Tag: video-games

Psyvariar 3 Xbox Review

Psyvariar 3 was sent my way by Red Art Games, something I always appreciate. First, a little good news, bad news. Bad news, Psyvariar 3 takes place many years after Psyvariar 2, and the stories are connected. Good news, it doesn’t really matter. Reading the game’s description, or my review, will catch you right up. Basically, a group of people decided Earth was too important to leave abandoned and went back and resettled it. Now an alien signal sends everyone off to war. I am, of course, paraphrasing.

Ok, now that the story is out of the way, which let’s be honest, I can’t be the only one that didn’t care, I just wanted to fly cool ships and blow stuff up. With 7 playable characters and Cotton from the Cotton series to fly around as each with their own way of shooting and their own bomb type, there are plenty of ways to play. On top of this there are numerous game modes, ranging from arcade to quicker mission based modes.

The gameplay felt a bit, odd to me however. You don’t really collect power ups and level up in the typical way. See you get “buzzed” by enemy fire, this is essentially getting hit but not quite hit to gain shields and levels that power you up. This is basically skilled flying giving you an advantage. It takes a lot of getting used to, and at times it felt like what counted as getting “buzzed” one time got you blown up the next. This may have been on me, but sometimes it felt more luck based than skill based. That isn’t to say the game isn’t fun, I had plenty of fun with it.

More importantly, the game stacks up well against games at a much higher price point while this one cost less than $20. For fans of the genre this is easy to recommend. it is a 8/10 experience. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Hotel Architect Steam Review

Some of you may remember that a long time ago, I played the Hotel Architect Steamfest Demo Review, and now they were nice enough to send me the full game as it hits 1.0. So if you still haven’t checked out Hotel Architect from Wired Games, now is a great time.

First, as I noted in my Steam Demo review, a game that revolves around building anything, how building functions matter more than anything. It felt great in the demo, and it feels even better now. The menus aren’t clunky, and sorting through different things like carpets and wood floors is simple and intuitive. This applies to anything you want to build, from rooms to items for the rooms. Even adding an extra floor is super simple.

The graphics are also great, I love just watching my little characters bounce around the hotel, cooking meals, or cleaning, and my guests hitting the gym or relaxing. I do mean my people because, since my last time playing, you can create your own guests and workers. The community as a whole is pretty great. I’ve been in their Discord for a while, and there always seems to be some sort of contest going on if that is your sort of thing.

It is also nice how all the menus are crisp and clean and easy to understand. I was never left guessing what a customer wanted or why a critic left unhappy. Don’t let the cute graphics fool you; the game isn’t easy. I have made mistakes that were hard to come back from. The early levels will lead you into a false sense of security.

Which leads me to my only real complaint. There does seem to be some odd difficulty spikes for me. Nothing that can’t be handled, mind you, but they did seem odd. Like going from playing a game on very easy to suddenly being on normal. It was a bit jarring. It is still one of the best simulators out there currently. 9/10, best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

 R-Type Dimensions 3 PlayStation 5 Review

 R-Type Dimensions 3 was sent my way by Inin Games, and there is a pretty excellent physical edition available on their website. I know how much you guys love that. ( I do NOT make any money if you buy it from that link) I just know many of you enjoy that sort of thing. Anyway, on to my review.

As you can tell from the trailer above, it is your typical old-school side-scrolling arcade shooter. If you like that sort of game and how they play, and you want to be able to play in the old-school 2D or new 3d graphics, you will be happy here. The sounds and music are fantastic, and the controls are crisp and clean.

Now I am sure you are wondering, I said a lot of good things all at once. The review can’t be this short. Is there that much bad stuff? No, not at all. The bad things I have to say aren’t even that bad, but admittedly, they will either have you running to the store to buy it or running away from it. Let’s hit the story first. It is pretty standard stuff. You fight for the Earth Defense Corps, flying the R-90 Ragnorok. A new ship dedicated to defeating the Bydo Empire, a sort of bio-machine empire trying to destroy humanity.

Onto the bad. This game is hard. I don’t mean like when people say something is hard, but it was hard for them. The game has two modes, normal and infinite. Infinite gives you unlimited lives just to let you learn how to play the game and see all the levels, so you can memorize them without having to restart over and over again. There are entire sections of the game where there is only one place on the screen you can go, so you won’t die. The game is fair, I never felt the deaths were cheap, or because the game didn’t co/ntrol well. This is just the design of the game and who it is made for. It is an 8/10 title. I enjoyed my time with it. Not everyone will feel it is worth the $35 price point, though. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown | Patch 1.7 is live – the Delta Flyer is here

Quick heads-up: Patch 1.7 for Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown drops on Steam today, and it comes with a fan favorite: the Delta Flyer is now in the game, completely free for all players. Console players won’t have to wait long either. The patch is scheduled for consoles in early June.

Built in the Shuttlebay, the Delta Flyer brings a brand-new questline with Tom Paris in Sector 7, construction mechanics, and a combat ally role that won’t split your rewards. There are also new Delta Flyer-specific branches in several existing quests, including Old Friends, New Enemies, The Drone, and Uprising.

Beyond the Delta Flyer, 1.7 is a hefty quality-of-life and stability pass: overhauled bridge UI, PlayStation gamepad support, a wave of quest fixes across some of the game’s bigger storylines, and a bunch of crash and save game fixes.

Patch 1.7 Changelog

Patch 1-7 introduces the Delta Flyer, including a new questline with Tom Paris, construction mechanics, and combat support functionality. The update also adds new Delta Flyer event and quest branches. 

Delta Flyer & Shuttle System

  • Added the Delta Flyer as a new game mechanic!
  • Added a new Delta Flyer introduction questline in sector 7 with Tom Paris.
  • The Delta Flyer can be constructed in the Shuttlebay.
  • The Delta Flyer is limited to one and requires a Shuttlebay level 3.
  • The Delta Flyer can be used as a combat ally without splitting combat rewards!
  • Added new Delta Flyer-related event options across several points of interest and sometimes adjusted balancing of normal shuttle options.
  • Added Delta Flyer-specific branches to selected quests, including Old Friends, New Enemies, The Drone, and Uprising.
  • Updated shuttle naming: “Standard Shuttle” is now “Class 2 Shuttle”.

Quest & Event Fixes

  • Fixed several blockers in existing quests, including Duranium Infestation, Friendship One, Equinox, Dark Frontier, Scorpion, Good Shepherd, Innocence, State of Flux, Think Tank, and Live Fast and Prosper.
  • Fixed cases where questlines could become stuck after loading older savegames.
  • Fixed incorrect or missing POI visibility in several missions.
  • Fixed several incorrect dialogue branches, missing conditions, and wrong outcome priorities.
  • Fixed morale questline issues related to dissatisfaction, final warnings, and mutiny.
  • Fixed cases where heroes could become unavailable incorrectly after events.
  • Fixed several missing or incorrect quest tracker texts.
  • Improved handling of questline resets for patched savegames.
  • Fixed some multiple choice event options not being usable at high difficulty settings

UI & UX Improvements

  • Reworked Bridge combat ally room management UI.
  • Added HUD indicators for recruited combat allies.
  • Improved Shuttlebay room management visuals.
  • Added warning when switching production options to prevent accidental progress loss.
  • Added cargo icons to Cargo Bay room overlays.
  • Improved room descriptions for Sickbay, Bio Lab, Borg Alcove, Waste Deassembler, and other rooms.
  • Improved custom difficulty UI text handling.
  • Updated tutorial images to match the current UI.
  • Improved gamepad tutorial images and controller input detection.
  • Reduced visible gamepad cursor flashes between events.
  • Fixed several text overflow issues in UI.
  • Fixed missing or incorrect hero impact descriptions.
  • Added support and icons for Playstation gamepads

Balance & Gameplay

  • Fixed shuttle build cost and build time tech bonuses.
  • Adjusted morale penalties and morale quest timing.
  • Weakened the second tutorial fight to better match shield balance.
  • Adjusted threat level changes in selected quest outcomes.
  • Fixed several room limit and resource modifier issues.
  • Improved Borg encounter behavior so certain enemies can no longer flee or surrender repeatedly.

Stability & Bug Fixes

  • Fixed crashes related to loading screens and game close.
  • Fixed room widgets not reacting correctly after room removal or cancelled construction.
  • Fixed room deactivation/destruction issues that could cause unintended resource loss.
  • Fixed cases where inactive rooms still allowed UI interaction.
  • Fixed resource modifiers not stacking or resetting correctly in some cases.
  • Fixed build limit display issues.
  • Fixed duplicate crew names.
  • Fixed several localization, typo, and text formatting issues.
  • Fixed missing explanation for Contamination Cloud phenomenon

Visual & Audio Updates

  • Updated endgame visuals.
  • Improved hull bar UI visuals and feedback for low hull. 
  • Fixed visual issues in several rooms and cutscenes.

R-Type Dimensions III – 7 day countdown

You all know how much I love ININ games, their games are always fun and they always have some solid PHYSICAL media you can preorder and get your hands on, and R-Type Dimensions III is no different. Check out the trailer above an the information below to find out more, and may the gaming gods bring you Glory.

 The countdown has officially begun: only 7 days remain until the legendary shoot-’em-up series returns with R-Type Dimensions III, launching digitally on May 19th, 2026.

To celebrate the final approach to release, a brand-new second teaser trailer has just been deployed, offering another glimpse into the intense side-scrolling action, iconic biomechanical enemies, and modernized presentation awaiting pilots worldwide.

In addition, publisher ININ Games would like to remind fans that everyone who orders a physical edition of R-Type Dimensions III via ININGAMES.COM will receive a free digital key (€9,99 on Nintendo Platforms) ahead of launch, allowing players to start their mission as early as May 15th, four days before the official release date.

In addition, publisher ININ Games would like to remind fans that everyone who orders a physical edition of R-Type Dimensions III via ININGAMES.COM will receive a free digital key (€9,99 on Nintendo Platforms) ahead of launch, allowing players to start their mission as early as May 15th, four days before the official release date.

Further details about the promotion can be found in the official Pilot Briefing here:
​R-Type Dimensions III – Pilot Briefing

This special offer is still available and continues for all new physical pre-orders.

Further details about the promotion can be found in the official Pilot Briefing here:
​
​R-Type Dimensions III – Pilot Briefing

About R-Type Dimensions III

R-Type Dimensions III continues the legacy of one of gaming’s most iconic side-scrolling shooter franchises, combining classic arcade gameplay with enhanced visuals, modern features, and intense tactical combat that has defined the series for decades.

Strictly Limited Partners with Atari – “I, Robot” Launches as First Collaborative Release (PS5)

Jeff Minter is back with another unique take on a 1980s Atari arcade game: I, Robot. Reimagined in Minter’s signature assault of colors, shapes, and sounds, this new take on the eclectic arcade title is built from the ground up with new challenges, new twists, and a whole lot of llamas.

The premise of I, Robot is simple: You take control of an ox-headed robot on a mission to outwit the all-seeing eye. In each level, you’ll navigate across tiles, flipping each tile to proceed to the next. Make sure you don’t jump while the eye is watching, or you’ll be zapped away in a flash. If you make it across the tiles, you’ll race down a tube blasting away any enemy shapes that move into your path and try to stop you. And you have to do all this inside the 3D space of Minter’s kaleidoscopic visualizer.

At its core, it is a game that only Lamasoft could have made. A cacophony of colors dazzles your eyes as the music gradually builds up based on your progress. If you want to take a break from the arcade action, jump into the game, where you can channel your inner Jeff Minter and play around with all the sights and sounds from the game.

Features

55 levels, encompassing the platforming/tile-changing and arena ones

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Unique tube-shooter bonus stages between each level

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Llamasoft’s unique brand of mind melting visuals

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Procedural music that builds as you do better in the game

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Online leaderboards

About Strictly Limited– Store Link

With more than 100 physical releases to date, Strictly Limited has established itself as one of the world’s leading specialists in physical publishing. Originally focused on premium collector’s editions of Japanese and niche titles, the label has since broadened its scope, now handling concept, production, and distribution across all genres with a global fan base. Each project is approached with remarkable depth and tailored treatment.

About Atari

Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment, and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 400 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, PONG®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. The Atari family of brands includes game developers Coatsink, Digital Eclipse, Early Morning Studios, Implicit Conversions, Infogrames, Nightdive Studios, Stormteller Games, and the community-based sites AtariAge and MobyGames. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.

Weapon-building Metroidvania Clockwork Ambrosia launches May 12th on Steam

Indie developer Realmsoft, in partnership with OI Games, today announced that weapon-building metroidvania Clockwork Ambrosia will officially launch May 12th on Steam. Blending fast-paced 2D action with deep weapon customization, Clockwork Ambrosia invites players to build their own arsenal through a wide range of modular upgrades, from screen-filling shot splitters to devastating missile barrages and precision sniper rounds.

“After 14 years of development, seeing Clockwork Ambrosia finally launch is incredibly meaningful for our team,” said Nathan Hiemenz, Founder and Developer at Realmsoft.“We set out to create a metroidvania where creativity is at the core of the experience, and May 12th marks the moment players can finally explore that vision for themselves.”

Players step into the boots of Iris, an airship engineer stranded on the mysterious island of Aspida following a near-fatal crash. What begins as a fight for survival quickly turns into a deeper mystery, as Iris uncovers a world where the island’s population has vanished, replaced by hostile machines and strange creatures.

Set across a richly detailed steampunk world, players will explore diverse biomes ranging from sky cities above the clouds to overgrown mushroom forests and the depths of sunken ruins. Along the way, Iris will encounter a cast of eccentric characters, from rogue AI allies to curious inhabitants, all while piecing together the truth behind Aspida’s downfall.

With its blend of classic metroidvania exploration and modern customization systems, Clockwork Ambrosia offers a fresh take on the genre, combining discovery, experimentation, and fast-paced combat.

Clockwork Ambrosia features:

  • Side-scrolling action platformer with an authored, interconnected world to explore
  • Six vastly different weapons, each offering unique mechanics
  • 150+ modifications for simple and intuitive weapon-customization, offering endless experimentation
  • Snappy crafting system lets players unlock new powers and abilities at their own pace
  • Beautiful hand-drawn art bringing the world and characters to life
  • Original score composed by Johnny Stixx
  • A story of mystery, friends, robots, and at least one mysterious robot friend!

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City

Resident Evil has never been bigger with the overwhelming success of Resident Evil Requiem as well as the remakes and the hype buzzing around Zach Cregger’s new film reboot. So what happens when you try to be faithful to the games that started it all on a shoestring budget and a even more half-ass understanding of the source material then the Paul W.S. Anderson movies that came before?

Claire Redfield has returned to Raccoon City in search for her estranged brother Chris. Raccoon City is a near dead town overseen by the Umbrella Corporation. Chris, a member of the police’s S.T.A.R.S team is sent to investigate trouble in the Spencer Mansion in the Arklay Mountains while trouble begins in town. A sickness is spreading and Claire’s only companion is bumbling rookie cop, Leon Kennedy. Zombies, monsters, secrets-what is really going on in Raccoon City?

This movie frustratingly tries biting off more than it can chew by combining the stories of the first two RE games into one and fails pretty miserably at it. There are names and easter eggs galore from the games but none of it is implemented well. Chris is a smarmy pro Umbrella crybaby, Leon is a dumbass who only was only a cop because his daddy pulled strings, Wesker is a chilled out bro, and Lisa Trevors is a friendly ghoul secretly living in the orphanage. The shoestring budget is pretty apparent. The zombies, what very little their are, don’t even look like zombies, the monsters except for the licker look like they were ripped off of the sci-fi channel, and the city itself looks like a small town instead of a bustling city. There are a few great sets like the mansion and the police station that made me happy but feel really out of place. What makes this movie entertaining unfortunately is how unintentionally hilarious the movie comes across. There’s one scene Savior and I watched on repeat for almost twenty minutes because we couldn’t stop laughing- just watch the flaming zombie scene and thank us later. In the end, if you’re a die hard RE fan avoid this movie like the plague. If you want something to rip on with your friends and few beers, this is for you. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Skautfold: Moonless Knight Xbox Review

Skautfold: Moonless Knight is a semi-open world game sent to me by Red Art Games. I find myself having a hard time truly describing this one. I feel like Soul Like gets tossed around far too easily these days, but I feel like not using the term also would be dishonest. With a system that relies heavily on your ability to guard and dodge, and will both punish and reward you for doing so. I would almost say the game may be unbeatable if you can’t manage these systems well.

The story, however, is still the main selling point here. You play as Gray, a 2nd Knight from Brittania. You are sent to aid in a negotiation in Japan that quickly goes badly when a cult that is well known to both sides decides now is the time to kill the Emperor. Your mission quickly becomes to aid the Dawn Empire in freeing the castle from the clutches of this evil cult and the magic they have trapped you all in.

Now, if you are looking for something new from this Metroidvania, you won’t really find it here. The combat, story, and graphics are all things we have seen in some capacity before, if I am being truly honest here. How many times have most of us shot a zombie or killed a Nazi in WW2, however? These things exist because they are fun and they work or challenge us. That is where Skautfolt: Moonless Knight shines. It takes all these things and puts them into a tight package you can enjoy at a nice $15 price point.

While the game will feel unfair to many in terms of difficulty, for those who enjoy a challenge, it offers a story worth seeing. It is a 7/10 title that could use a few tweaks, but is well worth the price asked. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Grind Survivors PlayStation 5 Review

Grind Survivors was sent my way by Assemble Entertainment, a company that has been great to work with in the past. This time around, they sent me their new Rogue Survivor game that has a nice twist to it. Rather than the usual fight until you die, unlock things, and move along, you will also collect weapons. You can then either recycle these weapons to collect ashes that can then improve other weapons or combine weapons to create stronger weapons.

There is no shortage of weapon types either. While initially you only have a couple, such as dual machine guns, a pistol, and a shotgun, as you beat more difficult runs, you get a Tesla rifle that shoots electricity and buzz saws. Multiple characters to choose from will also increase the strategies available to you, as each one has its own special ability.

The first level and difficulty last 10 minutes, with every one after that usually lasting about 20 minutes. Each biome also has an endless mode to truly test your skill and build on. This brings me to my biggest complaint about the game. When you start, you can only choose the burnt forest biome. Until you beat this at level 5, you can move on to the others. Each time you move up, you are basically stuck repeatedly running through the new difficulty level, upgrading a legendary weapon to beat it, as your old weapon is essentially outdated already. This really throws off your flow.

I honestly can’t pick a favorite game of this genre right now, between this and Devil Jam. PlayStation 5 Review: Fans of the genre are eating well right now. At $15, this 8/10 should not be missed. This game will test your skills in the best way possible, and the replay value is absolutely there. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.