However, before we actually start talking about the gameplay, I do have to mention that Phantom Fury is one of the most unique looking shooters out there. While not exactly making use of the largest poly-count models, Phantom Fury definitely manages to have a distinct aesthetic that melds old-school sensibilities with more modern technologies and ideas. An early example of this is shortly after starting the game where you can see the use of some translucent sheets in medical rooms—something you wouldn’t really see in older titles owing to a lack of computing horsepower.

"Coming to the gameplay, Phantom Fury feels like it’s taking inspiration from a bunch of different 90s-era shooters, from Half-Life to Quake, and even a bit of System Shock here and there."

At the same time, Phantom Fury also opts for low-fi textures that have really been catching on. While several games have used it since, Nightdive Studios’ System Shock remake is really what put the aesthetic style on the map, and much like with the remake, Phantom Fury also makes excellent use of its textures coupled with impressive lighting techniques to give off an appearance of a game that looks like what you remember old-school shooters like Quake looked like.

Coming to the gameplay, Phantom Fury feels like it’s taking inspiration from a bunch of different 90s-era shooters, from Half-Life to Quake, and even a bit of System Shock here and there. Much like any other boomer shooter you might have come across, most of the time, Phantom Fury is going to have you running around like an insane person shooting and blowing up just about everything in sight. Rather than making use of more abstract level designs like we’ve seen from Quake-inspired shooters, however, Phantom Fury instead has more of a narrative string tying its levels together.

You’re not really going to be finding floating platforms in gothic castles where you fight off demons and ghosts with a sword and shotgun. Instead, Phantom Fury has a narrative tying things together, taking you from level to level. Picking up many years after the events of Ion Fury, Phantom Fury once again puts players in the shoes of Shelly Harrison as she fights her way throughout the USA. The game makes no excuses about being a bombastic, over-the-top pastiche of classic action movies, ranging from references to First Blood to Terminator. This movie reference-fueled rampage is coupled with an irreverent tone where the game never really expects the player to take anything seriously, despite just about every character being deathly afraid of the threats posed to mankind’s future.

"You’re not really going to be finding floating platforms in gothic castles where you fight off demons and ghosts with a sword and shotgun."

While the story is still ultimately just an excuse to take you from level to level, Phantom Fury goes a bit deeper than other boomer shooters typically would, featuring full-on action set pieces where, for example, you’re tasked with keeping a guy alive as he fixes his truck so that you can escape from an ever-advancing horde of enemies. There are also a few narrative threads looming in the background that ultimately get paid off, like Harrison’s new bionic arm, and even the nature of the shady corporation that’s seemingly involved with the hunt for the legendary Demon Core.

Of course, the true star of the Phantom Fury is the arsenal of weapons you get access to throughout your journey across America. While most weapons, especially early on, largely stick to classic archetypal weapons like pistols and shotguns, the game very quickly starts getting freaky with some of the weapons it gives you. An early example of this is the Bowling Bomb; a type of grenade which is meant to be rolled on the ground towards its target. While it might seem rather mundane, it’s worth noting that Bowling Bombs have a tendency of ricocheting off walls and surfaces, and even jumping off tiny ramps on the ground, depending on the strength with which you threw it. Future weapons get weirder still, like an electrified foam shooter. The arsenal is also helped tremendously by the fact that just about every weapon has some sort of hidden capabilities that can be unlocked through upgrades and mods.

Freedom is a big feature of Phantom Fury, not only in how you deal with the hordes of enemies you end up fighting, but also how you go about finishing levels. While most levels are largely linear affairs with obvious paths through obstacles, some of them give you options in how you might want to deal with things, be it through peaceful means by making use of subterfuge—which essentially boils down to not just kicking down the doors of a bar and blindly shooting everyone in sight—to going ham with your biggest weapons. The game also makes use of simple physics allowing you to pick up and throw around any random item you might find, to having you figure out electrical lines so that you can blow up the right fuse box to solve a puzzle.

"While most weapons, especially early on, largely stick to classic archetypal weapons like pistols and shotguns, the game very quickly starts getting freaky with some of the weapons it gives you."

Along with regular running and gunning, there is also plenty of variety in Phantom Fury’s mission design, with some missions giving you access to more outlandish vehicles, ranging from a weapon-equipped truck that you can drive through an enemy-infested town, to a Top Gun-inspired jet fighter sequence where you have to pilot a chopper while also dodging fire from jet fighters, as well as the falling debris as you fly through a canyon.

Phantom Fury doesn’t really make any excuses about the kind of game it is. It gives you a gun, a fancy bionic arm, tells you who the enemies are, and expects you to get the job done. What makes this job fun, however, is the wonderful arsenal of weapons thrown at you, as well as the outlandish writing and downright absurd story throughout what is essentially a violent rampage across America. Sure, there may not be much of a story in Phantom Fury, but what is there is a lot of fun, especially if you happen to be a fan of old-school 80s and 90s action movies.

Couple the excellent gameplay with some downright fantastic art direction that makes use of classical-inspired aesthetics fused with more modern technologies, lighting and level design, and Phantom Fury ends up feeling like one of the more refined boomer shooters out there. While it’s not as abstract and insane as something like Dusk, and it certainly won’t push you to your limits like Ultrakill might, Phantom Fury is definitely worth your attention because, ultimately, it just happens to be a roaring good time.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Among the many franchises that Konami has ignored through the years is Suikoden, and though it’s remastering the first two games, the potential next chapter is coming from a completely different studio. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a spiritual successor, produced and directed by Yoshitaka Murayama, the driving force behind the first three games (who recently passed away).

It features three core protagonists – Marisa, Seign and Nowa – in the fantasy world of Allraan, where rune-lenses have become a popular commodity. With the Galdean Empire using them to command and conquer, it’s up to the trio to assemble allies from across the land to fight back. Cue over 100 different allies with unique stories and abilities, from the magical girl Mellore and her crew to CJ, Isha and Garoo from Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising.

Combat is turn-based, but battles play out differently based on the environment. If there are cliffs or other elevated positions, they can prove advantageous for long-range party members. This also affects the presentation of battles, giving them a cinematic flair. Players can also unleash Hero Combos to team up and deal devastating damage. On top of this is War Mode, which offers real-time combat over a larger scale, and the Alliance Headquarters, with mini-games and different activities available.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Phantom Fury

You’re forgiven for not remembering Bombshell, an isometric character action game with a whopping 43 Metascore. Phantom Fury is the follow-up, releasing on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch, but offers first-person shooter gameplay instead. It sees Shelly Harrison on a bombastic journey through the US, battling mutants, cyborgs and enemy soldiers to secure an artifact. While the standard handguns and shotguns are available, Phantom Fury has some unique options – like Bowling Balls and electric foam.

Weapons can be upgraded and modified, while Shelly can eventually unlock new abilities like a shield or punching enemy groups into a fine red mist. It may have some boomer shooter vibes, but with extensive interactivity (including playable arcade machines) and fast-paced combat, it may be a worthy FPS diversion.

Underspace

For many, Freelancer is the pinnacle of sandbox space combat titles, which very few have managed to compete with, much less surpass. While it’s too early to call Underspace a competitor, the prospect of a hand-crafted universe with cosmic horrors and Eldritch creatures to navigate (appropriately named Croft) is too enticing to ignore. Like Freelancer, you can pursue the main quest or be whatever you want, exploring the universe and solving puzzles, battling massive space serpents, interacting with more than 40 factions and venturing into the deepest reaches of space. And yes, you can engage in trade, shipping and piracy with co-op support.

There is a catch, though – Underspace launches on April 10th for PC in early access. The developer has clarified that extensive ship customization, several interiors and questlines, and even cockpit textures won’t be available. Multiplayer is also launching in a “very early state” without many key features. Early access will still offer plenty of campaign content, bosses, enemies, points of interest and more to explore, but further polish is still required. Even with all that in mind, we’re keen to try Underspace and embrace the void.

Sea of Thieves

Rare’s highly successful live service pirate title comes to PS5 as part of Microsoft’s new multi-platform approach. Since launching in March 2018 to a mixed reception, Sea of Thieves has undergone an exceptional transformation over the years, with new content, mechanics, cosmetics and even narrative-focused questlines with Tall Tales (which crossover with the likes of Monkey Island and Pirates of the Caribbean).

Don’t let its cartoony visuals fool you, as Sea of Thieves offers some realistic sailing to go with its combat and exploration. While it still doesn’t have a proper character creator, the new Safer Seas option allows players who don’t want to engage in PvP and explore the seas with their crew at their leisure, with some limitations. It’s out on April 30th for PS5, with Digital Deluxe owners receiving five days early access.

Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide

Final Fantasy 16 had a strong start when it launched last year and though its first DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, was pretty short, The Rising Tide looks to redeem it. Players explore a new region, Mysidia, with new locations, side quests and fresh enemies, including Tonberries. The focus of this DLC is on Leviathan, the forgotten Eikon, and along with a boss battle against it, Clive also gains new abilities, including one that has an Active Reload mechanic. An increased level cap is inbound, which should be helpful in the new end-game activity, Kairos’ Gate.

It’s a wave-based survival mode with increasingly tougher enemies and bosses, with new items and weapons as rewards. Beat all of the stages and a new secret boss becomes available. As a send-off to Final Fantasy 16, The Rising Tide is worth looking forward to when it launches on April 18th for PS5. Even for those who aren’t picking it up, a free update will go live, allowing you to create sets of Eikonic Skills, among other quality-of-life improvements.

Stellar Blade

Shift Up calls modern action games an inspiration for Stellar Blade which is pretty clear based on gameplay and the recent demo. Though sci-fi, the Earth is in ruins, and players explore linear levels and semi-open world segments alike, taking on requests while accompanied by a helpful drone.

For all its similarities, however, Stellar Blade offers high-fidelity visuals and detail with a crisp frame rate, and unique combat mechanics that mix Sekiro-like parrying with special attacks, perfect dodges and combos. The main campaign promises to last about 25 hours, with plenty of collectibles and unlockables to discover. Time will tell if Stellar Blade can rise further beyond its inspiration when it launches on April 26th for PS5, but so far, it’s looking good.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

From smaller titles from relatively lesser-known developers to triple-A level games like Immortals of Aveum and Wild Hearts, the EA Originals label has seemingly come full circle with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. The story involves a boy reading a tale by his late father about Zau, who explores the land of Kenzera.

As a 2.5D Metroid-style game, there are some stunning visuals with beautifully realized environments to go with fast-paced combat. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU promises to be a perfect encapsulation of what grief is when it launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Dead Island 2: SoLA Expansion

2023’s excellent Dead Island 2 received an expansion back in November of last year. Now it’s all set to released another one in the form of SoLA. Releasing on April 17, this expansion will takes players to a music festival in the heart of LA. Apparently, this festival is turning everyone into zombies. The SoLA expansion promises an interesting setup, so we are intrigued to see how it pans when we go hands on with it later this month.

TopSpin 2K25

It’s been over 13 years since the last entry in the acclaimed Top Spin franchise, but the wait is nearly over as TopSpin 2K25 nears release. Legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the 24-player roster with true-to-life venues like La Caja Mágica, Pala Alpitour and Foro Italico, and online multiplayer with cross-platform support. Solo players can venture into MyCareer and fight to become Grand Slam Champion, with MyPlayer offering an extensive range of options to customize your appearance, gear and more. TopSpin 2K25 launches on April 26th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Gigantic: Rampage Edition

Launched in 2017, Motiga’s Gigantic is making an unexpected comeback with Gigantic: Rampage Edition. Developed by abstraction and published by Gearbox for $19.99, it features the same MOBA-style gameplay loop, with teams of five players working together to take out the opposing Guardian. However, all microtransactions are now removed, with cosmetics acquired through gameplay.

It also adds two new heroes and maps, a new game mode called Rush and cross-platform play. Ranked Mode and additional hero skins are coming in post-launch updates. Gigantic: Rampage Edition launches on April 9th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and regardless of its long-term success, it’s good to see it return.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

Playing like the Konami classics of old, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants features Turtle Power that builds upon defeating enemies and can unleash powerful screen-clearing attacks. Local co-op is supported for four players, on top of the original stages and boss fights, though Wrath of the Mutants adds three more stages and six new bosses. Launching on April 23rd, it could offer some fun for those who want more TMNT brawling action.

Freedom Planet 2

Following extensive acclaim with its PC version, Freedom Planet 2 is out now on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on April 4th. The action platformer offers a new threat with Merga, the water dragon, and four characters – Lilac, Carol and Milla from the first game, and the now-playable Neera. Adventure Mode offers a mix of story cutscenes and a world map to explore, while Classic Mode focuses on the stages alone.

Boss fights are even more over-the-top than the first game – with the new Battlesphere Arena offering an extensive range of optional challenges. Thankfully, new Potions, Amulets and Charms can provide some buffs for one’s character, while a revival system offers a risky second chance. If you enjoy 2D Sonic the Hedgehog titles or want a fun action platformer, Freedom Planet 2 is well worth the time.

Inkbound

Roguelike turn-based combat in a universe where books act as worlds to be explored by the creators of Monster Train? That’s Inkbound in a nutshell, but there’s more. The combat allows free movement from players, but during online play, you can coordinate and act simultaneously with up to three other players. There are also several character classes, abilities and upgrades, hundreds of items and more to make each run feel fresh. Inkbound is currently in early access, but version 1.0 is out on April 10th for PC, adding new cutscenes, cosmetics and other content.

Sand Land

As set in a desert world, players control Beelzebub in SAND LAND, who ventures with Thief and Sheriff Rao to discover the Legendary Spring.

Though it’s an action RPG, the focus is on vehicle design, as players cobble together tanks, bikes and jump-bots from various parts depending on the need. The sense of adventure and aesthetic, alongside the combat, set it apart from the crowd, and we’re curious to witness the Sand Land’s world when the game launches on April 26th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Braid Anniversary Edition

The classic side-scrolling indie platformer from Thekla Inc. returns with updated visuals and gorgeous new backgrounds (with the old art style available to switch to at any time). However, there’s more to Braid Anniversary Edition than revamped sound effects, revised tracks, or the +15-hour developer commentary and interviews which discuss the design. It also features 35 new levels with new puzzles, though other additions remain to be revealed.

Hilariously, only four or five new levels were to be added before things got out of hand. Either way, Braid Anniversary Edition should satisfy long-time fans and draw in new ones when it launches on April 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC.

"If you are a fan of Ion Fury, you are going to find many cool connections between the two games. However, playing Ion Fury is not required in order to enjoy Phantom Fury."

How much of a connective tissue is there between Phantom Fury and Ion Fury? Are you treating this as a conventional sequel, or is it doing its own thing with a few elements carrying over from the previous game?

Basically, Phantom Fury is a new game that takes place in the same world as Ion Fury. The story takes place many years after the events of Ion Fury, so I wouldn’t call it a direct continuation. If you are a fan of Ion Fury, you are going to find many cool connections between the two games. However, playing Ion Fury is not required in order to enjoy Phantom Fury.

Phantom Fury seems to be putting a great deal of emphasis on the interactivity of its world and environments. Can you talk a bit more about that and how that will impact the gameplay?

From early on in the development, creating an immensely interactive FPS was one of our core goals. Everyone in our development team can chime in for ideas about interactivity, so over the course of the game we accumulated quite a big pool of interactive content.

Some of it is simple there for fun – a lot of small, cool details that I won’t spoil here, but also minigames such as a fully functional light gun arcade. In other parts, interactivity becomes part of the level progression, for example when players need to operate a crane to destroy obstacles. These sections give players a break from all the action, without becoming frustrating.

How much variety can players expect from Phantom Fury’s roster of weapons? Can you give us an idea of roughly how many of them are going to be completely new ones?

There’s around 20 weapons in this game – some of them are fan favorites from Ion Fury, many are completely new. On top of that, upgrades allow players to customize their weapons even more, so overall there’s a crazy amount of variety and options available to players.

"We are first and foremost an action-focused FPS, so our progression mechanics are all designed around making combat even more fun."

What can you tell us about the customization and progression mechanics in the game and how extensive they will be?

We’ll show more of that in the not too distant future. What I can say right now is that we are first and foremost an action-focused FPS, so our progression mechanics are all designed around making combat even more fun. But to us it’s important to not lose focus on what this game is at its core.

Like Ion Fury, Phantom Fury is also obviously looking like a throwback to older, classic first person shooters. How much of that defines the game’s design and gameplay? How do you look to strike a balance between that and ensuring that the experience still feels modern?

I’m not too concerned with referencing a specific time period with our game. We are following simply what we would like to play. Many of us grew up with shooters in the 90s, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t playing any newer games. For us, the most important aspect is to make the action feel as satisfying as possible, and that’s what we center our design decisions around.

Roughly how long will an average playthrough of Phantom Fury be?

Our core estimate is around 8 hours. However, depending on how much time you spend with all the interactive content, progression systems and exploration, you should be able to get even more playtime out of it.

"Our intention is to get the game on as many platforms as possible, but this is something that we will be able to know as we progress with the development since we are fully focused on the PC version right now and our resources are also not infinite."

What was behind the decision to not announce the game for previous-gen consoles, especially seeing as the game is coming to the Switch as well?

Our intention is to get the game on as many platforms as possible, but this is something that we will be able to know as we progress with the development since we are fully focused on the PC version right now and our resources are also not infinite. We decided to give priority to the next-gen platforms, simply because they are… newer, but we will have more announcements regarding console versions in 2023!