Nitchigamer

Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition is out today in the UK – for Switch

January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Features, Nintendo, Posts

Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition, after suffering numerous delays, has finally hit the Nintendo Switch in the UK. The even better news is that we were lucky enough to receive a copy of the swanky edition at Nitchigamer HQ:

What’s In The Box?

Here’s everything Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition for the Switch includes:

The game cartridge, (obviously!).
A Blu-ray documentary produced by 2PP with over 5 hours of extras
An exclusive artbook
A double-sided poster with a World Map
The official soundtrack CD

As you can see, it’s a generous package that was well worth the wait. But what about the game itself?

Well, Axiom Verge is a Metroidvania title and an indie project created by Thomas Happ from none other than Petroglyph Games – a company formed by ex-Westwood Studios employees best known for the beloved Command & Conquer series.

In Axiom Verge, the player controls Trace, a scientist who, after suffering a crippling injury, wakes up in an ancient and high-tech alien world. What’s happened exactly? No one knows, although to be honest, they had us at Metroidvania…

Those that picked up Axiom Verge on the PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, or even the Wii U, loved every second of the game and its satisfying exploration. Hopefully the Switch version lives up to the name then. Although with any luck, we’ll be posting our thoughts soon.

The Banner Saga 3 is coming sooner than expected

January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Posts

Stoic Games has announced that The Banner Saga 3 is launching much earlier than anticipated, coming in the summer instead of December 2018.

The Banner Saga 3 – You’re Early

The Banner Saga is a richly narrative-driven, role-playing series with the third instalment being funded through Kickstarter last year – it quite easily cleared its $200,000 goal.

The official Kickstarter Trailer

To give just a little taste, and to celebrate this feat in game development, since it’s not everyday games get moved forward in the development cycle, Stoic also released the first of several trailers that highlight important characters in the upcoming game.

Warning – this, and other trailers, feature spoilers from the first two The Banner Saga titles:

To make all this even better Stoic announced that award-winning composer Austin Wintory (Journey, Abzu and previous Banner Saga titles) will be live-streaming sections of his recordings for The Banner Saga 3.

Currently, The Banner Saga 3 is only confirmed for PC and Mac but the other titles found their way to consoles and mobile, so it’s probably a safe bet it’s on the way.

Badass Hero gets an update: The Last Stand of Earth

January 25, 2018January 26, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Nintendo, Posts

Badass Hero from Awesome Games Studio has received an update titled “The Last Stand of Earth” – via Steam Early Access.

That Was My Last Cigar

The update, available now, is a brand new chapter in the rogue-lite action-platformer and serves as the introduction to the third comic book The Last Stand of Earth.

It includes the following:

Eleven new enemies to defeat
Three minibosses
One super boss!
An intro and outro to the comic book
Five new melee weapons

The indie developer has additional content planned with extra level patterns, enemies, minibosses and super bosses all on their way too. Here’s a trailer showing the latest additions:

The fully launched Badass Hero is also due out on Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, we believe, at some point this year. Although a release date has yet to be revealed…

Lost Sphear is out today for Switch, PS4 and Steam

January 23, 2018January 23, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Nintendo, Posts

JRPG fans take note: Lost Sphear is out today for Switch, PS4 and Steam.

Lost Sphear: Kanata’s Quest To Save Reality

We first noticed the allure of Lost Sphear way back in May of last year. So with that said, what’s it all about?

Well, Tokyo RPG Factory’s new game takes place in a world where people are inexplicably vanishing. Loved ones are no longer there. The flowers are fading, and the world is turning cold.

What’s causing this? That’s where you, a young boy named Kanata, come in. Oh, and don’t forget the ominous darkness threatening the very fabric of reality. Here’s a trailer for you:

The JRPG quest to save us all features the following:

Turn-based battles – You can fight with the freedom of strategic movement in turn-based battles
‘Vulcosuits’ – You deploy Vulcosuit armour in the fields and in battle to amplify your abilities and execute skills
A moving soundtrack – I Am Setsuna’s composer Tomoki Miyoshi is back!

Lost Sphear is out digitally on all of the key stores, while a physical package for PS4 and Switch is available for pre-order only from Square Enix’s store: here be the PS4 and Switch versions.

You can also download the ‘Day One’ patch for the game on all platforms which adds a number of free upgrades including new equipment and artefacts, a new dungeon, the new Moonlight Battleground mode and, we’re told, even more.

Welcome to Nitchigamer!

January 21, 2018April 3, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Posts

So D-pad Joy is no more. But fear not long-time readers and fans, we’re not going anywhere. We’re just changing our face. Welcome to our new evolved form: Nitchigamer. No, we’re not a Pokémon.

Nitchi we hear you say – what does that even mean? Well, we’re glad you asked:

“Nitchi” [ニッチ] – or niche.

Ok Nitchigamer: How Are You Different To All The Rest?

Good question. At Nitchigamer we value both niche games loved by a cult following, and obscure titles that have no attention at all – that’s our thing.

We make it our mission to focus on the little guys a bit more than others too: the game developers of tomorrow. That’s why you’ll find a free and dedicated indie dev directory on our site that highlights them. Discover their hidden gems, you may be surprised at what you find.

We aim to bring a more upbeat approach to the ongoing world of video games and the many exciting stories that they tell. That’s why we play games after all isn’t it – for fun?

There’s an awful lot of bad feeling directed towards the Games Industry at the moment. Some of it is justified, but a lot of it isn’t. Where has the simple pleasure of looking forward to games and then playing them gone? So, in that sense, we hope to be a fresh publication that, shockingly, talks about the games, first and foremost.

So in a nutshell, this is who we are:

We focus more on niche, independent and experimental games. Less on the huge, AAA titles. These sometimes cross, of course.
We bring an optimistic approach to the games industry. It’s not all unpleasant and nasty!
We’re about video games more than anything else. You won’t find reviews of TV shows here – why would you anyway?

We hope you enjoy reading Nitchigamer! Yes you, the one reading this sentence right about now.

Sci-fi game Symmetry launches February 20th on PS4, XBO and PC

January 20, 2018January 20, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Posts

Survival management sci-fi game Symmetry or (SYMMETRY) launches February 20th on PS4, Xbox One and PC – but what’s it all about?

By Grabthar’s Hammer

Set in a retro-futuristic universe and developed by Sleepless Clinic, Symmetry combines a brooding sci-fi storyline with fundamental life or death consequences.

“One wrong choice, someone dies. Run out of time, someone dies. And when one of the survivors die, you must make the ultimate decision, dispose of the body, or cannibalize it.”

The central goal is to manage a team of survivors whose spaceship has crashed on an abandoned planet, light years away from any sort of rescue. Your job is to help the crew withstand the desolate, freezing cold environment while safely fixing their ship. Time is of the essence then:

Indie developer Sleepless Clinic hopes the hand-drawn pastel Vector graphics and atmospheric score ensure this one is a pick-me-up next month.

Stardew Valley gives us a brief look at its multiplayer

January 18, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Nintendo, Posts

Stardew Valley is a simply a delight to play. It’s also constructed with plenty of content to keep a player going for a long time. However, it was missing one thing: being able to play with friends.

Creator Eric Barone has seen to this, working on a patch to add in multiplayer. He clarified that the new content patch (see image below for content) is complete and he is completely dedicated to getting multiplayer into the game.

some things I’ve added for the new content update:
*new “town event” in winter
*new type of collection that you can start in your first winter
*Signs (can display any item on them)
*More outdoor decorations (some change w/ season)
*More NPC “events”
*A way to re-spec professions

— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) 20 December 2017

As for a sneak peek at the multiplayer…

4-player Stardew Valley LAN party at my house… it’s really fun. It still needs some work, but the underlying network code is solid. Being in the same room and yelling at each other about what to do next, or if anyone has any stone, is great fun. Can’t wait to share this pic.twitter.com/Sjxyd712BK

— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) 15 January 2018

Look, four people!

He did address that it will be both LAN and Online. The new content will be coming to consoles after it hits PC and Mac. Sadly, the multiplayer doesn’t have a firm release as of yet.

Meet Nintendo Labo – DIY cardboard toys for the Switch

January 17, 2018January 18, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Nintendo, Posts

Update: We have some prices for Nintendo Labo in the UK, and it’s looking a little princely:

The Variety Labo Kit costs £59.99
The Robot Labo Kit costs £69.99
The Customisation Labo Set costs £8.99

Original:

Nintendo has announced what they’re calling Nintendo Labo, a new range of interactive cardboard toys. This isn’t an April Fool’s either, obviously! It’s too early for that, see here:

Nintendo Labo – Coming This Spring

Out on the 27th April, the Labo toy range features two starting packs plus an additional one for some extra creativity:

The “Variety Kit” contains the Toy-Con RC Car, Toy-Con Fishing Rod, Toy-Con House, Toy-Con Motorbike and Toy-Con Piano
The “Robot Kit” features a wearable robot suit, where you insert the left and right Joy-Con into the designated slots on the backpack and visor to assume control of the robot – shown on the TV when the Switch console is docked
The special “Customisation Set” includes stencils, stickers and coloured tape to help bring the creations to life

These kits then work with the Switch and its Joy-Con controllers to create interactive experiences. It’s like AR, sort of, but with cardboard. Remember Google Cardboard for mobile VR?

Basically, the Joy-Con controllers trick you into thinking the objects are real, like the cardboard Piano producing sound in the video above. It’s clear that these new toys are aimed at children (and some bigger kids) much like Nintendo said they would be.

So yeah, different enough for you? Is this Nintendo’s maddest idea yet? Let us know below.

Forged Battalion, from C&C veterans Petroglyph, rolls onto Steam Early Access

January 16, 2018January 16, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Posts

While not quite a new Command & Conquer game, (remember that series?) Forged Battalion aims to be a fresh take on the real-time strategy genre and it comes from C&C veterans Petroglyph. So it’s close. The better news: it’s out now on Steam Early Access.

Forged Battalion – Command & Conquer Returns?

In Forged Battalion you can build and customise different factions as they fight in a variety of skirmish, solo and multiplayer battles. You will also be able to create, customise, and develop the blueprints of emerging factions too.

Using resources gained from each battle (sadly we don’t believe harvester units are in it), you can unlock new options through the tech tree allowing you to choose the archetype, and an array of armours, locomotors, weapons, and special abilities such as stealth and regeneration.

Oh, and Frank Klepacki from C&C fame worked on the sound design, voice-over, and music for the game. Here’s that trailer you’ve been waiting for:

The Early Access period for Forged Battalion will run for several months if all goes to plan, during which there will be “regular content” updates and players are encouraged to give feedback to the developers.

“We want fans to truly help forge what the game becomes…” Chuck Kroegel, CEO of Petroglyph.

The Early Access launch content available now is as follows:

Campaign missions comprising the first act of a multi-act storyline
Skirmish maps supporting up to eight players
Multiple Skirmish game modes including HQ Destruction and Annihilation
Dedicated servers to support multiplayer
Five customisable archetypes of vehicles (infantry, light vehicle, heavy vehicle, air and turrets)
Resource management of tech tree points earned in tactical battles

You can try out the Team17 published Forged Battalion on Steam for £15.49 – there’s a 15% discount if you purchase it during launch week. You know, mankind has forgotten you, Kane…

Best Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games 2018

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Features

It’s fair to say the Nintendo Switch had a rather good 2017… Now we’re somehow already in 2018, leaving us to ponder like the insatiable Homo sapiens we are: what’s out this year for the hybrid console?

With giants The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey both, surprisingly, released in the Switch’s first year, not to mention an overwhelming line-up of quality (if you’ve been following) in Splatoon 2, Arms, Fire Emblem Warriors, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (we still haven’t finished all of these), some may argue Nintendo has almost overdone it. Is there anything left?

While 2018 might not have quite the same level of killer titles – at the time of writing – here are some of the best upcoming Nintendo Switch games we’re looking forward to playing.

Fire Emblem Switch (Untitled)

The next true Fire Emblem title is coming to the Switch in 2018. And, yes, that’s pretty much all we know.

Although we do know this: Intelligent Systems produces some damn fine tactical strategy games. While Advance Wars would have been better, (where are you?) this is sure to be hot property.

Bayonetta 3

It’s not confirmed that Bayonetta 3, announced at The Game Awards 2017, will launch for the Switch in 2018, but there’s a chance it will follow sometime after the Bayonetta/Bayonetta 2 re-release due out February 16th.

Bayonetta 2, at least to this writer, is one of the finest hack ‘n’ slash games ever made. So, Bayonetta 3 has a lot to live up to.

Metroid Prime 4

Confirmed to be real in June 2017 at E3, we don’t know much about Metroid Prime 4. In fact, that logo up there is almost everything we have.

The announcement trailer was just over 40 seconds long, but that was enough to explode the internet. The confirmation that Nintendo is finally working on a new Prime game is what many fans have been waiting for – 10 years and counting.

There’s little doubt that a new adventure for Samus Aran, that happens to be a sequel to the beloved Prime games, will be a big deal. Out 2018? It’s possible.

Kirby Star Allies – March 16th

Kirby has always been seen as a bit of a B-list hero for Nintendo when compared to Mario, but there’s no doubt the pink blob brings his own unique brand of fun wherever he turns up.

Developer HAL Laboratory has proudly declared that Star Allies will stay true to its side-scrolling platformer roots, with Kirby joined by up to three companions for some co-op madness.

The World Ends With You Final Remix

One of Nintendo DS’ greatest titles, The World Ends With You, will be re-released on the Switch sometime this year. In addition to a new, Switch-exclusive scenario, The World Ends With You Final Remix will feature both touch controls resembling those of the original DS release and new Joy-Con controls.

No specific release date was given, but The World Ends With You Final Remix will be released in 2018.

Yoshi (Working Title)

A charming game for a charming character. Yoshi, that’s the only name for now anyway, is coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2018.

Cutesy platforming guaranteed the new Yoshi game looks to be shaping up rather nicely indeed – with a Paper Mario art style in tow.

Project Octopath Traveler

Square Enix is bringing some energy to the Switch: we have a Dragon Quest XI port in the works, but there’s the exclusive Project Octopath Traveler heading its way too.

Octopath Traveler is from the team that brought you Bravely Default, the acclaimed 3DS JRPG series – so this could be special. It also boasts a brand new visual style the developers are calling ‘HD-2D’.

Mario Tennis Aces – Spring

The developers of the great Mario Tennis titles, Camelot, are at it again with a Mario Tennis title for the Switch.

Mario Tennis Aces will feature the series’ first story mode since GBA title Mario Tennis: Power Tour, complete with boss battles and mission-based gameplay. The story mode looks ‘ace’…

Pokémon Switch (Untitled)

Whether you’re a huge fan of Pokémon or not, there’s no escaping the sheer power and importance of the brand. This will move consoles. Now there’s a new title coming, created specifically for the Nintendo Switch.

The Pokémon games happen to be expertly crafted affairs, so whatever Game Freak and Nintendo have planned, you can be sure it will dominate the headlines. Remember Pokémon Go?

The Other Best Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games For 2018

Other notable Nintendo Switch games coming out this year include the following:

Payday 2
The Escapists 2
Xeodrifter
Lost Sphear
Celeste
Dragon Quest Builders
The Longest Five Minutes
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
Shakedown Hawaii
Flipping Death
Wargroove
Terraria
Dandara
Pocket Rumble
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
Runner 3
Kingdom: Two Crowns
Yoku’s Island Express
2064: Read Only Memories Integral
Indivisible
Shovel Knight: King of Cards
Mulaka
Layers of Fear: Legacy
Enter the Gungeon
Shin Megami Tensei (New Title)
Steep
Syberia 3
Dragon Quest Heroes 1 and 2
Owlboy
Battle Chasers Nightwar
Dragon Quest XI
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Hollow Knight
No More Heroes 3 (Travis Strikes Again)
Super Meat Boy Forever
Light Fingers

Newly Announced

Dark Souls Remastered – May 25th
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – May 4th
Celeste – January 25th
Fe / February 16th
SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy – Summer 2018
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA – Summer 2018
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition – Spring 2018
Dragon Quest Builders – January 2018
Pokken Tournament DX DLC – January 31st, and March 23rd for second DLC

That’s it for now. We’ll be updating this article when Nintendo inevitably decides to share the full details of their plans for 2018.

The Best Upcoming PS VR Games 2018

January 11, 2018May 1, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Features

Sony had a great first year with their PS VR headset, selling more than 2 million units in 2017. It’s a surprise to those that predicted VR wouldn’t quite catch on… That being said, there’s still work to be done to get VR into the mainstream. Sony can overcome that fact by releasing lots of compelling games – simple, but true for any platform.

So what about 2018? What new PS VR games can you look forward to this year, and will the support continue? Well fear not, Sony has recently just recommitted to PS VR and has stated that it will receive over 130 new games this year. (That’s 280 VR games by the end of 2018).

As for those new games, here are some of the best upcoming PS VR titles we’re looking forward to playing.

Moss

The hotly anticipated Moss, from Polyarc Games, quickly became one of the most desired PS VR games after its initial E3 2017 reveal. With platforming, a smattering of action and beautifully clever puzzle-solving on the cards, it’s no wonder.

You can try it out while you wait through the free PlayStation VR Demo Disc 2. Moss is released on the 27th February, and it’s exclusive to PS VR.

Bravo Team

Another one announced at E3 2017, Bravo Team was one of two titles shown off by developer Supermassive Games – the other game being The Inpatient, (see below!).

Bravo Team promises VR co-op play where you’ll need to take cover, go over tactics and shoot your way to victory. Bravo Team releases exclusively on March 6th, 2018.

Blood & Truth

Blood & Truth is basically a full game of The London Heist seen in PlayStation VR Worlds. That was a truly memorable experience loved by many, so Sony London Studios decided more was needed.

Blood & Truth places you into the heart of London’s organised crime syndicate and you’re out looking for revenge – I wonder if Frank is still around? Blood & Truth is coming at some point in 2018, but we don’t know when. It’s exclusive for PlayStation VR.

The Inpatient

Never want to sleep again? That’s ok, Supermassive Games has you covered with The Inpatient. Another expansion of the Until Dawn game universe, The Inpatient takes place in the Blackwood Sanatorium we all remember in our worst nightmares…

Better news: the horror title is due out this month on the 24th January 2018. It’s another exclusive for PlayStation VR.

Golem

Announced way back in 2016, Golem‘s fate suddenly became unknown. Luckily, it appeared again at the Paris Games Week press conference to much relief.

From Highwire Games, it’s a VR adventure that allows you to explore and fight your way through the ruins of the “Endless City”. Golem is due out on the 13th March 2018. Exclusive for PlayStation VR.

Star Child

Star Child is a VR science-fiction adventure featuring classic side-scrolling platforming from the ‘good old days’. That extra, awesome immersion that VR provides will encourage you to really dive into the rich, 2D world created for you by Playful Corp. You can try it out while you wait through the free PlayStation VR Demo Disc 2.

Star Child is coming at some point in 2018, but it’s another one in which the exact date remains a bit of a mystery. Of course, it’s exclusive for PlayStation VR too.

The Other Best Upcoming PS VR Games 2018

Other notable PS VR games coming out this year include the following:

Quar: Infernal Machines
The American Dream
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars
Fallout 4 VR – Expected
Megalith
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Dreams (VR Support Due)
Sprint Vector
The Persistence
Transference
Windlands 2
Torn
Bow To Blood
Firewall Zero Hour

That’s it for now. We’ll be updating this article when Sony adds more games to their VR plans for 2018.

Tiny Metal Review [PS4 Pro] – A Doppelganger Without The Flair

January 9, 2018January 8, 2018 by Nitchigamer, posted in Reviews

It would be difficult to review Tiny Metal without referencing the Advance Wars games from Intelligent Systems. Perhaps “difficult” is an understatement. The Japanese developer Area 35 has stated that the new strategy title was ‘inspired’ by the series. They wanted to make the game they desired to play, but not clone it. Honestly though, for all intents and purposes, this is fundamentally a carbon copy.

Tiny Metal Review: Black Hole Rising

Now, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad game, does it? A great developer will observe others around them, use the best ideas and then create something from that for themselves. Unfortunately, Tiny Metal fails to achieve the latter part, adding little to the magic formula on its own. Ergo, it stops short of being anything truly special, even if Advance Wars has been strangely absent for so many years.

From the way the battlefield view and individual battle scenes are presented, to how the units look and behave, to the way the characters debate the existentialism of war, almost everything in Tiny Metal has been taken from Advance Wars. It’s brazen, and yet somehow respectful of the series, but without the precision.

With all that being said, both Advance Wars fans and newcomers to turn-based tactical strategy games will find something to enjoy in Tiny Metal.

Grid-Based Strategy Goodness

The single-player campaign in Tiny Metal is meaty, with 14 main missions to complete, and supplementary ones to unlock along the way. Although I didn’t find it to be of the same challenge as Intelligent System’s classic campaign offerings. The game runs smoothly in 4K, 60fps on PS4 Pro, with clean visuals and catchy tunes. There is a multiplayer mode, or will be – it’s coming later and is not available at launch – which is a bit odd.

The story, presented through slightly bloated dialogue scenes, regularly challenges and questions the mistakes of humanity. Living by your own code, not asserting your views on others, the implied fickle nature of us all – there are some surprisingly deep and meaningful discussions to be found within.

While not offering groundbreaking additions to the formula, I still enjoyed the small differences from Advance Wars as well. Yes, there are a few reader! Additions like the fact units rank up the more you battle with them, making them harder to take down. Or the option to call in special named-units with added perks and abilities – William Bishop is a fighter pilot who really excels in the air, with more expertise than standard units, for example. There’s also a “Focus Fire” command on the grid which combines the attacks of your units for bonus damage – something to consider when pushing forward.

I even got some pleasure from finding the hidden labs which unlock the aforementioned “MX” missions and extra dialogue. Although taking the time to find these can hurt your mission score, so it’s a little incongruent with the ‘finish in as few moves as possible’ central premise.

It’s a shame that Area 35 didn’t really leave their own mark on the established Advance Wars series with Tiny Metal then. A decent campaign and story, along with minor changes, aren’t enough to make this essential, but make for a solid experience nevertheless.