Geek Culture Reviews

Taming the frontier one railroad at a time… Railroads Online is a sandbox simulation tycoon game that puts you into the role of building a railroad network during the golden age of steam locomotives. Developed by solo developer, Stefan Kelnberger , Railroads Online sees you developing the untamed wilderness one track at a time.  As an avid fan of the more modern Train Simulator title, Railroads Online initially intrigued me. Becoming a titan of the steam industry isn’t a genre that’s covered by the hustle and bustle of commuter travel, and after recently playing Death Stranding I wanted a more casual experience of simply hauling freight from A to B. While Railroads Online does this, it has the added layer of allowing you to build the track and make your connections along the way. However, while you’re given the tools to build and shape this world how you see fit, it’s not very easy for those of us looking for something casual. So while my initial excitement was very high, actua...

Astlibra Gaiden: Cave of Phantom Mist is the standalone expansion to developer KEIZO’s hit, Astlibra. Taking place during the middle section of the base game, Astlibra Gaiden: Cave of Phantom Mist aims to portray another side of the wider narrative.  I’ll admit now that I’ve never experienced Astlibra , so when I was greeted with a spoiler warning, it did not phase me. I had no emotional attachments to these characters, so finding out the events of the first game didn’t bother me at all. That being said, if you’re currently playing through Astlibra it’s probably best to finish it first before tackling this one. You have been warned. Taking place around the middle portion of the Astlibra Revolution , we’re placed in the role of the nameless daughter of the settlement baker. With the protagonist of the main game away on that adventure, it’s down to you to protect the village from the encroaching darkness. This standalone adventure soon entwines with the original story as you’ll soon...

Even Angels suffer with déjà vu …  The Holy Gosh Darn is one of those rare games that utilises its comedy elements to great effect. The laugh-out-loud comedy mixes well with its time-travel gameplay loop to create a game that’ll entertain you from start to finish. With The Holy Gosh Darn , developer Perfectly Paranormal continues their journey that started with Manual Samuel and Helheim Hassle - yet refines it in every way.  Religion is at the heart of The Holy Gosh Darn as we’re thrown into the role of the angel Cassiel of Celerity. Our introduction to Cassiel shows that this isn’t a game that’s going to take religion seriously as we see the wayward Angel playing a game of “guess the dog”. It turns out that the old saying “every dog goes to heaven” is true and heaven is overrun with deceased pooches. As such Cassiel and her fellow Angel Pureil have turned the mundane crossing of the pooch into a game - a game that’s taken place across thousands of years!  After a fe...

Ninjas are still cool ,right? It seems to be a recurring theme in this console generation with developers bringing long-forgotten retro titles to modern audiences - Zool , G-Darius , Cotton , and Cyber Citizen Shockman spring to mind. A big part of this retro-revival is to allow current gamers to experience those hits and forgotten gems from the gaming past, and for us older generation to enjoy a slice of our gaming history. Regarding gaming, across the 80s and 90s, a big bulk of video games consisted of side-scrolling beat’em ups. Titles such as Streets of Rage reigned supreme on home consoles, arcades were full of various “side-scrollers” blasting out their 8-bit soundtracks in aid of getting you pocket money. So it comes as no surprise that the side-scrolling beat’em up genre is the one that sees the most ports to modern consoles.  Shadow of the Ninja started its life as an NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) that was first released in Japan back in 1990. As the game aged, it...

And I’m going round in circles, going round in circles… For a lot of people, our working lives are stuck in a mundane job doing mundane tasks day in, and day out. Whether it’s the repetition of scanning items through a checkout counter or staring into the abyss while numerous spreadsheets drop into our inbox, working 9/5 isn’t always fun. Quite a few times I’ve been in my job and fantasised over what I would do if various outrageous - and outlandish- incidents just happened to occur. While none of these are yet to happen to me, the folks who work at Shift 87 ’s NORN Corporation are about to be thrown into a supernatural event.  And it’s one you’re tasked with cleaning up.  Shift 87 throws you into the boots of an employee of the NORN Corporation. You’re a faceless nobody in the sea of employees doing their jobs for the greater good of the corporation. Anyway, after a mysterious event occurred on the corporation's property various anomalies have been reported by various staff....

Your princess is in another castle… The best way to describe HAMMER95 ’s Mullet Madjack is a fever dream crossover between DOOM, 80’s anime, and every live-streaming platform there is. It’s a crazy boomer shooter that sees you attempting to rescue “the princess” as you face countless hordes of enemies, and an online audience who’s only excitement is seeing you obliterate everything in reckless abandon. With ten seconds on the clock, Mullet Madjack is a rollercoaster ride of bullet hell and speed-running delights.  Set in the not to distant future, humanity is in need of that latest dopamine rush. Finding most entertainment now boring, if it’s not exciting in 10 seconds then that’s it, game over. As consumers battle to score their latest hit, a super rich AI known as “Robillionaires” has taken over the world. In true “evil robot” style this AI is as corrupt and evil as they come (move over Skynet) and as such has enslaved humanity in their own constant need of consumer entertainme...

A hauntingly beautiful theme park survival horror… Created by SFB Games , Crow Country is a retro-inspired survival-horror. Taking the role of Mara Forest you’ll face your darkest fears as you search for the elusive Edward Crow. Last seen within his now dilapidated theme park, Crow’s current situation is unknown. As Mara pulls her car up to the now rusted park gates you get the distinct feeling that this isn’t going to be a simple investigation. In fact even after the credits roll the creeping dread doesn’t let you go.  In terms of introducing we’re not really given one. Instead we first take control of Mara as she arrives at the Crow Country theme park. Due to a spate of incidents the park has recently closed and its once prestigious rides and mascots have started to decay. As mentioned previously, Mara is in search of the parks owner Edward Crow in an attempt to find out what exactly happened to cause the parks closure.  Keeping with the traditions of the genre, Crow Countr...

Rob reviews Witch Rise on PlayStation 5… It seems like every week indie powerhouse Ratalaika Games brings a new indie title to console store fronts. Where January seems to be a quiet month for AAA titles, it is the perfect time to sample some indie delights. With price points that don’t necessarily break those post-Christmas bank balances, it’s no big loss if the title in question is a done-in-one to never return.  Witch Rise is one of those titles.  Don’t get me wrong, Witch Rise does have some charming features to it, but it’s one that’s probably only going to be played for those of us who like those illusive platinum trophies. Coming in with a playtime that can be done in a little under 90 minutes with 12 simple unmissable trophies, Witch Rise is one that’ll be done and dusted pretty quick.  Taking inspiration from the likes of  DOOM , Witch Rise is a colourful pixel art romp through a strange world featuring four unique biomes. As you progress through this wor...

Rob reviews DreadOut 2 on Nintendo Switch… I’m a fan of horror titles, and anything from fighting ghostly apparitions, to hiding from a seemingly unstoppable monsters are a big hit in my book. Horror games are done well when they make the player unsettled, but give them enough rope to come back for more. A good example of this is Alien Isolation - which I think is a title that’s still not been beat in terms of making you feel truly trapped in a nightmare. The same can also be said for the 2001 PlayStation 2 title Project Zero (Fatal Frame if you’re not in Europe or Australia). Project Zero cast you as Miku Hinasaki who only armed with a camera had to battle supernatural forces whilst attempting to save her brother. The dark corridors were unsettling enough - and that’s before you used the camera to realise you weren’t alone.  DreadOut 2 is very much like these two horror heavyweights. And it’s a title that I’m glad to have experienced. Even if it’s on the Nintendo Switch.  ...

Rob reviews Fearmonium on PlayStation 5… It’s seems to be every week-or-so that indie game publisher Ratalaika Games has a new game out on the market. This week it’s no different as the publisher is premiering developer Redblack Spade’s psychological Metroidvania, Fearmonium to consoles. Utilising a unique story that plays upon our own fears and worries, Fearmonium is a journey across one young boys psyche that’ll stay long in your mind once the credits roll.  Fearmonium takes place within the mind of Max, a teenager who’s going through quite a tough time. The death of his beloved grandfather has hit the family hard and Max particularly is having a tough time with the sudden bereavement. Not only this but Max doesn’t get on with his abusive stepfather, he’s the subject of taunting from a few high school bullies, and his girlfriend is breaking up with him and moving to another town. While Max attempts to settle his troubled mind for a nights sleep, our real protagonist starts to tak...