REVIEW: Rigid Force Alpha

Review by Jon Donnis
I grew up playing arcade shooters like R-Type, in fact I spent a small fortune at the local arcade on that very game. So when I first heard about Rigid Force Alpha I was excited but also cautious.

With this being a PC / Steam game and this being a very much arcade/console type of game there will always be control issues, for example playing this using your keyboard is a big no no. And after a bit of teething trouble I managed to get my generic PS3 controller working, and boy does it make a big difference.

This is everything you love about side scrolling shoot 'em ups. But in glorious 2018 graphics, and an incredible soundtrack too.

You shoot the bad guys, wave after wave, you collect power ups, change weapons, collect orbs which allow you even bigger power weapons. And with various difficulty settings, this is perfect for newbies as well as seasoned shoot em up gamers like myself.

A really fun game, that I can really recommend. 9/10

More about the game:
Rigid Force Alpha breathes new life into the classic side-scrolling shooter genre with its lovingly hand-crafted 3D models, stunning environments, detailed effects and an electrifying Synthwave soundtrack.

Arm your fighter with numerous upgradeable weapon systems and supplemental Force Shards! Collect Energy Orbs to fill up your energy supply and eventually unleash an extremely powerful blast against your foes!

Rigid Force Alpha is available from Steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/724390/Rigid_Force_Alpha

REVIEW: 8-Bit Armies

Review by Jon Donnis
8-Bit Armies is a retro RTS game.

Following on from other recent "8-Bit" games, they continue the style of colourful, blocky pixel type graphics. This really does bring back memories for people my age of these types of games.

This is a simple game, 25 single player missions, 12 co-op missions, multiplayer and skirmish modes.

In the style of C&C & Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 1 & 2, people familiar with those games will instantly feel at home.

Best played with friends, but probably best to play through the single player missions first, unlock various things that way and then you will be better prepared for the multiplayer games.

This is a simple, fun game, perhaps not for fans of modern RTS games, but more for fans of old school games like Command and Conquer.

It might not win any awards for innovation or originality, but then that is not what this game is aiming for.

Perhaps the price is a little steep right now, but there is always a sale around the corner.

I give this game a solid 7/10

https://steamcommunity.com/app/427250/

More about the game.

Blast from the past
8-Bit Armies is a tribute to classic RTS games and is suitable for existing fans and new players of the genre seeking a friendly approach to strategy gaming. With a colourful, blocky voxel art style, the game is accessible to anyone regardless of experience. Players will collect resources, build up and defend their bases, amass armies of easy to command military units, and ultimately crush their opponents!

The game is further enhanced with an all-original soundtrack from Command & Conquer music composer Frank Klepacki and is reminiscent of some of his greatest hits from previous Westwood Studios RTS games.

Built for Console
8-Bit Armies uses a unique and simplified control scheme allowing future generals to quickly control hundreds of units on the brightly coloured battlefield. Base-building, resource gathering, and even controlling individual units in your large army is easy to do. Research  devastating superweapons and use them to crush your opponents in the blink of an eye.

Obliterate your enemies in a variety of colourful, destructible maps
Complete 40 single-player missions and 12 co-op missions
Compete in online multiplayer with up to five other players or AIs
Enjoy easy controls that are perfectly adapted to consoles

La-Mulana 2 Coming to Consoles, Physical Editions Planned

PLAYISM has announced that the indie hit La-Mulana 2 will be coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, a physical version is in the works.       

The long-awaited sequel to La-Mulana, La-Mulana 2 follows Lumisa Kosugi as she explores the ancient ruins of La-Mulana, desperate to find the cause of the numerous recent appearances of monsters from the ruins, Lumisa discovers “other” La-Mulana: the ruins known as Eg-Lana.

La-Mulana 2, which has been capturing the hearts of old and new fans alike, will be heading towards PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in Spring 2019.

LA-MULANA 2 features sprawling ancient ruins, mind-boggling mysteries, untold numbers of items, and terrible enemies woven together to form what is possibly the perfect Metroidvania-style “archaeological ruin exploration action game”.  As well as releasing on consoles, physical versions of La-Mulana 2 are currently being planned.

Playism: http://playism-games.com/game/108/la-mulana-2
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/835430/LaMulana_2/

Trailer:

This Is Pool Cued for Console Release in Early 2019

Birmingham, United Kingdom – 18th September, 2018 - Acclaimed independent games developer and publisher, VooFoo Studios, is excited to announce that This Is Pool®, a new wholly-owned IP, will be coming to PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™ and Steam® (for Windows PC) in early 2019.

The teaser trailer for the game can be viewed below

Prepare yourselves for the return of the masters of the baize as the creators of the critically acclaimed *Hustle Kings and Pure Pool return with This Is Pool®. Developed using all the power of VooFoo Studios’ updated and completely revamped world-class game and physics engine, This Is Pool® will set new benchmarks for graphical fidelity and hyper-realistic gameplay in a breathtaking simulation that is set to redefine how good a cue sports game can look and play.

 This Is Pool® will expand and improve on previous games to deliver the most robust, expansive and feature-rich cue sports game to date that will include every major rule-set played worldwide, practice mode, mini-games, career mode, arcade trick shots and ‘scenario’ challenges, rule-set customisation, local and online multiplayer and more, along with the option to play with a top-down camera view.

 Mark Williams, Technology Director at VooFoo Studios, said “This Is Pool® represents the culmination of all our years’ experience making market-leading cue sports simulations and will offer a much enhanced experience to anything we’ve created before.  We’ve rewritten the rule-book to create the most realistic, technically advanced cue sports game ever made that is going to take the genre to the next level.” 

 VooFoo Studios are giving gamers an early first-look at This Is Pool at EGX, the UK’s biggest gaming convention of the year, which takes place at Birmingham NEC from 20-23 September, where attendees will have the chance to play the game months ahead of release in the Rezzed Zone.

This Is Pool® is being developed and published by VooFoo Studios and is the second wholly owned IP from the Birmingham based studio. Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks and months.

Join the This Is Pool® Discord for a chance to gain access to the closed Beta and connect with other gamers https://discordapp.com/invite/VooFoo

Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS4) - Accolades Trailer

Sony Interactive Entertainment, Insomniac Games, and Marvel have teamed up to create a brand-new and authentic Spider-Man adventure. This isn’t the Spider-Man you’ve met or ever seen before. This is an experienced Peter Parker who’s more masterful at fighting big crime in New York City. At the same time, he’s struggling to balance his chaotic personal life and career while the fate of millions of New Yorkers rest upon his shoulders.

Buy the Marvel's Spider-Man Collector's Edition PS4 from Amazon