Fewar-DVD

Chased by swords.

When the world of Game of Thrones invents computer games, I reckon FEWAR-DVD will be among its first wave, as it resembles a fever dream about the Iron Throne and its many pointy swords. In each nightmarish stage, your goal is to grab a key, bust a lock, and reach the exit before being done in by the swarm of Excaliburs waggling menacingly in your direction. Most of these swords are essentially walls, but every so often one will get up and fly headlong towards you, making horrible, er, swordy noises as it lunges through the air.

It’s a claustrophobic setting: a pulsating black void reminiscent of Devil Daggers, and offering a similarly focused experience. You’re drawn into its procedurally generated blade mazes via the creepy ambient soundscape, the intensive physics of the little arrow character, and by dollops of hypnotic visual noise.

This is a surreal arcade game that you should experience, and that about three of you will fall in love with for an afternoon. TOM SYKES

A game that absolutely nails the ‘just one more go’ itch.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★