STEAM Archives | Otaku No Culture

Old-School Magic Returns in Mirage 7, A Forgotten Crusade

Mirage 7 may follow a familiar action-adventure path, but its desert setting, survival-lite mechanics, and story-driven mystery give it enough character to stand apart. Its greatest strength so far is not reinvention, but how confidently it guides players through Nadira’s haunting journey.

Mirage 7 Game Poster Drakkar Dev

Within the heart of Mirage 7 lies a familiar game design framework. For this first-person adventure-shooter, the main difference is whether you are slinging rocks at targets or eating scorpions for dinner. Players switch between young Nadira, a desert dweller searching for her missing sister, and Jiji, the pet lizard who protects her while she sleeps. The concept itself is not especially new, but the game still has enough flavour to stand out, especially through its Arabian Nights-inspired setting and its blend of exploration, mystery, and survival.

After spending some time with the Steam version on PC, I was impressed with the story more than the actual gameplay. This game is familiar enough that the muscle memory developed by playing similar games like Tomb Raider quickly returns. The keyboard and mouse controls feel comfortable, and while I did not get a chance to test a controller, the game seems like it would lend itself well to that option too.

Continue reading “Old-School Magic Returns in Mirage 7, A Forgotten Crusade”

Astounding! Another Eden Returns as Another Eden Begins.

Another Eden Begins reimagines the mobile RPG as a nostalgic, story-driven remake shaped by Chrono Trigger’s Masato Kato. With multiple endings, curated companions, and time-spanning drama, this Summer 2026 release modernizes a classic without losing its melancholy heart.

Another Eden Begins Switch Version Another Eden isn’t just another mobile RPG. It’s a deliberate love letter to 90s-era Japanese role-playing games and it’s getting modernized for fans. Simply titled Another Eden Begins, what’s offered is a remake that cares more about mood, music, and melancholy than daily log-ins. What really gives it weight is Masato Kato, the writer behind Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross, shaping its narrative DNA. You can feel it in how time fractures, how memory lingers, and how the story trusts players to slow down.

And honestly, with Armed Fantasia still drifting somewhere in development limbo, this might be the closest thing to scratching that classic Chrono itch. Another Eden Begins is set for a Summer 2026 release, revisiting the First Arc of the original game, “The Cat Beyond Time and Space.” Redesigning the game that started it all helps newcomers get acquainted with the world. What’s different is mostly cosmetic, reworked for a 128-bit processing environment. This game will be available on PC (Steam), Switch, and Switch 2.

Continue reading “Astounding! Another Eden Returns as Another Eden Begins.”

You Have To Be prettysmart To Survive The Spirit Lift In A Haunted Hotel

A retro horror deckbuilder inspired by 90s games and haunted theme park rides, The Spirit Lift blends card-based strategy with paranormal investigation inside a cursed hotel where survival is never guaranteed.

The Spirit Lift Box Welcome back to the 90s. Drawing on the aesthetics of Atari’s Haunted House and Disney’s Tower of Terror ride, The Spirit Lift aims to deliver Ghostbusters-style thrills through a retro horror deckbuilder roguelike. Set in a haunted hotel, players investigate strange goings-on by choosing action cards that come to life on PC via Steam. prettysmart games invites players to control a trio of teenage paranormal investigators, uncover the truth behind the haunting, and hopefully survive the night.

From the Press Release:

Build a starting deck by selecting a plucky team of three teen paranormal investigators from a pool of eight characters, then venture forth into a spooky, abandoned hotel. Each character alters the starting deck, affecting battle strategies and offering distinct story revelations depending on who joins the fray. Scour rooms across 13 floors for secrets, new gear and upgrades, then head to the elevator to ascend to the next ghastly level.

Continue reading “You Have To Be prettysmart To Survive The Spirit Lift In A Haunted Hotel”

With The Upcoming Release of Missile Command Delta, Is It The Final Countdown?

Who’s ready for a change of pace? Instead of a shoot ‘em up, Missile Command Delta is a puzzle solving game.

Release date: July 8, 2025

Not everyone is going to be excited for the release of Missile Command Delta. This re-imaging to the classic arcade game shooter has only one thing to like, a very developed story to explain why players must save themselves (not the Earth) from cataclysmic destruction. That’s the vibe I’m getting in the latest video promoting it, as this product is now available for pre-order.

Some aspects look good, and I guess that in time, developers 13AM Games and Mighty Yell might translate this first-person perspective game into a virtual reality one. I’d be a bit more interested if that happens. Since this port was done with Kill It With Fire (review link), I’m hopeful. Whether that’s by switching from having a character on screen to navigate around or simply let the monitor be my eyes, the concept behind this game is satisfactory.

Continue reading “With The Upcoming Release of Missile Command Delta, Is It The Final Countdown?”

Will RailGods of Hysterra Be Fired Up and Ready for Travel in April?

Hopefully, the developers corrected the issues I found in the demo release for RailGods of Hysterra’s Early Access.

Early Access Will Be Available on April 10, 2025

Troglobytes Games’ RailGods of Hysterra is a survival game which needs an accessibility option if I’m going to keep playing. That’s because the text was incredibly tiny! Even on a 45 inch screen, I had trouble reading and there were no in-game controls to adjust contrast. I spent a week with the demo before deciding to get my eyes checked. They’re good, but even when I revisited it, I struggled with reading.

When there’s a game inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s fantasy world known as the Dreamlands. I’m certainly excited. Although it doesn’t borrow from any of ths stories, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time to find tie-in material. For now, this game is about surviving this world. When this version mixes up resource management, item builds and land exploration, I better be careful about what’s ’round the corner.

Continue reading “Will RailGods of Hysterra Be Fired Up and Ready for Travel in April?”

In Rewinding Games’ Wild Demo of Roots Devour, Playing a Hungry Monster is Easy!

And we know which entity the player’s avatar will become in the intro to Roots Devour! Read on for our spoiler regarding whom that Great Old One is.

Spoiler Alert

Roots Devour is a puzzle solving game by Rewinding Games set in some dark woodland area, where players can play the villain! It borrows from H.P. Lovecraft‘s writings and perhaps Evil Dead too. That’s because the creature I’m playing had to seek not-so-innocent vertebrates to drink their blood! They give form I’m in the required essence to survive and grow. As the name suggests, it’s about extending a living tree’s roots to as far as they can go!

What’s effectively creepy is the fog of war which envelops this game. I’m never within it, and unless I extend the roots to explore, what’s revealed are either difficult terrain or playing cards. They represent either various aspects of a dying forest or victims I can either drain or have to figure a way around! This maze took more than a few tries to reach any place meaningful. Continue reading “In Rewinding Games’ Wild Demo of Roots Devour, Playing a Hungry Monster is Easy!”