QCF: Say No! More

t first glance of Say No! More, I immediately had memories of an arcade game I used to play at anime conventions called Cho Chabudai Gaeshi. It was a table-flipping game where you would pound on the table to charge up the attack in various settings such as a wedding and an office, before unleashing your attack and flipping the table for maximum destruction. I was happy to find out that Say No! More may be close to that goofy experience that I enjoyed years ago, with plenty of humor and no-stress gameplay. The game does not deliver on challenge or depth but presents an important message in what is described as a linguistic arcade comedy.

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QCF: Cyber Shadow

f there’s only one video game platform from the past that has to lead an everlasting brain trust spread throughout all walks of life, it’s the Nintendo Entertainment System. There are a bevy of other 8-bit machines that have their fans sure, but the NES has defined what people consider the 8-bit generation to be, establishing a style that still permeates a majority of the throwback indie titles that’s seen in the market today.

Drawing inspiration from the system’s aesthetics is one thing, but capturing the gameplay of that era is an entirely different beast, especially when it comes to channeling the essence of the challenge it’s famous for in an age of Save States and unlimited continues. Enter Mechanical Head Studio’s Cyber Shadow, a new title published by Yacht Club that chases the old ghosts of NES classics like Ninja Gaiden, Power Blade, Shatterhand, Shadow of the Ninja, and so much more—complete with a modern touch that aims to balance the scale of difficulty and fairness on the tightest of ropes.

There’s a lot to enjoy here for those who cut their teeth on the action genre during the days of the rectangular controller, but on that same token, arguably much of the beauty behind that generation is the “less is more” philosophy behind those games—something that Cyber Shadow is remiss to forget in its occasionally clumsy ambition.

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QCF: Yaga

lthough I have often heard the name of Baba Yaga in various media such as movies and television, I must admit I am not familiar at all about its origins or the impact that the Slavic folklore has had over time. Playing through the latest indie release from Versus Evil and developer Breadcrumbs Interactive shows just how much this tale is revered in culture and to storytellers across the world. I appreciate that Yaga presents an interesting hybrid of hack and slash, choose your own adventure and crafting all into a game that is only hindered by repetitive combat, clunky menus and an overabundance of mechanics. And even with that the game still allows the player to become enchanted with the storybook presentation and branching paths that are prime for replaying and finding all the possible outcomes.

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PPR 129

an, Daylight Savings time sure is weird—while everyone here at Press Pause radio can appreciate the gift of an extra hour being added during the weekend of all times, it’s still enough to make you queasy…

Still, it’s given us time to catch up on everything we’ve playing before the wave of next generation hardware hits us in a couple of weeks,  and even then, there’s no shortage of stuff to get through. This week we talk about Microsoft announcement of 100% Backwards compatibility of their older software libraries for the Xbox One and  Series X, Commuter Bicycles retailing for over thirteen-thousand dollars, Sony offering free hardware to retro-fit the PSVR headset onto the PlayStation 5, Hades,, Ginga Force, the Sony 1945MD, Way of the Warrior, The Yakuza Collection, Cyberpunk 2077 delays, the Colecovision Super Game Module, and so much more.

Unwrap whatever candy you’ve grabbed over the  holiday, as you plug in for a jam-packed episode of Press Pause Radio before heading into the GOTY season—also, if you haven’t already, be sure to vote this election however which way you can! Also, wear a fucking mask when you go outside—it help save your life, and the lives of those around you!

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!

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QCF: Takeshi & Hiroshi

 know it may sound a bit silly, especially when you think about the importance of roles like Fire Fighters and Surgeons but, it can be argued that Video Game Developers are among some of the biggest heroes of modern society (this can honestly be said about all creatives, but stick with me, I’m going somewhere with this.)

The worlds they can weave, with designs that are teeming with a sense of wonder that bewilders and empower anyone looking for an experience to escape to; Game Developers offer an invaluable service, and for one aspiring designer-in-the-making, it’s the one gift he can give to an ailing little brother.

In a story where your passion can be someone’s entire world, enter Takeshi & Hiroshi; an interactive novel from Oink Games that’s packed with a lot of heart, a surprising amount of gameplay depth, and the regrettable snag of ending way too soon.

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QCF: Volta-X (Steam)

hen I first viewed Volta-X, I was drawn in by the art style; a blending of giant robot battles mashed together with Japanese monster movies and Saturday morning cartoons. But once I started playing the release from GungHo Online Entertainment America, I felt that the game was difficult to understand, and even harder to define. After my twenty plus hour initial playthrough of the game I can say that I still can’t quite define what it is, and unfortunately with a lack of community to battle and a UI that leaves plenty to desire, that may keep other players away from what could be a fantastic, albeit grindy RTS / RPG hybrid.

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QCF: Helheim Hassle (Xbox One)

The word hassle is a good way to describe what Bjørn Hammerparty has to overcome; a pacifist Viking that refuses to die in battle and go to Valhalla, only to accidentally die in battle and go to Valhalla. Now after centuries of not quite fitting in, Bjørn has the chance to gain a permanent spot in the peaceful underworld of Helheim. All he needs to do is help an inexplicable but laid-back skeleton named Pesto retrieve a magical item for their master and survive a multitude of puzzles constructed by undisciplined goblin cobblers.  But maybe the real hassle was the friends they made along the way. Hmm, that last part doesn’t really land like I thought it would. Anyways the game was fun, but not without its frustrations. Sort of like this intro. Okay, moving on then.  

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QCF: Super Crush KO (Switch)

So far in my brief experience with the Nintendo Switch, I have enjoyed several beat-em-ups and action games. However, I seem to struggle with the titles that rely heavily on combo-driven combat and precise controls. Something like Bayonetta or Devil May Cry would be a struggle for not only a novice such as myself, but for playing on a Switch that is never hooked up to a television or using a controller. Thankfully the fine individuals at Vertex Pop have made a name for themselves releasing approachable and stylish indie games that do not compromise on the action. Their latest release, Super Crush KO is a colorful and stylish hybrid of the above-mentioned genre and run ‘n gun that although is short to complete and possibly less of a challenge for experienced players, nonetheless is a worthwhile addition to the platform.

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