Latest Reviews of Ripstone Games
Mini Review Pure Pool (Switch) - As Close To The Real Thing As You'll Get On Switch
A ball game right on cue
Pure Pool does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a pool game through and through, and a darn good one at that. Developer VooFoo Studios has wisely restrained from flooding Pure Pool with wacky flourishes and overblown physics, instead focusing on delivering an experience that’s as close to the real deal as you’re...
Review Snooker 19 (Switch) - One Of The Best Snooker Games Ever, But Not Without Its Faults
Frame by frame
When it comes to nailing a sports simulator, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between authenticity, realism and fun. Even when that sport is a little more niche in its mainstream appeal, if you can’t capture the magic that makes that recreational pastime so unique, then you’re doing its fans a serious injustice. We’ve...
Review Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics (Switch) - Mixing Strategy And Horror To Mostly Good Effect
For the Love of the Craft
If there’s one group of historical nasties you can always rely on to invoke some of literature’s most eldritch nightmares, it’s the Nazis. From the pages of Hellboy to just about every Call of Duty in recent memory, those militarised fascists love dabbling in the occult, so it’s no great shock to see them teaming up...
Review The Spectrum Retreat (Switch) - A Portal-Style Puzzler Worthy Of Your Attention
Four stars on TripAdvisor!
If we were to knock together an old-fashioned ‘someting meets something’ comparison to describe The Spectrum Retreat, ‘Gone Home-meets-Portal in the hotel from The Shining’ would probably fit the bill. That conveys the tone of this FPS narrative puzzler but saddles it with expectations any developer would struggle...
Review Chess Ultra (Switch eShop)
Don't En Pass(ant) on this one
Chess is one of the world's oldest and most finely crafted games. Its strategies and complexities have fascinated players for decades (centuries, even), and at a professional level commands extraordinary dedication and expertise. For the majority of us it's an engaging game that is nevertheless quite casual, as we...
Review Ironcast (Switch eShop)
More than meets the eye
At E3 this year, this writer got the chance to demo an intriguing game called Ironcast, which initially sounded like it was trying to do a bit too much all at once. A match three puzzler that’s also a roguelike, that’s also a strategy RPG with permadeath? Even so, we came away feeling that it just might have what it takes...
Review Extreme Exorcism (Wii U eShop)
A hauntingly good time
Extreme Exorcism is a simple, fun indie title that embraces one of Nintendo's core values: getting people together to play. From its aesthetics to its modes, this game is dripping with retro charm. If you haven't seen or heard of it before, it's a 2D pixel-art shooter that focuses on platforming and run-and-gun mechanics. It...
Review Stick It To The Man (Wii U eShop)
Get out of my thoughts and into my Wii U
You're on the run from the law, hunted for a crime you didn't commit and unable to return to your own home for fear of being caught. A road block looms ahead, halting everyone except for an acclaimed opera singer who is performing later that evening. As the sirens echo through darkened streets, you slowly...
En Passable
VooFoo Studios took on a tough challenge in not only producing cross-platform online chess multiplayer, but achieving it on both the Wii U and the 3DS. Pure Chess immediately earns credit right away, in that case, as a technical example of what can be achieved on what is relatively old tech with the 3DS. Bonus points are due, then, but...
Review Pure Chess (Wii U eShop)
This is a review you should check, mate
When Pure Chess was first announced for the Wii U and 3DS, it created a considerable buzz for a game that's based on a relatively niche, high-brow hobby. However, there was good reason for this; developer VooFoo Studios and its publisher Ripstone were not only determined to deliver a graphically rich...
Latest Ripstone Articles
News VooFoo And Ripstone Are Bringing The Acclaimed Pure Pool To Switch
1080p and 60fps!
VooFoo's much-loved sports sim Pure Pool is making the jump to Switch, it has been confirmed. The port will offer 1080p (docked) and 720p (handheld) visuals, running at 60fps in both modes. Pure Pool has a single-player campaign which is bolstered by skill-based challenges and a host of customisation options. Various flavours of...
News The Cross-Platform And Cross-Gen Poker Club Brings Social Play To Switch Later This Year
Join clubs and win together
Ripstone Games has just announced its brand new IP Poker Club, and it's coming to Switch. Designed as a social experience, Poker Club will connect players around the world via tournaments for over 200 people. You'll be able to create your own poker club, complete via online leaderboards and work towards shared goals as a...
Exclusive Ahead Of Snooker 19's Switch Launch Next Week, We Find Out Why It's So Special
Developer Lab42 spills the beans
Ripstone Games has confirmed that it will publish Lab42's Snooker 19 on the Nintendo Switch eShop on August 23rd, with a price of £29.99 / €34.99 / $34.99. Pre-orders for the physical version of the game are also open now. Snooker 19 showcases 128 of the world’s top snooker players, including the likes of...
News Chess Ultra Arrives on the Switch eShop, With Cross-Platform Play, This Week
Your move
Some may recall when Ripstone published Pure Chess on Wii U and 3DS, a game developed by VooFoo Studios. It was an impressive title (despite some nagging flaws) that offered cross-platform play and attractive visuals. A little while ago Ripstone confirmed that its own internal team was bringing Chess Ultra to the Switch, which should be...
Hands On Picking The Right Moves With Chess Ultra
"Making Chess sexy"
British game publisher Ripstone announced during the Summer that TIGA Awards finalist Chess Ultra will be arriving on the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2017. The company - known for previously publishing the likes of Ironcast, Extreme Exorcism and Pure Chess for the Wii U and 3DS -
News Chess Ultra to Make Its Move on Nintendo Switch Later This Year
Check it out, mate
Slowly and surely the range of game styles and genres is growing on the Switch eShop, and now Chess Ultra is confirmed to be filling a very particular gap later this year. It's being developed and published by Ripstone, which boasts that it's the "best looking chess game in the world". Based on the trailer and limited information...
News Steampunk Turn-Based Strategy Game Ironcast Lands On Switch On 10th August
Alternative Victorian history action
Imagine an alternative Victorian history where gigantic mechanised war machines had been created to defeat the enemies of the British Empire. If that sounds good to you then Ironcast might well be the game for you; in this turn-based / match-three strategy game you will control a 7-metre tall walking...
Hands On Picking Up Steam With Switch Match-Three SRPG Ironcast
And it's a roguelike, too!
It’s always interesting to see developers try their hand at reinvigorating a seemingly well-trodden genre by adding in an unexpected new element. There’s always a great risk being taken, however, as the new project then runs the risk of trying to do too much at once and fails at doing anything properly. Ironcast is one...
News Ironcast, A 'Steampunk Mech Combat Game', is Coming to Nintendo Switch
A roguelite in an alternative Victorian history, oh my!
The list of intriguing upcoming Switch eShop releases continues to grow, and now we can add Ironcast to the roster. Published by Ripstone and developed by Dreadbit, it's a 'steampunk mech combat game' with turn-based strategy; it also seems to have some puzzle / matching...
News Extreme Exorcism to Haunt the Wii U on 23rd September
What an excellent day for a release
Extreme Exorcism may be a title familiar to keen Wii U eShop fans courtesy of its inclusion in the E3 Nindies@Home demo promotion; publisher Ripstone has now confirmed that it won't be long until the full game is available. It's due to arrive on 23rd September on Wii U and a host of other platforms, priced at...
News Extreme Exorcism is Creeping Onto the Wii U eShop Soon
I ain't afraid of no ghosts!
The good folks at UK-based Ripstone Publishing have teamed up with indie devs Golden Ruby Games to bring the paranormal platformer and spooky party game Extreme Exorcism to the Wii U eShop later this year. Not for the faint hearted, Extreme Exorcism is an arena platformer where every move you make comes back to haunt...
Feature Key Nindie Developers and Publishers Discuss Unity for the New Nintendo 3DS
"We have at least 5 games I would immediately want to start working on"
For those that follow the 3DS download scene closely, the recent announcement of upcoming Unity support for the New Nintendo 3DS was certainly welcome news. In the right hands the Unity engine can produce excellent, good-looking games, and is invaluable to small studios with...
News Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
It looks insane, of course
You may remember news earlier this year of Stick It To The Man being confirmed for the Wii U. It's a peculiar-looking title that involves puzzle-solving, some stealth and platforming, along with mind reading. All standard stuff. It's previously been released on PC, PS3 and Vita, but developer Zoink Games told us that, for...
Nintendo was "open minded, forward thinking" with networking challenges
While it may not have been making major headlines across the web, Nintendo's Wii U eShop has been pushing some landmarks in 2014. The first was with Blok Drop U, developer RCMADIAX seizing the crown of being the first developer to release a game through the Nintendo Web...
News Pure Chess DLC Will Be Available Day One, And Won't Cost As Much As You Think
Standard game will still have three sets and environments
This week sees the launch of VooFoo's Pure Chess on Wii U and 3DS, and publisher Ripstone has dropped us a line to confirm that varied DLC for the game — which includes new pieces and locations — will be available from the moment the game goes live on the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores. Two...
News Pure Chess Will Checkmate Your Wii U And 3DS Very Soon Indeed
Developer VooFoo had to fine-tune the cross-platform multiplayer
There was a bit of a delay making the jump to Nintendo platforms, but Chess nuts need not wait much longer. Pure Chess publisher Ripstone has today announced that the highly anticipated digital title will finally be making its way to the 3DS and Wii U eShops on March 20th. The game...
Feature Lifting the Curtain on Game Ratings and the Headache of Worldwide Releases
Developers and publishers give us the details
In recent weeks some headlines have been made by the ratings agencies and the related processes for getting eShop games from development studios and onto our Nintendo consoles. An early shot was fired by Renegade Kid in an interview with us late last year, in which co-founder Jools Watsham explained why,...
Interview Ripstone and Zoink on Prioritising Fun in Stick It To The Man
"I just did something I thought looked cool"
Stick It To The Man by Zoink! promises to be an intriguing release when it arrives on the Wii U eShop in Spring. After previously arriving on PS3, PS Vita and PC, its arrival on the Wii U will make use of the GamePad to enhance the mind-reading mechanic, with Zoink! founder Klaus Lyngeled referring to the...
News Stick It To The Man on Wii U "Feels Funnier" Thanks to GamePad Functionality
Klaus Lyngeled tells us "it's like you get the gold version"
After a degree of speculation, it was confirmed last week that Stick It To The Man is coming to the Wii U eShop, targeting a Spring release. Currently available on PC, PS3 and PS Vita, it's a distinctive title from Zoink!, with UK publisher Ripstone stepping in to bring the title to...
News Stick It To The Man Confirmed For Spring Release on Wii U eShop
It's like they were reading our minds
UK publisher Ripstone has already worked with download game developers such as Nifflas to bring us Knytt Underground on Wii U, while Pure Chess is on the way to both Wii U and 3DS. The publisher is continuing to target the home console's store, however, with confirmation today that Zoink's Stick It To The Man is...
News Knytt Underground Arrives on the Wii U eShop on 19th December
A chance to explore during the Holidays
Knytt Underground, previously released on multiple platforms, has been one of the most intriguing upcoming Wii U eShop games since it was confirmed by publisher Ripstone. The work of Nicklas Nygren (best-known as Nifflas), it's an atmospheric and potentially lengthy experience that encourages exploration,...
Developer Session Nifflas and Ripstone Talk Over Design Principles, Age Ratings and What's Next
"It’s a hobby that just kind of escalated"
Just last week we published the first part of our chat with Nifflas, in which the game designer — full name Nicklas Nygren — outlined many of the ideas that form upcoming Wii U eShop title Knytt Underground. We learnt a great deal about the complexity and depth that the title is striving for, in the...
Developer Session We Chat to Nifflas About His Knytt Underground Vision
"I would say it’s a beautiful, slow-paced experience, very ambient."
We've emphasized in recent times that there are a good number of intriguing download-only titles coming to the Wii U eShop, bringing a variety of experiences to the fore. One that could be particularly involving and complex for players to tackle may be Knytt Underground, a title...
News Ripstone Confirms Plans to Include Sony Systems in Wii U and 3DS Pure Chess Online Multiplayer
Believes the Wii U audience "has a voracious appetite for content"
Pure Chess, alongside the Nnooo-published Cubemen 2, is forging ahead on new ground for Nintendo systems by introducing cross-platform online multiplayer. In both cases Wii U players (also on 3DS in the case of Pure Chess) will be able to take on other players that are on smartphone...
Hands On Pure Chess (Wii U eShop)
The grand old sport comes to the people
While the 3DS eShop is maturing into a platform with a healthy variety of experiences, and the Wii U eShop promises to do so, one obvious gap is in delivering a virtual edition of one of the grandest old games / sports in existence. Chess may have appeared as a minigame option in a mediocre 3DS game or two,...
News VooFoo And Ripstone Are Bringing The Acclaimed Pure Pool To Switch
1080p and 60fps!
VooFoo's much-loved sports sim Pure Pool is making the jump to Switch, it has been confirmed. The port will offer 1080p (docked) and 720p (handheld) visuals, running at 60fps in both modes. Pure Pool has a single-player campaign which is bolstered by skill-based challenges and a host of customisation options. Various flavours of...
News The Cross-Platform And Cross-Gen Poker Club Brings Social Play To Switch Later This Year
Join clubs and win together
Ripstone Games has just announced its brand new IP Poker Club, and it's coming to Switch. Designed as a social experience, Poker Club will connect players around the world via tournaments for over 200 people. You'll be able to create your own poker club, complete via online leaderboards and work towards shared goals as a...
Exclusive Ahead Of Snooker 19's Switch Launch Next Week, We Find Out Why It's So Special
Developer Lab42 spills the beans
Ripstone Games has confirmed that it will publish Lab42's Snooker 19 on the Nintendo Switch eShop on August 23rd, with a price of £29.99 / €34.99 / $34.99. Pre-orders for the physical version of the game are also open now. Snooker 19 showcases 128 of the world’s top snooker players, including the likes of...
News Chess Ultra Arrives on the Switch eShop, With Cross-Platform Play, This Week
Your move
Some may recall when Ripstone published Pure Chess on Wii U and 3DS, a game developed by VooFoo Studios. It was an impressive title (despite some nagging flaws) that offered cross-platform play and attractive visuals. A little while ago Ripstone confirmed that its own internal team was bringing Chess Ultra to the Switch, which should be...
Hands On Picking The Right Moves With Chess Ultra
"Making Chess sexy"
British game publisher Ripstone announced during the Summer that TIGA Awards finalist Chess Ultra will be arriving on the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2017. The company - known for previously publishing the likes of Ironcast, Extreme Exorcism and Pure Chess for the Wii U and 3DS -
News Chess Ultra to Make Its Move on Nintendo Switch Later This Year
Check it out, mate
Slowly and surely the range of game styles and genres is growing on the Switch eShop, and now Chess Ultra is confirmed to be filling a very particular gap later this year. It's being developed and published by Ripstone, which boasts that it's the "best looking chess game in the world". Based on the trailer and limited information...
News Steampunk Turn-Based Strategy Game Ironcast Lands On Switch On 10th August
Alternative Victorian history action
Imagine an alternative Victorian history where gigantic mechanised war machines had been created to defeat the enemies of the British Empire. If that sounds good to you then Ironcast might well be the game for you; in this turn-based / match-three strategy game you will control a 7-metre tall walking...
Hands On Picking Up Steam With Switch Match-Three SRPG Ironcast
And it's a roguelike, too!
It’s always interesting to see developers try their hand at reinvigorating a seemingly well-trodden genre by adding in an unexpected new element. There’s always a great risk being taken, however, as the new project then runs the risk of trying to do too much at once and fails at doing anything properly. Ironcast is one...
News Ironcast, A 'Steampunk Mech Combat Game', is Coming to Nintendo Switch
A roguelite in an alternative Victorian history, oh my!
The list of intriguing upcoming Switch eShop releases continues to grow, and now we can add Ironcast to the roster. Published by Ripstone and developed by Dreadbit, it's a 'steampunk mech combat game' with turn-based strategy; it also seems to have some puzzle / matching...
News Extreme Exorcism to Haunt the Wii U on 23rd September
What an excellent day for a release
Extreme Exorcism may be a title familiar to keen Wii U eShop fans courtesy of its inclusion in the E3 Nindies@Home demo promotion; publisher Ripstone has now confirmed that it won't be long until the full game is available. It's due to arrive on 23rd September on Wii U and a host of other platforms, priced at...
News Extreme Exorcism is Creeping Onto the Wii U eShop Soon
I ain't afraid of no ghosts!
The good folks at UK-based Ripstone Publishing have teamed up with indie devs Golden Ruby Games to bring the paranormal platformer and spooky party game Extreme Exorcism to the Wii U eShop later this year. Not for the faint hearted, Extreme Exorcism is an arena platformer where every move you make comes back to haunt...
Feature Key Nindie Developers and Publishers Discuss Unity for the New Nintendo 3DS
"We have at least 5 games I would immediately want to start working on"
For those that follow the 3DS download scene closely, the recent announcement of upcoming Unity support for the New Nintendo 3DS was certainly welcome news. In the right hands the Unity engine can produce excellent, good-looking games, and is invaluable to small studios with...
News Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
It looks insane, of course
You may remember news earlier this year of Stick It To The Man being confirmed for the Wii U. It's a peculiar-looking title that involves puzzle-solving, some stealth and platforming, along with mind reading. All standard stuff. It's previously been released on PC, PS3 and Vita, but developer Zoink Games told us that, for...
Nintendo was "open minded, forward thinking" with networking challenges
While it may not have been making major headlines across the web, Nintendo's Wii U eShop has been pushing some landmarks in 2014. The first was with Blok Drop U, developer RCMADIAX seizing the crown of being the first developer to release a game through the Nintendo Web...
News Pure Chess DLC Will Be Available Day One, And Won't Cost As Much As You Think
Standard game will still have three sets and environments
This week sees the launch of VooFoo's Pure Chess on Wii U and 3DS, and publisher Ripstone has dropped us a line to confirm that varied DLC for the game — which includes new pieces and locations — will be available from the moment the game goes live on the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores. Two...
News Pure Chess Will Checkmate Your Wii U And 3DS Very Soon Indeed
Developer VooFoo had to fine-tune the cross-platform multiplayer
There was a bit of a delay making the jump to Nintendo platforms, but Chess nuts need not wait much longer. Pure Chess publisher Ripstone has today announced that the highly anticipated digital title will finally be making its way to the 3DS and Wii U eShops on March 20th. The game...
Feature Lifting the Curtain on Game Ratings and the Headache of Worldwide Releases
Developers and publishers give us the details
In recent weeks some headlines have been made by the ratings agencies and the related processes for getting eShop games from development studios and onto our Nintendo consoles. An early shot was fired by Renegade Kid in an interview with us late last year, in which co-founder Jools Watsham explained why,...
Interview Ripstone and Zoink on Prioritising Fun in Stick It To The Man
"I just did something I thought looked cool"
Stick It To The Man by Zoink! promises to be an intriguing release when it arrives on the Wii U eShop in Spring. After previously arriving on PS3, PS Vita and PC, its arrival on the Wii U will make use of the GamePad to enhance the mind-reading mechanic, with Zoink! founder Klaus Lyngeled referring to the...
News Stick It To The Man on Wii U "Feels Funnier" Thanks to GamePad Functionality
Klaus Lyngeled tells us "it's like you get the gold version"
After a degree of speculation, it was confirmed last week that Stick It To The Man is coming to the Wii U eShop, targeting a Spring release. Currently available on PC, PS3 and PS Vita, it's a distinctive title from Zoink!, with UK publisher Ripstone stepping in to bring the title to...
News Stick It To The Man Confirmed For Spring Release on Wii U eShop
It's like they were reading our minds
UK publisher Ripstone has already worked with download game developers such as Nifflas to bring us Knytt Underground on Wii U, while Pure Chess is on the way to both Wii U and 3DS. The publisher is continuing to target the home console's store, however, with confirmation today that Zoink's Stick It To The Man is...
News Knytt Underground Arrives on the Wii U eShop on 19th December
A chance to explore during the Holidays
Knytt Underground, previously released on multiple platforms, has been one of the most intriguing upcoming Wii U eShop games since it was confirmed by publisher Ripstone. The work of Nicklas Nygren (best-known as Nifflas), it's an atmospheric and potentially lengthy experience that encourages exploration,...
Developer Session Nifflas and Ripstone Talk Over Design Principles, Age Ratings and What's Next
"It’s a hobby that just kind of escalated"
Just last week we published the first part of our chat with Nifflas, in which the game designer — full name Nicklas Nygren — outlined many of the ideas that form upcoming Wii U eShop title Knytt Underground. We learnt a great deal about the complexity and depth that the title is striving for, in the...
Developer Session We Chat to Nifflas About His Knytt Underground Vision
"I would say it’s a beautiful, slow-paced experience, very ambient."
We've emphasized in recent times that there are a good number of intriguing download-only titles coming to the Wii U eShop, bringing a variety of experiences to the fore. One that could be particularly involving and complex for players to tackle may be Knytt Underground, a title...
News Ripstone Confirms Plans to Include Sony Systems in Wii U and 3DS Pure Chess Online Multiplayer
Believes the Wii U audience "has a voracious appetite for content"
Pure Chess, alongside the Nnooo-published Cubemen 2, is forging ahead on new ground for Nintendo systems by introducing cross-platform online multiplayer. In both cases Wii U players (also on 3DS in the case of Pure Chess) will be able to take on other players that are on smartphone...
Hands On Pure Chess (Wii U eShop)
The grand old sport comes to the people
While the 3DS eShop is maturing into a platform with a healthy variety of experiences, and the Wii U eShop promises to do so, one obvious gap is in delivering a virtual edition of one of the grandest old games / sports in existence. Chess may have appeared as a minigame option in a mediocre 3DS game or two,...