Zombie Soup – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Aeonsparx Interactive and published by Astrolabe Games, Zombie Soup is a twin stick shooter with a top-down/isometric perspective. As the unlikely hero Ricky, battle your way through the zombie hordes that infest a mysterious town, helping the people trapped there. This title is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and PC 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 Astrolabe Games for providing the copy of Zombie Soup used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has no influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts an 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 that I will only be discussing the core features of this title, this is to prevent spoiling the gameplay experience.

Story – while on a graduation trip, Ricky winds up in a mysterious town and encounters a girl named Ashley. After following her to try and learn more about her, he finds himself in an unexpected situation, the town is infested with monsters and zombies. Now he must find a way to rescue the girl, the rest of the survivors and find out the secrets that the talking head MC Skully is hiding during this bizarre adventure.

Gameplay – this title is a twin stick shooter, where the player takes the role of the hero Ricky. As Ricky navigate the various locations of the town, fighting monsters and completing quests. During the opening stretch, the game will teach players all of the basics, with a fairly in-depth tutorial that eases players into the experience. After this, the game will start proper and throw players into the chaos of the zombie outbreak.  

The core of the gameplay loop is broken down into several distinct mechanics. The first is exploration, where the player moves around the different settings of the town, with the first big area being Henry’s bar. This location is the perfect introduction for players to get into the experience, as new elements will be added gradually over time. The town is a dangerous place, with hazards and monsters throughout.

While navigating the bar (and other locations), the player will move between the different zones that are separated into floors. Each floor will often have multiple rooms to explore, with the risk of zombies spawning when they are first entered. However, the zombies aren’t the only thing that poses a risk to the player during their quest. There will also be monsters that can cause negative effects on the player, like slowing and poison.

To battle the hordes of the undead, the player has access to four types of weapon. The first is the primary, this type of weapon has unlimited ammo and is broken into different classes. The player starts with a pistol, with the ability to unlock different classes and upgraded weapons over time. Then there are the special weapons, which are dropped by killing zombies. These range from a nail gun and baseball launcher, to a lightning blaster and flame thrower.

Alongside the ballistic arsenal, there are also complimentary weapons that the player has access to. There are melee weapons that players can use to knock enemies back, with the potential to stun them when charged up. Then we have the grenades, which have a maximum number of 10, but more can be collected. The player can also use a dodge roll to avoid attacks from enemies, but be careful as this and the melee weapon uses stamina.

There will also be hazards that the player will need to navigate, including spikes and pitfalls. These elements introduce puzzle solving mechanics that players will need to overcome. To bypass pitfalls, players will need to move boxes and push them into the holes to cross them. Then there are the spikes, which can be avoided by the player using their dodge roll. All of these hazards pose a deadly risk to the player, so caution must be exercised when exploring.

At set points in the game, the player will encounter boss enemies that will pose a severe risk to the player. These bosses will block the progress of the player, keeping them from moving on until they are defeated. There will be many bosses for the player to fight, with some of them having extremely powerful attacks, which have the potential to wipe out the player. The bosses won’t be the only thing that the player needs to get past to progress though.

Throughout the game, there will be missions that the player will need to complete to make it through the adventure. These missions will range from finding a person, to wiping out waves of enemies that attack. These missions, along with the bosses will unlock doors for the player to get further in their quest to save the girl. There will be a marker on screen, for players to keep track of their objectives in each of the missions.

Scattered throughout the town are collectibles to find, with several in each of the chapters. There will also be challenges for players to take on, with a variety of objectives, like using a specific weapon or kill a set amount of enemies. These missions will provide new weapons for the player to purchase, using credits that have been earned from battling the zombies. Speaking of weapons, there is a system in place to improve firepower.

At set points in the town and buildings, there will be refrigerators that the player can access and have several features to use. These are Save to record progress, travel to warp between fridges, rest to recover lost health and the most important feature, Loadout. By using the loadout feature of the fridges, the player can change their weapons up. The weapons are separated by class, with options for each type, along with special skills that can power up the player.

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

Controls – as this is a top down shooter, there is a twin stick system for moving the player and aiming weapons. This works quite well, but can be a little awkward with the Joy-Cons, due to the reduced travel of the sticks. The weapons and attacks are laid out well, using the triggers/shoulders for attacks effectively. The extra functions tied to the face and D-pad are easy to use, with the overall layout being fairly comfortable to play the game.

Difficulty – this can be quite a tough game, with no options in terms of difficulty adjustment, which can be a frustration at times. This is most prevalent during the big boss battles, as these enemies can wipe the player out in just a few seconds, with some having instant kill attacks. In an attempt to compensate for this, there is a system for auto fire and auto aim, but this sadly doesn’t reduce the brutal difficulty of boss encounters in this release.

Presentation – the visual style of this title has an exaggerated look to it, with the characters having big heads in proportion to a smaller body. This is contrasted by the intentionally ugly monsters and vibrant colors. The cutscenes are well animated and tell the story of the game well, with voiced dialogue that has a bit of a B-Movie feel to it that enhances the game. The music used for the game compliments the visuals and setting well, making for a cohesive overall presentation.

Final Thoughts – I very much enjoy the twin stick shooter genre, which made me excited to get to grips with this title. I can say that I was pleasantly surprised with the overall package, as I very much enjoyed the way that the story plays out and the pacing of the gameplay. There are moments of chaos with enemies swarming the player, which is frantic and a lot of fun to take part in, with the cutscenes giving the game a B-Movie feel to it.

I can recommend this title to players who enjoy tough top down shooters, but I don’t think it will be for everyone due to the punishing difficulty. This game is extremely challenging, with brutally difficult boss battles that can annihilate the player if they are not prepared. There is a level of frustration that can be caused with this level of challenge, as players may want to give up if they constantly get killed.

In the end, I give Zombie Soup a final score of 4/5. This is an entertaining and challenging top down shooter, featuring ludicrous monsters to fight, a variety of crazy weapons to use and a wild story with all the hallmarks of 80s/90s low budget zombie flicks. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to Epic version (HERE)

Oni Academy – PC Preview

Hello! It is time for another hands-on preview of a game that is currently in development for Steam platforms. I was provided with access to the Alpha build of Oni Academy, an upcoming action adventure title from developer L96 Games and publisher RE:Code. This coverage will discuss the key gameplay mechanics of the game, along with my personal thoughts during my time with this title.

Disclaimer: before I get into the preview, I want to thank RE:Code for providing the key for Oni Academy used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this coverage, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the preview. I will be covering the current version of the game that I have access to, with all of the gameplay elements I experienced during my time with the Alpha build that was provided.

Premise – Oni Academy is an action adventure, with action RPG style combat, where the player takes the role of an Oni hunter recruit. The Academy is a special place where those who reside there hunt deadly demons, exorcising them from the earth. As the missions get more complex, the demons will get more powerful, making each excursion deadlier than the last. There are also dungeons that can be explored to hunt the supernatural.

Gameplay – this title feels like a mix between action RPG and roguelike, where the objective is to exorcise the demons and spirits that are wandering the different locations. When starting the game, the player can create their own demon hunter, building them from a relatively robust selection of outfits and hairstyles. This is where the character class can be selected too, several options to choose from fitting various archetypes.

The different classes that are available include swordsman, gunslinger and sorcerer, with all of the classes having their own traits that make them distinct. These classes all have their own set of equipment and accessories tied to them, adding some flair to the basic set-ups that can be chosen. When character creation has completed, the game starts proper and the player gets taken to the academy where various NPC characters are located.

While in the academy main hall, there are two noticeboards that can be activated. These noticeboards can be used to begin missions and accept quests, with a time limit tied to each of them made up of a set number of days. When the player selects a mission, they are immediately taken to the site of the exorcism. During an exorcism, the player must explore the environment, taking photos and investigating the different phenomena that occur during the mission.

Once the investigation reaches a set point, the target demon will appear and attack. In order to exorcise the demonic presence, the demon must be stunned by using weapon talismans that the player is equipped with. When enough damage has been dealt to the target, they can be exorcised entirely through use of the binding talisman. Once the mission has been completed, the player will earn rewards and a performance review before returning to the academy.

By clearing missions and increasing the grade for the character, new locations can be unlocked for the player to investigate. These locations will have new enemies to fight and environments to explore. This is augmented by a system of procedurally generation, which gives each of the missions a unique layout. The use of randomly made stages allows for an infinite number of possibilities, adding a tremendous amount of replay value to this experience. 

Aside from the standard missions, there is a dungeon system where players can challenge different special locations, with endless floors that can be explored. During excursions to these dungeons, the player will encounter swarms of demons, hell bent on annihilating the player. There will also be chests that can be found, containing treasures and resources which can be used at the academy. At different points, the player can drop to the next floor.

When moving between floors, the challenge will increase with stronger and stronger enemies appearing to try and kill the player. This is where the majority of quests can be completed, with different quests having special targets that must be taken down at a set point. The player needs to exercise caution however, as it is very easy to get swarmed and taken down by enemies. When this happens in dungeons (and missions) the player will be kicked back to the academy.

The flow of combat itself feels a little odd, as attacks need to be charged and cast in order to use them, which tries to make it strategic, but sadly makes it feel repetitive quickly. There is a lack of variety in the way that attacks feel, which unfortunately harms the experience. While there is some variety in terms for melee and ranged attacks, the uniform nature of how they are performed makes the choice of class more aesthetic than anything.

Aside from the talisman skills and attacks, there are also basic defensive skills that can be employed but currently don’t have the best utility. These are the kick, which can knock back some of the Oni and the dodge roll, which can be useful when being attacked or if the player is swarmed. These do add a little more depth to the overall combat experience, but need to be polished a little more to be effective for intensive use as the stamina cost is way too high at earlier levels.

When the player is in the academy there are new talismans that can be bought from the vendors, with the ability to equip them to add some limited customization to attacks. This is alongside the ability to level up the talismans and make them stronger during play, which reduces their cast time and increases their damage. In terms of versatility, the investigation tools mix up the gameplay loop a little, giving unique tools like the camera and detectors that can be used.

Going back to the rewards system, there is money, experience and items that can be collected. The money is used for purchases, the experience will level the player up, increasing their grade and the items can be used in battle or crafting. When crafting, the player can use resources to power up talismans, strengthening them and increasing their level of power. The crafting requires different amounts of resources depending on the level.

The money earned is used to purchase different items from the various merchants that make the academy their home. These items mostly consist of Talismans and outfit parts, which can be equipped while in the living quarters, letting the player switch their look up on the fly. While players can access Talismans from different classes, how effective they are in combat is affected by the proficiency that is tied to the class of the character.

The last thing to discuss is the leveling system. As the player clears missions and explores the dungeons, they will gain experience, increasing their level grade and provide improvements to abilities, with points to increase health and stamina. The player will also unlock new places to explore, in and out of the academy. The rate of advancement in terms of level is based on the choices made by players, as different missions provide different amounts of experience.

If players want to advance quickly, then the best choice is to pick the tougher missions and quests, which provide the highest amount of experience. However, these challenges have a higher risk for failure, meaning the lower experience missions are preferred for those who want an easier experience. But the offset to the reduced difficulty requires more missions to be cleared, which can make the overall gameplay experience a bit of a grind for easier missions/quests.

Now with the core gameplay experience covered, I want to discuss the overall feel of the experience in terms of controls, difficulty and presentation.

Game Feel – the overall feel of the gameplay is a little mixed, as the general character movement is snappy and responsive, with good movement when using a controller. However, this is in contrast to the rather sluggish combat, which is due to the way that attacks have to charge between attacks. This makes for an awkward gameplay experience during intense combat sequences, which can take a little time to get used to.

The investigation hotkeys when using a controller can be a little clumsy, due to needing to hold a button to bring up a selection wheel first. This isn’t an issue when playing with mouse and keyboard, as there are dedicated hotkeys for these items. There is a nice general feel to the mouse/keyboard controls, which is as comfortable as a controller, but still has that slower feel with combat. Either control method will work, but use will depend on personal preference.

The progression system does have a satisfying feel to it, with the leveling and upgrade mechanics adding a good amount of depth. It can be a bit of a grind during play, but this is mitigated by choosing the challenges that provide better rewards. There is one rather significant issue I faced with the game, which was that the visuals are very dark, making it difficult to see in most areas, but this may be due to the hardware I used.

This low level of vision may be an attempt to build atmosphere within the different spaces, which does work during the investigative phases, but can be a detriment in dungeons. To counteract this, the lantern and flashlight tools do brighten the areas up significantly, but there are still some areas that need polish. Overall, the visual elements and issues didn’t sour my experience, as I had quite a fairly positive time while playing.

The biggest issue with this however, is the severe spikes in difficulty when trying to take on the dungeon quests. As there is no map that can be used due to the procedurally generated zones, it can be very difficult to navigate and get swarmed by enemies. This is made worse by the random nature of enemy spawns, as they can appear out of nowhere in large numbers, wiping the player out in mere seconds. I found this to be frustrating but it can be improved.

Final Thoughts – as a proof of concept, Oni Academy is something that has a lot of potential and promise. It is in a rough shape now, but as it is in alpha with an estimated release date of 2024, I have hope that it can live up to the potential on show. The gameplay loop is different from the norm and has room for improvement and refinement. The combat is a little jarring due to the casting system, which takes some getting used to but can be adjusted to easily.

The investigation and exorcism missions have a tense atmosphere to them, with very good sound design and effects, but they lose a little impact due to visibility. This may be due to the hardware I have, so personal experience may vary. That being said, the way that the missions played out is something new to me, as I have not experienced a title that uses investigative mechanics like this. The overall experience I had was positive, despite my grievances.

There is a solid groundwork here for a good action RPG title, with plans to expand the game into a full multiplayer experience. This has all of the foundations done right, with a lot of content on offer for players, offering endless replay value with a low barrier of entry. The upgrade system and rewards are satisfying to earn, even if there is a bit of a grind to get the resources needed. For the scope that the game is aiming for, there is promise and I look forward to seeing co-op in action.

From a purely mechanical perspective, the experience I had was solid and worked well to give an idea what the future may hold. I feel that the developers have got some good ideas for this project, with a fairly robust character creator, lots of customization options and plenty of classes to pick from. It does have its flaws like the severe difficulty spikes in dungeons, but I honestly feel that this is a title that has the potential to be a great experience for all players.

If you want to keep up with this title, you can find it on Steam (HERE), but be aware that the game is still in active development and is yet to be announced for early access.

Dawn of the Monsters – DLC Coverage

Hello! I have some exciting news regarding the recently released DLC content for Dawn of the Monsters, the Kaiju brawler from 13AM Games and WayForward. This paid for DLC adds a new playable character to the game, alongside a new playable character, skins and more for players to experience. There is also a free content update that will give players even more to enjoy with this release, regardless of owning the DLC or not.

Disclaimer: before I get into the coverage, I would like to thank WayForward for providing the DLC code that was used for this piece. The provision of this content has not influenced the contents of this coverage, all thoughts and opinions included are my own. I previously covered Dawn of the Monsters for Nintendo Switch, which you can find (HERE).

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the contents of this new expansion to Dawn of the Monsters. Please note, screeshots used are from official press kit so they may not match user experience on different platforms.

As a refresher, Dawn of the Monsters is a side scrolling brawler, where the player controls a Kaiju/giant hero who must battle the monsters that have invaded earth. These monsters are known as Nephilim, capable of mass devastation if they are left unchecked. The organization DAWN, have released their own giant defenders to battle this threat to the world. In this title, the player must battle through various locations and crush the invaders.

The new content introduces a new playable character, the powerful combination Mech, Meteor Temujin, a towering mecha unit piloted by Team Meteor. This new character has unique mechanics, that are specific to Temujin, who can use special powers to switch between three weapons, a Hammer, Sword and Axe. These mechanics and unique gameplay style refresh the experience, allowing players to play through the game again in a new way.

Alongside the new member of the roster are new skins for existing characters, additional gallery content, special archive files, challenges and achievements to unlock. The biggest addition with this DLC is the Arcade mode, a special gameplay mode which pits the player against 11 challenging stages, which remix the existing stages. These new takes on stages must be cleared in one shot, with the player having limited lives to make it to the end, with the chance to earn extras.

This is a challenging addition to the gameplay formula, which can be made more challenging by the optional settings that are included. When the player starts the Arcade mode, they can choose between two difficulties, standard and nightmare which is brutally difficult. Then we have the power-up system, which is the choice of Classic and Rogue. While playing Classic, the power-ups available between stages are the same each time, in Rogue the boosters are randomized.

When players challenge the arcade mode, they can add their name to an internal leaderboard, challenging themselves solo or with a friend locally to get the best score. This is due to the inclusion of co-op for Arcade mode, where players can take on the Nephilim hordes together. there is a caveat to this though, as the players share a pool of lives, with a life being lost when both are taken down. But if the player has rage (earned by fighting) they can use it revive a downed teammate.

Now the DLC content isn’t the only addition to the game that has hit Dawn of the Monsters. There has been a major free update that gives players something meaty to sink their teeth into, with no extra cost required. In the title update, there is a new game plus system, which gives those who have cleared the game the ability to challenge it again, with increased difficulty while keeping upgrades. There will also be new enemy variants that will appear during a new game plus play through.

Alongside the new game system is the addition of Trials, special challenges for players to take on where they will have their skills tested. There are bonus challenges tied to the trials for players to prove their mastery of the titans. Rounding out the package is an all new voice over in Japanese, for that authentic Kaiju experience that players can switch between during their time playing.

Now with the details of the new content covered, I want to give my personal thoughts on this extra content that has been added.

Personal Thoughts – I very much enjoyed my time with the base version of Dawn of the Monsters, as it was a relatively distinct take on the Kaiju formula. This new paid/free content takes that experience and knocks it up a notch, providing new challenges and a whole new way to play to play the game. The new character is an excellent addition, with the unique weapon system that makes the character distinct from the others on the roster.  

I found that the arcade mode was brutally punishing and after spending days playing it I have only beaten it once, which I think is a positive for this. The difficulty of this new mode will really push players and makes this extra content worth it alone, with the extra character and cosmetics being a bonus. I have absolutely no issue with recommending this extra content to everyone who has enjoyed the standard release of Dawn of the monsters.

Outside of the premium additions, the free update makes the game more robust and provides extra replay value, further bolstering a game that already had a lot of depth to it. I quite enjoyed the new game plus system, as it let me test my skills against the new enemies and the trials were a fun and satisfying addition. All of these features from both the paid and free content drops make this one of the best modern titles in the Kaiju genre.

If you want to check this content out for yourself, you can find a link the paid DLC for each system below, priced at 6.99USD/5.89-6.29GBP/6.99EUR.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Taito Milestones 2 – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – originally developed by Taito with emulation powered by Hamster through the Arcade Archives engine, Taito Milestones 2 is a collection of 10 more classic Taito titles from the arcade. This collection has been published by ININ Games, with digital and physical editions exclusively for Nintendo Switch (while stocks last). There will be links to all versions of this release available at the bottom of the review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PR Hound for providing the copy of Taito Milestones 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 collection of games, I will be covering each of the titles with a summary of the game in order of release by year. I have also previously covered the first Taito Milestones release, which you can find (HERE).

Ben Bero Beh – 1984

As the superhero Dami-chan, players must navigate their way through a series of burning apartment buildings, extinguishing the flames to save the hero’s girlfriend Nao-chan. This is an action platformer, where the player must reach the bottom of the stage to save the girl. In order to accomplish this, the player must avoid the many hazards that will fill the stage. These hazards include fire that can be extinguished, falling debris and gas explosions.

This game is very challenging, with random elements that will make it tough to progress through the stages. An example of this is the way that fire behaves, as it can spawn on the edge of a set of stairs, making it very difficult to put out and avoid since the extinguisher can’t be used on stairs. When the stage is cleared, the player will get a bonus based on performance. Great care must be taken however, as there are no continues if the player gets a game over.

The Legend of Kage – 1985

The player takes the role of the ninja named Kage, who is on a quest to save the princess Kirihime, who has been captured by a powerful warlord. Kage must now fight his way through the defenses of the warlord, battling enemy samurai, ninjas and monks in order to reach the princess. To save the princess, the player must make their way through five different locations, taking down all who stand in their way as they make their way to the warlords castle.

This title is a side scrolling action title, where the player moves around the different stages killing enemy ninjas and monks while trying to avoid their attacks. In these stages, the player uses shuriken for ranged attacks and a sword for close combat battles, with the ability to deflect enemy some enemy attacks. Once the objective for the current stage is complete, the player can then move onto the next, repeating endlessly until getting a game over. Players have limited lives and no continues.

Kiki Kaikai – 1986

Sayo-Chan, the shrine maiden was fanning a ceremonial fire, when she was visited by the seven lucky gods. As she was communicating with these deities, a group of yokai appear and kidnap them, taking them away. Now Sayo-Chan is determined to rescue the gods and battle the spirits responsible. In her quest to free the seven gods, the shrine maiden uses her purification rod and talismans to battle the spirits, fighting her way through the mischievous yokai.  

This is a top down, multi directional shooter, where players can fire talismans in 8 different directions and use the rod to bat enemies away. The player must make their way through each stage, which is separated into different zones, fighting the yokai that will appear in all directions. The talismans have a moderate range, but can be powered up by collecting items that are hidden in the stages. The stages are separated into individual zones.

During the course of the game, there are boss areas, where Sayo-Chan must battle against a fairly large enemy spirit. These are very challenging and probably the toughest part of the game, as the boss monsters take a lot of hits before they are defeated. If the player is defeated, they will be sent back to the last checkpoint to continue. There are no continues when getting a game over, but if the last three digits of the players score match the lucky number, the player will get an extra chance.

The NewZealand Story – 1988

In the land of NewZealand, the Kiwis were living peacefully, but one day a leopard seal appeared and kidnapped them with only one of the chicks escaping. The lone escapee Tiki, sets off to rescue his girlfriend Phee Phee and his other chick friends, navigating the different parts of the island on the adventure of a lifetime. Armed with his trusty bow and hot air balloon, Tiki will fight a variety of enemies, including an Ice Whale and a rock octopus.

The gameplay style for this title is that of a side scrolling run ‘n’ gun platformer, with the player taking the role of Tiki, bouncing through the stages and blasting enemies with his bow. The goal of each stage is to get to the end of each stage, shooting enemies, collecting pick-ups and saving the Kiwi from the cage they are in. what makes this game unique is the way exploration works, where flying vehicles allow players to move around the maze like stages with ease.

This is a rather tough title, with boss battles in the fourth stage of each zone where the player is pitted against big bosses. Scattered throughout the stages are letters that spell EXTEND, which will give an extra life when all letters are collected. There are many pitfalls, hazards and enemies that will spawn into the stages, with a hidden timer that will add more pressure. But have no fear as the player can continue infinitely in this title.

Darius II (3 Screen Arcade Version) – 1989

In the distant future, the colonized planet Darius is recovering from an invasion from an alien army, with the help of Proco and Tiat. The inhabitants are now on Olga during the rebuilding process, when suddenly an SOS signal is picked up from earth. In response to this, Proco Jr and Tiat Young are dispatched to investigate this signal. Heading through the solar system in their ships, they encounter alien forces who they must battle as they make their way to the signal.

This is a horizontal scrolling shooter, where the player must blast enemies with bombs and lasers, collecting power-ups and fighting the end of stage bosses. During each of the stages, there will be wave after wave of enemies that will appear in the path of the player, along with different environmental hazards that can lead to disaster. At the end of each stage, the player can choose their next destination, allowing for a non-linear approach to progress.

The power-up system featured in this shooter gives the player stronger lasers, more bombs and even shields to prevent damage. These boosters are dropped randomly by enemies, with the increases based upon the color collected. If the player is defeated, the power-ups will be lost with the player needing to continue if all lives are used up. There is also simultaneous multiplayer, allowing players to work together through the game.

Gun Frontier – 1990

In the 22nd century, the planet Gloria has been overtaken by space pirates, who have enslaved the inhabitants for their own nefarious means. Now a group of settlers take to the skies in their ships, with the goal to overthrow the pirates and save their planet. In this space western, the desperado ships take on the wild lizards in battle to save their colonies and the future of the planet. There is simultaneous multiplayer co-op where two players can work together.

This is a vertical scrolling shooter, taking place over 6 stages where players must blast their way through the enemy forces. The player ships are armed with dual machine guns and bombs, which can be powered up by collecting coins and gold bars that appear on the stages. The bombs can be used to clear away enemy fire with the direction based on their on screen position. If the player ship is taken down, the weapons they have will be weakened.

There is a fairly solid challenge present in this title, with the amount of enemies and bullets that can appear on screen. To make the game a little easier to get through, there is a checkpoint system where the player will be sent back a little when defeated. This allows players to collect power-ups and gold to strengthen their ships. The checkpoint isn’t used during boss battles as players will respawn immediately at that point.

Liquid Kids (Mizubaku Adventure) – 1990

Take the role of Hipopo, a hippopotamus who lives in the land of Woody-Lake. One day his girlfriend Tamasun was kidnapped by the Fire Demon, who has brought his forces to the peaceful land. Armed with water bombs, Hipopo sets out on a quest to save his girlfriend and the other hippos, while battling the forces of the Fire Demon. This is an action platformer where players make their way through the stages, soaking the monsters and putting out their flames.

During the stages, the player must platform through the different areas putting out fires, soaking enemies and kicking them across the screen. The weapon that the player can use is the water bombs, which can be thrown in an arc and powered up if the player holds the button down. If multiple enemies are soaked, the player can hit them in a chain, giving bonus points and the chance of spawning different items to collect on screen.

There is a variety of power-ups that can be picked up, including water guns, buckets and lightning bolts, which have affects that help the player. At different points there will be a boss that players must fight, opening up the next area with two doors to select, taking the player to different stages. These doors also appear during regular stages. This can be a tough title, but the player is able to continue endlessly which will let players make it to the end.

Metal Black – 1991

Set in the year 2052, a rogue pilot has taken command of the Black Fly fighter, on a mission to fight an alien race who wishes to destroy humanity. The pilot must battle their way through six locations, fighting the alien beasts that are intent on annihilating humanity. This is a challenging horizontal shooter, where the player battles hordes of alien enemies alone or with a friend. But the player has unlimited continues that they can use for this.

The weapon that the player has in their arsenal is the Energy Disposal Beam, which can unleash devastating blasts when unleashed. To strengthen the beam, the player collects Newalone, made of R/B/Y balls that appear on the screen to be collected. The player can discharge this to deal massive damage to enemies, especially the end of stage bosses. When in battle with the bosses, there can be a clash with beams, causing utter chaos to occur on screen.

Solitary Fighter – 1991

During the 1950’s an underground fighting club arose, where the mafia, criminals and others would face off in combat. This gathered fighters from across the USA to fight for honor and cash in the “Violence Fight”. Solitary Fighter is a 1 on 1 brawler where players duke it out against the computer or other players, using punches, kicks and objects in the stage to deal damage. This is a non-traditional fighter, allowing for vertical movement in some stages.

The matches in this title are best of three, with the winner moving onto the next fight and participating in bonus stages every 2 fights. The move lists for the rather limited roster of 6 players consist of punches, kicks and some special attacks which are achieved by pressing different button combinations. This is one of the tougher games in the collection, as there are issues with depth perception and the overall flow of gameplay is clumsy.

Dinorex – 1992

Set in a world where humans and dinosaurs coexist, young men pit their dinosaurs against eachother in battle, with the winner gaining the title of King Dinorex. The one who is crowned king will be able to marry the queen of Amazonia, strengthening their position of power. This is a one-on-one competitive fighting game, where players must command their dinosaur champion as they engage in intense bloody battles. The first to down their opponent twice is the winner.

There is a playable roster of 7 different dinosaurs for the player to select from. The dinosaurs have simple move sets with high and low attacks, as well as special moves that use simple button inputs and simultaneous button presses to perform. After a set amount of matches, a bonus stage will activate where the player has to attack a city in modern times. The action of the title lacks refinement, which can lead to a frustrating single player experience, but there is also a 2 player battle option.

Now with the games covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this collection, starting with the Controls.

Controls – the controls for this title are emulated very well, with good responsive inputs for the majority of the games. Sadly there is some delay and sluggish control in a few games, but this is down to the games themselves. All of the buttons can be remapped to fit whatever controller the player is using, which makes it perfect for those who want to use retro pads and even arcade sticks. The games are all comfortable to play in either docked or handheld mode.

Presentation – the visuals and sound for the games run almost flawlessly through the Arcade Archives engine, which has provided solid fidelity to the original arcade experience. There is crisp pixel work, that can be augmented by the use of filters and there are multiple options for the 3 screen setup used by Darius II. The sound is clear for most titles and comes through nicely, but there are a couple that have a harsh edge to their sound which is how they were originally made.  

Final Thoughts – I am a fan of the classic Taito library, so I was excited to get my hands on this collection of games as there were a few I had not seen before. This collection of games is a bit of a mixed bag, with some very obscure titles that most will not recognize. The standout titles in this collection are Darius II, Kiki KaiKai, The NewZealand Story and Liquid Kids, which showcase the best in sprite work, sound and gameplay that Taito has to offer from that era.

I can recommend this collection to fans of the classic arcade style of game, as the titles are all fairly straight forward with the main goal being to get the highest score possible. Some of the games have significant depth to them, with the branching paths of Darius II and the secrets hidden in NewZealand Story. This collection is perfect for a quiet night in or with friends for a competitive night of high score challenges, even if some of the games are less than stellar.

In the end, I give Taito Milestones 2 a final score of 4/5. This is a very good collection of classic arcade titles from the golden age of arcades, with some smash hits and hidden gems, that is rounded out with a couple of middling titles. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be available below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to Physical store page (HERE)

Dreamcutter – Nintendo Switch Release Announcement

Hello! I have some exciting news to share from our friends at Shady Corner Games and Eastasiasoft, regarding the upcoming release of a new action title coming to the Nintendo Switch. Announced in the recent Fall 2023 showcase, Eastasiasoft announced that the action platformer Dreamcutter, developed by shady Corner Games and Ten Pennyfingers will be hitting the eShop this Autumn.

Check out the press release below to learn more about this raunchy release. I have previously reviewed the title on steam, which you can find (HERE), but please be aware that there will be some modifications made to the switch version. This is due to the original title containing explicit sexual content.

We at Shady Corner Games are pleased to announce that the raunchy action platformer Dreamcutter, will be making the leap to Nintendo Switch. This has been made possible through our partnership with Eastasiasoft, who have been responsible for putting Marble Maid and Slime Girl Smoothies on the system. We are pleased to be able to give players the opportunity to play this title on a new platform.

Dreamcutter was previously released on Steam, which you can find a demo for the game to try out (HERE){18+ warning}

Mature Content Advisory: Please be aware that Dreamcutter is intended for adults only, with the potential for players to be exposed to the following;

  • Risqué outfits, sexual language, adult situations and nudity.
  • Sexually charged scenes of an explicit nature, featuring the characters of the game.
  • Sexual scenes between characters of the same sex, depicting actions of a consensual nature.
  • All characters in Dreamcutter are aged 18 or higher.

About the Game

Haley is a student who has been struggling to sleep, suffering from nightmares that have been getting increasingly vivid. Due to this, Haley falls asleep during class and finds herself trapped in the nightmare world, unable to escape from the terror she finds herself in. As she tries to find a way out Haley discovers the Dreamcutter, a mysterious scythe with an unknown motive promises alluring rewards and a chance at escape from the nightmares.

With the Dreamcutter in her hands, Haley sets out on an adventure to navigate the darkest parts of her subconscious. To escape from the darkness, Haley must hack and slash her way through the different mindscapes she encounters in this side scrolling action platformer. Use the Dreamcutter to rack up combos, reach higher platforms by using the scythe as a tool and cut down the monsters that dwell in Haley’s dreams.

There are visual novel CG scenes that tell the narrative of Dreamcutter, featuring macabre themes, sassy character dialogue and unhinged scripture from the dark recesses of the internet. These visual novel segments are accompanied by the steamy romance scenes, featuring  intimate moments between Haley and other characters while in the dreamscape. Take back your mind and body, escape the nightmares and wield the Dreamcutter!

Features

  • Take on intense side scrolling action, with challenging platforming, hack and slash combat and tough boss battles.
  • An in-depth combo system, with rewards for mastery of the mechanics when used in battle.
  • Fast paced action, with an arcade mode and timer system to facilitate speedrunning/time attack style competition.
  • Flexible upgrade system, allowing players to make Haley stronger and adjust the challenge based on decisions made.
  • Raunchy intimacy scenes in the narrative, alongside bonus rewards that can be unlocked by completing missions.
  • A rocking electro soundtrack that compliments the visuals and action.
  • The unhinged and ancient Scriptures of the time cube.
  • Special voice work from Voice Actress HaruLunaVO (Twitter){18+ warning}

To learn more about Dreamcutter and our other titles, you can check out the official Shady Corner Games Twitter (HERE){ 18+ warning}. If you want to keep up with our official publishing partner Eastasiasoft, you can find them on Twitter (HERE)

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by NIS America, Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles is a double pack of two RPG titles from the NIS vault. Experience the story of Rhapsody II & III on modern consoles, with full English voiced dialogue and official translations in the west for the first time ever. This release is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Steam (sold individually) with a link to each version 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 Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles 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 title, I will be discussing the two games in their own sections, with a brief plot summary and then the core of the gameplay for each title. The other elements will be discussed together, covering the package as a whole.

Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess

Story – taking place many years after Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, Cornet has now married her prince and together they rule the Marl Kingdom. They have a daughter named Kururu, who sets out on an adventure to find her own prince, accompanied by her best friend Crea. During Kururu’s quest for true love, there is a dark battle brewing between two witch families, which has the potential for catastrophe for the princess.

Gameplay – this entry is a traditional JRPG where the player roams the Marl Kingdom, interacting with NPC characters, battling enemies completing quests. The game is broken up into chapters, called ACTs that feature character dialogue scenes, pushing the narrative forward, as well as musical numbers between different characters. Each of the chapters has a main objective that needs to be completed in order to progress to the next.

The player controls the Princess Kururu, moving her through the kingdom and interacting with characters while investigating the different areas of the kingdom. When exploring the lands of Marl, the player can uncover important areas ahead of time, giving a semi-open feel to the kingdoms. There are goddess statues that can be used to heal the player party. There is also a set of merchants that the player can use to buy/sell equipment.

During the course of the game, other characters will join the princess in her quest, aiding her during the adventure. These team members will also assist Kururu in battle, using their skills in combat against the foes that appear. The player can assign equipment for the party increasing their stats in battle, along with some being able to use puppets to provide them with combat support (discussed below). The party characters will follow Kururu around on her quest.

Speaking of battles, throughout the adventure there are battles that will occur randomly and at set points in the narrative. The combat for this title follows a rather traditional RPG approach, using turn based actions for the party characters. During these battles, the player has several options for what they want to do for their turn. The pre turn actions are Fight which lets the player make manual actions, Auto to skip deciding and Escape to try and flee.

When the player selects the Fight option, the player can select from the following options for their turn allowing them to assign actions for all party members. The order of battle is usually the player party, then the enemies, but there are factors that can affect this. Here is a list of options party members can use in battle;

  • Attack – use a physical attack to deal damage to the target enemy, the damage is based on the equipment that they are holding.
  • Defend – brace yourself for incoming attack, trying to reduce damage taken.
  • Items – use an item in battle, including healing items and special damage items.
  • Specials – use a characters special skills, using health as a resource to perform these abilities.
  • Puppets – use the skills of the puppets equipped to the party member, with different magical spells for each puppet. These skills use Intonium (the money in this game) and will add musical notes to the music meter, leveling it up when enough are earned.
  • Rewards – use the music note levels to perform special attacks, with the stronger spells needing more musical points to be used. There is also a chance to recruit enemies defeated with rewards.

When a battle is completed, the player will receive rewards based on the strength of the enemies. The rewards that players can receive are Experience points to level up, the currency Intonium and special items. When characters and puppets level up, their stats increase and at different milestones, they will gain new skills for battles. If the party is defeated, the player will be sent back to the main menu, needing to continue from the last save.

Now with the first title covered, it is onto the next title in this double pack.

Rhapsody III: Memories of Marl Kingdom

Story – Memories of Marl Kingdom is an anthology, telling stories outside of the main narratives from the first two Rhapsody titles. These stories feature different characters of the first two Rhapsody games, with each of the adventures showing the path that the different characters will travel for those they love. These tales span the past, present and future of the Marl Kingdom, presenting the events that transpire outside of what we already know.

Gameplay – This title is very similar on a base level to Rhapsody II, but with some rather significant differences that allow it to stand out on its own. As this is an anthology title, the stories are told disconnected from each other, like episodes of a TV drama or Anime. This makes for an experience that capitalizes on the storybook feel of the world that the series takes place in. However, this is still a JRPG at its core and doesn’t forget it.

With each of the episodes, the player will control the main protagonist of that tale, using them to navigate the different environments and locations that are contained within. Each of the plotlines will have a fairly clear objective to achieve, but the steps needed to get to that point may not be easy. There is some puzzle solving, along with scripted and random battles that the players will encounter, oh and more musical scenes too.

Just like the previous entry, the battles that the player will encounter follow traditional turn based combat rules. However, there is a difference to these battles that spices the action up, making it more interesting compared to others in the genre. Instead of a standard party of heroes and adventurers, there are squads that consist of a leader and up to three supporters/partners. This adds more of a strategic edge to the combat and allows for some creative flexibility.

When a combat encounter occurs, the player has several options that they can select from. These action options are the same as Rhapsody II, with Attack, Defend, Special, etc. However, what makes this combat system different from the previous entry is the way that the squads work in battle. During the players turn, the player can choose an action for either the leader or a squad member, with the units that have unassigned characters making independent actions.

During battles the player uses SP instead of Intonium in this entry, giving the special skills a rather limited amount of usage which makes it more tactical. There is also the chance for chests to drop during a battle, giving the chance to earn some bonus rewards during combat. These chests need to be broken open in order to obtain the rewards inside, if the battle is ended before this, the reward is lost. This adds a risk/reward element to some battles.

When the battle is ended, the player will earn experience points to level their character up and Intonium to purchase items from the various shops. All characters active in the party will gain the same amount of points, allowing units to level up at a balanced pace. When a unit levels up, their stats will be increased as well as obtaining new skills that can be used in battle. There is even the chance to gain new party members in stages or by defeating them with Rewards.

There is a maximum of 16 units that can be built up and assigned as leaders/partners, but there are some restrictions that are tied to building squads. There are 4 different character types that can be recruited to the party, these are Puppeteer, Human, Monster and Puppet. The only unit type that cannot be put in a leader position is Puppets as they can only be used as a partner. There are also special combos that can be made with leaders and partners.

The monsters that have been recruited by the player serve many purposes, not just as a member of the party in battle. There are goddess statues scattered throughout the lands, healing the party, letting players summon monsters recruited and using them to perform miracles. When the monsters are used for miracles, they are removed from the roster but will either fill the reward meter or give XP to the other members of the party.

All characters can be equipped with items to make them stronger in battle, this also extends to the partner units that players can equip. The equipment that is added to the party is rather generalized, allowing them to be used by all members. There are also changes to the stats of a leader depending on the partners they have, modulating their stats either positively or negatively depending on their affinity to the leader.

Last to discuss is the unique progression of the individual stories. When a chapter is cleared, there will be a unique credits screen, which makes the experience feel like a collection of mini games. The player can then save the clear data for that stage, allowing them to try them again at a higher difficulty increasing the challenge significantly. This is due to resetting the story characters to their locations, but equipment is retained and monsters can be summoned.

Now with the gameplay for both titles covered, I will be moving onto discussing the other parts of the package as a whole, starting with the controls.

Controls – the controls for both titles are functionally identical to each other, with thumbstick/D-pad control for the movement of characters. The core functions are tied to the face buttons, with all battle inputs and menu navigation attached to the D-pad. The player can also speed up the dialogue and musical scenes by holding down the Y button, which can speed up repeat runs. All of the controls are comfortable regardless of the controller used.

Difficulty – as these are JRPGs there is a fairly moderate difficulty curve that will occur, with the monsters getting stronger as the narratives progress. The toughest parts of the game are the boss battles, but the challenge can be eased by grinding a little. There is the ability to save freely in both titles, which lessens the pain of getting a game over. The challenge increases further in Rhapsody III if the player replays the cleared storylines, but this is optional.

Presentation – the visual style for this collection has the signature Nippon Ichi look, with cute anime style sprite work and art that is consistent throughout both titles. The environments featured in Rhapsody II uses pre-rendered pixel backdrops that are mostly flat, whereas Rhapsody III uses Polygons for all of areas the player can roam. The visuals are a snapshot of the time they were made, with enhancement filters that can smooth the visuals and a CRT filter.

The sound for this title has a fantastical and whimsical feel to it, with bright melodies and brooding compositions depending on the area they are in. Then we have the musicals, with Japanese vocals and subtitles providing lyrics for both languages. These scenes make for a unique experience that adds to the fun of the adventures. These titles also have English dialogue for the first time ever, featuring the talents of Kayli Mills (Mary Skelter), Emi Lo (Higurashi) and Dawn M. Bennet (My Hero Academia).

Final Thoughts – last year I had the pleasure of playing Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure as part of NIS Classics Vol 3, with the positive experience making me excited when Marl Kingdom Chronicles was announced. This excitement was not misplaced as both of the games maintained the charm, whimsy and challenge of the first, while also expanding on the narrative of the trilogy. There is a tremendous amount of depth to this collection, while still being an approachable experience.

This is an excellent double pack that has a lot of content to offer players both old and new, with stories that are rather straight forward, but are told in a way that is engaging throughout. I am very happy to recommend this release to fans of the first game, as well as those who enjoy the library from Nippon Ichi, as it is one of the best titles to come from the vault. The overall package is a joy to play and I am so happy that these titles have finally come to the west.

In the end, I give Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles a final score of 5/5. This double pack offers a magical experience for all players, with stories, characters and musical set pieces that breathe life into the world of Rhapsody. This release finally brings the full trilogy to the west and deserves to be in the library of any Nippon Ichi fan. If you want to check it out for yourself, a link to each version of the game is below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 5 version (HERE)

Xtreme Sports – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – originally developed and published by WayForward, with porting handled by Limited Run Games, Xtreme Sports is an action sport RPG, where players enter the tournament on Xtreme Island. Participate in 5 different extreme sports and challenge the other competitors on the island, earning medals and interacting with the different characters. This title is exclusively on 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 wayForward for providing the copy of Xtreme Sports 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 off with the story.

Story – in a remote location, there is an island where a special tournament is being held. The sponsors are Xtreme Cola Company who has invited competitors from across the globe to take part. While hanging out together, Fin and Guppi see the competition promoted on a TV, together they decide to enter the tournament with the goal of winning the prize money. However, there is another group heading to the island with the goal of winning the tournament.

Gameplay – Xtreme Sports is a sports adventure, with a gameplay style similar to that of the sports RPG titles from Camelot. After the introduction, the player can select between Guppi and Fin before they are taken to the island, where they can sign up and select their name. Before jumping into the tournament proper, players must make their way through the tutorials, where the player can learn all of the different controls and mechanics.

There are five total sports for the player to take on, with each of the sports having their own unique gameplay mechanics. Here is a quick breakdown (with additional details for general mechanics after) for each of the events that take place on Xtreme Sports Island;

  • Skateboarding – ride your board across the stage, hitting ramps and performing tricks to get the highest score possible, all while trying to reach the goal as fast as possible.
  • Inline Skating – race to the finish, dodging obstacles and grinding rails as you try to set the best time you can.
  • Street Luge – ride the streets on a longboard, avoiding the obstacles that are in the way, while speeding down and jumping ramps.
  • Surfing – ride the waves while collecting points, doing tricks and avoiding the sharks, all while trying not to wipe out.
  • Skyboarding – take a dive from a plane and collecting arrows to build up a combo meter, performing aerial tricks and avoiding hazards.

All of the events have their own targets for the player to meet. These include collecting flags, hitting a target score and beating the target time. There will also be Twitchy Shakes, a special power-up that will give the player a boost depending on the event that they are taking on. The events are accessed by challenging the other competitors on the island, each with their own target scores/times. If the player succeeds at beating or matching the target, they are awarded a medal.

As the player makes their way through the game, they will unlock new areas that were previously locked if they earn enough medals. This gives the player access to more challenging stages for the player to take on, with the events increasing in difficulty as the map expands further. There will also be a mysterious group who act as the villains of the tournament, who are the strongest competitors on the island and give the biggest challenge.

During the adventure, the player will also gain clues about the motives of the gang, which will help to solve the mysteries tied to them and why they are in the tournament. Away from the adventure, there is a practice mode that players can freely play through the events, with 15 total challenges over 3 difficulty levels. This gives players the ability to learn all of the ins and outs of each event, practicing the different sports and honing their skills.

Finally, there are quality of life improvements for this release. As this is an emulated port of a Game Boy Color game, there have been some features added to this title via the Carbon Engine. As this is an old cartridge game, there is only one save, but to make up for this the player has access to save states which increases the possible saves to 4. There are also visual filters, adjustable screen displays and a gallery of special images for the game/cart.

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

Controls – as an old Game Boy Color title, there is a limited number of buttons in use, with the face buttons and plus/minus being used for in game actions. The main menu is accessed by pressing the back triggers and the D-pad/thumbstick can be used interchangeably. These inputs can be a little stiff, which can be a slight frustration, however the most comfortable being those shaped like Nintendo NES and Super NES pads.

Difficulty – there is a rather moderate difficulty curve for the most part, but there are difficulty spikes when the player challenges the villain gang. This can be frustrating for players, as these high difficulty challenges can feel like they are sudden. The addition of save states can make the very tough stages a little easier to deal with, letting players to quickly get back to the start of a stage after a mistake is made. The practice mode can help players who are struggling too.

Presentation – the visuals have that distinct WayForward style to them, with the sprite work going on to build the foundation for Shantae. There is little in terms of lag aside from mild stiffness in controls, and the game runs at a fantastic pace with solid emulation via the Carbon Engine. The sound is bright and has excellent chiptune compositions, which made full use of the Game Boy sound chip, which has translated well to the Nintendo Switch.

Final Thoughts – I didn’t know this game existed until I saw the announcement from WayForward alongside the Shantae GBC port. When I finally got my hands on this title I can honestly say it was a fun experience, even though the difficulty at times did feel like a mixed bag. The spikes in difficulty when it comes to the bad guy challenges did get a little frustrating at times, but don’t spoil the overall experience as there is a fairly open progression system.

I can recommend this title to everyone who is a fan of the classic WayForward/action sport titles, as it has that distinct charm they are known for, with a lot of depth to the overall experience. The game isn’t for everyone, as it can feel primitive to those who had not played titles like this on the Game Boy Color. However, this is a time capsule of the late 90’s early 2000’s extreme sports scene, which will likely be a big hit of nostalgia for those who grew up in that period, like it was for me.

In the end, I give Xtreme Sports a final score of 4/5. This is a fun action sports title with a lot of depth due to the RPG style of gameplay, the gameplay is fun and the challenge can be tough, but the overall experience is solid and a real blast from the past that is a hell of a lot of fun to play. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara

Overview – developed by Chibig, Talpa Games and Undercoders, with publishing handled by Chibig, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is a 3D platform adventure taking place in the islands of Mara. As the brave Koa accompanied by her best friend Napopo, travel the islands on a quest to recover stolen pirate loot. This title is available on all 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 Chibig for providing the copy of Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara 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 off with the story. Please note, all images featured are provided by the publisher via press kit.

Story – Koa and her best friend Napopo live in the islands of Mara, an archipelago made up of vibrant lands and locations. One day while visiting Qälis, Koa discovers that pirates have ransacked the island and set up a series of trials across Mara. Now Koa and Napopo set out on an adventure to recover the stolen loot, traversing the islands of Mara and taking on the pirate trials. Can Koa succeed and clear each of the pirate trials that are ahead of her.

Gameplay – Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is an 3D platform adventure, where the player must traverse the hazards and obstacles of each stage to reach the goal. The game is separated into 8 main zones, the home base town and sub stages that are scattered through the Sea of Mara. Players will start their adventure in the home base of Qälis, where they will be able to speak to the residents after playing through a simple tutorial.

After going through the opening segment, the player is able to set out on their adventure departing into the Sea of Mara. At the start of the game, the overworld map will only have the first zone and a sub-stage unlocked, which the player must sail to in their boat. While sailing through the waters of Mara, the player will encounter barrels, whales and whirlpools. When reaching one of the other islands, the player can depart and take on their challenges.

The main zones are often made up of multiple stages, with a boss stage at the end. The main stages and sub-stages have a simple goal to them, reach the end of the stage as quickly as possible. There are also shells to be collected, alongside special objects that players can find hidden throughout stages for players to find. To make it through each of the levels, the player will need to use their platforming skills to overcome the hazards of the stages.

As Koa, the player has access to a simple move set, being able to run, jump, stomp and throw objects. The different abilities that Koa has in her arsenal can be used to solve simple puzzles, including hitting switches, collecting hidden keys and breaking barriers. While making their way through the stages, there are many dangers and hazards that can harm Koa on her quest, leading to death if damaged 3 times.

The dangers that are present in the stages include water and lava that will knock the player into the air, swinging logs and canons that fire projectiles. All of these hazards can damage Koa, or possibly kill her instantly if the player falls into a pitfall. When the player is knocked out, they will be sent back to either the start of the stage or to the last checkpoint reached. This doesn’t affect some progress, like keys collected or switches hit.

After the player clears a stage, the shells and special items collected will be added to the player total, along with the time taken to clear the stage recorded. The completion time of a stage will also tie into a ranking system, where the player can earn medals based on performance. The three medals that players can obtain are gold, silver and bronze, each with a target time to clear the stage under to earn them.

The time system promotes repeated play of the different stages, so players can improve their times and earn the medals. There is even a leaderboard system where the best times are ranked, allowing players to challenge players around the world for the top spot. Also included in this title is a speedrun timer, which will let players test their skills as they attempt to clear the game as fast as possible. This adds a lot of replay value to the overall experience.

When all of the main stages have been cleared, the player will be able to open up the boss stage, which will reward the player with a map piece if they succeed. After clearing a boss and obtaining the map piece, the player must return to the home town Qalis to visit Saimi who will open the next area of the overworld. The more clouds that are cleared, the more places for players to explore will appear in Mara.

Outside of the main stages and the normal sub-stages, there are special challenges and levels that can affect the progression of the game. These include the pirate races, where the player will race against the wannabe pirates led by Mayo and special underwater stages where Koa must swim to the goal. The pirate races will reward the player with small map pieces, allowing the player to open up special areas in addition to the main zones.

The last thing to talk about is the rewards system for this release. During the course of the game, the player will pick up shells, along with fabric, recyclable items and more. These items unlock new things for the player to buy in the different store, which includes clothing for Koa and upgrades to her boat. These extra rewards provide extra replay value, for players who want to explore every inch of the map and zones to discover all of the secrets that they hold.

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

Controls – the controls for this release are simple enough to get to grips with, having a layout that is reminiscent of classics in the 3D platform genre. The jump, run, throw and stomp buttons are laid out in a comfortable manner on controllers, but can be cumbersome on a keyboard. The steam software allows multiple controller types to be used, but to have the correct pop ups on screen the player needs to set controls from keys to controller.

Difficulty – generally, there is a moderate difficulty to this title, with the challenge escalating gradually as the player gets further into the adventure. This may be too difficult for some players, so there is a relaxed mode, which gives more checkpoints and eases the challenge. This is helpful but can be annoying as the game will try to change to this after several failures. The biggest challenge is the medal time trials, as they require almost perfect precision to complete.

Presentation – the visual style for this game is very cute and cartoony, with Koa and Napopo being front and center, surrounded by a diverse cast of supporting characters. There is a lot of vibrancy to the world of Mara, which works well with the different characters that are encountered that bring life to the setting. The soundtrack is wonderful to listen to, with a tropical feel to it that makes the overall presentation a treat to experience.

Final Thoughts – I had a great time with Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara, the platforming is a lot of fun, the level layouts can become very challenging, especially with the speedrun aspects. The setting and characters have a lot of vibrancy to them, with the narrative scenes featuring Napopo being rather adorable. The variety of the sub stages, mini games and the cosmetic rewards adds a lot of depth to the title, keeping the experience fresh throughout.

I am very happy to recommend this title to everyone, it is quite possibly one of the best 3D platform titles to be released by an independent developer/publisher. This is one of the few kickstarter successes that I have seen and played, which makes this a special title as the chances to cover these are few and far between. I may even pick up one of the other versions of the game, as there is even a physical release for the switch on the way.

In the end, I give Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara a final score of 5/5. This is one of if not the best 3D platform adventure to come out recently, the characters and world is vibrant, the platforming is fun and there is a tremendous amount of replay value for those who gotta go fast. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Vampire Survivors – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed and published by Poncle, Vampire Survivors is a retro styled time survival action title where players fight wave after wave of monsters. Fight off the hordes of hell with a cast of horror styled heroes, armed with a variety of weapons and secrets to unlock. This title is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and Mobile 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 Future Friends for providing the copy of Vampire Survivors 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. I will be skipping the story segment as there is a hidden narrative that is sprinkled through the game, so I will be going straight into the gameplay, covering the core aspects that make up the base version of this game. There is DLC available for this release, however that has not been used for this review.

Gameplay – Vampire Survivors is a timed survival action title, using classic horror tropes and characters inspired by older titles in the genre. The core objective of the game is simple, to survive in the vast open levels until the time limit, by battling wave after wave of monsters. To achieve this, the player must collect experience points from defeated enemies, leveling them up and giving them access to new weapons and support items.

When in the stages, the player only controls the movement of their character. All of the attacks are automated, with the frequency and power of attacks based on different factors. There are several types of weapon attacks, including area of effect, directional attacks and randomized projectiles. The different attacks have their own unique behaviors, with a lot of experimentation required to figure out which weapon fits a play style, as all weapons work differently.

Before starting a stage, the player must select one of the playable characters, each with their own unique starting weapon and unique special skills. At the beginning of the game, there is only one playable character, but as the player makes their way through the game, they will be able to unlock new characters. There are many different requirements, hidden or otherwise that players will need to perform to make these characters available.

However, simply completing the character unlock objectives won’t make them usable immediately. The characters once added to the roster, need to be purchased by the player using gold that is collected during play. There are several ways to collect coins, the main way is to destroy light sources on the field, which can drop coins, but there will also be chests that can appear. These chests will provide large amounts of gold, as well as weapon/support upgrades.

Speaking of upgrades, each time the player levels up, they will be able to select one of three items (four depending on luck) to add to their arsenal. The player can hold a total of 6 weapons, which can be leveled up to give them more power and even special effects. The player can also grab up to 6 support items while leveling, but there may also be special items scattered through the stages, bypassing the limit. The support items can also be powered up when leveling.

New weapons will be unlocked during the course of the players experience, adding more depth to the action. There is an evolution system tied to the weapons, which is based upon combining specific weapons and/or support items. To evolve a weapon, the player needs to have them fully leveled up, as well as holding the corresponding item if a support item is required. The weapon can then appear as a reward in a chest, unleashing an all-powerful attack.

As the player makes their way through the game, they will unlock new stages, which can contain special items called “relics” which add permanent effects. These relics give players more utility and can help the player in their journey, like a map that shows item locations and a deck of tarot cards that give special effects. There are also special stages that can be unlocked, with different special mechanics that can give the player more variety to their gameplay.

As a timed survival title, there is a time limit for each of the stages that the player takes on. As the time passes, the enemies will get stronger and appear in larger numbers. There are even boss monsters that can appear, with each of them tied to their specific stage with their style tied to it. These boss monsters are much stronger than the other enemies with a sprite size to match. There are even “mini-boss” monsters that will appear, which are responsible for dropping chests.

If the player can reach the end of the time limit, leveling their abilities and collecting weapons, they will be rewarded with a swift and brutal demise from Death itself. Once a stage is cleared, or the run ends via player death or quitting, all accumulated gold will be added to the player inventory and achievements granted. These rewards are added to the collection, as well as unlocking more content for players to enjoy.

The accumulated gold that players have can be used to make new characters playable, with different amounts needed depending on the strength of the character. The gold can also be used to purchase permanent upgrades for the character, adding extra damage, health and more. These upgrades can be refunded freely, allowing players to take a different approach to the challenge. This system gives flexibility to the challenge, changing the difficulty based on choices made.

There are multiple secrets hidden in this release for players to discover, with special modes to discover that will change the way that stages work. There are hidden codes, called spells that can be found in the game which can unlock characters ahead of time, add items and bypass progress barriers. There are also hidden codes for players to do silly things with the game, like spinning the UI and spawning ridiculous amounts of corn after being put in a stage.

The last thing to discuss for this release is the multiplayer systems for this release. Included in this title is 4 player simultaneous co-op, allowing players to take on the monsters together on the same system. When playing multiplayer, the players all share the same screen needing to move together to scroll the screen. There are also special items exclusive to the multiplayer mode, which are to compensate for limited weapon and support slots for characters.

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

Controls – there is an incredibly simple control system for this release, with the player only needing to use a thumbstick and the A/B buttons on a controller. This makes for a very easy to pick up and play experience, with no complex button inputs to learn or functions to memorize. This makes it pretty easy for 2 player co-op out of the box with the single Joy-Con support. There is also touch screen controls for players who want to enjoy the game in handheld mode.

Difficulty – this is an easy enough game to start, with players being gently introduced to the gameplay systems. This is by throwing small numbers of enemies at the player, quick leveling and a simple pool of weapons/items to select from. However, as the player makes their way through a stage and the game as a whole, the enemies get stronger and can wipe the player out in seconds. This makes for a very challenging experience, but a rewarding one that isn’t overly frustrating.

Presentation – from a visual standpoint this game has a very retro look to it, with graphics and sprite work that is similar to that of the Mega Drive (Genesis). This look is complimented by the character and monster designs, inspired by the likes of Castlevania and classic horror media. The sound for this title has a mix of styles to it, with music that includes classic electro/Chiptune tracks, heavy rock riffs and for those of the most refined musical tastes Kazoo centric music.

Final Thoughts – I had seen the boom of this title during the past few years, but never got around to trying it on PC platforms. But when it was announced to be coming to the Nintendo Switch, I had to jump at the opportunity to try out this phenomenon. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and complexity of this title, with all of the secrets and hidden details scattered throughout. This made for a fun and exciting experience.

I am more than happy to recommend this title to everyone, as it has so much content in it at an incredibly low price of entry. The art style has a classic look to it, with the inspirations on show throughout and music to back it up. This game certainly lives up to the tag line of “be the bullet hell” with the hordes of monsters, unique weapons and additional anarchy that the multiplayer system adds to the game. The only downside is the amount of time that can be lost to this game.

In the end, I give Vampire Survivors a final score of 5/5. This is an exciting and frantic gothic horror action title, with a diverse cast of characters to unlock, secrets to discover, chaotic multiplayer mayhem and some rather silly touches that entertain. If you want to check this title out for yourself, as well as the DLC, a link to the game pages will be below, the game can also be found on mobile app stores for free (with ads).

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)

Demonic Supremacy – Steam Review

Overview – developed and published by ChiliDog Interactive, Demonic Supremacy is an old school style shooter, with monstrous enemies, devastating weapons and intense action. As a demi-demon, battle your way through the demonic hordes, gunning down all in your path as you fight to the lord of Hell itself. This title is available on all 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 ChiliDog Interactive for providing the copy of Demonic Supremacy use 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. For the story segment I will be using the plot that has been provided by the developer on the official steam page.

Story – Once in a while, every 3481 years to be exact, the infernal tower appears on the surface of the planet. When this happens, the Chosen One is picked and granted the powers of a Demi-Demon to slay all evil opposition. Once again, this time has come. You have been chosen to crush your way through the tower, floor by floor, monster by monster, to stop the bloodthirsty hellspawn and personally meet the Lord of Hell itself.

Gameplay – Demonic Supremacy is a 90’s style first person shooter, where players must battle demons in a variety of arenas, armed with an arsenal of devastating weapons. The objective of each stage is to eliminate all enemies that appear, with each of the layers of the tower featuring a different set of enemies. To accomplish this, the player must move around the different locations, dodging enemy attacks and blasting them away.

The arsenal of weaponry that players can use includes a shotgun, minigun and a grenade launcher. All but the shotgun have a limited amount of ammunition in each stage, with the stage itself dictating the load out that is assigned. This makes for a challenging experience as players must adapt on the fly, making sure to pick the right weapon for the job. When a power weapon is given to the player for a stage, there will also be ammo that can be collected in the stages.

Alongside the variety of weapons, the player has access to special skills that can be used in battle. These skills are the dodge, which can be used to avoid attacks, the demonic voice which can stun enemies and the Dominator that can kill all enemies is range. These skills are incredibly useful, however, they have limitations in their use. The dodge/sprint uses a stamina meter, with the demonic voice having a cooldown and the dominator needs to be charged by killing enemies.

In the various levels, there will be the chance for power-ups and chests to be placed in the arenas. These items are set to the stage, which will often factor into the strategy deployed by the player. The pick-ups that can be found include healing items, boosts to skills and gold coins, adding some variety to the action. There will also be coins dropped by some enemies when defeated, which the player can pick up if they want to risk it for their total.

The gold coins are very important, as they are tied to a power-up system that can be used before starting a stage. Before jumping into the action, players can enter the in game shop, allowing them to buy various boosters that will help fight the hordes of hell. The power-ups that can be unlocked include bonus ammo for the power weapons, boosting the power of the demonic voice and even survive death itself. These power-ups are temporary, only active during the stage.

The arena battles against the demonic hordes aren’t the only battles that players will encounter in this game. At preset points during the 50 levels of the tower, the player will encounter large scale boss battles, where the player is pitted in a bloody battle with a demon boss. These stages can be the most challenging of them all, as there is a limited amount of ammo that can be collected. If the player runs out of power ammo, they will be stuck with the basic shotgun.

The last thing to talk about is the unique challenges that stages offer. As mentioned when discussing weapons, there is a preset load out that players are able to use. However, there are also challenges related to the amount of health that players have in a battle. There are even stages that have only one hit before the player will die, which can be incredibly difficult for players who are unprepared. This makes the shop a vital key to survival and success.

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

Controls – as this is an old school style shooter, there is a simple to pick-up control system, using the keyboard for movement and the mouse for look/aim. This gives the game a very 90s feel with only a few buttons for essential functions, which enhances the fast paced action on offer. There is also controller support for those who prefer to use twin sticks, which are comfortable to use and are implemented well.

Difficulty – this is a very challenging game, with some pretty brutal stages that will push players past the point of frustration. This may be a negative for some players, but it is perfect for those who enjoy the type of shooter from the 90s. For those who have a tough time with the harder stages, the effective use of the power-ups from the shop can make it easier for players to get through these stages. This can give a feeling of the game length being artificially extended through extreme difficulty though.

Presentation – as a throwback to the classic shooters of the past, there is a visual style that is inspired by titles like Doom and Quake, with modern modeling styles. The environments have an aesthetically pleasing look to them, making the hellscape seem vibrant. The sound is very good for this release, with a heavy metal soundtrack that works really well with the action on screen. There is even a Metallica sound alike which will play at random and is pretty good.

Final Thoughts – I am a fan of the older shooters, having played titles in the Quake and Unreal Tournament series for many years. That being said, this did manage to evoke a feeling of familiarity with the intense action gameplay, but there was some frustration to be had. The stages can feel too difficult for the sake of it, which can lead to repeated attempts to try and get through, making the stages feel like a slog at times.

However, I do feel that I can recommend Demonic Supremacy, as there is fun to be had with this title and there is a lot of content on offer. This is the perfect challenge for those who want a brutally difficult and satisfying shooter. There is a fairly low price point for this release, which is another bonus for this title, giving players a low barrier of entry for a fun, if sadly flawed shooter.

In the end, I give Demonic Supremacy a final score of 3.5/5. This is a brutally difficult shooter, which can push players to their limits, with intense, blood soaked action that can be a lot of fun to play but has the potential to frustrate just as much. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to the game will be blow.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation version (HERE)

Link to Xbox version (HERE)