Tag Archives: Xbox Game Review

Tired of Pixel Art Survivors? Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Is the Answer

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If you’ve spent any time in the “survivors-like” or bullet-heaven genre lately, you know the drill: walk around, auto-fire at thousands of enemies, get a dopamine hit from shiny gems, and pray for a good RNG build. But while most of these games lean into retro pixel art, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel decided to go full “heavy metal album cover” with a gorgeous 3D art style that makes the genre feel properly epic.

I’ve been sinking some serious hours into the Xbox version lately, especially with the recent Conan the Barbarian DLC, and I have thoughts. If you’re wondering if it’s worth your gold, here’s the breakdown.

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Xbox Parasol Superstars Review: The Ultimate Retro Platformer Pack

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If you grew up in the golden age of arcades—or if you’ve just developed a deep appreciation for quirky Japanese retro gaming—you probably know that developer Taito has a bizarre obsession with turning everyday items into weapons of mass destruction. First, it was bubbles in Bubble Bobble. Then came the magical umbrellas.

Recently, ININ Games dropped a delightful little package on the Xbox Store called the Parasol Superstars bundle. Priced at $23.99, this bundle pairs two incredibly charming, umbrella-wielding platformers: the classic Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III and the rare, formerly Japan-exclusive arcade gem Spica Adventure.

If you bought these separately, they’d run you around $33, so the bundle offers a solid discount. But is it worth your time and hard-earned cash? I spent time shielding myself from cartoon monsters and chucking bad guys across my screen to find out. Here’s my breakdown of what makes this bundle an absolute blast.

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Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Before Exit: Supermarket on Xbox

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Ever had that sinking feeling at the end of a long shift where you know you forgot something, but you just can’t put your finger on it? That’s essentially the entire premise of Before Exit: Supermarket, a quirky, low-budget simulation game that recently hit the Xbox Store.

If you’ve ever worked retail, this game might give you minor PTSD—but in a strangely addictive, “just one more day” kind of way.

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Is Curse Rounds Good? Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

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If you’ve spent any time on the Xbox Store recently, you might have scrolled past a striking, black-and-white title called Curse Rounds. Developed by the Brazilian indie studio Tentacles Interactive and published by QUByte Interactive, this budget-friendly roguelike aims to stand out in a crowded genre by doing the exact opposite of its peers.

Instead of building an unstoppable god-tier character with buffs, Curse Rounds asks a much more devious question: Which way would you like to suffer?

Here is my look at whether this 1-bit shooter is worth your time and a few bucks.

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Why This $5 Xbox Game Is the Most Fun I’ve Had Since the NES Era

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There is something timelessly satisfying about the rhythm of a brick-breaking game. The anticipation of the bounce, the precise movement of the paddle, and that glorious clink as a digital wall slowly disintegrates—it’s a gameplay loop that never gets old.

I’ve been a die-hard fan of this genre for as long as I can remember. In fact, my first ever exposure to the world of brick-breaking was the classic Thunder & Lightning on the NES. I spent countless hours in front of a heavy tube TV, mesmerized by the fast-paced action and the challenge of keeping that ball in play. Since then, I’ve always had a soft spot for any game that puts a fresh spin on the “ball vs. wall” formula.

That brings me to my latest obsession on Xbox: Bob the Brick Breaker.

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Is Styx: Blades of Greed Worth It? My Full Review and Impressions

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It’s not often that a game makes me want to stay in the shadows, but when you’re playing as a 200-year-old goblin with a mouth as sharp as his dagger, the darkness is exactly where you want to be.

I’ve spent the last week skulking through the latest entry in the Styx saga, Styx: Blades of Greed, and I have some thoughts. First, a quick disclaimer: the publisher was kind enough to provide me with a review key for the Xbox version. However, I enjoyed my time with this foul-mouthed infiltrator so much that I ended up putting my own gold down for the Styx: Master of Stealth Collection just to support the developers’ excellent work. When a game is this good, you want to make sure the team behind it knows it.

Here is why Styx: Blades of Greed is the stealth sequel we’ve been waiting for.

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Toaplan Arcade Collection Review: The Ultimate Shmup Classics on Xbox

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If you consider yourself a fan of the “shmup” genre, the name Toaplan should ring through your head like a power-up chime. This legendary developer didn’t just make games; they crafted the blueprint for the modern shoot-’em-up. Their influence throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s was monumental, and having spent the last few days diving into Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 on Xbox, I can safely say: these games haven’t aged a day.

Whether you’re a retro veteran or a newcomer looking to see where the bullet-hell craze began, these collections are a masterclass in arcade perfection.

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Review: Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-Beard for Xbox

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The quirky hero Chickenhare has finally leapt from the pages of comics and the big screen into the world of gaming. Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-Beard on Xbox is a vibrant, family-friendly adventure that blends puzzle-solving, exploration, and action into one delightful package.

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Step Into JoJo’s World: A Sparkly Adventure for Siwanatorz

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If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into JoJo Siwa’s glitter-filled sneakers, JoJo Siwa: Worldwide Party for Xbox is your chance to shine. This single-player rhythm-based adventure-runner is a colorful celebration of JoJo’s music, style, and larger-than-life personality. It’s designed with her fans—affectionately known as Siwanatorz—in mind, but it also offers a fun, lighthearted experience for anyone who enjoys rhythm games with a popstar twist.

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Bye Sweet Carole: A Tale of Rabbits, Shadows, and Survival

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When you think of classic animated films, you probably imagine whimsical princesses, lush hand-drawn worlds, and magical creatures. Now imagine that same enchanting style twisted into a chilling nightmare. That’s exactly what Bye Sweet Carole delivers—a narrative-horror experience that feels like stepping into a lost animated classic, only to discover it’s hiding something sinister in every frame.

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