Maxim Krippa is the new owner of GSC Game World 🌏

The Ukrainian game development community was abuzz with speculation when reports emerged that GSC Game World, renowned for its Cossacks and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchises, had undergone a change in ownership. Allegedly, Maxim Krippa had taken over as the new principal figure at GSC Game World, supplanting Sergey Grigorovich. Vitaliy Volochai, co-founder of Maincast Studios, seemingly confirmed this development in March 2023, acknowledging entrepreneur Maksym Krippa's investment in GSC Game World. IT News publishes all the details.

Retro Revengers Xbox Review 7/10 "Retro Revenge is Sweet" 🕹️ @shinyuden @RatalaikaGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #GameDev

A short and snappy title that harks back to 8-bit platformers. Retro Revengers has a modern twist mainly through the narrative, and whilst it is a very brief title at around an hour or two, this brevity is what keeps the gameplay and somewhat snarky story fresh up to the end.

Chicken Police Into The Hive PC Gameplay 🐔 @ChickenPoliceG #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #GameDev

 

Rich gets into the coop and tries out, Chicken Police: Into the HIVE!—a feathered noir adventure that struts its way into the gritty underbelly of Clawville. Two rooster detectives, Sonny and Marty, navigating the mean streets, their beaks sharp and their feathers ruffled. But this isn't your ordinary case—it leads them to the Hive, a walled ghetto of insects. Amidst misery and oppression, they stumble upon a worldwide conspiracy. Murder, betrayal, and secrets flutter in the air like startled pigeons. And the burning question? Can they stay "human" as they delve deeper? It's a clucking good mystery, my friend!

Princess Maker 2: Regeneration Nintendo Switch Review 0/10 "In summary, do not buy this game." 👎

Princess Maker 2: Regeneration is a game that should come with a content warning. How else am I supposed to approach a Nintendo Switch game in which you can feed your 13-year-old daughter pills that increase the size of her breasts and then marry her?

The 1993 original is, for a certain audience, a cult classic. In that as in this modernised remake you play a famed warrior who’s gifted a naked 10-year-old girl by the gods, and must raise her to adulthood. Will you up her combat skills and send her adventuring, make her the best cook in the land or, uh, force her to work in a sleazy bar and become a teen hooker? It’s your call!

Over Horizon X Steel Empire Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "An MD Fave Returns!" 💥☄️ @ININ_Games #Retrogaming

Ratalaika appear to have burrowed into my mind over the last couple of years and unearthed Mega Drive memories with which to delight me, as last year they re-released Gynoug and now they’ve turned their sights towards Steel Empire. 

What I’m enjoying about these is that whilst these aren’t super-rare, import-only hidden gems, they are games that were somewhat underdogs and may have been initially missed by fans of Sega’s 16-bit system – they are also games that hold up incredibly well today, and it’s great that modern audiences now have the chance to discover them – or rediscover them, as the case may be.

Project 13 PS5 Review 7/10 “Has that plant always been there?” 🪴 @DRYBREAD_games #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #GameDev

I’ve never had an easier time describing a game as I have with Project 13 - you are in an asylum and by ‘an asylum’ I mean ‘one corridor within it’, which you walk down again, and again, and again and again…you get the drift. But, each time something may change and it’s your job to find out what. 

There are 35 anomalies which can range from the obvious to quite subtle, so you have to examine the corridor with a fine-tooth comb. If you spot an anomaly, you have to pull down a lever and start again, simple. 

Except, every time you get it correct a counter raises - get to 13? You've escaped, and are rewarded with freedom, get one wrong and the counter resets back to 0… and you start back over, that’s right, 13 anomalies in a row, or that comb is coming back out! 

Trust Gaming Launches its Compact, Versatile and Impressive GXT 234 Yunix USB Gaming Microphone 🎙️ @TrustGaming

With impressive RGB lighting, cardioid recording pattern and built-in pop filter, it looks and sounds great for streaming and content creation

Leading digital lifestyle accessories brand, Trust Gaming, has announced the latest addition to its range, the GXT 234 Yunix USB microphone. 

Ideal for streaming, content creation or casual gameplay, it enhances the gaming experience whether on PC, PlayStation or Mac. Thanks to its sleek and impressive multicolour RGB lighting all around the base, it is sure to stand out, add some colour and upgrade any gaming setup.  

The Trust GXT 234 Yunix USB Gaming Microphone is now available in Booster Black, Winning White or Playful Purple to purchase on VERY with an RRP of £29.99.

The Amazon exclusive, the Yami USB Gaming Microphone, is also available in Booster Black or Winning White for £29.99

Rider's Spirits Nintendo Switch | Rich's Gameplay Video🏍️ @RatalaikaGames

Rider's Spirits is a classic racing game that originally debuted in 1994 on the Super Famicom. It was previously available exclusively in Japan, but now it's finally making its worldwide debut on the Nintendo Switch.

Rich's Nintendo Switch Gameplay Video 👇

 

🕹️ GAME LINK: 🔗 https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Rider-s-Spirits-2581923.html

CONSCRIPT | 10 Minutes Of PC Gameplay 🪖 @ConscriptGame #IndieGameDev #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich drops into the midst of the First World War, and steps into the worn boots of a lone French soldier. Twisted trenches stretch before him, scavenging for scarce supplies becomes the daily ritual, and complex puzzles weave through the chaos.

But survival isn't just about bullets and bayonets—it's about unravelling a gut-wrenching narrative.

CONSCRIPT is a top-down survival horror game with PS1 style visuals, a delicate dance between tension and history, set against the brutal backdrop of mankind's most horrifying conflict.

Thank Goodness You’re Here! Nintendo Switch Review 9.99/10 "Thank Goodness This Game Was Made" 🥟🥧 @coalsupper #IndieGame #GOTY #IndieGameDev #GameDev

Shining, golden, consistent comedy is rarer in the gaming industry than photographic evidence of a bottle of Clausthaler in Oliver Reed’s hand. It is because of this, that when a game like Thank Goodness You’re Here! (TGYH!) comes along, I treasure it dearly and immediately write the developers into my will – so there’s a brass figurine of a clown that weeps oil winging its way to them when I shake off this mortal coil.

Hannah's Day PC Gameplay | "A Skateboarding Platformer" [First 20 Minutes Of Gameplay] 🛹🎶 #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #Gamedev

Rich jumps on his skateboard and has a crack at Hannah's Day on the PC which is a delightful puzzle adventure that sings to the heartstrings!

Arcade Paradise VR Music Video and Soundtrack Expansion Now Available 🎶

Out of This World is a '90s-inspired 11-track album from Black Razor Records that premiered in-game last month and now gets a music video and digital/streaming release

Wired Productions and Black Razor Records are pleased to announce the release of Out of This World, a '90s-inspired musical excursion back in time that acts as both a free expanded soundtrack for the immersive retro arcade experience developed by Nosebleed Interactive, Arcade Paradise VR, and standalone album for maximum listening pleasure on the go.

GameSir launches its G8+ Bluetooth Mobile Controller: The Ultimate Gaming Companion for On-the-Go Adventures 🎮

The latest addition to the increasingly popular GameSir range, the G8+ has officially launched on Amazon globally with an extra 10 percent discount also currently available.

This feature-rich Wireless games controller from leading brand GameSir is designed to enhance the gaming experience featuring Bluetooth, a 6-axis gyroscope, rumble motors, and 1000mAh battery. It also boasts compatibility with Switch, iOS, Android, tablet and PC platforms.

The new wireless controller includes rumble motors, 6-axis gyroscope and 1000mAh battery for compatibility with Switch, iOS, Android, tablet and PC.

Sylvio: Black Waters First 20 Minutes Of Gameplay {No Commentary} 👩‍🚀 @stroboskops #IndieGameDev #IndieGame #GameDev

Sylvio: Black Waters is the third instalment in the eerie Sylvio series. Players once again step into the shoes of Juliette, a ghost hunter, as she navigates a surreal, Mars-like dreamworld.

This time, the game focuses on recording electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and capturing ghostly images in a bizarre, rust-coloured landscape. The world is unpredictable, with shifting environments that challenge your perception and navigation skills. As you explore, you'll uncover fragments of voices and videos from those who came before. The game's atmospheric audio design and unsettling setting make it a standout in the horror genre.

Ready to dive into this haunting adventure? 🎮👻

Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III Xbox Review 8/10 "Twirl that parasol!" ⛱️ #Retrogaming

Released by Taito in 1991, Parasol Stars - the sequel to Bubble Bobble (1986), and Rainbow Islands (1987)– stuck closer to the formula of the original with single-screen action, this time with brighter visuals, larger sprites, and advanced audio – and yes, the soundtrack is absolutely as much of an earworm as the original!

Envelope PC Demo [Complete Playthrough] ✉️ @Phantom_TheGame #IndieGameDev #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich drives into Envelope which is a psychological thriller that immerses you in the life of an unfortunate soul pushed to the brink. As you navigate the eerie environments, you uncover a series of unsettling events that challenge your perception of reality. The game masterfully blends immersive storytelling with intense gameplay, drawing you deeper into its dark narrative. Each decision you make influences the outcome, leading to multiple possible endings. With its atmospheric graphics and haunting soundtrack, Envelope keeps you on edge, questioning every shadow and sound. Prepare for a gripping journey that tests your sanity and resolve. Ready to dive into the mystery? 🎮🕵️‍♂️

Cursed to Golf (Original Soundtrack) Mark Sparling | Vinyl Review By Britt 💿 @blackscreenrec @Markymark665 #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl

Purchase Link

The last time I came across Mark Sparling’s music was back in 2021 when I reviewed A Short Hike, Mark Sparling composed the – quite idiosyncratic – soundtrack, which was released through Stumpy Frog Records, and acted as one of my first forays into the word of VGM vinyl.

The artwork alone of Cursed to Golf makes a huge impression, created by Crisppyboat, it’s a great Claymation-style image of the golfer protagonist smashing his ball towards the viewer as various Claymation interpretations of in-game characters and scenarios surround him.

Rich with pastel colours, and devoid of any text, the whole front cover is purely dedicated to this striking image, as is the reverse, which acts as a continuation of the image, showing a trophy atop a pillar in a graveyard, the cartoonish spookiness of the game absolutely nailed here in a totally different – and very cool art style.

Abathor PC Gameplay | The First 30 Minutes ⚔️ @Abathor_Game #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich grabs his sword and enters the world of Abathor which is a 2D arcade action platformer set in the mythical world of Atlantis. As the last hope for the Atlantean civilization, players must fend off hordes of monsters sent by the gods to punish the land. The game features both cooperative and competitive gameplay for up to four players, who must navigate over 50 challenging levels filled with ferocious demons, primordial gods, and treacherous traps. With its retro 16-bit graphics, elaborate pixel art, and epic soundtrack, Abathor offers a nostalgic journey reminiscent of classic arcade games. Rich is ready to defend Atlantis and face the gods' wrath!🎮🌊

Abathor Nintendo Switch Review 8.5/10 "A golden throwback to 16-bit co-op classics" ⚔️ @Abathor_Game @JanduSoft

I’ve covered hundreds of games during my time at The Might GF, and some can pop up seemingly out of nowhere and blow me away, some can be stewing for months and months, as I hungrily follow every dev post on social media, my appetite whetting ever further...and then the final game gets slopped on the floor in front of me in a steaming mess, leaving me smoking enigmatically up at the night sky, wondering what could have been as Bohren & Der Club of Gore play sexily in the background, the minimalist jazz soundtrack to my burgeoning disappointment.

Sometimes, though – I’ll stumble across a game that looks funky – like Abathor – and each tease or online trailer will have me adjusting my tie as steam comically toots through my collar. Good. 

From the early days of its inception, developer Pow Pixel Games promised to deliver us a throwback platformer, and by Jove, did they ever!

Britt's Vinyl Fantasies 6 | 💿 #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl

It’s been almost a year since the last Vinyl Fantasies post, it’s been extremely busy here at GF HQ, and in that time we’ve covered some incredible records, which I’d like to shine a light on here.

As usual, the list is in no particular order, if the record was previously covered in a full article, a link will be included should you wish to know more.

Hope you enjoy reading as much as we enjoyed listening!