This Charger Costs Less Than a Soda – Can It Handle Switch 2? 🔋🔌⚡#switch2 #budgetfriendly #aliexpress

Can a budget charger really power the Nintendo Switch 2? In this quick hands-on test, I try out one of the cheapest Switch 2 chargers I could find online—priced lower than your average soft drink. But is it safe? Is it fast? And most importantly… does it actually work?

🔗 AliExpress Link [Not An Affiliate Link] :

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009183154917.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.2.f6daf19cncl43Z

How People Spend Their Free Time Online 💻

How People Spend Their Free Time Online

Leisure habits have undergone a digital transformation in recent years. While people once flocked to cafés, cinemas, or sports venues, more individuals now spend their evenings behind a screen. This shift toward online entertainment is particularly noticeable in the rising popularity of interactive digital gaming environments.

Recent data shows that people now spend an average of three hours a day online for relaxation. A significant portion of this time goes to interactive activities, especially online casino games, which have become increasingly accessible. Smartphones, fast internet connections, and a growing array of digital options have led to new patterns in how people spend their leisure time.

Interestingly, many users are drawn not just to the games themselves, but also to the social aspects and exclusive casino bonuses frequently offered. This trend highlights the growing competition traditional entertainment faces from digital alternatives that are available around the clock.

Utopia Must Fall Ten Minute Taster Quick Look - "Survive The Vector Apocalypse!" ☄️🏢☄️ @pixeljamgames #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich dives into the chaotic, neon-lit battlefield of Utopia Must Fall – a frantic blend of bullet hell, tower defence, and retro-futurist vibes. In this first look, we defend the last bastion of humanity against waves of rogue AI and vectorized nightmares.

Can Rich hold the line, or will utopia crumble under pressure?

Lies of P: Overture PS5 [DLC] Review 8/10 – "The Deserved Encore to a Twisted Puppet’s Tale" 🎻 @Liesofp #GameDev #IndieGame

When Lies of P launched in 2023, it stunned the Soulslike community with its twisted reimagining of Pinocchio’s tale. Now, with the Lies of P: Overture DLC, developer Round8 Studio proves that the puppet strings still have plenty of tension left. This DLC doesn’t just extend the story—it elevates the entire experience, delivering a prequel that’s as emotionally resonant as it is mechanically refined.

Set years before the events of the base game, Overture transports players to a Krat untouched by the full devastation of the Puppet Frenzy. The narrative uses time travel to explore the roots of the Petrification Disease and the Alchemist faction’s twisted experiments. You encounter characters whose fates were only hinted at in the original game, adding emotional weight and tragic irony to every interaction.

Kiborg Xbox Series X Review 7.5/10 "lock ‘n load...again, and again, and again" 👊💥 @SobakaStudio #IndieGame #GameDev

I was quite a keen follower of Kiborg during its development, developers Sobaka Studio (I previously covered their game Redeemer in a past, pre-GF life) very clearly have a knack for guttural combat, and the trailers promised a silky smooth 60fps title featuring some very involved melee combat that gnawed away at the part of me that still craves visceral versions of the 16-bit brawlers that used to rule the roost such as Streets of Rage, Cadillacs & Dinosaurs... and Crisis Beat. 

A genre that is very much alive today thanks to Lizardcube and Cartel Studios frankly amazing Mother Russia Bleeds (another blast from the past). Kiborg though, leaned into a 3D realm and seemed to encompass the glowing, beautiful future that titles such as Fighting Force merely hinted at. 

What Kiborg ended up delivering, however, was a brawling rogue-lite that has an incredible amount in it’s favour, but feels oddly limited by the very rogue genre that it so leans into. This is a solid and fun game that could have been truly great.

Turtle Beach Kone II Mouse Review By Britt 🖱️🐁 @TurtleBeachPC

We’ve covered a few Turtle Beach products here at GF, and today we’re going to take a look at the Turtle Beach Kone II:

The mouse makes a great impression straight out of the box with the bold design, and smoothness of use. The Kone II is a wired mouse, and as such there’s no need to worry about dongles and charging etc. as that’s covered by the braided USB-A cable that feels practical and robust as well as being lightweight. 

The Kone II has two side-strips of RGB lighting as well as a lit mouse-scroll, which is initially set up to phase through the colours with a breathing effect. This is also customisable, and you can fiddle with the brightness of the LEDs as well as the many effects and colours on offer – all of this is explained clearly in the included quick start guide.

"Something’s Alive in the Rig" | Still Wakes the Deep Quick Look Ten Minute Taster 🏗️🛢️ @SWTD_Game #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich steps aboard the doomed oil rig in this atmospheric horror experience from The Chinese Room. In this ten-minute taster video Rich dives into the eerie isolation, creaking metal, and creeping dread that defines Still Wakes the Deep.

🛢️ Trapped miles offshore

🩸 Something unnatural has awakened

British Cuisine: 5 Must-Try Dishes Near Big Ben 🇬🇧

🍽️ British Cuisine: 5 Dishes You Must Try When Traveling to Big Ben 🕰️

British cuisine has historically been overshadowed by French, Italian, and Asian culinary traditions. However, this perception has shifted significantly over the last few decades. Today, Britain's culinary landscape is vibrant, diverse, and increasingly celebrated globally. Traveling to London, especially to iconic landmarks like Big Ben, offers the perfect opportunity to explore traditional British dishes. Here we highlight five quintessential British meals you simply must try when visiting this legendary city.

Unlocking PS2 Nostalgia: What's on This 2003 PSW Demo Disc? (PSW Vol 36) 💽 #Retrogaming #PS2

Rich begins a journey of discovery by playing old demo discs on his newly acquired PlayStation 2. We kick this off with Volume 36 from PSW Magazine.

🔗 https://archive.org/search?query=PSW+magazine

How People Spend Their Free Time Online 💻

Leisure habits have undergone a digital transformation in recent years. While people once flocked to cafés, cinemas, or sports venues, more individuals now spend their evenings behind a screen. This shift toward online entertainment is particularly noticeable in the rising popularity of interactive digital gaming environments.

Recent data shows that people now spend an average of three hours a day online for relaxation. A significant portion of this time goes to interactive activities, especially online casino games, which have become increasingly accessible. Smartphones, fast internet connections, and a growing array of digital options have led to new patterns in how people spend their leisure time.

Interestingly, many users are drawn not just to the games themselves, but also to the social aspects and exclusive casino bonuses frequently offered. This trend highlights the growing competition traditional entertainment faces from digital alternatives that are available around the clock.

Rocket League Ranked System Explained 🚀⚽

 

Rocket League Ranked System Explained

Rocket League's ranked system is the backbone of its competitive gameplay, providing a standardised way to measure player skill, match opponents, and grab ranked rewards. This post will go through how the system operates, from the basics of ranks and divisions to the actual workings of matchmaking.

A Cool Table of PS2 Models and How well they support PlayStation 1 Video Games 🎮 #Retrogaming

Here’s a handy table of PS2 models that I just put together. It shows how well they support PlayStation 1 games, especially if you're looking to play classics like Crash Bandicoot or Metal Gear Solid: Special Missions.

- ✅✅ = Best performance

- ✅ = Compatible but may have hardware quirks

- ⚠️ = Lower compatibility due to emulation

Model	Type	PS1 Compatibility	Notes
SCPH-3000x	Fat (early)	✅ Good	Weaker lasers; may struggle with CD-based PS1 games over time
SCPH-3900x	Fat (mid)	✅✅ Excellent	Stronger laser and high reliability with both PS1 and PS2 discs
SCPH-5000x	Fat (late)	✅✅ Excellent	Slightly weaker laser than 3900x, but still great for PS1 games
SCPH-7000x	Slim (early)	✅✅ Excellent	Maintains PS1 CPU; fixes some compatibility issues like MGS: SM
SCPH-7500x+	Slim (late)	⚠️ Lower compatibility	Uses software emulation; some PS1 games may glitch or not run properly
SCPH-7900x/9000x	Slim (latest)	⚠️ Unreliable	Removed original PS1 chip; increased chances of issues with PS1 games

GEX Trilogy PS5 Gameplay – "Enter the Geckoverse in Style!" - Rich's Ten Minute Taster Quick Look 🦎 @LimitedRunGames #RetroGames #Retrogaming

🦎WATCH RICH'S GAMEPLAY VIDEO HERE👇🏻

Rich decides to fire up the Gex trilogy on his PS5 for the first time and gets stuck in the Media Dimension [LITERALLY] !

The Gex Trilogy bundles together three games starring Gex, a wisecracking, TV-obsessed gecko who battles the villainous Rez across a surreal media-themed universe. Originally released in the '90s, the trilogy includes:

1. Gex (1995)

Gex lives a laid-back life in his Maui mansion, glued to his television. But when he accidentally swallows a robotic fly—actually a surveillance drone sent by Rez—he’s sucked into the Media Dimension, a bizarre world built from TV tropes. To escape, Gex must collect remote controls and battle Rez’s minions across levels inspired by horror, sci-fi, and cartoons.

2. Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998)

After defeating Rez, Gex retires—until the villain resurfaces. Government agents recruit Gex to return to the Media Dimension. With new gadgets and a bigger budget, Gex explores 3D levels parodying pop culture, from kung fu flicks to Looney Tunes. This entry marked the series’ jump to full 3D platforming and introduced Agent Xtra, a secret agent who assists Gex on his mission.

3. Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999)

Rez is back again, and this time he’s kidnapped Agent Xtra. Gex dives back into the Media Dimension to rescue her, navigating levels themed around war movies, superhero adventures, and spy thrillers. The game added new mechanics like vehicle segments and sidekicks, while doubling down on Gex’s signature one-liners and TV references.

The trilogy is known for its quirky humour, genre-spoofing levels, and Gex’s endless stream of pop culture quips. With the 2025 remastered release by Limited Run Games, players can now revisit this nostalgic trip through television history on modern platforms.

Ritual Of Raven Quick Look "Witchy Vibes & Raven Cries" – Deep Dive into Ritual of Raven on PC @SpellgardenDevs #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich falls through a portal and into Ritual of Raven which is a cosy, story-driven farming sim with a magical twist—you don’t do the farming yourself. Instead, you enchant mystical Arcana Constructs to tend your herb garden while you dive into spell craft, moon rituals, and a world fractured by a botched magical experiment

👇WATCH RICH'S GAMEPLAY VIDEO HERE👇

Before Ultimate Team—There Was Ultimate Fun: Remembering EA’s Best Lost IPs 🎮 #Retrogaming

Imagine a world where big video game corporations actually listened to the players who’ve been with them since the ‘80s.

Imagine a world where Electronic Arts (EA) didn’t just squat on a ludicrously luxurious pile of classic video game IPs, letting them rot slowly in the Californian sunshine outside their Redwood City HQ.

Now, EA might argue that they don't need to touch those old IPs. After all, FIFA and Madden rake in the mega spondoolies through microtransactions in Ultimate Team modes with every minor iteration. So why take a gamble on reviving something that might not hit their golden profit margins? But if that’s their guiding logic, then maybe—just maybe—EA has forgotten what it means to be a video games company. One that creates games for fun, not just as an exercise in marginal gains and digital IP hoarding.

Gunslingers, Gossip, and Gorgeous Art – Rosewater Quick Look On PC 🤠 📝 @GrundislavGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich plays Rosewater which is is a point-and-click adventure game set in an alternate 19th-century American West, developed by Grundislav Games.

You play as Harley Leger, a freelance journalist who arrives in the frontier town of Rosewater hoping to start fresh.

What begins as a simple newspaper assignment quickly spirals into a high-stakes treasure hunt for a missing fortune tied to a disgraced scientist and a mysterious substance called aether.

Tassei Denki Revives Lightgun Gaming with G‘AIM’E TIME CRISIS Kickstarter 📺🔫 #Retrogaming

Tassei Denki launches an exciting new Kickstarter campaign for the G‘AIM’E TIME CRISIS Lightgun, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic arcade shooter.

Developed under license from Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. and original arcade developers, the G‘AIM’E Lightgun and its plug-and-play mini-console bring arcade-accurate gameplay to modern home setups.

The system is designed to work seamlessly on any TV or monitor using AI-powered tracking and a high-resolution camera, eliminating the need for CRTs or manual calibration.

PGA TOUR 2k25 PS5 Review 8/10 “Drive For Show, Putt For Dough” 🤑⛳

I always enjoy reviewing pretty much any golf game, it’s something I don’t just like - I love it, and I’m not just talking about the video games, I enjoy watching it on TV - seeing Rory McIlroy complete the Grand Slam brought me a lot of joy - I also love playing it in real life.

Well… I say ‘playing it’ but even though I do suck I still love being out on the course. I noticed for the previous instalment in the PGA2K series how many reviewers stated that they ‘tried golf once, sucked at it and would never play it again’ which is fine, you don’t have to do something in real life to review a gamified version of it, I'm neither a professional hitman nor have I ever been trapped in a town overrun by zombies, but I have reviewed games about those things and my knowledge and experience is a big fat zero. 

It doesn’t matter really, but I do like at least the thought that when the game tells you about the different shot types, that I at least understand the difference between a punch shot and a flop shot. I struggle to do them in real life mind you, but I know what they are, and I come at both PGA2k25 and golf itself with some knowledge and a lot of love.

Classic Style Meets Cutting-Edge Tech: Retro Fighters Lands in Europe 🎮 @retrofightersco #Retrogaming

Game Outlet Europe® (GOE), part of Embracer Freemode®, has announced the European launch of Retro Fighters, a popular LA-based, family-run brand known for modernized retro-style controllers.

Retro Fighters is celebrated in the U.S. for blending classic controller design with modern technology, now available to gamers across Europe for the first time.

“This Game Lets You Copy & Paste The World! 🤯 | Ruffy and the Riverside Ten Minute Taster Quick Look On Nintendo Switch 2 🖼️🎨🖌️ @pr_pirate @zocklabs #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich sits down to play a wonderful 3D platformer called Ruffy and The Riverside! The developers at Zockrates Laboratories drew heavily from their childhood memories of classic platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Ratchet & Clank. They wanted to capture that same sense of vibrant, cartoonish adventure and playful exploration.

👇🏻WATCH RICH'S NINTENDO SWITCH 2 GAMEPLAY VIDEO HERE 👇🏻

The real spark came from something much more personal: a confusing old drawing. The studio’s CEO, Dr. Patrick Ruckdeschel, stumbled upon a black-and-white sketch that looked like a waterfall—but he couldn’t tell if it was water or lava. 

That ambiguity led to a lightbulb moment: what if a game let you change the texture of the world itself? That’s how the game’s signature SWAP mechanic—copying and pasting textures to alter the environment—was born!

Good to Know:

• a story playthrough will take about 9-10 hours
• and average playthrough with ~80% of collectables will be 12-14 hours
• and a 100% playthrough without a guide will take you 16-18 hours

Is Your Keyboard Holding Back Your Gaming? ⌨️ 🕹️

Serious gamers often focus on graphics cards, monitors and processors. Yet some of the most important performance gains come from the tools right under your hands. A keyboard might look like a simple piece of kit, but it can have a noticeable impact on how you play and how much you enjoy it.

It’s not about chasing the flashiest equipment or joining trends. A keyboard that suits your gaming habits, feels comfortable and responds the way you expect it to makes all the difference. Sometimes the best upgrades aren’t about what’s new, but about what fits you better.

Toxic Crusaders Oozes Old School Arcade Thrills With New Gameplay Trailer 🧹☢️ @Retroware #Retrogaming #IndieGame #GameDev

Watch The Toxic Crusaders Lay Nuclear Waste To Dr. Killemoff’s Forces In This Intoxi-cating New Footage Straight From The MIX Summer Game Showcase

Hot on the irradiated heels of The MIX Summer Game Showcase, Philadelphia-based indie game publisher and developer Retroware has released a Troma-tizing new trailer for Toxic Crusaders, coming to consoles and Steam in Q3 2025. 

The latest footage showcases nearly a minute and a half of mutant mayhem. In it, we get an up close and personal look at brawler’s arcade-style melees, its colorful cast of playable pugilists, and new gameplay features, such as the character-switching ability, which allows you to seamlessly swap between two Crusaders and pile on the punishment. 

Watch as the Toxic Crusaders take to the streets of Tromaville and other locales to battle Dr. Killemoff and his Radiation Rangers across 10 Troma-inspired stages. Watch as Toxie, Headbanger, Major Disaster, Yvonne, Nozone, Junkyard, and Mrs. Junko lay toxic waste against the forces of Smogula in the trailer below.

Jerry Anker and The Quest To Get Love Nintendo Switch Review (physical edition) 7/10 “An Extremely Graphic Adventure” 🍒💖 @FunboxMediaLtd #IndieGame #GameDev

 ⚠️WARNING, EXPLICIT CONTENT ⚠️

I once had a soft  massive, raging, stiff spot for more adult games... when I was in my teens, bizarrely.  There was something about playing a more lurid and provocative title that made it feel like you were playing a game ‘outside the rules’. From sheepishly purchasing Strip Poker 3 from Electronics Boutique (or rather, coaxing my mum to, brilliant!) through to discovering Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love For Sail a years later, there was always a primal thrill when I discovered something that appealed to the more base instincts that dwell in us all.

As I got older, and pornography (and dalliances with the fairer sex) became more readily available, adult gaming very much faded away, and even the more recent Leisure Suit Larry games – whilst having various positives – felt somewhat watered down when compared to previous counterparts. And so for a long while, the likes of Cobra Mission: Panic in Cobra City, and Knights of Xentar were far from my mind...

..until I caught wind of Ktulu Solutions’ Metropolis: Lux Obscura back in 2018, a game that – whilst flawed in tone – featured some saucy bare skin and reminded me of the seemingly lost adult genre – lost in  a mainstream context, at least.

⚔️ Rich Plays - Blades Of Fire - PC Gameplay [BLUE STEEL] ⚔️ @Blades_of_Fire #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich sharpens his blade and picks up his war hammer to venture into Blades Of Fire on the PC. Hack, Slash and Blocking is the order of the day as you forge new blades and kill many an enemy. Watch Rich lose track of time as he delves into this fun frolic!

🕹️ GAME LINK: 🔗

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/blades-of-fire-f8178f

How long is Blades of Fire? | HowLongToBeat

Dive into Super Ace's Thrilling World 🐯

In the ever-evolving world of online gaming, a new star has emerged, captivating players with its unique blend of slot casino mechanics and card game elements. Super Ace, the brainchild of Jili, has taken the gaming community by storm, offering an experience that breaks free from traditional casino game archetypes.

This innovative creation masterfully combines arcade-style gameplay with poker dynamics, resulting in a gaming experience that stands out in the crowded casino landscape. The game's vibrant aesthetics and engaging mechanics have quickly made it a favourite among players seeking both relaxation and excitement in their gaming sessions.

Breakout Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Gameplay 🧱 @atari

Rich bounces into Breakout Beyond on his freshly baked Nintendo Switch 2. This game is a fresh take on the classic brick-breaking game, developed by Choice Provisions (known for the Bit.Trip series) and published by Atari. Instead of the traditional vertical gameplay, this version flips the formula sideways, making players progress horizontally through neon-drenched levels.

The game features 72 levels, each with unique puzzles and special blocks that grant power-ups like explosive blasts, protective barriers, and even a laser cannon. Players can rack up combos to intensify the visual and audio effects, creating a spectacular light show. There's also a focus mode that slows down time for precision shots, though it comes at the cost of your score multiplier.

For those looking for an extra challenge, Breakout Beyond includes an endless mode with global leader boards, allowing players to test their skills against the best. Plus, local two-player co-op lets you team up with a friend for double the brick-breaking chaos.

Deliver At All Costs PC Gameplay [destructible] "The Mayor Hides On The Roof" 🦈🛻💨 @FarOutGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Join Rich on an exhilarating delivery ride in our latest video as Rich hops into the drivers seat of 'Deliver At All Costs' on PC. Watch as Rich tries to get his first job and chats to a Mayor on a roof.

Minecraft Players Beware: Malicious Mods Used in Sophisticated Cyberattack 💻⛏️🪧 @_CPResearch_ #MineCraft

Minecraft’s vibrant modding community has been hit by a dangerous cyber threat. Check Point Research (CPR) recently uncovered a three-stage malware campaign disguised as fake Minecraft mods, which were shared on GitHub to infiltrate players' systems.

A Multi-Stage Attack Targeting Gamers

Cybercriminals have exploited the popularity of Minecraft mods by embedding malware into seemingly legitimate files. 

The infection unfolds in three stages:

1. Java Downloader: A hidden script activates upon installation.

2. Second-Stage Stealer: This component extracts sensitive data like login credentials.

3. Final Advanced Spyware: This more sophisticated malware harvests cryptocurrency wallets, browser passwords, and system information.

Rich Plays Lies Of P [PS5 Gameplay] "That Copper BEAT Me!" ⚔ @Liesofp #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich gets his hands on Lies Of P for the first time and immediately gets stuck at the first (mini) boss (that massive copper with the giant truncheon!) but he keeps persevering (badly)!

WATCH RICH'S TEN MINUTE TASTER HERE

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Ertugrul of Ulukayin – Quick Look on PC - "A Journey into the Unknown" 🏇🏻 #IndieGame #GameDev

 

Rich plays Ertugrul of Ulukayin for the first time in this ten Minute Taster Quick Look.

The game is a third-person action-adventure game set in the Turkish medieval era, specifically in the city of Ahlat. You play as Ertuğrul, a warrior of the Kayı Tribe, who embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the fate of his vanished brother.

Along the way, he encounters a mysterious Order and realizes the threat is far greater than he anticipated.

CYBERCORP XBOX SERIES X Review 7/10 "It's the definition of a quick-couple-of-goes blast" 💥 @apcrol #IndieGame #GameDev

While on the surface CyberCorp is your standard isometric twin-stick shooter fare, reminiscent of 2021's excellent The Ascent or PC port Synthetik, the hardcore loot mechanics and online co-op draw inspiration from the likes of Destiny or The Division, leading to a hybrid experience that sits between the two camps.

In the future, agents like you don't even need to leave the house to engage in corporate espionage - you can just upload your consciousness into a Synth, a tooled-up battle droid that does the hard work for you. Your former employer, the eponymous CyberCorp, has found a rat within their ranks, and has engaged the shadowy Operator as the middleman who sets you the task of rooting them out.

Pre-orders open now for DOOM™: The Dark Ages soundtrack on vinyl and CD 💿 #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

Bethesda Softworks and Laced Records have opened pre-orders for the DOOM: The Dark Ages soundtrack, composed by Finishing Move. Available on vinyl and CD, the release features multiple formats:

- 4LP box set (35 tracks) and double LP (17 tracks), each with exclusive vinyl colour variants from Laced Records and the Bethesda Gear Store.

- CD version (35 tracks) in a deluxe triple gatefold sleeve.

- Standard black vinyl option also available.

The soundtrack embodies the game’s “Stand and Fight” combat philosophy, blending thrash metal, doom metal, black metal, and traditional folk instruments for a raw, primal sound. The vinyl packaging has been carefully designed by id Software, with exclusive artwork and a debossed Slayer symbol.

This latest chapter in the DOOM franchise saw over three million players in its first week, marking one of id Software’s biggest launches. The composers aimed to honour DOOM’s legacy while carving out a bold new identity for its soundscape. 

The Funniest RPG You Didn’t Expect – Nice Day for Fishing 🎣 #️⃣ @EpicNPCManGame #IndieGame #GameDev

👆WATCH RICH'S QUICK LOOK TEN MINUTE TASTER HERE👆

Rich plays Nice Day for Fishing which is an action-packed fishing pixel art RPG set in the world of Skycraft, created by Viva La Dirt League in collaboration with Team17. You play as Baelin, a humble fisherman NPC who unexpectedly absorbs developer code, which transforms him into an NPC-player hybrid. With all other adventurers mysteriously disconnected, Baelin must step up as the unlikely hero of Honeywood.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon Xbox Series X Review 9/10 "Take a swig from a true holy grail" ⚔️ @TaintedGrail_AR @awaken_realms @Aga_Szostak #IndieGame #GameDev

I’ve played some very good games over the last year, but very few gripped me quite as much as Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon. Polish developers Questline have created what I’ve secretly yearned for, for many a year - a spiritual successor to the likes of Oblivion and Skyrim with a nod to the darker side of life. 

A huge world begging to be explored, tied to an Arthurian storyline courtesy of Polish writer Krzysztof Piskorski, who originally created the world of the Tainted Grail for a board game that was an enormously successful Kickstarter project back in 2018. Questline previously released a game based in the Tainted Grail universe that was in the deckbuilder genre back in 2021, called Tainted Grail: Conquest – which I haven’t played – but the fact that four years later they’ve released a fully-fledged open world RPG in a ‘Western’ style is incredibly impressive, not to mention the full voice acting, audio, narrative and all the other glorious aspects of Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon that I’ll delve into here. 

Basically, this game is absolutely fantastic and has kept me apart from my trousers for over two weeks now, it’s one of those games that creeps into my mind throughout the day and pulls me back towards it with an almost sexual magnetism. If there was ever a game designed to seduce me into neglecting my family so I could play it all day long in 2025? Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is that game.

How Retro Gaming Influences Modern Game Design 🕹️

 

Old Nintendo Gaming Console - Free Stock Image

Retro gaming can be considered the good old days, when we had limited save slots, had to blow on our cartridges before using them, and enjoyed pixelated graphics. While it was a simpler time in gaming, it helped to shape today’s gaming market as we know it. As such, it's safe to say retro gaming is not dead. Instead, it lives on as an influence, a blueprint, if you will, for your favourite current AAA titles. But, how have these retro titles helped shape the present? 

Trapped on a Dying Planet…My Only Hope? Me! | The Alters | Ten Minute Taster | Quick Look👨🏻🧔🏻‍♂️ @altersgame @11bitstudios #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich plays The Alters on PC which is a survival game developed by 11 Bit Studios, where players control Jan Dolski, a space miner stranded on a hostile planet. To survive, Jan must create alternate versions of himself, known as Alters, using a mysterious material called Rapidium. Each Alter represents a different life path Jan could have taken, bringing unique skills and personalities to help maintain a massive, wheel-shaped mobile base.