Twinworld Game Reviews

Cologne/Berlin, Germany – February 5th, 2025 – As revealed today at the Japanese Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, Blue Backpack and co-publishing partners ByteRockers’ Games and PARCO GAMES are excited to confirm that their critically acclaimed 2D hand-drawn metroidvania, Constance, is coming to Nintendo Switch on May 1st. News on a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S release date is coming soon!

Constance was hailed as among the best in the genre and won comparisons to the likes of Hollow Knight and Celeste when it hit PC in December 2025. Switch fans now get to experience the metroidvania exploration, flow-state platforming and engaging combat for themselves on May 1st.

In Constance, you can transform into paint to dive into the ground and walls, slice through the air and enemies, and utilize an array of unique brush techniques to experience a constant state of flow. Become stronger by unlocking new brush techniques, defeating threatening foes, overcoming platforming challenges, and solving complex puzzles to advance your progress as you uncover Constance’s past! Help her understand her personal struggles, unlock her creativity, and find her inner purpose.

Explore 6 unique biomes in Constance’s inner-world, with each region featuring its unique set of enemies and characters representing different aspects of her psyche and personal history. Uncover countless secrets, multiple paths, deadly boss battles, characters, side quests and collectibles in this nonlinear interconnected inner-world.

Source: PR Email

Gothenburg, Sweden – February 5th, 2026 – Wishfully Studios and Thunderful are pleased to announce that their anticipated cinematic puzzle adventure, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf,  will release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5 PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch on March 5th 2026. Players will get the chance to check out the sequel to the award-winning, critically-acclaimed Planet of Lana with the first-ever public demo dropping on February 11th on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. A Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch demo will be released at a to be announced later date.

The new release date trailer offers a look at diverse biomes that range from breathtaking natural landscapes, to lush ocean depths, ancient forests, robot graveyards and dystopian urban areas, all scored with the captivating music of BAFTA-nominated composer Takeshi Furukawa. See Lana and her companion Mui work in tandem, using their unique abilities – including Mui’s creature controlling powers – to solve puzzles, sneak past deadly robots and explore the game’s diverse environments.

As greed and power divide the tribes of their home planet, Lana and her little companion, Mui, must stand together against the forces reshaping their world – struggling not just for survival, but for the soul of their home. Perfect for new players and returning fans, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf features unique companion gameplay, clever puzzling, challenging action sequences and stealth, all set in a stunning and captivating world.

This anticipated sequel almost doubles the size of the first game, taking us to never before seen areas of the planet Novo on a journey that will see you conquer snowy mountains, dive into dangerous waters, encounter majestic creatures and meet friendly forest communities and more. Planet of Lana II builds on the original title in every way, offering deeper exploration, a wider array of collaborative physics-based puzzles, spectacular new creatures, thrilling action sequences, new factions and a more expansive story that remains rooted in Lana and Mui’s evolving bond.

“We are excited to reveal that Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is coming to PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch on March 5th,” said Game Director Adam Stjärnljus. “We learnt so much from the development of the first Planet of Lana and used that to improve on every aspect of the game in Planet of Lana II. The first game was received amazingly well by players and critics, so we can’t wait to see how people react to the improved sequel when they play the demo on February 11th and the full game on March 5th.”

Key gameplay features that await players in Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf include:

• A Cinematic Puzzle-Platformer Adventure: A story-driven experience blending exploration, gentle puzzles and cinematic atmosphere.
• A Companion-Driven Journey: A heartfelt adventure built around the bond between Lana and her loyal companion, Mui.
• A Hand-Painted World in Transition: Explore a beautifully crafted planet where nature and technology collide, and different tribes respond to progress in their own ways.
• Fluid Exploration & Movement: Guide an older, more agile Lana with wall jumps, smooth traversal, and dynamic movement across diverse environments.
• Thoughtful & Varied Puzzles: Puzzles are woven naturally into the world, focusing on observation, timing, and cooperation rather than complex logic.
• Storytelling Without Words: No spoken dialogue, meaning emerges through visuals, music, and your interactions with the world.
• An Emotional, Carefully Paced Sci-Fi Tale: Uncover new truths about the planet and Mui’s past in a 6-8 hour cinematic journey, accompanied by a moving orchestral score.

Source: PR Email

5 FEBRUARY 2026 – Newly revived video game publisher Acclaim and Swedish indie studio Elden Pixels are excited to announce that The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is headed to the Nintendo Switch and Steam next week, on February 10, 2026.

Created by the team behind Alwa’s Legacy and A Void Hope, The Prisoning invites players to step into the fractured mind of Fletcher Howie Jr., a developer on the brink of a mental breakdown at the final stages of a massive project. During a post-crunch therapy session, Fletcher becomes trapped in his subconscious and is forced to confront his fears and anxieties in a comedic Metroidvania adventure.

Source: PR Email

Charlestown, United States – February 4, 2026 – Awarded indie game developer Mommy’s Best Games, led by veteran ex-Insomniac Games and Serious Sam Double D XXL developer Nathan Fouts, is excited to announce the that its new brutal 80’s sci-fi action platformer ChainStaff will release this April 8 in the Americas and Europe for Nintendo Switch and PS4/PS5, and also worldwide on Xbox One/X. Pre-orders are open now.

In ChainStaff, you are a mutant with an alien attached to your head ready to master your transforming spear and grappling hook, blazing weapon upgrades. With the rocking soundtrack of Broforce composer Deon van Herrden, players will swing, shoot, and spear their way through hordes of evil monsters and bone-shaking boss fights, and get this thing off your head!

Key Features

• Master the ChainStaff: a transforming grappling hook that can turn into a spear, shield and more.
• Grotesque Upgrades: Do you rescue your fallen friends, or turn more alien by eating their organs? Each decision unlocks upgrades on two different tech trees.
• 10 Wild Levels: Each level is like a classic rock album cover come to life.
• Transforming Aliens: Each massive boss presents a new way to think about how to use the ChainStaff. Will you break their teeth apart, or pry open their gigantic jaws?
• 4-6 Hour Adventure: A tight, hand-crafted adventure with 3 unique endings and the ability to play New Game+ and continue again with all your upgrades.
• Killer Soundtrack: Rock out to the classic metal soundtrack by the award-winning composer Deon van Heerden of Broforce and Warhammer 40k: Shootas Blood & Teef soundtrack fame.

Master the ChainStaff

Hurl it as a spear and slice aliens in half. Throw it to the ground as a shield to stop incoming attacks. Grapple and swing on just about anything. The transforming ChainStaff does all this and more, and all with one button, it’s all up to you.

Every creature in the world of ChainStaff has been mutated by the invading Star Spores. And each one creates its own challenge and own special way to be taken down by the player with the ChainStaff.

Grotesque Upgrades

Stranded soldiers dot the landscape of ChainStaff. You have to choose whether to rescue them or devour their organs; each option has unique benefits and will lead to different endings.

Switch and Xbox Pre-Order

The Nintendo Switch pre-order is now open for the Americas and soon on the European store. The Xbox One version is available for pre-order now as well, with worldwide availability.

Source: PR Email

January 29, 2026 — Solo developer qLate and indie.io are proud to announce that Everwarder, an exciting blend of roguelite exploration and survival with strategic tower defense gameplay, has launched on Nintendo Switch! Set in a world beset by darkness, players take on the role of a magical guardian tasked with pushing back the dark with dazzling neon lights and spawned defenders, protecting the life of a trapped spirit.

The crystal containing the spirit is the nexus of defense – all is lost if it falls to the endless stream of enemies coming from the darkness. Players need to set up defensive lines, spawning defenders using energy collected from fallen foes and expanding the crystal network to clear the map and uncover secrets waiting beneath the black. However, instead of the usual system of static defenses, Everwarder gives players full freedom of movement to explore the map and face the enemies head-on.

The challenge lies not in optimizing the layout of defenses, but rather responding to the changing situation and controlling the flow of enemies: The faster the darkness is destroyed by the light, the faster the enemies spawn. Going too fast risks overwhelming the defenders, while going too slow bottlenecks the ability to explore. This dynamic lies at the heart of the game, ensuring that every run is unique. Coupled with random spawning of abilities, artifacts, and other assets throughout each playthrough, players will be constantly challenged to improve their strategy and encouraged to boldly experiment.

Failure is simply another step forward: Every run unlocks new opportunities in future runs thanks to the persistent progression system, where players spend hard-earned resources to upgrade units, unlock new artifacts, and acquire other upgrades that will change their future runs and make them more resilient in their valiant stand against the darkness.

Everwarder is Now Available on Nintendo Switch eShop.

Source: PR Email

Milan, Italy – January 29th, 2026 – Studio Cima is pleased to announce that its story-driven action platformer, The Perfect Pencil, is available today on PC (Steam Deck Verified) and Nintendo Switch for €24.99/$24.99, with a 10% Steam launch discount. The game invites players into a surreal, hand-drawn kingdom where exploration, discovery, and frantic battles reveal psychological themes and the mind’s hidden truths.

Set in a strange illustrated world influenced by fear and memory, The Perfect Pencil follows John, a young man who awakens in an unfamiliar kingdom and must confront unsettling figures born from his own inner psyche. His journey takes him through distorted environments filled with peculiar characters, mysterious encounters, and symbolic threats.

Using John’s unique Analysis Ability, players can examine characters, objects, and surroundings to reveal hidden information and additional story details. Exploring beyond the main path unlocks optional encounters, secret lore, and deeper insight into the world and its inhabitants.

Throughout the adventure, John faces intense boss battles that represent different aspects of the human psyche. These disturbing manifestations test both skill and courage, reinforcing the game’s central theme: growth comes through risk, and fear must be confronted to move forward.

“After six years of development, releasing The Perfect Pencil is a huge milestone for our team,” said Luca Marinelli Brambilla, Marketing Manager at Studio Cima. “It’s been an incredible journey with an amazing group of artists, and we can’t wait to see how players connect with the story, the world, and the emotions behind the game.”

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – ININ Games today confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 being fully on a cartridge and released a brand-new trailer for R-Type Dimensions III, the upcoming instalment in the legendary side-scrolling shoot-’em-up series. The game is set to be released in MAY 2026 on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch™ 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC (Steam).

The new trailer offers fans their most advanced look yet at the game’s visual presentation and overall polish, showcasing substantial improvements in lighting, effects, and animation as development moves closer to its final phase. The footage highlights both the classic R-Type gameplay players love and the refined modern presentation that will define this new entry. The game can be switched from old to new at any time during gameplay.

In addition, the team confirmed that the Nintendo Switch™ 2 version of R-Type Dimensions III will be released as a complete physical edition on cartridge, containing the full game with no required downloads, a key commitment to collectors and preservation-minded players.

Pre-orders for the R-Type Dimensions III Collector’s Edition remain open until February 8. After this date, the Collector’s Edition will no longer be available, as production quantities will be locked and ordered. Pre-orders of the Special Edition and also the Standard Edition are ready to be maneuvered into the cart as well.

A Complete Modern Rebuild of a Legend

R-Type Dimensions III continues the franchise’s tradition of intense, precision-based shoot-’em-up action, bringing together classic 2D design and modernized visuals for a new generation of pilots, while remaining faithful to the series’ iconic DNA.

About R-Type Dimensions III

R-Type Dimensions III is the latest entry in the legendary R-Type franchise, blending classic side-scrolling shooter gameplay with modern technology and presentation, and launching worldwide in May 2026.

Key features include:

• A fully remastered experience with completely reconstructed assets

• Local co-op, enhanced with new scoring and survival mechanics

• Customizable controls and quality-of-life features in the settings

• 3D Camera settings (normal and crazy)

Pre-Order Now Live – Special & Collector’s Edition

Fans can secure one of two premium physical editions (the Collector’s Edition can only be pre-ordered until February 8th):

Special Edition

The Special Edition includes the full game, a beautifully crafted artbook showcasing concept art and visual development, as well as the complete new original soundtrack, perfect for players who want to dive deeper into the creative universe of R-Type Dimensions III. This edition will be sold for € 59,99. (Nintendo Switch™ 2 is € 69,99)

Collector’s Edition

For devoted R-Type enthusiasts, the ultra-limited Collector’s Edition offers everything from the Special Edition plus a selection of exclusive bonus items. The centerpiece is a highly collectible figurine based on the new cover interpretation. This exclusive edition is priced at
€ 199,99 (all platforms).

More information will be available soon. The game is going to be released in May 2026 worldwide, physical and digital.

Source: PR Email

January 20th, 2026 | HypeTrain Digital and Sleepy Castle Studio are proud to announce that Escape from Ever After will be available on PC and Consoles on January 23rd.

Over 10,000 players have already taken a peek behind the cover in Escape from Ever After: Onboarding, a standalone prologue that received an Overwhelmingly Positive (96%) response on Steam, and now the full story can finally be told.

Escape from Ever After is coming to Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch for $24.99 USD and will be available on January 23rd, 2026.

About Escape from Ever After

Escape from Ever After is an adventure RPG inspired by the classic Paper Mario games, where fairytale and storybook heroes must fight back against capitalism. Dive into storybook worlds packed to the brim with colorful characters and captivating locales, face off against hordes of wacky enemies in snappy turn-based gameplay, and climb the corporate ladder to take down the greedy Ever After Inc. from the inside!

Key Features:

• Fight in a fun, fast-paced battle system that rewards experimentation and strategy;
• Build and customize your party—every character has unique skills that can be equipped and upgraded throughout your journey;
• Engage in office banter, help your storybook coworkers, and decorate your office as you climb the corporate ladder;
• Explore vast storybook worlds brimming with sidequests, treasures, and secrets;
• Stories within stories: experience a charming and lively narrative where the rules are constantly changing;
• A jazzy, big-band soundtrack that keeps the energy pumping throughout!

Source: PR Email

LOS ANGELES, January 16, 2026 – Newly revived video game publisher Acclaim and Swedish indie studio Elden Pixels are excited to announce that The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is headed to the Nintendo Switch and Steam on February 10, 2026.

Created by the team behind Alwa’s Legacy and A Void Hope, The Prisoning invites players to step into the fractured mind of Fletcher Howie Jr., a developer on the brink of a mental breakdown at the final stages of a massive project. During a post-crunch therapy session, Fletcher becomes trapped in his subconscious and is forced to confront his fears and anxieties in a comedic Metroidvania adventure.

To celebrate today’s release date announcement, Acclaim has released a mind-melting new gameplay trailer. Watch as Fletcher navigates the hazard-filled recesses of his mental prison, goes toe-to-toe with towering bosses, and blasts his way through more emotional baggage than you can stuff into a ten-gallon hat in the footage below.

About The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest

After a visit to the psychologist that went horribly wrong you’re trapped in the mind of a game developer on the brink of physical and emotional burnout during the last stages of an intense project. Experience a metroidvania drenched in anxiety based on a very true story.

Help Fletcher Howie Jr. escape his mental prison and save the day!

Key Features

• Based on a true story and definitely inspired by real events
• Upgrades, weapons, bosses, enemies and all that jazz
• Contains story*

(* This game is not recommended for anyone with a peanut allergy)

But hey, not down with anxiety? All of these above points can be completely skipped and you can plow your way through another tight roguelike metroidvania with killer mechanics (you can kill basically everything that moves), a banging chipmusic soundtrack built to maximize your nostalgia and more pixel art than you can stomach!

Source: PR Email

We are proud to announce the release of The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG) platforms in celebration of the series’ 20th anniversary. That means the West is caught up on the Trails franchise for the first time ever!

Van Arkride and the members of Arkride Solutions are back, and this time the future of the entire Zemurian continent is at stake! The people of Zemuria await the launch of humanity’s first foray into space with bated breath. A sudden invitation from Marduk to cooperate in a high-tech training exercise sets Van, Ashen Chevalier Rean Schwarzer, and Father Kevin Graham on a collision course with the secrets at the very core of Zemuria.

Their paths may diverge, but the ultimate question remains the same: Just what lies beyond the edge of the horizon?

• All Trails Lead Here: Paths from across Zemuria intertwine with higher stakes than ever before as the Trails series enters its final chapter!

• Gameplay, Evolved: New gameplay mechanics such as Shard Commands, Awakening, and the time-freezing Z.O.C. give you an unprecedented amount of options in both Field and Command Battles!

• Dream Teams: Gather allies from all over Calvard and beyond and put a stop to Ouroboros’ machinations in the Grim Garten, a dungeon that you can take on with your own custom party!

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon NIS Online Store exclusive Limited Edition, featuring a copy of the Deluxe Edition of The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon for Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch, art book, original mini soundtrack, SteelBook, and “Grim Timekeeper” acrylic clock, all contained within a collector’s box, is also available today.

Source: PR Email