With Space Mercenary Defense Force, Awesome Pea 3 and The Prisoner of the Night, we are checking out three smaller games that were recently ported over to PlayStation.
Space Mercenary Defense Force review (PS5)
Space Mercenary Defense Force, developed by Tom Paradise and published by Eastasiasoft on consoles, is an interesting addition to the auto-shooter genre. It immerses players in a sci-fi arena, where they must survive against escalating waves of enemies. The auto-shooting mechanics let players concentrate on dodging and strategic maneuvering, making for an engaging and addictive experience that will be instantly familiar if you’ve played one of these before.
The game shines with its diverse and often humorous weapon choices, such as exploding birthday cakes and ionizing banana skins, adding a layer of fun to the gameplay. Players can customize their loadouts through an upgrade system that balances offensive and defensive means to hone your strategy, while random events, including gambling mini-games and environmental hazards, inject variety and keep the gameplay somewhat fresh and unpredictable.
However, the game isn’t without flaws. The visual presentation is inconsistent, with some well-designed elements clashing with less polished ones, occasionally making it difficult to distinguish enemies and projectiles amidst the chaos. Despite these drawbacks, Space Mercenary Defense Force offers substantial content and replayability at a low price point. Its engaging gameplay loop and unique arsenal make it a worthwhile venture for fans of the auto-shooter genre looking for a new challenge, and it’s less generic than the title suggests.
Awesome Pea 3 review (PS5)
Awesome Pea 3, developed by PigeonDev and published by Sometimes You, continues the series’ retro platforming charm on the PlayStation 5 after its initial PC release. We fondly remember playing the first two on the Vita, and the third (and supposedly last) game offers 69 challenging levels, each filled with traps and obstacles that require precise timing and quick reflexes, making for a very familiar experience.
The gameplay remains faithful to its roots, featuring tight and responsive controls essential for navigating its demanding stages. The simple control scheme supports the game’s precision-focused design, and Awesome Pea 3’s vibrant pixel art and a nostalgic chiptunes bring everything to life. The simple yet stylish graphics effectively capture the feel of 8-bit era games with their sparse use of color, making it a treat for fans of retro platformers.
It’s a fairly simple game you’ll probably only play through once, but Awesome Pea 3 delivers a solid platforming experience with short but well designed levels. Its combination of challenging gameplay, charming visuals, and catchy ditties make it a worthwhile addition to any retro game enthusiast’s collection.
The Prisoner of the Night review (PS5)
The Prisoner of the Night, originally developed by RMAL and published by Eastasiasoft on consoles, offers an engaging platforming experience with a striking and dark fantasy aesthetic. The game centers around Nartide, a young girl navigating a nightmarish world filled with deadly traps and terrifying monsters. The PlayStation 5 version, following its earlier PC release, aims to deliver a compelling narrative and challenging gameplay.
Visually, the game excels with its atmospheric art style that’s somewhat reminiscent of Tim Burton’s film design work. The dark fantasy setting is immersive and haunting at the same time, drawing players into Nartide’s perilous journey. However, the visual style might not appeal to everyone, as they’re quite different from the norm and rather gloomy looking. The audio design enhances the game’s ambiance, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the eerie visuals and story.
Gameplay mechanics focus on precision platforming, demanding skill and timing to overcome the various obstacles. While this offers a rewarding challenge for fans of the genre, it can also be frustrating for those who prefer a more forgiving experience. The controls are generally responsive, though occasional issues with input lag can make things feel floaty and cause mild frustrations.
Overall, The Prisoner of the Night is a worthwhile venture for platforming enthusiasts who appreciate a dark, narrative-driven adventure that’s different from the norm, though it’s worth pointing out that it’s a very short game for the asking price.
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