While some indie games can become massive hits that can eat up months of your time, we also enjoy those smaller games that are fun diversions for just a night or two. We’re checking out a trio of those today, as we look at Doug’s Nightmare, Musashi vs Cthulhu and Kinduo 2 – Frostbite.
Doug’s Nightmare review (PS5)
Doug’s Nightmare, originally developed by Undev Games for PC and published by Eastasiasoft on consoles, brings a colorful, hand-drawn bullet hell adventure to the PlayStation 5. The game’s graphics feel story book-like at times and the campaign follows Doug as he battles through a chaotic world of enemies and bosses, aiming to overcome his inner demons and anxiety in the process.
Visually, the game is a treat with its vibrant, cartoony art style. The hand-drawn graphics are detailed and engaging, creating a whimsical yet intense atmosphere. Did we mention that Doug is actually a banana? Complemented by a fitting soundtrack, the audio-visual presentation effectively enhances the game’s energy and makes it stand out from the crowd.
Gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, with responsive controls that make dodging and shooting your way around the arenas satisfying. However, the difficulty curve ramps up relatively quickly, which may frustrate those not overly familiar with the genre. The variety of unlockable weapons and skins provides a sense of progression though, and encourages you to experiment with different strategies.
While the narrative of Doug overcoming his fears is compelling, it often takes a backseat to the action – as you’d expect. The game’s boss battles stand out, offering unique and demanding challenges. And despite some difficulty spikes that can disrupt the pacing, Doug’s Nightmare delivers a visually charming and mechanically solid bullet hell experience at a budget price.
Musashi vs Cthulhu review (PS5)
Musashi vs Cthulhu, developed by Cyber Rhino Studios and published by QUByte Interactive on consoles, provides a fast-paced action experience that we checked out on the PlayStation 5. Players assume the role of Musashi, a legendary warrior from ancient Japan who is cursed to battle endless hordes of monsters. This premise, which can evoke memories of Nioh, sets the stage for a game that demands both precision and quick reflexes.
The game’s visual style is certainly striking, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with Lovecraftian horror through its sense of dread and monsters. The hand-drawn art is detailed and vibrant, effectively bringing the monstrous enemies and the cursed world of Musashi to life. This visual appeal is complemented by an atmospheric soundtrack that adds to the tension and excitement of each encounter.
Musashi vs Cthulhu’s gameplay is well implemented. The high speed action requires players to attack enemies’ weak spots with precision, which keeps the gameplay engaging and challenging. The controls are responsive, ensuring that players can execute moves with precision even in the heat of battle. However, the game’s steep difficulty curve might be a bit overwhelming for some, as it demands quick reflexes and lots of focus – making this a poor choice if you’re looking for something more casual.
A cool touch is the included leaderboard system, which adds a competitive edge to the game. Players can challenge friends and others globally, striving to be the top warrior. But while the game offers a solid action experience, it does have a limited variety of enemies, which can make the gameplay feel repetitive over time. Despite this, Musashi vs Cthulhu provides a visually captivating and intensely challenging action game that will appeal to those who enjoy fast-paced, high-stakes combat.
Kinduo 2 – Frostbite review (PS5)
Kinduo 2 – Frostbite, developed by Nibb Games and Guimaraf Studio and published by Ratalaika, brings a delightful puzzle platformer with a co-op option to consoles, including the PlayStation 5. The game centers on two elemental friends with unique abilities who must work together to overcome obstacles. Set across three distinct biomes, the pixel art style and vibrant environments create a retro-inspired atmosphere. The soothing soundtrack complements these visuals as well, never getting in the way of the action.
Gameplay in Kinduo 2 shines most brightly through its cooperative mechanics. Players use the unique abilities of the two characters (with one creating ice blocks and the other burning or melting objects) to solve puzzles across 50 stages. The game introduces over 10 different mechanics over time, ensuring that the puzzles remain fresh and challenging. The complexity of some puzzles can lead to mild frustrations, but playing together is a great way to try new things and solve these.
The controls are easy to learn and generally very responsive, supporting both single-player and local co-op modes. The co-op mode is particularly enjoyable, emphasizing communication and collaboration between players, making it an excellent and rare choice in the genre for friends and family to enjoy together.
So while the game’s difficulty can be inconsistent and some puzzles may feel repetitive in parts, Kinduo 2 – Frostbite offers a charming and engaging cooperative experience. It’s especially great when played with a partner, providing a charming journey through its well crafted levels.
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