Chalgyr's Celebrates Polish Game Studios Showcasing Both Older and Newer Titles

August 20th, 2024 - Note from the News Editor | Today's press release contains a ton of fabulous goodies that were recently on sale. Unfortunately, this news editor dropped the ball on distributing the information before the sale ended. To make it up to our devoted and loyal readers, I decided to write a short blurb about some of the amazing games that were part of the recent "From Poland with Love" Steam sale.

Many of Poland's fantastic studios want to celebrate all that the country has to offer from 27 different developers and publishers. Studios that were included in the celebration are: 

• 11 Bit Studios, 
• CDPR, 
• Techland, 
• Untold Tales, 
• Anshar, 
• Awaken Realms, 
• Eremite Games, 
• One More Level, 
• Different Tales, 
• ECC Games, 
• Ex Vivo Studios, 
• Far From Home, 
• Flying Wild Hog, 
• Frozen District, 
• Sonka, 
• Galaktus, 
• Noobz From Poland, 
• Slavic Magic, 
• Vile Monarch, and 
• Tomasz Wacławek

As you may be aware, here at Chalgyr's we love our video games. Some of the games listed below are games we've played while others are ones we are interested in. Either way, hopefully there are a few that will spark your interest. If so, please give the devs some love by wishlisting or grabbing a copy of them!

Flame in the Flood

Developed by The Molasses Flood and published by Curve Games, this survival game is a hit. While it released in 2016, it has positive reviews from places like Game Informer and Eurogamer on steam. This game combines roguelike elements with survival ones which makes the game unique and refreshing. It's art style is different from several modern day games with a combination of realistic and hand-drawn techniques. Additionally, the screen is not cluttered with too much information as you explore the region by following a seemingly endless river. In this post-apocalyptic world, Scout and her dog are trying to survive in the multitudes of procedurally generated areas. Overall, it seems like a charming game that may have been overlooked. 

If Flame in the Flood sounds interesting, check it out here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/318600/The_Flame_in_the_Flood/

Operation: Polygon Storm

From survival to RTS, we have you covered. Directly from Untold Tales comes a tactical tug of war game that does not drown the players in complicated build orders or micromanagement tasks. Instead, it's a fast-paced and straightforward title that combines elements of strategy games, RTS, and tower defense. Of course, your objective is to learn and adapt your tactics if you find that your squad is losing the fight. Hopefully that happens without dying in the process. And while there are plenty of skills to choose from, nothing will take you to victory except for raw skill and quick thinking. 

Take a look at Operation: Polygon Storm here: 
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2310160/Operation_Polygon_Storm/

Captain Pawsome

Lately there have been a ton of cozy video games, but have you seen many that revolve exclusively around fishing? I suspect not. Developed by Chicken Launcher and published by Awaken Realms is a cute little title Captain Pawsome - which is a GREAT name, in my humble opinion. Though it is still in early access, the almost cartoonish art style and relaxing ambience is enough to lose countless hours in the day. Unlike other games in its genre, the fishing does not revolve around a frustrating mechanic. You simply have to pull on the fishing line without going past the indicator. Another thing to note about Captain Pawsome is the 2D side scrolling movement which allows you to easily find the next quest giver or fish to catch. Did I mention that the game has a great story? No? Darn. Well, it does! And I'm definitely going to give this one a shot. Besides, this cat is hungry!

Need some more fish in your life? Grab the game on steam right here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1551000/Captain_Pawsome/

Manor Lords

It's a well known fact that I enjoy my city builders. How would you know? Well, this is only one of two for this showcase. 

Slavic Magic and Hooded Horse released Manor Lords, a medieval strategy game that has aspects of city building, large tactical battles, and complex economics. The art and architecture is inspired by 14th century Franconia which is an important thing to note because the developers look to be historically accurate. Though, don't let that change your perception about how you should build your city as Manor Lords features a freedom that few city builders have. You won't be able to make your perfectly sectioned off areas in a grid format here. The game lets you place roads and buildings wherever you like though! However, there will be consequences while you expand your city. Wild life will migrate out of the area if you build too close and chopping down too many trees will result in deforestation and perhaps disaster. And if that doesn't make the game interesting, the introduction to real time tactical battles which will be affected by weather conditions and proper positioning. 

One of the reasons that Manor Lords intrigues me is because of one sentence. A person at PCGamesN which says, "Manor Lords looks like Braveheart meets Banished." I happen to enjoy Braveheart and I've played Banished. Crossing the two seems accurate and Banished is a city builder that provided a lot of challenge for me. 

Should you be in the market for a new city builder, look no further than Manor Lords which is available on Steam here: 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1363080/Manor_Lords/

Frostpunk

I did say that there would be more than one city builder on this list and it's none other than Frostpunk. Like the previous game, Frostpunk is a challenging title with its survival element. Unlike other city builders, this one doesn't rely on growing a city for no reason, this one has purpose and stakes. 11 bit studios found the gold in the rough so to speak. 

Your job is to keep your city alive which is no easy task as resource management will clash with the wishes of your citizens. And establishing laws will be integral to your survival. This can be done on a variety of different maps with several modes to suit your playstyle. Though development on Frostpunk has concluded, it's still a solid game to play while waiting for Frostpunk 2 to release in September!

Should you be willing to take on the challenges that await you, head over to steam to get a copy now!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/323190/Frostpunk/

Moonlighter

Imagine being a shopkeeper who dreams of being a hero. That's the character you play in Moonlighter. This pixelated roguelite RPG adventure game lets you be the great adventurer who just happens to make a little extra cash on the side at his job. I've played this game and it's a brilliant mix of combat and strategy. Not only do you need to stay alive so that you can bring back precious items to the store, but you then need to find the optimal price to sell your stock without angering your customers. It's quite the relaxing game until the itch hits you and a stick of dynamite is hurled at you so that you get your butt into the world. Moonlighter may have released back in 2018 by 11 bit studios, but that doesn't make it any less awesome, especially since it won a ton of awards.

Check out Moonlighter on Steam today!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/606150/Moonlighter/

Metamorphosis

Back in 2020, I reviewed one of the most interesting games I've ever had the pleasure to experience. That title is none other than Metamorphosis, a story about Gregor who wakes up one day to find himself slowly turning into a bug. The game is abstract and bizarre but in a way that struck me. I recall feeling lonely or scared as I experienced the world from a bug's-eyed view. It shouldn't need to be said that Franz Kafka who was a published author in the early 1900's was misunderstood by not only his family but his colleagues. Metamorphosis expresses the author's thoughts and frustrations with the world in video game format. And although this is the only puzzle game in this list that celebrates Polish studios, I found it to be one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had as a game reviewer. 

For an unforgettable experience, be sure to grab a copy of Metamorphosis. It's quite the ride.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1025410/Metamorphosis/ 

No Place Like Home

Early in 2022 I was recommended a neat little farming simulator and RPG that I grew quite fond of. No Place Like Home puts you in the shoes of a person who still remains on Earth after everyone colonized Mars. As one would expect, the place is a bit of a mess, but that's what makes this game interesting. You will have to clean up the environment, grow your own crops, and rebuild your village. But it doesn't stop there! As you explore the world, you will find yourself in strange places where there are traps to dismantle or suspicious sewer dwellers to get rid of. To be effective at any task, you will need to level up your skills, ensure you have plenty of food and water, then set out on your journey.

No Place Like Home is a great experience and has only improved as time went on. If you like games similar to the My Time at... series, then this one might be for you. See for yourself:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1472660/No_Place_Like_Home/

Cyberpunk 2077

One of the most notable development studios from Poland is none other than CD Projekt Red. Since I was incredibly excited about Cyberpunk back in 2020, I opted into reviewing the game. At the time, I was frustrated with the game for various different reasons that we may share in common. Though the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 was a colossal misstep, CDPR made up for the dumpster fire reputation with the release of 2.0 and Phantom Liberty. However, the base game had a lot to offer if people were willing to see past the glaring issues (of which, there were many). The overall theme of the game forced us to confront many aspects of society that are either present today or potentially fast approaching. It put moral quandaries in front of us and asked us to choose a side. To do otherwise would have you or someone you know suffer consequences. I would have easily given the game a 9 or even a 10 at the time if the launch wasn't botched. 

After going through a year's worth of changes, bug fixes, and a DLC in the form of Phantom Liberty, CDPR more than made up for the state of the base game. Regardless, the story in either case challenges your personal world view, and I think it is worth playing. It's really good and Phantom Liberty made it amazing.

If you were debating whether to get the game or not, take it from me that Cyberpunk is amazing for multiple reasons. That said, don't jump in thinking everything is all flowers and candy since there are storylines that are truly gut wrenching or brutal. It is not for the feint of heart. Up for it? Head to the steam page here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1091500/Cyberpunk_2077/

Final Comments:

I apologize that some of you might have missed the "From Poland with Love" sale that concluded on the 19th. I hope that I've given enough information about some of the amazing titles that have come out of Poland either in the past or upcoming. If you've played any of these games or have other recommendations, make a comment on this post and we'll take a look.

Until next time!

Article by: Susan N.

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Metamorphosis - PC Review

Metamorphosis by developer Ovid Works and publisher All in! Games—PC (Steam) review written by Susan N. with a copy provided by the publisher.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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Metamorphosis is a video game that transformer players into bugs to explore the world with a new perspective. Gregor Samsa wakes up to find he partied too hard at his own bash and is now late for work. But that is only the beginning of a story that I found enjoyable in a gameplay sense and yet depressing with it real world themes.

Gameplay

Players begin the game waking up in their room. We get the sense of being a man who is minimalist as there are little memorabilia present in the room. Our first objective is to get out of the room by using a key to unlock the door from the inside.

We walk down a hallway to find it littered with pictures of Gregor and his best friend, Joseph K, at various points in their life. This is the point where players suspect that something is wrong with their perspective. Each picture begins to change, including some of the duplicate pictures that were present at the beginning of the hallway.

It is obvious that our journey continues as a bug in hopes of helping Joseph get out of legal trouble. Though, we never discover WHAT Joseph is charged with. (In fact, I became tired of the circle-jerk non-explanations that I wanted to stuff the lawyer in a drawer.)

Players are able to scurry through areas that contain different obstacles like flooding water, vertical walls, books, and fans. One of my favorite puzzles involved jumping onto paper that is floating through the air! As a beetle, players can climb up combs and pencils which allow access to areas they couldn't reach. Still, players will have fun using glue to scale vertical walls to walk across drawers. We are guided by the symbol of 'The Tower' and quickly discover that this is where we need to go.

Metamorphosis is a puzzle-platformer that is satisfying in length and light on the puzzle side. Plus, I didn't want to hear that dreadful lawyer drone on, which is a good motivator to finish that area. It's no wonder that Joseph K was frustrated throughout the game!

The Inspiration for Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka

The story of Metamorphosis is strange, though, that comes with knowing the original stories were absurd. Following Gregor in a bug form is fun and satisfying in video game format, but the real story behind the video game comes from a darker tale.

For this review, I went looking for information about Franz Kafka after learning that he was a published author in the early 1900's. The Metamorphosis is one published by Kafka during World War II. Franz Kafka provided for his family but was ridiculed and beaten by his father. As such, Metamorphosis is really a tale of abuse where one feels insignificant, easily squashed, and ugly. An abbreviated and animated version of The Metamorphosis the novel can be found here.

In video game format, Metamorphosis is a charming tale constructed from Franz Kafka's works like The Trial, The Castle, Amerika, and The Man Who Disappeared. And I only learned of his works because of other Steam users who mentioned the original books. It seems that many Europeans are familiar with Kafka's works where others, like myself, are unfamiliar. After researching the man who inspired this confusing and interesting video game, I discovered that each of his novels, novellas, and short stories told the story of a man who lived a depressing life. In the end, while I am satisfied with the gameplay, I'm saddened by the story behind the abstract works.

For those of you interested in a 20-minute biography of Franz Kafka, I've linked it below.

Graphics

There are a couple of things to say about the graphics in Metamorphosis. For one thing, I really enjoyed the animated art style that felt hand-drawn. It created a sense of reality even though players spend the majority of the game in bug form. Having this sort of style lends itself to the idea that portions of the environment did not need to be as accurately portrayed.

I quite liked the attention to detail that the artists included in this game like cigarette packs in the drawer, combs, lamps, handwritten notes, etc... These elements hammered home the idea that players are still in a 'real world' setting without extreme detail. I also found the scaling to be quite appropriate. To humans, many of these objects are not hazardous or are insignificant, but to a beetle, the same objects are large enough to become bridges or doorways into new areas.

That said, I have one issue with the graphics and it pertains to a specific puzzle. Gregor is on the search for his certificate so that he can gain passage to The Tower. At one point, players discover a wall of certificates. Naturally, players have to find Gregors' certificate through some sort of clue. As one would expect, it's rather easy to find and yet even on high settings, I could not read the surface holding the solution. To solve the puzzle, I changed the graphics settings because none of the other settings could display the solution.

To go alongside that issue, there are other moments where players can clip through certain pipes. I didn't encounter these issues very often but they were obvious enough for me to notice.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, Metamorphosis is a video game that captures some of the big themes Franz Kafka wrote about in his novels that gave him posthumous fame. It showcases how a person can literally feel small in a world that requires needless red tape. And while the game is charming in its presentation, the story behind the man who inspired this work lived an extremely difficult life.

Metamorphosis is a charming tale about the ridiculousness of life and it contains overarching themes of loneliness, friendship, and humanity. With the exception of the boring ending that players receive, I had a lot of fun climbing up walls, dodging falling bricks, and chatting up the local bugs. I highly recommend this title because it is quite fun to play and not terribly long either.

Summary

Metamorphosis is a fascinating look into the life of a man who desperately tries to save his friend from uncertain peril. It parallels the life of a man who wrote pieces that are present in this video game. Though the storytelling of our world through the eyes of a beetle is intriguing, the ending falls a little flat - through no fault of the developers. My entire experience in Metamorphosis was filled with wonder and awe as I climbed walls, scurried through holes, and dodged obstacles.

I give this title an 8.5 out of 10 because there are many important themes that can be reflected upon. I enjoyed every minute of this game.

Score: 8.5 / 10

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