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)

Slime Girl Smoothies – Milkshakes with Lemon DLC OUT NOW!

Hello! I have some exciting coverage to share today. The first DLC character for the adult puzzler, Slime Girl Smoothies, titled “Milkshakes with Lemon” is out now! This extra character comes with unique gameplay mechanics, music track and is fully voiced. This is the first of three DLC characters with two more to be announced and released in the future.

Disclaimer: I want to thank Shady Corner Games for allowing me to get hands-on with this content. the provision of this additional content has not influenced the contents of this coverage, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have previously covered Slime Girl Smoothies for Steam (HERE) and the Nintendo Switch (HERE).

Mature Content Disclaimer: this DLC and the title that it is intended for is rated as Adults Only, with strong language, explicit sexual content and nudity. If this content offends you or you are under the age of 18, please check out some of the other works that I have done on the site.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s talk about this new piece of content.

As a refresher, Slime Girl Smoothies is a puzzle title where players must mix fruits together on a grid to make drinks, accompanied by a slime girl bartended for 4 shifts. Each of the drinks has a recipe with specific flavor point numbers that need to be hit, the player has a set number of turns to hit these numbers or if they exceed 100 points they will fail that drink. If more than one drink is failed, the shift will be a failure and the player will lose.

From the outset, this looks like a simple enough addition with a new character from a distant land. However, looks can be deceiving as this is a challenging expansion to the established formula. The bartender Lemon introduces a new mechanic that completely changes the way players must approach the puzzles. This is simply called spoiling, as the drinks are made with milk, they will lose freshness over time leading to flavor points being dropped.

This new mechanic is also augmented by a flavor boost, which will provide more points to players depending on different factors. The boost to flavor points must also be taken into account as well as the spoiling, since there is a chance a flavor will go past 100 and fail the drink. This adds to the challenge and complexity of the shifts, as it is possible for points to fall even after reaching the required level, so players must keep an eye on the flavor wheel.

The new addition to the bar staff also comes with a set of 4 shifts for the player to challenge, each with their own fully voiced dialogue from the talented VA Pixie Willow (Twitter/X). There is also the inclusion of special intimacy scenes that can be unlocked for players to enjoy, unlocked during the course of that route. Alongside the extra artwork, shifts and dialogue, Lemon has her own unique music which is a mix between a Wild West trail theme and a dance anthem.

Personal Thoughts – during my time with this DLC, I had a lot of fun playing through the extra content, which gave me a very good reason to return to the game yet again. The new mechanics are very fun and challenging, adding further depth and complexity to the established formula. The sound for the game is excellently mixed, with the voice work and music complimenting each other, along with the artwork that has been created for Lemon.

I am happy to recommend this bonus content for players who have enjoyed the base game. The newest hire for Slimey’s Bar is a real hoot to play with, as they bring their own unique flavors to the menu. This makes me very excited to see what is next for this title and who will join the team in the future. If you want to check this out and get the DLC yourself, a link to the official steam page can be found (HERE).

Slime Girl Smoothies – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Shady Corner Games, ported by Bromio and published by Eastasiasoft, Slime Girl Smoothies is an adult puzzle title, where the objective is to make drinks by mixing ingredients from a recipe. Work your way through each set of shifts and get to know the girls working at Slimey’s Bar. This title is also on PC, however, this version of the game is exclusively for Nintendo Switch, with a link to the game available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Eastasiasoft for providing the copy of Slime Girl Smoothies that was used for this piece. For complete transparency, I was involved in the very late stages of development for the PC release of Slime Girl Smoothies as a bug tester (my name is in the credits for this). However, my involvement in this capacity has not influenced the contents of this coverage, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mature Content Disclaimer: this title is intended for adults only. This is due to the inclusion of nudity, strong sexual content, strong language and fetish imagery. If you are under the age of 18 or find any of the content described here offensive, please take a look at the other content on this site.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting off with the story of Slime Girl Smoothies. Please note, I have previously covered the PC release of this title, which you will be able to find (HERE).

Story – in the city, there is an underground bar, known for its unique manner of serving guests. This bar is called Slimey’s and it is operated by a group of Slime girls who use their assets to mix drinks. You have applied to be the floor manager, with a work trial where you will get some hands-on training with the staff. During your time there you will get to know Berry and her daughter Cherry as well as their co-workers Mint and Plum, and maybe more.

Gameplay – Slime Girl Smoothies is a unique take on the matching puzzle formula, where players must combine different fruits together, using their unique flavours to make the requested drink. To achieve this, the player place the fruits into an 8×7 mixing grid, where their colours will combine add points to the recipe wheel. Each fruit will have its own shape and colours, filling up the grid when they are dropped in from the top.

To create each of the drinks, the player must combine the different fruits to reach the designated flavour profile. The fruits will fill open spaces where they can, going from the bottom up. When fruits are placed, the fresh (brighter) ones will grant more flavour points when placed next to unused blocks, but used (darkened) ones will give less. As the game progresses, tools will be unlocked that will give players more options for fruit placement.

Each of the shifts have a set number of drinks to complete, varying in complexity of required flavour profiles. When trying to complete a drink, if the player creates the wrong flavour profile, exceeds 100 points in a flavour or has no space left, the drink will be failed. There are a limited number of turns that the player has to complete a drink, making each drop matter. Players can only fail one drink per shift, any more will lead to failing the shift and disappointing the girl.

The mechanics are relatively easy to pick up, with the first set of shifts acting as an in-depth tutorial, easing the player into the puzzle experience. This will include on screen tips to give players advice on how to get the most out of each fruit, including how to use the cutting and rotating tools. There is even a chart on screen that will show the different flavour profiles that each color combo can make, this is next to the recipe guide.

Each of the girls that the player will work with have their own unique gimmick, with Cherry easing the player into the game as the lead for the tutorial. However, the other shifts will introduce the special “flavour cells”, which will either increase or decrease the points gained in those spaces. These mechanics will push the player to think more strategically about their fruit placement, to efficiently use the limited space available.

Between shifts, the girls will talk to the player in a manner similar to that of a Dating Sim, with special CG images that will appear at set points during each of the storylines. The special CG images show the girls involved in a variety of “sticky situations”, with all of the unlocked images accessible via the gallery in the main menu. There are also special challenge modes that can be unlocked, letting players put their skills to the test.

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

Controls – as a console port, there have been changes made to facilitate the use of a standard controller. The D-pad/left stick controls the fruit/action selection, the A button completes actions and the B button cancels them. The other functions for waiting a turn, dumping a drink and cutting/rotating fruits use the rest of the buttons very effectively, allowing for a simple to pick up experience no matter how it is played.

Difficulty – this is a fun and challenging puzzle title, with a relatively balanced difficulty curve. There are times where the challenge will spike, as there are some very challenging recipes that need to be made. This gives a level of strategy to the difficulty, as players decide if they want to hit the big or small number first, or just see what happens. But as the player progresses, the difficult drinks will be easier to complete.

Presentation – the overall visual style of the game is very pleasing to the eye, with over 100 frames of animation for the girls, with beautiful and expressive character arts for each of the girls at Slimey’s. The fruits that are featured are all humorous and rather lewd, with adult designs for them, like a ball gag, shibari ropes and condoms to name but a few. The art for the reward images just rides the edge of AO, with adjustments made that keep the titillation intact.

The sound for this release is excellent, with a soundtrack composed by the talented AlterEgo, who has excellently crafted all of the musical tracks for this release. The scenes between shifts are all fully voiced by a cast of talented independent voice actresses, who skilfully bring all of their characters to life and their unique personalities show through. All of the visual and sound elements for this release come together perfectly, creating a satisfying experience for the player.

Final Thoughts – while I have already played and reviewed the PC version of this release, I was very eager to get my hands on this version of the game. This is because I wanted to see how well the gameplay and experience could translate to a home console. That being said, this is an excellent port and the adjustments that have been made don’t compromise the original vision that the developer had. I very much enjoyed my time with this release.

I am happy to recommend this to everyone that enjoys a saucy puzzle, as the gameplay is challenging, the artwork is titillating and the story has depth to it that players can enjoy. This title is different from the majority of the mature offerings for the switch, as the focus is on the gameplay and not just sexual content. There have been some minor porting hiccups, but they don’t impact the overall gameplay experience and patches are on the way.

In the end, I am unable to give Slime Girl Smoothies a score, as I was involved in the testing for the PC release. However, I will say that the overall experience is something that we rarely see in the adult gaming space, especially when we talk about the console offerings specifically. The story is well written, the characters have depth and it is all brought together by the fantastic voice cast. If you want to check it out for yourself, a link to the game is below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)                                                                

Punch A Bunch – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Ponty Pants and No Gravity Development with publishing handled by No Gravity Games, Punch A Bunch is a physics based boxing title, where there is a focus on timing over button mashing. Take on three championships, with a range of weird and wacky fighters as you aim to be the number one fighter in the world. This version of the game is exclusively available for the Nintendo Switch, with a link to the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank No Gravity Games for providing the copy of Punch A Bunch 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. There is no real plotline for this title, so I will be going straight into covering the gameplay of Punch A Bunch.

Gameplay – Punch A Bunch is a physics based boxing title, where the player must engage in boxing battles with a range of unique opponents. Take on three championships ranking from Amateur to Pro, with opponents that will push your abilities to the limit. Each of the championships is split into 5 battles, against increasingly tough opponents. The objective of each fight is to knock the opponent out by depleting their health, duking it out in physics based brawls.

In a fight the player has access to a relatively basic, with the ability to punch high, punch low, block and dash which is all the player can really do. This is achieved in two ways, the first is the main attraction of the game, using the twin stick controls that is the main focus of this game. The player can move around with the left and position their body with the right. This combines with the punch button that will throw a strike in the direction of the player body.

This system makes full use of the physics system that the game uses, with the player and opponent wobbling about as they throw punches. However, this comes with its own flaws, as the physics system can make it very difficult for players to throw strikes at their opponents. This is made more difficult by the fact that the enemy AI can easily hit the player, especially when a strike is missed or doesn’t connect properly.

To try and make it easier for players to strike hard with their attacks, there is a system called punch assist, where players are able to press buttons for dedicated attacks. This does make it easier to throw out specific strikes, but can leave the player unable to block effectively. There are also additional mechanics including bash, which is meant to disrupt the opponent and adrenaline that powers the player up, but these don’t seem to have any effect.

There is an unfortunate balance to the gameplay with this game, as there is also a stamina system that can make the battles much harder. When taking shots or being blocked, the stamina meter will deplete, which will tire out the boxer and leave them open to being stunned. While this does affect both fighters, the player is more likely to be stunned by the lightning reactions of the AI, leaving them open to taking massive damage.

This isn’t the only issue that this release suffers from sadly, as the majority of the AI fighters have special attacks that will deal massive damage if they land. These attacks can also be unblockable, which will lead to massive damage if the player gets hit by them. This makes the game less of a reactive fighting title and more of an exercise in pattern recognition. Due to this, there is a very high skill ceiling to the combat which could be off-putting to some.

When the player defeats an opponent, they can earn rewards based on their performance. These are cosmetic items that they can put on their fighter, allowing them to customise the appearance with a range of outfit parts. These reward challenges include beating the opponent in a set amount of time, not taking damage in a fight and more. When a championship is cleared, fights can be replayed to set new times and clear objectives.

The last thing to discuss is the multiplayer in this release. There is a local multiplayer battle system for this release, where two players can battle it out in split screen battles. There is little in terms of customisation of the arena where battles take place, but if there is more than one save active, the player can use the customised fighter for that profile. The local battles can be replayed endlessly, while providing a simple and fun time.

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

Controls – this title has a complicated control method, with the use of twin stick controls and the physics system to get the most out of each strike. This can make for an awkward experience if players have difficulty getting to grips with the timings. There is a simplified punch system for players who may struggle with this, but it does have its own issues. These inputs work pretty well with all standard controllers.

Difficulty – there is quite the steep difficulty curve with this title, as there is a need to really master the gameplay mechanics of the game. There is a tutorial that will teach the player how to fight, which is effective in teaching the basics. However, the fights themselves are much more complex, with the AI opponents having pinpoint accuracy and special attacks that can wipe a player out in seconds. This can really kill the flow for players, making it a war of attrition to replay stages.

Presentation – the visual style for this game is very simple, with the characters made up of blobs and simple outfit parts/arenas. This makes for an easy to silly experience watching the different boxers wobbling about when trying to hit them, which works in the games favour with the solid colors and streamlined visuals. The sound for this release works well with the visuals, with a solid soundtrack and decent sound effects that fit the overall presentation.

Final Thoughts – when first starting this title, I was expecting something in the vein of Punch-Out, with a cast of wacky fighters to take on. However, the further I got into this, the more that it feels like a test of patience as I had to learn how to avoid the different special attacks. This can cause a lot of frustration when getting to the later battles, as the special attacks can deal massive amounts of damage and in some cases be an instant defeat.

I am unsure about recommending this title, as it can be a very frustrating experience with the controls and sudden difficulty spikes that can occur. It can be a lot of fun and has a level of satisfaction to it when beating the championships, but the need to keep replaying earlier fights to get further may put people off. The inclusion of multiplayer and unlockable rewards does help the game, but sadly the other difficulties I had soured my experience.

In the end, I give Punch A Bunch a final score of 3/5. This is a silly physics based brawler that can be a lot of fun, but sadly is weighed down difficult to use controls and difficulty spikes that can be a frustration that sours the overall experience. If you want to check this game out for yourself, there will be a link to the game below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Charade Maniacs – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Idea Factory and published by Idea Factory International, Charade Maniacs is an Otome visual novel focused on a mysterious stream called The Other World. As the Protagonist Sena, unravel the mysteries of the stream while also performing in forced drama episodes for a mysterious Director. This title is available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, with a link to the game available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Idea Factory International for providing the copy of Charade Maniacs 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 base plot of Charade Maniacs.

Story – in the near future, the world has advanced to the point where all information is controlled, but there are rumours of mysterious streams called The Other World. On the last day of school, Hiyori Sena, a sophomore in highschool who was living a peaceful life, was walking home with her childhood friend when a mysterious figure appeared before them. The two of them were abducted and awoke in a strange place with two moons in the sky.

These two are not alone, as there are others who have been pulled into this unusual situation. In their confusion, the mysterious figure that took them speaks. “Welcome to Arcadia, where your wildest dreams will come true if you perform for us”. In order to find a way home, this group is now forced to work together and perform in an assortment of drama scenes. What mysteries are going to be discovered and what is really going on in this “Other World”?

Gameplay – Charade Maniacs is an Otome visual novel, where the player takes on the role of the protagonist Hiyori Sena (which players can change their first name, but if left default the name Hiyori will be spoken). During the course of the narrative, the player will interact with the different characters as the story progresses. The story is broken down into chapters, with CG scenes for the events that occur during the game.

Throughout the story, the player will be able to make decisions and investigate the surroundings of the Other World. These choices that the player makes, will lead to the player encountering the other characters in different situations, which have the potential to altering their relationships. Depending on what options are chosen, the story to branch off and for the narrative route for the story to change leading to one of several possible endings.

The player can freely save and reload throughout the game, which can give the player the ability to experiment with different options and decisions. There are multiple save slots for players to use, as well as a quick save/load option to quickly jump to a previous point in the narrative. This can help the player when they want to explore all of the possible endings that this title has, letting players quickly change their mind on a decision they made.

At points throughout the story, Dramas occur which put different characters into dramatic scenes. During these Dramas the cast members will be acting according to a script, which means characters may be different to their usual selves. This can show a different side of the characters, as a mean character may be kind while acting and vice versa. These scenes can give a deeper insight to the cast members and give clues to some of the mysteries.

In the main menu, there is a feature where players can look at the different collected information, including CG events, character details and even a glossary for in story terms. Finally, there is a special feature called the Flow Chart, which will allow the player to see the different narrative branches and even let the player pick a point to jump to. This is combined with a system where the options players have already chosen will be highlighted in blue.

Now with the core gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls. There is no difficulty to this title as it is a visual novel, so I will be omitting that segment for this review.

Controls – there is a simple enough control system for this release, with all of the options available to the player with all of the features laid out well on the controller. There is also the option to play the game with touch controls, giving this visual novel a more relaxed feel when playing the game in handheld. This makes the experience feel more like an interactive story rather than a game, which can increase the story engagement for players.

Presentation – since this is a visual novel there is gorgeous artwork that has been implemented for the character portraits and the backgrounds. There is a wide range of character emotions that have been implemented, alongside the special event scenes that add further depth to the narrative. There is full voice acting for all of the key characters with the player being silent, this works well alongside the soundtrack which enhances the overall experience.

Final Thoughts – I’m not usually one for the Otome visual novel, as I am not the target audience for them. However, the unique premise of this title intrigued me and the narrative really pulled me in, making me want to keep going and see all of the different outcomes for the storyline. The characters have a good amount of depth to each of them, with the dramatic scenes providing the player with the ability to see the different sides of the characters.

There is a lot of content here for players to enjoy, with the multiple endings and narrative routes that can be explored. I am happy to recommend this title to those who enjoy the Otome genre and suspenseful visual novels in general, as the story is well written and engaging. This is another excellent VN from Idea Factory, with the only issues being occasional typos/confusing grammar and some repetition to reach different routes, but these are minor inconveniences.

In the end, I give Charade Maniacs a final score of 4.5/5. This is an engaging visual novel, filled with drama and suspense, that has a rather unique premise players can get invested in with the different characters and plotlines to explore. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Draw Rider Remake – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed and published by 17Studio, Draw Rider Remake is a creative side view trials style game, where the player must try their best to complete the objective for each stage and gain a medal. This title features a built in level creator and online community for endless gameplay variations. This title is available exclusive for the Nintendo Switch on console and the Steam service, with a link to both versions of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank 17Studio for providing the copy of Draw Rider Remake 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. There is no story for this release, so I will be going straight into discussing the gameplay of this release.

Gameplay – Draw Rider Remake is a fully remade version of the original trial style racing game, with new features, stages and character customization options. The core of the game is simple, get to the end of each stage, completing the objective that has been given. These include the simple time trial challenge to reach the goal and stunt mode, where players must score points by doing tricks. The challenges will start off simple but get tougher over time.

At the start of the game, the player will be given tutorials to complete where they will learn the basic ins and outs of play. However, once this has ended, there will be more challenging stages to take on introducing new hazards to contend with. The starting vehicle is a simple bicycle, but as the player progresses through the game, they will be introduced to new vehicles like trial bikes and even a sled. This introduces more dynamic gameplay challenges.

To move through the different areas, the player will need to learn how to control their vehicle, using a momentum system to move across the obstacles. This is the defining mechanic of this system, as the player will need to be able to control their movement to achieve the goal. However, great care must be taken, as there is the chance for the player to get themselves killed when hitting their body on the stages which will fail the level.

There are also hazards that can result in the death of the player, with the presence of explosives that will blow the player up and boosters that can send the rider into a wall. When this happens, the player will need to restart the stage, which has little downside due to the lack of a life system. The player can also freely restart, which is very useful if a mistake is made leading to little downside, which gives players the ability to experiment.

In each of the stages, the player will be given three goals to achieve based on the challenge. These include reaching the goal as fast as possible in time trial or earning a set score in stunt mode. Based on the performance of the player, one of three medals can be awarded to the player, with gold, silver and bronze medals that can be earned. It is possible for no medal to be earned, but players can return to these stages later to try again.

The medals themselves serve a very important purpose in this title, as they are the key form of progression for players. At set medal milestones, the player will unlock new vehicles and body parts for customization, new sets of stages and new difficulty levels to take on. This works both to the benefit and detriment of the player, as the further the player gets in the game, the more gold medals will be needed to unlock the next stage.

The last thing to discuss is the custom level creation system featured in this game. There is a full creation suite in this release, with players being able to create their own levels for themselves and others to play. Stages can be built from nothing with different objectives, allowing complete control to be in the hands of the player. The stages can be built using either traditional controls, or touchscreen, which offer a comfortable creation experience for players.

For players to upload their stages, players must sign up for the Draw Rider service at no cost to the player. When the stage is uploaded, players from all over the world can play the stages and try for the highest score they can get. There is even a section for the most popular stages uploaded, which gives this title almost endless replay value if they have an online account.

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

Controls – there are very simple controls for this game with buttons to accelerate, brake, restart and launch the player off their vehicle. These controls work well for the majority of play, but it is possible to hit restart by accident when trying to eject from a vehicle which can be frustrating. The game can be played with any controller, which makes it a comfortable experience when connected to a TV or when being played handheld.

Difficulty – there is a reasonable difficulty curve to this title, with the challenge increasing over time for the most part. However, there are times where the difficulty will spike, leading to repeated restarts and potential frustration for the player. This can be made worse when trying to unlock the later stages of the game, due to the rather high requirements to unlock. This is the biggest flaw of the game and may sour the experience for some players.

Presentation – the game has a very simple visual style to it, with bold lines and stick figure style characters for the player characters. There are bold colors, stark lines and lots of blood particles which makes for a fun time. The sound effects for the vehicles and the like are good with some impactful effects during play. The music is a mishmash of different tracks, possibly from a purchased library, but this doesn’t affect the experience.

Final Thoughts – I had played games like this a long time ago, like line rider and happy wheels, so I was interested to see how this title compared and I will say I was pleasantly surprised. The gameplay is challenging and satisfying, but can be frustrating when it comes to the later stages of the game. There is a lot of content on offer in this package, with hundreds of stages in the single player and an infinite number of creator stages to discover.

I am happy to recommend this title to everyone who is looking for a fun time reminiscent of the classic flash games. This is a fun title that can be enjoyed by everyone, with the over the top gameplay and challenges that the game offers. The game progression through medals can be a serious frustration, as some of the stages can be very difficult, but if you can look past that, there is a lot of fun to be had with the creation system and player created levels.

In the end, I give Draw Rider Remake a final score of 4/5. This is a very challenging trial game, with challenging gameplay, bold visuals and a vast amount of content from both the developers and community. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to both versions of the game will be available below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Re-Loaded – Steam Review

Overview – originally developed by Gremlin Interactive and brought to Steam by FunBox Media, Re-Loaded is a top-down shooter, taking place in a futuristic sci-fi universe. Take control of one of 6 blood thirsty maniacs as they hunt down the man that framed them, travelling worlds to destroy him once and for all. This version of the game is available exclusively for the steam platform, with a link to the game at the bottom of this review.

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

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

Story – after the events of Loaded, the villain F.U.B. had his body destroyed, but he managed to escape as a brain in an escape pod. The pod has landed on the desert planet of Kee-Butt-5, where the villain takes over the body of a reclusive artist, setting out on a new evil plan. Now a group of maniacal anti-heroes with a thirst for blood gather, with their goal being to track down the man who framed them, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake.

Gameplay – Re-Loaded is a top down shooter, where the player must travel through the different levels of each world, completing tasks and slaughtering all enemies that appear. When starting the game, the player is able to select one of six characters (with a secret 7th character), with each of the characters having their own unique weapons and stats. Upon selecting their character, a cutscene will play out for that character and the game will start.

When in the stages of this game, the player will be able to roam through the large maps, shooting down the enemies that appear and leaving bloody smears on the ground. Each of the stages will have an objective to complete, which include collecting specific items, clearing an obstacle to the goal or destroying a set target. When the objective is cleared, the player can move onto the next and continue their bloody campaign.

In the stages, there will often be objects hidden throughout the maps, with power-ups to increase the power of attacks, health ups to heal damage and additional ammunition for weapons. The ammo pick-ups can become very important, as it is possible to for the shot total to hit zero if the player gets trigger happy. When this does happen, the ammo for the player will be refreshed, but this comes at the cost of power-ups that have been collected.

As the game progresses, the environments will get more complex and have the potential to get confusing. This will lead to players getting lost, which can make the game feel like it is dragging at times. This is due to the complexity of later levels and the need to collect card keys, enter buildings and find hidden objects in objects that can be destroyed. To compensate for this, there will be panels in some stages, giving the player hints and a map showing their path.

There is also the ability for two players to take on the challenges of Re-Loaded together, hunting down and slaughtering enemies as a team. The multiplayer options include local and online play, however, the majority of online features appear to be unusable. When playing in co-op mode, the players must move together within a single screen, as there is no split-screen option. There is also the option for friendly fire, which can be turned on in the options.

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

Controls – the controls for Re-Loaded are designed for a keyboard, but with the use of DosBox which powers this version of the game, there is support for some controllers. When using an Xbox controller, there was a relatively snappy response, with game playing well and no input lag when playing. Unfortunately, this was the only controller I was able to try out as the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation controllers I have appeared to be incompatible.

Difficulty – there are three difficulty settings for this release, with and easy normal and hard, all depicted by different types of footwear. These difficult options will affect the amount of damage dealt and received during play, which will make for a very challenging experience on the higher levels for those who want to push themselves. In general, there is a balanced difficulty curve to this title that all players can jump into.

Presentation – for the time period this was originally released, the graphical style was rather revolutionary, with complex lighting, textures and the number of effects on screen at once. That being said, this game still holds up as a great experience, only made better by the fact that the limitations of hardware from the 90’s no longer impact it. The game runs very smoothly, with no issues when it comes to lag or frame rate.

The short CGI cutscenes that are implemented in this title are still pleasing to the eye, even when they are blown up to fit a 1080p screen (even though the resolution says it is in 480). The sound is also pretty solid, with sampled electronic music that has a good amount of clarity to it for this release, with music that fits the stages well. There is an option for CD quality audio, but due to this being run via the DosBox emulator the CD audio simply doesn’t exist for the game.

Final Thoughts – I had played this game on and off through the years, playing the PlayStation version of the game, so this was a no brainer for me to try this version. The game is brought over well, with the DosBox working to perfection to allow players old and new to experience this game. This is a fantastic top down shooter, with buckets of blood and some rather ridiculous characters to accompany it during the carnage.

I can happily recommend this release to everyone who enjoys top down shooters. The gameplay is pretty solid, even though it does have its flaws, with some clumsy gameplay at times and movement that can feel stiff. However, for the age of the game and the price being asked, this is a real bargain and has a lot of content on offer for modest price point. But do be aware of the limitations for the time, as this is a game from 1996 running through DosBox.

In the end, I give the Steam version of Re-Loaded a final score of 3.5/5. This is a classic top-down shooter brought up to modern operating systems through the power of emulation, with buckets of blood, a cast of outlandish characters and pixelated carnage for all to enjoy. If you want to check this version of the game, a link to the store page will be below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Feeble Light – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Panda Indie Studio and published by Eastasiasoft, Feeble Light is a vibrant bullet hell shooter with a three tone pixel art style, reminiscent of the classic Game Boy style. Blast through 5 randomised stages, with the difficulty increasing with each stage cleared and random power-ups to collect. This title is available on Nintendo Switch, Steam and PlayStation Systems, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Eastasiasoft for providing the copy of Feeble Light that was used for this piece. The provision of this title has not 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. I will be skipping the story segment as there is little in terms of plot for this release, so I will be going straight into discussing the gameplay for Feeble Light.

Gameplay – Feeble Light is a vertical bullet hell shooter, where the player controls a literal star fighter, battling through the stars against a range of weird and wonderful enemies. The player must dodge, weave and shoot through 5 randomised stages, including an asteroid field and a hazardous series of tunnels. These stages are randomised during each run, with the difficulty increasing as each stage is cleared.

The player has a standard shot weapon that fires directly up, which can be enhanced by collecting power-ups, along with other upgrades like additional lives and support weapons. These items are also randomised, meaning that players will get a different experience with each attempt at the game. There is also a bomb weapon that can be deployed, which needs to be charged up to three times by collecting stars dropped by destroyed enemies.

During the stages, enemies will appear from all directions, along with screen filling hazards like giant fire balls and Asteroids that the player must attempt to avoid. When a hazard appears, the player will be given a warning that there is an enemy/hazard coming, allowing players to move into a better position. There is also a second warning that will appear, this one is more severe as it heralds the arrival of a boss for the player to fight.

In this game there are two different types of bosses that can appear during a run, separated into Sub and main bosses. The sub bosses are randomised, with two sub-types that can appear, the first is a lovecraftian horror that will give a mysterious item when destroyed. Then there is the unstable staretti bosses, which have the chance to drop special items that will help the player in battle, as well as regular character power-ups.

Finally we have the main bosses, with 5 stage specific end of stage battles that will challenge the player, each with their own unique attack patterns and gimmick. They include a giant fire dragon, which will summon smaller fire dragons and a black hole that will try to suck the player into it. Then there is the big bad “FINAL” boss of the game. This eldritch abomination will appear after clearing 4 stages and will unleash the most chaotic patterns of the game.

If the player is able to survive the battle with this boss, then the game will continue, further increasing in difficulty as the game will continue until the player is killed. Upon death, the stage reached will be recorded as the players score, this is unique as it prioritises survival over points. There are also color palettes that can be unlocked after a run, with a range of color schemes for the player to obtain by playing the game, adding more replay value to the experience.

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

Controls – the control system for this title is super simple, with a two button layout that gives an arcade feel to the action on screen. This makes for an easy to learn and hard to master experience, with the fast paced action requiring the player to be precise with their movements. This is made easier by the player slowing down when firing, allowing for better control in game. The game supports a wide range of controllers, so everyone can find the set-up that suits them.

Difficulty – the challenge of this title feels balanced, with the first stage of each run being fairly easy to start, with the game getting increasingly difficult as each stage is cleared. This can make what seems like a manageable challenge become more insane, with bullets filling the screen from all directions at times. The overall difficulty feels balanced, with a feeling of satisfaction present each time a higher score is reached.

Presentation – the visuals for this title are stunning, with vibrant and cute pixel art that is augmented by the Game Boy styled color schemes. There is so much to personality with this game, which is all contained within a vertical layout that feels at home on the switch. The only issue is the lack of TATE vertical mode on the switch for a full screen experience. The sound for this title is gorgeous, with fantastic chiptune music that perfectly fits the gameplay and graphical presentation.

Final Thoughts – this title surprised me when I got to play it, as I was expecting something a little more rigid with this release. The random nature of this release was a surprise and made the experience so much more fun, with a new challenge every time a new run is started. There is a lot of fun to be had with this release, with a satisfying gameplay loop that will keep players coming back for more, while earning new color palettes during play.

I am very happy to recommend this title to fans of the bullet hell genre, as it is intense but not brutally punishing for newer players. I am not the best at these types of shooters, but I could feel my skills improving with each subsequent attempt I made. This title may seem to lack substance, due to the low price that this is on sale for, but the overall quality and depth makes this title a purchase that is well worth every penny spent on it.

In the end, I give Feeble Light a final score of 5/5. This title is one of the best indie bullet hell titles I have recently played using the pixel art style, with the randomised elements of the game providing endless replay value, as no two runs of the game will be the same. 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)

Neko Secret Homecoming – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Axyos Games and published by Eastasiasoft, Neko Secret Homecoming is the latest title in the Neko series to be released. In this entry, explore Neko Town to gain access to the “Anime Factory” and hack into their mainframe. This title is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, with a link to the game available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Eastasiasoft for providing the copy of Neko Secret Homecoming 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.

Mature Content Warning: this title is intended for mature audiences, due to the inclusion of sexual themes, sexual imagery and nudity. If you are under the age rating for this release, or find any of the content mentioned offensive, please proceed at your own discretion.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. There isn’t much of a story for this title, so I will be going straight into discussing the gameplay of Neko Secret Homecoming.

Gameplay – this title is a mash up of two different gameplay styles, with a fairly sizable map that can be explored in a third person perspective, contrasting with the 2D slide puzzles. While in the main town area, the player must explore the different buildings and locations to obtain a passcode to enter the factory area. To access the different areas and obtain the numbers, the player will need to complete mini games.

These mini games are a lock picking mechanic to open doors, which requires players to obtain lock picks to be able to open the doors. The other mini game is safe cracking, where the player needs to rotate the stick to find a three digit combination to open the safe. Both of these mini games are incredibly easy to complete as the controller will vibrate (if it has that feature) when the sweet spots have been reached.

When a safe has been opened, there is a chance for one of 4 digits to be found to unlock the door to the factory. This artificially inflates the time spent to play the game, as players need to hunt for the different key code numbers. However, the code system itself is also easy to manipulate due to its flaws. When entering the code, the correct number will beep, meaning players can just brute force their way into the factory by guessing the code.

When inside the factory, the player will encounter the cat-eared lady, who just sits there and does nothing. The player can then access the features of the factory, most importantly the computer where the slide puzzles are located. Upon interacting with the computer the player can select one of 12 images, separated into two sets of 6 which the player can freely choose from. After selecting an image, the player can then start puzzling.

Each of the puzzles are separated into three levels, with each level having the featured girl appearing in a less clothing. These puzzles are incredibly simple, with the only thing that changes between each of the levels aside from the reduced clothing is the number of pieces on screen. This just drags out the process and makes the puzzles take longer to complete, with the fun wearing off very quickly which makes the experience feel increasingly tedious.

Away from the puzzles, the player can access three other features while inside the factory. There is the dart board, where the player plays a single match of darts against the AI with unwieldy controls that serves little purpose. Then we have the outfit selector, which provides very basic customization options and lets players increase the size of their player. Last we have the bathtub, which has the player sit in a tub of water fully clothed, for no other reason than they can.

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

Controls – in this release, the control method is very basic, with the 3D part using the thumbsticks for movement and camera, along with basic inputs with the face buttons. Then we have the mini game controls, which are simple to the point of redundancy if they can be uncontrollable in the darts game. Finally we have the puzzle controls, which can be played with button controls when in docked mode, but there is touch screen options when in handheld mode.

Difficulty – there is a lack of difficulty in this release, as there is no real jeopardy for the player to face. The exploration of the town is rather boring, feeling empty and vacuous as there is no risk when breaking into the different houses. The puzzles have no real challenge to them, as they are just moving squares around the grid to make a complete image. It may feel challenging when there are more pieces, but it lacks any real depth.

Presentation – visually, this title is a mixed bag when it comes to the design. The main two characters of neko girl and cat girl are nicely detailed, but the rest of the models and characters are just from asset packs. The artwork for the girls is pleasing enough to the eye but doesn’t make up for the rather lazy world building. The music and sound is also very basic, using royalty free music for the soundtrack that adds little if anything to the experience.

Final Thoughts – I wanted to enjoy this game, I really did, but there is just so much wrong with this release. There is a real lack of depth with this title, with the exploration being redundant by the ability to brute force the door and lack of life to the town. The puzzles also lack any real depth to the gameplay, as they get repetitive almost instantly and the only reason to keep playing is to see anime titties, which doesn’t rescue the game.

I am unable to recommend this title to anyone, as there is nothing really there for the player to do once all of the puzzles are cleared. But in all honesty, the puzzles aren’t even worth the time that would be wasted doing them. I feel that this title is priced way too high, offering little in terms of content and replay value, with no reason to return once all of the content is cleared. Maybe on sale, it would be worth a few dollars as an impulse purchase.

In the end, I give Neko Secret Homecoming a final score of 2/5. This had the potential to be much more than it was, but there is a distinct lack of content for players to replay the game, the art for the puzzles is nice enough, but can’t carry what feels like a cash grab made of pre-built assets. If you do want to look at this game for yourself, a link to the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)