🔊 Tronsmart Bang 60 Watt Portable Speaker with Light Show, Patented TuneConn™ Technology and Four Drivers 🔊

I just saw this speaker press release pop into the Games Freezer mailbox and now I'm excited about the launch of Tronsmart’s newest speaker, the BANG 60W.

The new speaker has some great features with Built-in Power Bank and the ability to link with up to 100 other Bang Speakers, for amplified sound.

The Bang 60W is IPX6 Waterproof and also comes with a built-in Power Bank. 

How handy is that?

🤖 Primordia | Nintendo Switch | Review | 8/10 | "Sounds Like Heaven" 🤖 @WWSGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Primordia managed to slip by me upon its initial release - which is strange, as a post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk, point and click adventure game sounds like heaven! 

Now that it has been ported to Nintendo Switch, I thought it would be a good time to jump in and see if it was my videogame version of heaven.

📷 35mm | PS4 | Review | 4/10 | "The very last task you’re given is to find three batteries hidden in a city..." 📷 @PixelHunted

When the apocalypse arrives it’ll probably be kinda boring. Games like Fallout, The Last of Us, and Days Gone are all razzle-dazzle combat, world-changing drama, and malformed flesh-eating monsters to mulch.

Contrast that with 35mm, in which I spent an hour trudging through an abandoned village trying to find a bucket so I could use a grubby broken-down well. Let’s face it, that’s probably a more realistic scenario for you if civilisation collapsed.

💿💽 ENCODYA | An Original Soundtrack by Yann Latour | Vinyl Review 💿💽 @_YannLatour #vinylrecords #videogamemusic #videogamevinyl

I’ve covered a lot of records over the last few years, but ENCODYA stands out as one of the most memorable. An almost purely ambient release devoid -for the most part – of beats, drums or percussion, the layers of mood and scene are punctuated by guest spots of organic instrumentation that add character and identity whilst never deviating too far from the focus on melodic simplicity.

An album that really set me in a (much appreciated) zen-like state. Good.

🐔🥔 No Place Like Home | PC | Gameplay | Early Access | "A Relaxing Farming Sim With A Hoover" 🐔🥔 #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

No Place Like Home - Humanity Trashed the Earth and left for Mars. Only a few remained. EXPLORE the world. Clean the environment, CRAFT with recycled resources. Domesticate animals. Rebuild your village. Restore the environment and run your own post-apocalyptic FARM as there is No Place Like Home!

🤖 Blackwind | Xbox Series X | Review | 3/10 | "Groundhog Slay" 🤖 @drakkardev @maxharvey79 #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

My first impressions of Blackwind were positive. I’m a fan of the mecha anime aesthetic, and the story of a boy having to use a super-powered robot suit (à la Titanfall) to battle enemies and rescue his father, was an appealing prospect. The voice acting is a little cheesy, but I felt like it set the scene well, with an AI voice in the suit giving instructions that worked as a tutorial without that being too contrived.

But. 

BUT.

⚔️ Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection | Six games - 21 versions - In One Limited Edition Collection ⚔️ #Retrogaming #WonderBoyCollection

Strictly Limited Games is looking forward to the pre-order start for the Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection on March 6th.

In the course of this announcement, they also revealed the extensive list of games that will be included in this very special collection of one of the most influential series from gaming’s past.

⚽️🥅 GOAL! - The Club Manager | "A Challenger For The Football Manager Crown?" ⚽️🥅 @Toplitz_Prod

This is an interesting piece of news about a Football Management sim that passed me by and is now ready for a reboot...

First released in 1993, the series is considered a milestone for realistic sports management mixing tactical depth with deep involvement in all areas of the club from finances to stadium extensions and a deep youth system while adding a healthy dose of humour. 

After a successful Kickstarter campaign, 2tainment and Toplitz Productions are looking forward to working together on this title to deliver a memorable experience as a club manager to gamers.

🥊KAO The Kangaroo | PC | Gameplay | The 3D Kangaroo Platformer 🦘 @Kaothekangaroo #IndieGameDev #IndieGame

 

Inspired by the golden age of 3D Platformers, Kao The Kangaroo returns in a whole new adventure! Embark on an epic journey, master magical gloves, explore lush environments and take Kao through his most grand tale yet!

🦖Elex II | XSX Review | 6.5/10 | "More RPG action from the team behind the Gothic and Risen series" 🦖 @Piranha_Bytes #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

When I came across Elex in 2017, it really made an impact on me. I resonated with the dry humour that was scattered throughout the game and, whilst it had technical issues, the sense of character that ran throughout made it stand out from the crowd, despite not being a graphical showcase.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this sequel and, whilst it retains the humour and fixes some problems that were present in the first game, I couldn’t quite relax fully, due to some vague mission design and implementation which ultimately marred the experience.

📷 Martha Is Dead | PC | Gameplay | First 20 Minutes | "A Massive Twist Within The First 20 Minutes!" 📷 #IndieGames #IndieGame #GameDev @MarthaisDead @LkaGames @WiredP

Martha Is Dead is a dark first-person psychological thriller, set in 1944 Italy, that blurs the lines between reality, superstition and the tragedy of war.

⚔️ Super Dungeon Maker | EARLY ACCESS | PC | Ten Minute Taster | "Build me A Dungeon!"⚔️ @rokaplayHQ #IndieGames #GameDev

Super Dungeon Maker is a creative pixel art dungeon editor inspired by the best 2D adventure games. Choose however many levels, enemies, secret rooms, traps and items you want. Challenge your friends and the community to master your dungeon or play the countless dungeons of the community.

⛵️ Submerged Hidden Depths | Ten Minute Taster | "Relaxploration" ⛵️ #IndieGames

Boat, climb, interact and do some relaxploration in the beautiful ruins of a sunken world.

 

🐲 Metal Dragon | Mega Drive | Review | "There will be bullets" 🐲 #IndieGames #GameDev #Homebrew #SEGAGenesis

Known mostly for their MSX releases, Spanish developers Kai Magazine are now branching out into the Mega Drive world with this, their first release on the platform - a run ‘n gun shooter that is presented with tongue firmly in cheek.

“Kill everyone, destroy everything, save the girl… just because you can” – great tagline.

Set in a parodic version of the ‘80s, Metal Dragon comes boxed with a reversible cover – representative of the grid / blue box art versions of Mega Drive games that changed over time.

I kept with the earlier ‘grid’ style as Metal Dragon feels like a game from the early ‘90s. The cover of each features our hero standing heroically atop a tank as a massive explosion looms behind – as does other, general carnage– as he holds his machine gun aloft, with the President’s daughter at his arm, scantily clad – natch.

⚔️ The Wonder Boy Collection coming for Nintendo Switch and PS4 | Four Games In One Collection ⚔️

ININ Games and Strictly Limited Games are excited to announce the Wonder Boy Collection coming to Nintendo Switch and PS4 including the most iconic adventures from the legendary game series of the 80s and 90s.

⌨️🎧 Trust Gaming Launches Eco-Friendly Thian Wireless Gaming Headset and Callaz Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard in the UK ⌨️🎧

The lightweight and eco-friendly designed Thian Wireless Gaming Headset is made from recycled materials and durable leatherette earpads with a mesh top layer

It features a 5.8Ghz USB dongle for a blazing fast collection and a foldable 

microphone with a pop filter

⛳️⚔️ RPGolf Legends | Nintendo Switch | Review | 5.5/10 | "Fighting for Par" ⛳️⚔️ @KEMCOGLOBAL #IndieGames #GameDev

I went into RPGolf Legends with as much enthusiasm as I could possibly muster for a game.

Being a huge RPG fan and a complete golf nut, my excitement for this game was immense. All signs pointed to a hole-in-one but, like my actual golf game - it didn’t take long to realise it's more likely going to be a double bogey.

🏰🏯 Castle Morihisa | Nintendo Switch | Review | 7.5/10 "Lucky I was such a fan of Slay the Spire" 🏰🏯@ThermiteGamesHQ #IndieGames #IndieGame #GameDev

I always thought deck builders were an odd choice for a standalone game type. I'm a seasoned veteran of card-based minigames, from Triple Triad in Final Fantasy 8 through to

Gwent in The Witcher 3 (which of course got its own release), but was never attracted to the idea of a full game. Then a friend recommended Slay the Spire, and since it was on Game Pass I thought I'd give it a quick bash to see what it was like. 

Long story short, I spent a day off work playing it for nine hours straight. 

So that was my gateway to the world of card slinging.

🧟🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️ Heaven Dust 2 | Nintendo Switch | Review | 7/10 | "A charming but flawed love letter to Resident Evil" 🧟🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️ #IndieGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Over the past twelve months, I’ve played several games that are effectively love letters to Resident Evil, only one really captured the essence of the early survival horror. Heaven Dust 2 does capture some of the spirit and certain aspects do make it stand out, but at its core, it sticks so closely to the Resident Evil formula that it just becomes a facsimile without its own identity.

🏌️‍♂️⛳️ Pixel Pro Golf | iOS | Review | 7.5/10 | "A Delicious Slice Of Retro Arcade Golf" 🏌️‍♂️⛳️ @PixelProGolf @pixamogames #IndieGames #IndieGame #GameDev

Golf has always been my comfort food genre for video games. I’ve grown up playing classic golf games such as World Class Leaderboard, Jack Nicklaus Greatest 18 Holes, PGA European Tour, Sensible Golf, Everybody’s Golf, Neo Turf Masters and Tiger Woods on the PS2, Xbox 360 and the PSP to name just a few.

Recently I stumbled across Pixel Pro Golf on my iPhone and it’s been my go-to toilet break game for the last month or so when I have a few spare moments to play something on my phone. 

👔 The Company Man | Nintendo Switch | Gameplay | Ten Minute Taster | "Keyboard Bashing Fun!" 👔 @ForustStudio #GameDev #IndieGames

 

The Company Man is a classic action platformer where you play as average salaryman Jim. Hit your crazy coworkers with a keyboard, shoot your evil bosses with emails, and buff up with coffee beans at the Good Water Company. Survive the struggles of working life and fulfil your lifelong quest to be CEO

🎮 GameSir T4 Pro | £30 Wireless & Wired Controller | For Android + iOS + Nintendo Switch & PC 🎮 @mygamesir

Rich takes a look at the GameSir T4 Pro and takes it for a spin.

🖱️⌨️ Use Keyboard and Mouse Controls With Your Console | GameSir | VX2 Aimbox | Unboxing 🖱️⌨️ @mygamesir

 

The GameSir VX2 AimBox has become one of the most popular adapters for console gamers to control FPS games with a mouse & keyboard. This is the 2nd version of the VX2 AimBox and it now comes with a built-in 3.5mm audio jack and PS5, PS4, XBOX One, Xbox Series X, X Box Series S and Nintendo Switch games support. Through the GameSir App, you’re able to fine-tune in-game settings such as mouse, ADS, key binds, joysticks and lighting effects. Join Rich as he takes a look at this cool piece of kit!

🔥 POSTAL™ is coming to Dreamcast on June 2nd 2022! | WAVE Game Studios | @WaveGameStudios 🔥#RetroGaming

POSTAL™, the classic twin-stick shooter originally released in 1997, is due for release on the Dreamcast video games console on June 2, 2022!

Retro gaming fans will be able to experience the rapid-fire action enjoyed by millions of PC gamers later this year when WAVE Game Studios releases this officially licensed port of the classic title on Dreamcast, marking the franchise’s first appearance on the console.

🏚️👻 Insomnis | PC | Review | 3/10 | "a series of supernatural inconveniences" 🏚️👻 @Path_Games @PixelHunted #IndieGames #GameDev

For anyone born after 1980 the prospect of inheriting a haunted house doesn’t hold the fear that it did for older generations. Sure, you’re now the custodian of a dilapidated mansion with peeling wallpaper, bloodstained carpets, spooky dolls scattered everywhere, and a minor infestation of ghost kids, but if it’s a choice between that and living under the thumb of a landlord I’ll pick the ghost kids anytime.

🚂 Nostalgic Train | XSX Review | 7/10 | "A Mystical and Relaxing Walking Simulator" 🚂 #IndieGames #GameDev

Being a person that spends a lot of their time covering video games and the various paraphernalia that comes along with them, sometimes I really like to kick back and let games wash over me. I’d say that every month or so, I actively seek out a new walking simulator, a game that I can casually breeze through, relax and enjoy. Amata Games’ Nostalgic Train coasted into view and – as it was ‘that time’ – I really looked forward to getting in a bottle of wine and spending an evening or so getting lost in its charms.

💿📀 Dying Light 2 | Original Game Soundtrack | Vinyl | Composed by Olivier Deriviere | @oderiviere 💿📀 #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

Black Screen Records

https://blackscreenrecords.com/dying-light-2

The original Dying Light - released by Techland in 2015 - is a game that I’m very familiar with, having completed it twice (once solo and once in co-op), as well as making my way through the DLC. I always secretly pined for a vinyl release of the OST for the original as the audio was memorable, harked back to the synthtastic ‘80s and had some gorgeous melodies.

Sadly, it was not to be and so Black Screen Records announcing pre-orders for the Dying Light 2 soundtrack within a few days of the game itself being launched is very much welcomed as it’s a very strong and emotive OST that Olivier Deriviere (A Plague Tale, Streets of Rage 4) is clearly very proud of, and rightly so.

💀 Kingdom Of the Dead | PC | Ten Minute Taster | "Run,Chop & Gun!" 💀 @KOTDGAME #IndieGames #GameDev

Immerse yourself in the Kingdom Of Dead, a dreadful hand-drawn horror world and push Death’s armies back to the underworld with your Shotgun, Pistol and Sword!

🎮 Can I play That on XBOX Game Pass? 🎮 #XboxGamePass

What games are on XBOX Game Pass is a phrase I often ask myself as I try and work out what to play the next.

There is so much choice now when deciding what to play next and there is also the question around should I buy my next game or should I join Game Pass?

Well, with Game Pass games changing on a regular basis it can be tough to try and work out exactly where you should get your next game from.

🕹️ History of Video Games – Bristol | "I had a quick search for anything gamey-gamey in Bristol and came across the HOVG" 🕹️ #Retrogaming #Arcade

"Whilst driving through Bristol my car doors and associated bodywork fell off exposing just me and my driver's seat!"

www.historyofvideogames.co.uk

After recently spending a hundred million ice ages in cryogenic isolation following myself and my immediate family contracting Covid, we decided a family trip was in order to get back out into the world and spent a couple of days in Bristol.

Naturally, as part of the trip planning, I had a quick search for anything gamey-gamey in Bristol and came across the HOVG, and I’m glad I did – as we had an awesome afternoon there!

🐱 Kukoos | Lost Pets | PC | Early Access | Review | "A 3D Platformer Made With Love" 🐱 #GameDev #IndieGames #IndieGame

 

Kukoos is a 3D platformer that is a clear love letter to the classic 3D platformers that have come before it but also with enough of its own magic to really bring alive the genre again on this PC release.

Kukoos is currently in Early Access on Steam and I have been lucky enough to play the game after the devs fired over a copy a couple of weeks ago for us to take a look at.

Review: Darkest Dungeon 2

The first part of Darkest Dungeon by Red Hook Studios appeared in 2016, becoming for many gamers a real revelation. It surprised literally with everything: stylish (albeit cartoonish) drawings, high complexity, and the abundance of random events that can affect the gameplay. My initial introduction to the game was on the PlayStation Vita. And it was one of the best games on Sony's dead handheld console! Neither microscopic fonts nor FPS sagging at the most dynamic moments was a hindrance.

🎧 Syn Buds Core by Roccat | Review 🎧 @ROCCAT

It’s been a while since I used wired earphones/earbuds and – whilst the £19.99 RRP is fair, the Roccat Syn Buds Core highlight why I moved away from in-ear, noise-cancelling buds and towards over-ear / wireless versions. That said, these proved to be at their best when gaming whilst in a sedentary position.

As stated above, the Roccat Syn Buds Core come with on-wire controls and their own cloth case, very cool to include in your Switch case or to throw in your pocket as protection when on the move or possibly commuting through public transport.

🦗Flea! : Special Edition | SEGA Dreamcast | Review | 7/10 | "On the face of it that sounds quite grim" 🦗 @WaveGameStudios #GameDev #IndieGames #SEGA

Flea! is an upbeat little platformer that was originally released by its developer Lowtek Games with a very limited run for the NES and Dreamcast in 2020. This month saw the game re-released for the Dreamcast as a ‘special edition’ by the Norwich-based publisher WAVE Game Studios, complete with a separate soundtrack CD and all wrapped up in a jewel case with a PAL-style design. 

💥 SHINORUBI | PC | Review | 4/10 | "I Am A Basic Bitch When It Comes To Shmups" 💥 #IndieGame #GameDev #SHMUPS @LastBoss88 @PixelHunted

I am a basic bitch when it comes to shmups. I’ve played Treasure classics Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga, Jeff Minter’s neon ungulate work, and dabbled in a few Cave shooters. This is like being into music and only having listened to The Beatles, and vast swathes of bullet hell games have passed me by in a blizzard of neon, clashing colours, and J-rock soundtracks.

Consequently, bullet hell is a genre I admire from a distance. Deep in my bones I know I’m never going to be good at it but I can appreciate what works and what doesn’t.

All of which brings me to indie dev Last Boss 88’s SHINORUBI, a new early access title “inspired by classic shooting games”. You know the drill, pick your ship and jump into a vertically scrolling battlefield teeming with enemies, power-ups and thousands of bullets. The developers promise “all the best aspects of Japanese bullet hell games” in super shiny Ultra HD.

👹 A Gremlin In The Works | 1983-2015 | by Bitmap Books | "Quite Frankly - Bitmap Books Have Done It Again." 👹 @hardistymark @bitmap_books

https://www.bitmapbooks.co.uk/products/a-gremlin-in-the-works

When I previously covered Bitmap Books’ A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games (https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/10/bitmap-books-guide-to-japanese-role.html) I felt quite certain that I had read the definitive ‘gaming book’.

It was so rich with information and so well-presented and researched that I couldn’t imagine it really being bettered. It was a pleasant surprise then, when receiving A Gremlin in the Works, as the book had a totally different and arguably bigger impact on me as I read through it.

It’s extremely early days, but following my time with the book, I can very much imagine this ending up in my year-end list for 2022…and it’s currently January.

💻 What are some of the best platforms for game development? 💻

 

Designs graphics and developing a crucial part in the product and gaming industry. In any case, to make a decent game, you want the right platform and devices.

This article will address the absolute best platforms for gaming application development.

You can check here to hire a game developer.

Any excited individual making portable applications will genuinely cherish and like these developers and tools, we are going to introduce.

🏚️ House of Ashes | XSX | Review | 7.5/10 | "The Dark Pictures Anthology Continues…" 🏚️ @TheDarkPictures #GameDev #IndieGame #DarkPictures Anthology

Three games into the ongoing Dark Pictures anthology and, whilst it plays like the best entry so far, some creaky gameplay already feels like it may need updating to get the best of what this intriguing - and most of all, fun - series can offer.

📀💿 Evergate (Original Game Soundtrack) | Vinyl Review | Black Screen Records | "Evergate Really Does Feel Like an Audio Journey" 📀💿 @blackscreenrec #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl

blackscreenrecords.com/evergate-original-soundtrack-by-m-r-miller

Music by M.R. Miller

Released across multiple platforms in 2020, Stone Lantern Games’ Evergate tells the story of two kindred spirits named Ki and Ha, spirits that travel through memories of past lives; ranging from China in 1715 through to Alaska in 1838, England in 1942 and beyond – to New York in 2071. The accompanying triple album soundtrack is comprised of over two hours’ worth of music, re-telling the spirits’ tales of love, separation, breakup and reconciliation across not just time itself, but also the afterlife.

💺The Phantom 3 Six Invitational 2022 Is Available for Pre Order! 💺

Following on from our last set of news from Andaseat we can announce that the world-leading gaming chair brand AndaSeat is today announcing the pre-order availability of its latest gaming chair, the Phantom 3 Six Invitational 2022 in association with Ubisoft. 

Delivery is expected from the end of February.

Based on the Andaseat Phantom 3 with smooth touch, scratch resistance, and stain resistance. DuraXtra™ premium PVC leather, the new Six Invitational 2022 Edition Gaming Chair from Anda Seat brings design, comfort, functionality and quality to e-sport fans.

The Six Invitational 2022 edition includes the Rainbow 6 Siege icons and features orange, green, red and blue arrows in a stylish design, sure to appeal to fans of the game.

🦔 Bust Some Moves To This Sonic The Hedgehog Inspired Album | Needle Mouse Mania🦔 @FiragaRecords #VideoGameMusic #VGM

 

Firaga Records and artist RoBTKA release high energy album ‘Needlemouse Mania’

Music label Firaga Records has just released its newest album inspired by everyone’s favourite blue hedgehog, Sonic. 

With ten funky tracks to jam to, Needlemouse Mania from artist RoBKTA is the perfect soundtrack for Sonic the Hedgehog Fans. 

Songs featured on the album include “Chemical Apex” from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, “Planet Wisp” from Sonic Colors and “Studiopolis” from Sonic Mania.

🔪🩸 Top 10 Video Game Horror Franchises | By Transvaal 🔪🩸

10-Gabriel Knight

Two of the Gabriel Knight games are amazing, the 2nd one, in particular, is a beloved childhood memory (yes my parents didn’t seem to care about age ratings), I remember very fondly going through The Beast Within with my older brother and being obsessed with the word Schattenjaeger. Impressed with the FMV, it was a good time. What stops this series from getting any higher is the third game… it’s pretty much spent wandering around a very sunny French village, ostensibly hunting vampires and listening to a bored Tim Curry get sassed by a snooty French waiter. It is not as engaging as the previous entries.

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

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

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

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

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

The less you know the better.

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

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

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

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

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

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