SHOWTIME 2073

   Here’s an interesting game for you—a mix between a shooter and Pac-Man.
Developed by Nicolas Bernard and published by N.INDIES, Showtime 2073 throws us into a story where you’ll need to collect spheres inside a 3D maze, Pac-Man style, while defending yourself from mechs, turrets, human clones, spiders, and other enemies across five procedurally generated levels where the structures are destructible. Red spheres give you rockets, green spheres restore your health, and you have to be extremely careful not to get hit or shot—or even touch the edges of the map, which are electrified. Everything here can kill you, and you need to stay fast and alert, dodging threats while collecting spheres to move on to the next level.

   The graphics are excellent for an indie game, and the gameplay is frenetic and fun, though also challenging and sometimes frustrating. That’s why I recommend this game to those who aren’t afraid of a challenge that will test their patience. It draws from old-school games, and at times, it’ll remind you of classic titles but with a modern atmosphere.

   If you think this is going to be easy, let me stop you right there—don’t get too confident. In Showtime 2073, even the smallest mistake can mean restarting the entire level from scratch. It’s a tough game, especially if you’re not used to this kind of challenge, and more often than not, you’ll find yourself dying just as you’re about to collect the last spheres on the map. Patience is key—lots of patience. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you enjoy games that really put your skills to the test. You’ll need to stay sharp and constantly aware of your surroundings, as enemies can come at you from any direction. Standing still is never a good option here—you have to keep moving if you want to survive.

   This game feels like if Pac-Man, Earth Defense Force, Doom Eternal, and a bunch of other titles were thrown into a blender—and you’re stuck right in the middle of the chaos. Here, you’re not some powerful Ultramarine or an unstoppable force like the Doom Slayer. You’re just a fragile human, trapped in a twisted game where your suffering is the main source of entertainment for an eager audience.

   What am I talking about? Let me set the scene. You’re in the heart of a futuristic combat arena, with everyone watching, waiting to see how you’ll meet your end. Will you conquer the challenge, or will you fall and give up? That’s entirely up to you. And if you think five levels are nothing—if you get too comfortable, thinking you’ve mastered the game—just wait until you hit level five, where everything takes a frenetic, more twisted turn.

   So, do you dare to complete Showtime 2073?
 

   I can say that the game runs smoothly on Valve's portable console, although I had to spend a considerable amount of time setting up the controls to be able to play. If you're able to adjust the controls to your liking, this can be a challenging and fast-paced game to take with you anywhere.

   Recommended? Only for those who enjoy challenging and punishing games that show no mercy to the player, testing both your patience and reflexes. If you feel like you belong to this niche of players and the theme piques your interest, I recommend Showtime 2073.