Following on the heels of the mighty TAITO Milestones, the sequel of ten incredible games drops on August 31st 2023.

ININ and TAITO offer up an absolute monster compilation of classic retro smash hits in this 10 game sure-fire winner:

• NewZealand Story (1988)
• Kiki Kaikai (1986)
• Darius II (3 Screen Arcade Version) (1989)
• Gun Frontier (1990)
• Ben Bero Beh (1984)
• The Legend of Kage (1985)
• Liquid Kids (Mizubaku Adventure) (1990)
• Solitary Fighter (1991)
• Dinorex (1992)
• Metal Black (1991)

This stunning collection comes exclusively to Nintendo Switch in both physical and digital formats, offering an unparalleled retro gaming experience.

For more information please visit: Taito Milestones 2 for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site

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Highrise City, the ambitious city builder from FourExo Entertainment and Deck13 Spotlight will be leaving Early Access later this year – after releasing countless huge updates, implementing community feedback and new features.   A rapidly growing PC wishlist and gamers eager to experience the final release of this epic experience, focus is on ensuring this meets everyone’s high expectation.

More Power!

Today the final major update before leaving Early Access has been released for Highrise City, introducing a new research system, an overhauled UI, smaller visual improvements, new milestones and tons of smaller quality of life improvements. A fresh Trailer gives an overview of what to expect in the game: A modern city builder with a strong focus on economy systems.

More Content!

During the Early Access phase Highrise City received tons of new content. New maps were released, a building editor found its way into the game, the complete visual look was enhanced, new production lines were introduced and countless quality of life features were introduced. And yet the journey has just begun.

More Focus!

The Release Update is currently being worked on and has already been in preparation for a long time. The result: An update which will introduce more features and improvements than any previous update before. Public Transport will be available via buses, substations and required electric lines will be introduced, Missions during the gameplay are coming as well, mega skyscrapers, a new Map and a multi staged mega building project. 

With the release of today’s update we are also announcing that Highrise City’s price will change shortly after the Summer Sale in preparation for the full release later this year.

Highrise City is out now in Early Access on Steam and Good Old Games. The game will leave Early Access later this year. A fresh Update is out now. Get the game during the last two days of Summer Sale at a reduced price. For more information visit the games Page in the Focus Store.

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Over 30 years since the Nintendo handheld device which changed the world came out, the Game Boy is still having new physical games released for it.

The latest forthcoming title is Kudzu – developed by designer Chris Totten using GB Studio engine, a game set in a world awash with biologists, in which you, Max, must overcome mother-nature to find your master gardening mentor, Zoen, who has mysteriously gone missing.

Presently sat on Kickstarter and having achieved its initial target easily and smashed a couple of stretch goals, the team and publishers Mega Cat Studios are seeking your help to push it that little bit further and hopefully fund not only a Nintendo Switch port, but also a colour version of the game.

We were lucky enough to have been sent a prototype cart from Mega Cat Studios and have instantly fallen in love.

The game is a zelda-esque puzzle action title and a total delight to play. We livestreamed the first half hour and had a wild time.

If you’re interested in backing this fantastic project simply head on over to Kickstarter and search “Kudzu”, or click here!

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Strayed Lights is a forthcoming title from a studio named Embers. We got our hands on the 1 hour preview, so here are a few initial thought.

Strayed Lights is a mysterious 3rd person action title which aims to put all of its focus into its somewhat unique battle mechanic.

Waking up under water, perhaps drowning – we’ve no idea how we got there or indeed who (or even what) we are. Clambering our of the water only adds to the mystery. Press releases inform me that we play an ‘unbalanced being of light and darkness on its path towards awakening’, which genuinely does very little to clarify anything.

I’m some sort of anthropomorphic soul, powered / made from light. The backing sound effects whip around my headphones, creating hostility through a chilling wind howl and pattering of rain in a sparce, beautifully lit world.

I move onwards, steered into a fairly obvious area – the game feels linear, yet not entirely guided enough to not cause confusion. This is a 3D realised world with no apparent navigation tool.

The opening section serves to slowly introduce us to the controls. First we learn how to sprint using the B button. Then jump with the A button. Jumping feels somewhat superhero like – it’s a little exaggerated, I figure this may come in handy later in the game. We then find out how to duck by clicking in the left stick. All rather entry level game control introduction so far.

My character suddenly evolves. I change shape. Become more human-like. I see my reflection, it breaks free from its reflective prison and presents itself as hostile. Bang on cue I partake in a battle, and this is where we begin to learn the true beauty of Strayed Lights. Not as at first thought its use of light to illuminate our surroundings and show off this wonderfully unique world, but its combat twist.

Tapping the left shoulder button swaps my characters light source from orange to blue. Pressing the right shoulder button introduces a parry mechanic. Strayed Light seems to have found heavy influence from a 2001 Shoot ‘Em Up by the name Ikaruga in this regard, you see, your enemy combatant can also freely swap between orange and blue. In battle you must match the colour of your enemy and parry their attacks, which will serve to not only block the attack, but fill up your health meter whilst doing so. Parry in the wrong colour and you will only block the incoming attack. But wait, that isn’t all, because that would be way too easy, right? The enemy can also switch to a third colour – purple. If they switch to purple, that indicates an unblockable mega attack, so you’ll need to dodge to survive.

Enemies chain together patterned attacks which will see you furiously yet rhythmically tapping buttons to match, parry and dodge. You will also be able to attack using the right trigger. On top of this should you parry enough attacks you will fill a special attack meter. Once full you can release this attack dealing huge damage. This attack will trigger quicktime events which although look very pretty did seem to highly impact the pace of the battle.

There’s a heap to keep in mind when battling, but it is learned very quickly.

A skill upgrade tree adds plenty of additional depth and customisation to later battle opportunities too.

I only had a one hour preview build of the game which saw me take down one boss, which I did so on my first attempt. The fighting is unique, feels satisfying when chaining together a string of successful parries, but equally did feel a little on the long side towards the end of my hour.
I was pitted against some sort of wildlife devouring beast. I had the upper hand on it instantly, and delivering several good hits it decided to run away, sort of like a huge beast in Monster Hunter might, but nothing quite so monumental – beasty just ran a small distance. I caught up to it and instantly we fought again. I dealt it damage and off it popped once more. I chased it down again and finally defeated it.

Summary:

A beautifully atmospheric experience, lighting, enemies and sound effects are all outstanding and helped hugely to give this world character. Seeing the skill tree fills me with joy as I wonder what attack buffs I’ll be able to employ. Equally, I ponder the future enemy types. Being confronted by such a huge beasty (albeit a rather easy one) so early on can only suggest even bigger / scarier things await.

Keep your eyes peeled for more on Strayed Lights, coming to Steam, GoG and Epic for PC, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Series X & S and Nintendo Switch on April 25th 2023.

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WanadevStudio delighted fans of their VR Viking rhythm game Ragnarock by releasing it on PSVR 2 on the hardware’s launch day.

Check out the official Ragnarock PSVR 2 official trailer here:

In Ragnarock, players play as Viking captains who compete in a frantic longboat race. Equipped with their hammers, they must strike runes in rhythm to a musical register ranging from Celtic rock to power metal, in order to make their ship go as far as possible. From Wind Rose to Alestorm or Gloryhammer, find the complete tracklist and the 38 tracks (plus an additional 26 DLC) available via this link.

Following the tradition of arcade games, Ragnarock is easy to play, hard to master. To advance, only your sense of rhythm counts. The most experienced players will be able to collect all the gold medals, beat the high scores and put their name on top of the leaderboard, but be warned, Ragnarock is a physically demanding (albeit incredibly fun) workout.

The games take place in different environments for an immersion in the heart of the worlds of Norse mythology: Asgard, Nidavellir, Muspelheim, Alfheim, Midgard and Helheim.

For its strong multiplayer component (up to 6 players), Ragnarock and its innovative racing concept was awarded the prize for the best multiplayer VR game developed by a French studio by the ETR community at its release.

We’ve played a whole heap of Ragnarock on the original Meta Quest headset and have clocked in an average 600 calories burned per 60 minute play session (taken using an average from Garmin and Fitbit trackers).

Ragnarock benefits from an adaptation to the specificities of the new PS VR2 headset. Côme de Percin, Creative Director of WanadevStudio, explains: “The entire team is very proud to bring our work on Ragnarock to the Playstation community. The experience of playing Ragnarock on PS VR2 is going to be a great experience and we can’t wait to challenge all the new Vikings in multiplayer races. We would also like to give a special thanks to all of the amazing bands that have come on board with us for the Ragnarock adventure.”

Ragnarock is available on PSVR2, Steam, Meta, Pico and Viveport.

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Horizon Chase 2 releases this 9th of September on Apple Arcade and coming to PC and Consoles in 2023.
The sequel to the award-winning Horizon Chase, one of the most successful arcade racers of the last decade is coming to….. Apple Arcade.

On 9th of September those on Apple devices will be able to play Horizon Chase 2, exploring online multiplayer (across all game modes), with an overhaul across the entire game to “considerably improve the experience of the first game in every aspect”.

Race across 55 tracks over 5 countries around the World in a “unique, entirely 3D art style”, unlocking 10 different cars. From the vibrant colors of each landscape to the immersive conditions of different weathers, all enhanced by a thrilling soundtrack made by Top Racer composer Barry Leitch, this game evolves the arcade racing experience to the next level.

The Garage Shop area of Horizon Chase 2 will allow players to easily customize several parts of their cars, choosing amongst a wide variety of options, to customise them to your hearts desire.

Major updates will bring further rewards; the Playground Mode will offer a brand new challenge every two days, the Tournament Mode challenges players to be the best across several modified races from the World Tour mode. Both modes can be enjoyed alone or in groups of up to four players.

Keep an eye out for more information soon.

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ININ Games, in partnership with Mebius., have brought another exceptional Shoot ‘Em Up (Shmup) experience to the PlayStation 4 (and PS5 via backward compatibility) that has already captivated gamers on Nintendo Switch: the amazing Rolling Gunner bundled with the fantastic Over Power DLC.

Directed by ex-Cave developer Daisuke Koizumi, who worked on the incredible Deathsmiles 2, Dondonpachi and more, Rolling Gunner + Over Power is a real danmaku (Bullet-Hell) 2D shooter, an adrenaline-tingling arcade-style scrolling blaster with weapons and bombs galore. Check out tbrand-new trailer for a closer look.

This must-play title offers more content than most Shmups out there and is available right now via the PlayStation Store. Fans also still have the chance to pre-order one of the highly limited boxed Collector’s Editions provided by Strictly Limited Games, scheduled to ship in June.

About Rolling Gunner + Over Power
The year is 2061 and the now-sentient computer system called the BAC has turned technology against humanity and erased half the world’s population. Humanity’s fate now rests in the hands of a courageous RF-42R STORK spacecraft pilot armed with the Rolling Gun, a special weapon secretly built to combat the BAC. Take flight and battle your way through masses of enemy ships while earning points and upgrading your equipment, to eventually face the out-of-control AI. Then, chase the high score and secure your place among the elite on the global online ranking boards that were finally added in this PS4 version.

Features:

• Pick one of three STORK spaceships, each with unique attributes and firing patterns
• Navigate across six stages blanketed in a hail of bullets from an unceasing onslaught of enemies and screen-filling bosses
• Varied difficulty modes offer the best experience for every skill level
• Climb the global online leaderboards and keep the challenge going, even after beating the highest difficulty
• The Replay feature lets you analyze your last attempts and Training Mode helps you master the Rolling Gun and the different stages
• Beautifully animated cutscenes and a superior, energetic soundtrack by COSIO marry the gameplay and story perfectly

But there is much more: Over Power!
The included Over Power DLC can best be described as a super expansion, turning the bullet-hell shooter into an even more frantic twin-stick shooter, with a new control scheme and even a new soundtrack, creating a completely different experience that can be selected from the main menu. The titular Rolling Gun can now be moved independently from the ship with the right stick to destroy enemies and projectiles with more precision and a buster beam gun and rechargeable plasma shield are added to the arsenal. These are much-needed upgrades to the STORK spacecraft as players will find themselves confronted with a ton of additional enemies and projectiles in Over Power.

Click here for more information

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Today Codemasters & EA have announced F1 2022 with a new trailer and a list of new exciting features.

Launching Friday 1st July 2022, this annual release promises the biggest shake up in over a decade, mirroring its real life counterpart.

Packing sprint races, hybrid cars, overhauled rules, a new race calendar and more, F1 2022 promises to be sat in pole position.

New in 2022 is PC VR for Oculus Rift and Vive – for the absolute ultimate racing experience.

Here’s some of the PR:

For new and casual fans, the new Adaptive AI keeps less experienced players competitive throughout
each race, with opposing AI racers tailored to match the skill level. Accessible menus and handling
also return to help players get to the action quickly without the need to understand the complexities of
the sport. The refreshed Practice Programs offer more variety with new scoring systems and on-track
visualisations. This helps players navigate each twist and turn to perfection before racing for those allimportant championship points.
F1® 22 also boasts enhancements to returning features, including My Team, allowing players to
choose their starting budget based on three entry points: Newcomer, Challenger, and Front Runner.
The game sees real-life track updates to Australia, Spain, and Abu Dhabi to reflect recent changes.
F1® 22 also features its critically acclaimed 10-year Career, complete with a two-player option, and
Multiplayer is back for epic races against the global racing community.

For F1® 22 news, follow Formula 1 game website and social channels on Instagram, Twitter, and
YouTube.

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Strictly Limited Games, in partnership with Crackshell and the acclaimed indie publisher and porting experts BlitWorks (Slipstream), have announced the upcoming limited boxed release of Epics of Hammerwatch: Heroes’ Edition. Both critically acclaimed Hammerwatch games and a whole heap of goodies from the Hammerwatch universe will be available in a single, physical collection (including all previously released DLC) for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 (PS4).

Pre-orders for the Limited Edition and Special Limited Edition will kick off on Sunday, April 17th, at 12 AM CEST (midnight), only at Strictly Limited Games.

The Heroes’ Edition includes the praised indie hack and slash hit Hammerwatch, and its popular rogue-lite sequel Heroes of Hammerwatch – Ultimate Edition. Check out the brand-new trailer to take a closer look:

A hack and slash action-adventure, set in a unique fantasy pixel art environment. Play solo or gather your friends for a memorable online or couch co-op session, in this adventure from the bottom to the very top of Castle Hammerwatch. Then, crawl around the desert in the Temple of the Sun Expansion and try to survive in the two extra modes. Pick your class and kill hordes of diverse enemies throughout unique environments, riddled with traps, hidden secrets and puzzles.

Features:

• 7 classes to master, each with unique features and skills to unlock to develop your character
• Multiplayer co-op fun for up to 4 players, online and local
• How tough are you? Pick your difficulty and further customize it with several modifiers
• 2 campaigns: Castle Hammerwatch & Temple of the Sun
• 2 extra modes: Hero defense & Survival

Heroes of Hammerwatch is a rogue-lite action-adventure game set in the same universe as Hammerwatch. Encounter endless hordes of enemies, traps, puzzles, secrets, unforgiving bosses and lots of loot, as you battle your way through procedurally generated levels to reach the top of the Forsaken Spire. Then, dive into the 3 additional DLCs included: Witch Hunter, Pyramid of Prophecy and Moon Temple!

Features:

Choose your own style: 9 classes available, all with unique stats, abilities and playstyles.

Procedurally generated levels offer a high replay value and pose a new challenge with each run.

Persistent progression: Your heroes retain the experience and upgrades gained from each run, becoming more powerful as they level up. 

Online Co-op: Play with up to 3 friends in online co-op, you can even bring your own heroes to your friend’s game!

Includes all 3 DLCs: Witch Hunter, Pyramid of Prophecy and Moon Temple. With many additional skills, items, areas to explore, 2 new game modes, 2 new classes and much more!

New Game+: Even if you beat the game, the challenge never ends!

Strictly Limited Editions:

Strictly Limited Games is putting together the exclusive Epics of Hammerwatch: Heroes’ Edition, giving the Hammerwatch universe the boxed legacy it deserves, with two unique limited editions, available for pre-order via the Strictly Limited Games online shop.

The Limited Edition is limited to 3,000 copies for Nintendo Switch and 1,100 for PS4, at a price of 29.99€, including a colourful game manual.

The Special Limited Edition is limited to 1,000 copies for Nintendo Switch and 600 for PS4, for 49.99€, including lots of exclusive collectibles from the Hammerwatch universe: 

• Special Limited Edition Box
• Colourful Game Manual 
• Original Soundtrack
• A3 Double-sided Poster
• 7 Character Die Cut Stickers
• Game Logo Patch
•  4 Background Art Post Cards
• Character Group Shot Magnet

Both editions will be available for pre-order on Sunday, April 17th, at 12 AM CEST (midnight) and shipping is expected for Q3 2022.

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TAITO MILESTONES collection for Nintendo Switch finally releases this April 15th in Europe and North America, much to the excitement of retro gamers everywhere. This exciting compilation of ten classic games spanning different genres is available through selected retailers as a physical release and digitally via the Nintendo eShop.

To celebrate the milestones in their company’s rich history, TAITO combined ten groundbreaking classics from the ‘80s in one amazing collection, including games from several genres – platformer, sports, shooting, puzzle and more

The ten games on offer are QIX and SPACE SEEKER from 1981, 1982’s WILD WESTERN, ALPINE SKI and FRONT LINE, from 1983 the classic ELEVATOR ACTION and Chack’n Pop, 1985’s The FairyLand Story, 1986’s HALLEY’S COMET and rounding off the ten THE NINJAWARRIORS from 1987.

The collection aims to highlight the innovative ideas that led to TAITO’s arcade dominance during the 80’s.

The boxed edition and the digital download version of TAITO MILESTONES for Nintendo Switch will, April 15th.

Check iningames.com for more information and the latest updates on the game!

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