RYAN JOHNSON
Neon Inferno (Switch) Review
Neon Inferno is from an alternate dimension where pixel side scrollers are king, and polygons fell to the wayside. This game shows off the rose-tinted glasses you wish most sidescrollers had, offering modern lighting and dynamic effects, complex battle systems, and the old school shoot-em-up action you know and love.
R-Type Final 3 Evolved (PlayStation 5) Review
R-Type Final 3 Evolved is an exciting sidescrolling SHMUP title, but it is quesitonable as to whether this PS5 exclusive is worthy of a full sequel name or should have stayed an expansion. Fans of the genre need look no further for quality gameplay, but just make sure you know what you are buying into.
2076: Midway Multiverse (Oculus Quest 2) Review
Many retro game revivals have happened over the course of the last few years. The best ones are able to make you feel as if you are playing through those original rose-colored glasses. You didn’t go back to the beginning, you went back to how you REMEMBER the beginning to be. Companies like Dotemu have done a great job with recent releases like Streets of Rage 4, Windjammers, and the upcoming Ninja Turtles hack and slash, Shredder’s Revenge. By incorporating a slick polish and drawing style, the old pixel based games feel fresh and new. Ivanovich Games is doing the same with classic shooter games by injecting a heavy dose of VR and all it’s benefits through 1976: Back to Midway and now it’s sequel: 2076: Midway Multiverse.
Guns of Mercy: Rangers Edition (Switch) Review
Guns of Mercy is a retro arcade style shooter for the Switch. While it has a lot of cool gameplay elements, it feels like it held on too tightly to it’s mobile roots.
Ghost Blade HD (Switch) Review
Ghost Blade HD, a Bullet-Hell SHMUP that released a few years ago on other systems, is being released on Switch. It’s a no-frills port, and the price went up, but it may be the best place to play the game thanks to the unique opportunities available on Switch.
Sniper Elite III Ultimate Edition (Switch) Review
Sniper Elite 3 has been out for a long time, not even counting this Ultimate Edition back on PS4 and Xbox One. The Switch does a great job of taking this sniping adventure on the go.
My Friend Pedro (Switch) Review
My Friend Pedro is a preposterous tale about killing, death, revenge, and bananas. Our hero listens to the whims of a banana in his head as he takes out the seedy crime-ridden underbelly of the city.
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain (PS4) Review
Earth Defense Force: iron Rain attempts to take the usually cartoony gameplay of the EDF series and inject a more realistic tone. Despite the slicker graphics, the game retains the feel of the series and lets you blast bugs left and right in this frantic arcade shooter.
The Bug Butcher (Switch) Review
The Bug Butcher plays as a classic arcade shooter reminiscent of Super Pang! (Super Buster Bros) and at a value price is an easy recommendation for twitch and arcade game fans.
Heavy Fire: Red Shadow (PS4) Review
Heavy Fire: Red Shadow pulls an arcade shooter into your living room. Unfortunately the VR aspect adds another $10 to the price which is a frustrating piece of a rather simple puzzle. In the midst of a loud, crazy arcade this game would be amazing. As an at-home event, though, the cracks begin to show.
Mothergunship Review
Mothergunship distills the first person shooter to it’s base and adds a great deal of gun crafting. Take all the shooty bits you find through the levels and build the boomstick of your dreams as you take on the alien horde with the intent to take down the Mothergunship.