Daemonclaw: Origins of Nnar (Mega Drive)
From developer Bit Beam Cannon and publisher Neofid Studios (with PixelHeart handling other versions), Daemonclaw has been unleashed on the awesome Sega Mega Drive!
A side-scrolling action title in the vein of possibly the most popular genre on the system, Daemonclaw casts you in the role of a hero defending humanity from the attacking demons from the realm of Nnar.
The game features some stonking music from veteran composer Alistair Brimble (The Plucky Squire, various Dizzy games, X-COM: Enemy Unknown) and also a second playable character in the form of Gareth, the protagonist of the Demons of Asteborg, another title from Neofid Studios that we previously covered, and sang the praises of.
Daemonclaw: Origins of Nnar is available now on Mega Drive and will be soon making its way to PC and several other consoles – keep your eyes peeled for this one!
Rise of Rana (Switch)
From European developer HGames Artworks (lovers of lengthy titles such as, ‘Amazing Crime Strange Stickman’, ‘Grand Mobile Hero: Gangster Crime Legend’, and the catchily named ‘Super Crime Steel War Hero Iron Flying Mech Robot’) comes Rise of Rana, a game that offers an incredible amount of freedom in what it allows you do in the fully 'roamable' city, from solving crimes and picking up side quests through to driving, sailing, flying and customising your character.
The amount of mechanics on display – and the sheer openness of what you are able to do – is genuinely impressive, although it does come at the cost of polish in the fundamentals that really impacted my enjoyment, yes it’s awesome to be able to do what you want, but when vehicle, flight and basic character control and interactivity feels off, it’s tough to get hips deep into the depths of the things on offer.
With a few updates I’m sure this will be a fun game, but until then it’s rocking a little bit of a YouTube sideshow vibe.
D.U.C.K (Dangerous Ultimate Cartridge Kidnapper) (Switch)
A collection of barmy mini-games from developer DUCK Team, this is a very Warioware-esque title for those that love some brisk action!
From the website:
100 microgames, increasing difficulty, and endless fun—what more could you ask for in an adventure?
DUCK: Dangerous Ultimate Cartridge Kidnapper is a collection of 100 unique microgames, each lasting less than a minute! From cowboy duels and house building to tomato sorting, barrel rides, sea battles, jungle escapades, and even the daily chaos of a mad scientist, there's something for everyone.
A group of ducklings stumbles upon a mysterious 100-in-1 cartridge, which turns out to be a trap set by an evil spirit named D.U.C.K. The ducklings must use all their gaming skills to escape his curse—or risk becoming two-dimensional, pixelated characters doomed to endlessly die and respawn in his games.
With 15 categories of 5-10 microgames each, three difficulty levels, and a separate category for boss challenges, there's always something new. Enjoy diverse pixel art styles, unique tunes, and surprising gameplay twists. Plus, unlock 16 decorative panels—arcade, Greek, comic, summer, brick, and more—by completing special story mode conditions.
Help the ducklings conquer all 100 games in story mode across five main chapters. Practice unlocked games in the vault or challenge yourself to beat all difficulties. Dive into survival mode for the highest score or bring friends along for chaotic fun in party modes!
The ducklings are trapped in a cosy room that feels straight out of childhood, with sunlight streaming through the windows and a chunky TV screen flickering. Gather with friends in this warm, nostalgic setting and dive into the magic of retro gaming.
Beat ‘Em Up Collection (XSX)
QUByte Interactive have released some more gold from their vault – or rather, QUByte Classics – collecting together seven 16-bit titles that will have you hacking, kicking and punching your way to glory.
In this collection of pleasantly offbeat titles are First & Second Samurai (the enemy respawn rate in the sequel has to be seen to be believed, so keep that sword sharp and at the ready!), Gourmet Warriors, this was a real highlight for me as it was one I’d never come across before. Iron Commando, a more classic title with some very cool locations.
Legend, no not a port of the David Gemmell book ,this is a down ‘n dirty medieval brawler featuring axes and magic. Good. Sword of Sodan, one of the weaker titles here, this was lauded at the original time of release for it’s visuals and sprite size, but not the gameplay.
Finally, there is The Tale of Clouds & Winds (Water Margin) a brawler set in ancient China that features branching paths and multiple endings, something a bit more unusual in the genre!
As well as the original games, there is also some information included as well as screenshots of the instruction manuals for those that want more background on these games, and some quality of life functions, various aspect ratios and screen settings.
I’m a big fan of lesser-known games getting some spotlight, so this is a nice surprise!
And there you have it, four games out now that may tickle your fancy!
Which ones do you have your peepers on?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Like what you see in the Games Freezer?
Why not tell us what you think with a few well-chosen comments? :)