A Night on the Farm Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "A bite-sized slice of spookiness" 👨‍🌾👽 @FrozenFlameInt #IndieGame #Horror #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Frozen Flame Interactive deliver us a mysterious tale that follows the events of a car crash at night. Our protagonist begins the tale by clambering out of their wrecked vehicle before heading off into the night, happening across a seemingly abandoned farm.

What follows is a short romp around the farm and its grounds, as you find out more about the strange notes and items that you find scattered in this lonely locale.

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits Xbox Series X Review 7/10 "Formulaic Fun" 🏹 @emberlab #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #GameDev

Hey you! Yeah, you! You like platforming games, yeah? And a bit of puzzling floats your boat? How about a bit of combat to keep things interesting? Yeah? You like that? Well then, step right this way, I’ve got something I think you might enjoy, even if you’ve probably played it before. 

Thief Simulator 2 Xbox Review 7/10 "Out on the nick, again!" 🦸 @ULTGames #IndieGames #IndieGameDev #GameDev

The Thief Simulator games have been on my radar for a few years now. I played the original on Switch, and - whilst it was a flawed game - there was a bizarre moreish-ness and sense of fun to just, well… going out on the nick, quite frankly. 

This is a game made by one individual which is very commendable, but – as with a lot of 3D open-world titles made by incredibly small teams - also falls into the usual issues of overreaching its grasp in some areas - much like the Autobahn Police Simulator series does. 

However, games such as these often stand out for me and become real pleasures to play.

Yes, they may not be smooth, tight or polished experiences - but there’s a vision, charm and idiosyncrasy that makes these sorts of games a very memorable experience that more often than not resonate with me as a player.

Fading Afternoon Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "A powerful game… for some" ⛅️ @shin_yeo #IndieGameDev #GameDev #IndieGame

Fading Afternoon was an oddly tough game to review because its unique blend of genres - life simulation & 2D brawling – and its player-driven gameplay (as opposed to narratively driven) can lead to a sense of aimless meandering as much as it can seem a deep and powerful experience.

Unfortunately, whilst I can see that this was a real underdog gem for some, I didn’t connect with the game in the same way some folks did, which was a shame. That said, I still found Fading Afternoon to be a memorable experience, clearly created by a developer that follows their vision, which is always something that I appreciate and fully support.

Retro Revengers Xbox Review 7/10 "Retro Revenge is Sweet" 🕹️ @shinyuden @RatalaikaGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #GameDev

A short and snappy title that harks back to 8-bit platformers. Retro Revengers has a modern twist mainly through the narrative, and whilst it is a very brief title at around an hour or two, this brevity is what keeps the gameplay and somewhat snarky story fresh up to the end.

Over Horizon X Steel Empire Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "An MD Fave Returns!" 💥☄️ @ININ_Games #Retrogaming

Ratalaika appear to have burrowed into my mind over the last couple of years and unearthed Mega Drive memories with which to delight me, as last year they re-released Gynoug and now they’ve turned their sights towards Steel Empire. 

What I’m enjoying about these is that whilst these aren’t super-rare, import-only hidden gems, they are games that were somewhat underdogs and may have been initially missed by fans of Sega’s 16-bit system – they are also games that hold up incredibly well today, and it’s great that modern audiences now have the chance to discover them – or rediscover them, as the case may be.

Project 13 PS5 Review 7/10 “Has that plant always been there?” 🪴 @DRYBREAD_games #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #GameDev

I’ve never had an easier time describing a game as I have with Project 13 - you are in an asylum and by ‘an asylum’ I mean ‘one corridor within it’, which you walk down again, and again, and again and again…you get the drift. But, each time something may change and it’s your job to find out what. 

There are 35 anomalies which can range from the obvious to quite subtle, so you have to examine the corridor with a fine-tooth comb. If you spot an anomaly, you have to pull down a lever and start again, simple. 

Except, every time you get it correct a counter raises - get to 13? You've escaped, and are rewarded with freedom, get one wrong and the counter resets back to 0… and you start back over, that’s right, 13 anomalies in a row, or that comb is coming back out! 

Vera Blanc: Supernatural Mysteries Xbox Review 7/10 "Werewolves and Ghosts, oh my!" 🐺👻 @RatalaikaGames #IndieGames #GameDev

A pair of titles featuring intrepid supernatural investigators Vera Blanc and Brendan Mackey, Vera Blanc: Supernatural Mysteries centres around Ms Blanc, who – following a rather intense operation on her brain – is able to read the thoughts of others. 

Originally released in 2010, the games are mostly light visual novels with a very cool graphic novel art style, the core gameplay comes from multiple choice events – that can lead to instant deaths, so save often – and the optional word based / spot the difference puzzles that can be turned on and off with each play though, should you want a touch more interaction.

The characters are well-sketched without the game being too onerous with the text, and each tale moves along at a fair pace, with minimal audio work to add to the rising tensions. 

Whilst I preferred the first game in the series - as I am a sucker for werewolves – both are fun to get through, although the ghost story slightly alters the visuals and feels less exciting than the Bavarian werewolf adventure. 

SUMMARY

A bargain at the current price point and a solid evening’s entertainment (each case takes 1-2 hours to complete), Vera Blanc: Supernatural Mysteries won’t tickle your grey matter, but it might just raise the hairs on your neck!

Purchase Link:

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Crime Boss: Rockay City (2024) XSX Review 7/10 "A kick-ass cast in a game that once got its ass kicked" 💥 @ingame_studios @505_Games #IndieGame #GameDev

Upon its initial release in 2023, Crime Boss: Rockay City had a rough old time, with cutting reviews across the board. We didn’t cover it at the time here at GF, but as someone who grew up watching this – quite incredible – cast of actors in myriad movies over the decades, it was always on my mind, and I was intrigued as to how the game appeared to be such a misfire.

Fast forward a year and the game gets a massive overhaul for its Steam release. DLC is now included for free - and the developers have fixed a lot of the more glaring issues that plagued the game upon its initial release.

How does it fare in 2024? it’s a lot of fun, but the repetition at the heart of the game is hard to ignore.

Sociable Soccer 24 | Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "Sociable Soccer 24 isn't a serious soccer sim—it's a joyful, pixelated carnival ride." ⚽️ @Sociable_Soccer #IndieGame #GameDev

Ah, Sociable Soccer 24, the game that struts onto the pitch with all the subtlety of a neon-clad goalkeeper doing the running man. 

Developed by Tower Studios, this is a wild carnival ride aiming to bring back the golden era of 90s footie gaming by lacing up those oversized boots, grabbing a nearby rattle and diving into the soccer fuelled chaos.

The gameplay loop in Sociable Soccer 24 is like a sugar rush after a 500ml can of Virgin Cola. It's fast, frantic, and utterly addictive. The controls are as simple as a two-button pass, but don't let that fool you. The game rewards timing and positioning with a dash of sheer luck. Once you get used to the passing mechanic you'll find yourself chaining passes together and scoring screamers with the glee of a kid who just discovered a hidden stash of cola cubes. It's like the '90s arcade soccer games never left us—only now, they've got a fresh coat of neon paint.

When you score, the game erupts into a pixelated fiesta. Players cartwheel, moonwalk, and even breakdance. It's like a discotheque invaded the penalty box. I half-expected a pixelated MC HAMMER to strut in with baggy trousers and point at the goal.

Now, here's the secret sauce: crank up the difficulty. The lower levels are as challenging as a Sunday kick about with your nan. But slide that difficulty slider to the right, and suddenly, you're facing AI opponents who channel their inner Messi. It's like playing chess against a caffeinated octopus. Trust me, it's where the real magic and challenge happens.

I love a good stat. But unfortunately Sociable Soccer 24 doesn’t give me much to work with. I’d like to see some player ratings, top scorer charts, league tables, heat maps, and a breakdown of my striker's biscuit consumption during halftime. 

The refs in this game are like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get. One moment, they're waving play on as your defender performs a flying karate kick. The next, they're brandishing a red card because your goalie sneezed. Consistency? Nah, we're too busy breakdancing.

I appreciate the retro vibe, but I need more than one stadium type. It's like playing every match at Loftus Road. Give me a stadium with a giant kop at one end and some open corners, and I'll be happy.

SUMMARY

Sociable Soccer 24 isn't a serious soccer sim—it's a joyful, pixelated carnival ride. It's the spiritual cousin of Sensible Soccer, high-fiving it across the decades. 

It’s also impressive how much this game has come along since I played it in its first incarnation a few years back.

So grab your joystick (yes, I said joystick), crank up the difficulty, and let the nostalgia wash over you. Just remember: stats are for nerds, celebrations are for legends, and the '90s never really left us.

Note: 

This review was written while wearing oversized sunglasses and listening to "Wonderwall" by oasis.

@thegamesfreezer Sociable Soccer 24 Nintendo Switch Review #nintendoswitch #reviews #videogamereview #soccer #sensiblesoccer #videogame ♬ original sound ❄️ Games Freezer ❄️

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Xbox Review 7/10 "A Sweet Suikoden Spiritual Sequel" 🔥⚔️ @eiyuden #IndieGame #GameDev

From the – sadly no longer with us – Yoshitaka Murayama, the creative mind behind the much-loved Suikoden series, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is very much a spiritual successor that has its feet firmly planted in more traditional gameplay, resulting in a title that feels comfortable and fun overall, but unfortunately a touch lacklustre in some key areas.

Our tale begins with Nowa, a young boy from a rural village who joins The Watch, a group of like-minded individuals who roam the lands, assisting the various denizens of the scattered villages and cities. Assisting them on this particular mission – to find a ‘Primal Lens’ - are hand-picked soldiers of the Empire, but whilst this motley crew work well together at present...what will happen when peace fails and they are sworn to fight against each other?

Cricket Through the Ages Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "The most realistic, in-depth cricket simulation ever made…some may say" 🏏🪨 @freelives @devolverdigital #GameDev #IndieGame

Free Lives have created some of my favourite games of the last decade in Broforce and Genital Jousting, very different from each other in some respects, but their games always feature a rich sense of humour that runs throughout their releases. 

And so, we have gone from controlling pastiches of action heroes, to willies….to those brave folks that have played cricket through the ages. From cavemen with rocks and sticks through to the denizens that litter a post-apocalyptic wasteland…with rocks and sticks.

Outer Terror Nintendo Switch Video Review 7/10 "A Set of Distorted Pixelated Nightmare Hellscapes" 📺 @VoxPopGames #IndieGame #GameDev

DON’T DIE as you assemble a ridiculous arsenal of weapons and desperately hold out against massive hordes of creatures pulled from a variety of classic horror genres reminiscent of 80s and 90s Golden Age comics and B-movies in this stylish action-packed arcade roguelite.

VIDEO REVIEW 👇

Cybertrash STATYX Xbox Review 7/10 "A Fun Throwback in The Run ‘n Gun Genre" 💥 #IndieGame #GameDev

Recent rumblings of folks who seem to be of the mind that pixel graphics are tired and old can be pushed aside, because it’s clear that there’s plenty of milage in beautiful, hand-drawn visuals yet, as illustrated by Cybertrash STATYX, a game that casts you in the role of Jenet, a woman who – like many – seem to have completely lost their memories prior to being involved in a program to ascertain their physical and mental abilities so that they can be ‘correctly’ re-introduced to society, whilst the reasons that they were initially extricated from society are curiously obfuscated…

Boiling Point: Road to Hell PC Review 7/10 "Arnold Vosloo Kicks Ass Once More" 🚛💥 @playziggurat #IndieGame #GameDev

In quite a few of my reviews covering beloved (by me, at least) yet shonky games – usually open-world RPGs from the mid 2000’s – Boiling Point often crops up, alongside Xenus 2: White Gold (an oddly-named sequel to Boiling Point: Road to Hell), Precursers, and Hard Truck Apocalypse (which has AMAZING music).

The first two of which come from the same developer, Deep Shadows, a company that seem to have moved into hidden object and mobile titles, which is a shame, as they have real character and craft. If each game mentioned here had more time and money invested, they would be classics still talked of today.

Cannibal Abduction Xbox Series X 7/10 “Leatherface Upstairs, Having a Quick 40 Winks” 🏠 @selewidev @transvaalgf #IndieGame #GameDev

In Cannibal Abduction, you play as Henry - a man who has borrowed his father’s car and is looking to spend time away from his parents; let his hair down, drive the open roads etc. and all was looking good until the engine blows and he is stuck in the middle of absolutely nowhere. 

His luck picks up when a very friendly man offers to take him back to his house and fix the car. Henry agrees, and off to the house they go. Whilst the man fixes the car, he notices tools in Henry’s car and asks about them, he learns that Henry has carpentry experience and asks if he could do him a favour and fix his wife's wardrobe upstairs. It’s a fair deal - he fixes the car, Henry fixes the wardrobe.

Now, on the one hand it was nice of Henry to help, but personally I have a rule in life - if a house looks like Leatherface may be upstairs having a quick 40 winks, I refuse to enter and run as fast as I can in any direction to get as far away as I possibly can. 

I understand that Henry would have to explain to his dad what had happened to the car, but I think that any truly loving father can understand that dodging a possibly cannibalistic family is more important than his nice car. Sadly for Henry, he doesn't live by my rules and well, spoiler alert! He gets chased by a cabbalistic madman.

Bahnsen Knights Xbox Review 7/10 "My trousers began to slowly unbuckle themselves in anticipation..." 🕵️‍♂️ @lcbgamestudio #IndieGame #GameDev

The third in the initial trilogy of Pixel Pulp titles, Bahnsen Knights follows Mothmen 1966, and Varney Lake, visual novel titles – with a smattering of micro-games – in an 18-month period that has taken me on a journey that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed from a presentation and atmospheric perspective, but I can’t help but feel this most recent entry is the weakest of all.

Crashy Laps Xbox Series X (mini-review) 7/10 🏎️💨 @cheapeesoft @JanduSoft

Harking back to classic top-down / isometric racers such as Super Skidmarks, Crashy Laps by CheapeeSoft (which could have easily genuinely been a wonderfully 8-bit, British development house name back in the ‘80s!) is a budget title that aims to capture that vintage arcade-racing feel, with modern touches.

Super Arcade Racing Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 🏎️💨 @outofthebit #IndieGame #GameDev

I recently covered Full Void by OutOfTheBit, and in requesting a code for reviewing purposes, I noticed their previous release, Super Arcade Racing.

As a fan of top-down racers, I thought it would be fun to do a mini-review of this, as I hadn’t heard of it before stumbling across it on the developer’s website, and it takes a slightly different approach to its gameplay when compared to games of a similar ilk, in that it’s much more of a fun, unfolding narrative than simply disjointed races.

Full Void Nintendo Switch Review 7 / 10 "A Slice of Cinematic Cyberpunk" 👤 @outofthebit #IndieGame #GameDev

The cinematic platformer is a genre well-suited to Switch, as the impact of the pixel visuals works especially well in docked mode, when you can snuggle up in bed or in a comfy chair and dive into a genre that tends to never be overlong, by design, making them relaxing experiences over a night or two.

Developer OutOfTheBit Ltd have delivered a strong slice of such action, in a wonderfully wordless experience that clocks in at around a couple of hours, making it a breezy game to replay – in a similar vein to Devwill Too on MD, a game I routinely return to each year, for its brevity and melancholy.