Category: Previews

Revenge is at the heart of Nekome: Nazi Hunter, and ProbablyMonsters is taking that concept in an unapologetically violent direction. Playing as Vano Nastasu, a young Romani man whose family was murdered by Nazi soldiers, players are given a very personal reason to hunt down the people responsible. During our hands-on time with the PC version, it became clear that this is a game built around turning that anger into brutal close-quarters combat, stealth and carefully planned attacks, all wrapped in a strikingly stylized presentation. Continue reading “Nekome: Nazi Hunter preview (Gamescom)”

There is a certain expectation that comes with a new game from RGG Studio. The developer has spent years refining its particular blend of crime drama, eccentric side stories and satisfying street brawls, making it easy to assume that each new project will simply put another coat of paint on a familiar formula. Stranger Than Heaven, however, appears determined to challenge that assumption. Its sprawling story moves across five different eras of Japan, while its combat completely rethinks how Makoto Daito interacts with his opponents. After getting hands-on time with the PC version during Gamescom, it is the fighting in particular that leaves the strongest impression, although the limited nature of the demo means there is still plenty about the wider adventure that remains a mystery. Continue reading “Stranger Than Heaven preview (Gamescom)”

There is certainly no shortage of roguelites on PC, but every now and then a game comes along with a concept that immediately makes it stand out from the crowd. Appulse is one such game, combining the familiar mechanics of pinball with top-down shooting and roguelite progression. Developed by Le Rado and published by Raw Fury, the game puts players in control of a ball-like combat unit that has to bounce, shoot and ricochet its way through hostile spaceships. After getting some hands-on time with the PC version at Gamescom, it is clear that this unusual combination is more intuitive than it might initially sound, while also leaving plenty of room for deeper mechanics to emerge in the full game. Continue reading “Appulse preview (Gamescom)”

The end of the world has come, Paris has been overrun by demons, and apparently the best response is to send an immortal warrior into the ruins armed with a gun, a scythe and a healthy collection of supernatural powers. That is the suitably over-the-top premise behind Armatus, a third-person roguelite shooter from Counterplay Games and publisher Fictions. Having now spent some hands-on time with the PC version, there is a solid action foundation here, although the eventual success of the game will depend heavily on how much variety and depth Counterplay can build around that foundation. Continue reading “Armatus preview (Gamescom)”

With its ruined version of London, Arthurian mythology and colossal enemies, Tides of Annihilation certainly isn’t short on ambition. Eclipse Glow Games’ upcoming action-adventure combines a recognisable modern setting with fantasy elements that could hardly be further removed from it, while placing fast-paced combat at the centre of the experience. After getting an extended hands-on session with the PC version at Gamescom, it is already clear that this is a game that wants to make a strong impression. Continue reading “Tides of Annihilation preview (Gamescom)”