15 Sept 2021
⚽️🥅 Super Arcade Football | PC| Review | "FUN FOOTBALL FEVER!" ⚽️🥅 @outofthebit #GameDev #IndieGames
14 Sept 2021
⚽️ Tux and Fanny | Nintendo Switch | Review | 9.5/10 | "A rich world of wonder, packed with magic" ⚽️ @simplysylvio #GameDev #IndieGames
I had never heard of Tux and Fanny before happening across a conversation on Twitter a few days ago in which the developer stated that he was incredibly proud of the game and that it featured over 25 mini-games.
As a sucker for mini-games, I went into my usual trance and my hands worked of their own volition, guiding me inevitably towards the Tux and Fanny trailer on YouTube. I watched the trailer with my eyes and was absolutely sold on the Microsoft Paint-like chunky pixelated visuals and simple characters.
As I’ve mentioned recently in other child-friendly games I’ve covered, I’m compiling a list of games to play with my son when he is old enough and this is firmly, firmly on that list, it’s Pikuniku levels of brilliant.
13 Sept 2021
👑 Crown Trick | PC | Gameplay | "Don't Let the Crown Slip!" 👑 @CrownTrickGame #GameDev #IndieGames
🔦 Flowing Lights | Gameplay | Nintendo Switch | "Blinded By the Lights" 🔦 @FlowingLights #IndieGames #GameDev
12 Sept 2021
🤼♀️ Action Arcade Wrestling | Review | Xbox Series X | 7/10 | "That’s the bottom line, cause AAW said so" 🤼♀️ @AAWGame #IndieGames #GameDev
Wrestling games over the last few years have been deeply concerned with realism, which is funny - as wrestling (to the shock of no one) isn't real, it’s pre-determined and over the top entertainment which can range from the exciting to the downright stupid.
Concentrating on making everything feel deeply real has always seemed strange to me, the best wrestling games have always leaned in towards the sillier, more arcadey nature. Games like No Mercy or The Smackdown series on PS2 always concentrated on the fun and that’s why they are celebrated - unlike the recent 2K series that got so bad they had to take a couple of years hiatus and hopefully will come back next year with a better and more interesting iteration of its series.
Action Arcade Wrestling has decided to go old school. Whilst playing the game I was reminded of the years that my brother and I played WWF Royal Rumble on the Sega Mega Drive; the move system, the colourfulness and the chaos all felt familiar.
11 Sept 2021
🚴♂️ A Peloton and Zwift Compatible Yosuda Budget Spin Bike Set Up For Under £200 🚴♂️ #Zwift @GoZwift @zwiftinsider
Today I'll be talking about how to use ZWIFT and Peloton on a Yosuda spin bike.
I've just started using my Yosuda spin bike on ZWIFT and Peloton and I'm sharing my full budget indoor cycling setup.
Yosuda Bike (eBay): https://ebay.us/Wv8EwQ
Magene S3 Sensors (Cadence & Speed): https://amzn.to/2WXG34t
10 Sept 2021
🏙️🌆 Venom Multi-Colour LED Light-up XBOX Series X Console Stand 🏙️🌆 @VenomGamingUK
A perfectly fitting stand specifically designed for the XSX, this Venom accessory illuminates your Xbox in a classy way. The design means that no access is blocked to any ports on the system and it locks the console in place, sturdily.
9 Sept 2021
🐴 Rustler | Review | Xbox Series X | 6.5/10 | "A Horse That May Have Bolted Too Soon" 🐴 @jutsugames #GameDev #IndieGames
The premise of a top-down GTA game that is set in Medieval times is a winner on paper and Rustler really does have its moments but unfortunately, some fundamental issues that are present throughout limit the enjoyment.
As an all-around rogue Guy, Rustler has you working for a man named Herb as a horse thief, but – unbeknownst to him - you plan to escape your life of poverty by winning a grand tournament. The only problem? You need 5000 gold to enter.
8 Sept 2021
🌪️ Boomerang X | Nintendo Switch | Gameplay | Ten Minute Taster "I Need A New Joycon" 🌪️ @videodang #IndieGames #GameDev
7 Sept 2021
🎼💿📀 Sparkster Vinyl Review 🎼💿📀 @blackscreenrec #Vinyl #VGMVinyl
I’m a big fan of the Mega Drive sound chip. There’s a snappiness and rawness that really pops out on vinyl and appeals to me on an almost genetic level and, combined with the Konami Sound Team’s (Konami Kukeiha Club) understanding of the chip...wizardry can ensue, as is the case with some tracks on Sparkster.
6 Sept 2021
⚔️ Fort Triumph | Review | Xbox Series X/S | 7/10 | "When it's good, it's great" ⚔️ @AllinGamesPub #GameDev #IndieGames
My first forays into Fort Triumph were initially a little frustrating. The story is well-formed, and the writing is funny, so I felt I knew the world and its inhabitants early on. However, you are thrown into the mix straight away, and there is a lot to take in with not a lot of explanation.
5 Sept 2021
📀💿🎼 Machinarium Vinyl Soundtrack Review 📀💿🎼
In my recent articles on Amanita Design’s Creaks (video game review – https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/06/creaks-review-xbox-series-x-910.html, vinyl soundtrack review - https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/08/creaks-soundtrack-on-vinyl-vinyl-vgm.html) I referenced how my introduction to them – 2009’s Machinarium – had a real impact on me. I think it’s safe to say, games that present themselves wordlessly really fondle my cheeks and ruffle my hair, I adore them – when done correctly.
4 Sept 2021
🏌️♂️ Golf Club Wasteland | Review | Xbox Series X | 6.5/10 | "On earth, no-one can hear you miss a birdie" 🏌️♂️ @UntoldTalesHQ #IndieGames #GameDev
I was HIPS DEEP when I saw the trailer for Golf Club Wasteland. The striking, pastel visuals and dreamy music combined with basic gameplay seemed really captivating.
Having played the game, however, whilst there’s a lot that appealed to me, I really, really wish I’d connected with the style of progression and the general direction that Golf Club Wasteland takes a lot more.
3 Sept 2021
2 Sept 2021
🚪 Death’s Door | Review | Xbox Series X | 9/10 | “Holy Crap, this is going to be a good game!” 🚪 @acidnerve #IndieGames #GameDev
Yes, you heard right, a bird of the Corvus family, commonly known as a crow.
1 Sept 2021
⚔️ Demons of Asteborg | SEGA Mega Drive | Review | 9.5/10 | "A Modern Mega Drive Classic" ⚔️ @DAsteborg #Retrogaming #IndieGames #GameDev
The Mega Drive is very much a console that I hold in high regard. As someone who has played, loved and collected for the system for decades, it’s very clear to me, if Demons of Asteborg was a Mega Drive game released in the mid-'90s - it would be regarded as a classic, ‘must have’ title.
Released in 2021 on the Mega Drive, however…. it’s still a classic, ‘must have’ title.
31 Aug 2021
👨⚖️ The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles | PS4 | Review | 8/10 | "Elementary, my dear Ace Attorney" 👨⚖️
This is the first entry I have played in the Ace Attorney franchise; I've always been aware of them and always thought I would like them, but for some reason never played them.
This seemed like a good starting point as it’s set many years before the other games, which meant I was sure I could avoid spoilers and be able to grasp the story - as no prior knowledge would be needed.
30 Aug 2021
🚁🧟♂️ Highrisers | PC | Gameplay | Ten Minute Taster | "Get In The Chopper!" 🚁🧟♂️ @SolarPowerGames #IndieGames #GameDev
29 Aug 2021
🛣️ Road 96 | PC | Review | 7/10 | "Digixart’s game is actually a series of carefully designed and written vignettes" 🛣️ @Digixart #IndieGames #GameDev
Road 96 bills itself as a “procedurally generated” story. Going in this was a big red flag: I don’t want some algorithm telling me a tale, I want a human being with thoughts, feelings and opinions!
Fortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that Road 96 is using procedural generation as more of a buzzword.
28 Aug 2021
💿📀 Mango Mage Records | Interview With Britt 💿📀 #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl @TheMangoMage
During my recent dalliances across the internet in search of gaming vinyl, I happened across new label Mango Mage Records, and as they seemed so blinking lovely, I thought it would be great to get to know them a little better, especially as they seemed in an interesting position as they were a new label and just celebrating the sell-out of their first release. Fear not!
There are more releases to come…