Showing posts with label shooter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shooter. Show all posts

Monday, November 16, 2015

Kromaia Ω (PS4)

Mine eyes are ablaze with the aftermath of the light show spectacle that is "Kromaia Ω"! It burns! It burns!!! All joking aside do be aware that this shmup bares some intense lighting effects that are sometimes flashy. Those who are prone to having seizures, or who have a family history of seizures should probably avoid this game. Even those who can tolerate such loud, and vibrant displays should only play for short amounts of time at a time as it can definitely effect your vision afterwards ...

When it comes to "Kromaia Ω" I can't say I've really ever seen another 360 degree shoot 'em up like it. The first thing that comes to mind is that this revenge against the gods space shooter could easily be a VR game compatible with a virtual reality headset. It is visually immersive on the highest level, and definitely looks like new-gen material. Whether it warrants the $30 price tag will be subjective though. I think 'Kraken Empire', the developers behind this 'Rising Star Games' publication were trying to base their pricing on it's "WOW Factor", and I have to admit it is definitely impressive enough in those regards. As far as gameplay, and modes of play go it is a bit limited in what it offers, though the open universe you traverse is anything but small in scale. For those of you wondering 'Kromaia Ω' is, at heart a free roaming 360 degree shmup that takes in account simple objectives, and an ultimate goal which does not demand that you stay on a linear path. The objectives being the gathering of level advancing items, and the end goal being that of getting revenge for your father's/mother's death by shooting down four galaxy sized gods.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Vitamin Z (PS Vita)

Like the 'World War Z' flick, and the 'Day Z' survival horror game Namazu Studio's 'Vitamin Z' takes the zombie genre to an entirely different level. The game, which is free to play, and could easily be described as 'Dexter's Labortory' meets 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes' utilizes a simple arcade style shoot'em up formula to challenge the gamer in a score based fashion. In 'Vitamin Z' you'll descend down a laboratory elevator via a platform as you kill off waves of living dead veggies, and fruits for their internal fluids. It's these fluids (aka, Vitamin Z) that boost the scientific protagonist's weaponry, and gives her the ability to conduct other ungodly experiments on god knows what? While the game is "free-to-play" micro-transactions do creep in like some ghastly apparition, but in doing so doesn't really hinder non-paying players from earning the accompanying trophies nor does it keep said players from progressing deeper into the laboratory depths. Sure paying real world money for in-game currency will give you a boost in the form of extra lives, and shields, but playing the game without them is manageable regardless. You simply have to put in more effort to be the best.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Steel Empire (3DS)

Developed by Mebius, and published by Teyon this Japanese steam punk shmup (shoot'em up) known as "Steel Empire (originally Koutetsu Teikoku)" makes a triumphant return from it's former Sega Genesis, and Gameboy Advance glory days. Like any military based shmup you will find that 'Steel Empire' has in place groups of warring factions that each have conflicting goals. The factions this time around are grounded firmly in a science fiction world with fictitious steam punk empires that are trying to gain control of the airways. In this revamped version of the game you'll fly two different types of steam punk engineered aircraft including an eagle-like plane, and a small dirigible. Both aircraft are your empire's only saving grace. With them comes varying speeds, and attributes that will make the gameplay at hand a very different experience, and your goal an even more trying one.

Your ultimate goal, as a pilot in 'Steel Empire' is to traverse 7 side-scrolling stages filled with dangerous sci-fi terrains while blasting ships of various shapes, and sizes out of the sky. You'll have a set number of lives with which to complete the task, but 1ups, and health refills can be found to improve your odds of beating the game's campaign in a single playthrough. Along the way you'll find power-ups in the form of health refills, screen clearing electric-bombs, orbiting mini-dirigibles, and bullet hell enhancements. You'll be able to level up your aircraft of choice up to 20 times, and use that power to destroy the larger than life aircraft, and cargo carriers that aim to put an end to your mission.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Resogun (PS4)

When it comes to indie shmup concepts I think "Resogun" easily earns it's place amongst the best. This eye-popping spectacle of a twin-stick shooter will either put you into a seizure induced spasm due to sensory overload, or will have you staring at the screen in amazement as next-gen special effects fill the screen in front of you. The idea behind this shooter is a simple yet effective one. As mankind's last hope you are piloting their only way off of the cylindrical cities. For some reason, or another humanity is about to face Armageddon several times over, and they are slowly waking from their suspended cubicles only to be dropped out on the street, and blasted/abducted by the robotic alien life forms who are attacking. You, and your ship will not only aid these poor helpless human beings in their time of need, but will also fight against wave after wave of alien spacecraft in the process.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Revolver360 (XBLIG): "A Nex-Gen Revolving Shoot 'em Up"

I'll begin by saying that Revovler360 is one of the most unique shmups available today. It was developed, and created by 'Cross Eaglet' in 2010. I am a bit late on getting the review out there, but I just started my site this year. I figured it was a good idea to backtrack a bit, and get some reviews of past XBLIG titles out to you guys. While searching the XBLIG library of games I came across 'Revolver360', and was determined to do a review of it. I ended up contacting the developer, and got lucky enough to receive a review code for this one-of-a-kind shmup.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Plague (XBLIG): "Retro Run 'N Gun 2D Platforming Shooter"

Contagious Games the developer behind this unique solo/multiplayer game was kind enough to allow me to do a review of it. From the attached message I got with the review code I could tell Matheryn (One of the 7 Developers) was a cool guy. Contagious Game's XBLIG title 'Plague' brings all the retro fun back in the form of video game parodies. The game consists of five different levels that each contain three stages, and a multiplayer Deathmatch mode (1-4 Players). There are epic boss battles to be fought, and a wide variety of weapons to pick up. As you play the campaign you will take on the evil virus that threatens to plunge the world into another dark age via the only working computer. In your quest to rid the world of this threat you will play as one of 4 unique AI bots, and can share the experience with a friend (1-4 Player co-op) ...

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Cannon (XBLIG): "Intense Immobile Cannon Conflict"

The Cannon is a 1-4 player shmup type of game with an overhead view that features a unique combat system. It has both single player, and multiplayer modes with multiple options, and unlockable content. This simple looking overhead shmup style shooter is anything but simple. You will face intense waves of enemies in the quest to save your country's most prized possession, 'The Cannon' ...

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Infinity Danger (XBLIG): "Shmup Combat Evolved"

Milkstone Studio's 7th game 'Infinity Danger' takes the shmup genre in  a new direction. Instead of the usual formula used in shmups, Infinity Danger features one ever evolving enemy that constantly adjusts to your playing style. The enemy ship begins small, and gradually grows in size adding weapons and armor to itself in order to destroy you. How long you can survive the onslaught depends greatly upon your actions, and the way you decide to destroy each ship's evolved state.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

PC Review: "Space Blasters"

Most people I know have no clue that I also do Adult DVD reviews for a mainstream website. I usually wouldn't mention it, but this article is about a video game that has been promoted by a well known adult female performer. It seems that some of the female performers are actually into gaming like us. Many of them are actually very nice to talk to, and treat their fans with respect. In my career as an adult DVD reviewer I've made friends with a couple of them, and even submitted some of my art for their site. It's definitely nice to see the normal/fun side of performers in this industry.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

XBLIG IMPRESSIONS: "Score Rush"

Recently I was contacted by Matthew Doucette, one of the developers of Xona Games about a review code inquiry I had sent. I had pretty much given up on hearing back from any of the developers, but it was nice of him to send me a reply. The game I was inquiring about was a new shmup shooter titled "Duality ZF" that's scheduled to be released soon. I had a handful of reasons why I wanted to review the game, and one of them was that the developers behind Xona Games realize what shmups (shoot 'em ups) are all about. They seem to value a good shmup just as I do, and they also know that shmups have a long lasting quality. After reading the email Matthew D. sent me I decided the least I could do is review one of their games. I watched trailers to all of them, but the one that really caught my eye was 'Score Rush'.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Righteous Axe (XBLIG): "A Space Shooter That Pays Homage to Heavy Metal"

Recently Microsoft was kind enough to reward me with some extra points. I immediately took the opportunity to invest in a couple of XBLIG titles that included SoftwareByEugene's indie space shooter 'Righteous Axe. Being the heavy metal, and shmup shooter fanatic that I am I was very interested in picking up the game. The trailer I watched showed off hot babes rocking heavy metal style with electric guitars. What's not to like about that?