Dark Envoy Ten Minute Taster PC Gameplay "Those Scorpions Will Get Ya!" 🦂 @EventHorizonDev #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich takes a look at Dark Envoy which is an RPG adventure with tactical real-time combat and online co-op. Control a party of relic hunters in this tale of destiny, set in a conflict-torn Guns N’ Sorcery world.

Wartales Nintendo Switch Review 6.5/10 "A GOTY Contender Crippled by Technical Issues" 🛡️ @Wartales_Game @shirogames #GameDev #IndieGame

It pains me to write this review of Wartales, as I so desperately wanted it to be a better experience, I was clutching my ageing Switch and willing it to somehow have a burst of strength and run Wartales more smoothly and less clunkily, but alas, I was getting the exact same vibes I did when I played Dragon Age: Inquisition on my PS3 over a decade ago – either the Switch is showing its age, or Shiro games really needs to patch the game up ASAP, as what could be one of the best gaming experiences of the year is at present a mere shadow of what it could be.

Skater XL The Ultimate Skateboarding Game PS4 Review 7/10 "Do You Know Your Left Foot From Your Right Thumbstick?" 🛹 @skater_xl #IndieGame #GameDev

I have always been a fan of skating games ever since I got my first PlayStation 2. I particularly enjoyed playing Tony Hawk Underground 1 & 2, which offered a lot of fun challenges. Today, I want to share my thoughts on Skater XL, a skateboarding simulation game that takes a more serious and authentic approach.

Slaps and Beans 2 Nintendo Switch Review 7.5/10 "Slaps that add up to more than a hill o’ beans!" 🫱🫘 @SchiaffiFagioli #GameDev #IndieGame

I remember seeing the first Slaps and Beans come out a few years ago, and I always fancied trying it out, but it was one of the many games that unfortunately slipped through the cracks, so I certainly wasn’t going to miss this one! I’m glad I didn’t, as this is a fun blast of fisticuffs – preferably with a friend.

For those who were unaware – myself included – Bud Spencer and Terence Hill – the protagonists of the games – were popular Italian comedians back in the ‘70s who made an array of action comedies and spaghetti westerns from the late ‘60s right up to the mid-’80s., much like the various comedy duos of the ages, one is a gruffer, larger man whilst the other is a wiry, quick-witted chap. Good.

Robocop: Rogue City PC DEMO Ten Minute Taster 🤖 @RoboCop @RoboCopRC #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich attempts to become the legendary part man, part machine, all cop hero and deliver justice in Old Detroit. Man, Robocop Rogue City is fun. This is just the demo so we're well pumped for the full release!

🤖🤖

WrestleQuest Xbox Series X 8/10 “One Hell of a Slobberknocker” 🤼‍♂️ @megacatstudios #IndieGames #GameDev

WrestleQuest is two of my absolutely favourite things combined, wrestling and classic RPGs.

When I first heard about the game my excitement level was off the charts, it became one of my most anticipated games of 2023. So, after waiting all this time, will it be a 7-star match in the Tokyo Dome? Or will it be jobbing out in the opening match?

At this point in the review, I will warn you I’m going ALL IN on the wrestling references, there will be NO MERCY, so I suggest opening a ‘Steveweiser’ and preparing to smell what the Games Freezer WrestleQuest review is cooking.

Slip into Ultimate Comfort and Cool with Trust’s Latest Range of Gaming Chairs | GXT 703 Riye and GXT 714 Ruya 💺 @TrustGaming

Leading digital lifestyle accessories brand, Trust Electronics Ltd, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest gaming chairs, the GXT 703 Riye and GXT 714 Ruya. Both comfortable and stylish, they are built to be durable and breathable to support gamers for long periods of time. With each chair available in various colours with slightly different features and styles, there will be an option to fit into any gaming setup. 

The Trust GXT 703 Riye Gaming Chair is available for RRP £129.99 from Very and the GXT 714 Ruya Gaming Chair is available for RRP £199.99 from Very.

Cyber Knights Flashpoint PC Ten Minute Taster Let's Play Video "Stealth Before Gung ho!" 🕵️💥 @TreseBrothers #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich checks out Cyber Knights Flashpoint, the Trese Brothers' latest video game to come to PC. It's a Squad tactics heist RPG set in a cyberpunk setting that has been ten years in the making. You'll get to build your crew of hackers, mercs and malcontents wisely; their stories will become interwoven with your own. You'll also get to use powerful cyberware, faction connections, stealth, hacking & more to outsmart the odds and determine your future. 

KillSquad Review By Regan 7/10 "Hack and slash? Check. Twin-stick-shooter? Check." ☠️ @killsquadgame #IndieGame #GameDev

Hey there! If you're a fan of fast-paced, challenging, and fun shooting games, I think you might
enjoy Killsquad. The game offers a variety of unique characters with special weapons and
abilities, making it engaging and exciting to play. Whether you play solo or co-op, Killsquad
provides energetic action that will keep you on your toes.

As a bounty hunter, your job is to complete contracts that come your way, all whilst fighting through hordes of enemies and defeating bosses. You are a part of the Wahla Corporation, the organisation provides you with intel and once the job is all done will reward you with weapons or materials.

Under The Waves PC Ten Minute Taster Let's Play 🐳 @Quantic_Dream #GameDev #IndieGame

Rich heads under the waves to start his first day in his new job 10,000 leagues under the sea! In Under The Waves You play as Stan, a professional diver in the North Sea, who is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss during an extended mission underwater. Stuck in his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events and will have to make the most significant choice of his life...

The Last Oricru – Final Cut XSX Review 7.5/10 "More fun than Starfield" ⚔️🛡️ @oricru #GameDev #IndieGame

The Last Oricru had a rough ride when it was first released at the tail end of 2022, ending up 7th in Metacritic’s ‘The Worst Games of 2022’ list. It completely passed me by at the time, until I was hunting for RPGs that were off the beaten track on the Xbox store and quite fancied the game following a swifty at the trailer.

I contacted Goldknights and was advised that an overhauled version of the game was due in a few weeks, and so I held off covering the game until then, and I’m very glad I did. I didn’t play the original release of The Last Oricru. Still, I can quite confidently say that I had much more fun in the 15 hours or so that I spent with The Last Oricru (and completed it) than the 40 hours I spent on Bethesda’s latest release (before giving up on it out of boredom).

Hero Survival - Coming 27th October 2023 📅 #IndieGame #GameDev

 

Indie publisher Sometimes You, together with PigeonDev, is excited to announce the soon-to-be-released rogue-lite action-shooter fest Hero Survival. A classic in the making, with all-out action and plenty of rewards for success, it's a game that will want you coming back for more……and more… Releasing on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series S/X and Nintendo Switch on 27th October 2023,  it really does what is said on the box, in this case, press release, a game where players face hordes of monsters from classic movies where you will just want to get that little bit further into the game and win the day. But it is far from a breeze.

Cassette Beasts Soundtrack Vinyl Review "a collection of warm, expertly crafted tunes that will get wedged in your head." 💿🎶🎵 @Joel_Baylis @blackscreenrec #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM

When I played it a few months ago, I was captivated by Cassette Beasts, a cutesy (…or is it?) RPG that took the Pokémon formula and added some neat twists in the gameplay and story that kept me engaged in its world for quite some time.

A huge part of the attraction for me was the music, which was clearly front and centre, high in the mix, and every track seemed to be an earworm designed to reel me in, hook, line, and sinker.

It was clearly a soundtrack that would stand alone outside of the video game, and so getting the chance to write about it here is an absolute pleasure. Before I dive into the product and music, I implore you to check out Cassette Beasts if you enjoy turn-based RPGs, as it’s a nifty little game!

The Bloodline PC Ten Minute Taster Let's Play Gameplay "A Seriously Impressive One Man Open World" ⚔️🛡️ @ShieldBearerDev #IndieGames #GameDev

Rich plays The Bloodline which is a sandbox adventure RPG that lets you play your way. Reforge bonds between kingdoms, explore the wilds, craft and plan adventures and wield mighty weapons or magic as you prepare for what is to come…

Night at the Gates of Hell Nintendo Switch Review 7.5/10 "More grimy, gory gaming action from the purveyors of filth" 💀 @henryhoare8 #IndieGame #GameDev

We at GF have learned to look forward to new console releases from Torture Star Video, as their awesome brand of video (game) nasties always entertain, and have a dirty streak a mile wide. The last game published by Torture Star Video that I personally covered was No One Lives Under the Lighthouse, a Lovecraftian-inspired slow-burn tale that captivated me with its lo-fi visuals and bewilderingly saucy sound design.

Night at the Gates of Hell, however, does not have a subtle, slow-burn approach… it instead goes for an especially nasty Italian zombie horror vibe, which it absolutely nails down with rusty masonry nails in a bloody mess of viscera and gore.

Top Video Games for Novices 🎮

Video games possess the remarkable ability to immerse you in imaginative and uncharted realms, captivating your emotions through their narratives. While some games prioritize dramatic storytelling, others prefer gameplay mechanics. Given the vast number and scope of games available today, selecting a starting point can be challenging.

However, certain games are ideal for novices and will undoubtedly leave you eager for more.

Bang On Balls Chronicles Nintendo Switch Ten Minute Taster "Let's Switch Up Those Balls!" ⚽️🏀⚾️🥎🎾🏐🎱 @bangonballs #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich has a go at banging his balls in this 3D platformer on the Nintendo Switch. Glorious bouncy 3D platforming and combat inspired by some of the best in the genre from Italian plumbers, blue hedgehogs, or wild bandicoots! Become BOB, a reckless bouncy hero embarking on a quest of epic adventures and chaos. Open World Exploration and Destruction Roll into jam-packed open worlds that let you explore and utterly smash them to pieces in the process! Conquer adversaries and boss fights, tackle thrilling challenges, and unearth hidden secrets. Realms bursting with activities to do at your own pace while you break almost everything along the way. Bounce Around History Bounce between multiple (slightly inaccurate) historically themed open worlds, each with unique mechanics, items, and enemies. From the Vikings through to the Age of Pirates. From Feudal Japan over into The Space Race. Each world lets you hop in and out whenever and carry over progress.

Video Game Lo-Fi Kingdom Hearts Vinyl Review - Review Lo Fi Lee 💿 @CarugaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

It was bound to happen eventually – one of the titanic JRPG series has its own lo-fi remix album. The original Kingdom Hearts came out way, way back in 2002, and the series now comprises as many as 13 games (depending on who you listen to, and whether you include collections, mobile games etc). Unlike other releases in the Video Game LoFi series, we have one producer across the whole album with featured artists, instead of the ensemble efforts we’re used to seeing. In the words of lost:tree themselves:

“This series and the music always had a special place in my heart ever since I was a kid and it still means a lot to me now, so picking only 10 tracks to remix was really difficult for me. This album is like a love letter to the game and I hope I was able to do the music justice with these remixes.”

Video Game LoFi: Kingdom Hearts vol. 2 - The Ocean Between Vinyl Review by Lo Fi Lee 💿 @CuragaRecords #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

Hot on the heels of the original album, here we have the second volume in the Video Game LoFi series, from Curaga Records, featuring reworked songs from the Kingdom Hearts series. 

This one comes from the mind of the producer foreteller with a little help from others. The major difference between volumes 1 and 2 is that this one is generally instrumental, with only the opening and closing tracks featuring guest vocalists. 

The presentation is in line with much of the Video Game LoFi collection, comprising a holographic jacket, paper sleeve and a pretty blue, purple and pink marbled record on 180g vinyl.

Side A kicks off with Simple and Clean, featuring vocalist REVEN, whose lyrics are kept low in the mix, allowing a summery breakbeat and dreamy synth to come to the fore. Track 2, Destiny Islands, all the way from the first game, features erstwhile series producer Save Point, with laid-back acoustic guitar giving the whole thing a Super Mario Sunshine feel. Across the rest of the side, Sacred Moon uses echoey sampling and gentle breaks to give an introspective mood, while Nachtflügel comes with a quiet island vibe before Treasured Memories closes us out with muted vocal samples over early-90s beats and washes.

Xion’s Theme opens side B, sampled bass guitar looping hypnotically around synth waves before fading into Ventus’ Theme, which features marimba-ish percussion supporting uptempo keys. Cavern of Remembrance is up next, with oddly truncated kick drum samples making it one of the more curious tracks in the series. Dark Impetus features more islandy guitar work before we finish with Don’t Think Twice, another track that featured on the first album. Vocalist Nila turns up on this one, albeit vocodered to within an inch of her life. It’s a wide-open number with gentle DnB hi-hats, and probably hits the mark as the standout track.

SUMMARY

This album marks a return to series themes for Video Game LoFi; whereas volume 1 changed it up with lots of vocals, this one goes back to using them sparingly, along with the odd sample from the games. 

This doesn’t mean one is better than the other – both albums are worth your time, but fans of the series will probably prefer this one. 

As always, the album is available on Bandcamp, but can also be found in the usual streaming haunts if you fancy a bit of try before you buy.

PURCHASE LINK: 

https://materia.store/collections/video-game-lofi-kingdom-hearts-vol-2-the-ocean-between/products/video-game-lofi-kingdom-hearts-vol-2-the-ocean-between-foreteller1xlp-vinyl-record

Chipmonk! Nintendo Switch Ten Minute Taster "Side Scrolling Mice!" 🐭 #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich plays Chipmonk! on the Nintendo Switch and learns that 4 mushrooms unleashes a torrent of Whales from the Sky on unsuspecting side-scrolling foes and less than 4 mushrooms will unleash a shower of fish! This game is bonkers good old-fashioned side-scrolling beat and bash 'em up action.

LET IT RAIN(whales)!

Seek vengeance on the gluttonous grey squirrel in this retro-inspired Beat 'em up starring chipmunk warriors!