Category: Articles

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Demi and the Fractured Dream” feels like a dark Wind Waker, but not quite Zelda

by Danreb Victorio | Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Previews Summer Game Fest Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 16 Jun 2026

Developed by Yarn Owl Studios, Demi and the Fractured Dream is a game very much inspired by The Legend of Zelda, specifically The Wind Waker. Judging from the trailers alone, the toon-shaded look is dazzling, and the protagonist even wears a colorful cloak. The short demo at SGF took us through a small dungeon that felt like a tutorial, but there was nothing particularly challenging about it.

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Nekome: Nazi Hunter” is delightfully visceral

by Michael Fertitta | PC PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Summer Game Fest Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 16 Jun 2026

ProbablyMonsters has commanded more attention over the past few months for its unique and varied game output. This year’s Summer Game Fest was a demonstration of this approach, with one of two titles being a story-driven action game that involves beating up Nazis. On that premise alone, it was difficult to turn down the chance to try out a game with a simple but brilliant beat, but I was also interested to explore the uniquely stylized world that ProbablyMonsters had built for this title.

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Forever Ago” made me excited to be an old man and give it a “Best of Show” award

by Danreb Victorio | Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Previews Summer Game Fest Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 16 Jun 2026

In Forever Ago, you play as an old man named Alfred who has lived quite a life. In the short demo I played, Alfred stops at a gas station that he appeared to have a more than passing connection to. While he’s really just there to grab a few supplies and snacks for the road, Alfred can’t help but think about a previous visit he’s made to that exact same years ago.

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – The surrealist art style makes “Bub” standout

by Brandon Craw | PC Previews Summer Game Fest | 0 Comments | 16 Jun 2026

With a reported runtime of ninety minutes to two hours, Bub is a short but meaningful narrative adventure game. The developers at Paperfrog, Case Jernigan and Todd Anderson, used their own experiences as struggling artists as inspiration for this evocative indie gem.

[SGF 2026] PREVIEW – “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” impresses again

by Danreb Victorio | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Previews Summer Game Fest Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 16 Jun 2026

At Summer Game Fest, Capcom hosted a behind-closed-doors presentation of a new section in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, along with a separate one-hour demo of another section, and while there are some blemishes we didn’t notice before, the game still looks like yet another winner and was one of the best experiences to be had at Play Days.

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Lazy River” will definitely make people reconsider going to the bathroom at the pool

by Brandon Craw | PC Previews Summer Game Fest | 0 Comments | 16 Jun 2026

My misconception aside, Lazy River is a co-op crafting roguelike game where you and up to three friends must survive an infinite lazy river plagued by water-soluble zombies and security robots gone rogue. You must craft a raft, build weapons, and survive the lazy river to escape. 

REVIEW – “River City Saga: Journey to the West” delights as an action roguelite with both source materials, even at its most derivative

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam | 0 Comments | 16 Jun 2026

River City Saga: Journey to the West is one more River City/Kunio-kun fans than roguelite fans in my opinion as the elements from that series really make this game worth playing. For raw action roguelite enjoyment, there are better games for sure.

[Steam Next Fest] HANDS-ON – Whimsical and friendly “TOEM 2” makes a charming first impression with its photo-snapping fun

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch PC PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Steam Next Fest | 0 Comments | 15 Jun 2026

TOEM 2 has a lot going for it from its short demo alone. I’m so glad I plyed it because, I’m happy to say, it charmed me way beyond expectation and earned a well-deserved wishlist out of me.

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – A roguelite fighting game? Try “Shot One Fighters”

by Brandon Craw | PC Previews Summer Game Fest | 0 Comments | 15 Jun 2026

If you’re like me, fighting games can be challenging to get into. The gameplay always looks so thrilling, but the time-consuming process of learning how to play your character, along with the frustration of fighting against tough opponents, can leave you feeling disheartened as you lose match after match. Thankfully, the developers of Shot One Fighters seek to remedy the problems that plague this genre. 

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Ithaca” features a provocative narrative worthy of attention

by Brandon Craw | PC Previews Summer Game Fest | 0 Comments | 15 Jun 2026

I had an interesting preview with this game as I knew nothing about its premise, and there weren’t any PR reps or developers from The Pixel Hunt nearby to tell me about the game. Even with no prior information, Ithaca’s…

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve” immediately clicks with new pilots

by Charlie Wacholz | PC PlayStation 5 Previews Summer Game Fest Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 15 Jun 2026

I felt just about everything but the Gs as I zoomed in and out of clouds, picking enemies out of the sky in Ace Combat 8’s exciting demo. 

The first few hours of this game kept things fun, intense, and fast from the moment I hopped in the cockpit. I walked away not only wanting more, but genuinely impressed with both the dog fighting and the chunks of story I saw in between sorties in my first Ace Combat experience.

[SGF 2026] HANDS-ON – “Turok: Origins” is an action-packed return of a fossilized franchise!

by Michael Fertitta | PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Summer Game Fest Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 15 Jun 2026

I got the opportunity at Summer Game Fest to play Turok: Origins with the team and interview the developers to find out why they decided to take a stab at reanimating an otherwise fossilized franchise for a modern audience.