The artwork throughout is once again amazing and the writing in this 3rd issue has clearly hit its stride with articles that are not only thought-provoking but also informative and an education for any self-respecting gaming nerd.
Each page is a treat as you get to sample the thoughts of many talented writers that delivered for me an insight into topics that are outside of my gaming knowledge sphere.
Sony Music Masterworks / Dead Oceans
Nominated at the Golden Joystick Awards 2021 for best audio, Japanese Breakfast (Michelle Zauner) has created a soundtrack that captures the stark, expansive atmosphere of the game on which it was based – Shedworks’ 2021 hit, Sable. The soundtrack is in turn soaring, beautiful, thoughtful, and introspective as the thirty-two tracks unfold their audio narrative.
When I first received Sable for review, I had only heard of Japanese Breakfast in name only, and so had no preconceptions of the style or approach they would bring to a video game soundtrack, with the Wikipedia description of their genre as ‘alternative pop’ leaving a lot of room for interpretation.
Opting against listening to any of their music from outside of this soundtrack, I dived straight in* and the dreamy, atmospheric and often hypnotic sounds quickly won my heart.
The Lovecraft connection comes in through atmosphere, tentacled monsters and the odd reference to Cthulhu or Azathoth here and there.
Composed by Gabriel Koenig
Purchase Link - https://www.stumpyfrog.com/
A warning that this article contains spoilers for the game Jettomero: Hero of the Universe, if you don’t want to read them but wish to know the outcome of the article - the soundtrack to Jettomero is fantastic and you should listen to it extremely intently and often.
Developed by Binary Sonata Studio | Published By Bitmap Soft
The minds behind a plethora of new releases on classic systems, Bitmap Soft have games across a multitude of platforms, from Amstrad CPC through to the Mega Drive.The first handheld release I have covered in quite some time, In the Dark’s simple premise, means that it’s a great ‘dive in ‘n out’ puzzle title for your Game Boy.
It turns out that no prior knowledge of Rifftrax is required, as Wide Right Games have created a fantastic and often hilarious party game that is accessible to all, and this is a game I highly recommend whenever you have friends or family around.
Hand-drawn, Lovecraftian creatures abound. Ghoulish witches and genuinely unsettling undead creatures litter the battlefield, and I am all in favour of it.
On top of this, the battles themselves are brought to life by creepy animations (the jester character sprouts monstrous claws from his back when he attacks) and a suitably gothic soundtrack.
Restore the Sun’s light and end the Eternal Eclipse in IMP OF THE SUN, a 2D fast-paced puzzle-action-platformer game inspired by Peruvian cultures.
Explore hand-crafted environments, battle and improve your skills to defeat the Four Keepers that stole the power of the Sun.
Funded in just seven hours on Kickstarter, it’s clear that there was a lot of interest and high hopes for GGS Studio’ creation. And rightly so.
Sometimes referred to as T.C.K, The Cursed Knight is set in the year 3122 - long after the fall of civilisation – and casts the player as Kalder, a knight who is in love with his king’s daughter and must set out to rescue her when she is kidnapped by nefarious forces just as the king bestows his blessing on their relationship.
Discover the world of Nahucan in this 2.5D action platformer.
You are Itorah, the only human in this strange place. Explore, fight and survive to uncover your past and save Nahucan from its biggest threat, a mysterious plague!
A perfectly-timed release, with Batman being on a lot of minds following Matt Reeves’ (excellent) The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson as the scowl under the cowl – Shapeshift Records’ GOTHAM ’89 is a re-imagining of Danny Elfman’s 1989 Batman score as a 16-bit epic. Good.
Considering that this is Shapeshift records’ first release, it’s an impressive achievement as the presentation, design, sound – and quite frankly –the idea behind the album is all awesome.
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My esteemed and roguish colleague Pixel Hunted recently covered Road 96, a narrative adventure from French developer Digixart – and had this to say:
“Road 96 has its heart in the right place, looks striking, is crammed full of good ideas, and has an exceptional soundtrack (it’s telling that the collectables are cassettes and that the game is full of tape players to listen to them on).”
Naturally, this information stayed rooted in my brain like an arrow of pleasure fired from a bow of joy, and so when I had the opportunity to cover the soundtrack on vinyl - I leapt upon it ferociously.
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.
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.
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.
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.
GXT488 FORZE PS4/PS5/PC GAMING HEADSET
Argos
Amazon
- GXT 488 Forze PS4, PS5, PC Headset – Black/Grey Camo/Blue Camo (from £39.99 to £23.99, 40% off)
“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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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?
