But.
BUT.
In the course of this announcement, they also revealed the extensive list of games that will be included in this very special collection of one of the most influential series from gaming’s past.
First released in 1993, the series is considered a milestone for realistic sports management mixing tactical depth with deep involvement in all areas of the club from finances to stadium extensions and a deep youth system while adding a healthy dose of humour.
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, 2tainment and Toplitz Productions are looking forward to working together on this title to deliver a memorable experience as a club manager to gamers.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this sequel and, whilst it retains the humour and fixes some problems that were present in the first game, I couldn’t quite relax fully, due to some vague mission design and implementation which ultimately marred the experience.
Known mostly for their MSX releases, Spanish developers Kai Magazine are now branching out into the Mega Drive world with this, their first release on the platform - a run ‘n gun shooter that is presented with tongue firmly in cheek.
“Kill everyone, destroy everything, save the girl… just because you can” – great tagline.
Set in a parodic version of the ‘80s, Metal Dragon comes boxed with a reversible cover – representative of the grid / blue box art versions of Mega Drive games that changed over time.
I kept with the earlier ‘grid’ style as Metal Dragon feels like a game from the early ‘90s. The cover of each features our hero standing heroically atop a tank as a massive explosion looms behind – as does other, general carnage– as he holds his machine gun aloft, with the President’s daughter at his arm, scantily clad – natch.
ININ Games and Strictly Limited Games are excited to announce the Wonder Boy Collection coming to Nintendo Switch and PS4 including the most iconic adventures from the legendary game series of the 80s and 90s.
It features a 5.8Ghz USB dongle for a blazing fast collection and a foldable
microphone with a pop filter
Being a huge RPG fan and a complete golf nut, my excitement for this game was immense. All signs pointed to a hole-in-one but, like my actual golf game - it didn’t take long to realise it's more likely going to be a double bogey.
Long story short, I spent a day off work playing it for nine hours straight.
So that was my gateway to the world of card slinging.
Recently I stumbled across Pixel Pro Golf on my iPhone and it’s been my go-to toilet break game for the last month or so when I have a few spare moments to play something on my phone.
Retro gaming fans will be able to experience the rapid-fire action enjoyed by millions of PC gamers later this year when WAVE Game Studios releases this officially licensed port of the classic title on Dreamcast, marking the franchise’s first appearance on the console.
https://blackscreenrecords.com/dying-light-2
The original Dying Light - released by Techland in 2015 - is a game that I’m very familiar with, having completed it twice (once solo and once in co-op), as well as making my way through the DLC. I always secretly pined for a vinyl release of the OST for the original as the audio was memorable, harked back to the synthtastic ‘80s and had some gorgeous melodies.
Sadly, it was not to be and so Black Screen Records announcing pre-orders for the Dying Light 2 soundtrack within a few days of the game itself being launched is very much welcomed as it’s a very strong and emotive OST that Olivier Deriviere (A Plague Tale, Streets of Rage 4) is clearly very proud of, and rightly so.
There is so much choice now when deciding what to play next and there is also the question around should I buy my next game or should I join Game Pass?
Well, with Game Pass games changing on a regular basis it can be tough to try and work out exactly where you should get your next game from.
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| "Whilst driving through Bristol my car doors and associated bodywork fell off exposing just me and my driver's seat!" |
After recently spending a hundred million ice ages in cryogenic isolation following myself and my immediate family contracting Covid, we decided a family trip was in order to get back out into the world and spent a couple of days in Bristol.
Naturally, as part of the trip planning, I had a quick search for anything gamey-gamey in Bristol and came across the HOVG, and I’m glad I did – as we had an awesome afternoon there!
Kukoos is a 3D platformer that is a clear love letter to the classic 3D platformers that have come before it but also with enough of its own magic to really bring alive the genre again on this PC release.
Kukoos is currently in Early Access on Steam and I have been lucky enough to play the game after the devs fired over a copy a couple of weeks ago for us to take a look at.
The first part of Darkest Dungeon by Red Hook Studios appeared in 2016, becoming for many gamers a real revelation. It surprised literally with everything: stylish (albeit cartoonish) drawings, high complexity, and the abundance of random events that can affect the gameplay. My initial introduction to the game was on the PlayStation Vita. And it was one of the best games on Sony's dead handheld console! Neither microscopic fonts nor FPS sagging at the most dynamic moments was a hindrance.
It’s been a while since I used wired earphones/earbuds and – whilst the £19.99 RRP is fair, the Roccat Syn Buds Core highlight why I moved away from in-ear, noise-cancelling buds and towards over-ear / wireless versions. That said, these proved to be at their best when gaming whilst in a sedentary position.
As stated above, the Roccat Syn Buds Core come with on-wire controls and their own cloth case, very cool to include in your Switch case or to throw in your pocket as protection when on the move or possibly commuting through public transport.
Consequently, bullet hell is a genre I admire from a distance. Deep in my bones I know I’m never going to be good at it but I can appreciate what works and what doesn’t.
All of which brings me to indie dev Last Boss 88’s SHINORUBI, a new early access title “inspired by classic shooting games”. You know the drill, pick your ship and jump into a vertically scrolling battlefield teeming with enemies, power-ups and thousands of bullets. The developers promise “all the best aspects of Japanese bullet hell games” in super shiny Ultra HD.
When I previously covered Bitmap Books’ A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games (https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/10/bitmap-books-guide-to-japanese-role.html) I felt quite certain that I had read the definitive ‘gaming book’.
It was so rich with information and so well-presented and researched that I couldn’t imagine it really being bettered. It was a pleasant surprise then, when receiving A Gremlin in the Works, as the book had a totally different and arguably bigger impact on me as I read through it.
It’s extremely early days, but following my time with the book, I can very much imagine this ending up in my year-end list for 2022…and it’s currently January.
Designs graphics and developing a crucial part in the product and gaming industry. In any case, to make a decent game, you want the right platform and devices.
This article will address the absolute best platforms for gaming application development.
You can check here to hire a game developer.
Any excited individual making portable applications will genuinely cherish and like these developers and tools, we are going to introduce.
Music by M.R. Miller
Released across multiple platforms in 2020, Stone Lantern Games’ Evergate tells the story of two kindred spirits named Ki and Ha, spirits that travel through memories of past lives; ranging from China in 1715 through to Alaska in 1838, England in 1942 and beyond – to New York in 2071. The accompanying triple album soundtrack is comprised of over two hours’ worth of music, re-telling the spirits’ tales of love, separation, breakup and reconciliation across not just time itself, but also the afterlife.
Delivery is expected from the end of February.
Based on the Andaseat Phantom 3 with smooth touch, scratch resistance, and stain resistance. DuraXtra™ premium PVC leather, the new Six Invitational 2022 Edition Gaming Chair from Anda Seat brings design, comfort, functionality and quality to e-sport fans.
The Six Invitational 2022 edition includes the Rainbow 6 Siege icons and features orange, green, red and blue arrows in a stylish design, sure to appeal to fans of the game.
Firaga Records and artist RoBTKA release high energy album ‘Needlemouse Mania’
Music label Firaga Records has just released its newest album inspired by everyone’s favourite blue hedgehog, Sonic.
With ten funky tracks to jam to, Needlemouse Mania from artist RoBKTA is the perfect soundtrack for Sonic the Hedgehog Fans.
Songs featured on the album include “Chemical Apex” from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, “Planet Wisp” from Sonic Colors and “Studiopolis” from Sonic Mania.
Two of the Gabriel Knight games are amazing, the 2nd one, in particular, is a beloved childhood memory (yes my parents didn’t seem to care about age ratings), I remember very fondly going through The Beast Within with my older brother and being obsessed with the word Schattenjaeger. Impressed with the FMV, it was a good time. What stops this series from getting any higher is the third game… it’s pretty much spent wandering around a very sunny French village, ostensibly hunting vampires and listening to a bored Tim Curry get sassed by a snooty French waiter. It is not as engaging as the previous entries.
Can I keep writing the words ‘near perfect’ or ‘special’ and truly mean it? When I say, ‘I would put this in my top 10 favourite games of all time’, is this just recency bias or do I genuinely think that this may be one of the most well-crafted games I've ever played?”
The more I've had to rewrite it and reflect on it, I keep thinking, “Yep, I do utterly adore it” and I genuinely think it may be one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had.
This is where I usually outline the plot, but all you really need to know is that you play as Neil Conrad, a grizzled member of the CDI investigating a recent murder, boom, done.
The less you know the better.
Hidden Deep is an atmospheric sci-fi action game heavily inspired by Aliens, The Thing, and Half-Life.
Explore, climb, swim, scan, blast and shoot your way through dangerous missions in a huge sub-oceanic mining and research facility. Fear the horrors that lurk below…
So let’s not beat around the bush: it delivers an absolutely godawful game of volleyball.
GameSir, a leading provider of innovative, high quality gaming peripherals is pleased to announce the Amazon availability its new VX2 AimBox.
Designed for use with multiple consoles, the VX2 AimBox improves on the previous VX AimBox with a built-in 3.5mm audio jack and PS5 games support. Like the original model, the VX2 features the most advanced technology for a keyboard and mouse adapter for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.
The GameSir VX2 AimBox is now available on Amazon.com for $49, Amazon UK for £42.49 and Amazon Canada for $65.99.
I first played Kingdoms of Amalur almost a decade ago, whilst I enjoyed it – I had expected something with a darker edge after learning of Todd McFarlane’s involvement, something with a more bite and personality. That said, it has often popped up in my mind over the years, and I occasionally felt the inkling that I should revisit the game without my initial prejudices, now knowing that the game was light in tone – I’d clearly approach the game more fairly and take more from the experience. Thus, when I was offered the DLC, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity – I’d get to dive back into the world of Amalur without replaying the base game, and so I began installing.
And thus began the mistake.
In Len's Island, you can build, fight, farm and explore. Experience your own path. Whether it's building the home of your dreams, tending to your crops and watching the sun go down; or exploring the mysteries of the Island and the darkness underneath, you may want to take a sword with you.
Lock on | Volume 002 | Q4 2021
Curl up on the sofa with this luxurious gaming journal as the Lost In Cult guys bring us another issue of this beautiful Lock On bookazine. After being blown away by the first instalment back in August 2021 I was sent the next piece of the Lock On story just before Christmas and have been working my way through the glorious writing and wonderful artwork over the last few weeks.
I’m glad to report to you that the journal is still delivering on all its early promise and vitally has retained that beautiful new paper smell that fell in love with in Issue 1!
(https://www.gamesfreezer.co.uk/2021/08/lock-on-gaming-journal-issue-1-luxury.html)
Transient: Extended Edition exists in a Cyberpunk/Blade Runner-Esque future, but tops off the sci-fi with a healthy dose of cosmic horror and interdimensional shenanigans.
The game comes to us from devs Stormling Studios and publisher Iceberg Interactive, who have a good line in Lovecraftian games, having released the Darkness Within series in the mid-2000s, as well as the well-received Conarium back in 2017.
The original Transient was released back in late 2020 and is presented here with the bells and whistles we've come to expect for re-releases on Xbox Series S and X, namely 4k and 60fps.
Now, back then, the sound effects and music in games was a tad basic, to say the least. Polyphonic it was not. The surround sound back then wasn’t 7.1 or even 5.1. It was barely 1.1.
But as sound quality in games improved and games spread online, there developed the need to be able to hear and be heard in high fidelity. But, Luddite and lazy as I am, I’d not really embraced what this meant for headsets. My TV has decent speakers, but nothing special, and my old Turtle Beach headset was fine. Wasn’t it?
After an hour or two with a HyperX Cloud Alpha headset, I can say emphatically, NO.
