Yoku’s Island Express (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
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Posted on July 16th, 2018 by
In this game you play as a dung beetle named Yoku who has set out for an island to start his new job as Postmaster. But when he arrives he soon learns that an evil being has scratched and scarred the guardian of the island, leaving it for destruction. Now it’s up to the little dung beetle to deliver summons to the leaders of the island so they can perform a ritual of healing and save the day. But how can a little dung beetle who can’t even jump do that? Well, like all dung beetles, Yoku rolls around a ball of…well, let’s just say it’s sand since it’s all white in this game. This island has pinball-like flippers scattered all over the place, so you’ll flip and toss Yoku and his clump around like a pinball! So yeah, it’s a pinball-platformer hybrid and very similar to Sonic Spinball. So if you enjoyed that one, you’ll definitely want to read this review. Yoku’s Island Express is available on nearly all current consoles, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Runbow (Switch, PS4, PC, Xbox One)
Posted on July 14th, 2018 by
Runbow is a fun, hyper-quick competitive platformer recently released on the PS4 and Switch (Switch version reviewed here, you can also read Cary’s excellent Wii U review.) Players (up to 9 online, 4 in local play) are placed down in a short platforming level and must race to be the first to touch the final trophy. It’s main shtick lies in the constantly changing solid color background. Most of the platforms are colored, and if they match the color of the background (essentially becoming invisible) the platform won’t support anyone. Players compete against each other in a series of short races to win the title for that series. Runbow is a fast playing game with minimal controls that manages to provide some great, intense multiplayer competition in nice short bursts.
Ozobot Evo and the Avengers!
Posted on July 11th, 2018 by
Anyone remember those car toys where you could draw a black line on paper and the car would follow it? I think they first came out in the 70’s but I’m not sure. Well now those kinds of toys have reached the 21st century with Ozobot Evo. Not only does this robot follow black lines on paper, but it can also detect other colors as well. And when those colors are in certain patterns, they act as a code to tell Ozobot what do to, like turn directions, go backward, and much more! But that’s not all. Now you can get limited edition skins for Ozobot based on Marvel’s The Avengers characters, which give the little robot even more personality. Click here to read more!
Star Trek Ascendancy – Borg Assimilation (Boardgame)
Posted on July 10th, 2018 by
Star Trek Ascendancy is a civilization building wargame. Previously only a competitive affair, the Borg Assimilation expansion adds in a Borg race that runs rampant through the galaxy. Players can cooperate to defeat it, or risk being assimilated (and taking over the Borg race themselves.) The expansion now allows a solo play version of the game (win before the Borg takes over) but if more than one player is present the game remains a competitive one (although with a common enemy.)
LEGO The Incredibles (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
Posted on July 9th, 2018 by
The Incredibles 2 is Disney-Pixar’s latest hit animated movie, and the longest wait for a Pixar sequel (14 years!). Now you can relive the fun of BOTH The Incredibles movies in LEGO form with LEGO The Incredibles. Play as the entire super family: Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet, Dash, and even Jak-Jak as well as super friends like Frozone as they save the day from bad guys. The game is available for nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Pokémon Quest (Switch, Mobile)
Posted on July 6th, 2018 by
You discover an island full of treasure and Pokémon, but everything here is cube-shaped! It’s up to you and your new cubic Pokémon friends to explore the island, battle rival Pokémon, and find all the treasure. Pokémon Quest is free to download on Switch and later mobile devices, but reviewed on Switch here.
BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle (PS4, Switch, PC)
Posted on July 4th, 2018 by
Cross-over fighting games are nearly always neat, so here’s a 2-D one with anime styled characters from BlazBlue, Persona, Under Night In-Birth, and even RWBY. You can choose two characters at once and swap them out during fights, so it has more of a Marvel vs. Capcom feel to it. But otherwise it plays like how you’d expect a 2-D one-on-one fighter would, and it’s available on PS4, Switch, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Steamworld Heist (Switch, PS4, PC, Xbox One, NDS, Mobile)
Posted on July 3rd, 2018 by
The Switch is known for great arcade gaming, but Steamworld Heist: Ultimate Edition shows that it can also be great for pick-up and play tactical gaming. This turn-based, side-scrolling, tactical RPG features steampunk robots exploring the solar system in their run down spaceship. Bumbling robot adventurers and tactical battles combine with a skill system and weapon load-out options to provide a surprisingly deep tactical experience. Switch gamers looking for a little squad-based tactical battles should check out the game.
Azure Reflections (PS4, PC)
Posted on July 2nd, 2018 by
Azure Reflections is a 2-D horizontally side-scrolling shooter, but it’s also associated with the “Bullet Hell” sub-genre. Which means that you are tasked with avoiding and maneuvering around tons of projectiles on screen while you shoot. The cast is entirely full of annoying cute anime girls who can somehow fly and fire magic bullets. Aside from some Japanese symbols, the title logo also has the word “Touhou” in the corner. I’ve seen that word in some other game press releases I’ve gotten, but I have no idea what it means. Anyway, this game is available to download on PS4 and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
We Bare Bears: Match3 Repairs (iOS, Android)
Posted on June 29th, 2018 by
Grizzly, Ice Bear, and Panda, the three popular bears from Cartoon Network’s hit show We Bare Bears, well, they’ve got a problem. Construction workers have mistakenly wrecked their cave and now it’s up to the bear brothers to repair their home and surrounding campsite. You can help them by playing a match three puzzle game. Yeah it’s another one of those, but this one is pretty good for what it is. It’s available for free on mobile devices, but reviewed on iPad here.
