☠️🍷Who Pressed Mute On Uncle Marcus? PC Ten Minute Taster Gameplay 🍷☠️ @WalesInter #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

 

Rich takes a look at Who Pressed Mute On Uncle Marcus, an eccentric FMV murder mystery with a twist: someone has poisoned Uncle Marcus. Uncover the truth in the yearly family quiz and try to save him before it is too late.

🌺 Sephonie PC Review 8/10 "Sephonie was my first Analgesic game. It won’t be my last." 🌸 @han_tani #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

A two-person development team has no business making a 3D platformer. Why not settle for something a little more achievable like a visual novel, a flash game, or just firing up the ‘ol RPG Maker like so many budding game developers have before.

But Analgesic Productions - comprising Melos Han-Tani and Marina Kittika - ignored the easy road and strode headlong into the fire with Sephonie. 

Surrounding them are the weatherbeaten remains of late 90s developers who tried and failed to crack the 3D platformer.

💿 Shatter Vinyl Review | Composer – Module (Jeremiah Ross) 💿 @jeramiahrossnz @PikPokGames

I had been previously unaware of Shatter, a physics-based puzzle game released on Steam and the PSN store back in 2009 by developer PikPok- and I certainly wasn’t aware of the quality of the soundtrack.

Following a news article that I posted on Twitter – regarding the games’ soundtrack now being available on streaming services – the original composer, Module – mentioned that there had been a limited vinyl release in 2011 through New Zealand-based label Mushroom Records…and there were actually a few records still available. Fast forward several weeks and the Shatter soundtrack arrived here in (not so) sunny Wales - and thus my love affair began.

📐🟥🔴 Flat Kingdom Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "poke a circle with a triangle" 📐🟥🔴 @FatPandaGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Square Beats Triangle, Triangle Beats Circle and Circle Beats Square.

Remember this and let that be your mantra and you’ll go far in the Flat Kingdom.

Flat Kingdom was originally released by Fat Panda games in 2016 and now it’s found its way onto the Nintendo Switch and it truly feels at home on Nintendo’s handheld beauty.

🎧⌨️🎙️Trust's Gaming Week Discounts May 11 – 17 🎧⌨️🎙️

GXT488 FORZE PS4/PS5/PC GAMING HEADSET

Argos

• GXT 488 Forze PS4, PS5, PC Headset – Black/Grey Camo/Blue Camo (from £29.99 to £23.99, 20% off)

Amazon

-           GXT 488 Forze PS4, PS5, PC Headset – Black/Grey Camo/Blue Camo (from £39.99 to £23.99, 40% off)

- OFFICIALLY LICENSED FOR PS4 – Gaming headset officially licensed for your PlayStation 4 console; also compatible with PlayStation 5

- POWERFUL SOUND – Headset with mic for gamers with crisp and powerful sound thanks to the headphones’ 50mm drivers
- ADJUSTED FOR YOUR COMFORT – Soft over-ear pads and foldable gaming microphone to ensure comfortable use during long gaming sessions
- STURDY AND STYLISH – Adjustable reinforced headband with a design that perfectly matches the look of the your PlayStation 4 and its accessories
- PLUG AND PLAY – Connect the headset into the DUALSHOCK 4 or DUALSENSE wireless controller with the 1.2m nylon braided cable and adjust the volume with the inline remote (or turn it off)

📀💿 Project Sidologie: Revolutions Vinyl Review 📀💿 @C64Audio #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

Product link - https://c64audio.com/collections/project-sidologie/products/project-sidologie-double-vinyl-lp

“An offshoot of the successful Kickstarter ‘Project Sidologie’ (https://c64audio.com/collections/project-sidologie), Project Sidologie Revolutions is a double-disc vinyl that takes C64 tracks composed by such luminaries as Rob Hubbard, Ben Daglish, Matt Gray and Chris Huelsbeck, and re-imagines them as Jean-Michel Jarre soundtracks, with selections representing different eras of Jarre’s catalogue.

Certainly one of the more niche records I’ve covered, Project Sidologie Revolutions is very clearly a passion project from all those involved and is highly recommended for those out there with a love for SID chip sounds, as the versions captured here are expansive and evocative takes on tracks that pulse with a timeless Commodore 64 heartbeat.

A double heavy rare vinyl LP with custom artwork and a beautiful gatefold sleeve with Giger-esque artwork by Trevor Storey. Thoughtfully, it includes a high-quality digital download pack so you can play the unique vinyl mixes on other equipment.

🏎️💨 Agent Intercept Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "No, I exSpectre you to die" 🏎️💨 @PikPokGames

A racing game with mobile roots that has now blasted across to consoles, Agent intercept casts you in the role of a spy that has been given control of the Spectre, an ultra-high-tech machine that has the ability to transform into other vehicles, fire missiles, turbo boost and generally be very, very saucy.

As you work your way through the missions, getting ever closer to taking down the evil CLAW – which reminded me of Inspector Gadget, good – you’ll take down submarines, helicopters, leap into airborne carriers... and blow up a lot of henchmen in jeeps. 

🏒 Bush Hockey League Nintendo Switch Ten Minute Taster Gameplay 🏒 @BushLeagueV7 #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

 

Aggressive hockey is back! Experience hockey the way it was meant to be played in this old school arcade-style hockey game where blood on the ice is just another day at the rink. Big moustaches, no helmets, dirty hits, bench-clearing brawls, goalie fights, and stick fights – that’s Bush Hockey League.

🔠 Mini Words Collection Nintendo Switch Review 8/10 "A fun way to learn and improve basic language skills" 🔠 @qubytegames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

The below text is from the developer’s site, and pretty much covers what is on offer in the game. It’s a great and fun little title to improve basic language skills, but not particularly challenging for those well-versed in the English language, as the game is aimed at younger players or those learning English.

That said, Mini Words Collection is a fun way to pick up certain words from the languages listed. Even on the harder modes, it’s clear that this is more of a fun learning tool, I liked it!

🎧 Ugreen Launches the HiTune T3 True Wireless ANC Earbuds with Bluetooth 5.2 and AI Noise Reduction 🎧

Games Freezer HQ has just heard about the launch of Ugreen’s latest affordable wireless earbuds with its HiTune T3. 

Boasting the latest Bluetooth 5.2 and AI Noise Reduction, the T3 also have a massive 40 per cent launch discount, making them just $21.59.

⚔️ Rogue Legacy 2 | PC | Ten minute Taster | Gameplay | "It's A family Affair" 🏹 @CellarDoorGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

Rogue Legacy 2 is what you'd get if you mashed Rogue Legacy and a sequel together. Every time you die, your children will succeed you, and each child is unique. Your daughter might be a Colourblind Archer, and your son could be a Pacifistic Chef. Either way, one of them is getting conscripted.

😎 GAS - The Gaming Athlete | Blue Light Blocking Glasses & Compression Socks 😎 @The_GasOfficial

https://thegamingathlete.com

A bit of personal background before I dive into this article. 

I’ve been aware of the health benefits of compression socks and blue light blocking eyewear for a little while now, for two different reasons – in terms of compression socks, several years ago I had a minor health complaint that resulted in my doctor telling me that the situation would improve if I wore compression socks – the issue was partially linked to my job, which – being office-based – meant that it was a pretty sedentary affair for 7 hours of every day. 

I baulked at the thought of compression socks, as from my understanding they were flesh-coloured, and mainly for the elderly. I couldn’t imagine dropping my jockeys in front of my fiancee whilst partially dressed as Mrs Doubtfire, it seemed a recipe to fizzle out our future romantic encounters. And so, I pushed the idea away and mosied on.

Where does that health issue stand now, several years later, after doing nothing?

Marginally worse, unsurprisingly.

⚡️ NeonLore Xbox Series X Review 5/10 "A cyber library" ⚡️@playstige #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

NeonLore has quite an interesting premise - more an interactive short story collection than a game per se, the hour or so you’ll spend drenched in neon sees your character walking around several blocks of a futuristic dystopian city, reading snippets of various characters’ lives, solving the occasional puzzle, and listening to audio stories.

🗺️ 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?