offers two different ways to play the game including a traditional story free Arcade Mode with 10 stages, and several branching paths within each along with epic boss fights as well as a protagonist modeled after Madelyn, the daughter of Chris. In addition to the arcade mode comes a Story Mode with comic panel style animations telling a tale of a sickly Madelyn being read a fairy tale story by her grandfather. A story about a princess knight who takes up arms to save her kingdom, and avenge the death of her loyal canine companion, Fritzy. A dog who comes back to life in ghost form to assist her on her journey to topple the ultimate evil. It is a story that is mirrored, if every so slightly, in both modes of platforming play.