An I.O.U Visual Novel PC Gameplay "A Story That Will Get Its Hooks Into You" 👫 @DCadaver #IndieGame #GameDev

An IOU is a refreshing departure from typical romance visual novels. Developed by Davey Cadaver with original art by Trevin Wyant, it subverts expectations by blending psychological horror with mundane love affairs. The story follows Trevor and Mallory, whose emotional bond unfolds against a backdrop of dark imagery. The hand-painted watercolour and pastel artwork is expressive and striking to look at. Hovering between platonic and romantic, An IOU effectively portrays the pains and terrors of emotional cheating. It's a short, unique experience that challenges conventions and leaves a lasting impression.

Princess Maker 2 Regeneration: A Nostalgic Journey Reimagined | Out Now on PC & NSW 👸

Bliss Brain, in collaboration with Yonago Gainax, has unveiled the highly anticipated Princess Maker 2 Regeneration for the Nintendo Switch. This remastered version breathes new life into the beloved classic, originally released on the PC-9801 in 1993.

A Tale of Fatherhood and Dreams

In Princess Maker 2, players step into the shoes of a father entrusted with raising a young girl. Guided by the stars, you nurture her from age ten to eighteen, shaping her destiny. Will she become a princess, a warrior, or something entirely unexpected? The choices are yours to make.

Vera Blanc: Supernatural Mysteries Xbox Review 7/10 "Werewolves and Ghosts, oh my!" 🐺👻 @RatalaikaGames #IndieGames #GameDev

A pair of titles featuring intrepid supernatural investigators Vera Blanc and Brendan Mackey, Vera Blanc: Supernatural Mysteries centres around Ms Blanc, who – following a rather intense operation on her brain – is able to read the thoughts of others. 

Originally released in 2010, the games are mostly light visual novels with a very cool graphic novel art style, the core gameplay comes from multiple choice events – that can lead to instant deaths, so save often – and the optional word based / spot the difference puzzles that can be turned on and off with each play though, should you want a touch more interaction.

The characters are well-sketched without the game being too onerous with the text, and each tale moves along at a fair pace, with minimal audio work to add to the rising tensions. 

Whilst I preferred the first game in the series - as I am a sucker for werewolves – both are fun to get through, although the ghost story slightly alters the visuals and feels less exciting than the Bavarian werewolf adventure. 

SUMMARY

A bargain at the current price point and a solid evening’s entertainment (each case takes 1-2 hours to complete), Vera Blanc: Supernatural Mysteries won’t tickle your grey matter, but it might just raise the hairs on your neck!

Purchase Link:

Ratalaika Games S.L.