🕵️ Lacuna | XSX | Review | 9.5/10 | "A Perfectly Crafted Sci fi Noir, That Has Bags of Character and Music to Die For" 🕵️ @digitales_games #GameDev #IndieGames

I'm going to start this review in a strange way - by telling you that I have tried to write this opening paragraph four times now, and I'm struggling because everything I write sounds like hyperbole. I keep using such strong words that I end up thinking, “do I really think this? Can I love it this much? 

Can I keep writing the words ‘near perfect’ or ‘special’ and truly mean it? When I say, ‘I would put this in my top 10 favourite games of all time’, is this just recency bias or do I genuinely think that this may be one of the most well-crafted games I've ever played?”

The more I've had to rewrite it and reflect on it, I keep thinking, “Yep, I do utterly adore it” and I genuinely think it may be one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had.

This is where I usually outline the plot, but all you really need to know is that you play as Neil Conrad, a grizzled member of the CDI investigating a recent murder, boom, done. 

The less you know the better.

⚓️ Hidden deep | PC | Ten Minute Taster | Gameplay | "A MIGHTY FINE GRAPPLING HOOK!" ⚓️ @HiddenDeepGame #IndieGame #GameDev

Hidden Deep is an atmospheric sci-fi action game heavily inspired by Aliens, The Thing, and Half-Life. 

Explore, climb, swim, scan, blast and shoot your way through dangerous missions in a huge sub-oceanic mining and research facility. Fear the horrors that lurk below…

👴🏐 Retired Men’s Nude Beach Volleyball League | PC | Review | 8/10 | "The Smartest Way To Justify A Crap Game" 🏐👴 @SodaDrinkerPro #IndieGame #GameDev

Snowrunner Games’ Retired Men’s Nude Beach Volleyball League contains the smartest way to justify a crap game I’ve ever seen. 

So let’s not beat around the bush: it delivers an absolutely godawful game of volleyball.

🖱️ The VX2 AimBox Multi-Platform Console Keyboard and Mouse Adaptor From GameSir Now Available on Amazon 🖱️@mygamesir

This gadget looks really interesting!

GameSir, a leading provider of innovative, high quality gaming peripherals is pleased to announce the Amazon availability its new VX2 AimBox. 

Designed for use with multiple consoles, the VX2 AimBox improves on the previous VX AimBox with a built-in 3.5mm audio jack and PS5 games support. Like the original model, the VX2 features the most advanced technology for a keyboard and mouse adapter for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. 

The GameSir VX2 AimBox is now available on Amazon.com for $49, Amazon UK for £42.49 and Amazon Canada for $65.99.

⚔️ Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning – Fatesworn DLC | Xbox Series X | Review | 7/10 | "It Began As A Mistake" ⚔️

It began as a mistake.

I first played Kingdoms of Amalur almost a decade ago, whilst I enjoyed it – I had expected something with a darker edge after learning of Todd McFarlane’s involvement, something with a more bite and personality. That said, it has often popped up in my mind over the years, and I occasionally felt the inkling that I should revisit the game without my initial prejudices, now knowing that the game was light in tone – I’d clearly approach the game more fairly and take more from the experience. Thus, when I was offered the DLC, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity – I’d get to dive back into the world of Amalur without replaying the base game, and so I began installing.

And thus began the mistake.

🏝️ Len's Island | PC | Gameplay | "The Limestone Cowboy" 🏝️ @LensIsland #GameDev #IndieGame

 

In Len's Island, you can build, fight, farm and explore. Experience your own path. Whether it's building the home of your dreams, tending to your crops and watching the sun go down; or exploring the mysteries of the Island and the darkness underneath, you may want to take a sword with you.

📕📘 Lock On Gaming Journal | Issue 2 | "More Beautiful Gaming Journalism To Curl Up With On A Winters Night" 📕📘 @LostInCult #LockOn

Lock on | Volume 002 | Q4 2021

Curl up on the sofa with this luxurious gaming journal as the Lost In Cult guys bring us another issue of this beautiful Lock On bookazine. After being blown away by the first instalment back in August 2021 I was sent the next piece of the Lock On story just before Christmas and have been working my way through the glorious writing and wonderful artwork over the last few weeks.

I’m glad to report to you that the journal is still delivering on all its early promise and vitally has retained that beautiful new paper smell that fell in love with in Issue 1!

(https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/08/lock-on-gaming-journal-issue-1-luxury.html)

💀 Transient Extended Edition | Review | Xbox Series X | 7/10 | "A Healthy Dose of Cosmic Horror and Interdimensional Shenanigans" 💀 @StormlingStd #IndieGames #GameDev

As the resident HP Lovecraft nerd within the GF, er, massive, I got first dibs on this one, as if the answer would ever be no. 

Transient: Extended Edition exists in a Cyberpunk/Blade Runner-Esque future, but tops off the sci-fi with a healthy dose of cosmic horror and interdimensional shenanigans. 

The game comes to us from devs Stormling Studios and publisher Iceberg Interactive, who have a good line in Lovecraftian games, having released the Darkness Within series in the mid-2000s, as well as the well-received Conarium back in 2017. 

The original Transient was released back in late 2020 and is presented here with the bells and whistles we've come to expect for re-releases on Xbox Series S and X, namely 4k and 60fps.