Birdcage – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by POLYGON BIRD and published by Eastasiasoft, BIRDCAGE is a story driven bullet hell shooter, using a mix of 2D spritework and 3D environments taking inspiration from 90’s classics. The world is threatened by the space colony CAGE, with a newly awakened pilot tasked with taking down their weapon from the inside. This title is available for all console platforms, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Eastasiasoft for providing the copy of BIRDCAGE that was used for this piece. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. I will be covering the core elements of the game experience, as to prevent spoiling any of the secrets or surprises of the game.

Story – Mankind ventured into space and two factions emerged, with SELENE controlling the Moon and the remains of Earth, with RADON opposing them from the space colony CAGE. Led by Mother ROENTGEN, the RADON Daughters have created a new super weapon, the WORLD-EGG to take the earth. Deep Within CAGE, a pilot awakens in the experimental RADON gunship HALYCON, with a voice echoing within her mind and telling her to destroy the WORLD-EGG.

Gameplay – BIRDCAGE is a vertical scrolling shooter, taking inspiration from the classics of the bullet hell genre, with six stages of precise shooting action. The player takes on the threat of the WORLD-EGG from within, starting inside the CAGE and moving through different areas across the six challenging stages. Before starting the game, the player can select one of three modes, with Story, Arcade and Score Attack to select from.

Before playing the game for the first time, there is the option of a full tutorial for players to learn all of the mechanics of the game. This will provide the player with all of the functions that they need, demonstrating how attacks and mechanics work. This can be accessed from the main menu, or when starting story mode for the first time. In the main Tutorial menu, the player will be able to use the training options to practice the game.

In Story Mode, the player will experience the narrative of BIRDCAGE, playing through each of the stages with story and dialogue cut-ins. During the course of Story Mode the player will experience narrative interludes, which will push the story along to add depth to the story. The Arcade Mode is the same game but without the story cut-ins, focusing on the action and earning points. Score Attack is a limited time rush to get the highest score possible before the time limit expires.

In Story Mode, the player will also be able to select the stage that they want to play, which are unlocked as the previous one is cleared. The player will also be locked into preset ship choices, dictated by the narrative with the HALCYON ship and the SEED ship appearing at set points. Arcade and Score Attack have preset progression, with the player able to select the ship that they want to use before the action kicks off.

During play itself the player will need to dodge and weave through enemy attacks, while shooting down the different enemy forces that appear. The player is armed with three different weapons, consisting of a wide spread shot for enemy damage, a focus shot for enhanced damage and a special shot. The Wide and Focus shots are the same between both ships, but the special attacks are unique to the ship that the player is using in battle.

HALCYON has an energy sword, which will appear and extend from the front of the ship, blocking some enemy attacks and dealing damage on contact. This lasts for a limited time and can be manually aimed, but can also be launched from the ship as a projectile. SEED has special homing missiles, which will lock onto enemies and unleash large spread attacks. SEED will also launch missiles automatically by grazing enemy shots, acting as a counter attack.

As the player shoots down enemies, a meter on screen will fill up below the special weapon meter. When this bar is full, the player will be able to unleash the HYPERBLADE attack, which is a massive high damage burst of damage that lasts for a limited time. This special ultimate attack will also clear away enemy shots, making them very useful during challenging encounters with the RADON horde. But it does take some time to charge up by battling enemies.

Throughout the stages the player will fight off wave after wave of enemies, while avoiding their shots as well as hazards and obstacles that get in the way. At set points during each of the stages, the player will encounter powerful boss enemies, with most of the stages featuring a sub and main boss. In Story Mode, these battles are often heralded by a narrative cut in, with a warning on screen for both Story and Arcade modes.

Over the course of the game, as players destroy enemy forces, they will drop coins for the player to collect. These will be added to the player total and boost the score. There will also be medals that can be found in the stages, with each stage having three special medal coins to collect. These are totalled up and added to the player score. A chain multiplier can also be racked up, giving the player a massive boost to their score during stages.

But players must be careful as there is constant danger, with lasers, heavy fire and deadly traps to avoid. If the player takes damage, they will lose some of their ship HP or Shield if activated. The player ship has a limited amount of health and if it runs out, the player will be shot down. When this happens, a life will be used to return to the field, but there are a limited number of lives available. In the event the player loses all health and lives, they will get a game over.

Sometimes, there will be health drops from enemy ships, providing the player with a boost of health to keep the player alive. When a sub boss is defeated, the player will be awarded with one of three options that can be selected. These consist of Health-Up, Extra Life and Coin bonuses, which the player can manually select. The bonuses are consistent between the stages when it comes to the mid bosses, but the main bosses act differently.

When the player encounters the main stage boss in story mode, there will be a story scene where the main character interacts with another. Then the fight will begin and these can be very challenging. If the player is able to shoot down these imposing foes, the player will clear the stage and they will be awarded with bonuses points based on various factors. After this the player will progress, but there will be no additional rewards like with sub boss enemies.

If the player gets a game over, they can retry the stage but they will lose the score that was earned for the stage. However, if the player wishes to submit their score to the leaderboards, they will be able to go to the main menu and submit their best for the ranking. Scores can also be submitted when the game has been cleared by the player. This functions differently in score attack, as the gameplay loop is different from the main game.

When playing Score Attack, the player will take on a never ending horde of enemies, while under a limited time clock. Here the player will need to quickly eliminate the enemies, as the game immediately ends if they are shot down or the time limit expires. This mode also uses its own unique stage, which is distinct from the main game modes. When this mode ends, players can put their scores onto the global rankings to challenge other players.

The last thing to cover is the Dryad Memory, which is a special collection mode that allows the player to unlock special items. These are accessed by spending the currency that has been earned from play. The costs for these items varies for each offering, with gallery art, special screen boarders and more as a pretty good incentive to keep playing the game. In general, there is a lot of replay value on offer with this release.

With the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – BIRDCAGE uses a special control system, which functions differently than you would expect for an arcade style bullet hell shooter. The action controls are on the shoulders, with all weapon and special attacks across the top. This set up works well, with the Sword for the HALCYON ship being manually controllable with the right stick, which can take some getting used to. Thankfully there is some auto aim which makes it playable with a range of controllers.

Difficulty – as a bullet hell shooter, BIRDCAGE can be very challenging to play, with the barrage of fire that will rain down on the player. This is common for the genre, but there are multiple difficulty options, as well as the training mode for players to practice. The biggest roadblock for players will be the limited lives, which will lead the player to needing to restart stages often when learning the stages. But it works well and is beatable with enough patience and practice.

Presentation – from a visual perspective, this game feels like it came from the era that inspired it, with sprites and models that are reminiscent of Treasure and CAVE shooters. The game is pleasing to the eye, with enemy attacks and bullets that are easily visible, alongside excellent use of color, as well as Metal Gear style portraits. The sound is also very well made, with an exciting soundtrack and voiced dialogue that is performed during narrative scenes.

Final thoughts – I do enjoy classic bullet hell games, especially those on SEGA and arcade systems. So this was a definite yes when I was offered the game to cover, and I am happy to say it was worth the time. The narrative, setting and general feel of the game works very well, providing a familiar experience that still feels unique and distinct. I quite like this game, it feels pretty good to play, with exciting action and explosive chaotic carnage throughout.

BIRDCAGE isn’t a perfect game, as it has some hiccups to it, like the limited lives that make the game a little frustrating at times. This is due to the repeated restarts that can be needed to get through the game, which can be difficult for players who may not be great at Bullet Hell shooters. This may be off-putting for some players, as they will need to really grind out practice time to get through the game. But in general, I recommend this game to those interested in bullet hell shooters.

In the end, I give BIRDCAGE a final score of 4/5. This is a solid retro styled bullet hell shooter, with a good amount of content and an engaging narrative, alongside solid action, an exciting game feel and a lot of replay value in a modest package. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Ved: Recure – Steam Review

Overview – developed and published by SummerClip, Ved: Recure is a fast paced mix of action RPG and Roguelike, combining the two styles to create a fast paced chaotic roaming brawler. As Zane, you are pulled into a mysterious world by the God of Games, attempting to cure a condition called V.E.D. which causes a loss of passion for video games. This title is available exclusively for the Steam service, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Evolve PR for providing the copy of Ved: Recure that was used for this piece, via the terminals service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. Please note, I will only be covering the core gameplay experience for this release, as to prevent spoilers and keep some of the surprises secret for players.

Story – after another night of working overtime, Zane returns to an empty room, switching on his computer and adding a new game to his library. This new game is his 1000th, but unlike his youth, his passion for gaming has faded. Falling asleep in his chair, he awakens in a mysterious world, with robots roaming the land. Here he encounters Demeowgre the God of Games, who informs him he suffers from V.E.D. and must clear this game to be cured and return to the real world.

Gameplay – Ved: Recure is a roaming brawler, featuring a mix of light action RPG and roguelike elements. The game is made up of four distinct chapters, each set in a distinct location with multiple stages in each. The objective of each chapter is to take down the waves of enemies, with enemies spawning in and attacking the player. To take down the different enemies, the player must unleash a variety of different attacks and skills that can deal massive damage to enemies.

In battle, the player can use normal attack combos, which are simple attack chains that are quick and effective against most enemies. Then there are the special attacks, which are power attacks which require energy to unleash for big damage. At the end of combo attacks or special attacks, there will be a window of opportunity for players to set off an extra attack. The extra attacks are special bonus actions that can extend a combo to clear out enemy waves.

Attacking isn’t all that the player is able to do, as there are some defensive skills that players are able to use during combat. The first is the dodge, which will allow the player to avoid damage from enemy attacks, giving a window to counter the enemy. Players will also be able to parry attacks, blocking incoming damage and setting up a response. Both of the attacks set up a counter attack, which can cause significant damage and potentially knock enemies down.

There will be a variety of enemies that appear, with a mix of melee and ranged attacks that they can use. When they appear, the enemy will rush the player and try to kill them if they are close quarters combatants. But if the enemy likes to strike from a distance, they will often try to have some distance to take pop shots at the player. Some enemies will also have shields, which will require then to be knocked down before they can take full damage from attacks.

When all of the enemies for the stage have been defeated, the player will be provided with a reward. The types of rewards that players can collect will vary, offering abilities, buffs and bonuses for clearing the current stage. As the player makes their way through a chapter, they will be able to select from a branching path of rewards, allowing players to plan a path through the chapter. This gives the game a layer of unpredictability during play.

There are several enhancements that the player can collect, with Active and Passive abilities that can be collected during a run. The active power-ups that can be collected can be added to the Buff Chain, which will allow the player to make their attacks more impactful. Active abilities can be applied to trigger when normal combos end, special attacks are triggered and more, with healing and effects like explosions that deal extra damage.

Then we have the passive abilities which have their own triggers, adding conditions to attacks and providing enhancements to other abilities. This can be through adding to explosive powers, freezing enemies and applying poison to enemies. And the last type of power-up is the character buff, which will provide a unique upgrade that only applies to that character. All of these different upgrades add more flexibility to the combat, keeping it from getting stale.

Players will also be able to get lasting upgrades for the duration of the run, with additional health upgrades and energy boosts that will aid survival. There will also be currency bonuses offering extra money, special resources and even shops that can be selected from the reward branches. It is important to plan out the route ahead of time, as not all branches lead to the same result. Thankfully it is possible to view the upcoming rewards on the road.

As the player clears the stages, they will encounter sub-boss bots at set points during a chapter. There are four bosses that will appear in a chapter, with a total of 16 boss battles to take on. When the player encounters a boss, they will be trapped in an arena as the onslaught begins. Their attacks are powerful and devastating, as they will strike with wide sweeps, area attacks and deadly projectile blasts. Carelessness during these battles can lead to a quick demise.

If the player does survive the sub boss encounters, they will be allowed to select from two different rewards before a sub wave appears to clear the stage. At the end of a chapter, there will be big boss encounter, where the player will need to survive deadly multi-hit attacks that can annihilate the player with ease. Both main and sub-boss battles will have the opponent shielded, where they need to destroy each set of shields before they can do maximum damage.

There is constant danger throughout each run, where death can occur easily if the player is not careful. In the event that the player dies, they will lose all of their collected power-ups during the battle, being sent back to a main base. While at the main base, the player will be able to interact with the God of Games, who will sell the player new weapons, accessories and more. These will allow the player to gain permanent power boosts between runs.

There is also the upgrade system, where the player will be able to enhance their weapons and equipment for the next run. Players can also permanently increase the stats of a character, using special resources that have been collected from defeating bosses. All of the permanent enhancements are carried between each of the runs. If the player wants to test out the new gear and power-ups, they can be tested out in the training grounds.

Finally, the player will start off with only a single playable character for the adventure. However, as the story progresses and the player gets deeper into the adventure, there will be additional characters that join the team. Each time a new playable characters joins the roster, they will be made available for the next attempt made. Each character has their own attacks, weaponry and skills that add a lot of depth and replay value to the adventure.

When playing the game, the player will be able to mix and match the equipment that characters have, with individual item level enhancements carrying over. This lets players improve a set of gear that can be shared, which will give the player more options during extended play. It also gives players the chance to persue their own personal play style and approach. This is a good choice as it offers a deep level of personalisation to the overall experience.

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – Ved: Recure has an easy to pick up and play control system, which uses a simple 5 button control method. All of the action inputs are easy to use, offering a smooth and responsive combat experience that flows very well. The game works well with mouse and keyboard, however it is recommended for players to use a controller with support for Xbox controllers as standard. But through Steam input, a variety of options are available for players.

Difficulty – as this is a roguelike game, there is a rather solid difficulty curve due to the random elements of the buff and upgrade system. There are four difficulty options to select from when playing, with the recommended setting being Normal. But for those looking for a different challenge, there is Easy with some accessibility extra and Hard modes for more punishing challenges. While there may be some frustrations, the enhancements can ease the challenge.

Presentation – from a visual perspective, this title is pleasing to the eye with a dystopian anime style to the world and presentation. This includes gorgeous art for that appears throughout the game. The setting and world feel vibrant, with a lot of personality to the various characters that appear, giving the game a lively feel. Then we have the sound, which is done well with music that adds to the excitement of play, alongside dialogue in both Chinese and Japanese.

Final Thoughts – I enjoy a good action brawler game, which made Ved: Recure appeal to me. The action reminds me of Musou games and hack and slash titles, so when I got the chance to check this out I was excited. I am happy to say that the excitement was not misplaced. The flow of combat, game loop and general feel is a lot of fun, with a simple and easy to use control method. I didn’t feel the roguelike elements were too punishing either, as I learned with each failed run.

Sadly, the game does need a little polish, as it took some finagling to get it working first as the game kept crashing. However, after I got it going properly there were no additional issues with the performance. I do enjoy the game, but I think these inconsistencies may be frustrating to players, while I am also unsure how it will perform on handheld computer systems. But if you can deal with that and are willing to jump through hoops, I can recommend picking it up.

In the end, I give Ved: Recure a final score of 3.75 out of 5. This is a pretty fun game, with the action RPG and roguelike elements mixing well, alongside the vibrant world, distinct characters designs and a lot of fun combat, it is just hampered a little due to some technical issues. If you do want to check this game out for yourself, a link to the game will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

R-Type Dimensions III – Re-Launch Review

Overview – developed by KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and published by Tozai Games and ININ, R-Type Dimensions III is a remake of the classic SNES/Super Famicom shooter from IREM. Take the fight to the Bydo Empire again, this time as the pilot of the R-90 and venturing into enemy territory. This title has been officially relaunched on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Steam and Nintendo Switch/Switch 2, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PR Hound for providing the copy of R-Type Dimensions III that was used for this piece. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. Please be aware, I have previously covered the launch version of the game, so the focus of this updated coverage will be on the updated content. You can find my previous coverage and other R-Type pieces (HERE).

Story – in a distant future, the BYDO Empire has been a threat to Humanity, engaging in war with Earth and beaten back each time. These bio-mechanical creatures have appeared once more, close to the Earth and threatening humanity with extinction. Earth deploys the R-90 Ragnarok, the latest R-Type craft, on a mission to destroy the remnants of the empire. As Captain of the R-90, warp between dimensions to battle the BYDO and eliminate them to save the Earth.

Gameplay – R-Type Dimensions III is a remake of the third named R-Type release, following the same side scrolling action as its predecessors. The player must make their way through six challenging stages, fighting the enemy forces of the Bydo Empire. Each of the stages follows the traditional shooter formula, where the screen will auto scroll as the player battles the alien foes. This is done with a standard blaster, but also dual charge attacks.

The first is the BEAM attack, which is charged up for a single blast of ultimate power, which is very useful at all points during the game. Then we have the HYPER charge system, where players can charge up their blaster and gain significantly enhanced power for a brief time. As the player blasts down the enemy, they will be able to get upgrades, which unlock FORCE power-ups, which can be used for as long as the player is alive.

During play, there are three different types of FORCE for players to use, with Blue, Red and Yellow FORCE. Each of these upgrades will provide the player with attacks like spread shots, lasers that bounce off surfaces and static turret blasts. The FORCE itself takes the form of a satellite, which can attach to the front, or the back, allowing the player to attack from different directions. The FORCE can be launched at enemies or used to block enemy attacks.

Before starting a run, players can select one of three styles of FORCE, which each have their own strengths and weaknesses. There is the Round FORCE, which is the most balanced option, being effective in attack and defense. The Shadow FORCE is damage focused, excelling at dealing damage to enemies and offering wide cover fire. Cyclone FORCE is the defensive option, focusing on protecting the player, offering a powerful shield when detached from the ship.

The attack power-ups can be upgraded three times, with the level increasing whenever any of the power-up colors is selected. While the type of attack will change, the level will carry between the enhancements, preventing any loss of power. Then there are supplementary upgrades, with Missiles, speed ups and the Pit Unit, which will add an additional satellite to help defend the ship. These will last for the duration of the players life, disappearing if shot down.

In the missions themselves, the player will not only need to avoid enemy fire, but also deadly traps and hazards. These include acid, fire and plasma which will change depending on the stage, keeping the challenge from getting stale. If the player is not careful, their ship will be destroyed and in Original Mode, the player will be sent back to a preset checkpoint. If the player is in Infinite Mode, they will immediately respawn with an unpowered FORCE Satellite.

At points during the stages, the player may encounter mid bosses, which are more powerful enemies that will put the player in a usually static area until destroyed. Then at the end of a stage, the player will encounter unique and powerful enemy bosses. Each boss has a unique Gimmick that will make them challenging, with the player needing to think on their feet to make it through. This can include enemies that are behind the player, or move around the edge of the screen.

Later in the game, there is the Phantom Cell Boss Rush, which is a unique boss that transforms into older bosses. These bosses are mostly from the first game, with the iconic Giger inspired Dobkeratops being the first form. These are an excellent inclusion as it helps to celebrate the previous game, while acting as a challenging penultimate clash with the Bydo before the final stretch. This was an uncommon occurance during the time of release.

When the player clears a stage they will transition immediately into the next via blackout, making it feel seamless during play. If starting the game in Normal Mode, there will be a second loop upon defeating the boss and seeing the ending. This second loop is the Advanced Mode, which is significantly tougher, having more powerful bosses and enemies. If the player decides to start on Advanced Mode, the player will get the true ending after only one loop.

Before the player starts the game they can select their preferred mode, with Original being an authentic reproduction of the SNES release. If the player dies, they get sent to a checkpoint and if all lives are lost, players will get a game over before they continue. Then there is the accessible Infinite Mode, where players have unlimited lives, as well as instant respawn upon death. This makes the challenge more approachable to all players regardless of skill level.

Alongside the extra game mode, there have been fully remastered visuals and sounds. Dubbed the 3D mode, the player will be able to experience the pixel art in a brand new visual style. There is also the Crazy Camera, which allows for a new perspective to be viewed by the player, giving the game a whole new dimension to experience. But if the player prefers the classic style, they can switch between original 2D and 3D styles freely.

As the player clears the stages, they will be unlocked in the stage select which appears before starting a game proper. This allows players to just jump right back into the action, continuing where they left off between play sessions. Players can also select the co-op mode, where two players can work together to take down the Bydo menace. When in Original Mode co-op, players will respawn as long as they have lives left, with players endlessly respawning in infinite mode.

As this game has been updated as an official Re-Launch of the game, there have been changes made to the game that improve and rebalance the experience. With this third patch, there are have been updates to the Crazy Camera, fixes to hitbox issues that affected the gameplay, as well as general quality of life updates. There have also been adjustments to the boss battles, making them function more consistently in their intended way to match the game.

Also as a bonus for this re-launch, ININ Games have made the Digital Artbook that was originally for the Digital Deluxe release, free for all players. If players already own this, statements have been made that there will be something for those players in the future. These adjustments, changes and additional content for all players makes this game feel like a true revival, giving players a truly definitive way to experience R-Type III.

Now with the gameplay and updates covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – the general feel of the controls do feel a little tighter and responsive with these updates. The game still uses the standard four button control for the standard inputs, as well as the camera shift button. These work well on a range of controllers, feeling comfortable during play and they feel almost identical to the original release. Overall this feels natural and works very well, it is just unfortunate that inputs cannot be remapped natively.

Difficulty – while the game has been adjusted, the difficulty level is still brutally challenging. This is not a negative as the challenge of the game is a lot of fun, which really pushes the player to the limit of their skills in Original Mode. I still cannot make it to the end of the Original Mode, as it is extremely difficult but luckily the Infinite Mode does allow for players to experience the game. It can also be very useful for practicing tricky parts of the game.

Presentation – in my previous coverage, I felt like the 3D graphical update was a little unpolished. However, with these patches, there has been a pretty decent overhaul of the visuals, feeling more polished and refined over the previous release. This makes it feel more atmospheric at points as the color is enhanced and the lighting improved. The sound has also been enhanced, bringing the energetic arranged soundtrack up to the quality it deserves.

Final Thoughts – I had a rather good experience with this the first time around, while feeling it was lacking a little bit of refinement and just needed a little more polish. With the patches that have been released since launch, all of the little niggling flaws have been ironed out. This re-launch with Patch 3 makes it the game that it deserved to be at launch, fixing the different issues that had been reported. But that brutal difficulty and punishing challenge remains.

The biggest issues with this release were the performance issues, where the framerate and game in general would slow down, causing it to drastically chug in 3D. These have been remedied with the patches and the game runs very well if not flawlessly, giving players the best possible experience when playing. With all of these changes and updates, I stand by my recommendation of this game, as I feel it is deserving of attention now it has been thoroughly polished.

In the end, I give R-Type Dimensions III (the Re-Launch) a final score of 5/5. Coming around 4 and a half months after initial launch, this release has been patched, polished and refined to be the best possible experience for all players, making it the definitive way to experience R-Type III on modern systems. If you want to check this release out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch Version (HERE)/Switch 2 (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 5 version (HERE)

Link to Xbox series version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection – Steam Review

Overview – originally developed by Team 17 and brought to modern platforms by Antstream and Commodore, Alien Breed 35th Anniversary collection brings 6 classic Sci-Fi horror games back. Take on the first era of Alien Breed, with top down and first person action, spanning space stations and planets to fight the Alien horde. This collection is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch and PC with a link to each version of the release at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Evolve PR for providing the copy of Alien Breed 35th Anniversary collection used for this piece, via the Terminals service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. Since this is a compilation/collection release, I will be going through each of the games in the collection with a summary on the general gameplay experience and some story details.

Alien Breed – 1991

In the year 2191, humanity has entered space as earth has become overpopulated, with the Inter-Planetary Corps (IPC) peacekeeping force keeping settlements secure. A top secret research facility has fallen silent, with concerns that it has been taken over by rebels. Due to this, two elite IPC officers have been sent to investigate. Upon reaching the station, they discover it is not rebels, but a swarm of alien invaders who have overrun the facility.

This title features a top down style of action, with the players controlling the IPC officers, Johnson and Stone, who must secure the facility. Starting at the docking bay, the player will move through the different levels and segments of the station. As the officers move through the facility, they will face the hordes of alien life, which appear from all directions. This means players will need to be aware of their surroundings at all times.

In order to progress through the stages, the player will need to blast the hordes, armed with a standard blaster and limited ammunition. However, there will be ammo pick-ups that players can find on the floor. This is alongside credits that need to be collected and added to the player wallet, and keys to open locked doors. If the player runs out of keys or ammo, they may not be able to progress, but there is a way to get out of trouble.

Scattered throughout the station, the player will be able to access INTEX Terminals. These computers will allow the player to buy items like ammo, keys and health, in exchange for credits that have been collected. Players can also purchase upgrades like maps, as well as weapons, with multi barrel blasters, flame throwers and more that can be picked up. But be aware that the more powerful weapons are expensive, so they may not be worth getting early on.

As the player makes their way through the different levels of the station, the player will have a few different objectives. The main one is to wipe out the alien horde, then making their way to the exit, before moving to the next area. Then there are the stages that have self-destruct sequences, which need to be activated to destroy the area above. Last are the boss stages, where the officers will encounter deadly boss aliens in deadly battle.

During the course of the game, the player will have a limited number of lives. These can be lost from gradually losing health from enemy attack, or by hitting traps that can instantly kill players. If all lives are lost during battle, they will be sent back to the start of the game, with only one life. This can be frustrating as there are places the player can be trapped, with death being the only escape and no passwords. But there are some quality of life improvements to deal with this.

Alien Breed Special Edition – 1992

This is a special enhanced version of the original Alien Breed, with players returning to the horror aboard the station. With the original game only having 6 different stages for players to travel through, Alien Breed Special Edition features an expanded campaign of 12 stages to explore. These new levels are separated into reworked variants of the original floors, alongside brand new stages that implement new unique mechanics.

With this new content, the gameplay length has been doubled, offering players an even bigger horror experience to dive into. There are also changes to the way that players experience the space horror, with the way enemies appear to add tension to the stages. There is also the inclusion of new hazards and dangers, with pitfalls that can instantly kill the player. Players will also encounter new alien types, adding greater danger to the mission.

Alongside the new stages and mechanics, there have been some adjustments made to the way that progress can be made. There are an increased number of credits that can be collected around the maps, with balances rising quickly. However, these windfalls may not last for long, as the Terminal costs have been adjusted, increasing the cost of all services and weapons. There are passwords that have been added, allowing players to resume after death.

These enhancements make this game feel relatively unique from the original release, offering a distinct horror adventure for players to take on. While it is mostly the same gameplay loop, the game does feel like it is distinct from the game it is based on. This is a positive for the player as the changes add more variety to the gameplay, giving players even more content to dive into, with the updated stages feeling like an expansion rather than a remake.

Alien Breed II: The Horror Continues – 1993

Released as the direct sequel, this top down horror takes place around a decade after the first alien outbreak. After Agent Stone and Johnson eliminated the threat aboard the research station, the IPC breathes a sigh of relief as peace returns. However, a federation colony broadcasts an emergency signal. After receiving this signal, the IPC sends a team to investigate, discovering that the threat has returned and the horror continues again.

Like the previous game, this title follows the same style of gameplay loop as the original. Here the players must navigate 17 stages across the colony, facing deadly alien foes and new traps that ramp up the danger. This time there are four selectable characters, with each of them having a unique loadout of weapons, gear, credits and keys. There are two humans and two non-human officers that player can select, adding some variety to this new adventure.

The progress of stages in this release have a relatively linear feel to them, while remaining maze like, with the gates and doors returning. This gives each of the stages throughout the colony a good feel of exploration, with many paths and corridors for players to explore. Alongside the new maze like stages, there are new enemy types and deadly robotic security forces. These increase the challenge that players will face, making it harder for players to survive the horrors.

Just like the previous titles, the INTEX Terminals return with players able to use credits to obtain upgrades and items. These can be very important to survival, as ammo and keys can run out quickly if players are not careful. Players also have limited lives again, with no ability to continue if all lives are lost. Due to this, players may find it frustrating, especially on the first stage as there are security drones that will instantly kill the player.

When the objective is cleared and the player reaches the exit of the area, they will move onto the next, with a map showing their progress, alongside a mission briefing for the next area. The engine for the game has also be reworked, maintaining the same feel as the original, but with improved scrolling due to the larger stages that make up the experience. The password system from Alien Breed Special also carries over, with the ability to continue and use special secret codes.

For this release, there are two versions that can be accessed, with the standard version using OCS “Original Chipset” graphics/performance, as well as the AGA “Amiga Advanced Graphics Archetecture” versions. These provide two distinct ways to experience the game, with the feel of the game being different between the two versions.

Alien Breed: Tower Assault – 1994

In deep space, a facility send out a distress signal from an otherwise uninhabited planet, with a troop of soldiers deployed to the facility to search for survivors. As the ships get close to the source of the beacon, the security systems activate and shoot down the ships until only one remains. This lone ship crash lands on the planet, with only two survivors away from the facility. They must make their way to it, find out what has happened and try to escape with their lives.

This is the last of the top down shooters in the first era of Alien Breed, with this being the biggest game of the series. The gameplay remains largely the same, with the player needing to use blasters to fight aliens and machines, while avoiding deadly traps. The Key system, credits and lives also return which players need to keep an eye on during the adventure. Each of the maps feel larger, with several exits that give the game a non-linear progression.

Each of the stages that the player finds themselves in will have multiple paths, which gives players the opportunity to keep the experience unique each time they play. This was a selling point of the game, with the box stating there were more than 250 ways to clear the game. Over the course of the game, the player will be able to actively plan out which way they want to go. This makes the game more exciting, but also can make it more challenging.

The difficulty of this release is a little higher, with the players having to fight enemies that will endlessly respawn, deal with the different hazards and monitor resources. But thankfully, the INTEX Terminals are back again, allowing players to fill up their weapons and keys, while also buying upgrades to gear. As usual this comes at the cost of credits, so plan purchases wisely, as spending funds frivolously will make survival much harder.

Like the other games after the original, there are passwords here for players to find within different areas of the game. With limited passwords available, there are also secret passwords that can be used to give the player additional boosts. Like Alien Breed II, Tower Assault also offers multiple versions of the game for players to check out, with the standard Amiga version and the CD32 release with FMV video. Sadly, this didn’t seem to want to work during play.

Alien Breed 3D – 1995

This is the first of two first person shooters, taking Alien Breed from a top down perspective to a whole new dimension. In this title, the player is on a secret research base, where scientists have been cultivating and cloning alien eggs. But the project goes out of control, with the Alien Breed overrunning the research facility. Now a single officer must destroy the Breed, find an escape route and survive before the life support system fails.

This horror adventure features 16 levels for players to try and navigate, armed with a blaster to destroy the enemies that appear. The player moves around in a manner similar to doom, with the objective of each stage being to eliminate the enemies, find keys and reach the exit. In action, the player can move around and turn in all four directions, with the ability to auto aim to some degree when battling the foes.

On screen there are two bars that start green and run down to red, with these being the Life and Ammunition bars that players must keep an eye on. The weapons have a limited number of shots, with ammo pick-ups scattered throughout the different levels. This is important as the only way to fight off the Breed is to use firearms, with the Blaster, shotgun, plasma weapon and explosive launchers that can be found.

With the limited munitions available, players must make every shot count as the swarm will surround the player, attacking them the second they are seen. As the player takes damage, the health meter will slowly deplete with the only way to recover being through health kits. In different areas, there will also be Keys to find that are needed to open doors, with four different colors of key that may be needed for a level.

There is an awkward difficulty curve with this title, as there is a pretty rough transition to the first person perspective. The movement can feel sluggish and turning is a little awkward, as well as enemies constantly attacking from behind. There are some innovative elements, like underwater sections, minor platforming and general atmosphere. The general experience looks a little overly pixelated, making it hard to see into the distance.

For this release there are a few different versions of the game available. The main one is the original game, which is just the core experience for players to get into straight away. But also players are able to access two different Demo Disk builds of the game, which contain unreleased content that was omitted from the main game. These can be unstable, but are a good inclusion for the historical meaning, as prototypes can often be excluded.

Alien Breed 3D II: The Killing Grounds – 1996

The final release of the first era of Alien Breed, being the second first person shooter released that marked the end of the series for a time. This is a direct sequel to the previous game, where a Space Marine has been rescued by an earth ship, after surviving an attack by the Breed. However, his safety is short lived as he is caught up in another attack, being forced to fight back alone to survive, with only a few weapons and his skill to rely on.

This is a significantly improved first person shooter, with enhanced graphics and implementation of 3D models for weapons and some enemies. Like the previous game, there are 16 levels for the player to make their way through, filled with alien foes that roam the areas. The game plays out the same as the previous title, with full movement of the character in a 3D space, while introducing vertical look for this entry in the series.

At the start of a mission, the player will be provided with a text crawl, telling them what their mission is, before starting off properly. Unlike the previous game, the player doesn’t start with a blaster, but a double barrelled shotgun and a handful of ammo. The shotgun uses two shells at a time and they are limited, this immediately adds some tension to the game, as there are no melee weapons for players to use during play.

However, while there are still no melee weapons, the arsenal has been expanded with the weapons from the previous game returning, alongside brand new weaponry. These include a rifle, mines and a laser gun that bounces off walls. There will be some ammo pickups scattered throughout the area, which will add a modest amount of ammo to the weapon stock pile. There will also be health items that can restore damage taken by enemies.

During exploration of the different areas, the player will have text pop ups that will give hints to the objective. This is due to each stage being mission focused, where the player will be given different tasks, like wiping out all enemies or destroy a target. To help players navigate the different areas, there will be an automap that will help guide the player on their way. This can be toggled off and on, allowing players to use them if they want to.

Unlike the other games, there is no password system for this game, as saves were added to this release, allowing players to have up to 5 saves in the original game. This was a first in the series, allowing players to freely save and load games, giving players a solid record of their progress. This is the only other game in the package not to have alternate versions or demos, with only one version of the game available for players to try.

Now with the games covered, it is time to cover the other elements of this package, covering the additional content, quality of life and more.

Additional material – Included in this release is a special interactive gallery, designed to look like a level of the original game, with the different elements in their own rooms. The content in this space contains details about the games, with screenshots, details on stages, concept arts and even documents for cancelled projects. There are also videos that players can access including developer interviews, which offer insight into the series.

Next we have the quality of life updates, with save/load states, as well as digital manuals which can be accessed freely, offering information on the game. There is also the option for online play, where players can connect via peer to peer play, giving the online play a nostalgic feel, like two systems connected. There is also an extra mode called the Horde Mode, a survival mode where players have to last as long as they possibly can against endless waves of enemies.

This title has also received extensive controller enhancements, adding twin stick movement to the games and refined first person movement inputs. The inclusion of these updated controls is a great addition, as it makes games that may be a little awkward feel more comfortable. All of the inputs are responsive, work well and feel natural, giving the game a feel similar to that of modern twin shooters. The first person shooters also work well but can feel sluggish.

For players who want a classic look to the game, there are scanline and CRT filters that can be applied. These give the player a feel that is closer to the original big box screen style, with the extra inclusion of custom in-game bezels that can be used to frame the screen. But if players don’t want to use them, there are simple black bars set as default, or a 16:9 full screen set up. All of these elements come together to create the ultimate celebration of Alien Breed.

Final Thoughts – I like Alien Breed, having played the first couple of the games years ago on the Amiga via bootleg disks that I got from someone else. So I had a little experience with them, but I had not been able to experience the other titles. Having finally been able to sit down and give each of these games a try, I have some mixed feelings about them. This is due to some of them being a little too difficult to really get into during play.

My personal Choices for the most enjoyable games are the two variants of the first Alien Breed and Alien Breed 3D II, as they I didn’t find them overly punishing or awkward. Sadly this could not be said for the other games, as the other top down games were a little too difficult, alongside the awkwardness of Alien Breed 3D. I had a lot of trouble with Alien Breed II, as the first stage was way more difficult than it should have been, but save states did help.

I think this is a good package in general, with the additional content, bonus mode and emulation being of a high quality. This made for a fun, albeit frustrating experience at times, but I was happy to put my time into each of the games and explore them. I was unable to test out the online features, as they require P2P connection, but I did test out local co-op a little and it worked quite well. In general I am happy to recommend this package to fans old and new.

In the end, I give Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection a final score of 4.5/5. This is a pretty solid collection of classic retro games, offering players a selection of fun and challenging Sci-Fi horror, with a good amount of bonus material to create the ultimate celebration of Alien Breed. If you want to check this release out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE) – GOG (HERE) – EPIC (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (COMING SOON)

Link to PlayStation 5 version (HERE)

Link to Xbox Series version (HERE)

Future Knight – Steam Review

Overview – developed by Studio Koba in collaboration with publisher Aeternum Game Studios, Future Knight is a 2D run ‘n’ gun shooter that blends frantic action and an LCD style inspired by retro handhelds. As the Future Knight, you have to go in time to save humanity, as the lady from the past has brainwashed and mutated the people. This title is available for Steam, PlayStation 5,Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Aeternum Game Studios for providing the copy of Future Knight used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story.

Story – on May 23 1993, the Lady of the Past washed her underwear and brainwashed humanity, becoming the leader of a cult called “Present”. 30 years later, the Future Knight, a robot made from the reanimated corpse of a 90s soap star, with a benign living tumor inside him is completed. Now the Future Knight must travel to the past, 8 hours before the apocalypse and stop the Lady of the Past, before she can wipe the brains of all humanity.

Gameplay – Future Knight is a run ‘n’ gun shooter, where the player controls the robotic hero and his benign tumour Twomore. In this action packed adventure, players must follow along with the day of the Lady of the Past, going through all of the locations she passed on her day. There are eight worlds to travel through, with the Future Knight going through a park, construction site and kindergarten, following the trail of the Lady of the Past.

Each world is split into 3 stages, where the player must make their way to the goal, all while battling the cultists that follow the Lady of the Past. These followers have mutated, becoming horrific abominations of twisted flesh that will attack the player. To fight against the legion of mutants, the player is primarily armed with the powerful Techno-Blaster, which can be shot in all directions. But that is not the only tool players can use.

The Future Knight is also partially mutated due to the tumor Twomore inside him, allowing him to warp his body to attack enemies up close. This is not the only purpose of Twomore, as Future Knight can eject the benign companion from his body to control independently. While outside of the safety of the Knight, Twomore is very fragile with any damage taken killing him instantly, but this is a compromise for the versatility of the mutant.

Due to the size of Twomore, he can move around the tighter spaces of the stages while also being able to climb walls to reach higher points. He can also dash through barrier walls, using a super dash to break through them, as well as a blast attack that can deal damage to enemies. The benign companion is unable to recover energy outside of the Knight, aside from energy items that can appear, which will be needed for puzzle solving.

While Twomore is outside of his companion, Future Knight will be able to recover lost health. This makes it useful during challenging sections, but it can be rather risky. By pressing the switch button, if there is solid ground below, Future Knight will immediately teleport below or ontop of Twomore. The player can also leave Future Knight in a position and dash into him with Twomore, causing an explosive reaction that can damage enemies.   

The future Knight can take up to three hits before they are incapacitated. When this happens, Twomore will be ejected from the Future Knight as he explodes, with a countdown at the top of the screen for the Knight to be redeployed. If the tumor mutant takes any damage while outside of the Knight, they will both die and be sent to a checkpoint. In normal mode, there are regular checkpoints, but in hard mode these checkpoints are few and far between.

Throughout the stages, the player will encounter many of the mutated followers from the Lady of the Past in scripted gimmick fights. These include timed survival battles, auto scrolling segments and even a chase scene with a giant mutated baby. This keeps the player on their toes, preventing the standard run and gun action from becoming repetitive. There will also be challenging sequences with instant death traps, that can quickly kill Future Knight and Twomore.

In each of the stages, there will be three triangles for the player to collect, often in out of the reach places. These require a creative approach and some puzzle solving skills to collect, with many of them being hidden behind breakable blocks or hazards. They will often be in rooms that can be missed, so if they aren’t found the first time around, players can try again. If the player can collect all the triangles, something special will happen for players.

In the final stage of each world, the player will face a boss with the player being locked into an arena with the opponent. The mutant combatants that the Future Knight will encounter are tied to the stage theme, including a trio of deadly Sushi Chefs, a man inside a Swan Boat and a Giant Nanny. The attacks that these enemies use will follow some patterns, although they are relatively erratic and can be hard to memorise. If the player dies here, they will start the battle over.

Over the course of the game, the player will collect coins that are placed around the stage, or dropped from defeating enemies. When collected, they will be added to the total that is carried between stages. These coins are used to purchase Casings, which are special decorative cosmetics that change the frame of the screen. There are also some special frames that can be unlocked by completing special challenges, like killing 250 enemies during play.

The last thing to cover is the optional speedrun mode. In each of the stages, there is a time target for the player to meet, which appears below the stage timer in the top corner of the screen. If the player is able to reach the end of the stage within the allotted time, there will be a fanfare and a stamp will be awarded. There is a stamp for each of the main stages, attainable in both Normal and Hard modes, adding more replay value to the game

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – the control scheme for Future Knight is relatively easy to pick up, with only a few buttons needed to get into the action. In game the action and movement is solid, with responsive inputs that work very well. This is needed as there are sections that require repeated precise inputs, which will get more complicated as the player progresses. With the inclusion of Steam Input, this can be played with a variety of controllers as well as Mouse/Keyboard support.

Difficulty – there is a rather fair and balanced difficulty curve, with the Normal mode offering regular checkpoints in the stages. The Hard mode is significantly more challenging, with fewer checkpoints in each of the stages, which does make it more challenging. The further the player gets into the mission, there will be more hazardous pitfalls, including toxic waste, spikes and conveyor belts. This escalation of danger feels natural and works well.

Presentation – Future Knight uses an extremely unique visual style, with the LCD style display that is reminiscent of the TIGER handhelds. The printed background aesthetic and black outline sprites contrast well, creating a distinct visual style, with a retro option that adds drop shadows. There are also comic style cutscenes, that are nicely laid out. The sound is as quirky as the visuals, with oddball music and voice work that adds to the overall presentation.

Final Thoughts – I love a good run and gun, with games like Metal Slug and Sunset Riders being my favorites. Future Knight has easily secured a spot among the best, as it offers a unique experience that is all its own, with the layered LCD aesthetic. The narrative is bonkers, with off the wall elements and a villain that is just an old lady that suddenly became evil. Combine that with the ridiculous enemies and frantic action, you are in for a hell of a ride.

I didn’t find there to be much if anything that I can fault with this game, aside from a couple of technical creases that are being ironed out. This isn’t a grand adventure spanning 30 hours, but a tight 2-3 hour adventure, that can be revisited often with the secrets, challenges and stamps to unlock. It is one of those off the wall games that does something to stand out, and it does it well, I feel that all fans of the run and gun action genre should check this out.

In the end, I give Future Knight a final score of 5/5. This is an excellent game that takes the style of the LCD handheld, mixing it with elements of Japanese culture and sending players on an acid trip, with absurd mutated monsters to fight and a sentient tumor that fires face lasers. If you want to check it out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 5 version (HERE)

Link to Xbox Series version (HERE)

Lost Gems – Wani Wani World (Mega Drive)

Hello and welcome to another entry in Lost Gems, the series where I cover games that have been lost, forgotten or straight up abandoned. This week we will be taking a look at an arcade style platformer released for the SEGA Mega Drive, which never officially left Japan. So it is time to dive into Wani Wani World, developed by Kaneko and released in 1992, being a reworked port of the arcade game The Berlin Wall from 1991.

Disclaimer: while the title discussed here is no longer officially on sale, there are still ways to obtain the game. This can be via the secondary market, or through unofficial digital roms/rips. I do not condone or promote piracy, so there won’t be any links to roms or rips of the game being covered.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be covering the general game experience, then give my personal thoughts on the title.

About the game

Wani Wani World is an arcade style platform action game, where up to two players can take control of the crocodile heroes of the game. As the crocodile, players must make their way through five worlds, comprised of a set of main action stages and a boss at the end. The main stages are similar to games like Bubble Bobble and Parasol Stars, with the players spawning at the bottom of the stage. All of the stage enemies will also spawn in at the start of the level.

While in the stage, the player can move their character left and right across the ground, as well as use ladders to reach other platforms. The crocodiles are unable to jump, but they can drop from edges and use springs to get across gaps, as well as use moving platforms. This means players cannot jump past enemies on the ground, but that doesn’t stop the player from fighting back. The two crocodiles are armed with hammers that can be used to take enemies down.

The hammers don’t function like regular weapons, as they won’t be able to destroy the monsters, but parts of the ground itself. By hitting the soft ground, the blocks will be destroyed and monsters can fall into the gaps, getting trapped for a short time. When the monsters are trapped, the player can use their tail to knock them down and kill them. After successfully killing the enemies, they will drop point gaining items when they are defeated alone.

If the enemy falls and hits one or more enemies, there will be the chance of special items appearing for players to collect. There are several special items that can be collected, with the most common being the hammer upgrades. At the start of the game and each time the player dies, they will be reset to the starter hammer, which can only destroy one block at a time. But with upgrades, it is possible to remove blocks from both ends of the stage.

Then there are the special weapons, with the Bomb and the Cannonball, which can be used to destroy enemies and clear a stage quickly. These are single use, appearing next to the player Icon with the ability to carry a few of them at once. Players can also collect support items, with speed boots that let players move faster until death and the star, which grants invincibility from all forms of enemy damage for a limited time when collected.

There is one item that is more powerful than any other in the game, and that is the slot machine which can drop randomly during play. When collected the three reels at the top of the stage will spin, with different effects that will occur based on the result. If the player gets a winning spin, they will be awarded special bonuses. These bonuses include wiping all enemies out, dropping an abundance of power-up items and even a flood of point items.

Once all of the enemies have been defeated and any residual items have been collected, the player will move onto the next stage for the game. After clearing the main action stages, the player will be sent to the boss stage. These stages play out in a unique way compared to the other stages, as they have scrolling sections going either up or down the screen. At the end of the journey, the player will reach the arena where the boss will appear.

Boss battles are the most challenging part of the game, as the boss monsters are significantly larger than other monsters. This means holes need to be larger to trap and damage them, and they will have dangerous attacks that have a large reach. When the boss has been defeated, the world will be cleared, and the player will get a bonus game. In this bonus, an anime girl face will be generated and bonuses for the next world will be awarded, based on the face generated.

As this is an arcade style game, there are limited lives and credits for play. There is a maximum of 5 credits and 5 lives that can be set before playing. If the player loses all their lives, they must use a credit to continue and if all credits run out, players get a game over. For those who may struggle with the game, there are some special codes and tricks that can be used. These will allow for level select, the ability to freely spin the slots and an infinite lives trick.

Personal Thoughts

Wani Wani World is an odd little game, as I cannot remember where I first saw it. It seems to have always been around in one form or another. I haven’t owned an official version of the game myself, only a reproduction, but I remember my dad having the cartridge at some point. I have also played the game via emulation across many devices, with the earliest I remember being on Windows 98 on a disc that my dad got from a Computer Fair.

This is one of those games that I can always boot up and I know I will have a good time, as it is just so simple and fun to play. It has the elements of other arcade games, like Bubble Bobble, Fairyland Story and Don Doko Don, with the single screen action and point focused mechanics. Then you have the boss stages, using the scrolling screen to add tension to the action before the big battle. This is likely due to the fact they started as Taito developers in 1982.

All of these elements make for a game with worldwide appeal. It is really odd that Wani Wani World never left Japan officially, only being available as an import. There is little in terms of localisation or translation needed, as the only Japanese text in the game is the main title. Everything else in the game is presented in English, so I am unsure of what held back an international release. We may never know as Kaneko seemingly disappeared in 2007.

I have a deep appreciation for this game, as there is a lot of fun to be had with either alone or with a partner. For an arcade game, there is a lot of depth to it, with a total of 50 stages to take on. Unfortunately, the game is not very affordable on the secondary market, as it only released in Japan, there are a limited number of copies out there, so they command a high price. But if you really want to play it, you can find reproductions out there for a reasonable cost.

The existence of this game is an unusual one, as it came out around a year after their arcade game The Berlin Wall. That game used the most of the game mechanics, and some of the monster sprites, with that game having a port to the Game Gear. It also had real photographs related to the Berlin Wall itself throughout the game. Given the theming of the original dating the game, it is unsurprising that they reworked the game with the Crocodile sprites and colorful backgrounds.

It is unknown who owns the licenses or properties related to Kaneko, as the company ceased operation there has been no public word on who owns the library. The loss of Kaneko as a company was sad, as they released several interesting games during their time, with the Gals Panic series, the Jackie Chan fighting games and Wani Wani World. Until someone is able to get the rights to the Kaneko properties or a license to them, we are unlikely to see them again anytime soon. 

If you have enjoyed this feature, then please stick around and see what else catches your eye. I cover a wide range of games in reviews, get special previews and put out regular features. I have Lost Gems, Retro Revival where I discuss re-releases and the occasional Gaming Oddities piece, where I cover weird and wacky titles. So stay a while and have a look around.

Mexican Ninja – Steam Review

Overview – developed by Madbricks and developed by Amber Studio, Mexican is a 2.5D hack and slash brawler, mixing roguelike elements with chaotic and blood soaked combat. As the Mexican Ninja, take on the Narkuza, the criminal syndicate that has taken over the region of Nuevo-Tokyo. This title is available for the PlayStation, Xbox and Steam, with a link to each version of the game will be at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Amber Studio for providing the copy of Mexican Ninja that was used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. I will be covering the core aspects of the experience, as there are elements that I don’t want to spoil for players.

A vibrant animated scene showing a character creating a tornado in an urban setting. The tornado is swirling with blue and white effects, while the background includes graffiti-covered buildings and power lines. There are visual indicators showing hit counts and health status.

Story – in a dystopian world, Japan invaded and annexed Mexico with Nuevo-Tokyo being created after the conflict. In this land of chaos, the Narcos and Yakuza combined, creating a neo feudal regime under the new ruling class, the Narzuka. The Narzuka are now the law, and rule with an iron fist. On the outskirts of Nuevo-Tokyo, a group of rebels plot to eliminate the five heads of the Narzuka Clan, with the Mexican Ninja being the one chosen for this task.

Gameplay – Mexican Ninja is a roaming brawler, where the player takes the role of the titular hero. Armed with twin katana’s the Mexican Ninja must make their way through the different parts of Nuevo-Tokyo, cutting down the thugs of the Narkuza that roam the streets. In this bloody campaign against the Narzuka, players will need to make their way through five districts. These include the outskirts of Nuevo-Tokyo, a mysterious laboratory and a ghostly forest.

Each of the districts are split into multiple stages, where the player must make their way through as they beat down the enemies that appear. To take down the Narzuka thugs, the player will have access to a simple moveset. Players can use both light and heavy attacks, the ability to jump and a dash that is used to dodge enemy attacks. The light attacks can be strung together in combos, with the heavy attack capable of blocking some attacks through parrying.

A vibrant animated street scene featuring market stalls with bright canopies, a variety of characters interacting, and neon signs adorning the buildings, set in a bustling urban environment.

As the Mexican Ninja carves a bloody path through the henchmen, they will drop coins that can be collected when killed. There are a multitude of enemies that appear, with general fodder enemies that are smaller and heavy brutes, who are more resilient and hit harder. Some of the foes that appear will have ranged attacks, which can hit the player from across the screen. There will be multiple enemy encounters during a stage.

When all of the enemy waves have been defeated, the player will be given a reward from the three gods that preside over Nuevo-Tokyo. The gifts that are granted from these gods include Passive abilities, that improve the chances of survival and Death Charms that grant temporary boosts. But their most important boon are the Jutsus, which are special power attacks that can deal massive damage to enemies. Up to two Jutsu powers can be equipped at a time.

During a stage, the player can also come across special prayer altars that will give the player a boost. The special prayer spots allow existing power-ups and upgrades to be enhanced, also offering a monetary boost or health recovery as an option. Players can also come across smaller statues, which will offer the choice between small increases to attack power or total health. These will be important the further the get into a run.  

An illustration of the Mero Mero skill tree showing three categories: Survival, Martial Arts, and Combo Power, with various skills and their status detailed, including the Sombrero Throw technique.

Between stages, the player can select from branching paths, offering the player two routes that they can select from. The stages are selected from a pool of stages, which are randomly designated at the start of the run. After the main stages of the district are cleared, the player will make their way to the boss area. In these arenas, the player will encounter deadly bosses, who have large attacks that will deal devastating to the player if the attacks land.

In order to overcome the dangers of the boss battles, the player will need to learn the patterns for the attacks, with precise timing windows and powerful blasts. If the player can slay the powerful Narzuka bosses, they will be awarded with the chance at special power-ups. There are two power-ups that the player can select from, which are related to the fallen opponent. But if players wish, they can skip these powers and choose an upgrade instead.

If the player falls in battle, they will be sent back to the main hub area, where permanent boosts and enhancements can be unlocked before starting a run from scratch. Many of the upgrades are purchased through a skill tree, with the player unlocking new attacks, combos and buffs for hitting combos. Then there is the Way of the Donkey, which will provide permanent enhancement to health, total damage and recovery during battle.

A character engaged in battle against a green, glowing enemy dubbed 'Grach Panda' in a stylised video game setting, with an industrial background filled with crates and scattered debris.

The last thing to discuss is the quest system, where the player will be given quests from different NPC characters throughout the game. The challenges involve beating target enemies, using specific attacks and skills, or by just interacting with an NPC that appears in the stages. For completing the quests, the player will be awarded with currency and special costumes, which will have perks tied to them. These perks can give boosts that are related to the theme of the costume.

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – this game has a rather easy to use control system, with 6 buttons used for all of the actions in battle. All of the buttons are used for the action, with the attack and movement buttons on the face, alongside the special attacks on the triggers. The bumpers are used for interactions with the environment and different characters. All of the inputs for the movement and combat work well, with reactive and responsive controls.

Difficulty – there is a fluctuating difficulty curve with this title, due to the roguelike progression of the game. During the course of the game, the player will encounter traps and hazards, which add to the unpredictability to runs. The spikes of the challenge can cause sudden deaths, which can be frustrating, but the more attempts that are made, the easier the game will get. The difficulty can also be eased by grinding money for permanent upgrades.

A vibrant scene from a video game depicting a character in an action pose, surrounded by a chaotic environment of scattered debris and barrels. A dramatic splash of red indicates a strike, with a scoreboard showing two hits.

Presentation – Mexican Ninja has a dystopian look to the visual style, with a mix of vibrant and dark color, add to the atmosphere. The 2.5D visuals are a perfect fit for the chaotic action, with exaggerated models and effects that blend well together. This title also uses cinematic elements, which enhance the atmosphere and presentation. The sound is pretty solid, with a balanced soundtrack with exciting music, but the voiced dialogue gets repetitive over time.

Final Thoughts – I am a fan of the hack and slash genre, with an appreciation for the chaos and carnage that occurs. So this was an easy accept when it was offered to me, and I wasn’t disappointed with the experience. The action is chaotic and has a feel similar to that of the Grindhouse film genre, with the atmosphere that is presented throughout. This is enhanced with responsive combat that is satisfying as it is bloody.

During play the roguelike elements are done well, with no single death feeling unfair, alongside the randomised branching paths when moving through areas. Unlocking upgrades and costumes can be a little bit of a grind, which may put off some players. Some of the elements can also get repetitive, with background dialogue looping randomly, but it doesn’t hurt the experience. So I am happy to recommend this to fans of both brawlers and roguelike titles.

In the end, I give Mexican Ninja a final score of 4/5. This is a chaotic dystopian hack and slash brawler, with satisfying combat, over the top presentation and roguelike elements that are implemented in a non-intrusive way. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Lost Gems – Ray Tracers (PlayStation)

Hello and welcome again to Lost Gems, the series where I cover classic games that have been lost to time, forgotten or removed from distribution. This week I will be discussing a soft sequel to a classic Taito arcade game, which took 2D sprite work and put it into full 3D on the PlayStation. So let’s take a look at Ray Tracers, a vehicle combat game that takes the concepts of Chase HQ and bringing them into full 3D, developed by Taito and released in 97 and 98.

Disclaimer: while the game discussed in this feature is no longer officially on sale, there are still ways to obtain it. This can be either through the secondary market, or via unofficial digital roms/rips. I do not condone or promote piracy, so there won’t be any links to roms or rips of the games being covered.

So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. I will be discussing the general game experience, then give my personal thoughts on the title.

About the game

Ray Tracers is an arcade style vehicle combat and chase game, where players hunt down target vehicles and battle machines in a futuristic city. A gang of illegal street racers called Black Kaiser, led by Kaiser are causing chaos across the city, using powerful battle machines. The Tracer Team has been formed by Cindy, recruiting four talented drivers to take down Black Kaiser, each with their own motivations for accepting the mission.

There are two modes in this game, with the main one being Chase, which acts as a story mode for the game. In Chase mode, the player gets behind the wheel of one of the four drivers of the Tracer Team, tasked with taking down a series of targets. The team consists of J.Lang in the Spanker, Sleoteel in the Hawk, Asuka in the Lynx and Blody in the Buffalo. Each of the vehicles are unique in terms of design and stats, providing a varied feel for each of them.

Once the driver has been selected, the action begins with 6 missions for players to challenge spread across the city. The gameplay loop for the majority of the stages is split into two segments, with the first half of the mission being a street race against the clock. During the first segment, players will drive through the streets, valleys and tunnels of the stage. These sections have a high speed street race feel, with either manual or automatic transmission options.

As the player drives through the city, there will be enemy vehicles that will appear on the screen, acting as obstacles to hinder progress. To take down the enemies, the player can drive into them with their armored vehicle. Each time contact is made with an enemy they will be damaged, causing them to crash after enough hits are landed and providing the player with points. Many of the vehicles will weave to try and avoid damage, or cause the player to crash.

If the player vehicle hits a wall, barrier or rail at high speed, the car will crash and slow them to a crawl. This will result in a pretty big time loss if players are not careful, but not all obstacles on the tracks will cause the player to crash. There are barrels, logs and boxes that will be on the road itself, which players can drive into without risk. If the player does drive through these attempts at a road block, they will gain a boost in points for total score.

During the course of the main missions, there will be a time limit with the timer counting down as they drive. This can be extended by hitting checkpoints during the mission, adding more time to reach the showdown with the battle machines. When the player reaches the last checkpoint of the stage, the music will change and they will encounter the boss. A warning will show with the name of the target Battle Machine for the mission.

These battles against the target machines can be very challenging, as they will try to dodge the player and use attacks against them. If the Battle Machines can successfully hit the player, the car will be blown into the air, causing them to lose all speed. This will cause a time loss similar to crashing the car, making it harder for the player to clear the stage. The enemies will take many hits to defeat, with a health bar on screen showing their durability.

During a battle, the player will need to chase the enemy, which is where the Nitro boost comes into play. This is a limited speed boost that the player can use at any time, making it useful to reach max speed quickly. It can also be used to quickly hit the Battle Machines multiple times, dealing extra damage to them in combat. But be careful not to waste the Nitro boost, as it will run out and there is no way to refill it during the mission itself, only refreshing between stages.

The Machines that appear are based on military machines, with tanks and aircraft that attack the player. They each have their unique attack patterns and movement, which will make them a real challenge to defeat. Battle Machines that appear in the first half of the game, also appear later as sub bosses, giving one of the missions a boss rush feel before the main combatant. This keeps the action exciting, adding to the adrenaline rush that players will get.

If the player is able to take down the enemy Battle Machine, they will get a clear time for the mission, their total time and a score bonus based on performance. This is how the first five missions play out. The final mission is the most challenging, starting immediately with the Battle Machine chase. There is a strict time limit for this chase, going in loops through a city. If the player can take down the boss, the ending for their driver will play out.

In the event that the timer runs out and the mission fails, the player will be able to continue, but they will lose their score. This is a minor downside to failure, but players can try as many times as they want to beat the missions. If the player is able to fulfil hidden conditions, they will unlock movies from the game, with intro videos and endings, as well as special vehicles. This expands the replay value of the game significantly, as Chase mode is rather short.

Alongside the main Chase mode, the player will be able to take on Time Attack, which has two different features. In this mode, players can challenge 4 different tracks in multi lap races, based on the chase stages. This can be done either alone, or with a rival to make it a head to head race. When selecting a rival, there is a special extra character driving a super car. If the player selects this special driver as their opponent and can beat them, they will unlock them for Chase mode.

The endings for the game are fully rendered, with voiced dialogue for the different characters, available in English for the international releases. However, there is content missing from the International version of the game. In the original Japanese release of Ray Tracers, there are anime style cut-ins with fully voiced dialogue, featuring the team leader Cindy talking to the drivers. This is an odd omission that makes the English release feel incomplete.

Personal Thoughts

I saw Ray Tracers long ago, when it was released for the PSX and the Japanese imports were doing the rounds. The mod scene was at its peak during the mid to late 90s, so PlayStation units would be chipped the second they were bought. With this I was able to experience many games, with Ray Tracers being one of them that I only knew in Japanese. Having seen and played that version of Ray Tracers for many years, on original hardware and via emulation.

When the PlayStation 3 and PSP came to prominence, I did manage to get my hands on the English version, which was unfortunately very disappointing. Being used to the Japanese version with the anime cut-ins, not seeing these at the beginning and during stages made it feel unfinished. This seems like an unusual choice, seeing as they did add English dubbing for the different character endings, so the missing stage dialogue is very weird.

This is a rather simple and short title, with only 6 stages and 4 tracks for the Time Trials. But the multiple racers, endings and unlockable content expands the value on offer for players. There is also a local ranking system to set scores and times for clearing the different modes, allowing for players to challenge themselves and others. If it had released during the online age, this would have likely have gained a community of dedicated players.

I really enjoy Ray Tracers, as I was also a fan of the Chase HQ series, having the Super Nintendo version before this game was released. This game feels like a natural progression of the series, as the games before it were all released in 2D, with the series not getting a 3D release until 2007. While it doesn’t share the same name, the spirit of Chase HQ is present, with the chaotic driving and vehicular combat to take down the enemy targets.

On the secondary market, the English and Japanese game is widely available, but the prices are rather inconsistent. The Japanese version (which is the better version in my opinion) is relatively affordable, with many copies staying on the lower end of the price scale. However, the PAL and NTSC versions of the game can swing wildly in price, with fluctuating prices that often exceed the prices for the Domestic release at the lowest quality. 

Taito have been fairly good with re-releasing their older games, as has been seen with licensing their games to be released via the Saturn Tribute, Arcade Archives and enhanced ports. So there is a small chance that they may give Ray Tracers another shot at life, which could be possible through the Console Archives library. I am not getting my hopes up, but there is the possibility for this to happen, especially given that Cool Boarders was revived through this series.

If you have enjoyed this feature, then please stick around and see what else catches your eye. I cover a wide range of games in reviews, get special previews and put out regular features. I have Lost Gems, Retro Revival where I discuss re-releases and the occasional Gaming Oddities piece, where I cover weird and wacky titles. So stay a while and have a look around.

Aggelos 2 – Review

Overview – developed by WONDERBOY BOBI, with publishing handled by PQube and PixelHeart, Aggelos 2 is an action adventure set in a fantasy world, set a thousand years after the previous game. As the hero Aggelos, save the Kingdom of Lumen from the army of darkness, which threatens the peace the gods hold and plunge the land into chaos. This title is available for all console platforms and Steam, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PQube for providing the copy of Aggelos 2 that was used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. Please note, I will only be covering the core aspects of this release, as there are many secrets and surprises that I don’t want to spoil. I previously reviewed the first Aggelos title, but that was lost, so I revisited it before this review which you can find (HERE).

Story – Long ago, Aggelos, the angelic hero was sent to realm of the supreme god Lumen, dispatched by the minor god Balro. The hero was tasked with saving the Princess Lys and vanquishing the evil Deluge. Centuries after the defeat of Deluge, Lumen was driven into exile after a quarrel between the gods. A thousand years after the defeat of Deluge, a dark army attacks the divine realm. The Aggelos ventures to Lumen again, with the goal to dispel the dark once more.

Gameplay – Aggelos 2 is an action adventure with light RPG elements, where the player controls the angelic hero Aggelos. As the great hero, the player must explore the Kingdom of Lumen, which is made up of an interconnected world. The world is split into several regions, each with their own themes to them, including castle ruins, costal caves and a settlement in a forest. This gives the adventure a metroidvania style of progression.

The warrior of god Aggelos is armed with a special bracelet that allows magic to be fired, alongside a sword that can be used to cut down enemies. These weapons can be used to take down the enemies that appear, with each slain enemy dropping orbs that are added to an onscreen total. As the hero is an angelic being, they have a pair of wings that allow them to fly for a limited time. When flying, a bar on screen will run down and the hero will fall to the ground when it expires.

During the course of the adventure, the player will be able to unlock new special powers. The main power is the ability to transform, which allows the player to switch between their base Angel and Demon forms. The two forms have their own skills and powers, with the magic of the Angel form being purple and the Demon being red. When in combat, the player will be able to block attacks that match the color of the magic the hero currently has.

There are distinct differences between the Angel and Demon forms, which will change the playstyle that can be used in battle. As the Angel, the player will need to be more cautious and precise, whereas the Demon is more focused on rapid strikes and reflexive movements. The two modes also have their own special magical attacks, which will use up a magical charge. These are recharged by matching attacks and damaging enemies in battle.

As the player explores the different areas, the hero will gain new additional skills that will be used for the exploration. The player will gain the grappling hook, allowing the hero to hook onto walls, as well as the ability to climb and the use magic to destroy blocks. These skills allow for easier traversal of the areas, so players can reach higher points and reach previously inaccessible areas. More skills will be unlocked the further the player gets into the adventure.

While exploring the Kingdom of Lumen, there will be dimensional rifts that appear throughout the map. These are portals to a dark distorted realm, which can only be accessed when the Demon form is unlocked but players can switch forms inside this other place. The parallel world expands the total area that can be explored, while also making it possible to reach new areas that are blocked off. This adds a non-linear feel to the exploration.

As the player makes their way through the different locations, there will be items in hard to reach spaces. These include Hearts that add containers to the player total, allowing more damage to be taken before death. Then there are the orb containers, increasing the amount that can be collected, magic charges for special attacks and the magic vials for skill usage. The Angel form uses healing magic, whereas the Demon form provides enhanced speed and attacks.

At set points throughout the map, the player will come across special statues, with the most common being the save statues. These act as checkpoints where the player will revive if they die, with some of them offering the player the ability to teleport between special points. There will also be vial recharge points, which are candelabra with purple flames, where orbs can be traded to refill the magic vials to use form skills.

In this adventure, there will be boss encounters, where the player will enter and arena and engage in deadly battle with powerful foes. These battles are challenging and will use all skills the player has to this point. This makes them tests of the players skills, with the chance to encounter some of them sooner than others, potentially leading to death if the player is unprepared. By slaying the bosses, players will be able to progress further and obtain key items.

With this adventure being an action RPG, there is equipment that can be improved to enhance the power of the hero. Hidden throughout the kingdom, there are special altars that can be activated, by offering orbs that have been collected during play. These special altars will imbue the equipment tied to them with more power, levelling up the damage that weapons deal, as well as the resistance to damage for the armor that the hero wears.

The last core element of the adventure to discuss is the village, where Aggelos can return to frequently to get assistance and items during the quest. In the village there is a fortune teller, who will guide the player towards the current objective. Then there is the shop, which offers a selection of items, which are exchanged for orbs. Finally there is the nest room, where players can offer special eggs found across the worlds, getting rewards when milestones are reached.

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls

Controls – This adventure makes full use of the controller, with the face buttons being used for attacks, magic vial skills and jumping/flying. Then there are the shoulders and triggers, which are used for the transformation skills and other movement skills. In play there is a lot of precision that is needed, with the best way to get this precise movement is through the D-pad. In general the game is comfortable, with remappable controls to fit any style of controller.

Difficulty – as this is a metroidvania style of game, there is a very fluid difficulty curve which is impacted by the non-linear progression. The introductory area of the game is relatively easy to navigate, but as the player gets further into the game, the challenge will ramp up. If the player goes off the beaten path, they may find themselves outmatched. For those who are looking for a greater challenge, there is an optional hard mode available from the start.

Presentation – Aggelos 2 uses a 16-bit style to the graphics, with big bold sprites, colorful backgrounds and parallax style scrolling. This style has a retro feel to it, with the overall look evoking the Mega Drive/Genesis style of graphics, specifically the wonderboy series. Thankfully as this uses a modern engine, there are no issues with flickering or slow down. The music is fantastic, with rearrangements of the first games soundtrack, alongside new music that adds to the fantasy feel.

Final Thoughts – I had previously played Aggelos, reviewing it long ago and revisiting it before doing this review. So when this game was made available, I was very excited to see what this adventure had to offer. There is a lot of depth to this adventure, with a light yet engaging story and new game mechanics, which expand greatly on the previous release. The action is challenging and a lot of fun, with reactive and responsive combat during play.

There are some cryptic elements to the adventure, with some of the items not being readily apparent with what they do. Due to this, there is the chance for some frustrations to occur, as well as the chance to get lost while trying to backtrack across the large map. But these elements are all part of the style that was pioneered by the Wonder Boy series that inspired Aggelos. Overall, I am happy to recommend this to fans of action adventures, and those who played the first Aggelos.

In the end, I give Aggelos 2 a final score of 4.25/5. This is a massive adventure, offering distinct styles of play, with two sprawling maps to explore, satisfying combat and challenging platforming, all wrapped in a retro 16-bit style aesthetic. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Aggelos – Re-Review

Overview – developed by WONDERBOY BOBI in collaboration with Storybird Games, with publishing by PQube Games, Aggelos is a retro style action adventure, with light RPG elements. As the hero, explore the land of Lumen and save the Kingdom from destruction, as monsters from a dark dimension seek to invade and take over. This title is available on all console platforms and Steam, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: This is a re-review of software that was originally provided by PQube Games, with the original coverage becoming lost since publishing. Just like my other coverage, the provision of the software has not influenced the contents of this re-review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, stating with the story.

A character in an 8-bit style platform game jumping on a cloud over a grassy landscape with trees, a pink flower, and a spider enemy above.

Story – in the Kingdom of Lumen, a lone adventurer lives alone on the edge of a forest. One day, they get a feeling, as if something or someone is calling them to western woods. Picking up their sword and venturing out into the unknown. What they do not know is that this feeling is their destiny, as they are the chosen one, a hero that has been chosen by the gods to save the Kingdom from the forces of darkness that seek to conquer it.

Gameplay – Aggelos is an action adventure, with metroidvania and light RPG mechanics, where the player takes the role of the hero. This title features non-linear progression, where the player explores the different regions of the Kingdom. There is a mix between platforming and action, which is reminiscent to the games that inspired it. This also extends to the combat, where the hero is armed with a sword, which is used to cut down enemies that appear.

The creatures that appear in the kingdom start off relatively simple, with dangerous plants and animals that appear. But the further the player progresses, the more monstrous these creatures become, as monster scorpions, ghostly spirits and even minotaurs appear. As the hero defeats enemies, they will drop experience and gold. When the player reaches experience milestones, they will gain boosts to attack and defense stats.

A character jumps in a retro-style platform game, surrounded by stone walls. Below, spikes and a red mushroom creature are visible, with a health bar and experience points displayed at the top.

As the player makes their way through the adventure, they will come across dungeons, which are tied to the elements of Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. These dungeons are made up of several rooms, which are often filled with enemies, traps and puzzle based obstacles to overcome. To progress through these dungeons, the player must find keys to open up doors, as well as special magical rings, which will imbue the hero with magical power.

When the player unlocks the ability to use magic, they will start with three magic charges. Each spell will use up one charge of magical power, with the main way to refill magic is to attack enemies. The magic powers that are unlocked in the dungeons are important, as they will be the key to surviving the trials of the temples. Unlocking magical power will also allow access to previously unreachable areas, which will cause some backtracking during play.

At the end of the dungeons and in set points of the adventure, the player will encounter powerful bosses. These battles will take place inside closed off arenas, with the player often using the magic unlocked to fight them. Bosses that appear include a giant sentient skull, an octopus and a rather chunky dragon. If the hero can slay these imposing foes, they will gain a significant experience boost, a large amount of gold and extra heart containers for more health points.

A pixel art game scene featuring a character wielding a sword and facing off against a large, menacing creature with green eyes. Energy projectiles are flying around, while torches emit light on the stone walls.

The dungeons aren’t the only way for the player to gain new skills and upgrades, as there are merchants throughout the world. The merchants can be found in the towns on the map, where they will offer new weapons, armor and special items, including Heart containers and healing potions. There are several swords and armor sets that can be collected. These include the Samurai Masamune set, dragon set and the bubble coral set.

Players can also encounter the technique teachers, who will provide the hero with special scrolls. The scrolls that are provided will provide new weapon strikes, which will allow for more options in combat that can aid in moving through stages. By combining the different skills and abilities that have been gained, the player will be able to easily cover great distances. Successfully combining skills will make progress through the game a little easier.

Merchants and teachers aren’t the only NPC characters that can be encountered, as the player will come across various characters. These residents of the world will provide hints for progression, offering advice that may be out of order, or require an item for them to interact with the hero. Due to some of the solutions to puzzles being rather cryptic, players may need to take notes during play or just have a good memory to progress.

A retro-style video game scene showing a character with a sword asking if the player wants to buy a big potion, with options for 'YES' and 'NO' displayed on the screen.

Since this is a metroidvania style action adventure, there are safe points that appear throughout the Kingdom. These altars allow the player to save the game and recover lost health, while also acting as checkpoints to return to if the player dies. As the player makes their way further into the adventure, they will be able to teleport between the different save points. This makes backtracking to different areas easier later in the game.

Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to cover the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.

Controls – There is an easy to use control system, with only four buttons needed to play the game. This simplicity of control adds a good amount of accessibility to the game, making it rather easy for players to pick the game up and get into the action. As it is a retro style platform adventure, it is recommended for players to use a controller with a good D-pad. This is due to thumbsticks lacking some precision, leading to the controls feeling slippery.

Difficulty – the challenge of Aggelos is balanced rather well, with the difficulty being affected by the player level, equipment and upgrades that have been unlocked. Some of the more difficult sections can be made a little easier, with the ability to grind experience and levelling up the hero. As the game is non-linear in progression, it is possible to find yourself in a dangerous area unprepared, which may be a source of frustration to some.

A character with a sword jumps through an underwater scene featuring colourful houses, coral, and a fish.

Presentation – This title has a visual style that is inspired by classic 90s adventures, with large sprites and vivid use of color. All of the zones are nicely detailed, offering a good variety off themed locations that are distinct from each other. The sound is also done well, with chiptune music offering bright melodies that contrast with darker compositions. This gives the overall presentation more authenticity to what it attempts to emulate.  

Final Thoughts – I played Aggelos many years ago, having a good time and very much enjoying the adventure. I revisited the game a few times since and my feelings on it haven’t changed. Aggelos nails that retro style of the 16-bit era, which is something that other attempts at the style often misses. All of the elements mesh well together, creating an experience that feels like it could appear on the SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis in the 90s.

This adventure manages to evoke the nostalgia and wonder of games like Wonder Boy III: the Dragon’s Trap, as well as the Monster World games. Aggelos is a real love letter to the classics of the genre, with all the positives and a couple negatives, like the cryptic puzzles that can be a little awkward and require notes to be taken. But this adventure offers a familiar but fresh experience, which I will happily recommend to all, I even picked it up as a physical cartridge for my collection.

In the end, I give Aggelos a score of 4.5/5. This is a wonderful retro inspired adventure, which manages to nail the feel of the classic 90s adventures, with bold sprites, reactive platforming, fun yet cryptic puzzle solving and exciting battle against giant enemies. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)