A couple of interesting projects this week that I'm happy to promote; a sci-fi thriller and a charming little strategy games.
Nora: Act I
A sci-fi psychological thriller game featuring a tenacious captain and her rag-tag crew of smugglers
Funding Goal - $25,000 by April 22nd (Flexible Funding)
My Opinion - A really interesting concept where you are captain of a space ship and have to make the right decisions and try and keep your crew happy. It appears it is in very early stages at the moment but I'll be keeping an eye on this for the future.
Turn-based strategy and management game in a beautiful living world!
Funding Goal - €6,019 by May 22nd (Flexible Funding)
My Opinion - I'm not aware of the 1993 original version or the iPad version (due to my age and lack of an iPad) but part of me wishes differently after seeing this charming little strategy game. It looks like a cross between Stronghold and Civilization with a nice art style as well. It looks exactly like the type of game I would play and if/when it is on steam, I imagine I'll end up buying it.
To continue the theme of a very quiet week, we only have one early access game from steam this week - Project Explore. Project Explore by Seabass and Gazelle Studios Project Explore is a survival game. It's a game about learning the environment, discovering hundreds of items, and your ability to adapt to any situation. Not just build a house and bunker down. A house provides you with shelter but you'll need to eat and maintain your sanity as well.
Price - £4.99
My Opinion - Another survival game but nice to see a slightly different take on it - for a start it is in 2d. This provides different options for the developer and the player than a game in a fully 3d world. Reviews have been mixed but fairly positive, even at what is a very early access release.
A nice eclectic selection of new games from greenlight this week:
1. Flawed Ones: Puppeteer by Balta Studios Flawed Ones: Puppeteer is a game about a puppeteer, who can control people and his armies from his shadow theatre stage like people controlling soldiers in real-time strategy games.
Opinion - Brilliant concept, lovely art style, and what looks like very interesting gameplay. This is definitely worth upvoting on greenlight. They are also running an Indiegogo campaign if you want to back it with your money. Greenlight Link
2. Contradiction by Baggy Cat Contradiction is an murder mystery adventure game that uses live-action video for the entirety of the game play. It’s a brand new take on the concept of an interactive movie and takes the genre to a whole new level of playability.
Opinion - And now for something completely different, with a murder mystery told through live-action video. Murder mystery games for me have been pretty much universally disappointing (with the sole exception of LA Noire); if these guys can do something different and interesting to reignite the genre, then I'm all for it. Greenlight Link Game Website
3. Boss 101 by Doonley Time Foundation Boss 101 is an action adventure game with you taking the role of Max, a teenager with a jetpack. It all starts with your brother's request for an action packed birthday. Unfortunately he's in the hospital so it's up to you to bring him an unforgettable home movie.
Opinion - On a more-light hearted note now, Boss 101 is a full-on crazy action adventure but with a heart-warming story behind it, as well the ability to create your own boss! Greenlight Link Developer Website
4. Exanima by Bare Mettle Entertainment Explore, fight, survive and unravel mysteries in this unique and unforgiving 3D isometric RPG set in an original dark, low fantasy world. Exanima's exceptional attention to detail and realistic simulation of all things provide a deeply immersive and dynamic gameplay experience. Opinion - Isometric RPGs are probably my favourite type, having started with the Baldur's Gate series. As the description hits, Exanima is unforgiving but if you like hardcore RPGs, this will be one for you. Greenlight Link Developer Website
5. Industry Transporters by Markus Fick An economic simulation where you build production chains as effectively as possible on a large scale terrain. You can choose from a large variety of wares and buildings to build up your production chain and use up to 4 types of transportation. Play against a complex economic with flexible prices and soon against each other or computer.
Opinion - I was a big fan of games like Transport Tycoon and Industry Giant back in the day and it is nice to see a new game in the genre. Yes they can be a bit stodgy, but if you enjoy simulations like this (I do) and are willing to take the time, then I expect that this could be a very rewarding experience. Greenlight Link Game Website
Either I'm getting pickier, or the quality has dropped off a bit this week with new games on Kickstarter. I found three I am very happy to promote, but not enough to reach a Top 5 this week. Regardless, I think the three below are top quality and deserve your support: 1. Ralin - Dwarf Wars by Ogardonix ltd
Ralin is a community driven Rogue-like Hack and Slash RPG wrapped in high quality graphics with a lot of love for detail
Funding Goal - £45,000 by Thursday 16th April
My Opinion - Previously featured on our Top 5 Greenlights and now in a Kickstarter campaign. It is a classic rogue-like in the mold of Diablo with lots of loot and crafting. What makes it a winner for me is the graphics and the fact you get to play as a dwarf...I have a thing about dwarfs...
2. Mulaka - Origin Tribes by Lienzo Save the world from the Sun, Moon and Twilight gods. Rarámuri lore brought to life in an awesome action game. Help preserve the culture
Funding Goal - $77,000 by Thursday 16th April
My Opinion - A unique adventure based on Mexican folklore. The background to the game is awesome but the gameplay itself looks very interesting as well. If you want an action-adventure game with a unique culture and storyline, check this out.
3. Pythetron by TJ Townsend This next evolution in shoot'em ups (shmups) adds new mechanics with focus on speed, routing freedom, customizations and replayability.
Funding Goal - $5,000 by Thursday 16th April
My Opinion - My first PC gaming experience was a little known 2d space shooter called Xatax and Pythetron reminds me of it, but turned up to about a million. I'm looking forward to this game happening, for the odd half-an-hour of intense space combat.
Following on from Friday's Kickstarter recap from January, today we are going to look at the Steam Greenlight from games we featured in our Top 5s in January. From the 20 we looked at, 15 (75%) have been Greenlit already.
BattleLore: Command Command valiant warriors and vicious demons in BattleLore: Command, based on the board game BattleLore Second Edition. Lead the noble Daqan army as they fearlessly defend their homeland from the invading hordes of the Uthuk Y'llan - demon-blooded barbarians spreading chaos and destruction wherever they go. Or, lead the Uthuk Y'llan and channel their fury into military supremacy. Whether you're a proven commander or have never before fought a battle, BattleLore: Command provides a suspensful and challenging tactical combat experience.
Greenlight Link Game Website Software Inc Construct and design buildings for optimal working conditions. Hire people to design and release software, so you can defeat the simulated competition and take over their businesses. Manage and level up your employees to make sure they are skilled and satisfied with their job.
Greenlight Link Game Website Spellweaver TCG Spellweaver is an online digital trading card game (TCG), created by a self-funded indie team of seasoned game developers with a passion for card games. The game focuses on strategic depth and variety, while still being easy to learn. It is a game true to the classics of the genre, with their longevity and strategic depth, in a detailed and vivid art style, with countless deck-building options and an original fantasy world to explore.
Game Website The Curious Expedition Curious Expedition is a roguelike expedition simulation set in the late 19th century. Together with famous personalities you will venture on unprecedented expeditions to regions never explored before for fame, science and treasures.
Game Website Caribbean Odyssey Caribbean Odyssey is the first installment of a long tale that tells a compelling & epic story of the legendary character, Captain Henry Morgan. The story begins at Port Royal in 1655, where Henry Morgan comes to see a mysterious woman named Merry Carleton. Henry Morgan had just previously returned from Panama, where he was sent by the current Governor of Port Royal, Sir Thomas Modyford. Captain Henry successfully crushed the Spanish Army and laid the capital under siege for weeks. Eventually the Spaniards were forced to pay him a large ransom to avoid the total burning and pillaging of Panama City.
Greenlight Link Developer Website Angels Fall First From commanding the battle standing on the bridge of your flagship all the way down to serious infantry firefighting - with everything in between - AFF brings together all the war you ever loved. Featuring team-based gameplay, and offering a wide selection of weapons and tools, ground vehicles and spacecraft, AFF includes Full bot support. This means you can co-op versus AI, play entirely offline, or earn glory in full PVP matches.
Greenlight Link Game Website Vernon's Legacy Vernon's Legacy... ...is an unusual exploration game with distinct horror elements and a captivating storyline. You are playing as Robert, the new owner of the Dungenhof mansion. When exploring your new property you quickly realize that something has changed here since you last visited. Something is not right.
Voidrunner Voidrunner is a speed & reflex flying game made in stunning Unreal Engine 4. Targeted for PC/Console systems, expected to be completed on late 2015. The basic gameplay is about racing through the environment and head for the exit portal before time runs out. Enemies, turrets and the environment itself will try to prevent your progress and it's up to your flying skills to advance through the Void.
RetroBlazer RetroBlazer is an FPS that features elements prevalent in 2D games with a focus on classic running-and-gunning gameplay. You are challenged by a wide variety of enemies and empowered by a collection of unique weapons. And when firepower isn’t enough, you must rely on your wits to survive the ruins of an once utopian world.
Greenlight Link Game Website Ralin - Dwarf Wars The set of this epic game are the Dwarven Halls, smoothly lightened in the warm glow of the fire torches. Explore them and discover the scenery that takes place in the middle of War - Goblins vs Dwarfs. The player´s role is a dwarf who sacrifices his life to protect the treasures of his dwarf clan, mined with their sweat and blood. Hack and Slay the wicked thieves who nastily sneaked into the dwarf halls and steal the precious treasures. The gameplay is a combat with hand to hand weapons. The dwarves are picking up their hammer and protect what is precious to them. They do not appreciate the Goblin intrusion!
Greenlight Link Developer Website Curse of Mermos Curse of Mermos is a lighthearted hack and slash game with fast paced action and challenging combat. Players wield the Hammer of Horus or shoot the Crossbow of Neith to defeat hordes of monsters in the tomb of Ebo. The game features unlockable abilities and skill upgrades for personalized combat. Special game modifiers allow players to customize each playthrough.
Game Website Pneuma: Breath of Life Pneuma: Breath of Life is an enthralling first person puzzler putting gamers’ minds to the test in a visually stunning world using the power of Unreal Engine 4. Pneuma provides players with a sense of awe and a relentless determination to solve every puzzle and progress through a narrated story of self-discovery, exploring the fundamental nature of being. This is the first person puzzler of 2015 which is designed to force players think outside the box and explore beyond what they know as reality.
Greenlight Link Developer Website Trackday Manager Trackday Manager is a 3D simulation/manager multiplayer game where you are in charge of managing a racing team. You are not the driver but the team chief. You control your driver during races by issuing commands through several options while monitoring the race carefully in beautiful 3D surroundings. Your goal is to guide your driver and team to victory.
Greenlight Link Developer Website VHS Story VHS Story (Video Hero Super Story) is a strategy / tycoon / streetfighter-manager game with 80-90s atmosphere, nostalgia and lots of games/movies references.
Greenlight Link Game Website Albert and Otto Albert & Otto is a story about a boy and a magical bunny who journey together and solve puzzles in order to get back what was taken from them. Albert and Otto work together to overcome challenges thrown their way. We soon learn however that what seemed at first like a journey to save the damsel in distress is anything but and that our hero Albert might be hiding something dark.
I've trawled through all the gamer projects on Indiegogo that are new this week and unfortunately there is nothing that I'm willing to promote!
Instead I'm going to look at the Kickstarter Projects in our weekly Top 5s from January. Out of the 20 we featured, 14 have been funded (70%). I'd like to think some people ended up backing them thanks to our mentions. Anyway, here's a run-down of those that were funded:
Overture by Black Shell Media LLC
Target - $3,000 Raised - $4,928 Funded - 31st January
Four very interesting and different early access games this week to get our teeth in to:
1. StarCrawlers by Juggernaut Games Crawlers Wanted: high pay, certain risk. Plausible deniability a must. Build a crew of renegade adventurers on the fringes of space, taking jobs from megacorps to hunt bounties, sabotage rivals and conduct corporate espionage. If you can navigate the intricate politics of wealth and power, you might just survive long enough to spend your hard-won credits.
Price - £14.99
My Opinion - A great new take on dungeon crawling with a sci-fi setting. I'm a big fan of tactical turn-based combat as well so this looks like a winner for me.
2. ShellShock Live by kChamp Games Demolish your friends with hundreds of upgradable weapons shot from your very own customizable tank in this action-packed online multiplayer tanks game. Fully destructible terrain and powerful new items make each battle unique. Earn XP to level up and unlock new tanks, weapons, and gear. Fight against or alongside your friends for strategic team or free-for-all matches.
Price - £10.99 or £29.99 for a 4-pack
My Opinion - A fun-looking physics-based tank shoot-em-up...not a sentence I've used before. This looks like it will be particularly good multi-player fun and absolute carnage.
3. Warlocks by Frozen District Warlocks is an action RPG/brawler game set in a fantasy world invaded by shadow monsters. Playing as an incredibly powerful Warlock and, by using magic skills and weapons, you fight through hordes of enemies. The game places great focus on co-op and versus play between players, where you can fight in 1-4 player DeathMatch or in teams of 1v1 or 2v2.
Price - £10.59 or £29.99 for a 4-pack
My Opinion - An old-school arcade game, reminiscent of Metal Slugs and Golden Axe, two games I spent a lot of money on in arcades back in the 90s. Looks like a lot of fun, particularly if you have a group of 4 to run through it with.
4. Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game by Camshaft Software Automation allows the player to become an armchair CEO - to build their own car company from the ground up. Create and run anything from a boutique supercar manufacturer to a mass-market multinational mogul. With powerful tools like the Engine Designer, the player can create cars and their engines in mind-boggling detail.
Price - £22.99
My Opinion - I'm not a big car fan but I do like management games and Automation has all the features I'd want from such a game. My lack of car knowledge might hamper my enjoyment but I'm sure if you are a car nut, then this is for you.
