Letter from the Editor
Welcome to our third issue of Electronic Gamers magazine, and our first ever annual Game Awards: The Gammys 🙂
Like most other things we do, these aren’t your typical game awards, as the Gammys are retro and classic game focused.
Elden Ring may be a Game of the Year contender for other game awards, but you won’t find it here.
Instead, a modern game would need to be a continuation or remake of a retro or classic game series to qualify.
This means a modern masterpiece, like Elden Ring or The Last of Us, unfortunately wouldn’t qualify, but God of War Ragnarok would, since the series started back on PS2, and is considered a classic game series today – more than two console generations old.
We hope you enjoy our slightly different take on annual game awards, and also check out our reviews of great games like Chained Echoes and Pokemon Scarlet.
This first year of Electronic Gamers has been short, but sweet, and we’re very glad to be able to share our love of gaming with you all.
More to come in 2023.
Now, onto the issue!
– Gamatroid
CONTENTS
Amazon Games to Publish Next Tomb Raider Game
Amazon announced that it will be publishing the next Tomb Raider game, currently under development by Crystal Dynamics (developer of the last three Tomb Raider games).
While Amazon Gaming struggled for years, it finally released a popular multiplayer title last fall, “New World”, and followed that up with another well received game, “Lost Ark”, earlier this year.
More publishers are good for the industry as a whole and we’re excited to see what else Amazon Games has in store.
(A new console perhaps?!?)
Audio Dramas – Gaming’s Next Frontier?
It’s no secret that some video game publishers are always looking to expand into new areas to cash-in on their established franchises, and audio dramas appear to be one of the next frontiers in that regard.
Splinter Cell: Firewall is a new eight-part audio dramatization on BBC4, bringing Sam Fisher’s take on sneaking around military bases to a radio near you.
This follows other video game franchises, such as Assassin’s Creed and Bioshock, which have also received audio-only expansions of their franchises, but this is the first time a broadcaster like the BBC has gotten involved to bring audio-only gaming stories to the masses.
What game franchise would you want to see get an audio-only expansion?
Federal Trade Commission seeks to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision / Blizzard
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to block technology giant Microsoft Corp. from acquiring leading video game developer Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its blockbuster gaming franchises such as Call of Duty.
The agency alleges that the $69 billion deal, Microsoft’s largest ever and the largest ever in the video gaming industry, would enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription content and cloud-gaming business.
“Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals,” said Holly Vedova, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets.”
With this move it remains to be seen whether Microsoft can close the deal with Activision / Blizzard, but some tech experts believe the FTC will ultimately be unsuccessful in blocking the deal entirely.
It seems more likely that Microsoft will be required to make concessions for Call of Duty to remain on rival platforms for a period of time, rather than the deal not going through at all.
Do you think the Microsoft deal with go through? Send us your thoughts and you might get published in a future issue!
Chained Echoes
Verdict
Chained Echoes is a great 16-bit era throwback RPG that combines airships, mechs and magic in a new fantasy universe to explore. For any fans of 90s gaming, RPGs or both, this game is a no-brainer must buy.
REVIEWED ON
ALSO AVAILABLE ON
VISUALS
Chained Echoes overall has a look very similar to 16-bit RPGs that could have been on the Super Nintendo back in the 90s (which is a compliment if you’re wondering) but also looks much better in many regards and has a smoothness to the animation that you wouldn’t have seen in the 90s.
AUDIO
The audio in Chained Echoes is exactly what you would want for this kind of game, bringing back memories of the best of the Super Nintendo, if not a little better. .
Atmosphere
The overall atmosphere is what makes Chained Echoes really shine. While both the graphics and audio are great, it’s the overall combination along with the story and background / character design that truly make you feel like you’re playing a classic RPG, in the best way.
Gameplay
Chained Echoes certainly takes a lot of inspiration from classic RPGs but it introduces enough tweaks and new mechanics to make it feel original. There are no random encounters like in classic Final Fantasy games, rather you see all the enemies on the playfield, like in Secret of Mana, however when you engage in battle with them it works like a turn-based RPG, combining the best of both worlds.
Fun
Overall Chained Echoes is a lot of fun to play for fans of 90s RPGs, like me. If you prefer more action-heavy games, or real-time combat RPGs, then this may not be the perfect game for you, but if you’ve never played a classic 90s RPG, and you think it looks interesting, you should definitely give it a go.
Elevator Action Returns
S-Tribute
Verdict
Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute is a great rerelease of a classic Sega Saturn arcade port, which was originally only released in Japan.
With excellent visuals and audio, plus tight controls and a budget price, Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute is a no-brainer to pick up for classic game fans.
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VISUALS
In terms of visual fidelity, Elevator Action Returns looks great with well designed pixel-art graphics and detailed animation, reminiscent of 90s arcade games. If you haven’t played the original arcade game (or the NES version) you may not know just how much of an improvement this version is. It looks faithful to the Saturn port, which is a very good thing.
AUDIO
Elevator Action Returns has good audio that is faithful to the Saturn version and tons better than the original Elevator Action.
Atmosphere
Elevator Action Returns’ overall atmosphere combines well designed levels with just enough story to stay interesting and keep driving the action forward, but not so much as to feel overbearing.
Gameplay
Elevator Action Returns’ controls are tight and ensure that game overs are almost always your fault. There is a vast improvement in variety of gameplay and tightness of controls between the original versions and Elevator Action Returns.
Fun
Elevator Action Returns was a great sequel to the original Elevator Action, and masterfully expanded upon the original’s gameplay while staying close enough to the original to feel like an expansion of the concept rather than a wholly disconnected experience.
Ghost Song
Verdict
Ghost Song is a very pretty looking and capable Metroidvania with a few flaws that keep it from being a must buy.
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VISUALS
One of Ghost Song’s strongest qualities is its visuals. Your character and the world around it, have this “painted” look to them which is very different from a game like Metroid Prime, but it doesn’t look like a watercolor painting either. Probably best seen to be believed.
AUDIO
The audio of Ghost Song is good and generally supports the action very well. While it doesn’t have a killer soundtrack, the background audio and sound fx do a great job of making the world you’re in feel more immersive.
Atmosphere
The overall atmosphere of Ghost Song, supported by it’s strong visuals and capable audio, is both strange and compelling. It’s not clear who you are and what exactly your mission is, but the world around you is interesting, and that mystery will make you want to keep exploring and pushing forward.
Gameplay
The controls and overall gameplay of Ghost Song are certainly not bad, but are one of its weaker aspects.
There is an overheating mechanic to your main gun, which in turn can increase your melee power temporarily, but I found that to be distracting from the general action and atmosphere of the game.
It almost feels like the developers were looking for an interesting hook to differentiate themselves from Metroid and other similar games, however, it may not have been the best choice.
Fun
Even with some of its gameplay nuances, Ghost Song is still fun to play, and the overall atmosphere with its beautiful visuals, kept me coming back for more.
Pokemon Scarlet
Verdict
Despite a few technical flaws, Pokemon Scarlet (and Violet) is a great open world evolution of Pokemon and a lot of fun. If you like Pokemon (or used to) you should give it a try, but if you’ve never really liked Pokemon it’s unlikely to change your mind.
REVIEWED ON AND EXCLUSIVE TO
VISUALS
Pokemon Scarlet’s visuals are clean and colorful, and generally look great when the game isn’t experiencing glitches. There is some pop in and character animations can be jerky from time to time, but if you know this going in, it isn’t a big enough deal to take away from that overall experience.
AUDIO
Pokemon Scarlet’s Music and sound fx are standard Pokemon-fare, and exactly what players have come to expect from the series; they fit the game well.
The only downside to the audio is the fact that all dialogue is text and there isn’t any narration, which seems out of place in a game like this in 2022. I don’t think all dialogue has to be narrated but it’s a little odd that none of it is.
Atmosphere
Overall, the atmosphere of Pokemon Scarlet truly makes you feel as if you’ve been pulled into an immersive Pokemon adventure, just like you’ve been dreaming of for years.
While graphical glitches can momentarily distract you, generally everything combines well to create a compelling adventure that will keep you playing for hours on end.
Gameplay
Generally, the gameplay in Pokemon Scarlet is well designed and feels great when running around open areas and fighting Pokemon.
You can let your lead Pokemon out to run along side you as you traverse the world, and it will autobattle Pokemon it comes into relatively close contact with.
You can also choose to throw pokeballs at wild Pokemon without engaging in battle at all; if they are low enough level you will automatically catch them.
There are a few strange design decisions, like a general lack of building interiors, and the fact that your main legendary Pokemon is basically a motorcycle lizard, yet instead of using the giant wheels on its chest and tail, it simply runs along the ground.
These strange issues certainly aren’t game ruining but they do detract from the experience a little.
Fun
Despite all of its issues, Pokemon Scarlet is lots of fun.
I often found myself playing it for far longer than I intended, and really looking forward to my next play session.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a Pokemon game in the past you will likely have a lot of fun with it.
The First Annual Gammys
Game Awards
The goal of the Gammy Awards is to celebrate the best retro and classic related games of 2022.
This means games eligible for a Gammy Award must either be a brand new new retrostyled game (like Infernax), or a new game directly connected to a game series which started in the PS2 era or before (like God of War).
While games like Elden Ring or The Last of Us Remake, while exceptional modern games, would not qualify for a Gammy, there are already plenty of other awards that celebrate modern gaming.
At Electronic Gamers, we always strive to maintain a very strong retro / classic gaming twist, which is why the Gammys have a slightly different, retro-related focus, yet still celebrate games released during the current year.
Now onto the awards!!
Best New Release
in a Classic Series
Click story above to view category nominees and winner
Best New Retrostyled
Console Game
Click story above to view category nominees and winner
Best New Retrostyled
Mobile Game
Click story above to view category nominees and winner
Best
Collection
Click story above to view category nominees and winner
Best
Remaster
Click story above to view category nominees and winner
Gammy Game
of the Year
Click story above to view category nominees and winner
Hand Picked gaming tips, tricks and cheats to GIVE YOU THE BEST POSSIBLE advantage
Infernax
Game Wizard Codes
Infernax is a great retro-styled side scroller, and as such, it also includes a variety of cheat codes, just like the good old days.
To use the codes you must visit Tohan Passage, and once you’ve used at least one cheat you can access them at any save shrine.
- UNKLZXXG – Infinite Mana
- TEYETPAX – Jetpack Mode
- NOTPOZES – Motor-Cedor
- PAINSAVV – Chainsaw Mode
- AUGKIOPP – Start with 99 Lives
- GKZNATEI – Get 99999 XP
- ALEXKOLE – Get 99999 Gold GP.png
- ATPGNING – Over The Top Gore
- PAINTGAL – Paintball Mode
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge
Unlock Casey Jones
Casey Jones isn’t available when you first boot up the game, however unlocking him is relatively easy.
To unlock Casey Jones, just beat the game on any difficulty in Story mode.
You are able to use any character to unlock him and he will be unlocked after the ending credits.
Atari 50 Celebration
Unlock Gravitar 2600
Atari 50 is an amazing retrogame collection, and as such its developers also integrated several unlockables to keep things even more interesting.
One of the games you can unlock is Gravitar for the Atari 2600.
To unlock Gravitar you must first play reimagined Vctr-Sctr, then defeat the two enemies (gold coloured) on wave 3 during the asteroids segment. This will unlock Atari 2600 Gravitar.
Live-A-Live
Wild West Chapter – True Ending
** Warning: the following contains spoilers for Live-A-Live **
In the final 1v1 battle against Mad Dog in the Town Square you have the option to Flee the battle. Doing so will trigger the true ending sequence for the Wild West Chapter.
After the credits roll you battle Mad Dog again, this time sparing his life, as a true hero would.
THANK YOU
Thanks for reading the Annual Game Awards issue of Electronic Gamers. It’s our last issue of 2022, and only our third issue of all time. We hope you enjoyed this content and we have lots of ideas for 2023, but we’d love to hear from you too! Send us your ideas and help us grow Electronic Gamers into the premier gaming magazine for you.
Tell us what you liked or what you’d like to see by submitting the form below:
Gamatroid 