Honestly, I was considering just skipping this one. It’s been a hell of a month for me, and as such I’m only just now, in the last week of January, getting to writing this one. I couldn’t let me coverage streak go broken, however, as even in retrospect it’s at least worth writing about the game offerings for histories sake, so here we are.
This is, once again, another case of my “better late than never” philosophy.
Let’s get to it.
In the modern lineup we got NeuroVoider and Aground.
NeuroVoider is a neat looking twin-stick shooter. I’m a sucker for those games, even if I’m not that great at them, as there is always something fun about exploring with those moments of pure hell as enemies come at you. Ah, takes me back to the good old days of Robotron 2084 and Smash TV. Good times.
Later comes Aground. This is an interesting one because, well, it’s bloody Terraria! Okay, not explicitly — it’s a different game but it’s a pixel art platformer with exploration and resource gathering and construction elements… so, 2D Minecraft, which is basically what Terraria is. This is dumbing it down greatly and I don’t say this as an insult to the game — that’s just seriously what I immediately think, but that’s awesome because this is a chance for a new experience in that already older-than-it-feels formula of game, and this one certainly looks like it will take the idea to the extreme. I’m optimistic and may give that a go later this week.
In the classic lineup we get Radiant Silvergun and Space Invaders Infinity Gene.
Oh snap, another classic shooter. Well, a modern revamp of a classic shooter. Radiant Silvergun is a top notch entry into the genre, and I’ve heard good things about this version. It’s bullet hell action. Sign me up!
Lastly comes Space Invaders Infinity Gene.
Okay, this is a wild card — a modern, constantly evolving take on Space Invaders which was, ironically, the birth of the shooter genre — yeah, every time you’ve played R-Type, Gradius, Radiant Silvergun, Galaga, Raiden, Zero Wing, all those are, in the end, directly inspired by Space Invaders. Take the classic and change it around? This should be neat. Never heard of it till I finally watched the video before writing this but damn, I’m going to have to give this a try.
And there we have it. Honestly, I like this lineup quite a bit. A lot of classic action but everything has a bit of a twist to it. Too bad the peanut gallery doesn’t feel the same. Can’t see dislikes anymore (thanks YouTube) but the comments say plenty; the same old crap from people who just can’t appreciate quality and only want the same few games made over and over.
Here’s a tip kids – if you want Call of Duty so bad, go out, get a job, and fucking buy it, instead of bitching about it not being given to you free every month.
I look at this program as an option to get games I’d may not realize exist or otherwise might pass up. I’ve been pleasantly surprised before, and I’m sure I will be with some of these games this month, and in future months.
Approach things with some optimism, and maybe you’ll be more happy.
I’m out. Catch you for the February lineup.