Twinworld Game Reviews

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Montpellier, France – November 14, 2024. Dear Villagers and solo developer Andre Gareis are proud to announce that non-linear “whodunnit” detective game Mindcop is Out Today on Steam (Steam Deck verified), PS5 and Nintendo Switch at a price of 14,99 USD | EUR. Find the murderer in this adventure that has been in development for 6 years, during which Gareis has poured his passion for classics of the detective game genre. The creator innovates in different aspects, from the investigation mechanics, with time cost management to introducing real-time puzzles! Mindcop supports English, German, French, Spanish, and also in Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

KEY FEATURES

WHODUNNIT DETECTIVE GAME 

Use your Mindcop capabilities to uncover secrets and unravel people’s lies to find the true suspect of this town’s murder.

MINDSURF

As the Mindcop you can attempt to sneak into the mind of one of the suspects. This plays out as real-time puzzle game. Complete it and explore their « Sea of Thoughts » to get clues and topics to use in conversation.

TIME

You have 5 days to solve this murder and every action comes with a time cost. As the Mindcop, make tough decisions on what is worth your time and what will lead you to dead ends. Choose well and discover two different endings.

THE MINDSURF MECHANICS

While interrogating suspects, players will have to use their Mindcop capabilities to Mindsurf them to uncover secrets and unravel people’s lies to find the true suspect of the town’s murder. The Mindcop can attempt to sneak into the mind of one of the suspects, this plays out as a real-time puzzle game.

The mindsurf mechanic consists of a timed match-3 game in which you have to cross the screen and reach a finish line with a surf. You gain time by matching different type of bullet going into the suspect’s brain to gain time. Once you have 0 seconds left or crossed the finish line, the mini game ends. Once the mini-game is won, you’ll be facing 3 different doors: Lie, Uncertainty and Truth. These doors showcase the suspect’s psyche in different light with short dialogues in specific environments. This information will be useful in your investigation.

 

Source: PR Email

14th of November, 2024. Today HomeBearStudio, in collaboration with Hound Picked Games, is delighted to announce the release of NAIRI: Rising Tide, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved narrative puzzle adventure, NAIRI: Tower of Shirin. The game is available now from the Nintendo eShop and PC Steam.

NAIRI: Rising Tide continues the enchanting journey of Nairi, a young girl on a perilous quest to save her family. Set in the vibrant oasis city of Shirin, players will navigate through complex puzzle-dungeons, uncover an ancient mystery and interact with a cast of charming characters. The game introduces a new ‘Toolbelt’ feature, allowing players to combine items in inventive ways to solve puzzles. Players may also tailor their experience with helpful hints and map systems.

“Both HomeBearStudio and Hound Picked Games are so happy to finally be releasing the highly anticipated sequel to NAIRI: Tower of Shirin! We’ve been hearing the cries of fans (who have been eager, but exceptionally patient) wanting the next instalment of this quirky series and we can honestly say that NAIRI: Rising Tide is bigger, better and introduces a plethora of new features and memorable characters. With its captivating narrative, hand-drawn art and engaging puzzles, our game offers a truly unique and heartwarming adventure that players of all ages will enjoy.” Joshua, You & Dan.

Game Features

• Experience an engaging story filled with charm, adventure and cute animals.
• Explore a large, hand drawn world full of colorful characters!
• Craft creative solutions by combining items with the new Toolbelt!
• Solve challenging brainteasers and navigate intricate puzzle-dungeons.
• Tailor your experience with new guidance and hint systems!
• Orient yourself and fast-travel with the new map systems.
• Collect coins and recruit characters for bonus artwork, figurines and lore.

NAIRI: Rising Tide is now available on PC and Nintendo Switch! For more information, visit the Steam Store or Nintendo eShop.

Source: PR Email

November 12th, 2024 – Today Stately Snail, alongside publisher Ratalaika Games, are pleased to announce that action adventure ‘Access Denied: Escape‘ will be released November 15th on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S & X.

In Access Denied: Escape players assume the role of a hacker who specialises in data storage. Finding himself hired by a scientist, he requests that you visit his office and urges you to hack some storage – as he’s unable to access it remotely and you’re communicating with them via chat.

The data storage devices used within the game are presented as real-world physical objects, each of which has various mechanisms that you must bypass to uncover the data from within. Each puzzle is presented in its own unique way and has its own original style meaning that no two puzzles have a similar solution!

About Access Denied: Escape

In the future, people no longer trust computer networks and prefer to use physical devices to store important information. You are a professional hacker of such Data Vaults. However, your latest job didn’t go according to plan and you’re now locked in a scientist’s laboratory. In order to escape, you need to not only complete the work, but also uncover the secret of this place.

Access Denied: Escape is a 3D device-hacking puzzle game. Unlock the Data Vault, examine the devices around you and use the notes to learn about events that took place here. Use your wits and powers of observation to discover the secret hidden within the walls of this laboratory. After all, it’s the only way you can get out of here alive!

Game Features

• Explore the lab in first-person view
• 30 Data Vaults that you must hack
• Various devices and mechanisms that you can interact with
• Explore the surroundings and the notes left behind to uncover the mystery of this place
• Handy hint system to assist

Source: PR Email

We are excited to share a new trailer for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II, coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG) on February 14, 2025. Today’s trailer presents a story overview of the highly-acclaimed The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak that released earlier this year.

This refresher presents the complete events of Trails through Daybreak in order to help players prepare for the second installment of the Calvard Arc, where a shocking series of murders set the wheels of fate into motion once again.

About The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II

No longer threatened by the mafia organization Almata, the people of Calvard have returned to their peaceful lives. But one day, a shocking series of murders involving a mysterious crimson beast sets the wheels of fate in motion once again. Various factions spring into action – both those who abide by the law to uncover the truth and those looking to capitalize on any new developments wherever possible, no matter how sinister. With chaos once again looming on the horizon, the spriggan Van Arkride receives an unexpected visitor, prompting his own investigation.

Who is behind the murders, and what is their goal? The sands of time bring old and new faces together for this thrilling second installment in the Trails through Daybreak saga.

Source: PR Email

Thursday 31st of October, 2024. Stuttgart, Germany –  Can you hear the bustling sound of the arcades? ININ, Tozai Games, Irem, and Strictly Limited Games revive the exhilarating atmosphere of 90s arcade action with the next chapter of the Irem Collection. The run and gun masterpieces GunForce, and GunForce II bundled with speedy shoot ‘em up Air Duel are blasting their way onto your console. Enlist a friend, reload, and join the GunForce, or take the fight into the skies in Air Duel!

Are you ready to take a pixel-perfect action-filled dive into arcade nostalgia? The digital edition of this excellent shooter triple threat is landing on the console of your choice, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox on the 14th of November for only €24,99!

Are you craving more of a physical touch to your games? Then Strictly Limited is sure to satisfy your itch with their exclusive physical limited editions. Interested? Then stick around till the end for more info on those!

Irem: An Arcade Legacy

A mainstay in the arcades of the 80s and 90s, Irem’s games were renowned for their high difficulty level, gorgeous pixel art, and fast-paced action.

Many a quarter or 100 yen coin was spent trying to beat Irem’s extremely challenging but even more addictive masterpieces, earning them the respect of arcade aficionados not just at home in Japan but worldwide.

After last year’s Volume 1, this 2nd volume keeps up the high octane momentum with three more shooters:

GunForce I and II turn you into a one-, or if you grab a friend, two-man army on an explosive mission to save the world!  Once you’ve saved the surface the skies await in Air Duel. Hop into a helicopter gunship or a fighter jet and clean up the air!

YOU’VE BEATEN VOLUME 1? THEN RELOAD YOUR WEAPONS AND GET READY FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE!

About Air Duel

After a global catastrophe the shadowy D.A.S. organization has taken control of Earth. Become a World Defense Force pilot, hop into a helicopter, or strap yourself into a fighter jet and clear the skies in seven missions! Mobilize a friend and have him join you in the air in the local couch co-op.

About GunForce

The rogue nation only known as “R” has unleashed a supercomputer hellbent on conquering the globe. After disabling the world’s defensive systems only an elite commando operation might still be able to stop them: GunForce!

Use a variety of weapons and vehicles to run and gun your way through both the SNES and Arcade versions of this pioneering action title.

About GunForce 2

A much-improved sequel; this run and gun is a feast for the eyes. Huge detailed and beautifully animated sprite art crowns Irem’s legacy as this was their final game. Join the GunForce for a second time.

Everything that made the prequel so great was cranked up to 11: Weapons, Vehicles, Explosions, Music, Action!

All Volumes of the Irem Collection come with a variety of extra features:

Rewind and Save-states for a more forgiving experience are an option but if you want to really test your skills shoot for the high score in classic mode and rise through the online leaderboards!

Show the world what you’re made of!

Strictly Limited, in collaboration with ININ, Tozai, and Irem, is bringing to life physical and exclusive, highly limited boxed editions of the Irem Collection Volume 2. These collector’s editions will be exclusively available through Strictly Limited.

Strictly Limited is giving IREM Collection Volume 2 the boxed legacy it deserves, with two unique limited editions available for pre-order exclusively via the Strictly Limited Games online shop.

The Limited Edition is limited to a maximum of 4,000 copies for Nintendo Switch, 1,500 for PlayStation 4, and 1,500 for PlayStation 5 at a price of 34,99 €, including a colorful game manual.

The Collector’s Edition is limited to a maximum of 2000 copies for Nintendo Switch, 999 for PlayStation 4, and 999 for PlayStation 5 for 89,99 €, including lots of additional collectibles:

• Game for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5
• Collector’s Edition Box
• Colorful Game Manual
• Original Soundtrack
• Visual Compendium
• Collectors Coin
• Marquee Stickers
• Reversible Poster
• DIY Game Packaging Reproduction
• Arcade/Game Flyer Reprints

Source: PR Email

Bergen, Norway – October 31th, 2024 – D-Pad Studio, the developer behind the award-winning Owlboy, are pleased to announce that their acclaimed platforming shoot-’em-up Savant – Ascent REMIX is coming to Nintendo Switch™ on December 5th. Those who pre-order will receive a 15% discount off its $7.49 price tag. This Nintendo Switch release includes three new modes, which have also been added to the PC version since launch.

Classic Mode: Progress through the tower, unlocking powerful abilities and artifacts. You can now grab enemies and absorb their powers, wielding powerful spells, hurling fireballs, and flinging meteors across the screen!

Survival Mode: Expanded with new enemy waves and bosses. Push through to the game’s ultimate challenge, where the bosses unite in a devastating team attack when you reach the top!

Time Attack: Blast through story mode or select a specific stage, showing the world you’re the fastest Alchemist out there!

Savant – Ascent REMIX began life as a remaster of the original title before D-Pad Studio got carried away by their enthusiasm and ended up creating a full blown sequel to the original title. Savant – Ascent REMIX takes the shoot-em-up platformer to new heights, with a host of new content that more than doubles the size of the original game. Venture through five stages, each with their own unique gimmick, across which you’ll have to battle Laser Sharks, robotic space invaders and even an immortal Samurai. To beat these new stages and take down the bosses at the end of each, you’ll have a new double jump, cancel-jump and mid-air powershots to add to your arsenal. There’s also a new endless Survival Mode, new difficulties modes – including a NES-style, no checkpoints Hardcore Mode – and 36 newly composed songs from acclaimed Norwegian musician Savant.

In Savant – Ascent REMIX, you play as the Alchemist, who’s been cast down from his tower by an unknown force. Your goal is to ascend back to the top, with your movement limited at all times to two platforms, be they moving elevators or space debris. By using rapid volleys of magic missiles to take out attacking enemies and precise dashes and jumps to move between the two platforms, you must try to survive the deadly journey back to the summit.

Savant – Ascent REMIX is the ultimate way to experience a musical artist’s persona as you’ve never done before! The game is based on the universe of Savant – developed in collaboration with Simon S. Andersen of D-Pad Studio (Owlboy/Vikings On Trampolines). Hear Savant’s unrivaled genre bending in action as you obtain new pieces of the soundtrack and remixes. The game even gives you the option to customise your own playlist as you play.

“Savant – Ascent REMIX allowed us carte blanche to go hog wild creating an intense, colorful wave of arcade action that would suit Savant’s bombastic riffs,” said D-Pad Studio’s Jo-Remi Madsen. “It’s been a blast to gradually add more game modes to this expanded remaster of our first game, and this Switch release offers a comprehensive archive of all the updates we’ve added over the past several years combined into one package!”

Source: PR Email

Berlin, Germany – October 29, 2024 – Excitement is building as ININ and TAITO proudly announce the release date for the third instalment of the TAITO Milestones series, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch!

Mark your calendars for December 10th, 2024! TAITO Milestones 3 will be available both physically and digitally, reviving ten beloved TAITO games from the late ’80s and early ’90s. This collection, created in collaboration with HAMSTER Corporation, promises to bring players back to the golden era of arcade gaming.

Pre-orders for the digital edition start today, while pre-orders for the physical edition are already available. Take advantage of a 10% discount on early digital pre-orders until the official release date. Go check your Nintendo eShop for more details and secure your copy now!

Whether you’re teaming up in the iconic “Bubble Bobble”, embarking on a heroic journey in the legendary Rastan series: “Rastan Saga”, “Rastan Saga II” and “Warrior Blade”, or experiencing the freshly added “Dead Connection”, TAITO Milestones 3 offers something for every retro gaming enthusiast. Notably, Dead Connection will be making its home console debut, adding a unique twist to this collection.

Prepare to relive the magic of arcade classics with TAITO Milestones 3 – a must-have for both nostalgic fans and new players alike.

Here are ten titles included in the collection:

Bubble Bobble (1986)

Experience a blast from the past in the original 2 player, co-op arcade version of Bubble Bobble! Use Bub and Bob ’s bubble-blowing powers to traverse all 100 floors of the Cave of Monsters to rescue their girlfriends!

Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 (1987)

Play as Bubby and Bobby in their human forms! Instead of blowing bubbles, rule with rainbows as you climb to your goal! Battle monsters and more in order to save the inhabitants of Rainbow Islands who have been captured by your arch enemy, Boss of Shadow!

Cadash (1989)

Princess Sarasa, symbol of peace for the prosperous and naturally bountiful Deezar, has been kidnapped. Choose between a fighter, mage, priest or ninja to defeat monsters, gather riches and strengthen your equipment to defeat the evil Baarogue in this classic 2 player co-op action RPG!

Rastan Saga (1987)

In this platform action game, follow the journey of Rastan the Thief, in a tale set before he became king, as he sets off on the Princess’ orders to protect the kingdom of Ceim. Battle enemies along the way and defeat the monstrous dragon with various items, and weapons like a fire sword, a hammer, or an axe!

Rastan Saga 2 (1988)

Set out on a journey into battle against various enemies and traps to protect the holy city of Rastania and the temple, SkyScraper, from the wicked tribe. This action game is a prequel to Rastan Saga.

Champion Wrestler (1989)

Go to war in the ring in 8 rounds in order to become the champion. Use technical moves such as aerial techniques and submission holds to ringside brawls and the use of deadly weapons! The action never lets up! Play together in tag-team matches or against each other 1v1, either way, this couch co-op promises lots of wrestling action.

Runark (1990)

This iconic beat-em-up features up to 4 player couch co-op! Play as a squad of rangers that must save the animals from evil poachers. Destroy bad guys by any means possible; use hand to hand combat or weapons like knives and rocket launchers! SHBROOM!

Warrior Blade (1991)

The third game in the Rastan series. Set in the kingdom at the end of the earth; Depon, this adventure sees Rastan and his comrades set off in search of vast riches in the face of never-ending danger. Choose from 3 characters in this dual-screen cabinet 2 player co-op game.

Thunder Fox (1990)

A run and gun action game released for arcades in 1990! Play as the Thunder Fox anti-terrorism team to bring down a terrorist organization. Drive tanks, pilot autogyros and ride marine jets and defeat enemies on your way to the terrorist base!

Dead Connection (1992)

Four detectives take a stand against the mafia infesting their city! Mow down the oncoming gangsters and uncover the secrets behind the case! Lift the curtain on this dark plot in your pursuit of Don Nerozzia!! An action-shooting game set in 1950s America.

Source: PR Email

October 24th, 2024. Today Indie developer Hanako Games, best known for titles such as Long Live The Queen, the Magical Diary series, and the Cute Knight series (of which Cute Bite is a spinoff) together with Ratalaika Games are pleased to announce their vampire inspired title, Cute Bite, will see its release on 25th October 2023. Targeted for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch, Cute Bite can best be described as a trainer, vampire raising simulation.

Scene Setter

For centuries, the Old Vampire Master lived in luxury in his Northern European mansion, active by night and sleeping in his coffin by day while his blood-bound human Butler managed the estate. He also had a vampire protegee, his daughter, until they quarrelled and he locked her in a coffin underground as punishment. The Vampire Master dies in an accident, and so the Butler frees the ‘daughter’ from her punishment so that she will have a new vampire to serve.

Unfortunately, having been locked away for the Little Mistress has reverted to a child-sized form and lost her memory, her magical skills and wants to bite everything in sight. So it’s up to the Butler to guide the adorable vampire who must build up her strength in order to regain her power and be able to shapeshift back into adult form.

Be Warned

As a child the Mistress is spoiled, petulant, and impulsive. She loses her temper and will bite anything she can lay her hands upon! She does not always understand the modern world and often gets into comedic hijinks. You’ll soon realise that the Mistress  feels superior to the humans around her and resents being treated like a little girl. However, she can learn very quickly and become quite powerful, taking on a number of possible professions based on her personality and skill choices.

Friendly neighborhood vampire or a wicked tyrant…That’s down to you!

In Cute Bite players are encouraged to play their own way. The decisions you take, the stats you decide to have higher and the skills you unlock determines your vampire type and the ending you’ll receive. With an average single playthrough lasting about two hours it means the player can quickly experience the twenty possible endings, plus variations on those endings and secret character-specific scenes to unlock!

Features

• Stat-raising gameplay. Balance the vampire’s schedule to train skills and earn gold.
• Hunt targets to feed upon in an RPG minigame
• Unlock advanced jobs and activities as skills increase
• Interact with characters to learn their backstories
• Uncover the secrets of the vampire’s origins
• Restore your mistress to her adult form
• Over twenty different endings to collect

Source: PR Email

October 17, 2024 – Today sees the release on Nintendo Switch of ASTLIBRA Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist, a standalone side story to ASTLIBRA Revision, starting a new (but very familiar!) female protagonist in a 20+ hour-long adventure. Take control of the baker’s reclusive daughter as she enters challenging, randomly, generated dungeons in a roguelike fashion. A fresh perspective on the ASTLIBRA saga. A perfect blend of action, with a story and strategy game play to match.

ASTLIBRA Revision Gaiden: The Cave Phantom Mist offers a fresh perspective on the ASTLIBRA saga, delving deeper into the intricacies of the game’s world and character relationships and elevating the original game’s randomised maze elements — richer variety of rooms, challenges, and experiences that are as strong and immersive as fans have come to expect from ASTLIBRA!

Source: PR Email

17th October, 2024. Today developer HomeBearStudio and publisher Hound Picked Games are pleased to announce that NAIRI: Rising Tide is set to release on PC Steam and Nintendo Switch on November 14th, 2024! The game is available to pre-order now on Nintendo Switch with a 25% discount – €10.79 $11.99 £9.75!

In this next instalment of the series, players can expect to experience richer, vastly improved hand drawn artwork with many new characters and, of course, some beloved friends returning!

Set after the events of NAIRI: Tower of Shirin, NAIRI: Rising Tide sees Nairi continue on her journey to save her family. As Nairi and her companions try to overcome the many dangers of the corrupt city of Shirin, an apocalyptic prophecy emerges that threatens to devour everything.

In NAIRI: Rising Tide players experience an engaging story filled with charm and adventure. Exploration is key with a large, hand drawn world full of colourful and memorable animal (and human) characters that players know and expect from HomeBearStudio!

As players explore, they will be able to craft creative solutions by combining items with the new Toolbelt, which will aid them with challenging brain teasers that are contained within intricate puzzle-dungeons!

Will Nairi and her companions be able to overcome the many dangers of the corrupt city of Shirin while an apocalyptic prophecy threatens to devour everything?

Features:

• World: A larger and more interconnected world/dungeons.
• Puzzles: more complex dungeons and puzzles require serious wit to overcome.
• Skip: for players who would rather focus on the narrative: dungeons can be skipped.
• Toolbelt: craft new items by placing items in the ‘Toolbelt’ and using the correct tool!
• Maps & Goal Markers: find maps to help with orientation and figure out where to go.
• Fast-Travel: alleviate backtracking by fast-travelling to key areas in the  ‘overworld’.
• Improved Hint System: purchase hints system ranging from nudges to full solutions.
• Collectibles, Lore & Log: the Journal now includes much more than just hints.
• Recruits: earn coins by recruiting certain NPCs (which also spruce up your ‘base)’.
• Figurines: coins aren’t just for hints – purchase cute figurines for extra lore!
• Item Descriptions: items can now be examined for context and/or guidance.
• Synopsis: an illustrated synopsis explains the events of ‘NAIRI: Tower of Shirin’ to catch up new and old players alike.
• Artwork: another collectible comes in the form of hidden concept art pieces.

“We were fortunate to be able to work with fewer restraints this time around and are proud of how Rising Tide turned out. HomeBearStudio is beyond excited for NAIRI fans – and any fan of the genre – to finally get their hands on the sequel!” – Joshua van Kuilenburg, HomeBearStudio.

Source: PR Email