Home Blog Page 748

The Plucky Squire Preview

A cute platformer that jumps from one dimension to another

The Plucky Squire

Developer: All Possible Futures
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: Xbox Series XXbox OnePlayStation 5Nintendo SwitchPC (Previewed)
Release Date: 17 Sep 2024
Price: – TBA

If there’s one thing where you have to respect Devolver Digital, they know how to pick their games. So far they have grown their catalogue of enticing releases made of unique and creative titles. They also make some damn fine trailers to drum up the hype for the upcoming games and The Plucky Squire is no stranger to that.

Take a look at this trailer above, for example. On the surface, it’s made to merely reveal a release date but it also shows you a glimpse at some gameplay mechanics, puzzle mechanics, and a bit of story. I got to be one of the lucky ones to get access to the preview release of the game and while I can’t spoil much and talk about everything in the game, let me at least tell you why The Plucky Squire should be on your release radar in September.

At the core of it, The Plucky Squire is a simple 2D platformer. You play as Jot, on his quest to defeat the evil wizard Humgrump (gotta love that name) and free the realm of his terror. Being a hero as he is, Jot succeeds. Again and again and again. After all, that’s how the story (and the book you’re in) is written. The wizard finally realizes that and he’s had enough so he kicks you out of your realm (the book) into the strange unknown world of 3D! And that’s when the game begins.

While on the quest to fix what the evil Humgrump has ruined, you’ll be accompanied by a plethora of side characters but make no mistake, the game is played entirely from the perspective of Jot. That’s what I could at least tell in all four chapters of the game of this preview. At the start, you are offered a choice of two difficulties, adventure and story mode. Adventure can be considered the normal/default mode of the game while the story mode is the one that you’ll use when you just want to focus on the story and breeze through the enemies. While the 2D and 3D sections of the game contain your usual hack ‘n’ slash gameplay, the boss fights in this game tend to have some of the most outlandish mini-games. For example, you’ll have to defeat a badger in a boxing match or pretend to be a Robin Hood to defeat another boss.

The game is also filled with a bunch of collectibles, secret areas, and items (I still have no idea what is the purpose of some Glitchbirds that I’ve found but I’m keeping them anyway) and you can also upgrade your weapon with the coins you find all over the world. And I do mean all over it. It pays off to slash every bush, shake every tree, and squeeze into every passage for that precious coin. You can upgrade your attack power, buy some new special attacks, or just buy an art scroll or two if you find yourself with too many coins. The puzzles in the game so far follow one pattern. Since you are playing a character in a book, you’ll occasionally find a sentence in the area that will say something like “It was a rainy night that day” and guess what, you need it to be day and sunny to cross a certain bridge. What you usually do is find hidden words around the level such as “sunny” and “day” and replace them in that sentence before so you can change the level layout and open some new path(s). Things get a bit more challenging later once you learn how to jump out of the book at will and flip the pages to go back to the previous level and take different words but I assume we’ll have more of that in the final release of the game.

Recommended

While this preview version of the game is considerably short (only 4 chapters and it can be completed in 2 to 3 hours), it did its job to interest me in the game. So far, I’ve been impressed with pretty much everything in the game, from the visuals, level design, quirky characters, and ridiculous bosses, and the whole gameplay aspect of jumping from 2D to 3D and vice versa never feels overused. If anything, this preview build is a sign of great things to come and I can’t wait for what’s in store for me once the full game drops. Keep an eye out on this one, folks!

Time to Parkour, Supermoves soars on to Steam today! 

The Ultimate Competitive Parkour Showdown on PC is available now

Tampere, Finland – August 28, 2024: Get ready to unleash your inner parkour master, Makea Games today launches Supermoves, the high-octane freerunning game on PC via Steam!

The trailer can be viewed below:

Supermoves throws players into a world of acrobatic possibilities, letting you grind rails, soar from trampolines, wall run, swing on zip-lines, and pull off gravity-defying flips across a massive playground of urban environments.

Master the art of parkour with intuitive first and third-person mechanics, allowing you to experience the thrill of freerunning from a variety of perspectives across multiple modes. 

Key Features:

  • Freerun Your Way: Become a parkour prodigy with a deep moveset that lets you chain together fluid runs, epic flips, and creative lines across expansive levels.
  • Massive 40-Player Online Mayhem: Test your skills against dozens of players in pulse-pounding online matches featuring eight thrilling game modes. From bombastic battle royales to classic races and technical obstacle courses, there’s something for every type of parkour enthusiast.
  • Eight Thrilling Game Modes: Experience the variety! Brave the shrinking safe zone in Rising Tide, race your rivals in Sprint and Circuit modes, or test your reflexes in the explosive Bomb Tag. Hunt for collectibles in Loot mode, showcase your parkour prowess in the fan-favorite Obstacle Course, or dominate the competition in epic Battle Royale and Tournament modes.
  • Become the Freerunning Champion: Embark on a single-player Career Mode that will push your parkour skills to the limit. Progress from local gyms to breathtaking rooftops, conquering classic goal levels, races, and tournaments in a nostalgic journey that celebrates the art of freerunning.
  • Build Your Parkour Dreams: Unleash your creativity with the intuitive Makea Editor. Craft your own parkour playgrounds, design heart-pounding races, or build chill hangout spots. Remix existing levels or create entirely new ones – the possibilities are limitless! Publish your creations for the entire Supermoves community to enjoy.

Supermoves is available on PC via Steam now for $14.99 / €14,79 / £12.79 for its standard edition.

Players can upgrade to the Supermoves Digital Deluxe Edition featuring additional cosmetics and the soundtrack, which is available as a $4.99 / 4,99€ / £4.29 purchase. It’s not just a game, it’s a movement. Never stop running! 

About Makea Games

Founded in 2022 in Tampere, Finland, Makea Games is a game development studio built on the foundation of UGC (user-generated content), social play, and empowering players. Their core mission is to provide players with the ability to create anything they can dream of, piece by piece within their games, sparking imaginations and unleashing creativity.

This is achieved by offering intuitive tools and fostering a collaborative online community, essentially giving players an online sandbox to build their dream games in. Makea Games titles themselves are testaments to the potential of their creation tools, being both fun and engaging games while showcasing what players can achieve. Believing in the power of community, Makea Games invites enthusiastic gamers to join their Discord server to playtest, develop games together, and be part of the creative process. Makea Games’ current project, Supermoves, the ultimate parkour showdown, is released on PC via Steam in August 2024. 

Venomous Villain Araxxor Crawls Into Old School RuneScape Today As The Latest Slayer Boss Fight

Face off against a familiar foe as a new combat encounter arrives in Old School RuneScape – with new rewards up for grabs!

Wednesday, 28 August 2024, Cambridge, UK. Old School RuneScape players, prepare to jump into battle against a new eight-legged adversary as venomous villain Araxxor arrives in-game today. 

Marking 10 years since Araxxor’s debut in the original RuneScape, this classic creepy crawly lurks into Old School RuneScape as a completely reimagined solo combat encounter. Hunt down this supersized spider from deep within the murky swamps of Morytania, while fending off swarms of araxxytes keeping players away from its nest.

Watch the Araxxor Slayer Boss here: 

Head into battle in Araxxor’s hidden lair, contending with venomous acid and oversized fangs in this melee-focused Slayer Boss fight. But, with abundant spoils to claim for players who reign victorious, taking down this enormous arachnid is well worth the fight.

Defeat Araxxor to unlock plentiful rewards, the Noxious Halberd, the new best-in-slot Amulet of Rancour, the cute (but still creepy crawly) Araxxor pet, and much, much more.

As a major new boss encounter, Araxxor is the first Slayer Boss to be introduced to Old School RuneScape since Alchemical Hydra in 2019, delivering a challenging fight for both new players and veterans alike.

Old School RuneScape is available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile.   

About Old School RuneScape 

Old School RuneScape is the industry-defining collaboration between the community and developers. Embracing its nostalgic heritage, hundreds of thousands of active players control the direction of the game with an in-game polling system. Featuring adventures for solo play through to 100-player strong raids, Old School RuneScape caters for every brave adventurer. Old School RuneScape continues to innovate, introducing its first ever new skill in 2023 to commemorate its 10th anniversary, arriving later this year.

About Jagex   

A leader in creating deep and engaging forever games that empower our communities across PC, mobile and consoles. Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed over 300 million player accounts to its world and is a $1billion + lifetime revenue franchise. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond live operations; our titles are forever games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly active worlds and our community-focussed development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped.
 
In 2022, Jagex expanded with the acquisitions of PipeWorks and Gamepires, bringing its expertise in building forever games to SCUM, a multi-million selling open-world survival title in Steam Early Access & other unannounced titles. Jagex employs more than 600 people globally, and is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom.    

Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn Officially Launches Worldwide!

This modern remake from Tengo Project pays homage to the original and push the boundaries of the action-platformer genre and difficulty levels

Check out our review for Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn here!

Berlin, 29th August 2024 – The wait is over. NatsumeAtari, in partnership with ININ, is proud to announce the global launch of Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn, the highly anticipated reimagining of the classic retro title. Available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S and Steam.

Reliving a Classic, Reinvented for a New Era!
Originally developed by Natsume and released in 1990 for the NES, Shadow of the Ninja (known as Blue Shadow or KAGE in some regions) stood out as a tough-but-fair side-scrolling action game that became a fan favourite among the retro gaming community. The game was praised for its challenging yet rewarding gameplay, two-player cooperative action, and atmospheric level design.

In this thrilling action-adventure platformer, you will use your striking katana, as well as the acrobatic finesse of a ninja to face the advance of powerful enemies. Our fearless heroes, Hayate and Kaede have undergone a major visual upgrade from their original 8-bit models. From the deadly foes to the no-less deadly stages, every part of this title has been faithfully remade in stunning high-quality graphics.

Special attention was dedicated to the already acclaimed 2-player mode, which now features upgraded cooperative gameplay dynamics, refined character interactions, and an overall optimised experience. So, grab a friend and engage in deadly shinobi combat to save the world in this dark action gem Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn!

This remake brings back Iku Mizutani, the star composer who helped create the iconic Natsume sound and renowned tracks for various NES games.

As with the original version, Dynamic Pro handled the illustrations! The key visuals/character illustrations are also by Dynamic Productions, as was the case with the first version in 1990

Features and Innovations

  • Reimagined Visuals: Fully remastered in stunning high resolution, the game features hand-drawn 2D art mixed with dynamic environments, breathing new life into every corner of the original world.
  • Enhanced Combat System: Refined combat mechanics introduce new ninja abilities, combos, and precision platforming that rewards skill and strategy.
  • Expanded Storyline: Dive deeper into the lore of the Shadow of the Ninja universe with a completely new designed and added level, providing a more immersive experience.
  • Co-op Mode Revamped: The beloved local cooperative mode has been reworked, offering seamless integration and more intense team-based action.
  • A Star-Studded, Rockin’ Soundtrack: Play along with the legendary Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and Iku Mizutani’s electrifying guitar riffs and fast-paced melodies.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is available digital for just €19,99 and physical for €29,99 (PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch). There is also a physical PS4 version available from SLG.

For the real retro game music lovers, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn will also release a Digital Deluxe Edition for PS4/PS5, NSW, and Steam priced at €24.99, that includes the electric digital soundtrack by legends Iku Mizutani and Hiroyuki Iwatsuki!

Even more information about the game can be found on the official website.

About ININ

ININ, a subsidiary of United Games Entertainment GmbH, is a rising publishing label for high-quality retro, arcade, and indie games. With a passion for feel-good games, ININ brings classic titles back to life and creates future gaming gems. Known for titles like “Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World,” “Cotton Reboot,” and “CrossCode,” ININ is the Western publishing partner for iconic TAITO series such as “Bubble Bobble” and the legendary “Space Invaders.” In collaboration with partner label Strictly Limited Games, ININ offers limited and collector’s editions to die-hard gamers. As ININ continues to impact the gaming world, stay tuned for frequent announcements of new (or old but returning) games.

About NatsumeAtari

Natsume Atari Inc. has been consistently developing software for game consoles for the past 30 years. Using production techniques cultivated over many years of development, we continue to provide high quality software for both home and handheld game consoles and developing software on the latest gaming platforms as well. While working mainly as a contract development company, we also provide services from product planning to development. Created by our skilled development staff, our titles have been made with particular care to good game feel while playing and were well received by our clients and customers.
We also do the planning to smartphone applications and mobile content, while being highly flexible to handle a variety of needs, such as mobile site management for anime titles and smartphone game development.
Development is currently handled by two studios, one located in Osaka and the other in Nagoya.

About Dynamic Production 

Since its establishment in 1969, Dynamic Productions has been engaged in the management of manga artists, novelists and manga authors, including Go Nagai, as well as producing newly drawn manga, planning various events and managing the copyrights of its artists.

About Mikio Tachibana

Born 11 May 1976 in Saitama Prefecture. After working as an assistant to Go Nagai, he made his debut in 2004 and has since published serialised works such as Mazinger Otome and Mazinger Otome Taisen.He continues to publish short manga, newly drawn manga and illustrated works in all genres.

©1990-2024 NatsumeAtari Inc. Published by United Games Entertainment GmbH  illustration ©2023 Mikio Tachibana/Dynamic Production.

New trailer shows off ‘complexes’ – a brand new way to build up your business empire on PC & Console

Leicester, UK – 28th August 2024 – A new way to build up your business empire is coming to the upcoming tycoon sequel, Rise of Industry 2, on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5.

Specialized complexes will be a new feature to the series with players now able to build self-contained production lines containing factories, power plants, industrial furnaces and farms to boost efficiency and improve the all-important bottom line.

Watch the new trailer featuring complexes below:

Offering an immersive business tycoon experience for both casual tycoon players and wannabe CEOs, Rise of Industry 2 enters a new era as players will establish profitable production chains to rub shoulders with the great and the good of the corporate world in 1980s USA. 

Fledgling industrialists can climb the business ladder across 15 unique and exciting scenarios in the all-new campaign mode, while still defining their own success in the returning sandbox mode. Social connections will also play a big part as players must network with CEOs of other companies to trade in materials and finished products, and get introductions to their powerful friends in the industry. 

Wishlist Rise of Industry 2 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5 by visiting RiseofIndustry.com.

ABOUT KASEDO GAMES

Kasedo Games work closely together with enthusiastic & talented indie developers from around the world to publish ‘Triple I’ titles that players will love.

Through our vast knowledge of producing, PR, marketing and distribution, we always strive for quality games made by quality indie teams and we understand that every game and every studio has different requirements. The support, creative freedom and platform we provide means we can make great games happen without forgetting their roots.

Titles under the Kasedo label include: ‘IXION, ‘City of Gangsters’, Recipe for Disaster’, ‘Filament’, ‘Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus’, ‘Rise of Industry’, ‘Project Highrise’ and ‘Crowntakers’. www.kasedogames.com

Bullet hell roguelite Call of Sentinels is out now!

Combine different weapons, power ups and artifacts to defeat bosses and hordes of enemiesHave fun with unique streaming voting mechanics that allow viewers to influence the match, making it an exciting experience for both players and viewers

 Studio A17 Games is excited to announce that Call of Sentinels is now available on Steam, PC. This  innovative mix of bullet hell and survival roguelite puts players in the role of a group of heroes who must fight against hordes of enemies in order to protect their kingdom from the forces of darkness. One of the most exciting features of Call of Sentinels is its special voting mechanic. With the use of a Twitch account, viewers can actively influence the match.  This unique system adds a new level of engagement to the game, turning viewers into active participants in the action and adding a new level of fun.

During the match, players will have the opportunity to complete challenges from the Sentinels in order to earn one of three upgrades. This is where the fun really begins! By connecting your account to Twitch and starting a broadcast, you’ll activate a special mechanic that will trigger from time to time. Viewers will then have the chance to vote on which effect they want to see, using the chat function. There are plenty of options to choose from, with 8 negative and 13 positive effects that are sure to keep everyone entertained. You’ll definitely want to replay this match again and again, as there’s always something new and unexpected waiting for you!

The Campaign mode with six levels, expertly crafted cutscenes and dialogues, where new characters and weapons are unlocked, will help you familiarize yourself with the game and explore the different abilities of the characters. After completing this, access to the Infinite Arena is unlocked. Using a variety of build options and combining powerful weapons and artifacts, players must face hordes of enemies and see how long they can survive. The best fighters will rise to the top of the leaderboard as fearless warriors. 

To obtain particularly powerful upgrades and create devastating combinations, you must carefully choose the artifacts and the power ups. The result will exceed your expectations. Returning to the game will be fun to study the synergies and choose the best effects for your play style.

  • Diverse builds
    Call of Sentinels features a diverse roster of heroes and weapons, each with unique abilities and play styles. Experiment with different builds to find the one that suits you best and become a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Think Vampire Survivors but with more depth and strategic choices as you build your ultimate hero. 
  • Powerful bosses
    Prepare to face off against challenging bosses, each with their own unique mechanics and attacks. Outsmart them, dodge their devastating blows, and emerge victorious! Just like Hades, you’ll need to master their patterns and exploit their weaknesses to survive.
  • Epic characters and weapons
    Unleash the power of a stunning arsenal of weapons and equip yourself with unique characters that bring their own flavor to the battlefield. From powerful magic users to agile warriors, choose your champion and dominate the arena! Feel the rush of Crimsonland’s combat but with a greater variety of character choices and abilities. 
  • Story mode
    Embark on an epic journey through six beautifully crafted locations, each connected by a compelling story told through cutscenes and in-game dialogue. Unlock new characters, weapons, and unlock the path to the Infinite Arena! 
  •  Infinite Arena
    Prove yourself and climb to the top of the leaderboard! Find out how long you can hold out against the endless onslaught of enemies, earning points and competing with other players. This high-intensity mode will challenge even the most seasoned veterans of the genre.
  • Lots of skills
    Master a huge amount of skills and unlock powerful upgrades to craft your own unique build. Experiment with different combinations and build your character to dominate the battlefield! Like Vampire Survivors, you’ll have an endless array of upgrades and power-ups to choose from, but with more strategic depth and control…
  • Trials of Sentinels
    During your battles, you’ll encounter special Trials of Sentinels – challenging tasks that, once completed, will give you the opportunity to choose from a variety of additional upgrades, further expanding your build possibilities! The thrill of the challenge combined with the reward of new options makes for a truly engaging and rewarding gameplay loop.

The Call of Sentinels game is now available for purchase on PC through Steam.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn – Gameplay

0

If you enjoy arcade-style games, especially those from the 1990s, chances are you’ve heard of Tengo Project. They’re known for creating incredible and unique revamps of classics like Wild Guns, Pocky & Rocky, and The Ninja Warriors.

Join us as we take you through a detailed look at all six stages in Tengo’s latest masterpiece: Shadow of the Ninja Reborn. Unlike the aforementioned titles, Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is a complete overhaul of the 2D hack-and-slash game originally released 33 years ago on the NES.

After 33 years in the shadows, prepare to see this legendary action adventure in a new light! Looking and playing better than ever before, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is Tengo Project’s remake of a cult classic, that the fans have been waiting for.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn
Developer: NatsumeAtari
Publisher: NatsumeAtari, Edigger, United Games Entertainment
Platform: Windows, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5|4, Switch
Release Date: 29 Aug, 2024
Price: $29.99 USD

Available here – https://www.iningames.com/games/shadow-of-the-ninja-reborn/

Summary:

Recommended – “Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn brings back the classic side-scrolling hack ‘n slash remade with fantastic pixel graphics, revamped gameplay, super satisfying controls and extra features.”

Check out our review for Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn here!

Check out all the latest in the world of video games, anime, and entertainment at Capsule Computers:

Website: https://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CapsuleComputers
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/capsulecomputer
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/2666558-Capsule-Computers/
Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/capsulecomputer/

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn Review

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn

Developer: NatsumeAtari
Publisher: NatsumeAtari, Edigger, United Games Entertainment GmbH
Platforms: Windows (Reviewed), Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch
Release Date: 29 August 2024
Price: $29.99 USD / $29.99 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Tengo Project is a small team composed of key people responsible for titles such as Pocky & Rocky, The Ninja Warriors and Wild Guns, all of which received updated versions with new graphics, sounds and gameplay. Now, it’s time for Shadow of the Ninja to be reborn, graced with all the passion and care that Tengo has been pouring onto its revamps of Natsume’s action classics. That said, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a much more ambitious project compared to Tengo’s past offerings. As its name implies, it’s a complete remake of the original 1990 title.

Story

A bunch of demons installed a dictatorship in some country not named the United States. It is now 2029 and two ninja mercenaries with a heart of gold have now come all the way from the East to overthrow President Garuda. 

The game’s cyberpunk setting and the fact that the antagonists are now established as actual demons are more clearly conveyed in the intro cinematic this time. Curiously, any mention of real places were removed and replaced by fictitious names. The intro is surprisingly dynamic for something rendered using pixel art nowadays.

Gameplay

Originally released on Nintendo’s 8-bit console, Shadow of the Ninja is a side-scrolling action game that plays similarly to Ninja Gaiden on the same system, but with a slower-paced and more methodical gameplay. One of the title’s standout features is its enjoyable co-op mode which arguably felt like the optimal way to experience the game. As a result, solo play wasn’t as engaging and felt a bit gimped; weapon choices were restricted and players could only carry one weapon at a time, reducing their versatility.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn addresses this by expanding and tweaking your initial loadout. Additionally, a wide array of secondary weapons and items can now be found throughout the stages. Combined with new attacks and moves focused on evasion and mobility, these enhancements make exploring the game’s now multi-layered backdrops much more enjoyable in single-player mode.

If you thought the original Shadow of the Ninja was fun – I certainly do – just wait until you put your hands on this beauty. It’s a fast hack ‘n slash that retains the essence of the original title and demands reasonable caution and precision from players. The gameplay now feels more balanced, allowing for more varied play styles. Enemies don’t spawn right in your face anymore but can still be hard to track at times due to the much larger play area. Despite sharing the same move set, the two selectable characters are now more distinct. Hayate is much faster than Kaede but a bit harder to control. Their differences become more apparent when playing in co-op mode. However, I feel Tengo should have gone further in differentiating them, providing more incentive for repeated playthroughs.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a very short game even with the addition of a new stage which now brings the total to six. However, they feature entirely new segments while older ones have been carefully reworked, making stages feel longer and more varied when compared to the original title. It’s still a fairly challenging game and now includes an extra difficulty setting. Hard mode shakes things up a bit by making enemies more numerous and aggressive with some of them even altering their attack patterns slightly. While these changes don’t drastically alter the gameplay, they do add a bit more longevity to the overall experience. Most boss battles got enhanced and extended, showcasing their new amazing sprite work. Suffice it to say, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a treat to both old and new 2D action fans alike.

Visuals

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn truly shines with its completely remade graphics. Tengo Project outdid themselves, transforming the old 8-bit visuals into a fresh mix that combines elements from their previous revamps and the crisp and detailed pixel art found on the best 32-bit side-scrollers. The main characters were animated incredibly smoothly, though some enemies and bosses needed more work in this regard. The cyberpunk backdrops look amazing and are incredibly detailed and varied. The new mech enemies are huge and feature brilliant sprite work. Overall, the visuals in Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn are nothing short of impressive and a joy to look at.

Audio

The remade soundtrack captures the catchy and energetic spirit of the original tunes wonderfully. However, they could have benefited from more variety and additional sections. As it stands, the music tends to loop quite a bit, which can make it sound a bit repetitive and even grating after a while.

Overall

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another great 2D action title from the past that was elevated far beyond its original scope. It really has to be seen to be believed, as games with polished gameplay combined with high-quality pixel art like this simply aren’t made anymore. It might be too late for other neglected IPs to start receiving the same treatment as money in the game industry lies elsewhere. Nevertheless, I hope the people at Tengo Project still have steam left for more passion undertakings such as this one.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

PATRICK STAR OF SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS GETS HIS FIRST-EVER VIDEO GAME

EVERYONE’S FAVORITE SEA STAR HEADS TO CONSOLES AND PC THIS OCTOBER

Today, Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, under licence from Paramount Game Studios, have officially revealed first details of their upcoming video game, The Patrick Star Game, starring SpongeBob SquarePants’ best friend, Patrick Star. Developed by PHL Collective, this single-player, sandbox game is set in the iconic world of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and lets fans play as everyone’s favourite pink sea star, Patrick, in his first-ever starring adventure. The Patrick Star Game will release on 4th October 2024, and will be available to play on PlayStation 4®, PlayStation 5®, Nintendo Switch™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. 

Players can explore Bikini Bottom as their own playground in this sandbox adventure game, utilising almost any object they find to alter the world with physics-defying hilarity. Take on missions set by all of Patrick’s friends, including SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Sandy Cheeks and Plankton, and explore iconic locations around Bikini Bottom, like Glove World, The Dump and Demolition Derby. From a Krabby Patty construction quest, to playing on the see-saw and causing chaos in Mrs. Puff’s rage room, players will have endless possibilities for adventure!

Watch the latest trailer here:

Complete new tasks and collect jars of mayonnaise, in classic Patrick fashion, to unlock new outfits while looking out for Easter Eggs from the TV series. Additionally, The Patrick Star Game comes complete with voiceovers of the original SpongeBob SquarePants cast, including Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, Rodger Bumpass as Squidward, Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs and many more!

Stephanie Malham, Managing Director of Outright Games said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work once again with Nickelodeon/Paramount Consumer Products. We are incredibly thankful to be expanding our on-going relationship in adapting iconic IP’s into family-friendly video games. It is an honour to work on an iconic and beloved franchise like ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’. With ‘The Patrick Star Game’, we have created an interactive playground for fans to create their own adventures in Bikini Bottom, while honoring the show’s zany humor and lovable characters.”

Doug Rosen, SVP, Games and Emerging Media at Paramount, said: “Just in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’, we are delighted to collaborate with Outright Games to release a new game that for the first time, focusing on the real ‘star’…Patrick.” 

Since its launch on July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for 22 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount Global history, seen in more than 180 markets, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 90 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif.  

The Patrick Star Game will be coming to PlayStation 4®, PlayStation 5®, Nintendo Switch™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on 4th October 2024.

About Outright Games:

Outright Games is a global video games publisher with a focus on bringing quality family entertainment to a worldwide audience. Founded in 2016, Outright Games has established its place in the market delivering engaging interactive games of beloved entertainment licences globally. Outright Games brings stories and characters to life with titles including favourites such as Peppa Pig: World Adventures with Hasbro, DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos with Warner, Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova and Paw Patrol: Grand Prix with Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of The Nine Realms with NBC Universal. With an Outright Games title there will be fun for all the family to enjoy.

For more information please visit: www.outrightgames.com

About Outright Games:

Outright Games is a global video games publisher with a focus on bringing quality family entertainment to a worldwide audience. Founded in 2016, Outright Games has established its place in the market delivering engaging interactive games of beloved entertainment licences globally. Outright Games brings stories and characters to life with titles including favorites such as Peppa Pig: World Adventures with Hasbro, DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos with Warner, Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova and Paw Patrol: Grand Prix with Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of The Nine Realms with NBC Universal. With an Outright Games title there will be fun for all the family to enjoy. For more information please visit: www.outrightgames.com

About Paramount Consumer Products

Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by a diverse slate of consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio is based on content from platforms including Paramount+, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), cable networks (including MTV, Nickelodeon and Showtime), and Paramount Pictures. Additionally, the division operates Paramount Game Studios. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. To view our range of consumer products and Paramount branded apparel, visit ParamountShop.com.

About PHL Collective

Since 2013 PHL Collective has designed and released numerous games for console, mobile, PC, and VR; it’s gained media attention and won awards for quality and gameplay. PHL’s games, coupled with its strong management and production processes, have fueled the studio’s growth, and made it Philadelphia’s largest game developer.

DISNEY EPIC MICKEY: REBRUSHED DEMO IS LIVE NOW!

Sydney, Australia – August 28th, 2024: The playable demo for Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is live now and can be downloaded on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and PC (Steam). Shape your own adventure, full of Disney’s timeless characters and stories, and change the fate of Wasteland in this reimagination of a beloved classic!

Play the demo:

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on September 24, 2024.

Pre-order the game: https://epicmickey.thqnordic.com/

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, a faithful remake of the beloved classic adventure, is being developed by Purple Lamp in collaboration with Disney Games and published by THQ Nordic. Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is scheduled for release across PS4™, PS5™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo® Switch and PC on September 24, 2024.

Follow @thqnordic for all Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed news and updates.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Features:

  • Explore a reimagined Wasteland, full of Disney’s timeless characters and stories.
  • Wield the magic brush: Paint to create, thinner to alter. Every choice shapes your story.
  • Meet Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Disney’s original star, in a rich, narrative-driven world.
  • Enjoy advanced gameplay with new abilities and enhanced visuals in a classic setting.
  • Mickey has new moves such as dash, ground pound and sprinting.
  • High replayability with multiple endings based on your unique playstyle and decisions.

About THQ Nordic

The THQ Nordic official boiler plate can be found here: https://thqnordic.com/company/about