Monday Syndrome PC Gameplay – "Retro Indie Hotline Miami Vibes" 🧑‍💼💼 @hyesmo #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich's first day at work, and he's taking on the carnage of Monday Syndrome, a frantic top‑down action game that channels the brutal speed, style, and intensity of Hotline Miami.

This gameplay video showcases the game’s punchy combat, PS1-style aesthetic, and the addictive loop of kicking down doors, clearing the room, and trying not to die.

The Bearer & The Last Flame Gameplay – An Indie Soulslike RPG ⚔️🔥 @darkreaperstdio #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich steps into the haunting, atmospheric world of The Bearer & The Last Flame, a brutal and beautifully crafted indie action‑RPG with clear Soulslike DNA. In this gameplay video, we dive into the opening areas, test out the combat flow, and soak in the moody world that’s already turning heads on Steam.

Marvel MaXimum Collection Nintendo Switch 2 Review 6.5/10 "Welcome to DIE!"❌🦹‍♀️ @LimitedRunGames #RetroGaming

With some games featuring regional variations (JP, US, EU) and also archival details – as well as a ‘jukebox’ section – on the face of the matter, this looks like pretty decent ‘snikt!’ For your buck, but the age and design of some of the games, as well as a bare bones feel to the package in terms of the extras included does end up making things feel a little lacklustre overall, although you do get the usual save state and rewind features along with the choice of using a CRT filter.

A collection of six games from the early to mid-nineties starring beloved Marvel characters, Marvel MaXimum Collection puts the below games in one place:

1. Silver Surfer (NES)
2. Captain America and The Avengers (NES, Arcade, Genesis)
3. X-Men (Arcade)
4. Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade’s Revenge ( Genesis, SNES, Game Boy, Game Gear)
5. Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage (Genesis, SNES)
6. Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety (Genesis, SNES)

Skinfreak PC Review 7/10 “Not so much ‘super freaky’, more ‘slowly freaky’” 🔪 #GameDev #IndieGame #Horror

I have a very simple and happy relationship with Puppet Combo and developer Jordan King; they release games, I really enjoy them - and then I look forward to the next one, Stay Out of the House and Night at the Gates of Hell remain two of my favourite indie horror games, so any time another release from Puppet Combo comes along - I’m excited. I must admit that I am a bit late to this one but was still keen to start my journey running away from a man who looks like Leatherface’s distant cousin.

In Skinfreak you play as Belle, who has been called into the office late at night. you arrive to a very empty office and are to install new software – which is to be delivered later in the night - and yeah …that's mainly it. 

VGM Essentials - Final Fantasy Vinyl Review By Lee 📀 @FiragaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

Firaga Records and the VGM Essentials series. Lots of them are out, many of them are essential for the discerning video game/electronic music fan in your life. And this, the Final Fantasy edition, is no different.

I'm not going to delve into the history of the series, because everyone who knows video games knows Square Enix's franchise, from the NES era to the modern 9th-generation console powerhouses. One thing the multitude of FF games has in common, though, is excellent music. This collection takes a sprinkling of that magic from across the whole series and allows a bevvy of producers to drag it firmly into club-ready territory.

The presentation is, as usual, exemplary. A bright, glossy die-cut slipcase houses two sleeved records, pressed on black vinyl at 45rpm. Each sleeve has a beautiful crystal design that is visible when the package is put together. Each track is remixed by one or two producers, some of whom will be familiar to fans of the series, such as SARE, nokbient and Noteblock, along with some new-to-me names like Emunator and Prower.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire "What If Classic Toons Collided With DOOM" 🐭 @mousethegame #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich dons the tiny trench coat of a mouse detective with attitude in Mouse P.I For Hire!

This gameplay video dives into the quirky, noir‑soaked world where classic cartoon vibes collide with fast‑paced action and mystery. Explore the city’s back alleys, uncover clues, interrogate shady characters, and take on cases that are way too big for a mouse — but perfect for a P.I with whiskers and grit.

Crime Simulator PS5 Review 6/10 *A Game That Almost Stole My Heart* 🦹 @ULTGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Back in 2024, I covered Thief Simulator 2 and whilst I had a lot of fun with, it was very clearly rough around the edges and needed refining. Fast-forward to 2026, and the newest release from Polish studio CookieDev has made its way to consoles, and it is a game that is frustratingly short of being a really unique gem in the stealth-thievery genre but has too many issues to really be a recommended title.

The game – a first-person affair - begins with your character locked up in prison and being bailed out to quite a princely sum by a mysterious cabal of insalubrious individuals that intend to make you steal and earn your way through your debt. 

Beginning in an abandoned warehouse, you only have a PC, a box to send over your stolen goods, and a wall chart to pan out your next nick-fest. There is only one neighbourhood available at the start, with you and your team – up to four players online – needing to rack up some earnings (via a percentage cut from what you steal, which gets higher dependent on the difficulty) in order to unlock heists and other areas to pillage.

Dead Format PC Review By Ayden 6.5/10 📼 "A 3-8 hour horror-action experience with character"

While I’m a fan of horror movies and books, I haven’t had much experience with horror games up until this last year. I put this down to it being easier to desensitise oneself to films and the written word, whereas with video games there is no option to mentally disengage. Your choices matter, when you move matters, and that is quite a bit more terrifying than simply watching a slide show of off-putting and uncomfortable scenes.

All this to say, I may have watched over 50 horror movies last year with a stony and dead eyed expression, but when it comes to games of the same genre, I’m a snivelling coward. So I can’t promise that what got me nervously pausing and gathering myself before I could again brave more of the Video Ghastlies will equally terrify you. What I will say, is that if the stress detector on my watch is to be believed, this game achieved what it set out to with me.

The game starts with scant details, other than you are on a search for your missing brother. You enter his flat and search for clues which ultimately leads you to uncovering the mysteries of a new and inexplicably dangerous VHS format, “Video Ghastlies”. After watching the first tape, you will find yourself stepping out of the flat and into its macabre reality. Whilst in these other realms, you will find new tapes and trinkets required to proceed. You do also at some point get a bone-gun that shoots teeth (don’t ask, I’m still not sure), so it’s not an experience entirely built on hide-run-hide-run. 

Rushing Beat X on Switch 2 – "A Modern Beat‑’Em‑Up Revival!" 💥👊 @claricedisc #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich decides to step into the streets of Rushing Beat X on Nintendo Switch 2 — a modern revival of Jaleco’s classic beat‑’em‑up series. This gameplay showcase dives into fast combos, co‑op brawling, and the upgraded visuals that bring this cult favourite into the next generation.

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition Review 7.5/10 "Ridiculous Fun, Lovingly Preserved" 🪱

I went to a flat party in 1999 and was in the front room when the host asked me if I'd ever played Worms before. I said, "No". He said, "You're Gonna Love it!" and proceeded to fire up the PS1 and welcome me into the crazy, crazy world of Worms: Armageddon. 

By the end of the night, most of the people in the flat were playing Worms, and the manic action was being fuelled by the many litres of Red Bull & Vodka being consumed (it was the late 90s, after all). From that moment on, Worms was THE party game and all my friends loved to drink and play this; it was essential for a great night out, either pre-party, post-party, post-post party or during party!

Fast forward to today, and it's true that some games age gracefully… and then there’s Worms Armageddon, a title that refuses to age at all. Firing it up feels like opening a box in your mum and dad's loft packed with banana bombs, holy hand grenades, and the kind of ridiculously crafted chaos that not too many video games attempt nowadays. Worms is most definitely still utterly ludicrous, endlessly funny, and capable of turning players into cackling agents of worm-fuelled destruction.

Armageddon remains the perfect expression of what makes Worms tick. The physics are just unpredictable enough to keep every turn tense. The weapons are as silly as ever, and still capable of producing those hilarious local multiplayer moments; it’s as manic today as it was in 1999.

What really elevates this release is the museum timeline charting the history of the series, the unexpected star of the show, with behind‑the‑scenes content that is a love letter to the Worms legacy.

These documentary‑style segments are surprisingly heartfelt. They chart the evolution of Team17’s iconic series with archival footage, developer interviews, early concept art and some cool Stories about how certain weapons and ideas came to be.

It’s the kind of material we've all come to expect from a Digital Eclipse release, and once again, for fans of gaming history, it’s pure gold nuggets. For Worms fans specifically, it’s borderline emotional. You get a real sense of how this quirky British strategy‑comedy hybrid became a global phenomenon.

Worms is Worm, but why does it still work? Well, Worms Armageddon endures because it’s built on timeless ingredients of simple rules, deceptively deep strategy, endless unpredictability, and a tone that never takes itself seriously. It’s the rare game where losing can be just as entertaining as winning, especially when your last worm is blasted into orbit by a rogue sheep or a concrete donkey.

SUMMARY
For me, this is more than a nostalgia trip. It’s a reminder of how inventive, chaotic, and downright joyful games can be. The core experience is still a riot, but the documentary timeline pushes this version into “must‑own” territory for anyone who loves retro gaming, British game development history, or just a good laugh. My kids and I are playing this endlessly as I introduce a new generation to Worms and have more couch chaos with the family!

Right, I'm off to drop a concrete donkey on my wife...

7.5/10

🆒COOL🆒

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition | Nintendo Switch games | Games | Nintendo UK

Delverium PC Gameplay "No Commentary" 🪨⛏️🛖🌳@DelveriumGame #IndieGame #GameDev

Immerse yourself in the world of Delverium with this no-commentary PC gameplay showcase. This playthrough focuses entirely on the game’s atmosphere, visuals, sound design, and raw moment‑to‑moment gameplay — perfect for viewers who want a clean, uninterrupted experience.

Explore eerie environments, uncover hidden paths, and face the dangers lurking within Delverium’s mysterious world. Captured on PC for maximum clarity and smooth performance.

Nested Lands PC Gameplay – Early Access Survival RPG First Look ⚔️🛖⛏️ @nestedlands #IndieGame #GameDev

Welcome to Nested Lands, a gritty new Early Access survival RPG where every step feels dangerous and every resource matters. In this first‑look PC gameplay video, I explore the opening moments, gather supplies, craft essentials, and get a feel for the world’s harsh but intriguing atmosphere.

If you’re curious about how Nested Lands plays in its current Early Access state — from combat and crafting to exploration and progression — this video gives you a clear, honest look at the experience so far.

MARVEL COSMIC INVASION XBOX SERIES X Review 8/10 "A vibrant, retro-inspired beat 'em up that channels old-school arcade energy" 💥 @MARVELCosmicInv @Dotemu

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is here: it hits Xbox Series X as a vibrant, retro-inspired beat 'em up that channels old-school arcade energy - think the classic 1992 X-Men arcade game - with the combos, special moves and overall depth we've come to expect from Dotemu, the publisher behind the excellent Streets of Rage 4.

The game follows the Marvel Annihilation storyline, pitting a huge roster of 15 playable characters against the evil Annihilus and the deadly Annihilation Wave. You punch, claw, fly and swing through locations ranging from New York City, through the Avengers Helicarrier, to the depths of the Negative Zone. The excellent pixel art style and fast-paced brawling capture an energetic comic-book feel that is very much in keeping with other Dotemu releases.

The Last Ninja Collection – Nintendo Switch Review | Retro Reborn or Bare Bones? 🥷 #RetroGaming

In today’s Rich's Rapid Review, I take a look at The Last Ninja Collection on Nintendo Switch — a bundle that brings three iconic System 3 classics back for a new audience. It’s genuinely great to play these games again, and the atmosphere, music, and isometric adventuring still hold up beautifully.

Dark Quest: Remastered Xbox Series X Review 6/10 *The boardiest of digital board games* ☠️⚔️ @brainseal #IndieGame #GameDev

I first got on board with the Dark Quest series back in 2023 with the third entry, which was a fantastic isometric title that relied on a blend of chance and memorisation as you delved ever further into its rewarding depths, as a man with a loud voice shouted numbers at you – good! 

More recently, I covered Dark Quest 4, which further evolved the formula with more classes and personalisation options – and so when I had the opportunity to go back to the start of the series and cover this remaster of the original Dark Quest – originally released back in 2015 for PC– I leapt at the chance, as Brain Seal have fast become a personal fave developer of mine – helped along by their recent explosive physics-based title Blow It Up. Although this remaster does feel a bit of a step backwards as opposed to a celebration and re-imagining of an earlier title. In the Brain Seal catalogue.

Esoteric Ebb Gameplay Showcase – Character Creator + First Hour (PC) 🎲☠️ @chrisbodegard #IndieGame #GameDev

I drop into the strange and stylish world of Esoteric Ebb as I dive into the PC version, explore the character creator, and play through some of Act 1. This first look showcases the game’s surreal atmosphere, unique art direction, and the intriguing choices that shape your journey.

In this gameplay video, I build a fresh character from scratch before heading into the opening act to see what mysteries, mechanics, and surprises Esoteric Ebb has in store. If you’re curious about the game’s tone, pacing, or early gameplay loop, this is a great place to start.

Britt’s Brief Bulletin - April Review Round Up! 🎮

ICARUS: Console Edition
Available on PlayStation 5

A game that was initially released on Windows at the tail end of 2021 and has now made its way to console, ICARUS comes from the mind of DayZ creator, Dean Hall. Developed by RocketWerkz, ICARUS is again in the survival genre, this time with a slightly futuristic bent but with the same sense of a world of beasts and nature itself being against you.

Visually impressive, and a game that does not hold your hand, ICARUS is all about incremental progress and practicality, playable online with multiplayer, this is a game that has you weathering out storms, building structures to protect you from wildlife as well as the planet itself...structures that can go up like a lit match if you are too cavalier with your campfire placement!

Certainly a game that invites you to dive in, explore...and survive in a harsh unrelenting world, this would be a blast with the up to eight players that can be in each drop, gathering and managing resources whilst fighting off curious animals as well as preparing a transient home away from the natural elements, but I did find a slight disconnect between these hostile planets, futuristic setting...and the fact that -initially at least – the fauna that you deal with are bizarrely very Earth-centric. 

It would have been cool to be up against things other than boars, wolves, and bears, as it can make the whole setup feel a little superficial, not taking full advantage of the fact that this could be a truly alien world, full of surprises, instead of being just another survival adventure, with the tutorial effectively snapped off. 

Finally, the in-game text is minute with seemingly no way of enlarging it, so if you have trouble with your eyesight, be prepared to get close up and personal with your TV.

The Rogue Prince of Persia PS5 Gameplay – Physical Edition First Look! ⚔️🎮

Rich steps into the sands once more with The Rogue Prince of Persia –Physical Edition on PS5!

Watch as the legendary Prince returns in this fast‑paced, roguelite adventure packed with fluid combat, wall‑running acrobatics, and stunning hand‑drawn visuals. This gameplay showcase dives into the console edition — exploring early levels, upgrades, and the new physical release that fans have been waiting for.

SNK and PLAION Bring Back a Legend: NEOGEO AES+ Set for Christmas 2026 Launch 🕹️

Retro gaming takes a monumental step forward this winter as SNK and PLAION REPLAI announce the return of one of the most coveted consoles ever made: the NEOGEO AES+, a modern reissue of the iconic 24‑bit home arcade system. Pre‑orders open today ahead of the console’s global launch on 12 November 2026.

Positioned as a “zero‑compromise” revival, the NEOGEO AES+ is not a mini‑console, not an emulation box, and not a reinterpretation. Instead, it is a faithful, hardware‑accurate recreation of the original AES — complete with full compatibility for vintage NEOGEO cartridges. For collectors and arcade purists, this marks the first time in decades that the original experience can be enjoyed on modern displays without adapters, converters, or aftermarket modifications.

RIG R5 SPEAR PRO‑Series Gaming Headsets Launch in North America 🎧

NACON has announced the North American launch of its latest R5 SPEAR PRO‑Series gaming headsets. 

The new lineup — including the RIG R5 PRO HX, RIG R5 PRO HC, and a new white edition of the RIG R5 PRO HS — is available starting today at Best Buy, Amazon, and Shop NACON. G Style Magazine