We take a look at an eclectic mix of new releases today, as we review Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace, Dynablaster, Word Web by POWGI and Rayland 2 – going from arcade action into the diverse realm of puzzlers.
Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace review (PS5)
Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace brings back a cult PC Engine hit, delivering a retro arcade experience to the PlayStation 5. Ratalaika Games and Shinyuden have expanded on the original with new modes for the game’s nine stages and boss battles. In this sequel, players embark on a focused and engaging journey alongside the returning android duo, armed with a traditional blaster, for another blend of classic sci-fi action.
The controls have been finely tuned, eliminating the slight floatiness of the first game. This enhancement is a welcome change, especially for the demanding platforming sections. While the game follows a more linear path, it still offers moments where the action gets mixed up, from underwater excursions to high-flying dogfights. Koji Hayama’s dynamic score complements the experience, immersing players in the game’s various environments and setting an appropriate tone for the action-packed journey.
Cyber Citizen Shockman 2 excels in gameplay, offering a well-balanced experience with robust boss encounters, randomized power-ups, and witty banter from the android protagonists. The pacing is spot-on, ensuring an enjoyable ride that invites replay. However, minor glitches and a niche narrative may deter those unfamiliar with the series. Despite this, Shockman 2 stands as a worthy successor, improving upon its predecessor in nearly every aspect. With tighter controls, engaging gameplay, and a captivating narrative, it’s a must-play for fans of the series and retro arcade enthusiasts alike.
Dynablaster review (multi)
Published by BBG Entertainment, Dynablaster revives the classic bomber experience in a new 3D adaptation, offering a blend of local and online multiplayer action. With its straightforward gameplay, the title caters to both seasoned players and newcomers. Placing bombs strategically becomes the key to survival, creating an intense competition where wit and keeping your cool trumps speed. The game features a variety of power-ups, adding depth to the experience, including speed boosts, enhanced bomb effectiveness, and unique defensive measures.
In the positive spectrum, the game boasts an intuitive interface and an engaging tutorial, making it accessible to players of all levels. Character customization options, including a selection of headgear, add a charming touch. The music, a standout feature, infuses the gameplay with energy and excitement, enhancing the overall experience.
Where Dynablaster stumbles a little is in its level design. Despite offering 50 levels, the gameplay remains largely repetitive, with minimal variation between stages. The absence of certain classic power-ups, such as those enabling bomb kicking or carrying, may disappoint longtime fans as well. Furthermore, the limited game modes, missing team battles or crown challenges, might leave players craving for more diversity. Additionally, the online multiplayer experience may be hampered by a smaller player base, despite its cross-platform support.
In summary, Dynablaster manages to capture the essence of classic bomber games with its accessible gameplay and engaging customization options. Its standout music and solid single-player experience are definite highlights. However, the game’s price point may deter some, especially considering the limitations in level design and game modes when compared to more recent Bomberman games. For those seeking a nostalgic experience, especially with friends in local play, Dynablaster offers a fun, if slightly pricey, diversion.
Word Web by POWGI review (PS4)
Published by Lightwood Games, Word Web by POWGI offers a brand new take on their familiar brand of word puzzles, challenging players to complete a grid of 25 letters in order to form target words. Unlike typical word games, here, words can be spelled in various directions along the grid’s “web” of lines, adding a layer of complexity. The puzzles demand careful deduction, requiring players to consider the repeated use of letters and the potential paths to spell a word. This approach will particularly appeal to fans of logic-based puzzles, aligning with some of Lightwood Games’ older titles in the POWGI lineup.
In the realm of positives, the game excels in providing a decent challenge for word puzzle enthusiasts. The intricate process of strategizing which words to tackle first, and then coordinating them to ensure successful placements, can be both daunting and rewarding. With 120 puzzles on offer, the game provides plenty of content as well, though the game’s “pick up and play” nature is probably best suited to a platform like the Switch.
Depending on your affinity with puzzles like this, the gameplay can feel a bit like a trial-and-error process where you can get stuck for a long time without much guidance. Word Web by POWGI presents a challenging and intricate word puzzle experience that distinguishes itself, and the presentation we’ve grown to love is still here to enjoy as well.
Rayland 2 review (PS4)
Published by EastAsiaSoft, Rayland 2 immerses players in the realm of Rayland, where laser energy is harnessed for survival through specialized cubes. Your objective in this puzzler is simple: guide energy rays to corresponding Domus using precise cube placement and rotation. With 50 progressively challenging levels, the game provides a solid mental challenge for puzzle purists.
Gameplay mechanics are intuitive, involving blocks emitting lasers and targets for them to hit. Players manipulate and position cubes strategically, ultimately guiding colored light to its correct destination. Initial levels serve as tutorials, but as the complexity in the puzzles ramps up, the game introduces multi-colored lasers and barriers into the mix, elevating the challenge.
While the puzzles maintain a logical approach, the increased difficulty in later levels demands more thoughtful deliberation. This progression strikes a satisfying balance between accessibility and challenge, though this one is clearly more geared towards fans of abstract puzzlers.
However, with only 50 levels, players who generally breeze through puzzles like this might find themselves wishing for more content. The brevity of the game, coupled with a lack of replay value and additional features like time-based challenges or leaderboards, limits replayability. But despite these minor drawbacks, Rayland 2 offers a polished and engaging journey for puzzle enthusiasts and achievement hunters alike, and its budget price helps.
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