🗺️ Map Of Materials | PC | Gameplay | Ten minute Taster | 'Crab Killer Simulator 2022' 🗺️ #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

You are the hero in Map of Materials, and you'll embark on a journey to discover your past and escape from the dark secret of a long-abandoned land. Armed with a sword and a bow, you'll confront a threatening shadow that will try to stop you.

😎 Foreclosed | XSX | Review | 6.5/10 | ‘Metal Gear Solid for the Hipster Generation’ 😎 @showmemagic #IndieGame #IndieGameDev @MergeGamesLtd

I’ve already sunk several hours into Cyberpunk 2077, so I’m going into this review hot and ready to be entertained. Unfortunately, I’ve already lost interest in the aforementioned game, so let’s see how Foreclosed holds out. Don’t worry, I won’t be making any comparisons, that’s just unfair. It’s just good to know I’m in the futurist zone and keen to play this game. It has, how the French would half-say, ‘piqued my interest’.

Foreclosed is a sleek, stylish interactive graphic novel and immersive narrative-driven action-shooter with the difficulty default setting of Hard-Boiled! I like my games to be sunny-side up - but sod it, I’m in the mood for a challenge. Le regret?

🗡️ Pathologic 2 | Xbox Series X | Review | 5.5/10 | "Tedious mechanics wore down my love for its creepy atmosphere and intriguing mysteries" 🗡️ @transvaalgf @IcePickLodge #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

After a few hours of Pathologic 2, I could tell this was going to be a real marmite game, there was a great atmosphere and an interesting mystery being developed but the mechanics were already becoming beyond tedious, so the question would be, “would the interesting philosophical plot with a great atmosphere be enough, or would the increasingly frustrating mechanics be too much of a pain and drag the entire experience down?”

💥 B.I.O.T.A | PC | Gameplay | "Run, Gun and Jumping Fun!" 💥 @small_bros #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

 

In B.I.O.T.A. you can choose your hero, fight gruesome monsters, and customize your 8-bit retro experience with swappable 4-colour palettes.

🎻🥁 8-Bit Orchestra Pro: The Prague Sessions 🎻🥁 @C64audio #VideoGameMusic

I contacted @C64audio on Twitter a week or so ago regarding a vinyl for coverage on the site (Project Sidologie – Revolutions, coming to you in a GF article very, very soon) and was struck by the amicable chat and passion for their upcoming recording sessions in Prague for a successfully Kickstarter-backed project (https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2022/03/saturday-2nd-april-two-free-streaming.html) which I was previously unaware of…and now had to watch, with my eyes – whilst also listening with my ears.

🚜 Lawn Mowing Simulator | PS4 | Gameplay | Ten minute Taster | "Mow Mow Mow Your Lawn!" 🚜 @SkyhookGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

 

Rich hops on his mower and cruises around some luscious lawns to earn a few quid. "Experience the beauty and detail of mowing the Great British countryside in Lawn Mowing Simulator, the only simulator that allows you to ride an authentic and expansive roster of real-world licensed lawnmowers from prestigious manufacturers; Toro, SCAG and STIGA as you manage your business."

🚜 Teardown | v1.0 | Ten minute Taster | PC | Gameplay "Watch Me "Beach" A digger!" 🚜 @teardowngame #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Teardown is a game that we've never played at the Games Freezer but now Rich gets the chance to begin his career of destruction and you can come along for the ride! "Prepare the perfect heist in this simulated and fully destructible voxel world. Tear down walls with vehicles or explosives to create shortcuts. Stack objects to reach higher. Use the environment to your advantage in the most creative way you can think of"

🌴 Slipstream | XSX | Review | 8.5/10 | "let it drift into your gaming library" 🌴 @ansdor #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned on these virtual pages before, my taste in racing games leans much more towards the arcade-style over deep simulation, and so Slipstream’s retro aesthetic and pick-up-and-play approach is very much burnin’ rubber down my Strasse.

🐶😾 Animal Shelter | Ten Minute Taster | PC | "Can We Get Cats Into our Shelter?" 🐶😾 @GamesIncubator #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Animal Shelter Simulator is Rich & Nya's new favourite game to play together so let's take a look at what it's all about as the Animal Shelter duo try and upgrade their shelter to enable cats to be adopted as well as dogs!

"In Animal Shelter, your main target is to make your four-legged friends happy. Pet them, hand out treats, play with toys - and they will pay you back with great trust. Get to know the animals well enough to find them the best home! Don't wait any longer, open your animal shelter now!"

🎮 GameSir launches its X3 Type-C Peltier-Cooled Ergonomic Mobile Gaming Controller on Indiegogo 🎮

GameSir, today announces its latest product and follow up to the hugely popular X2, the  X3 Type-C Peltier-Cooled Ergonomic Mobile Gaming Controller which is now available on Indiegogo. With prices starting from £53.81/$69.99, it is a 30% reduction of the RRP.

Designed for pro-level gaming with crisp tactile feedback, it is the ultimate ergonomic controller and cooler – meaning that gamers no longer have to make the compromise between the two and no longer have to worry about overheating when gaming for long periods of time. With various personalisation options and supporting Android games and cloud gaming platforms, it is ideal for mobile gamers.

The ultimate ergonomic controller and cooler, it is designed for pro-level gaming with crisp tactile feedback.

🏆 Trophy | XSX | Review | 7.5/10 | "If you like early Mega Man, here’s your Trophy" 🏆 @6502Collective #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Originally programmed for the NES, Trophy has now made its way to modern consoles, and your take on gameplay firmly rooted in the past as well as your affinity for the Mega Man series of games will very much dictate how much Trophy appeals to you.

🍔🎮 Good Game Café, Cardiff | Review 🍔🎮 @goodgamecaf

Was this a Bruce Forsyth Tribute Cafe?

A couple of weeks ago, my partner and I visited a nearby farmer’s market, and after spending a shocking amount of money on cheese, we remembered that just around the corner was a place we’d been meaning to visit for almost a year… the Good Game Café.

Located just outside the city centre and a couple of minutes’ walk from the Principality Stadium, the Good Game Café is situated on Tudor Street, which is currently being renovated and given a new facelift by the council, meaning that the sparkling new signage acted as a beacon to us, teasing of games….and awesome food.

⚔️ Royal Frontier | PS4 | Review | 8/10 | “Choose Your Own Death” ⚔️ @RatalaikaGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Royal Frontier popped into our games code bucket and it was a title that immediately intrigued me with its classic looking pixel art style straight out of the SNES era which I am always a sucker for.

Royal Frontier is a Roguelite, Run Based, Choose Your Own Adventure (death), Pixel Art game with a ton of charm and an engaging turn-based battle system. As you might already be able to tell, I really liked my time with Royal Frontier (even though I didn’t think I would at first).

👾 Tempest 4000 | Nintendo Switch | Ten Minute Taster | Gameplay | "Tube Shootin'" 👾 @llamasoft_ox #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Developed by legendary game designer, Jeff Minter, Tempest 4000 remains faithful to the original fast-paced gameplay by putting you in control of the Claw, a powerful spacecraft equipped to destroy deadly creatures and other obstructions with rapid-fire shots on vibrant geometric prisms. Featuring fantastical graphical environments, 100 levels, three game modes, and more, you must eliminate all enemies as fast as possible to survive and compete for the highest score on the leaderboards.

💥 Xenocider | Retro Sumus | WAVE Game Studios | Dreamcast | Review | 8/10 | "The first 3D Dreamcast title in 15 years" 💥 @WaveGameStudios #RetroGaming #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Purchase Link - https://www.wavegamestudios.com/shop/xenocider

Wave Game Studios are continuing to release a tidal wave of Dreamcast magic throughout this year, the most recently released title being Xenocider, a 3D rail shooter that tips the hat to Space Harrier… and then blows him away in a barrage of gore.

⚔️ Eastern Exorcist | PC | Gameplay | Ten Minute Taster | "A 2D Swordplay Master" | #EasternExorcist ⚔️ #GameDev #IndieGames

 

Eastern Exorcist is a stunning 2D side-scrolling action RPG set in a fantasy eastern world with the vicious spirits and monsters. 

Play as a skilled exorcist against chaotic evil to fight your way through the brutal world, and experience different stories of joy and sorrow.

GAME LINK:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1120810/Eastern_Exorcist/

🎮 GameSir | F7 Claw | Tablet Controller | Unboxed & Tested 🎮 @mygamesir

 

Rich takes a look at the next piece of cool kit that GameSir has sent to GF HQ with an unboxing of the GameSir F7 Claw Tablet Controller and test using PUBG.

🚗💨 Drift Hunters: The Ultimate Free Drifting Browser Game 🚗💨

The browser-based game industry has changed. In the early 2000s, we had sites like Newgrounds and Ebaumsworld, which curated a bunch of different kinds of flash games.

Many of these games were fun but didn’t have much to offer outside of the 5-10 minutes diversion.

We have websites like Drifted, which curates many of the same styles of quick-play browser games and some games with more meat on their bones.

One of these games, a browser game with a ton of technical depth, great gameplay, and customizability, is Drift Hunters.

If you’re looking to experience an elevated browser game, read on to see some of the awesome features of Drift Hunters.

🦊🔧 FixFox | PC | Ten Minute Taster | Gameplay | "Fox In Spaaaaaace!" 🦊🔧 @fixfoxgame #IndieGame #GameDev

Arriving on a curious planet, Vix and her toolbox Tin explore space, fixing machines with unconventional tools and eating cosy meals with kind robot locals.

On an epic adventure, the duo repairs an interstellar beacon and constructs giant mechs, unravelling a cosmic mystery that transcends existence.

📖 The Games Freezer Book Is Now Available Across All Of Amazon 📖 #Retrogaming

The Games Freezer Pixel Art Illustrated Compendium Of Video Games Consoles, Computers & Handhelds is now live across multiple Amazon platforms!

Pick up a copy for around £9.99

This book is a cross between a history book and a set of video games trump cards!

AMAZON U.S.A : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WKL5R89

AMAZON U.K: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WKL5R89

AMAZON AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09WKL5R89

AMAZON CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09WKL5R89

AMAZON JAP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09WKL5R89

AMAZON DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09WKL5R89

⚔️ Salt and Sacrifice | Beta | Preview | PS5 Tested | "Salt and Sacrifice will feel very familiar to those who played the preceding title" ⚔️ @transvaalgf @jamezila @iequalshane @skastudios #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Salt and Sacrifice will feel very familiar to those who played the preceding title - Salt and Sanctuary - as the 2D take on the Dark Souls formula is largely unchanged; it keeps the core mechanics but sprinkles in enough new flavour to keep the game feeling fresh.

🔴🟡🟠🔵 Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey | Boxed Retail Release 🔴🟡🟠🔵

ININ Games and Survios and under licence from TAITO Corp are delighted to announce the upcoming boxed retail release of Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey. 

This new entry in the classic Japanese action, puzzle-game franchise brings bubble-popping puzzle fun to the third dimension for the first time and can optionally even be experienced in virtual reality via PlayStation VR (PSVR). 

💿📀 Britt's Video Game Vinyl Fantasies #3 💿📀 #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #VGM

Hello all! My last entry in this ongoing series was back in October 2021, and I thought it was a good time to cover the records that have been getting heavy rotation over the last few months here at GF towers.

The last few weeks have seen some more gold turning up for future articles, but these are the records that have been keeping me warm and dancing through the cold, winter months. 

Along with tequila. 

This list also features two albums that are kind of video game-related, but I just wanted to mention my positive experiences with them and their creators - also, just to clarify - this list is in no particular order.

🏝️🐒 It's Time To Return to Monkey Island 🏝️🐒 #RetroGaming #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Announcing Return to Monkey Island, 

the long-awaited follow-up to the legendary Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge by Ron Gilbert's Terrible Toybox in collaboration with Devolver Digital and Lucasfilm Games, coming 2022.

https://returntomonkeyisland.com/

📖 The Games Freezer Book Is OUT NOW! | The Pixel Art Compendium OF Video Games Consoles, Computers & Handhelds 📖 @gamesfreezer #PixelArt #SelfPublished

I've always fancied having my own video games book published and during lockdown 2020 I began a journey to write and illustrate my very first book. 

Today I proudly present to you The Games Freezer Book. A Pixel Art Illustrated Compendium of Video Games Consoles, Computers and Handhelds.

📖 Amazon Link: Games Freezer Book 📖

🚀This Means Warp | PC | Gameplay | "Overcooked In Space?" 🚀 @OutlierSocial #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

 

This Means Warp is a co-op space survival fun, Jim, but not as we know it. This Means Warp is an intense spaceship management rogue-lite experience for 1-4 players. Explore a procedurally generated universe, upgrade your ship, battle truly dangerous enemies and adapt your strategies to survive in a hostile universe.

🔪 Dread X Collection 5 Releases on Steam in April 2022 🔪@DreadXP_ #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Independent horror publisher and production company DreadXP is back to spotlight the second half of games included in Dread X Collection 5, the latest entry in its popular anthology horror game series.

Based around the theme of “entertainment”, the last batch of sinister titles included in Dread X Collection 5 invites players into the glitz and glam of Hollywood, a karaoke bar toilet, an abandoned daycare, a haunted puppet show, and even Finland in the year 1888... 

Are you ready for some terror?

🎶🎻 Saturday 2nd April | Two FREE Streaming Sessions | 8-Bit Symphony 2 is being recorded in Prague by the Czech Studio Orchestra 🎶🎻 @C64Audio #VideoGameMusic

8-Bit Symphony Pro Orchestra FREE Live Stream

On Saturday 2nd April, in two free streaming sessions, 8-Bit Symphony 2 is being recorded in Prague by the Czech Studio Orchestra! 

A successfully crowdfunded project, tune in to watch this world-class 80-piece orchestra playing pieces of music from such seminal games as Thing on a Spring, Defender of the Crown, Hunter patrol, Ghouls ‘n’ Ghosts and Last Ninja as well as a Ben Daglish piece from the game Ark Pandora.

🎮💿📖 INTRODUCING THE WORLD OF CROIX-NOIRE | GRAPHIC NOVEL, ROBLOX GAME AND ALBUM LAUNCHED SIMULTANEOUSLY 💿📖🎮 @croixnoire1

Mike Batt, Jean-Charles Capelli, David Quantick, Mike Collins and DUBIT Games collaborate on a unique multimedia adventure

www.croixnoire.com

 

“Welcome to the armpit of the world. Did I say armpit? That’s way too kind. Think of somewhere lower down where the sun never shines.” 

Ace Hansel Jr, Guardian of Croix-Noire

 

Step into the world of Croix-Noire, but watch your back. This is not the safest place to be. 

Croix-Noire is one of the roughest areas in France, full of deadbeats, drug addicts and hookers. And that’s just the municipal library!

 

Spearheaded by huge names in the comic, game and music industries, the dangerous world of Croix-Noire will take the form of a 140-page graphic novel, a game hosted on the ROBLOX platform and a full-length music album. 

💿 Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy | Vinyl | Review | Mondo Records 💿 @MondoNews @pinchemoreno #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

https://mondoshop.com/collections/all/products/marvels-guardians-of-the-galaxy-official-video-game-soundtrack-2xlp

A very different beast to the last Marvel soundtrack I covered on the site (https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/10/spider-man-original-video-game.html) Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy takes the approach of having a double-disc setup featuring two incredibly different genres of music.

💀 Dungeons Of Dreadrock | PC | Gameplay | "Beautiful Pixel Art Dungeon Puzzle Rooms" 💀 @DoctorFunfrock #IndieGameDev #IndieGame

 

Dungeons Of Dreadrock revives the Spirit of 1980's home computer RPGs for contemporary audiences and platforms. Fight and puzzle your way through 100 hand-crafted levels into the ancient depths of Dreadrock Mountain. Relive memories of old-school dungeon crawlers from a new perspective.

🎙️ ROCCAT Torch | USB Microphone | Review | "GF Recommended!" 🎙️ @ROCCAT

https://uk.roccat.com/products/torch

Having covered – and been impressed by - the ROCCAT Magma keyboard last week, I was keen to check out the Torch - ROCCAT’s USB microphone, which comes with a mixer base.

Details:

• Sample/Bit Rate: 48kHz,
• 24-bit with optional selection for 44.1kHz
• Capsules: 2 × ROCCAT Proprietary ∅14 × 6.5mm condenser capsules
• Pickup Patterns: Cardioid, Stereo, Whisper (ROCCAT Proprietary)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Max SPL: 110dB
• Zero-latency 3.5mm, 4-Pole headphone socket

🗝️☢️ Dead Man's Diary | PC | Gameplay | "Lock Pick Simulator 2022" ☢️🗝️@TMLStudios #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

 
Dead Man's Diary drops you into a fictitious post-apocalyptic world, 15 years after a catastrophe, you have to leave your nuclear shelter and explore a world devoid of human life. 

On your own, you must find a way to survive (and pick a lot of locks)

💿📀 The Songs of Time (Vinyl) | “A Melancholy Tribute to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” | Composer: Daniel Collins (TPR) 💿📀@TheMangoMage

Record Label: Mango Mage Records & Respawned Records (a collaborative release)

Product Link -

https://www.mangomagerecords.com/products/the-songs-of-time-by-tpr-king-of-thieves-var?variant=39835808366797

“A Melancholy Tribute to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time”

Being as loved as the Zelda franchise is, there are several takes on the music from the series out there, of which I’m most familiar with Mikel’s Zelda & Chill. Mango Mage’s The Songs of Time, composed by TPR actually acts as a fantastic companion piece to Zelda & Chill in that the groovy, night-time trip-hop of the latter leads beautifully into the hazy morning mellowness of the former. I found myself really letting the music of The Songs of Time wash over me in the mornings, sipping a coffee in the early sunshine, it perfectly matches that ‘dawn of the day’ mood with its tinkling, relaxing melodies.

🎮 Great Deals Currently Live on the GameSir Range of Mobile Game Controllers 🎮

GameSir is currently running a promotion across Amazon. 

In the UK, they have 15% off the T4 Mini game controller between March 21 to March 27 (ideal for travelling gamers or those with smaller hands!). 

In the US, Amazon has 15% off the X2 series of mobile gaming controllers from March 28^th to April 3^rd – available in Bluetooth and Type-C. 

📲📱 What Are The Kids Apps That Collect The MOST and LEAST Data? 📲📱

In this day and age, it's not uncommon for kids to have access to digital devices.

And there's no arguing that there are lots of gaming apps for kids to choose from.

 

But which apps collect the most personal data?

💿 Across The Worlds – Chrono Cross Wayo Piano Collection | Wayo Records 💿 @WayoRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl @WayRecordsJP

Purchase Link

“Created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Chrono Cross in November 1999 (Japan) and August 2000 (USA), Across the Worlds is an arrangement album licensed by the Japanese music right-holders Septima Ley and Procyon Studio (Yasunori Mitsuda’s company). This album is the concretization of a long time dream to create a high-class piano solo album featuring the music from the legendary game, arranged, designed and produced with veteran Japanese video game artists.

🎎 Shadow Warrior 3 | XSX | Review | 7.5/10 | "More Wang Than You Can Shake a Shotgun At" 🎎 @ShadowWarrior #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

I’ve had a pretty good time with the Shadow Warrior games since their reboot in 2013 and, upon finishing the second title, I remember being completely in the zone, pumped up for the third entry in the series.

Now that it’s here…I enjoyed my time with the game, but the changes to design and focus – whilst I can clearly appreciate their appeal to some – removed some of the joy for me.

🖱️ Trust Gaming Launches The Redex Low Latency, Wireless Gaming Mouse in The UK 🖱️ @TrustGaming

 Redex features a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 50 hours of continuous playtime and durable Kailh mechanical switches that last up to 80 million clicks.

Trust Electronics has announced the GXT 908 Redex low latency wireless gaming mouse with durable Kailh mechanical switches. 

The Trust GXT 908 Redex low latency wireless gaming mouse is available for £34.99 from Amazon.

🥚Egglia : Rebirth | Nintendo Switch Review | 6/10 | "You Gotta Break Some eggs To Make An Omelette" 🥚 #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

I picked up Egglia Rebirth and I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. It's actually a redesigned mobile game that has had the trappings of mobile microtransactions removed and has been remade/remastered/rebirthed over onto the trusty Nintendo Switch where every single game that ever existed must now reside. 

So does Egglia's move from mobile to Switch land sunny side up or are we left with egg on our faces?

⚔️ Dark Deity | Nintendo Switch | Review | 9/10 | "A Shining Example of The Genre" ⚔️ @DarkDeityGame #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

A Kickstarter funded title from developers Sword and Axe LLC, released through Freedom Games - Dark Deity was brought to my attention through an innocuous press release.

Initially, upon seeing a few screenshots – and thus the anime-styled character portraits, combined with blocks of dialogue– I foolishly assumed that it was a visual novel and my expectations dropped accordingly…until I watched the trailer.