If you grew up with a Sega Genesis controller glued to your hands, the name “ZPF” probably sounds like some forgotten 1992 arcade cabinet your cool older cousin told you about. In reality, ZPF is a brand-new release from Mega Cat Studios, and after spending time dodging screen-filling laser beams and banging my head against some seriously tough bosses, I’ve got some thoughts.
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If you’ve been waiting to scratch that World War II strategy itch, the wait is finally over. Sudden Strike 5 has officially marched onto Xbox, and after spending a weekend deep in the trenches of the European and North African campaigns, I’ve got some thoughts.
Is it a revolutionary leap forward for the RTS genre, or a nostalgic trip back to the battlefields of the early 2000s? The answer, honestly, is a bit of both.
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Whether you’re a longtime reader of the blog or just joining me for the first time, you probably know my relationship with Formula Legends for Xbox has been a bit of a rollercoaster. As I said in my original review, this is a game that is “gorgeous to look at, but tough to love.” It lures you in with that stunning, retro-stylized aesthetic and then punches you in the gut with a simulation-heavy engine that demands absolute perfection.
Since then, I’ve tracked the game’s evolution through the Raw Power Pack and the experimental Tech Power Pack. Now, developer 3DClouds has released the Iconic Tracks DLC, and I’ve spent the last few days trying to master these new (yet very familiar) circuits.
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If you’ve been hanging around the Xbox store lately, you’ve probably seen a thumbnail that looks like it was ripped straight out of a 1930s Disney vault—only, instead of whistling on a steamboat, the mouse is packing a Tommy gun.
I just finished my first full run of Mouse: P.I. For Hire, and honestly? It’s one of the most visually stunning and unapologetically fun shooters I’ve played in years. If you’re a fan of Cuphead’s art style but always wished you could play it as a fast-paced “boomer shooter” like Doom or Bioshock, this is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
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If you’ve ever found yourself wishing that Geralt of Rivia would hang up his silver sword and take up a career as a paranormal detective, then The Occultist is going to feel like a very strange, very specific dream come true.
I just spent the last few nights huddled in the dark with my Xbox controller, exploring the fog-drenched streets of Godstone Island, and I have some thoughts. Developed by DALOAR and published by Daedalic Entertainment, The Occultist is a first-person narrative horror that swaps out jump scares for deep-seated dread and “action” for methodical investigation.
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If you grew up during the NES era, you likely have a love-hate relationship with “Nintendo Hard” games. You remember the stiff jumps of Castlevania, the frantic pace of Ninja Gaiden, and the rewarding (if brutal) feeling of finally conquering a level after fifty tries.
Lillymo Games’ latest title, Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege, is a blood-soaked love letter to those exact feelings. After spending some time with it on Xbox, I can safely say it’s one of the most authentic—and challenging—retro throwbacks in recent years.
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The saga of the roadside station comes to a close in the Daylight DLC. Breaking away from the “night shift” formula of previous entries, this expansion offers a fresh perspective and a new set of mechanics to wrap up the Before Exit: Gas Station story.
Continue readingJust when you thought the closing shift was over, the Midnight DLC for Before Exit: Gas Station forces you back into the station for some mandatory overtime. This first major expansion pushes the series’ signature anomaly detection into its darkest, most oppressive hours yet.
Continue readingThe “closing shift” horror subgenre has found a new standout with Before Exit: Gas Station on Xbox. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Before Exit: Supermarket, this sequel takes the mundane task of locking up a retail space and infuses it with a thick layer of dread and mystery.
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If you have been craving a fresh take on the stealth genre that prioritizes fluid movement over slow, methodical waiting, then Ereban: Shadow Legacy is a title you need on your radar. Developed by Baby Robot Games and published by Selecta Play, this stylish 3D platformer makes its debut on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 on April 16th.
Originally released on PC in 2024, this console port brings the same “shadow-bending” mechanics and dystopian intrigue to a new audience at a very accessible $19 price point (with a 10% launch-week discount).
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