Twinworld Game Reviews

September 1st,  2023: Indie publisher Ratalaika Games, and dual indie developers Somepx/Ferando Araujo, are excited to announce the release today, 1st September 2023, of Gastro Force – an exciting and explosive action FPS where the player takes on the role of last soldier standing from a highly specialised unit.

Released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series S/X, PC Steam  and Nintendo Switch, being a highly trained and elite trooper you’re trained to kill and your task is to infiltrate the enormous underground, ‘gut’ sanctuary and win the day!

Setting the Scene

Space colonies have to face a massive threat to their existence: gargantuan aliens from an eldritch nebula invade our galaxy, and their only instinct is to eat and digest whole starships!  Thanks to the sacrifice of your comrades, only one station-swallowing alien monstrosity has to be vanquished. It’s up to you to set up the bomb that will blast it out of existence, but will you survive the endless swarms?

Progressing_Processing

The process begins as you navigate your way through each level, initially taking on weak enemies with a dash ability for faster movement and simple weapons. As you progress, foes become stronger, along with your arsenal. Triggering buttons to open passages, locate key cards for specific doors, conserving your ammo, gathering health items, collecting superior new weapons, and confronting traps like collapsing floors, explosive barrels, and hidden passages is all part of the ongoing scenario and sequence to success.

Seek and exterminate – Facing Danger

There are 3 large and action-packed different areas, each with different traps and enemies, and the scenery becomes increasingly ravaged in its aesthetic.

An immense and varied amount of detail, alien enemies, plus explosive action is stacked up for the player to face from an egg spawning  crawling alien,  a floating and shooting alien, and a larger alien with more health that shoots to kill, to facing tricky level bosses. Colour coded key cards, hidden ceilings, gastric liquid filling corridors, crushing walls, explosive lasers – an endless list of inventive and killer strategies that you must overcome. Staying alive, let alone in one piece, isn’t easy!

Quotes from the developers

Somepx/Fernando, “We tried to recreate a classic ‘boomer shooter’ experience.  We also aimed to recreate the experience we had with games from that era, I’ve always been a gaming enthusiast.”

“Served up to an audience that enjoyed retro FPS games from the 90s, seeking a nostalgic experience without replaying those old games for the umpteenth time.”

A true nostalgic experience that hits the mark!

Source: PR Email

Berlin, Germany – August 31, 2023 – Rediscover gaming legends with TAITO Milestones 2: a timeless collection of arcade classics available now for Nintendo Switch, both physically and digitally!

As a celebration of gaming history, this collection offers something for every type of gamer, whether you’re seeking the heart-pounding challenges of the shoot’em ups and fighters or simply looking to relive the classics. It’s not just about the games; immerse yourself in pixel-perfect graphics, fully configurable controls, including turbo buttons for certain games,  that honor the original gameplay and modern features like leaderboards and achievements, for an old-school challenge with the gems that started it all. Don’t just play games, preserve a legacy!

TAITO Milestones 2 includes:

• The NewZealand Story (1988)
• Kiki Kaikai (1986)
• Darius II (3 Screen Arcade Version) (1989)
• Gun Frontier (1990)
• Ben Bero Beh (1984)
• The Legend of Kage (1985)
• Liquid Kids (Mizubaku Adventure) (1990)
• Solitary Fighter (1991)
• Dinorex (1992)
• Metal Black (1991)

Price 39.99 $/Euro

Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of gaming history. TAITO Milestones 2 is available now, ready to bring you back to the era where the arcades reigned supreme.

And for everyone who has already got to experience the first TAITO Milestones, ININ prepared a few bundle options that will allow you to expand your personal arcade collection, as often before, available through their partner store Strictly Limited Games. Twenty games, each representing a specific breakthrough in the development and gaming history and spanning a variety of genres. Platform, sports, shooting, puzzle and more. All will be available to you on Nintendo Switch!

Source: PR Email

Montreal, Canada, August 30th, 2023 – Hey Buddies! Indie developer WildArts, in partnership with Dear Villagers, are happy to announce their upcoming adventure RPG Born of Bread will need a bit more time in the oven, but don’t despair as it will be served this Fall on PC, Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series platforms. To get an all new look at the game before its launch, check out this all new gameplay footage of Loaf’s adventure!

Born of Bread is a home-cooked turn-based role-playing adventure that throws back to classic cartoony RPGs full of fun characters and charming stories for children and adults alike. Beings from another age are causing havoc across the land and their mischief comes as a great threat for everyone. The unlikeliest hero, Loaf, a golem born of bread who possesses a never-ending childlike wonder, will find himself and his newfound friends in the middle of a drama that’s thousands of years in the making.

Explore a wonderful world ripe with mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic ruins of the Forest of Roots to the freezing landscapes of Frosty Flats. With the help of your buddies, face off against menacing baddies and engage in fun, quirky turn-based /real-time hybrid combat.

“We know Born of Bread is taking a little longer to bake than we expected, but it’ll be worth the wait,” said WildArts Lead Designer and Programmer Nicolas Lamarche. “The best pastries take time, and we think we wanted to create the perfect blend of RPG ingredients. We’re confident that the final dish will be delicious indeed when Born of Bread launches this Fall”.

The full recipe to bake Born of Bread requires the following ingredients:

• One flour golem who possesses a never-ending childlike wonder and a set of odd abilities

• A wonderful world ripe with mysteries

• An eclectic cast of fleshed-out characters

• A wacky storyline

• A pinch of light puzzles

• Turn-based battles with a dash of real-time minigames

• Bright, colorful 2.5D graphics

• Side-missions (add to taste)

• A captive audience granting you bonuses in battle

To start with, you’ll want your flour golem, Loaf. Put him in a mystical land where he can mingle with his friends and local folk. Although he may not look like much, Loaf might be the hero this land kneads!

Stir in a story of beings from another age causing havoc across the land. And with their mischief comes a great threat to everyone!

Mold an eclectic cast of endearing characters, 2.5D illustrated setting, environmental puzzles, and unique turn-based /real-time hybrid battles. Be sure you know what your enemy is weak or resistant against, as it will take brains and reflexes to thwart Born of Bread’s throngs of foes.

Source: PR Email

Saint-Ouen, France, August 29th 2023 – Shown firstly on an exclusive closed door event at Gamescom 2023, Just For Games and Little Sewing Machine, in collaboration with Meangrip Studios are pleased to unveil early footage for the awaited classic-animated horrific game Bye Sweet Carole.

Bye Sweet Carole is planned for release in 2024 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC.

Explore early gameplay footage from Bye Sweet Carole!

This pre-alpha footage video showcases some of the first gameplay mechanics and offers a glimpse of the ambiance that Bye Sweet Carole is made of.

Note: This video reflects early footage and does not represent final product release quality: definitive assets and voice acting (in both Italian and English) will be added at a later date.

Delve into Lana’s transformation into a rabbit, where she gains the ability to interact with other rabbits, and use Lana’s rabbit form to escape from tricky situations! However, exercise caution, as the rabbit transformation renders Lana more vulnerable.

Discover Lana’s best friend: Mr. Baesie. This character possesses both offensive capabilities and the intriguing ability to morph into a smaller version of himself. While not as swift as a rabbit, his downsized form enables Mr. Baesie to manipulate objects effectively. Switch between character on-the-go and make the best use of both Mr. Baesie and Lana abilities and transformations.

A fascinating information: More than 70,000 individual hand-made frames have been made for in-game Lana’s animation!

About Bye Sweet Carole:

Bye Sweet Carole is a horrific thriller game inspired by the greatest animation movies and created by Chris Darril (Remothered series).

Be ready to jump into the world of Corolla and meet the rabbits that has infested it.

Set in the early 1900s’, young Lana Benton, urged by the terrifying Mr. Kyn, also known as “Old Hat,” finds herself catapulted into a mysterious enchanted garden to deal with menacing and disturbing creatures. After discovering a number of letters from a mysterious “french guy”, Lana decides to follow the last known trail of Carole Simmons, a girl of the same age who apparently escaped from Bunny Hall, an orphanage built in the 19th century. The building is now infested by colonies of wild rabbits able to open a dimensional portal to the realm of Corolla…

Key features:

Embark on a horrific journey through a dark tale set in the mesmerizing world of Corolla.

  Immerse yourself in a hand-drawn universe brought to life using cinematographic techniques inspired by the greatest animated movies.

 Encounter a vibrant cast of characters, from your loyal friend M. Beasie to the malevolent owl Velenia and the terrifying M. Kyn.

 Shape-shift into a rabbit and harness your various forms to conquer the deadly challenges that await you.

Bye Sweet Carole is planned for release in 2024 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, 
Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC.

Source: PR Email

August 25th 2023: Indie publisher Ratalaika Games, together with solo developer Stranga,  is pleased to announce the release today, 25th August, of  Ashina: The Red Witch. Out on today on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series S/X and Nintendo Switch.

Ashina: The Red Witch is a stylised, exploration based adventure game that has an engaging story that leads the player through a landscape full of puzzles to solve. Interact with many intriguing characters as you explore through a mysterious spirit filled world.

Facts & Features

• A unique and (hopefully) thrilling story!
• Secrets to unlock – decision making
• New and exciting characters, as well as some returning characters from ‘My Big Sister’ (prev. game)
• Adventure-like puzzles
• Delve into the Spirit world
• Action and interaction
• Character dialogue options to delve into the lore surrounding the universe
• An Original Soundtrack
• Achievements + Trophies!
• Impressive locations from the small town of Shiruta to the city of Chikarra, inhabited by spirits and ghosts that bring these locations to life
• A colourful cast of characters, including the mischievous spirit Tanto, the caring and gentle spirit Roku, and mysterious old woman Yoko
•  Playtime of “Ashina: The Red Witch” is estimated to be around 3-4 hours depending on the player’s choices
• Hand Drawn pixel art
• Mystifying landscapes and setting

Source: PR Email

Gothenburg, Sweden – August 23rd, 2023 – Thunderful, Coatsink and Noname Studios are pleased to reveal, via a new release date announcement trailer that debuted today during Xbox Booth @ gamescom show, that their genre-bending 2D adventure platformer, Worldless will be releasing on October 4th. Previously only announced for Xbox and PC, it has now been announced that the game will also be coming to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch on the same October 4th release date. Wishlist Worldless on Steam now.

Set in an abstract, atmospheric world, Worldless is an adventure platformer that features a turn-based action combat system that requires both strategy and timing to be successful. An intricate skill tree adds new dimensions to combat, opens up new avenues for you to explore and uncover the game’s many secrets, and mirrors the game’s themes of growth and understanding.

Worldless is set at a time where the rules of existence remain undefined. In this abstract setting, players will discover entities with opposing goals. One half is fixated on the virtue of their nature, the other is seeking to exchange it for their demise. This inevitably thrusts them into conflict as they battle for transcendence and you will find yourself embroiled in that fight.

Bask in an atmospheric, unforgettable setting with a beautiful score that inspires, and connect to the deeper meanings of Worldless. Explore intricate areas filled with secrets, using finesse and fluid action to uncover them as you absorb enemies and upgrade an intricate skill tree that constantly unfurls new possibilities.

“Worldless is a game that’s intentionally full of mystery and that leaves lots open to interpretation, but we hope players have gotten a feel for what the full game will offer with the new release trailer,” said Worldless developer David Sanchez. “I can’t wait for players to get their hands on it on October 4th and discover our unique combat system and atmospheric world for themselves.”

Source: PR Email

Gothenburg, Sweden – August 23rd, 2023 – Thunderful and internal development studio The Station are pleased to announce that the anticipated SteamWorld Build will release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on December 1st. SteamWorld Build will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass and PC players that own the SteamWorld Complete Bundle will be able to get a 20% discount on the game on Steam. Players can try the unique multi-level city-building experience for themselves with a Steam demo available now.

Developed for PC and console simultaneously, every aspect of SteamWorld Build’s has been designed to ensure that the game works just as well with a controller in hand as it does with mouse and keyboard, bringing a traditionally PC-centric genre to console without compromise. As well as welcoming players regardless of what platform they are on, SteamWorld Build follows the series’ tradition in catering to both experienced players and newcomers to the city builder genre.

As the architect of a SteamWorld mining town, break ground and raise houses for your steambot citizens, keep them fed and provide some rootin’-tootin’ entertainment. Venture into the abandoned mine sitting under your town, rumoured to be filled with ancient tech that holds the key to escaping impending doom. Using the natural resources above ground and the abundant ores buried below, expand your town, stimulate new residential tiers to join the quest to dig deeper, unearth untold riches and ultimately help them to hightail it off the planet!

SteamWorld Build’s above and below-ground elements have an interdependent relationship where everything you discover, mine or build feeds into what you can do when you switch from above to below, and vice versa. These cogs all fit together to create a satisfying game loop where you are always making progress and are always engaged.

“We’re all really happy to finally reveal that SteamWorld Build will be releasing on December 1st and that it will be available on Xbox Game Pass day one,” said SteamWorld Universe and Franchise Director, Brjánn Sigurgeirsson. “We’ve been sharing information about the game via our community-focused SteamWorld Telegraph show and everyone is welcome to join us as we share more about the game between now and release!”

“We’ve worked really hard to create an Anno meets Dungeon Keeper style city builder that works as well on console as it does on PC,” said Adam Vassee, producer at The Station. “We’re been humbled by the positive response the game has had from fans and press and are really excited to continue the story of this award-winning franchise”.

Source: PR Email

Paris, August 22nd, 2023 –  Today, ahead of Gamescom, publisher Microids has revealed the first trailer for Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express which is releasing 19 October 2023 for PC,  PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The trailer showcases the game’s stunning art direction in this modernized version of Agatha Christie’s most iconic detective story.

Set in 2023, with new twists and turns added to the original story, the game will bring Agatha Christie’s literary classic to life in a way that will surprise even long-time fans. Players will play as both the famous Hercule Poirot and his new sidekick, Joanna Locke as they set out to discover the truth behind the murder aboard the Orient Express.

Murder on the Orient Express is being developed by Microids Studio Lyon, under the artistic direction of Cédric Peyravernay, a French artist who has made significant contributions to the video game industry. He has showcased his talent and expertise as a character designer in major projects such as Diablo IV, Prey, Dishonored 2, Dishonored, and the Netflix series Love, Death + Robots.

About Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express:

On board the Orient Express, the legendary detective Hercule Poirot tries to solve the murder that has taken place on the prestigious train while surrounded by a cast of intriguing characters with their own secrets and motives. Solving the mystery won’t be easy and through numerous twists and turns, players will have to use their little grey cells as well as detective skills to unravel the truth and bring it to light.

Game features:

• Faithful, but fresh: The game is a faithful but fresh adaptation of the original story, with a new character named Joanna Locke added to the story. Playing as Joanna, players can exit the confines of the train during playable flashbacks.
• Embody the legendary detective Hercule Poirot: Enter into Hercule Poirot’s head to discover mind maps and make deductions as he navigates the puzzles and objects scattered throughout each chapter.
• A rich adventure with strong twists: Murder On the Orient Express is renowned for one of the most famous plot twists in literary history, and Microids’ game is no exception. But with events taking place in 2023, the investigation will see players venture in new directions.
• A brilliant detective and mystery game: Players will take on the roles of Poirot and Joanna, solve puzzles and make deductions to uncover the truth behind the murder. In a third person view, players will inspect the environment and talk with the protagonists, searching for clues and confronting the suspects.
• Fully voiced: Fully dubbed in English, German and French.

Murder on the Orient Express will be released October 19th, 2023 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The retail edition will be available November 9th in the USA.

Source: PR Email

Paris, August 22nd, 2023 – Today, ahead of Gamescom, publisher Microids, Microids Lyon/Paris studios and Flashback creator Paul Cuisset have revealed a new gameplay trailer for Flashback 2. The sequel to 1992’s Flashback is set to launch on 16 November for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S and Nintendo Switch.

In the heart of a dystopian future, the game’s hero, Conrad B. Hart, must confront the fearsome Morphs who aim to enslave all life in the solar system. To prevent them from carrying out their diabolical plan, players will need to deploy all their skills in a fast-paced platform shooter, which offers striking fluidity and precision.

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 an action-packed adventure full of twists, turns and revelations with the help of his allies and AI-powered weapon A.I.S.H.A.

Game features:

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

Flashback 2 will be available November 16th, 2023 in digital (and retail in Europe) and December 5th, 2023 in retail on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch for the North American region.

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – August 21, 2023 – After the addictive titles of last year’s release, TAITO and ININ are back with another game collection, featuring some of the best classics ever released on the arcade. A new thrilling compilation, exclusively for Nintendo Switch, physical and digital. Releasing on August 31st, 2023, it offers players an unparalleled gaming experience, showcasing the best of the Arcade Archives collection in a single package.

TAITO Milestones 2 includes:

• NewZealand Story (1988)
• Kiki Kaikai (1986)
• Darius II (3 Screen Arcade Version) (1989)
• Gun Frontier (1990)
• Ben Bero Beh (1984)
• The Legend of Kage (1985)
• Liquid Kids (Mizubaku Adventure) (1990)
• Solitary Fighter (1991)
• Dinorex (1992)
• Metal Black (1991)

Alien forces, UFOs, fire, kunai and even dinosaurs.. This compilation has everything you need for a deep dive into 10 games that paved the way for the decades of TAITO’s arcade prominence that followed. For this reason, ININ and TAITO arranged an Exclusive interview with Mr. Satoshi Hamada, President of Hamster Corporation, who sat down with Time Extension to discuss their Arcade Archives, a collection of hundreds of meticulously reproduced arcade games spanning the late 1970s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, in anticipation of this exciting release.

Roughly 50% of the best-selling games of all time are direct descendants of arcade or console games between the 1970s and 1990s, and many successful game concepts were invented in the arcades of the 80s and have not changed much since. For this reason, the cooperation with great icons of the gaming industry, such as the legendary TAITO, led to outstanding game releases, culminating in the publication in 2022 of a compilation based on the core porting technology behind the Arcade Archives. Developed by Hamster Corporation and TAITO, it was published by United Games Entertainment through ININ. That compilation was TAITO Milestones. Ten games, each representing a specific breakthrough in development and gaming history, spanning a variety of genres. Platform, sports, shooting, puzzles and more, were made available for the first time as a collection on a modern console!

A year later, ININ and TAITO are ready to release the highly requested follow-up, TAITO Milestones 2!

An exclusive interview with Mr. Hamada was conducted by Time Extension and can be accessed HERE!

Gaming enthusiasts and fans of the Arcade Archives series should not miss this insightful conversation with one of the industry’s most influential figures.

Source: PR Email