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.

Putrid Shot Ultra | Nintendo Switch

 Abhi Sundu's original 1bit arcade game, "Putrid Shot Ultra" comes to Nintendo Switch in all it's retro inspired roguelike glory. Taking hints from the new sub-genre that is "Vampire Savior", and the 1bit pixel designs of the Atari age we find a potentially trendy roguelike that banks on choices made, and skills applied. In it you are this nameless wizard. Yes, Harry, you are a wizard. Sorry ... As a wizard you take on an army of ancient enemies using spell casting and wand blasting. To the tune of a cooldown meter.

As the wizard you start off your perilous adventure by picking a starter spell that utilizes a shot usage system wherein the required number of shots fired will activate that spell. Be it a projectile, close combat, homing, orbital, or zonal style of spell. Through progress, and use of the tools of the trade you will face off against lesser enemy types, elites, and bosses in a stage to stage fashion using these stackable, and upgradeable spells rewarded unto you. Growing ever more powerful in the process the longer you survive. All while the 2D platforming arenas around you constantly change with new hazards, and new enemy spawning points. 

Helvetii | PS4 Review

We all miss Vanillaware games. I know I do. There's nothing quite like them. At least not until now. Using a slightly similar setup as a game like "Muramasa: The Demon Blades" we find a Red Art Games action roguelike with high replay value. Centered around a mixed mythology including that of the Helvetii tribes, and featuring three uniquely designed characters this epic journey is both beautiful and bold. As either Divico a sword wielding war chief, Renart a scythe wielding fox turned into a man, or Nammeios a staff and crow wielding druid you face off against beasts of lore as you loot, and make pacts with assisting deities. Forwarding the plot through campfire conversations, and inquiries at Bob's shops.

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.