Target Acquired: Cuphead

StudioMDHR delivers Cuphead, a fighting game -slash- shooter with a very unique art style. Modeled after 1930’s-era cartoons like Popeye and some of the Disney classics, the game features colorful characters, washed out backgrounds, simple piano tunes, and some rather odd humor. Our hero is a guy with a teacup for a head and a straw sticking out the top. Dear old Cuphead gambles with the devil and loses, and finds himself defeating enemies to pay the fiend back. The poor fellow can’t seem to keep himself out of trouble and is constantly struggling as a victim of his own failures. The game features projectile-based combat in enclosed arenas against a variety of cartoonily menacing foes, as well as traditional platforming and shooting action.

Cuphead is now available for PC via Steam and GOG, and Xbox One via Microsoft Store.

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Target Acquired: Orange Moon

Moon Resources Corp. wants to offer you a job on the moon... but mining for resources can be dangerous with its harsh landscape, hostile wildlife, raiders, and the occasional ancient alien technology. Fortunately, you're well armed for the task with access to a machine gun, shotgun, flamethrower, rocket launcher, and minigun, each of which can be upgraded and loaded with specialized ammo types that allow them to pierce armor, burn enemies, or explode on contact. In Orange Moon, from Betelgeuse Zero, players move through a dangerous underground world, exploring the environment, defeating enemies and bosses, and gathering resources to upgrade their firepower and other abilities, including their grenades and jetpack-assisted jump.

The game is now available for PC via Steam.

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Target Acquired: The Royal Cosmonautical Society

The Royal Cosmonautical Society, from Chromosphere Games (game site) is a new entry in the sparsely-populated gravity-based spaceship genre, accompanied by titles like Gravitar, Lunar Lander, and Thrust. Unlike most other genre entries, there is no fuel management, so players are free to thrust all they like... but that doesn't make the game easy by any stretch. Players must navigate through a variety of environments across 10 planets, and new gameplay is introduced in each. In some areas, players simply need to make it to the landing pad alive, while other areas see players dodging mines and heat seeking missiles, powering down engines while passing through explosive gasses, sliding along on ice sheets, or diving underwater. Some planets even allow the use of special equipment, including a tow rope that lets you carry objects (while fighting the extra pull of gravity), a shield that lets you bounce off walls and pass safely through laser beams, and a grappling hook that lets you fling yourself around corners at high speeds.

The game is now available for PC and Mac via Steam, Humble Store, and Itch.io. Check our coverage here.

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Target Acquired: Steamworld Dig 2

Steamworld Dig 2, from Image & Form is the follow-up to Steamworld Dig, a surprising entry in the otherwise overcrowded mining genre, focusing less on crafting and inventory management, and more on metroidvania-style adventuring. The sequel features a new steambot named Dorothy who teams up with a cloaked companion to seek out her lost friend in the deep dark depths. The new release offers similar gameplay to the original with the player pickaxing through dirt and rocks in search of treasure while avoiding pitfalls and traps. Along the way, Dorothy fights enemies and earns new abilities that allow her to move more quickly and access new areas. The new game has been given a substantial visual overhaul as well, featuring more detailed environments and better lighting effects.

The game is now available on PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam, Switch via eShop, and it's coming to PS4 and Vita on 9/26.

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Target Acquired: Super Hydorah

Super Hydorah is an updated and expanded version of the original Hydorah, a freeware game from Locomalito. The new game is a partnership between Locomalito and Abylight Studios, following their release of Maldita Castilla EX: Cursed Castilla, an expanded commercial release of Maldita Castilla, a Ghosts ‘n Goblins-inspired actioner. Super Hydorah is a horizontal shmup inspired by genre entries of the early 80's, but offering nonlinear gameplay that allows players to take different routes to complete the game and reach one of several endings. The original game was a single player experience, but the new one can be enjoyed locally in 2P co-op. In addition, the number of levels, bosses, enemies, and weapons has been increased over the original game, offering even veteran players something new to experience. The new game also offers bonuses based on level rankings, as well as CRT-style filters and various graphical improvements.

The game is now available for PC via Steam and Xbox One via Microsoft Store.

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