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14 September, 2016

Grab the First Three Sorcery! Gamebooks on Sale Ahead of Sorcery! 4 Release

Legendary Gamebook Designer Steve Jackson's Sorcery! Series on Sale For Mobile Devices

Indie developer inkle has carved out itself a special niche in the market for its superb range of gamebook adventure titles. While it’s difficult to pin down a personal favourite, the company is well known for its Sorcery! gamebook series from the genius mind of Steve Jackson.

Ahead of the release of the final title in the quadrilogy - Sorcery! 4 on 22 September - inkle has slashed the price of the first three games (Sorcery!, Sorcery! 2 and Sorcery! 3) to just US$0.99. If you’ve never experienced the magic of Sorcery! (pun well and truly intended,) this is the perfect time to pick them up on the cheap.

Sorcery! 4 concludes the story arc of the series with the fate of the land of Kakhabad still hanging in the balance. The game is said to include thousands of choices with over half a million words in dialogue. Players can expect to master up to 48 different spells and experience a unique touch-based sword dueling mechanic, with procedurally generated descriptions of the action.

If you're interested in more work by inkle, check out our 80 Days Review and an Interview With inkle on 80 Days.

Writer:
Stephen Mitchell

10 September, 2016

Afro-Noir Adventure Game The Journey Down Coming to Consoles

The Afro-noir point-and-click adventure trilogy will be making its way to Xbox One and PS4

In great news for fans of point-and-click adventure games, SkyGoblin has announced that its afro-noir inspired title – The Journey Down – will be making its way to Xbox One and PS4. SkyGobin is currently busily working away on the third and final chapter in the trilogy, originally funded on Kickstarter, slated to come out in early-to-mid 2017 for PC, Mac and Linux. However, in a post for backers, SkyGoblin broke the news that it has tapped specialised porting studio Blitworks to also bring all three games in the trilogy to consoles. Blitworks has previously ported other indie darling titles including Fez and Spelunky. No release date has yet been given for consoles.

In other news, SkyGoblin noted that work on the The Journey Down: Chapter Three is progressing well. The casting is almost complete, several characters are now fully voiced and most of Bwana’s speech has been recorded and implemented. Having payed the first two games in the series, we can’t wait to get our hands on the third and final chapter, awarding it a place in our Top 10 Up Upcoming Adventure Games.

Writer:
Stephen Mitchell

20 August, 2016

Indie Darling Burly Men At Sea Sets Sail in September; Receives New Trailer

Land lubbers, rejoice! After reporting on upcoming folktale adventure Burly Men At Sea for nigh two years, this hugely promising indie darling is finally being released on September 29 for PC, Mac, iOS and Android. This is no simple feat either, with devs Brain&Brain running into numerous problems during development. We have incredibly high hopes for Burly Men, especially after the absolutely charming success of Brain&Brain's first outing Doggins (read our review).

To celebrate the announcement of the release date, the devs have released a new trailer which you can see below. 

Finally, you can catch up on what Burly Men is all about by reading our previous coverage including an overview and interview with the developers.

Writer:
Stephen Mitchell

 

18 August, 2016

Legend of The Skyfish Early Impressions - What It Is and What It's Not

We're about halfway through the 45 levels of newly released Legend of The Skyfish from Mgaia Studios and thought it a good time to take a break and post some impressions. 

If you watch the trailer below you will see a cinematic story intro, gear being upgraded, and some classic top-down hacking and slashing. These elements might understandably lead you to believe Legend of The Skyfish might be more RPG than it is. Read my previous post and you'll see that was my early take. 

What it is however, is a very competent action puzzle adventure, with very lite RPG elements (which really amounts to collecting improved equipment necessary for puzzles that come soon after). The game's main focus is to determine how to complete each of its 45 levels by means of pushing blocks to open doors, timed platforming, evading spikes and so on. 

We wanted to get that out of the way so as to proceed with our full review based on what Legend of The Skyfish is, rather than focus on what it's not. 

What it also is, is very pretty. The music and hand-painted artwork combine to create a very attractive package. 

Right then. Back to the work. 

Writer:
Garry Balogh

16 August, 2016

Zelda Inspired Legend of The Skyfish Headed to Apple TV

It's now six months into the life of the very games-capable new Apple TV, however decent RPGs are thin on the ground for the little black box. The pick of the bunch is easily Oceanhorn, which we featured in a huge Making Of feature in Episode 2 of Grab It (check out the full list below). 

Oceanhorn is evidence that this mid-tier level of top-down RPGs is a perfect fit for Apple's new hardware. Small one-touch free-to-play mobile titles squander the opportunity the device offers developers and gamers, and big triple triple A titles just aren't an option for this microconsole's capabilities, so titles like Oceanhorn sit in the goldilocks region of gaming for Apple TV. 

Enter the upcoming Legend of The Skyfish from publisher Crescent Moon Games and developer Mgaia Studios. Even before seeing any gameplay, the banner above this article already screams Zelda, but if you need any further convincing scroll down to the bottom and check out the trailer. 

The subdued colour palette and gorgeous 2D artwork give Legend of The Skyfish a very handcrafted, classic storybook vibe. Gameplay looks to be a mixture of puzzle elements built largely around a grappling hook mechanic, over the top of an old-school top down RPG canvas.

August 18th is the release date for Legend of The Skyfish, on both iOS and Apple TV's tvOS. The Apple TV's App Store is currently a small pond with only a few fish, and Legend of The Skyfish looks like it has the potential to be one of the bigger ones come Thursday. 

Writer:
Garry Balogh

If you are wondering who we are, we're primarily a digital magazine for the iPad focused on the coverage of indie video games. Run by the former editor of Game Informer, you'll find worldwide exclusives, but also an interactive media experience unlike any you have seen before. If you have an iPad, you should check out the free sample issue at the very least, or enjoy one of our other episodes as listed below.

Get Every Episode:
- Episode 1 - Includes The Making of République (*free sample issue*)
- Episode 2 - Includes The Making of Oceanhorn
- Episode 3 - Includes The Making of Monument Valley
- Episode 4 - Includes The Making of Last Inua
- Episode 5 - Includes The Making of World of Tanks Blitz
- Grab It Episodes 2-5 Bundle
- Episode 6 - Includes The Making of Magic the Gathering
- Episode 7 - Includes The Making of Tiny Troopers Alliance and Midnight Star
- Episode 8 - The PAX AUS edition
- Grab It Presents Nihilumbra - Classics Collection
- Grab It Presents Ultimate Indie Game Reviews Vol 1.

 

15 August, 2016

Pixel Cup Soccer 17 Preview - Available on Steam Early Access Now

It feels like only yesterday that we reviewed Pixel Cup Soccer 16, a great retro arcade soccer title from Batovi Games Studio. 

Not wasting any time, on August 4th Batovi launched the next iteration of its series on Steam Early Access, appropriately named Pixel Cup Soccer 17.

Compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux, PCS 17 will spend about six months in Early Access before a full launch, with Batovi planning to pack in plenty of additional features. 

One of the most exciting new features to come will be the Team Editor, giving players the ability to create their own teams and leagues, whether they be real or imagined, and then share them with the community. 

Other items on Batovi's list of features for PCS 17 are a completely revamped AI that allows for greater depth in play-styles, and online multiplayer. PCS 17 currently supports multiplayer with Player1 VS Player2 (in Friendly Matches) and Party Mode (in Competitions).

Controls in this Steam iteration of Pixel Cup Soccer are straight forward: WASD for directional movement,  L for passing/changing player selection, and K for shooting/tackling. PC controller support is already present, and it's easily the recommended way to play given the fast-paced arcade nature of the game. 

A great feature of the Pixel Cup Soccer series is the temporary events that reflect what's going on in real world soccer, and at the moment you'll be able to play recreations of current Olympics matches in both the men's and women's tournaments. 

We'll keep an eye on Pixel Cup Soccer 17 as it continues to develop and as new features are added. Tinkering with that Team Editor should be a blast. 

You can head straight to the store page right here. 

Writer:
Garry Balogh

13 August, 2016

Quick Fix - Slice IN

In our Grab It Magazine iPad episodes, which are listed below, we have a regular feature called Quick Fix. These are bite sized mini-reviews for those games that are great to have in your pocket during commutes, waiting in line, commercial breaks, or for when the person you are talking to on the phone has nothing interesting to say but you still want to earn the credit for staying on the line and being a good listener.

Episode one for example - which is free - looks at Mega Dead Pixel, HAR.MO.NY, and the outstanding Ridiculous Fishing. Read on for a Quick Fix as we look at Bica Studios’ second game - Slice IN.

06 August, 2016

The Best Tip for Playing Neverwinter on PS4 - Remember to Zoom

During my adventures in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PS4, I developed a muscle memory that is proving very useful for Neverwinter, the Dungeons & Dragons MMO which was recently ported to Sony’s hardware.

Whenever I want to read an interesting bit of lore found in a parchment or book, or compare the stats of shiny loot dropped by a felled enemy to what I’ve already equipped, it now happens without even thinking: My left thumb shoots over and holds down the PS button, followed a split second later by my right thumb mashing the square button. The result is the magnifying of a portion of your TV screen, and is utter bliss for eyes that have been at work all day and are now straining to serve a late night gaming session.

This zoom function on the PS4 is one of the device’s accessibility options, and must first be enabled within the Settings menu, as below:

Select Settings > Accessibility

Once enabled, the function can then be used in-game.

While zoomed, your screen is divided into a grid, and you can navigate around the screen using your left thumb-stick. When magnified, you’ll lose control of the game’s functionality - it doesn’t pause the game, but it stops you from being able to execute any functions or move your avatar. Exit the zoom by hitting the circle or PS button.

On paper it sounds a little fiddly, but during a lengthy RPG or MMO it soon becomes second nature zooming in and out, and your eyes will thank you every time.

Right then, I’m off to get my level 19 moon worshipping warlock over the edge so I can open up that tantalising carrot in my inventory - the level 20 Adventure Box.

And that of course, is how they get you.

Damn them.

Writer:
Garry Balogh

If you are wondering who we are, we're primarily a digital magazine for the iPad focused on the coverage of indie video games. Run by the former editor of Game Informer, you'll find worldwide exclusives, but also an interactive media experience unlike any you have seen before. If you have an iPad, you should check out the free sample issue at the very least, or enjoy one of our other episodes as listed below.

Get Every Episode:
- Episode 1 - Includes The Making of République (*free sample issue*)
- Episode 2 - Includes The Making of Oceanhorn
- Episode 3 - Includes The Making of Monument Valley
- Episode 4 - Includes The Making of Last Inua
- Episode 5 - Includes The Making of World of Tanks Blitz
- Grab It Episodes 2-5 Bundle
- Episode 6 - Includes The Making of Magic the Gathering
- Episode 7 - Includes The Making of Tiny Troopers Alliance and Midnight Star
- Episode 8 - The PAX AUS edition
- Grab It Presents Nihilumbra - Classics Collection
- Grab It Presents Ultimate Indie Game Reviews Vol 1.

16 July, 2016

Apple TV - Pixel Cup Soccer 16 Review - Goooaaalll!!!

The PES and FIFA franchises have “the beautiful game” locked up as far as deep simulation goes, and the Apple TV hardware just isn’t the place for these big triple A heavyweights. The middle ground between mobile and triple A is this microconsole’s sweet spot, making Batovi Games Studio’s Pixel Cup Soccer 16 a great fit for Apple’s newest App Store.

While its playable and enjoyable enough on iOS with virtual controls, a big screen and an MFI controller in hand bring out the best in Batovi’s latest title.

Armed with our trusty Steel Series Nimbus, we put Pixel Cup Soccer 16 through its paces, and tried to right some of the wrongs of the World Cup’s past, but alas, we haven’t yet managed to get Australia through to the finals.

We had a blast trying though.

13 July, 2016

Sonic The Hedgehog with a Dash of Rayman - Meet Bearcat Attack

Ever since the morphing of Cascadia Games into Ferocity2D, an intriguing entry on the indie developer's site has teased an upcoming project titled only as B5. Today the codename was finally revealed as an homage to the heyday of 2D platforming - Bearcat Attack.

Also Read: Developers Talk Apple TV - Cascadia Games Interview

Lamenting the poor translation many of our 2D platforming mascots suffered when attempting the leap to 3D gave rise to an interesting question for the developer - where did they go so wrong? And, perhaps more importantly, what made their original 2D versions so good? Sonic, Rayman, Bubsy, Earthworm Jim - none seemed to survive the 3D makeover the way that Mario did. 

Chris Jorgensen of Ferocity2D decided that building a traditional 2D mascot platformer was the only way to answer that question. Check out the Vine embedded below and you'll see obvious Sonic influences, with environments planned that will take inspiration from the lush worlds of Rayman. 

Teaming up with artist Mike Heald of Fully Illustrated, even in its very early stages Bearcat Attack certainly looks the part, and with a decent pedigree of 2D platformers already under the developer's belt - the Cavorite series, 2-Bit Cowboy series, and Ammo Pigs - it'll be intriguing to see which side of the '90s this mascot throwback falls. 

Also Read: Ammo Pigs Review - Is it Worth Getting Off Your Barstool for?

For the full story check out Ferocity2D's blog reveal right here. 

Writer:
Garry Balogh

If you are wondering who we are, we're primarily a digital magazine for the iPad focused on the coverage of indie video games. Run by the former editor of Game Informer, you'll find worldwide exclusives, but also an interactive media experience unlike any you have seen before. If you have an iPad, you should check out the free sample issue at the very least, or enjoy one of our other episodes as listed below.

Get Every Episode:
- Episode 1 - Includes The Making of République (*free sample issue*)
- Episode 2 - Includes The Making of Oceanhorn
- Episode 3 - Includes The Making of Monument Valley
- Episode 4 - Includes The Making of Last Inua
- Episode 5 - Includes The Making of World of Tanks Blitz
- Grab It Episodes 2-5 Bundle
- Episode 6 - Includes The Making of Magic the Gathering
- Episode 7 - Includes The Making of Tiny Troopers Alliance and Midnight Star
- Episode 8 - The PAX AUS edition
- Grab It Presents Nihilumbra - Classics Collection
- Grab It Presents Ultimate Indie Game Reviews Vol 1.

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