Now Playing at SUPERJUMP, Issue 23

We're back with another issue of Now Playing at SUPERJUMP! The team has been spending their time with some more obscure games lately, with a few AAA titles mixed in. Enjoy this week's entries and we'll see you back here soon with more recommendations and odes to the games we love!

Ignas Vieversys

I've been in a gaming slump recently - my horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 must be as good as dead by now. But then I picked up Simogo's much anticipated Lorelei and the Laser Eyes last night and it pretty much did the same wonders as their Sayonara Wild Hearts in 2019. Although not much happened - besides me exploring this eerie hotel full of locked doors, smoke and mirrors, and its creepy Italian host (its only resident), which also appears and disappears into thin air as if nothing (rude!) - it was 3 am somehow... I mean, I'm back, baby!

Although Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is like Elden Ring but with puzzles, meaning that it's hardly smooth sailing by any means, I really enjoy the glitchy Lynchian vibes and filling my notebook with random numbers. Hopefully, this won't end up in my "Didn't finish (re: too stupid)" pile along with The Witness and Stephen's Sausage Roll.

Joe Richards

In terms of games recently - I've been playing 1000xRESIST! It's a visual novel adjacent game that takes some heavy inspiration from NieR: Automata and Neon Genesis: Evangelion amongst others. While definitely putting the story ahead of engaging gameplay, the narrative is absolutely fascinating and told in a way that really takes advantage of the interactivity of video games as a medium.

It'd be a huge shame to dive into the minutia of the story here but the general premise opens the door for some impressive and subversive character study. It really challenges players to draw their own conclusions about the characters they meet throughout the story. Set 1000 years after a devastating near-extinction-level event, players take control of Watcher as she discovers the truth of where she came from and the very world around her. Dealing with some really heavy themes that had me thinking long after I rolled credits, 1000xRESIST has one of the most convincing explorations of generational trauma that I've seen within a game, and I would absolutely love to explore it further.

Along with these overarching themes, the visual design and way that the story is actually told is a fascinating exercise in pushing the limits of the medium. While not perfect, it was absolutely memorable and pays tribute to landmark titles while making use of those tributes to create something impressive and new.

It's exceptionally clear that the team behind 1000xRESIST have distilled their own experiences into this title and have done so with an immaculate sense of balance between sci-fi and domestic drama that challenges a sense of scale.

Joshua Gautreaux

After playing Fallout 4 for a few weeks, I needed a change of pace. So I kicked things off with the Resident Evil 3 remake, a good game in its own right, though compared to RE2 it felt a little lackluster. I liked the complex level design of the previous game, so the linear gameplay and puzzles felt like a missed opportunity. I still enjoyed my time with it all the same.

Now I'm just about finished playing Little Kitty, Big City, which has been a fun little diversion. It's a fairly short game and doesn't have much mechanical depth, but it's a cute game that I can play between my lengthier games. After this, I plan to dive into Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. I played the first one a few months ago and was blown away, so I'm eager to play the continuation of Senua's story.

Taylor Levesque

This week I’ve finally tried out Lies of P because I guess I wanted to play a game where I would die repeatedly and begin to question my life choices. Sometimes I find myself asking what it is that draws me to Souls-like games, but then when I finally beat a boss on the 17th try, I have that feeling of achievement and gratification. There’s something about the struggle that keeps me coming back like a bad relationship.

So far, this game is beautifully put together. The artwork, style and themes are stunning to look at, and with the emphasis on exploration, it really gives you a chance to take in the scenery of a broken city while you smash the lesser puppets to smithereens. I’ve not progressed terribly far into this game yet but from what I can tell, the story is more one that is inspired by Pinnochio as opposed to something closer to retelling the original story, or anything close to it for that matter. While some seemed irritated by it, I don't think it's a bad thing. The characters are involved to an extent, sure, but these are different personalities with the same names and are telling a different story. I like it though – it’s like one big “what-if” sort of retelling, one that’s twisted and even darker.

All in all the game itself looks like a masterpiece but she bites back.

Bryan Finck

After wrapping up Stellar Blade, which I quite enjoyed, I re-upped my PC Game Pass subscription so I could check out Hellblade 2. I played the original on PlayStation a few years back and really loved the atmosphere and performances, so I knew I wanted to experience the sequel. While I think the original game was better, the quality of acting extends to multiple characters here, and the game is undoubtedly gorgeous with an incredible soundscape as well. The combat was oversimplified this time around and the puzzles are also somewhat neutered and less numerous, so the actual gameplay doesn't match up to the original. I'm glad I played it and the technical achievement was worth the time I spent with it, but I can't say I liked it more than the first game.

After wrapping up Hellblade, I dove into my backlog and fired up Katana Zero. I knew it was a well-regarded 2D platformer but nothing else beyond that, and it did not disappoint. Call it Hotline Miami with a sword and you'd be most of the way there; the action is fast, intense, and bloody, though the titular katana takes the place of Hotline Miami's arsenal. The action here is 2D side-scrolling instead of top-down, but you're still bursting through doors and leaving a lot of bodies in your wake. It's a violently good time with a story that messes with your mind while making a statement on war and the cost it takes on the people who fight it.

And finally, I'm right now wrapping up my time with the gorgeous Planet of Lana, which makes me feel like I'm running through a Studio Ghibli movie. The world is achingly beautiful, the soundscape is incredible, you have an animal companion, and there's really tight platforming mixed with fun but simple puzzles. So basically it has everything I want from a short, interstitial experience between bigger games, and I can't recommend it enough for anyone who wants some linear 2D platforming goodness.

That's a wrap for this week's Now Playing at SUPERJUMP! Thank you for checking out the veritable treasure trove of games our team is playing right now, and be sure to check in next week when we're back with more.

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