Graveyard Keeper + Game of Crone/Breaking Dead – Steam Review

Overview – developed by Lazy Bear Games and published by tinyBuild, Graveyard Keeper is a graveyard management simulator with RPG style advancement systems. Along with the base game, several DLC expansions have been developed and published since initial release with titles and elements that reference popular media. This title (and some expansion content) is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam. Links to each version of the game will be available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I want to thank tinyBuild who provided the copy of Graveyard Keeper and the Game of Crone DLC that was used for this article. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own. Please note I will be discussing both the Game and DLC content in the gameplay section.

Content Warning: this game features content and themes that may be inappropriate for some audiences, with depictions of religion, violence and other mature themes. Please use discretion when choosing to proceed with reading this review or checking out the game.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, I will be skipping the story segment as I feel the narrative should be experienced firsthand.

Gameplay – Graveyard Keeper is a management sim with a unique twist. Rather than managing a city or farm like other titles in the genre, this release has the player take care of the operations of a cemetery, church and mortuary. After a series of unfortunate events in the present day, the player has been transported to a medieval village, being put in the position of the keeper of the graveyard. With the aid of a talking skull named Gerry, the player solves various tasks to find a way to get home.

BASE GAME – During the course of the game, the player will collect bodies from the Donkey, a disgruntled worker who drops the bodies at the morgue ready for collection. When a body is collected, the player can perform an autopsy to harvest parts from the body which includes flesh, blood, fat and bones which become resources (and food in some situations). After completing an autopsy, the player is tasked with laying the remains to rest, burying the body in the graveyard with a marker and fence (if desired).

Along with the responsibility of burying the dead, the player will also be given quests to improve the condition of the graveyard by the Bishop, who wants the church to reopen so that more donations can be collected. As well as the graveyard improvement objectives, the player can also get tasks from residents of the village, a small residential area with an Inn, Blacksmith, Potter and other useful NPCs.

When communicating with NPC characters, completing quests will give reputation points with the specific entity. As more points are earned, additional requests and features will be unlocked in the questline for that entity. At preset times during the game, characters will appear before the player initiating dialogue that will alter the way that the narrative progresses.  These special events will change the story and introduce new mechanics into the current playthrough.

There is an important thing to note about interactions with characters. Some of the NPCs encountered will only appear or interact with the player on specific days, or when conditions are met. This means that resources and materials are not the only important thing to manage, but time itself. The day and night cycle is shown by a clock in the top left of the screen, showing the current day via a dedicated symbol, with time passing quicker when the player sleeps.

The grave markers, fences and other equipment/supplies are crafted by collecting resources. Each time a resource such as wood, stone and iron is collected technology points are accrued, allowing the player to unlock new recipes for tools and equipment for crafting. The points are separated into three categories with different ones used to purchase upgrades, improve the quality of items and the complexity of each new item that is unlocked.

The different progression trees include smithing for turning metals into tools, building for processing wood and stone, cookery for food items and theology for the church. Additional trees will are unlocked as the game progresses and special trees are given from interactions with other characters. There is also a system called study, allowing players to examine items and document what they can be used in the alchemy system.

In order to create the grave decorations, lay bodies to rest and collect various other resources, the player will use energy for each action. The amount of energy consumed will vary depending on the task, with more demanding actions taking more energy. When the energy meter has been depleted, there are two ways to refill it, the first is by sleeping (this is also how the game is saved) and by consuming food/drink which is either crafted by the player or bought from merchants.

Be careful, when energy has run out, no actions can be initiated without sleeping or consuming recovery items, putting the player at risk of injury or even death if encountered by a hostile force. Management of energy and supplies can be very important if collecting resources far from home. Be sure to craft or purchase essential supplies where needed to be able to survive while out in the wilderness, as running out of energy mid task can be a significant setback.

The last part of the base game that I want to discuss is the dungeon system. Here the player is able to explore a multi-level dungeon, battling monsters, collect loot and complete quests relating to the dungeons. Each floor contains a set of monsters that must be defeated before progressing, as well as loot items that can be collected. Caution is advised, as running out of energy can result in death so tread lightly in the dungeons or you may get eaten alive.

EXPANSIONS – Alongside the standard questlines and story of the Graveyard Keeper base game, there is a selection of additional expansions in the form of DLC. I have been fortunate to be able to try out the Game of Crone expansion. There is also a free update for PC players called Breaking Dead (this expansion requires purchase on consoles).

The Breaking Dead expansion introduces necromancy, allowing the Keeper to resurrect the dead, creating an army of zombies that can be deployed in different roles. The undead can be used as miners, graveyard attendents and even as merchants. Use resources to modify and upgrade the zombie army, making them more efficient and consistent at their jobs around the graveyard.

The Game of Crone is a full story expansion, which provides additional narrative content for the player to experience, along with new quests and crafting recipes to make. New to this expansion is the introduction of refugee camps, a new settlement system that allows the Keeper to become a mayor of sorts. Assist the residents of the camp as they try to become prosperous and escape the dangers that caused them to flee.

Provide the residents of the camp with tents, wells, beds and more as the population starts to grow. Take care of the residents by helping to improve the conditions of the camp, provide what they need and protect them from those who seek to destroy them. This expansion aims to deliver an additional 6 – 10 hours of content, updates to existing systems and increasing the overall value of this expansion for both old and new players.

Now with the gameplay covered, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.

Controls – Graveyard Keeper has full controller support as well as mouse and keyboard controls. I used the latter for my time playing and I can say that the controls are comfortable to use. The interface is easy to navigate, with the mouse being the best way to move between objects on while in the menus. The keyboard mapping works effectively with all relevant buttons, using a handful of keys on one part of the keyboard for actions and movement.

Presentation – this title uses 2D pixel styled sprites, giving the game a style aesthetic similar to Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon. The character designs have a quirky charm and the darkly comic atmosphere of the games world add to the experience. There are moments that may make the player uncomfortable, including religious overtones such as inquisitors, cultists and even public executions via witch burning.

The sound design has a very medieval feel to it, with the use of flutes, harps and drums for the compositions featured. There is an absence of voice acting in this title, with simple noises for speech that fulfill their intended purpose. The overall performance of this title was satisfying, even though my hardware wasn’t the strongest I was able to play the game at a stable frame rate with a high resolution.

Final Thoughts – I enjoyed my time playing Graveyard Keeper, the narrative was both engaging and entertaining. The dark humor present when interacting with the bodies of the recently deceased, alongside the more creepy moments really brings this historically inaccurate world to life. The controls are comfortable when playing with the default setup and the performance of the game may work well with a range of hardware setups.

I can recommend this release to fans of sim style games and RPG titles. The abundance of content on offer in the base game and expansions provide enough depth to keep the player engaged for a long time. The only issue I found was that there some of the objectives can be cryptic during play, but this isn’t a significant downside. I sank a lot of time into this release during the writing of this review, I have a lot of praise for the team at Lazy Bear Games and an entertaining addition to the tinyBuild catalogue.

In the end, I give Graveyard Keeper a final Score of 4/5. Graveyard Keeper is a fun and entertaining experience, mixing farming sim style gameplay with a darkly comedic setting that doesn’t take itself seriously, offering a wealth of content in both the base game and expansions. If you want to check this game out for yourself, links to each version of the game will be available below.

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to G.O.G version (HERE)

Link to Xbox One version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 4 version (HERE)

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Mad Rat Dead – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by NIS America, Mad Rat Dead is a hybrid of side scrolling platformer and rhythm action gameplay. Match the beat of Mad Rat’s heart to the rhythm of the background music, jumping over hazards, avoiding obstacles and fighting monsters on your quest to the goal. This title is available on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, links to each version of the game will be available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I want to thank NIS America for providing the copy of Mad Rat Dead that was used for this piece. The provision of this title has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

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

Story – Mad Rat died in the middle of the night after being experimented on in the lab where he was born and raised. After his death, he encounters the Rat God who gives him the chance to relive his last day. Taking the opportunity presented to him, Mad Rat sets out on a quest to fulfill the only dream he has, revenge on the human that caused him to suffer. With only one day to achieve his goal, will he be able overcome the obstacles in his path or will it all be in vain?

Gameplay – Mad Rat Dead is a unique hybrid of side scrolling platformer and rhythm action, set to a pulse pounding soundtrack. The objective of each stage is to reach the goal within the time limit. To get to the goal, match the beat at the bottom of the screen to dash, jump, dance and stomp. Successful beat inputs will add to the combo meter on screen, building up for each well timed beat. However, a late/early input will cause the combo to reset and start over.

The game is separated into two stage types, Platformer stages and boss stages. Between stages, there are story segments that push the plot forward, often with humorous interactions between characters. During some of these segments, choices can be made with a simple yes/no style system, these choices may influence the end result of the quest but I won’t spoil what happens.

During platformer stages, Rat can collect shards that increase the beat timer, alongside hazards that can kill him in a single hit, including dangerous monsters, environmental hazards and dangerous pitfalls. When the player is hit or falls into a pit, a clock will appear allowing time to be turned back to try again, resetting the stage to the point chosen but shards don’t respawn and the timer continues to tick down. Be aware, if the timer expires the game is over, with the only options are to retry or go to title menu.

The boss stages feature the exact same mechanics as the platformer sections, however they each have their own unique objectives and hazards, further increasing the challenge presented to the player. To help give the player a guide on how close they are to the end of the current stage, a goal meter can be seen on screen and will fill up as progress is made. This can add tension to a difficult boss/platform stage as seeing how far away the goal is and a limited timer may cause some stress to the player.

At the end of a stage results are shown with a ranking given for the performance of the player and the song for that stage is unlocked for free play. The rankings given are determined by the number of beats left, the highest combo reached and the number of perfect beats hit. This system adds another layer of replay value to the game, proving players with a reason to return to the game to get the highest rank possible.

As well as the story mode, there is sound check, stage select and a trophy system. Sound check allows songs that have been unlocked to be listened to freely, with a practice prompt added to learn the beat of the song. Stage select gives the player the option to replay previously completed stages, with a choice of Normal or Hard difficulty and the ability to select the song that is played. The trophy system rewards players with titles for fulfilling requirements during gameplay, adding more reasons to return to Mad Rat Dead.

Now with the gameplay covered, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.

Controls – the controls for Mad Rat Dead are simple and effective, both in design and execution. The face buttons are used for the actions, front shoulder buttons to activate the heart clock and the left stick to handle movement direction. The controls feel natural and comfortable when played with Joy Cons or a separate controller in either docked or handheld modes. The inputs are responsive and the vibration when hitting beats successfully provide positive feedback that is both satisfying and engaging during play.

Difficulty – there is a gradual difficulty curve with this release, getting tougher as the game progresses and the beats get more complex. In the normal setting, there is just a single type of beat to follow, whereas the hard setting introduces a second red beat that must have all markers within it hit to succeed increasing the challenge present .Through effective implementation of the rewind system, the overall experience isn’t too difficult and can be completed by anyone.

However, there is an issue that I must mention. When turning the clock back, the beat track continues from where the player was hit, potentially causing problems with timing inputs resulting in repeated failures. While the issue of interrupted beat timings upon restarting is a cause for frustration, it is not a major downside as there is no limit to the number of times the rewind feature can be used.

Presentation – the graphical style of Mad Rat Dead is both quirky and aesthetically pleasing, with creepy horror tones present during play. The characters themselves are designed wonderfully, with the cute style of the Rat God contrasting to the punk aesthetic of Mad Rat. The stages are also well made, however, they do have some faults as the foreground and background layers can blur together at points, making it difficult to see what is and isn’t solid ground.

The sound design is excellent, with a soundtrack that makes this release stand out above other rhythm action games. Using a mix of electro swing, dubstep and more to create a unique sound experience that gives Mad Rat Dead its own personality, utilizing the sounds of accordion, saxophone and bass to name a few. There is a lack of voice acting in this title, but that doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the game as the sound effects used for character dialogue work just as well in this style of game.

Final Thoughts – I had a lot of fun while playing Mad Rat Dead, but also had my fair share of frustrations at the same time. While the action is smooth and responsive, the platforming was tough at times due to minor visibility issues and poor input timing on my end, causing several failures by unintentionally falling into pitfalls or colliding with hazards. But to be completely honest, the majority of failures I suffered were human error on my part once I had gotten used to the way that the rewind feature functioned.

This is an easy recommendation to make as the overall experience on offer is accessible to all, with enough complexity for fans of both rhythm action and side scrolling platform to find something to enjoy. The diversity of musical styles from the talented artists bring this game to life, while also providing a selection of music that can be enjoyed away from the game. I applaud Nippon Ichi Software on another fantastic genre defying release.

In the end, I give Mad Rat Dead a score of 4/5. This release is a fun and frantic mash up of platforming and rhythm action, featuring an entertaining story, a charming cast of characters and a toe tapping soundtrack that ties the whole experience together. If you want to check this title out for yourself, links to both versions of the game will be below (demos available).

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 4 version (HERE)

Disgaea 5 Complete – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by NIS America, Disgaea 5 Complete is the definitive version of the tactical RPG originally released for the PlayStation 4. This enhanced release includes all previously released DLC content in a single package. This version is available for Nintendo Switch and Steam, the PS4 version is also available as a base version and a complete bundle. Links to each version of the game will be available at the bottom of the review.

Disclaimer: this is a rewrite of a previously published article, updated to fit the quality and standard of other reviews that are on this site. The previously published version of this article is no longer available, so this is the only version of the review available for reading.

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

Story – Disgaea 5 focuses on Killia, a wandering demon who is travelling the Netherworlds on a quest for revenge on a man known as the “Demon Emperor” Void Dark. During his travels Killia encounters Lady Seraphina, an overlord who is battling an army called The Lost, commanded by Dark. After Killia decimates the enemy forces in a single strike, Seraphina joins the mysterious demon to aid him in fulfilling his vendetta and her own goals.

Gameplay – Disgaea 5 Complete maintains the same core gameplay mechanics featured in all other entries in the franchise. The isometric view, anime style visuals for sprites/portraits, thematic 3D worlds and chaotic turn based combat returns again, with special features that are exclusive to this installment. This is the third review in the Disgaea franchise, with Disgaea 1 Complete (viewable HERE) and Disgaea 4 Complete+ (viewable HERE), so I will be giving a brief summary of basic gameplay, alongside some notable exclusive features.

The story mode for Disgaea 5 takes place across 16 chapters, featuring battles across themed Netherworlds that have their own unique appearance. During each battle stage, the player is allowed to deploy up to 10 units from the starting space, with each unit able to make up to two actions per turn. Actions that units can make include standard attacks, special skills, movement and item usage.

When actions have been assigned for that turn, the player can execute the current actions to make more moves or end the turn, executing current actions and passing to the enemy. Be aware that if a unit is defeated, the slot that the unit was using is depleted, meaning if all 10 slots are depleted the battle is lost. The player may then retry, return to the home base or go to the main menu.

In battle, the units that are deployed will gain experience by using skills, defeating enemies and completing objectives. After earning enough experience, the unit will level up, gaining new skills/attacks and boosting their stats. Alongside experience is Hell and Mana, two forms of currency that are earned during play, primarily used to purchase new equipment and giving access to various features while in the Netherworld home base.

This time the home base is a pocket netherworld, featuring the Rosen Queen Trading Co, Dimension Guide, Hospital and Item World. The Dark Assembly returns in this entry, along with special content that is exclusive to this release. Here is just a few of the new features included in Disgaea 5 Complete;

  • Revenge Mode – when a unit takes damage or allied units are defeated in battle, a special meter is filled. When this meter reaches the maximum threshold, that unit enters Revenge Mode. While active, this state allows the use of skills at a reduced cost, reduces damage and allows specific character units to activate a special skill. This special skill is a single use strike that can shift the tide of battle for that stage.
  • Quest Shop – in the Pocket Netherworld, there is a shop that the player can access to obtain quests and challenges. These optional objectives range from collecting specific items, to leveling up specific classes to unlock rewards and more.
  • Chara World – while the Chara World is present in Disgaea 4, that version of the mode was a variation of the Item World. In Disgaea 5, the Chara World has been revamped to function similar to a board game, with a preset number of turns to make it to the goal. Choose a character from your party and send them on a quest to unlock special upgrades.
  • Curry Shop – mix together items in your inventory to create special curry items, with each unique combination providing different results. Curry items can be bought from the shop with preset effects that can be used immediately.

Now with the details of gameplay covered to a degree that prevents spoilers, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the difficulty.

Difficulty – Disgaea 5 has a level of challenge that feels fair and balanced, with rapid advancement that is both satisfying and rewarding during play. The difficulty can be eased for players that struggle with the help of special Prinny characters, with each special character set at level 25 and available early in the game, boosting the power of the players party. Alongside additional features and special bonuses, this is the most accessible Disgaea currently available for players.

Presentation – the visuals are as crisp and vibrant as ever, with the portraits for the new characters/units featuring the same high quality as always. The animations for special skills, team attacks and cutscenes are spectacular, showcasing the trademark insanity that Nippon Ichi Software is known for. The best part of the graphical design is the variety of environments available to explore and battle through, making each Netherworld featured feel unique.

The sound has all the hallmarks of the Disgaea franchise, with exciting tracks that feature both operatic and traditional singing, alongside the usual rock and jazz style compositions. The most memorable part of the soundtrack is the theme that plays while in the Pocket Netherworld, titled Moving On, this track is calm and relaxing, featuring a vocal track that adds to the experience. Disgaea 5 features an English voice cast, with excellent performances by Stephanie Sheh (Little Witch Academia), Cherami Leigh (Brand New Animal) and Kira Buckland (Demon Slayer) to name but a few of the talented voice actors.

Final Thoughts – this is the best way to experience Disgaea 5, as the inclusion of bonus DLC content creates the definitive version of Nippon Ichi Software’s latest mainline entry in their most well know franchise (until Disgaea 6 is released in 2021). The developers have provided an excellent experience for players both old and new who may want to try the series on the Nintendo Switch, with easy to pick up gameplay mechanics and wonderful cast of characters.  

I cannot recommend this game enough as the gameplay, narrative and overall experience kept me engaged the entire time. The voice acting is a delight and the presentation spectacular, with beautifully rendered character portraits, Netherworld locations and voiced dialogue sequences that have a unique charm that only Nippon Ichi games have. I have lost countless hours playing this game and the other Disgaea Complete releases and with Disgaea 6 coming next year, I expect to lose many, many more.

In the end, I give Disgaea 5 Complete a final score of 5/5. This is an outstanding release and another feather in the cap for Nippon Ichi Software. The characters, story and gameplay are engaging, with the included DLC content adding more value to the overall package on offer. If you want to check this game out for yourself, links to each version of the game will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 4 version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Clea – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by InvertMouse and published by Sekai Games, Clea is a skill based, survival horror adventure set in a mansion overtaken by hellish monsters. Solve puzzles, avoid monsters and use the environment to your advantage to avoid the monsters that are out hunting you. This title is available for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Steam service. Links to the game will be available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PR Hound for providing the copy of Clea used for this piece. The provision of this title has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. I will be omitting the story section to prevent spoilers, so I will be moving directly to the gameplay section.

Gameplay – Clea is an unconventional horror experience, using a hide and seek style gameplay system with limited defensive capabilities. Within the Whitlock Mansion, explore the rooms of the house and avoid the monsters hunting you down, peeking under doors, hiding in closets and solving puzzles to access important items. The puzzles that the player must solve include button combination locks and color coded doors that require special keys to unlock, all while trying to remain undetected.

When exploring the halls of Whitlock Mansion, sounds will attract monsters to the room that the player is located in. When a monster is close by, they will be signaled by noises and footsteps that get louder as the danger builds. If the player doesn’t hide or use great care when monsters are nearby by peeking under doors, death will occur quickly as the most common monster will chase Clea down faster than she can run. However, there are some items and mechanics that can keep her safe.

In most areas, there are closets that Clea can hide inside, the monsters will be unable to see her while she is concealed and will go away after a moment. In some rooms there are button prompts that will create noise, these will alert nearby enemies who will be attracted to the sound, allowing Clea to sneak past or hide if a closet is nearby. The strategic use of noise and concealment can be critical to surviving the horrors of the mansion.

During the adventure, Clea will encounter an item called an arcane candle, which will repel all enemies in the room for the time that she is in that room. Additionally, potions can be found while exploring the rooms, which will heal scarring on Clea. The scarring acts as a corruption system, causing creepy apparitions to appear more frequently the longer that the scars are untreated. These important items are scarce so be careful when using them.

Now, each area is a separated into its own chapter, with a cutscene that will play before the stage begins providing more plot details. Alongside the story segments, additional details and clues to puzzles can be found in notes/books that are scattered in different rooms. These notes can be crucial for understanding what is happening in that area, providing critical information that can keep Clea safe. But not all notes are important as some are just filler, with jokes and references to break the tension.

The last thing I want to talk about is the medal system and unlockable items. At the end of each chapter, the player can earn medals depending on the difficulty level chosen. These medals will unlock bonus content that can be accessed in the main menu. Successful completion of other requirements will unlock special costumes and game modes, providing new gameplay challenges and cosmetics for new playthroughs.

Clea can be cleared in a few hours and while this is relatively short, there is a lot of replay value on offer for players. Additional difficulty settings, cosmetic rewards, play modes and multiple endings to unlock give more than enough reasons to return to this title more than once. This spooky experience has a lot on offer for the relatively low price being asked.

Now with the gameplay covered, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.

Controls – Clea has a very simple control method that works very effectively. During the opening section, there is a handy tutorial that allows the player to practice each of the functions freely. While the majority of inputs are simple and work with little lag, there is a minor issue present. Some objects appear very close to each other, this can cause the wrong object to be activated at times, such as activating a door when trying to use a save point.

Difficulty – the difficulty of this title is balanced with the implementation of several settings and modifiers available. When starting the game, there are two settings available with an additional two settings and modifiers unlocked during play. The last part of the difficulty to discuss is the penalties that are suffered upon failure, unless the player saves regularly during each stage, a significant amount of time and progress can be lost when killed.

Presentation – the visual style and presentation of Clea is spooky and atmospheric, with a paper doll style to the character models and enemy designs. This flat look also causes animations to look jerky and unnatural, further adding to the horror aesthetic that the developer was aiming for. The effects used and overall performance is pleasing, with no issues when it comes to frame rates and graphical performance.

The sound design is creepy with a distinct lack of background music during the experience, with footsteps, creepy laughter and other sound cues being used to great effect. The way that the stereo audio is implemented makes the experience even creepier, with footsteps and other sound effects changing in volume depending on the distance to the player. There is a voice over used for the story segments, with fully voiced dialogue that is excellently performed, providing an unsettling tone to all character interactions.

Final Thoughts – Clea is an atmospheric and creepy horror adventure, with a charm that I found to be genuinely haunting during the experience. The use of sound was unsettling as it added to the tension when trying to solve puzzles and get to safety. Aside from the occasional input issue when trying to save or activate objects, this title is engaging and a lot of spooky fun.

The overall quality and presentation of Clea is outstanding given that the game was created by a small team. I applaud the hard work of InvertMouse and I look forward to seeing more from this indie dev, with hopes that the sequel will also come to the Nintendo Switch in the future. I can recommend this release to everyone, with a creepy story, haunting atmosphere and challenging gameplay that anyone can enjoy.

In the end, I give Clea a final score of 4/5. This is a creepy and haunting horror adventure, featuring a graphical style that provides another unsettling touch to the experience. The gameplay is engaging and the use of sound works fantastically, alongside the variety of additional content including special costumes that are based upon releases by publisher Sekai Games. If you want to check this game out for yourself, links to each version will be available below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to Xbox One version (HERE)

Link to steam version (HERE)

Disgaea 4 Complete+ – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by NIS America, Disgaea 4 Complete+ is the definitive version of the tactical RPG originally released for the PS Vita and PlayStation 3. This release features updated HD Visuals, refined gameplay and all additional content from the previous iterations. This version of Disgaea 4 is available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam, links to purchase this game will be at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: this is a rewrite of a previously published article, updated to fit the quality and standard of other reviews that are on this site. The previously published version of this article is no longer available, so this is the only version of the review for reading. This release was provided by NIS America for review at the time that the initial coverage was published. The provision of this title has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.

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

Story – the vampire Valvatorez, a former tyrant who once terrorized both the Netherworld and the world of humans has become a Prinny instructor in the Netherworld prison of Hades. Here he trains Prinnies, souls of dead humans transformed into demonic penguins in order to atone for their sins and be reincarnated. After the completion of training the latest batch of Prinnies, Valvatorez makes a promise to give each of his trainees a sardine.

However, before he can fulfill his promise, the Prinnies are taken away by a vortex that suddenly opens up. After locating the lost demons, Valvatorez learns that the president of the Netherworld Corrupternment has ordered the mass extermination of the Prinnies. Disgusted by the behavior of the president and infuriated that this will interfere with the promise he made, Valvatorez sets out to stop the plans of the president by reveling against the Corrupternment.

Gameplay – Disgaea 4 Complete+ features all the trademark mechanics that the franchise is known for. The isometric camera angles, 2D anime style sprites, vibrant 3D worlds and chaotic turn based battles return, with new features exclusive to this installment. I have covered the basic mechanics of Disgaea previously with my coverage of Disgaea 1 Complete which can be read (HERE). However, I will still provide a summary of the gameplay below.

The story takes place through several chapters, made up of a series of battle stages each with unique appearance based on that chapter.  During battle the player can deploy up to 10 units from the starting position, with each unit be able to make up to two actions per turn. The actions that can be used each turn include attacks, special skills, movement and item usage.

When actions have been assigned for that turn, the player can execute the current actions to make more moves or end the turn, executing current actions and passing to the enemy. Be aware that if a unit is defeated, the slot that the unit was using is depleted, meaning if all 10 slots are depleted the battle is lost. The player may then retry, return to the home base or go to the main menu.

In battle, the units that are deployed will gain experience by using skills, defeating enemies and completing objectives. After earning enough experience, the unit will level up, gaining new skills/attacks and boosting their stats. Alongside experience is Hell and Mana, two forms of currency that are earned during play, primarily used to purchase new equipment and giving access to various features while in the Netherworld home base.

The home base in this release includes many of the features present in other Disgaea releases, with the Rosen Queen merchant stores, Dimension Gate, and Item World present. Now with the summary covered, I will be discussing some of the new content that is exclusive to this release. Please note, that the features and mechanics I will be discussing here are new additions to this title when compared to both Disgaea 1 Complete and Disgaea 5 complete (which will be covered soon).

New Features;

  • Geo blocks – replacing the pyramids used in Disgaea 1 Complete, the Geo blocks are stackable and can alter not only the effects of the field but the terrain itself, being used as bridges, blocking steps and making up towers, if a matching block is dropped next to existing blocks a chain will occur and blocks will be destroyed.
  • Skill and Evility changes – a new feature in this release, skills are no longer improved by leveling up, instead skills must be improved by paying mana to boost the range and power of each ability. Secondly, the Evility system uses mana to purchase new passive skills that offer improvements for each character. These new systems put an increased focus on earning mana with favored units to strengthen them quickly.
  • Cam-Pain Headquarters – an alteration of the Dark Assembly, given the political themes of the game the player can place units on a map, moving them freely. The dark senate is situated here, allowing the player to create new party members. New structures can also be unlocked and placed on the map giving new skills among other new features available in this mode.
  • Network Features – in the Network mode, players can share characters between netherworlds to either help or hinder others, battle players in challenging battles and join the rankings to earn special rewards.

A disclaimer for users, there are micro transactions implemented in this release but they have no impact on the way the game functions, apart from providing boosts for players who may be struggling to progress.

Now with the gameplay covered, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the difficulty.

Difficulty – the difficulty curve of Disgaea 4 Complete+ feels a little more intense than other releases in the Complete line of remasters. The changes to leveling and skill advancement increase the amount of grinding required, increasing the need to grind earlier stages to boost units in the party. The difficulty increase is most prevalent during the early stages of the game and when creating new party members, requiring heavy grinding to prevent defeat as the story progresses.

Presentation – this release features the same anime style visuals that the franchise is known for, featuring beautiful character portraits and outlandish animated cutscenes for special attacks. The thematic stages are unique with each chapter, keeping the experience fresh throughout. Like usual, the overall visual quality of the presentation is outstanding and of the same high quality that Nippon Ichi Software is known for.

The sound design still has the grand and spooky feel to it that other Disgaea universe titles have. Classic melodies return, with the Rosen Queen Co theme and a retro styled rendition of Laharl’s Hymn. The voice acting for the English language track is of high quality as usual, with reputable voice talent from anime and video games. The cast for this release include Troy Baker (The Last of Us), Patrick Seitz (One Piece) and Kate Higgins (Naruto).

Final Thoughts – overall this is a great game, however there is a couple minor issues. First, the difficulty increase and the need to grind more than other titles can be a source of frustration. The other issue I found were the micro transactions, which are not intrusive but don’t fit the overall gameplay style of Disgaea. These changes can be jarring when first playing the game, but are otherwise a minor inconvenience to the overall experience.

While there are some things the game hasn’t done well at, there are many things that Disgaea 4 Complete+ excels at. The presentation of the story, additional content on offer and the high quality of the HD remaster makes this the definitive iteration of the game. I have no issue recommending this title to fans of the series, as the charming characters and quality of the game in general make this release of Disgaea 4 well worth picking up.

In the end, I give Disgaea 4 Complete+ a final score of 4.5/5. An excellent remaster that has the trademark high quality that Nippon Ichi Software is known for. The characters, story and environments have that signature Disgaea charm, alongside a wealth of additional content that will keep you engaged for a long time. If you want to check this title out for yourself, links to each version of the game will be available below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 4 version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Supermarket Shriek – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Billy Goat Entertainment and published by PQube, Supermarket Shriek is a unique puzzle based racing game, featuring a man and a goat who must navigate obstacle courses in various retail environments via the power of screaming. This release is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows. Links to purchase the game will be at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PQube who provided the copy of Supermarket Shriek that was used for this piece. The provision of this title has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. I will be omitting the story section as there is little in the way of plot and move directly to the gameplay portion of the release.

Gameplay – Supermarket Shriek is a unique title, with all actions controlled by the screams of the man and goat. In the trolley, the screams of the man will turn left and the goat will turn right, with both screaming at the same time pushing the trolley forward. This unique method of propulsion is the only way to control the trolley, with the triggers and left stick used to control the two characters.

The main game is made up of 32 hazard filled stages to play through, with a variety of objectives to complete, earning up to three stars depending on the result of each stage. Here are some of the objective types that you can find in the game;

  • Obstacle Course – dash through the stage, trying to get to the goal as fast as possible. Dodge swinging pendulum blades, sound activated obstacles and deadly pitfalls to reach the checkout as quickly as you can.
  • Canned Carnage – smash through stacks of canned beans, collect time ups and avoid obstacles to earn the most points you can. A time bonus is applied at the end of the stage depending on the performance of the player at the end of the stage.
  • Shopping List – run around the store, collecting items on a shopping list as quickly as you can before heading to the goal. Navigate the dangers that surround you, avoiding harm as you head to try to get in and out with the goods as fast as possible.

The game is made up of streets with each one containing a set number of stars to earn in the stages, with a preset number required to access the final store of each zone. The stars also unlock cosmetic items that the player can use to dress up the characters, adding more reasons to clear each stage as quickly as possible to get the maximum number of stars.

To get used to the way that the characters function with the screams, the game provides a tutorial to practice maneuvering the trolley through each of the twists and turns of each level ahead. The variety of locations, traps and hazards is refreshing as new obstacles are introduced gradually, building up the challenge gradually during the course of the game.

This release also features parodies and references to stores, video games and even a tribute to a deceased television personality. The introduction stage is called Winton’s General Store, a reference to the late Dale Winton, the host for the UK version of the game show Supermarket Sweep during its initial run in the 90’s. The game also features secret stages based on other video games, including a parody of the special stage from Sonic 2 and a Micro Machines style race.

The gameplay is frantic, fun and very engaging, with a lot of content on offer. There is also a co-op mode for two players using a single Joy-Con per player and a party mode that can accommodate up to eight players simultaneously. I was able to play some of the co-op mode and can say it is both frustrating and fun, with chaos ensuing while trying to get around corners and even going in a straight line. Unfortunately, I was unable to try the party mode and so I will be unable to discuss that here.

With the gameplay covered, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.

Controls – the controls are simple and work well, using only the triggers and left thumbstick to control the trolley if steering assist is active. Playing with both a pro controller and Joy-Cons is comfortable, with responsive controls that work very well. The single Joy-Con set up works just as well, with the ability to control the characters relying on the skills of the player.

Difficulty – there is a moderate curve to the challenge of Supermarket Shriek, gradually increasing with difficulty over time. The core aspect of the game that influences the level of difficulty on offer is the star system, as the stricter time limits and scores required to earn the full three stars can be very tough to reach without practice. However, the game can get even harder if playing with another person, as the ability to communicate between each other will have a knock on effect on the difficulty level.

Presentation – the visual style for this release is quite pleasing, with rendered models and creative environments for each stage used. The character models, shop fronts and locations are humorous, with the screaming models that appear on the HUD reacting when colliding with obstacles and walls. There are also humorous fail state animations, with the shopping trolley exploding and censor blurs appearing if the characters fall into a grinder, which is funny as there is zero blood in this game.

The sound is done very well, featuring catchy melodies and cheerful music that fits well with the stages that the player encounters, giving an exciting and upbeat pace to each challenge presented. The only issue I have with the sound design is the screaming itself, with the constant loud noises becoming grating over time. The overall performance is satisfactory, however, there were instances of graphical bugs causing full visual blackouts with only the HUD being visible, requiring a full software restart to fix.

Final Thoughts – overall Supermarket Shriek is an entertaining and fun experience. The unique control method implemented was a lot of fun to use and while it may be difficult to control with triggers at times, this is eased with the thumbstick assist system. The stages have a lot of diversity to them with thematic designs for each location, ranging from the simple supermarket, to a dim neon soaked arcade and water filled fishmongers.

I will state that the game may be a little rage inducing, but I can happily recommend Supermarket Shriek as it is a fun game at a modest price. The content on offer and diversity of objectives provide many hours of entertainment, both in single player and the multiplayer modes. The only issues I found while playing were the graphical bug that required a full restart, and the screams becoming a minor irritation over time. The graphical issues that I experienced were a frustration, but hopefully they are not a common occurrence and can be fixed in the future.

In the end, I give Supermarket Shriek a final score of 3.5/5. The unique gameplay style, diversity of objectives on offer and the humorous references/parodies featured all come together to create an entertaining experience that can be enjoyed by everyone. If you want to check this game out for yourself, links to the game on all platforms will be available below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 4 version (HERE)

Link to Xbox One version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Clea – Nintendo Switch Announcement

Hello, I have an announcement from our friends at PR Hound, Sekai Games and InverMouse for you to check out.

Publisher, Sekai Games, and developer, InvertMouse, are excited to announce the forthcoming release of the thrilling skill-based survival horror adventure Clea. Coming to Nintendo Switch™  and releasing this week on October 30th players can experience a thrilling Halloween ghoulish fest with console exclusive featured costumes of characters from games published by Sekai Games, soon to be revealed!

After experimenting on the Chaos Servants, Clea’s parents have let the monsters loose in the Whitlock Mansion. Trapped inside by her family, Clea must find her way out and escape with her little brother in tow. This Halloween help Clea solve puzzles and avoid the Chaos Servants in this exciting paper theater game!

In Clea, players follow the young woman and her brother as they attempt to escape a house filled with beings that mean them harm. Players must stay alert, listening and wondering where these creatures could be. Survive the horrors of Whitlock Mansion by solving puzzles, hiding, collecting and using objects to safely get through the sinister mansion and escape.

Outwit the Chaos Servants who are on the hunt. Listen for their footsteps, peek around doors, and stay far, far away from impending dangers. Hunt down key items and solve the puzzles designed to lock you from the outside world and unveil the family history, and possibly discover their bloodline is filled with dark memories. Obtain memory orbs and uncover your family secrets through bonus chapters.

Clea features:

  • Jump-scare free horror game, requiring you to be on your wits and listen to your surroundings.
  • 2D gameplay with beautiful HD paper doll style graphics
  • Fully voiced in English with Xanthe Huynh (Sword Art Online, K-On), Anairis Quinones (RWBY) among others.
  • Local leaderboards to compete against your friends who can uncover the mystery fastest.
  • Brand new title theme from video game music great Dale North.
  • No pre-scripted scares, promise. Your skills and actions will determine Clea’s fate.

Clea will be released on the Nintendo eShop on October 30th 2020, the game is rated ESRB Teen and PEGI 12 for Violence and Blood. This title will be available as a digital only release priced at $14.99/£13.49/€14,99. A link to the games official eShop page will be below the trailer.

Link to Nintendo eShop (HERE)

Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~ – Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed by Mr. Tired Media and Published by Sekai Project, Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~ is a dungeon crawling RPG featuring visual novels sequences. Experience a different take on a zombie apocalypse as you explore a new world, joined by a group of cute girls that have more to them than meets the eye. This release is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Steam service, links to the game will be available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank PR Hound for providing the copy of Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~ used for this piece. The provision of this title has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own. Please note that I will be omitting some details when discussing details as I don’t want to spoil the surprises that this titles offers.

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

Story – Undead Darlings takes place in a world ravaged by a zombie apocalypse, where a virus has caused the majority of the population to be turned into shambling corpses. Waking up from a drug induced coma, Reginald “Reggie” P. Happenstahnce is told by his childhood friend Pearl that society has crumbled, a virus turning almost everyone into zombies while he was asleep. This includes Pearl herself.

However, she has held onto her humanity, informing him that along with the other half-zombies they may encounter, she may be undead but her heart is still human. After telling Reggie everything that has happened and that there may be a cure, they encounter another survivor, a man named Buck that has been looting the abandoned homes nearby. Now Reggie, Pearl and Buck are on a quest to find the cure for the virus, befriending the other half-zombie girls they meet on their journey.

Gameplay – Undead Darlings is a mix of dungeon crawling RPG gameplay and visual novel storytelling, with the narrative separated into several chapters. During each chapter the player is presented with choices that will influence the way that the narrative plays out, potentially changing the ending that the player will see. This game features multiple endings and special event scenes to unlock, giving players a reason to play through the game again to explore each possibility on offer.

Away from the story segments is the dungeon exploration, with several distinct areas featuring multiple floors, puzzles to solve and monsters to battle. The dungeons themselves are made up of a grid based map, with hidden pathways, locked doors/gates and special triggers throughout. On the main screen, the player has access to a map that shows all the layout of the floor as each step is made and the markers for triggers.

Here is a summary of some of the markers that will be encountered during play;

  • Encounter Cupcake – these adorable undead cupcakes contain monsters that the player must battle when contact is made. The cupcakes are separated into three categories, which are green for regular encounters, purple for challenging encounters and pink for boss battles.
  •  Loot Chest – these markers surrounded by pink hearts contain loot that the player can collect, items inside the chest include weapons, armor and more. But be aware of the current inventory as items will need to be dropped if loot is picked up and all slots are full.
  • Event Marker – these exclamation marks will initiate character dialogue when touched, with new details and possible dialogue choices that may influence the way that the narrative progresses.

The green encounter cupcakes and loot chest markers will respawn each time the dungeon is entered or a floor is changed, allowing for easy grinding of loot and experience for quick leveling. When encountering enemies, either randomly or through the predetermined markers a turn based battle will occur, pitting the party of half-zombie girls against a variety of enemies.

Combat is made up of turn-based battles, with the order of combat determined by the agility of the combatants. Each part member can use five commands, attack for weapon strikes, skill for special attacks, defend to lessen damage, item for consumable/recovery items and run to escape combat. Be aware that not all combat encounters can be escaped, so preparation before taking on tougher enemies can be key to survival

An important resource to keep an eye on is durability points, called DP in game menus. When the player attacks a monster with their equipped item or uses a specific skill the weapons DP is reduced, with the weapon breaking at the end of combat if all DP points are depleted turning it into scrap. A second resource that is just as important is skill points, also called SP. The skills that characters use consume SP, reducing their total with each use.

At the end of combat, the party is rewarded with experience points, leveling the active girls that participated in that battle. As each girl levels up, new skills, abilities and stat boosts are applied as that character grows. The amount of experience earned depends on a few different factors, the strength of an enemy and total number of enemies in the battle, with boss battles providing the highest rewards for the party.

The last part of the gameplay I want to discuss is the inventory/party management system. Outside the dungeon, the player can speak to buck, who offers a variety of options for the player to engage with. The player can alter the party order, switching girls in and out to change the strategies that can be used in combat. Buck also functions as both a bank to store items and a blacksmith, using scrap that is collected from broken weapons and dismantling equipment to strengthen weapons/provide player upgrades.

Now with the gameplay covered, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.

Controls – the control system for this release is simple yet effective. The left side of the controller and shoulder buttons are used for menu/dungeon navigation, with the face buttons for actions and to control various aspects of the heads-up display. The game plays comfortably with both a pro controller and the Joy-Cons, with zero issues when it comes to inputs during any part of the experience.

Difficulty – the difficulty of Undead Darlings can be modified to fit the play style and skill level of the player, with five settings that will alter the overall challenge presented. Death can also be a minor inconvenience, as being the player can simply retry that battle at the cost of carried items. The items lost can easily be recovered due to the abundance of loot in each dungeon, and the ability to save/load freely reduces this penalty further.

Presentation – Undead Darlings has a delightfully creepy aesthetic, with a mix of anime styled art for the girls and creepy illustrative work for the monsters, meshing perfectly with the rendered environments. The character designs for the girls are pleasing, with cute designs that fit many of the traditional character archetypes. These designs include a tomboy with twin tails, a gothic tsundere that holds a ying/yang teddy bear and a snobbish private school student in her fancy uniform.

The music is catchy and fits the themes presented during gameplay. From the tense electro beats, heavy guitars and pounding drums during combat, to the atmospheric and sometimes calming compositions featured during exploration and story sequences. This release also features an English voice cast, featuring the outstanding talents of Lily Pichu (Twitch streamer/YouTube), Laura Post (Persona 5, Little Witch Academia) and Erica Mendez (Kill La Kill, Code Vein).

Final Thoughts – I was pleasantly surprised with Undead Darlings, I spent several hours playing this game and enjoyed every minute. The characters are aesthetically pleasing, the monsters both comical and horrific, and the designs for the dungeon environments have a satisfyingly spooky atmosphere to them. This is a fun dungeon crawler, with a well written and engaging story that offers a range of possibilities for narrative progression.

I can happily recommend this release to fans of both visual novels and dungeon crawling RPG titles. Mr. Tired Media has created an entertaining and humorous experience, filled with references to pop culture and movies including a joke based on an iconic scene from the terrifically bad movie The Room. The overall package is a delight to play, offering depth in both story-telling and gameplay, and I applaud the hard work of the developers who created this wonderful title.

In the end, I give Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~ a score of 5/5. This is an entertaining and engaging visual novel/RPG hybrid, perfect for fans of either genre, offering depth in both gameplay and storytelling, with a cast of cute half-zombie girls that bring life to a world ravaged by a viral apocalypse. If you want to check this game out for yourself, links will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 4 version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Directors Cut -Nintendo Switch Review

Overview – developed and published by WayForward, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Directors Cut is an enhanced version of the classic Nintendo DSi Metroidvania title. This updated release features challenging platforming, large scale boss battles and a new Magic Mode. Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Directors Cut is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows. Links to each version will be available at the bottom of this review.

Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I want to thank WayForward for providing the copy of Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Directors Cut that was used for this piece. the provision of this title has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

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

Story – taking place after the events of the first game (Shantae for Game Boy Color), Shantae the Half-Genie and her friends attend the annual Relic Hunters Expo. During the event, Shantae watches as her Uncle Mimic reveals his latest find, a lamp encased in stone. Shortly after the lamp is freed from the stone, the Pirate Risky Boots crashes the party and steals the lamp, knocking Shantae out during the ruckus she makes her escape.

After waking up, Shantae is blamed for the theft by the Mayor and fires her as the Guardian of Scuttle Town. Despite no longer being a Guardian Genies, Shantae takes it upon herself to stop Risky Boots from fulfilling her ambitions. Learning that the lamp is magical from her Uncle, Shantae sets out on a quest to collect three magic seals that are hidden in Sequin Land. With the help of her friends and her own magical abilities, Shantae must find the seals, stop Risky Boots and save her home town.

Gameplay – the gameplay for Risky’s Revenge follows the traditional Metroidvania style with an interconnected map, puzzles to solve and secrets to uncover. As Shantae, you travel across Sequin Land, battling dangerous monsters, exploring perilous dungeons and completing quests as you try to stop Risky Boots. Exploration is encouraged throughout the map as there are many treasures to discover, rewarding players for returning to previously discovered areas as the story progresses.

The player has access to a limited move set at the beginning of the game, with Shantae being able to climb, jump and use her hair as a whip. As the game progresses, the player is able to purchase spells/items using gems collected from defeating enemies and given by NPC characters. Shantae can also find special Dance Magic, allowing her to transform into animals to aid exploration and puzzle solving during the adventure.

The world can be separated into three zone types that function independently from each other. Here is a brief summary of each type of zone that Shantae will encounter;

  • Scuttle Town – this is the home town for Shantae, where she can buy items, talk with friends and get clues on where to go next. Be sure to revisit the town often as restocking items is essential to succeeding in the quest ahead.
  • Overworld – this is where the majority of gameplay takes place, with enemies spawning almost endlessly when moving between each screen. While moving around each area, use special direction markers to jump into the background and foreground, allowing further exploration of each zone (the jump markers are also in the town). There is also a warp system within the overworld, allowing for quick movement between locations.
  • Dungeons and Caves – when inside the dungeons each area is self-contained, with puzzles, secret passages and many treasures to obtain. While inside these zones, pots will be placed around the areas, containing gems, health ups and magic potions to collect.

While travelling through Sequin Land, many enemies will block your path trying to stop you from achieving your goal, so make sure to save often during exploration to prevent losing progress. Each area has monsters that are native to that location, with some that cross over depending on the situation. There will also be stronger versions of some enemies, signaled by a change in color pallet, this is a good way to indicate that the threat is intensified.

There is a minor issue with the way that enemies function however. Monsters will respawn almost endlessly in some places, this can overwhelm the player and cause death quickly if they are low on health. This is made slightly worse during the early parts of the game as attack speed can be slow, although the issue with attack speed can be alleviated by purchasing special upgrades from the shop.

At specific points the player will encounter large scale boss battles, these include a large pirate ship that fires cannonballs and a big squid that summons baby squids to fall on Shantae. These battles add to the variety of the gameplay, giving depth to the overall experience on offer from Risky’s Revenge. Just make sure to pick up lots of health and magic potions from the town shop, because if you are defeated during a battle with an enemy or boss, you are sent back to the previous save point.

Hidden throughout the game world are caves that the player can explore, functioning similar to the games dungeons with puzzles to solve and treasures to obtain. The treasure that can be found include Magic Jam, a special collectable that can be used for upgrades and heart holders that increase Shantae’s health. The hidden treasures, collectible items and cave puzzles provide a reason for players to return to areas that have been explored previously, giving more for the player to do outside of the main story content.

The last thing I want to talk about is the special Magic Mode. Upon clearing the game, a new mode will be made available to play through the story again, adding an additional challenge to the game by reducing the amount of magic used for spells at the cost of defensive power. This special mode adds more replay value to the overall experience, giving a reason to come back to the game after clearing it once before.

Now with the gameplay covered while avoiding spoilers, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.

Controls – the control method for Risky’s Revenge is simple and works well in both hand held and docked mode. The inputs are responsive and smooth for the most part, with the only issue being the slightly awkward Dance Magic activation inputs, as they can be inconsistent at times. Other than that, this title performs well, platforming in precise, combat is snappy and there are no issues with input lag in general.

Difficulty – there is a moderate difficulty curve for this release in the main game mode, offering an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels. To ease the overall challenge if it is too difficult, players are able to grind for gems while close to Scuttle Town, earning enough quickly to stock up on healing items and spells. Magic Mode is tougher than the standard game, reducing the amount of hits the player can take in exchange for more magic to be used.

Presentation – visually, Risky’s Revenge is pleasing to look at, with detailed sprites, vibrant backgrounds and details that scroll with the player’s movements. The animations are fluid and smooth, along with flawless graphical performance during gameplay. The art used for character interactions has that distinct WayForward charm, with unique designs that allow characters to stand out on their own.

The soundtrack is a delight, featuring chip tune styled compositions that have bright Arabian themes, contrasting well with the more brooding and intense sounds. There is a lack of voice acting during the game, however this isn’t an issue as I feel the way that the story is told works very well. The visuals and sound meshing well together to create a fun and engaging experience for all.

Final Thoughts – I really enjoyed my time playing Shantae: Risky’s Revenge. The game was slow to get started as I found the respawning enemies to be an inconvenience, but after this initial frustration the flow of gameplay picked up and everything was smooth sailing. The puzzles are just tough enough to take a few moments to solve, the boss battles are fun and the right level of challenge. The story was engaging and features a cast of vibrant characters that are a delight to encounter.

I can happily recommend this game to anyone, the game isn’t too difficult giving players of all skill levels the opportunity to clear the game. I will say that it may be a little frustrating at times as it can be very easy to get lost, but this isn’t a major issue as there is a map to guide the player. Shantae: Risky’s Revenge is an excellent title from WayForward, a fantastic title truly deserving of another chance to be seen by a brand new audience, especially for such a low price.

In the end, I give Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Directors Cut, a score of 4.5/5. This is a delightful Metroidvania style release that anyone can pick up and enjoy, with a wonderful cast of characters, vibrant locations and lots of fun to be had. The content on offer for the modest price is a bonus, providing hours of fun in a cost effective package. If you want to check this title out for yourself, links to each version will be available below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to PlayStation 4 version (HERE)

Link to Xbox One version (HERE)

Link to Steam version (HERE)

Link to GOG version (HERE)

Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! – Nintendo Switch Review.

Overview – developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by NIS America, Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! is the sequel to the brutal action platformer Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?. This is a HD remaster of the original PSP release, featuring a brand new story, characters, gameplay mechanics and even more punishing challenges. Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, links to the game and official website will be available 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 Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! used for this piece. The provision of this title has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions featured within are my own.

Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. Please note, there are many systems and mechanics identical between both Prinny titles, if you haven’t read the review of Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?, you can do so (HERE). Also I will be calling the game and its previous installment Prinny 1 and Prinny 2 respectively, I will also be addressing the player character as Hero for brevity.

Story – set some time after the events of Prinny 1, the Demon Lord Etna is still the ruler of the Netherworld while the previous Overlord Laharl works towards reincarnation. One night, Etna discovers that someone had broken into the castle, stealing one of the most precious items in all of the Netherworld, her panties. So enraged by this, the Demon Lord summons her squad of 1000 Prinnies, giving them the Hero Scarf that prevents them from exploding and sending them on a deadly quest to reclaim her stolen panties.

Gameplay – Prinny 2 is fundamentally identical to the previous release, following the same gameplay formula and progression system with a few alterations that allow this title to stand out on its own. Just like Prinny 1, this is a brutally tough side scrolling action platformer, giving the player 1000 Prinnies to traverse stages filled with hazards, demonic enemies and deadly pitfalls.

The Hero can attack, jump and hip pound just like the previous game, with a special optional item that is available to the player after completing the tutorial stage. This item is the Netherworld Radish, a special item that grants auto rapid fire at the cost of reduced attack damage if activated. The special weapon will appear at the beginning of the stage for the player to pick up when active, lasting for the entirety of that stage.

Prinny 2 follows the same non-linear flow as its predecessor made up of a total of 10 stages, the player can choose any order they wish to take on the first six stages of the game, with the other story mode levels following a pre-determined structure. The difficulty altering day and night cycle also returns, with the challenge of stages altering depending on the time left on the countdown.

The checkpoints, boss gates and collectable items return with some new additions exclusive to Prinny 2 Here are some of the new features;

  • Break System – fill up the combo gauge by attacking enemies and collecting items to activate BREAK, increasing attack power and granting temporary access to special attacks. The BREAK mode stays active until the Hero is either damaged or the meter is depleted.
  • Desert Collection – collect sweets during stages, adding them to the counter present at the bottom of the screen while in menus. The collection of sweets does have a purpose, however I will be omitting that detail to prevent spoiling some of the special features.
  • Baby Mode – this is a special difficulty mode for players who may struggle with the challenge present or just want to take it easy. Instead of the scarf as a health marker, the player has diapers in this mode, with other difficulty alterations present to assist the player. Due to this change, the standard difficulty gives two additional hits before death and Baby mode grants three.
  • Action Switches – special switches appear in some stages that the player can hip-pound, activating special actions that include special attacks and item drops that stun enemies.

At the end of each stage, a cutscene plays out before the boss battle setting up the encounter. There are two types of boss battle, regular battles and SUPER DUPER DEMON BATTLES. The core difference between the two is the difficulty, with the Super Duper battles being just that a battle with a super demon of incredible difficulty. Battles with the super demon also include special gimmicks, separating them from the regular bosses making them stand out on their own.

There is however a major flaw with these battles, significant slowdown and frame drops that greatly impact the game. When an attack occurs that has the capability to fill the whole screen, like a beam, fire or explosions, the game can slow down to a crawl making it much tougher to effectively combat enemies. This is made worse when 3D renders and models are used for bosses or background elements.

Outside of the stages, the player has access to a variety of NPC characters to interact with at the castle. Most of these are unlocked by collecting orbs that have been scattered throughout the stages. I will be listing the core functions required to play the game, omitting the more unique NPC characters to prevent spoilers. The core functions are as follows;

  • Save Manager – this Prinny allows you to save the game, the most important NPC to unlock during the game. Make sure to save often as lost data can be a real pain.
  • Professor Lucky and Assistant – give the Assistant lucky dolls that have been found hidden in each stage, earning special rewards as different milestones are met.
  • Runaway Manager – follow the reaper and try to escape the hellish nightmare, abandon the current playthrough And start over with a fresh set of Prinnies, keeping all game unlocks and witness a special ending cutscene.
  • The Castle – interact with Demon Lord Etna in the throne room between stages, check the castle library for details on enemies found in the game and participate in special encounters on the castle balcony.
  • Delivery Samurai – this special character provides the Netherworld Radish special weapon, speak to them in order to toggle between activating the item or choosing to tough it out.

The last thing I want to discuss is the self-referential nature of Prinny 2. Like other Disgaea universe games, this release is filled with easter eggs, self-aware jokes and fourth wall breaking moments. Hidden in plain sight are references to television movies and video games, either in plain sight as easter eggs or as names for characters. The most humorous part of the game is the play on words used for character names, such as the tribal triplets called Chili, Pow and Der.

Now with the gameplay covered, I will be moving onto the other aspects of the game, starting with the controls.

Controls – the control method for Prinny 2 is simple and easy to pick up, with streamlined inputs for each of the character functions and special attacks. The manual rapid fire flaw of Prinny 1 is still present in this game potentially causing discomfort for the player, however this is lessened when using the Netherworld Radish item. The controls for both the Joy-Con and Pro Controller are comfortable, however slow down and frame rate issues during intense moments can cause inputs to be missed.

Difficulty – Prinny 2 takes everything that the previous title provided in terms of challenge and dials it up to 11. There is an increase in one hit death traps, enemies that can become temporarily invincible and boss patterns that can take dozens of lives to figure out. The platforming challenges are much more difficult with more deadly hazards, including a new breakable box object that can be destroyed by the player and will only respawn when off screen.

The time limits return, with fairly relaxed timers for the main part of each stage, however the strict limits of boss battles can increase tension. The need for trial and error also returns as new enemies and obstacles never encountered before will appear, causing many failures when playing at any difficulty, especially the one hit death Hell’s Finest mode. This game is even more brutal than its predecessor, with three difficulty settings, it is possible for anyone to beat the game, but it will take a lot of time and effort.

Presentation – Prinny 2 is a remaster of the original PSP title, featuring enhanced sprites, backgrounds and graphical effects. The overall presentation is clean and aesthetically pleasing, showcasing the beautiful work that Nippon Ichi Software is known for with their titles. The visual performance is very good, with the sole exception being slow down during intense battle scenes. The only blemish on an otherwise perfect HD remaster, although I am unsure if the frame rate issue is due to the software or the limitations of the Nintendo Switch hardware.

The soundtrack is excellent, bringing back the hard rock guitar, heavy bass and Japanese Jazz. The music is a real treat, contrasting well with the visuals to create an engaging experience not just for the eyes, but also for the ears with tracks that are great to listen to away from the game. An option to choose between English and Japanese voice tracks, with a cast of talented voice actors from anime and video games.

Final Thoughts – I had not played the experienced release of Prinny 2 before sitting down to play the remaster. I expected a tough challenge but I had no idea what was in store for me, as the death traps, new enemies and demonic boss battles were unforgiving. But even though I was pushed to the limited and wanted to quit several times, that need to get a little further motivated me. The overall design, gameplay and extra content really pulled me in and I couldn’t stop.

I can happily recommend this release to everyone that has played the game before, or have just decided to pick it up for the first time. The story is entertaining, the gameplay is rewarding and overall experience has that signature NIS charm that all of their in house titles possess. Prinny 2 is hard, really hard and one of, if not the most brutal platform action titles I have played, but It can be beaten. An almost flawless HD remaster, but unfortunately the frame rate issue is a fault that holds the game back from being perfect.

In the end, I give Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! a final score of 4/5. An awesome HD remaster of a brutal and punishing side scrolling action platformer. The mix of story and gameplay is engaging, with the signature tongue-in-cheek humor that Nippon Ichi Software excels at tying the package together. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to both the game and official website will be below.

Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)

Link to Official Site (HERE)