David Rodriguez

REVIEW – Big production values and satirical framing help “Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!” shine beyond its solid, violent gameplay

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 16 Mar 2026

Ultimately, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! bets big and differently on production and wins. The concepts and framing are what make it unique and enhance the game as a total package.

REVIEW – “John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando” has a neat throwback aesthetic and fun co-op action, but lacks on weaker hardware

by David Rodriguez | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 15 Mar 2026

As of right now at launch, I’m feeling pretty good about John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando overall. What’s here is beyond competent and a remarkable start to what could be a co-op mainstay for friend groups and those that want at least one good game in this lane whenever possible. Carpenter’s work and influence help elevate it enough to be noteworthy, the ’80s lack of subtlety is appreciated, and more good decisions than perplexing or bad ones make for a good game indeed.

REVIEW – “Minishoot’ Adventures” is anything but mini with its big thrills, progression, and bullet hell challenge

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 11 Mar 2026

At the end of the game, I felt immense satisfaction. With all but a couple trophies awarded (that I may go back for at some point) and a couple faults worth mentioning, it still felt complete and like something substantial was accomplished. It’s a wonderful playthrough that respects you, your time, money, hard drive space, and effort.

REVIEW – “Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection” sees the spinoff grow up in scope, mechanical density, and emotional maturity

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 09 Mar 2026

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a lovingly intrepid take on the series’ conventions. There’s a palpable whimsy to its character-driven moments and punchy, elephantine vigor to its action that rivals the greats.

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Vampire Crawlers” deals a wickedly irresistible hand early on

by David Rodriguez | Android iOS Mobile Nintendo Switch PC PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 26 Feb 2026

Put bluntly, Vampire Crawlers chokeslams boredom through a glass table. The demo is impressive in its simplicity, but requires a hell of a lot more of you than Vampire Survivors did. In that sense, poncle could be on track to deliver a follow-up worthy of its still budding name and elephantine reputation. Can their lightning strike twice?

REVIEW – The return of “City Hunter” is welcome and historically meaningful, but lackluster for what’s on offer

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 26 Feb 2026

With all this in mind, I can’t generally recommend City Hunter, but if you do want to see what TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine gaming had to offer by means of a cult product and you have a surplus of disposable income, have at it.

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Wax Heads” captures the communal connection music has through a slice-of-life narrative sim

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch PC PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 22 Feb 2026

As someone that prides himself on being able to recommend new, cool music to my pals, Wax Heads just hits all the right buttons so far.

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Armatus” promises a darkened, kinetic shooter experience for the roguelite landscape

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 20 Feb 2026

We’re not particularly starving for roguelites. Now a favorite of indie developers the world over for around a decade, it takes a lot for a new one to stand out among the crowd in gameplay, but also in art style. The ones I usually play tend to be on the brighter, sillier side with levity or at least a sense of humor to balance out the drama a la both Hades games. Armatus dares to be a little different with a dark, apocalyptic take for the setting while retaining a gameplay loop that makes genre fans ravenous.

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!” has what it takes to eliminate the Bug menace

by David Rodriguez | PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 13 Feb 2026

Ultimate Bug War! is a clear callback to the FPS games of the late 90s with some flavoring from the PlayStation 2 era in the 2000s and, of course, modern accoutrements and comforts. At its core though, it’s really simple: you have a wide arsenal of Bug-repelling weapons. Use them freely and fiercely to defend humanity as Private Sammy Dietz.

REVIEW – “ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard” utilizes a broad palette of iridescent creativity to make a bold puzzle platformer

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Reviews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 12 Feb 2026

It’s hard not to recommend ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard. The puzzles are satisfying, I felt immense satisfaction working within (and out of) its boundaries, and now I feel like I could apply to be in Mensa. The places it goes, literally and figuratively, are things I haven’t seen done in a game like this before. I’d hate to spoil any of the key moments so I won’t, suffice to say they all work incredibly well, from the easter egg references to other games and media, to things from Pixel Maniacs’ own creative minds.

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On:”Crushed In Time” nails classic adventure tones with a time-stretching premise

by David Rodriguez | PC Previews Steam | 0 Comments | 12 Feb 2026

Have you ever wished you could interact with a cartoonishly charming world with all the elasticity of Mario’s face from the Super Mario 64 start screen? Draw Me A Pixel is where your hands need to reach for then.

REVIEW – “Highguard” is fun, frenetic, and deserves a fair shot from genre fans

by David Rodriguez | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 06 Feb 2026

There is absolutely fun to be had and I’ve been solo queuing this whole time so far. Finding good loot is exhilarating, strategizing on the spot during a raid is demanding yet rewarding (if you win anyway), and the plethora of content on the horizon is enticing. I may be biased toward this sort of game, but it’s only going to win me over with solid gameplay, compelling design, and respect for the player. Highguard has all of that so far.

Author: DavidR

REVIEW – Big production values and satirical framing help “Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!” shine beyond its solid, violent gameplay

REVIEW – “John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando” has a neat throwback aesthetic and fun co-op action, but lacks on weaker hardware

REVIEW – “Minishoot’ Adventures” is anything but mini with its big thrills, progression, and bullet hell challenge

REVIEW – “Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection” sees the spinoff grow up in scope, mechanical density, and emotional maturity

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Vampire Crawlers” deals a wickedly irresistible hand early on

REVIEW – The return of “City Hunter” is welcome and historically meaningful, but lackluster for what’s on offer

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Wax Heads” captures the communal connection music has through a slice-of-life narrative sim

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Armatus” promises a darkened, kinetic shooter experience for the roguelite landscape

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On: “Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!” has what it takes to eliminate the Bug menace

REVIEW – “ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard” utilizes a broad palette of iridescent creativity to make a bold puzzle platformer

[Steam Next Fest] Hands-On:”Crushed In Time” nails classic adventure tones with a time-stretching premise

REVIEW – “Highguard” is fun, frenetic, and deserves a fair shot from genre fans

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