Twinworld Game Reviews

Archive for April, 2023

Friday 28th of April, 2023 – Indie publisher Ratalaika Games, together with Indie developer Route 5 Games, has the pleasure today of releasing the action puzzle extravaganza, Gematombe. Coming on Sony PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch, this is one of the games that doesn’t date and you will be playing for years!

Blast from the Past

Gematombe draws inspiration from many titles, including Arkanoid, Puzzle Bobble, Breakout, Puyo-Puy, Touhou and many  others   but creates its own unique puzzle game mixture true to this genre.

Features/Facts:

• Cast of six characters, each with unique abilities
• Vs console or friend
• Progression Line
• 60 levels
• Multi modes
• Six campaigns
• Humorous cut scenes

Gematombe – a challenge that will have you always coming back for more!

Source: PR Email

Paris, April 27th, 2023 – Microids is pleased to announce the video game Inspector Gadget: Mad Time Party. Developed by Smart Tale Games, this new party game for 1-4 players will immerse you in the iconic world of Inspector Gadget. Stroll through the environments of the original series, meet characters such as Chief Quimby, Penny or the M.A.D. agents and use the various gadgets of the Inspector to fight the M.A.D. forces.

Inspector Gadget: Mad Time Party will be released this fall 2023, in physical and digital versions on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC on Steam.

About Inspector Gadget: Mad Time Party

Wowsers! Play as the iconic Inspector Gadget and join your friends in this new party game! Metro City has fallen under the control of the evil Dr. Claw. In order to save the city, Inspector Gadget must use a time machine to go back in time. Unfortunately, the machine breaks down and the inspector’s ancestors are teleported to the present.

Your mission: Explore Metro City and confront Inspector Gadget’s ancestors to recover the missing parts of the machine. You’ll have to solve mini-game quests to unlock the bolts needed to repair it.

Features:

• Embark on a fun and exciting adventure as the legendary Inspector Gadget and save Metro City from Dr. Claw!
• Explore Metro City and complete quests and challenges in Adventure Mode.
• Discover 16 entertaining mini games inspired by the Inspector Gadget universe, such as Count Them All, My Precious and Pass the Bomb!
• Have fun with family and friends in Multiplayer mode.
• Enjoy the exceptional soundtrack by Tanis Chalopin, the daughter of Inspector Gadget’s creator, Jean Chalopin.

Inspector Gadget: Mad Time Party will be released in fall 2023 in physical and digital versions on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC on Steam. Go go gadget!

Source: PR Email

April 26th, 2023 – Seaven Studio is very excited to announce that it’s bringing Space Gladiators to consoles next month on May 4th. It’s making this happen in cooperation with the game’s developer, Blobfish, a French solo dev who’s been making games since 2018. They’ve already published several games on their own on Steam, including Brotato, a wildly popular roguelite with an Overwhelmingly positive rating that’s sold over 1.5 million copies.

Space Gladiators showcases where a lot of Brotato‘s quirky space-faring potato energy started, also being roguelite with tight controls and tons of build options, but going for a side scrolling perspective rather than top-down. Escape from the hole and build up your gladiator with an astounding plethora of pets, weapons, & trinkets as you carve out a path forward through platforming challenges, combat rooms, and other weird encounters in between.

Available for preorder on the Nintendo eShop & Microsoft Store (and of course still available on Steam), Space Gladiators will be launching on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on May 4th.

About Space Gladiators

Fight your way out of a planet prison in this 2D hand-drawn roguelite platformer!

You’ve been captured and sent to entertain aliens as a gladiator in a faraway planet called Tartarus. You will have to advance through randomly generated biomes with deadly traps and monsters blocking your path. Choose your opponents in the arenas, beat them for items and coins and you might be able to earn your freedom!

Features:

• Tight and fluid controls that allow you to dodge and fight enemies without taking hits – the only ceiling is your own skillset!
• Hundreds of hand-crafted rooms that are randomly picked to make every new run feel unique.
• 50+ enemies and 10 bosses to beat with different movesets and attack patterns.
• 300+ items including pets, weapons and trinkets that unlock new abilities for your characters. Pop your heart out to heal yourself, throw meatballs or fire a laser gun.
• 8 unique characters that fit different playstyles, including a potato and an alien worm in underpants.
• Customize your runs by choosing harder paths if you’re feeling confident or easier ones if you’re on the brink of death. High risk, high reward.

Source: PR Email

The Netherworlds of Hinomoto are home to a myriad of diverse characters. Meet the protagonists of Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless and see how a chance encounter will result in an intertwining of destinies!

Traverse the wastelands of Hinotomoto in this epic SRPG adventure bursting at the seams with with over 40 character classes, and loads of new features including Jumbification, Hell Mode, Item Reincarnation, new and improved auto-battle, and online ranked battles.

To hell, with honor!

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless, coming to  Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 and PC in fall 2023!

Source: PR Email

Paris, April 26th, 2023 – Publisher Microids, Microids Lyon/Paris Studios and Paul Cuisset are thrilled to unveil a new trailer for Flashback 2, the sequel of the legendary video game Flashback, originally released in 1992. Releasing November 2023 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC (digital), the platform shooter, filled with exploration, puzzle-solving and of course adventure, will also be available as Collector and Limited Editions!

In 1992, Flashback revolutionized action gaming and gained legendary status, ranking amongst the top 100 video games in history! Developed by the game original creator Paul Cuisset, in collaboration with Microids Lyon/Paris studios, Flashback 2 will offer an experience faithful to the Flashback universe, bringing back together some members of the original Flashback team, such as Thierry Perreau in game design and Raphaël Gesqua, the renowned composer of the Amiga version of Flashback.

The limited edition, which will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X, will include:

• The game
• An exclusive Steelbook
• Flashback 2 digital Soundtrack

The Collector’s Edition, planned for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, will include:

• The full game
• The original Flashback video game in digital version
• An 8-inch (20cm) figurine of Conrad
• 3 lithographs
• An exclusive Steelbook
• A unique badge
• Flashback 2 digital soundtrack
• 2 stickers sheets

About Flashback 2

In the 22nd century, the United Worlds extends throughout the Solar System, but this tranquillity is threatened by the Morph invasion led by the fearsome General Lazarus.  In search of his lifelong friend Ian, Conrad B. Hart dives once again into a breath taking adventure full of twists and turns and revelations with the help of his few allies, including A.I.S.H.A., his iconic AI-powered weapon!

Game features:

• Immerse yourself in a vibrant sci-fi/cyberpunk universe and explore various environments (New Tokyo, New Washington, the Jungle…)
• Use A.I.S.H.A., a lethal adaptive weapon enhanced with combat AI.
• A gripping, fluid and intricate platform shooter.
• A 3D environment for even deeper immersion.
• Designed and developed by the creator of the original, Paul Cuisset.

Flashback 2 will be released in November 2023 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and digital version on PC.

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – April 25, 2023 – Hold onto your gaming seats, because we’ve got some news that’s going to blow your mind! ININ Games, Tozai Games and IREM have joined forces to launch a powerful, unsurpassed new collaboration! The dynamic trio is set to release an IREM Collection, consisting of five volumes of games, some of which have never been released in the West before. This Collection is set to delight retro gaming enthusiasts and introduce a new wave of gamers to these classic titles, ensuring that the thrill of these iconic games will be passed down for generations to come. Strap in and prepare to unlock the vaults of classic arcade gaming!

IREM gained its international claim to fame through their iconic 1980s arcade games. However, many IREM titles never made it outside of Japan… until now.

The first IREM volume will contain Image Fight, Image Fight II, and X Multiply on PS4/5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox.

• Image Fight: Relive the golden age of shoot-em-up arcade games as you play a pilot fighting against an alien invasion. This collection also contains Image Fight in its 1990 PC Engine version (previously only available in Japan), and the 1990 NES version (sold in Japan and North America).
• Image Fight II: Dive deeper into the narrative with new enemies, improved graphics and gameplay.
• X Multiply: Explore a new biological world with unique gameplay mechanics – such as tentacles that can be used as weapons or a shield.

Plunge into these classic titles with stimulating gameplay, nostalgic graphics and an unforgettable soundtrack!

Keep an eye out for news about the exclusive physical editions with extra goodies coming from Strictly Limited Games – more information coming soon!

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – April 20, 2023 – ININ Games, together with TAITO Corporation, is excited to reveal new information about the upcoming action puzzle game “Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!”: EX stages, collectibles and much more!

Challenging elements of the Story Mode:

In this new Bub and Bob adventure, clearing each area of the Story Mode under specific conditions releases EX Stages, ex(tra) hard levels that will challenge even the hardest-core Puzzle Bobble players, but that’s not all! It will also allow you to unlock characters that can be used in Battle Mode, costumes for the assist characters Miniroon and Chack’n, new stage music and many more items. These puzzle-filled stages will tell new stories, ones that differ from the main storyline.

These EX stages, combined with the standard Story Mode stages, and Baron’s Tower, along with the stage variants available dependent on player numbers, the game offers hundreds of different stages to master.

A video from the development staff and the title’s protagonist, Bub, showing actual gameplay footage of the EX stage and details of the announcement will premiere today, Friday 21st of April at 12:00 CEST on Bub’s YouTube channel, Bub’s Broadcast.

Memory Album:

In the Memory Album, you can view descriptions and profiles of the skins and costumes of the characters and assist characters you collected in the Story Mode. You can also collect and listen to stage music, and compare two patterns: the normal music that seamlessly switches as the game develops, and the music played in a pinch.

About Puzzle Bobble:

Puzzle Bobble (a.k.a. Bust-A-Move) is an action-puzzle game where the brothers Bub and Bob, who have been transformed into bubble dragons by a wizard’s spell, go on a bubble-bursting adventure. The classic gameplay formula is simple but addictive: using various items and gimmicks, connect three or more bubbles of the same color to remove them from the field and progress. A spin-off from the 1986 arcade hit Bubble Bobble, Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move has seen over 20 series titles across countless platforms since its 1994 debut. As the sole owner of Bubble Bobble and Puzzle Bobble’s worldwide IP, including copyrights and trademarks, TAITO will continue to expand both properties going forward.

Source: PR Email

Thursday 20th of April, 2023 – Today Indie publisher Ratalaika Games, together with Indie developer Route 5 Games, has the pleasure in announcing the soon to be released action puzzle extravaganza, Gematombe.

Releasing on Steam PC, Sony PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch, this one addictive and challenging game played either against a friend or console releases on 28th April, 2023.

Blast from the Past

Gematombe draws inspiration from many titles, including Arkanoid, Puzzle Bobble, Breakout, Puyo-Puy, Touhou and many others but creates its own unique puzzle game mixture true to this genre.

Gematombe is essentially a puzzle Vs game. The idea of every match is to ‘crush’ your opponent or ‘clear’ the screen of gems to win. Either you choose to combo the largest amount of gems to send an avalanche of obstacles to your opponent or destroy every gem on the field to achieve victory. There is also a possibility that your rival messes up themselves, but that could also happen to you, so be careful and you will win.

Go Go Go!

Launch the ball to hit and break consecutive gems of the same colour to achieve incredible chain reactions! Maximise your chain combos and clear your screen area of gems and win with a GEMATOMBE!

The Story

Help Pandora, the all-gifted heroine, in her wonderful adventure to capture all the evils that were released in our world!

Gematombe begins in the Hall of Jars, a Sacred place that holds holy and magical items created by the gods of Olympus, this place is protected by Pandora, our heroine. One day, for reasons unknown, one of the Jars fell and broke free the incarnations of many evil spirits known as Daemones. A Holy emissary named Lucciano (Lucy to her friends) descends from heaven and, after witnessing the events, offers his help to Pandora to capture back the daemones and restore peace to the world. But maybe, this adorable little cherub may know more than he lets on.

Homage

Gematombe’s colourful, delicate, and charming visuals draws inspiration from many Japan games of this ilk and its endearing qualities draws the player into the game’s ambience.

Route 5 Games, ”We feel very proud of ourselves if people would consider Gematombe a “clone” of many aforementioned games, since it was one of our goals to be considered in the same type of genre as Puyo Puyo and Puchi Charat. We wanted to keep a similar cute Japanese cartoon art style to be in the same circle as our inspirations. Even though we were inspired by other games of the vs puzzle genre, what separates Gematombe from others is unique and fast paced game mechanics.”

In the Mode

Arcade mode challenges the player to defeat all 6 of the characters and see how they interact between each other. Each character has its own goal and route to follow, play with all six of them to know all their stories. There’s even a secret to unlock if you play perfectly!

Practice and Survival modes. Practice mode challenges you to make longer combos and chains and keep them for as long as you can. Survival is the real test of your abilities, you will have to defeat an endless number of CPU opponents, while the ball gets faster and faster. Each opponent represents a floor on an endless tower, the higher you go the harder it gets. Can you get to the top of the tower? Vs mode lets you play locally with a friend in a versus match. Storymode – Pick a Character and start your journey to capture all the daemons back into the jar or to wreak havoc across the world!

…And finally the tutorial mode shows you the basics and also the intro to the main story!

Features/Facts:

• Cast of six characters, each with unique abilities
• Vs console or friend
• Progression Line
• 60 levels
• Multi modes
• Six campaigns
• Humorous cutscenes

Gematombe – a challenge that will have you always coming back for more!

Source: PR Email

Saint-Ouen, France, Milano, Italy, April 19 2023 – Just For Games and Bad Seed are pleased to announce today the release date of their crime investigation game Crime O’Clock!  Revealed during the latest Nintendo Indie World, the new puzzle exploration game Crime O’Clock will be available on June 30, 2023 on Nintendo Switch & PC.

The game will also get a retail release in Europe and in the United States for Nintendo Switch. Pre-orders are available today.

About Crime O’Clock:

ALERT! ALERT!

TIME SHIFT CONTINUUM IS AT RISK!

Prevent crimes before they happen! It’s Crime O’Clock!

Investigate cases through time and evolving maps by unveiling a multi-era linked story. Will you be observant enough to solve the mysteries? Crime waits for no one!

“Oh, another Where’s Waldo game?!?” Well, not really!!!

Time travel

As a time detective, your job is to travel through time and solve crimes that should never have happened!

Each map has multiple time markers to visit and use. They help you resolve different cases of hacking, murder, theft and more.

But a common thread of strange events is developing over the centuries…

An ever-changing map

Something or someone is trying to disturb time and it’s up to you to find out what is happening!

A HUGE zoom-able map for each era is the playing field for deductive thinking and the search for clues.

You must proceed with a deductive method in order to combine the missing pieces.

As you solve cases, the map changes and new adventures are unlocked.

EVE: Tools & help systems

As you can see, it’s a point-and-click game. The only skill you need is your fully functional brain to deconstruct crimes!

You won’t be alone in your job, though. EVE, an advanced AI, will help you by providing tools and guidance.

Using EVE’s system, you have new ways to find clues and evidence. Deductive sessions alternate with action and puzzle mechanics for a complete user experience.

During your adventure, EVE will upgrade its systems, unlocking new features…

Explore five different ages

You’ll explore five different ages during your investigations:

• The Steam Age, with automata, crazy inventions and gothic mysteries.
• The Atlantean Age, with its magic crystals and its peaceful, utopian civilization.
• The Information Age, based on the real-life city of Milan, Italy, the developers’ hometown.
• It features some of the most iconic buildings and landmarks such as Duomo di Milano, Castello Sforzesco, The Last Supper and many others.
• The Lost Age – the sands of time hide mysteries and technological marvels.
• The Aeon Age – bright lights, ruthless corporations and underground struggles – all hi-tech!

Best of luck detective, crime does not wait for justice!

Source: PR Email

Paris, April 18th, 2023 – Microids is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated sequel of Hercule Poirot: The First Cases with the video game Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The London Case. Developed by the award-winning Blazing Griffin studio, the team behind the first episode, for which they won the BAFTA Scotland’s Best Game Award in 2022, the detective adventure game is set to release on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in summer 2023.

About Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The London Case

In this new chapter for Hercule Poirot, players will experience an exciting, original story, true to the style and tone of Agatha Christie, in which they will be introduced to Arthur Hastings, Poirot’s beloved sidekick.

Together, they have been charged with the safe transport of a priceless work of art on its way to be displayed in London. However, the opening night will not go to plan… the detectives will be called upon to solve a brand-new mystery in the heart of London.

Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The London Case will feature a compelling gameplay and will bring you in Hercule Poirot’s world. Explore the capital, search for clues, interview suspects and witnesses, and solve this all-new investigation.

Features:

• A brand-new mystery – Written by the award-winning team who bought you Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The First Cases comes a gripping new adventure for Poirot with a whole new cast of characters to challenge the great detective.
• Witnesses and Suspect Interrogations – Solve mysteries and challenge suspects using the new match puzzle system to spot inconsistencies on the spot.
• Environment and Item Inspection – Explore all new environments and get up close with new first person inspection puzzles for a more cinematic view of the scenes.
• Mindmaps and Character Profiles – The game’s trademark mindmaps return allowing you to use Poirot’s famous little grey cells to build challenging mindmaps and then draw the correct links that can solve the case. The same now applies to the various suspects as Poirot gathers facts and information about each one to build detailed character profiles, key to solving the case and finding the true criminal among them.
• Enhanced Environments – More detail, weather effects and enhanced audio all provide more depth and life to each of the new isometric game scenes across London.
• Fully Voiced – The story comes to life with a fully voiced script in English, French and German

Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The London Case will be available in summer 2023 on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, in physical and digital editions.

Source: PR Email