Twinworld Game Reviews

Paris, June 21, 2023 – Microids is pleased to announce the video game Inspector Gadget: Mad Time Party will be available September 14th 2023 in digital on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S and Steam. The retail version of the game will launch in October 2023 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

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.

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 required 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 available September 14th 2023 in digital on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S and Steam. The retail version of the game will launch in October 2023 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – June 20th, 2023 – The highly anticipated TAITO arcade classic, RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection will be released both physically and digitally on June 30th! Physical versions are now available for preorder for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4!

Regarded as two of the most important and beloved shoot ‘em ups TAITO has ever released and the more advanced successors of RayForce – RayStorm and RayCrisis – have certainly carved their own path in arcade gaming history.

Released in 1996 and ported to several consoles, including the SEGA Saturn, PlayStation and XBOX 360, RayStorm takes place in a parallel universe to RayForce and RayCrisis, where humanity has expanded its space colonies all the way to Orion’s Belt. Unfortunately, the rebellious colony of Secilia overthrows the government and plans to obliterate the earth and all the people on it. To counter it, Earth sends out a covertly-developed fighter codenamed the R-Gray (that’s you, buddy) in hopes of penetrating the Secilian atmosphere and obliterating Secilia’s base of operations.

Set in a cyberspace environment, RayCrisis was originally released in 1998 for TAITO G-NET arcade hardware, and marked a stylistic departure from the rest of the series, featuring for the first time 3D graphics. A prequel to RayForce, it details the events during the time in which the supercomputer called Con-Human gained sentience and rebelled against its human creators. While the Earth is being demolished, a cyberspace hacker launches a desperate assault to jack into the supercomputer’s virtual core and cease its insanity. It is up to you and the Waveriders to keep the malicious AI from causing any more chaos – even if it could be too late, the least you can do is ensure that no more lives are lost in the real world by ending it in the digital realm.

Relive the excitement of epic battles in outer and cyber space with this new collection, featuring not only RayStorm and RayCrisis, with their polygon-based 3D graphics and striking art styles, but also their HD remastered versions. All of this is accompanied by the unforgettable soundtrack composed by TAITO’s legendary sound team, ZUNTATA.

RayStorm x RayCrisis HD Collection – out on June, 30th physically and digitally for EUR 39,99.

Want to discover the full trilogy? TAITO’s original Ray’Z Arcade Chronology will also come to the West with five versions of three titles. Together with RayForce, RayCrisis and their HD remasters, you get the opportunity to play the original Arcade version of RayForce, released in 1994 and responsible for revolutionizing the “two attack layer system”, undoubtedly changing the face of shoot ’em ups.

Ray’Z Arcade Chronology – out on June 30th digitally for EUR 49,99.

Source: PR Email

Gateshead, United Kingdom – 20th June, 2023 – Coatsink and Over The Moon are pleased to reveal that their video game nostalgia-fuelled Souls-like, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia, is available on PlayStation and Switch today, priced at $24.99 / €24.99 / £19.99. The Rise Of Evil, a brand new DLC for The Last Hero of Nostalgaia, also launches today on PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, priced at $7.99 / €7.99 / £6.69. For brand new players who want the complete experience, the base game and DLC have also been packaged together with The Last Hero of Nostalgaia – Deluxe Edition, priced at $29.99 / €29.99 / £24.99, also available today.

The Rise of Evil DLC adds two new areas to the game: Easymaker’s Retreat and The Builder’s Sanctuary. Your new quest will also require you to defeat three new bosses that will put the skills and abilities you’ve acquired through the main game to the ultimate test.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is set in a world that celebrates videogame nostalgia, blending the complex systems and dark aesthetics of its Souls-like inspirations with a reference-packed comedy tale told by a cynical narrator never short of a sharp putdown. The game delivers tough but fair combat, challenging bosses for you to overcome, engaging narrative mechanics rich in lore and a shockingly-rich character creator (kind of). The Last Hero of Nostalgaia draws on the best of the games that inspired it while delivering a humorous and innovative twist on the genre, along with a boatload of nudge and wink references that will delight videogame fans.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia offers players the chance to enjoy tackling the game’s tough battles and laugh at its funny moments with friends thanks to an online co-op mode. Whether alone or alongside a friend, it’s time to jump into the world of videogames and find what’s causing the blight of pixelation causing it to collapse backwards in time. Nostalgaia is fading away to nothing: even the memories of our proud, cherished video games are being lost. Now, with our fidelity all but gone, at the very brink of extinction, hope emerges to fight back.

“I’m really happy to finally bring The Last Hero of Nostalgaia to PlayStation and Switch players,” said Over the Moon CEO Jon Warner. “For those who have already enjoyed the game on PC and Xbox, I hope you’re looking forward to jumping back in and taking on the new challenges we’ve put together for The Rise of Evil DLC!”

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – June 22nd 2023 – Strictly Limited Games, in partnership with SUCCESS Corp, is excited to team up and release the limited boxed editions of Akai Ito & Aoi Shiro HD Remaster for Nintendo Switch. Get ready to experience these two previously exclusive Japanese PlayStation 2 Visual Novels remastered in HD and packed into one Definitive Nintendo Switch version  for the first time in the west.

These editions will exclusively be available at Strictly Limited Games  and will be the ONLY physical version of the game worldwide.

About Akai Ito:

“Akai Ito” is a captivating visual novel originally released on PlayStation 2 in Japan, that takes players on an emotional journey of love, mystery and self-discovery. Set in modern-day Japan, the story follows the protagonist, Kei, as she navigates the complexities of her past and uncovers the truth about her identity.

After the untimely passing of her mother, Kei inherits an old Japanese mansion in the secluded town of Hemizuka. Intrigued by the mysteries surrounding her family and the legend of the mountain god, Kei embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets hidden within her ancestral home. Along the way, Kei encounters Yumei, a girl with a connection to the mystical world, and together they delve deeper into the enigma that binds them.

Featuring beautiful artwork, evocative music, and multiple branching storylines, “Akai Ito” offers a rich visual and narrative experience. The choices made by players will shape Kei’s journey, leading to different outcomes and endings that reflect the complexities of love, sacrifice, and personal growth.

About Aoi Shiro:

“Aoi Shiro” is a Japanese adventure game that takes place in both the modern real world and a mythical realm. The story is presented from the perspective of Shouko Osanai, a girl who serves as the head of the kendo club at Seijo Gakuin.

In this adventure game, players navigate through the story and make choices using a mouse or a controller. The game mechanics are straightforward, with no complex operations required. Depending on the choices made by the player, the story progresses differently, ultimately affecting the fate of the main character.

The game boasts a total of 56 endings, comprising 36 bad endings, 14 normal endings, and 6 true endings. As players complete certain routes, new choices and storylines become available through a system known as “root seal.”

The story begins with Shouko Osanai’s arrival at Shoushin Temple in Unasaka, a distant location in the southern region, for the kendo club’s training camp. One evening, while walking along the beach, Shouko and Yasumi Aizawa, the club manager, come across a girl lying in the sand. Syouko rescues the girl, named Nami, and a strong bond forms between Nami, Shouko, and Yasumi. This encounter becomes a pivotal moment, forever altering Shouko’s fate and setting in motion a series of life-changing events for Shouko.

Overall, “Aoi Shiro” offers an immersive adventure game experience, where the player’s choices shape the narrative, leading to various outcomes and multiple endings.

Features:

• Compelling visual novel gameplay with a captivating storyline
• Beautifully rendered anime-style graphics
• Multiple branching paths and endings based on player choices
• Two Games in one package
• Remastered in HD
• Engaging dialogue and immersive narrative
• Aoi Shiro includes the Bonus Game: Onigiri no Oni

Limited Editions:

Strictly Limited Games is giving Akai Ito & Aoi Shiro HD Remaster 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 2,500 copies for Nintendo Switch, at a price of 34.99€, including a colourful game manual.

The Special Limited Edition is limited to a maximum of 1,500 copies for Nintendo Switch for 59.99€, including lots of additional collectibles:

• Game for Nintendo Switch with a Reversible Cover

• Special Edition Box
• Colorful Game Manual
• Original Soundtrack on 4 CDs
• Reversible Poster
• Two Postcards

Source: PR Email

Paris, June 14th, 2023 – Publisher Microids is thrilled to announce that Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express will be available October 19th, 2023 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC, and unveils the Deluxe Edition. Set in 2023, Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express retells this classic story for a modern audience. Faithful to the central plot, additional elements have been added to the story to surprise and delight even the most dedicated fans of the Queen of Crime!

The Deluxe Edition will be available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and will include:

• The video game
• A 48-page artbook
•  The digital original soundtrack
• An Orient Express ticket bookmark

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, the Dishonored series and two episodes of the Netflix series Love, Death + Robots. The 48-page artbook, available in the Deluxe Edition, showcases some of the artist’s character design work.

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.

Whether you are a fan of the iconic book or movies, a lover of murder mysteries, or just looking for a thrilling adventure, this new proposal has something for everyone.

Game features:

• Faithful, but augmented: The game is a faithful but augmented adaptation of the original story, with a new character named Joanna Locke added to the mix. With her, you can regularly exit the train environment during playable flashbacks.
• Embody the legendary detective Hercule Poirot: Enter into Hercule Poirot’s head to discover mind maps and make deductions, adding an extra layer of depth to the gameplay. And don’t forget the many puzzles with object manipulations that are scattered throughout each chapter.
• A rich adventure with strong twists: Get ready for major plot twists that will keep you hooked until the very end. Murder On the Express is renowned for having one of the best plot twists in literary history, and this game is no exception. But this time, set in 2023, you will lead your investigation in a whole new light.
• A brilliant detective and mystery game: As you play, you will take on the roles of Poirot and Joanna, solve puzzles and make deductions to uncover the truth behind the murder. In a 3rd person view, you will inspect the sets and talk to all 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 on October 9th in Europe and November 9th in the USA.

Source: PR Email

Gothenburg, Sweden – June 10th, 2023 – Thunderful and internal development studio The Station have offered a deeper dive into the upcoming SteamWorld Build, due to release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch in 2023, via a new trailer that debuted today at the Future Game Show. Fans can dig into the next entry in the SteamWorld series themselves between June 19th and June 26th, where a SteamWorld Build demo will be part of the Steam Next Fest.

As is tradition with this beloved franchise, SteamWorld Build takes a well known genre and gives it a unique twist, delivering a multi-level city-building experience that tasks you with constructing a thriving town above ground, while mining resources and dealing with monsters below.

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 has been developed on PC and console simultaneously, ensuring that the game’s design, UX and UI all work just as well with a controller in hand, as they do with mouse and keyboard. The game features a user-friendly interface and mechanics designed to cater to both experienced players and newcomers to the city builder genre, further refined by three difficulty levels to choose from.

“The response to SteamWorld Build from our fans and critics has been fantastic so far,” said SteamWorld Universe and Franchise Director, Brjánn Sigurgeirsson. “It’s a pleasure to give fans another look at the game and we’ll be sharing more via our community-focused SteamWorld Telegraph show, which recently kicked back into gear”.

“The love that’s been shown for SteamWorld Build has been wonderful to see and only fuels our desire to deliver a game that meets the high standards of this award-winning franchise,” said Adam Vassee, producer at The Station. “The response so far suggests we’ve really hit on something with our Anno meets Dungeon Keeper style gameplay, but I can assure you we will keep working hard to make the best SteamWorld game possible!”

SteamWorld Build will release on PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch™ in 2023.

Source: PR Email

Montpellier, France, June 8th, 2023 – Indie developer La Moutarde in partnership with Dear Villagers have revealed their upcoming turn-based RPG Terra Memoria. Coming to PC, Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series platforms later this year, Terra Memoria is a ​​cozy exploration game with retro vibes made by RPG lovers.

Terra Memoria sends players on a globe-trotting journey full of exploration, crafting, building, and friendship! A shortage of magic crystals and the sudden awakening of ancient robots pushes six new friends into a crazy investigation through Terra, a whimsical and cozy world combining 3D graphics and pixel art. Players control all party members, as each embarks on their own story and brings their unique skills to the table as they engage in Terra Memoria’s turn-based combat.

You’ll have to do more than fight though, as to save the world players will have to master Terra Memoria’s unique building system that allows them to create all sorts of objects and solve environmental puzzles.​​ It’s like a​ map editor at the player’s disposal that can be used to shape the world and rebuild destroyed cities.​

As players explore Terra Memoria’s different countries, they’ll have to rely on their regional guide, offering info on new recipes, important characters, clues to help you during your investigation, and more information about regional specialties.​ Understanding local customs is key to a fruitful expedition.

“With Terra Memoria we wanted to create a timeless adventure in the style of a classic RPG that offers more modern twists on the genre, like building, cooking, and crafting,” said François Bertrand, Game Director at La Moutarde. “At the end of the day though, Terra Memoria is an ode to the road trip, with a focus on the bond between friends and found family, as they explore unfamiliar lands together.”

“Terra Memoria is a love letter to classic RPGs with its pixel art and turn-based combat, while the HEXA system and lively soundtrack give it a contemporary flair,” said Guillaume Jamet, Head of Publishing for Dear Villagers. “It offers a touch of nostalgia that reminds players of their favorite  90’s RPGs, but will also appeal to new generations who have recently gotten into the genre with games like Octopath Traveler, Eiyuden Chronicle, or Suikoden. This mix of retro and modern sensibilities make Terra Memoria feel utterly timeless!”

Source: PR Email

Lausanne, Switzerland, June 7th, 2023 – Indie developer Sunnyside Games, in partnership with Dear Villagers, have today launched their flame-wielding platformer Nocturnal on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series platforms for $19.99 / €19.99, and on Steam for $16.99 / €16.99; with a 10% discount on the Steam, Epic and Microsoft stores through its first week of sale. Nocturnal is an action exploration odyssey that will task players with repelling a nefarious mist as it enshrouds an ancient isle. Use your fire to uncover what secrets lay hidden beneath the fog!

After a difficult journey across a troubled sea, Ardeshir, a soldier of the Enduring Flame, returns to his home island of Nahran. Engulfed in a shadowy mist, Ardeshir must rely on fire to extinguish the sinister forces that have overtaken his native land. Flame has many uses here. It can ward off the Mist, ignite the scenery, turn on machinery, and be used to burn beings of dark magic impervious to conventional weaponry. But be forewarned: one cannot breathe in the Mist, so you’ll have to use your wits as you intuit new ways to keep it at bay.

Grow more powerful by offering collected ashes to the flame. Gain powers that help you expand your lifeforce, hold your breath longer, or sacrifice ashes in hopes of gaining new powers along the way.

Nocturnal encourages challengers to brave its beautiful ruins with a host of optional trials. Those seeking the glory of a true challenge can enable a host of speedrunning features, like faster transitions, skippable cutscenes, and a pausable timer. Only the fiercest warriors will try their hand Permadeath Mode, where you only have one life to undertake the entire journey.

“We’re so happy that people can finally play Nocturnal in its entirety,” said Sunnyside Games co-founder Gabriel Sonderegger. “Our aim with Nocturnal was to craft an experience that is highly focused on a core concept. We tried to respect the player’s time by avoiding needlessly stretching out the playtime and put a lot of heart and effort into polishing this short but hopefully genuine experience.”

Source: PR Email

Gothenburg, Sweden – June 7th, 2023 – Elden Pixels are delighted to unveil their atmospheric 2D puzzle platformer coming to PC and Switch, A Void Hope, via a mysterious new trailer that debuted today at the Guerrilla Collective 2023 digital showcase. A playable demo for PC will be available during Steam Next Fest from June 19th to June 26th. Featuring the gorgeous pixel art Elden Pixels is known for, along with a soundtrack from acclaimed synthwave artist Waveshaper, A Void Hope thrusts you into a collapsing city where residents are slowly losing their memories to become shells of their former selves.

A Void Hope’s compelling mystery unfolds via the perspective of a couple searching for a cure for the condition that’s enveloped their city. Through their personal journey, you will unearth memories that may not always be easy to interpret as you grasp for meaning in a world where everything is slowly slipping away.

You are encouraged to delve into every corner of A Void Hope’s atmospheric city, visiting different areas and ducking into buildings to explore inside. Via puzzles and platforming, you will find a host of challenges ahead of you and discover key items that allow you to access new areas and progress the story. A carefully crafted ambiance creates an experience that’s as emotionally engaging as it is aesthetically pleasing.

“We really hope people enjoy our appropriately mysterious first trailer for A Void Hope and I can’t wait for everyone to get to try it for themselves on June 19th when we release a demo for the game at Steam Next Fest”, said Mikael Forslind, CEO & Creative Director at Elden Pixels. “I can promise fans of our previous games, Alwa’s Awakening and Alwa’s Legacy, that this is our most ambitious title yet!”

A Void Hope is available to wishlist now on Steam.

Source: PR Email

Gothenburg, Sweden – June 6th, 2023 – Thunderful, Headup and Team Meat are thrilled to announce their highly anticipated meat-mincing puzzler Dr. Fetus’ Mean Meat Machine is coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on June 22nd. The match-4 puzzler was featured on Best Indie Games Summer Showcase 2023 today, showing off the game’s unique twist that brings buzzsaws, missiles and a whole host of other deadly hazards that the nefarious Dr. Fetus has cooked up in his lab. Mean Meat Machine brings the hardcore challenge Super Meat Boy is best known for to this one-of-a-kind blend of puzzle and intense action gameplay.

The events of Dr. Fetus’ Mean Meat Machine take place right after Super Meat Boy Forever. After meticulously analyzing Meat Boy, the nefarious Dr. Fetus now has all the data he needs to create the perfect Meat Boy clone! There’s just one problem: The DNA sample he’s collected isn’t a perfect specimen, which in turn yields some…less than perfect clones. Dr. Fetus’ solution is to create a bunch of ruthless test chambers to weed out the crap clones from the good ones. The specimens start out looking nothing like Meat Boy, but over time that grotesquely lovable face that Dr. Fetus hates so much, starts to emerge. Perfect clones are just on the horizon…

Puzzle your way through familiar Super Meat Boy and Super Meat Boy Forever locations like the picturesque forest, the hospital, and salt factory with dazzling backgrounds and animations created by the original Super Meat Boy Forever artists, as well as a wonderful soundtrack by RIDICULON. There are over 100 masterfully hand-crafted levels filled with creative traps and hazards for you to beat and, if you can survive this hardcore take on a classic formula, you’ll be confronted by an epic  boss fight at the end of each world to offer the ultimate challenge.

“On June 22nd, people are going to get their mitts on Dr. Fetus’s Mean Meat Machine and kill a ton of Meat Boy clones..most likely by accident.”, said Team Meat co-founder Tommy Refenes. “People are going to have a great time trying to group clones together to create matches while dodging the obstacle hell we’ve designed for them. Match 4 puzzle games don’t normally have saws, but that’s why this game f***ing rules! Our latest weird baby is coming to PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and PC! I can’t wait for everyone to play it!”

Source: PR Email