Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER Review

Plucky young Esper ES88 possesses quite the skill – with her handy squid-like Neurodiver, she has the ability to enter one’s memories. This is more than just a simple party trick; she can use it to clear out brain fog, uncover repressed thoughts, and even alter the way one thinks.

There’s just one problem – a rogue Esper known as the Golden Butterfly is using these abilities for mischief throughout the greater Neo-SF Bay Area. With GATE, TRACE, FORTUNA, and the greater power of the MINERVA organization at her side, it’s up to players to find the truth.

What follows is a title that prides itself on its immersion. Featuring a world that pulls from both Latin and Japanese influences, NEURODIVER’s fusion of different cultures is a breath of fresh air in the gaming space.

This immersion also applies to its worldbuilding. From bars to cafés to even zoos, each area is given plenty of flair for players to encounter. As locals to the real-life Bay Area, we loved seeing its unique spin on each area.

NEURODIVER gives players the chance to interact with different objects in true point-and-click fashion as they piece different memories together. While there isn’t a terrible amount of depth, finding out what goes where leads to some light puzzle solving that is welcome.

It’s just a shame that NEURODIVER is a short one, spread across five brief chapters and an intro. With each one presented in an anime-style episode format (complete with commercial bumpers), it just doesn’t have enough runtime to flesh things out.

Each chapter does possess its own puzzle and storyline, but it oftentimes feels like they are a bit more standalone chapters. There are a lot of interesting concepts when it comes to protests and previous MINERVA history, but they’re not given too much time to sit before the next major storyline takes shape.

NEURODIVER does provide a fantastic audiovisual presentation for each of its chapters. The sprite work is at the top of its class, the synth channels the best early 90s titles, and the professional voiceover talent really drives things home. We especially loved ES88’s bubbly performance, which is so full of life

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER provides a fantastic futuristic experience that we were all too eager to dive into. While we would have appreciated more runway with its brief tale, ES88’s hunt for the Golden Butterfly is well worth a trip down memory lane.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a classic example of the old mantra: get past the start, and you’ll love it. If you have Xbox Game Pass, you have no reason not to try this game.

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Sand Land Review

Sand Land’s vehicular combat is entertaining from start to finish, but bizarre progression pacing and the repetitive nature of the side content makes this a hard sell for those approaching the series for the first time.

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Lunar Lander Beyond Review

While Lunar Lander Beyond requires a delicate touch, the feeling that comes from mastering a perfect run and ship-shape crew cannot be beat.

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Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Review

Eiyuden Chonricle: Hundred Heroes is another Kickstarter project from an old-school development team. Is the game worth checking out, or should you sit with more modern games? Check out our review and find out.

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Spirit City: Lofi Sessions Review

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is a fantastic (and pun-tastic) tool that dishes out good vibes as players knock out their tasks. While the title could use more customization options, we enjoyed getting down to business in its cozy world.

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Contra: Operation Galuga Review

The soldiers of Contra: Operation Galuga have the right moves for this mission, but the steep cost, short length, and awkward perspectives lead to a less-than-perfect execution.

Continue Reading Contra: Operation Galuga Review

The post Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions Review

Lenny the cat (quite literally) serves as your spirit animal in Spirit City, giving you a chance to truly relax and help you with all of your tasks. After customizing one’s character, a comfy room with plenty of creature comforts is at your disposal. The world is your oyster in this paradise; while there, players can choose to knit, read, write, and even nap in this virtual environment. There’s also the chance to change the time of day, play curated lo-fi tunes from the talented folks at Homework Radio, and even add a background noise (including our favorite, the crackling fireplace).

This is all done to help players knock out those nasty real-life tasks that always loom over one’s head. Thankfully, Spirit City: Lofi Sessions has the tools needed to make sure that those looming tasks are conquered.

Enter the title’s productivity corner, which includes a to-do list, a timer, a habit tracker, and a journal. As somebody who uses old-fashioned pen and paper to jot down tasks, our time with Spirit City: Lofi Sessions transformed the way we handle our never-ending workload.

We ended up keeping the title on as a background tool for a few days, writing down things to do, penning notes (including the ones for this review!), and getting lost in its general vibes. While the amount of tools is a bit on the light side, each one came in handy during the review period.

Gamification elements also appear in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions in a number of different forms. Along the way, players will earn EXP, level up as a Spiritographer, and earn Spirit Credits that can be spent on different room customization options. These factors scratch that dopamine itch quite well, encouraging players to come back and go for just a little bit more – there’s even daily tasks to keep that momentum going and come back; a smart move.

Perhaps the biggest gamification element in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions are its different spirits. Players will be able to utilize different activities and factors to encourage pun-tastic spirits to make an appearance. We love these little critters; they absolutely warmed our heart and encouraged us to try out the title’s different options. Don’t treat it as a speedrunning jaunt just waiting to be conquered. Rather, Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is a title that’s about the journey than the destination.

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is a fantastic (and pun-tastic) tool that dishes out good vibes as players knock out their tasks. While the title could use more customization options, we enjoyed getting down to business in its cozy world.

Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

The culmination of a decade of surprises and one-liners, Studio Seufz and AMC Games are releasing their slapstick roguelike adventure Lucky Tower Ultimate into Steam Early Access this August.

Continue Reading Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Players can take advantage of a number of RDO$ and XP opportunities throughout June in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Online.

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Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

A cooperative digital adaptation of the hit board game, Rock Manor Games and Mega Cat Studios have announced the Kickstarter and Steam launch of Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game.

Continue Reading Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Featuring a resume that spans the worlds of anime, gaming, and Twitch streaming, Kira Buckland is a standout voice actor in the space today. During FanimeCon 2024, Gamers Heroes sat down with her to talk about her wide range of work, cats, and how she engages with her “cowmunity.”

Continue Reading Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Riven Launching June 25

A modern remake of 1997’s monster hit Riven: The Sequel to Myst, Cyan Worlds announced that Riven will launch on June 25.

Continue Reading Riven Launching June 25

Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

A tactical RPG with a roguelite thrill, the world of Leikir Studio, Dotemu, and Gamera Games’ Metal Slug Tactics is hitting the battlefield this fall.

Continue Reading Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

The post Spirit City: Lofi Sessions Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Contra: Operation Galuga Review

Things are heating up from the offset of this title, with the terrorist group Red Falcon setting up shop on the Galuga Archipelago. They’ve been keeping busy, contending with a group of super soldiers sent to deal with them that are now MIA. If that’s not enough, gravity waves centered around the area hint at these baddies possessing an artifact of mass destruction.

What’s a soldier to do?

Enter Bill Rizer and Lance Bean of the EMC Contra Unit, no strangers to the perils of war. These two pec-tacular warriors – along with Lucia, Ariana, and others – set out to right this wrong through sheer firepower and spectacle.

No need to worry, though; these fearsome fighters have the skills needed for the job. Contra: Operation Galuga gives players a double jump, a horizontal midair dash, and even the chance to precisely aim at the hold of a button. Paired with two weapons (one primary and one secondary), equippable perks, even an Overload function that works in a pinch, and players will give Rambo a run for his money through their moves and grooves on the battlefield.

Of course, Contra: Operation Galuga has the challenge to put all of these factors to the set. The first jungle stage might seem like a retread of the arcade and Nintendo Entertainment System classic, but things go over the top (just like the Stallone movie!) with ice train chases, high-tech labs, and other exotic locales. There’s even tweaks to classic sections like the vertical climbing levels, always setting out to keep us on our toes. The average stage clocking in at approximately 10 minutes too – just enough time to make a bombastic entrance and exit.

This system proves to be fair for the most part, with reflexes and pure skill proudly shining through after all these years. Players will have to contend with a lot of bullets at any given time, and while the default system is a bit more lenient compared to the 80s originals, players will still have to bring their AAAA game to survive.

However, there were some cheap hits with the general way Contra: Operation Galuga is designed. By using a 2.5D perspective – 3D graphics on a 2D plane – we found that it can be hard to determine hitboxes in certain scenarios. There were also select sections where the perspective and even the direction changed, making our initial go-around a bit of a slaughter. Again, triumph comes from practice, but there are times we just can’t claim “skill issue” in good faith.

Just be warned that Contra: Operation Galuga is a short mission, clocking in at around two hours and change during our initial playthrough. The title is $39.99 as of this writing on Steam; while it encourages replayability, it does prove to be a bit light on content – even if it does support up to four players.

The soldiers of Contra: Operation Galuga have the right moves for this mission, but the steep cost, short length, and awkward perspectives lead to a less-than-perfect execution.

Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

The culmination of a decade of surprises and one-liners, Studio Seufz and AMC Games are releasing their slapstick roguelike adventure Lucky Tower Ultimate into Steam Early Access this August.

Continue Reading Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Players can take advantage of a number of RDO$ and XP opportunities throughout June in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Online.

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Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

A cooperative digital adaptation of the hit board game, Rock Manor Games and Mega Cat Studios have announced the Kickstarter and Steam launch of Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game.

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Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Featuring a resume that spans the worlds of anime, gaming, and Twitch streaming, Kira Buckland is a standout voice actor in the space today. During FanimeCon 2024, Gamers Heroes sat down with her to talk about her wide range of work, cats, and how she engages with her “cowmunity.”

Continue Reading Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Riven Launching June 25

A modern remake of 1997’s monster hit Riven: The Sequel to Myst, Cyan Worlds announced that Riven will launch on June 25.

Continue Reading Riven Launching June 25

Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

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The post Contra: Operation Galuga Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

SoulGame Studio’s Minishoot’ Adventure dares to imagine a world where these two genres come together in perfect harmony. Does this hybrid go together like peanut butter and chocolate, or should these two genres keep separated?

Minishoot’ Adventures Review

At first glance, Minishoot’ Adventures seems like your typical top-down shooter. You’re piloting a ship, can maneuver in 360 degrees of motion, can fire at will, and can even take down other ships through a stream of multicolored bullets.

However, things aren’t what they seem; this title features a fair amount of exploration. Players will collect heart pieces, trigger switches, collect keys, upgrade one’s abilities via a skill tree, and can even pinpoint where they want to go. There’s even breakable pots and boss rooms as players take on the Unchosen and his minions – sounds like the adventures of a little green elf, right?

These two concepts might seem at odds with each other, but Minishoot’ Adventures is wildly original. The idea of traveling across an overworld and discovering secrets might seem unorthodox, but exploring a world while putting our skills to the test was a thrilling feeling. Note that there are “Explorer,” “Original,” and “Advanced” modes with different firing modes to match, making Minishoot’ Adventures suitable for all styles of play.

Players can make a beeline for the main objective on the map, but players can also come across distress signals and ships that have lost power along the way. There’s also collectibles like Golden Scarabs, a leveling system with a skill tree, and other perks that can make your shipling is the best shipling to ever ship.

Just note that the puzzles in Minishoot’ Adventures do not require a ton of heavy lifting. Some segments require exploration while others require clearing out a set room, but don’t expect anything too complex. This is far from a dealbreaker considering its focus on the action, but those looking for the depth that comes from the Hero of Time’s adventures with multiple items and floors will need to adjust to this brass tacks approach.

That’s not to say Minishoot’ Adventures is an easy title; far from it. Between the sections where players need to carefully navigate a chasm while big ol’ bullets come from the top, racing a spirit to the finish, or even freeing an old friend, this is one title that will require players to get acquainted or crash and burn. Without a suite of items these battles can feel a bit limiting, but muscle reflexes serve as a suitable substitution.

Taking inspiration from a little green elf, Minishoot’ Adventures combines bullet hells and exploration to create something truly unique. This title might not be the toughest or most compex title on the market, but the feedback loop between combat and exploration kept us captivated.

Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

The culmination of a decade of surprises and one-liners, Studio Seufz and AMC Games are releasing their slapstick roguelike adventure Lucky Tower Ultimate into Steam Early Access this August.

Continue Reading Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Players can take advantage of a number of RDO$ and XP opportunities throughout June in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Online.

Continue Reading 4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

A cooperative digital adaptation of the hit board game, Rock Manor Games and Mega Cat Studios have announced the Kickstarter and Steam launch of Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game.

Continue Reading Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Featuring a resume that spans the worlds of anime, gaming, and Twitch streaming, Kira Buckland is a standout voice actor in the space today. During FanimeCon 2024, Gamers Heroes sat down with her to talk about her wide range of work, cats, and how she engages with her “cowmunity.”

Continue Reading Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Riven Launching June 25

A modern remake of 1997’s monster hit Riven: The Sequel to Myst, Cyan Worlds announced that Riven will launch on June 25.

Continue Reading Riven Launching June 25

Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

A tactical RPG with a roguelite thrill, the world of Leikir Studio, Dotemu, and Gamera Games’ Metal Slug Tactics is hitting the battlefield this fall.

Continue Reading Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

The post Minishoot’ Adventures Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Million Monster Militia Review

Set in the not-too-distant year of 2073, players will encounter a world where the US is under attack by colossal titans like the cleverly named “Burny Sanders” (and his dog) and “Chonk Demon.”

Enter the player, who has the ability to enlist players every turn, throwing up to 25 recruits headlong into battle. However, while players start with five run-of-the-mill civilians, they quickly amass a veritable army of animals, vegetables, and minerals (signified as human, beast, monster, item, construct, demon, and so forth).

Each one has their own perks too. Whether it be damage multipliers, buffs, or golden goo, players will encounter common, uncommon, and rare findings every turn. No matter what they choose, players will have six different ones to choose from each roll.

Therein lies the fun of Million Monster Militia; its sheer variety. Early runs will feel a bit awkward, with players not quite knowing the benefits of stacking giant rats or a Power Pellet. This randomness is made doubly so when it comes to how militias are deployed; it can be hard to tell where each one appears on the 5×5 grid, and there are some that might be detrimental to others when placed next to one other. Nothing worse than a run coming to a screeching halt, all due to some good ol’ fashion destruction.

However, getting the right items each run, figuring out how to stack them, and making sure the right things are adjacent to each other is a thrilling feeling. In a way, it scratches that strategic itch, all while finding out that there are some downright wild possibilities. As the team puts it in the tutorial text, “synergy” is key!

Just note that while variety is the spice of life, it also takes a bit to get the hang of. Roguelike deckbuilder fans will absolutely love the round-based, turn-based deployments, and a vertiable wealth of options, but those less weaned on the genre might not quite appreciate the benefits of learning which buildout works best.

There are some standbys that can help get players out of a pinch in one’s run. A Mayday Button dishes out 10x the damage from the last turn once per run, while Internal Affairs, Electromagnetic Pulses, and Rerolling can also work in a pinch.

Variety is the spice of life in Million Monster Militia, providing sheer chaos with its synergies. While it takes some getting used when it comes to what goes where, those hankering for a good roguelike deckbuilder will enjoy positively obliterating these titans.

Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

The culmination of a decade of surprises and one-liners, Studio Seufz and AMC Games are releasing their slapstick roguelike adventure Lucky Tower Ultimate into Steam Early Access this August.

Continue Reading Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Players can take advantage of a number of RDO$ and XP opportunities throughout June in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Online.

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Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

A cooperative digital adaptation of the hit board game, Rock Manor Games and Mega Cat Studios have announced the Kickstarter and Steam launch of Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game.

Continue Reading Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Featuring a resume that spans the worlds of anime, gaming, and Twitch streaming, Kira Buckland is a standout voice actor in the space today. During FanimeCon 2024, Gamers Heroes sat down with her to talk about her wide range of work, cats, and how she engages with her “cowmunity.”

Continue Reading Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Riven Launching June 25

A modern remake of 1997’s monster hit Riven: The Sequel to Myst, Cyan Worlds announced that Riven will launch on June 25.

Continue Reading Riven Launching June 25

Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

A tactical RPG with a roguelite thrill, the world of Leikir Studio, Dotemu, and Gamera Games’ Metal Slug Tactics is hitting the battlefield this fall.

Continue Reading Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

The post Million Monster Militia Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Yes, there will be puns.

Pepper Grinder Review

When the pirate pepper has her treasure stolen, she doesn’t go without a fight. With her trusty drill Grinder, she sets out to turn anything and everything that stands into her way into a nice purple haze.

Said Grinder drill manages to outclass Milwaukee and Makita at their own game. With it in hand, Pepper is able to drill through select substances with ease, gliding in and out like it was water. While the turning radius is a bit broad, this ends up leading to a general flow to levels where players pop in and out of sections with relative ease. Pepper Grinder’s controls are responsive, leading to a truly unique style of play.

On that note, this drilling mechanic comes into play with some creative setups. One section has players navigating a sky world where balloons can’t be popped, while another makes use of cooled off magma to turn into new drilling platforms. While Pepper Grinder’s worlds aren’t too out of the ordinary – you’ve seen most of these level tropes before – the way the drilling elements come into play changes the way one approaches its drill bits. 

Pepper’s drill is truly versatile (with the environments to match), but there are plenty of other tools of the trade for some good ol’ fun and games. Weaponry with unlimited ammo pops up at select points, requiring players to shift their way of thinking. In addition, there’s also vehicles like snowmobiles that pop up for some high-speed action – just the thing to break things up. If anything, levels are brisk with plenty of action and no chance to catch one’s breath; just the way we like it.

However, Pepper Grinder’s greatest strength is in its boss fights. While there are only a handful to speak of, the way they require players to utilize both the gameplay and the environment itself is a real treat. 

It’s just a shame that this title’s over before it even begins. While it took us a bit to get through the trickier sections, we rolled credits after a few hours. Players can also collect Skull Coins in each level (some of which are expertly hidden!), along with Time Trials, but we were hoping for something akin to a grading system.

Pepper Grinder is anything but a grind, letting players drill through land, sea, and air with relative ease. While we would have loved to see more content – and more bosses in particular – this title proves that it’s the pirate’s life for us.

Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

The culmination of a decade of surprises and one-liners, Studio Seufz and AMC Games are releasing their slapstick roguelike adventure Lucky Tower Ultimate into Steam Early Access this August.

Continue Reading Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Players can take advantage of a number of RDO$ and XP opportunities throughout June in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Online.

Continue Reading 4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

A cooperative digital adaptation of the hit board game, Rock Manor Games and Mega Cat Studios have announced the Kickstarter and Steam launch of Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game.

Continue Reading Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Featuring a resume that spans the worlds of anime, gaming, and Twitch streaming, Kira Buckland is a standout voice actor in the space today. During FanimeCon 2024, Gamers Heroes sat down with her to talk about her wide range of work, cats, and how she engages with her “cowmunity.”

Continue Reading Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Riven Launching June 25

A modern remake of 1997’s monster hit Riven: The Sequel to Myst, Cyan Worlds announced that Riven will launch on June 25.

Continue Reading Riven Launching June 25

Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

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Continue Reading Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

The post Pepper Grinder Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Unleaving Review

Starting their journey by following a lively butterfly, Unleaving kick off with players finding themselves back at home.

From there, Unleaving has players venturing off on a journey that forces players to ponder a number of different questions: 

• Why are you here? 
• What do you search for? 
• What drives you?

With nothing else to go off of, players set off across a number of different landscapes in order to shed some light on its unique world.

What follows is a 2D platformer that follows the old mantra of show, don’t tell. Though there are a number of different brief statements on the screen at any given time, players will find themselves immersed in its world throughout its approximately one hour runtime. 

This is one title where players will come to appreciate things as they come, with players grasping the significance that comes with each scenario. Whether it be rising water or a wolf, players will see the allegories to real life that come with each situation. As a result, Unleaving’s journey is truly remarkable.

On that same note, Unleaving truly excels in its worldbuilding. The hand-painted world of Unleaving is alive, one that grabs the attention of the player from the very first stroke through its constantly shifting world. In addition, there are a number of different unique elements at play, from a larger-than-life rocking horse to an electrifying robot head.

These elements also tie into Unleaving’s puzzle elements. Momentum and physics play a bit part in progression, with players dragging around boxes, dealing with antigravity factories, and other elements to get ahead. Some parts take a fair amount of time to get just right, but Unleaving is forgiving.

If anything, we appreciate the cleverness this title brings to the table – Unleaving makes sure players have the tools they need to get ahead. It might require a bit of trial and error, along with exploration, but these manage to be strengths that lead to the immersion the development team is seeking out.

On that note, while the title is a bit on the short side, it is still a worthy trip that does not overstay its welcome. It leaves a lasting impression; Unleaving is an excellent art piece that is absolutely begging to be played on the proper display with a good set of headphones.

A short-but-sweet art piece, Unleaving leaves a lasting impression that truly immerses players in its artistic world. For those feeling a little lost, be sure to take this journey.

Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

The culmination of a decade of surprises and one-liners, Studio Seufz and AMC Games are releasing their slapstick roguelike adventure Lucky Tower Ultimate into Steam Early Access this August.

Continue Reading Lucky Tower Ultimate Coming to Early Access August 2024

4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Players can take advantage of a number of RDO$ and XP opportunities throughout June in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Online.

Continue Reading 4X RDO$, XP, and Additional Bonuses This Week in Red Dead Online

Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

A cooperative digital adaptation of the hit board game, Rock Manor Games and Mega Cat Studios have announced the Kickstarter and Steam launch of Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game.

Continue Reading Maximum Apocalypse: The Video Game Announced

Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Featuring a resume that spans the worlds of anime, gaming, and Twitch streaming, Kira Buckland is a standout voice actor in the space today. During FanimeCon 2024, Gamers Heroes sat down with her to talk about her wide range of work, cats, and how she engages with her “cowmunity.”

Continue Reading Kira Buckland Interview: The Voice of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Jolyne Cujoh Shares Her Thoughts on Voice Acting

Riven Launching June 25

A modern remake of 1997’s monster hit Riven: The Sequel to Myst, Cyan Worlds announced that Riven will launch on June 25.

Continue Reading Riven Launching June 25

Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

A tactical RPG with a roguelite thrill, the world of Leikir Studio, Dotemu, and Gamera Games’ Metal Slug Tactics is hitting the battlefield this fall.

Continue Reading Metal Slug Tactics Launching This Fall

The post Unleaving Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore Review

Proving that no good things last forever, things kick off with Lord Daimor being released from his book of imprisonment. Not one to take this threat lying down, the titular Princess Arzette is on the case. Her objective? Collect the pieces of the titular jewel of Faramore, vanquish this evil, and save the day.

Sounds a bit cliché, right? Based on this brief description, you’d be absolutely on the money.

Design

However, Arzette is tongue-in-cheek and self-aware every step of the way. This title spreads the cheese on thick, channeling its over-the-top goofy energy into its exaggerated voice overs and plentiful puns. That’s not even mentioning the random, poorly drawn horse warriors, skeleton Elvis impersonators, and scarecrow bosses.

This is all intentional, designed to replicate Philips CD-i titles like Link: The Faces of Evil and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (which is heavily hinted at as “a spiritual successor to a pair of infamous adventure titles” by the team themselves).

As a replication, Arzette gets the job done – this title would be right at home on that long-forgotten system. However, these titles are obscure for a reason: They’re just not good. While the basic colors and janky animation channel the energy of these obscure releases, there’s not denying that they are positively garish. For those not in on the joke – which would be the mainstream audience – the irony on display will be less than amusing.

Gameplay

That begs the question: Does Arzette manage to stand on its own merits? It depends.

Gameplay follows a MetroidVania (or more appropriately, Wonder Boy) setup, with players using items like bombs, keys, and colored magic to break down barriers and access new areas. Most of its worlds can be accessed via an overworld map, and players will return to each area multiple times as they collect new goodies and abilities.

While the hunt for keys and Rupies requires some discovery, don’t expect too much depth; the game can be completed in a few hours. Even the combat is a bit on the simple side; while one’s slash can be upgraded and players can get a sidestep and a gun, there’s no high level play here. If anything, it’s far too easy to cheese one’s way through most of its boss battles.

Paying tribute to another Philips CD-i title, players will also experience elements from Hotel Mario as they close doors, navigate mazes, and break targets. These areas all net players additional Rupies, and while they’re not too taxing, these bonus stages still break things up and are welcome additions.

Closing Thoughts

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is a bit lost. Its attempt to channel the energy of a certain duology of titles is too self-aware to resonate with its target audience. Meanwhile, those looking for a grand adventure won’t appreciate its gaudy design and plodding gameplay. As a result, this Philips CD-i tribute is only suited for a very specific few. 

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a classic example of the old mantra: get past the start, and you’ll love it. If you have Xbox Game Pass, you have no reason not to try this game.

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Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER Review

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER provides a fantastic futuristic experience that we were all too eager to dive into. While we would have appreciated more runway with its brief tale, ES88’s hunt for the Golden Butterfly is well worth a trip down memory lane.

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Sand Land Review

Sand Land’s vehicular combat is entertaining from start to finish, but bizarre progression pacing and the repetitive nature of the side content makes this a hard sell for those approaching the series for the first time.

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Lunar Lander Beyond Review

While Lunar Lander Beyond requires a delicate touch, the feeling that comes from mastering a perfect run and ship-shape crew cannot be beat.

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Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Review

Eiyuden Chonricle: Hundred Heroes is another Kickstarter project from an old-school development team. Is the game worth checking out, or should you sit with more modern games? Check out our review and find out.

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Spirit City: Lofi Sessions Review

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is a fantastic (and pun-tastic) tool that dishes out good vibes as players knock out their tasks. While the title could use more customization options, we enjoyed getting down to business in its cozy world.

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Berserk Boy Review

Wasting no time, the protagonist Kei gets powered up when he comes across a Berserk Orb. With Fiore, Dizzie, the Commander, and the Resistance backing him, he takes the fight against Dr. Genos and his vast quantities of Dark Energy.

Not just for show, Berserk Orbs let him pull off incredible stunts – we’re talking lightning speed, flame drills, ice kunais, and additional elemental attacks. Some are more advantageous than others, but switching between orbs is as simple as pressing a button and direction. Later stages utilize multiple abilities at once, having players climbing, throwing, and doing all manners of stunts. Berserk Boy’s emphasis on style is a crown jewel in the platforming space.

Berserk Boy’s emphasis on style is a crown jewel in the platforming space.

On that note, Kei is speed incarnate through and through. There’s still Resistance members to rescue and backtracking with certain portals, but those that dilly-dally will end up in a bottomless pit or a face full of spikes. A meter ties all the abilities together, but it is very forgiving and can be upgraded at its lab in the base. There’s even Berserk powers like Soaring Wind that place an emphasis on defense – just the thing to deflect shots and get some more airtime.

If anything, Berserk Boy prides itself on skill mastery. As players go a mile a minute, they’ll contend with multiple foes, instant death spikes that move at a quick pace, and switches that temporarily open doors. Pattern recognition is an absolute must, from the platforming to the boss fights. What might seem like a cheap laser is actually telegraphed; knowing how to deal with Berserk Boy’s many threats channels the platformers of old, all without being cheap.

Berserk Boy prides itself on skill mastery.

Just be ready to die – a lot. While playing on modern resets players to a fairly recent spot behind, each death eats away at one’s score. It’s even possible to end up in the negatives – don’t ask how we know that. However, Berserk Boy’s letter grade system will encourage players to rise to the top.

While Berserk Boy is a fairly short title, there are plenty of additional pieces of content. Players can seek out additional goodies in each stage that require specific abilities to access; this encourages a thorough scouring of each level. There’s even additional stages and collectibles to be had. Thankfully, its four teleporters in each level make sure it’s easy to get to just the right spot.

Berserk Boy’s presentation is at the top of its class.

Berserk Boy’s presentation is at the top of its class. The spritework stands out, with bright colors and personality in spades. The music is a bop too, with remixes each level that will get stuck in your head from the very first beat.

Berserk Boy’s platforming action manages to eclipse its inspiration, leading to an experience that is an absolute must for fans of the genre.

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Penny’s Big Breakaway Review – No Strings Attached

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The title of Penny’s Big Breakaway tells all – this titular busker has a knack for tricks with the help of her faithful companion Yo-Yo. However, an audition with the Emperor Eddie quickly goes sideways, with Yo-Yo eating Eddie’s outfit. The Emperor literally having no clothes, this dynamic duo exits stage left while avoiding a penguin army.

What follows are a series of worlds and level sections across multiple areas. In true 3D platforming fashion, players will still be going from one area to another, doing plenty of collecting and jumping along the way. There are plenty of things to do from point A to point B as well; denizens have tasks that require transportation, cool camera shots, and collecting a set amount of items. Not to mention, there are a number of oh-so-desirable hidden collectibles just waiting to be copped.

Penny does has some tricks up her sleeve that will ensure the hunt for a high score is a fun one. Players can do a dash, make a 360 spin, or can ride along like a one-wheeled wonder. Combos are the name of the game, with this title truly shining as a score chaser. Those that master the physics of Penny’s Big Breakaway will be treated to a platformer that pulls from the greats.

However, the road to get there is filled with trial and error. Penny’s Big Breakaway possesses a serious learning curve; one that will have players dropping out and getting captured more often than they’d like. There were instances where we ended up on the wrong side of a game over screen because we were still getting the hang of things; this proves a bit tricky with the amount of air time that Penny and Yo-Yo have and the plentiful bottomless pits and the somewhat rigid camera.

That’s not to mention threats like pesky penguins, conveyor belts, and electric shocks that dot the landscape – sometimes all at once. Boss battles don’t fare much better; we ended up getting frustrated with their reliance on memorization, but some may enjoy this style of play. Still, we can’t deny the uniqueness of playing pool or entering a sumo match with a yo-yo.

Penny’s Big Breakaway does offer a number of concessions to make sure the experience is as smooth as possible. Checkpoints are plentiful, and players can continue after losing all of their lives at the expense of a serious cut to their score. In addition, there are a number of power-ups Penny can buy that soften the challenge quite a bit.

Of course, style and presentation goes a long way too, and Penny’s Big Breakaway provides an all-star performance. Colors pop, characters charm, and the soundtrack is downright harmonic. Paired with its plentiful dad jokes, Penny’s Big Breakaway appeals to gamers of all types.

Penny’s Big Breakaway proves that the art of busking is never easy, but it is always worth it. Those that can wrangle Penny and Yo-Yo’s tricks – and not get caught up in the strings – will enjoy going around the world for a high score.

[infobox style=’success’ static=’1′]This review of Penny’s Big Breakaway was done on the PC. The game was purchased digitally.[/infobox]

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