PixlBit

Substance catches up to style in this blood-filled sequel.

Like its predecessor, Shank 2 is a 2D linear action platformer. I’ll be honest, I didn’t play more than 30 minutes of the original. I was more than intrigued by Shank’s ultra-violent cartoon animations, but I didn’t enjoy the gameplay at all. The combat mechanics felt clumsy and seemed disconnected from what was happening on screen, and the dodging mechanics were also extremely tough to pull off -- making it a chore to play.

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I think the 12-bit generation must've been one of the best.

Faux retro games are all the rage these days. Capturing the look, sounds, and feeling of the gaming days of yore has proved to be a successful formula for most of the companies that have tried it. Renegade Kid has given the subgenre a shot with their latest title, Mutant Mudds, to great success. Instead of modeling itself after the most popular NES games, it creates its own identity that merges ideas from all past generations and systems – even the Virtual Boy. This mash up of ideas comes together in a spectacular way, making it one of the best titles available today on the 3DS.

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Classic action-platforming with a 3D twist.

While not many have had the opportunity to play the Virtual Boy, Renegade Kid’s latest work is oddly reminiscent of Nintendo’s misfit system. Back when the Virtual Boy launched, it touted its special 3D capabilities; these boiled down to little more than multiple viewing planes, which gave the illusion of 3D. The most memorable games used these multiple planes to create deeper platforming experiences. Taking a cue from these experiences, Mutant Mudds allows players to jump between the current plane, background, and foreground.

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Fun while it lasts, this unique puzzle platformer ends just as it's getting started.

It’s almost eerie how much Mighty Switch Force reminds me of an SNES game. It’s not bogged down at all by story, character development, or anything that normally keeps a game from moving forward. Players are dropped into a world with no explanation of who they are, how to use their abilities, or what they must do in order to complete the level. Despite all this, it comes naturally, as if you’ve played it before and already know exactly what to do; a sure testament to the game’s fantastic design. Unfortunately, like many an SNES game, it’s over all too quickly.

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Based on the graphic novel of the same name, players can dive into the game in just 2 weeks.

Square Enix announced today that they plan to publish Scarygirl on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC. Appearing as soon as January 18 on XBLA, with a January 24 PSN release to follow, players will be able to action-platform with the titular, tentacle-armed protagonist. Scarygirl is haunted by bad dreams and sets out on a quest to determine their meaning.

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