Hello! Today I am covering another expansion update, this time I will be discussing the new content update for Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. The whimsical and magical adventure from Chibig, gets new content in the Churros and Cats mini expansion update, bringing new residents and a new game mode. This is the first content expansion to be added to the game on Nintendo Switch and Steam, completely free for all players to enjoy right now.
Disclaimer: before I get into the coverage, the software that was used for this mini review and the full review (HERE), was provided through the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this piece, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
In this mini review, I will be covering the new additions that have been added to the game. I will also be providing my thoughts on the added content, going over my experience with it on the Nintendo Switch system. If you have not seen my previous coverage on the base game, please take a moment to check that out in the link above before you read this.
New Content – in this free mini expansion, new residents have joined the island of the Winds, taking residence in Orilla Town. The first is a batch of five kittens who are seeking refuge in the town, spread across in all different locations. They live in little cardboard houses, where Mika must deliver food to them to make sure they are safe. These little kittens are cute and adorable, so seek them out and show them some affection.
Then we have Churro Express, a new business that has started in the town run by new arrival Awan. This new desert business needs some help, delivering their hot and tasty treats to different parts of the island. Awan asks Mika to assist in the deliveries, setting up the Churro Express Circuit, with tracks that go all across the island. There are 7 total Churro Express Circuit courses for players to challenge, using the island for each of the tracks.
The Churro Express Circuit plays out as a ring race, where Mika must ride her broom through each of the rings, keeping the tasty treat warm on the way to the goal. If Mika misses the rings or takes too long, the desert will go cold and she will fail the race. There is a meter in the corner of the screen that will tick down, being refilled when the player passes through them. Mika will gain a boost of speed when passing through each of the rings.
Each of the tracks have a target time, which the player will need to beat to earn a trophy. When the track is successfully cleared, the player will unlock the next and gain Napopo Trophies as a reward. The player will also receive rewards for beating the races, with a special outfit and charm to attach to Mika’s broom. Alongside the new race minigame and the Kitten delivery mission, there are new cosmetic items, achievements (on steam) and a companion to unlock.
Final Thoughts – I very much enjoyed Mika and the Witch’s Mountain when I reviewed it back in August, having a lot of fun with the magical island adventure. So when I received an email about this update, I had to jump onto it and I was not disappointed. There is a lot of fun to be had with this mini expansion. The kitten feeding mission was cute, giving me a sense of satisfaction when I found each of them, hidden in different parts of the town.
The addition of new charms, costumes and a companion following the broom trail were nice touches, giving that little bit more for players to come back to. My favourite part of this free update was the Churro Express Circuit, which was something that fits in perfectly with the flying mechanics. The races are laid out well, with each of the tracks being challenging but not too difficult. It may take a few attempts, but all races can be beaten.
I found target times for the tracks can be a little tight, with most of them being beaten by just a second or two. But with enough practice put in, it may be possible to beat them by a wider margin. I had forgotten how much fun it was to fly in this game, with the races knocking the enjoyment factor up a notch. This is the first announced update, giving me hope that more will be coming in the future, as there is so much potential for more expansions.
Overall, the Cats and Churros update is a great addition to the game, bringing more content to an already fantastic magical adventure, expanding the enjoyment further. I cannot recommend this enough, even moreso if you already enjoyed the base game, and if you haven’t played Mika and the Witch’s Mountain yet, this is even more of a reason to play it. So give it a try, as you are in for a cute and tasty time.
You can find the game page below to buy Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, for both the Nintendo Switch and Steam, so check them out if you are interested in a magical adventure.
Overview – developed by Zoo Corporation and published by Eastasiasoft, Pretty Girls Pop Match is the latest puzzle title in the waifu puzzler series, this time using a match three style of play. Challenge 100 missions in Quest mode, or take on a 3 minute score challenge to try and get as many points as possible. This version of the game is available for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, with a link to each platform at the bottom of the review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Eastasiasoft for providing the copy of Pretty Girls Pop Match 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. There is a lack of story for this release, so I will be moving directly into covering the gameplay section.
Gameplay – this is a rather simple match three puzzler, using a system that is similar to the likes of Bejeweled or Candy Crush Saga, where players match three or more gems on screen. The core of the gameplay takes place in the Quest Mode, where players can challenge 100 different puzzles, with a variety of objectives. The most common missions are to destroy a set number of a specific jewel, or to attain a target score.
The further the player gets into quest mode, the more challenging the stages will get, introducing items that need to be destroyed by matching gems next to them. During the different stages, the player will have a limited number of turns to complete the stage. If the player runs out of turns, the stage will fail and the player must start over. But this is not the only way to fail a stage, as the player can get a game over if they are unable to make a match.
To help the player, there are special magic items that can be created during puzzles. These are made by arranging the gems in set patterns. If a line of 4, a T shape or more are made, the magic items will appear if the correct pattern is made. These magic items are the rocket, which can blast away a line, either horizontally or vertically, the bomb which destroys a chunk of gems and the sword which seek out gems. The last is the wand, which will destroy all of a single Gem.
When the stage is cleared, the remaining moves will be put on the field as bombs, destroying gems that are all around them. There is an upper limit to the number of bombs that can be used, with the remaining moves going to 0 when reached. After this occurs, any new connections from gems that drop down will add to the final score. The player will then be awarded blue gems, which are tied to the points that have been earned during the stage.
During the adventure, the player will encounter four heroic girls who will join the party, accompanying them on their adventure. The first is the Nun who will guide the player on their adventure, providing advice and explanations on mechanics. Then we have the Ninja, Warrior and Mage, who will increase the power of the special magic items, increasing efficiency. At the start of a challenge, the player can select the girl they want to assist.
The party’s power ups are set at 1 star, with the ability to upgrade and increase their power, using the blue crystal gems. These improvements will allow for bigger explosions, more gems being cleared and more swords to seek out gems. The special abilities of the girls can be increased to a maximum of 3, with level 2 needing 1000 blue gems and level 3 requiring 3000. These power ups can be earned faster fi the player repeats stages, making the later stages easier.
Away from the main adventure mode is the score attack, which is a three minute challenge, where players must do their best to score as many points as possible. Then there is the Diorama system, which allows players to create images, using the girls, backgrounds and a variety of stickers. This is more of an afterthought as it adds no real substance to the game, with the limited usage and no real way to interact with it.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to move onto the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.
Controls – this is a pretty simple to control game, with the d-pad/thumb stick being used to control the cursor to select the gems and the A button to move them. This works pretty well, allowing players to quickly pick up and play the game. There is an alternate touch screen option, which can be a little more comfortable for those who play these types of games. However, I found that it was a little inconsistent, especially when trying to swap magic items around.
Difficulty – there is not much to the difficulty of this game, as the majority of the challenges are easily beatable. The only real aspects of the challenge come from the limited number of turns, along with the random chance that lack of matches will end the stage. These moments of match failure are frustrating, as they can happen more often with the more complex stage layouts. But aside from these minor complaints, there is a fairly beatable challenge.
Presentation – from a visual perspective, the game lives up to its name, with the pretty girls who have a pleasing anime art style, with a lot of fanservice built into them. The stage visuals are rather plain with static backgrounds for the environments, that are drawn well but don’t add much to the game. The music is simple too, with rather generic compositions that work well in game. There is voice work, but it is limited and doesn’t add much to the experience.
Final Thoughts – I enjoy puzzle games, so I picked this up and dove straight into it. The match three style of puzzle game is something that has been done to death, but this makes it a little different with the power-ups that the girls give. The art is pleasing but lacks variety after all of the girls are added to the party. I did enjoy playing through the adventure mode, going through all of it in a few hours of non-stop play.
I then jumped into the score attack mode, which was a nice change from the quest mode, giving a more arcade style experience. I just wish that there was a leaderboard or selectable time options to prolong the score attack. The Diorama mode didn’t really add much to my experience, as it pretty basic, but it wouldn’t be a Pretty Girls game without it. Overall I can recommend this with ease, as it offers a fun puzzle experience for a modest price.
In the end, I give Pretty Girls Pop Match a final score of 3/5. This is a simple puzzle title, using the well-established match three gameplay style, with some fanservice thrown in. The different power-ups for the girls add some depth, which does make it feel different, I just wish there was more for the score attack system. If you want to check this release out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.
Overview – originally developed by Taito and published by ININ Games, Taito Milestones Volume 3 brings 10 more classic titles to modern platforms, powered by Hamster’s Arcade Archives tech. Take another leap back into the past and experience these classic arcade titles, including Bubble Bobble and Rastan Saga in this latest collection. This release is available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, with a link to 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 Taito Milestones Vol 3 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. As this is a compilation of arcade games, I will be covering each title with a brief summary of the story and gameplay. Some titles are grouped together as they are a part of a series. I have also covered the other Taito Milestones releases, which you can find (HERE).
Bubble Bobble – 1986
In the original bubble blowing platform adventure, the Bubble Dragons Bub and Bob set off on a journey to the “Cave of Monsters”. They set out on this journey to save their girlfriends from the evil wizard Drunk, as well as the ghostly monster Baron Von Blubba. This adventure is a single screen platformer, with a heavy emphasis on co-operation. Two players can work together to make their way through 100 stages, defeating monsters and collecting treasures.
The game loop is simple, at the start of a stage, Bub (and Bob in 2 player) will drop from the top of the screen, alongside the enemies for the stage. The main way to defeat the enemies is to trap them by blowing bubbles, then popping them by jumping into them. But if the monsters make contact with the player or hit them with an attack, they will immediately die. When all monsters are popped, the player will move onto the next stage.
When monsters are popped, they will be turned into food to collect for big points. During play, the player will be able to collect special items that appear, these include candy that enhances blown bubbles, power-ups and secret bonus items. These pick-ups are random, making them special when they appear. Players can also pop special bubbles that spell EXTEND, which will give them a 1 up, a special cutscene and move onto the next stage.
Players do need to make haste, as there is a time limit to bubbles and the stage itself. When bubbles with enemies in them expire they get faster and angry. If the stage time limit runs out, the invincible Baron Von Blubba will appear and kill the player. This game has many secrets to uncover, giving this game a lot of replay value, including the famous “True Ending” where players need to clear the game with two players to see it.
Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 – 1987
In this sequel to the original Bubble Bobble, the Bubble Dragons have been turned back into humans, allowing Bubby and Bobby to go on a new adventure. This time, Bubby and Bobby set out on an adventure to rescue the Rainbow Islands, which are under threat by the “Dark Shadow”. This new adventure features a series of island worlds, made up of four stages with a boss at the end. Each island has a unique theme, with Insects, Toys and Monsters to name a few.
Unlike the previous entry in the series, Rainbow Islands has the player climbing up a vertically scrolling stage, avoiding enemies and collecting treasures. During the course of a stage, the player needs to jump and use rainbow magic to reach the different platforms. Bubby and Bobby can cast rainbows to reveal treasure and trap enemies. The player can walk over rainbows, but if they jump on them, they will collapse, killing enemies and collecting treasures below.
When the player reaches the top of the stage, a big chest will drop containing treasures as a reward. But treasures aren’t the only things that can be collected, there are power-ups as magic bags to increase rainbow power, as well as shoes to speed the player up. These upgrades will last for as long as the player is alive, resetting to default upon death. Players must be careful, as there is a time limit, causing water to rise if the player takes too long.
Just like its predecessor, there are secrets and multiple endings to discover in this game. Like the extend system of Bubble Bobble, the player will be able to collect rainbow gems, which can appear by defeating enemies. Players can use rainbows to crush foes, or special stars that appear in the stages to try and make gems appear. These gems will give a one up if all 7 are collected, while also playing a role in reaching the true ending of the game.
Cadash – 1989
The Princess Sarasa, who is the symbol of peace and prosperity for the land of Deezar, has been kidnapped. The beasts of the underground kingdom, ruled by the evil Baarogue, are responsible for this crime and plan to perform a ritual, using the princess for their evil scheme. The king has offered his kingdom to the one who saves the Princess. This title is a side-scrolling platform RPG, where two players can go on an adventure to save the princess.
When starting the game, the player is able to select one of four characters, with classes based on classic archetypes. These are the Fighter, Mage, Priestess and Ninja, each having their own unique weapons, skills and abilities. After selecting the character, the player makes their way through each of the various stages, fighting monsters, collecting treasures/items and gathering information. Players can collect gold and experience from defeating monsters.
The stages in the game consist of areas for players to explore, with areas consisting of battle zones and towns. While players are in the villages, they will be able to rest at Inns and buy equipment at shops that they find. The gear that players unlock will increase in power the further the player progresses, offering stronger weapons and armor to purchase. Players can also find and buy healing items, which will extend the life of the player after taking damage.
There is a timer that appears on screen and ticks down, giving the game a sense of urgency, pushing players forward to the next area. The time will increase when clearing a stage, dying or by purchasing/collecting bonuses. If the player waits too long and leaves the timer to run down, a monster will appear and kill them instantly, pushing them to continue. As long as the player continues to add credits, they will be able to keep playing.
Runark (AKA Growl) – 1990
In the 20th century, evil poachers have been pushing wildlife to the brink of extinction, capturing them and hunting them for sport. To put an end to this evil, four forest rangers set out to defeat the poachers and save the animals. This title is a side scrolling brawler, where the objective is simple, beat down all the enemies on screen in close quarters combat. This title can be played in either 2 or 4 player mode, with the playable characters having unique stats to them.
In both 2 and 4 player mode, players can select their character freely, allowing them to select the hero they want to use. After this, the game starts proper and gets right into the action, using a simple two button set-up for attack and jump. There is a generalised move set for all playable characters, where they can punch, kick and perform special finishing moves. If the player presses both buttons, they will perform a special attack.
Weapons can be collected during the different stages, with melee and ranged weapons that can be found, including a whip, revolver and even grenades. These weapons are limited in use, but can devastate enemy numbers and players can even throw objects at enemies. There are 7 stages and a bonus game to play through, with wave after wave of foes to defeat. Players can also find animals to help them out, like deer and an elephant.
Thunder Fox – 1990
A run and gun style action game, where the Thunder Fox anti-terrorism team embark on a mission, with their objective to take the organisation that took over the world. This title is a relatively simple action title, where players move across that stage and take down enemies with a knife. They move across the screen, focusing on close quarters combat during the bulk of the action. Players can collect guns and grenades, which can be used for a limited time.
The stages are split into segments, with the run and gun style of action being the focus. Players will encounter dangerous bosses during stages, which are preceeded by a warning before they appear. While the bulk of the game is mostly the same, there are special sections that use an auto scrolling shooter style of play. These are brief and only make up a small part of the game, being little more than a distraction from the side scrolling brawling.
Rastan Saga – 1987
Rastan the barbarian bandit embarks on a journey to protect the Kingdom of Ceim, in exchange for riches and the glory that will be earned as a reward. This is a side scrolling hack and slash style action game, made up of a series of rounds that are split into individual areas. The player makes their way through the different areas, fighting monsters, collecting treasures and obtaining more powerful, yet temporary weapons, including an axe and flame sword.
Rastan is armed with a sword, which can be swung in four directions, left, right, up and down, but the player needs to jump before they strike downwards. Enemies in this game are dangerous, capable of taking down the hero in a few strikes. The player has a health meter that will be drained by taking damage, but can be refilled by collecting potions. More powerful items can be collected, but these will last only until the player dies.
If all of the player health is reduced, Rastan will die and the player continues from a checkpoint. Enemies aren’t the only threat to the player, as there are poisons that will drain the vitality of the hero, alongside pitfalls and traps that can instantly kill. When the player runs out of lives, they will be able to continue by using a credit. At the end of each round, the player will encounter the boss of the stage before moving on.
Rastan Saga II – 1988
This is the next episode of the Rastan Saga story, telling the tale of how Rastan got his name. The hero travels through the region of Rastania, fighting monster and battling the threats to the holy land. Like the previous game this is a hack and slash adventure, where the player controls the hero Rastan. Following on from its predecessor, this game also features the multi directional attack, where Rastan can strike foes from different directions.
Over the course of the games rounds, the player will pass through two different areas, an outdoor and indoor area where the boss is located. The two button input system is also carried over, with the player able to jump and attack. The weapon system also returns, but with some changes. The player can collect new weapons, lasting for the stage or death of the player. These weapons now include claws that are faster and more powerful.
Unlike the previous game, this title features two player simultaneous play, allowing both players to work together. This can make for a more competitive game experience, as items and power ups that are collected are applied to only one player. By implementing this feature, players will often battle it out for the upgrades, power-ups and health recovery. When a player dies, they will immediately respawn which occurs in both single player and co-op play.
Warrior Blade: Rastan Saga III – 1991
In the third chapter of the Rastan story, the hero Rastan and two comrades set off on a quest for untold riches. However, the kingdom of Depon has endless dangers that need to be overcome. This title is vastly different from the other Rastan Saga games, as this is a side scrolling brawler that utilizes the Dual Screen system. Players can select one of three characters, made up of Rastan, Sophia and Dewey, who each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
As a side scrolling brawler, the player makes their way through each stage, slaying enemies with their weapons and collecting treasures. The action works like a traditional side scroller, where the player will battle wave after wave of enemies, attacking from both sides. During action, the move set for the characters consists of a standard attack, jump and special attack. Items can be found, powering up the characters with fireballs, lighting and more.
During a stage, the player will collect treasures on the ground, which are counted at the end of a stage and provide a special bonus. There is also some platforming and special sequences, where characters must interact with the game world. This entry features a special progression system, where the player can select the world they want to challenge next. When the chosen area is cleared, they can move to the next, leading to the final stage after clearing them all.
Another aspect that is unique to this entry are the mount stages. These levels are special as they have the players using mounts for the stage, allowing players to traverse the stage. During these segments the player will move around the screen in auto scrolling action. Enemies that appear in these stages will disappear if they aren’t defeated, making them more like bonus stages. There are also automated segments in usual stages, but they are different.
Champion Wrestler – 1989
Take to the ring in the Taito Pro Wrestling League, as one of 8 wrestlers take on the rest of the roster, fighting it out in one-on-one or tag team battles. This is a pretty standard arcade wrestling game, where the objective is to beat the rest of the wrestlers to be the champion. This title has 8 playable wrestlers, with inspiration taken from stars of the time, alongside the hero of Rastan Saga. There is single player, Versus and a co-op tag team game modes.
Each of the wrestlers have their own unique move set, with slams, aerial strikes and submission holds in their arsenal. When the player selects their wrestler, they will enter the league at the bottom of the rankings. To progress, the player must defeat all the other wrestlers. These matches occur in a standard ring for most of them, but there will be two cage matches. The difference between the two is wrestlers hit the cage when thrown at the ropes.
There are three ways to win a match in this game. The main two are by pinning your opponent or making them submit, which is more effective after dealing enough damage to them. Then there is the ring out option, where the player keeps the opponent out of the ring for the count of 20. But this is risky as it can lead to a draw, which can also occur if the on screen timer runs out. When the match is over, an animation will play for the winner and loser.
If the player reaches match 7 they will fight the champion. In this match, the player will not be able to continue if they are defeated. If the player defeats the champion, they will go onto the final match which is the title defense. Upon clearing this match, the player will get the end credits for the game. The multiplayer tag team mode plays out in the same way, with the cage matches, title challenge and final championship defence to end it.
Dead Connection – 1992
In the 1950s, in a big city somewhere in the United States of America, a crime family has taken over the city and four detectives set out to take them down. At the beginning of the game, the player chooses their detective and can start the game in single player, or take on the mob in co-op with a friend. There are four detectives to select from on the main screen, when the character has been selected, the game will start.
The game is split into rounds where the player must take down a set number of enemies, with the round target appearing at the start of the round. The action itself is unique, with a single screen where the player will move around and fight enemies. These stages are one big backdrop, where enemies will spawn in from all across the stage to attack the player. The detectives have a standard pistol with infinite ammo, as well as a close up melee attack.
The detectives can also use a dodge roll, allowing them to avoid taking damage from enemy strikes. This can also be used to activate stage elements, jumping rails and activating switches. When the bad guys have been reduced to only three, the boss for the stage and their henchmen will appear. These last three bad guys are tough, with the capability to easily kill the player. When the boss is defeated, a scene will play out between stages.
As the mobsters are taken down, they will drop weapons and items to pick up. The player can pick up a Tommy Gun and a Shotgun, which have limited ammunition but deal heavy damage to enemies. Items that can be collected are split into healing items like hotdogs, and bonus point items like counterfeit bills, bags and evidence envelopes. These items will only last a short time, so it is important to pick them up as fast as possible.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to cover the overall package and quality on offer here.
Overall Package – this is a rather solid collection of games, with a good variety of action titles for players to enjoy, capped off with Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands. The co-op titles are a lot of fun, especially with another player. Then there are the action platformers, which are a little bit of a mixed bag. Rastan Saga and Thunder Fox are solid games, but sadly Cadash and Rastan Saga II are a little less polished, needing a little more time in the oven.
As this is powered by the Arcade Archives hardware from Hamster, the emulation is on point providing a good experience from start to finish. The ability to modify all the dip switches is fantastic, allowing players to modify the experience. Then there is the adjustable control options, which lets players set the controls however they want, making for an accessible system. This lets players activate turbo fire, granting rapid fire inputs.
There is also a suite of quality of life changes, alongside screen and sound settings for players to modify. Players can also modify the look of the twin screen display for Warrior Blade, giving options designed to look like older arcade machines. Players can also use the manuals included, giving information for each game that players can reference. Last is the global rankings, where the highest score earned during play will be put on the leaderboards.
Final Thoughts – I enjoyed the previous Taito Milestones collections, which had a good selection of games in their own right. However, this is the best collection that has been released to date, offering players quite possibly the biggest hits from the Taito Library. I am a big fan of Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands, so their inclusion makes this a big win for me. The addition of the good Rastan games, Runark and Dead Connection were a bonus.
There were some hiccups with this release, like the sadly mediocre Cadash and Rastan Saga II, alongside the inclusion of the wrong version of Dead Connection. This is because the Japanese version of the game was included, rather than the English translated version. In general, this is a good collection that is a lot of fun, especially the co-op titles with a friend. I also enjoyed Champion Wrestler more than I thought I would.
I have no issue with recommending this volume of the Taito Milestones series, as they are all part of the rich history of games that Taito have created. There are still many games that could be released in more collections, like Don Doko Don, Typhoon Gal and even Arkanoid. So there is still plenty to find in this collection, we may even see Puzzle Bobble from the Neo Geo being added to one of these collections, but that’s just being hopeful.
In the end, I give Taito Milestones Volume 3 a final score of 4.5/5. This is currently the best collection of Taito games to be released under the Milestones label to date, with the biggest hits of Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands and Warrior Blade, with the other games being mostly good, with a few less than stellar inclusions. If you want to check this collection out for yourself, a link to the game digitally and physically will be below.
Overview – developed by Brain-dead Rabbit Games and published by Eastasiasoft, Damikira is an ultraviolent arcade style arena shooter, where the player must survive the hordes of mutants. As one of three playable characters, wield an arsenal of powerful weapons and a grappling hook, nimbly moving around as you slay mutants and save the hostages. This title is available on 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 Damikira 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 warned, this game makes use of flashing images that may cause difficulties for those with epilepsy, so if you have photosensitivity issues, please check out the other content on the site.
Story – the year is 2035. After an economic and military crisis, the United States has fallen as a super power, leading to rampant poverty and crime. The country has lost their agreements with the bordering nations, leading to a hopeless future. In an attempt to regain their dominance, they contracted the EAD corp to create a new super soldier. This company is based in Santa Querida, a city on the border of Mexico.
The EAD corporation, started a radical bio weapons project, mixing animal and human DNA to create hybrids called “Dummies”, poised to replace the weakened US military. However, the experiment goes horribly wrong and the mutants slaughtered everyone, overrunning the facility. This has led to a critical emergency, as they pose a threat to the nation and potentially invade the bordering nations. Now three unlikely heroes step up, ready to fight the horde.
Gameplay – Damikira is frantic side scrolling arcade shooter, where the player is tasked with completing missions, getting a high score and surviving as long as possible during a run. At the start of a run, the player will be able to select from one of three characters, each with their own unique weapon. The playable trio are Emily, who uses a short range revolver, Eric, armed with a powerful shotgun and Henry, the Axolotl hybrid who wields a long range pistol.
The three different characters share the same basic move set, with the ability to run, jump and use a grappling hook to get around the stages. In a stage, there are platforms that players can jump between and use the grappling hook, allowing them to quickly manoeuvre the areas. To clear a stage the player must complete missions, which include killing a target number of foes and rescuing hostages. When the stage is cleared, the player will warp to the next.
There is a fast and frantic pace of the gameplay, with the player moving and aiming independently, this gives the game a bit of a twin stick feel, but can be a little awkward. Thankfully, there is an auto-aim option, which targets the closest enemy to the player. The grappling hook is also tied to the aim system, so it is important to take a moment to practice with it to get a feel for it. There is one life per run, so when all the health is gone it is game over.
During a stage, enemies will spawn all around and trying to swarm the player. They can attack up close, but as the player gets deeper into a run, they will get increasingly deadly. Enemies will spawn in with powerful weapons as the player progresses, increasing the risk for a quick death. It is possible to get swarmed and easily killed if players get pinned down, it is a frustration when this happens, but it is all part of the gameplay experience.
During a run, the player will be able to pick up different items dropped by enemies and hostages. The various items include weapons, which last until the ammo bar runs out, power-ups that increase damage and health packs that restore damage taken. There are also upgrades that last for the duration of the run, like increased fire rate and maximum health boosts. This title has a roguelike feel to it, so any time the player dies collected upgrades are lost.
However, there are some things that do carry over between runs. New weapons can be unlocked by collecting weapon icons, with new weapons being added to the arsenal after collecting set amounts. All weapons are added to the available pool, being given to the player randomly when unlocked. Coins can be picked up during a run, which are added to the running total for the player. These coins are used to buy hats, which can be applied to characters.
The last thing to discuss is the ratings and scoring system, which is a little bit hit and miss in how it works. When a run ends, the player will be rated on their performance, with the highest score earned added to the global rankings. There is no real way to know what grade will be given at the end of a run, making it feel random. It can also take a while for global scores to update, which can be frustrating when getting a good score and not seeing it on the rankings.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to cover the other aspects of this game, starting with the controls.
Controls – the controls for Damikira are inspired by twin stick shooters, with the player manually aiming with the right stick while moving with the left. The triggers are for firing and using the grappling hook, with the x button being used to jump. This layout works well enough, but due to the frantic nature of the game, it can be hard to aim quickly so there is an auto-aim button. During play, the inputs feel comfortable to play when using the Dualshock 4.
Difficulty – there is only a single difficulty for this game, with the general balance being a little bit off during the first few attempts when playing. But as more time is put in and runs are attempted, it gets easier as new weapons are added and skills improve. The further the player gets the tougher enemies become, which may be a stumbling block for players. There is a two player option that may alter the challenge, but I was unable to test this feature out.
Presentation – this release has a retro inspired style to the visuals, with chunky pixel art and a lot of gore on screen. Everything goes at a fair pace and there is no issue with lag, but the amount of gore effects and explosions on screen can affect visibility. The sound is a little bit of a mixed bag, with the effects overpowering the background music, which consists of Incompetech and royalty free music. There is some okay voice acting, which gives it a bit of a b-movie feel.
Final Thoughts – I am a fan of the ultraviolent shooter genre, having enjoyed titles like Smash TV, BroForce and others over the years, so this was right up my alley. When I jumped into the experience, I wasn’t overly impressed as I died almost instantly. However, as I spent more time with this game, I found myself enjoying it more with each run while I adapted to gameplay. There is a lot on offer here in a rather small package.
It does feel a little awkward to get used to the game, but it all falls into place after a few runs, especially when getting used to the chosen character. There is a satisfaction to getting a high score during a run, seeing it on the leaderboard and trying to beat it. I can easily recommend this game to everyone after a fun, gory shooter that is fond of internet culture. With references to games like Undertale, Five Nights at Freddy’s and even Super Mario Brothers.
In the end, I give Damikira a final score of 3.5/5. This is a fun and frenetic platform shooter, with buckets of guts and gore to splash on the arenas, offering a fun time that will pull you in, making you say “just one more try” to get that better score. If you want to check it out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below. NOTE: pages may be age-gated, as this title is rated Mature.
Hello. I have something a little bit different today, as I will be providing my thoughts on the new DLC release for River City Girls 2. The Double Dragon brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee have taken the leap from background characters to being fully playable. This additional content has been released on consoles, with all new content that fits perfectly into the game. There is also additional free gameplay content for players to enjoy alongside the premium offering.
Disclaimer: before I get into the coverage, I want to thank WayForward for providing a code for the Double Dragon DLC content used for this piece. The provision of this content has not influenced the content of this article, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
In this mini review, I will be covering the new additions to game provided through the premium content, with some thoughts on the free bonus materials. I have also covered the base game for River City Girls 2 in an extensive review, with a link to that and my other River City coverage further below.
Premium Content – in this premium content release, the Double Dragon brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee, are now able to take the fight to River City. These new playable versions of the legendary duo are based on their River City appearances, with their role expanded from just being vendors. The two characters have their own distinct move set, personalities and have been fully integrated into the story of River City Girls 2.
The brothers Billy and Jimmy have been given new character portraits and dialogue, performed by the Game Grumps, Dan Avidan as Billy and Arin Hanson as Jimmy. These characters can be used right from the start of a new game, or in an existing playthrough, mixing up the gameplay experience. The two brothers feel fun and responsive to play as, with their move sets inspired by their 35 year legacy, as well as some references to other games.
Both characters share all of the core moves, with a normal combo attack, heavy strike and special power attacks that have a little overlap. The two characters have their own distinct personalities, which bleed into their special moves and the names. Billy is more calm and composed, with his main special move being the Dragon Stinger energy ball. Whereas Jimmy is brash and hot-headed, with his main special being the Brodouken fireball.
The voice work for the two characters is performed well, making these characters feel alive and less one dimensional than their NPC appearances. The dialogue matches their personalities, with the back and forth between the two characters, as well as the other NPCs having a lot of entertainment to them. There is also a good amount of humor, with self-aware and fourth wall breaking jokes that further added to the entertainment value.
There is also a new shop keeper, which is a guest character from Double Dragon II, who will appear when the player is using one or both of the brothers. Additionally, a new double dragon rap song has been added, which is performed by Avidan and Hansen with music composed by Megan McDuffee. All of these together make for a fun addition that expands the experience, breathing new life into the game after the original release two years ago.
Free Update – alongside the premium content offerings, there has been a big free content update that went live at the same time as the DLC. There is a new Double Dragon motion comic, which can be viewed from the main menu, providing story details for the brothers joining the adventure. Then we have the addition of multiple color palettes for all characters, giving them 4 new color sets that can be selected when starting a game and during play.
With the inclusion of new player colors, there is also the new ability for players to use the same character during online play sessions. This lets all four players use the same character if they wish, with a color palette for each. Then we have the new shops, the special “Season’s Beatings” shop which has a rotating supply, with the shop keeper voiced by Jaden Dittfatch (JaidenAnimations). This shop will change stock every couple of months.
There is also a second new shop, which is the “Devil’s Candy” shop, which is a special crossover with the web comic of the same name. This further expands the vast array of guest character voices, which already includes Jacob “Alpharad” Rabon, Sean “Jacksepticeye” McLoughlin and Matthew “Matt McMuscles” Kowalewski. Finally, there is a special Double Dragon themed training dojo to round out the offerings for the free content update.
Final Thoughts – I was already a fan of River City Girls, having previously reviewed the three main games which you can find (HERE). So, when the DLC for River City Girls 2 was announced, I was very excited to get my hands on this new content. I have fond memories of Double Dragon, having played games from the arcade, NES and even the Neo Geo. And “Bimmy and Jimmy” bit from the AVGN episode for Double Dragon 3 will be forever burned into my mind.
Seeing this new version of the legendary Lee brothers come to life was a joy, with the way they were written and included fitting perfectly into the River City world. Their move sets are extremely fun to play, their dialogue was entertaining, especially during interactions with the other characters. This made playing through the game again from the start so much fun, either alone or with another player. I even switched the partner regularly to see what happened.
This DLC package offers a fresh perspective on the story, being able to play through all of the familiar areas with a new pair of fresh faces. The addition of the hard hitting Technos boys was something that was a long time coming, finally crossing the boundary between the River City and Double Dragon worlds. I hope that if WayForward ever get greenlit for a third River City Girls game, or just a new River City game in general, I hope the Lee brothers get to play a part.
The free part of the content included, with the latest update were an excellent addition too, as they expanded the game even further. All of these additions are done to perfection and I am happy to recommend this, especially for hardcore fans of the Double Dragon series. This duo fit the River City Girls series like they were made for it, and they are performed to perfection by the Game Grumps boys.
If you want to check the DLC out for yourself, it is on the console pages which will be below. Please note, due to some unfortunate technical difficulties with steam, the DLC will be coming to PC at a later date.
UPDATE! The Double Dragon DLC and free content update has been added to the Steam page for River City Girls 2, going live today Wednesday December 4th. For a limited time, all titles in the River City Girls series have been put on sale, with 50% off until December 17th. Check out the Steam page in the link below.
Overview – developed by SOFTSTAR Entertainment and published by PQube games, The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication delivers another horror experience inspired by Taiwanese ghost stories. Experience the haunted Wen Hua University, a site that has is known for being the site of a murder in the 60s, along with ghost sightings and disappearances. This version is available on all major consoles, 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 The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication 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. I will be comparing the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 versions of the game, discussing the differences between the two releases.
Mature Content Warning: please be aware, this title contains themes and depictions of self harm, suicide and mature, violent themes throughout. As this is a horror game, there will also be intense frightening content, so if any of the content listed here is offensive to you or you find it uncomfortable, please proceed at your own discretion.
Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. I will be referring to this game by the shortened title, Bridge Curse 2 for the sake of brevity. I have also previously covered the first game, which you can find (HERE).
Story – set within Wen Hua University, known for its ghost stories and unexplained disappearances. Within the halls of this institution, the university film club arranges the Carnival of Horror, with the haunted Da Ren building as the focal point. There is also a planned meeting with a reporter, who is trying to get an exclusive report on the mysteries of the university. However, as the clock strikes midnight, the true horrors of Wen Hua become apparent.
Gameplay – Bridge Curse 2 is a first person survival horror with cinematic elements. The player experiences the horrors of the haunted university, through the eyes of the four characters that are now trapped in a nightmare. During each chapter, the player will need to explore their surroundings, investigating the different environments to uncover the mysteries they hold. But the halls of the building become twisted, distorted by the hellish energy within.
As the player moves through each of the areas, they will find items scattered throughout which can be picked up. Examining these objects will give the player some background on them, providing details and clues to what is happening. There will also be interactive objects, often requiring something else to be fully used and these can push the story along. However, those who are trapped within the haunted grounds are not alone.
As the player makes their way through the different locations, the player will encounter the spirits trapped within the cursed Da Ren building. These ghosts pose a fatal risk to the player, as they can kill upon contact with the player. To survive the otherworldly beings that roam this place, the player must use stealth to avoid being detected. Sound will be made when moving, with running being the loudest and sneaking the quietest.
When trying to sneak around the ghouls, great care must be taken by the player due to the way that they roam the places they haunt. If the player is spotted by a spirit, they will be hunted until the player is able to find a hiding place. During some chapters, the character will be able to use the “Anima Lantern” a special relic that can protect the player. However, they will only be able to use it once before needing to recharge, and the charge rate is fairly slow.
Alongside the ghouls that hunt the player are “challenge” encounters, where the rules will change. These sections are different from the hunt segments, as the player will need to follow the rules to succeed. There will also be puzzles within some of these segments, which can increase the challenge further and potentially lead to disaster. Like the hunt sections, if the player fails the challenge or breaks the rules, they will be killed immediately.
The challenges aren’t the only area in this title that contain puzzles, as there are several area that require the player to solve objectives to proceed. These include working out combinations to locks, sliding puzzles and environmental challenges. During these sections, the threat to the player is lessened, allowing them to take their time and work out the solutions. Most puzzles are linked to the story, making them fairly cohesive to the experience.
As the different characters make their way through the nightmare, the player will discover clues and encounter echoes of the past. The “Anima Lantern” can be used to reveal clues, while also having the ability to dispel the darkness that may block the path. These clues will guide the player, but also provide hints to the hidden truths at the heart of the mystery. All of the discoveries are added to a collection, which is filled out as the game progresses.
Last to discuss is the cinematic element of the game. As the story pushes on, the player will come across other characters, spirits and even receive phone calls. When these events occur, a cutscene will occur taking away control from the player for a short time. These scenes can show events from different perspectives, giving further depth to scenes. However, there are some minor faults with dialogue at times, leading to lines being cut short.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to move onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.
Controls – in general for the controls for both releases work well. The movement and exploration controls are comfortable, with the game feeling responsive when handheld and on the big screen. All of the action inputs are laid out well, but be careful you don’t accidentally press the quick turn button, or you may quickly die in a chase. The Dualshock 4 and Pro Controller are the best suited for this game, as the travel of the Joy-Cons is a little shorter and may feel slower.
Difficulty – from a challenge perspective, this may be a little tough for those who don’t enjoy puzzles with their horror. This is due to the cryptic nature of some puzzles, it may be a relative stumbling block and deter some players. The chase sections and challenge encounters are also fairly tricky, with some sections potentially taking multiple attempts, which can be frustrating. Sadly, this is made worse by the long loading time between attempts, killing momentum.
Presentation – from a visual perspective, both games look pretty nice. Due to the hardware limitations of the Nintendo Switch, the textures and effects look a little fuzzy, but don’t impact the overall experience of the game. The cinematic sections for both games look polished, with mostly smooth animation, but it can be a little jerky. With both versions of the game, there are no issues with the performance, with zero issues when it comes to lag or frame rate drops.
The PlayStation version is visually better, as the render distance and time is also better, with there being a minor delay in some textures loading in. The sound is a bit of a mixed bag. There is a soundtrack that is well composed, with some haunting melodies that play during the adventure. But sadly that is where the positivity ends. There is English and Chinese VO, but the performances, especially the English feel a little stilted and can abruptly cut out.
Final Thoughts – I previously played the first game and enjoyed it, so I went into this one with some expectations. When I went into this I was expecting much of the same, but the developer took the existing framework and expanded it well. There have been many improvements over the last game, especially the inclusion of survival challenges and the “Anima Lantern”, which elevate the experience. I also enjoyed the interwoven narrative threads.
After playing both versions of the game, I will say that my preference for the big screen is the PlayStation 4. However, the gameplay experience is still consistent and enjoyable on the weaker Nintendo Switch. The textures may not be as high a quality on the System, and a few environmental elements may be omitted, but it plays as well as the more powerful platforms. This makes the switch version perfect for those who enjoy handheld horror.
I do have a few gripes with this release, like the unfortunate issues with the voice acting, the long loading times and awkward puzzles/chase segments. These flaws can lead to some potential frustrations from players, although they don’t completely ruin the experience. That being said, I will be recommending this game to horror fans, as it has all of the classic survival elements, a solid story and many mysteries to uncover.
In the end, I give The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication a final score of 4/5. This game takes all of the positives from the previous title, expanding the horror with new entities, challenges and an engrossing story, but sadly there are moments where the cinematic sequences fall a little flat, due to the performances from the voice actors. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game is below.
Overview – developed by Nihon Falcom and published by NIS America, Ys X: Nordics is the latest entry in the long running action RPG series set around the adventures of Adol Christin. As the young adventurer, explore the archipelago of Obelia Gulf, encountering a mysterious threat that could lead to devastating consequences for the islands. This title is available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch 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 NIS America for providing the copy of Ys X: Nordics 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 gameplay mechanics of Ys X, as I want to prevent spoiling any of the secrets and surprises that are contained within this adventure. I have also previously covered Ys IX: Monstrum Nox for the Nintendo Switch, which you can find (HERE).
Story – Adol Christin, a young adventurer from a small mountain village sets out on a journey to Celceta, accompanied by his friends Dogi and Dr. Flair. During the journey on a passenger ship through the Obelia Gulf, they encounter the Balta Seaforce, a band of Normans who control the waters they are sailing. After this encounter, Adol and his companions land at the town of Carnac where they get to know the residents.
Adol discovers a mysterious shell after hearing a voice call to him and is confronted by a strange immortal beast. While Adol is fighting this creature, he is imbued with the power of Mana from the shell, allowing him to slay the beast. After this unusual turn of events, Adol meets Karja, the “Pirate Princess” who shares the same power as Adol. The two become linked against their will and Adol learns of the undying “griegr”, leading to a new adventure to begin.
Gameplay – Ys X: Nordics is an action JRPG, with an emphasis on exploration and fast paced hack ‘n’ slash combat. This is combined with dungeon crawling, moderate puzzle solving and the partially automated action sequences. New to this entry is the inclusion of Sailing, where the player will be able to control a large ship, allowing for more expansive exploration. As the crew of the Sandras, Players can explore the Obelia Gulf as it expands during the adventure.
The game plays out over multiple chapters, with each act of the story having several objectives that tie into each other. At the start of the game, the player will only be able to control Adol, where the players will learn the basics of combat in the prologue. But as the narrative unfolds, players will be introduced to Karja, the secondary protagonist that is linked to Adol. These two form the Cross Action system, which replaces the traditional party from other games.
This Cross Action system is split into two specific styles of play, Solo and Duo Mode. While in Solo Mode, the player controls one half of the team (which can be switched freely) with the other acting independently, allowing both characters to attack enemies. In Duo mode, the active character will call the partner to their side, with both of them attacking in unison. This lets players deal massive damage to a target, which is especially useful against bosses.
While moving through the different areas, split into open exploration zones and dungeons, the player will encounter enemies. The Griegr are undying foes that can only be defeated by the player team, having taken over the different regions that the player can explore. These creatures come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on where they are found, with some common variants appearing across the world.
Both Adol and Karja have a simple combo string that can be used in Solo Mode, along with an aerial combo that can be used when in the air. The pair also have access to special attacks, using SP to perform them which will regenerate during the action. There are also special Mana Burst skills, which can be used for simple puzzle solving, such as creating frozen platforms and burning away thorns. In solo, players can also dash, letting them move at a higher speed.
Then there are Duo Mode actions, where the player can unleash a much higher amount of damage, with longer combo strings that the pair perform together. There are also unique special attacks, using a significant amount of SP with devastating results. The Duo Mode is the only way that players can guard attacks, with the deflected damage being added to the Revenge Gauge, which deals even more damage based on the multiplier that has been reached.
While engaged in battle, there will often be multiple enemies to dispatch, which is where the lock-on system comes into play. This lets players target a specific enemy, moving onto the next when defeated or manually switched. It is important to be aware of all enemies in the surrounding areas, as some are able to attack from a distance, or use status effects on the player. These effects include poison, paralysis and curse which is the most dangerous of them all.
The most common attacks that enemies will use are low damage, which can be easily avoided or blocked during battle. Then there are the more dangerous strikes, which must be defended against in specific ways. Attacks that are highlighted blue must be dashed through, with success leading to a powerful counter attack. Then there are the red strikes, which are devastating if they are not blocked. But take care in battle, as enemies can guard break in battle.
Players can also encounter enemies that are shielded, taking reduced damage until the shield on their health bar is broken. To effectively take the enemy shield down, the player can use special attacks that have the Break skill attached to them, dealing significant damage to shields. Some enemies can also regenerate their shields, extending the battle by needing another break to finish them off and make some progress.
At set points during each chapter, there will be powerful boss opponents that must be defeated to move on. These encounters are much more challenging compared to standard enemies, with the chance for defeat being higher. If either character is harmed, items like potions can be used to recover damage. If one is incapacitated, the other can revive them at the cost of half their health, but if both die the game is over, and the player must retry or load a save.
Defeated enemies will drop treasure and resources for players to collect, adding all that is dropped to the player inventory. These item parts can be used for crafting, which allows the player to improve their equipment and strengthen the team. Players can also discover treasure chests, scattered across the various islands of the Obelia Gulf. These boxes hold many rewards that will be very useful to the players during their quest.
Eliminating the undying Griegr will also give experience to the duo, levelling them up at set milestones and giving them increased abilities. But levelling isn’t the only way to make Adol and Karja more powerful. During the adventure, special Mana Seeds can be collected from chests, hidden treasure points and rewards for interacting with special rune stones. These items are very important, as they affect the duos combat capabilities.
There is a system called Release Lines, a segmented skill tree that is opened up as the duo levels up. The sections are called depths, with slots for Mana Seeds that are unlocked with Mana points. Filling the slots provide different benefits based on the seed used, allowing players to create different builds for Adol and Karja, unique from each other. New skills can also be unlocked when specific slots are opened, expanding the character capabilities further.
New weapons, armor and accessories can be collected during the adventure. Adol will wield a sword, with Karja using an Axe and Shield, which fit their unique combat styles and special skills. More powerful weapons will increase the ATK and BRK stats, damaging enemies and shields more effectively. Armor increases DEF and VIT, providing more damage mitigation and health. Accessories provide a host of benefits that can affect a variety of stats.
During the adventure, the player will be granted new special abilities, called Mana Actions. These mysterious powers, allow for previously unreachable areas to become open for exploration. Players will be able to obtain the power of the Mana String, a whip-like stream of Mana, letting the player swing across great gaps. There is also the Mana Ride skill, which lets players ride the Gullinboard across dangerous bodies of water, and more to be discovered.
Now, the player isn’t only restricted to travelling the Obelia Gulf on foot, as Adol and Karja helm the Sandras, a ship that was to be dismantled. This grand ship allows the team to cross the seas of the Obelia Gulf, separated into multiple regions that contain islands and landmarks to discover. At the helm of the ship, the player can sail across the waters, exploring within boundaries that gradually expand as the story moves along.
When sailing the ship, the player can manually adjust the speed or use the auto system, providing a more hands-off approach. If players want to reach their destination faster, they can activate the Mana Sail, granting a boost for a time. At the start, the player has only a single charge that charges up over time. Air currents will appear on the water, giving the Sandras an additional boost to acceleration and charging the Mana Sail faster.
There are three camera angles that players can use, including Dynamic mode, which puts the viewpoint behind the helm of the ship. During travel across the waters, enemy ships can be encountered that will engage the Sandras in battle. Take the battle to the Undying Fleet and sink their ships with cannonballs, shells and more. It is also possible to board some ships, starting wave based battles that provide rewards for wiping out the Griegr aboard.
Griegr will also occupy islands within the Obelia Gulf, which the player will be able to recapture and liberate from the undying control. These assaults on the Griegr strongholds are split into two stages, with the first being a sea battle, where beacons and enemy ships must be destroyed. Then there is the land battle, with a mini dungeon and a boss at the end. After completion, a rank and rewards will be earned based on performance of these repeatable missions.
The crew of the Sandras will start off small, but as the adventure progresses the player will rescue Griegr captives, who will join the ship and provide benefits. The player can step away from the helm of the Sandras and freely move around the ship, interacting with the crew and use the facilities. Though starting off small in the beginning, players can unlock access to crafting food and potions for use in battle, as well as merchants and other benefits.
Moving on, there is the island system which really makes this entry stand out. Throughout the Obelia Gulf, the player will encounter islands that they can disembark upon. These islands may be relatively small, with only a few areas that contain enemies and some treasures to obtain. However, there are several islands that will have a large enemy presence, or are settlements, where players can interact with the inhabitants and buy wares from the merchants.
Players can also obtain side quests while travelling through the regions, provided via letter from the raven Hugill, the crew of the Sandras when away from the helm and the island residents. These missions are optional and will provide a variety of rewards, so if players have time it is advised to take them on. There will also be crew conversations, where the different characters will talk to each other, offering some insight on different events that have occurred.
Last to discuss is the mysterious Viewpoint Isle, a mysterious isolated island that Adol will visit alone. The strange island exists in a time separate from the rest of the game world, with an old man who lives by himself. But this island isn’t as peaceful as it may seem, as Griegr roam the different areas of the strange land. These excursions will occur at key moments in the story, with each visit testing the capabilities of Adol and the Mana Actions he has obtained.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to cover the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.
Controls – the control scheme for this release is nice and comfortable during play, with the action flowing smoothly with zero lag. I had the occasional hiccup during play, as I mixed up the hotkeys for SP skills and dodge/dash, but it didn’t ruin the gameplay experience. Luckily, there are on screen displays for some key actions, as well as tutorials to refresh players. The only issue I had was some awkwardness with the sailing controls, which felt a little clunky at times.
Difficulty – there is a total of 5 difficulty options, ranging from Easy to Nightmare and Inferno. The lower end of the difficulty scale offers a more relaxed experience, focusing on the story rather than the heat of battle. Then there is the Hard option which is the recommended option for fans of Ys, and finally Nightmare and Inferno are the most brutal challenges. There is also an assist system for combat on both land and sea, which can help players that may struggle.
Presentation – from a visual perspective, this game is very pleasing to the eye, with an anime style to the overall presentation that is present throughout. The character designs for both the 3D models, along with the drawn portraits work well, filling the different characters with life. There is a Norse/European look to the game world, taking inspiration from the real world Viking and Norman people. There is also a heavy use of Norse mythology in this setting.
The use of Nordic theming extends not only to the visuals, but elements of the music can be attributed to traditional Norse compositions. The overall soundtrack is balanced well, with calm and ambient compositions, contrasting well with the intense and fast paced tracks. There is both English and Japanese voice over, with the dub cast featuring the talents of Cherami Leigh (Dorohedoro), Micha Solusod (Soul Eater) and Anairis Quinones (My Hero Academia).
Final Thoughts – Ys has been one of the longest running franchises in gaming, launching all the way back in 1987, with a legacy of quality and engaging narrative behind it. I can say that this experience is another solid step forward, upholding the legacy surrounding it. I was fully invested in the narrative throughout my time playing it, with the character interactions further elevating it. The action flows smoothly, offering a satisfying and reactive combat experience.
There was a single flaw I had with the game, which was the slightly cumbersome sailing. It started off a little rocky, but got better the more I played and I found the sea battles to be a lot of fun. I very much enjoyed the Duo system, with the two playable characters playing off each other very well. There is so much to love about this game, with the whole package tied together perfectly. I have no issue with recommending this game to everyone, even if you have never played Ys before.
In the end, I give Ys X: Nordics a final score of 4.75/5. This is a fantastic action RPG and another excellent entry in the Ys franchise, offering an engaging narrative, solid utilization of real world inspirations and fresh gameplay mechanics, elevating the experience and making it stand out on its own. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.
Overview – developed and published by MaidsWithGuns, S. Prysm Destroyer is a 2.5D Platform run and gun shooter, where players control a giant mech to destroy the creatures that threaten humanity. As the mech pilot Amor, control the Prysm Destroyer and eliminate the Primordial beasts, which have forced the remnants of humanity to live in domed sanctuaries. This title is currently available exclusively for steam, with a link to the game at the bottom of the review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank the rep who provided the copy of S. Prysm Destroyer that was used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of the review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. This title is light on plot, so I will be moving directly onto discussing the gameplay for this release.
Gameplay – S. Prysm Destroyer is a score focused platform shooter, with an action style that is reminiscent of Contra, with fast paced action and 8 way directional shooting. As the mighty mecha, the player can run, jump, use a jet pack and shoot through a series of stages that loop with ever increasing difficulty. The objective of each stage is to reach the goal, destroying the beasts that appear, while avoiding the hazards and obstacles of each level.
The action plays out in standard run and gun style, with the player running left and right, and being able to blast enemies with reckless abandon. The player starts each stage with a standard rapid fire blaster, allowing the player to shoot and aim as they run. However, the player is unable to shoot directly down or diagonally down in motion, going prone instead. To remedy this, the player can use the aim button, locking them in place to aim in all 8 directions.
As the player makes their way through each zone, they will encounter enemies that appear above and below them. Players are able to shoot through thin platforms, allowing players to strike enemies from a safer position, but enemies can also fire through these platforms. As the player is platforming, they will be able to jump through and drop down from the thin platforms, allowing for a lot of mobility during a run in the game.
During a run, the player will be able to collect power-ups by destroying boxes and enemies. These upgrades are temporary, lasting only a limited time as the on screen icons fade out. The items that can be collected include even faster rapid fire, spread shot and additional turrets to kill enemies faster. There are also health upgrades that can be collected, restoring damage taken for a limited time, alongside shields that nullify damage temporarily.
What separates this release from others in the genre is the inclusion of permadeath. Players have a single life to clear as many stages as possible, with the run ending when the meter is depleted. The player will get a results screen when a run ends, showing their score, stage reached and time spent playing with the highest score added to the leaderboards. Players can also unlock costumes for Amor to wear, which she will show off during the game.
The last thing to discuss is the special “gimmick for this release. During the course of a run, the player will encounter glowing gems, which will activate a temporary ultimate state, with an animation of Amor and Prysm Destroyer together. These states grant the player a special weapon for the duration, consisting of a flaming Katana, a frost thrower and lightning guitar. These three powers really knock the gameplay up a notch and really make it stand out.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.
Controls – this release has an arcade style to the controls, offering players a quick and easy pick up shooter. The game uses a three button input system, with the jump/jetpack, shooting and aim lock buttons laid out pretty easily, with responsive inputs that are very snappy. The game supports keyboard inputs, but the recommended way to play the game is via controller, with steam offering a variety of supported controllers.
Difficulty – S. Prysm Destroyer is a tough game and I don’t think there is an end point, as it appears the game will just loop stages with increasingly tougher enemies. The damage that enemy attacks will deal to the player will increase the further players get, with different colors signifying their power. This goes from white all the way up to gold, which is the max I reached before I hit a wall. It takes a while, but when you get in the groove you can go far.
Presentation – there is a low poly style to the game, with chunky models with an old style screen filter over the top, giving the feel like the action is observed through a monitor. This gives the game a retro sci-fi shooter style, which is further enhanced when combined with the sprite work for Amor that appears on the screens HUD. The sound is nicely done, with some exciting music and some minimal voice work. I really liked the touch that the thunder guitar power added.
Final Thoughts – this is a fantastic run and gun shooter, which I discovered through social media and I was happy to take the opportunity to check it out. I will say that it may be a little difficult for players, with a little bit of jank here and there, but it is a fun time. I spent several hours playing the game, and climbing all the way to the no2 spot on the global leaderboards. This was satisfying, as I saw my progress and skills increasing the more I played the game.
There is also the rewarding costuming system, which I was able to unlock over half of them, with some of them just out of my reach at my current skill. But, I plan on returning to the game to get the rest of them. This is also a good title for those who are looking for a solid challenge, with speedrunning rewards available. The fast paced action, challenging gameplay and easy to play nature make this a super easy recommendation for me to make.
In the end, I give S. Prysm Destroyer a final score of 5/5. This is an excellent platforming shooter, with fast paced chaotic action, a rewarding gameplay loop and plenty of content in a modest package, making for an easy to pick up game that is lots of fun, all for a really low cost of admission. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to the game is below. There has also been an announced release for the Nintendo Switch coming in the future.
Overview – developed and published by Edia Co, Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection hits the steam platform, offering players the first three titles in the legendary side scrolling series. As the hero Yuko Asou, become the Valis Warrior and stop the evil ambitions that seek to destroy the earth, land of the spirits and the dream world. This version of the game is exclusively available for the Steam Platform, with a link to the release at the bottom of the review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Acttil for providing the copy of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection 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. As this is a compilation release, I will be discussing each of the titles on their own, with a segment discussing details of the plot and general game feel. Also, this release has the individual games separated as roms, allowing players to pick and choose which game they want, with a free launcher to run them as a front end.
Valis: The Fantasm Soldier – 1992
This is the first title, starting the series off with a bang. The player takes the role of Yuko Asou, a Japanese teen schoolgirl who has been chosen to wield the mystical Valis sword, becoming the Valis Warrior. As the legendary hero, she must protect the Earth, Land of Spirits and Dream World, which are being threatened by the demon lord. During her journey to combat this threat, Yuko must run, jump and slash through the enemies that get in her way.
The game is a side scrolling action platformer, where the player controls Yuko, moving her through each stage and fighting the enemies that appear with her sword. She can run, jump, slash and slide to get past the many obstacles in her way. Enemies will appear and attack the player, with Yuko needing to strike them down with her sword to get past them. These enemies will often take 1 or two hits to defeat but some will need more to take them down.
The player has a standard attack, which is a simple sword swipe, but by destroying emblems that appear in stages weapon power-ups can be found. These upgrades will give the player access to new attacks, including energy balls and a crescent slash. Picking up these items will replace the current power that players are using, making it important to hold onto the power players want. The power-ups that are present have letters assigned to them, making them easy to see.
During exploration, the player will be able to collect items like health ups and extra lives. These items will be scattered through the stages, with some of them being hidden in plain sight and others in areas that appear just out of reach. These bonus items are rewarding to find, acting as an incentive for players to look all around stages as they make their way through them. But be aware that time is ticking down so don’t take too long to search for hidden items.
Players can also use magic, which will provide special protections and abilities to help take down enemies much easier. At the end of each stage, the player will encounter a boss that will try to kill the player with an array of attacks, which will quickly drain Yuko’s health. The boss enemies will have varied attack patterns, which can deal a lot of damage, making them the toughest sections of the game. If the player survives the battle, Yuko will gain upgraded abilities.
Last for this entry is the cinematic scenes. During the course of the game, the player will see cinematic scenes that tell the story of Valis. However, the only disappointing thing about this is that the cutscenes are entirely in Japanese, with no apparent option for subtitles. This makes it difficult to enjoy these moments, with a single viewing being more than enough for those who want to experience all of the first game.
Valis II – 1989
Like its predecessor, this title is a side scrolling action platformer, with the warrior of Valis, Yuko, returing to battle another demon lord and save the realms again. Taking up her sword again, Yuko sets off on her quest battling monsters across a series of challenging platform stages, all framed in with animated anime style cutscenes. This title came before the PC-Engine Super CD version of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier, so the cutscenes are of a lower quality.
The gameplay loop is the same as the previous title, with the player moving through each stage, jumping from ledge to ledge and battling enemies. At the start of the stage, the player has a sword attack, with an energy ball projectile as standard. However as the player makes their way through the game, they will be able to pick up more powerful attacks, like rockets and wave slashes. When picking up a new power, the previous will be replaced.
Players can also collect upgrades for their character, increasing the overall strength, health and defence for Yuko. These power-ups appear during stages, which are less open than the previous game, keeping the player on a fairly linear path. When these are collected there are some visual elements that will change, like expanding the health bar and numbers next to attack powers. Players can also collect magic which is extremely powerful, but limited in its uses.
At the end of each stage, the player will encounter big boss opponents which are signalled with an on screen warning before the battle starts. The health for the boss appears on screen below Yuko’s, which is very helpful for players. The last thing to mention is the outfit changes, during the course of the adventure, Yuko will gain new armor which will change her overall appearance. This appears to have little impact, but is a good narrative plot point.
Valis III – 1991
After her last battle, a long time has passed and things seem to be peaceful. However, a new threat arises with the Dark World ruler, Glames at its core, who has been taking other worlds to keep his own alive. Trying to stop this, Cham a girl from the resistance against the ruler enters Yuko’s world, stealing the Valis Sword in hopes of stopping the dark king. But Yuko catches up and retrieves her sword, but with this turn of events a new adventure begins.
Following in the same style as the previous games, Valis III is a side scrolling action platformer, where players must battle their way through each stage. Yuko has a health meter and magic meter on screen, along with a sword that fills up between attacks. This sword meter determines the power of attacks that players can use, with the player unable to perform rapid strikes, which slows down the flow of action and making it more tactical.
Like the other games, players can also use magic attacks, which can be collected by destroying red markers. As magic is used, the player will deplete their MP and it must be replenished by collecting green gems, found by breaking the red markers. Players can also find attack upgrades, which will increase the length of the sword, allowing Yuko to perform stronger attacks in succession. These attack increases and magic powers last until the player is defeated.
This title has a heavy focus on platforming, with an increase in the pitfalls that are in stages, requiring players to slide to cross gaps or use the high jump ability. These sections increase the challenge, leading to a quick death if players are not careful. Just like the other games, there will be boss battles at the end of each stage, where the player is locked into a battle to the death. These battles can be fairly quick if players effectively use their magic power.
Between stages, there will be animated and voiced cutscenes, which are an improvement over the Valis II animations and closer to those of the first game (which was released last). There are also dialogue scenes that will occur during stages, with a text box that shows up on screen. The last thing to discuss, is the inclusion of two additional playable characters that can are added alongside Yuko, who will be added to as the narrative progresses.
Each of the playable characters have their own unique skills and magical abilities, with Yuko using her Valis sword and projectile attack. Then we have Cham, who is first to join the team, who has a long reaching whip attack unaffected by the power bar. Finally we have Valna, who is armed with a staff that can fire projectiles, but they are lower in power. The player can freely switch between characters, giving a greater level of strategy to the gameplay.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to move onto the other aspects of this release, starting with the overall package.
General Package – as this is a compilation, the games use a launcher, which is available for free and acts as a front end for the games. Then the games are available separately as DLC, allowing players to pick and choose which titles they want to add to their collection. The games in the collection also come with manuals and galleries, which can be located through the launcher, with videos playing in the PC media player and manuals as PDFs.
There is also the option for players to purchase a dedicated Artbook and Soundtrack as DLC, providing players with a collection of materials to peruse at their own leisure. These additions are a nice touch, as the soundtracks, visual assets and more that have been included in the bonus packages are a great touch for fans who want a little more. Both the Artbook and the Soundtrack can be viewed from the launcher front end.
Controls – in general the games control very well, but can feel a little slow to those who have not played Valis before. There is also the option for keyboard inputs, as well as controllers supported by steam controller profiles, allowing for players to enjoy the games however they want. This is most useful with devices like the steam deck, or other PC based handheld systems, with the ability to remap all of the inputs from the menus.
Difficulty – these are challenging games, which require a little skill to get through. If the player dies during any of the games, they will lose progress and will be sent to a checkpoint, but if all lives are lost the player can continue from the start of the stage. There has been some quality of life additions made to the games, which allow players to be able to make their way through each adventure a little easier. These are fairly simple, being a rewind and save/load states.
Presentation – the titles in this release look just as they did on the PC-Engine Super CD, which is nice as they maintain the aspect ratio of the screen at the cost of black bars. This can make some parts of the games look a little odd, but everything is nice and clear. For those who want it, players can increase the render resolution. The sound has been emulated perfectly, with all music and dialogue in cutscenes being nice and clear during play of each game.
Final Thoughts – I have known about Valis for many years, originally playing Super Valis IV on the SNES and the Mega Drive (Genesis) versions of the other games. So I was very excited to be able to get my hands on this collection. I can happily say I was not disappointed with this package, as all three games included in the collection are good fun and enjoyable to play. The bonus materials of manuals and galleries is a fantastic touch.
This is a solid collection, offering players the chance to experience the classic magical girl series, with the only downside being the lack of English translation for the first Valis title. The quality of this game, gives me hope that the other games in the collection gets released in the future. I have no issue with recommending this collection of games to anyone and everyone, the only thing I feel that may put players off is the way games are released as DLC.
In the end, I give Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection a final score of 4.5 out of 5. This is a solid collection of magical girl action titles, offering players a chance to experience an overlooked series, which has been locked to the dead hardware and the Nintendo Switch. If you want to check this package out for yourself, a link to the collection will be below.
Overview – developed by Ratalaika Games in collaboration with TOZAI games and IREM, with publishing by ININ games digitally, Volume 2 of the IREM collection blasts its way into the future with three titles coming to modern consoles. This collection of three titles have been locked on expired hardware for 30 years, with this being the first time two of them have left arcades. This release is available on all console platforms, with a link to each version of the title 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 IREM Collection Vol.2 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. As this is a compilation release, I will be covering the feel of the individual games in chronological order, then move onto discussing the overall package of this release. I have also previously covered the first volume of the IREM collection, which you can find (HERE).
Air Duel – Arcade 1990 (Japan)
This title is a vertical shooter where the player must blast their way through 7 stages, blowing away the enemy forces that try to blast the player craft. At the start of a stage, the player will be able to select their craft between a jet fighter and helicopter. The jet fighter fires straight ahead, starting with a single shot. The helicopter fires thinner shots that have lower power, but can be aimed by moving the craft left and right.
Both aircraft have the ability to drop bombs, destroying all that they make contact with, as well as the shots by the enemy. These bombs are limited, with the only way to get more is to collect them from destroyed enemies, or by the player getting shot down. Enemies can also drop power-ups, which will provide the player with an increase to their shot power. Which will be lost if the player craft gets taken down by an enemy shot.
Enemies will try to swarm the player, with heavy artillery in the background trying to take the player out of the air. Most enemies can be taken down quite easily, with a single shot doing the job for the majority of foes. However, there will also be enemies that take substantially more shots to be eliminated, especially the end of stage bosses which are pretty resilient. If the player is fulfils special conditions, they will challenge a second run of the game at a higher difficulty.
This run and gun puts the player in the position of a gun fighter, who has parachuted into hostile territory to take down the alien threat to Mother Earth. This is an eight way directional shooter, similar to the Konami series Contra, with the player being able to run and shoot in all directions. The game takes place over multiple missions, with the player blasting away the army of the invaders that will swarm the player.
As the player makes their way through the stages, they will encounter large enemy vehicles like choppers, tanks and armored vehicles. The large mobile artillery can be destroyed if the player hits them with enough shots. There is also allied vehicles that appear, allowing players to board them and use their mounted weapons for a time. These vehicles are limited in their use, with damage being taken by them and forcing the player to disembark.
The player can find weapons dropped along the battlefield, with different weapon types that can be picked up. These include auto fire heavy weapons, explosives and fire, which last until the ammunition in the weapon pick up expires. Additional weaponry can be collected, but the existing gun will be replaced which makes for an interesting tactical option. Players can also collect more ammo for their guns, extending the use a little longer.
Alongside the running and gunning are platform segments, where the player will climb rocky cliffs, ladders and cross dangerous environments. These are challenging areas, as the player must keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, as there are deadly pitfalls in these areas. At the end of each mission, the player will encounter challenging boss fights. In these battles, the player must not only deal with the boss, but also swarms of enemies that will spawn in.
There are some significant differences between the arcade and home versions of GunForce. This is evident in the length of the game, as the Console version has a severely truncated gameplay experience, with an entire stage of the game being removed. The camera also behaves rather oddly, with the player being able to run into the edge, rather than being in the center which can lead to repeated death. These flaws and differences, makes for a less than enjoyable port.
GunForce II/GeoStorm – 1994 Arcade (Japan/World)
This follow up to the first GunForce is often seen as the predecessor to Metal Slug, the legendary military style shooter series from SNK and Nazca Corporation. In this release the player takes on another invading force, with the players taking the roles of Max and Lei. These soldiers must run and gun their way through 5 missions, where they will battle soliders, aliens and more as they make their way through a post-apocalyptic setting.
To make this game stand out from the previous title, the player dual wields weapons being able to cover two of the eight directions that players can fire in. As the player moves, they will encounter endless streams of enemies, which will need the player to stay on their toes or they will die in seconds. Thankfully, the player can run, jump and climb across the different missions, with the player being able to use parts of the stages to their advantage.
At the end of each stage, the player will encounter large dangerous enemies, which will be able to easily destroy the player during the encounters with them. These battles will put the player in a dangerous position, where the player must destroy a weak point to take them down. There will also be sections that function like mid stage bosses, with the player needing to destroy large enemies in order to progress onto the next section.
Like the previous game, this title also includes weapon upgrades and vehicles that the player can find. The weapon upgrades will improve the main weapon that the player holds for a limited time, lasting until the ammo runs out or the player dies. Then there are the vehicles, which the player will be able to ride until they break down or reach a set point. The vehicles will change between stages, but all of them will have mounted weapons.
New to this game are female POWs that can be rescued by the player and medals to collect. For all of the medals and rescues that are successful, the player will gain bonuses at the end of a stage. When the player clears a stage, they will receive bonus points and at different medal milestones, the player will rank up, with 7 different rankings. Unlike the other games in this collection, this title will also loop indefinitely, allowing for massive scores to be achieved.
Now with the gameplay for each title covered, it is time to move onto the other aspects of this package, starting with the additional features of the package.
New Features – for this collection, there are two game modes for each game, with a casual and classic mode. In casual mode, players will be able to rewind gameplay, use cheats, make save states and modify the game settings. The classic mode however, gives players a single credit to get the best possible score they can, adding it to the rankings when it is over. This allows all players to have an experience that fits their own style of play.
Controls – the controls for all of the games in this collection are carried over very well, with no issues when it comes to lag or delay. It will be possible for players to adjust all of their inputs, allowing for a variety of controllers to be used when playing the game. It is also possible for players to play the game with a single Joy-Con, letting players enjoy the game with another player at home or on the go. I do recommend using an arcade stick for these games, for an authentic experience.
Difficulty – all of the games are pretty tough, as they were designed for players to pump coins into the machines when they were originally released. All of the games are super tough, pushing the players to the limits of their skills as they try to make it through the hail of bullets. Thankfully the arcade titles have the ability to implement unlimited credits, with multiple difficulty settings that can be set. For those who struggle, the cheats can help them make it to the end.
Presentation – all of the visuals and sound have been brought over well, with the feel being as close to original hardware as possible. This means that any slowdown or stutter present in the original will be there, which is especially evident in GeoStorm/GunForce II where the slowdown occurs early on. These games still look and sound good in motion, sadly the console version of GunForce falls flat. For those who want it, there are also filters and settings to change how the games look.
Final Thoughts – I enjoyed the first volume of the IREM collection, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on this as I was aware of the links to GunForce and Metal Slug. I jumped into this expecting a pretty basic set of games, but they were enjoyable and the action was pretty fast paced. However, I was a little disappointed with the SNES/SFC version of GunForce, as it felt incomplete and a rather low quality port. But the overall package was satisfying.
The additional features for casual/challenge game modes, filters and cheats was a nice choice, which makes it easy for players to get to the end of the games and make the most of the experiences. If you are a fan of run and gun titles, then this will be for you and makes it easy to recommend this game. It is a nice collection of classic titles, which are just as they were when originally released, just be aware that the slowdown is how they were made and not the emulation.
In the end, I give IREM Collection VOL. 2 a final score of 4/5. This is a good collection of action shooter titles, offering a nice selection of games, offering two good platform shooters and a vertical SHMUP, which will satisfy the needs of those who are looking for action packed shooters. If you want to check this release out for yourself, a link to each version of the title is below.
W.Kohaku Media 