The review of Dragon's Crown Pro highlights the game's nostalgic appeal, bringing back the beat 'em up genre with enhanced graphics and character design. Despite its visual improvements and additional content, the game suffers from screen clutter during intense moments, making it difficult to follow the action. The review appreciates the inclusion of various DLCs, rearranged music, and Japanese voice acting, but notes that the limited number of dungeons may lead to repetitive gameplay over time.

Fortnite, originally a tower defense game by Epic Games, has transformed into a global phenomenon with its Battle Royale mode, especially after adopting a free-to-play model. The game has now been released on Nintendo Switch, offering a portable experience despite some graphical compromises. The review highlights the game's accessibility, especially for younger players, and its unique crafting mechanics. While the Switch version retains the core gameplay and appeal of Fortnite, it does not significantly alter the opinions of those who already have strong feelings about the game.

Darkness Rises, an action-RPG by Nexon, showcases the graphical capabilities of modern mobile devices, particularly on mid-range devices like the Honor 10. Despite its impressive visuals, the game is criticized for its generic and simplistic gameplay, which involves repetitive tasks and automated controls. The game allows players to choose from four hero classes and features battles against orcs and bosses, with some elements reminiscent of the Souls series. However, the reliance on automated gameplay diminishes the overall experience.

Asphalt 9: Legends, the latest installment in Gameloft's popular racing series, continues to impress with its engaging gameplay and technical prowess. The game introduces a new driving system called Touchdrive, which automates acceleration and braking, allowing players to focus on strategic decisions during races. Despite some repetitiveness in events, the game excels in graphics and offers a variety of control options. Microtransactions are present but do not heavily impact the gameplay experience. The game supports both single-player and multiplayer modes, including clan-based competitions and PvP races.

The Good Life, an investigative thriller by Hidetaka 'Swery65' Suehiro, has resurfaced after a failed Kickstarter campaign. The game follows Naomi, a New York photographer who moves to the fictional English town of Rainy Woods. The gameplay involves completing photography-based side quests, uncovering the town's dark secrets, and earning money to pay off debts. The game features a unique visual style and allows players to influence the behavior of NPCs. Additionally, Naomi can transform into a dog or cat at night, adding a unique twist to the gameplay.

The review discusses the video game adaptation of HBO's 'Westworld,' developed by Behaviour Interactive. The game, which allows players to manage a theme park filled with human-like androids, is criticized for its repetitive mechanics and reliance on in-game purchases. While it attempts to capture the essence of the TV series, it falls short in innovation and gameplay experience. The review highlights the game's structure, comparing it unfavorably to 'Fallout Shelter,' and notes the increasing difficulty and need for financial investment to progress.

Hollow Knight, originally a successful indie game on PC, has been released on Nintendo Switch following high demand. Developed by the small Australian studio Team Cherry, the game is a metroidvania that combines exploration, combat, and a gothic narrative. Players navigate the vast, abandoned city of Nidosacro, battling enemies and uncovering secrets. The review highlights the game's challenging combat system, intricate level design, and the necessity of backtracking. Despite minor flaws, the game is praised for its depth and engaging gameplay.

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is a remake of the 2010 Atlus JRPG for the Nintendo DS, now available on the 3DS. The game features an enhanced narrative with new characters and situations, allowing players to navigate through 280 different story nodes. The battle system retains its classic turn-based mechanics with strategic elements like the 'Change' command. Atlus has also introduced new game modes, including the 'Vault of Time,' a tower-dungeon with increasing difficulty and rewards. The review highlights the game's strong narrative focus and engaging gameplay, making it appealing to both new players and fans of the original.

The article reviews 'Witch It,' a hide-and-seek video game developed by Barrel Roll Games and produced by Daedalic Entertainment. Set in Hamburg, the game allows players to take on the roles of witches or hunters in a multiplayer environment. Witches can transform into various objects to hide, while hunters must find and tag them. The game is praised for its innovative features and is currently available in early access on Steam, with upcoming releases on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The article chronicles the revival of the Donkey Kong franchise on the Wii and Wii U, highlighting the significant contributions of Retro Studios under the guidance of Miyamoto and Kensuke Tanabe. It details the development and success of 'Donkey Kong Country Returns' and 'Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze,' emphasizing the nostalgic elements and innovative gameplay features that brought the series back to prominence. Despite the critical acclaim, the commercial performance of 'Tropical Freeze' was hindered by the Wii U's market failure.

Octopath Traveler, a new intellectual property by Square-Enix, is exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch and features a retro JRPG style reminiscent of classics like Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger. The guide provides five useful tips for new players, focusing on character selection, combat strategies, exploration, and the importance of side quests. Players can choose from eight protagonists, each with unique abilities, and must strategically exploit enemy weaknesses in battles. The game world, Orsterra, is filled with secrets and requires a well-prepared party to navigate. Side quests, though not the game's highlight, are essential for gathering resources and enhancing gameplay.

The article explores the revival of the Donkey Kong franchise on the Wii and Wii U, highlighting the development and success of 'Donkey Kong Country Returns' and 'Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze' by Retro Studios. It discusses the involvement of key figures like Miyamoto and Kensuke Tanabe, and the introduction of new gameplay elements and characters. The text praises the games for their nostalgic yet innovative approach, while also noting the commercial challenges faced by 'Tropical Freeze' due to the Wii U's poor market performance.

Dead Island Survivors, developed by Fishlabs as a spin-off of the Deep Silver series, combines tower defense mechanics with action features. Despite being released on iOS two years ago, the game has now launched on Android. Players defend survivors on a tropical archipelago using various defenses and a controllable avatar. The game suffers from repetitive gameplay and control issues, but still manages to entertain.

Life is Strange, originally released in 2015 for PC and consoles, has been adapted for Android devices following its iOS release. The game, developed by Dontnod and published by Square-Enix, retains its narrative depth and ethical decision-making gameplay. The mobile version sacrifices some graphical fidelity but maintains the core storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Players can choose between virtual analog controls or point-and-click navigation. The review highlights the successful adaptation of the game to mobile platforms, despite some technical compromises.

The review criticizes the action RPG 'Beast Quest,' developed by Torus Games and based on Adam Blade's novels, for its poor quality and lack of engaging content. It highlights the significant gap in quality between this game and CD Projekt's 'The Witcher.' The game is described as lazy and uninspired, with a lackluster storyline, poor level design, and outdated graphics. The battle system, although initially promising, also fails to deliver a satisfying experience. Overall, the review suggests that the game is unlikely to attract or retain young players.

Octopath Traveler, set to release on July 13, is a highly anticipated JRPG from Square-Enix, featured prominently in Nintendo's summer lineup. The game, which was initially announced as Project Octopath Traveler, has captivated many Nintendo Switch owners with its old-school graphics and promising storyline. The game features eight protagonists, each with unique abilities that influence interactions with NPCs and the game world. The recent demo allows players to explore the abilities of all eight characters and provides a glimpse into the game's narrative and combat mechanics. The combat system is noted for its tactical depth, requiring players to exploit enemy weaknesses and manage Power Points for effective attacks.

Daedalic Entertainment, an independent studio based in Hamburg, has developed 'State of Mind,' a sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian 2048 Berlin. The game, inspired by cyberpunk classics like 'Blade Runner' and 'Deus Ex,' features Richard Nolan, a journalist fighting against a society under constant surveillance. Players will navigate through puzzles and narrative-driven gameplay, switching between characters like Richard, Lydia, and Adam. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch, with a focus on storytelling rather than photorealism.

Layers of Fear Legacy, developed by Bloober Team, is a horror game inspired by P.T. and other walking simulators, now available on Nintendo Switch. The game immerses players in a haunted Victorian mansion where they must navigate through eerie environments and solve minimal puzzles to complete a painter's masterpiece. The Switch edition includes the Inheritance DLC, focusing on the painter's daughter. The game is praised for its atmospheric audio and visual design, though it offers limited gameplay interaction.

Days Gone, showcased at E3 2016, is a post-apocalyptic adventure game developed by Bend Studio. Set in Oregon, it features an open world with a focus on survival against zombie hordes. The game emphasizes narrative-driven quests and environmental interaction. Players control Deacon St. John, navigating through devastated urban areas and interacting with various communities. The game includes mechanics like enhanced senses for tracking and decision-making that affects the storyline. The motorcycle plays a crucial role in exploration and survival. The game aims to provide a challenging and immersive experience with dynamic weather and traditional third-person shooter mechanics.

The Italian indie game development scene is thriving, with Antab Studio's GRIDD: Retroenhanced standing out as a notable example. This retro-inspired shooter, reminiscent of '90s games like Starfox and Panzer Dragoon, has been well-received on Xbox One and Steam and now arrives on Nintendo Switch. The game features a distinct '80s aesthetic with neon visuals and offers two main modes: Arcade and Endless. While the automatic targeting system has some flaws, the game's high difficulty level is praised for its nostalgic challenge. The Switch version introduces a unique control scheme using the Joy-Con's gyroscope, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Gravel, developed by the Milan-based software house Milestone, is an off-road racing game that pays homage to arcade racers like Screamer, The Need for Speed, and Ridge Racer. The game, powered by Unreal Engine, offers a visually competitive experience with contemporary titles despite some graphical imperfections. Gravel's gameplay is rooted in arcade traditions, featuring a rewind mechanic similar to Milestone's S.C.A.R. and a variety of race types across diverse environments. The game's driving model adapts well to different surfaces, and it includes a simple yet effective vehicle setup system. The core of the game is the 'Off-Road Masters' career mode, presented as an over-the-top American TV show. Despite the game's indulgence towards players with customizable difficulty settings and driving aids, the progression system is limited, and the game's variety could benefit from more diverse events.

Claire Extended Cut, a psychological horror game developed by the small Texas-based studio Hailstorm Games, is reviewed after being offered for free on PlayStation Plus. The game, which uses pixel art graphics, aims to focus on narrative and horror elements. The review discusses the game's setting, themes of illness and death, and its inspiration from Silent Hill. However, it criticizes the game's level design, calling it limited and redundant, and notes the lack of an on-screen map during exploration. The review also touches on the game's need for light sources, simple platforming sections, and the desire for more complex puzzles and a battle system.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch is a fusion of the Dynasty Warriors and The Legend of Zelda franchises, offering a musou-style hack 'n slash experience. The game includes all characters and settings from previous DLCs, with 29 playable characters from the Zelda series. While the gameplay remains true to the Warriors franchise, it incorporates elements from Zelda, such as using specific items to defeat bosses. Despite its nostalgic appeal and fan service, the game's technical execution is criticized for its lackluster graphics and frame rate issues, especially in handheld mode. The soundtrack, featuring hard rock/power metal arrangements of classic Zelda music, is highlighted as a positive aspect. The game also introduces local multiplayer on the Switch.

The article recounts the history of the Donkey Kong video game series, focusing on its evolution and success on the Game Boy platform. It highlights the innovative design of the Game Boy by Gunpei Yokoi and the subsequent release of the Super Game Boy, which allowed Game Boy games to be played with color on a TV. The piece details the release of 'Donkey Kong ‘94', a reboot that maximized the Super Game Boy's capabilities, and the 'Donkey Kong Land' series by Rare, which adapted the successful 'Donkey Kong Country' games for the handheld console. The games were praised for their gameplay, design, and the clever use of the Super Game Boy's features.

The article recounts the history of the Donkey Kong video game series during the Nintendo 64 era and the subsequent period of spin-offs. It highlights the release of games like Diddy Kong Racing and Donkey Kong 64, and discusses the impact of Nintendo's partnership with Rare, as well as the latter's acquisition by Microsoft. The article also touches on the rhythm game trend with titles like Donkey Konga and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, and the use of the DK Bongos controller. It concludes with the adaptation of Donkey Kong for the GameCube and Game Boy Advance, emphasizing Nintendo's continued innovation in gaming.

Fire Emblem Three Houses is an upcoming title for the Nintendo Switch, set to be a flagship release for Nintendo in 2019. The game, developed by Intelligent Systems, marks the series' debut in high-definition gaming. Little information has been provided, but the game retains its medieval setting and introduces new gameplay elements such as small squadrons supporting individual heroes. The main character, Edelgard, is featured learning new combat techniques. Despite concerns about the technical performance, there is optimism that the game will improve before its release, which is at least ten months away.

This paper presents a new numerical method for approximating the early exercise boundary in American option pricing, using the mean-value theorem for integrals to provide a more accurate solution with fewer calculations compared to previous methods. The method is applied to the nonstandard Volterra integral equation of the second kind, which is relevant in mathematical finance for determining the value of American financial options. The paper includes a theoretical foundation, algorithmic approach, and numerical results demonstrating the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, with potential applications to more complex financial models in future research.

Nintendo has released a demo of Kirby Star Allies on the eShop ahead of its global release on March 16. The game marks Kirby's debut on the Switch, returning to a classic gameplay style focused on local co-op. The demo includes two levels showcasing new mechanics, such as the ability to turn enemies into allies and combine elemental powers. While the game appears forgiving and somewhat guided, it offers interesting puzzle sections that require collaboration. The demo highlights the variety of environments players can expect in the full game.

Atlus continues its expansion into the European market with Shin Megami Tensei Liberation Dx2, a mobile game available on iOS and Android. The game, which is a simplified version of the traditional JRPG gameplay, involves players controlling demons through their smartphones in a battle between two factions. While the narrative is less compelling compared to its predecessors, the gameplay offers some engaging elements. However, the game heavily relies on a 'gatcha' system for obtaining characters, which can be frustrating without spending money. The constant in-game advertisements for microtransactions also detract from the overall experience.

eFootball PES 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the series with a new 'eFootball' prefix, emphasizing its online nature. However, the review focuses on the offline modes due to server unavailability. The game is praised for its realistic football simulation, improved gameplay mechanics, and the introduction of new features like the first touch control. Despite some AI issues, the game offers a tactical and immersive football experience. The Master League mode has been enhanced, drawing inspiration from Football Manager, while the 'Become a Legend' mode shows its age. Licensing remains a weak point, with limited official team names and leagues, though this can be mitigated with modification files.

Octopath Traveler, a new JRPG by Square Enix for the Nintendo Switch, pays homage to the 16-bit era of gaming, reminiscent of classics like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Chrono Trigger. The game features eight protagonists, each with unique stories and abilities, offering a nostalgic yet innovative gameplay experience. Utilizing Unreal Engine 4, the game boasts impressive HD-2D graphics. Despite some narrative fragmentation, the game excels in its tactical combat system and character development, making it a standout title for fans of retro JRPGs.

The survey analyzes the evolution and current state of smart medical beds, covering a range of types including home-care, institutional-care, and therapeutic beds. It excludes emergency, psychiatric, obstetric, and surgical beds. The study evaluates 74 manufacturers based on technological advancements such as innovative interfaces, increased functionality, and customization options. The global market has become competitive with a focus on specialization for different patient groups. Technological integration has led to features like multi-language speech synthesis and speech-recognition for controls. Design trends emphasize user-orientation, hygiene, safety, and technology integration with simple controls. Regulatory frameworks have influenced design and safety standards. The current market is dominated by major companies with the highest development in the United States and Europe. Smart features include alarms, motion options, and integrated scales, with user interfaces evolving from wired controls to touchscreens. Research on patient monitoring, assistive solutions, and technology-assisted healthcare environments is shaping the future of smart medical beds.

Kirby Star Allies marks the debut of the beloved pink character on the Nintendo Switch, offering a fun single-player and multiplayer experience. The game returns to the classic gameplay formula, allowing Kirby to transform enemies into allies. The review highlights the game's accessible difficulty, engaging level design, and the introduction of new mechanics like ability fusion. While the game is not particularly challenging, it provides a variety of enjoyable content, including minigames. The review praises the game's visual appeal and the strategic element added by managing allies.

Payday 2, originally released in 2013, has been ported to Nintendo Switch, joining the wave of games making their way to the hybrid console. The game, known for its heist-based gameplay, includes a variety of missions and character classes. However, the Switch version lacks some of the add-ons available on other platforms and suffers from poor AI in offline mode and inadequate online infrastructure, particularly the absence of a group chat feature. Despite these issues, the game retains its core appeal of cooperative heist missions.

Explores the intersection of cultural identity and design, presenting a series of reflections on these topics and delving into the conceptual universe that unfolds as a result.