June, 2021 - Mr. Dave Pizza

Indie Game: The Movie is An Essential Documentary For Game Devs

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 29, 2021
Post category:FILM & TV REVIEWS

Indie Game: The Movie is, suitably, a 2011 indie documentary made by Canadian Filmmakers about indie video games. It cracks open the shell of contemporary indie game development by following a handful of developers as they make their first games and bring them to market. It evokes the struggle of the indie game business model and follows artists and programmers through lows and highs of this personal journey. This film had moments of absolute enchantment but also discomfort. I want to give this a chance though, because I took something very real and personal from this documentary.

Astroneer Takes the Space Sim Genre to New Heights

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 28, 2021
Post category:GAME REVIEWS

Astroneer is a low poly space sim with a playful and colorful, stylized atmosphere. It uses its practical fundamental mechanics and graphics to pull off an engaging and creative experience. After completing the tutorial on your basic tools and resources available, the game is essentially an open-world sandbox where you can develop your base camp or head to another planet. It is similar to games like The Outer Worlds and No Man's Sky, without the realistic graphics and more emphasis on casual, puzzle-solving gameplay. Today, I'll take you through what my experience is with this game.

What Comes After is A Pandemic Era Interactive Fiction

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 28, 2021
Post category:GAME REVIEWS VISUAL NOVELS

What Comes After is an interactive fiction from the creator Coffee Talk in collaboration with the Rolly Glory Jam. This story-rich game takes place on a pandemic era commuter train that transforms into a ferry for souls to the afterlife after Vivi falls asleep. There's so set directive, but the game is experienced through interacting with souls on the train. This ranges from average folks to owls and trees! It is a highly creative and somewhat mystical story that explores deep concepts of purpose and life as well as what comes after.

Monster Pub is a Hidden Gem I Will Always Love

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 25, 2021
Post category:GAME REVIEWS

Monster Pub is a neat and funny narrative wrapped up in a nice isometric, pixel art game that is ultra-casual. You're whoever you want to be, a shadow-cloaked being, approached on a dark rainy street by a bright pink monster named Pfeffer. She leads you to a mysterious location that turns out to be a public house, for monsters, apparently based on the set for 80's TV show Cheers. Only here, it's where every *monster* knows your name. Let's play some sandwiches!

Wheels of Aurelia 1978 is a Free Hidden Gem

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 24, 2021
Post category:GAME REVIEWS VISUAL NOVELS

Wheels of Aurelia is an interactive-fiction-style racing game set in Italy in 1978. The left-hand steers the wheel of a gritty game that is full of themes of crime, punk, and danger. While the themes are a bit serious, its thematic integrity is in check by fun, innovative game design, and a serious historical snapshot. Drive through the coastlines in low-polygon graphics and talk to your passengers about anything.

Shu’s Garden is a Slightly Old, Fun Hidden Gem I Found

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 22, 2021
Post category:GAME REVIEWS

Shu's Garden is a game that's part of the huge Itch.IO bundle release recently. It is essentially an open playground experience, with no strict rules or goals. Play a little space-cactus named Shu, a ball of shine with a friendly symbiotic tail that bounces around planets. This game holds up well over time, and even without any clear direction of strategy, it is still quite enjoyable as a mini-session or even tangential distraction. Let's take a look.

Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the TMNT – A Review

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 20, 2021
Post category:FILM & TV REVIEWS

Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a DVD documentary from Paramount Pictures, released in 2014. It covers every topic of TMNT lore like the comic book origins of Mirage's Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Or how uncomfortable the turtle suits were for the actors in the motion pictures released in the 90s. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the most legendary hallmarks of the later 20th century and beyond. From the adults whose childhood thrived on the cartoons and movies to the fervor of today's initiated youth. Almost everybody knows of them, and most likely are cool with them in some form, maybe even have a favorite turtle--mine's Donatello. Anyway, I took up the bo staff of this cultural journey and I've got some gems for you right now.

Catlateral Damage is A Hilarious Hidden Gem

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 17, 2021
Post category:GAME REVIEWS

Catlateral Damage is a game from Itch.IO that is so simple in concept, but so enjoyable that way! I also know it is time for another review! This game is part of a bundle I obtained and is one of many of the great games over at Itch. The game is about you, a cat, in a playground suitable for the mischievous antics of a cat. The objective of the game is to knock stuff off shelves, chase red lasers, and collect powerups. It is very amusing and a great game for anybody, because it is challenging and ready for an audience.

Sky Rogue is a Unique Retro Flight Sim

Post author:mrdavepizza
Post published:June 9, 2021
Post category:GAME REVIEWS

When I first started reviewing games, I wrote a list of flying games that I found intriguing around the time Sky Rogue first appeared on my radar. I feel like Sky Rogue has evolved from my first perception of it though. My own style is a bit different too since I’ve stepped out a bit more from my digital pacifism, at least on principle. Not much though. This is another game that has action-packed gameplay without being too coarse. I love Sky Rogue and I hope you will too. Let’s take a look.