One of the best surprises at Summer Game Fest came from an appointment I never intended to take. Ain’t that how it always goes? So I had just played Orbitals – my final appointment at Nintendo’s booth – and was on my way out when someone beckoned me over to a nearby station and asked if I wanted to play Armatus. Eh, I had a few minutes to spare, so why not?

Turns out Armatus – Counterplay’s first game since 2020’s Godfall – should have been on my radar a long time ago because it’s one of my favorite genres: a third-person roguelite shooter. (Emphasis on the LITE.) Here, death isn’t punished – in fact, your demise progresses the narrative. HALLELUJAH! And as you continue to play (and die die die) you’ll accrue new, increasingly powerful abilities and upgrades which stay with you between runs. CAN I GET A DOUBLE HALLELUJAH FOR PROGRESSION?!

I don’t mean to alarm you, but demons have taken over Paris. Like, it’s a big ol’ infestation. Humans are fucked. And hey, no pressure or anything, but YOU, dear player, are the last “supernatural warrior of an ancient order” and it’s up to you to rip and tear your way through the desolated ruins of Paris to find something called “The Sunless Gate.” Supposedly this gate could maybe (?) possibly (?) be the key to humanity’s salvation! But here’s another problem: as far as we know, there are only four humans left on Earth. That’s not a lot, but hey, you may as well do your part to save those four! (OR SHOULD YOU DUN DUN DUUUUN!)

You have options when it comes to massacring those pesky demons. In addition to a scythe (which I freakin’ loved) you’ll begin each run with your choice of assault rifles, single shot rifles, shotguns and SMGs, each paired with a randomized alt-fire. Sometimes these pairings operate incredibly well together. Sometimes they drastically impact how you need to play. And other times they’re just fun. I once had a sniper rifle matched with a grenade launcher alt-fire which was HILARIOUS since I never go for sniper rifles because accuracy and I are not friends, but a sniper rifle with a grenade launcher? OKAY. I’ll bite. And you know what, I ended up using the actual sniper rifle quite a bit!

On top of the ever-changing weapons at your disposal, you will also wield celestial powers. Basically, supernatural, badass magical abilities that allow you to do things from slowing down time, to firing divine homing missiles to slamming the ground like you’re a big ol’ angry meteor. 

I noticed there were a lot (a lot a lot) of options throughout my run to augment my weapons and the way I played. I can’t imagine this system getting stale for a LONG time.

Sometimes mid-run you’ll find yourself in a quiet area for a brief moment of respite, but don’t get too comfortable because it’s only there so you can make a tough decision. You’ll face several rooms, most of which will tantalizingly dangle the promise of shiny, desired boons should you choose their path – better loot, more health, etc. – but sometimes, because we can’t have nice things, there may be a resulting consequence. You’ll have to use your best judgment and weigh the status of your current run on whether or not the risks are worth the reward.

It’s all incredibly addictive, and within mere moments of venturing into those damn demon-infested streets I found myself in one of those epic flows – you know, where you’re just cutting through the bad dudes like a hot knife through butter, landing hits left and right, pushing forward, doing shit that makes you look cooler than you probably are, etc. The gameplay feels good, nothing I experienced felt floaty, and while historically I haven’t had the best luck with shooters on Switch, I have zero complaints based on what I’ve played.

What remains to be seen, and what’s most important to me and the way I enjoy these games, is how meaningful and impactful the progression feels. I don’t mind failing over and over again as long as I walk away with something to show for it, be it the money I accrued, an increase in stats or an item that’ll help me on my next run. As long as I feel like I’m not standing still I will absolutely keep coming back for more. KEEP GIVING ME THE PAIN. And just based on my conversations with the team, I don’t get the feeling that Counterplay Games is trying to create a grueling, punishing, hair-ripping-out experience here. 

I’m also incredibly curious about the narrative. It feels like there’s a lot we don’t know (intentionally!) and I hope there’s plenty of opportunity to learn about this chaotic world and how we ended up with, y’know, demons in the street and stuff. And I’m putting this out there now: I don’t trust those remaining four humans. I have the feeling those bastards probably caused this mess to begin with, and if I end up being right, I’m absolutely blasting them into smithereens with my Sniper Grenade Launcher hybrid.

I haven’t stopped thinking about Armatus. Thankfully, we don’t have much longer to wait, as it launches this winter for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (and Game Pass!) and Steam.

The post I can’t stop thinking about Armatus first appeared on A video game blog and other shenanigans | Blondenerd.com.

During Summer Game Fest I was in-between appointments at the Nintendo booth, halfway perched on a chair frantically scribbling down notes, when I was asked to join someone’s Orbitals demo because they needed a second player. 

I couldn’t shove that notebook into my backpack fast enough.

Seeing as Orbitals is a cooperative-only game where your success depends on your ability to clearly (and I’d say respectfully) communicate with another human being, I was kinda taking a gamble agreeing to play with a complete stranger, but eh, YOLO or whatever the kids say. So I was led to an adorable demo station that resembled an ancient historical landmark – a bedroom from my youth – complete with an iconic bunk bed and squishy beanbag chairs. There I met my demo partner, a lovely human named Erin. 

<insert heroic cheesy background anime music with an even cheesier narrator voice> In Orbitals, you and your partner step into the shoes of Maki and Omura, two explorer BFFs who must scramble to protect the space station they call home from a devastating cosmic storm that threatens to shred everything they love into millions of teeny tiny inconsequential smithereeeeeeens! <end cheesy background heroic anime music>

Damn. I mean that’s just like, so tragic or whatever BUT THE ART. THE AAAART. OH MY GOD THE ART. Orbitals features the MOST kickass retro anime aesthetic I’ve ever seen in a video game. I’ve literally never seen anything like it. Every trailer you see and every screenshot you have the honor of laying your eyeballs on is an accurate representation of how Orbitals actually looks and runs in-game. Even the characters themselves felt like they were plucked out of my favorite anime, and just, MAN, the vibes are 10/10. Nailed. Knocked out of the park.

I’m telling you, the first time I moved Omura I had this, like, incredibly visceral transcendent moment where I was suddenly 13 again, glued to my CRT TV, shoveling ungodly amounts of chips in my mouth while eagerly awaiting Toonami’s afternoon block. (Which, if I remember correctly, was Yu Yu Hakusho, Tenchi Muyo and DBZ. Oh, the sweet, sweet nostalgia.)

Even though Orbitals is very much visually its own thing, it’s almost impossible to avoid comparing it to Hazelight’s highly regarded co-op darlings, It Takes Two and Split Fiction, both of which have enjoyed industry-wide praise for their gameplay, art direction and game design. (Fun fact: Orbitals’ game director Jakob Lundgren worked at Hazelight as a level designer!) I really don’t want this to turn into a pissing match between the three, and honestly, even if I did I haven’t played enough of Orbitals to make an argument one way or another, but there are a few differences I want to touch on.

A much welcomed difference between Orbitals and Split Fiction is that players aren’t locked into specific abilities and roles because of the character they chose. (HALLELUJAH!) In Orbitals, skills are linked to tools and weapons, which can be freely equipped between Maki and Omura. This is SO MUCH BETTER. Why, you ask? Well, let’s just say I still hold onto a teensy bit of frustration from Split Fiction after being forced into a certain driving/flying role and MAYBE (maybe) I ultimately and begrudgingly waved my white flag after the umpteenth time of crashing into buildings and had to throw – er, I mean, gently swap controllers with Jayson so HE could fly the damn car and I could angrily shoot things.

I’d also say Orbitals’ puzzles seem to require more critical thinking and intentional communication. Like, I don’t think my partner and I ever hit a “flow” state where we were just casually running and jumping and vibing while solving puzzles. Instead, we were constantly chatting and exchanging info that sounded more like,  “Okay, this is what that does – wait, let’s try this. Now, I’ll go here, you go there, we have to time this perfectly, my bad for killing you again” etc. And despite Erin and I not knowing each other from a hole in the wall we managed to solve the pesky puzzles that stood in our way, and I think that’s a testament to how wonderfully designed and approachable Orbitals appears to be.

Man, I’m so happy I was unexpectedly yoinked into that demo with Erin.

Developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive, Orbitals is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3rd, 2026. 

The post Orbitals is a gorgeous, nostalgic co-op puzzler AND I NEED IT first appeared on A video game blog and other shenanigans | Blondenerd.com.

Because we are in a glorious timeline where an Ocarina of Time remake is ACTUALLY HAPPENING OH MY GOD IT STILL DOESN’T FEEL REAL I’m feeling extra sentimental and wanted to show y’all one of most prized possessions: A Kmart Ocarina of Time pre-order bonus from 1998. (It’s the little things in life that mean the most.) However, I was not prepared to go down this incredibly emotional journey where I was forced to question everything I thought I knew. And now, I have more questions than answers. 

For real though, I ABSOLUTELY remember when I got Ocarina of Time, the above CD and the t-shirt (RIP) in 1998. My entire family – and there were a LOT of us – always gathered at and squeezed into my grandma’s house on Christmas Eve. Her cozy house always smelled delicious – I can still smell the ham in the oven and her famous baked beans – and I’ll never ever forget the insane amount of presents there were. I mean, boxes of all shapes and sizes were spilling out from underneath the tree, I kid you not, to the point where half of her living room was inaccessible. As a child it really was a magical sight! Anyway, after we had all opened presents and were winding down I still remember the immense giddiness and excitement I felt – y’know, the kind you can really only experience as a kid? I distinctly remember sitting on the floor, leaning against my grandpa’s favorite recliner and reading my brand-new Garfield comic book. Knowing that the next day was Christmas, Ocarina of Time was waiting for me, and I still had a WEEK OFF OF SCHOOL FOR WINTER BREAK was just pure euphoria.

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While at Summer Game Fest my dear friend and former co-host of What’s Good Games Riana Manuel-Peña’s eyes lit up when she told me about a game called Out of Words. I remember her telling me, “You HAVE to play it! You’d love it,” and seeing as that woman has never steered me wrong, I made sure it was the first station I checked out at the Nintendo booth.

Out of Words is a co-op platformer that follows childhood friends Kurt and Karla as they try to navigate their feelings for one another. (I get the feeling these two have been dancing around each other for a looong time.) Karla is about to move away, which means they find themselves in this “now or never” situation – talk about pressure – and someway, somehow, they’re transported to a strange new world called Vokabulantis. The catch? Their mouths didn’t make the journey with them. 

You’ve probably noticed by now, but Out of Words is STUNNING, and it’s all stop-motion animated. It was real hard to pay attention to what my co-op partner and I were trying to accomplish when everything commanded the attention of my eyeballs. From the hand-cut grass to whatever witchcraft was done to get the water glistening the way it did (cellophane?) – hell, even the simple act of moving was mesmerizing – you just gotta see this game. These screenshots are gorgeous, yes, but it’s even more jaw dropping in-person.

Out of Words is a journey for two, meaning you have to play with another human. Teaming up with someone – be it locally or online, including cross-platform – you’ll traverse the world of Vokabulantis by running, jumping, climbing and, sometimes, you’ll even break physics, all while communicating with your partner to successfully time leaps of faith, solve puzzles and navigate precarious situations. The trickiest puzzle came towards the end of the demo when my co-op partner and I were actively falling – except he was falling up and I was falling down – and in order to, y’know, not die we had to toss an item back and forth like it was a hot potato. It required concentration, but wasn’t difficult. I mention this because I know if you’re someone around kids you’re probably wondering, “Oooh, I wonder if I can play this with <insert kid name here>?” And my answer is YES! I mean, I’m totally playing with my 5-year-old. And honestly, if any of the puzzles become too difficult, I know my dude will have a blast just walking around pretending he’s, like, in a movie or something. (Ah, children.) 

The people behind this deserve their flowers: Kong Orange, the game studio, WiredFly, a stop-motion animation studio, and artist and poet Morten Sondergaard who crafted the idea. There was a moment about halfway through the demo I accidentally (or maybe it was on purpose…) woke up a giant frog abomination that proceeded to swallow me. Or sit on me? I can’t remember. Either way, while the level was booting back up, I remember thinking, “Dang, I’m so glad this game is being made.” Because right now, when game development is riskier than ever, it takes tons of courage to go against the grain and create something different. Something the industry hasn’t seen countless carbon copies of mechanically, artistically and narratively. And it’s that uniqueness that draws me, and so many others, like moths to a flame. 

So yeah, I’ll be playing Out of Words day one, and I’m wishing everyone involved nothing but the absolute best.

Ri, you were right! 

Out of Words was recently pushed to early 2027, and will be coming to Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Epic Games Store.

The post Out of Words Looks Special first appeared on A video game blog and other shenanigans | Blondenerd.com.

When I learned I’d be playing Stranger Than Heaven at Summer Game Fest my brain went WILD imagining all of the things I hoped to do. It was like freakin’ IRL sugarplums dancing in my head, except it was Daito, Yu and Snoop (he was c-walking). I wanted to EXPLORE. I wanted to PRODUCE MUSIC. I wanted to NEGOTIATE WITH A PROSTITUTE. (Hey, it was in a trailer!)

Giiirl, I was fanta-sizing because the demo only focused on Stranger Than Heaven’s combat. WHICH OKAY, while I was bummed upon learning this, made sense considering the combat is a huge departure from prior titles and sounds funky on-paper, so yeah, getting hands-on impressions out there ASAP is smart. I just had lofty hopes and dreams okay?

By the time I waltzed into the SEGA booth – my last appointment of the day – I’d already heard quite a bit about the Stranger Than Heaven demo from colleagues. “It’s very difficult.” “Only half of the room beat it.” “It took me, like, ten tries to win.” Sooo let’s just say I was fully prepared to have my ass handed to me on a platter. A bloody, rusty, cracked and chipped platter. But first we watched a presentation showcasing the combat controls, including how to block, dodge, tips for surviving, where to seek therapy afterwards, etc. (I made that last part up.)

Stranger Than Heaven’s combat is interesting because it’s not like, “Oh, press X a bunch to punch and then grapple with B and kick with Y!” Nay, in this game, you control each arm and leg separately. So the LB/LT buttons control Daito’s left arm and left leg, and RB/RT controls his right arm and right leg. Holding B causes Daito to block, and pressing LB+B or RB+B will perform a directional block. Pulling off a perfect block or dodge causes an enemy to stagger, and if you can deplete an enemy’s stamina by thwacking them enough you can lay the smackdown with LT+RT. Pressing Y will open a weapons menu, and health and stamina can be replenished mid-battle by using item shortcuts assigned to the d-pad.

I sat down at the demo station with a sound strategy in mind: button mash. Aaaand it went as well as you’d expect. Instead of looking like a seasoned fighter, I looked like a thrashing baby giraffe and the fight was over before I hardly knew it had begun. But on my second attempt I was smarter about which side of Daito’s body I used and I made sure I was, y’know, close enough to actually hit the enemies I was flailing at. And shocking absolutely no one, that made a huge difference. I even managed to pull off some sweet head-knocking combos and shoved some fools to the ground! I also learned that dodging is your friend – you cannot take beating after beating like one Kiryu Kazuma – and once I got the dodging (more or less) down I was able to progress to the final, advanced battle where I faced off against a solo swordsman in the streets of Osaka.

And here is where I was deeply humbled.

My strategy of dodging and smartly flailing was inert. I learned this the first three times I failed. The next two times, I knew I was doing something wrong. Then a kind staff member gently reminded me that a BLOCK button exists. See, Stranger Than Heaven’s combat isn’t all about “PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH KICK A MILLION TIMES RAHHH!” there’s a lot of defensive strategy involved. You gotta learn the tells of the enemies and know when to hold a block, attempt a dodge, take a hit or be the aggressor. And that, my friends, takes a LOT of trial and error.

And as someone who typically doesn’t enjoy difficult combat encounters, I gotta tell you, this fight got my blood PUMPING. Once I knew I stood a chance (y’know, thanks to that block button) I was locked in, and I actually enjoyed not only the challenge, but experimenting with different weapons, methods and techniques. My fists weren’t shit against a sword, so I wanted to use a weapon. I tried the crowbar, but it was too slow against this fast SOB. And for funsies I did try my fists, but…yeaaaaah. The knife was the most dexterous, so I settled on that.

Over the next three attempts I learned if Swordsman Dude was crouched down that meant he was about to strike HARD (ask me how I know!) and that sometimes it was far better to take the gnarly hits while blocking rather than trying to pull off a perfect counter. I also learned that playing with half-health was flirting with death because this guy could instantly wipe that away, and not to get TOO greedy when pummeling an enemy whilst straddling them – because they can absolutely punch back. I had to make smart judgment calls on whether to wind up a powerful punch or use a faster, but weaker, attack. Also, with this guy, it was safer to dodge sideways instead of backwards so I could stay closer, but if I needed to consume an item there needed to be PLENTY of distance between us.

It’s a tale as old as time: the more I failed the better I became. Eventually every move became calculated, and every action had a pre-planned reaction. And FINALLY – F I N A L L Y – I watched the swordsman’s HP fall to zero. My heart was pounding. I slammed the controller down and literally said “I need a drink.”

So with ALL that said: I never thought the combat felt unnatural, or weird, or anything negative like that – the hardest part was just trying to learn an entirely new control scheme, but it didn’t feel wrong if that makes sense. I’m hoping the average bout of fisticuffs will feel more like the intermediate battle, where it’s not necessarily HARD, but you have to play smart, rather than that last guy because JAYSUS that was intense. That last bastard would be perfect, for, like, a coliseum battle.

We’ll all need a lot more time with this new combat system before we can make any definitive calls – I still have lots of questions about crafting weapons, using items mid-battle, how intuitive fighting feels once you ACTUALLY get a hang of combos and whatnot. But so far, I’m encouraged by what I’ve played! I mean, if I can defeat that swordsman, I guarantee a lot of you can too.

Stranger Than Heaven releases January 15, 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

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