Twinworld Game Reviews

TOKYO, JAPAN – February 12th 2025 – Tokyo-based leading independent publisher Shueisha Games, alongside developer Hakababunko, is proud to announce that their hotly anticipated single-player psycho-detective mystery adventure Urban Myth Dissolution Center is now available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch for £15.79 / $17.99 / €17.49, with a 10% sale discount from February 12th until the 26th. To accompany the release, the Urban Myth Dissolution Center “Case File: Kune Kune” Manga, which features an original story not found in the game, is also available for free in English via Manga Plus and Japanese via Jump+.

“We are thrilled to introduce everyone to the Urban Myth Dissolution Center,” said Tomoya Tanaka, Global PR Manager at Shueisha Games. “The game is a love letter to all things supernatural, otherworldly and conspiracy, and we are excited to see how it resonates with audiences around the world. Since the game is available in 13 languages, we’ve made sure the launch trailer is too, so players everywhere can get excited for the mystery that awaits them!”

In Urban Myth Dissolution Center, dive into the psycho-detective mystery adventure where you take on the role of Azami Fukurai, tasked with unraveling mysteries as she helps run the day-to-day operation of the titular Dissolution Center. She’s no ordinary rookie, though, possessing the ability to see the memories of places through her glasses. Utilizing her unique gifts and skills, Azami must navigate cursed relics, dimensional anomalies, and otherworldly creatures in search of answers, delving into the paranormal activity surrounding each case.

As a member of the Dissolution Center, Azami learns to work with her mysterious and captivating colleagues: the unenthusiastic but capable colleague Jasmine; and the wheelchair-bound director and Level S psychic Ayumu Meguriya. Through episodic chapters, explore various urban myths that haunt the internet, use adaptive research, both onsite and online, as well as collection, interviews and psychic divination to crack cases, unravel hidden truths and face unexpected consequences for Azami’s actions.

Launching at the same time as the game, the manga, titled “Case File: Kune Kune”, is an original story that follows the team as they take on a mysterious case involving a comatose construction site surveyor, his cousin’s shock-induced isolation, and a desperate wife seeking answers. As the investigation unfolds, the Dissolution Center finds more to the incident than meets the eye, revealing a dark family history, a cursed mountain, and a chilling connection to a well-known Japanese urban legend – Kune Kune. The manga is now available in English for free on Manga Plus and Japanese via Jump+.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is Steam Deck certified, and supports multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, and Hindi.

Source: PR Email

Are you ready for a shmup like no other? In just ten days the remake, must play, of the iconic Amiga classic X-Out, X-Out – Resurfaced will launch on current consoles and Steam PC! You’re alone to stop an alien invasion from the depths of the ocean in this legendary, home computer era, shoot ‘em up, dredged up and faithfully rebuilt for old school fans and modern gamers alike!

Can you believe that it’s been over thirty years since the original X-Out (Rainbow Arts) was released on Amiga! Gamers and media alike agreed that it stood out! Partly because it didn’t take part in “space” as so many games of its genre did (and still do) but instead went for a dive through vast aquatic worlds.

Now ININ and Ziggurat have collaborated to bring X-Out back to life with a faithful remake, X-Out – Resurfaced, and is completely rebuilt from the ground up and significantly improved for old school and modern audiences alike. X-Out – Resurfaced is set to release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox and Steam at €19,99 on February 20th.

Source: PR Email

Warsaw, Poland – February 10th | Estoty and QubicGames are bringing high-energy action to Nintendo Switch with West Escape, launching on February 14, 2025. This intense shooter blends classic Wild West gunfights with chaotic sci-fi action, as players battle both lawmen and alien invaders in a desperate fight for survival.

As a fugitive on the run, players must outgun relentless enemies, scavenge for upgrades, and navigate a lawless frontier under extraterrestrial siege – all while trying to reunite with a lost love. With fast-paced combat, powerful weapons, and dynamic progression, West Escape delivers an adrenaline-fueled adventure like no other.

Intense Gunfights
Engage in high-speed shootouts, dodging attacks and retaliating with revolvers, shotguns, and more. Combat is fast, fluid, and demands quick reflexes to survive.

Weapon & Gear Upgrades
Collect scrap and loot to enhance firepower, boost speed, and improve defences. Every upgrade brings you closer to victory in this hostile world.

Exploration & High-Stakes Encounters
Navigate treacherous landscapes filled with dangerous enemies, hidden loot, and new challenges that test your survival skills.

Wild West Meets Sci-Fi
A unique setting where the classic frontier collides with an alien invasion, delivering a fresh twist on the action genre.

Relentless Action
No downtime, no safe zones – West Escape keeps players moving forward with constant battles, upgrades, and escalating challenges.

With its explosive gameplay and unique genre fusion, West Escape offers a thrilling experience for action fans.

West Escape launches on Nintendo Switch on February 14, 2024.

Source: PR Email

Paris, France – February 7, 2025 – Red Art Games is excited to announce that the Western digital version of MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is now officially available in North America and Europe on Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PS4. It can be purchased from both European and North American Nintendo eShop and PlayStation Stores. MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is the latest video game adaptation of legendary anime franchise MACROSS and the first MACROSS video game to officially come out on Western consoles. It features a brand new original story in which pilots and songstress from across five MACROSS series have to team up to save the galaxy!

MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is a Multi-Dimensional Shooting Game developed by renowned Japanese studio Kaminari Games (Raiden V Director’s Cut). As its tagline implies, this new Shoot ‘em Up allows players to experience multiple gameplay styles in each level: horizontally scrolling shooting, vertically scrolling shooting, and 360-degree scrolling shooting.

In addition to the game’s digital release, MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s previously announced ESRB and PEGI-rated Standard and special physical Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PS4 versions will come out later on this year (with physical PS4 versions only coming out in Europe).

While the Shoot ‘em Up’s Standard Edition will be available from multiple retailers at launch in Europe and North America, MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s two special editions are exclusive to Red Art Games’ official online store (PEGI-rated versions) and Video Games Plus (ESRB-rated versions).

MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s European physical versions can be pre-ordered from Red Art Games’ official online store. Physical ESRB-rated copies can be pre-ordered from VGP’s online store. Follow Red Art Games on social media to stay up to date with MACROSS -Shooting Insight- news!

About MACROSS -Shooting Insight-

MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is an all-new MACROSS game, the latest entry in the landmark science fiction franchise! When multiple dimensional folds suddenly occur across space-time, pilots and songstresses alike find themselves inexplicably transported to the Battle 7! From there, five stories unfold with the fate of the galaxy at stake.

Pilots, songstresses, and characters from five MACROSS series (MACROSS Plus, MACROSS Zero, MACROSS 7, MACROSS Frontier & MACROSS Delta) take center stage in a completely original story. MACROSS -Shooting Insight- includes fan-favorite songs from all featured MACROSS series! Use the power of songs to gain an edge in battle! Synchronize with songstresses while playing stages to activate a variety of buffs and debuffs, such as increased firepower, increased maneuverability, reduced enemy fire speed, etc.

Experience a Multi-Dimensional Shooting Game featuring pilots and songstresses that have come together across time! Play as pilots from different time periods and go through stages made up of multiple scenes, with each scene featuring distinct game types that utilize the different modes of each pilot’s Valkyrie. Stages include multiple game styles, such as horizontally scrolling shooting, vertically scrolling shooting, and 360-degree scrolling shooting.

Features

• Brand new and original story

• Characters from 5 different MACROSS anime series

• Multiple gameplay styles in each level (horizontally scrolling shooting, vertically scrolling shooting, and 360-degree scrolling shooting)

• Fan-favorite songs from all featured MACROSS series

• Japanese dub

• English localization

MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s Western version includes the game’s latest update on disc which offers the following improvements:

• Difficulty: A setting has been added in order to allow for more HP recovery through automatic recovery. A Boost setting has also been added to the current auto-recovery amount.  The player’s HP will now recover at a much faster rate after taking damage than it did in the original Japanese version of the game.

• Continues: After getting a “Game Over” in the middle of a stage, players can now restart from the same stage, even if they have returned to the menu. This allows players to try again as many times as they wish.

• Music: The length of Diva songs that are activated during gameplay has been adjusted. The length of time between the end of a Diva song and the return to the regular stage music has been adjusted.

• Quality of life: The game controls, which were displayed only once in the original version of MACROSS -Shooting Insight-, will now be displayed anytime the player pauses the game.

Source: PR Email

Montpellier, France – February 6th, 2025. French indie developer Exalted Studio and independent publisher Dear Villagers are proud to announce that Big Helmet Heroes, the zany 3D beat’em up that combines charismatic heroes with unique powers, exhilarating action and beautifully detailed animations is now available on PC (Steam, EGS), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

The game is available at the price of 24,99 USD for the base edition on all platforms, and 29,99 USD for the Exalted Edition (includes an art book and the OST) on Steam, Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.

Playable solo or with up to 2 friends locally, whether outdoors or at home, the game offers 29 unique characters to discover and rescue across whimsical levels inspired by childhood fantasies (Knights, Pirates, Mummies, and even Metal Unicorns!), Big Helmet Heroes brings a fresh twist to the 3D beat’em up genre. The game features a broad range of characters carefully created, each one with their own personality and superpowers, as you face off against evil forces using swords, axes, clubs, crossbows, electric fly swatters, and even laser guns!

Big Helmet Heroes offers an engaging yet accessible challenge for all audiences. Battle through waves of mischievous villains—including bosses— and, from time to time, even against your partner with an unfortunate push into a precipice! Exalted Studio has poured its heart into this chivalrous adventure to rescue the Princess (who may not be as helpless as she seems…).

KEY FEATURES

• Cutting-edge Animation: Immerse yourself in a game that pushes the boundaries of animation. Our state-of-the-art visuals breathe life into each hero and environment, making every battle spectacularly vivid.
• Dynamic Combat Styles: Harness the power of 4 distinct combat styles. use your surroundings to your advantage by wielding whimsical and funny weapons.
• Co-op Gameplay: Experience the joy of cooperative gameplay in local co-op mode. Tackle enemies together, strategize your next moves, or just enjoy the chaos of battling side by side with your friend.
• Expansive, Imaginative Worlds: Explore levels that push the boundaries of creativity, each more surprising and visually stunning than the last. The vibrant backdrops and intricate designs set the stage for unforgettable adventures.
• Unique Hero Powers: Unique Hero Powers: Each hero comes with their own special abilities that can demolish obstacles and enemies alike. These superpowers are not only unique but also visually explosive, adding an extra layer of excitement to your gameplay.

MEET OUR HEROES

• The Warrior, skilled with both sword and shield balances attack and defence masterfully, a true asset on the battlefield. Strategic use of the shield complements the swordsmanship.
• Meet the Brute, a formidable presence with a massive two-handed weapon. The slower pace is offset by powerful strikes that can decisively shift the course of the battle.
• The Rogue, a master of stealth and speed, wields twin daggers to silently take down enemies. Rapid, stealthy attacks inflict a deadly force before the foes are even aware of the danger.
• The Monk, in tune with nature, combines aerial agility with fluid movements. Wielding a deceivably simple staff to create a dance of destruction is as effective as it is beautiful.

Source: PR Email

Montpellier, France – February 5th, 2025. Italian Independent developer Caracal Games and publisher Dear Villagers are proud to announce that pre-orders are now open for their eagerly anticipated indie sci-fi open-world action-adventure, Star Overdrive, launching on Nintendo Switch this April 10. All pre-orders placed before the game releases come with the Star Overdrive Pre-Order DLC, which includes 6 styles, 2 designs and 50 dyes for an even more stylish Hoverboard, as well as a 10% pre-order discount.

Traverse a broad alien world full of diverse biomes to reach a mysterious distress signal. Thanks to the help of their stylish Hoverboard and their powerful keytar, players will speed through colorful environments, reach hidden secrets and face challenging enemies.

The Star Overdrive base game is listed on the Nintendo eShop at $34,99, and the Deluxe Edition at $39,99 which includes the full game and more:

• 3 styles, 1 design and 50 dyes for the Hoverboard.
• Digital Comic written and drawn by the Caracal Games team, featuring a prequel chapter to the main Star Overdrive story.
• The digital Original Soundtrack to rock out to.

KEY FEATURES

• Hoverboard Navigation and Racing: Speed through vast landscapes, perform incredible tricks, and gain the edge in intense combat.
• Emergent Physics-Based Gameplay:Unleash and combine powers to battle enemies, bend the laws of physics, and solve intricate puzzles.
• Mysterious and Diverse Alien World:Journey through four uniquely distinct biomes, each brimming with challenges and secrets to uncover.
• Epic Battles Against Creatures of All Sizes:Engage with unique creatures, from small-scale rivals to towering bosses, each requiring strategy and skill to overcome.

Source: PR Email

Paris, France – 31st of January, 2025 – Red Art Games is announcing that the Western version of MACROSS -Shooting Insight- will now release on February 7, 2025 in North America and Europe on Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PS4 digitally. MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is the latest video game adaptation of legendary anime franchise MACROSS and the very first MACROSS video game to get an official release on consoles in the West.

In addition to the game’s digital release, MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s previously announced ESRB and PEGI-rated physical Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PS4 versions will be released later this year (with physical PS4 versions only coming out in Europe).

While the Shoot ‘em Up’s Standard Edition will be available from multiple retailers at launch in Europe and North America, MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s two special editions are exclusive to Red Art Games’ official online store (PEGI-rated versions) and Video Games Plus (ESRB-rated versions). More information regarding the release date of the MACROSS -Shooting Insight- Collector’s Edition will be shared at a later date. MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s European physical versions can be pre-ordered from Red Art Games’ official online store. Physical ESRB-rated copies can be pre-ordered from VGP’s online store.

MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is a Multi-Dimensional Shooting Game featuring multiple gameplay styles developed by renowned Japanese studio Kaminari Games (Raiden V Director’s Cut). It tells the story of a galaxy-threatening event that forces pilots and songstress from across multiple MACROSS dimensions to team-up to put an end to the madness. Follow Red Art Games on social media to stay up to date with MACROSS -Shooting Insight- news!

About MACROSS -Shooting Insight-

MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is an all-new MACROSS game, the latest entry in the landmark science fiction franchise! When multiple dimensional folds suddenly occur across space-time, pilots and songstresses alike find themselves inexplicably transported to the Battle 7! From there, five stories unfold with the fate of the galaxy at stake.

Pilots, songstresses, and characters from five MACROSS series (MACROSS Plus, MACROSS Zero, MACROSS 7, MACROSS Frontier & MACROSS Delta) take center stage in a completely original story. MACROSS -Shooting Insight- includes fan-favorite songs from all featured MACROSS series! Use the power of songs to gain an edge in battle! Synchronize with songstresses while playing stages to activate a variety of buffs and debuffs, such as increased firepower, increased maneuverability, reduced enemy fire speed, etc.

Experience a Multi-Dimensional Shooting Game featuring pilots and songstresses that have come together across time! Play as pilots from different time periods and go through stages made up of multiple scenes, with each scene featuring distinct game types that utilize the different modes of each pilot’s Valkyrie. Stages include multiple game styles, such as horizontally scrolling shooting, vertically scrolling shooting, and 360-degree scrolling shooting.

Features

• Brand new and original story

• Characters from 5 different MACROSS anime series

• Multiple gameplay styles in each level (horizontally scrolling shooting, vertically scrolling shooting, and 360-degree scrolling shooting)

• Fan-favorite songs from all featured MACROSS series

• Japanese dub

• English localization

MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s Western version includes the game’s latest update on disc which offers the following improvements:

• Difficulty: A setting has been added in order to allow for more HP recovery through automatic recovery. A Boost setting has also been added to the current auto-recovery amount.  The player’s HP will now recover at a much faster rate after taking damage than it did in the original Japanese version of the game.

• Continues: After getting a “Game Over” in the middle of a stage, players can now restart from the same stage, even if they have returned to the menu. This allows players to try again as many times as they wish.

• Music: The length of Diva songs that are activated during gameplay has been adjusted. The length of time between the end of a Diva song and the return to the regular stage music has been adjusted.

• Quality of life: The game controls, which were displayed only once in the original version of MACROSS -Shooting Insight-, will now be displayed anytime the player pauses the game.

Source: PR Email

We are pleased to announce that Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero has officially launched on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, there is a free DLC available for two weeks after launch, containing classic Phantom Isle outfits for Ash and Marona. This DLC will be unavailable after February 13, 2025 at 6 AM PST, so please make sure to download it while it is available.

About Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero

In Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, the story follows Marona – a gifted young girl with the power to speak to Phantoms – as she traverses the ocean world of Ivoire, providing aid to those in need. When a fleet of ghost ships attack, it’s up to Marona and her new friend Apricot to assemble the legendary crew that once defeated these spectral foes.

Recruit Phantoms, bind them to objects, combine them with Gadgets, and even merge them with Marona herself to unleash show-stopping abilities and sink the Shipwreck Fleet!

Source: PR Email

Edmonton, Canada, January 29th, 2025 – Caldera Interactive has unveiled its cozy farming sim / tower defense hybrid The Rabbit Haul, coming to PC and Switch in 2026. As a fleet-footed rabbit, you must nurture your garden by day, then defend it from mischievous raccoons by night.

The Rabbit Haul places players in the role of a cute cottontail trying to rebuild their hometown after it’s been ravaged by greedy raccoon gang the Trash Panda Posse. During the day, you must tend to your crops, replenish your food reserves and economy, water your farm, add harvested produce to your haul, and grow defensive tower plants that will help thwart off invaders. Be strategic in your placement, as an ideal garden will make use of synergies created between harmonious plants.

When you choose to switch over into nighttime, you must defend your haul against the assailing Trash Panda Posse. They’ll grow stronger with each wave, with different enemy types attempting to spoil your riches, so you must upgrade your weapons and defenses to ensure you can survive the night!

No two playthroughs are ever the same, as The Rabbit Haul features a sprawling, randomly generated world full of quests and treasures. Explore the overworld to discover unique items and allies that will help rebuild your town and reinforce your defenses even further. Between runs, you can upgrade your towers, unlock new merchants, and prepare yourself for your next adventure. With an array of unique weapons, upgrade paths, powerful towers and crops to unlock, The Rabbit Haul offers countless playstyles to master!

“With The Rabbit Haul we wanted to combine our love of relaxing cozy games with the strategy of tower defense titles and the random adventure of roguelikes,” said Titus Lo, game designer at Caldera Interactive. “We won the GDC 2024 Pitch competition for it, so it seems like there’s an appetite for The Rabbit Haul, and not just because the crops look tasty – though that helps!”

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – January 23rd, 2025 – We thought they’d come from space… We were wrong, very wrong!

After 35 years, one of Rainbow Arts’ finest pieces of home computer entertainment “resurfaces”. ININ, Kritzelkratz 3000, and Ziggurat have collaborated to bring you the remake of a real shoot ‘em up classic of the Amiga era: X-Out: Resurfaced!

Go for an action-filled dive on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and Steam. Available for Digital Pre-order now on Nintendo eStore and PlayStation Store (Xbox very soon) at €19,99 and ready for the big plunge on February 20th.

90s Home Computer Excellence

The year is 1990, and the end of the home computer era is fast approaching, but Amiga, C64, and Atari ST still reign. Right at that time a fresh challenger to the sprawling shoot ‘em up space appears from the ocean deep: X-Out!

Build your Ship and ride the Synthwave!

Unlike its competitors X-Out dazzled its players with ominous underwater worlds, a synth-laden soundtrack from composer legend Chris Huelsbeck, and an innovative shop system, bringing variety, flexibility, and a high degree of replayability to the classic horizontal shoot ‘em up experience.

Bigger. Better. Resurfaced!

Some 35 years later, X-Out is coming back for the first time on modern platforms, massively improved and rebuilt from the ground up while preserving what made it great in the first place.

For X-Out: Resurfaced we didn’t just want to replicate the original but actually capture its spirit, so we added a – for the era – typical trainer menu: Knowing how unforgiving the original was and the remake still is, we provide some helpful cheats while giving a little nod to the home computer “scene”.

Another “absolute must” addition over the original is the new 2-player co-op (Steam Remote Play supported). There is nothing better than gaining an edge on the deep sea enemies by enlisting a trusty friend.

Finally, for the shoot ‘em up veterans and X-Out pros, Mirror mode will flip the script and provide a fresh new challenge.

Features:

• Not just re-treading the same waters but a remake that sets a fresh course while staying true to its heading.

• Put on your dive mask and feast your eyes on faithfully transported sprite work as well as completely new particle and lighting effects!

• Speaking of beautiful art: As a tribute to the artist of the iconic cover of the original version, the late Celal Kandemiroglu, we’ve worked with his brother and co-creator Ogan Kandemiroglu.

• Heed the call of the sea and groove to a stunning synth soundtrack completely remixed and greatly enhanced by composer legend Chris Hülsbeck. In addition, the original soundtracks of the C64 and Amiga versions are available too!

• Pick our pre-configured load-outs or build your fleet and ships from scratch in the modernized and improved shop system!

• Enlist the help of a fellow sub cadet and confront the alien threat together in a 2-player couch co-op dive! (Steam Remote Play supported!)

• Get your perspective flipped in the new Mirror Mode!

What’s in the box?

To properly celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Rainbow Arts’ home computer masterpiece ININ has prepared a physical Special Edition filled with goodies, that can now be pre-ordered for €49.99 exclusively on ININgames.com!

X-Out: Resurfaced 35th Anniversary Special Edition contains:

• Physical game for Nintendo Switch or Sony PlayStation 5

• Original Soundtrack composed and remixed by the legendary Chris Hülsbeck on CD

• Colorful History Artbook featuring Interviews with the original Rainbow Arts Developers  and helpful in-depth tips about the ships and weapons for new X-Out cadets

Source: PR Email