Developed by Oldways Studios, this title is a high-octane blend of classic side-scrolling shoot ’em ups and modern roguelite progression. If you’ve ever wondered what R-Type would feel like if it had a baby with Enter the Gungeon—and then that baby grew up to owe a lot of money to a space syndicate—this is it.
The Breakdown
The Vibe: Gritty space-opera with retro pixel art and a “snarky drone” sidekick. Think Firefly meets bullet hell.
The Hook: You play as Captain Cole Hunter, an outlaw pilot who is deeply in debt. Every run is a chance to chip away at that balance—or default in a blaze of glory.
Gameplay Loop: 5–10 minute combat runs. You scavenge enemy cores mid-combat to evolve your ship’s arsenal, creating “broken” power combos.
Risk vs. Reward: A dynamic “Heat Map” tracks your debt. The longer you wait to pay, the more elite Syndicate enforcers will hunt you down.
Why You Should Play the Demo
The demo offers a taste of the Implant System, where you can unlock branching perks and synergies. It’s built for “one-more-run” sessions, featuring tight controls that the developers strongly recommend playing with a controller.
Pro-Tip: Keep an eye on your “magnetic pickups.” Scrapping for cores is essential for survival, but diving into a bullet swarm to grab one is how most pilots meet their end.
Platform: PC (Windows/macOS) Full Release: Early Access coming later in Q1 2026.
Find out more here – https://colehunterpayback.com
The air crackles with energy, the familiar grid-based battlefield is set, but this time, the echoes of the future are joined by a classic space bounty hunter and the shadow-shrouded streets of Paradigm City. SUPER ROBOT WARS Y – DLC 1: Contract from the Darkness has officially dropped, and it brings a thrilling, eclectic mix of new faces and returning legends to the already colossal roster.
For veteran SRW players and newcomers alike, the first paid expansion is always a moment of nervous excitement. Will the new series integrate well? Will the units be fun and powerful? With “Contract from the Darkness,” developer B.B. Studio has not just added more content—they’ve broadened the very scope of what the $\text{SRW}$ universe can contain.
The New Lineup: Unexpected Allies
This DLC introduces new units and pilots from three distinct and exciting series, totalling five new playable units, sixteen new area missions, and a host of other additions.
1. $\text{GALAXY CYCLONE BRAIGER}$
The Legend Returns: This is a fantastic re-addition for long-time fans. The space-western, bounty-hunting crew of the Braiger returns to the franchise, bringing its unique flavour and transformations. The Braiger unit, piloted by Kid, Isaac, Bowie, and Omachi, adds a classic Super Robot punch with a touch of cosmic flair. We can’t wait to see how the team dynamic translates onto the tactical map!
2. $\text{THE BIG O}$
The Big Guy is Back: Arguably the most anticipated return for many Western fans, Roger Smith and the titular giant, Big O, are here to deliver some severe Showtime! The atmosphere of Paradigm City and the detective noir aesthetic of The Big O always inject a mature, unique vibe into the crossover world. Paired with his assistant Dorothy, the Big O’s slow, powerful, and utterly devastating $\text{Final Stage}$ attacks are sure to be a game-changer on the battlefield.
3. $\text{FUUTO PI: THE PORTRAIT OF KAMEN RIDER SKULL}$
A Brand-New Crossover: This is the big shocker—the inclusion of the Kamen Rider franchise! While not a ‘Super Robot’ in the traditional sense, the inclusion of Kamen Rider Double, Kamen Rider Skull, and Kamen Rider Accel is a bold, exciting move. Their unique hero dynamics and close-combat, Tokusatsu-style action are an exciting new dimension to the battle animations. The $\text{FUUTO PI}$ storyline, involving the detectives of the mysterious wind-swept city, opens up a whole new world of crossover potential for the series.
Why This DLC Matters
“Contract from the Darkness” isn’t just a content dump; it’s a statement about the game’s ambitions:
Broadening the Crossover: The inclusion of Kamen Rider is a significant step, signalling that the Super Robot Wars net is being cast wider than ever before, focusing on the broader spectrum of Japanese mech and hero action.
Narrative Intrigue: The missions promise to weave the dark, contractual nature of The Big O’s city and the hard-boiled detective work of Fuuto PI into $\text{SRW Y’s}$ main storyline. How will Roger Smith react to an alien invasion? How will the $\text{Braiger}$ crew handle their bounties in a world full of giant robots? This is the heart of $\text{SRW}$!
The Power-Up: With 5 playable units and 16 Area Missions, this is a substantial chunk of gameplay, offering plenty of time to level up these new arrivals and integrate them into your main force. Plus, new Assist Crew members will be essential for maximising your team’s tactical edge.
Final Verdict: A Bold Beginning
“Contract from the Darkness” is a triumph of fan service and inventive crossover storytelling. It takes calculated risks with new genres and pays off with spectacular battle animations and an immediately engaging set of units. Whether you’re a fan of old-school space operas, slick noir mecha action, or high-octane masked heroes, this DLC offers something fresh and exciting.
Ready to see The Big O deliver a $\text{Sudden Impact}$ or watch Kamen Rider Double go CycloneJoker on an alien armada? Then buckle up, pilot. The contract has been signed.
If there is one thing that is cool in gaming it has to be something that is free and in the Robobeat game there is a free update coming that will be adding the cheats menu, which sounds pretty brilliant but it would appear that some players may have already been able to access this. There is also the virus room where players are able to choose a serious weapon that can take out the enemy, however, there is a price to pay as now your enemies are able to kill you with a single shot! The Robobeat free update is available right now.
To find out more about the Robobeat game go to the official game website here https://www.robobeatgame.com/ or go to the games page on Steam here https://shorturl.at/PlXvM
There is not long to wait now before we go on another adventure with the Mandalorian and his little friend Grogu, whose powers are getting stronger every day and will no doubt cause the Mandalorian a few headaches along the way. The Mandalorian returns on the 1st March on Disney Plus, find out more here; https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/series/the-mandalorian/3jLIGMDYINqD #StarWars #Mandalorian #Grogu #Jedi #DisneyPlus #BountyHunter #Empire
The Mandalorian is back with Grogu and on his way to Mandalore to try and put things right. But there are new threats and even more Jedi this season. As the Republic grows there are still those who believe in the power of the Empire and as the force grows within Grogu there are those who stop at nothing to gain this power. Find out more here; https://www.starwars.com/series/the-mandalorian #Mandalorian #Jedi #TheForce #Grogu #Mandalore #BountyHunter #DinDjarin #StarWars
If you thought the wild west was tough imagine the same area but after an invasion of vampires attempting to create a stronghold and then expand out to take over the entire continent. This is the Evil West and your mission is to stop the vampires where they are and crush them into defeat. Are you up for this challenge? Find out more here; https://store.focus-entmt.com/uk/product/637135/evil-west #EvilWest #Vampires #Invasion #WildWest #VampireHunter #VampireNation #BountyHunter
