Yes, it’s once again time to check in on Geoff Keighley and his merry band of misfits, to see what of worth came from this year’s Summer Game Fest show. As with last week’s State of Play highlights , we’re just here to look at the interesting stuff - the games that caught my eye, either through a strong showing or a fascinating angle on their given material. How many of these titles will actually stick the landing remains to be seen, but for now here are my thoughts… Felt That: Boxing Developed by: Sans Strings Studio Doing what basically seems to be a straight “save the orphanage”/underdog boxer story, but where everyone is Basically a Muppet, is a great gag. Seems like it’s a mix of Punch-Out-like fights and an assortment of minigames themed after training montage moments, that’s some good stuff. Marvel Cosmic Invasion Developed by: Tribute Games The folks behind the excellent TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge making another pixel-art beat 'em up, this one a mash-up of Marvel Comics hero...
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! Complicated feelings abound for me when I think of my experiences with the original Castlevania . I find it enticing and alluring in its presentation. Its mechanics are at the bedrock of the action-platformer genre, deftly riding the line between challenging and accessible. The monster designs, the hero's design, the sound work, the colour scheme - all of it excels at what it sets out to do. BUT ! I'm very much in the camp of players who don't enjoy being deliberately screwed over by infuriating design decisions in otherwise excellent games. And it saddens me to declare Castlevania as one such game - it really does tread into the realm of unfair one too many times for my liking, despite the surrounding experience being so promising. For the uninitiated: Castlevania puts you into the boots of Simon Belmont, a monster killer who ventures into Dracula's castle to face off against the infamous vampire himself. Armed with only a whip (albeit on...