Twinworld Game Reviews

Posts Tagged ‘Nintendo’

Helsinborg, Sweden, 3rd July, 2025 – Independent Swedish developer Decemberborn Interactive today announced that Cathedral: Crow’s Curse, a standalone prequel to their acclaimed action-adventure Cathedral, is coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam! Cathedral: Crow’s Curse invites players to return to the mysterious world of Cathedral, reimagined with a bold new pixel art style, dynamic lighting, fluid animations, and a gripping new story centered around the enigmatic Shade Sentinels and their fateful curse.

Play as Crow, a skilled Shade Sentinel first introduced as an NPC in Cathedral. As the balance of the Shade Forest begins to unravel, Crow must venture through cursed woods and forgotten ancient ruins to uncover the roots of the Sentinel order and confront the dark forces at its core.

Combat is fast, fluid, and skill-based, requiring players to learn enemy patterns, time dodges, blocks, parries, and strike with precision. Not every encounter needs to be loud – stealth plays a key role, allowing players to sneak past foes or ambush them with devastating backstabs.

Explore a richly hand-crafted world, featuring familiar locations from Cathedral alongside vast new areas, seamlessly connected in a more open and immersive landscape. Departing from the signature 8-bit NES aesthetic of the original game, Cathedral: Crow’s Curse elevates the series with detailed pixel art, dynamic lighting, and enhanced animations, creating a tighter, more responsive combat experience and a visually stunning world to explore.

“At Decemberborn Interactive, we’re passionate about making games that resonate with players,” said Eric Lavesson, Founder and CTO at Decemberborn Interactive. “Returning to the world of Cathedral and telling this story in our own way is something we’ve poured our hearts into. We hope that passion shines through in every part of Cathedral: Crow’s Curse.”

Key Features:

• Skill-Based Combat – Face challenging enemies and master fast, precision-based combat. Learn patterns, dodge, parry and time your strikes for maximum impact.
• Seamless, Hand-Crafted World – Explore a meticulously designed world that’s more interconnected and seamless than ever before.
• Stealth and Tactics – Sneak past vigilant foes or strike from the shadows with deadly backstabs. Enemies respond to sight, sound, and touch – stay quiet, stay hidden, strike quickly.
• Upgrades and Abilities – Discover powerful items, unlock expansive skill trees and acquire new movement abilities to aid your journey.

Source: PR Email

Berlin, Germany,  3rd July, 2025 – Fans of the Simon The Sorcerer point and click adventure tales, or should we say enthralling dramas, were thrilled to learn last month that ININ Games is set to release Simon The Sorcerer ORIGINS, this 28st October 2025, on all major platforms. The brand new prequel release is already  having an impact as the wish lists are rapidly growing as excitement builds. Targeted for PC, Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation 4/5,  Microsoft Xbox, Mac and PC, Linux + Steam Deck.

Quality Looks!

It has been well chronicled that the game has a number of stops and starts but throughout development the quality and entertainment value has been unsurpassed with animation, hand drawn artwork and music created by a professional team whose work has been seen via a number of Disney, Netflix projects.

Quality Music and Voice Overs!

Dialogue comes in two languages by iconic actors (Chris Barrie – English and Erik Borner – Deutsch) plus localisation in 11 languages gives it worldwide appeal!

Composer Mason Fisher, celebrated for his work on Eye of the Beholder, Age of Wonders, F.E.A.R, Extraction Point, etc., contributes the backing soundtrack to the game, as well as the HUGE pop hitmaker and chart topper Rick Astley.

Quality Story Line

Set in April 1993, a few weeks before the events of the first episodes released 30 years ago…… SMALLTHING Studios, the developer, spent years researching and creating the storyline with the assistance and input from Simon Woodroffe (along with his father Mike), who was the lead creator and designer of the original Simon The Sorcerer series back in the 90s that were HUGE hits. Attention to detail, character analysation, attention to settings have all been researched to bring everything to life as you will see in the latest video creation!

Humour, sarcasm and a challenge was always the essence of a Simon the Sorcerer tale and Simon The Sorcerer ORIGINS has it in shed loads!

Source: PR Email

We are excited to announce that the latest entry in the pixel action RPG series Cladun, Cladun X3, will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC later this year.

About Cladun X3

Villains from near and far have been summoned to Arcanus Cella to participate in a cutthroat death game in the name of achieving world peace. You are one of those villains.

To survive this dangerous death game, you’ll need to power up your strength and venture into the depths of mysterious dungeons. Conquer floors teeming with ferocious monsters, avoid deadly traps, and make evil allies to aid in your journey. Do you have what it takes to become the ultimate evil?

Cladun X3 is the latest entry in the Cladun series of pixel action RPGs where everything from characters to their weapons and even music is fully customizable. Players can choose from six different weapon types and 10 different jobs to conquer the dungeons of Arcanus Cella. Recruit custom characters to join your cause and use their power to enhance a single unit with the Magic Circle System, a unique system to the Cladun series. Each job has their own stats, preferred weapons, and Magic Circles to try!

Features

Pixel Power

Hack, slash, and spell your way to villainous victory in floors teeming with monsters and traps! Conquer the death game in the story mode, and test your mettle in randomly-generated Ran-geons filled with untold treasures.

Your Dungeon, Your Rules

Customize practically every aspect of your Cladun experience from A to Z! Create your own characters, weapons, towns—even music!

Form a Circle

A Magic Circle, that is! In this system unique to the Cladun series, inactive party members can be assigned to formations to provide stat boosts and abilities to a single player-controlled character. Plus, they’ll also serve as handy meat shields in battle!

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – 01.July 2025 – Today ININ, Tozai Games, Irem are proud to announce the release of Irem Collection Volume 3, the latest installment in the beloved retro game series, bringing back a trio of true arcade treasures. This digital-only release is available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5/4, Xbox One and Series X|S, priced at €24,99.

Taking a fresh twist from previous volumes, Volume 3 explores the fantasy-infused side of Irem´s arcade legacy, showcasing three unique shoot ‘em up titles from late ’80s and early ’90s. Each title offers its own distinct game mechanics that will challenge your play-skill and imagination.

Mr. Heli

Meet Mr. Heli, the quirky, legged chopper with a whole lot of firepower! Debuting in Japanese arcades in 1987, this multidirectional “cute ‘em up” shooter lets you pilot through inventive stages filled with puzzle-like maps, hidden paths, and massive bosses. Mine crystals, earn cash, and upgrade your arsenal to keep those rotor blades spinning! This arcade classic created a sensation when it was released, and made players wonder how a game that looked so cute could kick so much ass!

Mystic Riders

Magic meets mayhem in Mystic Riders, the 1992 fantasy shooter where you ride broomsticks and battle giant sky turtles, flaming demons, and other mythical creatures. Use your broom as a boomerang to block projectiles, dodge-roll past dangerous hazards, and blast through vibrant worlds. Don’t go it alone – team up in local co-op as Mark the wizard or Zeal the witch for an enchanted ride through arcade history. Mystic Riders features some very original gameplay mechanics, making it both interesting and fun to play – while also challenging players in ways that other shooters never could!

Dragon Breed

Finally, from brooms to dragons – the 1989 arcade gem Dragon Breed throws you into a biomechanical nightmare! Ride into battle on the mighty dragon Bahamoot who can shield you from danger and scorch everything in your path. Think R-Type meets fantasy apocalypse – with wings. This fabulous coin-op was overlooked by many players when it was released, but now you have the chance to see for yourself why so many arcade aficionados consider this to be one of Irem’s best-kept secrets.

Irem Collection Volume 3 Highlights:

• Three high-fantasy and sci-fi horizontal shoot ‘em ups from Irem

Included Versions:

• Mr. Heli/Battle Chopper: Arcade (EN/JP), PC Engine (JP)

• Mystic Riders: Arcade (EN/JP)

• Dragon Breed: Arcade (EN/JP)

• Gameplay features:

  • Optional controller enhancements, including rapid-fire button assignment and customizable control layouts.

  • Quick save/load and built-in rewind to keep the action flowing.

  • Display filters to recreate that original arcade look and feel.

  • Worldwide leaderboards to show off your high-score dominance.

  • Local 2-player co-op in Mystic Riders for magical tag-team action.

  • Packed with bizarre enemies, massive bosses, and legendary gameplay.

Don’t stop at Volume 3! Remember Volume 1 and Volume 2 are also available digitally on the same platforms, so you can complete your Irem Collection experience.

Are you an enthusiastic game collector that prefers physical editions? Our sister label, Strictly Limited Games, offers limited and collector´s editions for all three volumes, which are available now for pre-order. Interested? Visit Strictly Limited Games and secure your copy today!

Source: PR Email

Calgary, Canada – July 1st, 2025 – Independent developer and publisher Eastasiasoft Limited in partnership with Vivid Helix are thrilled to announce that Neon Noodles, the award-winning cyberpunk kitchen automation puzzler, will officially launch on PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on July 16th, 2025.

After making waves with its PC release, Neon Noodles is bringing its deep, open-ended automation gameplay to consoles, letting players orchestrate culinary perfection in a dystopian world where food is power and precision is everything.

Inspired by beloved puzzle automation classics from Zachtronics, Neon Noodles puts you in control of a futuristic food factory. Record and refine the movements of your robotic chefs as they whip up a global menu of dishes, from ramen and bibimbap to paella and guacamole—over 250 recipes using more than 400 ingredients.

As a mysterious figure with no memory and a hidden past, you’ll rise through the ranks of a Criminal Rehabilitation Program to uncover your true identity and take control of Neon Noodles itself. Design elaborate machines, optimize your food production pipeline, and expose the corporate secrets behind the world’s most coveted meals.

Whether you’re cooking on the go with the Nintendo Switch or seeking ultra-optimized builds on Xbox and PlayStation, Neon Noodles delivers a satisfying blend of story, challenge, and cyberpunk flair, no matter your platform.

“I designed Neon Noodles with controller support from the start, so players could flexibly create and optimise the smallest, fastest – or simply the prettiest – cooking layouts in a truly cyberpunk future,” says Radu Muresan, founder and solo developer at Vivid Helix. “The idea actually came to me after playing Overcooked and thinking, ‘I want this… but without having to talk to anyone.’ So instead, you get to program robots!”

Source PR Email

SANTA ANA, California, June 30, 2025 — Prepare to set sail on a fantastic maritime adventure when Nicalis releases Cats Away as a digital download for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Steam on July 10, 2025.

In Cats Away, players manage the crew and resources of a sailing ship on an exciting and dangerous exploratory voyage. Steer the ship during combat, maneuvering into more advantageous positions and giving orders on the fly to counter enemy tactics.

Between battles, dock in faraway ports-of-call to upgrade weapons and equipment, meet new friends (and enemies), learn new skills and much more. Take on side missions to earn treasure, level-up the captains and the crew and open new routes to uncharted waters!

Developed by Studio Saizensen with Success Corp., Cats Away follows the adventures of three seafaring sisters named Kanna, Lilia and Alicia. Together with their faithful cat crewmates, they embark on a perilous maritime journey involving pirate guilds, a mysterious cat-hating syndicate, ancient magic spells and giant mutated monsters.

Cats Away features 60 different cat breeds with varying abilities—some are best at manning weapons, some excel at piloting remote units, others repair and maintain the ship or administer first aid. The three sisters have different strengths and weaknesses as well, so the commands that are available during battle will change depending on which one is currently acting as the ship’s captain.

Cats Away will be released as a digital download on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Steam platforms on July 10, 2025.

Source: PR Email

26 JUNE 2025 – German indie studio Zockrates Laboratories and US publisher Phiphen Games are as excited as their titular mascot Ruffy, that the day is finally here! After 7 years of hard work, the hand-drawn 3D platformer, Ruffy and the Riverside, is out now on PC (Steam & Epic Games), PlayStation 5, Xbox One & Series X|S and Nintendo Switch(es).

Ruffy and the Riverside will be priced at $19.99 USD (or regional equivalents) on all stores, with a 10% week-long launch discount on Steam as well as a bundle with the soundtrack (for an additional 11% off). On Xbox and Nintendo Switch, there is a 10% discount that lasts for 72 hours.

Ruffy and the Riverside has a unique SWAP mechanic that lets players copy & paste textures in the world to solve puzzles and help the friendly inhabitants of Riverside. Ride haybales around the open world and use your creativity to unlock hidden secrets and gather various collectables!

About the game

In Ruffy and the Riverside, you wield the magic power of SWAP, using it to Copy & Paste textures within the game world. Turn ice into lava or waterfalls into vines as you ride hay bales, explore, fight, and solve puzzles throughout Riverside. Unleash your imagination in this quirky open-world action game that literally lets you change the world!

Ruffy just won’t stop! When the 3D world ends, he leaps into new 2D levels to collect even more treasures, but watch out – many obstacles must be swapped before you can safely pass through walls.

Explore the marvelous open world of Riverside, where Ruffy embarks on playful side quests, masters challenges, and collects magic treasures across seven distant regions. Ride hay bales, perform tricks on secret rails, and discover unknown areas as you meet the mysterious Etoi and help the colourful cast of characters.

Key Features

• Use and master the power of SWAP to copy & paste elements in the game world.
• Overcome various puzzles through creative manipulation of objects.
• Jump, fight and skate around the open world of Riverside
• Solve puzzles and find treasures hidden in 2D levels
• Unlock seven outer regions, each with unique challenges and settings.
• More than a dozen characters each with quests to complete
• Use dreamstones to create & apply custom textures to elements like stone, waterfalls and more…
• Enjoy a magical atmosphere with a focus on exploration & discovery.
• Gather various collectables, such as coins, butterflies, dreamstones and cute Etoi creatures!

Source: PR Email

Deck13 Spotlight and Umami Tiger, the newly founded Studio from Matthias Linda, are proud to announce Ashes of Elrant that the official DLC for the masterpiece and award winning indie JRPG Chained Echoes will be releasing August 7th for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Ashes of Elrant offers more of what fans and media loved: A new land to explore, more than 40 new monsters and bosses, 15 new tracks by mastermind Eddie Marianukroh (and maybe once again an interesting spin by an external band. Remember the turtles? Well, well…), gorgeous pixel art and finally a fishing minigame. Which isn’t mini. Trust us.

The ‘Crimson Wings’ are needed once more!

Ashes of Elrant takes players to a new land, away from Valandis. It is set right before the final fight of Chained Echoes so you can prepare yourself for meeting your beloved heroes once again. The Clan of the Crimson Wings has to answer a call for help from the land of Elrant. A land where nothing is as it seems.

Fans will learn more about the background story of Valandis and also get a deeper look at the characters and their motivations. And with the White Wolf also someone really, really special within the history of Valandis will join the cast.

Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant is the official DLC for Chained Echoes releasing August 7th for PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, expanding the world Matthias Linda created and offering an all new adventure.

Source: PR Email

Wiesbaden, Germany – June 26, 2025 – Strap on your jetpack and grow out your best moustache: Klaus Lee – Thunderballs is officially out now on Steam, GOG, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One! This over-the-top retro action-platformer throws you into a pixel-perfect 80s fever dream of explosions, temples, and homemade mayhem – for just €12.99 – with launch discounts across all platforms!

Play as Klaus Lee – stuntman, action hero, and part-time planet-saver – as you run, jump, jetpack, and detonate your way through over 100 handcrafted levels. Outwit traps, defy gravity, and blast your way to glory. And when you’ve mastered the madness? Craft your own challenges with the powerful built-in level editor and share them with the world!

Key Features:

• 100+ fast-paced levels full of traps, secrets, and explosions

• Slow motion and dynamite mechanics for tactical platforming

• Robust Level Editor – create and share your own stages

• Retro pixel art and an 80s action movie vibe

• Packed with style, absurdity, and moustache-fueled stunts

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – 19th June 2025 – Today, ININ, Tozai Games, Irem are back with the third instalment of the Irem Collection! Get ready for a high-fantasy ride through one of the Irem golden eras where magic, machines and mayhem came together to deliver a trio of true arcade treasures!

Unlike the previous volumes, this time, we will bring three fantasy-infused shoot ‘em up titles that will challenge your play-skill and imagination. Fly with choppers, broomsticks or dragons as you blast your way through skies filled with bizarre enemies and contend with some seriously intense action!

Irem Collection Volume 3 will be available digitally only, coming July 1st on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5/4, and Xbox for only €24,99!

Mr. Heli/Battle Chopper

Meet Mr. Heli, the quirky, legged chopper with a whole lot of firepower! Debuting in Japanese arcades in 1987, this multidirectional “cute ‘em up” shooter lets you pilot through inventive stages filled with puzzle-like maps, hidden paths, and massive bosses. Mine crystals, earn cash, and upgrade your arsenal to keep those rotor blades spinning! This arcade classic created a sensation when it was released, and made players wonder how a game that looked so cute could kick so much ass!

Mystic Riders

Magic meets mayhem in Mystic Riders, the 1992 fantasy shooter where you ride broomsticks and battle giant sky turtles, flaming demons, and other mythical creatures. Use your broom as a boomerang to block projectiles, dodge-roll past dangerous hazards, and blast through vibrant worlds. Don’t go it alone – team up in local co-op as Mark the wizard or Zeal the witch for an enchanted ride through arcade history. Mystic Riders features some very original gameplay mechanics, making it both interesting and fun to play – while also challenging players in ways that other shooters never could!

Dragon Breed

Finally, from brooms to dragons – the 1989 arcade gem Dragon Breed throws you into a biomechanical nightmare! Ride into battle on the mighty dragon Bahamoot who can shield you from danger and scorch everything in your path. Think R-Type meets fantasy apocalypse – with wings. This fabulous coin-op was overlooked by many players when it was released, but now you have the chance to see for yourself why so many arcade aficionados consider this to be one of Irem’s best-kept secrets.

Irem Collection Volume 3 Highlights:

• Three high-fantasy and sci-fi horizontal shoot ‘em ups from Irem

Included Versions:

• Mr. Heli/Battle Chopper: Arcade (EN/JP), PC Engine (JP)

• Mystic Riders: Arcade (EN/JP)

• Dragon Breed: Arcade (EN/JP)

• Gameplay features:

  • Optional controller enhancements, including rapid-fire button assignment and customizable control layouts.

  • Quick save/load and built-in rewind to keep the action flowing.

  • Display filters to recreate that original arcade look and feel.

  • Worldwide leaderboards to show off your high-score dominance.

  • Local 2-player co-op in Mystic Riders for magical tag-team action.

  • Packed with bizarre enemies, massive bosses, and legendary gameplay.

Don’t just try Volume 3! Remember Volume 1 and Volume 2 are also digitally available on the same platforms. Collect all three and have the ultimate experience of Irem’s arcade legacy!

Source: PR Email