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 ...

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider | PS4

Returning to the 16-bit era of gaming greatness, and the inspirations of yesteryear we find a game that not only touches base on the real world threat of totalitarianism, but through it's protagonist manages to shed a faint glimmer of hope for a would be resistance. In the world of "Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider", a melding of biomechanical weaponry and super soldiers, we find a resurrected guardian intended to be the totalitarian regime's protector. Somehow though this guardian's programming turns it against it's creators in a twist of fate, and in a vengeful flash of steel the samurai clad cyber sentinel sets out to exact his revenge saving the world from tyranny.

Lone Ruin | Nintendo Switch

Little info is given on the mysterious backstory of Super Rare Games' published title, "Lone Ruin", other than the fact that you are a masked magic wielding elvish explorer going into what looks to be ancient Persian style ruins. This is shown through a pixel perfect parallax cinematic intro in which the protagonist, cloak and all, stands before a glowing portal with fist raised and imbued with magic flames. The entire spectacle being a collective of pinks, purples, and blues. Something of which carries on over into the isometric 3D point of view in which the actual adventure begins. 

Neon Souls | PS4 Review

Have you ever had a hankering for some hardcore parkour? The kind of parkour platforming experience that would put 'Super Meatboy" to shame? For a fraction of the price of such a prestigious indie title? Well, have I got the game for you!!! Meet the Meatboy slayer, "Neon Souls"!!! A rainbow colored acid trip through a void filled with illuminati symbolism!!! As an "UwU" faced blob of prismatic proportions you splash, slide, and jump your way from starting point to end portal as you face the increasingly challenging layouts of 50 uniquely obscured stages. With a few boss fights thrown into the mix for good measure and enough 'all seeing eyes' to make you question things ... 

Happy New Years! From OtakuDante's Gaming Inferno!!!

I hope all of you have had a good December if not a good holiday season. It's been a rocky year of ups and downs across the globe. War, rumors of war, and the ongoing threats of climate change and the pandemic. We never seem to catch a break from the fearmongering, and the seemingly hopelessness of our situation. 

Being the occasional optimist I have learned to not dwell on the things which I cannot change, and to only focus on making the most of the time I have. Building upon relationships, and friendships as I go through each day. I find the most important things in life are the bonds that strengthen us, lift us up, and carry us through the bad times. Good memories, though hard to come by, are a must for our wellbeing. Making those good memories means interacting with our fellow human beings on a mutually beneficial level, and putting in the effort to do so. I hope, in looking forward, that you choose to detach from the trappings of technology, and spend quality time with those you care about more often in 2023. That is my main goal going into the New Year ...

Jitsu Squad | PS4 Review

There's passion in this here project. Borne of a love for Saturday morning cartoons, and fighting games this kickstarted game called "Jitsu Squad" bursts forth with much deserved hype. It got the community so riled up in anticipation for it's release that it met it's goals, and then some. Enough to include cameos of some of gaming's most memorable icons including Maximilian, and his dog Benny. Through nostalgia, and nods to other inspirations the heart and soul of it is reflected in every feature. Be it the mechanics, voice acting, or set pieces there's enough Easter eggs to fill a basket. What it does in homage it equally does so in creating a multiplayer experience that's both fun, and challenging. 

Headbangers In Holiday Hell | PS4

Santa slays in this throwback to the indie 'Hotline Miami' formula. Featuring the holiday's jolliest heavy metal hating elf himself, Santa Clause, and a rival metal band known as Reign Fury it's Satanic Panic all over again. Against Santa's efforts to mute metal Reign Fury's lead guitarist embarks on a bloody rescue mission where infiltration, escape, and hostage rescue are the goals in mind. A mission where Santa, and his army are the targets of this disgruntled band member's rebellious retribution. Utilizing weapons, in-house distractions, and the quick in & out workings of a holiday hitman the unlikely hero of this heavy metal tale rampages through a series of roguelike stages filled with mobs, and bosses as he manages health and ammo. 

The Darkest Tales | PS4 Review

Prepare to enter a world of fantasy where fairytales become living nightmares. A tale of a little light, and a reluctant teddy bear. Guardians of a sleeping girl named Alicia. A girl who is now ensnared in a nightmare conjured up by dream demons. Through the actions this unlikely pair of would be heroes Alicia stands a fighting chance. Utilizing powers bestowed by the little light the teddy bear trudges ever forward as if through the pages of Grimm's fairytales. Encountering twisted versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack from Jack in the Beanstalk, and several others. Once aspiring heroes of their own tales these devilish dopplegangers stand between the daring duo, and their goal to free Alicia from her nightmarish torment.

Grime: Colors of Rot | PS4 Review

If ever there was a game that personified the grotesque nature of death, the crippling loss felt through mourning, and the unquenchable void that is unending grief "Grime" would take that mantle. Coming into theatrical view as if borne of a mix of Ray Harryhausen's and Cronenberg's artistic visions we see the birth of a void headed vessel of a man, and his trek through a world built of decay, ash, and malformed creatures of a graven/earthen design. Embodying the very essence of the grave, and taking place in a world established by unwritten and unsaid lore this Soulsborne Metroidvania moves forward with somber music, and an eerie atmosphere that is only livened by the presence of otherworldly beings who are drawn to an enigmatic weeping cry that echoes throughout the cavernous depths of this unnatural underworld. It is this driving force which calls the nameless void headed vessel forth, and ever deeper to face the haunts and horrors that lay before him.

Chained Echoes | PS4 Review

Chained Echoes, since release, has been touted as the perfect answer to the 16-bit era of RPGs. It's an ambitious project spearheaded by one man, Matthias Linda. It takes the tried and true formula of classic turn based party battles, and delivers it with a near constant story that's richly told through character dialogue and onscreen context. Filled to the brim with amazing pixel art, an awesome soundtrack, and a plot involving a war of nations and generations we find an adventure like no other. In a world of armored suits, animal humanoids, and kingdoms with bitter rivalries. 

Bot Gaiden | PS4 Review

Extreme speed running is here my friends! In the form of a tough as nails Ninja Gaiden inspired speed runner that has a hint of Mega Man thrown in for good measure. It seems that this future world of robotic lifeforms is in a dire predicament with the tyrannical Giorqio and his henchmen stealing it's power source. The golden skulls. In order to best this army of bogus bots two red and blue cyber ninjas named Robyu, and Bytron are called upon to save the day. Utilizing power-up skills meant to make fast work of enemies, and even faster work of stage traversal they have their work cut out for them. The ultimate goal being to get back what was taken, and destroy each boss in a timed stage by stage speed run.

Terror of Hemasaurus | PS4

Of all the political parodies in the world of gaming I think "Terror of Hemasaurus" hits the nail on the head better than any other. Through satirical storytelling, and wanton destruction brought on by climate change, and the resurrection of once frozen monsters we see the foolishness of it all. Our struggle to save what's precious while destroying it all in the process. From the cult-like mentality surrounding the climate agenda and forced destruction of nature and human lives for the supposed greater good to media's lies surrounding these issues it's all on display here in unabashed glory. A stark warning for our future, and simultaneous reflection of where we are in current year 2022. Told through the perspective of a fictitious cult that is waiting for it's moment to lead a beast to inflict fear, and destruction in order to save the world from destruction. The very embodiment of our hypocrisies.

The Knight Witch | PS4 Review

Welcome to a magical world on the brink of destruction. A fairytale world of Pagan-like peoples, goddess-like knight witches, and technocratic elites. It is here that the war between the natural world, and the unnatural is playing out much in the same way our similar real world problems are. With their leaders pushing technology, and science to the point of no return they face the consequences of those actions. The treachery ultimately turning this once flourishing fantasy planet into a dystopian wasteland while forcing it's inhabitants towards a do or die situation, much like our own. 

Just as things seem hopeless four named knight witches of legend including 'Robyn the Angel of Destruction' emerge to combat the elite and their army of war golems. We get to see, in retrospect, Robyn's brave stand against tyranny as she fight's to stop the devastation in a battle won long ago. In the heat of said battle, and through the spiritual links with her people there Robyn and her knight witch companions manage to punch a hole into the surface of the planet revealing a lost underground habitat forged by an ancient civilization. A new hope for the desperate surface dwellers. That is until during the anniversary celebration of the secured victory years later fate comes calling once again. A perilous predicament where the knight witches, and their people are faced with a familiar threat. Though this time around a would have been knight witch in the making named Rayne, and her supporting infernal husband Akai take on their role as the heroines and heroes of this modern day war for what's left of their natural habitat.

Astronite | PS4 Review

Metroidvanias have made their mark on the industry over the years, and it's clear to see. You can find new ones in just about every gaming storefront to date. With all that new there was also once the all time greats like Castlevania, and Metriod which spearheaded the genre boom. A gaming industry trend that has yet to slowdown. I've personally seen some tried and true indie metroidvanias in my career that stick closely to tradition, and others that blend other genres into the mix to create something more innovative. Some just as great, if not better than their predecessors. I've also had the displeasure of playing through some of the worst there ever was. Stuff I don't care to mention. On that scale of bad to great, in comparison to other metroidvanias, somewhere between great and okay lies JanduSoft's "Astronite" ...

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II | The Multiplayer Experience

I've followed, reviewed, and supported Call of Duty since it's golden years. Without fail I've played each new release despite my growing concerns over the multiplayer experience. I witnessed the ups and downs of matchmaking, saw skill based matchmaking introduced, and the lobby system in general struggle to maintain a from the start experience. Problems that continue to persist.

With each new release I stuck by my own claims saying that the biggest problem with Call of Duty was not so much the game itself or the gameplay, but the players who were playing it. To an extent that claim has always held true. Multiplayer continues to be what kills the CoD experience over time. From toxic gamers to hackers, and modders it has grown increasingly problematic. Fast forward to MW2, and almost immediately those player problems reared their ugly heads to an extreme, but that was not the only problem this time around ...

Knifeboy Rebooted | Switch Review

Coming from developer Runic Codes like a cryptic piece of pop art is the hand drawn video game "Knifeboy Rebooted". A cryptic conspiracy driven comic book hero style action adventure with light Metroidvania features, and speed running in mind. It is centered around a dude with a knife protruding from his forehead, and a dystopian community under the rule of tyranny. Move over Chainsaw Man cause you've got some competition now!!! ...

This mystery man, and living weapon who has been resurrected into the alien post-dystopian world as it's savior is there to make sense of himself, and the world around him. Through interesting characters of different races, and information gathered from various sources he slowly comes to terms with the fact that he was the one to put an end to the New World Order, and that Anonymous has risen to take their place. That in this sordid recollection every conspiracy theory imaginable is made manifest. From Free Masons to the Illuminati. All throughout the jointed yet disjointed world. A world filled with disheveled makeshift locales named as if they were borne of fringe conspiracy theories themselves. Places like Mountain of D.O.O.M., Twin Peaks, and Pirate Bay just to name a few. It is here that Knifeboy must find eight hidden Golden cogs, return them to Dr. J, and rediscover his lost memories in relation to those who seem to know him more than he does. It is in this discovery that he can then come to terms with the truth, and his role in that truth.

Donut Dodo | Switch Review

Harkening back to the age of arcades Flynn Studio's "Donut Dodo" brings to us a hi-score challenge that is somewhat familiar yet distinctly different. Featuring the eternal rivalry between baker Billy Burns, and the donut thieving Donut Dodo this collect-a-thon platformer brings to the table a formula most retro fans will be able to grasp from the start. An undertaking complete with a main antagonist in the form of Donut Dodo, and three enemies in the form of Sniffy, Stinky, and Ghastly. Taking the confrontation to carnival themed locales across the globe with different layouts joined together by platforms, ladders, ropes and other devices meant to help you avoid danger as you collect all the donuts so that you can reclaim the king of all donuts from Donut DoDo before moving on.

The Bounty Huntress | PS4 Review

Have you ever wondered what a budget, under ten dollars, "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night" would look like? Well, look no further than Ratalaika Games' "The Bounty Huntress" . . .

While plot points, and features differ ever so slightly this mock Castlevania experience follows the same basic formula as it's inspiration. Almost to a point of parody. Playing as a female bounty huntress named Rhea who animates oddly like Alucard or Maria Renard you take up arms, and set forth into a village to find out what your latest bounty is all about. It seems Vaunard, and it's soldiers have stumbled upon the once dormant Aresdale Castle stronghold filled with monsters that were once trapped their by their king. A castle that has just recently reemerged as a threat to the populous for unknown reasons. After three villagers disappear under strange circumstances the soldiers set forth to investigate the matter themselves on castle grounds. This only leads to further missing persons, and the desperation to hire a bounty hunter to deal with the situation. Not wasting time Rhea heads into the castle to confront whatever evil lies in wait . . .

Bravery & Greed | PS4 Review

Have you ever seen those 'Conan the Barbarian' movies? The ones where a destined to be king barbarian, and group of tag along outcasts travel the world in search of riches, and power?  Well, Team17's "Bravery & Greed" has a storyline that's not all that different than those films. As an odd pairing of four adventurers you have a plan to infiltrate a long forgotten, and abandoned Dwarven vault that is told to have the wealth of kings. To gain access to said vault they need to collect the four colored gems in order to open up the sealed door. Each gem is protected by a guardian that must be defeated in order to obtain the gems in their possession. This of course will take the adventurers through various lands filled with monsters, traps, and other deadly hazards. Though it is an adventure rich in bounty for those who can survive long enough to loot it, it is equally as trying with the randomized challenge presented. 

Combate Monero | PS4 Review

Combate Monero is one of those games that came completely out of left field. A surprise release that even I didn't expect. It is a fully fledged fighting game from the Mexican comic book multiverse. A developer's own take on MvC games with all the trimmings to boot. I can say without a doubt that I have never seen or played a fighting game like this, nor any comic books so culturally diverse. Making Combate Monero a first of hopefully many more ambitious releases by Oribe Ware Games.