Showing posts with label Rich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rich. Show all posts

11 Feb 2025

Keep Driving PC Review 7.5/10 "The Crazy Gas Fuelled Adventures Of A Sedan!" ๐Ÿš— @YCJYgames #IndieGame #GameDev

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Keep Driving PC Review
Keep Driving from YCJY Games is a wonderful turn-based RPG that combines elements of road trips and roguelike mechanics, all wrapped up in a beautiful pixel art package of nostalgia and great music.

You play as a young driver who has just bought their first car around the early 2000s, and your main goal is to meet up with your friend at a music festival on the other side of the country within four weeks. Interestingly, the game features a procedurally generated world with various routes, 'shopping' stops and random encounters along the way.

10 Feb 2025

"Games of a Lifetime" by Jaz Rignall > Book Review By Rich ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ“– @JazRignall @bitmap_books

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"Games of a Lifetime" by Jaz Rignall > Book Review
Growing up in the '80s and '90s and reading various video game magazines from the period meant that Jaz Rignall has always been a hero of mine. 

My first experience of Jaz's brand of video game journalism came through the much-thumbed pages of the Mean Machines monthly video game magazine in the early '90s. I remember my first purchase of Mean Machines magazine vividly. I bought Issue 7 of Mean Machines from local Happy Shopper branded newsagents with The Simpsons, complete with Homer strangling Bart, on the front cover as the headline stars of that month's magazine. 

Mean Machines Issue 7

Whilst reading the magazine from cover to cover I remember feeling like I had just become a part of a cool club of video games-loving pals. Jaz's writing and the rest of the Mean Machines staff writing (including Richard Leadbetter from Digital Foundry fame for example) was perfectly in sync with its audience. 

You knew you could trust the reviews from Mean Machines as they knew their onions and Jaz and the gang were independent. In a future issue, there would be a cover giveaway of a miniature Jaz Figure which I cherished for many years and in some ways added to Jaz's legendary status in my own video gaming world.

It's now 2025 and Jaz has put virtual pen to paper to chronicle his lifetime in gaming by writing this wonderful book called "Games of a Lifetime" by Jaz Rignall.

4 Feb 2025

Eternal strands Ten Minute Taster "Who's Pulling The Strings?" ๐Ÿงต @YellowBrick_Qc #IndieGame #GameDev #EternalStrands

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Rich plays Eternal Strands which is an action-adventure game developed and published by Yellow Brick Games. The game released on January 28, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.

Britt reviewed it here ๐Ÿ‘‡7.5/10

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2025/01/eternal-strands-xbox-series-x-review.html

In the game, players control Brynn, a warrior on a quest to uncover the secrets of a long-lost civilization known as the Enclave. Brynn has the ability to manipulate elements and temperature using a magical cloak, which can be used to freeze or burn enemies, as well as alter the game's environment. The game features a third-person perspective and includes telekinetic powers that allow Brynn to perform feats such as hurling objects at enemies and constructing bridges using ice. Players will encounter nine distinct bosses throughout the game, each requiring unique strategies to defeat. Upon defeating a boss, players are rewarded with new magical abilities that can be used for exploration or combat. The game draws inspiration from titles like Shadow of the Colossus, Dragon's Dogma, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The development team aimed to create a game that makes players feel like a "fantasy superhero" with its physics-based combat system.

3 Feb 2025

Under Defeat Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "Get To The Chopper!" ๐Ÿš๐Ÿ’ฅ @clearrivergames @claricedisc #RetroGaming

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Under Defeat Nintendo Switch Review
I've always been a sucker for helicopter video games. I love SWIV and I love Desert Strike and the Strike series of games.

Under Defeat is a classic helicopter based arcade shoot 'em up that has been given a new life on the Nintendo Switch. It was originally released in the arcades during2005 and has now been brought to the Switch by Clear River Games and City Connection. The idea here as ever is to bring both nostalgia and some modern enhancements for fans of the shmup genre.

Under Defeat is set in an alternate World War II era, where players take control of a helicopter pilot fighting against various enemy forces. The game features a unique shot-tilting angled mechanic that allows players to attack enemies from various different angles. As with most games in the SHMUP genre, the story is minimal and focuses more on the intense action, bullet dodging and strategic gameplay rather than a deep narratives and characters.

31 Jan 2025

My First Hour With Steamworld Heist 2 On PC ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿค– @SteamWorldGames #IndieGames #GameDev

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@thegamesfreezer Steamworld Heist 2 Gameplay And First Impressions #lurkit #steamworldheist #indiegames #indiegame #indiegamedev #pcgaming #pcgames #thunderfulgames @thunderfulgames ♬ original sound - ❄️ Games Freezer ❄️

I first played Steamworld Heist on my Nintendo Switch last year and was instantly hooked! (although i nearly threw my switch out of the window on the last boss as it was MEGA hard and it made me feel like I was rubbish! (maybe I was) 


SteamWorld Heist 2 is a deserved sequel to a great game and builds upon the unique style and tactical depth of the original instalment which is sure to please anyone who liked the original Heist game. 

Steamworld Heist 2 On PC

30 Jan 2025

Keep Driving PC Gameplay "Those Pesky Road Sheep!" ๐Ÿ๐Ÿš˜ #IndieGame #GameDev

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Keep Driving is an upcoming road trip RPG indie game developed and published by YCJY Games. Set in the early 2000s, the game immerses you in a nostalgic, pixel art world where you embark on a cross-country journey after buying your first car. The narrative is minimalist, focusing on the journey rather than a detailed plot.

As you travel, you'll manage essential resources like food and repair supplies, meet hitchhikers with unique stories, and face various roadblocks that require problem-solving using a light combat system. The game emphasizes storytelling through the journey itself, offering an immersive experience rather than traditional RPG mechanics.

The game is set to release on February 6, 2025.

27 Jan 2025

Dynasty Warriors: Origins PS5 Review 8.5/10 "Battle Grows Where My Wanderlay Goes" ๐Ÿช–⚔️ @koeitecmoeurope @s_sangokumusou

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Dynasty Warriors: Origins PS5 Review
The last time I played a Dynasty Warriors game was Dynasty Warriors 2 on the PlayStation 2 around 25 years ago. Now at the time of playing it on the PS2, I loved it at first but after a while, the repetition wore away at my enthusiasm for it. In 2021 Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires was released but it came out to a lukewarm reception as it went down a more strategic route for the gameplay elements and this didn't seem to hit well with the target audience. 4 years on and we have a new Dynasty Warriors on the next-gen consoles and I'm glad to say it doesn't disappoint!

26 Jan 2025

Rich's Video Games of the Year | "2024 was a year that surprised me month by month" ๐Ÿ—“️๐ŸŽฎ #GOTY

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2024 was a year that surprised me month by month with some awesome Indie releases, some stellar AAA stuff and an old master that I finally got to grips with.


Sitting down to compile my GOTY list has been a pleasure and today I'd love to share it with you to see if there’s any gems in here (alongside a classic) that I can tempt you to try.

Dragon's Dogma 2 - The Organised Chaos RPG Award ๐Ÿ†
I’d never played the original game and the premise of DD2 had me licking my lips in anticipation for an enormous RPG to get stuck into on my newly purchased PS5. DD2 did not disappoint. Every crevice I explored seemed to unveil something new for me to discover, whether that was a new enemy, a chest, a cave or an interesting building. I’ve piled lots of hours into this game and I'm yet to complete it. I’m determined to revisit and complete it in 2025 as I attempt to uncover the regions of the map

Tetris Forever - The Legend Of Henk & Alexey Award 
๐Ÿ†
I was drawn to this Digital Eclipse Gold Master release due to the fact that TETRIS is truly one of purest video games ever conceived and I was really interested to look at all the different releases across the years. When I began to dig into this TETRIS opus I was blown away by the story of Henk Rogers and Alexey Pajitnov and the interactive documentary became a must read/listen/watch page turner of a ‘game’. I love this series and I love TETRIS forever.

Drova Forsaken Kin - The Cilla Black Surprise Award 
๐Ÿ†
This game completely blind sided me and turned out to be one of the best video games of 2024. It’s an RPG that is steeped in a love for the genre and has that retro feel to it that takes you back to the classic RPGs where you are discovering a world and an IP for the first time. It’s a marvel of a video game made by a small team and I implore everyone to play this game today.

Indiana Jones - The Late In the Day Award 
๐Ÿ†
Indy films are my jam. I grew up watching them and punctuated my youth with visits to the cinema to watch them as soon as they were released. As the years have worn on I've lost the passion for the films since Crystal Skull and as far as Indiana Jones video games go, I'd settled for the fact that Uncharted was going to be the best effort since the beautiful Lucas Arts point and clicks. I therefore watched from afar as Machine Games prepared the Indiana Jones And The Great Circle video game but I was never really hyped by anything I'd seen pre release. I managed to get my hands on a copy upon release to check out what the latest offering would be like and WOW, just WOW! The game oozes class, the performances in the game are awesome. The puzzles are pitch perfect, the combat is so ‘Indy’ that I am relieved they didn’t just create a first person shooter/murder machine of a game. The game and the environments just feel alive and the locations are big enough to get lost in but never outstay their welcome. It only came out in early December but my word it grabbed the hat from underneath the falling stone door to give us the real next Indiana Jones movie!

GTAIV - The Best Game Of 2008 In 2024 Award 
๐Ÿ†
Somehow I had only managed to play up until GTAIII up until late 2024. The announcement of GTAVI had really peaked my interest in the franchise again and I picked up GTAIV on a Steam Sale price of about five pounds. I dropped it onto my Steam Deck and I was transported back to 2008 and was really surprised at how well it held up in 2024. The story swept me up into the world of Niko Bellic and I found myself becoming a resident of Resident Of Liberty City and getting caught up in all of its politics and personalities.

Stalker 2 - The Great Allure Of Radioactive Jank Award 
๐Ÿ†
The Stalker series passed me by in 2007, 2008 and 2009 as it was a PC game at a time when I was never a PC gamer. Looking back at the series now, it would have been right up on my list if I'd have been a PC gamer at the time. Then I got swept up in the Stalker 2 pre release story and I knew that I just had to play Stalker 2. Despite a really rough launch, I could see this game was special and as the devs resolve the issues the game gets better and better with it's depiction of life in The Zone.
 
Tiny Terrys Turbo Trip - The Keep Me Busy Award 
๐Ÿ†
For a game that's around 4 hours long this kept me busy doing fun stuff in this open world platformer that has an awesome art style and a music sense that compliments the game perfectly. It's the perfect example of an indie game that benefits from not over stretching itself and making sure that what it does, it does it well. Go make friends with Tiny Terry and i promise you won't regret it!

Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom - The Simple Pleasures Award 
๐Ÿ†
Hand crafted retro worlds are brought to life in this cool PS1 era style platformer that sees you trying to navigate the worlds without a jump button! It's a playground of video game fun that is a pleasure to pick up and play. Be warned though, it gets HARD and also at around 6 hours it does feel a little too long. 

Astrobot - The Pure Joy Award 
๐Ÿ†
If I was forced to pick one game from this list that had to take all the glory it would be Astrobot. It has everything I could ever want from a platformer and is probably the best example of one since the release of Super Mario Odyssey. The music is a delight, the platforming is on point, the various mechanics that are introduced through power up bring a smile to your face, the bots you rescue are now my family as I care for them back at the crash site like they were my own, the game is almost perfect. This is the game I would buy a PS5 for if I didn't already own a PS5 and I seriously can't wait for Team Asobi's next game on the PS5/PS6! Bravo Bravo Astro!

Ye Olde Honourable Mentions...


Indika - The Best Nun Sim Award ๐Ÿ’™
You are a nun, you do nun things, go on a journey with the devil and see what happens...

Children of the Sun - The Psychadelic Bullet Cult Award
๐Ÿ’™
You are a sniper, you do sniper things, you control the bullets that you fire in bullet time, you are angry, you want to destroy a cult, go get a position on that hill and see what happens...

22 Jan 2025

ALL WILL FALL PC Gameplay "Sometimes I Struggle With The Stairs" ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ—️ @AllWillFallGame #IndieGame #GameDev

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ALL WILL FALL, an innovative new city builder launching in 2025 on PC via Steam that combines the high-stakes survival colony sim management with pure physics-based pandemonium where every building can crumble under its weight. It’s like Jenga with human lives at stake! In a flooded post-apocalyptic world, you’ll construct and govern humanity’s last bastion the only way that remains: up!!

Stack buildings carefully while keeping real-world construction factors in mind, manage the needs of your people, and make tough decisions to keep your society and the city itself from collapsing. With various unique maps, objectives, and challenges to discover, there are always new heights to be reached and new tragedies to try to avoid.

STEAM LINK ๐Ÿ”— https://store.steampowered.com/app/2706020/ALL_WILL_FALL_PhysicsBased_Survival_City_Builder/

21 Jan 2025

Lonely Mountains Snow Riders Has Now Been released On PC and It's GREAT! ⛷️๐Ÿ”️ @LonelyMnts #IndieGame #GameDev

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@thegamesfreezer Lonely Mountains Snow Riders PC Gameplay ⛷️๐Ÿ”️ #indiegamedev #indiegames #indiegame #skiing #lonelymountainsdownhill @lonelymnts ♬ original sound - ❄️ Games Freezer ❄️

"Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders" is the latest installment from Megagon Industries, following the success of "Lonely Mountains: Downhill." This game takes you on a thrilling skiing adventure through breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Lonely Mountains Snow Riders

17 Jan 2025

The Spirit Of The Samurai PC Gameplay 'Takeshi's Castle' ๐ŸŽŽ๐ŸŽ๐ŸŽ‹ @samuraisgame #IndieGame #GameDev

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The Spirit of the Samurai is a side-scrolling action platformer developed by Digital Minds Games. The game follows Takeshi, a samurai tasked with defending his village from an ancient evil. The story is engaging, starting with a young boy meeting a Kitsune, who narrates the tale of Takeshi and his mystical connection to the spirits.

Gameplay: The game offers a straightforward combat system with a sword, bow, and consumables like kunai. Players earn XP by defeating enemies, which can be used to upgrade attributes at shrines. The game also features platforming segments where players control Takeshi's small companion, Chisai. Graphics & Audio: The standout feature of The Spirit of the Samurai is its unique visual style, reminiscent of stop-motion and Claymation. The game draws inspiration from classic films like Jason and the Argonauts and old Mortal Kombat games. However, the frame rate issues, especially during the final boss fight, detract from the overall experience. Longevity: The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around five hours. Despite its brief length, the game manages to deliver a satisfying experience, thanks to its captivating story and unique visual style. Overall, The Spirit of the Samurai is a visually stunning game with an engaging story and straightforward gameplay. However, technical issues and a short playtime may leave some players wanting more.

15 Jan 2025

Awaken Astral Blade PC Gameplay "Christmas Tree O' Christmas Tree" ๐ŸŽ„⚔️ @AwakenBlade #IndieGame #GameDev

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Awaken: Astral Blade is a Metroidvania game that combines classic elements with a few unique twists. The game follows Tania, a bionic girl created by Dr. Herveus, as she navigates the dense rainforest of Horace Island to uncover the mystery behind a strange energy called Karpas.

Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) PC Gameplay "Get Off My Land!" ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿช“ @TwoFalls #IndieGame #GameDev

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Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) is a narrative-driven, first-person adventure game that takes players on a journey through the 17th-century Canadian wilderness. The game presents two contrasting perspectives: Jeanne, a French woman who has crossed the Atlantic to start anew, and Maikan, an Innu hunter trying to uncover what is disturbing his native forest.

7 Jan 2025

Breath Of Death VII The Beginning Reanimated PC Gameplay ๐Ÿ’€ @ShadowLayerDev #IndieGame #GameDev

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Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated is a delightful homage to classic RPGs, blending humour and nostalgia. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are extinct, players follow Dem, a mute skeleton, and his quirky companions on a quest to restore the past. The game shines with its witty writing, fourth-wall-breaking humour, and engaging turn-based combat. The updated graphics and soundtrack enhance the experience, making it a must-play for fans of retro RPGs. Despite its short length, the game offers a fulfilling adventure filled with charm and clever references.

17 Dec 2024

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | PC Gameplay | "BEWARE OF THE DOGS!" ⚱️๐Ÿบ๐Ÿ—ฟ #IndianaJonesandTheGreatCircle

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Rich dons his fedora and packs the whip into his waistband as he decides to take on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on the PC.

In this Ten Minute Taster Rich takes on the Fieldwork mission of Rescuing Sidney from the clutches of the "Blackshirts" in The Vatican...BEWARE OF THE DOGS!

13 Dec 2024

Neo Harbor Rescue Squad PS5 Gameplay "Saving Lives With Mini Games" ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿš‘ @bancyco #IndieGame #GameDev

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Neo Harbor Rescue Squad is a game that lets you live the life of a rookie paramedic through frantic minigame action and a wild, funny story. You'll juggle waves of patients with a battle-like triage system, master dozens of treatment minigames, and aim to win the city's recognition from the rival fire department. 

The game features over 50 minigames with multiple difficulty variations, allowing for hundreds of combinations. It's available on PS5, PS4, and Steam. 

If you're into action-packed medical simulations with a dash of humour and character-driven storytelling, this might be a game worth checking out.

10 Dec 2024

Tetris Forever PC Review 8/10 "The Story Is the Star" ๐Ÿ’ฃ @DigitalEclipse #Retrogaming

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Tetris Forever PC Review
My Tetris is Nintendo Game Boy era Tetris. Once you had that chunky Game Boy in your hand and a copy of Tetris inserted into the back of that pocket gem it meant that was all you were going to play for the next 6 months until the kid at school who had 15 game carts was able to lend you another game to play on your Game Boy.

Tetris Forever fills in the gaps of what came before Nintendo's 1989 Tetris and also what came after. During this wonderful character led journey Digital Eclipse prove once again that they are the masters of the interactive video game documentary.

9 Dec 2024

Drova - Forsaken Kin PC Gameplay "An Indie RPG GOTY Contender!" ๐Ÿ›–⚔️ @J2D_Interactive #IndieGame #GameDev

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Drova - Forsaken Kin landed in the Games Freezer and blew the GF Cardiff and London HQ's wide open. It came from nowhere and received massive acclaim from Britt in his review (Britt knows his onions) and now Rich has finally gotten around to giving you 30 minutes of Drova video goodness on the PC. Relax, sit back and enjoy the start of this RPG Rolls Royce.

4 Dec 2024

BZZZT! Nintendo Switch Review 9/10 "A Perfect Potion of Platforming Perfection" ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿฅช @ko_dll #IndieGame #GameDev

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BZZZT! Nintendo Switch Review
The people who make the best platform games are the people that know the genre inside out from playing the classics and having an understanding of what makes a great platformer. What we have here my friends is one of the best indie platform video games that I have ever had the pleasure of playing. 

Developed by KO.DLL BZZZT! is truly a love letter to the classics of the genre and also brings its own brand of charm and sauce! Bzzzt offers up a fast-paced, precision platforming experience with the game clearly being designed to be accessible to both newcomers and veterans of the genre with its perfectly pitched variation of difficulty levels.

3 Dec 2024

Bandit Knight PC Gameplay "Stealing In Style!" ๐Ÿ•ต️‍♀️ @BanditKnightG #IndieGame #GameDev

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Bandit Knight is a stealth action game where you step into the boots of a master thief. The game features vibrant 2.5D pixel art and requires players to outsmart enemies, steal legendary treasures, and navigate various environments. You can customize your tools, unlock upgrades, and rise to become the ultimate King of Thieves.

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