Shadow of the Ninja Reborn... Reviewed: A Fresh Take on Retro 2D Gaming

Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a must-play for fans of 2D retro games. This 2024 release offers clean 2D pixel graphics, smooth animations, and engaging gameplay that pays homage to the original 1990 “Shadow of the Ninja.” Younger gamers, who often find retro games too stiff, will appreciate the fluidity of this title, reminiscent of classics gems like Metal Slug.

Storyline:

In Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn, you follow the Dark Assassins, Hayate and Kaede, from the Ryuha Shippu clan. Hayate, the future leader, and his senior, Kaede, embark on a mission not only for substantial rewards but also to liberate people from the antagonist’s tyranny. Hayate’s journey is as much about mastering his ninja skills as it is about controlling his temper, with Kaede ensuring he stays level-headed.

Gameplay:

The game features multiple modes, including the standard Arcade Mode and Time Attack Mode, where players can compete for the best times on online leaderboards (serving replay value for those craving competition).

Players can jump, attack, shadow step, and use various weapons and health items. The kusarigama allows for 360 degree long ranged attacks, you're able to wall run, suspend from scaffolding, stand on the handle of your blade for downward attacks mechanics add depth to the gameplay. Don’t forget to use your Ninjutsu attack when things get tough!

  Family Fun  

This game is perfect for family gaming sessions. While it supports two players, you can take turns, just like in the old days. Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn, is available for $19.99 on Switch, Playstation, PC Steam, and Xbox. Physical copies available... here.

Audio:

The music and audio effects in Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn evoke a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of Streets of Rage, Final Fight, and even stages from games like King of Fighters '93 (or possibly from '95, it's been awhile). The retro vibe is strong... in a good way + it feels fresh and exciting.

Price:

While more stages or a stage creation feature would be a welcome addition, Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a solid experience at $19.99. A price point of $14.99 might be a sweet spot in my opinion, but the game offers plenty of enjoyment for its cost.

Story 4 - You know the story (as mentioned above), but... if there were an actual (skippable) cutscene in place after the initial splash screens, that would be great. There is a cutscene, but... you have to wait at the title screen before it begins. How many people are going to actually wait around to see it, if they even know its there? Let the cutscene get it's shine.

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

4.75 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophi 

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FTS: FragPunk Announces Closed Beta With First Official Gameplay Trailer at Gamescom 2024

GUANGZHOU, China – August 23, 2024 – NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase, Inc. and Bad Guitar Studio announced during the Gamescom Xbox Broadcast that registrations are open for FragPunk’s upcoming closed beta test on Steam and Xbox, set to go live in early October. Interested players can head over to the game’s steam page or to the Xbox insider program to register.

FragPunk’s Closed Beta Test Pre-Registrations Are Open!

FragPunk’s closed beta test will begin in early October, with the specific dates to be shared next month. Players can sign up for the test starting August 23 by visiting the game’s Steam Page or by joining the Xbox insider program. Compared with the previous Alpha Test, this Beta Test will be opened to a wider range of players in Europe, North America, Latin America, Japan, and South Korea.

The test will feature an array of new and improved features, including heroes, cards and modes, with more details on the new content coming later in September. It will also be the first time the game is available on Xbox, with cross-play allowing players of both platforms to compete with each other.

The first official gameplay trailer for FragPunk was also released at the event, highlighting the game’s Shard Card mechanics and their numerous effects and interactions with one another. Moreover, the trailer showed the unique tiebreaker mechanic, Duel Mode. 

From Nail-biting tiebreakers to an encouraging alpha and beyond!

Aside from its appearance in the official gameplay trailer, the tie-breaker mechanic occurs in a match when both teams are tied at three round victories each. To decide the winner, a series of 1v1 duel gunfights play out, with each player facing an opponent with a single life. The player who wins moves on to fight the next competitor, making it possible for one team member to carry the entire squad to victory. 

FragPunk’s popularity kept progressing between its reveal and following Closed Alpha test in June. The amount of test applications has exceeded the team’s expectations, and in turn provided them with valuable feedback. Players and streamers who were invited to the Closed Alpha praised its unique aesthetics and its engaging gameplay loop which kept the pressure on thanks to the ever-changing nature of shard cards. 

In addition, FragPunk's recent video features stunning visuals made in collaboration with NVIDIA to showcase the game’s graphical quality, allowing for raytracing and NVIDIA DLSS 3 with Frame Generation. Even in the closed beta, our cast of heroic Punks are going into battle looking as good as possible.

The upcoming closed beta test is the ideal way to experience the game early and learn the ropes. So make sure to visit the game’s steam page or Xbox insider program to register your interest in the game and prepare for the test in October!

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Get the Most out of Your 2024 Gaming Budget

Gamescom Excitement Meets Reality

With a plethora of games slated for release in 2024 and beyond, it’s essential to make smart decisions to stretch your gaming budget in the most beneficial way. If you’re working with a tight budget, here are some tips to get the most bang for your buck.

Budget-Friendly Gaming Recommendations

To keep your spending under $100, we recommend selecting:

• One AAA game
• One mid-priced game
• One indie game

This approach provides variety and value, ensuring you enjoy a range of genres without breaking the bank. Let's not forget, you also have access to some solid free-to-play games that can fill in those genre's you may want to tap into beyond your main three purchases. If anything is left over, put some coin into your favorite free-to-play game for support.

Plan Your Purchases

Check out the latest announcements from Gamescom 2024, make a list of your must-have titles, and compare prices. Planning ahead will help you manage your budget effectively. Some of these games may be titles you place on your Wishmas list as well.

Stay Tuned for Gameplay Previews

Curious about gameplay? Keep an eye out for our First 30 installments (powered by  Epic Games), where we showcase the first 30 minutes of gameplay for upcoming titles. This sneak peek can help you decide which games are worth your investment.

Press play on the video below, grab some popcorn, and get ready for Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024. With careful planning and smart choices, you can make the most of your gaming budget in 2024. Game on!

 + Sophi 

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FTS: Seafaring Story Adventure “WILL: Follow The Light” Revealed at Future Games Show (PC, PS5, XSX)

 

 

WILL: Follow The Light – New Unreal Engine 5 Narrative Adventure Sets Sail at Gamescom 2024

Set sail on stormy seas and explore the rugged Nordic coast in an original narrative adventure from TomorrowHead Studio, coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025

SPOKANE, Wash. – Aug. 21, 2024 – International independent game developer TomorrowHead Studio has revealed the first trailer for its debut game, WILL: Follow The Light, during the Future Games Show. This realistic, single-player, first-person journey through the harsh northern latitudes is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2025.

About TomorrowHead Studio

Headquartered in Spokane, Washington, TomorrowHead Studio is a new international game development company inspired by the wanderlust of travel and exploration. Their mission is to send players on journeys of discovery, exploring places and worlds they’ve never been to before.

Game Overview

WILL: Follow The Light is a narrative adventure that takes players on a journey across stormy seas and rugged Nordic shores. Players will helm a sailing yacht, piloted with realistic controls developed in collaboration with arctic voyagers, navigating the cold and hostile environments of far-northern seas.

Story and Gameplay

Players assume the role of Will, a fearless man who grew up on the sea, as he ventures north in search of his missing son. The story explores the relationship between father and son, taking players on an emotional rollercoaster through wild thunderstorms, the ringing silence of loneliness, and a tale about the importance of caring for loved ones.

Challenges and Features

Players will face challenges both at sea and on land. As they progress, they will solve puzzles rooted in real life, chart their path using an authentic weather station and lifelike navigation system, and traverse snowy trails by dog sled in search of answers.

Developer Insights

“We have been working together on WILL for more than two years, so today’s announcement is an exciting moment for our team,” said Roman Novikov, Founder and Game Director at TomorrowHead Studio. “At TomorrowHead, we are inspired by some of the best games in the genre and what they do so well – Firewatch’s feeling of escape and loneliness… Alan Wake’s visuals and atmosphere – and we have invested deeply in art and technology to bring players a narrative adventure that will see players exploring the world in a whole new way. We’re looking forward to revealing more later this year.”

Initial Impressions

My initial thoughts on this game are that it’s a visually stunning headscratcher. It feels like it could be horror-based, but it’s not. I was expecting something to jump out at the protagonist, but it never happened. Instead, the goal is to reunite with your family, taking on the elements rather than arming yourself. This approach opens the door to players who enjoy great-looking games without combat, similar to fans of Myst.

While I would have loved to see some beasts to beware of, I understand the direction. As long as you know you’re preparing for a story-rich adventure puzzle game, your expectations will be realistic. Overall, it looks like an interesting game and I think it will be a cool experience. Game on!

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FTS: DON'T NOD Unveils "Koira" Release Date, Demo & Trailer (PC, PS5)

 

DON’T NOD Reveals New Gameplay Trailer, Release Date & Demo for Upcoming Adventure Game Koira

Koira is also coming to PlayStation 5 upon release

COLOGNE, Germany – Aug. 21, 2024 – DON'T NOD and Studio Tolima are pleased to reveal today, from gamescom, a new gameplay trailer for the upcoming adventure game Koira, which officially releases on April 17, 2025. The game will be released on PC, and we are happy to confirm that it will come to PlayStation 5 at the same time. A free demo of the game has also been launched on Steam in conjunction with the trailer.

Koira is a wholesome adventure game that follows a forest spirit and her new puppy friend as they journey together to reach safety in the heart of an enchanted forest. Solve ancient puzzles, befriend woodland creatures, and try to find your way home while avoiding danger along the way, as hunters lurk in the shadows... 

Koira's new trailer shows off the title's gameplay: the interactions between spirit and puppy and other woodland creatures, puzzle solving, and using stealth to avoid the relentless hunters.

The demo for Koira is available on Steam and takes players through different sections of the game to give a taste of what lies in store. Both publisher and developer eagerly await the feedback of demo players.

Koira is the second third-party game to be published by DON’T NOD and the first game coming out of Studio Tolima, a passionate team of developers in Belgium.

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FTS at Gamescom 2024: “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2” Opening Night Live Trailer (PC, PS5, XSX)

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Debuts New Trailer at Gamescom Opening Night Live!

COLOGNE, Germany – Aug. 20, 2024 – Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive have unveiled a thrilling new trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at Gamescom Opening Night Live. As a long-time fan of the series, I couldn’t wait to check it out.

Personal Experience with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

I played the original Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine extensively, enjoying the main campaign’s rewarding journey of mowing down aliens with both ranged and melee weaponry... from beginning to end. The PvP multiplayer was okay, but the main campaign was my favorite. It’s been over a decade since the first installment, and I’m excited to dive into this long-awaited sequel. (Time has flown by.)

New Trailer Highlights

The new trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 features stunning panning shots and quotes from press and influencers, highlighting the game’s strengths. This immersive glimpse into the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40,000 sets the stage for the game’s launch on September 9, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Pre-orders are now available, with early access up to four days for those who pre-order the Gold or Ultra Edition.

Game Features and Modes

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 invites players to embody the titular supersoldiers in all their brutality and glory across single-player, co-op, and competitive multiplayer modes. Players will face horrors from beyond the stars as the full weight of Warhammer 40,000’s galactic warfare descends on a single star system. The combat is a grand spectacle, combining fluid movement and lightning reflexes with massive weaponry and overwhelming power.

Co-op and PvP Gameplay

Players can take on swarms of alien creatures, otherworldly daemons, and corrupted traitors to the Imperium in a co-op-enabled campaign as Titus and his battle-brothers Chairon and Gadriel. Additionally, specific PvE missions and PvP battles allow players to customize and upgrade six unique classes of Space Marines.

Pre-Order Details

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is available for pre-order now. The Standard and Gold Editions are available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation stores. The digital-only Ultra Edition offers another option for fans and includes the exclusive “Ultramarines Champion Pack” DLC.

Release Date

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 releases on September 9, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Pre-order the Gold or Ultra Editions to play up to four days early!

 + Sophi 

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