Recent reviews by Platysaur

I distinctly remember the beginning of my boomer shooter obsession. Since I was either not born yet or far too young to play most boomer shooters on launch, my yearning to play more retro shooters developed far later in life. One year during computer lab in middle school, I found an old web version of Hexen on an unblocked website.

Hexen was simple, yet addicting as I tried to navigate a web of maze-like levels in a high fantasy setting. Wizordum, which is clearly inspired by the likes of Heretic and Hexen, brings back memories of discovering this genre for the first time. Though it's in Early Access, Wizordum is sure to be one of 2024's most anticipated shooters.

Full Early Access Preview on TechRaptor here [techraptor.net]

When I talked to Riot Forge Creative Director Rowan Parker earlier this year, he made it clear the publisher wanted to do justice to your favorite champion. He acknowledged that Nunu and Willump isn't the most popular pick for your average League of Legend player, but I'm willing to bet you'll start to see more of the duo after Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story.

That's because Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is one of the most beautiful and captivating adventures I've played this year. In part, this is due to the stunning visual design by developer Tequila Works, but much of it is accredited to the wonderful relationship between Nunu and Willump, which is enough to warm even the Grinch's cold heart.

Pros
Outstanding Art Direction
Simple, Yet Fun Puzzle Design
Nunu and Willump are a Charming Duo

Cons
Remembering Flute Notes is a Pain
Some Frame Drops

Full Review [techraptor.net]
9/10

Happy to experience it for the first time. Ported by three legendary companies, it has all the modern bells and whistles I'd expect to make this older game a much more approachable one.

Hypnospace Outlaw was a game I appreciated even more as time went on, with its mystifying puzzles and alluring 90s internet art style. And among the many things I remember from playing Hypnospace Outlaw was a webpage created by Zane Lofton (otherwise known as ZANE_ROCKS_14).

His page was a look at this edgy, but somehow relatable teen character expressing himself on the internet in bizarre ways. So who would have thought that Zane would make his return in the form of an FPS protagonist in the absolutely insane Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vegance of the Slayer?

Pros
Absolutely Hilarious and "inZane"
Every Level is a Surprise
Graphics and Music Perfectly Fit the 90s Aesthetic

Cons
Overall a Short Experience
Enemy and Weapon Variety Just a Bit Small

Full Review [techraptor.net]
8.5/10

With so much lore behind Warhammer 40,0000 to unpack and various video games, books, tabletop sets, and more expanding upon its setting, it's an intimidating series to get into, no doubt about it. So of course, I know next to nothing about the Warhammer 40,000 series... but after playing Boltgun, I definitely want to learn more.

As a boomer shooter fanatic, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try out Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun for myself, and as it turns out, it served as the perfect introduction to the franchise. If you're not looking to get invested in Warhammer lore but love a good shooter, I still encourage you to try out one of this year's best shooters.

Pros
Fulfills the Space Marine Power Fantasy
Every Weapon is a Force of Nature
Level Design and Artistic Direction Exceed Expecations

Cons
Switching Plasma Rifle is Clunky
Some Visibility Issues

Full Review [techraptor.net]
Score 9/10

Having a lot of fun so far! The art style is very charming and fits Zaun so well. On the combat side of things, time powers are fun to bring into combat. Looking forward to playing more, but for now, it's been worth it.

An incredible title where choices actually matter and have permanent and lasting consequences. While there's a lot to read, anyone interested in the time period or history in general should give this one a go.

Classic Resident Evil gameplay with flavors of Blame! make this an incredible game.

In Prodeus, you'll take command of a ruthless combatant on a wanton rampage against hordes of demons and other foes. Armed to the teeth with an arsenal of traditional and chaotic weaponry, Prodeus' old-school first-person shooting gameplay will take you on a helluva ride through the realms of man and Chaos.

Prodeus is Doom in its primal form. It's a bloody and brutal shooter hearkening back to its old-school roots, in part due to its small team of veterans of the genre. It's clear from the start that developer Bounding Box Software knows their stuff, and they know it well. From the intricate and superb map design to the range of destructive weapons and oldfangled graphical style, Prodeus is one of the best boomer shooters to come out of Early Access -- and that's not being hyperbolic.

Pros
Map Design is Varied and Enjoyable
Weapons, Alt-Fire, and Overall Gunplay is Satisfiyng
Outstanding Visual and Audio Direction
Map Maker Adds So Much Replayability

Cons
Enemy Variety Isn't Significant
Shop as Means to Obtain More Weapons

Full Review [techraptor.net]
Score: 9.5/10

It's hard to beat the original Shovel Knight, but in terms of sheer fun factor, I think Dig takes the cake. The roguelite elements add just the right amount of variation and challenge; meanwhile, Shovel Knight's never looked or sounded better than in Dig. While I hope Yacht Club Games returns to its roots and creates a sequel to the original Shovel Knight, I'd gladly take more collabs between them and Nitrome. Clearly, it's a duo that complements each other very well, indeed.

Pros
Fantastic Artistic Direction and Soundtrack
Recognizable Shovel Knight Elements Make a Return
Different Environments Add to the Unpredictability and Mayhem

Cons
Light on New Shovel Knight Lore
Some Readability Issues With In-Game Signs

Full Review [techraptor.net]
Score: 9/10