Valfaris: Mecha Therion | PS4 Review

Valfaris: Mecha Therion, puts the peddle to the metal in this shredding sci-fi shmup spin-off that acts as a direct sequel to the first Valfaris game. In it you once again take on the role of god-like warrior Therion in guidance of Hekate, a ship AI that is aiding him in his quest for vengeance against his corrupted father Lord Vroll. Instead of going about it on foot with sword and gun in hand though Therion instead helms a destructive new powerhouse of a mech that wields similar armaments. It is with this flying suit of armor that he'll arm and direct destruction at anything that stands between him and revenge. 

Farlands Journey | PS4 Review

Following in the footsteps of a witch with a wand we find a curious collect-a-thon adventure about a magic academy that lost it's crown jewel, the very source of it's power. As the little witch on the job you pursue an evil porcine threat, and his piglet army through various lands where they have lost fragments of the jewel along with puzzle pieces, and special orbs. As you combat the threat with your wand and collect what needs to be collected you will sport the hats of the enemy using their unique capabilities to platform your way through each stage. The end goal being the collecting of all the jewels, and everything else that is collectible.

Ginger - The Tooth Fairy | PS4 Review

Little is explained about this cute collect-a-thon other than the fact that Ginger the tooth fairy's brother and his evil boss Kavity have stolen away her power teeth as told by Louis her racing bat buddy. The power teeth being her only means to open magic doors and deliver unto the kiddos their money for lost teeth. Thus it is up to you to collect everything collectible especially the teeth so that you can open up doors to new areas Super Mario Bros 64 style!

AVARIS3 | REVIEW | A PS4 Indie From Japan Makes It's Way West!!!

Journey with me on this discovery of a newly released Japanese gaming experience that has just now reached the West through the PlayStation Store!!! ...

Astebros | PS4

Medieval mayhem ensues in this 2D platforming fantasy roguelike called, "Astebros". Coming on the scene as a pixeled precursor to the previously released "Demons of Asterborg" the story retroactively picks up the tale of the kingdom of Asterborg, and it's fall to minions of darkness. As one of three heroes including a Knight, A Ranger, and a Mage you venture forth under the king's command as you meet up with the designated guide who will be leading you on your adventure. It is through this mysteriously robed figure that you'll travel via horse and cart, individually or in 2 player co-op, as you fight through several themed lands to gain access to orbs that unlock further access to other more challenging areas near the vicinity of your camp.

Lords of Exile | PS4

Absolute power corrupts, absolutely. This is a hard lesson that our anti-hero Gabriel learns from a young age as a village's would be savior turned adversary. Following the lead of Galagar, a tyrant in his own right, Gabriel would try to become as powerful as the merciless marauders that killed his fellow villagers. 

Becoming Galager's right hand man though came with a price, and that price was paid by the blood of Gabriel's beloved. Galager eventually saw Gabriel as a direct threat during his time serving, and thus sent a message via murder to dissuade him from ever attempting the takeover of Galager's place in power. Unfortunately for Galager, Gabriel was hellbent on revenge after having been wronged. He set out with bloodlust on his mind, and a sword in his hand.

Smoots Pinball | PS4 Review

Smoots. What is a Smoot? This is a question I pondered while I tried to figure out my final verdict on this five table pinball package. All I know is that Smoots are basically tied to various sports style mobile games, and are miniature people-like representations of sports players. This is fitting in the case of this new pinball release as four out of the five tables are sports themed. Down to the pinball itself. You get a baseball, summer games, tennis, golf, and zombie table for one lowly price. Each with their own theme, balls, and special effects. Complete with extras in the form of unlockable 2D and 3D art assets. Is it all worth it though? That's the question that begs to be answered.

Zombie Town | PS4 Review

FunBox's "Zombie Town" is more or less a mobile game ported to console. It is a mission based brawler style zombie survival game in which selected survivors fight or survive against waves of zombies and zombie bosses on lane based streets. It's very much a rinse and repeat experience with several different mini-game types serving as missions with objectives in tow. 

You have accessible through a map a barricaded defense challenge, a run challenge, a hunt a target challenge, a fight a boss challenge, and a challenge set to a time limit. All encapsulated in a little block of street. As you complete each mission or challenge they will increase in difficulty with the zombie threat ramping up, and the need to upgrade becoming increasingly important. What carries you through is health power-up drops, ammo resupplies, and coins which can be spent later on hero and weapon upgrades.

VISCO Collection | PS4

We all love classic arcade games, right? We as gamers believe in their preservation, and hope to keep them around forever, or at least as long as humanity exists. Passing down, through that effort, historical experiences that future generations of gamers would need to fully understand how they got to where they are in regards to gaming innovation. Without that history gaming itself would lose it's origin story, and vital pieces of context between that fully flesh out the various industry and gamer related aspects that impacted the medium throughout the years. 

This in mind I have some sad news. For the first time I can recall QUByte Interactive has decided to sell an amazing arcade compilation from an obscure studio while not actually selling the gamer the collection. They immediately, upon access, have the gamer sign away their ownership of the very copy of the game they paid for. The EULA (End User License Agreement) states over and over that QUByte owns all copies, and that said copies could at some point be subject to termination. This, my friends, is one of the many dangers of supporting and going all digital. You literally do not own what you pay for. 

Chipmonk! | PS4 Review

Move over Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! There's a new team of mutants in town! The medieval martial arts marsupials that are the Chipmonks come armed and ready to face off against the furry fiends of the forest who have stolen away their stockpile of food. As either Grey, Cheeks, or Red you'll put sword and paw to use as you fight brawler style against the mobs who are standing between you and your only food source. Traversing the seasons stage by stage you'll face both mobs and bosses while making use of magic mushrooms, an acorn supply of health, and a stock of three lives. Going solo, co-op, or pvp in a total of three distinctly different modes built around the retro inspired combat. 

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails (PS4)

Hailing from 2012 Nihon Falcom's, "The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails" gets the refurbished NISA treatment for modern consoles, namely the PS4. With this Westernized port players get to experience Nayuta's grand action adventure in a world filled with mystery and magic. As an adventurer with a tragic past Nayuta, and his friend Cygna set sail to learn more about the world around them as they each grow into respectful men through life experiences before eventually returning home.

The Many Pieces Of Mr. Coo | PS4

Let me preface this review by saying that I've never in my life seen a game quite like "The Many Pieces Of Mr. Coo". It's one of those games that are so abstract in appearance that all is not made clear from the start, but definitely has a hidden meaning locked away in the sum of it's parts. In hindsight surrealism seems to be this point & click adventure's key selling point above all else. That, and whatever underlying message might be hidden within. I will say this ... I can see hints of creationism, the fall of empires, and even subject matter hinting at the prison that is bread & circuses. All centered around this small yellow cartoon character named Mr. Coo who loves apples, and bit of craziness on the side. 

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles

This latest Rhapsody bundle release is not entirely new, but it brings with it two updated and upgraded JRPG adventures from the PS1 era that have never before been seen on Western shores. This includes both Rhapsody II, and Rhapsody III in their entirety. Each entry comes complete with the full experience plus bonus features, screen filters, and voice-overs for the English speaking audience.

Through magic, melody, and mischief you'll follow along as you play as a young princess seeking her prince, or as destined royalty facing off against rival kingdoms and an ancient evil. There's laughs aplenty, and enough song and dance to pull at your heartstrings. As serious as it can be at times these two games harbor a charm that is sometimes comedic by design. Something for nearly all ages looking for a lighthearted JRPG experience centered around turn-based strategy, creature combat, and party management.

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons - Making New The Old

The year is 199X, and the world is living the aftermath of nuclear war. New York is now a rubble reduced dystopian nightmare ruled by four gangs. The Okada, Triangle, Royals, and Killers. In the midst of it all Billy and Jimmy Lee, the Double Dragon Duo, get drawn back into the heat of battle after their female partner in arms Marian is beaten in a gang incident while patrolling the streets. Against their leader Uncle Matin's wishes Billy, Jimmy, and Marian choose to take on each gang on their own turf. Racking up coins, and cash as they restore law and order to the city for the new sitting mayor.

Risky Woods | PS4 Review

QUBytes and PIKO are at it again porting a hardly heard of classic to modern consoles for a new audience. This time around it's the 1992 Electronic Arts side-scrolling platformer, "Risky Woods". Risky Woods is all about a fantasy world in which an evil God named Draxos is challenged by the heroic Rohan. Rohan's mission is to free all the good monks who have been frozen in stone via a curse. Thus releasing wisdom from it's prison. Using an infinite throwing knife, and other useful weapons Rohan must face off against Draxos' minions and his four bosses. With each playthrough spanning four unique areas that in turn harbor two hardcore stages filled with risk and reward style opportunities.

Rainbow Snake | PS4 Review

As a gamer we've all, at some point or another, played the mini-game "Snake". Be it on the mobile phone, PC, or console. The game featuring simple yet challenging gameplay centered around an all consuming, and ever-expanding serpent that is contained within the confines of a digital arena. We who know, know that the point of the game is to grow as long in length as possible without hitting the surrounding barrier or running into our own lengthening body. That's "Snake", in a nut shell. 

Well, what if I were to tell you this game of old has made it's debut yet again on modern consoles in the form of a one dollar wonder known as "Rainbow Snake"? A trophy filled, and simplistic serpentine adventure that comes enhanced with rainbow pixels, 3D voxel backgrounds of prismatic color, and a soothing instrumental soundtrack for a zen-like experience ... would you bite?

Brave Soldier - Invasion of Cyborgs

Aliens only want one thing, and it's disgusting. All joking aside the aliens or cyborgs in this run 'n gun action platformer actually want to steal Earth's resources, and destroy it after they're done ... which is pretty disgusting ...

As a lone gun toting soldier aware of this impending doomsday scenario you take up arms and face the threat as the would be savior of the world. Hence the title, "Brave Soldier - Invasion of Cyborgs". Spanning 30 stages of various terrains, and hazards you are tasked with clearing out the enemy, their explosives stockpile, and the bosses that lie in wait at every 10th stage. It's an undertaking made difficult by approach, bullet range, and limited health. Thankfully death is not the final nail in the old coffin though, and die as you might you can still pick back up with previous score in tow at the latest checkpoint. The reward for doing so? Saving humanity, and looting some priceless PlayStation trophies in the process ...

Dark Quest 3 | PS4 Review

Don't be discouraged by the numbered entry of this Dark Quest console release. While it may be the third in a series it is easily a standalone adventure still worthy of your attention. Melding the quest focused traversal of tabletop RPGs, light deckbuilding mechanics, and RNG based roguelike elements 'Dark Quest III" has you controlling a band of heroes or heroines as they battle against a malevolent evil in the guise of a power-hungry wizard. 

It is this wizard turned to the dark side in vague Voldemort fashion that is the adventure's master. Through his ongoing narration via multiple choice encounters and situations you will build up your troupe of mismatched characters as they continue to travel the lands to the point of confronting the vile wizard himself. Hopefully defeating him, and returning to claim the fortune and fame ...

Undergrave | PS4 Review

Qubyte's latest game, "Undergrave" is a tough as nails turn based tactical roguelike indie with puzzle elements included. It features a nameless cloaked protagonist who finds himself ferrying around in the void realm for a place to land. Devilish denizens, of course, are there awaiting his arrival as he does so. 

Deathwish Enforcers | PS4 Review

For those of you who are unaware 'Limited Run Games' released a physical, and digital version of "Deathwish Enforcers" recently for both last-gen, and current-gen consoles. This 4 player co-op arcade style brawler/shooter brought with it Hollywood cops, and porn era naughtiness. Hoes and pimps for days!!! Using the old sex sells adage as their marketing ploy the developer pushed the envelope of common decency and modern day censorship by including pixelated nudity that actually went uncensored. 

Alongside the porn star nods, and the homage to such Hollywood heroes as Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry, and Charles Bronson's lead detective roles we find a world of 60's cinematic influence. All the pimps and prostitutes one could throw their money at as well as infamous crime lords from every facet of underground society. It is through this risque amalgamation of adult themes and antics that the developer tries to sell said product. Sadly, it does fall short in the gameplay department though ...