Twinworld Game Reviews

Stuttgart, Germany – May 31st, 2023 – Fans all over the world enjoyed the addictive titles from TAITO Milestones… and now ININ Games is delighted to announce it will be publishing its highly requested follow-up, TAITO Milestones 2! Relive the spirit of these action-packed classics, and reignite the flame of TAITO’s nostalgic gems in this thrilling new compilation, exclusively for Nintendo Switch, physical and digital.

The second instalment of TAITO Milestones will include celebrated games like The NewZealand Story, Darius II (three Screen Arcade Version), Metal Black, Kiki KaiKai, and many more!

Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or exploring the classics for the first time, you can’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind compilation! Physical pre-orders are now available at ININGames.com!

Get ready for a blast to the past – see the complete list of games included in TAITO Milestones 2!

The NewZealand Story (1988)

Embark on an adventure to save Tiki’s lover Phee-phee, and his friends who have been kidnapped by the leopard seal. Strategize using the various balloons and weapons to complete the colourful mazes by defeating enemies and using balloons to float!

Kiki Kaikai (1986)

In Kiki KaiKai, precursor of the universally beloved Pocky & Rocky, you’ll play as Shinto shrine maiden Sayo-chan and fight against Yokai across the Japanese countryside to save the kidnapped seven gods of fortune!

Darius II (3 Screen Arcade  Version) (1989)

The mysterious, intelligent creatures, Belser, that once attacked the planet Darius have begun an attack on the solar system, and the Silver Hawk pilots must go to the rescue. Travel through the stars, across planets, and beyond in this beloved action-arcade shooter! This is the very first port of the special, 3 Screen Arcade Edition of Darius II!

Gun Frontier (1990)

Set on the planet Gloria, this vertically-scrolling shooter follows the pilots of the aircraft, Desperado, as they confront the space pirates, Wild Lizard. Don’t miss out on the legendary soundtrack and the challenging, gun-themed bosses!

Ben Bero Beh (1984)

A fire broke out! Play as Dami-chan to extinguish the flames while dodging various obstacles to rescue Nao-chan! This title is jam-packed with wacky and unique characters that appear in later games– will you be able to recognize them all?

The Legend of Kage (1985)

Taking place in Japan at the end of the Edo period, you play as the Iga Ninja Kage in his battle against Yukigusa Yoshiro and his demonic army to rescue the captured Princess Kiri. Backed with an energetic and unforgettable soundtrack, journey through forests, castle walls, and mansions in this action-adventure to save the day!

Liquid Kids (Mizubaku Adventure) (1990)

Flying in on a giant pelican, play as the young hero Hippopo’ and fight to protect the peaceful Hippo country, Woody Lake, from the evil of Fire Satan. Complete with colorful graphics, adorable characters, and loads of action, this platformer promises an enjoyable time.

Solitary Fighter (1991)

In the early 1950s, fighters from all over the United States competed against each other for prizes, money, and the honor of being the “strongest.” Can the young fighter Bud take the No. 1 spot against all odds? In this updated version of “Violence Fight” choose from 6 playable characters instead of the original 4 and enjoy new features and gimmicks.

Dinorex (1992)

Set in a world ruled by the Amazons, where humans and dinosaurs coexisted, this fighting game tells the story of the dino-tamers; young men who pit their tamed dinosaurs against each other in order to win the title of Dinorex, and the hand of the much sought-after Queen of Amazonia!

Metal Black (1991)

Earth is on the verge of collapse due to invading alien forces, and this side-scrolling shooter sees you piloting the Black Fly fighter ship to take the battle to your enemies! Compete for the Newalone energy source with the invaders and defeat them with powerful laser weapons.

Attention all TAITO super fans!

For those who were with us during the release of the first legendary TAITO Milestones collection, and for those who wish they were, we’ve been busy crafting something just for you, and the countdown has begun!

So, gear up, spread the word, and keep your eyes locked on our channels for the upcoming announcement.

Source: PR Email

Today, 31st of May 2023, Deck13 Spotlight and Just2D are thrilled to announce the release of an exciting and revealing ‘teaser’ gameplay trailer for DROVA – Forsaken Kin, the grim dark Pixel RPG set in a mystic celtic world.

The brutal open world will welcome new travellers in 2024 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Enslave the spirits of nature – or save them!

Welcome to the promised land of Drova, where the priests have praised this new world. Full of hope you travel through a portal into this new otherworld – just to realize that you are on your own and no one seems to appreciate the paradise. Instead, Drova is a grim world where every man is for himself.

Two factions  – one trying to enslave the spirits of nature, one trying to save the spirits to keep the world alive – which path will you choose? And, more importantly, will you be able to survive in a world which will always try to kill you?

The new Gameplay Trailer gives players the chance to take a first look at the atmospheric open world, gruesome enemies and the harsh conditions where bandits might just knock you out to rob you.  And maybe even a first look on the magic abilities players will be able to cast if they make use of the spirits of nature.

Grab your axe, sharpen your blades and explore a grim dark world when Drova – Forsaken Kin will launch on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in 2024.

Source: PR Email

Wednesday 31st May 2023: Indie publisher Ratalaika Games and Blackwing Gaming are excited to announce the forthcoming release of Kuroi Tsubasa, a colourful and polished graphic novel set for release on 2nd June 2023.

Launching on  PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch, fans of  this genre will be interested to note that the game was developed  by a community of gamers who had a special love of graphic novels contributing skilled artists, musicians and so on.

A graphic novel is essentially based around a strong story line and interesting cast and Kuroi Tsubasa has it all sealed up nicely. What makes this story compelling is the huge cast of characters with extremely different issues. Kuroi Tsubasa were designed in a way to be relatable for specific fears and trauma, and offer relief for those who can relate. Bullying, poverty, the crushing weight of high expectations, and so on. By discussing these topics, and finding ways to cope with them ensures the story moves forward whilst being interesting and thoughtful.

Setting the Scene

Blackwing, the central character, a literal devil, escaped from hell because his grandpa told him that the mortal realm is much nicer. However, because he is not that bright (but thinks he is), he neglected to keep his evil powers in check, which manifest as “shadow”, that possesses people and causes havoc. The shadow can only possess people with emotional problems by promising to fulfil their wishes – which then get twisted and turned dark. To keep further accidents from happening, Blackwing needs a vessel with strong positive emotions, which he finds in the form of a plushie belonging to the office worker Kureha. Blackwing and her band together on their quest to defeat the shadow and help the people in need (or so Kureha thinks, Blackwing just wants to laze around). During the story the shadow possesses various people, all of whom Kureha and Blackwing need to help. The solutions are strictly non-combat, as the shadow can only possess people with traumas and deep-seated emotional issues, so by working these out Kureha and Blackwing can cast the shadow out.

Kureha is the main heroine and second protagonist from the game. She’s an office lady in her early 20s, and gets bullied at her workplace. Her colleagues hate her, her supervisor is a mean bully, and Kureha has literally no confidence. She’s shy and timid, but also has a goofy side. After Blackwing grants her the power to transform into a magical girl, complete with a frilly dress, her life takes a sharp 180° turn. Being a magical girl grants her the ability to read the emotional state of other people, among other things.

A tangled web of intrigue

Although Kuroi Tsubasa is intrinsically linear and  there is only one ending (and one secret, unlockable ending that serves as an epilogue) there are different choices the player can make that  provide extra scenes, high quality CG art or background information about the characters. A fun example would be Tanaka’s side story.

He serves as a minor antagonist, but by choosing the correct choices over the course of the majority of the game, the player can learn much more about him, experience his failing love life, and generally laugh at his antics. This increases replayability, but for those who only want to experience one set story, the players are not forced to restart the game again and again to experience a satisfying ending.

Kuroi Tsubasa offers everything plus a lot more with its eye candy looks and  cleverly devised and interesting cast.

Feature and facts

• 120,000 words, so around 10 hours playtime plus achievements
• Over 50 songs, all created for this game, including several vocal tracks
• Two music videos in-game
• Including variations: over 50 CGs! (CG = graphic that’s not sprite + background, but a unique piece of art for a specific scene)
• A completely new bonus chapter after the game, exclusive for the console release

Love the look! Expertise A1!

Many artists came together and worked with their unique style and skill sets. Every sprite shines and stands out from the rest. The same can be considered for the backgrounds, some have been created in blender, as fully 3d render, while others have been painted traditionally, or digitally. The huge variety, and monumental amount of different assets, make this really stand out. An interesting  quote from the team, ‘Visual novels are the facial expressions – where most novels like this have maybe a dozen faces per character, we have literally billions through clever combining of assets and posing of the characters. All of which can be easily assessed in the character viewer in-game, by the way.

Source: PR Email

Edinburgh, Scotland – May 25th, 2023 – Firestoke and Catastrophic_Overload are pleased to unveil Bish Bash Bots and reveal that the game is pushing and shoving its way to PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch in 2023. Think of the mayhem and madness of Overcooked mashed up with a strategic tower defense game, lovingly crafted for couch co-op fans!

Supporting 1 – 4 players locally or online, Bish Bash Bots is a co-op party game that merges tower defense with a fun and frantic brawler. In a cartoony take on a future where machines have stolen technology from humans and are turning it against them, a team of unlikely heroes set out on a grand adventure to reset the rogue robots and save the world. With 8 vibrant and colourful biomes across 32 levels, players will have to contend with a variety of hazards such as turrets overheating in the Volcano biome to the overgrown Jungle where mutant plants may even snatch up players.

Bish Bash Bots throws its own unique twist on the traditional tower defense genre by providing more variety in gameplay. New mechanics are constantly introduced as the game progresses and waiting for actions to play out will be a thing of the past as you are always on the move, ready to defend the EMP! Get ready to build upgradable turrets, unlock gadgets and bash bots with giant hammers. An array of turrets and gadgets will allow players to mix up their strategy as they come face to face with unique robots that can be pushed, shoved and even bashed down holes!

“Bish Bash Bots is a big step up for us as a studio – delving into the world of 3D, online AND releasing on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch as well as PC! Phew!”, said James Letherby, co-founder of Catastrophic_Overload. “We are super happy to be able to bring you something new and hopefully exciting. As lovers of co-op we can’t wait for you to bash some bots with your friends.”

“Bish Bash Bots is shaping up for a late summer 2023 launch,” said Firestoke CEO Paul Farley. “It was one of the first games we signed when founding Firestoke and the partnership with the talented team at Catastrophic_Overload has been a lot of fun. Not only are they a super creative team, they also have a keen understanding of what players want. They’ve been able to channel their passion for the game into something that is at the same time both familiar and yet unique in the tower defense genre. Their sense of fun and innovation definitely shines through with all that Bish Bash Bots has to offer!”

Source: PR Email

On May 26th QubicGames will release Mystical Mixing and Johnny Trigger on the Nintendo Switch console.

1. Price on release: $3.99/€3.99/ £3.59 (20% discount on start)
2. Players can get Mystical Mixing and Johnny Trigger for $1.99/€1.99/ £ 1.79 (60% discount) if they own one of selected QubicGames titles.
3. Both titles are available also for only $1.79 for Trove users, all information on: qubicgames.com/trove (promotion for North America Only)

Mystical Mixing

Pour the potion into the cauldron, throw in the clover, bone and feather, stir and voila – you have a cute Mixie!

Combine other ingredients to create Mixies with different features: winged, horned, spotted, furry… the possibilities are endless.

Let your Mixie friends explore the mysterious island, find hidden treasures, repair the magical portal and collect new ingredients to create even more adorable pets. Over time, you might even discover a way to combine Mixies with each other.

Mystical Mixing is an enchanting simulation game that will immerse you in a world of magic, alchemy and wonder. So grab your cauldron and start the adventure!

Johnny Trigger

Stylish, deadly and smooth as a billiard ball, Johnny Trigger is a man on a mission in this non-stop platform shooter game where the action never ends.

Do you have what it takes to bring down the underground world of the mafia?

“Less talk, more bullets” – that’s Johnny’s motto as he runs, jumps, spins, slides and keeps on shooting till every bad guy’s bitten the dust.

Source: PR Email

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is coming to Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC on October 3, 2023 in North America!
October 6, 2023 in Europe and October 13, 2023 in Oceania.

Two unlikely allies. One unforgettable journey. The fight to free Hinomoto is about to erupt in Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless!

To challenge the tyrannical Demmodore Opener and his Demonic Magistrates, Fuji and Pirilika must gather seven powerful weapons of legend. Can this uneasy alliance, threatened by clashing ideas, overcome the threats ahead?

We’ll be hosting an AMA with the director of Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless, Shunsuke Minowa, on June 7, 2023 at 1pm PDT on r/JRPG! Prepare your questions and learn all about Disgaea 7 by visiting the official website!

Source: PR Email

Indie publisher Ratalaika Games and Meridian4 join forces with Indie developer R_Games to announce the forthcoming release of Replikator, a challenging, eventful and addictive overhead shooter. Launching on  PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch on May 26th 2023, this roguelite presentation combines fast gameplay in an ongoing experience of discovering a mystery of a deadly saga  of what occurred at a research complex.

Death Walks Beside you

Replikator offers shooter fans a sci-fi setting where gameplay centres around exploring the intricate labyrinths of space stations and fighting with hordes of enemies. Dozens of weapons and implants (passive skills) help the player but a sharp eye and evasive movement are also required to avoid hail of bullets and monsters that lurk. If the player’s character dies, then he will be reborn at the very beginning, but thanks to the resources found, he will be able to buy permanent improvements that will help him move forward in the next run.

Disaster Strikes

It appears that an accident occurred at the classified research complex, which led to the death of all personnel but all is not quite clear. A group of mercenaries led by the smuggler Khan will have to find out the reason for what happened.

To keep explosive action ‘unpredictably’  challenging, station mazes and items in them are generated procedurally, so each attempt is essentially unique. Gradually, the player will find blueprints of new items as well as finding entries from the crew of the complex which will  reveal what happened here. At the same time, the player has the main goal – to get to the Replicator and defeat it.

• Dynamic battles. You will have to constantly move and aim well to survive!
• Danger at every turn. Many different enemies and traps will not let you get bored.
• Dozens of upgrade items. Explore stations looking for new upgrades for your character.
• Meta progression. In this game, each death will only make you stronger, because after death you will be able to buy permanent improvements for your character and the hub ship.
• Procedural generation! The location of rooms, enemies and traps, as well as weapons and all items, are generated procedurally.
• Space raccoon! and three more playable characters. All of them differ in starting characteristics, preferred weapons and special techniques.
• Intriguing story. Explore the abandoned science complex and find out what happened here!

The player needs to complete 12 levels, including 5 bosses and as the player progresses the challenge becomes harder so many attempts may be required! Constant battles with ‘bosses’  with new attacks and moves as they become stronger will have to be faced!  During the exploration of the stations, the player will find nanocubes that remain with him after death.

They can be spent on the purchase of permanent improvements – for example, you can increase the maximum supply of ammunition or open access to a new workbench to improve weapons.

Replikator delivers masses of new content as the game progresses,  and action is unashamedly fast, precise and deadly!

This twin stick shooter is red hot with hordes of crazy and blood thirsty enemies out to get you or one of the playable characters you select – of which there are 4! Top down action has never been so demanding, so can you win out?

‘The game is designed for one player. Approx 8-9 hours will be enough to defeat the last boss, however, it may take 30 or more hours to study all the content’ , R_Games.

Replikator offers a full package of challenges, settings & atmosphere!

Source: PR Email

Monster Menu: The Scavenger’s Cookbook is available now on Nintendo Switch™, PS4™ and PS5™!

Tighten your pack and loosen your belt before digging into this dungeon-crawling adventure! Monster Menu: The Scavenger’s Cookbook spices up the classic SRPG formula with deliciously fun cooking-based mechanics. Indulge in detailed character creation for your party, gather resources, ingredients, and items while exploring, and fight monsters in tactical combat!

Watch the launch trailer to get a glimpse into the gourmet adventures that await, then prepare for your journey by purchasing a Limited Edition while supplies last!

Help us celebrate the launch of Monster Menu by heading over to Twitter and entering in our Limited Edition & Acrylic Print Giveaway going on now through May 26, 2023!

Source: PR Email

IRVINE, Calif. – May 23, 2023 – SEGA®️ announced today that the digital editions of the upcoming rhythm action game Samba de Amigo: Party Central are now available to pre-order for Nintendo Switch on the Nintendo eShop. In addition, SEGA has also revealed that Samba de Amigo: Party Central will officially be released for Nintendo Switch in the West on August 29, 2023!

Digital Deluxe Edition details revealed

Those who purchase the Samba de Amigo: Party Central Digital Deluxe Edition ($49.99 MSRP) on the Nintendo eShop will receive the following:

• The Standard Edition of the game

• Sonic Music DLC Pack that includes fan-favorite tracks such as “Open Your Heart” from Sonic Adventure™, “Reach For The Stars (Re-Colors)” from Sonic Colors™️: Ultimate, and “I’m Here” from Sonic Frontiers™!

• SEGA Music DLC Pack has you setting the festivities on fire with popular tracks from SEGA’s history: “Bakamitai (Taxi Driver Edition)”, “Go Go Cheer Girl!” from Space Channel 5™️: Part 2, and “Rhythm Thief Theme” from Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure™️!

• Special costumes inspired by Sonic and Tails from the Sonic the Hedgehog™ series; Space Channel 5; Super Monkey Ball™️; and Puyo Puyo™️!

A Digital Standard edition of the game ($39.99 MSRP) is also available for pre-order.

For more information on the game, including where to pre-order the physical edition and check out the full reveal of the 40 songs featured in the game at launch, be sure to visit the newly-updated official website at https://sambadeamigo.sega.com/!

About Samba de Amigo: Party Central

• Get up and shake it center stage in this vibrant and colorful rhythm action game with smooth Joy-Con controls that make the game fun for everyone.
• Groove to 40 hit songs from the world’s most popular genres, with more arriving as post-launch DLC!
• Test your technique in a variety of minigames and challenges.
• Strut that style by customizing your character with unique costumes and accessories.
• Hit the dance floor with up to 7 other players online in World Party mode.
• Show the world what you’ve got by competing on the online leaderboards.

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – May 23, 2023 – ININ Games, together with TAITO Corporation, announces that Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! – the latest instalment of the family-friendly Puzzle Bobble / Bust-A-Move franchise – is AVAILABLE NOW!

This highly anticipated game is now available for purchase digitally and physically for Nintendo Switch, offering a delightful and addictive puzzle experience for players of all ages.

Is your couch big enough? For the very first time, you can enjoy it with up to four players locally, in exciting multiplayer matches but also as cooperative gameplay inside the rich story mode. Play together or against each other, individually or as teams – or challenge the whole world in the online mode with 1vs1 battles.

To celebrate the launch, TAITO Corporation and ININ Games are releasing a Free Online Demo of Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! on the same day. Available in the Nintendo eShop, this demo provides access to the online game mode until June 30th. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take a sneak peek into the world of Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! and engage in bubble-popping 1vs1 online matches! Players can keep the progress when upgrading to the full version of the game later. A subscription to “Nintendo Switch Online “ is required to play the Free Online Demo.

All editions of the title can be found at ININGames.com.

The launch of Puzzle Bobble Everybobble! is accompanied by the release of the 16-bit version of Puzzle Bobble. This classic title, which has captivated nostalgic fans for years, can now be downloaded separately on the Nintendo eShop at the price of Euro 7,99 – ensuring that you can relive the cherished memories this timeless gem has to offer. The original game was released in 1995 on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and was internationally known as Bust-A-Move.

Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! is already receiving a lot of love, with Famitsu awarding the game an impressive score of 8/8/8/7 [31/40], confirming its status as a must-play title for puzzle enthusiasts and fans of the series alike.

Key features of Puzzle Bobble Everybubble!:

• For the first time in the series, up to four players can play together in the Story Mode!
• You can compete with players worldwide for high scores in online rankings!
• Local battles feature 2vs2 team battles for the first time in the series!
• Climb the ranks in online leaderboards in 1vs1 battles against players from around the world!
• Create your own password-protected online matches and invite your friends
• Aliens incoming! To commemorate the 45th anniversary of TAITO´s famous brand SPACE INVADERS, you have to defend the planet in the “PUZZLE BOBBLE VS SPACE INVADERS” mini-game.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, this latest bubbly entry guarantees hours of addictive fun and challenging puzzles, when playing alone or with your friends.

For more information about Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! and the Puzzle Bobble / Bust-A-Move series, please visit ININ Games or TAITO’s official website.

Source: PR Email