indie dev - Mr. Dave Pizza

Universe for Sale Looks Like a Good Sci-Fi Game

Universe for Sale is an upcoming title that combines sci-fi themes and metaphysical themes into a quirky and compelling visual novel/interactive fiction. I already do not recall the main character's name, and neither will you, as the shroud of mystery is an important part of this introduction. He is a self-described "cultist" with a floating head who drops into a tea shop on Jupiter to meet with a young lady named Lila. The prologue sets up a story involving Lila's special gift to create mini-universes! Hence the game title.

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July 2, 2021

INDIE GAMES

Genesis Noir is a Unique, Interesting Indie in a Hidden Universe

Genesis Noir is an experimental detective story that takes place in a cosmogonic setting in different parts of the universe. If that already sounds mind-blowing, it's artistically extravagant in the creative gears that turn its two-dimensional, or even 5-dimensional, gameplay mechanics--metaphorically at least. The game starts wandering the streets of some strange alternative 1950's cityscape and blows open a new case to investigate with a bang, a big bang. Yes, that one. In this review, I'll talk about the game--and also talk to you about a new project I'm working on involving space exploration in games.

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April 19, 2021

INDIE GAMES

Nyaa-Kuza!! is a Freebie Indie Student Game

Nyaa-Kuza is an illustrated half-action interactive fiction title from the self-dubbed Catzooka Studios out of the University of Utah's EAE program. Play as Mochi, an ex Nyaa-Kuza brawler cat, whose cat wife, Hime, has been "catnapped" by the syndicate. You'll traverse the outskirts of a Japanese city interacting with leads and allies in a conventional visual novel style to find Hime. At other times, the game is highly interactive with button-mashing fight scenes with cat gangsters. The game is free on Steam, and I sincerely suspect you've never seen a game like this.

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April 14, 2021

VISUAL NOVELS

Scarlet Hood & the Wicked Wood Demo Review

Scarlet Hood and the Wicked Wood is a new visual novel/interactive fiction game. The story follows Scarlet, a budding musician in an aspiring band of close friends. Start your journey on route to your band's major performance at a club in the city, plus the opportunity it provides with a heavy offer from the club's boss. In an unexpected twist, you'll soon find yourself, through unforeseen circumstances, in another world! This land is filled with popular themes from classic fantasy stories and solvable puzzles, all blended nicely into a one-of-a-kind story.

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April 8, 2021

VISUAL NOVELS

I Played The New Visual Novel The Last Act

The Last Act is a visual novel with a theatric theme about an actress in a lead play character. Interact with a social group of charismatic characters, while find yourself getting more and more into the script as the serious drama unfolds. The choices you make unfold the story in different ways, but ultimately you'll find yourself interacting with supernatural characters that seek to interact in your fate. Will you continue on with the play? Or is it too much? Or do people just need to mind their own business? It's up to you.

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April 5, 2021

VISUAL NOVELS

CRASH Autodrive Tells A Story About Self-Driving Cabs and Murder

CRASH: Autodrive is a visual novel style point-and-click mystery that takes place in Pittsburgh, PA, the year 2027. You are a passenger in a robot auto cab that hosts you and three other passengers on your way to your respective destinations. The car takes an unanticipated detour and strikes a crossing bicyclist on a deserted back road in the city. With the aid of a host full of clues from your cab-sharers, you will use information and evidence from the individual to unravel the mystery behind the crash. In a world where A.I. is everywhere, you'll have to deduct on your own the implications of this accident. The game is due for release sometime in the spring of 2021.

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April 1, 2021

INDIE GAMES

BattleCakes is an Astonishingly Colorful and Sweet Indie

BattleCakes is a game in development by Volcano Bean, an indie studio. Play as a customizable cupcake person and explore the town you live in. Talk to other cake-like characters around town and even solve some mysteries. You can solve the problems around town when you head out the gates and take on the gumdroplins, some goblin gum drops, in the park. You can battle, you do indeed have a sword, but you can also defeat the enemies by befriending them.

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March 28, 2021

INDIE GAMES

Escaping Winter is a 16-bit indie surival game on itch.io

Escaping Winter is a strategy game about a forest colony that has to survive the winter every few turns. It's safe to say that this is more of a JAM than anything, solely representing some conceptual ideas. Indeed, civ strategy games are not my forte, but I think this idea is unique enough. If unprepared a winter might be the downfall of a society if it lasts long enough. Luckily it just makes the fire put-put a couple of times. This is a small solo project, nothing to overanalyze. I liked the title screen though and this demo has what it needs.

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March 27, 2021

VISUAL NOVELS

The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is One of the Best ‘Serious’ Interactive Fictions

The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is an interactive visual novel that spans the lifetime of a character named Sir Brante. Progress through the stages of life starting with childhood, where you'll forge deep experiences that will shape the course of your entire life later on. Your actions will affect your own character and also how others interact with you. Try to live true in a world dominated by an esoteric caste system and brutal classism, starting from the very bottom.

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March 17, 2021