Monark | PS4 Review

At first glance NISA's latest IP might come off as a Persona or Caligula Effect copycat. You'll be glad to know that Monark does it's own thing though, and does it well enough. What you'll get with this latest academy oriented adventure is a dual world ordeal wherein Daemons, and the student body mesh in a conflict of Egos. Our hero of the tale, and his tag along group of academy acquaintances, each go to said academy to hone their Egos. Egos are the sum of personality traits aligned with the seven deadly sins. In this case the hero, whose Ego is tested early on via an introductory quiz from the school's dean, ends up playing into his leadership, and command role. 

As a Pactbearer who made a pact with a Daemon Monark named Vanitas for a wish to protect his classmates, this protagonist who was put through the ringer, can control a small army of sin specific fiends that are summoned in the Otherworld's battlefield to fight Daemons of varying ranks including other Pactbearers. He can also wield a powerful weapon known as imagigear that acts as a soul manifested weapon specifically designed for him. The fiends which act as party members for the Pactbearer take on traits according to the seven deadly sins, and each have their own unique skills and weapons. Additionally they can equip vessels that have inherent benefits in battle. With the additional aid of other human party members who can manifest imagigear as well the party is fleshed out in full allowing the taking on of the multiple Daemons at hand. Utilizing this unique protag, companion, and fiend system is how they will come to conquer the seven other evil Pactbearers who currently have the school under barrier lockdown in a miasmic Mist that causes mind altering afflictions to the students who come in contact with it. Minding the Mist's MADdening effects, and dealing with Daemons as well as the Pactbearers is the main goal in this new chapter driven story.

Beat Souls | PS4 Review

I've played some rhythm games in my time, and none ever clicked like EastAsiaSoft's "Beat Souls" did. This anime inspired punk core rhythm runner does everything right. It makes the game accessible, eases you into gameplay, and challenges you in a fairly progressive fashion. There's an optional tutorial for learning the game's mechanics, and two modes of play to choose from. It features four candy colored yokai, and priestess anime girls as well. Each of which have a certain set of skills that will change certain elements of gameplay. Adding advantages for completion sake. Where the game truly gets it's value though is in an unlockable 'Infinite Hell' mode where you can test your rhythm runner skills against the world via a global scoreboard. It's a mode of play with infinite replay value, as the title suggests. As a package deal Beat Souls hits all the right price points making it a must have for fans of the rhythm game genre.

Edge of Eternity | PS4 Review

Kickstarted by a small indie studio known as Midgar Studio, and crowd funded by hopeful donors, "Edge of Eternity" tries it's best to deliver an ambitious large scale JRPG experience worth the money. Through a lack of polish, awkward combat camera controls, and an overall identity crisis it loses itself within itself though ...

It begins promptly by showing an in progress intergalactic invasion of planet Heryon, and the sharing of the invading aliens' technologies prior to that before jumping into a linear plot heavy section featuring a cast of characters caught up in a war. A ragtag group of besties that could best be described as comrades in arms. Soldiers for a cause. It is in this very cinematic, and linear intro that we also learn of the protagonist Daryon, and his friends who each get some short lived background time before being thrust into the heat of combat for tutorial sake. 

Through Daryon we learn of a cancerous alien affliction known as 'Corrosion', and of his mother who has unfortunately caught it. We also learn of the team's efforts through Sil (an early unrealized love interest), Ordo (the best bud kind of guy), and a couple other soon to be disposed of pals who find themselves facing insurmountable odds. This leads to a climatic initial ending where Daryon, the lone survivor, makes a choice to defy fate and go see about his mum. To find, with his sister Selene, a cure for the Corrosion. From there the game's identity crisis rears it's ugly head ....

Infernax | PS4 Review

Infernax was a game I was really looking forward to. The trailer showcasing the numerous ways to die, all those weapons, and tons of monstrous bloodletting opportunities that would make any horror fan giddy with anticipation was right up my alley. I loved the pixel art, the creature design, and overall the fact that it looked to be another proper Metroidvania inspired adventure fashioned after a certain classic Castlevania (or Legend of Zelda) title. To a point I was not disappointed in this regard, but what I saw in the trailer looked quite a bit different from what I actually experienced, in the end. What you'll find with Infernax is a heavy nod to 'Castlevania II: Simon's Quest'/"The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link". Both in control, and features. I'd call it the mature alternative of those games with light RPG elements, to boot. In fact, where mature content is concerned, there lies in the opening screen a warning asking the gamer if they are cool with blood, copious amounts of violence and gore as well as half naked demons ... of varying degrees of attractiveness, no less. After you get past that screen it's GAME ON!!! ...

Skautfold: Shrouded In Sanity | PS4

Blended together like a hot take on Lovecraftian horror and the Soulsborne genre, Red Art Game's "Skautfold: Shrouded In Sanity" brings the challenge unapologetically to the player in a masterfully crafted way. As a dug up, and resurrected corpse of no particular name you'll be tasked from the start with killing off certain manor inhabitants via a contract signed with the manor's overseers. Namely the 4 knights that act as the game's bosses. Equipped with a pistol, a katana, and a lantern you must trek through the darkness in the unnerving maze of the Waltham estate as you deal with deadly denizens who are hellbent on ending your quest before it begins. Limited by health, stamina, battery acid for your lantern, and health potions you must brave the odds. In true Soulsborne fashion. Even upon death you will not find reprieve though as the binding contract you signed at the beginning has you eternally bound to the deal you are obligated to fulfill. Death only brings with it psychological affliction which will affect your sanity, and increasingly so. Causing hallucinations, and the appearance of Lovecraftian creatures that will only make your job a hell of a lot harder to complete.