Latest Game Reviews

Odyssey

Author: Maddie - Published: 11 June 2025, 3:02 pm

Odyssey is a side-scrolling platform adventure game developed by Unconscious Minds and published by Audiogenic Software in 1993. It was released exclusively for the Amiga. The game was designed by Reece Millidge and Chris Mullender, who created an ambitious exploration-based adventure that predated the widespread adoption of what would later be termed the "Metroidvania" genre, making it a unique entry in the Amiga's software library.

Odyssey stands as a visual masterpiece that showcases the Amiga's graphical capabilities at their finest. The pixel art demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, with lush alien environments that feature multiple layers of parallax scrolling and atmospheric lighting effects that create genuine depth and mood. The protagonist moves with fluid animation that rivals contemporary console releases, while the various alien creatures and mechanical enemies display impressive sprite work that brings the mysterious world to life. The color palette takes full advantage of the Amiga's superior color reproduction, creating alien landscapes that feel genuinely otherworldly yet cohesive in their design aesthetic.

Batman Returns SNES

Author: GN Team - Published: 10 June 2025, 1:21 pm

Batman Returns is a side-scrolling beat 'em up developed and published by Konami for the Super Nintendo in 1993. It's based on Tim Burton's dark sequel to his 1989 Batman film. There were many adaptations of this movie for different platforms, created by different studios. Master System and Game Gear versions were created by Aspect, the Amiga Batman Returns was created by Dentons, while Spirit of Discovery made the MS-DOS version (a completely different game). The SNES (and NES) versions were created by Konami and released one year later. This project allowed Konami to showcase their mastery of Nintendo's 16-bit system while delivering what many consider the definitive video game adaptation of Burton's gothic vision of Gotham City.

Asterix and the Power of the Gods

Author: Maddie - Published: 9 June 2025, 1:37 pm

Asterix and the Power of the Gods is a side-scrolling action-platformer developed by Core Design and published by Sega in 1991. The game was released exclusively for the Genesis/Mega Drive. The game was created as an original adventure featuring the beloved Gaulish comic book characters created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, rather than adapting any specific comic storyline.

Core Design, known for their graphical skills, crafted what stands as one of the most visually impressive licensed games of the early 16-bit era. The Mega Drive version showcases exceptional sprite animation that captures the distinctive art style of the Asterix comics with remarkable fidelity. Character animations are fluid and expressive, with Asterix displaying a wide range of facial expressions and movement that brings the comic book personality to life on screen. The backgrounds feature lush, detailed environments that scroll smoothly across multiple layers, creating a genuine sense of depth rarely seen in platformers of this period.

Target Renegade

Author: Maddie - Published: 6 June 2025, 9:00 pm

Target Renegade is a side-scrolling beat 'em up developed by Imagine Software and published by Ocean Software in 1988. The game was originally conceived as a follow-up to Technōs Japan's arcade hit Renegade, though Ocean developed this sequel independently after acquiring the rights to create home computer versions of the Renegade franchise.

Ocean's acquisition of the Renegade license came through their aggressive pursuit of popular arcade conversions during the mid-1980s. While Technōs Japan had created the original Renegade arcade game in 1986, Ocean secured the rights to develop home computer adaptations and sequels specifically for the European market. This allowed them to create Target Renegade as an original sequel rather than a direct arcade port, giving their development team creative freedom to expand upon the formula while maintaining the core gameplay mechanics that made the original successful.

Battle Isle

Author: GN Team - Published: 6 June 2025, 11:20 am

Battle Isle is the first game of the popular series of sci-fi turn-based war games developed by Blue Byte Software. This first title was released in 1991 for the Amiga and MS-DOS, and it included 16 levels to play against the computer and another 16 for 2 players.

This hex-based tactical warfare game, designed by Thomas Hertzler and Lothar Schmitt, established Blue Byte as a major force in strategic gaming, combining complex military simulation with accessible gameplay mechanics.

The game presents players with a futuristic military conflict on the island of Chromos, where two factions battle for control using a vast array of land, sea, and air units. The hex-based movement system allows for precise tactical positioning, while the simultaneous turn resolution creates tension as players must anticipate enemy movements without knowing their exact plans. Each unit type has specific strengths, weaknesses, and movement capabilities, from basic infantry and tanks to advanced aircraft and naval vessels. The fuel and ammunition system adds strategic depth, requiring players to manage supply lines and plan attacks carefully rather than simply rushing forward with superior numbers.

Dungeon Master II: Skullkeep

Author: GN Team - Published: 5 June 2025, 9:42 pm

Dungeon Master II: Skullkeep, also known as The Legend of Skullkeep, is the sequel to the famous fantasy dungeon crawler RPG Dungeon Master.

The game was initially released for the PC-98 in 1993, designed by Doug Bell, who had worked on the original Dungeon Master. This sequel to the groundbreaking 1987 original expanded the formula with larger environments, more complex puzzles, and enhanced graphics capabilities. It was later ported to MS-DOS and Amiga in 1995, with each version showcasing different strengths and technical approaches to the enhanced gameplay mechanics.