Gobliiins Collection by developer and publisher Red Art Games—Nintendo Switch review written by Susan N., with copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Showing posts with label pixel art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pixel art. Show all posts
Adventure Platformer Mago: Hyperdelicious Edition Releasing Physical Editions for Consoles!
May 26, Miami, United States | Peruvian independent developer Dream Potion Games and ABONICO GAME WORKS, Resistance Studios, Selecta Play and Hidden Trap are proud to announce that they joined forces to bring the nostalgic and charming adventure platformer Mago: Hyperdelicious Edition in its best version to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and Nintendo Switch in Q4 2026. Additionally, the game will receive physical editions (standard and collector's edition) for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch (pre-order on Amazon and VGP).
Mago: Hyperdelicious Edition is a retro-styled 2D platformer with RPG elements, featuring beautiful pixel art, original mechanics and charismatic characters. Embark on a thrilling journey as you run, jump, and wield your trusty wand to make your way through 8 vibrant and diverse worlds. Each world boasts its own distinct theme, mechanics, challenging bosses, hidden secrets, and surprisingly original mini-games.
Selecta Play has opened pre-orders for the Mago Hyperdelicious Edition physical editions in two editions: standard and Gourmet Box for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The upcoming physical edition is scheduled to launch by November 30, 2026, with a standard edition at a price of 39.99 EUR / USD and a collector’s edition at a price of 69.99 EUR / USD and containing the following:
- Physical game
- Diorama
- Postcards
- 66 page collector's manual.
- Collector’s box
Pre-order links:
New content added in the Hyperdelicious Edition
- New Post game World (Dream World). This new world has its own world map, 4 new boss battles, collectibles, a new “gameplay breaker” that plays like a Zelda dungeon, 3 new costumes, and a new mechanic that changes the world from dream to nightmare (changing tiles, enemies and music in real time).
- New “Easy Mode”: The easy mode can be activated at any time. If you do, you get double health, pits don’t kill you instantly (they just send you back to the latest secure ledge) and checkpoints don’t cost orbs.
- Auto Run feature: We have added an autorun feature that can be activated at any moment. This means that you no longer need to press the run button for the character to run.
GAME FEATURES
- A nostalgic experience worth your time
A classic magical adventure with beautiful pixel art and intuitive controls. Travel a vast world with many levels, mini-games, and secret locations!
- Unique areas to explore each with its own mechanics!
Hand-crafted levels, each with its own challenges: from colorful teapot prairie, a humongous tree guarded by a fierce centipede, ancient ruins of a mysterious civilization that rests on the back of a huge bird - this journey has it all!
- You get a wand. You also get a mecha!
Use your magic wand to purify evil from the world, solve riddles by affecting your surroundings. Some levels allow you to use a powerful mecha robot. It's time to show the villain's enemies what you are made of (metal, mostly)!
- A great variety of bosses and enemies as well as collectibles to unlock
Each level presents a different challenge, each boss - a new threat to overcome. By collecting secret orbs in each level you unlock new items and improvements. Can you find them all?
- Chill in the beautiful town of Musicalia
Looking to take a break? In the town of Musicalia you can buy new upgrades and meet interesting characters, some you might even recognize!
- An amazing soundtrack
Listen to a beautiful soundtrack brimming with nostalgia that will instantly bring back the nostalgia of the golden age of video games.
About Dream Potion Games
Dream Potion Games is a Peruvian indie studio founded in 2019 by three friends who shared a common dream: creating incredible video games that could be enjoyed by everyone. For more information, please visit:
About ABONICO GAME WORKS
ABONICO GAME WORKS is a new independent game publisher founded by the marketing and business consultant Jesús Fabre in 2024, with a particular focus in small to medium-sized, arcade and retro-inspired games. We are committed to delivering the old good fun experiences to PC, consoles, and VR platforms. We have a team of experienced senior professionals that really care about the games we publish. For more information, please visit:
About Resistance Studio
Resistance Studio is an independent game studio based in Madrid, specialized in multiplatform development and console porting, collaborating with other studios to bring their games to new platforms and audiences. For more information, please visit:
About Selecta Play
Selecta Play is SelectaVisión’s video games publishing branch. The company works with talented studios on unique video games and helps them publish their titles in both physical and digital formats worldwide. For more information, please visit:
About Hidden Trap
Hidden Trap is an indie game publisher specializing in consoles. It began publishing its first titles for PS4 in 2018, more out of a desire to support independent games than to seek high profits. It has gradually grown, publishing for Microsoft and Nintendo consoles as well, and expanding the size of the projects it publishes. Slowly but steadily, it has established itself as a publisher that remains small but boasts the professionalism and experience of the industry's largest publishers. For more information, please visit:
Article by: Susan N.
Huge RPG Collaboration Kickstarter Campaign Starts Today!
May 25, 2026 | Radical Fish Games and Little Legendary are excited to announce a new collaboration between CrossCode, Alabaster Dawn, and SHADE Protocol, revealed through a new video that just premiered today, May 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM CEST.
The collaboration brings together three fast-paced, pixel-art action RPG worlds known for stylish combat, expressive characters, and a deep love for strange, spectacular worlds. Fans can get their first look at the collaboration in the reveal video, which will debut alongside the announcement.
The reveal also arrives shortly before SHADE Protocol’s Kickstarter campaign launches on June 4, 2026, giving players a first look at one of the collaborations and surprises planned around the game’s upcoming community campaign.
Useful Links:
- SHADE Protocol Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3581730/SHADE_Protocol/
- SHADE Protocol Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/littlelegendary/shade-protocol
- SHADE Protocol Website: https://www.littlelegendary.com/
- Alabaster Dawn Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3110760/Alabaster_Dawn/
- CrossCode Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/368340/CrossCode/
- CrossCode Website: https://www.cross-code.com/
- Radical Fish Games Website: https://www.radicalfishgames.com/
SHIRAKUMO Nagi, original composer from CrossCode and Alabaster Dawn, crafted the beautiful track for this Collab Teaser Trailer. He returns as the lead composer for Alabaster Dawn and we hope to bring him in for guest tracks into SHADE Protocol as part of our Kickstarter goals!
“CrossCode and Alabaster Dawn represent so much of what we love about indie games: depth, charm, mechanical creativity, and a clear artistic identity,” said Kendall Quinones, Game Director at Little Legendary. “To have SHADE Protocol connected to those worlds in any way is incredibly meaningful for us. We are huge fans of Radical Fish Games, and we cannot wait for players to see what we have been working on together.”
The reveal video will offer a first glimpse at how the collaboration connects the games, with more details to be shared following the announcement.
SHADE Protocol is an upcoming 2D cyber-fantasy Metroidvania where players take control of Zura, a shield-wielding heroine fighting through a world of music, machines, memory, and loss. The game features fast-paced action combat, a system of instrument-based weapons, and reality-bending abilities that let players cut, shift, and reshape the world around them.
CrossCode, developed by Radical Fish Games, is a critically acclaimed 2D action RPG known for its fast combat, puzzle-heavy dungeons, charming characters, and retro-inspired pixel art. Alabaster Dawn, also from Radical Fish Games, is the studio’s new action RPG currently in Early Access, set in a world recovering from ruin and featuring exploration, elemental combat, and deep progression systems.
The collaboration will be officially revealed on May 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM BST / 6:00 PM CEST, ahead of SHADE Protocol’s Kickstarter launch on June 4, 2026.
KEY FEATURES
- Dynamic Combat System – Mix precision melee combat with specialized Instruments, executing devastating combos, parries, and counters. Swap between DAWN and SHADE modes to adapt to different playstyles in real-time.
- UNISON System – Rewrite Reality – The world of SHADE Protocol exists as code. Wield it to manipulate events, relive key moments, and choose their ultimate outcome, shaping the fate of entire factions.
- Unique Defensive Mechanics – Perfectly timed parries and counters restore Echo, a vital energy source for powerful Instrument attacks and defensive maneuvers.
- Instruments – Weapons That Sing – Wield an arsenal of musical weapons, including the Twilight Spear, Sunrise Great Axe, and Midnight Chakram, each with distinct combat and exploration abilities.
The war is lost. The song is rewritten. Will you take the stage?
ABOUT SHADE PROTOCOL
SHADE Protocol is a 2D Metroidvania from Little Legendary, blending fast-paced action, precise combat, pixel art, and a story about humanity, grief, music, and machines. Players take on the role of Zura, a young heroine inheriting a broken legacy as she fights to protect what remains of humanity in a world transformed by the SHADE virus.
ABOUT LITTLE LEGENDARY
Little Legendary is an independent game studio creating genre-defying experiences for PC and next-generation consoles. Our mission is simple: craft unforgettable games. We believe indie teams should challenge convention, take bold risks, and focus on delivering moments players will remember long after the credits roll. Specializing in single-player adventures, we build rich, fantastical worlds filled with compelling characters and unpredictable stories. By pushing the boundaries of the genres we love, we aim to inspire awe and wonder—reminding players why they fell in love with games in the first place.
ABOUT RADICAL FISH GAMES
Radical Fish Games is the independent studio behind CrossCode and Alabaster Dawn. Known for expressive pixel art, deep action RPG systems, and charming worldbuilding, Radical Fish Games continues to build beloved, mechanics-rich games for players around the world.
ABOUT STUDIO CLICKBOOM
Professional animation studio that has participated in anime projects like "Fate/strange Fake", "HoyoFair", "Hyakuemu" and more, created the spectacular animation for this Collaboration Teaser Trailer. Find more about them at: https://www.instagram.com/clickboomstudios/
Article by: Susan N.
Find Meaning a Character Driven Storytelling Journey of Two Mages
Istanbul, Turkey, March 27, 2026 | Indie developer Maypole Games has unveiled Foundlings, a pixel-art RPG about two mages seeking redemption in war-torn 12th-century England, alongside its first announcement trailer.
The game combines character-driven storytelling with intricate real-time spellcasting, set in a fractured world shaped by civil conflict and forbidden magic.
A Story of Guilt, Growth, and Humanity
Set during the Revolt of 1173 against King Henry II, Foundlings offers a grounded yet mystical take on medieval England.
Apprentice healer Agnes and ex-executioner Frant are arrested for unsanctioned magic and tasked with investigating a rogue mages’ guild behind growing unrest. Their mission quickly expands beyond its original purpose, carrying them through villages and wilderness marked by unexplained disturbances, where they uncover desperate lives, harsh truths, and the consequences of unchecked power.
Through branching dialogue, moral dilemmas, and evolving relationships, players shape each encounter and influence not only the outcome of the investigation, but also the bond between Agnes and Frant, and ultimately who they become.
“This is not a story about saving the world. It’s about surviving it, and finding meaning within it.” – Alper Yilmaz, CEO of Maypole Games.
Spellcasting Reimagined
Drawing from medieval science and philosophy, Foundlings features a spell-driven combat system that blends real-time action with tactical depth.
- Dynamic Spellcasting System: Combine conduits, scrolls, and potions to craft and execute spells in real time.
- Hybrid Combat Design: A unique blend of action and strategy inspired by classic RPGs.
- Dual Character Control: Switch between Agnes and Frant, each with evolving behaviors and abilities.
Harmony, Knowledge, and the Occult
Magic in Foundlings is shaped by knowledge, balance, and observation of the natural world:
- The Four Humors System: Balance blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile to stabilize emotions and unlock power
- Celestial Influence: Align spells with planetary movements to enhance their effects
- Paths to Mastery: Study liberal arts like rhetoric and theology, and delve into alchemy and occult practices
Key Features
- A Heartfelt Tale of Hardship
- Guide two outcast mages during the Revolt of 1173. Every choice shapes life, death, and redemption.
- Real-Time Spellcasting
- Experience tactical planning with real-time spell execution using conduits, scrolls, and potions.
- From Novice to Initiate
- Study medieval disciplines, practice alchemy, acquire conduits, and craft new spells to build your personal spellbook.
- Maintain Inner and Outer Harmony
- Manage the fluctuations of the four humors to maintain balance and influence your emotions. Observe the skies and synchronize your spellcasting with planetary movements to enhance your power.
- Explore a Ravaged Medieval Land
- Journey through a war-torn 12th-century England filled with mystical forests, forgotten battlefields, and ancient burial grounds.
- A Living Narrative World
- Meet nobles, peasants, scholars, and fellow outcasts. Shape your relationships through choices, knowing that not every outcome is yours to decide.
- Lush Pixels with Light & Shadow
- 16-bit aesthetics merge with modern lighting techniques for a world rich in atmosphere and detail.
- A Captivating Soundscape
- A soundtrack blending progressive rock, ambient music, SNES-era inspiration, and Balkan and Middle Eastern influences.
About Maypole Games
Maypole Games is an independent studio based in Istanbul, dedicated to creating story-driven games that resonate with players at a deep emotional level. As a small and diverse team built on strong cross-cultural bonds, we focus on crafting meaningful interactive experiences that blend thoughtful game design with deeply personal storytelling. Foundlings, a story-driven RPG about the lives of outcast mages in 12th-century England, is Maypole's first commercial title. It is slated for release in 2026.
Sobakistan: The Land of Dogs is Opening its Borders to New Adventurers!
Tokyo, June 1, 2025 | Indie studio TERLETSKI GAMES announces Sobakistan: The Land of Dogs, a narrative adventure game set in a totalitarian country inhabited entirely by anthropomorphic dogs. Presented in the style of a classic pixel-art JRPG, the game features black humor, puzzle elements, and sharp satire. Invitation to the great leader ‘Comrade Buddy’ funeral rehearsal will be available via Steam in 2026.
For the first time in its history, Sobakistan opens its borders. The nation’s Supreme Leader, Comrade Buddy, has staged a lavish rehearsal of his own funeral to witness the people's grief in advance. What could possibly go wrong?
Among the invited foreign guests is a journalist — the chameleon Henri Pascal, famous for his hard-hitting documentaries. You begin the game in his shoes, preparing to film a documentary about this secretive nation.
Steam Page:
Players will gradually uncover the secrets of Sobakistan, switching between six playable characters each one will appear in a set order throughout the game’s 13 chapters to view the same events from multiple perspectives. A demo featuring two chapters and two characters — Henri Pascal and Harmony — is planned for summer–fall 2025.
Playable Characters:
- Henri Pascal – A chameleon and world-renowned journalist
- Comrade Buddy – The eternal leader and symbolic "sun" of Sobakistan
- The Supreme General – Head of the secret service and Comrade Buddy’s right paw
- Orbita – A puppy girl whose mysterious fate is tightly bound to that of the country
- Tadeusz Wolczetski – A school-age wolf cub who grew up too soon
- Harmony – A humble working dog and loyal citizen of Sobakistan
Key Features:
- A deep narrative with satire, dark humor, and moments of horror
- Consequence-driven choices and multiple endings
- Integrated puzzles and mini-games
- JRPG-inspired elements: item collection, turn-based sequences
- Metanarrative elements and breaking the fourth wall
- Unique pixel art aesthetic
- Developed by the creators of the original comic
Upon entering the country, Henri Pascal’s video camera is confiscated and replaced with a basic surveillance device that allows for text entry, low-res pixel snapshots, and GPS tracking. These are the materials the player works with throughout the game — creating an unconventional narrative toolset.
ABOUT TERLETSKI GAMES
TERLETSKI GAMES is a micro-indie studio founded by author, artist, and publisher Vitalii Terletskii in 2024. Originally based in Saint Petersburg and now operating out of Tokyo, the studio gained recognition for its humorous narrative games inspired by internet culture (Alt Girl for Skoof, Gnomes and Knights). Sobakistan: The Land of Dogs marks its first fully original, large-scale title — set to release on Steam in 2026, with console versions to follow. Terletski Games on X. || Steam Developer Page
Back to the Dawn - PC(Steam) Review
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG PERSON! I'M TELLING YOU I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT STUFF GOT IN MY CAR, YOU'VE GOTTA BELIEVE ME!
[Gets cuffed and shoved into a cop car]
THIS IS A SET UP! I'VE BEEN FRAMED!
[Cop gets in the car and starts to drive]
Hey, Bud, hear me out! I'm just a reviewer. I'm doing a piece about an anthropomorphic world where these animals live as regular humans--- DON'T YOU ROLL YOUR EYES AT ME--- anyways, these individuals are framed (wiggles my hand and gestures towards myself) and sent to jail by "accident". They have so many days to prove themselves innocent or get their hands dirty and try to escape before a certain deadline.
[Cop turns his head towards his rear-view mirror and raises an eyebrow at me]
Ah! Now I've peaked your interest. Shall I continue?
~
Jail Time
You can probably guess, but Back to the Dawn is a pixel graphic, daily life simulator with a big emphasis on detective role playing. Our story centers around individuals who have been wronged and are thrown into prison. You're forced to live among these law breakers and try to survive 30 days before your deadline. It's up to you, as the player, to be a good inmate or get dragged into the life of a gang member within the iron walls of your confinement.
This game is chock full of things to do, which was quite impressive. On the surface I believed I'd be playing through a story where I talked to a couple of people and would use my sleuthing skills to gain me brownie points in order to solve a couple of mysteries. Mysteries that seem to be crawling around within the pipe work of this concrete base camp. Boy, was I off. There are a handful of extra skeletons in everyone's closet. Allow me to explain...
The Inmates
In order to survive this dreary misunderstanding, you're going to have to make some friends. You'll find that there are all types of characters (and animals) that are living as your cellmates. Some individuals are there for minor offences and have a pretty good attitude to hang around. Others will range between crazy and outright bad. But maybe it's a good idea to have a couple of tough friends just in case things become a little dicey.
Not everyone will be so willing to be your pal. Others need certain requirements before they even acknowledge your existence. Your reputation is everything and without enough rep you'll find yourself nothing more than an annoying insect for those to shoo away or squash.
Once you have a few buddies you'll be able to build trust. With enough trust you'll be open to making certain trades or asking for a few favors. Keeping up on the gossip and giving them gifts will increase their bond with you. Who knows, maybe they'll even protect you when the time is right.
Maybe it's not such a bad idea to befriend your enemies, either!?
Vital Vitality
You are still a living, breathing creature and that means you'll also have to look after yourself. Prison life can impact your body and soul and it's up to you to make sure you don't become too weak and sick, otherwise you'll have a permanent bed in the infirmary.
You'll have your physical and mental health to keep up. Having proper meals and keeping up on your hygiene are big factors to keep in play. On the other hand you'll have to enrich your mind with things like praying, crafting and/or watching movies to boost your sanity. There are other things that can re-charge your essential needs, but if you let it get too low, you'll have a harder time moving about the compound. Run out of strength and you might be jumped. Loose your mind and you might be plagued with nightmares.
Another thing to look out for is your Focus Points and Energy Points. Without enough focus you may not have enough nerve to talk to certain people. Lose all your energy and you'll be too lazy to perform your daily tasks. Everything plays into making your daily life in prison go smoothly. You'll have to sacrifice certain points in order to gain other aspects at a time, so you'll have to tactically figure out what your end goal is.
Things are ever changing behind those concrete and boarded walls and it's up to you to come up with a good strategy to live among the other criminals.
Follow Your Schedules
Prison life isn't all about sleep, eat and repeat. The guards and warden make sure to keep everyone active by giving them chores, jobs, and free-time. Everything is timed exactly the same every day, but it's up to you what you'd like to do during each period.
Taking on jobs is one of a few ways to gain money in jail. You'll start off with basic chores. Once you've progressed through the story, other jobs will become available. You'll have to gain Good Behavior points in order to unlock extra jobs. Depending on the day of the week you may also get bonus pay, so it's best to keep an eye out for the day.
After lunch time you'll be able to enjoy some time to yourself out in the the yard. This area has a multitude of activities to keep oneself busy or work on your prison credits. You can choose to work on your physique, give prayer to the lord, work on quests or work up on reading those dusty books in the library. What you do with your time is up to you, but remember that it's limited each day.
No Time to Waste
Even though you have free reign of how you wish to live your life in prison, you do have to remember your main objective. Waste too much time surviving and you may be stuck in prison for the rest of your life, doing time that isn't yours in the first place.
Time is key and you'll have to balance when certain things need to be done. From main story quests to side quests, each event will give you a time limit. Can't hold on to that promise forever and taking on a quest and failing to finish it on time will lose you respect and decrease your reputation in prison.
Surviving the Prison Life
There are a lot of tough dudes waiting to prey on you and are just itching to push you around. This will happen from time to time and it's your job on how to go about it. Will you choose fight or flight? Choose to be a suck-up and you might be taken advantage of, but you'll be safe from getting jumped. Or choose to fight back and show off your dominance. However, the latter isn't that easy.
If you're choosing to chase off your attackers you'll have to fight them in combat. Fighting in game is turn base style and will have a couple of options available to toggle from. I'd recommend walking around with some type of weapon to aid you or you can boost your skill by working out. Pumping iron during free time is a great way to beef yourself up, at the cost of a small fee, but if you win a couple of battles you might gain the respect of the gang that has control over the gym area.
You can also have abilities to increase your chances in tough situations. Whether it be a fight or some type of event, you can gain points in certain aspects of your character. Things like Agility, Charm, Strength and Mind can be upgraded by spending points in the menu to unlock further feats. These additional power ups may just save your life.
Gaining a Reputation
You won't get anywhere if you don't make a name for yourself. Your rep means everything if you wanna move forward in this thunder dome. Doing odd quests around your cell block will earn you some street cred... or would it be prison cred, either way you gotta do favors in order to get your name out there. Sometimes those favors are spying on other gang meetings or selling someone out. There is no reward without consequences, your actions could get you into hot water with the wrong group of people if you're not careful. But hey, at least you won't be “That Person who got Beat up in Prison After Being Wrongly Convicted---” oh wait...
Concluding on Curfew
Oh, man, who would have thought that living a life behind bars was going to be challenging. Back to the Dawn did an amazing job at keeping me engaged and on my toes. The fact that I need to concentrate on keeping my mind and body in good health, while juggling my main quests is difficult, yet rewarding. I've always been a fan of pixel graphic worlds and this game shows its charm by revealing what one can do with a classic-to-modern twist. If you're looking for something with a good pace to fantasy simulation, strategy and puzzle solving then this animal kingdom prison sentence might be right up your alley. I'm pleased to give this game a 8.5 out of 10.
[Gets thrown into a cell]
“HEY! Haven't you seen me? I'm not even furry!”
[Pulls back sleeve to reveal skin]
“Ma'am, we have you listed as a naked mole rat...” Slams his ball pointed pen on his clipboard to show that he's done with my bullshit.
[I turn to look at my cellmate and point to my very obvious hair on my head]
Score: 8.5 / 10
Infinite: Beyond the Mind - Switch Review
Infinite: Beyond the Mind by developer Emilie COYO and publisher Blowfish Studios—Nintendo Switch review written by Richard with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
What do you do when an evil empire has kidnapped your sister? Fight your way through their forces to get her back, of course! In Infinite: Beyond the Mind you run, slash, and parkour your way through a slew of old-school retro styled 2-D levels, slashing at baddies and jumping up walls. Short, sweet, and co-op mode available, it's a nice little throwback to the older days of side scrolling platformers.
Choosing either Olga or Tanya in a single player mode, or assigning both to a controller in co-op, you will begin your crusade against the militaristic Empire led by Evangalyn Bramann. Infinite plays like many a retro platformer, allowing you some movement abilities and a sword to slash at your foes. You also earn upgrades every few stages, either enhancing your mobility or your ability to dispatch foes. You have a dodge which grants invincibility, and a stamina bar that you need to pay attention to, as dodging costs stamina. Throughout stages you can find and pick up items, most of which will be healing or 1-ups, but you might be able to find the rare "max health increase" items.
Stages are generally split into 3 sections, two general sections and a boss at the end, although this does get changed up every few stages. Each transitions constitute a sort of checkpoint, where if you die in that section you need to restart it. If you lose all your lives, then you need to restart the whole area from the beginning. On the plus side, there are no game-overs per se, and you can save between stages, making it nice to pick up a few a stage or two while you've got some spare time you don't know what to do with. As stages generally don't take too long, they tend not to overstay their welcome, and are pretty different from the previous stages. The bosses and stages are also pretty fun. Except the elevator. Second worst elevator sequence I've ever experienced. That being said, apart from how infuriatingly finicky ladders can be to actually interact with, I had a lot of fun with the game.
The soundtrack and visuals also offer a nice package. A lot of the time for these style games, I find there's always that one level that you get stuck on, and the background music is so awful you start to taste purple. Thankfully Infinite: Beyond the Mind not only has a rather solid soundtrack that compliments the stages nicely, it also presents some fine background drops while cleaning out the ungodly amount of soldiers the empire has managed to scrounge up. The pixel style graphics really work to give it that retro feel, without actually detracting from the game. While pretty much every unit looks almost identical, at least they are generally easy to spot, unless they wear the camp suits.
Boss fights are pretty unique, ranging from a standard hack and slash, to a mini bullet hell, to something I'd expect out of Iconoclasts. If nothing else, there's a lot of variety, and with a co-op mode and three difficulties, this is a nice game to snag a friend for, not that you'll probably be able to do that at the moment. The ability to save between stages is also a great decision, as it makes it easier to pick up on the go, and easy to put down for a bit if you start to get frustrated.
While the length of the game may be on the shorter side, and ladders can all go explode for how unhelpful they were, there were the occasional moments of frustration whether it be from walls that aren't actually scalable or enemy vehicles flying in from off-screen, the annoyances tended to do very little to detract from the game as a whole though.
While Infinite: Beyond the Mind doesn't really offer anything new or exciting to the genre, it's still a wonderful experience with a lot of solid design choices behind it. With stages that don't drag on past their welcome, a co-op mode, the ability to save between stages, and some pretty fun boss fights, you can get a lot of fun from Infinite.
Score: 7.5 / 10
Castle in the Darkness 2 is in Development!
Toronto, Ontario; Vienna, Austria; Finland; Tokyo, Japan - December 2nd, 2019 - LABS Works, a newly formed indie studio started by industry veterans Matt Kap and Simon Parzer who previously worked together on The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, today announced that Castle in the Darkness 2 is now in development, a sequel to 2015’s Castle In The Darkness. This sequel offers a similar brand of high-speed, action-rpg exploration to the first game, but launches it to new heights!
“Castle in the Darkness 2 still features pixel art, but the fidelity has received a major upgrade” says Kap of the new game. “I’m really pushing my limits. I made the first game with an 8-bit aesthetic to keep it fast and simple because I was working on it mostly alone”, says Kap. “But now with Simon taking care of all the technical stuff, along with a few talented specialists, I can focus 100% of my effort on producing the best graphics, music and game design that I’m able to. That’s an incredible feeling!” Along with the news comes a fresh announcement trailer, which is embedded below:
Though details are sparse at the moment, Kap implores everyone to follow LABS on social media. “We will be publishing mini-trailers on the 2nd day of every month that will show off a specific aspect of the game or its development. We have lots of surprises in store, and we’re super excited to share them with you!”
LABS Works Official Website
http://labs.works
LABS on social media
Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/LABSworks
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/LABSworks
Instagram- http://www.instagram.com/LABSworks
Matt’s Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/MattKap1
Simon’s Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/simonparzer
Article by Susan N.
MONKEY BARRELS Releases for Nintendo Switch!
Good-Feel Co., Ltd., （headquartered in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, and whose representative director is Shigeharu Umezaki; hereinafter “Good-Feel”）will release the company’s first original action shooting title, MONKEY BARRELS on Nintendo SwitchTM.
Furthermore, to commemorate the release, Good-Feel has unveiled today the first trailer for the game. In addition, the game is now available for pre-purchase on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch starting today.
MONKEY BARRELS is an action shooter set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, ruled by the consumer electronics giant “Crabbenwold Electro”. Featuring excellent response and volume, the game offers 3D pixel art that puts a fresh spin on old-school graphics; it also offers a 22-stage exhilarating action story mode where the player can fight with a combination of 98 different weapons, and an online competition mode for up to 6 players.
The game will be available for Nintendo eShop on Thursday, November 7th, 2019 for $14.99. It is also available for pre-purchase starting today.
1. An exhilarating, hard-hitting action shooting game where you can fight with a combination of 98 different weapons!
MONKEY BARRELS is a top-down action shooting game in which players can choose 2 main weapons (such as guns) and 2 sub-weapons (hand grenades, shields, etc.) from a total of 98 different types of weapons and customize their weapon rosters depending on their skill set or tactical situations.Each weapon is unique; first player can freely combine the weapons to fit their playing style and fight their way through the 22 hard-hitting stages. At the end of each area is a powerful, unique area boss awaits.
Features a wild eye-opener, the Wild Attack, a killer move that completely changes the battle situation!
When the attacks player made or the damage received raise the WILD gauge to a certain level, player can perform the Wild Attack. With this killer move, everyone can carry out a powerful area-of-effect attack that eliminates enemies and bullets in the surrounding area while providing buffs to player’s abilities for a certain amount of time. Making strategic use of the Wild Attack is a key for achieving victory.
Motorcycles, tanks, and various other gimmicks!
In some stages there are vehicle gimmicks for attacking, such as a motorcycle or a tank. In these stages, such as a Shoot’em up stage where player can advance on a motorcycle and a stage that features an exciting tank battle.
Huge, exciting boss battle awaits!
In the last stage in each area, player will find unique, powerful enemies that bring together the very best of Crabbenwold Electro’s technology. These bosses are a cut above the other enemies in the game, and they bring Masaru and his friends under withering attack in many ways.
2. In this post-apocalyptic battle of the monkeys and the crabs, the hero must take on an army of robots in order to rescue his close friend, Kotetsu.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, where an army of home-appliance robots from electronics manufacturer Crabbenwold Electro has exterminated humanity. In the destroyed cities, animals are living peacefully using the items left behind by the humans.The hero — Masaru — and his friends are living easy, carefree lives until one day Echizen Kanida, CEO of Crabbenwold and ruler of the world, abducts Masaru’s close friend, Kotetsu.
Masaru and his sidekicks decide to set off on a journey to get their friend back, and it is at this point that the “The Monkey-Crab Wars to end all wars”, i.e., between the monkeys and Kanida Electro.
- A cheerful, enthusiastic, zany, courageous male monkey. His leather jacket is really cool!
- A female monkey who was formerly star of the monkey mountain in Ueno Zoo. She’s one spirited, lively, tough girl!
- A male monkey who is kind, considerate to his friends, and loved by everyone. He is like a younger brother to Masaru and Hanako.
- A fashionable gorilla genius. He always keeps his cool and can be relied on, and he is like an older brother to Masaru and his buddies.
3. Monkeys against monkeys! Online competition for up to six players!
In addition to the story mode, the game also includes the Banana Scramble, an online competition mode for up to six players in which monkeys compete against other monkeys.The rules for this mode are very simple: at the end of the three-minute competition, the monkey with the most bananas wins. Players can either pick up the bananas that are scattered around the stage or attack other players and steal their bananas. The Banana Scramble can be played using a variety of different strategies, everything from only attacking other players to only gathering the bananas that other players leave behind.
Devise your own strategy, rack up win after win, and become the king of the monkey hill!
4. Beautiful game graphics featuring 3D and pixel art.
The game’s graphics apply 3D rendering to pixel art, resulting in a gaming experience that is new but has a retro feel. The graphics depict in beautiful, minute detail the scenery of a Japan in ruins, where humanity has died out.Be sure to follow Monkey Barrels on the website, Twitter, and Instagram. Don't forget to check out what else is in store for Good Feel here!
Article by Susan N.
