Tag Archives: cyberpunk

video game reviews

CyberCorp is a Fantastic Futuristic Looter Shooter!

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I was sent a free copy of CyberCorp to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

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What is Cybercorp?

CyberCorp is a top-down cyberpunk isometric looter shooter out now on Steam and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch.

As a proud member of the CyberCorp, it is your duty to clean up these crime-ridden streets. With the help of your standard issue Synth, a specialized combat robot you control from a hub, and the upgrades you pick up along the way, you will restore order to this city. Do you have what it takes to be the best CyberCorp operative this city has seen?

Gameplay

CyberCorp is essentially a cyberpunk Diablo. Players take control of advanced and upgradable synths. Players choose missions from a central hub. These missions are small dungeons that progress the story, but they are also farmable. Like most games in the genre, players can use the randomized loot they collect to upgrade their synths. CyberCorp uses a gear system similar to Destiny for its leveling.

Players have access to two ranged weapons, a melee weapon, and three swappable activatable skills. Players use their Synth to fight through mobs of enemies and tough creative bosses while trying to execute flawless combos and achieve high scores.

This game can be played solo or multiplayer, so if you friends, things are about to get crazy.

Review

I have been fighting the Diablo itch for so long because I don’t have time to grind those season rewards. This game came as the truest blessing imaginable. I wasn’t ready for how good of a looter shooter CyberCorp is, but I have come to terms, and it wasn’t easy to put down.

The game has great flavor, with a solid story to keep players motivated. I love the idea of CyberCorp, but the art feels a little simple. Some of the maps and enemies are hard to see, but the game is in early access, and improvements can be on the way. This isn’t really an issue because the game looks good enough and the gameplay is solid.

The game plays great, aside from a few noticeable instances of roughness. The game is still in early access after all. That said, the performance and concept are good enough that I am willing to look past the roughness and enjoy myself.

CyberCorp is a fantastic addition to any collection. It has a solid story, a great soundtrack, and an incredibly fun gameplay loop. If you’re looking for a new game, or something to play with your friends, this should be on top of your list. There is a bit of a grind, but it isn’t going to matter.

You can pick up your copy of CyberCorp on Steam for $14.99 or wait till January 30, 2025 for it to go live on the Nintendo eShop.

video game reviews

The Neural Dominion Demo Needs Work Before it Goes Public

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I was asked to cover the Neural Dominion announcement and was given early access to the alpha demo available now on Steam. Since the game is still in production, I will try to be a bit more lenient than usual with my impressions.

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What is Neural Dominion?

Neural Dominion is a cyberpunk 4X strategy game coming to PC. A public demo will release in October, so make sure it is on your wishlist.

In the crime-ridden city of Technograd, only one gang can reign supreme. Build your empire as you establish your illegal operations, recruit new members, and stop anyone who gets in your way. The path to total domination will be paved with obstacles. Cops will want their cut and rival gangs will want your head. Do you have what it takes to rule this city, or will you be another crime statistic?

Gameplay

The demo is just the game’s tutorial with alpha gameplay. The version I got is in a rough place and almost unplayable. The parts I did get through teach players the basic mechanics of the game. Players will learn about movement, purchasing and expanding territory, recruiting new gang members, buying upgrades, and combat. The game is on a turn based system where players have a set number of action points to spend. It gives a solid introduction to the game, but I hope it is less clunky on public release.

Impressions

I had a hard time with this game because the game was unstable. The tutorial wasn’t coded properly, and it was a chore to get through. If the tutorial box came up when I had to move my character, it made the squares unclickable and locked me from progressing through the rest of the tutorial. The only fix was to rest the game and restart the tutorial. If the tutorial box popped up during combat, it slowed down the animations to a snail’s pace, even if I was at 4x speed. The only fix for this bug was to cycle through the different speeds until another text box popped up to break it again.

The parts that did work weren’t very impressive, but the game isn’t finished yet so there is still the chance it gets better. I can’t recommend this game yet because of the state of the demo. I am not asking for amazing animations, a beautiful fleshed out map, but I am expecting something that works. I am wiling to overlook a lot when trying these kinds of demos, but this one made it hard. I am hoping that the public demo will be working, but I’ll have to wait and see till October.

You can wishlist Neural Dominion on Steam and join the official Discord if you want to stay up to date.

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Discover the Cyberpunk 4X Strategy Game Neural Dominion

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If you’re looking for a new 4X strategy game with a cool cyberpunk feel, you’re going to want to look into Neural Dominion. I was sent a demo of the game and will be back with my impressions, but I thought I would share because I like the vibe.

What is Neural Dominion

Neural Dominion is a 4X strategy game coming to Steam sometime next year. Players take control of one of five unique gangs as they fight to take control of the city. Recruit the strongest gang as you build your empire of brothels, drug dens, and extortion rings. Do you have what it takes to conquer this dark and gritty world, or will be just another crime statistic?

Gameplay

Neural Dominion 4X strategy with turn-based JRPG combat for an interesting twist to the genre. Players take control of the city by setting up their business (like drugs, gambling, etc) and recruiting more members. Players will have to manage their empire efficiently, upgrade their gang and structures, stay out of trouble with the cops. There will also be a bit of story for those who need it.

There will be a public demo will become available in October, so make sure Neural Dominion is on your wishlist. If you need a reason to get excited, check out the official pre-alpha footage that just went life. I’ll be playing a bit of the demo and will be back with my impressions. Stay tuned for that. t

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video game reviews

Pixel Action: Cybertrash STATYX Review

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I was sent Cybertrash STATYX for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Cybertrash STATYX?

Cybertrash STATYX is a retro-styled action platformer out now for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. It’s coming to PC soon.

The future is run by corporations. Technological advances have forced a synthetic evolution for humanity. People are pressured into cybernetic modifications, and those who remain unmodified quickly become scarce. Corrupt corporations use their fresh supply of cyborgs to stomp out dissidence. Those who disobey the rules of the corporations find themselves abducted, and turned into mindless drones. 

Play as Janet as she fights her way through cyborg-infested streets, trying to reclaim her memories and her freedom. 

Gameplay

Cybertrash STATYX is your classic arcade action platformer. Players will jump through a 2D cyberpunk city, fighting off enemies with a myriad of guns, collecting currency, and buying upgrades. If you enjoy playing the more difficult platformers, you should look into Cybertrash STATYX. While it isn’t as unforgiving as something like Super Meatboy, it offers a solid amount of challenge within its cool aesthetic. 

Thoughts

Cybertrash STATYX  has a fantastic retro aesthetic. I am a huge fan of the pixel art, and it featured a decent soundtrack. I am terrible at platforming, and while I am not a huge fan of the gameplay, I can’t deny the overwhelming sense of accomplishment I felt when I finally completed a stage. I appreciate how creative the stages got, how different the enemies felt, and how impactful upgrades and new weapons felt. It is a very well-made arcade game with some solid flavor and a decent story, and unfortunately, I wasn’t good enough to enjoy it. The only issue I see people having with this game is having to slide to jump higher instead of the traditional double jump. This mechanic is extremely frustrating.

If you’re a fan of platformers, you’ll enjoy Cybertrash STATYX a lot more than I did. You can pick up for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch for $9.99, but I recommend you check out the Steam demo first.

video game reviews

Sega Cult Classic, Slave Zero is Back and Better Than Ever

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I was sent Slave Zero X for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! 

What is Slave Zero X

Our friends at Ziggurat Interactive have brought back the 1999 classic in a modern format that fans will appreciate. Slave Zero X is a cyberpunk hack-n-slash game out now for Xbox, Playstation, and PC via Steam and GoG. The Switch version comes out sometime this year. 

In the bowls of the Megacity, Shou plots his revenge against the false god that runs it. He fuses with the Prototype Biomech Embryo X who shares his sentiment. Now they must fight their way through the city to extinguish the rot that plagues it. Will they see their retribution realized?

Gameplay

Slave Zero X is a fantastic retro-style hack-n-slash side scroller made modern. The controls feel great, the combat is challenging enough to be engaging, and the boss fights are creative. This is a game that rewards players for mastering its mechanics. Being efficient in your combos, dodges, and parries not only gets you a better score, but it means you’ll die a lot less. I never mastered the mechanics, but I had a lot of fun trying. 

Review

Slave Zero X is an awesome retro experience without the clunkiness and limitations of retro gaming. This game is beautiful, and I almost want to urge you to try it to appreciate its aesthetic. The game has a beautiful and brutal pixel art style, and the way the city comes to life in the game is simply breathtaking. I appreciate everything that went into making the Megacity feel so large such as its effective use of space and scale, the loud ambient sounds of a busy city, and the movement that made the city feel alive. 

The character design is marvelous and builds a unique and memorable world. Its soundtrack will keep you hyped, even when you’re losing to the same boss. Most importantly, Slave Zero X has a solid story with memorable characters, a solid pacing, and fantastic voice actors. 

Gameplay is where the game will earn most of its love because the game is fun, but it is challenging. If you aren’t good at your combos, you’re going to have a rough time. I’m sure it’s possible to button-mash through most of this game, but it’s a lot better if you know what you’re doing. There is a practice mode available for players who need it. 

The only real issue I had with this game was its performance. I experienced a few crashes through my runs, and the game became unstable when recording. It never got to the point where I couldn’t finish the game, but you might need to mess with the settings to avoid some of the more game-breaking issues. Other than that, I enjoyed the retro ride, and hope I can get more chances to play these kinds of games in the future. 

If you’re a fan of the original Slave Zero or the retro hack-n-slash era, this is a solid addition to your library. You can pick up your digital copy of Slave Zero X on Xbox, PlayStation 5, Steam, and GoG for $24.99. If you want a hard copy of the game, you can preorder copies for PlayStation, and Switch on Amazon using my affiliate links.  They also have copies of the Calamety edition for PS5 and Switch if you want the extra goodies. The physical release is May 17.

video game reviews

Why You Should Play Beyond Sunset, a Pixel-Art Cyber-Punk FPS

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I was sent Beyond Sunset as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. 

Beyond Sunset is a retro-style arcade shooter out now for PC. Use your powers to defeat enemies as you zip through a futuristic city, trying to earn back your memories. What truths will your deeds unlock? 

Beyond Sunset plays like a sped-up retro shooter like Doom but with enough modern tweaks to make it interesting to new and old fans of the genre. Players have access to fun and unique weapons to hack or shoot away unique enemies as they fight their way through a vibrant cyber-punk-inspired city. While this game may seem simple, the speed gives this game its challenge. Zipping and maneuvering through the hoards of enemies gets some getting used to. You will die a few times, but have a blast doing so. 

As you fight your way through the city, you’ll pick up upgrades and new weapons that affect gameplay. While it does make some encounters easier, there will always be enough of a challenge to keep the game engaging. Success in this game boils down to careful maneuvering and appropriately timed assassinations. While there was an occasional stutter here and there, the game ran great. I honestly forgot it was an early-access title. 

I had a lot of fun with this game. I love the pixel-art cyber-punk aesthetic, the high-speed gameplay, and the amazing synth-wave soundtrack. If you are a fan of the classic FPS, Beyond Sunset is a very welcomed update. If you need a new title to pass some time, Beyond Sunset is a fantastic addition to your collection. I know the game isn’t finished yet, but it honestly isn’t a problem. There is enough content available already to be worth every penny.

You can pick up Beyond Sunset on Steam for $9.99. It is currently on sale for $8.99 until November 15, but there is a demo available if you need further convincing.

gaming news

The final trailer for El Paso, Elsewhere just dropped, and its amazing!

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The final trailer for El Paso, Elsewhere just dropped, and I can’t wait for the release. The trailer is epic, and I recommend you check it out even if you have no intention of buying the game. El Paso, Elsewhere is a quirky retro shooter where players hunt hordes of vampires, werewolves, and other demons. The voice acting sounds great, the story and gameplay seem fun, and I am excited to hear what they put on the soundtrack. El Paso, Nightmare, the game before this, had an amazing soundtrack. 

El Paso, Nightmare is a lot of fun. I’ve reviewed Nightmare in a previous post, make sure you check it out if you want more details. The game is a lot of fun, and worth the $4.99. If you are looking for a casual game and enjoyed the retro era of gaming, go get El Paso, Nightmare. 

El Paso, Elsewhere releases on Xbox and Steam on September 26. No price has been announced yet, but make sure you wishlist it! If you enjoy these updates, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

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video game reviews

Arcadegeddon: The flashy colorful looter-shooter that leaves a lot to be desired

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I was sent Arcadegeddon as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

Arcadegeddon is the quirky, hyperactive looter-shooter that should have been released as a free-to-play game. The game runs great, the art is unique, and the music is great, but the game is boring. Once you get past the novelty of the colorful chaos, the game feels empty. There is a story, but it isn’t very well written.

A mega-corporation is taking over gaming, and a lone arcade stands in its way for total domination. The owner asks for your help, but the fight against the corporate machine won’t be easy. Earn the trust of the local gaming gangs and make gaming fun again.

The gameplay loop is a little too simple for this game to be charging money. You dive into the dungeon, fight the swarms of enemies, complete any objectives, and move on to the next floor to do it again. The goal is to get to the highest level possible without dying, and there is even a leaderboard for further incentive. You start each run with simple weapons and find stronger ones throughout the level. The guns are fun and unique, but there is always the chance that the RNG will make your runs miserable. There are daily missions, special quests, and gang quests that you can complete throughout the run to unlock new perks, weapons, and cosmetics. I didn’t find much incentive to keep playing after the first few runs. 

You can play Arcadegeddon solo or with other people. The solo experience stops being fun, and I never had any luck with the matchmaking. The game supports crossplay, but I’ve seen comments complaining about it not working properly. I didn’t see an update and couldn’t test it, so keep that in mind before you make the purchase. 

I can see this game being fun with friends, but I still think $15 is too big of an ask. The game isn’t bad, but I would rather play something like Wayfinder or Destiny 2 instead. Unless there is a major update to the gameplay loop or a healthy influx of enthusiastic players, I don’t see a real reason to buy into this game just yet. There really isn’t much more I can say about this game because as flashy as it is, it wasn’t very impressive. You can pick it up on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and Epic Games, but I wouldn’t go rushing to buy it. 

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System Shock is Back!

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System Shock has gotten a remaster, and it looks sick. The classic FPS has officially come to modern PCs with better graphics, updated controls, a new UI, and some much-needed quality-of-life changes. If you’ve played the original, you aren’t getting the same game you played way back when. The reboot promises never before seen enemies, a revamped hacking system, and new ways to combat enemies, like a brutal dismemberment system. While a few changes have been made, the developers have worked closely with members of the original team to make sure they keep the spirit of the original the same in this reboot. 

As the Hacker, players must fight through armies of mutated creatures controlled by the evil ai, SHODAN. Players will avoid traps, solve puzzles, and hack their way through Citadel Station. What secrets will you uncover on your journey?

I never had the means to play the original System Shock growing up. I played a bit in college and would watch my friends play it here and there, but I never had the opportunity to get deep enough exposure to it. I love that these older games are getting a second chance for new and old audiences, especially those like me who missed the train entirely. I am still working on getting a review code for this, so fingers crossed I get one soon.

System Shock is available on PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games for 39.99. A demo is available on Steam and Epic Games if you want to try it out first. Console editions of System Shock are planned for the future, but no details are available yet.

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Series Reviews

Series Review: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

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I went into this show blind, not knowing anything about the established lore except that Cyberpunk started as a tabletop RPG. I have never played an RPG because I could barely get a dungeons and dragons group together. I haven’t played the video game either because of the debacle that game turned into. After watching Cyberpunk Edgerunners, I will be desperately trying to convince my D&D playgroup to allow me to run some games in this system. I can only hope that this show gains popularity so that there will be interest in the RPG.

The show takes place in a dystopian future. The city is run by corrupt corporations that are constantly at war with each other. If you are lucky, you can land a corporate job and live a normal life. But most citizens aren’t lucky and are forced to live in the slums of the city, fighting for scraps. There is no easy way to get out of the slums. If you aren’t homeless or dying from drug addiction, the only way to survive is to join one of the city’s many gangs. The corporations use these gangs as paws to serve the corporate agenda. 

The story focuses on David. His mother struggles to keep him in a prestigious school with the hopes that he can climb the corporate ladder and have a good life. But destiny has other plans for David, and a car accident robs him of a mother. Now alone in this cruel world, David is left with mounting and crippling debt. In his desperation, he joins the gang that will become his family. Will David find his new meaning with his gang? Will he be able to climb the ranks of the underworld, or will he be another wasted pawn for the corporations?

I loved everything about this series. The art was beautiful, the narrative is great, and the music is fantastic. The voice acting is good for the most part, but the dialect is a bit odd. I believe that the creators were trying to invent a futurist dialect, but it comes out a little awkward. That said, I appreciate the attempt and wouldn’t change it for any other dialect. This is a well-made animated series, but one that is full of nudity, violence, and gore. Viewer discretion is advised. 

Cyberpunk Edgerunners is a hyperactive vision of a dystopian future run by corrupt corporations who only care about money. It makes some very valid commentary about income inequality, skewed opportunities, and the issues with capitalism. It is very well done, and my heart still races from the experience. My only true complaint is that I have already finished the series. 

Do yourself a favor, and watch this series. If it is appropriate of course.

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