Rich Becomes Brave, Grabs His Sword and Plays Marko Beyond Brave On PC ⚔️ @BraveMarko #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Marko: Beyond Brave is an action-packed Metroidvania adventure game developed by Studio Mechka. In this game, you play as Marko, the last survivor of three courageous brothers who set out to defend their village from a mutated beast. The game is inspired by Slavic myths and legends and features hand-drawn visuals and smooth animations.

You'll explore lush forests and crumbling castles, battle corrupted creatures, and navigate intricate traps. The gameplay involves jumping, slashing, and shooting your way through challenging foes and mighty bosses. The story revolves around saving your world from Entropy, a corrupting force slowly destroying the land.

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble Nintendo Switch Gameplay 🥋 @GameMillEnt #karatekidstreetrumble @KarateKidMovie

Rich dons his gi and enters the digital dojo as he plays The Karate Kid: Street Rumble which is a beat 'em up game that follows the storyline of the original three Karate Kid films. Players control Daniel LaRusso as he moves to California, faces off against school bully Johnny Lawrence, and learns karate from Mr. Miyagi. The game features retro visuals and focuses on gameplay, including minigames that capture iconic scenes from the films. While it offers nostalgic value, the gameplay can become slightly repetitive over time.

8-Bit Adventures 2 Nintendo Switch Review 8.5/10 "A game in a crowded genre that stands out by simply being very, very good." ☃️ @CriticalGamesAU #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

We see a lot of RPG-Maker fuelled, 8-bit styled JRPGs here at Games Freezer, and whilst some can be memorable titles; bringing something new to the table - or are just plain ol’ fun short, narrative-driven affairs - there are many, many more that end up feeling like tedious grind-fests that seem to be designed to suck the enjoyment out of your time with the game. It is a massive genre, and so finding the gold can be daunting. Luckily, there are games like 8-bit Adventures 2 out there, flying the shimmering flag of quality as they game their way across the high seas.

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland Nintendo Switch Review 6.5/10 "The Rugrats Ride Again" 👶 @WallrideGames

I must admit that I wasn’t expecting a Rugrats game in 2024. I remember the cartoon back in the early-mid ‘90s, but I was far more preoccupied with X-Men and Spider-Man at the time, a lot of the quirkier shows of that era kind of passed me by, although some of my peers remember them very fondly.

That said, the show must have been on a hell of a lot, as the moment I booted up the game and heard that theme, even I was surprised how much of the show I remembered, from the voices, character names and family members, it all came flooding back. Heck, maybe I did watch it more than I can recall! Or perhaps it was such a cornerstone of culture at the time that it just permeated my very being.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Remastered | Xbox Series X Review 6/10 “A blaster from the past” 🌠 @transvaalgf @AspyrMedia

Recently I reviewed Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection, a remaster of two beloved games from the past, games I spent hours and hours playing and share a whole lot of love for. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter on the other hand, I have heard about but never played.

Going in without any nostalgia was going to be interesting as I felt the Battlefront remasters were held up entirely by nostalgia, and so having had no previous experience with it, would Bounty Hunter hold up in 2024 or should it have been left in 2002?

Video Game Lofi: Kirby - Britt's Review 💿📀 @CuragaRecords #VideoGameVinyl #Vinyl #VGM

🔗Video Game LoFi: Kirby | Besso0 & GlitchxCity | Curaga Records

We are once again in the cosy arms of another in the Curaga Records LoFi series, this time centred around the music of the Kirby games, specifically; Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022), Kirby’s Adventure (1993), Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe (2014), Kirby’s return to Dreamland (2011), Kirby Air Ride (2003), Kirby’s Epic Yarn (2010), Kirby Super Star (1996), and Kirby’s Dream Collection (2012), together - representing almost thirty years’ worth of music from the world of the lovable pink puffball across various systems, from SNES to Switch.

Watch Rich Try To Survive in CITY 20 | PC Gameplay ☢️ @UntoldGamesTW #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Rich tries to survive in City 20 which is a dystopian survival sandbox game set in a secret Soviet nuclear city that was quarantined after a radioactive leak.

As a survivor in this harsh environment, you must navigate a world that dynamically responds to your actions, dealing with organized factions, harsh environmental conditions, and unsolved mysteries.

The game emphasizes survival mechanics, requiring you to manage hunger, thirst, and other vital needs while exploring a post-apocalyptic world rendered in a unique, dirty watercolour aesthetic. You'll craft your own narrative through a series of choices, working with or against factions to stay alive and ultimately aiming to escape the city.

Replay: Memoir of an Uprooted Family by Jordan Mechner | Review By Rich 📚📖 @jmechner #bookreviews #BookoftheDay

Reading a book is generally a personal journey that people take and the journey varies from reader to reader. I've recently been listening to a lot of audiobooks as it's a great way to read books whilst doing something else. In the last year I must have read in excess of 10 books but the years preceding that it was taking me a year to finish one physical book.

Recently though, this changed again as I was sent a digital PDF copy of  the Jordan Mechner Visual Novel/memoir, REPLAY, to read and it has reignited my love for two things, 1. Visual Novels 2. Jordan Mechner and his attitude to making video games. Obviously as it was a PDF copy it was almost reigniting my instinct to read a physical book even though I was using my tablet to read the book.

Replay: Memoir of an Uprooted Family by Jordan Mechner is a poignant and vibrant graphic novel that attempts and succeeds in weaving together the stories of three generations of the Mechner family. 

Shadows of Doubt XBOX Review 5.5/10 "A Fantastic Premise Sandbagged By Technical Issues" 🕵️ @colejefferies #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Much like my review for Cloudpunk and more recently, Wartales, Shadows of Doubt is a game that is packed with great ideas, a cracking premise, eyecatching visuals and intriguing gameplay, but is hamstrung by technical issues that will hopefully be a distant memory after several months’ worth of updates and patches – but sadly can’t be ignored at the time of launch.

Shadows of Doubt is game that I’ve been following for a while, the premise of being a private detective in a dystopian future comprised of glorious voxels, spending your days solving cases and scouting for clues very much appealed to me. When it was announced for consoles, my trousers were neatly folded in a drawer, hopefully to never be needed again. 

Deathchron Nintendo Switch Review 6/10 "A great premise hindered by design" 🤖 @CM_Games @RatalaikaGames #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

The actual premise of Deathchron – in that you are a child in a mech that needs to occasionally leave the safety of the suit in order to get into small spaces or activate certain switches etc. leaving you vulnerable as you do so – very much appealed to me when I watched the trailer for Deathchron.

The vibrant music, tasty pixel art visuals, and platform-based side-scrolling action presented in super-smooth 8-bit fashion all had me twirling my moustache in anticipation, but upon actually playing the game – it became clear that there were too many factors working against my enjoyment to really make this a keeper.

A Night on the Farm Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "A bite-sized slice of spookiness" 👨‍🌾👽 @FrozenFlameInt #IndieGame #Horror #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Frozen Flame Interactive deliver us a mysterious tale that follows the events of a car crash at night. Our protagonist begins the tale by clambering out of their wrecked vehicle before heading off into the night, happening across a seemingly abandoned farm.

What follows is a short romp around the farm and its grounds, as you find out more about the strange notes and items that you find scattered in this lonely locale.

Horror Tales: The Beggar | Xbox Review 8/10 “It’s Morvin Time” 👽 @CarlosGameDev #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Horror tales: The Beggar begins with introducing the titular Beggar a human(ish) creature who has been locked away. Now freed by a helpful robot he claims he will guide you out and help you on your way.

You notice very quickly the world is broken and has been for a very long time, you will find little sign of life, unluckily for the Beggar there is one being that follows him Morvin a product of his own imagination who isn't particularly friendly and will happily attack you on sight, luckily you have powers which are introduced as the game goes on, so you aren't completely helpless when old Morvin turns up, you have the power of telekinesis so not only can you move objects that are in your way, you can also hurl objects at your stalker, which after you have hurled enough objects at him you will get some respite and can continue traversing the fractured world.

Rich Spins His Tyres in Mudrunner Expeditions on the PC 🛻 @Focus_entmt #IndieGame #IndieGameDev #GameDev

In Expeditions, you’re not just hauling cargo like a big-rig trucker; instead, you’re leading scientific research missions.

Picture yourself behind the wheel of various all-terrain vehicles, armed with high-tech tools, and managing your camp and crew.

Your goal? Success in the wild!

PowerA Xbox Series X/S & One Wired Controller – Core Blush Review By Britt 🎮 @PowerA

Purchase Link

PowerA – although founded in 2009 – hasn’t yet had any products covered here at GF, and whilst they have myriad items for sale, ranging from controllers and charging docks through to headsets – across most modern gaming platforms – today we will be taking a look at their wired controller for the Series X/S & Xbox One, in an exclusive Core Blush colour.

Rich Plays Shadow Of the Ninja Reborn on Nintendo Switch 🥷 @TENGO_PROJECT #IndieGame #GameDev #RetroGaming

Rich jumps into his Ninja suit and attempts some rock hard retro side scrolling Ninja Action in this awesome remake of the Shadow Of The Ninja game from the 90s.

To celebrate the launch of the highly anticipated indie run-and-gun game IRON MEAT, Retroware has created a cool new launch trailer! 💥

 

A much anticipated and requested physical boxed title, IRON MEAT comes shrink wrapped and ready to ship from the masters of retro titles, Strictly Limited, on PS5/Switch. This run and gun shooter is one title not to miss!

Iron Meat – Strictly Limited Games

Flutter Away Nintendo Switch | Mini Review 6.5/10 "A cosy game that may have fluttered by" @runawayplay #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Flutter Away is a simple and short game set in and around a small forest clearing. Set over five days, each day your character will wake up, makes notes in her journal regarding the flora and fauna discovered, in turn unlocking more of the backstory behind why she has sought out this return to nature.

Running at 60fps on Switch, this is an extremely light and calming 1st-person adventure game about completing daily tasks such as photographing butterflies, befriending animals and re-hanging fallen lanterns etc.

With relaxing music, a slow pace and zen tone, Flutter Away is a decent enough escape for an hour or two, but is probably best enjoyed by younger players. Or hardcore butterfly enthusiasts!

Looking For A New Gamer Chair? 💺👀 @BouliesChairs #boulieschair

There's some amazing gamer chair deals that are live on the Boulies website from the 25^th September until the end of November in the UK and on the 1^st October in the US. 

With up to £100/$100 to be saved on some of the bestselling gaming and office ergonomic chairs, it is a great time to buy one of Boulies popular chairs. Including the Master Series, EP200 and EP460 chairs, Boulies are also offering an extended warranty of one additional year.

Boulies Master Series 2024 and Master Max Gaming Chairs –

Master Series – RRP £369.99 – SAVE £80 with code “BF80” on Black & Red & Charcoal Grey – NOW £289.99 on Boulies website

Master Series – RRP £369.99 – SAVE £75 with code “BF75” on all other colours – NOW £294.99 on Boulies website

Master Max – RRP £399.99 – SAVE £45 with code “BF45” on black – NOW £354.99 on Boulies website

Master Max – RRP £399.99 – SAVE £34 with code “BF34” on other colours  – NOW £365.99 on Boulies website

Master Series  – RRP $459.99 – SAVE $80 with code “BF80” (Ultraflex PU black and water repellent fabric in Ash Grey) – now $379.99 on Boulies website

Master Max  – RRP $499.99 – SAVE $60 with code “BF60”– now $439.99 on Boulies website

How Technology is Changing the Way We Play Bingo 🎱

Bingo, once the preserve of smoky halls and community centres, has undergone a dramatic transformation in the 21st century. 

As technology continues to evolve, so too does this beloved game. From the rise of mobile apps to virtual bingo nights, the way we play bingo has shifted significantly. 

In the UK, this change has been particularly pronounced, with a surge in online participation and new ways to engage with the game.

Study by University of Oxford in collaboration with PowerWash Simulator reveals playing video games can be good for your..... 🙂🕹️

Oxford Internet Institute carried out the first of its kind study, to understand more about the short-term effects of playing video games.

 

FuturLab and Oxford Internet Institute, part of the University of Oxford, is excited to reveal the results of a new international study that shows positive mood changes during video game play - with data collected from players of PowerWash Simulator who opted to take part in the study via a research edition of the game.