========================================== SOOKY – ISSUE #03 – 10TH of AUGUST 2025 not another not a Nintendo direct ========================================== prev home next
It's been a big week, thankfully Sunday has been kind to me and I've managed to do a fair bit of gaming and music. Who knew rain meant I'd be stuck indoors?
Ever heard of pitfall traps? Yeah, the ones where you dig a deep hole, built a weak support covered in branches or whatever and then a rat falls into it. Now I'd like you to picture yourself as a fan of video games, your favourite company is releasing a 25 minute reel of upcoming games. But they've cleverly stated it's a "partner" event, our close friends are releasing games on our gaming system. Just to be clear, do not expect us to announce anything from ourselves. And now back to the trap! "I wonder if Nintendo will announce a brand new Animal Crossing game!" Snap goes the trap, the supports give way and now you're on your ass at the bottom of a hole. But like, fair enough. Your favourite gaming company has just released their big system and a huge tentpole game based on a Gorilla who certainly is not named after a movie or whatever. You just got over-excited, this happens to all of us. Fast forward a week and your favourite gaming company announces an Indies showcase. Nothing from us, just supporting the scene who supports us. "Wow, Silksong and some sort of Indie developer is going to create the next Star Fox or F-Zero or something else impossible!" Snap goes the trap. Are you really that dense?
Square Enix announced yet another absurdly named game, a HD-2D action RPG in the vein of the Mana series. While it does not come out until 2026, there is an hour long demo available. I've wrapped up the demo and have really enjoyed what I've seen so far, the combat system is dynamic using a shield parry mechanic and a range of equipment (sword, arrows, bombs and scythe), there is some movement tech that works in conjunction with your fairy friend controlled by the right stick or by a second player. You can move the fairy ahead and warp directly to its location, basically skipping any puzzle in the final dungeon. There are some cues from modern games, The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong Bananza with Shrines and there is a weapon customisation system, with perks to suit your playstyle. Really cool having arrows that shoot several at once, pierce through foes while also reserving your arrow use. This is also the point where perhaps Square Enix is taking this naming stuff too far... Elliot? The town is called Philabieldia for fucks sake. Definitely give the optional dungeon to the South a go. Might be worth keeping an eye on.
I haven't got to the Shinobi: Art of Vengence demo yet. LizardCube notably did the latest Streets of Rage 4, which by all accounts was the best big beat 'em up since Scott Pilgrim and only few have lived up to it since (Shredder's Revenge and River City Girls comes to mine). They also did a more literal remake of the third Wonder Boy title The Dragon's Trap. It's a real easy game to slip right back into, play a few sessions of a solid 8-bit Metroidvania with animal transformations and some weapon upgrades are addictive. I love toggling between the original graphics and audio at a click of a button.
Also announced was an upgrade to the Romancing SaGa 2 3D remake. I've played maybe the first 5-10 hours of the upgraded port and thought the scope of the game was incredibly broad for a SNES title. My basic explanation is you follow generations of monarchs tasked with defeating the now corrupted Seven Heroes. During this time you have an open canvass of where to go, clearing sections of the map opens up new upgrade options for future generations to access, thus gradually improving your lineage's abilities. Die too many times and you get to re-roll your MC and carry over skills you've worked towards. This 3D remake seems to be quite good, like I said - the SNES title is ahead of the time. Probably the most palatable of the series for starters... someday I'll break into the latest title Emerald Beyond or finish this title.
—Sook
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