Review by Clark A. Not all 2D shoot ‘em ups are created equal. If you’ve ever played Action 52 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, you’re no doubt familiar with that game’s penchant for taking quirky character sprites, slapping some enemies atop a generic space background, and labelling them as unique…
Read MoreReview by Clark A. Last year, fans of bullet hell shooters were treated to Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet. Fusing bullet hell madness with the psychology of fighting games, it proved the genre is more adaptable than casual observers give it credit for. It’s easy to forget, though, that this…
Read MoreReview by Clark A. The term “bullet hell” is an accurate descriptor for the absurd number of bullets exchanged in hardcore 2D shooters. Franchises like Touhou have garnered reputations for the sheer technical prowess one needs to manoeuvre around projectiles that envelop the screen like hundreds of fireworks set off…
Read MoreReview by Harvard L. Right off the bat let’s talk about what Cannon Brawl gets absolutely right – it’s a real time strategy game which doesn’t have the dreaded “buffer zone”: the level of play between a novice player and an intermediate player where mechanical skill trumps actual strategic knowledge.…
Read MoreReview by Clark A. Shoot ‘em ups have earned a permanent spot in the annals of video game history, but it’s no secret that the genre evades many conventions that characterise the current state of the industry. For most shooters, that’s fine and dandy because they have competent mechanics or…
Read MoreThat DariusBurst launches at a standard retail price despite being both digital-exclusive and a niche 2D shooter represents unwavering faith from its publisher, Degica, in its raw quality. The Darius franchise hasn’t necessarily topped the charts throughout its 30 odd years on the market but it’s a brand that has…
Read MoreGiven the popularity of dual stick arcade games like Geometry Wars and Super Stardust, it makes a lot of sense that we would see more twin stick shooters being made by indie developers. The genre is known for being accessible to a wide variety of gamers, yet also maddeningly difficult…
Read MoreReview by Clark A. As much as concerned parents and health experts rightfully malign the sugary cornucopia that is the frozen treat section of the grocery store, I fondly recall the pleasantries of gulping down low-quality ice cream as young ‘un. Cheap as said snacks may be, they’re an adequate…
Read MoreReview by Clark A. If Strike Force Foxx doesn’t take you back to the eighties, you didn’t live them. Or maybe you just didn’t consume popular American culture, but surely such frivolous sweeping statements must always be taken at face value. At any rate, it’s a competent 2D shooter that…
Read MoreReview by Clark A. MonkeyPaw’s Japanese import titles have varied in terms of accessibility for non-native speakers. With that said being a retro run n’ gun shooter, Wolf Fang does a bang-up job of being fully playable. Unfortunately, the problem lies more in the game itself than the language barrier.…
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