Category: Posts

New Arcade Side-Scrolling Shooter, Blazing Chrome, Announced; Arriving Early 2019

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Indie, Posts

Satisfy your vintage game addiction with the retro-inspired side-scrolling arcade shooter game by Joymasher, Blazing Chrome.

Check out how the vintage-styled indie game harnesses the old-school run-and-gun vibe in the excitable trailer below:

A Throwback Of A Golden Era

Blast your way through the ruthless AI opponents who have laid down their attack plan on planet Earth, and attempt to save humanity as you know it.

  • Players can take on the relentless action utilizing powerful weaponry and equipment across a wide range of environments and level designs.
  • Powerful exosuits, futuristic high-end weaponry and incredibly devastating power-ups all await players in either single player or co-op action.
  • Across six different stages, players will run, shoot, ride and kill their way through a future world riddled by bullet-heaving AI in a catastrophic environment.
  • Play as either the lone human resistance member, Mavra, or the mechanical mohawk wielding rebel robot, Doyle. Co-op through the game brimming with intense, adrenaline-inducing action with combat that ceases to let up.

Blazing Chrome is aiming for an early 2019 release on the Switch, PS4 and PC systems.

Experience Battle Royale In Virtual Reality With Do Or Die VR, Available Now

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Posts, VR

Fans of the highly popular battle royale genre can dig in a little deeper with an all-new VR experience from Portugal developers, Azimuthstar, with Do or Die VR.

The game has currently been in Early Access, which you can check out the launch trailer below:

Do or Die VR Details

The bold combination of the immersive virtual reality experience with the competitive battle royale genre was practically inevitable, and with it comes a slew of enticing features in DoD VR:

  • Take on a massive map of enemies in the traditional BR experience but with a new twist: aim not to be the last man standing, but the first one to reach the extraction helicopter.
  • Make your way across the map quickly with the new addition of cars and motorcycles to help increase your odds of survival.
  • Competitors can customize their experience with unlockable skins for their weapons giving a much more personal touch to the game.

“We have spent the last year and a half developing this battle royale game, which we like to play a lot, and to which we have added several features that we miss as amateur players. As for example: the driving of vehicles and the customization of weapons.” – Azimuthstar CEO, Vítor Carvalho

Grab your VR copy of Do or Die VR on the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive available now on Steam.

Rival Megagun Pits Players Against Each Other In Maddening Shmup Mayhem, Releasing On Consoles/PC

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Nintendo, Posts

Take on split-screen or online shoot em’ up action in the upcoming competitive gunner, Rival Megagun, released by the one-man indie developer, Degica Games.

Surround yourself in the action and have a look at the intense trailer below showing how players not only fend off waves of incoming enemies but compete against one another player, as well:

An Intense Competitive Experience

Check out all of the details regarding the competitive shmup indie title below:

  • Two players compete in either local or online play attempting to knock out the opposing player by rifling away at the incoming waves of enemies in hectic shoot em’ up action.
  • Players can choose between multiple playable characters which help diversify the combat with unique special weapons, as well as transforming in a mega boss form for intense one-on-one action.
  • Unlock new pieces of equipment and enhanced gear as you play your way through the single-player arcade and customize your ship to your liking.

Rival Megagun is set to release on the PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch on November 29th, 2018.

Survive The Arctic Conditions In Distrust, Now Available On PS4

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Indie, Posts

Take on the bitter cold adventure game that has players fighting unfavourable weather conditions in Antarctica and attempt to survive the nightmare created by Cheerdealers, Distrust.

After successfully gripping players on the Arctic survivor-adventure game on PC, PS4 owners now have their chance to outlast the snowy conditions.

If you missed Distrust the first time around when it released on PC, check out the gameplay trailer below:

Distrust’s Chilling Details

As you make your way through the hellish tundra, there’s plenty that will keep you pushing forward, be them real or imaginary:

  • Distrust places players in the role of survivors of a devastating helicopter crash near an abandoned Arctic base pitted against the elements while struggling with their own weakening conscious.
  • Primarily an isometric adventure game, RPG and survivor elements make their presence known to keep players engaged in a thrilling experience, pushing them to the brink of terror.
  • Players explore randomly generated levels as a group of 15 playable characters that push for survival in a number of quests, exploration and a deep, twisting narrative.
  • Often players may find themselves not only fighting against the bitter cold elements but the fleeting distinction between reality and nightmarish hallucinations.

Distrust has laid an excellent foundation on the PC garnering mostly positive praise and now arrives on the PS4 for console owners to jump into the thrilling action.

Best Buy To Sell Physical Copies Of Select Limited Run Titles

by Chay Madison, posted in Nintendo, Posts

Could be a turning point for indie games…

Best Buy will begin to carry select Limited Run Games in physical stores and online. According to a press release, Best Buy initially reached out to Limited Run to show interest in selling Yooka Laylee.

This led to the beginning of a partnership that not only includes Yooka Laylee but also Golf Story and a title yet to be announced. These copies will come from the same limited print count that LRG uses for each release.

All three titles are being released for the Nintendo Switch and will sport a variant cover different from those sold on the LRG website. It was announced that some stores may only see 1 or 2 copies. When they are sold, they will not be restocked.

Limited Run Best Buy 2

Depending on the success of this partnership, this could be a turning point for indie games. With the help of a mass retailer like Best Buy, this could bring indie games toward a larger audience. This is also a remedy for those who prefer to have a physical game in their hands. I often read about the dreaded error pages and timeout screens that LRG customers can sometimes endure.

I for one am intrigued to see how this all plays out. As long as developers can make a decent profit from a partnership like this, I think that more publishers will begin to follow suit. As a gamer who grew up in the brick and mortar days, I am more than happy to hop on this train.

Both Yooka Laylee and Golf Story are up for pre-order on the Best Buy website. You can check them out here.

Experience The Ridiculous In The Upcoming Unusual Platformer, Escape Doodland; Arriving On PC And Switch

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Nintendo, Posts

Some games tend to take themselves too seriously, but the hand-drawn platformer Escape Doodland represents the exact opposite and it’s due to arrive on the Switch and PC by the end of November.

Before we jump into the official details of the two-person indie project, the overly eccentric trailer for Escape Doodland should help paint a clear picture of what to expect:

After a successful Kickstarter campaign from the two indie developers, Veronika Harkavenko and Piotr Karski, Escape Doodland will finally land in the hands of supporters and fans everywhere.

Escape Doodland Details

There seems to be a lot going on with this idiosyncratic side-scroller, much of which we’ll try to clarify in the details below:

  • In this 2D side-scrolling platformer, players will outrun deadly threats, including the Doodler-eating Omnomus monster, as they try to escape their looming fate in Doodland.
  • As the screen continuously scrolls players must utilize quick reflexes by running, leaping, climbing, bouncing and dodging a number of obstacles as they disrupt your path to freedom.
  • The hand-drawn visuals bring a rather unique atmosphere to the quirky platformer displaying obscene character and monster designs across various themed levels, such as burning towns, western wastelands, underwater areas and even the inside of a mouth.
  • Challenge after challenge will thrust themselves at your Doodler providing non-stop action across the grotesquely absurd campaign.

Let your flatulence loose and leap across the disturbing world of Doodland as the Switch and PC see Escape Doodland on November 30th, 2018.

Exquisite, Beautifully Casual Platformer, Gris, Release Date Announced For Switch And PC

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Nintendo, Posts

Step inside a gorgeous handcrafted world as a sombre, lost young girl searching for answers in the surreal adventure game from Devolver Digital and Nomada Studio, Gris.

If this is your first time hearing about the whimsical journey of Gris, check out the reveal trailer from a few months back showing off the serene platformer:

What You’ll Find In The Emotional Journey

Here’s everything you will discover along the emotionally charging journey:

  • This casual approach to platforming will have players exploring a delicately designed world unhampered by frustrating moments and other rage-quit inducing dangers.
  • Along with the fantasy adventure comes subtle instances of platforming, light puzzles and a strong narrative of a depressed young girl guided along by an original musical score.
  • Through the young girl’s dress players are guided along the awe-inspiring adventure. The dress is granted wondrous new abilities as the journey unfolds through the depths of her sorrow.
  • New pathways will appear by using unlocked abilities as Gris grows further pushing her to see her surroundings differently than before.

Gris is nearing its debut on the PC and Switch coming this December 13th, 2018.

Jump Into The Cyber-World With Fused, The Computer Network Puzzle Solver

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Indie, Posts

From the creative mind of Ironsmith Studios comes a Tron-style computer puzzle game that has players solving in-network errors and discovering why the mega-popular SkyStar Systems has crashed.

Check out the colourful neon puzzle adventure found in the debut title from the single-man indie developer, Ironsmith Studios, in the trailer below:

Inside A Digital World

Travel through circuit boards in a stunning 3D modelled world and fix a variety of bugs, short circuits and find your way around barriers to solve puzzle after puzzle.

This computer system puzzle game has plenty to look forward to with an engaging premise and a beautifully crafted world:

  • Fixing the network can only be achieved by utilizing numerous abilities equipped by the Nano-byte problem solver, NF-01 – or Nigel – as it makes its way through the system.
  • Players have three different colour-coded abilities to help them on their quest of network cleaning: Red allows for passing through barriers, green gives access to launch pads and blue utilizes a speed boost.
  • The story behind the massive network failure can be uncovered by discovering data files randomly found throughout the system. Your job as Nigel is to fix the ongoing errors, then figure out the reasoning behind the attack.
  • Guided by the talkative, yet, courteous Nano-byte who will help navigate players through each system level brimming with internal problems.
  • As a part of a three-piece trilogy, Fused will find its way on PC with VR support, as well as the potential to land on consoles later down the line.

Fused is set to arrive on Steam on PC by Q2 of 2019, subsequently followed by two more titles set in the same universe.

Use Keen Detective Skills As A Paranormal Investigator In Apparition, Available Now On Steam

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Indie, Posts

Prepare for a night of haunting chills as players take on the role of a paranormal investigator on the prowl for eerie and dangerous horrors that creep in the dark in the recently released spooky indie game, Apparition.

Fear not, with the Early Access launch comes a short, but fright-filled trailer:

Detective Horror, Early Access, and More

Played in a terrifying first-person view, Apparition will have players facing their fears in order to collect ghastly evidence from the spirit world or meet their demise.

Polish publisher, Fat Dog Games, has released the game in official Early Access on Steam to gather horror-loving fans before the official launch.

There are loads of spooky features packed into Apparition, so check out what to expect from the haunting release in the list below:

  • With a tense atmosphere, players will explore dark and terrifying areas in search for clues showing proof of the afterlife. The more evidence you find, the better equipment you’ll earn.
  • Armed only with your bravery, wit and camera players are rendered defenceless when face-to-face with a horrifying discovery.
  • The longer you take on investigating an area the more evidence will be captured. However, the area also becomes increasingly more dangerous with spiritual activity – and you can’t keep what you’ve captured you don’t live to tell about it.
  • Using an Ouija board, players can communicate with the dead leading to groundbreaking evidence, unlocking advanced equipment further allowing players to explore more haunting areas.

Stay updated with news on the game’s official Discord channel and don’t forget to keep your head on a swivel for the things that go bump in the night.

Conquer Endless Dungeons In The Upcoming 3D Action-Platformer, Tower Princess

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Indie, Posts

Find the love of your life while hacking your way through randomly generated dungeons in the future release from AweKteaM, Tower Princess.

The new gameplay trailer shows off the action-adventure, 3D platforming fun to be found within Tower Princess below:

Not Your Average Dating Game

Players will find themselves in the traditional fantasy of rescuing a hostage princess (or prince), however, many nontraditional nuances find their way into the game, as well.

While still a ways off from release, there are still plenty of details to keep you excited which you can find below:

  • Players will dive into a roguelite experience with randomly generated dungeon worlds filled with platforming obstacles, dangerous monsters and altering love interests to rescue.
  • Aside from conquering dungeon after dungeon, the player must also impress the rescuee with specific actions, such as offering a special gift to the correct type of hostage, be it human, lizard or perhaps even zombie prince/princess.
  • Every dungeon is different but each one has a specific time limit for completion. Should knights not rescue their soul mate in time, the evil dragon ignites the dungeon in a blaze of failure taking everything the player has collected.
  • Players must not travel alone, as multiplayer will make an appearance to help solo players make their way through each dungeon, or compete against one another in PvP mode.

There’s still loads of time left before Tower Princess makes its way to release, however, in the meantime future purchasers may visit the game’s Kickstarter page which will be launched in early 2019.

Tower Princess if set to land digitally on the PS4, Xbox One and PC in early 2020. PC players may also find a playable demo here.

Open World RPG, Outward, Set To Release This February On Consoles/PC

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Indie, Posts

Take on the uncanny role of an adventurer of Outward, the open world RPG where you are as vulnerable as every player drifting from one challenge to the next.

An all-too epic announcement trailer can be found below, which gives us only a small taste of what to expect from Outward:

Combine forces with other online or local players, or tackle the world solo as an adventurer with no given godly path to greatness, but merely the will to explore and succeed in a dangerous world.

Outward Details

With a recent stream of the game from the developers, there’s plenty of details revealed about the upcoming massive RPG:

  • While playing solo or online multiplayer is nothing new to the genre, Outward adds a unique split-screen co-op mode allowing players to explore the massive lands with a friend from the comfort of their own home.
  • Player’s don’t play as an all-powerful protagonist like most RPGs, but rather as a humble adventurer making a name for themselves and surviving by any means necessary.
  • The story changes with each playthrough as the narrative dips and dives through player decisions, successful accomplishments, or even forgettable failures – your story will continue with its very own twists and turns.
  • The battle system includes challenges from all over the vast open world with a powerfully unique magic system and engaging real-time combat.

Outward is set to hit the PS4, Xbox One and Steam on February 12th, 2019 both in physical and digital format.

What Type Of Gamer Are You?

by Chay Madison, posted in Posts

You could be a console warrior.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A study carried out by Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR) sheds some light into how research companies classify gamers. Their 2018 Gamer Segmentation Survey gives interesting information on gaming trends and habits.

EEDAR was founded in 2006 and holds a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of video game facts and information. Today they are a part of NPD Group which is one of the largest research companies in the world.

What intrigued me most about this report is how they chose to classify gamers based on their behaviours. It is worth noting that this study is based on US gamers only and may not be representative of habits in other countries.

Gamers Were Split Into Six Categories:

Super Gamers (13% of gamers) – Gamers that are super invested and super engaged. This audience reflects the broadest and deepest gamers on the market.

Console Warriors (14% of gamers) – These gamers keep up with the latest gaming trends and enjoy action-packed multiplayer experiences.

Transitionals (11% of gamers) – These are the invested adult gamers whose stage of like means shifting from HD-centric gaming to more flexible mobile gaming.

Easy Accessors (17% of gamers) – Younger gamers whose choice of platform is constrained by access, leading them to play primarily on mobile.

Daily Dabbers (19% of gamers) – Older gamers who regularly set aside time to play familiar games on PC and/or mobile.

Incidental Players (26% of gamers) – Non-gamers who play mobile games because they are convenient and provide another way to use their device.

After reading over the report, it made me think about how we see ourselves as gamers in this more niche space. Are we “console warriors” or maybe we are transitioning into a “transitional”? One thing is for sure, games are more accessible than they have ever been.

You can download a free copy of the report here. There is useful information on current gaming trends. Where do you fit in?