[CONTENT WARNING: This article contains numerous references to cancer, cancer symptoms, and cancer treatment] I had a bad dream last night. It wasn't anything awful in an objective sense; there were no visits from dead relatives dredging up old memories, no fear or pain or scary monsters... but it did well up from the pit … Continue reading The big C
For an adventure game with such impressive development talent behind it - that'll be Red Entertainment (Sakura Wars, Galaxy Fraulein Yuna) and Creatures Inc. (Mother 3, manymanymanymany very good Pokémon spin-offs) - Japanese DS exclusive Project Hacker: Kakusei failed to do much more on release than exist in as unremarkably and inoffensively a manner as possible, quietly coming and going … Continue reading Gotta hack ’em all!
deSPIRIA's scrappy survivalist future of deadly secrets and grisly monsters, a setting where people try to eke out a life for themselves amongst the decay as androids play the roles of shop assistants and murderers while a powerful religion oversees all, is something of a spiritual sequel to the supremely atmospheric PlayStation title Dark Messiah. … Continue reading The horrors of the mind
If you ask me what I think of buying digital games I'll tell you it's all absolutely fine if you happen to like that sort of modern convenience but it's a path I'd rather not take for a sizeable list of reasons. Give me a choice and I'll definitely buy a physical copy... OK, I'll … Continue reading I buy digital games like a ten year old
Developed by Human and released exclusively for the PC Engine in 1994, this largely disconnected and untranslated sequel to the original Vasteel is another sci-fi strategy title starring hot-headed resistance heroes all too eager to yell PG-rated insults at well-dressed militaristic people as both sides stomp around in giant mech-type weaponry known in this particular … Continue reading Move Crushers and Voice Knuckles
The first time I played Switchblade II it would have been on its native format, the glorious Commodore Amiga 500, and I remember being enthralled by its unique "Japanese" look (we were all very much fumbling in the dark back then, grabbing incomplete VHS copies of whatever was available) - it was just like those cool arcade … Continue reading Nice one, Switchblade II!
If there's one thing that's a sure bet in old computer gaming, it's that any sword-carrying hero of a certain age will take part in an adventure that's suspiciously similar to but legally distinct from the sort undertaken by Ys' Adol Christin, sometimes even down to the lead character having the exact same flame-red hair. Zark … Continue reading Improving on somebody else’s homework
Silkworm began its overlooked life as a 1988 arcade shmup by Tecmo but I've always known it better as an Amiga game, one of those mostly forgotten home ports that, like Rodland, seemed to be more popular on grey-shelled computers in Europe than it ever was in its native environment. If this was released today … Continue reading One game, two ways to play!
Aconcagua begins with a dramatic explosion sending a small passenger plane hurtling towards the titular real-world mountain the game takes place on, which for the purposes of this 2000 PlayStation title is located within the fictional country of Meruza. This is a country where the people suffering under enforced military rule still harbour faint hopes of democratically-elected … Continue reading When two very different genres collide…
Thanks to the incredible influence of a certain blue hedgehog every company - every company - that wasn't Nintendo back in the Nineties was desperate to have a platforming mascot animal-ish character of their very own, usually a [Something] the [Something]. With attitude. And Konami's was Sparkster, the armour plated, rocket powered, tail swinging, opossum star of Rocket Knight Adventures. … Continue reading Rocket-powered platforming
