Hidden Gems | A Certain Kind of Gamer

If there were any game that I was most looking forward to all year, its most definitely UFO Interactive and Saint-Fun’s FAST BEAT LOOP RACER GT for the PC.

News of its arrival a few months back quite literally came out of nowhere. Arcade Racer’s such as LOOP RACER GT seeing release are a rarity these days. And on PC? Crazy talk! But I knew it would be a day one purchase for me.

I haven’t played a whole lot of the Wangan Midnight series, which is LOOP RACER GT’s closest point of comparison, but what I have played (on the PS2), I really, really loved. LOOP RACER GT is a port of an obscure Chinese arcade racing game that some may call a Wangan Midnight clone, but I think it’s more than just a clone. It’s definitely in the same pocket, though. On the same side of the leg, even.

SURPRISINGLY GREAT – Hot Wheels Velocity X: Maximum Justice (PS2/GC/PC) // The NOT-Review

May 1, 2018 · by akumajobelmont

I really didn’t think I’d be sitting at my desk – in 2018, no less – writing about how fantastic a game Hot Wheels Velocity X: Maximum Justice is, yet here we are.

Licensed games of the 90s/00s could be hit or miss. OK, they were mostly misses, as with startling regularity, hot properties of the day were shoehorned into genres they had no place being in. Home Improvement SNES, anybody?

NOW PLAYING: DiRT Rally (PC) // Gotcha Racing 2nd (SWITCH)

April 10, 2018 · by akumajobelmont

Giving games a second chance can, sometimes, totally pay off.

I can be stubborn and closed-minded when I experience a game for the first time. I imagine what it would be like for a long while, and then when the game inevitably fails to live up to my expectations, I’m done. Out for the count.

But nine times out of ten, I’ll choose to revisit said game. I’ll come back in with low expectations and an open mind. And sometimes, just sometimes, a game that I ignorantly detested so damned hard becomes something else entirely. Where hate once stood, there is now only love.

This happened to me a few days ago, and DiRT Rally is one such game.

I’ve also been hopelessly hooked on Gotcha Racing 2nd on the Switch. Great game, and I’ll tell you all about it reeeeeeal soon!

But first, DiRT Rally.

Now Playing: APOCRYPH (PC) // GRAVEL (PC) // BLOODGDX (PC) // ACE OF SEAFOOD (SWITCH)

March 6, 2018 · by akumajobelmont

I’ve been playing a lot of games this past week. I’ve had family down from Sydney, so while my days have been fairly busy, my evenings have been pretty chill, with lots of games to while away the hours with.

On a more serious note, the site has been struggling when it comes to views lately, so if you enjoy my content at all, I’d really, really appreciate a share or two, maybe on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram – whatever! I really hope that what I’m doing is going down well with you lot – I know I cover some specific, niche stuff, but all the more reason to try to spread the word, right? I’m all over Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so I’m giving it my absolute best shot!

Anyways, without further adieu, here’s some neat stuff I’m playing that you might just dig too!

RETRO GAMER LIFE: My Quest For A Complete SEGA Saturn Racing Collection + Pick-Ups!

February 24, 2018 · by akumajobelmont

Not Pictured – Loose PAL Need For Speed and Virtua Racing.

And now for something a bit different. Something a little more personal, and a tad more ‘bloggy’ – if that is even a thing.

It’s no secret that I really, really love arcade racing games. Even games that were generally regarded as ‘sim’ games in the 32-bit era are far removed enough from reality that I can usually find something to enjoy in all of them. The more reality creeps in, the more bored I become.

But why racing games? Would you believe me if I told you I couldn’t care less about cars in the real world? It’s true – I’m the furthest from a petrol-head as anybody you’re likely to encounter. Ever. Read More →

REVIEW: GRAN CHASER (CYBER SPEEDWAY) For The SEGA SATURN

February 16, 2018 · by akumajobelmont

Gran Chaser/Cyber Speedway is not a particularly great game, at least when compared to the company it finds itself alongside on the SEGA Saturn. It pains me to write that, because my love for this game runs so goddamned deep, but it’s true. However, if you’ve the same pre-disposition toward awkward, early 3D racers that I do, then buckle up, Boyo! I can absolutely recommend it to the weird ones, like yourself.

Also, despite the title, your Gran is safe, I promise.

Browsing Tags Hidden Gems

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: FAST BEAT LOOP RACER GT (PC)

GET FAST BEAT LOOP RACER GT ON STEAM HERE.

SURPRISINGLY GREAT – Hot Wheels Velocity X: Maximum Justice (PS2/GC/PC) // The NOT-Review

NOW PLAYING: DiRT Rally (PC) // Gotcha Racing 2nd (SWITCH)

Now Playing: APOCRYPH (PC) // GRAVEL (PC) // BLOODGDX (PC) // ACE OF SEAFOOD (SWITCH)

RETRO GAMER LIFE: My Quest For A Complete SEGA Saturn Racing Collection + Pick-Ups!

REVIEW: GRAN CHASER (CYBER SPEEDWAY) For The SEGA SATURN