Strictly Limited Partners with Atari – “I, Robot” Launches as First Collaborative Release (PS5)

Jeff Minter is back with another unique take on a 1980s Atari arcade game: I, Robot. Reimagined in Minter’s signature assault of colors, shapes, and sounds, this new take on the eclectic arcade title is built from the ground up with new challenges, new twists, and a whole lot of llamas.

The premise of I, Robot is simple: You take control of an ox-headed robot on a mission to outwit the all-seeing eye. In each level, you’ll navigate across tiles, flipping each tile to proceed to the next. Make sure you don’t jump while the eye is watching, or you’ll be zapped away in a flash. If you make it across the tiles, you’ll race down a tube blasting away any enemy shapes that move into your path and try to stop you. And you have to do all this inside the 3D space of Minter’s kaleidoscopic visualizer.

At its core, it is a game that only Lamasoft could have made. A cacophony of colors dazzles your eyes as the music gradually builds up based on your progress. If you want to take a break from the arcade action, jump into the game, where you can channel your inner Jeff Minter and play around with all the sights and sounds from the game.

Features

55 levels, encompassing the platforming/tile-changing and arena ones

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Unique tube-shooter bonus stages between each level

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Llamasoft’s unique brand of mind melting visuals

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Procedural music that builds as you do better in the game

● ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Online leaderboards

About Strictly Limited– Store Link

With more than 100 physical releases to date, Strictly Limited has established itself as one of the world’s leading specialists in physical publishing. Originally focused on premium collector’s editions of Japanese and niche titles, the label has since broadened its scope, now handling concept, production, and distribution across all genres with a global fan base. Each project is approached with remarkable depth and tailored treatment.

About Atari

Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment, and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 400 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, PONG®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. The Atari family of brands includes game developers Coatsink, Digital Eclipse, Early Morning Studios, Implicit Conversions, Infogrames, Nightdive Studios, Stormteller Games, and the community-based sites AtariAge and MobyGames. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.

Reptilian Rising Steam Review

Reptilian Rising was recently released on Steam, and Numskull Games was nice enough to send me a copy. The thing to know about Reptilian Rising is that you shouldn’t take a deep dive into the story. It isn’t supposed to make sense, kind of like when you play Dungeons and Dragons with your friends and the bard wants to seduce the dragon, and your other friend wants to donate weapons and drugs to the orphanage.

The story is simple: a bunch of reptiles from another time invade, and the only way to stop them is for the greatest heroes from all of Earth’s history to gather and kill them. You can see how it falls apart quickly when you start asking how Winston Churchill is going to kill a T. rex, right? Right, glad you are going with me on this one. It is, however, a lot of fun to watch Albert Einstein kill a triceratops.

Ok, now admittedly, the game has some issues. For example, the combat can be slow at times, and it can be quite janky. It definitely needed some more polish for the price they are asking. This is honestly where my issue with recommending it comes in. The game isn’t bad, and it is quite unique; it many times feels like something you would play with your friends in the basement at a table, which I am sure is what they were aiming for.

The real issue is a $30 game being maybe 10-15 hours long, while having so many issues, from camera angles and things being blocked by the UI, while minor issues just seem hard to justify for me. This is a 6/10 title that, while a good pick up on sale, I can’t recommend with a clean conscience. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Monster Crown: Sin Eater PlayStation 5 Review

Monster Crown: Sin Eater is the newest game in the Monster Crown series, and Red Art Games was nice enough to send me a copy of this one early. I always appreciate this, and they are quickly becoming a joy to work with.

Now I don’t want to give anything away or spoil anything, that has never been my thing, but right out the gate, I do want to warn you that if you go into this thinking this is a Pokémon clone like Nexomon, you will be in for a shock. The game deals with far more complex and adult issues. It isn’t anything you haven’t seen in games before, but things will die in front of you on screen, and there is a sort of religious tone to things. Not in a mocking tone or preaching tone. It is just something that exists in the world.

So while your main character is out on his quest, which I won’t discuss for spoiler reasons, he will be creating pacts with monsters and even demons. There is, of course, the usual rock, paper, scissors type battle system where one type of attack is good against one type of monster, and so on and so forth. What makes Sin Eater so complex is that while your levels matter, you won’t be “evolving” your monsters. See, monsters aren’t so much viewed as companions in this world, tho some certainly are, they are quite literally viewed as monsters to be used as tools. People breed them to create new monsters, and you can fuse two together to create a new monster that will average out the levels of the monsters you used. The game even keeps track of which generation the monster is for you.

This brings me to my one and only issue with this game. I thought we, as gamers moved past the concept that grinding is what made games hard? Every time I breed monsters yea they get stronger, but I have to level them up from level one all over again. Yes, there are items you can buy to make this go faster, but they are kind of expensive, and they aren’t exactly unlimited. This definitely killed much of the fun in what should have been the best part of the game for me. It is still a 7/10 game for me, and one I plan to spend even more time with. It is definitely a viable alternative to Pokémon for those who want a more adult story and more of a challenge. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Under Par Golf Architect PlayStation 5 Review

Under Par Golf Architect hit PlayStation 5 recently, and Broken Arms Games was nice enough to send me a copy to check out. Don’t worry if you have no clue how to play golf, this is a game about builing an running a golf course. The game assumes you can’t really do that and will teach you how, and more importantly, it grades each aspect of the holes as you build them independently. You will discover fast what you are good at and what you aren’t good at, and hopefully, how to fix it.

The game is also really good about not tossing it at you too fast. It won’t be asking you to build 18 holes right out of the gate. The first area starts with placing down your clubhouse, building a hole or two, and opening your course. From there, it will teach you how you can use your avatar to play on your holes and how to place things like benches and water fountains. There is also very little guesswork involved in this, since the game will show you the effective range of these as you place them. This is something I wish more of these games would do.

This is the entire flow of the game: make customers happy so they return, take their money, and they become better customers. This is represented by them having ratings from bronze to silver or higher. There is a story involved, but truth be told, I wasn’t too interested in the guy who kept showing up. I think he was the mayor, but he seemed like kind of a dick.

The important part is that the game functions extremely well on consoles, and the graphics are cute. I really enjoyed watching people yell about all my sand traps. The game is an 8/10 experience for people who enjoy business simulators and designing things. It truly felt like an old Theme Park type title. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

theHunter Call of the Wild Multiclass Weapon Pack Review PlayStation 5

The Hunter Call of the Wild is back with its new Multiclass weapons pack. Avalanche Studios was once again nice enough to hook me up with this DLC to try out, and I have to say, if you only buy one gun pack for this game, this is the one you buy.

I won’t bore you with any of the insane details, like how the Joneros .17HMR is perfect for game levels 1 and 2, and we finally have a fun that is just as good at shooting birds as it is at shooting all the little animals floating around the various maps.

And I certainly won’t sit here and tell you that the Richardson .500 can easily take down level 8 and 9 game at long range, regardless of whether you prefer soft or solid rounds. No, what I am going to say is simply that the four guns in this pack are technically all you will need to hunt basically everything in the game with a firearm. Truthfully, with the $6 price tag attached to this, it is a must-buy for fans of this game. I can no longer imagine myself going on a hunt without at least one of these on my loadout going forward. It is a 9/10 DLC, with the only flaw being that while rifle and shotgun hunters get something, handguns were left high and dry. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Clayface reveal trailer

Holy crap, talk about surprised. I didn’t have much hope for the Clayface solo movie. This teaser admittedly looks incredible. I love that it’s heavily inspired by Feats of Clay, an incredible 2 part episode from Batman: the animated series . The body horror looks fantastic. My hype went through the roof instantly just from this tiny peak. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Shelby Oaks

For years I was a pretty fan of Youtuber Chris Stuckmann and his movie reviews. As his style changed, I fell out of touch with his stuff but I was pretty happy when I learned the guy got to fulfill his dream of making a major studio film. So how did his debut horror movie turn out?

Riley Brennan, host of a famous, early, paranormal Youtube channel disappeared in 2008 with her friends. Her friends were all discovered brutally killed, but there’s no sign of Riley, her last video recorded in the abandoned town of Shelby Oaks. Riley’ sister, Mia, refuses to give up home. Twelve years later, a man commits suicide on Mia’s doorstep, and in his hand is a tape named after the town where Riley disappeared. Setting off, Mia must answer what happened in Shelby Oaks.

This was a weird bag for me. The movie looks really damn good and the acting is solid all around. However the story kills the potential this movie has. The opening is solid, almost strong, but breaks apart as it goes on. I feel like the characters and backstories weren’t really developed and the story needed more connective tissue between events so the movie wouldn’t feel like a series of random events strung together. The finale could’ve been good if I understood what was really going on. Admittedly, I’m sorry to say I laughed at the very end. What saves the movie is some tense atmosphere and really good camera work. I feel like I’ve been overly negative in this review but honestly, Stuckmann’s debut isn’t bad, just not great either. It’s worth checking out if you got Hulu and I do think the guy has talent and I’d gladly check out his next project. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

New Loot-Driven Extraction Bullet-Heaven Hellforged Revealed

Control the Chaos, Secure the LootHellforged puts players in the boots of the legendary survivors of a shattered expedition. Your mission: battle through hordes of bloodthirsty demons to loot epic gear with powerful modifiers. But in Hellforged, the greatest challenge isn’t just surviving the bullet-heaven – it’s knowing when to leave.Players must navigate a unique mid-battle extraction mechanic. At any moment, you must decide: do you safely extract your hard-earned equipment now to secure your progress, or do you risk everything for even greater rewards? One wrong move could cost you the ultimate haul, but fortune favors the bold who stay to break the Blackpyre once and for all.Deep Progression and the Eternal TreeSuccess in Hellforged depends on mastering diverse character classes, each wielding wildly unique and devastating powers. Players can further customize their playstyle through the Eternal Tree, a massive talent system where spending points unlocks synergies that perfectly complement individual combat styles.To ensure no two runs are the same, players can use the Arsenal to influence their mid-battle upgrade pool, tilting the scales of fate in their favor. As players grow in power, they can channel gathered chaos to summon and challenge devastating bosses. These encounters test the absolute limits of a player’s build but reward the victors with the most powerful loot in the game.
Game Features:Extraction Bullet-Heaven Action: Experience the tension of a loot heist combined with the sensory overload of a bullet-hell shooter.Risk vs. Reward Extraction: Safely recover gear mid-battle or push deeper into the corruption for legendary rewards.The Eternal Tree & Arsenal: Customize your fate with deep talent trees and an upgrade pool you can influence to match your combat style.Diverse Survivor Classes: Play as distinct heroes with devastating abilities and unique progression paths.Colossal Boss Encounters: Summon and defeat powerful Stygian threats to prove your supremacy and claim the world’s most overpowered gear.

Return to the Frontlines: Sudden Strike 5 is Out Now!

Publisher Kalypso Media and Developer Kite Games are proud to announce the official launch of Sudden Strike 5, marking a triumphant return for the beloved real-time strategy franchise. Sudden Strike 5 sets a new benchmark for tactical WWII gameplay with greater complexity, larger battlefields, and more ways to achieve victory with sandbox gameplay. 

The game is out now for PC, Xbox on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5 in Standard Edition (€49.99 / $49.99 / £44.99) and Deluxe Edition (€59.99 / $59.99 /£54.99) with a 10% launch discount available for the first 7 days on Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Kalypso Media Store.

Step into the commander’s seat, where every decision shapes the fight in the official Sudden Strike 5 launch trailer. 

Sudden Strike 5 unleashes a slew of new features and quality-of-life upgrades over its predecessor, designed to give commanders more control and tactical choice. Players can construct bridges over rivers to open new routes to catch enemy forces by surprise, call-in reinforcements via sea or railroad, and coordinate large-scale maneuvers with improved visibility and streamlined unit management, allowing for the deployment of overwhelming force!

Take control of the battlefield in one of three major factions: the Western Allies, Soviet, or Axis forces, across an expansive 25-mission campaign. From the frozen landscapes of the Eastern Front to the harsh deserts of North Africa, each battlefield presents unique challenges demanding careful planning, adaptability, and tactical mastery.

Sudden Stike 5 Features: 

  • Command massive battles: Sudden Strike 5 delivers a truly immersive strategy experience 25 missions across huge, diverse maps and the highest unit counts ever seen in the series, setting the stage for large-scale tactical warfare. 
  • Deploy a vast arsenal of WW2 units: Command over 300 authentic units – including more than 190 vehicles and 110 infantry units – such as the Sherman tank for the Western Allies, the Messerschmidt Bf 109 for the German troops, and the T-34 for the Soviet troops.  
  • Shape your strategy in dynamic mission gameplay: Utilize unprecedented strategic freedom by choosing your own tactics, units, and objectives to complete the mission goals. Seize and defend key locations like Field HQs, Supply Depots, and Train Stations to gain critical advantages, while using recon, sabotage, alternative routing, and smart unit combinations to outmanoeuvre your enemies. 
  • Adapt your tactics with customisable commanders: Choose the Commander that best fits your playstyle and tactics – whether offensive, defensive, or more tactical. Each brings unique skills that can turn the tide of battle, such as deploying smoke grenades to provide cover on the battlefield or boosting the accuracy of your artillery.  
  • Take full control of the battlefield: Extended camera options let you zoom out for full strategic oversight or zoom in for a closer look at the frontline action, giving you better control over every aspect of the battlefield. 
  • Challenge yourself and others: Test your strategy against real opponents or AI enemies across multiple difficulty levels, offering competitive PvP challenges. 

Fear Tall Grass: New Dark Fantasy Strategy and Roguelite Monster Battler for PC and Consoles

Spanish independent publisher Entalto Publishing and North American independent developer Forgotten Bastions have revealed today their upcoming game Fear Tall Grass a dark fantasy roguelite monster battler that blends strategic planning and creature-based combat and progression, in development for PC and PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch. Fear Tall Grass is set in a world consumed by Vilekin, evil creatures that are destroying civilization. As Gray, the last steward of the Oathguard, you must brave the tall grass to learn to tame these creatures and protect what remains of humanity.

The game combines the strategic depth of autobattler turn-based combat with the relentless pace of a loop-based roguelike. Movement is determined by the roll of the dice, and after each victory you will be able to convert the land to obtain buffs. In the Sanctuary of Light you will be get permanent upgrades for future runs.

Create the perfect team to defeat your enemies and make them stronger to end every Boss battle. Manage your Command Points to change the course of the combat or strategize around type effectiveness to swap your fighters at the right time.

MAIN ELEMENTS
The Loop: Strategic movement using a 2-dice roll system where every step forward changes the board.Reclaim: Clear lethal tiles to construct permanent buildings that provide vital run-buffs.Command: Spend Command Points to trigger manual backline abilities and turn the tide of automated battle.Vilekin: 100+ unique creatures across 6 elemental paths: Hydro, Pyro, Nature, Physical, Volt, and Rock.Sanctuary: Return home to manage your Oathguard rank, craft magical items, and exalt your team.Legacy: An epic story of family and duty following Gray’s struggle with his father’s legacy.