Danreb Victorio

1 week ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

Since I was a Genesis kid in my early formative years as a gamer, sidescrolling beat-em-ups, no matter how good or bad, were essential to me. Whether it was Streets of Rage or Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie, beat-em-ups were part of my fondest memories. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the biggest Marvel fan growing up, but now that I am, it really looks like Marvel Cosmic Invasion is singing all the right tunes. At SGF Play Days, we were given a chance to play two levels.

1 week ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

Dosa Divas was one of the SGF Play Days appointments I was most looking forward to as I finalized SmashPad’s schedule. Developed by Outerloop Games, known for last year’s unique and stylish Thirsty Suitors, Dosa Divas looks like another winner of an indie title with Indian inspirations. As someone that strives to champion diversity and representation in video games, especially within the Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (ANHPI) diaspora, this is one I definitely had to have my hands on.

2 weeks ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

It may not have as well known a name as Tetris, but if you mention Lumines around a crowd of gamers, you’ll probably get a head nod from all of them. It’s just one of those puzzle games that doesn’t need to have anything done to it. Just release it periodically, and it’ll get the attention from its fans and new ones alike. That said, we’re glad Enhance is going the extra mile with Lumines Arise, and we left our demo appointment at SGF as mesmerized as we thought we’d be.

2 weeks ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

Just as much as any genre in media, video games can be all about the vibes, and that’s exactly what I got when I first saw Mixtape during the Day of the Devs Showcase during SGF this year. That said, I jumped at the chance to demo Mixtape at Summer Game Fest, and I can’t wait to get back into it when it finally ships. Developed by Beethoven and Dinosaur (of The Artful Escape fame), they’ve really nailed the aesthetic with Mixtape.

2 weeks ago | smashpad.com | Danreb Victorio

Oscar Wilde once said “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…” In the gaming industry, that’s definitely true. In fact, imitation is probably the biggest thing that creates competition. At the same time, creativity can get the best of game developers when it comes to trying to not rip something off (I’m looking at you, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale). After getting our hands on LEGO Party, it’s unapologetically Mario Party, and that’s fine with us.