Starnaut, the unique rogue-like indie game, is still in early access, but the updates are coming in steadily. The latest update was released less than a month ago, showcasing the team’s dedication to continuous development and improvement.
In this article, we’re presenting recent gameplay from September 2024 along with gameplay from February 2024 to showcase the game’s dev progress. The latest update addressed several bugs, and the development team is actively seeking feedback from supporters for potential new features as well. I've always respected that to the degree that solid updates and useful features are implmented. One notable addition is the beginning stage animation when your choice mask appears on your character, in addition to “Lost Data Copiasu".
Instead of just talking about the game, let’s dive into the latest gameplay since the update:
While the final release is still uncertain, Starnaut offers plenty of fun and replay value for just $7.99. If you like what you see, consider adding it to your collection. There’s also a prequel titled “Starnaut - Prologue Copiasu” available for $1.99. Personally, I believe this should be a reward for early supporters, but I digress. Other things I've noticed is the appearance of the... "Wonderful" character in the stage, who gets uncovered when you smash up bundles of scrap, the world is more fleshed out and I haven't come across any bugs.
Anyway, let's get into the initial gameplay (from February 2024):
Overall, I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far, and I can tell there is more structure for sure. The team at Crim Co. has done a fantastic job, and fans of El Shaddai will be happy to know that you get cross over action in Starnaut. I haven’t had the chance to try out the new character yet, but I’m excited to continue exploring this spaced-out fantasy action game. I don't believe the El Shaddai character is the one that's imprisoned, but I will find out when I find him. If anything comes to mind that can improve the experience, I will certainly run it by the team. Now that I think about it, I think this would be a great experience on Switch!
Shoot for the stars and game on! (Takes off on a used rocket held together by indestructible duct tape.)
The Classic Dreamcast Shoot 'Em Up Returns With Remastered Visuals, New Gameplay Modes, and Fully Localized Anime Cutscenes
Dust off your broomstick and get ready to take to the skies, because the beloved witch 'em up shooter Rainbow Cotton is back with a magical HD remake that just launched today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Steam! Originally released in 1999 on the Dreamcast, this cult classic title has been completely remastered for modern platforms, treating longtime fans and newcomers alike to a dazzling visual overhaul, silky smooth gameplay, new features and modes, and—for the first time ever—fully localized anime cutscenes with English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German subtitles.
In Rainbow Cotton HD Remake, players take control of the adorably mischievous witch Cotton and her fairy companions as they embark on a sugary sweet quest to gather up delicious Willow candies. Using an arsenal of whimsical spells and magical attacks, Cotton must fend off an onslaught of demonic enemies and outrageous bosses across vibrant, fantasy-themed stages. It's a wild and wondrous romp that beautifully captures the series' trademark blend of intense shoot 'em up action and offbeat, lighthearted storytelling.
"The original Rainbow Cotton was a beloved cult classic that really pushed the boundaries of the shoot 'em up genre with its charming characters, creative spellcasting mechanics, and delightfully quirky sense of humor," said Takashi Izuka, director at developer Success. "With this HD remake, we've carefully preserved all the whimsical gameplay that made the original so special while also overhauling the graphics, adding awesome new features, and finally giving Western audiences a chance to experience the full story with localized anime cutscenes."
While the core shooting mechanics that Rainbow Cotton fans know and love remain fully intact, the HD remake introduces a slew of enticing new enhancements. The visuals have been completely remastered in 1080p and 4K resolution with beautifully crisp sprite work, dazzling new lighting effects, and meticulously hand-drawn backgrounds that burst with vibrant colors and incredible details. The remixed soundtrack brings the game's upbeat, lighthearted melodies to life with renewed clarity as well.
Perhaps the most exciting new addition, though, is the debut of a local 2-player co-op mode, allowing a friend to join in on Cotton's magical misadventures for some couch co-op pandemonium. By collecting special items during levels, player two can actually transform into different fairy characters—each with their own unique abilities—allowing for some wild strategic teamwork and combo attacks. For the first time in series history, Rainbow Cotton's frenetic shooting action can be an eye-popping social experience!
The HD remake has also incorporated a host of new quality-of-life improvements to fine tune the gameplay, such as additional spellcasting options, revamped scoring systems, optional auto-fire for simplified play, and more. Combined with the buttery smooth frame rates and gorgeously remastered graphics, these enhancements ensure that Rainbow Cotton looks, sounds, and plays better than ever before.
Of course, one of the most highly anticipated components of this HD remake is the addition of localized versions of the original Dreamcast game's anime cutscenes, which were previously only available in Japanese voice acting with no subtitles. Now, fans in the West can finally experience the full narrative scope and quirky humor of Cotton's misadventures with the inclusion of subtitle tracks in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German. It's the most complete and accessible version of Rainbow Cotton's story to date!
With its irresistible charm, vibrant personality, and action-packed gameplay, the original Rainbow Cotton established itself as a must-play for any self-respecting shoot 'em up enthusiast or Dreamcast collector back in 1999. Over 20 years later, this enchanting cult classic has been expertly rejuvenated with the kind of deluxe HD remaster treatment it so richly deserves, introducing its wonderful blend of frenetic shooting, spellcasting mechanics, and off-the-wall storytelling to a whole new generation of gamers.
So grab your trusty broomstick controller, pucker up those lips, and get ready to blow away the demonic hordes as the irrepressible witch Cotton in this lovingly crafted HD remake, available today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Steam. It's the sweetest magical mayhem you'll experience all year! Just try not to stress out those poor fairy companions too much, okay?
NetEase Games and Marvel Games Reveal Marvel Rivals, A New Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter Featuring a Deep Roster Across the Marvel Universe
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad and fight in team-based, third-person 6v6 battles in the new, free-to-play, and continually evolving universe of Marvel Rivals!
Experience an unstoppable lineup of the most popular and iconic Super Heroes and Super Villains the Marvel universe has to offer.
Devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and decimating obstacles in your path via destructible environments.
Guangzhou, China and Los Angeles, United States, March 27, 2024 – NetEase Games and Marvel Games are excited to announce their latest collaboration: Marvel Rivals, a cooperative, Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter that lets players assemble an ever-evolving all-star squad of Super Heroes and Super Villains while battling with unique super powers across a dynamic lineup of destructible maps from across the Marvel Multiverse. Marvel Rivals is in development for PC by a NetEase team composed of global talent who previously worked on hit franchises such as Call of Duty and Battlefield.
“We are overjoyed to bring Marvel Rivals to players around the world. We have always loved Marvel’s universe and its characters, and we are so excited to develop this game,” said the Marvel Rivals Producer, Stephen Wu. “This is the game we want to make, and we feel very lucky to be the team who made all of this come true.”
“NetEase Games is excited to collaborate with Marvel Games to deliver a thrilling, fast-paced cooperative gameplay experience featuring all of your favorite Super Heroes,” said Ethan Wang, Senior Vice President, NetEase, Inc. “This partnership with Marvel Games continues our commitment to build world-class development teams and reach global audiences with cutting edge experiences.”
“Marvel Rivals is one of our most ambitious game development projects. Since the conceptualization of the game and throughout our collaboration, our Marvel team has poured our hearts and souls into this project, and we are thrilled to work with the incredible team at NetEase Games to help deliver the ultimate Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter,” says Jay Ong, EVP and Head of Marvel Games.
Marvel Rivals will feature the following:
A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster: Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse. With the Alpha Test in May, players will have access to more than a dozen playable Super Heroes and Super Villains, including iconic characters such as Black Panther, Spider-Man, Magneto, and Magik.
Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics: With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there's never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.
Dynamic Hero Synergy: Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!
Creative Environment Destruction: Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield. Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!
Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates: The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
Marvel Rivals features a storyline crafted by the NetEase writing team where the merciless clash between the tyrannical dictator Doctor Doom and his future counterpart from the year 2099 has forced countless universes to collide in the Timestream Entanglement, creating new worlds and crises still unknown. Now, Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the multiverse must fight together and against one another as disparate groups seek to defeat both Dooms before one achieves domination of these realities. Familiar faces become newfound foes while former enemies become the greatest of allies in Marvel Rivals!
For more information about Marvel Rivals and to sign up for upcoming beta tests, please visit:
The Weird Dream, seems to offer an intriguing blend of classic Metroidvania elements with its own unique twists. Featuring a chainsaw-wielding bunny protagonist adding a bizarre yet captivating charm to the game, which reminds me of F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch. As the narrative unfurls through fragmented storytelling and defeating over 40 bosses, players can expect a deep sense of achievement. With flexibility in character building and a focus on skillful play, the game encourages players to master the controls and develop their own approach to victory — a nod to the finely-tuned mechanics revered in games like Hollow Knight and Dead Cells.
The gameplay feels a little stiff at first, but you ultimately shrug it off because you don't get that feeling when it comes to combat. Adding updates could potentially refine the experience even further, so we hope the motivation the team got from games like Dead Cells brings updates over time to enhance the game post-release.
Don't sleep on the sound effects in this game. Good stuff. - Blu
Engaging boss fights, expansive exploration, and a deep world built with hand-drawn comics are core features that provide a bit of substance for the gameplay experience — a combination that can be appealing to both fans of the genre, and anime fans.
The Weird Dream is has a lot of promise, and it's available for 15% off the $13.99 price tag. So grab it for a limited time for $11.89 and game on!
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