Hi, I'm Dranzerstorm
Welcome to the Video Game & Music Lounge
This world is dedicated to Video Games and Music as I'll be showcasing the following.
Video Game Reviews set to the same tones as Retro Retrospective's Anime Reviews
Music reviews of Anime Openings & Closings
Western Cartoon music
Vocaloid Classics.
We may even have some Top Tens
I hope this World entertains you.
Taking a break from the grind of Xbox achievement hunting to explore some of the just as weird games on the Switch, in fact alot of the future Xbox entries started on the Switch.
Cruis'n Blast
Leave it to legacy companies like Raw Thrills to revive all the best 90s racing titles, and you can't get more 90s than the Cruis'n series from the N64 era. This current version takes all the madness and loudness from the arcade cabinet version giving you short bursts of arcade madness as each race can last as little as three sometimes one minute as the ridiculously fast pace of the game shows often in environments with giant set pieces, much better in multiplayer.
A-Tier Game
What the Golf
This game does everything with the concept of golf physics except actually play real golf as each level adds a twist to the formula everything from a video game reference to driving the actual golfer into the hole, cleverly made if a little absurd in places.
A-Tier Game
Smashing the Battle
Yes, I'd certainly like to Smash, robots are running riot in a giant industrial complex as you take command of one of two large powerful ladies, Sarah O'Connell the Survivor with a giant spanner and Mary Lucy the Chaser with a giant hammer, while the game is certainly very appealing, it is just a typical hack and slash more akin to a slower, jankier Bayonetta.
B-Tier Game
I know what the box art says, just the European boxart is boring and name changes are pretty common in localisations.
Released in 1998, Fighters Destiny was an unusual take on the fighting game genre as it uses a points system based on whether you Knockdown, Counter, Timeout, Ringout, Throwdown or Special Move which if you see Olympic Martial Arts is similar to that scoring system where better move execution scores higher points. You can also learn new moves in the master mode and even fight a Cow.
It's development title was "Struggle Hard"
Pros
Fantastic music.
Learning new techniques gives the game more depth.
Joker is the most intense opponent you'll ever fight.
Mechanics work surprisingly well.
Some of the specials are incredible.
Cons
Very unimaginative fighter roster.
You'll be punished very quickly for trying the easy method every time.
The sequel made no innovations and has an even worse fighter roster.
No story modes or endings.
Verdict
With a bit more care it would've succeeded, where it lacks is it's poorly designed characters apart from Ushi the Cow, Joker and Master. Also I would love to see the concept of learning new moves come back in fighting games.
Going a little off schedule but it's nothing major.
Released in 1988, RC Pro-AM is Rare's first attempt at a racing game; you are competing in the RC Pro-AM for Remote Control cars and the object of the game is to avoid last place all the while picking up upgrades and power ups, it's also one of the earliest racing games to use weapons.
The planned N64 version became Diddy Kong Racing
Pros
Makes full use of the NES hardware limits
Hugely innovative for future racing games
Was the main reason Nintendo partnered with Rare
Cons
No multiplayer
Tracks lose appeal after a while
Higher levels have unfair AI
Verdict
It's place in gaming history was more showing Nintendo what Rare was capable of rather than the game being really good. It's at least capable enough to keep you entertained.
Most people around here may not of heard of the Virtual Boy, understandable considering the console was dead on arrival but it did have at least one good game.
Released in 1995, Wario Land takes place in the jungle where Wario is on an expedition for treasure using his trademark strong arm style along with novelty hats that contain powers and background jumping mechanics to take advantage of early 3D effects.
Health Warning: I'd advise not watching the entire video in one go to avoid migraine, although not as bad as the actual Virtual Boy but will still cause a few issues.
Pros
Solid platformer
Great mechanics that later become staples of Wario platformers
Best game on the Virtual Boy
Cons
It's on a Virtual Boy
Verdict
The best way to play this game is download the Gameboy mod version of this game on emulator, it's a good video game.
Hopefully this will jump start some much needed action.
Released in 2018 as a spiritual successor to Top Gear, Horizon Chase Turbo is a racing game reminiscent of the classic arcade racers of old brought up to date with a nice coat of paint and some intense speed.
Pros
Genuinely fast game
Such a spiritual successor they got the composer of Top Gear to do the soundtrack
Unique set of locations and tracks
Good selection of cars
Endless replayability
Not that difficult to master
Cons
Colliding with other cars is really annoying
Having to stick with a refuel system
Having to collect easily missable coins to progress
We get it, you're from Brazil!
Overall
A colourful retread of old racing games from the era of Outrun, Top Gear and Lotus Turbo Challenge, it's worth your time investing in such a fast intense racing game with such a good soundtrack.
