A Fun Little Story

As one would expect with a game whose main character is Professor Hamster Jones, the story is simple and sweet. When Hamster Jones gets a package containing the creature Charaon (who is quite polite to the ladies), the creature challenges him. And what better place to have this challenge than a pyramid? So, Jones and his posse (one named Chris Ceratops; guess what kind of dinosaur he is) head to Egypt.

The cutscene in the beginning is all in French, but I appreciate the English subtitles. It does not affect the story or the gameplay in any way, and many indie developers cannot afford localization. You start your journey in the treasure room. This is the top of the pyramid and acts as your hub where you can talk to your friends. Often, after certain room objectives, they will have some important dialogue that advances the story. Charaon will often taunt you as the story progresses, all in an attempt to waver the player’s confidence.

Lots of Puzzles!

Hamstermind has multiple types of puzzles. Getting through the game only requires you to solve the big center puzzle in each room and collect the glowing orbs. As you go deeper into the Pyramid, the puzzles become more complicated. Not only do you go vertically through the Pyramid, but there are also side routes. Each route, labeled with a letter from A to E, has a different number of rooms. Routes B through D circled back to route A. The “E” rooms were what really took me by surprise. To really beat the game, you have to get over 200% completion.

The main puzzles are made up of tiles. These can be rotated and sometimes moved depending on the formation of the rooms. Later in the game, you have to flip some of the rooms as well. It is a lot of furious trigger pressing, and the game does recommend a controller when you boot it up. At the time of writing this review, I have still not reached the end of Route “E,” though I plan to.

Every room also has a scarab puzzle, and these start off very easily and get very difficult as you get closer to completionist status. They involve rotating a box and trying to get a labeled tile into the right spot. The labels are images of snakes, insects, and other critters. Scarabs unlock skins and hints for the translation puzzle. There are 5 different skins to unlock, from a spaceman to a cool Easter egg and a nod to One Piece with their version of a pirate.

Yes, More Puzzles!

The translation puzzles look like vending machines. When you use them, you will see a grid with symbols, blank spots, and weights. Don’t worry, the game will eventually teach you what everything means as long as you do the scarab puzzles. The translation puzzles involve putting symbols in the correct blank spots.

Some rooms also have a puzzle involving unlocking the entrance to other routes. In these puzzles, you must direct a bug to hit all the buttons on a web. Players must use the change of direction buttons to ensure the bug touches them all. Once you complete that, the passageway will stay open permanently.

Cute and Challenging

Hamstermind was a lot more fun than I expected. With it being their first PC game, Righteous Tree did not disappoint. Going around and trying to beat all the puzzles has been quite frustrating and fun at the same time. Your brain really has to work on some of the puzzles.

Can you help Professor Hamster Jones achieve archaeological glory?

Pick up Hamstermind on Steam. The game is currently 25% off with its introductory sale.

The post Hamstermind Is a Deceptively Deep Puzzle Game (Review) appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

This review will cover Crisol’s unique mechanics and how managing your ammunition could mean the difference between life and death, more than in most other games. As Gabriel, you dive deeper into the dark island of Tormentosa. Nestled off the coast of this world’s Spain, named Hispania, help uncover a conspiracy of godly proportions.

Sun vs Sea

In Crisol: Theater of Idols, you play as a servant of the Sun, a god who is at war with the Sea. Players are thrown onto the island, which is rainy and dark. Through this, it seems the Sun is not welcome. Your mission is to reseal the Sea into a prison by finding four daggers. Along the way, you have to fight walking statues, rock monsters, flying babies, and other creepy enemies. You also meet a group of rebels called Solari, led by a spunky youth named Mediodia. Luckily, they are also servants of the Sun, but you don’t meet them until after the prologue. You then end up at their base, and it will become your hub.

Throughout the game, memories will appear to you, uncovering more of the hidden stories that haunt this island. If you are a completionist (I am not), this is an incentive to find them all. The story as a whole has a lot of elements to it. At 15-20 hours, you get a lot to dive into. Luckily, there is a journal that records every note, memory, and more. This helps and creates a nice codex for the player. Oftentimes, you will find books and notes that have clues for future puzzles. The puzzles are a lot of fun and tie into the story, so you are never pulled out of it. In the end, it is a solid story with some good twists. As you are hunting for the daggers, you uncover why this war is happening and how to stop it.

Blood Bullets

The reason Crisol: Theater of Idols has the survival tag is due to the unique ammunition system. For your guns, the player has to use their own blood. Every time you reload your gun, you drain some of your blood. Fear not, because your health bar is upgradeable. Depending on the gun depends on how much blood you use. Shotgun is different than SMG, which is different than pistol. One nice aspect of this mechanic is that you can reload your gun partially. Gabe starts with a pistol, with a total of 5 guns to find. Each gun also has its own animation for reloading, which adds to the fun of this mechanic.

Every gun is upgradeable. Damage, reload speed, fire rate, and ammo capacity are what you can put points into. Each point costs coins that you find throughout the island. As you go through the game, you can earn discounts by freeing crows. These crows belong to the fortune teller, where you can purchase these upgrades. The more crows you free, the higher the discount goes.

This unique mechanic made for a really intense game. Oftentimes, you will be going into a new area with a lot of ammo and a little health or vice versa. It is a matter of finding a perfect balance, collecting blood as often as possible from dead NPCs, animal carcasses, and blood fountains. Some NPCs you drain will also give you items for quests or solari tokens that can unlock chests at the hub.

Your syringes are an important part of your toolbelt. Upgrading that pouch at the fortune teller is crucial as you get deeper into the game. Certain skills also add to how you are able to heal, reload, and manage this whole mechanic.

Skills and Tools

The skill system is rather straightforward, and players may not unlock all of them before completing the game. To unlock each one, the player uses essence collected from killed enemies. There are also crow skull relics that players must find. Each skill has a different skull value ranging from 2 to 4. Once again, crows are involved because skills are unlocked through the fortune teller.

Another tool in the player’s arsenal is the knife. The knife, as a weapon, is very useful in mid-battle should you run out of ammo and are low on blood. Oftentimes, an enemy will be down to a torso and legs, or even just legs, and a couple of swipes with the knife finishes them off. The knife does lose durability as you use it, and can be restored via a sharpening station. Players must use gas cans, found strewn across the island, to operate these stations. The knife’s durability is upgradeable via the fortune teller.

Players will use many tools on their travels across Tormentosa. Bolt cutters will get you through many parts of one chapter, while a mini ship’s steering wheel will aid you another time. Another part finds you using a brake lever. Each part of the island has its own mechanisms, traps, and puzzles.

Aesthetics, Environments, and Music, Ole!

The very nice thing about Crisol is that the game is very linear and story-driven, yet it feels very open. As a player in this sort of game, you want to not feel too boxed in. Crisol manages this wonderfully. The designers developed a beautiful yet forlorn world that has a lot of different places to explore. As players go through each chapter, they will visit each different district.

Every district is a different theme, and the styles of buildings and decorations really exemplify what that theme is for each one. I was not once disappointed at what I was looking at. The colors used were just the right palette to reflect the tone of the game. And it ran beautifully on the highest graphic settings at 2K resolution (I am running a 12th gen i7, 64 GB DDR5 RAM, and a 4070 TI).

The music in Crisol: Theater of Idols created perfect moments and added to the intensity when it was necessary. Whether running from Dolores, a 10-ft tall monstrosity, or enjoying the carnival games in the hub, I was able to appreciate what was playing in the background. Players will be able to enjoy the music in the main menu as well through vinyl record collectables found throughout the world.

Extras! Extras!

Games like Crisol often have multiple treasures to discover in their world. Whether you find a vinyl record or a page that can reveal a new part of the story, Crisol is a treasure trove of content. You can also win tickets at the fair to unlock different useful and collectible items. Achievements are important for extras, too, with each one having a value. Once a player is done with the story, they will be able to unlock virtual models of many of the items, enemies, and weapons in the game. Additionally, this feature really allows you to appreciate the hard work Vermila Studios has put into the game. Players can also feel good about their hard work through their achievements. Listening to the few vinyls I have unlocked also tempted me to go back and find the rest. Yes, the soundtrack is quite good.

Final Reaction

Blumhouse has a winner with Crisol: Theater of Idols. Despite some minor bugs that I am sure the developers will patch up, it did not affect the gameplay. If I were to have any complaint, it would be that the running mechanic felt a little sluggish, and there were a few boat rides that felt the same. I think the sluggish running is on purpose, as it added to the sense of urgency. I still would not mind a springier Gabe, though. But really, the only real complaint is the slow boat rides.

Crisol: Theater of Idols is one I highly recommend checking out. With a great story, unique mechanics, and engrossing environments, first-person shooter and horror fans alike will want to check this one out. It is not a perfect game by any means, but Crisol: Theater of Idols makes me excited for what the folks at Vermila Studios have up their sleeves.

Pick up Crisol: Theater of idols now on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

The post Crisol: Theater of Idols Review – How Blood Becomes Ammo in Blumhouse’s New Horror Game appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

As a disclaimer, I do not jump scare easily, so I was about to heavily judge the game on how well it could do that. I expected a hide-and-seek style game, but what I actually got was more of a Saw-style experience.

A Simple Story

The protagonist is masked, as they usually are in this sort of horror story. As is par for the course, this character will be your tour guide for the death house you are about to experience. He tasks you with collecting Rainbow Coins, and to keep you in suspense, there are more than 5 and fewer than 10. The game does a good job of driving you to the point where you really want to find out what is going on. As you delve deeper into Rainbow Gate, things get odder and creepier, but the payoff does not really quantify the time spent in the facility.

There really is not much to the story of Rainbow Gate. Someone close to the player goes missing. The last place they were seen is the defunct animatronic amusement known as Rainbow Gate. The caveat is that this person close to you was investigating others going missing. When you first enter the world, it is clear the facility has been closed down for a while now.

A Puzzle of Suspense

As the game got deeper, the puzzles became more complex and less forgiving. This is a game you may have to put down and sleep on to get through, as was the case with the last coin puzzle. Games like this should not have you wanting to take a break, and so this was a let-down. However, since playing, the developer has released a balancing patch for this very complaint, so kudos to 7Evil for being a responsive developer.

Now I was hoping to play a game such as Out of Sight, avoiding a hunter while travelling through a maze of animatronics with forgiving puzzles that cater to accessibility. Once I really dove into Rainbow Gate, I understood the intensity of a game like this. I was playing Saw with killer teddy bears. Without spoiling too much of the experience, there are land mines, spiked gauntlets, and puzzles that test your mettle as well as your patience. And most of the time, you are avoiding characters that want your blood.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Built in Unreal Engine 5, the world of Rainbow Gate is beautiful. The lifelike assets, characters, and environment are the real winners of this game. Without the amazing graphics and sounds, Rainbow Gate would just be another game. However, since the colors, music, and everything else in between are so fluid and immersive, you really feel like you are actually there. The camcorder HUD and VHS-style overlay really play into this, too.

The use of lighting in some of the areas added to the creepiness. That seems to be the vibe Rainbow Gate wants to give. Rather than scare you, the game seems to want to creep you out more. It makes one wonder if we need a new horror sub-genre of games: Creepy Horror.

Scary Controls

The subgenre Rainbow Gate is put into is survival horror. The survival aspects of the game were clear through the way you had to play the game. You are given an inventory where you can store things you need to progress through certain areas, such as cranks, coins, and other items. You also have to store health pens and night vision batteries. This is a place where the game really fails. In order to use your health and night vision batteries, the player has to open the inventory and then press a hot key. This convoluted approach to item use may have been implemented on purpose. The clunky controls actually add to the suspenseful nature of the game because of having to stop to use certain items. I can see many players hating it, though. There is evidence of this in the Steam reviews already. Perhaps this will be another change the developer will make with a patch.

Not So Scary Verdict

Coming into writing this review, I was ready to be more critical of the puzzles towards the end of the game. Seeing that the developers have already addressed this is a very bright light in this industry that many indie developers create. These small teams want their games to succeed, and the team even admits in the Steam AI disclaimer that, because they are a small team, they needed to utilize AI for certain aspects of the game. This seems to be becoming more of a reality.

Did Rainbow Gate scare me? No, it did not really do a great job at that. I probably flinched 2 or 3 times the whole game. However, for me, that is quite a lot, so I have no doubts the game would scare others who play horror games for that endorphin rush.

At a decent price point of $13.99, Rainbow Gate won’t break the bank. Unless you are a big horror game fan, this one will probably pass you by. However, for fans of the genre, definitely give it a look.

The post Rainbow Gate Will Please Hardcore Horror Fans (Review) appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

New & Familiar Mechanics

A good platformer only goes as far as the gameplay systems it employs. Big Hops does this wonderfully. When you think about classic platformer characters like Mario, Banjo-Kazooie and even Link, you look at the unique styles they brought to this genre. Mario’s jumping, Banjo’s zooming, and Link’s climbing are all present in Big Hops, which shows the influences that the developers at Luckshot used to build the game. Other mechanics from these games include fruit to heal and pots with coins in them. What sets Big Hops apart, though, is Hop’s tongue.

You quickly learn in the opening area of the game how important the tongue is. Whether it is grappling, grabbing food off bushes and pots with coins in them, picking locks, or pulling levers, it is not surprising that a game with a frog as the main character uses his tongue in this way. I often found myself running around the world seeing what the tongue could do. The nice thing is that the tongue will only work when you need it to. Many games, like Big Hops, will simply let you use their main mechanics willy-nilly. A visualization of what button to press (depending on your input device) for the tongue pops up when you are close to an item you can use it on. As one would expect, this could be challenging when navigating large gaps, but that did not take away from the enjoyment of the game.

Some other mechanics really played into the character playing a frog. You want to jump higher? If you crouch (bend those knees!) while jumping, you could go higher. And don’t forget about the slick reptilian body of a frog, either. Hop can slide around on his body, and doing this can make you go very fast. One of the trinkets you unlock and equip even displays a speedometer on screen.

As mentioned, the tongue is also used to grab food off bushes. Food is used for health, but it is also used to get to places you thought you could not reach. Mushrooms allow you to bounce higher, and apples make a stamina break while climbing, to name a few. These and other items can be stored in your backpack, which starts with four slots and can be expanded through trinkets.

Trinkets, Insects, and Upgrades

Trinkets are a great mechanic in the game. I really like the use of stickers on Hop’s backpack for trinkets. It added to the immersion for sure. With only a few trinket slots to begin with, the main antagonist of the game, Diss, tasks you, the player, with collecting dark drips, as he calls them.

After you collect so many pieces of a drip, Diss will appear at one of his many designated areas in the world. Here you will be able to unlock a trinket. The player gets to choose between two. Some trinkets will give you more health, others extra trinket slots, while others affect gameplay mechanics to your benefit, such as holding your breath longer. Some trinkets that you can choose from are upgrades of previous ones, such as the underwater breathing one.

Swimming, as one would imagine, is a very important mechanic in a game with a frog as the main character. However, when you start the game, Hop does not know how to swim well. The underwater swimming mechanic unlocks as you progress through the main story. Players can find Diss’ purple platforms throughout the different areas, so switching out trinkets is possible. I found myself switching out trinkets often. This was especially true as I unlocked more trinkets than I had slots for. The slots maxed out at eight, which caters to the many play styles of different gamers.

And what sort of game starring a Frog would Big Hops be if it did not include insects? As you travel the different areas, Hop will encounter different kinds of bugs and spiders. Depending on how many different kinds you find, you will be able to upgrade things like your wallet size and how many hearts you have. While not important for the story, this is a very cool part of the game that will make you always wonder if you have found that bug or not. From a distance, I would ask myself, is that a new one?

All About Family

The main story of Big Hops is a heartwarming one centered around family. The game starts with Hop camping with his family. Your main goal is to get back home. As you navigate the valley, looking for a way out, Diss appears and whisks you away to a void. He explains that the world is ending and the only way to fix it is to collect the dark drips. Throughout the five areas you get to explore, you meet colorful characters that need your help to fix their area’s problem. You will make friends with rabbits, otters, bats, and more, who help move the story along. From the desert to the void and back home, the question remains throughout the whole game. Why does Diss need Hop’s help? You will have to play to find out for yourself.

Final Reaction

Luckshot Games has given us a very fluid and enjoyable experience. With fun mechanics and a simple but pleasant story, Big Hops is a title that all platformer fans should have a look at. Many worry about indie titles because of possible bugs due to a lack of outside testing, but no game-breaking bugs were found. Big Hops is a solid entry that will give you hours of enjoyment. Pick up Big Hops now on Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

The post Big Hops Is a Fun and Nostalgic Platformer (Review) appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

What Is Citizen Pain?

As the heroine Catherina, Citizen Pain takes you on a quest to fight the Undead King. On the way, you will battle a variety of enemies from undead soldiers to knights with shields. The enemies are either large and imposing or small and quick. Trying to avoid the knights that throw firebombs while dashing around the undead charging you can be quite challenging and nerve-racking. The game makes no apologies for how difficult it is, and it is a misconception that game journalists are great at games. Most of us are average gamers, and I will not tell a lie when I say this was one of the hardest games I have ever played, and Alessandro, I know, will be happy to hear that. The final boss took me almost a week to beat. While you are doing all this, you are also against the clock.

Throughout the levels, there are pickups. These pickups are health (which were few and far between), souls (the currency for leveling up), and temporary weapons that had a durability bar. The nice thing about the stages is that you were able to go back for the pickups. Say you did not get hit in an area that has health: move on to the next and come back for it if you get hit. The same goes for the weapons. The souls mechanic in Citizen Pain really drives the roguelite part of the game home. You earn them both by killing enemies and through pickups. After you beat a level, you go back to the hub, where you can spend the souls. This is where the multi-genre aspect of the game really comes into play.

All the Genres

Citizen Pain combines first-person melee combat with Soulslike and roguelite elements. You see it every second you play the game. The sword play is obviously the first, the parrying and dodging is the Soulslike aspect, and the dodging is also a dash, which really is a roguelite gameplay mechanic that you see in many iso camera roguelites. The souls’ currency also really drives the roguelite part of it home. Like many roguelites, when a run ends, you can upgrade your character and try it again. In this case, the game is a little more flexible, as when a stage ends with your death, you can choose to try the level again or go back to the hub and upgrade. Being able to do this will keep you coming back to the game.

Satisfaction After 6 Days

As stated above, this is one of the most difficult games I have ever played. Beating each stage was like beating a mini game of its own. I often found myself too tired or wound up to get through a stage. This game requires patience and focus. But it keeps you wanting to come back and beat your previous score. Every stage grades you based on time, max combo, and hits taken. Each of those is given a letter grade, with the highest being S.

Final Reaction

The fact that this game was built by one person is a testament to the hard work and dedication Alessandro Capriolo has put into this game. We live in an age of large publishers and conglomerate entities that drive the industry. Much like it was highlighted by Geoff Keighley at the Game Awards, indie development is starting to make more of an impact in gaming, and we are here for it. I look forward to seeing what else Alessandro gives us in the future, but until then, check out Citizen Pain, now available on Steam.

The post Citizen Pain Review: A Brutal Soulslike Built by a Single Developer appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

Casey Hudson Returns

The biggest gripe people have with Hudson is how he left the Mass Effect series and the disaster that was, is, Anthem (Anthem is shutting down in January of 2026). However, I beg you to “come, stay a while, and listen” (yes, I know that is from Diablo 2). I will regale you on why Fate of the Old Republic is the game that Star Wars fans have been waiting looking forward to for a while.

First, I would like to say that yes, we were all disappointed by the ending in Mass Effect 3. It felt rushed and like your choices earlier did not matter. However, game development has certainly changed since Mass Effect 3 was released. Fans are now more involved in game development. They play the games before they come out in alphas and betas. Developers look at social media more to see what fans are saying. There are more chances to show off your game and more people to get eyeballs on it through that same social media. Hudson and the folks at Arcanaut will know if the fans are happy before the game even releases.

Also, remember, Hudson had nothing to do with the 4th game in the series. He did, however, have a hand in Anthem. My argument for this was that the game industry was starting a shift to live service, and everyone was trying it. Having played Anthem, in what we want to call its prime, I actually enjoyed the gameplay and doing the missions with my friends. The game has not aged well, which is why it is shutting down, but Hudson is not at fault for that either. Now that we have squashed the negatives about Hudson, let’s move on to the game itself.

Death Star Plans Acquired

The year is 2004, and you just popped Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic into your original Xbox, Duke controller in hand. You marvel at the graphics, squeal at the story, and cheer at the gameplay. Fast forward 20 years, and the game, while still fun, has not aged well. The controls are archaic, and the cameras and graphics are janky. All of this reminds me of another game. This, too, is an amazing game, but it did not age the best, as many games do not. If you guess that I was speaking about Final Fantasy VII, you get yourself a gold star.

Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth reinvented a game that is almost 30 years old. Modern technology allowed it to look beautiful and play smoothly. The switch to ARPG really helped open the game to players who are not keen on traditional turn-based mechanics. Plus, with modern technology, Square Enix was able to throw in award-winning motion capture and voice acting. Hudson and Co. have their blueprint for Fate of the Old Republic.

Star Wars on the big and small screens has been somewhat shaky recently. However, Star Wars games over the past decade have been pretty on point. Sure, there have been a few misses or two (eg, Star Wars Hunters and the Battlefront 2 lootbox debacle), but overall, Star Wars titles have had good stories and great gameplay. From the Fallen Order series to Outlaws, the longevity of Star Wars: The Old Republic, plus all the great LEGO games, gamers heading to a galaxy far, far away have rarely been disappointed.

What also really helps the case for Fate of the Old Republic is how many modern spiritual successor games are successful. Games like Bioshock (System Shock), Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild (Ocarina of Time), Elden Ring (Dark Souls/Demon Souls) come to mind. They all took games that had limited technology, moved the story forward while also creating new experiences with modern mechanics. Hudson aims to do the same.

A Game for All Fans

Casey Hudson and Arcanaut Studios have a big task ahead of them. With the model of the recent Final Fantasy VII games, the modern technology at their disposal, and the voice of the fans, the model for how to make a modern RPG that fans love is right in front of them. Making a game like Knights of the Old Republic but for the modern gamer with modern mechanics that anybody can pick up and play, is a winning formula. As a long-time gamer, I grew up on turn-based RPGs. I understand they are not for everyone, and the menus can often be overwhelming in battle. So, all gamers and every Star Wars nerd rejoice! We are getting the game we deserve.

Star Wars: Fate of The Old Republic still has no release date. Check out the website and stay with Nerd Reactor for more updates on the game as they are given to us.

The post Why Fate of the Old Republic Is the Modern Star Wars RPG Gamers Deserve appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a preview build of the game. This preview only covers single player.

On a ‘Journey’

The single-player mode has nine areas to play through. Each area has multiple stages, and these stages get more difficult as you go along. If you have never played a Lumines game, the object is to make as many 2×2 squares as possible. Once you hit the goal, the next stage begins.

The visuals are incredible and will take your eyes on a rollercoaster ride. The music does a great job transitioning as you move into a new stage in the given area. There are no intermissions until an area is fully completed, and the action is non-stop.

Each stage uses different visuals for the pieces. At times, you feel like you are in a dance club, while at others, it could feel like you are wandering through the rainforest. Not only does the music immerse you into the stage, but there are often detriments that can affect your vision, reflexes, and overall interaction with the stage. I have to admit, I was not ready for some of these, and they definitely add to the fun and challenge of the game.

Other Modes & Mechanics

Lumines Arise will be a game you can enjoy in many different ways. Of course, there will be the single-player Journey, and once you complete that, you will be able to access the Missions mode. There is also a playlist mode that will let you play stages you have completed in any order you want. I am really glad the developers added this last mode since there were some stages and songs that I really enjoyed more than others. These are stages I could see myself going back and playing.

Another cool feature in the game is being able to customize your Loomii. As you play, you earn currency called Pon. You use Pon in the Loomii-Pon, and every 300 Pon unlocks something new for your Loomii. These range from nameplates to heads.

A Futuristic Retro Experience

I grew up playing Tetris in the ’80s and ’90s and still play it on occasion, yet I had never experienced anything like Lumines Arise in all my years of gaming. I often found myself “oohing” and “aahing” at the way the game presented itself. Much like other games in the genre, like Tetris, Dr. Mario, and others, Lumines Arise checks all the boxes for this type of experience. If you are a gamer who likes challenging puzzle games and some good heavy beats, then this is one you will want to check out.

Lumines Arise drops on Steam and PlayStation 5 on November 11, 2025.

Make sure to stay current with all your pop culture news at NerdReactor.com.

The post Music Puzzler Lumines Arise Is Shaping to Be One Hell of a Trip appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

Meet Robert Robertson III

The first episode introduces you to the main character of Dispatch, Robert Robertson III, voiced by Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad). When you meet Robert, he is the independent superhero named Mecha Man. This first episode is the tutorial episode, teaching you the ins and outs of the game. Much like a TellTale game, which is definitely at the root of the experience, dialogue choices are very important. On top of what your character says, multiple quick-time events can affect how the rest of the episode plays out. Some minigames require certain keystrokes to get by.

The main plot of the game is right in the title. You are a superhero dispatcher, but you do not start as one. Being able to see how that comes to be is quite satisfying. The writing is excellent, and the folks at AdHoc definitely know how to spin a tale. The characters in the first episode are compelling and over the top, which adds to the entertainment value. It is a good introduction to this alternate reality of Los Angeles and the world that is full of superheroes.

As the episode winds down, you are given an actual dispatching tutorial to go through. By the end of it, you will have a good understanding of how to send a superhero on a job. What this episode does not do is introduce you to your team fully. While you meet some of them, the second episode does an actual introduction to each one and throws you into being a dispatcher.

Second Episode

The second episode throws you right into the action. With the tutorial finished, it is time to get to work. Your first day at the office has you running into a familiar face. If you played the demo of the game, you will know who this is referring to since this portion is part of the demo. (We meet Jeffrey Wright’s character.) The writing between him and Aaron Paul is good for laughs, especially because Wright’s character is full of sass, contrasting Paul’s dry humor.

Once you enjoy some great banter, you are then given the dossier for your superhero team. Each hero has a pentagon skill chart. The five skill categories are Combat, Intelligence, Charisma, Mobility, and Vigor. They have their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as quirks that make them better for certain jobs. Once you meet them, your first day continues with your first real shift. This gives you the chance to get to know your heroes better, level them up a few times, and see which heroes work best in those particular jobs. Sometimes you need a fine-toothed comb, and others you need a bulldozer.

Your heroes, being former villains, will talk smack and try and make your first day miserable. They will also attempt to request jobs. What jobs you send them on, and what you say to them, will affect your relationships with that hero in future episodes. The dispatch system is quite simple to use, and much like most TellTale-like games, you will spend most of your time clicking your mouse button or primary controller button. Navigating the whole system becomes like clockwork. Like any new game, it took me a few tries to remember to click everything I needed to and who was best for what. Once I figured it out, it became easier and my team was met with praise. Of course, the insults were still flying in.

Ready for the Rest

I’m a big fan of The Wolf Among Us and other TellTale games, and Dispatch has been a fantastic game. The first two episodes are everything I could have asked for in this type of experience. I had also played a bit of the demo, so I knew that the team at AdHoc had put a lot of love into this title. With the next episodes dropping on October 29th, I can’t wait to play and be a part of the rest of the story.

You can play the first two episodes of Dispatch now when you pick up your copy on Steam or PlayStation 5. Stay tuned for more Dispatch coverage on Nerd Reactor.

The post Dispatch Ep 1 & 2 Review: A Superhero Story Game from The Wolf Among Us Veterans appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

I played over 50 demos, and these are my top 10. Narrowing down the list was quite a difficult task. There were many games deserving, so I gave some an honorable mention, as it was too hard not to include them somehow. For demos for games releasing soon, check out the article here. None of these games has a release date yet.

10. Aussie Bogan Hero

Metroidvanias have always been a popular genre. Being able to explore a 2D map and eventually clear it fully after going back and forth is oh so satisfying. One of the games that really drew me into the genre was the Guacamelee franchise. Aussie Bogan Hero is the game for you if you want a game like that, but in the Aussie Outback. The demo allowed the player to take the role of Davo, who lives in Dusty Springs and must save his local pub by going on a crazy walkabout.

9. Reanimal

From the creators of Little Nightmares 1 & 2 comes a co-op horror platformer. In this slice of the game, you meet the main characters and guide them through this bleak island, while demoing the single-player companion controls, traversing a train, navigating by boat, and rescuing your friends. The game gave me vibes of Split Fiction meets Little Nightmares, and I am here for it. Looking forward to checking this one out with a friend when it eventually releases.

8. Earth Must Die

I’m always a sucker for a good point-and-click game. Throw in good comedy, a zany setting, and appealing artwork, and you’ve got a winner. Touted as a cast of British comedy royalty, the demo was full of zingers that would go over a child’s head but make an adult chuckle quite a lot. You are the ruler of an intergalactic empire. What zany adventures will you get into, VValak Lizardtongue (the second V is silent)?

7. Big Hops

NextFest always seems to have those hidden gems that most people are not talking about before, during, and after the event. For me, this is that game. Playing as a young frog out with your family, you explore a vibrant world. Using your tongue for traversal and combat, collect fruit to solve puzzles, find collectibles, and trinkets. I look forward to meeting a zany cast of characters while hopping along.

6. Sleep Awake

This first-person psychological thriller puts you in a world where you have to try and stay awake. If you fall asleep bad things could happen. Blumhouse Games found a gem when they picked up this one. The demo took you through Earth’s last city, watching people attempt to stay awake in some very trippy ways. At one point, the player goes by a wall of pictures showcasing all who are missing, including your brother, Bo. You are eventually forced to sleep by the game’s story. The player is then thrown into a mind-bending alternate dimension where things are definitely not what they seem. Why are people getting taken while they sleep? Why are there groups of men in hazmat suits acting like sleep enforcers? I will be keeping my eye on this one.

5. YapYap

If you want to know what the next multiplayer internet phenomenon will be, then check out my other NextFest article on games coming very soon. But until you read that meet YapYap. In YapYap, you and up to 5 other friends play the minions of a Wizard. They have ordered you to go ransack and rob a rival Wizard. With your trusty branch that acts as a wand, climb a tower while causing destruction, stealing valuables, avoiding traps, and fighting monsters. You can also use your voice to cast spells. As you advance, you will learn other spells to increase the amount of chaos you and your friends will cause.

4. Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown

This is a Trekkie’s dream game. Take the role of Captain Kathryn Janeway and relive the events of Star Trek: Voyager. Get flung into the Delta Quadrant. You must repair and manage the ship much like the way The Alters or X-Com have their bases, like an ant farm. You will have to scan and scavenge systems and planets for resources, as well as make crucial decisions such as away teams and ship combat formations. If you ever wanted a What If? series for Star Trek, then check out this demo and wishlist the game on Steam.

3. Shadow of the Road

In a world where feudal Japan is infused with technology, the player takes on the role of two samurai. Along with others in your party, you must help bring the empire back to its traditional Shogun roots. You must face the emperor’s troops, who are supplied by the British East Nippon Company with war machines and guns. There are also hints of mysticism. In one battle of the demo, you fight an eye demon at the same time, you have to fight ambushing ninjas. The members of your party use swords, bows, headbutts, and mysticism to fight off their foes. During the turn-based combat, there are many options for combat for each character. If you enjoy turn-based games, this one will delight you.

Outside of combat, it seems the two main protagonists can go down different paths based on actions and conversation. Each character has their own skill tree as well. These add more RPG elements to what seems like an already feature-rich turn-based tactics game.

2. Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

When this game booted up, I heard “Old Apartment” by Barenaked Ladies playing because this one took me back to my olden days. In 2006, I spent many hours playing Heroes of Might & Magic 5 in one of my first apartments, living on my own. From the map and the movement to the combat and city hub screens, everything about Olden Era feels nostalgic. This is what the devs were trying to do. From just the short amount of time I spent with the demo, I can easily say they have succeeded.

The game has been delayed multiple times. After trying out this small slice of the game, though, I say keep doing what you all are doing. I will gladly wait for this one just so all the love can be added to it. This is a game that the fans will want to make sure is ready to go, even for early access. Make sure you add this one to your wishlist and follow along with the development. While waiting, check out the demo and increase your hype for the full release.

1. Bubsy 4D

If you know me, then you know I am way too excited for the newest iteration of Bubsy. I remember playing Bubsy in Clawed Encounters of the Furred Kind for the Super Nintendo. Then I played Bubsy II on SNES and Bubsy 3D for PlayStation. I thought the world had forgotten about that loveable cat. Then the Bubsy 4D announcement came. I scrambled to the internet and learned about the Woolies Strike Back on PC and Paws on Fire (which I now own on Nintendo Switch). The Bubsy Collection followed, and the fans rejoiced that Bubsy was finally getting his due.

The demo for Bubsy 4D was everything I hoped for. After already experiencing the demo for Demon Tides from Fabraz and loving it, I had an inkling this demo would not disappoint. Bubsy 4D takes elements from so many of the beloved platformers that inspired it. I see hints of Sonic, Mario, Crash Bandicoot, and, of course, the original Bubsy after just playing a short amount of the demo. Not wanting to spoil the whole game for myself, I made sure I did not spend too much time with the cat. I spent just enough time with the demo to decide my expectations will be met while still preserving the authenticity of this precious childhood favorite.

Honorable Mentions

• Terrifier the Artcade game – A beat ’em up side scroller game taking place in The Terrifier universe. Take the role of Art the Clown or the Little Pale Girl while you take on the police and citizens in this 90s-inspired game.
• Escape From Ever After – In this Paper Mario-inspired game, take on the Role of Flynt. The demo adds Wolfgang, the wolf from the 3 Little Pigs, and Tinder, a dragon. This charming RPG has some interesting character mechanics and an intriguing story. I will be excited to see where the full game takes us.
• Crashout Crew – The publishers for Peak have seemed to find another fun multiplayer experience to share with use. You and your friends are tasked with packing trucks as you play as a forklift that is on the clock.
• Goblin Sushi – This roguelite sushi restaurant sim, not named Dave the Diver, has an interesting concept. Unlock new recipes and ingredients as you serve the goblins at your conveyor belt sushi bar.
• Strange Brew – Everyone needs coffee, even a duck. Strange Brew is a 3D platformer where you are a duck trying to escape zombies. However, you can’t do it without a cup of joe and a caffeine fix. Escape obstacles and zombies while making sure the coffee keeps coming.

So Many Demos

Steam NextFest is always a fantastic week because so many new games are discovered. This list is only a small iota of the demos that are now out there after this event. Many games did not make the cut. In fact, because there were so many, I wrote a whole second article, which you can read here. These two lists should satisfy most gamers’ curiosity. Make sure you check out these demos. And make sure you come back for future coverage of Steam NextFest demos.

Disclaimer: All demos were played for between 15 and 90 minutes each.

The post 10 Must-Play Steam Next Fest Demos from October’s Lineup appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

October

Chicken Run: Eggstraction

October 24, 2025 – This game takes place after the recent Netflix film Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Your mission, because you have to accept it, is to free all the chickens. The demo takes you through a few tutorial missions that each have different objectives, from rescuing chickens to making your way to a specific door. You can earn up to 3 stars per mission and collect various currencies, all of which allow you to recruit and upgrade chickens as well as purchase gear for your missions. Aside from the main story, there are also co-op-only missions you can play via split screen.

Arc Raiders

October 30, 2025 – This highly anticipated extraction shooter had its open beta this weekend, which was dubbed a “Server Slam.” Set in a futuristic Earth where machines seem to have taken over, it gives off a very Terminator vibe. Arc Raiders would be at the top if this list were in ranked order.

Up to squads of three enter the world via bunkers and have to take on machines and other Raiders (real players) all before all the elevators back to Speranza close, and you are trapped on the surface. We never had a chance to see what happened after the 30 minutes. My squad either died or made it into the elevators during our runs, sometimes crawling.

The setting is gorgeous. Embark Studios (The Finals) really did a fantastic job of keeping the tone tense throughout each run. A successful run will leave you with weapons, gear, and valuables to sell, while dying means you come back with nothing except what your faithful rooster Scrappy brings back, which, in the beta, was not much. In the full game, Scrappy will be upgradeable, and it will feature four additional maps and numerous items, enemies, and events. This is one to check out for sure.

November

Of Ash and Steel

November 6, 2025 – This is a third-person open-world RPG that is looking to let gamers get immersed and lost in the world. The game does not have quest markers, and the demo gave you a glimpse of this, making you do menial tasks without telling you where to go. The combat is unforgiving and forces you to master stances to defeat your enemies. The main protagonist is a cartographer, so the player is not given an OP character. The two learn along the way together. This is definitely a love letter to role-playing games.

The Last Caretaker

November 6, 2025 – Waterworld meets iRobot in this open-world game where you play a robot on a boat. I would classify the game as a survival game because you have to worry about the things that keep you alive. In the case of a robot, it is power. The demo gives you a glimpse at some of the buildings you will encounter and what you have to go through to power them, as well as getting your boat started. The demo ends with you driving out into the open water.

Tabletop Game Shop Simulator

November 12, 2025 – The nerd in me had a blast with this demo because this is a chill experience that will immerse you in the world of owning a Tabletop Game Store. Some of the items you will be able to sell are rulebooks, dice sets, paint brushes, paints, and miniatures. You can even set up game tables and painting stations that customers can pay to use. There is also a collect-them-all side game where you can open miniature packs and try and unlock all the different variations, then paint them, and sell them individually. Any mystery box collector can get their fix virtually, and it won’t cost any real money. This one seems to have rolled a Nat 20.

Forestrike

November 17, 2025 – Devolver Digital strikes again with this interesting take on roguelike 2d side scrollers. Each room is a fight against one or multiple enemies, but the catch is that you can practice what you are going to do before you do it by using your foresight. Each fight has optional challenges, such as not using your foresight so many times. Using different martial arts moves and techniques, take down your opponents and save the emperor.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide

November 18th, 2025 – The newest SpongeBob game lets you play as both SpongeBob and Patrick, but with a twist. While you are playing as one, the other must remain as a ghost. With a ton of collectibles, lots of laughs, multiple puzzles, and memorable scenes, Titans of Tide is another excellent 3d platformer in the series. Can you take down the Flying Dutchman and save Bikini Bottom once again?

Demeo X Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked

November 20th, 2025 – Combine Dungeons & Dragons campaigns with Demeo board game mechanics and what do you get? You have an excellent recreation of what it is like playing a tabletop game. The demo teaches you the basic mechanics from combat to ability checks. Play it alone or with up to four players. This is one any D&D fan should check out.

S.E.M.I. – Side Effects May Include

November 2025 – What would happen if you took platforming levels and stuck them in an insane asylum, then let the patients try and get through the levels? You get S.E.M.I. The other twist is the meds the patients can take. These will give the player abilities, boons, and detriments. One I tried in the demo made me really small and really big in an alternating pattern. Along with YapYap, this feels like the next game, like REPO and Peak, that will have the internet ablaze.

December

Marvel Cosmic Invasion

December 1st, 2025 – The demo for this much-anticipated side-scrolling beat-em up Marvel game solidified the expectations for many. I only played the first level of the demo because I did not want to spoil any of the story that I know I will be playing. I used Wolverine and Rocket Raccoon as my two heroes. Both characters did not disappoint. Wolverine was jumping around with his adamantium claws, and of course, Rocket had his crazy arsenal of weapons. For many, this will be a day one purchase, and now we know when the game is coming out.

Citizen Pain

December 6th, 2025 – This is a demo I never would have found were it not for an X post reply to my own X post. I am very glad Alessandro Capriolo did because Citizen Pain is a fun experience, and the demo is most likely only a small slice of the craziness. The game boasts old-school first-person melee combat. Playing it, it felt like an old-school souls-like. Back in my day, you could not roll and dodge, but instead you had to time the block. It was all about the block. In Citizen Pain, you’d better block or else. Look out for more coverage of the full release for Citizen Pain.

Skate Story

December 8th, 2025 – As a demon, you must take your skateboard, skate through hell, and go try to eat the moon. Yes, you heard that correctly. Only then will the Devil free your soul. Crazy visuals and an even crazier story make Skate Story worth checking out, especially if you are a skateboard game fan. The controls feel very streamlined, which is what you would want out of a skateboarding game. Throw on the weirdness, and why wouldn’t you want to check this one out?

Q4 2025

Final Sentence

Q4 2025 (delayed to Q1 2026) – Keep typing or get shot. This is the basic premise of one of the most played games of this past NextFest. There is really nothing else to say about this game except that it is a great concept. In a world where we are so focused on clicking as a skill, a game actually utilizes that to teach a skill. For all of us who grew up with typing classes, this one’s for you.

Games Now Available

Painkiller

The demo gave us a slice of the chaotic fun that the full game should deliver on. People loved the original but have been leery about this remake. However, do you like chaotic fun because this one feels just as crazy as it looks? Unique weapons and hordes of enemies to kill should supply hours and hours of fun for any classic FPS fan.

Swapmeat

Now out in early access, I took the demo for a short spin and had a blast because the ability to swap body parts with different abilities was very pleasing. Some of the body parts I experienced were acid-spitting bug heads, robot jet treads, and wasp wings. This will be a game to watch as it heads toward its 1.0 release.

Probably Missed a Few

This was a fantastic NextFest. There are always games that you do not expect to wow you, let alone play at all. This list is just a fraction of the demos I played this past week. I realize there are probably plenty of demos for games that are coming out in the next month. I did not get a chance to play, but this list is definitely one full of titles any gamer should be excited about.

The post 15 Games You Can Play Very Soon (or Right Now) with Steam Next Fest appeared first on Nerd Reactor.