Galacticon Really Plays Like an Old Arcade Cabinet Style Game

Today, I'm taking a look at the soon-to-be-released, arcade-style title Galacticon from developer Radin Games. It's similar in style to 1980s arcade games like Defender, Joust, and Jetpac. You might be familiar with some of these from the book Ready Player One; and maybe the film, but I can't remember, although I know Joust featured prominently in the book. I sat down with the space-themed preview they provided and honestly got really into it. Initially, I wondered how much there'd be to say, but the game has many objectives. There's also an online leaderboard to compete with, so it is full of incentives to play. I'll give you a rundown of some features as well. And as usual, I've included my gameplay, as usual, with the YouTube video at the top. Let's get started.

Continue ReadingGalacticon Really Plays Like an Old Arcade Cabinet Style Game

Mago is a Colorful SNES Style Indie Platformer About a Sorcerer

Mago: The Villain's Burger is an adventure set in a world populated by fresh NES sprites and joyful playful storytelling. It is your responsibility as Mago (which is a perfect name for a sorcerer) to rescue the princess and do heroic things. It's filled with so many fun easy-to-learn but masterable abilities and unique mechanics that you just don't find in every game. The best way to understand it is most likely visually, but today I'll be talking about why Mago is a promising look at how its developers are creating something that is, possibly, capable of going big if they wish.

Continue ReadingMago is a Colorful SNES Style Indie Platformer About a Sorcerer

Kraken Academy – Why Am I in Love With Broccoli Girl?

Kraken Academy has been on my mind since I first eyed a trailer of it some months ago. "I have to play that one," came to mind. Many of you are probably familiar with my love of visual novels. And in this case, I'm working with a combination of visual novel and interactive fiction characteristics--an all-things-aside awesome and hilarious game. Explore the bizarre introduction to Kraken Academy with me, and I'll explain why you might start loving visual novels after all and why you should continue to if you already do. LET'S GO!!!

Continue ReadingKraken Academy – Why Am I in Love With Broccoli Girl?

Golfie is a Cozy New Golf Card Game Indie

Golfie is a new concept game from Triheart Studio labeled rogue-like deck-building mini-golf. They've just released a demo, and I was able to get a first-hand look at the game and its odds and ends. The environments are pleasant, gameplay fun, and I'd love to see more down the line. I had to doubletake the genre with all those tags, but it's a neat little game that actually maintained my attention quite a bit. The deck-building element was a double whammy because I know nothing of these things! Once again though, this feature is implemented in a really neat way as well. So there is plenty to observe and plenty and say. I think you're going to take an interest in this one, it's not your regular golf game. Let's get started!

Continue ReadingGolfie is a Cozy New Golf Card Game Indie

The Universim is a Fantastic New World Sim I Tried

The Universim is a civilization simulator from Crytivo that combines features from planet sims with more advanced skill trees. The game touts a robust planet-level environment with the ability to manage the course of civilization from primal to advanced stages. The game is still in development but is going through a rigorous beta, although you can purchase the early access on Steam, which many have. I'm kind of reminded here of experiences of other sims out there, but I saw some things I haven't seen before too. Thanks to the collaboration between my friends at Indie Game Collective and Crytivo, I've obtained an early access copy and am here to tell you about it. So here we go.

Continue ReadingThe Universim is a Fantastic New World Sim I Tried

Space Mechanic Simulator is a Really Terrific space sim I Tried

Let's talk about an upcoming space game! Space Mechanic Simulator is a 3D space sim set in, you guessed, outer space. So far, this game is still in development, but that may have changed by the time you read this. It is currently in development with a demo on steam that I am reviewing here. Your job is to repair space stations, spaceships, and presumably other space vehicles with a sophisticated drill and a meter. Obtain parts from drones or 3D print them. Once you have detected the malfunctioning equipment, remove it and replace it.

Continue ReadingSpace Mechanic Simulator is a Really Terrific space sim I Tried

K. Thompson’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2019) is Smart and Biting

Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2019-) is a new comic book incarnation of the epic story settings of its namesake, written by author Kelly Thompson, artists Veronica Fish and Andy Fish, and letterer/author Jack Morelli. Readers can expect, delightfully, a contemporary imagining of the long-time universe of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, her two spell weaving aunts, and their speaking cat Salem, plus a whole ton of high school drama that is just as much a part of the series as anything. This review of Volume 1 covers issues #1-5 of this series, or in other words, Volume 1.

Continue ReadingK. Thompson’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2019) is Smart and Biting

Doug Hates His Job is a New Game With a Chip On Its Shoulder

Doug Hates his Job is a Beat-Em Up game with an office mockumentary style story about a sales agent who, as the title states, hates his job! Join Doug as he tries to deal with the typical everyday office pet peeves. You get to decide how Doug responds to annoying coworkers, crazy clients, and a ruthless boss. Along the way, unlock new levels with several styles of gameplay.

Continue ReadingDoug Hates His Job is a New Game With a Chip On Its Shoulder

Lo-Fi Room is One of the First Indie Games I Played

When everything is put together, the final song compilation is pretty good. A lot of people were commenting on the Itch.IO page that they liked the music and I happen to agree. And as far as aesthetics go, this is a pretty successful at being a lo-fi indie concept from the artwork to the music to the gameplay. I dig.

Continue ReadingLo-Fi Room is One of the First Indie Games I Played

BROK the InvestiGator is a New SUPER Explorable Point and Click Game

Brok the Investigator is a side-scrolling point-and-click cartoon adventure detective story. Fully interactive, voiced characters. It's chock full of feel-good, heartwarming, animal noir gameplay. And what would an animal people noir be without a detective croc named Brok? The game begins in an inexplicable house fire, although things aren't quite what they seem. After this introduction, you'll start your story from an underground apartment. Brok's son, Graff, is a raccoon or bear, I think. Graff is a teenager who's your typical snippy teen, but fairly helpful in establishing location. Brok's phone rings shortly after he wakes up and a call…

Continue ReadingBROK the InvestiGator is a New SUPER Explorable Point and Click Game