📸 Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water | XBOX Series X | Review | 7/10 | "Yes, This Game is D.A.R.K." 📸 @project_zero_kt @ShowMeMagic #IndieGame #GameDev #IndieGames

At the time of writing this, it’s Halloween season, a time to immerse yourself in anything scary; watch a few horrors, play a couple of spooky games - and this year is no different as I’ve been asked to review this Japanese supernatural game which is either a blessing or a curse, only time will tell.  I have always had a thing for Asian horror movies. They are so atmospheric and the separation from the Western world just takes it to another level. This game is no exception.

🕹️Coin-Op: The Arcade Guide | Written by Darren Doyle | Greyfox Books | Review🕹️@greyfoxbooks #Retrogaming #Arcade

Available from - https://www.greyfoxbooks.com/product/coin-op-the-arcade-guide/

The world of arcade machines seems vast and full of undiscovered gold. I’ll regularly be reading books or articles on the subject and come across a handful of games that I didn’t even know existed. Often, they are variations on a theme, but I’m always keen to find out every last morsel of information available – especially if they are side-scrolling brawlers, a genre which I am particularly drawn to for its visceral, button-hammering thrills.

Coin-Op: The Arcade Guide is clearly a book made with a real passion for the subject matter, and whilst there are some rough edges in terms of clunky sentences, typographical errors and a very busy visual design – there’s a compulsive thirst to the way that the author presents the work, this is best captured in the introductory text to each section of the book; a real desire for the reader to share the joy and reverence that Darren Doyle has for these releases and the memories tied to discovering and playing them.

👶DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT Arrives on PC Spring 2022 | Enhanced by New Intel Technology 👶

This news makes me want to play Death Stranding on my PC...

505 Games, global publisher of the PC version of Hideo Kojima’s genre-defying DEATH STRANDING in partnership with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, unveiled at CES 2022 it will publish the DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT on PC, launching simultaneously on both the Epic Games Store and Steam in spring 2022.

Embark on an emotional trek across a fractured world with this definitive version of DEATH STRANDING, now amplified with the power of Intel’s new Xe Super Sampling (XeSS) graphics technology. XeSS’s machine learning further enriches DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT’s already-stunning graphical fidelity as well as elevating gameplay and cutscene performance. This improved edition also features higher frame rates, a new photo mode and ultra-wide monitor support to fully take in the sights of Sam Bridges’ journey. 

 

Kojima Productions’ debut title was one of the most-anticipated games of the last decade. Led by a star-studded cast including Norman Reedus as Sam Bridges, DEATH STRANDING takes Sam on a perilous journey across ravaged remains of America to reunite the country.

 

🕹️ Taito Arcade Selection | Egret II | mini 🕹️#Arcade #RetroGaming

United Games Entertainment has announced that they have exclusive rights for distribution and sales of Taito’s EGRET II mini in the West. 

Set for release in 2022, this cool looking piece of gaming hardware is creating great excitement in Japan.

🛹🐦 Skatebird | Nintendo Switch | Review | 4/10 | "Tony Squawks" 🐦🛹@glassbottommeg #GameDev #IndieGames

I'm a curmudgeonly old sod. I remember seasons living up to their descriptions, and turning up when they should. I remember having to memorise phone numbers if I wanted to call someone. I remember penny sweets being a penny. And I remember the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater coming out. 

And there lies the rub. In reviewing Skatebird, I find myself constantly wondering whether Tony ruined me for other men. Birds. Games. OK, it isn't a great analogy but, we are where we are.

🏰 6Souls | XBOX | Review | 8/10 | "She Sells 6Souls on the Seashore" 🏰 #GameDev #IndieGame

“My soul is prepared… How’s yours?”

A question put to Indiana Jones by a member of the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword while facing a boat propeller-induced nose job, and a pertinent question to ask yourself before launching 6Souls, a new pixel art action platformer thrust onto the gaming scene in December 2021.

🏆 🎮 Games Freezer - Games Of the Year - Part IV - "Rich" 🎮 #GOTY21 #GOTY2021 #GameOfTheYear2021

Oh, my word I have played a LOT of video games this year and it has been an absolute pleasure to bring you my thoughts via the juggernaut that is Games Freezer.

I have worked with Britt and the gang tirelessly in 2021 to make Games Freezer a place that you can all call home as we attempt to deliver you great video games stuff directly from our frozen cavern of video gaming goodness into your noggins for consumption.

My love for everyone involved is strong and it's this time of year when we get to reflect on exactly what happened in the preceding 365 days. I love how many moments you get that are like "Oh my word I remember that game! I forgot how great it was!"

When it comes to end of year lists and Game Of the Year contenders I always use those lists as a method to pick out the games that I have maybe missed from that year so as I can pick them up in the following year.

With that in mind, I decided that I would pull together initially a TOP 10 List of the games that I have loved in 2021 and then give you an even longer list of the games that deserve their moment in the limelight.

So here goes nothing as I give you my top ten video games of 2021 according to how much I loved playing them.

🏆 🎮 Games Freezer - Games Of the Year - Part III - "@PixelHunted" 🎮 #GOTY21 #GOTY2021 #GameOfTheYear2021

Pixel Hunted steps up to the plate to fire off 3 amazing games from his 2021...

🏆 🎮 Games Freezer - Games Of the Year - Part II - "Britt" 🎮 #GOTY21 #GOTY2021 #GameOfTheYear2021

Britt’s Games (and other things) of The Year

Much love to all the GF readers and my colleagues, all of whom have been awesome, as always.

The biggest hug, however, goes to Rich, the evil puppeteer that keeps all of our strings from getting tangled, as he laughs maniacally down at the twisted landscape that he has created in his own icy image.

I’m taking a slightly different approach to my games of the year this time around, throwing in a few mentions for things that aren’t strictly ‘games’ as such, but nonetheless were highlights of 2021 for me.

Whilst the list is in no particular order, it’s fair to say that if it were ‘best to worst – at the top would still be:

🎮 WAVE Game Studio Interview 🎮 @WaveGameStudios #IndieGames #GameDev

WAVE Game Studios are the publishers behind Senile Team’s Intrepid Izzy, a brand new Dreamcast game that was very well received at GF HQ (https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/07/intrepid-izzy-dreamcast-review-910-im.html?m=1) and they recently - and impressively - travelled the width and breadth of the UK in a bid to spread the word of Intrepid Izzy far and wide. 

Taking time out of their mile-crushing schedule to talk to us at Games Freezer, we took the opportunity to get to the heart of this extremely hands-on and quite frankly, impressively gruelling mission.

💺 GT Player Music Series Gaming Chair (GT890MF) | GF APPROVED 💺

https://uk.gtracing.com/collections/music-series/products/music-series-gt890mf?variant=40993041383588

GF APPROVED!

With a wide array of gaming chairs, the GT Racing / GT Player brand has been making an impact on their customers over the last couple of years; with prominent YouTubers and Esports teams using and promoting them (in November, GT Racing announced a partnership with the Manchester City Esports team).

When they came onto my radar, the look, design, and capabilities of the chairs seemed like they were perhaps overstated somewhat in comparison to their price bracket, which is extremely reasonable. I’m pleased to say, however – after using the GT890MF for at least ten hours a day for well over a week, they really do deliver the goods.

🎮 Games Freezer - Games Of the Year - Part I - "Transvaal" 🎮 #GOTY21 #GOTY2021 #GameOfTheYear2021

Here we go it's Games Freezer Game Of The Year Time and first up with his GOTY List is Transvaal!

Behold his flaming pen of truth!

⏰🤖 Clockwork Aquario | PS4 | Ten Minute Taster | "A Resurrected Work Of Art From Mr Wonder Boy!" ⏰🤖 @WonderBoyWild #IndieGames #IndieGame #GameDev

 

Travelling from the year1992, Clockwork Aquario now finally arrives on our Switch and PS4 screens!

https://www.iningames.com/games/clockwork-aquario

🚗💨🚁 Agent Intercept, the over-the-top arcade action game with a transforming spy vehicle 🚗💨🚁

We just came across this awesome looking game called Agent Intercept what do you think?

Agent Intercept, the over-the-top arcade action game with a transforming spy vehicle from developer PikPok, decodes a message calling for a Q1 2022 launch for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.

Hop behind the wheel of the Sceptre, a souped-up spy vehicle capable of swapping from a sports car to a sleek plane, speedboat, or snow-shredding sledge at the push of a button. 

Drift around cliffside corners, catch some waves, and do a barrel roll in the skies while facing off against the evil organization CLAW and its army of attack helicopters, submarines, and other assault vehicles.

https://pikpok.com/games/agent-intercept

💺🎮 Improve Your Comfort While Gaming With These Tips 💺🎮

Playstation Computer Console - Free photo on Pixabay

Being comfortable while gaming is not only important to improve your gameplay and not make you feel irritated after sitting still and focused for an hour or more. Comfort during gameplay will also work to maintain and improve your health while gaming. From protecting your eye health to your mental health, here are the best tips to improve your comfort while gaming. 

⏰🤖 Clockwork Aquario | PS4 | Review | 7/10 | "A Resurrected Work Of Art From Mr Wonder Boy!" ⏰🤖 @WonderBoyWild #IndieGames #GameDev #RetroGaming

Clockwork Aquario holds the Guinness World Record title for the longest time between a videogame project start and final release. With the development initially starting in 1991 and then completing in 2021, Clockwork Aquario takes over the mantle from Duke Nukem Forever that held the Guinness World Record title right up until December 2021.

🕹️ Nacon Revolution X Controller | GF Approved 🕹️ @Nacon @BrittRecluseuk

Here at GF HQ, several writers have covered Nacon’s products over the last year or so and all have been impressed with the build quality and design. I’m pleased to report that this high level continues with the Revolution X, a GF recommended way to take control of your game.

⚔️✴️ Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun - AIKOS CHOICE | PC | Gameplay | "Stealth Chess" ⚔️✴️ @MimimiProd #GameDev #IndieGames #IndieGame

Aiko's Choice is the anticipated standalone expansion to the acclaimed stealth strategy game Shadow Tactics. Set in Edo Japan, you take control of the skilful kunoichi adept Aiko and her deadly assassin friends to hunt down the ghosts of her past.

💽 Murder by Numbers: Original Game Soundtrack | Vinyl Review 💽 @m_sugimori @blackscreenrec #Vinyl #VideoGameVinyl #VGMVinyl

Artist - Masakazu Sugimori

Available at: https://blackscreenrecords.com

Released to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Mediatonic’s visual novel meets investigative puzzler Murder by Numbers, this catchy and energetic soundtrack features all of Masakazu Sugimori’s compositions on a double vinyl release, created by and available from Black Screen Records.

The album really covers a lot of sonic ground and dances between genres; but always has a sense of cohesion caused not only by the warm production but the sense of melody and a musical approach that feels intrinsically Japanese. 

Presented on two 180g vinyl – one purple and the other a vibrant yellow – held in a gatefold style cover and contained within anti-static sleeves (always a bonus), the cover itself shows Honor and Scout (the main protagonists) as well as a handful of other characters from the game against a background that echoes the purple colour of the vinyl within.

This is all framed as if in a section of film stock, furthering the sense that this is a narrative-driven game. I’d also like to point out the very ‘Phoenix Wright-esque’ pose sported by Honor on the cover, you KNOW that is a pose that will be familiar to players of Murder by Numbers!

Opening up the gatefold, the inside rocks a very ‘90s vibe with that shade of purple again making a reappearance as well as some shapes and styles that wouldn’t look out of place if used as a background in the Mega Drive classic Toejam and Earl. Overlaying the patterns are cut-out sketches of scenes and characters from the game.

The back of the record continues the film cell styling and lists the tracks on each side – 29 in all.

⚔️ Grim Dawn: Definitive Edition | Xbox Series X | Review | 7.5/10 | "Grim Me Up Buttercup" ⚔️ @GrimDawn #GameDev #IndieGames #IndieGame #IndieGameDev

ARPG hack ‘n slashers are usually games that I play in booze-fuelled co-op sessions as the mindless, button-tapping violence combined with natural drink-pouring breaks as each player fumbles around with their loot is a genuine match made in heaven. In a charity event a couple of years ago, however - whereby myself and two friends completed Diablo 3 in under twelve hours  - I felt like I had overloaded on the genre and moved away from it for a while.