Car Go! PS5 Review By Reeg 6.5/10 🚛 @CleversanGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Car Go! is a small, simple delivery game that keeps things light and accessible. With such a vast range of genres available, is this one worth picking up?

Upon loading into the main menu, you’re greeted with three straightforward options: Start, Arcade, and Settings. While functional, the settings menu feels a little bare, notably lacking an option to adjust sensitivity. Visually, the game adopts a cute, minimal style with a distinctly mobile-esque look and feel.

Moonlighter 2 PC Quick Look | "Dungeon Crawling & Shopkeeping Returns" ⚔️🏪 @DigitalSunGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Join me as I dive into the world of Moonlighter 2 on PC! In this Quick Look, we explore the sequel to the beloved shopkeeping dungeon crawler, blending action RPG combat with merchant life simulation.

Fantasy Symbolism Influencing Visual Design in Digital Games 🎮

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/robot-machine-technology-mecha-ai-2301646/

Step into any fantasy video game and you’re instantly surrounded by a silent language of symbols, before you’ve heard a scrap of dialogue or read a quest prompt. Designers rely on this mostly visual shorthand to steer our emotions and choices from the first moment. A golden shimmer in the distance means you found a safe spot; blood-red, splashed across the screen, promises trouble. Certain shapes, too, whisper ancient meanings: think labyrinthine corridors, dragon heads, or those recurring, rune-carved stones. 

Decoding these cues doesn’t require a lore deep-dive. Centuries of storytelling have conditioned us. Recent surveys actually put a number to this: over 80% of today’s best-selling fantasy games lean heavily on symbolic palettes and iconography (SDLCCorp, 2023). It’s not just pretty art; this is what lets game worlds speak for themselves and draw players deeper.

2025 Belonged to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Mike's Musings ✨ @expedition33

There is a terrific "How it started/How it's going" meme going around contrasting Sandfall Interactive head Guillaume Broche's initial, charming, kickstarter appeal on reddit with an image of him accepting every award known to man at last weeks Game Awards.

I’m not sure anyone involved with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 expected to walk away from the ceremony with their arms full of trophies, but here we are. Game of the Year, best Debut, Art Direction nods, critical darling status cemented, and a room full of developers looking faintly annoyed that a relatively small French studio just strolled in and stole their lunch money.

As noted in our own glowing review, Clair Obscur is the first game from Sandfall Interactive, a studio that, until very recently, was mostly known for not existing. Founded by former Ubisoft developers, the team hovered somewhere in the “AA but dangerously competent” space, reportedly numbering in the few dozens rather than the hundreds.

No vast satellite studios. No eighteen-hour mocap shoots for incidental NPCs. No decade long development hell. Just a relatively small team, a very clear vision, and the audacity to build a turn based RPG in 2025 and assume people might still care.

They were right.

Critical reception was, frankly, obscene.

Warhammer 40K Rogue Trader – Switch 2 Character Creation 🔫 @OwlcatGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich steps into the grim darkness of the far future with Warhammer 40000 Rogue Trader on Nintendo Switch 2! ⚔️ In this video, we dive deep into the character creation system, exploring classes, backgrounds, and customization options to build the perfect Rogue Trader for your journey across the galaxy.

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller: Mario Bricks Review By Britt "Ladies and gentlemen… we have a winner." 🎮 @TurtleBeach

I’ve covered a lot of controllers during my ten years here at The Mighty GF, and I really do have some favourites that are still with me, but the Turtle Beach Rematch Mario Bricks controller for the Switch (and Switch 2) is the controller so good that I would ‘accidentally’ drop it onto a bar just before closing time in front of a hot girl like it was the key to a Dodge Viper in order to seduce her instantly. And it would work.

In a world of so many options, wherein you can get lost in the sheer choice and amount of variables, Turtle Beach have honed in on the most appealing aspects of gaming, designing and delivering a controller that is a pure celebration of the Super Mario franchise itself. 

Put aside the fact that this features customisable back buttons, has a USB-C based rechargeable battery that lasts for up to forty hours of gameplay, and features up to 30-foot low latency wireless connection, or that the smooth thumb sticks and satisfying triggers and buttons feel like they would last years – I could say that about many controllers – but just look at it.

Detective: Rainy Night Nintendo Switch Review 6/10 *Care for a room, detective?* 🕵️‍♀️☔ @K148_GS #IndieGame #GameDev

I covered k148 Game Studio’s Detective: The Motel back in January, and whilst I relished the thought of the basic premise – a short detective title focused in a single location – the execution and layout of the game really hindered my enjoyment. Fast forward to the end of the year, and I got to tuck into Detective: Rainy Night, a title that moves away from tedious box-ticking exercises and instead more towards a supernatural, psychological horror bent. Good!

The POV adventure begins with your character arriving at a supposedly rural hotel (more on this later), with your character getting to briefly know the inhabitants of the scattered rooms, as well as the kindly motel manager. 

After a quick kip, you wake up to find that the heavy rain from the night before has now morphed into an impenetrable fog (again, more on this later) and to make matters worse, one of the temporary residents of the motel has been murdered, leaving you to don your detective cap and try to get to the bottom of what the heck is going on.

As much as I had fun with Detective: Rainy Night, there are a lot of caveats here. Whilst I enjoyed how stripped back and focused the narrative was – it’s a game that can be completed in a couple of hours – the game is very ‘assety’ and that does bite it on the arse somewhat.

For example, you are supposed to be in the middle of nowhere, but you can clearly see many houses around the motel, and at one point towards the ending, there’s a glitch (at least I assume its a glitch) in which you can openly leave the area and see the awkward surroundings/limitations of the street that the motel is plonked on. 

It doesn’t help that the burgeoning narrative really tries to drive home the fact that this motel is supposed to truly be miles out of town and almost unreachable. The sparsity of audio works with the unfolding tale, and I enjoyed how the story is set over five nights (shout out to the awesome Five Days a Stranger), with the creeping imminence of death closing in as the hapless residents get picked off one by one.

Again, as much as there are strengths in the interesting premise, the character models move like they are encased in cement, and the dialogue is less than ideal. The light environmental puzzles and brief fetch quests never slowed the pace down, and the character archetypes work insomuch as they fill a hole; you’ve got a moody young woman, an unhappy couple (the male is possible the horniest person I’ve ever encountered in a game, there should honestly be a copy of Readers Wives poking out of his jacket pocket), a miserable rich bitch, a chubby food-focused schlub, and an alpha male – but it all works in the sense that this is a trashy horror story.

SUMMARY
All in all, when playing Detective: Rainy Night, it’s best to keep in mind that this is the work of a single individual, and quite frankly this is light years ahead of their previous releases. 

Whilst I’ve only rated this a 6/10, I’m genuinely looking forward to what the developer hits us with next, as there really is something here, and I hope that in a year or two I’m singing the praises of their newest release to the high heavens. 

As it stands though, this is flawed, silly fun that will appeal to those that like to smash through a light-horror title of an evening, and there’s absolutely nothing at all wrong with that.

6/10 

🧊💦MELTING🧊💦

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(also available on PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S)

Developer – k148 Game Studio [SOLO DEV]

Publisher – Jandusoft

Snakebyte Gamepad PRO S2 Firmware Update Guide + Setup Tutorial For Switch 2 🎮 @snakebytegear

Need to update your Snakebyte Gamepad S2 for Nintendo Switch 2? In this step-by-step guide, Rich takes you through the full firmware update process to ensure your Snakebyte controller works perfectly with the Switch 2. From setup to troubleshooting, this walkthrough makes updating simple and stress-free.

🎮 What you’ll learn in this video: How to connect your Snakebyte Gamepad S2 to Nintendo Switch 2 Step-by-step firmware update instructions Tips to fix common compatibility issues First impressions of the Snakebyte Gamepad S2 after update ✨ Why watch? If your Snakebyte Gamepad S2 isn’t working properly on Switch 2, this guide shows you how to get it updated and ready for gaming. Perfect for anyone setting up their controller for the first time or troubleshooting problems.

PURCHASE LINK: GAMEPAD PRO S2 (Black)

FIRMWARE UPDATE LINK: snakebyte DAM

Neon Inferno X Box Series X Review 8.5/10 *never reload, never stop shooting* 🏍️🔫 @ZenoviaLLC #IndieGame #GameDev

There are a lot of genres in the world of video games that slide by, or don’t feel like they got as fully explored as they could have at the time of release on whatever systems they found their home on. 

Quite often I’ll go back to one of my favourite consoles and wonder why there weren’t more titles in said genre – Landstalker springs to mind! - as they nail a niche that feels like there are deeper depths to be plumbed. 

Back in 1990, Dick Tracy on the Mega Drive was the first time I played a game that melded both side-scrolling action and gallery shooter mechanics, and despite its flaws it remains a strong title in the MD library for me; not only because of its awesome music, noir atmosphere and presentation, but because it felt truly different on Sega’s awesome 16-bit machine.

Cue Neon Inferno. Yes, there have obviously been other titles in this dual genre over the years, but since the 16-bit heyday, I can’t recall too many games that blended these genres so well.

Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking Beard | Nintendo Switch 2 Quick Look 🐰🐢🦨 @ChickenhareGame #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich embarks on a whimsical adventure with Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking Beard on the Nintendo Switch 2! 🐔🐇⚔️

In this gameplay showcase, we explore the vibrant world, quirky characters, and exciting mechanics that make this title a must‑play for fans of platforming and family‑friendly adventures.

Deathless. The Hero Quest Switch 2 Gameplay Quick Look 🃏⚔️ @Deathless_TOR #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich takes a quick look into Deathless: The Hero Quest on Nintendo Switch!

In Deathless, elements of a collectible card game, roguelike, and turn-based strategy combine seamlessly. Build a unique deck of cards, discover unusual relics, and face off against legendary bosses. With endless paths to explore, no two journeys will ever be the same.

Crush the Evil and save the world in this epic RPG adventure!

Citizen Sleeper 2 PC Review 7.5/10 "Cracked Dice N Glitches Means Stitches" 🎲🎲 @FellowTravellr #IndieGame #GameDev

Not many games embrace uncertainty as boldly as Citizen Sleeper 2. Following in the footsteps of its acclaimed predecessor, this narrative-driven, dice roller, sci-fi RPG once again places you in the fragile body of a Sleeper—a digitized consciousness fighting for survival in a hostile universe. But where many games punish failure, Citizen Sleeper 2 thrives on it. Every dice roll, every misstep, every imperfect outcome becomes part of a living story that adapts and grows around you.

At the heart of Citizen Sleeper 2 lies its signature dice system. Each cycle, you’re given a pool of dice representing your available actions. High rolls can be assigned to critical tasks—repairing a ship, negotiating with a faction, or uncovering lost technology—while low rolls might be relegated to riskier endeavours. 

Retro Games Ltd. Revives Iconic Quickshot Joystick for the Modern Era 🎮 @THEC64_RGL

Retro Games Ltd. (RGL), in collaboration with PLAION REPLAI, has unveiled THEQUICKSHOT II, a modern reimagining of one of the most legendary joysticks of the home-computer era.

The original Quickshot II, with its distinctive flight‑stick profile and signature red trigger, was a staple of 1980s and early 1990s gaming. From the Commodore 64 to the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, and Amiga, it became synonymous with arcade‑style action at home. For many players, it wasn’t just a controller — it was the controller.

Sub-Species Dives Into the Depths: A 2.5D Ocean Shooter With Alien Secrets 🌊 @howling_hamster #IndieGame #GameDev

Indie game dev studio Howling Hamster Entertainment has unveiled Sub-Species, a 2.5D multidirectional action/adventure shooter that plunges players into the darkest corners of Earth’s oceans. Combining retro-inspired precision with modern cinematic atmosphere, the game challenges players to survive amidst alien swarms, lost technology, and terrifying underwater mysteries.

A New Kind of Deep-Sea Challenge

In Sub-Species, players pilot a heavily armed submarine capable of full 360° rotation, facing threats from every direction. Missions send explorers deeper into contaminated zones filled with hostile creatures, collapsed structures, and remnants of forgotten expeditions. Along the way, players must balance:

• ⚔️ Combat – Fluid controls allow players to unleash mines, flares, and dodge bursts against alien swarms.

• 🧩 Navigation Puzzles – Tight caverns, unstable reactors, and collapsing ruins test precision and problem-solving.

• ⚙️ Resource Management – Survival depends on adapting strategies under pressure, conserving tools, and outlasting waves of enemies.

Skopje ’83 Gameplay | "Survive the Mutated Streets of the Balkans!" 💥 @Dark1_games #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich Steps into the alternate‑history Balkans with Skopje ’83! This gameplay showcases the comic‑book styled FPS where you battle hordes of mutated abominations, scavenge loot, and upgrade your mobile base (the DOM bus) to survive.

Borderlands 4 Xbox Series X Review 8/10 *More shooty, less bang bang* 💥

I covered Borderlands 3 back in 2021, scoring it a 9/10 and celebrating the zany world of Pandora and its myriad denizens. Whilst there were hardly any immense leaps in terms of core gameplay between games, the series always delivered mindless blasting action, which ramped up gloriously when playing with friends. 

This newest instalment instead shifts the action to Kairos, a hidden planet run by ‘The Timekeeper’; a masked, golden, and seemingly immortal figure that plants chips in the minds of his subjects allowing him to control their will, or to drive them insane, if he deems necessary…which he does deem quite often, quite frankly.

I was hips deep in the initial unveiling and first couple of hours, everything that I enjoyed about the series had returned, and now it was tied to a story that - although basic - seemed slightly more serious and focused which was certainly refreshing. Starting the game off with an epic prison escape got my engine revving and my guns cocked and loaded.

Getting Back into Gaming after a Long Break 🎮

Do you feel as though you are out of gaming? Maybe you want to get back into it, but at the same time, you don’t know how or even where to start. Either way, this is the guide for you.

Play with Friends

One of the best ways for you to get back into gaming is to play with friends. Getting back into gaming is easy when you start small and play in short bursts. You should also try and focus on fun rather than focusing on goals. If you have had quite a substantial break from gaming, then you shouldn’t try and focus on getting the most points in a game. Instead, focus on trying to come out with a smile on your face, or even think about how you are going to do better next time by being a good teammate. If you focus on these smaller goals, then you will find it easier to come out with confidence from every session you play. If you can’t play with friends because you have a broken console, then now could be a time to look into game console repair, because when you do, you can feel assured knowing that you’re going to be on the same level as everyone else.

Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 *Some Rootin’ Tootin’ Old School Shootin’* 🤠 @NightdiveStudio #IndieGame #GameDev

First of all, the game runs gloriously on the Switch - for some reason gyro controls were turned on automatically, so I kicked those off as fast as humanly possible - but there are a lot of accessibility options for you to tweak the game to your tastes as you walk – or glide, rather - in the well-worn boots of James Anderson, a retired U.S Marshal who is out to rescue his kidnapped daughter from the casually named ‘Slim’ Sam Fulton, and his associate, the more worryingly monikered ‘Dr. Death’ Matt Jackson.

Outlaws really felt apart from other FPS of the time as the slim, stark visuals almost echo the rangy James Anderson himself. The dusty soundtrack, satisfying weapons and combat take centre stage in the relatively empty-feeling levels that you will be blasting your way through.

Yes, the stages in Outlaws feel far more dated than a lot of other titles from around this time, and I can’t quite work out if I like that aspect or not. There seems to be a lot of big, empty rooms and outside space to roam through, but with only a handful of secrets in each of the nine levels (and five extra in the expansion, bringing it to a total of fourteen overall) the sparseness of each one will either appeal or be a detraction of your enjoyment. 

Marvel Cosmic Invasion PS5 Review 8/10 "It isn't a reinvention of the genre, nor does it need to be" @MARVELCosmicInv #IndieGame #GameDev

Marvel Cosmic Invasion doesn’t waste time pretending to be anything other than what it is: a loud, colourful, unapologetically arcade brained brawler where superheroes knock extra-terrestrial pests into orbit. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it wears its comic book heart proudly on it's sleeve, sometimes a little too proudly, but we’ll get to that.

What stands out straight away is the presentation. The game is a love letter to past Marvel fighter/brawlers like Marvel vs Capcom and the X-Men side scrollers. It has a punchy Saturday morning cartoon energy, all neon space vistas and chunky comic panel transitions. 

Every character, from deep cut favourites to headliners, move with personality. Rocket Raccoon scurries and blasts everything that looks vaguely flammable; Captain Marvel practically glows with stoic swagger; and even the grunts have expressive, over the top animations that make fights feel busy and chaotic in the best way.

Overcooked! 2 Switch 2 Edition | Cooking Frenzy Gameplay 👨‍🍳 @Team17 #IndieGame #GameDev

Overcooked! 2 is back on the Nintendo Switch 2! In this gameplay showcase, we dive into the frantic co‑op cooking chaos that makes Overcooked one of the most beloved party games. Watch as we chop, fry, and serve dishes under pressure while navigating wild kitchens full of obstacles and surprises.

Britt’s December Review Round Up! 🗓️🎮 #IndieGames #GameDevs

Pour yourself a large glass of Malbec and hook it up to your veins as Britt delves into the December Games Freezer games locker and digs for some Class A Indie Gold in his Brief Bulletin December Review Round Up!

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit (8.5/10)

The new house in rural Cambridge wasn't exactly what the Nerd had in mind.

Platform Reviewed – XSX (also available on Switch, PS5, PC)

We’ve been AVGN fans in our household for almost as long as the man himself has been uploading videos to YouTube, and over the years I’ve covered his previous games as well as their soundtracks. The news that another game was on the way was very much welcomed. I also have to say that even though I sort of knew what to expect, there were some very cool aspects around the game itself that blew me away!

From developer Retroware, Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit – whilst in the same genre as the previous games – feels a continuation of the genre as opposed to AVGN 1 & 2 a few years ago which came across as more of a highlight reel of it. This means that it feels like a lost game from the NES days as opposed to a purely modern spin on those classics. The music is as chiptune-tastic as you’d expect, and the difficulty ramps up nicely – in a Mega-Man-esque touch, you can also select the order in which you would like to play the game’s six stages,  each ending with a boss that will be familiar to fans of the show.

A huge boon here is the games lengthy opening cinematic that is basically a full episode of AVGN, it was such a great – and surprising! - way to kick off the game that I actually forgot I was playing one, and just sat back to enjoy the ‘episode’.

The game is available on all modern platforms with a NES physical edition en route. For fans of the AVGN, this is a no-brainer, and even without that nostalgia, this is a fun and solid 8-bit platformer with some hilarious moments and a challenge that is not shy.

Reus 2 Quick Look Gameplay Video (PC) –"The God Game Returns!" 🌍🗿 🌱 @ReusTheGame #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich gets a Warm Welcome to Reus 2 on PC! In this gameplay showcase, we dive into the world‑building god simulator where you shape planets, guide civilizations, and balance nature with human progress. Watch as we explore the mechanics, test strategies, and see how Reus 2 evolves from its beloved predecessor.

SNAKEBYTE TRAVEL CASE S2 – Nintendo Switch 2 | Unboxing & First Impressions 🎮 @snakebytegear

Rich was looking for the perfect way to protect his Nintendo Switch 2 on the go. In this video, he unboxes the Snakebyte Travel Case S2 and shares his first impressions of its design, build quality, and practicality.

🔗 Purchase Link: https://snakebyte.com/products/travel-case-s2

The C64 Mini Black Edition: Retro Reinvented 🕹️

The world’s best-selling mini home computer is back—and it’s dressed to impress. The C64 Mini Black Edition isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past; it’s a celebration of everything the Commodore 64 community has built over the last two decades. With a sleek new look and a curated library of modern classics, this limited edition release is a must-have for retro gaming fans and collectors alike.

🎮 A New Era of C64 Gaming
Forget dusty cartridges and fuzzy memories—this Black Edition showcases 25 of the highest-rated new C64 games developed in the last 20 years. These aren’t rehashes or remakes; they’re fresh, inventive titles crafted by a thriving community of developers who’ve kept the C64 spirit alive and kicking.

Featured titles include:

• Sam’s Journey – A vibrant platformer that rivals modern indie hits.
• A Pig Quest – A charming adventure packed with personality and polish.
• Steel Ranger – A run-and-gun sci-fi epic with tight controls and explosive action.
• Knight ‘n’ Grail – A moody, atmospheric quest that blends puzzle-solving with swordplay.

Each game delivers captivating gameplay and stunning soundscapes that push the boundaries of what the C64 was originally thought capable of.

A Pizza Delivery Xbox Series X Review 6.5/10 *fancy a slice (of life)?* 🍕 @Dolores_Ent #IndieGame #GameDev

The first release from Spanish video game developer Eric Osuna, A Pizza Delivery is a game that overreaches its grasp, but is painfully close to being a glorious experience, blending as it does a scattered narrative with simple mechanics. 

Although, as much as certain sections of the game appealed to me, there were too many aspects that dragged my interest down, eventually making the game feel a bit meandering and light as opposed to being the vehicle to a budding realisation as the narrative would perhaps like me to believe.

Onirism PC Quick Look Ten Minute Taster | "A 3D Platformer With 90s Cartoon Vibes" 🔫 @OnirismThegame #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich dives into the colourful world of Onirism with this PC gameplay showcase! 🌙✨ 

Onirism is a fast-paced indie 3d action platformer that blends retro cartoon vibes with modern mechanics. In this video, we explore the opening levels, combat system, and unique environments that make Onirism a hidden gem on Steam.

Lumines Arise PC Review By PixelHunted 9/10 *Lumines Arise is an incredible game played on any size screen* ⏹️🟥🟧 @enhance_exp #IndieGame #GameDev

Many of you will know what it’s like to feel the cold hand of Father Time on your shoulder when it comes to gaming. Such is the case when I booted up Lumines Arise and grimly realized I’ve been playing this game for… Christ. 20 years…. Where did the time go?

I picked up the original Lumines in 2005 along with my shiny new PlayStation Portable. After Rez on Dreamcast I’d become a firm Tetsuya Mizuguchi fan, and his stylish little puzzler had me hooked. A year later, I had Lumines II, and in 2018 I was pleased to see the game return in shiny enhanced form as Lumines Remastered.