Hyper-5 | PS4 Review

After having landed on PC, "Hyper-5" finally makes it's way to consoles under the banner of publisher EastAsiaSoft. Carrying with it a polished, and well functioning port that could easily be compared with other shmup greats. Darius comes to mind in that regard. I realize in saying this though that I have a bad habit of comparing games that have obvious influences, but do bare in mind that while there are some similarities 'Hyper-5' does good to bring what once was hype back in the 90's to the next level. Putting the "Hype" in "Hyper". Both visually, and mechanics-wise. Tweaking, in it's wake, staple scoring and shooting gimmicks. Making modes that have been done time and time again fresh, and exciting. 

Below you will find an easy to consume series of sectional paragraphs detailing everything from the plot to the gameplay, and even the mechanics. I have spent enough time with the game that I can give you an honest opinion at the end as well, if you care for it.

Pretty Girls Breakers! PLUS | PS4

Brick breaking games are nothing new. Atari started the genre back in the 70's, and since then copycat clones have emerged a dime a dozen on various platforms. Each featuring different gimmicks that build upon the basic premise that is brick breaking with a pong style paddle. What if I were to tell you that EastAsiaSoft has created such a game that gives Atari's version a run for it's money? A brick breaking game with pretty anime girls, two modes of play, and an innovative scoring system tied to several different features? Well, buckle up my friends, because that game is here and for under $10!!! It's called, "Pretty Girls Breakers! PLUS" ...

Shuttlecock-H | Nintendo Switch

EastAsiaSoft is at it yet again. Trying to lure in an audience of wayward weeaboos with lite Western Hentai in the form of a half-baked game. The old adage, "Sex Sells" comes to mind often with these types of releases, and I have no doubt it may still very will find it's buyers despite what I'm about to say. 

With "Shuttlecock-H" art and gameplay gimmicks are of base level indie design. Almost like asset flips. Low effort material with spicy content included for the thrills. In it the developer reverse engineers the shmup genre, and turns it into a collect-a-thon with a dodgeball focus. 

You basically collect groups of five hearts that appear onscreen for a limited time while dodging bullet hell that shoots by faster than your ship is able to move. There's a certain number of hearts to collect per stage, and a certain number of the series of five hearts that must be obtained for that perfect playthrough. Your only ways of achieving this is by dodging bullets, and other hazards while utilizing a boost mechanic that doesn't even seem to work.

Albacete Warrior | PS4 Review

In a melding of 2D pixel sprites, and 3D polygonal stages EastAsiasoft's, "Albacete Warrior" comes at you with comedic cock slappin' content. Featuring an unlikely anti-hero in the form of a blonde haired Westerner named Benito who likes to get drunk on the regular at the local Spanish pub. In a twisted tale of revenge, and Asian absurdity that spans the globe this chosen one ventures forth with his pecking prized chicken Pepito in hand ready to dish out bloody justice one bandito at a time. 

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 ...

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. 

Rick Henderson | PS4 Review

EastAsiaSoft, and Fat Pug Studio brings to us, this week, an indie shmup roguelite with endless replay value and two ways to play. Featuring an endless mode that loops around in accordance to two different difficulty settings, and three pilots with their own individual ships. Mechanics-wise it's shmup of borrowed or inspired proportions titled after the game's main, but unrealized protagonist, Rick Henderson. It has a trio of weapons to use on the fly as well as a special attack unique to each pilot. That and a grazing mechanic that will call in the other two pilots for support when filled. As Rick Henderson, Ben x9 or the porcine Zoraxx you will basically be blasting through waves of asteroids, and alien spacecraft before going head to head with an enemy boss ship. All in the name of saving the universe. After each boss is bested you'll have a selection of four different perks that will add to, or improve upon your ship functions. Adding in an additional roguelite element to the shmup part of the game ...

Ayo the Clown | PS4 Review

I present to you a cute, and crass clown collect-a-thon titled "Ayo the Clown" that's all about casual or competitive gameplay. Starring Ayo the clown himself, and a whole host of other colorful characters that look as if they were ripped straight from a children's story book. While the main man with the master plan that is Ayo is a happy-go-lucky kind of chap his sweet dreams are abruptly shattered as he finds his pet pooch lost or stolen upon awakening one night, and as such sets out on an adventure trying to find him. Along the way, and by helping others in need, he gains the tools to face frightening foes as he collects the treasures needed to make it where he needs to be. 

One Finger Death Punch 2 (REVIEW)

All hail the return of the ultimate test of reflexive combat! Packing more punch than that hammer scene from Old Boy, and more martial arts prowess than the IP Man himself (dare I say it) we find the journey of a pupil in training returning for yet another barrage of badass brawls. Utilizing attacks and defense that require precision timing along with the game's single button per side mechanic that in itself harbors multiple functions the path to perfection isn't so easily earned, but once it is achieved it is the most satisfying feeling you'll ever get from a kung fu video game experience. 

Along with the return of the series' staple mechanics tied to various enemy types and threats comes new modes of play, and newly added animations not seen since the first entry. New bloody bone crunching finishers finish off foes while background combo characters pop-up in time with the players' skilled application to further add to the visually pleasing spectacle of carnage. Also included in the mix of mortal combat is a newly introduced skill list of 26 skills that can all be added to effectively dumb down the challenge at hand with what amounts to earned and unlocked cheats. cheats so underhanded it might very well undermine the entire point of the game, but I digress ... You'll find returning as well the introductory tutorial which will give you a hands-on lowdown on controls, and mechanics. All just outside of the main single player journey mode that is stretched across several themed maps. Each map with points of interest that will reward you for your efforts. You'll also find lying in wait a new gauntlet mode which is the game's newer rogue-like feature that has you, and one life's worth of health, trying to best a set route of combat based challenges which incorporate the game's enemies and their mechanics. There's that, and survival. Survival, as it were, comes in a few different varieties. Each with their own gimmick centered around the single life series of fight until you die battles that take you up the tiers of an ancient tower per kill count. Increasing the overall challenge, and score rewards for the feat. All for bragging rights, no less.

Moero Crystal H (REVIEW)

If adult anime humor is your thing, and you don't mind a wee bit of perversion then this definitive port of "Moero Crystal H" might be right up your alley. The game itself is centered around a fantasy world created by a certain Goddess of Creation. This Goddess created both humans, and monster girls to coexist in perfect harmony in their respective parts of the world. The land, and sky respectively. She also created the Panties of Light as well as the Bra of Darkness to keep them in check. Basically, two relics that keep the world, and it's inhabitants from being destroyed. Unfortunately for a traveling dude named Zenox, and the Guardian of the Panties and Bra (Luanna) a mysterious thief known as Dark Ottonias stole away the Bra of Darkness with the intent of doing some dirty things with it. Namely putting poor monster girls under a human hating spell. A spell that can only be undone in the most lewd of acts. That act being the destruction of certain clothing articles. It is through these awkward encounters, and the goal of stopping the end of the world that Zenox, Luanna, their panty thieving pal Otton, and the monster girls they recruit along the way will find the Bra thief, and whomever else that might be hiding in the shadows as well.

112th Seed (REVIEW)

112th Seed is a perplexing puzzle platformer about the last remaining plant life in human history. Plant life that was created in a lab to withstand extinction in a bleak future where food isn't plentiful. A future where the last remaining humans sleep in stasis hoping for a miracle that could be seed 112. As seed 112 you are awakened amid the astronauts slumber, and must find your way to them making plants sprout along the way. Between you, and them lies puzzling situations that involve everything from water droplets to sprouting plants, and even plants that will transform you so that you can make your way to the tubular pipe exit. Puzzles are everywhere, and in every lab you happen upon. Growing increasingly complex with each new mechanic introduced. It literally puts William Edward Hickson's famous quote to the test ... "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again".

Waifu Uncovered (REVIEW)

Nintendo does what Playstation don't. That is what comes to mind when I think about my playthrough of "Waifu Uncovered". This perverted shmup that is a mixture of those naughty Japanese picture clearing games, and Sexy Parodius (though top down) comes sailing balls to the wall with it's titillating infusion of memes, and anime waifu culture. Taking place in a world where alien clothing is turning girls ugly Master K. Vaio must fly his phallic shaped ship to victory as he destroys the clothing of waifus across the globe. Ridding them of an alien infestation of the adult kind.

Task Force Kampas (PS4)

I have decided to do this review differently, and include my Youtube video review. I took to Twitch to stream some hands-on impressions, and go over the features and mechanics which I then exported to Youtube, and have in turn included here. As it turns out I found a shmup with potential lost to artificial difficulty. Through a narrow playing field, oppressive bullet hell/enemy population, and recovery options that reduce the long lived potential of a playthrough things are made much harder than they should be. It left me unable to make it past the first boss on Easy difficulty despite choosing different pilots with different perks that each offered a different advantage in regards to shot type and health. Visually the game is very appealing, and the soundtrack quite impressive. Sadly I found out that it was a game experience not worth buying into. Hopefully the developer can heed my advice, and improve upon this game or the next.

Red Death (REVIEW)

Returning with a shmup that foregoes the nature of the first entry in their series, Panda Indie Studios brings to us a worthy prequel to 'Project Starship'. A four tone shoot 'em up that not only ramps up the challenge, and does away with the rogue-like formula, but that also gives background on the main two characters of the first game. Following pilot RED-001 we are invited along with the accompanying instructor to see the demise of worlds at the hands, or rather tentacles of the old gods. Gods of Lovecraftian origin who have decided to wage war on the Earth, and force pilots like Nick (aka, RED-001) to face a final fight for the remainder of humanity. In his fight, and flight of nightmarish proportions we learn that Nick's wife departs the planet via shuttle during his skirmish with a baby on the way. A surprise bundle of joy that ties-in with the 'Project Starship' plot. It is in the eerie, and ominous revelation of potential doom, and hope for the future that the color scheme of reds, greens, whites, and greys along with thematic music elements geared towards intensifying the situation plays out in a per stage basis, and in an oldschool way.

Grizzland (PS4)

Sometimes simplicity can make for a beautiful spectacle in the world of pixels, and video games. I think the layered 1-bit nature, and scale of black to white within Grizzland achieves something both impressive to look at, and fun to play. It is a well thought out, and well constructed Metroidvania that doesn't hand hold, but gives the gamer just enough comprehension to move forward, explore, and uncover the many secrets hidden within. With basic combat and platforming tools at your disposal you, as the main character, must try to bring back to life the thirsty plant life while finding out exactly why it is you are on this adventure. You'll face alien threats along the way as well as some puzzle solving situations. There's plenty of backtracking to be done, and hidden areas to find. You'll even find scattered notes that get tucked away in your journal disclosing the details of the world around you, and your role therein.

Project Starship (PS4)

For five dollars you are getting what you paid for with Panda Indie Studio's, "Project Starship". It's nothing large scale, or new-gen, but in it's flashy simplicity it harbors a surprisingly impressive replay value if you look beyond the lack of an online leaderboard. Said replay value coming in the form of high score opportunities that can be streamed for record sake. That and some easy to earn PSN trophies. With the noteworthy replay value you will also find randomized rogue-like features which will alter the experience in each of the given playthroughs making no playthrough exactly alike.

At base level Project Starship is a top-down upward auto-scrolling shmup of chunky proportions set in an Lovecraftian universe with rogue-like elements at play. A very flashy display of nonstop action filled with amateurish hand drawn art put into lightly animated pixel form. All accented by an oddly digitized voice inclusive chiptune soundtrack. It features two playable protagonists in the form of Garret, and Gwen who are each made available from the start alongside two distinct difficulty settings. These male and female astronauts who fly in their own blue and red colored spacecraft of the same build face the cosmic horrors before them as you guide them along through the lit up abyss.

Without Escape (PS4, PS Vita)

EastAsiaSoft's budget indie "Without Escape" is a game that will either try your patience with it's many puzzles, or have you so intrigued by it's underlying mystery that you'll go to any length to finish it. At it's heart it is a point and click horror indie that places you in the shoes of a kid whose parents are supposedly off visiting with their own parents. You arrive to an empty home late at night, have a cheap lasagna dinner, and go to bed thinking that all is right with the world. At precisely 2:45am you wake up to an odd noise suspecting a burglar, but find instead a house in slight disarray with a new mysterious painting that gives off odd vibes when you look at it. From there you point, and click your way through each room, and it's contents looking for items and information to get you to the next point in your search for explanations. Your immediate area of interest is small with blocked off entrances, and things that require other things to get into. The more you discover, and unlock the more the world around you changes, and morphs. Ultimately taking you, the character of the story, on an otherworldly journey into a Lovecraftian horror situation. What lies in wait is anyone's guess ...

Gunlord X | 32bit Shoot 'em Up Metroidvania Platforming At It's Finest!

Nostalgia level over 9,000!!! Gunlord X has a lot of good going for it. NG-DEV's improved upon version of the retro Turrican inspired classic comes to life not only with 32Bit oldschool aesthetics intact, but also with new quality of life tweaks, and additional content not originally included. This smooth as butter platforming shmup hybrid with collect-a-thon goals and a quest to save the waifu is one that will no doubt leave a mark in modern gaming history. It is hailed as being the definitive version of the classic. The one that's worth playing, and worth owning. To that extent I think it definitely lives up to the boastful claims. Though it is still extremely challenging, and borderline unforgiving Gordian Gaiden's fight against the demonic soul stealing alien menace known as the "The Master" is one not easily forgotten, or passed up.

Family Tree | Trajectory Based Puzzle Platforming With A Fruity Twist

Perhaps one of the most interesting platformers I've ever played comes in the form of, "Family Tree" from Infinite State Games. This pinball meets platforming experience featuring a fruity family torn apart by a sinister sugar skull named Pedro really takes the cake. With added music of an interesting variety including dub-step, and acid house it's a trippy experience to say the least. One that will have you playing through 128 increasingly challenging levels across four theme inclusive seasons while taking on side challenges, and an endless climbing mode for up to four players. As you command the role of Mister, and Misus Fruits whose children were abducted by the nefarious Pedro you will need to quickly ascend the towering tree innards before you via cannon catapults as you dodge wacky enemies, and odd obstructions keeping you from collecting that which will mean perfection for the playthrough rescues at hand. Both the fruity children themselves, and the 4 coins per level that hover ever so conveniently within the hollowed out tree structures included.

Fast Striker (PS4)

Eastasiasoft's, and NGDevTeam's 'Fast Striker' was a surprise to me. Even though I've seen about every type of shmup (shoot'em up) available this particular one did something I can't say I've seen before. It was marketed by the PR as a 2D shooter with multiple scoring options, and multiple modes/stages. A statement which I personally didn't think was entirely accurate. Visually the game is more 3D than it is 2D despite it's pixel build. I know it's semantics arguing that point but 2D is what we normally call side-scrollers. This is more of 3D top-down shoot'em up. Along with that surprising revelation I found the game to be more like the oldschool arcade shmups. Not too old, but definitely oldschool. It was certainly better than the indie I thought it was going to be (having looked at the cover art). If you've ever seen one of the Japanese shmups you'll have an idea of what I'm babbling on about when it comes to the actual gameplay, and art style. In the end, after some internet browsing, I did find out I wasn't far off the mark. Fast Striker was originally released on the Neo Geo, and SEGA Dreamcast consoles by NGDevTeam.