QubicGames and TheSoul Publishing Launch Bright Side: Quiz

Warsaw, Poland - December 19th, 2024 | QubicGames is excited to introduce Bright Side: Quiz, an engaging, knowledge-packed game launching December 27th on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch (North America).

Bright Side: Quiz seamlessly combines fun, challenge, and learning, inviting players of all ages to explore the wonders of the world, test their knowledge, and discover fascinating new facts.

Bright Side: Quiz was developed in partnership with TheSoul Publishing and under its official license. As an award-winning digital studio, TheSoul Publishing is renowned for its creativity, positivity, and innovative content that entertains billions worldwide. Known for elevating brands, creators, and talent globally, they continue to set the standard for engaging digital entertainment.

"We’re proud to bring Bright Side: Quiz to life in collaboration with TheSoul Publishing,” said Jakub Pieczykolan, CEO of QubicGames. “This project is a unique opportunity to combine entertainment with education, offering players an engaging way to explore the curious and inspiring world of Bright Side. At QubicGames, we strive to deliver experiences that resonate with global audiences, and this partnership marks an exciting milestone in connecting creativity with interactive gameplay."

"We are thrilled about this exciting collaboration with QubicGames," said Patrik Wilkens, our Vice President of Business Development at TheSoul Publishing. "This partnership represents another step forward in using our 360IP in inspiring curiosity and spreading positivity across new and exciting platforms. Through these games, we are eager to extend the engaging, informative content of Bright Side, enriching the edutainment experience for our global audience.”

Note: Bright Side: Quiz launches on Steam and Nintendo Switch (NOE) on January 10th.

About Bright Side: Quiz:

With its intuitive gameplay and diverse modes, Bright Side: Quiz transforms trivia into a journey. From the natural world to the far reaches of the universe, this game is designed for curious minds eager to learn - and eager to prove they know best!

Discover, Learn, and Conquer

The core of Bright Side: Quiz lies in exploration. Whether playing solo or with friends, players can unlock new insights into our planet, science, and space, all while tackling thousands of thought-provoking questions. And with Quizpedia, a vast in-game library, learning has never been so accessible and enjoyable!

An Adventure in Trivia with Four Distinct Modes

• Epic Campaign: Travel through chapters that explore every corner of our world. With increasing challenges, players can collect medals as they dive deeper into the unknown.
• Quick Play: Ready for a quick challenge? Select your topic and difficulty, and enjoy a fast-paced quiz that’s as informative as it is entertaining.
• Watch & Learn: Perfect for visual learners, this mode offers short videos followed by memory-testing questions. Watch closely and see if you can recall what you’ve learned!
• Tournament: Gather your friends or family and jump into Multiplayer Showdown. Up to four players can compete, making every session a thrilling race to become the ultimate Quiz Master.

Key Features to Explore

• Extensive Question Bank: With over 2,000 questions, there’s always something new to learn or test.
• Local Multiplayer Fun: Play with up to four players for shared knowledge and competitive fun.
• Quizpedia: An in-depth knowledge base within the game that helps you on your journey.
• Educational Videos: Visual, interactive content designed to make learning memorable.
• Vibrant Graphics: Captivating visuals that bring each quiz to life and keep players engaged.

Challenge Yourself and Expand Your Knowledge

Bright Side: Quiz is more than a game, it's an invitation to learn, compete, and grow. Whether you’re exploring on your own or squaring off in multiplayer mode, each session offers an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and test your wits.

Prepare for a fun, educational adventure when Bright Side: Quiz launches on December 27th, 2024, on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch (NOA). Are you ready to unlock the mysteries of our world?

About Qubic Group:

We’re the most efficient publisher for casual games on Nintendo Switch.

We collaborate with household names to bring their games to the PC and console market. Comprised of multiple companies that specialize in publishing games across various genres – from kid-friendly entertainment and casual games to intense shooters and everything in between – we have the resources to handle any project (from development and porting to publishing).

About TheSoul Publishing:

TheSoul Publishing is a leading creator business platform positioned at the center of the creator economy. Focused on digital content production, talent management, and creator services, TheSoul continues to expand, as demonstrated by its acquisitions of Mediacube and Underscore Talent, along with the acceleration of Shorthand Studios. TheSoul’s creative services team partners with global brands to drive growth through content creation and social media strategy.

TheSoul has long been at the forefront of digital content innovation, continuing to generate tens of billions of social media views monthly across its entertainment brands. Founded in 2016, TheSoul Publishing is headquartered in Cyprus, with production studios and offices across Europe and the United States.

Article by: Susan N.

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Mullet MadJack Releases A New Free DLC Crossover with Ultrakill!

Porto Alegre – December 19, 2024 – After a 6 months of a phenomenal reception (metascore of 88, 6.000 Steam user reviews, 97% of them positive and 560.000 wishlists), developer Hammer95 Studios and publisher Epopeia Games are proud to announce that their acclaimed indie retro FPS hit Mullet MadJack will offer a free update today containing a brand new Boss Rush Mode. Players will face a series of bosses in a race against the clock. The faster you defeat them, the higher your position in the global rankings will be. Show off your skills and reach the top!

ULTRAKILLER Spoiler: The final Boss Rush showdown features a special boss straight from ULTRAKILL! Yes, one of the most iconic villains in the ultra-violent universe is here, ready to test your skills to the extreme. Can you win this epic battle?

Mullet MadJack immerses players in an engaging retro FPS experience with roguelite elements, transporting them to an anime world full of excitement. With a unique fusion of elements influenced by classic 90s FPS games, strategy, and intense action, the game promises to keep players entertained for hours on end.

ONE POLICE OFFICER WITH A MULLET, AGAINST A HORDE OF BILLIONAIRE ROBOTS! 

In an exciting journey inspired by classic anime, you will be immersed in the cyberpunk world of Mullet MadJack, set in the year 90...2090.

Your mission is clear: rescue the most famous influencer on the planet from the clutches of a dangerous criminal organization, made up of powerful billionaire robots. Meanwhile, you will face violent battles as you are a dopamine-addicted vigilante who will do anything to get his own dose beating deadly challenges as you progress floor by floor of a huge skyscraper.

As you progress through the floors, an action-hungry crowd follows your every move via streaming broadcasts. This public exposure adds more tension, increasing the pressure on you and the need to perform increasingly impressive feats.

Your battle is not just to free the kidnapped influencer, but also to preserve her own reputation and entertain those watching.

Get ready for a journey full of dangers, exciting challenges and surprising twists in the best Badass Old-School style.

What makes Mullet MadJack Unique

• Exciting and dynamic combat: Race against time and infiltrate a building alone, overcoming each floor until you reach your objective.
• Campaign mode: Clear floors filled with robots, and in crucial moments, execute ultraviolent finishes on your enemies to survive.
• Survival mode: Utilize your skills in an endless mode and outdo your friends.
• Boss Rush Mode in which players will face a series of bosses in a race against the clock. The faster you defeat them, the higher your position in the global rankings will be. Show off your skills and reach the top!
• Unique visual and art style: The contrasting colors between black and vibrant neon evoke the aesthetics of violent and adult anime from the era of VHS tapes.
• Engaging narrative: Set in an Old School cyberpunk world full of robots, the aesthetics of 90s anime merge with an action-packed environment.
• Nostalgic soundtrack: Inspired by the synthwave genre, the soundtrack sets the tone and urban atmosphere of the game.
• Evolve your character: Enhance your character with smart choices so that you can reach the top floor in the best possible time or you'll have to try again, all in the best Rogue-Lite style. But remember that each upgrade will affect how the game is played. 

ABOUT MULLET MADJACK

Mullet MadJack is a highly fast-paced first-person action-adventure game designed for single-player. It draws inspiration from the Badass Old-School classic anime of the 80s and 90s, featuring a retro aesthetic and immersive gameplay that transports players back to the nostalgic era.

The game features vibrant colors, memorable characters, and a unique story, providing an authentic experience for both gaming enthusiasts and anime fans alike.

ABOUT HAMMER95 STUDIOS

Hammer95 is a collective of 3 devs who love the aesthetic of old anime and aim to bring back that nostalgia!

For more information, please follow our social media profiles:

• Tik Tok
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Discord

ABOUT EPOPEIA GAMES

Epopeia Games is responsible for other games that have already been nominated for several awards, but now promises to innovate in terms of the farm game theme with its new release. Gaucho and the Grassland, which has already been awarded in the category: BEST REGIONAL ASSOCIATION GAME PITCH at the Big Festival 2022 in São Paulo, has a final release date planned for 2025, but in the future it will be released on other consoles such as Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4/5.

Article by: Susan N.

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Most Wanted Remakes or Remasters - Part 2 - Gaming Thoughts

Today's articles touch on the games that didn't quite top anyone's list - but came close. What would be the next game or set of games we'd love to see get the remake or remaster treatment? Read on!

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Hayden

Wing Commander

It spawned one of the early heavyweight IPs, saw massive popularity, half a dozen sequels/spin-offs and one of the earliest video game to movie adaptations I can remember.

Call me a sucker for my single player flight sims, but that one has to be up there too.

 

Mike

Road Rash

“Road Rash” the early take on vehicular combat before the infamous “Twisted Metal”, Road Rash put you on your motorcycle of choice. Pitting you against other rival gangs and factions in a race to the finish over the different landscapes of the world with all the violence and carnage of a Mad Max film. Swinging weapons to get ahead and reaching breakneck speeds with upgrades purchased with every profitable win while dodging the law, oncoming traffic, wildlife, and at times your friends in the same death style race.

Despite the N64's attempt to breathe life back into the franchise, the closest fans have gotten to a proper remake is “Road Redemption” by Tripwire Interactive.

 

Hamza

Watchmen: The End is Nigh

We'll call this my obscure choice, but this title originally released in 2009. Fun fact: this game hit the shelves five months before Batman: Arkham Asylum, the title that set the gold standard for superhero video games. Since Watchmen is also a WB property, why not let it benefit from the gameplay model perfected by the Arkham series? Maybe even have Rocksteady Studios take a crack at it? Imagine Rorschach and Nite Owl II rendered with the same finesse as the Dark Knight.

Valerie

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

This is an RTS game that was cute and fun with the voices and manageable actions to get your base set up before going on the attack. This game has had a remaster, but I would love a remake with more of the lore found in this world of orcs and humans. 

 

Who started the war? Who is king? From the Blizzard page: "Azeroth, land of magic, mystery, and legendary heroes, is beset by the orcish invaders. Take up arms for your king and defend the realm, or lead the Horde on their bloodthirsty conquest. Command the battlefield, outflank your enemies, and gain victory… or suffer crushing defeat and be forgotten forever. The battle for Azeroth begins today!"

 

Pierre-Yves

Legend of Legaia

This is another classic that I would love to have a remake of, or even a reboot of the series. I've yet to play Legaia 2: Duel Saga, it's in my backlog, but the original? It was good.

Mixing both turned based RPG elements and fighting game combos, the Legend of Legaia was an oddity that I fell in love with. Trying to prevent, you guessed it, the end of the world from a Stephen King's Mist like scenario, three martial artists band together with the use of their powers. 

Richard

Deception / Trapt / Kagero

Call it whatever you recognize it as, but the deception series, knows as Kagero in Japan, is something I've always loved. My first experience was with the second game in the series that miraculously managed to make it to North America under the title Trapt. A series where you set up traps in a mansion, and activate them to eliminate all intruders, the Deception series was pretty dear to me. I remember me and my friends staying up late trying to beat the surprisingly hard final boss as we slaughtered our way through evil knights and poor peasants alike.

Jim

Suikoden 3-5 and Tactics

I love the Suikoden games and one of my most anticipated games of 2025 is the remaster of 1 and 2. Suikoden 2 is my all-time favorite game even though the PS2-era games are still all great in their own right. Suikoden 3 has one of the best opening videos in that series, and Suikoden 4 although not as popular as the others was a solid experience. And then there's Suikoden 5, the best of the PS2 Suikoden games. I would also like to see Suikoden Tactics as it's a part of Suikoden 4's storyline and is a great strategy RPG. 

Nick

Persona 1 & 2

In part, this was heavily fueled by how outstanding the Persona 3 Reload release was, and how popular its reception was. This could at some point be an outdated take, but I'm going to put it here anyways. The first Persona absolutely hooked me with it's interesting mix of demons & real-world scenarios, creating a very new and refreshing story line. I never ever played the sequel, but from what I have read, Persona 2 only doubled down on these elements, with a more memorable cast of characters and narrative. These two games sure seem ripe for the Reload treatment for modern audiences.

Now, why could this become an outdated take? There have been insider rumors that these are going to get remasters at some point in the near future, but as of the writing of this, nothing has been officially announced yet.

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Boti: Byteland Overclocked is Now Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch!

18 December 2024 – The colorful, co-operative 3D platformer, Boti: Byteland Overclocked is coming to consoles on January 10th, 2025.

Inspired by 3D platforming classics like Super Mario Galaxy and Croc but with modern twists and innovations. Double jump, dash, hover, and glide through vibrant levels, discovering fantastic combos. Can be enjoyed solo or with seamless hop in and out couch coop.

Initially released on PC, the console version will include the base game + all 4 DLC packs that add new game modes, special gameplay mechanics, additional skins, holiday-themed levels and more.

A Deluxe Edition will includes the base game, all 4 DLC and the official Boti: Byteland Overclocked artbook and soundtrack.

About the Game

Boti: Byteland Overclocked is a light-hearted 3D platformer set in a world of bits and bytes. Talk to your robot friends and help them out by collecting hidden items across the futuristic levels, or explore the far corners of this beautifully crafted world to earn various rewards. There is a ton of fun to be had by yourself, but you can invite a co-op friend to double the entertainment value at any point in the game. Play solo or team up with a friend in co-op.

Article by: Susan N.

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Kletka - PC Review

Kletka by developer and publishers Callback and In404—PC(Steam) review written by Mike with a purchased copy.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes 

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“Today's adventure destination, is Down”

Kletka opens with a simple and easy to understand premise: gather together with your crew of inmates or solo and venture into the obscure world below. 

 

My initial thought was the game paid some homage to other titles such as “Content Warning” or the wildly popular “Lethal Company” in it's “explore, loot, survive” construct, but there are some unique elements that make this horror game veer into the supernatural and often times surreal. You are a criminal condemned to the Kletka, a man-eating elevator that travels through a supernatural gigacomplex floor by floor. Can you survive the horrors of the complex, or will your sins catch up to you?

When you enter the Elevator from your beginning zone, things are amiss immediately upon noticing the gaping maw installed on the lift's ceiling. This will be an important feature throughout your journey downward, being both an asset and a liability depending on your actions. Where other dungeon crawling expeditions have you gathering coins and gems for trade, Kletka keeps things on brand with it's nod to recycling as you will be gathering empty green bottles to use in various manners throughout the unexplored levels as a form of currency.

 

The corridors encountered can range anywhere from a full hallway filled with bright lights and apartment dwellings housing unspoken layouts of long forgotten residents, to unspeakable and often times indescribable encounters where reality itself is warped in such ways that the development team had a real field day twisting ones expectations. Gravity may not apply, the walls may not be walls, or the entrance that you had once known could be nonexistent. On top of all the wondrous ways this environment alters one's concept of reality, it throws enemies and dangers along the way to keep you on edge at every turn and twist.

Some floors you stop on may entice you to gather every small item on hand ranging from upgrades and tools to basic necessities such as backpacks and fuel, only to render your faulty sense of safety obsolete as a cascade of wall worms burrow into you and your team. Perhaps the power for the lights will turn off spontaneously as an alarm hearkens throughout the halls, providing minimal warning that the area is compromised and soon to be the grave for all not aboard the elevator, or maybe it will consist of a nightmarish loom enveloped in shadow and paranoid whispers misleading you to seek a non-corporeal treasure that disintegrates into dust when you grab onto it.

 

The elevator, or “Kletka” has four primary components to it's function:

The Engine controls the speed and break of the lift for you and your team to traverse safely to the next floor. This can be repaired and tinkered with by wrenches or by hand, at the cost of electrical shock and injury to the player. Wrenches are strongly suggested.

The Fuel tank can be refilled with Gas canisters found among the numerous floors and levels. If you run out of fuel, feeding Kletka raw meat will add fuel to continue the adventure downwards. There are optional things you may feed Kletka and it might provide you with more fuel. The living rodents scurrying around different halls might provide a good snack if all other options have been exhausted, or perhaps a fallen enemy, perhaps a fallen comrade? Get creative.

The Scanner will give you and your teammates a rough idea of what conditions plague the floor you have stopped on and what goodies you may find strewn amid the rooms and corridors. Be wary of the warnings it gives you as it may mean certain doom for everyone as the higher risk doesn't always lead to higher rewards.

The Kletka. This creature is simply known as Kletka. It eats what you feed it and stores various tools as well as gives back to the exploration team in different surprising ways. I've yet to anger the Kletka or let it go hungry, maybe there is something else hidden in it's purpose?

 

With the controls ranging from floating, to swift, slippery to wobbly, the character movement's are affected by certain situations throughout the adventure. Thankfully the basic conditions of the camera control are preset in a way that will not induce motion sickness in it's players. Smooth and clean response time with every action taken. Some perks will cause your player to jump higher or take less damage, some may just have you consuming raw meat for added health bonuses.

Inventory management is simple and tidy. The user interface is crisp, clean and simplified enough to keep to the point, not bombarding the players with copious amounts of instructions as a clipboard explains the gist of one's journey ahead and keeps things under a shroud of “what if I did this...” appeal. Kletka takes a formula and molds something fresh around it, filling up the void and giving players a new experience on every descent into the many levels below. If you are a solo adventurer or gather together up to 3 friends to explore with you, there will be stories to be shared and moments to be had in every stop along the way to your destination. Replay-ability is a very big feature in this title.

 

Audio is fantastic as you find cassette tapes hidden on various floors. Maybe if you are lucky you will find the famous “Flight of the Bumblebees” which has become a classical tune to dance to in the descent. Proximity chat has a very pleasing echo effect in large chambers and smaller corridors, making the world feel that much more fleshed out level after level.

I've no grievances save the exception my foolish desire and falling to my own greed. Wandering far into a maze without weapons, or stepping carelessly into a beartrap amid the shadows of a dark room. The pricepoint is low, the polygons are too. Kletka lands a solid 9.

 

Score: 9 / 10

 

 

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Most Wanted Remakes or Remasters - Part 1 - Gaming Thoughts

With so many games getting fantastic remakes over the last few years (Final Fantasy 7, Persona 3 Reload, The Last of Us, etc), it got some of us on the team asking: what would be the next game or set of games we'd love to see get the remake or remaster treatment? We put a quick set of guidelines to the question:

 

- The game has to be older than a decade

- Hasn't had a remake / remaster in the last decade

- We agreed we could bundle games (similar to how people view the Pixel Remake of the Final Fantasy games as part of our wish lists)

- Don't pick something that has been announced as forthcoming

- Pick up to 3 titles (so you'll see the number of participants go up as we move from last to first place in our list of desired titles)

 

That was it - but of course, there's always deviations from the expected and unexpected takes from the team. We wound up with some pretty great internal conversations around it in our team's Discord channel. Let us know if there's anything you wish you could see remade as well! 

We will be posting these over the week in a trio of articles, leading up to our team's most desired remakes. So let's start off with some of the ones that barely made the cut or honorable mentions.

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Narrative Adventure Game 'Threefold Recital' Releasing on January 14th!

December 17th, 2024 | Developed by Everscape Games and published by indienova, the narrative-driven adventure game Threefold Recital is officially set to release on January 14, 2025, and will be priced at $14.99 USD, with a 10% launch discount for the first two weeks.

Inspired by folklore and strange tales in ancient China, Threefold Recital creates an oriental fantasy realm inhabited by humans, beastlings, and majestic dragons. After a golden age spanning thousands of years, the bustling metropolis of Bluescales now faces tumultuous times. Here, magic and technology coexist, complicating social governance. To further stir the pot, the secret art behind ancient miracles—presumed long lost—is resurfacing. Beneath the city's clamor, a storm unlike any other is quietly brewing...

A long, long time ago, there lived a wolf, a fox, and a snake. But these weren’t just your ordinary wild animals. They were very patient and wise, and after a lot of hard work, they gained human form and became "beastlings", as they liked to call themselves. Now, let's meet our heroes:

• Triratna, the wolf-turned-monk, is able to see and sever karma lines—the threads of cause and effect tying everything together.
• Taiqing, the fox-turned-priest, is an expert of transmuting substances and other Daoist spells.
• Transia, the snake-turned-artist, is gifted with the ability to enter paintings and alter people's appearances.

Lead three heroes, each with a unique ability, through a maze of curious events and bust the conspiracy behind it all. As you progress, three separate storylines will flow into one. Be the all-seeing eye and the guiding hand, switch perspectives, combine their powers to overcome obstacles and solve mysteries. The fate of Bluescales is depending on you.



The game offers an estimated 10-15 hours of gameplay. Its animations are entirely hand-drawn frame by frame, vividly bringing the characters to life. By switching perspectives, players can piece together the full narrative, gaining insight into the interconnected stories. For those less skilled in puzzles, the game includes dynamic difficulty adjustments and a puzzle-skip option, with many puzzles offering multiple solutions, encouraging exploration and creativity.

Previously, Threefold Recital debuted during the Steam Next Fest, showcasing its first official trailer and a playable demo. The demo, which included the prologue and Triratna’s chapter (about one hour of gameplay), received widespread praise from players. With the release date now set, anticipation for the full version continues to grow.

On January 14, 2025, Threefold Recital invites players to embody these extraordinary beastlings protagonists, delve into this oriental fantasy realm, unravel its mysteries, and experience the charm of a unique narrative adventure.

About Everscape Games

Everscape Games is comprised of three experienced developers:

• BulWolf, the producer, brings over a decade of experience in creating 2D side-scrolling games.
• Zohar, the director, excels in character and story design, as well as combat and visual effects, with a proven track record of acclaimed games.
• Wolfsoul, the art lead, is an experienced comic artist known for intricate and charming character designs.

The team has been developing Threefold Recital for two years and is now focused on final optimizations. Everscape Games hopes to bring this incredible story to a wide audience and looks forward to the support and attention that will help the team achieve even greater success.

About INDIENOVA

INDIENOVA, established in 2013, has evolved into a media dedicated to indie games, an active and practical community for game developers, and an independent game publisher. We are committed to conveying the cultural essence embedded in games, exploring the profound values behind gaming, and serving as a bridge between domestic and international gaming communities, connecting gamers, scholars, developers, and publishers to facilitate efficient communication. We look forward to players finding genuine joy in gaming here, developers finishing their ideal titles, and knowledge, skills, and ideas merging seamlessly at all times.

Article by: Susan N.

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Watch the Action Packed Trailer for Upcoming Game 'Stolen Realm Survivors'!

January 7th, 2025 | Developer and Publisher Burst2Flame Games announces a new Action Roguelike Stolen Realm Survivors this year. It is an action packed online co-op survivor-like auto-shooter that can be played solo, too! Battle massive hordes of enemies and discovery shiny artifacts. It's unique skill trees allow players to increase their skills to survive the perils. In order to prevail in the Stolen Realm, be sure to unlock as many powerful upgrades as possible.

Take a look at the description from the Steam page below:

REVERSE BULLET HELL, WITH UNMATCHED CUSTOMIZATION

Crush foes, find potent upgrade combos, and venture deeper into the mesmerizing regions of the Stolen Realm. Collect and assemble a formidable array of skills, unleash chaos on waves of fantastical enemies, and secure precious loot from deep within the realm. With auto-shooter mechanics, forget aiming and firing—just customize your character and run for your life, as you automatically fire away.

Every quest is unique, with procedurally generated events and enemy waves. The Stolen Realm is ever-evolving.

GAIN LOOT AND COMBINE SKILL TREES TO GROW STRONGER

Survivors, venture forth! Within the Stolen Realm, your goal is survival. Complete quests and events to face even deadlier and more rewarding encounters. Progress deeper into the realm, gain items and levels, and survive to claim your hefty rewards. Craft your unique character by blending loot and diverse skill trees.

STOLEN REALM FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Explore the Stolen Realm solo or with friends in a brand new way! Navigate environments like the Freewind Forest, Emberlands, and Castle Gloom from a top-down view, experiencing nonstop auto-shooter action. Immerse yourself in an incredible fantasy world rich with lore and untold stories. Adventure awaits!

Check Out The Trailer:

About Burst2Flame Games:

Burst2Flame Games was founded by three friends who spent years making games on the side in their spare time. The indie studio achieved their breakout success with the critically acclaimed title Stolen Realm. The game's success allowed them to finally quit their day jobs and focus full-time on crafting immersive gaming experiences. Dedicated to creating games that emphasize online co-op, their mission is to make sure players can always bring along their friends for the adventure.

Article by: Susan N.

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Play Chernobylite the Complete Edition on Nintendo Switch!

13 December 2024 | The Farm 51 and Untold Tales are proud to announce that Chernobylite Complete Edition is out now on Nintendo Switch.

A brand new live-action trailer which also shows extended Switch gameplay has been released.

The game will be available in two forms. The Chernobylite Complete Edition comes with the full base game + all content updates to date, including extra story missions, new locations, additional weapons, unique game modes and more.

Additionally, in Early 2025, the Chernobylite Premium Edition will be released with all the above plus digital downloads of the official Chernobylite Soundtrack and Artbook along with two cosmetic weapons and hideout DLCs - The Seasoned Scavenger and Irradiated Hideout DLC.

GAME FEATURES:

BASE BUILDING & CRAFTING

Build and customize your home base to serve all your operations and expeditions. Expand and upgrade to suit your needs and those of your companions. Use workstations to craft powerful gadgets, traps, and weapons, or fine-tune your existing gear to gain an edge in your excursions.

RESOURCE & TEAM MANAGEMENT

Recruit a diverse group of skilled companions to join you on your journey. Assign them to missions to gather resources, scout new areas, or eliminate threats. Manage your base to meet their needs and keep morale high, all while making tough story choices that will shape their loyalty to you.

STEALTH, SURVIVAL & COMBAT

Survival in The Exclusion Zone is tough, as each day brings fresh challenges and diminishing supplies. Venture out on supply runs, use stealth to evade detection, or engage in intense combat when necessary. Navigate through perilous environments and face formidable enemies, all while ensuring you extract back to base to keep your scavenged loot.

NON-LINEAR STORYTELLING & CHOICES

No playthrough is the same. Your choices and actions shape your story, but no decision will satisfy everyone. Choose carefully whom to trust, whether to prioritize resources for survival or research and when to face conflicts head-on or avoid them. Every decision carries weight and leads to different outcomes.

Article by: Susan N.

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Memorable Music in Gaming #60

Happy New Year, dear viewers! What better way to kick off the year than with a collection of fantastic minimalist compositions? Sit back, enjoy, and have a wonderful year ahead.

Mass Effect 2 | PC | Uncharted Worlds

The Mass Effect series boasts one of the best sci-fi soundtracks ever composed. If classic sci-fi novels came with their own background music, I’d imagine it sounding exactly like this.

I love the optimistic and curious nature of this track—it makes exploration feel intellectual rather than intimidating.

Uncharted Worlds

Celeste | PC | Quiet & Falling

If the real world sounded like this, I’d go out every day.

[Official] Celeste Original Soundtrack - 11 - Quiet and Falling

Siren: New Translation | PS3 |  Lament

I haven’t played this game yet, but there’s something deeply wistful and melancholic about this track. The occasional voice cracks only enhance its haunting, cerebral atmosphere.

If you told me this was from a Suicide album, I’d believe you.

Lament - Siren: New Translation OST

Silent Hill 2 | PC | White Noiz

Akira Yamaoka returns with yet another minimalistic masterpiece. Who would’ve thought a few sustained notes could send you spiraling into a stream of consciousness?

White Noiz

Mass Effect | PC | Presidium

We started this list with Mass Effect, so why not bring it full circle? Longtime Chalgyr.com readers may remember that Mr. Nick—honorable founder of the site—wrote about Presidium way back in entry #33 of this series.

I don’t have much to add except that this is yet another quintessential sci-fi music gem.

Mass Effect Soundtrack - The Presidium [Extended]

 

Article by: Hamza

 

 

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Watch The Trailer for Borderlands 4 from The Game Awards 2024 Here!

At the Game Awards in December 2024, 2K and Gearbox Software released the first look at Borderlands® 4 showcasing new details from one of the most highly anticipated games coming in 2025. Revealed at The Game Awards, a new trailer introduces The Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. A world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across Kairos, the most dangerous planet discovered so far in the Borderlands universe.

Borderlands 4 is the most ambitious Borderlands to date, lovingly hand-crafted by the development studio that first forged the looter shooter genre. The title evolves the series’ gameplay and storytelling in new ways while delivering on the quintessential Borderlands experience fans know and love, including:

• Intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons on an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
• The deepest and most diverse Vault Hunter skill trees of any Borderlands title yet, giving players an unprecedented level of expression through their builds. Paired with the most expansive loot chase yet, players will have all the tools they need to seek out and perfect the build that best matches their style.
• Players will be able to seamlessly travel between zones and become immersed in a more dynamic world featuring events and discoverable side missions that encourage and reward exploration.
• New traversal mechanics add to the exploration for loot and add new dimensions to combat. A vehicle that can be summoned almost anywhere will have players racing across the beautiful vistas of Kairos in style.
• Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.

"Borderlands 4 is about freedom and being badass,” said Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford. “This is by far the biggest and most insane world we’ve ever made - it's overloaded with jerkface ratnozzle scrote monsters that need to be put down with the most over-the-top hardcore nuts op guns and loot in any game ever. Oh, and the story also seriously kicks ass!”

Borderlands 4 will launch in 2025 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. It is available to wishlist now.

The Borderlands franchise has sold-in more than 87 million copies to-date, receiving critical acclaim from reviewers and fans alike. With unforgettable characters, deep world building, and more unique guns than can be counted, the franchise has cemented itself as a must-play series.

For the latest information on Borderlands 4, wishlist the game, visit www.borderlands.2k.com and follow the game across YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Borderlands 4 is currently rated RP for Rating Pending by the ESRB.

Gearbox Software is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

Article by: Susan N.

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FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Launching Nightreign This Year!

LOS ANGELES - Dec. 12, 2024 – The world of ELDEN RING™ is getting a standalone multiplayer co-op action survival game that challenges players to band together in order to defeat the Nightlord. Developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., the upcoming game, ELDEN RING™ NIGHTREIGN will thrust players into co-op multiplayer PVE combat against a harsh and unforgiving world. Teaming up in squads of three – or daring to go solo – they must outlast a three day-and-night cycle, making split decisions about combat and exploration across a changing map to become strong enough to take down terrifying bosses at the end of each day. ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN will launch in 2025 for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam®. Follow the latest information on the official website here: www.nightreign.com.

Players take on the night together in an all-new experience from the team at FromSoftware. ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN will be a multiplayer-focused return to Roundtable Hold, set in a universe parallel to the events of ELDEN RING. Players must choose from eight unique characters, each with their own unique abilities and powerful Ultimates. Their journeys take them to Limveld, an ever-changing map, where they will have to make split-second decisions when it comes to combat and exploration in the face of a night cycle that shrinks the map with the coming Night’s Tide. At the end of each night, players will face a powerful boss and, if victorious, awaken to bigger challenges. Each session will culminate in the third night when they must face off against the chosen Nightlord. Individuals can fight the night alone, but strength will come in numbers. Nightfarers must learn to cooperate to take down these challenges, combining their unique abilities together for an unparalleled experience in the ELDEN RING universe.  All is not lost for those who fall in defeat. Unsuccessful runs will grant players relics to allow them to customize and upgrade their characters tailored to their personal play styles. 

ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is unlike any experience created before by FromSoftware, Inc. In this condensed action RPG, players will never experience the same journey twice as enemies, rewards, and Limveld itself are ever-shifting and evolving each session. Defeating greater enemies and venturing into the more dangerous parts of the map will uncover more powerful weapons and greater Rune rewards. Find Sites of Grace to give each hero a chance to level up and gain crucial power. With each session-based adventure being akin to playing through an open-air dungeon, every journey provides an opportunity to grow lasting stat bonuses. Successful runs against the night bring players ever closer to defeating the Nightlord and unraveling the story behind each Nightfarer in this parallel world. 

For more information on ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN and other products from Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., please visit www.bandainamcoent.com. Join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS, check us out live on Twitch at https://twitch.tv/bandainamcous, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

About Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. 

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., part of the Bandai Namco Group, is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for major video game consoles, PC, online, and mobile platforms. The company is known for creating many of the industry’s beloved classic franchises such as PAC-MAN®, GALAGA®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, and ACE COMBAT®, and publishing the critically acclaimed DARK SOULS™ series and the blockbuster title ELDEN RING™. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is also the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime-based video games including GUNDAM™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL™, and ONE PIECE®. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com.

©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. / ©2024 FromSoftware, Inc.

Press Release ©Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. 

All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. 

Article by: Susan N.

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On Your Tail - PC Review

On Your Tail by developer Memorable Games and publisher Humble Games—PC(Steam) review written by Mike with a copy provided by the publisher.

 
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

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“One that is wise to wait, has no hurry” 

Humble Games has published a wonderful title with the development team at Memorable Games focused on the protagonist Diana Caproni as she hones her writing skills learning empathy, overcoming apathy, and meeting a slew of characters in the world of “On Your Tail”.

We start the journey in Turin Italy. Diana is listening to her teacher, Professor Vecchi, over a conference call as discussion regarding the topic of talent springs up. Lost in thought, Diana is quickly brought back on track as Professor Vecchi will be one of the judges in an upcoming writers competition Diana has entered. Professor Vecchi is concerned about the lack of emotion and feeling in Diana's writing. Though well structured, her writing tends to come off as if written by Artificial Intelligence: emotionless and lacking in his expectations of her potential skills.

The blunt and honest feedback is our first hurdle as Diana has to decide on what response to give her professor via a choice tree format. This mechanic will pave the way forward into the world around her.

The criticism weighs heavily on Diana and the discussion carries on as the Professor reassures her that his intentions are not to diminish her efforts but to provide some feedback on areas to improve.

After the conversation wraps up, we are awarded a "player card" giving information on the person we just had an interaction with, as well as one of Diana herself. These cards are stored alongside the other, at this time of writing, eight hundred and thirty one cards you will be discovering along the way stored inside the "Mind Palace" of Diana. Cards will range from culture, leisure, characters, and more. Information and background is written on each card giving insight to each topic discovered.

A bit of self pity and moping over criticism later, we rise up from the desk and begin the adventure before us: to get more experience in the writing field. Setting her sights on Borgo Marina from a postcard her Nona had collected in the past, Diana takes her trusty “Vispa”, a reliable non-trademarked Scooter, a pilot jacket, and starts her adventure.

I found myself immediately enchanted by the music emphasizing the world around me, drawing the player in with a very suitable and melodic score. Sound design of captivating a first impression lands me optimistic in what I will discover in the lands ahead. Voice acting is a series of reactive noises such as grunts and gasps. Conversations are dialogue driven with unique character art and silhouettes in place of some lesser important roles. The presentation is subtle but not a fully voiced ensemble for the characters. This is not a negative aspect however, as the attention remains on writing and keeps one focused on the information being gathered as the story is unfolding.

After a small tutorial on how to operate the Chronolense, a magical device left to Diana from her Nona, you are deducing a crime scene layout to aid in retrieving important clues. Diana's first case is aiding a feline graduate find her car keys, which opens the pathway down a peaceful coastal trail to some abandoned railway tracks. Fate takes a turn as the train tunnel is longer than anticipated and Diana arrives later in the evening, managing to wrangle her Vispa up the path to Borgo Marina amid heavy rainfall. 

Crashing in an attempt to not collide with a shadowy figure in the night, she is rescued by Orlando De Montoni and given a place to rest. After a brief introduction to Orlando's wife Beatrice, Diana is informed the shadowy figure she almost ran over was a thief stealing from the couple's villa. Being ever the optimist, Diana takes on the investigation in order to improve her writing skills amid a burglary mystery in the township, aiding those effected and bringing the criminal to justice as an amateur investigation journalist.

A good thing to keep in mind is that you are primarily here for a holiday escape. You do not play the role of Batman, but a laid back and social type of Bruce Wayne, without money, or Bat-mobile, or Bat anything really. Point is, the game is centered around social interactions and experiencing the world around you day to day, all while aiding in a mystery plaguing the townsfolk as a side objective.

Reminiscent of the area of Cervia Italy, the landscape and architecture show love and care placed into every texture and model depicted along the way. The coastal view is a simple and sweet setting giving off the allure of a peaceful and reserved town. The foliage is well made with unique plants and flowers decorating the areas, making the town feel alive and flourishing with personality. The stone walkways and architecture shine vibrantly as the design team clearly did plenty of research, and I found myself admiring the many paintings and art on display throughout the world. Classical paintings recreated in the anthropomorphic style to fit the animal-like depictions was a beautiful touch to the game environment.

Some of the vegetation and fruits can be collected on a daily basis, once you acquire a shopping bag from a local shop near the photography studio along the beach that is. Collecting raw ingredients prompts a mini-game where accuracy is key as one missed click will cause Diana to collect nothing and need to wait for an in-game day before attempting to harvest again.

Events unfold as you inquire more with the local residents on the recent thefts, from meeting love interests to finding a place to stay in town, discovering pass-time activities, fishing, and even photography. Within the second day I was slinging gelato, delivering parcels for the post office, and found a great joy in the restaurant mini-game to earn currency in the township for various purchases. Skipping stones and playing Marbles on the beach with locals between traveling around the township sets the laid back mood of easing into a fine finished presentation about a holiday adventure without the constant bearing down weight of the thief mystery. Patience is key in this game as things will take time. It's good to sit and reflect every so often.

I found myself finishing important dialogue with characters only to check in on side jobs. I was eager to earn more lira to buy fresh groceries, allowing me to experiment with the kitchen mini-game to perfect certain foods and drinks. You will need to read a recipe book or two in order to unlock certain dishes though. Maybe it will impress Diana's love interest if I manage not to spill all of the coffee, or burn it by accident. Progressing into the days ahead unveils more investigations all around the area, and events to take part in as you enjoy your escape into the lives and mysteries of the residents of Borgo Marina.

The controls of the game are simple and sweet with a polished user interface, where the graphical presentation has moments of the gameplay feeling as picturesque as a cutscene. The travel around town is by foot, or hoof as the characters are anthropomorphic. With the trusty Vispa out of commission early on, traversing from one location to another is often times met with a casual stroll amid the infrastructure and buildings or a sprint that at times feels like a gentle jog. Once you earn enough Lira the rental boat becomes a seaworthy form of transportation, however the length of time in-between islands is a test of patience as there is no fast travel option for the player to speed through the fairing of the sea. Inverted steering will be a test of skill for many climbing aboard their boat for the first trip.

With it's slight drawback of rendering and optimization issues that are being patched by the development team on a regular rate, any issues encountered will be nothing but a memory as the team behind the title have put hard work and dedication into a fully fleshed out release.

Some will dive right into the Adventure/Puzzle solving aspects with absolute ease as there are times even when I felt lost; the gameplay did little to hold one's hand but felt rewarding every time a mystery or investigation was solved in succession.

In grand summary, “On your Tail” lands in a special place of my heart as it has enough charm and content to draw in even hard-set players of different genres, enticing the discovery and deduction skills of a amateur investigator. On Your Tail presents it's traits to an adventure game appeal to keep the pace and experience, always yearning to unravel more about the world ahead of you.

Pros: The Game feels whimsical and easygoing, a pick up and play for casual and advanced mystery solvers with a keen eye for clues and deductions. Development team is releasing patches and fixes on known issues very swiftly, truly a labor of love title.

Cons: At times the camera controls can lead to complications and jolty movements, some barriers of invisible walls are a small setback to the full game experience.

On Your Tail lands a wonderful 8 of 10.

Score: 8 / 10

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