colin, Author at The Lifecast Network • Page 3 of 5

31 Nights of Castlevania: Haunted Castle

October 3, 2017 colin

The first of two Castlevania games released for the arcades, Haunted Castle is a kind of awkward game. On one hand, it’s technically not part of the canon (Haunted Castle is one of the many, many re-imaginings of the first game) and it appears to be a cheap knock-off. But on the other hand, it’s a decent arcade game to look at. Playing it on the other hand, not so much.

Haunted Castle was only released in the arcades and has become one of the more obscure entries in the franchise. If you’re a diehard Castlevania fan, Haunted Castle might be worth checking out, even with its awful design choices.

Haunted Castle has great aesthetics and a…story?

Wedding bells are ringing for Simon Belmont and his lady love dressed in all white (it actually looks kind of hilarious), but then, in a scene totally not ripped off from Ghosts N’ Goblins, Dracula abducts her!

Problematic storytelling tropes aside, this marks the first time a Castlevania game gave a Belmont a personal reason to go after the Count. Not a great story, but it’s a pretty cool trivia thing for Castlevania nerds.

Anyways, Haunted Castle looks fantastic for a late-80s arcade game. Backgrounds are well-detailed and every stage has a unique little feature to them. For example, the fire that rises up in the first stage is actually pretty cool. Simon looks Conan the Barbarian-like and it’s a welcome change in his usual design. He’s still missing pants though…

Shockingly enough, it’s the music that will actually stick with you. “Bloody Tears” makes an appearance and a few of the original tracks are pretty great.

Short and difficult, Haunted Castle is perfect for the arcades

Ask any old school, hardened retro gamer what they think is the most difficult game and they will probably give you a different answer. The aforementioned Ghosts N’ Goblins, Ninja Gaiden, Robotron, etc. are all typical answers.

Haunted Castle is that kind of difficult. The kind that ruins your day and never makes you want to play it again. And one that brings it down from “decent” to “terrible.”

The controls are sluggish and exceptionally awkward. Having a constant barrage of enemies coming at you does not help at all, as Simon appears to wind up his whip. This makes the game cheap, as the control response is beyond atrocious. This also makes the platforming segments beyond frustrating and it always feels like pure luck whenever Mr. Belmont makes a jump.

Also, the enemies are incredibly uninspired. Bats? Zombies? Yay. Although, Dracula has an interesting final form…

Had the game just been a linear, single plane beat ‘em up, and a couple extra months of debugging, Haunted Castle may have been a better game. It would have been repetitive, but at least it wouldn’t be seen as one of the worst games in the franchise.

31 Nights of Castlevania: Vampire Killer

October 2, 2017 colin

Released not too far off from the first game, Vampire Killer is not just a port of Castlevania to the Japanese MSX2 computer. Instead, Vampire Killer is a different interpretation by taking on a non-linear approach. Vampire Killer is also a great game to look at, as the MSX2 had more powerful graphics capabilities.

Starring Simon Belmont on his one of many quests to defeat Dracula, Vampire Killer is an “okay” to the long-running series. There are more than a few major shortcomings that make Vampire Killer mostly known by Castlevania purists.

And it was only released in Japan and Europe.

But first… the good stuff about Vampire Killer
Booting up Vampire Killer (Author’s note: or emulating it in my case…) the first thing players will notice are the graphics. There is a great mix of colors and textures. For example, the trees look like trees and the castle’s architecture is well-detailed. It’s a nice lookin’ Castlevania game.

There is also a focus on exploration and, shockingly enough, melee combat. There are seven stages in the game, and each of them are non-linear. Simon can wield swords, shields, and maces to help combat zombies and other monsters. Since there are several weapons that need to be found, it gives the player a chance to see the game from a different point of view. In a strange way, Vampire Killer has more in common with Metroid than the first game.

Now…the bad stuff of Vampire Killer
Exploring seems pretty cool, right? Unfortunately, Vampire Killer’s exploration schtick is that: a gimmick. Once the player knows where everything is, it’s no longer fun. Plus, the levels aren’t that big to really be explorable. Also, since the MSX does not have the scrolling features of the NES, Vampire Killer moves at a sluggish pace.

This has the game varying in difficulty, as Simon does not have any real momentum to combat his enemies. Also, Dracula is almost a joke of a final boss fight with how painstakingly slow he moves.

Dracula does look pretty cool though…
Image courtesy of the Castlevania Dungeon.

Also, the music is downright awful. The chintzy rendition of “Vampire Killer” is not terrible, but it is skin-crawling. And considering how the MSX produced classic tunes from the early Metal Gear games, it’s not like the computer couldn’t not create some decent music.

By all means, Vampire Killer is not a bad game. It does, however, suffer from incredibly awkward controls and a difficulty curve that resembles a person’s nervous system. Also, it’s biggest difference is only skin-deep. However, much like Simon’s Quest, Vampire Killer is almost like a precursor to the Metroidvania phase of Castlevania.

31 Nights of Castlevania: Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest

October 1, 2017 colin

Castlevania for the NES is a bonafide classic. There is no question about that.

Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, on the other hand, is often regarded to be the red headed step child of the NES trilogy. Not without good reason either, as it is an immensely flawed sequel. It was also the first game to feel the Angry Video Game Nerd’s wrath.

However, that does not mean it’s a terrible game. Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest took the series when it was just starting out, and experimented a little. In this aspect, Konami should be applauded. Simon’s Quest is a solid entry in the Castlevania series, despite some glaring problems.

What a horrible night to have a curse!
Taking place a few years after the first game, Simon’s Quest has Simon Belmont traversing over Transylvania. After Dracula’s defeat in the first game, Simon has a curse placed on him. In order to rid the curse, he must find Dracula’s body parts, resurrect the vampire and defeat him once and for all.

The adventure format was a big departure from the first game’s linear platforming. This aspect is both Simon’s Quest’s best strength and worst weakness. It allows for more freedom and variety in the scenery. Although, the overly cryptic nature of the map and what little help the townspeople have in the shop sections make this quest a bit of a slog.

One of the best features of any Castlevania game is the amount of horror film/mythologic iconography Konami stuffs in. Unfortunately, Simon’s Quest has a lack of great boss fights and creative enemies. The Grim Reaper makes an underwhelming appearance and Dracula looks like a generic Halloween costume found at any dollar store. They aren’t even challenging boss fights too, which is exceptionally disappointing.

The morning light has vanquished the evil!
What’s good in Simon’s Quest? Quite a bit actually. The graphics and controls are as good as they were in the first game. This is almost required for a relatively long game like this one. The player won’t feel bored, as the day and night cycles keep the challenge coming on.

The music is fantastic too as this was the first Castlevania game to introduce the fan favorite music track “Bloody Tears.” If a player has also managed to fight with the game and stick to it, they will find a decent amount of challenge, and even fun, within Simon’s Quest.

The RPG elements, in a strange way, were a precursor to the Metroidvania-style Castlevania became synonymous with. The items and power-ups found in the game are actually some of the coolest in the series. When’s the flaming whip going to make a comeback?

It’s not perfect, but Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest is a worthy entry in the series. Newcomers will just have to push through the adventure parts. Longtime fans should forgive the cryptic nature of the game, give Simon’s Quest a second chance.

The Lifecast Presents… 31 Nights of Castlevania!

September 30, 2017 colin

The night has just fallen onto Transylvania, as a familiar evil fills the air. A broken down and terrifying castle looks ominous in front of the full moon. It appears Count Dracula has risen again and whoever wields the Vampire Killer whip will have to destroy him. Using their skills and weapons, can they survive the night?

Image courtesy of VG Museum

Their adventure will be filled with perilous traps and horrifying monsters the likes mere mortals are too terrified to see.

This is Castlevania.

Castlevania is a video game franchise which celebrates horror and manages to cram in some of the best gameplay of any action/action-RPG game. The spooky atmosphere, references to classic horror films and mythology and overall quality between games has made Castlevania a series many gamers are fond of.

Everyone has a Halloween tradition…

As the Lifecast’s resident Castlevania fanatic, I always try to play as many of the games as possible during the Halloween season. Whether it’s running through the castle in Symphony of the Night or fighting Dracula for the first time in the original game, I am not picky. I enjoy the series that much.

Image courtesy of VG Museum

I decided to change it up this year for my yearly binge. I decided to share my love for the franchise with the Lifecast.

Welcome to the 31 Nights of Castlevania!

From October 1st to the 31^st, there will be a new Castlevania review on the Lifecast’s homepage. It will end with a big 30^th anniversary retrospective on the first game in the series, as it is celebrating the big 3-0 here in the ‘states.

Giving Castlevania a proper series retrospective

The entries themselves will be varied enough from the series’ eras. The classic platformers on the NES and SNES, the awkward but decent 3D period and the birth of the Metroidvania genre. There will even be some coverage of spin-offs, rip-offs, and the (surprisingly) critically acclaimed Netflix show.

It will end with a big 30^th anniversary retrospective on the first entry, as it is celebrating the big 3-0.

However… what will be the first to kick it off?

Here’s a hint…

Image courtesy of VG Museum.

Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures Special: Axelay, the 25th Anniversary

September 11, 2017 colin

Axelay Box Art

The SNES wasn’t known for shmups…until Axelay came along

For an incredible library that spans over all kinds of genres, the SNES is not well known for its “shmups”.

For example, Gradius III is bogged down with flicker and slow down and Super Nova and Darius Twin are the definitions of “meh”. While on the other hand, Sega had the Thunder Force series ripping it up. It was one genre that truly embodied the phrase “Genesis Does What Nintendon’t.”

However, the Genesis did not have Axelay.

Developed by Konami and released in September 1992, Axelay stands head and shoulders above several games in the shmup genre and is, without question, the best of its kind on the SNES. It’s still a fondly looked at game, as reviews for its Virtual Console re-release are still positive across the board.

And yet, Axelay did not set the charts ablaze with sales figures. It was (probably) a combination of the SNES not being a great system for this particular genre and less than two weeks prior, a little game called Super Mario Kart was released. Another factor is that Axelay was meant to be Japanese-exclusive, but was ported to the US at the last minute. Heck, a sequel was even planned.

Axelay has gained a cult following on the ‘web for being an all-around great shmup. The gameplay is tight, the music is great, and the graphics hold their own against the SNES’ best.

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary today, Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures is profiling a game that deserves to be called an “undervalued treasure.”

Also, fun fact: the majority of the development team went on to become the founding members of Treasure.

From a pure gameplay standpoint, Axelay is the best shmup on the SNES

Axelay’s wonderfully optimistic story is about how the planet of Corliss has faced total annihilation by the…well, Armada of Annihilation. It’s up to the lone pilot of the Axelay (aaaaad…title drop) to fight off this horde.

Taking cues from their Gradius series, Konami included a Weapon Select system into Axelay. Players can choose a primary, secondary, and a missile option.

When you select your weapons, the game says in a very clear tone: “ARMS INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE…GOOD LUCK.” It never gets old.

However, from the outset not all the weapons are selectable and as the game progresses, more weapons become available. There also is not as many options as Gradius. That being said, there is not one weapon in the game that is useless. Players can also select the weapons on the fly as well and won’t have to rely on an upgrade system like other shmups.

The Round Vulcan weapon, for example, allows the ship to shoot enemies circling around the player. The missiles are fantastic for the more crowded moments in the game as well.

The controls are tight and responsive, key for any shmup, and gives the player a fighting chance. Make no mistake, Axelay is a difficult game, but not quite controller-smashing, hair-pulling, screaming-obscenities-to-make-90s-Denis-Leary-blush difficult as other games in the genre.

Certain bosses, like this Ed-209-looking one, can be a little tough.

However, other features are quite awesome as well
Axelay utilizes the SNES’ color palette and its Mode 7 processor quite well. The tiny details on the Axelay ship, the enemies and bosses and stages are all pleasing to look at. The development team knew what they were working with, and decided to work around the SNES’ capabilities, rather than against them. The opening stages have a nice use of blue and the standout lava stage is exceptionally nice looking.

The lava monster is scary-looking and well animated as well. All of Axelay’s bosses are consistently impressive.

The game has both horizontal and vertical shooting stages, similar to Konami’s Life Force each with its own aesthetic. Many of the vertical levels have a sort-of-gimmicky feel to them, as it looks like you are flying over a city.

However, they are quite nice to look at and add more dimension as opposed to being some generic level. Other levels take place inside dilapidated space stations and on a planet made of lava, where the game’s most memorable boss fight takes place.

Then there’s the music. Composed by Super Castlevania IV’s Taro Kudo, Axelay’s OST is a varied one and each boss has their own theme. The first level’s track, “Unkai” is perfect to get the player ready for the action.

One of Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures

Axelay is one of Konami’s best games in the 90s and one that holds its own against other shmups of the era. It’s a shame we may never get that sequel though.

Regardless, happy 25^th Axelay. A game as awesome as this one deserves a big celebration; from the quality of the gameplay, to its unique weapon system, to its overall fun nature, Axelay is one no shmup fan should ever pass up.

The game is available on both the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console, but copies on the SNES are going to be quite expensive.

Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures: High Seas Havoc

August 30, 2017 colin

High Seas Havoc plays very much like a Sonic clone, but it at least has an identity of its own by being about anthropomorphic pirates. It also contains some generally great level and character design and is just a fun, little platformer.

Final Fantasy XII – A Brief Retrospective of the Land of Ivalice

July 11, 2017 colin

The event is PAX East 2017 and Square Einx’s booth is as crowded as ever. Fans of Final Fantasy XV are enjoying their first taste of “Episode Gladiolus,” Dragon Quest Heroes II has a photo opportunity with cosplayers and Kingdom Hearts fans are left wondering where the third installment is.

However, one demo the publisher had that routinely had lines was Final Fantasy XII – The Zodiac Age, a remake of the borderline-cult-hit. The phrase heard the most in the line was, “This is my favorite Final Fantasy.” The panel for the game later on that afternoon actually capped in a short amount of time.

Needless to say, for a game many Final Fantasy fans brush off as “the one with the weird battle system and bad main character,” there is a fan base for it. And a passionate one at that, as the crowd for the panel was HYPED.

A sea of Final Fantasy XII fans!

How is Final Fantasy XII? Was the remake worth throwing money at?

Final Fantasy XII; A Brief History

Originally introduced to gamers as a demo that came with Dragon Quest VIII, Final Fantasy XII was released in 2006 to a large amount of critical praise.

The game’s development started in 2000 and was led by development alumni from Final Fantasy Tactics. Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story director, Yasumi Matsuno and Final Fantasy IX director, Hiroyuki Ito served as co-directors. Final Fantasy XII is also Matsuno-san’s only numbered entry he worked on, and actually had to step down as the game’s director due to health concerns. However, development pushed on and the game was finished by the new team of Ito and Tactics art director, Hiroshi Minagawa.

Three major aspects standout with Final Fantasy XII; the art style, the battle system, the License Board and the story and characters. Now, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (not every game in this franchise is perfect) but one can definitely say Final Fantasy XII is different and takes far more risks and dares to innovate a series that was (quite honestly) stagnant in 2006. The overall lack of anime-angst and completely overhauled art style and game play make Final Fantasy XII a bit jarring at first, but it settles in quite nicely. It’s one of the few titles where it’s style actually stands out.

The story itself can be best described as “Mediterranean-sky pirate-Star Wars.” Focusing on a small group of characters caught up in a massive holy war, XII takes place in Ivalice, the same setting as Tactics. While discussions about who the real main character is (hint: it ain’t Vaan) have been done to death, the story itself is different from the typical “save the universe by gathering macguffins” and does not have any existential questions. Instead, Matsuno, who wrote the story, wanted a simple plot for players to grasp onto. And it shows, since XII doesn’t plod around…well not the entire time.

Easily, XII’s most striking difference is its battle system. Sure, the old ATB timer is there, but fans of MMOs will be more accustomed to XII than most entries. It’s a bit slower paced, but allows for more strategic planning. The game’s maps are large and expansive, but they also allow players to avoid enemies if they choose so. It’s a far cry from the tired-and-true random battle/turn-based system most JRPGs have. And, if it’s your thing, it also urges players to keep exploring with these wide open areas.

However, the License Board system is goofy. It’s a lot of micromanagement just to level up characters, and it’s easily Final Fantasy XII‘s weakest game play element.

Instead of taking visual cues and aesthetics from anime and sci-fi, XII took inspiration from the Mediterranean, especially with its architecture. The developers actually visited Turkey and looked at ancient Roman structures for visual inspiration and it shows.

The characters still dress ridiculous, as is the standard for the series, but they seem to resemble actors in period piece costumes as opposed to futuristic cosplay. It’s a unique design choice, one that actually has not been repeated.

Other great features of XII include the music, composed by the team behind Final Fantasy Tactics. The game actually has one of the most epic sounding Victory Fanfares in the whole franchise.

The Zodiac Age – What’s Different?
So, eleven years and two console generations later, Square is giving us Final Fantasy XII – The Zodiac Age. Aside from remastered graphics and beautifully redone music the entire job and battle system have been redone. The Zodiac Job system, which was only seen in Japan, won’t have players fumbling over a License Board. The battles are actually quite fluid now, thanks to a speedup feature too.

However, what made the original work is still there. And for fans of XII, it’s an excuse to enjoy their favorite adventure one more time.

When I had the chance to play the demo at PAX East this year, I knew I had to travel back to Ivalice.

If you haven’t done so, check out our giveaway for The Zodiac Age!

First Time PAX East Attendee? 5 Do Not’s That You May Not Expect

March 9, 2017 colin

If this sounds like a sales pitch, I apologize.

PAX East is a phenomenal time for any gamer. Casual or old, strictly old school or exclusively current gen, there is no better convention in the Northeast to celebrate our beloved hobby. The collection of people, personalities, game reveals and games to buy create a feel-good atmosphere.

If you are a first time attendee and feel a little overwhelmed, don’t be. Then again, it is a massive convention center. And there is going to be plenty of chubby dudes taking up space. And a lot of standing in line.

Image may contain: one or more people, indoor and outdoor

Sometimes, PAX looks a lot like this.

Crap. I just gave myself anxiety. Which is how I felt about certain aspect of PAX East last year. What do I do, what do I say, what do I…wait.

These are things I was worried to say to Alanah Pearce. And the convention. Anyways, getting off topic.

Everyone out there has their anxieties. No one is perfect. Heck, I have so many paranoid ticks I could double as Tweak from South Park.

To reassure any first timers out there, I will tell you there are five parts of PAX East that you either shouldn’t be afraid of or just shouldn’t do. Or go ahead and do. I mean, I’m just some goofy bald guy who really likes Castlevania.

1. DO NOT be afraid to go up and meet your favorite gaming personality!

Remember, they are people just like us. They were in your shoes once too, and for some of them, they still get nervous and excited around other gaming personalities. They love to interact with fans and talk games just as much as we do.

I met Daemon Hatfield last year…and he was awesome!

For any aspiring game journalists out there, this is also a great way to start breaking out of your shell and talking to people.

2. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions at panels!

Ever go to a panel that is just so awesome that you want to say something, but then get dry mouth and embarrass yourself in front of everyone. Or is that just me?

The IGN crew were great when it came to fan interaction after their panel.

Projecting aside, never be afraid to think you’re question is dumb or silly. In fact, most panelists would love a silly question once in a while!

3. DO NOT expect to play the games immediately!

Uncharted 4 was one of my most anticipated games last year. The inclusion of the demo made me psyched to play.

Now, I wasn’t excited to stand in line. At all.

Please note: NOT EVERY GAME IS WORTH STANDING IN LINE FOR!

If you really want to play a game, and if you’re a huge fanboy/fangirl, it’ll be worth the wait! Just tough it out! If you’ll feel bored, take a couple of goofy SnapChats.

4. DO NOT bring a small amount of cash!

Retro game collecting is expensive. Heck, gaming is expensive. You want some sick gaming schtuff from PAX East? Bring some cash. A good amount of cash. Don’t make it rain or anything, but be prepared to spend a decent amount of money if you want to pick up a retro game you’ve been eyeing.

Look, Ninja Turtles may not be expensive, but Double Dash!! was and Alien Hominid is rare to come by. Somewhat.

Or in my case, half of my tax return for Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.

5. DO NOT go alone!

I swear to Lemmy (Airheads reference, look it up!), nothing is more boring, or lonely, than going to a convention alone. Eating alone is fine. Watching a movie alone is fine. Going to a gathering like this one is not.

Gaming is one of the most friendly and diverse subcultures out there, but it won’t feel like that if you don’t out and interact with others. Going with a group of close gaming friends is even better and it makes the whole weekend that much more special.

Image may contain: 10 people, people smiling, indoor

Man, what a great looking group of people. And some douche with an LA Dodgers hat. Wait…

I attended my first PAX East with the Lifecast Fam, (before we were the Fam actually…weird…we were just…friends) and it’s a memory I will hold for a long time.

For anyone attending for the first time, or the first time in a long time, stay safe, have fun and enjoy some games!

Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures: Shadows of the Damned

February 3, 2017 colin

Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

Shadows of the Damned features a hilarious script, great gameplay and a superstar team behind it
Shadows of the Damned brings together Suda 51, Shinji Mikami and Akira Yamaoka into one sublime horror action game.

Image result for shadows of the damned in game

Image courtesy of GameSpot.

It’s a gamers dream. The minds behind Killer7, Resident Evil AND the composer for Silent Hill? The game utilizes a simple, but fun, gameplay style with a generally unique world to play it. Unfortunately, Shadows of the Damned did not sell well. It was published by EA, who did not know how to market the game’s unique flavor. It also suffered a protracted development cycle which involved changing gameplay styles and script rewrites. This resulted in a game that sat on store shelves and was barely cracking the half million mark worldwide.

Later on, Suda 51 and Shinji Mikami found the whole project to be disappointing. It’s a shame, since Shadows of the Damned is a fun, tongue-in-cheek action game that is always keeping the player entertained. It’s a great trip through Hell.

Image courtesy of Gamastura.

Shadows of the Damned’s humor mixes well with its environment
Shadows of the Damned has players taking the role of Garcia Hotspur. Hotspur is a demon hunter whose gun is actually a reformed demon named Johnson. Hotspur’s girlfriend, Paula, is taken into hell by Fleming, the Lord of the Demons. Garcia and his demon friend are on a quest to save her.

Our heroes ladies and gentlemen! Image courtesy of NeoGAF.

The initial story is about as bare bones as any game can be. However, the humor comes a lot from Hotspur and Johnson’s dialogue. Hotspur is a rugged, hypermasculine Hispanic demon hunter, who would fit right in an early 90s Image comic. Johnson is a blinged out floating skull on fire who talks like an uptight Eric Idle character. Their personalities clash and result in some generally funny dialogue. The two characters are clearly tongue-in-cheek and are very likable.

The game also manages to create a creative version of Hell. It’s more of a stylized haunted house, than a place of eternal damnation. Shadows of the Damned always has a unique vision for each stage and players will not find themselves getting bored. Hell has broken down villages, complete with political propaganda asking demons to vote; a gigantic library and an even sleazier version of Las Vegas. One of the more clever stages is in a massive forest that turns into a gigantic Evil Dead reference.

Image result for shadows of the damned title screen

There’s even these ridiculous side scrolling shooter segments. Image courtesy of Gamastura.

The soundtrack from Yamaoka is filled to the top with variety. It goes from folk music, to generic metal to atmospheric droning quite well.

Action heavy gameplay keeps Shadows of the Damned fun throughout
The game uses the typical, over-the-shoulder format seen in Resident Evil 4. However, it does not restrict players, as Hotspur can move around while aiming. Johnson can transform into three different guns. A handgun called the Boner (because his name is Johnson, get it?), a shotgun called the Monocussionor and a machine gun dubbed the Teether which shoots demon’s teeth.

Shadows of the Damned PlayStation 3 Red gems are used to upgrade Johnson's functionality.

Weapons can be upgraded into more powerful pieces of destruction. Image courtesy of MobyGames.

The ability to switch weapons and move around makes action go by quick. There is even options of melee attacks, where Hotspur beats them with Johnson.

Shadows of the Damned PlayStation 3 Some demons actually use armor, so you'll have to blast it before getting to the flesh.

Image courtesy of MobyGames.

The darkness of Hell comes into play quite a bit. Being a human, Garcia cannot survive it for long, so he needs to stay in the light. The dark/light aspect comes into play in creative ways, such as going into dark worlds to hit certain weak spots on bosses. It allows for some decent strategy and planning in an otherwise straight forward action game. It also manages to add to the impressive level design.

Shadows of the Damned PlayStation 3 Obviously, the barrels are the best way to contain light in the Demon World. And demons do not like light explosions.

Shooting demons with light also stuns them. Image courtesy of MobyGames.

One of Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures
Shadows of the Damned is an excellent action game which is able to balance comedy, creativity and fun quite well. The characters of Garcia and Johnson keep players laughing, but the gameplay and overall uniquely creepy design of the game’s world will keep players interested.

Shadows of the Damned PlayStation 3 The more barrels the better!

Image courtesy of MobyGames.

The game is available for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 and is not expensive at all. New copies won’t be wrecking anyone’s bank account.

Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures: Forgotten Worlds

January 27, 2017 colin

Image result for forgotten worlds sega genesis game

Image courtesy of Vizzed.com

Forgotten Worlds is one of Capcom’s “forgotten” arcade classics
Forgotten Worlds is one of the many twin-stick shooters that flooded the arcades in the 80s. Instead of being an elite commando fighting a vaguely evil army, players were an unnamed mercenary with a jetpack fighting gruesome aliens after they conquered Earth. Forgotten Worlds also manages to throw in some minor-RPG elements, making it more unique than other shooters at the time.

Image courtesy of Giant Bomb.

The game was released in arcades in 1989 and is the third and final in Capcom’s unofficial “Jet-Pack Hero trilogy.” Capcom released a few scrolling shooters starring jetpack-and-gun wielding characters in space. Section Z and Side Arms are two other games in this pseudo-series.

Image courtesy of Giant Bomb.

Forgotten Worlds is one of the earliest Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games. The colors, animation and sound were something that certainly aligned with the infamous “Genesis Does What Nintendon’t” ads.

Despite cameos from the characters in crossover games such as Project X Zone and the first Marvel vs Capcom, Forgotten Worlds is very much a forgotten game. It’s not like the game wasn’t a hit, but it just wasn’t a massive one. It’s been re-released a few times on collections, but it’s not brought up when talking about the best shmups of the 80s and 90s.

Forgotten Worlds takes place in a post-apocalyptic alien world with plenty of things to shoot
In the 29^th century, the evil alien dictator, Emperor Bios, has unleased total destruction on Earth. It is up to two mirror-shade wearing, armor-clad Unknown Soldiers (which is their official names according to Marvel vs Capcom) to eliminate the Emperor and bring peace back to the planet. It’s not the most original of stories, but it works. Although, it is one of the few arcade games from the 80s to have cut scenes in-between stages.

Author’s note: no context will be given for the subtitle. Image courtesy of Giant Bomb.

Utilizing two joysticks, players will use one to take aim against the aliens and the other to dodge their attacks. Forgotten Worlds throws more than a few enemies at the players, so taking aim and dodging requires a lot of precise movements. Thankfully, the controls are tight and responsive. It’s a great system that is not only a blast to play, but actually rewards players for playing strategically. As opposed to the typical “mash the shoot button and see what happens” in most shooters.

Image courtesy of Giant Bomb.

The stages themselves are usually straightforward, but have a personality to them. The Unknown Soldiers will be traversing through ruined cities, massive sandy, wastelands that bring Fist of the North Star to mind and technological nightmares. Capcom’s CP2 hardware is incredibly powerful and produces some nice-looking graphics. Arcade goers can wow at the vivid images being shot at on-screen and the overall use of colors creates the atmosphere of Forgotten Worlds.

Image courtesy of Giant Bomb.

Where the somewhat-RPG elements come in are with the money, or “Zenny,” enemies drop after being defeated. Zenny can be used at shops. The shops, quite literally, pop out of the ground. From there, the adorable shopkeeper Sylphie will greet our heroes. Players can purchase, armor, health and weapon upgrades, lives and much more. The enemy-seeking missiles are definitely one of the most helpful power-ups in the game.

Who figured someone who looks like her sells weapons of mass destruction? Image courtesy of the Arcade-Museum.com.

One of Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures
Forgotten Worlds does not deserve to be, well, forgotten. The game truly is one of the great, if not one of the greatest, shmups to be released in the arcades. It stands toe-to-toe with classic like Gradius and R-Type. It even holds its own against arguably the kind of twin-stick shooters, Smash TV. The polished gameplay, great level design and aesthetics and creative gameplay elements make Forgotten Worlds absolutely worth playing once.

While emulating the game on MAME is ideal for an arcade-rich experience, the Sega Genesis version is a tad expensive and is available on the Wii Virtual Console.

Yakuza 0 Review Roundup: The hilarious, yet incredible, start to a cult hit series

January 25, 2017 colin

Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

Sega’s Yakuza 0 is a prequel with solid reviews
The Yakuza series has always been a bit of an odd duck, as it combines serious noir tones with a quirky Japanese sense of humor. However, this does not mean it is without its fans. For hardcore fans of the beat ‘em up/RPG/sandbox hybrid series, they will be psyched to hear the positivity surrounding the newest entry, Yakuza 0.

Several critics take note at the overall bizarre tone of the game, but compliment the gameplay. Interestingly enough, nearly every reviewer is giving Yakuza 0 a recommendation to newcomers.

IGN
IGN’s brief, but informative, review touches on the sprawling narrative and the complex gameplay in Yakuza 0. Although, the popular gaming website does negatively compare the combat system to the Batman: Arkham franchise.

“Since it’s a prequel, it’s also unburdened by the series’ increasingly intricate backstory and thus far more approachable for newcomers than the last few Yakuza games. While its melee combat may lag slightly behind modern genre standards, Yakuza 0 still hits far more than it misses and is a big, bold and bruising tour through the Japanese underworld.”

GameSpot
Yakuza 0 is given another positive review from GameSpot, calling it an entertaining experience. Peter Brown, the reviewer, is a little critical of the more distracting parts of the narrative. Most of it involving the random bits of comedy.

“Unless you have a strong aversion to violence, sex, or middling graphics, you owe it to yourself to give Zero a chance. Its story will surprise you, its inhabitants will make you laugh at every turn, and its ambitious scope will redefine how you think about open-world games. It’s a fascinating adventure no matter how you approach it, and it’s proof positive that a game can be wildly inconsistent yet remain a great experience.”

Games Radar
On the contrary, Games Radar praises the “all over the place” tone of Yakuza 0. The plot is also given much praise from the website, but the other aspects, including the abundance of mini-games and certain meta-game concepts.

“But that’s been Yakuza from the start: a series which toys with dozens of ideas from all kinds of games, some better than others, and throws them into a blender and wraps them up in a deliciously pulpy, hard-boiled crime drama. On that front, Yakuza 0 delivers, telling a tale full of humor, heart, and dudes ripping their shirts off in one swift motion – and if this your first time diving in, you can’t go wrong here.”

PlayStation Universe
Yakuza is a Sony-exclusive franchise, starting all the way back in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. It makes sense for a website devoted to all things PlayStation would take a crack at reviewing the newest entry. Yakuza 0 receives an overwhelmingly positive review from PlayStation Universe, touching on the series’ long run and how this entry is one of the best ones yet.

“The Yakuza series’ deft blending of action, arcade and RPG elements has never been as accomplished as it is in Yakuza 0. A genre chimera in the truest sense, Yakuza 0’s almost abyssal depth and near inexhaustible buffet of side activities is only paralleled by the calibre of its story, characters and resoundingly robust series of system that interconnect its multi-genre aspirations.”

Image courtesy of GameFreaks.se.

Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures: Ninja Baseball Bat Man

January 14, 2017 colin

Image result for ninja baseball batman arcade flyer

Image courtesy of Hardcore Gaming 101.

Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a truly bizarre concept…but a fantastic beat ‘em up
Ninja Baseball Bat Man may be one of the most truly insane ideas for a video game. The title alone should be enough to make someone’s head spin. Saying the title out loud is going to make any gamer look at you with a confusing expression.

However, Ninja Baseball Bat Man’s zaniness carries over into some amusing, and lovable, gameplay. Utilizing a tired and true formula in the consistently fun beat ‘em up genre, Ninja Baseball Bat Man stands out thanks to its’ immensely bright graphics and unique world.

Image courtesy of VGMuseum.

Initially created by Irem America employee, Drew Maniscalo, the idea was to combine several popular properties into one giant game. Maniscalo took a look at two top grossing films (1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and 1992’s Batman Returns) and his longtime love for baseball to create this nonsensical game. Irem in Japan was responsible for the game’s art style and tweaking the gameplay.

Image courtesy of Game FAQs.

How did Ninja Baseball Bat Man not become a huge hit? For starters, it’s almost too offbeat of a concept for many gamers. Although, according to Maniscalo on his website, Irem America and Japan were heavily focusing on the SNES Which resulted in poor marketing and an apathetic approach from the company. Weirdly enough, Ninja Baseball Bat Man does not have any home releases where it could have found an audience.

A colorful, creative and overall fun world inhabit Ninja Baseball Bat Man
A collection of priceless golden baseball artifacts have been stolen and the Commissioner of Baseball (yes, that is his actual name) has called upon an elite team of fighters. They are…the NINJA BASEBALL BATMAN! Or Bat Men?

The game even has a goofy opening. Image courtesy of Game FAQs.

The graphics and overall style of the game is what makes Ninja Baseball Bat Man a game worth checking out. Aside from the gorgeous and well-used color palatte, Ninja Baseball Bat Man contains a metric ton of personality. The characters ridiculous facial expressions are similar to classic Warner Bros. and Tex Avery cartoons. Bosses will sob tears when they are being beaten, and the team of ninjas will show-off their personalities in the game’s in-between cutscenes.

Obscure baseball trivia time! Jose Canseco, whom Captain Jose is a reference to, was a member of the Texas Rangers roster when this game was released. Image courtesy of Game FAQs.

The title characters are a team of crime fighters who happen to be cybernetic ninjas who play baseball. Each of them are named after MLB superstars of the 90s. Captain Jose, the red ninja is named after Jose Canseco; the little green guy, Twinbats Ryno, is a tribute to Ryne “Ryno” Sandberg; the yellow and rotund Beanball Roger is a reference to now-infamous pitcher Roger Clemens; and lastly is Stick Straw, a skinny blue ninja named after Daryl Strawberry. Longtime fans of America’s Pastime can have a chuckle at the allusions.

Your starting lineup for the Ninja Baseball Bat Man… Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

The game is a four-player arcade beat ‘em up. Fans of Konami’s X-Men and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle games will feel right at home. It’s never too chaotic, but there are enough enemies to give the ninjas some batting practice. Each of the ninjas have their own stats and special moves.

Players will have to input the moves fighting game style with a combination of joystick moves and button presses. Jose is the balanced fighter; Ryno is a fast, combo machine; Roger hits hard but is slow; and Straw has the longest range. It is not the most diverse differences, but they each of the ninjas are fun to play and are at least distinct. Compared to Ninja Turles or X-Men there is a little more depth.

Evil baseball bats attack with…baseball bats? What? Image courtesy of VG Museum

Players will be traveling to major US cities, each of them associating with baseball. Seattle, San Francisco (dubbed ‘Cisco in the game), the state of Texas (which is home to two MLB teams, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros) and of course New York City. Every stage has an over-the-top stereotype or trait about it. For example, Chicago is still stuck in the 1920s with gangsters. It adds to the goofy charm of it all.

The boss in Chicago is a mobster dog who runs a bootleg liquor business. Image courtesy of Game FAQs.

Each stage will have silly baseball-themed enemies. Ranging from anthropomophic baseballs and bats to evil baseball gloves. And the final boss of the game, without giving anything away, is one of baseball’s greatest legends. It’s an absolute bonkers final fight.

This screenshot does not have much context. Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

One of Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures
Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a truly weird and wonderful game from a weird and wonderful decade like the 90s. The game’s approach to the beat ‘em up genre does not shine in gameplay, but rather in its bizarrely engaging atmosphere. It also helps that the game is four player and is exceedingly entertaining throughout the adventure. Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a game any fan of the genre would consider a home run.