Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack PS4 Review

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack is a video game compilation of 2D Side-Scrolling Action-Platform Games originally released for 3DS in 2016, while it was re-released for switch in 2017 and PS4 in 2020, which was developed by Inti Crates and published by Nighthawk Interactive.
The Striker Pack comes with 2 original titles such as Azure Striker Gunvolt which was digitally released for 3DS in 2014 as well as the PC release in year later, while the sequel was also released in 2016 for 3DS and PC in 2020.
Inti Crates was responsible for their works on Capcom's series such as Mega Man Zero and Mega Man ZX, and their independent titles such as Blaster Master Zero and Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon.

At the beginning of 2010's era where Capcom had finally released Mega Man 10 for PS3, X360, and Wii making it a last entry being developed by Inti Crates. At the time where couple of new Mega Man project were being developed such as Mega Man Universe for PS3 and X360, and Mega Man Legends 3 for 3DS, but sadly it was both cancelled as in 2011 due to departure of producer such as Keiji Inafune had left the company to form his own company Comcept to work on Kickstarter title Mighty No.9.
It is so annoying back in early 2010 where we didn't get any of new Mega Man games which I was looking forward to play these kinds of games I grew up with the series, until I found out the game Azure Striker Gunvolt 1 and 2 for 3DS which is basically like a Mega Man alike games with different characters and similar playstyle with newer elements which I am more interested to play these kinds of games.
I was originally planned to get these games digitally on 3DS, but until I found out the re-releases for PS4 as Striker Pack in 2020 in which I made the mind up for a PS4 copy.
The Striker Pack are completely redone for both version featuring enhanced visuals running on 60 FPS, improved gameplay with rumble support, original Japanese voiceovers in both game, and All DLCs included in sequel such as songs, stages, and bonus features which I got to say it is a great way of owning this package for your collection.
After beating the both games for a week, I actually enjoyed these games because it's so much different from the Capcom's favourite Blue Bomber hero (Mega Man) featuring really cool characters, awesome stage bosses, great gameplay system, solid visuals and sharing with decent replay values is what I've wanted to look for a great alternatives to Mega Man Series.

So without go further do, let's start the review.



Presentation

The first game set in near future where several people called adepts have developed septimal powers which allowing them to use their superhuman abilities. Then you have the corrupted corporation known as the Sumeragi Group doing their dangerous job by controlling and experimenting on adepts causing to harm mankind, so you are Gunvolt working with QUILL organisation where your mission is to stop Sumeragi's ulterior motives.
While the sequel takes place after the event of the first game where the members of Sumeragi Group seeking a revenge on Gunvolt due to their failed project and loss of their leader that affects the future of corporation.

The story in the game is quite interesting which involves the corruption of the group's project planning to brainwash the people and harming the innocents is just like how Maverick brainwashes the robot masters in Mega Man games which is pretty sounds good for this type of game.
I also liked the dialogue conversation between the characters featuring a visual novel-style text that really helps the story development in the game that keeps you interested.
You have a kick ass blond-dude Gunvolt is one of the character that is not just only had his cool hairstyle and blue long-coat, but he sharing a relationship with young girl named Joule, who is a captive of Sumeragi's scientists, after he finding out that Lumen is her septimal projection which is the reason why Gunvolt had refused to kill her in mission instead he saving her life that causing him to become a freelance agent to protect her from Sumeragi Group.
Then you have a villain group known as the member of 7 deadly sins such as Merak the slothful conjurer, Jota the prideful silhouette, Viper the burning wrath, Carrera the magnetic avarice, Elise the eternal envy, Stratos the gluttonous fly, and of course these non-binary fake Zonda, while the sequel had Gibril the full metal jacket, Milas the aquadynamic merman, Teseo the serial experiment, Tenjian the frozen blade, Desna the starstruck beauty, Asroc the pygmailon furnace, and Ghauri the prism master.
I got to say these bosses are looking quite awesome which feels very original to this game with unique abilities and cool concept as well as they are just a good as the robot masters from Mega Man series during the boss battles.
I also liked the Copen the adept slayer who are featured in first game as well as being a playable character in sequel. He one of the character who shares his hatred for adepts and warns Gunvolt that they are not on the same side, so it took sometime for Copen and Gunvolt to get used to know each other throughout the story.
He also aims to search and protect his sister, who is hospitalised in very building, in sequel which I also find it interesting between the siblings that build up the story development.
 
The presentation is looking amazing in both game. I really appreciate the art style of anime characters in visual novel design making these characters looking more colourful and cutesy as well as being able to recognising their facial expression to express their character's personality in every scenes.
The text font and sizes are perfectly well design making it easier to read through the story dialogue that is not overly small, but bigger text so everyone can able to enjoy the story conversation.
The text box is quite transparent that did not block the view of slide presentation which is also good that you can able to see what inside of the slide presentation.
I also liked the settings of the locations in both game which has stuff like media tower has city buildings at background, datastore and data facility filled with futuristic network server rooms, Pharma lab has outside trees and inside vines, biochem plant has nuclear stations, subaquatic base are underground ocean facility, mysterious manor has dark cathedral style rooms, the sewers filled with underground water, and frozen city has icy base centre which I find these style of level design are actually well built that is just as close to Capcom's favourite blue bomber games.

Overall, it has amazing presentation settings, decent storyline, and awesome cast of characters.



Gameplay

In both games, you will have a level selection on the menus as you take control of Gunvolt in 2D perspective, while you get to play as Copen in sequel, as your goal is to defeat many levels as well as bosses in order to complete the whole game.
Gunvolt has dart gun as a basic gun attack which shoots special bullets that tags the enemy's target which can be attacked with electrifying fields increasing the amount of damages, but the electrifying fields as well as additional movement abilities are limited which can depletes the energy bar causing to overheat which you unable to use your powers in 5 seconds, but you can also recharge your energy by double tapping down button to refill your energy bar only if it's half empty.
Your character requires the techniques and skills to become stronger for later bosses, so you may need to level up your character to obtain a new weapon and skills as well as collecting many materials at the end of the level where you can able to purchase your techniques from the shop such as double-jumping, air-dashing, reducing damage, cooling down energy power, increasing shields for defence and etc.
You will have selection of weapons such as ability to shoot two diagonally up and down as well as travelling along with floors and ceiling, shoots out drones firing 7 shots in direction, charged to pierce objects and shields, and firing auto-shot with powerful bullets.
You can add additional clips that expand tags capacity up to 8 targets, but it also greatly decreases the flashfield's attack power which these clips are only featured in sequel. 
Your skill moves will be added on your customisation menu only if you meet the requirements, so you will able to perform the moves such as Astrasphere that summons rotating electric ball, luxcalibur and grand strizer that launch huge-ass sword, voltaic chains that crisscross the screen, dragonsphere that shoots powerful orbs, and crashbolt that strikes with lighting attack which these offensive skills dealing with heavy damage, but it is also limited with SP if using the skill attack which causing your SP to regenerate after 1 min per SP.
Then you have support skills such as galvanic patch or renewal recovers his health, septimal burst recovers his energy bar, split second recover his overheat status, septimal surge uses special skill, and septimal shield reduces his health damage.   
For sequel, Copen's gameplay style is lot different from the Gunvolt counterpart such as rapid-fire pistol as basic weapon deals with higher damage, his dash move that locks into enemy allowing him to shoot it with targeted attacks, and he can bounce of walls by using the air-dash diagonally.
He has different equipment system loads with subroutines into his gear such as healing aid, bullit capacity, auto-recover, deadly aim, and weapon recharger which you can able to customise these from loadout menu.
His EX weapons are also quite useful in the game such as stellar spark that shoots lighting bolts, hailstorm blade that launch short-range slash waves, twintail bunker that thrust drills forwards, hydro zapper releases two water-like lasers, broad circuit firing wide-scale of data circuit, ferrous fangs shoots with blood-like substance, prism break creates prism strike, and vantage raid launches ring-shaped shots which is quite effective against one of each bosses weaknesses are much easier to pin down by using the right effective EX weapons.

After explaining the details on player's combat mechanics, I'm going to talk about the level aspects of platforming and bosses which is getting quite interesting in the game.
Each of the levels are filled with smaller enemies and hazards objects, so you have gunner armed with blaster rifle, flamethrower, missile launcher, grenades, shield, and swords, while soldier has knife, chainmines, and machine gun.
Sumeragi robots uses blaster cannon, chainsaw, and gatling gun, the defense turrets uses roll cannon, flying drone uses energy shot, and mini tank fires missiles. 
Then you have traps such as spikes, bombs, lasers, electrics, steams, fires, and others which requires you to avoid contacting with these dangerous hazards that can harm you in every levels as well as memorising both the enemy and bosses patterns such as projectiles which adds up the overall difficulty in the whole game.
The game does have a platforming segments such as changing gravity from bottom to top from sinner's row stage, deactivating security lasers in dark area from stratacombs, jumping up high with catapults from media tower, destroying blocks of crates as well as standing on platforms to ride across without falling into pits from biochemical plant, running on slippery ground from frozen city, and avoiding water-like tornado from the sewers which I finding it quite creative for 2D side-scrolling genres offers a unique level design.

I got to say the gameplay mechanics is working quite well especially with the release of PS4 and Switch that the developers did a great job of reassembling the controls schemes thanks to customisable button layouts and using the right stick as skill attack as opposed to 3DS's touch-interface makes it easier to pull off special moves nicely.
The weapon system and ability movement is actually good on both characters especially with using the techniques and upgrading the gears did add up a variation of gameplay style making the whole game a fast-paced action, but however I finding it bit annoying with collecting materials at the end of the level where some of the techniques items are required to purchase from shop which is fine, but it is really difficult to find a rare material that is harder to obtain which I had to replay the whole level again till I get a rare material item that I wanted which seems to waste lot of time that doesn't mean it affected my overall experience on both games.

The boss battles are also pretty solid in both games requires a good knowledge of memorising the patterns which is good but I finding it their patterns is bit overdone that is easily takes lot of damages from boss's projectiles which is bit unfair for those who are aiming to get a higher rankings without losing many life, but it takes time to get used with it that made the game quite challenging.
Then you have a list of challenge tasks on the menus where you need to complete each objectives such as clear stage within the time limit and with required rank will reward you with bonus material items which I think it really motivates my gaming experience if I can able to earn highest rank and beating time records as many possible.
The game also features two difficulty options under the extra modes in first original game, while the speedruns and score attack mode are included in sequel which brings a ultimate experience to Gunvolt universe.                 

Overall, it has great controls, excellent weapon and ability system, solid levels and bosses, and has extra game modes.



Graphics

The graphics is looking spectacular for 2D side-scrolling games which is just as good as for those who previously enjoyed Mega Man Zero and ZX sub-series featuring impressive sprite animation on characters, nice parallax scrolling on background layout, sparkly lighting effects, and great use of colour palate for environmental level design making it a retro-style visuals.   
I'm quite impressed how this game looks everything polished on PS4 version making a impressive console conversion over the 3DS version featuring highly 60 FPS running on higher resolution without any roughness and less detailed on-screen layouts which I am glad that the developer had nailed the console version pretty well.

Overall, it has impressive visuals design and polished resolution.



Music and Sounds

The both game does have a very good soundtrack featuring original upbeat music and J-Pop style vocals does get a job right for the game that fits well in every levels and scenes. It was composed by Ippo Yamada who was responsible for his work on games titles such as Mega Man Zero and ZX did a fabulous job working on his music score in the game that makes you pumped up for action.
The both game does also share with a great sound design and environmental noises in every levels and I wouldn't mind the full Japanese voice acting in the game which is pretty sounds good for most part that really adds the emotions of character's personality.

Overall, it has very good music, great sound design, and acceptable voice overs.



Special Features

The game comes with all completed DLCs packed with additional game modes such as speedruns and score attack, new songs, and missions packs are all included in the sequel which is kinda cool to have it on this video game compilation.

Overall, it's a solid overall package.



Advantages

Amazing overall presentation

Great gameplay system

Impressive visuals design

Very good music

Solid overall package

Decent replay values



Disadvantages

Overused bosses's patterns

Difficult to find rare material item


           
Final Verdict


Presentation 8/10 - amazing presentation settings, decent storyline, and awesome cast of characters.

Gameplay 8/10 - great controls, excellent weapon and ability system, solid levels and bosses, and has extra game modes.

Graphics 8/10 - impressive visuals design and polished resolution.

Music and Sounds 8/10 - very good music, great sound design, and acceptable voice overs.

Special Features 8/10 - all completed DLCs packed with additional game modes such as speedruns and score attack, new songs, and missions packs.


Overall 8/10 - Inti Creates did a remarkable job on console version which is a faithful conversion of original 3DS titles bundled with two awesome games and extra content in whole package.
Azure Striker Gunvolt is a great alternatives to Capcom's Mega Man series that is what I'm been wanting to play these kinds of games featuring awesome characters, solid bosses, impressive graphics, and great gameplay system is the reason why I love these games that I've been playing for weeks on my PS4.
If any of the fans of the Capcom's Mega Man series who wanted a cool side-scrolling action-games like these then it is for you to experience a Gunvolt series that is worth buying it for your collection. To keep you mind, the Striker Pack is just only recommended for PS4 and Switch owners which is unlikely for 3DS or PC owners had to re-buy the same games, so I'm definitely look forward for another Gunvolt action (Azure Striker Gunvolt 3) for future release.



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Matterfall PS4 Review

Matterfall is a 2D Run N Gun game only for PS4, which was developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

For those who wanted to know what Housemarque is? well it is a video game developer from Finland also known as Bloodhouse or Terramarque founded in early 90s was responsible for their works on classics titles starting off Super Stardust for Commodore Amiga released in 1994, while getting a fully remake treatment later for PS3, PSP, PS Vita and PS4 released in between 2007-2016.
It also shares with numerous of great modern-day arcade titles like Dead Nation, Outland, Resogun, and Nex Machina which is a fun packed games that heavily borrows the elements from good old golden age classics like Smash TV, Defender, and Asteroids which is the reason why Housemarque are such an talented development team for making such unique modern-arcade titles.
While their previous titles are well received from gaming press, Matterfall was being released in two month after the Nex Machina which I finding it quite odd for releasing a two games in same year, so I was curious to play this game which I finally bought a physical copy for my PS4.
I got to say the Matterfall is just an mixed bag shooter title which the game did look promising for its intuitive weapons with unique power-ups, glossy level environment, and stunning difficulty challenge but the game suffers the flaws with missing features which I will explain it more further on my review.

So without go further do, let's start the review.



Presentation

The game starts off with the intro follows an unexpected hero fighting for survival on a sci-fi world was infected by a deadly alien material known as smart matter. The aim is to uncover the mystery of this new threat and save the day before it totally dooms the existence of the human race.

So far the game has no story whatsoever which I don't really think it's important for modern-arcade shooters like this that is not necessary to add it to the game's presentation. It's just a minute opening intro that seems to be not so special which is the reason why the game didn't need a full story to make the game interesting.
I say the character Avalon Darrow as a main playable character is rather bland and uninteresting. I really liked the appearance of the battle suit which is fine, but it has no character's development for lacking personality and has no in-depth characteristics which feels quite empty in the game.
After the pointing out negatives, the positives is that the settings in the game is actually pretty decent with futuristic environments and cool looking concepts that really fits well to the sci-fi universe, so also I liked the neon colour effects and bulkiness of level design that is looking amazing on every levels, so it has space station, green power plant, factory lava, and some cool locations.

Overall, unnecessary story and lackluster character, but decent presentation design.



Gameplay

The game has 3 levels with 3 acts and 1 boss each in single play. You take control of Avalon Darrow in 2D perspective where you need to beat the level by defeating and evading the enemies while heading to the finishing point.
You control the character by left stick to move around, the right shoulder button to jump, the left shoulder button to perform dash move, and using the right stick to shoot in multi-direction like most of the twin-stick shooter, as well as firing the secondary weapon with right trigger button.
You can shoot out generate laser by holding down left trigger button and push right stick to break objects such as purple crystals to set civilians free, blowing up enemies by round blue objects, and of course creating the path of hidden blue blocks for platforming segments.
You can collect several of augmentations items such as seeker that shoots with spread projectiles, shotgun blasts with large range, railgun zaps with plasma ray, and grenades deals with heavy damage giving a huge advantages of weapon variety and then you will have a customised mods like health, recharge rate, overcharge time, strike damage and others which allows your character to improve your overall ability featuring reduced health damage, faster reload, and better projectiles attack which these weapons and mods can be found in some locations of levels.
There are 5 health bars which shows player's health and the gauge bars shows the meter level where your meter goes full by collecting blue orbs will allow you to perform a overcharge mode that slows down the enemy as well as making you faster to kill them in limited time. It has 3 figures icons which shows you how many civilians you have rescued from any of the areas and the score points shows the total hi-score and numerical multiplier combos which can be fully showed at scoring screen as well as saving to online leaderboards for ranking total on both locals and worldwide.

I got to say I really do appreciated with the choice of gameplay design that involves bullet hell elements where you had to evade so many of the enemy's projectiles that shoots everywhere in 3 to 5 spreads of bullets which is kinda tough, but it brings overall challenge quite positively that requires dash moves and avoiding enemy's projectiles as possible to get past through the level till its very end.
The weapons and mods are pretty solid for its unique power-ups and ability that is effectively works well against the enemies and objects and the levels itself is not overly complicated which I didn't had a problem thanks to linear level design.
I do find the controls is okay for twin stick shooting, but I had a trouble of getting used with the dash and jump button that been mapped on the shoulder button which takes sometime to practice, so it's kinda get really annoying especially the game does not let you customise the button mapping which kinda sucks, but it wasn't played terrible entirely in the game.   
I wanted to point out some disappointing parts in the game is that the game lacks local or online 2-player co-op which is kinda sucks that most of the Run N Gun game plays really fun with the 2-player mode that aren't featured in this game which is shame.
The game also suffered with short-length of single play which lasted about an hour and half of whole game which is the reason the game only has 3 missions, so it should have been adding 4 more levels to expand the overall length of the game like up to 3 hours would have been sounds lot fine than just playing for an hour and half.
I am not surprised that it didn't have a game mode like score attack, challenge modes, boss rush, and time attack would have been a better addition to modern-arcade game like this, so I wish the game could have been added a more content to satisfy the fan of the genres who are searching for a fully completed game with more game modes and features that should have made the game worth playing.

Overall, fine gameplay design, but lacking features and short-length play.



Graphics
      
I do really appreciate with the graphics design in the game. I really liked the futuristic city building at the background with parallax scrolling as well as the detailed environments on the foreground design, and then the visuals effects is kinda look cool with neon light projectiles and the glossy particles scattered in pieces which did a decent job of designing the game's levels.
It has lighting effects and slick character animation is kinda gorgeous to look at, while the game has stable frame-rate running on 60fps with no sign of major slow-down which is good for in terms of game's performance giving a fast-paced looking bullet-hell game.

Overall, it has impressive environmental design, cool visuals effects, and stable performance.



Music and Sounds

The game does have a electro-synth soundtrack with style of upbeat trance music and arcade-like tunes is kinda sounds decent that keeps you engaging with the single-player game and the sound design is also pretty good in every level with great environmental sounds, but I find the narrator in the opening intro is kinda sounds generic in my opinion. It sounds like it's belongs to a cheesy low budget films with badly made narration in entire scene just so cringey to watch.

Overall, bad voice narration but decent soundtrack.



Special Features

The game has hardly had many features in the game except the online leaderboards which keeps your current hi-score after beating the level.

Overall, down right dissapointing.



Advantages

Cool presentation settings

Fine gameplay design

Impressive graphics visuals

Decent Soundtrack



Disadvantages

Lacks 2-player co-op

No game modes

No button mapping

Short length play

Unnecessary opening intro



Final Verdict


Presentation 5/10 - poorly made story and lackluster character, but decent presentation design.

Gameplay 6/10 - fine gameplay design, but lacking features and short-length play.

Graphics 8/10 - impressive environmental design, cool visuals effects, and stable performance.

Music and Sounds 7/10 - bad voice narration but decent soundtrack.

Special Features 3/10 - No features at all.


Overall 5.5/10 - Matterfall is not a terrible game, but it is the weakest entries of all Housemarque games.
Despite their excellent previous works from the past, this game falls everything apart with shallow game's length, lacking content, and unnecessary story intro that is not needed to include in the game.
I do appreciated with the arcade-style gameplay and solid visuals design which is fine, but it is not easier to re-visit the game again after beating once due to weak replay values.
It is not everyone's cup of tea unless if you're the fan of the arcade genres may want to give a try for curiosity or you better off sticking with the better ones like Super Stardust HD, Nex Machina and Resogun which is a better games than this has to offer.


     
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Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap PS4 Review

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is a 2D side-scrolling action-adventure game for PS4, XBONE, Switch and PC, which was developed by Lizardcube and published by Dotemu.
It is a full remake of 1989's original title for SEGA Master System, which was originally developed by Westone Bit Entertainment and published by SEGA.

Wonder Boy series was started out as 2D arcade-platformer in mid-80s before it's being shifted into the different genres for sub-series known as the Monster World which is more of the fantasy Metroidvania approach with RPG elements.
At the time as a kid back then where I didn't had a SEGA MS and Genesis/MD which is the reason why I never actually played Wonder Boy series until later I finally had Genesis/MD as a grown adult, so I was originally planned to get a copy of Wonder Boy games for Genesis/MD such as Wonder Boy in Monster World, but not until I've found out the Remake of the Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap was confirmed for 2017 release which I am more interested in this remake over the previous past Wonder Boy games.

It took me 3 years to get a hands on with the Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Traps for my PS4 because the physical copy didn't get a release until the year Spring 2018, so I am much preferred more on the physical games for my video game collection thanks to extra goodies like artbook, keychains, and sample CD soundtrack which is the reason I bought it from Amazon just for £12.
It is my first time playing Wonder Boy game on my PS4 to see if the remake is anything good like the original version, so after beating the game in 3 days I got to say that it is a faithful rendition of 1989's classic game with beautifully made hand-drawn animation, parallax background layouts, simple gameplay design, arranged soundtrack to the originals, and sharing with cool content such as ability to play as two characters, giving you option to choose visuals and music between remake and retro mode, and uses passwords based on Master System version, and unlockable gallery which is a great addition to 2D side scrolling action-adventure, but I also wanted to point out some mistakes that was present in this game which I will explain it more on the review.


So without go further do, let's start the review.



Presentation

The game starting off after the events of Wonder Boy in Monster Land, so you are a Wonder Boy going out for adventure has been cursed by the Mecha Dragon which causing you to change form into monsters, so your aim is to explore and defeat other many Dragon as well as Vampire Dragon to obtain the Salamander Cross to remove the curse.

The story in the game is quite simple, so remember guys it is based on SEGA Master System's originals which does not need much emphasis on the storyplot that made the game totally sense.
It's just a young warrior who wanted to slay a big ass Dragon and finding way to withdraw his curse is just the way it should be which is totally fine with me.
I got to say Wonder Boy as a main protagonist is much looking cool on the remake than the original because I really much preferred a cartoony characters with cool personality in my opinion.
I also liked his monster form such as Lizard Man, Mouse Man, Piranha Man, Lion Man, and Hawk Man which I find his concept looked awesome in the whole game.
I almost forgot to mention Wonder Girl which is a female equivalent to Wonder Boy are also playable character in the game which is kinda wicked too, but the game doesn't exactly tell Wonder Girl's character bios to know who she really is and what is relation to Wonder Boy (could it be siblings?), so maybe I don't know that just me.
Most of the minions creatures in the game are actually pretty damn smart looking such as pythons, cave monsters, crabs, fish, ghosts, squids, clouds, skeletons, jellys, ninjas, samurais and so many creatures were featured in-game, so I also liked the part where they make their funny facial expression when they get hit by the player's projectile.
The setting on the level presentation are looking fantastic on fewer locations, so you have peaceful towns with windmills and houses, sunny hot dessert with pyramids and pinetrees, the erupting volcanoes with red lavas, the quiet beach with underground oceans and small huts, the east asian temple with full of blossoms, the hidden undergrounds with miner layers, the forrest with mountain hills, and spooky looking swamp things that is so well detailed on the remake than the originals with many more layouts and objects been added to every locations.
You have the options to change your personal preference on visuals settings such as retro mode are based on original MS game or you may want to stick with the remake version depending on your personal taste in visuals. 


Overall, it has simple story, cool characters, and well designed presentations.



Gameplay

You take control of Wonder Boy or Girl in 2D perspective, so your goal is to locate and defeat several of dragons which you may need a decent weapon and armour in order to kill them easily as well as upgrading your heart capacity for your overall health in the game.
You will have basic sword which attacks enemy, while your shields will act as a defence item which prevents enemy's projectiles from damaging you, while standing still.
After damaging enemy will drop down the items such as standard coins, bagcoins, weapon items, hearts, and sometimes keys are also can be found on treasure chests as well which can be found on some areas.
You will need these coins to spend on stuff like new sword weapon increases your attack points, new armour and shield increases defence points, the blue potion will regenerates you when your health is ran empty, and sometime keys to unlock a door that leads you access to the new area.
These hearts will increase your health meter, while you can also obtain upgrade health item with heart symbol on card can add capacity on your overall health likely a less chance for you to die too quickly.
Each of the monster form has different unique ability that worked effectively on some parts such as Lizard Man spits out fire, Mouse Man can cling onto patterned blocks, Piranha Man has ability to swim freely in ocean water, Lion Man can perform vertical sword attack, and Hawk Man who can fly high in the air, but there are one of the room that lets you change form of each monster by jumping on the gold statue.
You can also obtain one of the item that gives you ability to destroy the breakable blocks that gains you access to the unvisited locations.

I got to say the gameplay in general feels very easy to learn once you get used with simple combat system and unique ability of each monster form are actually played just like what you're expected from the original game.
I liked the overall platforming segments and exploring the areas filled with hidden secrets which feels quite just right for those who does not like very complicated gameplay design from any of other game, so this really keeps the game intact that does not require additional enhancements to make it better, but it makes very faithful to the original form of the 1989's classic game.
I do find the controls are kinda bit slippery for platforming segments which sometime you didn't want to risk falling off the stage especially being hit by the numerous of the enemy's projectiles causing your playable player to jump backward which made the game quite aggravating when trying to get past to the next area.
It's kinda annoying that they didn't include the map screen for remake which is kinda strange that it is one of the metroidvania game that did not have a map inventory makes it difficult to navigate the level doesn't mean it played bad for most part once you're getting used with the game itself requires a player with clever common sense.                   

Most of the enemies in the game are actually pretty decent, so you have cave monster that throws you a piece of rock, the ghost goblins can float around you, the skeletons can launch leap attack on you, the cool clouds can zap you with lighting bolt, the ninjas can throw shurikens, and samurais uses the blade for close combat which is very good to memorise their attacking patterns in every locations.
I got to say the boss battles are surprisingly fun for its amount of insane attacking patterns and requiring tactics that made the game quite challenging.
It's really cool to have a hidden bonus levels where you had to collect the charm stones which you will eventually find out what it does in the game.


Overall, it has easy to learn core gameplay, unique monster ability, exploration and platforming, and boss battles.



Graphics

I got to say this is definitely a remarkable looking game. The characters in most part has fantastic sprite animation which is very impressive for hand-drawn technology can pull off a fully animated effects nicely in the game.
I also liked the use of the parallax scrolling effects in some stages like the sea water, tropical trees, clouds, and huge pirate boat in the beach map, the lighting and gloomy effects as well as the background layouts are looking quite amazing inside the undergrounds, and the falling particle of bloomy flowers from the temple is looked absolutely amazing.
This made the graphics design looks very appealing with animated characters, parallax scrolling effects for background layouts, lighting effects, and colourful environments that what I considered as being one of the most breathtaking for smaller video game title that ran absolutely well on most PCs and consoles can able to handle the power of the hand-drawn techniques.
The best part of the game is that you have an option to switch with retro mode which is based on original SEGA MS version which is also great, but I kinda much prefer it to remake for its many details and more layouts in every stages in my opinion. 


Overall, it has fantastic animated characters, impressive parallax scrolling effects, great use of background layouts and lighting effects, and colourful environments.



Music and Sounds

The music in the game has the great rendition to 1989's original soundtrack with fully arranged style for every levels which I kinda liked the rich orchestrated music that fits well in the game.
It was composed by Michael Geyre did a full arrangements to 1989's original music which is originally composed by Shinichi Sakamoto.
The sound design is sounds pretty good on every locations with background sounds and atmospheric effects which is more acceptable on the remake, so again the game also give you an option to switch with retro style soundtrack and sound effects based on original SEGA MS version which is a fantastic addition to those who previously played the 1989's originals.


Overall, it has great arranged soundtrack and very good sound design.



Special Features

The game did feature a unlockable gallerys, two playable alternative protagonist, 6 hidden stones, hard mode, and of course the password system based on 1989's original game.
The physical copy comes with extra goodies like artbook, keychain, reversible covers and sampler soundtrack CD which is a nice bonus feature for collectables.


Overall, a cool looking goodies.



Advantages


Well designed presenations

Easy to learn core gameplay

Unique monster ability

Fun exploration and platforming

Fantastic hand-drawn animation

Great arranged soundtrack

Retro mode options



Disadvantages

Lack of map screen

Slippery controls

              


Final Verdict


Presentation 8.5/10 - simple story, cool characters, and well designed presentations.

Gameplay 7.5/10 - easy to learn core gameplay, unique monster ability, exploration and platforming, and boss battles.

Graphics 9/10 - fantastic animated characters, impressive parallax scrolling effects, great use of background layouts and lighting effects, and colourful environments.

Music and Sounds 8/10 - great arranged soundtrack and very good sound design.

Special Features 8/10 -  unlockable gallerys, two playable alternative protagonist, 6 hidden stones, hard mode, and the password system, while physical copy comes with extra goodies like artbook, keychain, reversible covers and sampler soundtrack CD.



Overall 8/10 - It is a faithful rendition of 1989's original game comes with artful presentation, simple 2D core gameplay with focused on simple exploration and combat, appealing animated graphics, arranged music score, and decent in-game content is what made the Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap a remarkable 2D side-scrolling adventures that I highly go pick it up for less than £20 from online store.
I am very happy with the game I've played it on my PS4 had turned out being a solid 2D Side-Scrolling Adventures that the fans of the old-school series will appreciate the existence of the fully done remake and I hopefully will consider looking into with the follow-up title like Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom for future if I had a chance to buy it from online.



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Ion Fury PS4 Review

Ion Fury is a retro-styled FPS game for PS4, XBONE, Switch, and PC, which was originally developed by Voidpoint for PC release, while console release was ported by General Arcade, and published by 3D Realms. It is a prequel to the 2016's game Bombshell.

Back in my good old retro days of 90's where the FPS genre had gained a popularity the likes of the classics such as Wolf 3D, Doom, Quake, Turok, Goldeneye 007, and Unreal, so there are one of the popular FPS game that got my attention as a kid is Duke Nukem 3D for PC which was widely known for badass protagonist with awesome liners, unique selection of weapons, kicking every alien asses, so many pop culture references, and of course saving tons of babes is what made the game so fun and entertaining back then.
So going back to this modern day gaming era where I got busy with my PS4, there's one of the title that is so much similar to classic FPS game is Ion Fury which is a 90's throwback of our favourite FPS classics.
It is one of the game that heavily utilises with Ken Silverman's Build engine in 20 years since the previous title such as World War II GI as it uses the game's source code through the software called EDuke32 was based on the classic titles like Duke Nukem 3D.
I finally got my hands on with the copy of Ion Fury for PS4 which I had spend time kicking ass for one whole weeks of having fun slaughtering every enemies in pieces with insane amount of weapons, finding hidden secrets with every pop culture references, opening new area of levels, running and jumping through platforms, solving problems, and battling with crazy bosses is what makes the retro-styled FPS quite fun to play.

So without go further do, lets start the review.



Presentation

The game takes the role of female military officer named Shelly Bombshell Harrison, who is a bomb disposal expert aligned to the Global Defense Force, set her mission to take down the a transhumanist cult leader named Dr. Jadus Heskel unleashes his army of cybernetically-enhanced soldiers on the futuristic dystopian city of Neo D.C.

As you can see the game did not heavily focuses on the emphasis of story which the opening intro only last just about 20 seconds of simplistic slideshow sequences lacking the in-depth of plot, but you can also hear the voice dialogue between heroine and villain throughout the in-game levels which is fine, but I wish it could have been better with bit more of the storyline that made the plot in the game much interesting.
I got to say I really liked Shelly Bombshell Harrison as a protagonist which delivers a great liners in every level adds up a overall humor as well as being a strong female solder that welds her signature 18-round triple-barrelled revolver that kicks every asses.
Then you have a crackhead villain Dr. Jadus Heskel is insanely dangerous scientist that threaten to destroy not just Global Defense Force, but humanity. He designed to corrupt a augmented humans, sending his cult army to kill innocent, and planting an explosive device in the Washington which makes him a most sadistic and baddest mother f***er in planet.
I got to say I liked the dystopian theme of every levels, so it has broken city with cracked roads, abandoned streets, empty places, and sewers, while the inside of buildings filled with casinos, bars, pubs, shops, restaurants, labs, mansions, and libraries, so it made every presentation just like what you expected from a classic FPS that made Ion Fury just quite appealing as the Duke Nukem 3D.


Overall, lackluster story but has great characters and cool presentation.



Gameplay

You take control of Shelly in first-person perspective as your goal is to head at the exit point and defeating many bosses as possible.
Shelly has ability to jump on platforms, crouching through smaller passage, climbing on ladders, running, and reloading.
You will starting off with revolver which is a basic weapon that shoots in mid-range, while you can also perform double shot for heavier damage at cult enemies as well as flying drones.
There are several of new weapons in each areas such as shotgun that shoots in close-range, while you can also switch it to grenade launcher that shoots grenade ammo which is highly effective against bigger and large enemies as well as turrets.
Then you have sub machine guns that is dual-weld shoots with fiery bullets that causes enemies set on fire while the chaingun blasts every heavy bullets with massive amount of damage.
You will have throwing weapon such as bowling bombs that bounces and roll through while you can also set bombs by pressing alt button for quick explosive, and then you have explosive puck which is another bomb weapon but you can also switch it to cluster mode which explodes tons of overkill shrapnels.
There are Ion bow which allows you to shoot with single or multiple of bolts in long range dealing with heavy damage with both small and big enemies.
Lastly you have melee attack called electrifier which deals with close range combat by not just hitting them, but also stuns as well that tasered smaller enemies.

There are several of enemies are featured in the game such as cybernetic spiders that is capable of jumping to the average human height deals bit amount of damages, cultist that shoots machine guns and multiple bolts, liberatior shoots with shotgun as well as grenade launcher, drone floats everywhere armed with long-range projectiles, skinless dude with blue fiery skull are capable of invisible and teleport power, deacon blast you with homing projectiles, mutant are zombie-like creatures are slow but fires an organic projectiles deals with weak damage compared with armored mutant uses a strong durable vomit attack, diopede is a millipede-like robot with separating body segments releases a acid squirts on ground, wendigo is a massive monster an leap through large distance at high speed, and finally brute has buzzsaw and plasma launcher.

Along with decent combat weapons and enemy's variation of range attacks, I am going to talk about the structure of level design and finding way of heading to exit point.
The game has large map of level where you get to explore around the area for discovering hidden secrets filled with armours and ammos, finding key card to unlock doors, solving problems like disabling blocked lasers, activating air-flowing fans, destroying gas valves and using tank's missiles to open up blocked passage, going inside through the ventilators for short-cuts, and finally finding a different route to access new area without falling off the platforms.
You can also spent time of doing interacting stuff like playing darts for bulleye, throwing bowling bombs at enemies as mini game, practising target shootouts, looking yourself at mirror in bathrooms, breaking stuff like glass wines and perfumes, and grabbing yourself can of fizzy drink from venting machine.

I got to say the whole gameplay in general is genuinely good for its actual controls which I can able to move around and aim at the enemies and objects thanks to customisable sensitivity and deadzones with precision aiming, so I am very glad that the developer finally adds the invert aiming options in the game after getting a feedback from the fans that I can able to enjoy the game even more.
Most of the weapons are pretty effective for most enemies which I got to say it worked absolutely amazing for the use of range attacks and damages.
The level design is fairly good for platforming and exploring especially with map screens does help you find a way of heading to new area.           
The game does have the wicked boss battle that is brutally tough, but very challenging indeed that keeps you self entertained it whole game.

There are some minor issues in the game where the frame-rate runs on 60 FPS which is very good, but the part where one or two levels began to explodes everywhere kinda slows down the performance which I have noticed that the game could struggle to keep it on steady FPS rate due to overused explosion effects doesn't mean it's going to affect the fun of the game which is doing fine in every zones.
It's a shame that the game didn't had local split-screen and online features for multiplayer battle that could have been a fun if its included in the game, so why not?
The cool thing in the game is that you have 3 bonus missions which included horde modes where you have to kill all the enemies in every waves till you die, then you have a mission where your health is low but only uses infinite bombs to survive through level, and lastly the level were featured as the early access demo which I think its pretty awesome to have these bonus features in the game.


Overall, it has good controls, effective weapons, decent level design, and fun boss battles.



Graphics

The graphics is looked acceptable for retro-styled FPS game. As you can see it ran on modified build engine which is just like Duke Nukem 3D, but featuring much more vector detailed on lighting effects, textures surfaces, hud screen, and sprites animation for most part to make the game looked more neater and feels up to date rather than rehashing the same assets from the earliest build engine.

Instead of making the whole environmental looks flat just like some games with 2D engine, you can see the building layouts are quite dynamic from top to bottom as well as the details on walls and floors that made the level design keeping intact.
Most of the objects like crates, weapons, items, barrels, and etc. are actually voxels based design to make it look like a 3D is just what you expected from classic FPS games.
I also liked the use of the gore effects in the game when most of the enemies are been set on fire, electrocuted to death, and their body explodes causing to splatter their blood particles on ground is looking damn brutal.


Overall, it has well structured environmental design, more detailed textures and lighting, and the use of gore effects.



Music and Sounds

The in-game music is actually sounds decent just to keep you pumped for action with upbeating soundtrack mixes with industrial and electronic style sounds pretty intense for FPS games.
The sound effects is just as good as you expecting from the old school game with amazing use of sound design for explosion, shooting, reloading, and enemy's grunting in every levels and I got to say the voice cast such as Valerie Arem, who previously worked on her role from Persona series, just totally nails her role on female protagonist with amazingly edgy liners, while Jon St John, who is well known for his role of badass protagonist from Duke Nukem series, did a great job of voicing the main villain in the game.


Overall, it has upbeating music, impressive sound effects, and great voice role.



Special Features               

The game has 3 bonus missions and chapter selects, but the physical copy comes with cool artbook and sticker which is a nice bonus collecting.
The game has tons of Easter eggs in every levels featuring the pop culture references from video games and films.
It is sadly that it didn't include the cheat code from PC version for strange reason, but I'm sure it will pretty soon.


Overall, good features but the console ports missing out one features from PC version.




Advantages

Cool protagonist with awesome liners

Awesome single-player campaign with 30 levels

Good gameplay with decent controls and weapons choices

Fine graphics with impressive visuals and design

Intense soundtrack

Great voice roles



Disadvantages


Lacking in-depth story

Minor framerate issues during the explosion effects

Missing out multiplayer modes and cheat features




Final Verdict


Presentation 7/10 - lackluster story but has great characters and cool presentation.

Gameplay 8/10 - good controls, effective weapons, decent level design, and fun boss battles.

Graphics 8/10 - well structured environmental design, more detailed textures and lighting, and the use of gore effects.

Music and Sounds 8/10 -  upbeating music, impressive sound effects, and great voice role.

Special Features 7/10 - 3 bonus missions and chapter selects, the physical copy comes with cool artbook and sticker, and Easter eggs references but lacking cheat modes from PC version.


Overall 8/10 -  It is a fun throwback of retro FPS classics that made Ion Fury a decent game which finally puts their step in the right direction. With over the top action campaign, insane amount of weapons, wicked boss battles, well structured levels, and has fair replay values is what made the game worth playing for those who previously enjoying the FPS classics from 90's era should able to pick up and play.

If you think the game is way too old school for you, so what you know guys it's Ion f***ing Fury and it is the way it should be look and play like classics. You just simply pop the game on the system and start kicking asses that brings all your action FPS experience into awesomeness. 



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