News
The fourth and final title in the East Tower series by roseVeRte is now available on Steam. Like the previous three titles, East Tower – Kurenai is a romance mystery visual novel based around a virtual game attraction. As Kurenai is the conclusion to the series and reveals the secret behind the “Dream World” it is recommended that players who have yet to play the previous titles in the series do so first
PC Game Reviews
Gauge is extremely simple to play, but that is precisely why it is so addictive. Anyone can instantly learn how to play the game, but achieving the big scores requires focus and concentration. This is easier said than done, as the game actively tries to break your concentration and mess with your eyes. The psychedelic visuals can cause quite an eye strain, so this game is best played in short bursts, but overall, it is a lot of fun.
Gameplay: Gauge is very simple but surprisingly addictive and challenging.
Graphics: The visuals are incredibly psychedelic and not recommended for anyone with an epileptic condition.
Sound: The electronic music and sound effects fit the game perfectly
PC Game Reviews
Full Bore is a sprawling adventure with plenty of puzzle based challenges to tackle while you are exploring. Apart from a few rare instances you are not racing against a clock or facing any type of enemies so you can progress at your own pace. Some players may find the experience too sedate while others will be hooked by the fascinating gameworld and tricky puzzles.
Gameplay: A block based puzzler with some very clever challenges.
Graphics: Lovely pixel art with some great animations and lighting effects.
Sound: An excellent glitch/blues soundtrack rounds off the package
PC Game Reviews
Victor Vran is the latest contender for the action-RPG crown and actually offers a very enjoyable experience. Visually, it is a little similar to the Van Helsing titles, but thanks to its character customization options feels quite fresh. It also features non-stop action and plenty of challenges, so fans of the genre will really get their money’s worth with this one.
Gameplay: The relentless action can become a little repetitive, but the variety of weapons and powers keeps the combat interesting.
Graphics: The handcrafted levels look really nice and the lighting effects really stand out.
Sound: Good voice acting by some familiar voice actors and a good soundtrack as well
PC Game Reviews
Mobile titles usually don’t fare very well on PC due to their simplicity or lack of options, but Uppercut Games has done a good job sprucing up EPOCH for its Steam release. The improved visuals and responsive controls make it more than just a quick port, and the arcade-style gameplay is perfect for killing some time between more in-depth titles. While the campaign can be completed relatively quickly, there is plenty of replay value, and the endless Arena mode also provides some more longevity.
Gameplay: Epoch is a third-person shooter stripped down to its most basic elements.
Graphics: The Unreal 3 engine provides visuals that were quite good for their time.
Sound: The audio is decent but not particularly memorable
News
We were hoping that Sekai Project had some more good news to announce after all the impressive announcements at Anime Expo and thankfully they did not disappoint. They not only announced five new visual novels, but are also dipping their toes into the world of Manga publishing
News
MangaGamer had some great announcements at Anime Expo this year, including A Kiss for the Petals and Himawari, but returned with even more good news at Otakon. They not only unveiled a new partner, Propeller, but also revealed five new titles fans can look forward to
PC Game Reviews
This game features the usual unlikely storyline of a male character ending up in a house full of females but it does provide a bit more substance than usual. There are quite a few branching storylines and a multitude of endings so the replay value is quite high. If you are a fan of the genre and don’t mind the whole family incest angle, then this title ticks all the right boxes.
Gameplay: The usual limitations of the genre, but with plenty of storyline branches.
Graphics: Not bad.
Sound: Includes plenty of sound effects as well as both Japanese and English voice overs
Previews
With plenty of English visual novels appearing on Steam and in bundles these days players are spoiled for choice. However, indie games with adult content still face an uphill battle in terms of funding and exposure. We’ve seen developers like Lupiesoft expanding their roster with adult titles, such as the upcoming Menagerie, but outside of the visual novel genre the pickings for quality adult titles are still slim. Nevertheless, a small team of programmers, designers and artists are seeking to change this with their upcoming 18+ title, Lewd Warfare
PC Game Reviews
Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is a polished and great looking update of a 16 bit classic but it is not without issues. The controls feel a bit too floaty and the whole experience can be over in one sitting. The updated visuals look fantastic however and fans of the mouse will appreciate the attention to detail that has gone into this game.
Gameplay: Captures the spirit of the original bit is a bit on the easy side.
Graphics: The highlight of the game.
Sound: The ability to switch between the original and remastered soundtrack is great
