Echo Isle - PC Review

Echo Isle by developer and publisher Josh Koenig Games—PC (Steam) review written by Richard with a copy provided by the publisher.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Hello everyone and welcome to Echo Isle! A land with a mysterious lighthouse, monsters prowling the woods, and a wonderful throwback to some classic games I enjoyed in my childhood. Are you prepared to reignite the lighthouse and restore the island in this 2D adventure game? I sure hope you are!

The story of Echo Isle centers around a lighthouse that has been guarding the peace of the island. Unfortunately the lighthouse has gone out and monsters have returned to terrorize the neighbourhood. Luckily for the inhabitants, the Astral Knight Aster has been summoned to the island to resolve the crisis! Can Aster find the Echo Stones needed to bring light back to the island? Only you can help answer that question!

Echo Isle is a short but sweet adventure title that made me immediately think of the Legend of Zelda game Link’s Awakening. No, not the 3D remake, I mean the original Gameboy/Gameboy Colour version. The 2D top down style. Echo Isle takes the hero Aster around the island locating dungeons with Echo Stones in them, solving the puzzles inside, beating the boss monsters, and then claiming the stones. You start off with nothing but your name, but are quickly pointed towards a cave where you can grab a sword. From here you embark, earning new tools to help you explore and fight in each new dungeon. Collect lucky clovers to boost your health, and uncover secret stones to get a hidden reward!

If you’ve ever played a top-down Zelda title, even if it is the Link’s Awakening remake, you have a good idea of the style the game is going for. Once you pick up your sword, you have an action of either using the sword or whatever tool you have equipped. You can swap between tools pretty easily, and you aren’t constricted by ammo which is fairly handy. As you explore the island you will find the game is separated into “screens”. On the island, each “screen” is a block on the map, meanwhile inside a dungeon each “screen” is like it’s own self contained area. The fact I need to describe this for younger audiences makes me feel old though, I have to say. Nowadays you can load a full dungeon instance, but back in the day it was done one screen at a time.

Echo Isle at it’s core feels like a love letter to older games, particularly the Zelda franchise, and I love what it’s offering. While not very long, clocking in at around an hour or a little more, Echo Isle left me wanting to see more. While it wrapped up well enough in it’s own way, I would love to see another title from this developer with a longer game. There’s definitely the potential here, and the way Echo Isle was done leaves me hopeful for potential future releases.

In terms of the aesthetic direction, Echo Isle draws heavy inspiration from retro titles, utilizing a bit-like style that would feel at home on a Gameboy Colour, and a musical suite that matches the aesthetic. More than once I sat back in nostalgia remembering my childhood days struggling through dungeons looking for Owl Beaks, or that one key I was missing in the Tower dungeon because screw that place.

There was only one real glitch that I found, and that was when I accidentally blew myself up with a bomb when I was collecting an Echo Stone. I could move around during the scene that played, but as soon as it was over everything went back to normal, so it’s not a big deal. In terms of dungeon design itself, I’m happy to say that the dungeons are a reasonable length and size, and make good design choices to lead you into getting the new tool within and teaching you to make use of it. While I wouldn’t call the game particularly difficult by any means, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. I only died once during the last boss fight, but if you haven’t been searching for the optional hidden things, it may be a lot more difficult for you.

Overall I have to say that Echo Isle is an absolutely wonderful title full of retro nostalgia done right. I highly recommend picking up Echo Isle. It might be a little short but it’s also cheap, so no worry about breaking the wallet. With a fluid control system, some neat dungeon design, and an absolutely wonderful aesthetic, Echo Isle is certain to give you that nostalgic kick you’re looking for.

 

Score: 9 / 10

 

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The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince is Coming to Steam

NIS America Reveals the First Screenshots of the Cozy Puzzle Game 

 

We are excited to share that the 2D side-scrolling platforming adventure The Liar Princess and The Blind Prince will be coming to Steam early this year.

The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince follows the tale of two lonely hearts brought together through a mutual misunderstanding. In it, you control the wolf, disguised as a princess who guides the blind prince through a perilous forest in search of the witch capable of restoring his sight. The forest is home to a number of hostile creatures intent on ending your journey prematurely, as well as hazardous traps that put the prince in danger.

Switch between wolf and princess form to dispatch your foes and guide the prince carefully as a princess to ensure his safety, in search of a fairytale ending.

The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince originally released worldwide on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on February 12, 2019.

About The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince

Deep in the forest, a solitary wolf sings. Charmed by this beautiful voice, a curious prince follows its song only to find and startle the wolf, who blinds him. Together, they embark on a journey to restore his sight. But every gift has a price in this storybook tale of love and loss.

Unleash Your Inner Monster: Transform at will from a princess into a wolf to guide the blind prince towards a cure. Weave through the dangerous forest, but be careful...the forest is no place for a blind prince.
     
Brute Strength Meets Sharp Wit: Various obstacles will require the wolf's strength, and others will require the princess's wit. With so many traps and perilous hurdles that await, can the two make it safely to their final destination?
     
Lost Pages from a Forgotten Tale: With each delicate petal comes a fragment of memories shared by the wolf and the prince. Collect them along your journey and paint a vivid story of tragedy, love, and loss.

Title: The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince
Release: Coming Early 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Genre: Adventure, Platformer
Players: 1
Text Language: English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Korean
Audio Language: Japanese
Rating: ESRB: Everyone 10+
Publisher: NIS America, Inc.
Developer/Licensor: Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.

Article by: Susan N.

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Jump into New Metroidvania Title 'Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark' in 2025!

Chiba, Japan, December 11, 2024 | INTI CREATES has announced that “Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark”, the new 2D action Metroidvania in the Gal Guardians series, will release digitally to all platforms on March 27th, 2025. This announcement comes alongside a new full length trailer for the
game and details on gameplay.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark

"Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark" is the newest title in the Gal Guardians series of gothic-inspired 2D action-adventure games.

"Servants of the Dark" greatly expands the setting from a single castle to the entirety of the Demon Realm, and further evolves the gameplay into a true Metroidvania adventure. It also stars two new characters with different playstyles, Kirika and Masha, who players can switch between in order to
fully explore the vast areas and take down enemies and bosses.

You must search far and wide for the means to revive Kirika and Masha's master, the Demon Lord Maxim, and restore him to power. In this upside-down world, you'll fight alongside demons and against demons, as well as Demon Hunters from the Human Realm. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Adventure through the vast Demon Realm to revive your allies!

The critically acclaimed action of "Gal Guardians: Demon Purge" comes to a fully-realized Metroidvania! Countless combos and possibilities await as you explore the Demon Realm with two upgradable characters.

Search for hidden passages, trap doors, and solve puzzles throughout the Demon Realm to collect the scattered bones of the Demon Lord Maxim. The sub-weapons and abilities you've unlocked for the heroines Kirika and Masha will open up new routes and strategies, so you'll need to try every tool
at your disposal!

In addition, each of Maxim's vassals you find and revive will help strengthen your home base, the Demon Lord's castle. As you rebuild, it will provide bonus support features to assist you. As the colorful cast of vassals fills out, you'll see their personalities shine in fully voiced cut scenes that
play throughout the game.

Swap between the sisters in Demonic action gameplay!

Sister maid heroines, Kirika and Masha, bring their own unique gameplay styles. Older sister Kirika attacks from a distance with demonic guns while her younger sister Masha covers close ranges with her whip. They can spend demonic energy to attack with different sub-weapons as well, but it is crucial
to switch between the two as the situation changes.

Should one of the sisters be defeated, you can bring her back to life by returning to her location and using "Sister Rescue" to revive her. Also, two player co-op play is available both local and online*! With each player controlling a sister, your options will open up greatly!
*Online co-op to be added in an update post-launch

Mountains of items to collect!

Enemies and treasure chests will earn you consumable items, sub-weapons, and passive enhancements called "Demon Relics" as random drops. You'll use these items to unlock new special abilities for the sisters and access new areas of the map. Sub-weapons can be combined and crafted to customize
their power, making use of items you wouldn't otherwise need.

Choose the play "Style" that's right for you!

Servants of the Dark inherits the "Style" system of its predecessor, allowing you choose between "Casual," "Veteran," and "Legend." You can switch Styles at any time, and all of the game's content is available no matter what you choose.

About INTI CREATES

Founded in 1996, INTI CREATES is an independent game developer located in Chiba, Japan. They have long been known for their work on Capcom’s Mega Man series, developing Mega Man 9, 10, and the Mega Man Zero and ZX series. In 2014, they launched their flagship series with Azure Striker Gunvolt on the Nintendo 3DS, and have only continued to release more renowned action games since then, such as Gal*Gun Double Peace, Blaster Master Zero, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, and Dragon Marked for Death.

Article by: Susan N.

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Divine Dynamo Flamefrit Launching on November 14th!

Chiba, Japan, October 11, 2024 — INTI CREATES has revealed that their

new 2D action-adventure Divine Dynamo Flamefrit will launch this

November 14th on Steam, with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation

5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X to follow on November 21st.

The retro-styled adventure began as a fictional game in Card-en-Ciel,

released last week on October 24th. Now players will be able to experience

the journey of Yuto Hino first-hand as he adventures through Hologard to

save his friends and the world. Anyone who pre-purchased Card-en-Ciel on

Steam will get access to the game on November 14th, a week before consoles.

About Divine Dynamo Flamefrit

Divine Dynamo Flamefrit is a 2D action homage to the games and anime of

the 90s. Players control hero Yuto Hino in top-down action stages, and climb

aboard the giant robot Flamefrit for first-person boss battles. You’ll need to

master both gameplay styles to restore peace to the fantasy realm of

Hologard!

Yuto won’t need to journey alone, however. As you make your way across

Hologard, you’ll meet your lost friends along the way. Each of them will offer

a new magical ability to assist your journey, and will even join boss battles in

their Divine Dynamos! 

About INTI CREATES

Founded in 1996, INTI CREATES is an independent game developer

located in Chiba, Japan. They have long been known for their work on

Capcom’s Mega Man series, developing Mega Man 9, 10, and the Mega Man

Zero and ZX series. In 2014, they launched their flagship series with Azure

Striker Gunvolt on the Nintendo 3DS, and have only continued to release

more renowned action games since then, such as Gal*Gun Double Peace,

Blaster Master Zero, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, and Dragon Marked

for Death. 

Article by: Susan N.

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Ahro - PC(Steam) Review

Ahro by developer and publisher Oeh Interactive and publisher Nakana.io—PC(Steam) review written by Richard with a copy provided by the publisher.

 
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Ahro is an interesting introspective on what it's like to deal with anxiety and/or depression portrayed in a 2D adventure style gameplay. Exploring against a timer that keeps ticking until your next breakdown, Ahro explores for the sake of finding a remedy to his condition, and you can help him.

The story of Ahro revolves around a man named Ahro, who begins experiencing breakdowns. After some testing, he finds out that the local herbal medicine store has a drug that helps prevent the breakdowns, albeit with limited success. Unfortunately the herbal medicine isn't really cutting it, so Ahro decides to go on a journey to find a legendary medicine to cure his breakdowns.

Ahro sets off to complete his new task. To do so, you must help him find pieces of a relic type object in each stage, piece it together at an altar, and then make your way to the end of the stage. Ahro is still at risk of having a breakdown however, so you need to also collect circular herbs along the way to help prevent his breakdown. If you can't make it, you need to help Ahro suppress his breakdown, whether through using an item you can find, or through doing a bit of a minigame to prevent the breakdown. 

Along the way you can zoom in a little to examine certain parts of the environment. This will either give you a helpful item, a hint, a supportive message, or give you a bit of the game's background. My only complaint about this is that the lore is hidden behind QR codes. A bit of a bold move, and one I can say definitely causes me to have some gripes. I would've much preferred to read the lore as I got it, not have to whip out my phone and finagle the scanner to catch the code, and then read through it on my phone.

The gameplay of Ahro consists of walking back and forth, examining areas with a sparkle, while trying to find the piece of the relic you need. As you explore, you will also come across some prayer altars. When you interact with these, Ahro will meditate, and a floating triangle will pop out. You can use this triangle to float around, explore areas you can't reach by walking, and warp to other altars. You need to be careful though, as you only have a limited amount of time to do this before you're sucked back to the altar you left from. 

Collecting more relic fragments increases the time you have in triangle/soul mode, so later areas have a sort of prerequisite of finding enough fragments, and in the right order, in order to get through the stage. There are also items to collect that can help you in various ways. Some will allow you to save your game at the relic temple, some prevent a breakdown, and some add points of interest to your map, indicating where you should look for relic fragments.

I will admit there are a few moments where I got frustrated when I just couldn't find a fragment I needed to extend my "flight time" in order to reach a different altar, or in the second to last stage where they give you a task near the end that I was distinctly unhappy with. The first issue is a combination of me being a little dumb and some areas that are slightly hidden. The second issue? It was manageable, but I think if the task requirement was lessened a little bit, I wouldn't have been quite so frustrated with it. Although perhaps that's what the developer was aiming for? A frustrating experience to contextualize how dealing with anxiety feels?

Ahro is presented in a sort of minimalist style, with both the graphics and soundtrack being rather barebones. This feels more like a design decision rather than a lack of resources however, as it adds a sort of anxious undercurrent to the game, befitting of it's theme in dealing with anxiety. As you get closer to a breakdown, dark clouds will also form around Ahro, lending to the feeling of being rushed or hurried.

While this title may be very simplistic in it's presentation and gameplay, there is something to be said about having more in simplicity. With the focus being more on the journey rather than "fancy textures", your attention is drawn to your dwindling time limit as you try and complete each stage. Ahro does a very good job at delivering a message and experience.

Overall Ahro is an interesting title focused on the effects of anxiety and how it can be dealt with and mitigated. While rather short, taking me just under three hours total at the time of writing including completing the game, it was a pretty entertaining experience. While Ahro is an extremely niche title, it hits a lot of the checkpoints you should aim for in game design. While I can't really give a blanket recommendation, Ahro is definitely worth your attention to see if it fits in your niche, albeit it more of an experience than a game per se.

Score: 7 / 10

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KICKSTARTER LOVES SCRIBE

2D Open World Adventure RPG SCRIBE tagged as PROJECT WE LOVE

After several hard years of Indie development, Scribe has launched a campaign on Kickstarter. We’re eager to share our ideas, our passion, and the fruits of our labor with our fans and supporters. This campaign is not just about funding our project, it’s about building a community around Scribe, a community that shares our vision and our excitement.

 

We are honored that Kickstarter has recognized Scribe as a standout project, distinguished by its quality, and has chosen to recommend it. For us, being labeled as a ‘Project We Love’ goes beyond mere endorsement. It serves as an affirmation of our chosen path and the high-quality experience we strive to provide to players.
 

About Scribe

Scribe is a unique fusion of retro platformer and side-scrolling action games, masterfully combined with the nostalgic charm of point-and-click adventures. This blend is further enhanced with the incorporation of modern RPG mechanics, creating a gaming experience that is both familiar and innovative. Despite its slow pace, Scribe offers an action-packed adventure and exploration RPG game, meticulously crafted by a dedicated two-person team.

The game seamlessly integrates platformer and action gameplay elements with the immersive narrative depth of point-and-click adventures. This combination places a strong emphasis on exploration, inviting players to delve into the richly detailed game world.

Scribe boasts a variety of engaging mechanics, including branched dialogues, quests, combat, crafting, stealth, archery, and magic. These elements are all presented in stunning handmade pixel art graphics, adding to the game’s visual appeal. The game’s mechanics are designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive gaming experience, ensuring that there’s always something new and exciting for players to discover.

Players step into the shoes of a rebellious Scribe, embarking on a quest to uncover the true history of the Continent. In this world, studying or preserving pieces of true history is a crime punishable by death, adding a layer of danger and intrigue to the player’s journey. The player’s path is accompanied by non-repetitive original art at every turn, further encouraging exploration and interaction with the game world.

Scribe is more than just a game, it’s a journey through a beautifully crafted world, filled with mystery, adventure, and a rich, engaging storyline. It invites players to explore, discover, and ultimately, write their own story.
 

About Rawmeat

Meet the creative duo of indie game development, the Podprocky brothers, Mikulas and Tomas. Their journey began in the year 2020, marking the inception of a team that would soon make waves in the gaming industry.

Mikulas, a veteran in the field, brings to the table a wealth of experience from his time in AAA game development. His portfolio boasts of illustrious titles such as Mafia 2 and Top Spin 4, and he held the esteemed position of Art Director for the critically acclaimed Kingdom Come: Deliverance. At Rawmeat, Mikulas is the creative compass, guiding the artistic vision of their projects.

Tomas, on the other hand, is the technical powerhouse of the team. With a robust technical background, he adeptly handles all the technical aspects of Scribe’s development, ensuring that the game not only looks good but also runs smoothly.

“We believe in the power of collective effort and we are confident that with your support, we can make Scribe a reality. So join us, be a part of our story, and let’s make something amazing together. Thank you for your support and belief in Scribe. Let’s make this dream a reality!”

Mikulas and Tomas Podprocky
 

Kickstarter campaign page

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rawmeat/scribe-rpg-an-2d-open-world-action-adventure-rpg?ref=biuj89

Backer Quotes

Oh.. my... god! This was a pleasant surprise. Is like Flashback and some old rpg had a baby. Woah, really promising game. The trailer was awesome. Best project on Kickstarter right now? Probably. Jaime Thorin This game looks amazing. I backed it immediately. Jonathan I love the way this game looks and truly support the project. Jeremy Blum

 

Gameplay Trailer Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDtU8IoKZEc
 

Story Teaser Video
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_qkWGq2DtE
 

Web Page

https://scriberpg.com

 

Platform: PC Steam
 

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/scriberpg

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552530251263 

 

Article by: Susan N.

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Acclaimed ENDER LILIES Sequel “ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist” Ascends into Early Access On PC

TOKYO – March 25, 2024 – ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom In The Mist, the sequel to the critically-acclaimed dark fantasy metroidvania fairy tale ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, which sold more than 1.4 million copies from publisher Binary Haze Interactive as well as developers Adglobe and Live Wire, launches today on PC via Steam Early Access.
 
A king’s desire for expansion leads to the creation of artificial intelligence known as the Homunculi. However, tragedy strikes when mysterious toxins rise from beneath the Land of Fumes driving the human-like machines to madness. As mankind flees for safety, Lilac, the “Attuner” who can purify corruption from unnatural souls, rises to the occasion. But who will Lilac save — the humans or the Homunculi?
 
Slay multitudes of mechanical monsters with the help of the Spirit Reaper who fights at Lilac’s command. Convert enemy bosses into allies by purifying their souls, then employ their skills to add 30 enhanced attack and movement abilities to Lilac’s disposal. Level up abilities at rest points, and equip up to four friendly powers at once to adjust to any combat situation.

Combine double-jumps with special movement abilities to traverse crumbling ruins, and search for relics and lore-filled notes chronicling the Kingdom’s downfall. Collect gold and spare parts scattered across abandoned cities, decrepit dungeons, deserted laboratories, and abandoned sorcerer academies. Then, visit the Blacksmith to trade resources for weapons and stat-boosting items.
 
Delight in the enchanting tunes by returning musical group Mili (ENDER LILIES, Ghost in the Shell). ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist’s original soundtrack will be available for purchase at a later date.
 
Adventure at any pace through a hand-drawn enthralling atmosphere, and witness nightmarish memories through cutscenes that reveal Lilac’s mysterious origins. Today’s Early Access launch invites intrepid explorers to see ENDER MAGNOLIA’s beginning and first third of content planned for 1.0. The 1.0 launch will include hours of added content, including additional abilities, enemies, biomes, bosses, and much more. 
 

“The feedback we received from the ENDER LILIES community has been a major contributor to the development of ENDER MAGNOLIA,” says Hiroyuki Kobayashi, CEO, Binary Haze Interactive. “We encourage everyone to lend their voice during Early Access, and . we have much more to share at 1.0, stay tuned!”
 
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in The Mist is now available on PC via Steam Early Access for $19.99, with the 1.0 launch arriving on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch in 2024 with language options in Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), and Korean-language support.

For more information, please visit the ENDER MAGNOLIA - Bloom in The Mist - official website, follow ENDER LILIES on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as Binary Haze Interactive’s official account on Twitter.

About Binary Haze Interactive

Binary Haze Interactive, founded in 2020 by Hiroyuki Kobayashi, is a production and publishing company located in Tokyo, Japan, Starting with ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, Binary Haze publishes games with a focus on atmospheric settings for major consoles and PC. 

 #EnderMagnolia #Metroidvania #Indiegame

Article by: Susan N.

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Story-Driven Horror Adventure 'Decarnation' Haunts Steam Next Fest!

Decarnation, the haunting narrative puzzle game from developer Atelier QDB and publisher Shiro Unlimited, shocks unsuspecting victims during October Steam Next Fest.

Starting today, check out a brand new playable demo for Decarnation, available exclusively as a part of this week-long event.

Explore a spine-chilling parallel realm inspired by the best 2D adventure-horror games of the past, and cult movies such as Perfect Blue and Mulholland Drive.

Encounter horrific monsters invading the space between conscious and subconscious reality. Crack complex puzzles across disturbing landscapes, and survive dreadful bosses born of one individual’s morbid psychological decay.

Underneath the horror, experience the emotional story of a struggling cabaret dancer in early 90s Paris. Experience the nightmare-inducing repercussions of an unfulfilled soul, and work toward unraveling Gloria’s disparaging woes.

The demo for Decarnation will be available during the Steam Next Fest event starting today, October 3 to October 10, 2022. Check out the first chapter of gory gameplay now!

Decarnation will approach PCs and Nintendo Switches in its scariest form in 2023. Stay up to date with the latest information and development details on Decarnation’s official website, Shiro Unlimited’s website, and developer Atelier QDB’s official Twitter.

About Atelier QDB

With several years of experience working on prestigious games like Assassin's Creed and Ghost Recon at Ubisoft, and in a creative director position on Narcosis, a psychological horror game acclaimed by the press, Quentin De Beukelaer decided to create his own studio: Atelier QDB. After gathering a young team of passionate and talented artists and engineers, work began on the studio's first project; Decarnation, a phantasmagoric horror game, with a retro art style and an innovative approach to narration and gameplay. Decarnation will be available in the first half of 2023.

About Shiro Unlimited

Shiro Unlimited, the publishing arm of the independent game development studio, Shiro Games, created by video game veterans Sebastien Vidal and Nicolas Cannasse to bring new innovative games to life. Based in Bordeaux, France, the studio released its first project Evoland in 2013 and its acclaimed sequel Evoland 2 in 2015. Shiro Games then launched its popular Viking strategy game Northgard on Steam in 2018, which has gone on to sell more than 2.4 million units across various platforms.

For more information on Shiro Unlimited, please visit the official website.

Article by: Susan N.

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