Murtop | Switch Review

Flynn's Arcade is at it again porting a new fangled retro/modern arcade experience to the Nintendo Switch. This time around their developer mashes up two well known retro gameplay gimmicks. Using the bomb blasting of 'Bomberman', and the mining mechanics of 'Dig Dug' they have created the perfect quarter munching challenge. Instead of inflating baddies you'll take control of a white rabbit named Murti with bomb dropping abilities who is hellbent on blasting the fool out of carrot thieving moles who are busy digging holes. Perhaps as a metaphor of the dangers of going down a rabbit hole, but I wouldn't dig too deeply into it ...

Afterimage | PS5 Review

Being the first PS5 Metroidvania I've played, 'Afterimage' did well enough to impress me on the visual front. It is up to par with new-gen standards in both the visual and audio department. As a Metroidvania it features a mostly linear progress path with the occasional side routes and backtracking for finding the hidden items, and boss fights that you'd have missed otherwise. Filled with a constant back and forth narrative between the main Goddess blessed protagonist Renee, and her pint sized partner Ifree we are provided a constant reflection of past events as well as a catching up to speed of the current goings on between gameplay sessions. Almost to nauseam.

It seems the world of Afterimage is not unlike that of the fabled lost city of Atlantis. A world of magic, and mystique. A world where it's people are lost without the presence of their Goddess, and unable to pass from the living into the life stream without the assistance of specialized individuals. In fact that's where the playable protagonist Renee, and her tag along tot Ifree come into play. They act as a means to help wayward souls on their journey from the ruins of their civilization. Using bone relics from the deceased to do 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 ...

R-Type Final 3 Evolved | PS5 Review

Jumping from 'R-Type Final 2' on the PS4 to 'R-Type Final 3 Evolved' on the PS5 is quite the evolution, pun intended. From a graphical standpoint the visuals are mind blowing this time around! It's beyond what I had imagined games looking like before becoming a PS5 console owner. Seeing it play out in 4K, on a proper 4K HDTV really makes this game look richer than ever before, presentation-wise. Even the soundtrack is vastly more impressive in scope and scale. 

The gameplay, itself, is super responsive, and also takes gameplay up a notch with an added controller voice feature. Though the game does carry over a lot of what 'R-Type Final 2' offered it adds to it on a grand scale by including extra customization options, a new competitive mode, and a new game that is "R-Type Final 3 Evolved". To say it is a mere upgrade would be an understatement.