Geek Culture Reviews

The classic SEGA Genesis shmup get reinvented for the Nintendo Switch… When it comes to talking about retro shmup’s, Steel Empire isn’t one that initially comes to mind. Nestled behind the likes of Ikaruga, Raiden, Darius, and many more, Steel Empire is the often overlooked retro delight. Originally released on the SEGA Genesis back in 1992, the shoot’em up then received ports for both the Gameboy Advanced in 2004  and the Nintendo 3DS ten years later in 2014. In keeping with their tradition of releasing the game every ten years, Nintendo have brought Steel Empire to the Nintendo Switch in the form of, The Legend of Steel Empire.  Developed by Mebius, The Legend of Steel Empire retains this plot that drove that initial release back in 1992. The basic plot revolves around the war between two steampunk-inspired nations in the year “18XX”, one side is the small Republic of Silverhead, the other the vast spanning Motorhead Empire. Due to the lack of natural resources, steam power...

Rob reviews Warhammer 40K: Shootas, Blood, & Teef on Nintendo Switch... The grim-dark future of the 40,000th  millennium is one that's full of war. Its a universe spanning conflict that has embroiled numerous races to fight one another for galactic dominance. It's also a universe where no one side is the light in the perpetual darkness.  The lore that surrounds Games Workshop 's table-top miniature game is both expansive as it is vast. From simply searching a name such as 'Abaddon the Despoiler', or 'Marneus Calgar' you'll be greeted by a full-blooded (and I use that term liberally) history of the characters, their battles, and...well pretty much anything else you can think off.  As vast as the 40,000th millennium is, it's also as deadly. No other enemy has seen more battles than the bloodthirsty Orks. These menacing brutes love to fight. Wether it be the forces of Chaos, the Emperor's Astates, or themselves - no one stands in the...

Two captivating narrative adventures for Nintendo Switch bundled together for the first time in a boxed edition... ININ Games has partnered with developer inkle to publish two of their most beloved titles together in one gorgeous box set. The special edition box set that features narrative adventures '80 Days' and 'Overboard!' also sees ININ Games work yet again with Strictly Limited Games in order to bring the project to life.  80 Days ' In this steampunk retelling of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, players set out on a journey to circumnavigate the globe. Playing as Passepartout, long-suffering valet to Phileas Fogg, you must set the route, manage the budget, oversee the health and well-being of your master, and get back to London before the clock runs out. The game has been critically-acclaimed and was one of the best games of 2014, according to Time Magazine!' Features: Visit over 170 bespoke cities on your jour...

Rob reviews Cotton Fantasy on Nintendo Switch... It's common knowledge that I'm a big fan of the humble arcade shooter. I'd like to say that I've played the vast majority of the best and worse that the genre has to offer. The same can be said for Cotton. Over the last year, I've reviewed many titles from the Cotton franchise as it has finally made its way into the Western markets. While the series has its fair share of ups and downs, its simplistic gameplay and over the top characters make for a very memorable experience - both good and bad.  Cotton Fantasy is an entirely new and original title in the franchise. Originally released as Cotton Rock 'n' Roll: Superlative Night, it also marks the first main game in the series to be released in over 20-years! Developed by Studio Saizensen , Cotton Fantasy once again sees its titular character head off on another grand adventure. Now in glorious HD, the game also comes with a few under-the-hood upgrad...

Rob reviews Clockwork Aquario on Nintendo Switch... Clockwork Aquario   is a look into what could have been. It's a gorgeous slice of 1992 arcade fun, that's been hurled through time to 2021. Developed by Westone Bit Entertainment , Clockwork Aquario was originally planned to be released onto SEGA 's System 18 back in 1992. However, due to the rise of 3D and fighting games, Clockwork Aquario was shelved and lost to time. Skip to 2017 and the titles right fall into the hands of Strictly Limited Games . Working alongside former employees of Westone and ININ Games ,  Strictly Limited Games have restored and completed the game to its original specs from 1992. From playing Clockwork Aquario you can see that it's been a real labour of love from the developer teams.  Clockwork Aquario is a colourful, quintessential slice of 90's arcade action. Levels are filled with cute-yet-deadly creatures, platforming consists of some pretty random traversal met...

Rob reviews Panorama Cotton on Nintendo Switch... They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Video games have often copied one another - and they still do so today. Look how many games can attribute their success to another and the list is endless.  Take Panorama Cotton for example. Developed in 1994 by Success for the Sega Mega Drive, Panorama Cotton take a radical departure from previous gameplay and mimics that seen in Sega's own Space Harrier . However, in doing so it loses the charm that made Cotton what it was.  Flash forward to 2021 and Ratalaika Games have brought Panorama Cotton back from its slumber. Was it worth it? Well no. It certainly hasn't aged well and playing it through a modern console shows this. Even the added extras of being able to rewind gameplay, or the modified version of the original doesn't change Panorama Cotton from being mediocre.  The only real takeaway is that it's hard to imagine the Mega Drive's...

Rob reviews G-Darius HD on Nintendo Switch... The Nintendo Switch isn't short of arcade conversions. From titles such as Crusi'n Blast  to the   Hamster Arcade Archive , there's plenty here to satisfy even the staunchest arcade critic. The latest kid on the block is G-Darius HD , a high-definition remaster of Tatio's 1997 shoot'em up arcade title.  G-Darius is the fourth instalment of Tatio 's Darius series - and was the first to feature 3-D polygonal graphics. At the time the title received a port on both the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, as well as making its way on to PC. Much like previous titles in the series, G-Darius HD features the classic horizontal shoot'em up gameplay, mixed in with some beautifully rendered graphics.  Considering its shoot'em up heritage, G-Darius has quite a surprising plot. Set as a prequel to the series, the game follows the early stages of the Amnelia/Thiima war. Due to the use of a superweapon by the Amnel...

Rob reviews WitchSpring3 Re:Fine - The Story of Eirudy on Nintendo Switch... WitchSpring3 Re:Fine - The Story of Eirudy is a charming RPG that's been brought to the Nintendo Switch by STUDIOARTDINK and ININ Games . Originally launched as a mobile title WitchSpring3 tells the story of Eirudy - a marionette Witch who lives alone in a secluded forest. It's a charming tale that full of content with a rich, fully realised standalone story.  As the title suggests the story follows the Marionette Witch Eirudy. Eirudy lives a somewhat secluded life with only her aging relative and a selection of marionette puppets for company. During a quest to find enough life-essence to rectify a failure within her latest creation, Eirudy stumbles across a human who's not only not afraid of her, but is seeking a fabled 'Stone of Life' in order to save his dying mother.  The overall story is quite interesting. The world is full of interesting characters that each have their ow...

Rob reviews Dariusburst Another Chronicle EX + on Nintendo Switch... Darius  is the grandfather of all modern side-scrolling shoot'em ups, that seems to have constantly reinvented itself as times gone on. Originally released back in 1986 Darius has gone on to produce 6 sequels with various spin-offs, remasters, and re-releases. The franchise has also seen its self make a home on nearly every console generation, as well as making a name for itself with Arcades worldwide.  What makes Darius unique is its enemies are sci-fi monstrosities that take inspiration from many aquatic animals. Picture fighting a monstrous metal Koi Carp that shoots lasers and you are pretty much spot on. It's different and helps set the game apart from other shmups.  So, Dariusburst Another Chronicle EX + is a port of the 2010 Arcade and PSP game of the same name. This Switch port features four game modes: Original - the traditional Arcade experience, EX Mode - more of the same but tou...