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30/06/2022
29/06/2022
πΉπͺ¨πͺ WONDER BOY ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "Get Good At Skateboarding & Axe Throwing" πΉπͺ¨πͺ @ININ_Games #Retrogaming
My Wonderboy is Wonder Boy In Monster Land on the SEGA Master System. Wonder Boy has always been an intrinsic part of my video games origin story. I remember the first time that I played a Wonder Boy game was in a Video Rental Shop back in the 80s. There was an original Wonder Boy arcade machine just cosying up in the corner of the store in between a Cardboard cut-out of a Gremlin and a stack of Arnie VHS tapes. My overriding memory of playing that arcade game was that it felt quite tough to control and that the skateboard pick-up item was a pain in the arse.
28/06/2022
π₯ We Were Here Forever "An Honest Opinion" π₯ @WeWereHereGame #IndieGame #GameDev
It’s with a heavy heart that I put pen to paper for this review. I don’t think it’s right to review a game without having at least seen the credits. After all, there are too many titles that start with a bang and end up sputtering out in a haze of dull repetition.
But I didn’t get to the end of We Were Here Forever.
Hell, I didn’t even get close.
Here’s why.
27/06/2022
π️ The Dark Eye: Memoria Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 “A gorgeous but at times frustrating experience” π️ @daedalic #GameDev #IndieGames
The Dark Eye is a German fantasy tabletop role-playing game created in 1984, it is so popular in Germany that it actually outsells Dungeons and Dragons. Unsurprisingly, in being so popular, The Dark Eye series has spawned numerous video games including two point-and-click adventure titles from Daedalic Entertainment, these are - The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav, and its direct sequel The Dark Eye: Memoria.
24/06/2022
π§♂️π§♀️ Deadcraft Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "Dead and Kinda Loving it!" π§♂️π§♀️ @marvelous_games #IndieGame #GameDev
Beginning with your character (Reid) having his arse handed to him and getting kicked out of a city and quite literally down into the dumps, Deadcraft is a game that really gets you working from the ground up.
A half-human / half-zombie hybrid with powers from both sides, Reid must balance the human side of himself – that allows acceptance from other humans – with the undead, zombie side that grants superpowers in combat. Admittedly, the sheer amount of in-game items and upgrades that can swing the pendulum both ways mean that it’s never really a massive concern, although it does allow the player to loosely approach the game as they wish.
23/06/2022
⛳️ Golfie PC Gameplay Ten Minute Taster "Golf With A Smile (& a set of cards)" ⛳️ @TriheartStudio @FagerliSandra #IndieGame #GameDev
22/06/2022
πΉ️ Arcade Paradise Preview | Developer – Nosebleed Interactive | Publisher – Wired Productions πΉ️ @WiredP #GameDev #IndieGame
It’s not often I have to pop a disclaimer into my articles, but today is very much one of those days!
The music from my band Recluse is being used in Arcade Paradise and so I don’t feel comfortable in reviewing the completed product, because I’m clearly incredibly emotionally involved, and so one of my esteemed colleagues will handle the final review. HOWEVER – this is my preview article, and so I can espouse my love of it freely, and my editor won’t stop me because he’s an incredibly bribable man, and I’ve sent him a fiver. What he DOESN’T know, is that it’s an old, paper fiver – so I’d better crack on with this before it arrives in the post and he realises that it’s not legal tender.
21/06/2022
π³ Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles Xbox Review 8.5/10 "A Massage For My Mind" π³ @YonderChronicle #GameDev #IndieGames
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a single-player game bereft of enemies or indeed any sort of combat, the gameplay is essentially a series of fetch/crafting quests as you quietly explore the island of Gemea. What sets Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles apart from similar titles is the tone of hope, positivity and relentless charm that runs throughout.
20/06/2022
18/06/2022
ππ₯π Final Vendetta PS4 Gameplay Ten Minute Taster "An Ode To final Fight" ππ₯π @NumskullGames @BitmapBureau #GameDev #IndieGames
Final Vendetta is a hard-hitting action-packed beat ‘em up for 1 or 2 players in the vein of classic arcade titles. Featuring stunning pixel art and a thumping soundtrack with exclusive tracks from Utah Saints! Brawl with bad dudes and tough girls as you fight through dangerous environments.
Claire Sparks, a student and martial arts expert, has become unwillingly embroiled in the rescue of her sister. Duke Sancho is a quick-witted, bare-knuckle fighter from London, earning his nickname after a brawl in the Duke of Wellington pub. Not forgetting the towering figure of Miller T. Williams; a Canadian ex-pro wrestler controversially removed from competitions for use of excessive force. Together the three friends must battle their way through the streets of London on a dangerous journey to bring back Claire’s sister!
The gameplay mechanics are sure to go down well with fans of the genre, giving players a vast array of moves and the ability to block, run, dodge, strike downed opponents, and even perform juggle combos! Each character has a unique feel and move set that the player will have to master.
Final Vendetta has a thumping soundtrack featuring brand new and exclusive tracks from Utah Saints, Featurecast and Krafty Kuts! The UK is known for its dance music scene and this electrifying soundtrack compliments all the action Final Vendetta has to offer in tremendous style.• Hardcore fighting action that pulls no punches.
• Stunningly animated pixel art.
• A thumping dance/techno soundtrack featuring exclusive tracks from Utah Saints and Featurecast.
• 1 or 2 player co-op.
• 3 playable characters with varying fighting styles.
• 6 areas to battle your way through.
• Classic beat-‘em-up gameplay with fresh mechanics.
• 4 exciting game modes – Arcade, Survival, Versus & Boss Rush.
• 3 difficulty settings.
• Several unlockables.
• Dozens of moves and combos to master.
• An array of succulent street food to sample.
17/06/2022
π¦... Why I Love Sonic The Hedgehog ...π¦ @pixeladdict_mag #Retrogaming
Rich has been published in PIXEL Addict Magazine Issue 3 and we're all really excited to see Rich's words in print.
Therefore, here are some pics from the magazine and also here's the full transcript from the magazine article.
Head here to get yourself a copy or nip into WH SMITH and see if you can grab a copy!
16/06/2022
⚔️ Samurai Riot Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "The Pause Menu Is Your Friend" ⚔️ @wakofactory #GameDev #IndieGame
Samurai Riot is a side-scrolling 2D Beat’em up where you control one of two chosen warriors in a single-player mode or you can team up with a buddy in local co-op.
15/06/2022
π₯ POSTAL Dreamcast Review 8/10 "An impressive port with a wealth of features" π₯@WaveGameStudios #IndieGame #GameDev
Developer: Dan Redfield (Chinchilla Retro)
Purchase Link - Here
Wave Game Studios continue their impressive run of Dreamcast releases – I believe it’s one a month! - with this, the physical version of Running With Scissors’ 1997 title, POSTAL.
14/06/2022
π The Serpent Rogue Ten Minute Taster π @TheSerpentRogue
The Serpent Rogue is a botanical action-adventure game set in a medieval fantasy world. Master the art of alchemy, explore forgotten lands, tame wild beasts and protect the realm from impending disaster. You will craft, brew, boil, & concoct potions all in your stead to defeat an ominous danger!
✏️ "5 years, 600 articles and over 400,000 words" π️ @BrittRecluseuk
It dawned on me a few weeks ago that, as of March 2022, I’d been writing for Games Freezer for over half a decade. I thought it would seem crazy, but to be honest – writing and editing for The Mighty GF has been such a key part of my daily routine for so long that it feels like I’ve been doing it forever, and loving it! After a quick glance at the various folders spread across multiple PCs, it looks like I’ve written over 600 articles now, and out of a misjudged sense of curiosity, I looked back at my original article for GF - way back in 2017 - and it was clear me how much I’d progressed and learned over those 600 articles – and how much I love Landstalker.
13/06/2022
ππ Lock-On | A Gaming Journal | Volume 003/Q1 2022 ππ "Smell The Pages" @lostincult #LockOn
Lock On, the beautiful gaming journal, is back for its 3rd instalment with its wonderful-looking and smelling pages! (seriously make sure to smell the pages immediately)
The artwork throughout is once again amazing and the writing in this 3rd issue has clearly hit its stride with articles that are not only thought-provoking but also informative and an education for any self-respecting gaming nerd.
Each page is a treat as you get to sample the thoughts of many talented writers that delivered for me an insight into topics that are outside of my gaming knowledge sphere.
12/06/2022
π€ Biomotor Unitron Nintendo Switch (originally Neo Geo Pocket Color) Review 6/10 "Climbs into the arena for one more round" π€ #RetroGaming #NeoGeo
Originally released in 1999 for the Neo Geo Pocket Color, Biomotor Unitron was an early RPG for the system. As I’d never heard of it before, my first impression was one of perhaps a mecha/PokΓ©mon hybrid due to the style used in some screenshots, however, Biomotor Unitron is far more focused on upgrades and random dungeons as opposed to narrative and exploration, which makes the game, unfortunately, feel repetitive – and shallow, despite the number of menu-driven upgrades and items.
11/06/2022
πΏ Sable Original Soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast | Vinyl Review πΏ @Jbrekkie #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl
Sony Music Masterworks / Dead Oceans
Nominated at the Golden Joystick Awards 2021 for best audio, Japanese Breakfast (Michelle Zauner) has created a soundtrack that captures the stark, expansive atmosphere of the game on which it was based – Shedworks’ 2021 hit, Sable. The soundtrack is in turn soaring, beautiful, thoughtful, and introspective as the thirty-two tracks unfold their audio narrative.
When I first received Sable for review, I had only heard of Japanese Breakfast in name only, and so had no preconceptions of the style or approach they would bring to a video game soundtrack, with the Wikipedia description of their genre as ‘alternative pop’ leaving a lot of room for interpretation.
Opting against listening to any of their music from outside of this soundtrack, I dived straight in* and the dreamy, atmospheric and often hypnotic sounds quickly won my heart.
10/06/2022
πΌπ Dread X Collection 5 PC Gameplay "Get Ya Flowers In The Well & Run Like HELL!" ππΌ @DreadXP_ #GameDev #IndieGames
Dread X Collection 5 is a horror anthology in the Dread X Collection series. Featuring 12 new games from up-and-comers along with veterans, all wrapped up in an old, run-down party venue that may be hiding more than it's letting on...
09/06/2022
π± Source of Madness Xbox Series X Review 6/10 "A 'Nearly' Game" π± @CarryCastle #IndieGames #GameDev
The Lovecraft connection comes in through atmosphere, tentacled monsters and the odd reference to Cthulhu or Azathoth here and there.
08/06/2022
πΌ Pinball Freedom Switch Review 5/10 "Pinball freedom, but not a dream" πΌ @CGAStudioGames #IndieGame #GameDev
Currently priced at under a fiver on the UK Nintendo eShop, Pinball Freedom by developer CGA Studio Games offers five separate pinball tables as well as an air hockey table, but some foundational issues with the in-game ball physics and flat gameplay detract from the inherent draw of pinball.
06/06/2022
πΏ Jettomero: Hero of the Universe Video Game Vinyl Soundtrack Review πΏ @stumpyfrogrecs @GhostTimeGames #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl
Jettomero: Hero of the Universe – Vinyl Soundtrack
Composed by Gabriel Koenig
Purchase Link - https://www.stumpyfrog.com/
A warning that this article contains spoilers for the game Jettomero: Hero of the Universe, if you don’t want to read them but wish to know the outcome of the article - the soundtrack to Jettomero is fantastic and you should listen to it extremely intently and often.
π΅π’π΄ In the Dark Game Boy Review | 8/10 "A surprisingly fiendish and simple puzzle title that feels right at home on the Game Boy system" π΅π’π΄ @BitmapSoft #IndieGame #Retrogaming
Developed by Binary Sonata Studio | Published By Bitmap Soft
The minds behind a plethora of new releases on classic systems, Bitmap Soft have games across a multitude of platforms, from Amstrad CPC through to the Mega Drive.The first handheld release I have covered in quite some time, In the Dark’s simple premise, means that it’s a great ‘dive in ‘n out’ puzzle title for your Game Boy.
03/06/2022
π½️πΏ Rifftrax: The Game XSX Review 9/10 @widerightgames "The creators of What the Dub once again strike comedy gold" π½️πΏ #IndieGame #GameDev
Having been a big fan of Wide Right’s previous game, What the Dub – I was intrigued as to how Rifftrax: The Game would differ, and what it would bring to the table – especially as it appears to be based on a more American-centric show not familiar to me at all (although I was vaguely aware of the precursor show Mystery Science Theatre 3000).
It turns out that no prior knowledge of Rifftrax is required, as Wide Right Games have created a fantastic and often hilarious party game that is accessible to all, and this is a game I highly recommend whenever you have friends or family around.
02/06/2022
ππ₯ Deck of Ashes Xbox Review 6/10 "Spire Slayer?" π₯π @AygamesO #GameDev #IndieGame
After the more cartoony and simple presentation of Slay the Spire (the most famous and probably well-regarded of card battle games), the distinctive aesthetic of Deck of Ashes immediately drew me in.
Hand-drawn, Lovecraftian creatures abound. Ghoulish witches and genuinely unsettling undead creatures litter the battlefield, and I am all in favour of it.
On top of this, the battles themselves are brought to life by creepy animations (the jester character sprouts monstrous claws from his back when he attacks) and a suitably gothic soundtrack.
01/06/2022
πππ±️ Trust GXT980 Redex Wireless Mouse Review πππ±️ @TrustGaming
I have been using the trust GXT980 Redex Wireless Mouse solidly for over a week now, having used it heavily for work, home use and gaming - and it has very much replaced the other mice that were scattered around my home and office due to its style, comfort and practicality.