13/09/2021
π¦ Flowing Lights | Gameplay | Nintendo Switch | "Blinded By the Lights" π¦ @FlowingLights #IndieGames #GameDev
12/09/2021
π€Ό♀️ Action Arcade Wrestling | Review | Xbox Series X | 7/10 | "That’s the bottom line, cause AAW said so" π€Ό♀️ @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.
11/09/2021
π΄♂️ A Peloton and Zwift Compatible Yosuda Budget Spin Bike Set Up For Under £200 π΄♂️ #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
10/09/2021
π️π Venom Multi-Colour LED Light-up XBOX Series X Console Stand π️π @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.
09/09/2021
π΄ Rustler | Review | Xbox Series X | 6.5/10 | "A Horse That May Have Bolted Too Soon" π΄ @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.
08/09/2021
πͺ️ Boomerang X | Nintendo Switch | Gameplay | Ten Minute Taster "I Need A New Joycon" πͺ️ @videodang #IndieGames #GameDev
07/09/2021
πΌπΏπ Sparkster Vinyl Review πΌπΏπ @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.
06/09/2021
⚔️ 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.
05/09/2021
ππΏπΌ Machinarium Vinyl Soundtrack Review ππΏπΌ
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.
04/09/2021
π️♂️ Golf Club Wasteland | Review | Xbox Series X | 6.5/10 | "On earth, no-one can hear you miss a birdie" π️♂️ @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.
03/09/2021
02/09/2021
πͺ Death’s Door | Review | Xbox Series X | 9/10 | “Holy Crap, this is going to be a good game!” πͺ @acidnerve #IndieGames #GameDev
Yes, you heard right, a bird of the Corvus family, commonly known as a crow.
01/09/2021
⚔️ 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.
31/08/2021
π¨⚖️ The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles | PS4 | Review | 8/10 | "Elementary, my dear Ace Attorney" π¨⚖️
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.
30/08/2021
ππ§♂️ Highrisers | PC | Gameplay | Ten Minute Taster | "Get In The Chopper!" ππ§♂️ @SolarPowerGames #IndieGames #GameDev
29/08/2021
π£️ Road 96 | PC | Review | 7/10 | "Digixart’s game is actually a series of carefully designed and written vignettes" π£️ @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.
28/08/2021
πΏπ Mango Mage Records | Interview With Britt πΏπ #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…
27/08/2021
ππ️ Button City | Xbox Series X | Review | 7/10 | "Pastel-Shaded Playtime with Pals" ππ️ @ButtonCity #IndieGames #GameDev
A cute and pastel-coloured adventure aimed at younger players, Button City is a simple story told with charm and an accessible and fun main game in Gobabots, propped up by other mini-games and light exploration.
26/08/2021
π€‘ Ayo the Clown | Nintendo Switch Review | 6.5/10 | "Pastel Palettes, Twinkly Music and a Cast of Toy-like Side Characters" π€‘ @cloudm1 #IndieGames #GameDev
Ayo the Clown was given to me as a game my kids might enjoy. Having watched the trailer I was inclined to agree, the younger one anyway (the older one is currently obsessed with Zelda and recently finished Breath of the Wild, so might need a bit more challenge).
The trailer is narrated by a soft-voiced American who sounds like a kids' TV host and introduces us to the word of Ayo. He's a clown who has lost his best friend, his dog Bo. You accompany Ayo through multiple brightly coloured levels, taking on a host of enemies in order to get Bo back.