Indie Triumphs

The night witnessed several stellar moments for indie gaming. Dlala Studios, in collaboration with Disney Games, took home the coveted Game of the Year award for Disney Illusion Island. Not stopping there, Dlala also snagged the Best Small Studio title, while Disney Illusion Island was lauded as the Best Social Game 2023.

Ustwo games bagged double wins with the Diversity award and the Creativity in Games accolade for their creation, Desta: The Memories Between.

Big Wins and New Beginnings

Sumo Digital emerged victoriously as the Best Large Studio, alongside their Sumo Group, securing the Best Talent Development Initiative award. Playground Games was honoured with the brand-new Commitment to Workplace Wellbeing award, while Playground’s HR Director, Geraldine Cross, was named the Outstanding Individual of the Year.

Rocksteady Studios received the inaugural Commitment to ESG award, while Dovetail Games seized the title of Employer of the Year. Also making a splendid debut was the category of Outstanding Leadership, awarded to John Tearle, CEO of Flix Interactive.

The Complete Winners List

The list of winners covers an array of categories and showcases the diversity and innovation within the gaming industry. From audio design to strategy games, legal services to outstanding leadership, the TIGA Awards highlighted excellence across various domains.

Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of TIGA, commented, “Congratulations to all the winners of the TIGA Games Industry Awards 2023! It’s a delight to acknowledge the creativity and commitment that enriches the UK’s gaming landscape. A heartfelt thank you to our finalists, judges, attendees, and our sponsors for supporting TIGA’s mission to celebrate excellence in gaming.”

The post TIGA Games Industry Awards 2023: Celebrating Indie Gaming Excellence appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

As a game developer who relies on Unity for my projects, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment when I heard about the recent changes in Unity’s pricing model. This news has come as a shock to everyone and I wanted to take you through the original issue, the subsequent backlash from developers, and the potential U-turn that Unity seems to be considering.

The Initial Shock: Unity’s Runtime Fee

On Tuesday, September 12, Unity dropped a bombshell by announcing the introduction of a “runtime fee” for developers. Starting from January 1, 2024, game creators would be required to pay a fee each time a player installed their game. This decision was met with shock and outrage, especially among indie developers.

Unity specified that this fee would only apply to games that had made over $200,000 in the last 12 months and had at least 200,000 lifetime installs. For Unity Pro and Unity Expertise users, the thresholds were even higher. This fee, calculated based on monthly installations and varying by the developer’s Unity plan and location, left many developers concerned.

The Backlash: Outcry from the Developer Community

The gaming community, particularly indie developers, expressed their anger and frustration on social media. Concerns were raised about the potential for malicious users to uninstall and reinstall games, burdening developers with hefty costs. Developers also feared that games included in charity bundles or subscription services like Xbox Game Pass could incur substantial charges.

Indie developer Aggro Crab highlighted the impact on Xbox Game Pass, stating that the Unity runtime fee could significantly dent their income if their game was downloaded by millions of subscribers. Unity’s decision was seen as potentially detrimental to charity bundles and indie developers’ sustainability.

Unity’s Attempt to Clarify

Unity attempted to clarify the situation by explaining that the majority of developers using Unity Editor wouldn’t be affected. The runtime fee would primarily impact developers with successful games generating revenue above the specified thresholds. Unity’s FAQ section aimed to address developer concerns.

In an interview, Unity’s president for Create solutions, Marc Whitten, made efforts to mitigate concerns. He claimed that developers wouldn’t be charged for multiple installs by malicious users, but only for initial and second installations on different devices. He also assured that games in charity bundles wouldn’t incur charges. However, some developers remained sceptical.

A Possible U-Turn?

Unity’s recent statement on Twitter acknowledged the confusion and discomfort caused by the runtime fee policy. They expressed their commitment to listening to the community, customers, and partners, and promised to make changes to the policy, with updates expected in the coming days.

Despite Unity’s claims of confusion, developers still appear uneasy about the policy. Some are calling for a complete reversal or a more traditional revenue-sharing model. Unity’s reputation has taken a hit during this process, with developers exploring alternatives like Godot.

As a Unity user, I hope that Unity’s reconsideration leads to a fairer and more developer-friendly pricing model. The next few days will be crucial in determining Unity’s stance and whether it can rebuild trust within the game development community.

The post Unity Divided appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Graphics and Sound Design – A Vibrant and Lively World

The graphics and sound design of Figment 2: Creed Valley are nothing short of exceptional. The game’s hand-drawn environments are bursting with colour and personality, and the attention to detail is impressive. From the trees grooving to the background music to the eclectic homes of the ‘opinions’, every location is beautifully crafted and full of life.

The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a range of catchy and upbeat tracks that perfectly capture the game’s playful tone. Bosses sing as they attack and you respond in catchy lyrical quips. The voice acting is also top-notch, with each character bringing their own unique personality and charm to the game. Both Catty Donnelly and Yui Hisaishi reprise their roles as Rusty and Piper.

Gameplay – A Fun and Challenging Adventure

Figment 2: Creed Valley is a pseudo-3D adventure game that follows the story of Dusty and Piper, two heroes tasked with saving the mind from the fears and doubts that plague its inhabitants. The top-down isometric view works well and matches the original. The gameplay is a mix of puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat, and it all comes together to create a fun and challenging experience.

The puzzles are cleverly designed and often require a bit of creative thinking to solve, while the combat is simplistic but satisfying. One of the new additions to Figment 2 is the mindset switch that changes the world from a closed mind to an open mind. In a closed-mind state, the world has purpose and platforms move methodically, however, in an open-mind state, the world is brighter and barriers are removed. This change is also reflected in the characters with Rusty preferring the focus of a closed mind whereas Piper is more open to new ideas. This theme continues throughout the story. Figment 2 also allows for cooperative play with player two acting as the trusty sidekick Piper. Unbound from gravity, she is able to fly around the level and assist Rusty with battle. As her move set is very limited she mainly acts in a support role. However, my daughter and I enjoyed working through the story together, and she was able to learn from the lessons found within without having to worry about being the main player.

Story and Characters – A Heartwarming Tale

One of my favourite parts of Figment 2: Creed Valley is its heartwarming story and lovable cast of characters. I felt like I learned more about myself and my mindset throughout. The game tackles themes of self-doubt and fear in a thoughtful and engaging way, and the characters are all wonderfully written and memorable. Dusty and Piper are a charming duo, with their banter and personalities providing plenty of laughs throughout the game. The game’s villains are also intriguing, with each one representing a different fear or doubt that the heroes must overcome. The main ‘enemy’ in the game is a two-faced clown bent on free thought and childhood innocence who appeared after the breakdown of the moral compass and most of the game is spent chasing them through the mind.

A Short but Sweet Adventure

As much as I enjoyed Figment 2: Creed Valley, a minor criticism would be that the game is a bit on the short side. While the main story is engaging and entertaining, it can be completed in around 8-10 hours, which may disappoint some players.

Personally, I love self-contained games that can be completed in a week. However, the game’s side quests and hidden collectibles do offer some extra content, and the game’s replayability factor is high thanks to its engaging story and enjoyable gameplay.

Figment 2: Creed Valley is a delightful and charming sequel that improves upon the original game in almost every way. Its exceptional graphics and sound design, fun and challenging gameplay, and heartwarming story and characters make it a must-play for fans of the adventure and puzzle genre. The concepts that the game explores make you think about your own mindset and how experiences differ depending on your perspective. A fantastic lesson for any gamer.

The post Review: Figment 2: Creed Valley | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Rooftop Renegade Review on Xbox

The game’s storyline is simple, but it sets the scene for the speedy gameplay that follows. Players must race across the city’s rooftops, over, under, and through various obstacles while avoiding being captured by Globacorp’s goons. Svetlana’s goal is to reach the endpoint on the right as quickly as possible while keeping the stolen crystals safe.

The gameplay of Rooftop Renegade is the driving force behind the game, offering gamers an enjoyable and engaging experience. Svetlana runs across various obstacles, jumping and ducking to keep her speed while using her hoverboots to boost her speed, height and other abilities. The controls are intuitive, and players can easily master them in no time, making the game easy to pick up and play for small amounts of time.

The game is a speedrunner’s paradise, and once players figure out the controls, the speedrunning can really ramp up. Some levels can be completed in mere minutes, but the game’s forgiving nature makes it fun rather than frustrating. Unlike similar titles, it is very rare that you will get caught by your pursuers, even when racing through a course at breakneck speeds.

The game’s visuals are vibrant, and the neon-lit cityscape serves as the perfect backdrop for the fast-paced chase. The strobing lights and neon visuals add another level of urgency and chaos to the race, making it an immersive experience that draws inspiration from the likes of Blade Runner and other neon, futuristic-styled movies and shows.

Is Rooftop Renegade Multiplayer?

One unique aspect of Rooftop Renegade is its local multiplayer mode, which is loads of fun. Up to four players can play, with one player taking control of Svetlana while the other three use weapons to try and slow her down. The user with the fastest time wins the round, making it a competitive and exciting feature.

While the single-player aspect of the game can be slightly repetitive, the chaotic local multiplayer feature more than makes up for it. The Seed Builder allows players to use words and phrases to generate random levels to play on and whilst this is a very cool feature, the backdrops seemed to be one of two (for me at least).

Overall, Rooftop Renegade offers up a fun, fast-paced experience that is sure to have players engaged, interested, and on the edge of their seats. With its exciting gameplay, colourful visuals, and chaotic local multiplayer feature, Rooftop Renegade is great fun for a short time in single-player but hours more fun in multiplayer. If you like your games short, simple, and fun Rooftop Renegade certainly delivers.

The post Review: Rooftop Renegade | Xbox  appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

An Uneasy Peace

Set on the continent of Valandis, Chained Echoes follows a group of nobles, thieves, and mercenaries who find their fates intertwined as they work together to prevent the outbreak of war. The story begins with a major event in the war between three kingdoms that results in an uneasy truce, and your party is formed to prevent further conflict. This setup sets the stage for a complex and multi-layered story that is both intriguing and emotionally impactful. The plot does sometimes get a little dry as there is a lot to read, but it’s easy to get invested in the story and the characters, who each bring something unique to the game.

One of the standout features of Chained Echoes is the lack of a designated main character. Instead, the emphasis is placed on the team as a whole, and the relationships that develop between each character. This makes every character feel equally important and creates plenty of room for interesting exchanges. For example, Lenne is the princess of a kingdom who has run away from her lavish lifestyle to better understand the life of the average citizen, and Glenn is a former prisoner who has become a mercenary thanks to his mechanical skills. Each character has a compelling backstory and personal stakes, making them all the more compelling.

On the gameplay front, Chained Echoes excels with its open environment design. The game world is vast, yet it’s easy to navigate, and there are many secrets to discover, such as treasure chests and hidden boss fights. The Reward Board is a highlight of the game, providing a wide array of objectives to chase in any order you choose. The board is laid out like a game board, with each box representing an achievement, such as finding a certain number of treasures in a specific zone or killing a specific enemy in an unconventional way. Fulfilling any of the spots on the board rewards you with a small prize, and any adjacent spots you can fulfill will start a chain. The longer the chain, the bigger the rewards, encouraging you to make the most of each area you visit.

Challenging Boss Battles

Chained Echoes also breaks away from the typical Town>Field>Dungeon loop that many JRPGs fall into. The pacing of the game is well-balanced, with moments of freedom and exploration, and moments of linear, plot-driven sequences. One standout sequence is an early boss fight on a minecart that takes you through a vast tunnel system, forcing you to keep an eye on the cart’s path and adjust the controls to keep everyone alive. Chained Echoes knows when to give the player control and when to take it away, and it never feels like it’s missing a step.

Combat in Chained Echoes is turn-based, with some clever twists that keep it feeling dynamic and interesting. For example, you can only have four characters on the field at once, but each character can be paired with a partner who can tag in with a button press and act on the same turn. This adds a new level of strategy, forcing you to consider who to switch out and how that will affect your team’s synergy. The Ultra Move meter is another fun addition, filling as you give and receive damage, and allowing you to trigger a powerful effect, such as a screen nuke that debuffs the enemy team or a powerful healing spell that also refills everyone’s TP.

A Living World

The exploration aspect of Chained Echoes is where the game truly shines. The vast world of Elonia is filled with various areas to visit, each offering unique environments and creatures to interact with. From the rolling hills of the Green Plains to the towering peaks of the Snowy Mountains, the game world is vast and filled with detail.

One of the standout features of Chained Echoes is the battle system. Battles take place in real-time, allowing players to chain together combos and special abilities in fast-paced combat. The game features a wide range of enemies, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and attack patterns, and players will need to use strategy and quick reflexes to defeat them. The game also features boss battles, which are even more challenging and require players to think critically about the best ways to defeat the enemy.

The crafting system in Chained Echoes is also noteworthy. Players can gather materials from various areas in the game world and use them to craft weapons, armor, and other items. The crafting system is deep and allows players to create unique items that are tailored to their playstyle. For example, players can create weapons that deal extra damage to specific types of enemies, or armor that provides extra protection against certain elements.

Chained Echoes also has character progression system. As players progress through the game, they will gain experience points and level up their characters. This allows players to increase their stats and unlock new abilities. The game also features a skill tree, allowing players to further customize their characters and specialize in specific playstyles.

The game world of Chained Echoes is rich and immersive, and the soundtrack adds to this atmosphere. The game features an original score, and the music complements the action on the screen and sets the mood for each area in the game. The sound effects are also top-notch, and players will feel the impact of each attack and spell as they battle their way through the world.

The storyline of Chained Echoes is engaging and well-written, with a number of memorable characters. The game features cutscenes that advance the story, and the voice acting is top-notch. The game also features side-quests, which provide players with additional challenges and opportunities to explore the game world. These side-quests are also tied into the main storyline, making them feel more meaningful than in other RPGs.

In conclusion, Chained Echoes is a fantastic RPG that offers an immersive world, an engaging battle system, a deep crafting system, and a character progression system. The game is well-designed and well-executed, and the attention to detail is evident throughout the game. Whether you’re a fan of RPGs or just looking for a great game, Chained Echoes is definitely worth checking out.

**Update: Check out my RimWorld Guide here **

The post Review: Chained Echoes | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

But there is more to the genre than its biggest players, and a string of recent entries have taken a distinctive approach to the apocalyptic motif. So, are you ready to wander through the end of days? Brace yourself for these five unique post-apocalyptic tales.

Sheltered

In Sheltered, you must protect your family at all costs, as you’ve all sought refuge in an underground bunker after a nuclear war erupted. While venturing into the bleak wasteland is perilous, you still need to provide for your family. So, face the poisonous atmosphere to scavenge precious supplies and gather resources to craft weapons for combat. You may even meet fellow survivors along your exploration. But don’t forget to maintain your home safe from hazards.

And as you try to come to terms with the dreary reality of this irradiated world, get ready to make hard decisions to keep your family alive and well. With its post-apocalyptic setting and survival mechanics, this survival strategy game compares to Frostpunk and Surviving the Aftermath. Yet its smaller scope makes this emotional journey a more personal, if not relatable experience.

Stray

We all love cats. Cats are the cutest thing. Following a stray cat into the ramshackle underbelly of a mysterious cybercity is just the right recipe for cool and intriguing gameplay, then. With its neon-clad alleyways and cyberpunk aesthetics inspired by Hong Kong’s decaying Kowloon Walled City, Stray could fall into the steampunk category. But humankind has been grimly wiped off the map in Dead City, ruins swarming with robots and destructive mutant bacteria.

This unique adventure game takes you on a post-apocalyptic journey alongside an adorable kitten striving to get back to the surface and reunite with its cat family. So, climb obstacles and interact with your environment to unlock new paths. Solving puzzles will also get you to untangle the deep-lying mysteries of this time-forgotten walled city. If a little short-lived, Stray is an eerie and moving story-driven game with whimsical visuals, to boot.

Fallout Shelter

The Fallout series is to post-apocalyptic games what Super Mario is to platformers. But the franchise went in a different direction with this free-to-play construction and management sim. Fallout Shelter puts you in charge of managing an underground vault. Balancing resources like food, power, and water, you must see to the needs of your dwellers. Your citizens also crave some escapism to let off steam, from a bar to drink the day away to a gambling den.

Unlike most of its predecessors, though, Fallout Shelter doesn’t include any casino minigame. So, gamers scratching the itch to roll the dice can turn to online platforms. And in countries where land-based venues are scarce, like India, live dealer casinos bring it straight to gamblers at home. Live dealer games connect users with actual dealers and players through a video interface. Card games like poker and Blackjack unfold right in front of your eyes. Plus, video stream means that you can make sure the results are fair and square.

The Long Dark

If you’re looking for a slightly more contemplative and melancholic spin on the post-apocalyptic genre, The Long Dark may be up your alley. This indie first-person game has you fighting for your life in a frozen environment. After a geomagnetic storm hits his plane, a pilot crash-lands in the Canadian wilderness. But resources are few and far between, and humans are all but gone.

You must therefore resist the bitter cold as much as the ferocious beasts lurking around. A single-player experience foremost, this atmospheric survival game also features an exploration-oriented mode to soak up the haunting beauty of its open world.

Submerged

The game is set in a dystopian future when global warming has flooded the world. Miku and her younger brother Taku drift into a city partially submerged beneath ocean water with only the tallest buildings protruding from the sea. The end of the world is not full of zombies or survivalists but small communities and people mutating to fit their new surroundings. Submerged is a non-combat third-person “relaxploration” adventure.

Miku can explore the city in her motorised fishing boat in search of supplies and players can scale buildings, search the dry tops of skyscrapers, or search parts of the submerged depths. The graphics in the sequel are a major step up but both games offer a unique experience in an eerily beautiful setting.

Post-apocalyptic games might rest on similar premises, but the above games stand out for their distinctiveness. Many more games are following their path, such as the Souls-like retelling of Pinocchio in a steampunk post-apocalyptic world, Lies of P. And with as many survival games as post-apocalyptic MMOs coming out in 2023, fans of the genre are up to a promising year.

The post Top 5 Unique Post-Apocalyptic Games appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

In this game, players will step into the shoes of a member of the resistance force in the Undercity, fighting against the corrupt military of Esperanza to bring justice to a world divided into three regions: the mutant-infested outside grounds, the Undercity, and the sky city Esperanza where the rich and powerful rule over the world.

Blade Assault features three playable characters, each with their own unique playstyle and signature weapons. Players can enhance their weapons to turn them into beasts capable of shredding through the world’s monsters, and collect 200 different items, from Cores to Gears. The game also includes seven challenging bosses to battle, and players can develop relationships with NPCs and earn rewards through the Friendship System.

For those who crave an extra challenge, players who complete the game will unlock the Assault Level, where they can test their might against endless waves of hard-mode enemies. The console version will feature all of the great content previously released for the PC version.

Blade Assault is the ultimate Xbox gaming experience, offering an immersive cyberpunk adventure with action-packed gameplay, memorable characters, and a compelling story. Mark your calendars and get ready to join the resistance and take on the corrupt military of Esperanza on March 31st, 2023.

The post Blade Assault: Coming on March 31st, 2023 appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

My Fantastic Ranch Review on Xbox

Despite nearly completing the game in two days, I didn’t get much chance to actually play the game. My 10-year-old horse-obsessed daughter took control early on and we played it side by side for the next 48 hours. My Fantastic Ranch is a fantastic introduction to the management simulation genre with a generous starting budget and a clear tutorial walking you through your first key purchases from a Tack Room to a Staff Room. Within no time at all, we had a small working Ranch in which we taught visiting students Dressage in one arena and Target Practice in another. As managers, players have access to a variety of buildings, fields, arenas, decorative items, and landscaping options. As money/crystals come in, you place the different fields, add fences and paths and eventually add fountains and additional greenery. Some of the elements required updates, as you couldn’t have animals without tack rooms and stables, and you could do lessons without a staff room and enough staff. These elements were always the first priority and adding paths and trees simply fell by the wayside as there was no clear benefit or problem with not using them.

The gameplay is serene and one can move at three different speeds depending on the player. Control is easy to use and whilst the camera control could be a little forced at some points, most players will unlikely notice as they will not be trying to capture the perfect game footage for a review. Outside of the building, players must manage the various lessons, enter competitions (of varying levels) and host royal events. After each major event, the prince and princess unlock a new part of the land for you to grow into. The game moves in weeks, and at the end of each week, you get a report on your profits, expenditure, customer satisfaction, and various other metrics. When Monday comes around, the animal and staff markets are refreshed and you can get three new animals and people. In our case, we took everything as there were no ‘bad eggs’. The animals and staff all seemed great, so there was never a reason to pass on them or spend 500 crystals to ‘re roll’ and get different choices. There are a variety of micro-choices in the game that include matching staff and riders to animals, as well as putting the right duos forward in competitions and events, so there is always something to do. Similarly, a series of mini goals appear in the bottom left to keep you on track from starting a lesson with a fire dragon to running 8 circus skills lessons within a given time limit.

My daughter loves horses but has never really been into unicorns, which I thought might be an issue. However, she loved it and the fact it wasn’t horses didn’t phase her one bit. By the end of day two we had almost 30 animals, ran weekly competitions, had an on-site school of 26 enrolled students, and had successfully completed three royal events.

The reports were a nice break to mull over and discuss our progress but there were little to no major challenges to deal with. As an older gamer, I would have liked to see another level of challenges, the naughty animals and timed challenges were good, but a storm never damaged the arenas, the food was never ruined by blight and the staff never upped and quit. If I was to request additional features, I would like to see a Hack Track option to create a hacking option for students and additional buildings such as a cafe (for visitors and students) and even mucking out. Renaming the animals would have also been good as they ranged from Joy Sweet to Quizitle Benari (or something equally complicated to read). But my daughter and I smashed through the main game type on My Fantastic Ranch in 48 hours before starting the second game type of ‘Dreamer’. This creative mode unlocks all the items from the start and doesn’t require money to build/hire etc. in this mode, My daughter planned out the ranch more and finally got around to using the decorative and natural elements to create her perfect Ranch.

Overall, My Fantastic Ranch was amazing fun for my daughter and me and we enjoyed our time building and managing our little ranch. There are lots to do but also areas to expand. The game is short-lived for experienced gamers but a wonderful introduction to the genre. The graphics work well and the voice acting, despite being very enthusiastic, fitted the game. There is enough complexity to make it engaging and the various challenges to keep you playing until you max out, but there could have been more activities and buildings to further enhance the experience.

The post Review: My Fantastic Ranch | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

The Entropy Centre Review on Xbox Series X

At first glance, you’d be forgiven to think this game is tied to the Half-Life universe. The graphics and light effects are fantastic as you wander the destroyed corridors and collapsing bridges. Whilst the game is very linear in its direction, you do get the feeling that the Centre is absolutely huge. Armed with the plucky AI gun called Astra, you weave your way through various puzzle rooms rewinding time and moving objects. The voice acting is superb with Chloe Taylor doing a wonderful performance for Aria, the amnesiac puzzle officer and Casey Miracle’s portrayal of the cute and friendly Entropy device is heartwarming. During the first half of the game, the puzzles are relatively simple only taking a few minutes to solve and once you have reversed the solution in your mind, it’s simply a matter of going through the motions. In between puzzles, you work your way through the centre reversing time to stop the building from falling apart, as well as using the falling ruble to access new areas.

A Game of Two Halves

The latter part of the game ramps up the difficulty with transformation fields that change the nature of the blocks and much bigger puzzles with many more steps to complete. This is where the game comes into its own and the 10-hour play time is enough to keep you interested without overstaying its welcome. I would have liked to see more elements being manipulated by the time gun, but understand how difficult it is to use time as a game mechanic. The story is slow to start, but during the second half, it comes to a satisfying conclusion and deals well be causality and time manipulation.

Thanks for Portal 3: Time Portal

Overall, The Entropy Centre is a fun see-saw of a puzzle game that starts easy but gets much more difficult later on. The graphics look great and the voice acting gives the two main characters life and personality. The story becomes more interesting later in the game so patience will be needed to reach its conclusion. Once completed, there is little to go back for and I would have liked to see a level editor to create my own puzzles. The team behind The Entropy Centre has done a fantastic job creating something that would not be out of place in Valve’s universe. Well done!

The post Review: The Entropy Centre | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Knock on the Coffin Lid introduces you to your first character named Percival. You meet Mortis, the suspicious hero, who resurrects you. Remember that when you die, you will return to the start of the game as if nothing ever happened. All the items you’ve earned will disappear, and opponents you’ve already defeated will be waiting for you again. The more we play, though, the more starting bonuses we get and the more powerful our character becomes at the beginning of the game.

Since we have three boxes for local talents, we can generate quite different starting characters, and the overall game strategy will change as a result. At the beginning of Knock on the Coffin Lid, we see a map with four possible directions. The map type is the same, and the events in the map are randomly generated. In addition to the standard fights, there are quest events – with options. Which option should be selected? The answer is not always easy to see. You’ll have to think about it. In each act of the game a different choice of quests, in addition to battles and quests, we can come to the merchant. The merchant can buy the necessary things and sell what we do not use. Also on the map, you can find a chest, which is always a good amount of gold and artifacts. You must visit a local idol from which you can update your deck of cards in several ways. Go to the fire to restore health and rest.

Now let’s talk about the deck of cards and card battles.

At the beginning of K.O.T.C.L. , we have 12 cards – for attack and defense. In each round of the fight, we get five random cards that we can play, depending on our energy. The played and unplayed cards in a round are discarded. And once you’ve played your entire deck of cards, the cards from the discard are returned to you. Each time this process begins anew. As Knock on the Coffin Lid progresses, we get new cards into the deck, with the option to discard them. You choose which cards you want. This feature allows us to create strong and effective combinations. And resting by the fire, we can strengthen our deck, remove unnecessary cards and improve those that we are going to play in the future. Some cards have several options for improvement. For example, the attacking card, we can improve for damage.

By default, the health of our hero between battles is not restored, in consequence of which it is necessary to plan the attacking and defensive actions. Health can be restored in several ways. The easiest way is to go to the end of the act. At the beginning of the new act, you will have full health. Health is restored by potions, some quests, and things. But it’s not so effective. In addition to the great variation of deck manipulation, we can change the characteristics of our hero with items. Things come in different qualities and of different usefulness. Properly chosen items can strengthen your deck of cards and the effectiveness of the fight.

Another nice thing about K.O.T.C.L. is the presence of sets in the equipment mechanics. Collecting a set is not too difficult, it is given as a reward for battles, and set items can also be bought from merchants. Try to plan your route to visit at least one merchant per act. Merchants can remove cards that you don’t need for gold. But more than one removal from each merchant is not an easy thing to do. So the cost of each card will increase. This is also worth thinking about.

In addition to equipment, you can give our hero various elixirs. One of the many potions is the Elixir of Indefatigability. This elixir reduces the cost of cards in your hand until the end of the fight, which is very useful against bosses and strong opponents.

If you are a fan of games like Darkest Dungeon, if you like hardcore and support indie developers, you should add this game to your wish list.

Knock on the Coffin Lid will easily draw you into its interesting world. The game delights with interesting dialogues, thought-out mechanics, atmospheric visuals, and music. RedBoon Studios has worked hard to create a fresh roguelike game, to bring in a bit of love and fear. Be prepared to fight for your character’s life, combat all difficulties and make difficult decisions. The way in the game K.O.T.C.L. is not easy, but definitely worth the emotions received. Join the game Knock on the Coffin Lid, sure you’ll love it.

The post Review: Knock on the Coffin Lid | Steam appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Trixfox is a twin-stick cartoon adventure game inspired by games such as Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank. The titular hero is obviously miffed by his missing remote and is out for revenge. Strangely, the Wiley fox seems to wear many hats as players can choose to be a Warrior, Mage, and Engineer (hence the name Tri-Fox). Each of the three variations has its own unique set of class-based abilities which can be mixed and matched. You can spend the first level using a melee skillset bashing the brains out of oncoming crabs before switching to the inventor fox with his helicopter backpack and machine gun. If it’s not for you then simply switch to the mage and teleport around your enemies whilst blasting them with slow-moving energy balls. There are a lot of different mechanics in Trifox and many ways to play.

The visuals are fantastic with coulourful cartoon style graphics throughout. The lush environments are filled with ‘Unity’ style walls and foliage similar to Super Lucky’s Tale. This is further emphasised by the cartoon smoke and fire effects alongside the cartoon numbers that leap from the enemies as you battle them down. The main character’s three styles all look very cool from the above view, but up close he is somewhere between low-poly and high-res which is a little odd. It’s not bad, it’s just odd. The levels do look great but due to being filled, it can sometimes become hard to see enemies behind walls.

The gameplay is really fun and uses a Crash Bandicoot style Camera position. The game is mainly a twin-stick shooter, however, some simple puzzles break up the action. As you progress players will find themselves in areas where a horde mode is activated and waves of enemies converge on your position. Once wiped out, new areas are unlocked. Other levels see you traverse obstacles to reach items or weave through the level killing or avoiding the mass of enemies. At the end of each stage, you can switch your player type or purchase upgrades using the in-game currency. The Warrior, Mage, and Engineer all have their own set of upgrades which can be purchased as you play. Should you have a fondness of one type you can fill a complete skill tree in a matter of levels. As I was eager to try the various styles, I tended to unlock a couple from each as I played. With 30 abilities to unlock from shields to guided missiles, there is something for everyone. This however could also be considered a negative as not only do players need to remember what button does what for each player type, but the button mapping is up to the player as well, so there is a chance that shooting bullets as an Engineer, might not be the same as shooting energy bolts as a mage leading to some confusion to old man gamers like myself.

However, various abilities increase replayability should you want to tackle the game a second or third time. The first level is pretty easy and a great introduction to the various skills, but as the game progresses, the difficulty starts to ramp up. Health vials come when you need them, but timing, when to use them, becomes a skill. Classic boss characters end each level from water squirting giant octopus to the muscle-bound wolf pirate himself.

Trifox is a great game for children as it starts off pretty easy but does require some patience and strategy for the later levels. Players can use might, magic, or marvelous gadgets to outfox the mysterious foes. With four danger-filled worlds all containing a variety of stages, there is a lot of fun to be had.

Overall, Trifox is great fun. It has polished graphics, a multitude of abilities, and the classic paper-thin story of the golden age of 3D platformers. I love the overall aesthetic and the game runs really smoothly. Close up, Trifox is a little ‘sharp’ looking but from above looks great. Unlocking abilities through the in-game currency is thoroughly satisfying, but the sheer number of options might be overwhelming for some younger players. Trifox doesn’t quite have the fluidness or finish of Crash Bandicoot or Super Lucky’s Tale, but it’s a two-man team, so in comparison, Trifox is an absolute triumph and worth every penny.

The post Review: Trifox | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Wayward Strand looks like it has leaped from the comic book pages of Tin Tin. Bold black lines and a cartoon colour palette give this game a vibrancy not seen in many new games. The boxed frame and hand-drawn speech bubbles further enhance this comic book style. The visual style is akin to 13, telltale games or the recently released Forgive Me Father, however, Wayward Strand is much more cheerful. The characters are beautifully designed and all convey their individual personalities and characteristics. Sadly, some clipping and alignment issues mean holding or moving items looks a little weird but it’s not too destructing. The wipe effect used when entering the rooms of the patients gives the player the feeling of uncovering a hidden truth which in some cases is true, as Casey can listen in at doors to achieve the same wipe effect. The graphics of the rooms are detailed enough but anything outside of the airship is vague and blurry so don’t expect to see any grand vistas from the airship’s balcony.

On the whole, it’s the dialogue that really drives this game as you will need to talk to a lot of people about a lot of things. Each person holds the conversational keys to unlock new dialogue options. If one person mentions a missing nurse, you can now ask about it to everyone, miss that prompt and you may find yourself going down a different path. Now in my second playthrough I was really happy (and surprised) to see it go in a different direction to the first. The first time I sat with a staff member at lunch to unlock the abandoned section of the airship, whereas, on the second play through I missed lunch and listened to music with the aging Mr Pruess. The general story is the same but the way you reach the conclusion was different.

The voice acting, on the whole, is fantastic, all the Australian parts such as Casey, Mr. Avery, and Esther are different enough and the characters they portray. However, the German Mr. Pruess sounded more Asian, than European. The story is well written and flows very well considering the number of dialogue options and routes the stories can take. The music is generally serene and unobtrusive and fits the late seventies time period.

Overall, Wayward Strand is a beautiful heart-warming story and a welcome break from the madness of the world and its current crop of the hack, slash, shoot and destroy games. Taking time to talk to the old and infirm has never been so much fun. The mix of 2D roaming and a plethora of dialogue options had me feeling like Nancy Drew discovering clues and pieces together the disparate lives of 10 very unique characters. For those looking for fast action, this is definitely not the game for you as it’s as slow as a slug trudging through peanut butter, but if you would like gaming pallet cleanser to refresh your mind and warm your soul then take the wayward path to find Wayward Strand.

The post First Impressions: Wayward Strand | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Tight budget? Subscribe to Game Pass!

Netflix has changed how we consume movies and television series. In the same way, Xbox Game Pass is changing gaming. You may as well know how the membership works but have you subscribed? You definitely should.

If you are on a tight budget, it is a true lifesaver. You can not only play many third-party AAA and indie games but also forget about buying Xbox-exclusive games altogether. You probably already know this, but Scorn, Starfield, Gears, and Halo are and will be available on Game Pass on the day of the release. That’s already over 200£ plus in your bank account.

And yes, not every game ends on the subscription service, especially on day one. You might need to wait a year for the latest Assassin’s Creed. It also may never end up on the service. But it’s okay. Many do, and you’ll never run out of games to play. Besides, with the money you’ve saved by subscribing, you can buy any upcoming game.

With video game prices increasing, it’s a smart move to subscribe. You can find lower Xbox Game Pass subscription prices at digital marketplaces.

Is Xbox Live Gold still relevant?

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has it all – the library of games and online multiplayer access of Gold. With such a combination, is Xbox Live Gold still relevant? Well, it depends on what type of gamer you are. If you’re only playing single-player games, Game Pass is an outstanding choice. If you’re into multiplayer games only – you may not want a library of games distracting you. Everyone is different and has unique preferences. Game Pass is great when you need to save money, and Xbox Live Gold is perfect for those who only play online.

But the benefits don’t end there. With Gold, you’ll also get free monthly games, though they’re not on par with what Game Pass offers. On top of this, there are exclusive discounts on the Microsoft Store that can go up to 85%.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate may have rendered Xbox Live Gold irrelevant for some, but for those dedicated to mastering online multiplayer games – it’s still a desired and required purchase.

You can’t avoid and control increasing video game prices but can always find cheaper alternatives. As digital shopping has made gaming more accessible, digital marketplaces offer various options to take a burden off your wallet. It’s not hard to find game keys for lower prices or buy games with cheaper gift cards. On top of that, Game Pass has become an overwhelming force for casual gamers, and Xbox Live Gold is not losing any Steam among hardcore multiplayer enthusiasts. There are plenty of alternatives to save money on gaming. All you gotta do is choose the best option for you.

The post Looking for alternatives to increasing video game prices? appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Justice Suck: Tactical Vacuum Action on Xbox

Hold on to your brain cells, this is about to get trippy! Justice Sucks has one of the greatest (and strangest) origin stories I have heard this year.

You play as Dusty, a robot vacuum that gains sentience after fighting off burglars during a break-in. Dusty’s family is brutally attacked by the FamilyCorp warranty squad and in the battle, you’re thrown into the living room TV. On the brink of robodeath, your consciousness enters “the TV dimension” to gain the abilities you need to rise from the ashes and rescue your family.

In an odd mix of Die Hard, Viscera Cleanup Detail and Metal Gear Solid, Justice Sucks is a surprisingly fun game considering it’s about a robot vacuum cleaner. The core gameplay revolves around the player moving around the environment using objects in the environment to attack the enemies. Being small and flat, the player can hide easily under sofas, tables, and units. Similarly, Dusty can use vents and flaps to navigate the map faster than the enemies. As enemies are damaged and eventually killed, the blood and ‘meat’ needs cleaning up and you are a vacuum after all. The enemies show their vision cones as they walk and with additional perks, you can foresee their routes. As such, you sneak around the levels dispatching the terrorists in an array of colourful ways. Once dead, you suck up the body in one last final insult. The game spans various levels including a house, a ship, and a nightclub. Each location has multiple game types to work through from rescue missions to missions that focus on speed, style, and endurance.

The whole aesthetic is very cool from the eye-bleeding visuals to the funk soundtrack. Even the UI sounds like it groves as you navigate the menus. The cut scenes are completely crazy and have some fantastic imagination behind them. This is the only game in which you will see the spirit of a robot vacuum cleaner bounce a grenade off its bum whilst twerking on a rainbow dancefloor. The enemies feel like a cross between an eighties dance troupe and Japanese neo-punks. They don’t have much substance beyond that but they do vary in type. Some use melee weapons while others use guns and upon spotting you, they will do their worst. As the game progresses you gain additional perks and buffs that allow you to charge enemies, throw items, turn invisible, and many more.

The fact that the game is so fun leads to the game’s main issue. There aren’t enough levels. One minute I felt like a vacuum version of John McClain in Die Hard then Steven Segal in Under Seige but soon, you run out of levels and have to go back to improve your times and scores for the online leaderboard. However, it’s worth noting that it was designed this way as the abilities that you unlock later in the game mean that you can get far better scores when returning to the earlier stages. The variety of levels is great starting from your humble home and working through to the expansive airport

Overall, Justice Sucks is WAY more fun than it looks in screenshots. The sexy-funk graphics and sound, alongside its madcap storyline, makes for a thoroughly joyous gaming experience. The gameplay mechanics work well and the variety of missions keeps it interesting. I would have loved to see more levels as the possibility of having office blocks, mansions, and hotels all ready to manipulate would be fantastic. Hats off to Samurai Punk for making a worthy successor to Roombo: First Blood.

The post Review: Justice Sucks – Tactical Vacuum Action | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

This debut game from Belgian developer, Glowfish Interactive takes inspiration from the team’s own childhood gaming favourites, such as Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank.

Trifox enjoys various types of action adventures with Trifox, the titular hero on a mission to retrieve his stolen TV remote! As a multi-talented mammal, Trifox can use the skills of three different character types – Warrior, Mage, and Engineer. Each has its own unique set of class-based abilities which can be mixed and matched, allowing players to create a wily protagonist with a tailor-made moveset.

The post Trifox release date cunningly confirmed For Xbox Next Month appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

• The combination of high-speed internet and the increasing use of smartphones has increased the demand for various games across the globe.
• Mobile gaming is the most favoured form of entertainment among gamers today. Accessibility and technological advancements like AR and VR are some of the reasons why mobile gaming has taken precedence over PC and console gaming.
• The Asia-pacific region is slowly inching towards gaining a dominant share in the gaming landscape.
• Between 2021-26, the Middle East and Africa will have the highest CAGR levels.
• Today, major players in the gaming industry are Sony Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. etc.

Considering the above, we can say that the gaming industry is the perfect place to start a career and if you have the right aptitude and skills you can join this exciting and cutting-edge industry quite easily. A good starting place is to see whether you have a basic degree in your hands. Even if you don’t have a specialised degree, you can easily join institutions that offer game development courses.

The most impressive part about being in the gaming industry is the interesting choice of careers that you have here. For example, from game designers to writers and producers, several people put in hours of effort before a game is released to the public. The other roles in the industry are animator, lead designer, gaming tester, software developer, game developer, computer programmer, game artist etc.

To get a better understanding of these roles let us look at them in detail:

Game Design

When you take on the role of a designer, you are presented with the opportunity of creating a style that could become a benchmark for others. Designing is the most fundamental concept of gaming.

Eligibility

Since the role has many sub-fields, it is impossible to describe the set criteria for it. But the essentials include:

• Bachelors/Diploma in game design
• Or a degree in computer science engineering or a related field

It is beneficial if you have these certain traits:

• Creativity
• Ability to tell engaging stories
• Artistic vision

Video Game Writing

This area is best suited for those who have the flair for putting imaginative ideas on paper. Writing is not a stand-alone job, it is a shared vision that gets fulfilled with the help of others. It is an immersive job where you will have to create detailed backstories and maybe thousands of lines (think of RPGs-Role Playing Games).

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s in scriptwriting/creative writing
• A portfolio of published stories and even a sample game can impress the employer
• Entry-level experience in other departments of gaming like production or marketing can also make your resume stand out.
• Editing is an added advantage.

Some of the other skills that are beneficial for this job are:

• Ability to follow deadlines
• Ability to think creatively

Game Programming

The innovative virtual world of adventures you enjoy in games is the work of programmers. Just like design, you can find a role that suits your interests from the many sub-categories available here.

Eligibility

A candidate needs the following skills:

• A computer science degree or something related to the field.
• Understanding of different programming languages like C++ or Java
• Knowledge of design and design techniques

Some of the personal traits you may need are:

• Patience to sit through revisions and corrections
• Creative problem-solving skills

Game Developer

In simple terms, a game developer converts the ideas of the design team into a concrete game. They have many responsibilities including translating visual ideas into codes, monitoring the stability of games across platforms, porting games or elements from one system to another etc. You have the option of becoming a second-party developer, third-party developer or an indie developer.  You can also opt for specialisations based on different criteria

• Types of systems- A system-based game developer can work either on a computer, mobile or console
• Game type-role-playing, simulation, strategy etc.
• Game element-in-game systems, user interface, level design etc.

Eligibility

• A Computer Science or a related degree

Some beneficial personality traits include:

• Ability to incorporate others’ views
• Ability to create a balance between creativity and budget

Game Sound Designer/Audio Engineer

The story of a game comes alive when it is accompanied by realistic sounds. A sound designer or an audio engineer helps in creating a thrilling experience by combining the plot with dynamic sounds (e.g. car’s vroom), ambient sounds (e.g. traffic noise, birds chirping) and background music.

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering/Audiography

Some of the personal traits you may need for this role are:

• Ability to work well with other teams
• A thirst for knowledge-updating oneself with all the latest developments in the field.

DevOps Engineer

Since more and more games are becoming online-focused, the need for a DevOps engineer is increasing. They are responsible for the smooth running and security of the servers on which the players are connected. The role combines the responsibilities of the development and operations teams. They need to have coding skills and the ability to handle the operation of the networking infrastructure.

Eligibility

• Tech/B.E in computer science engineering.

Some of the personal traits beneficial for this role are:

• Flexibility
• Seeks quality

Game Tester/Quality Assessment

A quality assessment person or a ‘game tester’ is responsible for catching the flaws in a game early on. They collaborate with  game developers  to identify and manage any glitches or trouble spots thus helping end users have a seamless gaming experience.

Eligibility

• Sufficient gaming knowledge
• Proficiency in written English
• Language skills like Python, Java and Bash
• Technical skills like Prometheus, Jenkins etc.
• Tech, BCA or software diploma is desirable
• Knowledge of the software testing process is also a plus

Some of the personal traits that can help you in this role are:

• A methodical approach
• Ability to work under pressure
• Perseverance
• Problem-solving

Video Game Marketer

This role is an umbrella term that includes everything from marketing to customer service and PR. They are responsible for creating demand for a game among users using a variety of methods.

Eligibility

You can have a Bachelor’s in media relations, marketing, advertising or other related fields.

Some of the personal traits beneficial for this role are:

• Fluent communication
• Creativity i.e. thinking outside the box

Game Journalist/Critic

This role is a combination of a writer and a gamer. Just like a movie critic, a game critic breaks down the positives and negatives of a newly released game in simple language for the benefit of the end user.

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s in Journalism/Mass Communication

A game journalist needs good analytical and persuasive writing skills to attract gamers to their reviews. Having a pre-existing gaming blog will help to showcase your work as well as your passion.

How to Hone Your Passion for a Gaming Job?

There are several ways in which you can prepare yourself for the workforce of the future i.e. gaming:

Start as an intern

Before directly applying for a job, it is always a good idea to start as an intern. This way you will get root-level knowledge about various aspects of gaming which you can use later on.

Choose an entry-level job

Before aiming for the big shot firms, you can always start your career as a game tester or programmer at game studios.

Networking

There are a lot of digital game communities and discussion forums that you can join. Participation can help you get in touch with the experts in the field and also open up various opportunities.

Technological literacy is required for a career in gaming but what can you do next? Dave Mathew, Studio Head at Cauldron Studios says “I would suggest building strength in your core discipline, finding the elements within that discipline that truly speak to you and honing your skills in that direction.” You must stay updated with the latest technological changes and feel the pulse of gamers. This strategy can help you go a long way in this field. The industry is immersive, inclusive, entertaining and expansive and to get a job here is a ‘game-changing’ move. So here’s hoping that the above post will help you through the process of getting your dream job.

About the Author

Asha works as a freelance blogger and designer in UAE. She is a passionate blogger who specializes in web design and development. She is also a speaker and technologist who has a love for music. She writes technical articles, journals, and non-fiction for everyone of all ages. She currently focuses on blog design for online publications.

The post How to Make a Career in the Gaming Industry? appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

You Suck at Parking Review on Xbox Series X

You Suck at Parking is a cute but frantic parking game. You drive your car around the levels and park in the designated spots. The challenge, however, is that there is no reverse and if you stop, you park. As such, you buzz around the levels trying to stop in a single spot. At first, this is straightforward, but as the game progresses, the levels include superhot barriers that make you explode on impact, Wind machines that push you off target, and police cars that arrest you with one touch. The game is so much fun and incredibly addictive.

The joy of the game starts with the controls. Its twitch controls make it fantastic fun to drive and powerslide around the levels. Mistakes come thick and fast as you fly off the course or explode into a fireball. A tap of the D-pad instantly restarts the level which is useful as each level is timed. Then it’s the level design itself. Each level has two or three spots to park in and you need to park before the timer hits zero. The exhilaration of hitting that last spot is truly amazing and trying to complete all spots is massively addictive.

All the levels are accessed via an island overworld that you can drive around at your leisure. Car cannons fire you across to new areas and parking at different buildings access the main level. Each level has five stages and all can be completed either partially or completely. The more ‘hearts’ you earn, the more you can access.

The game’s difficulty fluctuates from being overly simple to incredibly hard, but with time and patience, it’s fun to master the different levels. When the game adds more cars and chasing police cars, the pressure ramps up even further. There are over 100 single-player levels in You Suck at Parking, some of them almost maze-like in their complexity. In an interview in Wireframe, designer and studio co-founder David Prinsmel discusses how they approach the level design more like a golf game than a racer.

Outside of the single-player game, the online multiplayer allows for 8 players to battle it out on a variety of multiplayer maps to become the ultimate parker. With only one parking spot and all eight players going for it, expect rushing, ramming, and explosions. It’s crazy fun and with it coming to Game Pass, you can expect lots of players from day one. 

For added personalisation, you can hit the garage to customise your vehicle. Players can change the vehicle type, the paint job, the exhaust effects and much more. A Fortnite-style store and battle pass system allows players to buy and unlock a huge amount of customisations but regular players still have a handful to unlock each season The simple polygon graphics and bright colour palette compliment the gameplay well and the UI enjoys lots of satisfying pops and bloops. The music can get a little weird sometimes but is easy to tune out in the heat of parking.

Overall, You Suck at Parking is pure unadulterated fun. Its precision controls, wacky level design and satisfying completion are hugely addictive. The game can be tough at times  (and sometimes feel impossible), but the gradual increase in the difficulty means that it is accessible for both younger gamers and those looking for a real challenge. The campaign is the most fun, but the online play and regularly added levels ensure that you can have new experiences long after completing the one-player adventure. With over 100 levels and a promise of many more being added post-launch, You Suck at Parking is a parking LOT of fun.

Check out the game on the box store or visit: https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/You-Suck-at-Parking/9NCF3MRQ8480 

The post Review: You Suck At Parking | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Credit: Eugeny Demidov – Flickr

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

In the heart of Europe, Bohemia is a land of wealth and culture. But the death of Emperor Charles IV throws the entire kingdom in disarray. Once the jewel of the Holy Roman Empire, Bohemia is torn apart by raging war and corruption. Henry, the son of a blacksmith, falls victim to the chaos as he witnesses the slaughter of his parents. To avenge their death and repel the invaders, his time has come to fight back.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a detailed medieval life sim situated during the 15^th century. Priding itself in its historical accuracy, this RPG features several period characters on top of genuine-looking armour and combat techniques. Alongside challenging side quests, this lengthy action RPG has plenty in store for lovers of stealth and melee combat. Besides, the authentic looks of its massive open world offer a stunning trip back to medieval times.

Credit: Pressakey – Flickr

Anno 1404

For fans of real-time strategy games, Anno probably needs no introduction. The Ubisoft franchise ranks among the most popular city-building series ever. And in 2009, Anno took on a medieval spin. The game invites players to colonise islands and set up farms and factories to keep their population thriving, while maintaining their finances in the green. Players may occasionally take on rivalling AI characters through naval and ground combat.

But Anno 1404 introduced several new features, including two cultural zones based on north-western Renaissance Europe and the Near East. Developers later released an extensive Venice pack. An updated and 4K optimised Anno 1404 History Edition was made available in 2020. Thus, the game runs as smoothly as ever on any modern PC.

Assassin’s Creed

Medieval games mainly focus on the Western world, with the odd incursion in feudal Japan. But the first Assassin’s Creed took an original turn with a vibrant depiction of the medieval Middle East. From Jerusalem to Damascus, this action-adventure epic embarks players across the Holy Land. While the in-game clash between Assassins and Templars is far from historical, the game still borrows elements from the Third Crusade. And reports announce a Middle Eastern comeback with the next Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Meanwhile, lesser-known entries offer a refreshing twist from the Eurocentric narrative.

While still under development, Knights of Light is an action RPG set in 7^th-century Iraq. As for Arabian Lords, this strategy game has players managing a Middle Eastern city throughout the Rise of Islam. The same developer celebrated Middle Eastern culture with mobile games, including a modern rendition of the ancient quirkat board game. Players might also discover traditional card games, only with no gambling involved due to cultural restrictions. However, players in the MENA area can gamble away on the best online casino sites in Qatar and beyond. The best casinos cater to Arabic players with a range of classic table games and slots. Experts emphasise security measures to ensure a safe and anonymous gambling session. Plus, players can claim hefty rewards and bonuses to keep the fun going.

Going Medieval

Going Medieval is a medieval simulation game released to critical acclaim by indie studio Foxy Voxel. The game kicks off in the late 14^th century in the aftermath of a devastating plague epidemic. As 95% of the population has perished, it is up to the few survivors to give birth to a new society. Controlling a colony of settlers, players must build them a home. But perils await in a dangerous land full of lurking bandits and animals, while unpredictable threats loom over the colony.

Starting from humble wooden huts, players gradually upgrade to sprawling forts and fortresses. Crafting weapons helps settlers defend their home, whereas farming feeds the ever-growing colony. Players must also heed their colony’s needs, from building religious altars to entertaining them with backgammon tables. Overall, this management game has all the right ingredients of a city builder with a medieval feel to boot.

The post 4 Medieval Games History Buffs May Enjoy Playing appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Rimworld: Console Edition Review on Xbox

The first time I played Rimworld, my little band of soldiers, cave dweller and shopkeeper soon settled into their little wooden hut and started growing rice, everything was peaceful until a rabid squirrel attacked. After the rabid rodent had done its damage and subsequently been killed, they helped a lone traveler and were attacked by marauders. Thankfully, the marauder wasn’t fatally injured and there was an opportunity for him to join the team but in the flurry of battle, I added too many orders one of my team beat him to death carrying out a delayed command. Soon after they ate a tortoise and then other attackers hurt two of my team then burned down my house which them inside…

The second and third time round, none of these events happened…

Rimworld is a really unique game that marries the graphics of the Prison Architect series, the epic stories of Skyrim, and the mountain of data found in Dwarf Kingdom. Players first choose their three crew mates from a random selection of characters, each character has both a childhood background and adult profession, these two elements form the basis of their traits and abilities. The poor little cave dweller might have great mining abilities, but lack social skills, whereas the Comedian will boost morale but be terrible with guns. The multitude of variations is fantastic and sometimes a little dark and it doesn’t stop there (more on that later). Before each game, you can choose your Story Teller. The three options are Cassandra Classic, Pheobe Chillax, or Randy Random. As you might imagine, these are the balanced route in which you are given time between disasters to rebuild, the peaceful route that focuses on building your community, and the random in which you can be struck with blight one moment and attacked by an ancient evil you awoke whilst mining.

If you think you are a peaceful kind of gamer, ignore this bit. The game can descend into madness during some games and you might need to be morally flexible to get through the craziness. Your colony may need to be cannibals sometimes or harvest downed teammates for their organs but its survival of the fittest on Rimworld and the story can take some interesting twists and turns. The emergent gameplay never follows a set path, instead throwing in new twists to keep it interesting. If you set a trap for a marauder and forget it’s there, you might find one dead colonist, wander too far from home and you might meet a giant sloth that can kill. There are just so many things that can go wrong. If two of your colonists start a relationship and one dies, the other might have a mental breakdown and run rampage through the colony. It’s completely bonkers but utterly amazing.

For those who quiver with excitement over mountains of data, Rimworld has it in droves. From temperature, crop yield, medicine effects, social buffs, addiction, and so much more. However, new players to the micro-management simulation genre might find it all a little daunting. The first tutorial will take you through your first 30 minutes but after that, you are on your own. If you are happy to learn the complexities of the game then you will be rewarded ten-fold.

Rimworld has been out on Steam for years and there are additional DLC packs and an active modding community. The game has overwhelmingly positive reviews and has been one of the most popular games on the platform for many years. Now console gamers can enjoy this fantastic experience and access to the DLC as well. Modding is currently not included but may come in the future.

Rimworld Console Edition – Summary

Rimworld is a fantastic game that has SO much replayability. You can choose the ‘Get off the planet’ quest and complete the game, but the joy is simply surviving the twist and turns that the storyteller throws at you. There is a steep learning curve for new players but for those with the patience to work through it, you will not be disappointed. I have called this a first impression, as I am 20+ hours in and the average play time on steam, is 130 hours so I have a long way to go. The graphics may be basic but the emergence of storytelling and randomness of the whole experience makes this one of the greatest games very made. And for all those indie devs out there, it was done by two people.

The post First Impressions: Rimworld Console Edition appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

But is this party fighting game a smash hit or crushing defeat, here’s my review of Brawlout on Xbox.

Brawlout on Xbox

Brawlout had always hoped to cater to the veteran platform fighters, the casual fans, and the newcomer looking to make their mark. Over the years the following has grown and there are now tournaments, leagues, and professional teams.

Each character in Brawlout has its own unique playstyle, catering to specific character archetypes seen in other fighters. Whether you’re a die-hard grappler or a rush-down fiend, there is a fighter for you in Brawlout. There are currently six original characters that can be personalised. More recently, Brawlout has embraced its indie status and added four popular indie characters that include:

• Dead Cells
• Yooka-Laylee
• Guacamelee
• Hyper Light Drifter

As well as cosmetic skins, each original Brawlout character has three Variants; alternative versions of the character with different stats, outfits, and even new moves. With these Variants, Brawlout’s cast numbers 25 individual fighters. Finding the right fighter (and Variant) that’s right for you can take some time but the patient player will eventually meet their match.

As for modes, Brawlout has all you’d expect from a normal platform fighter and then some. Up to four players can compete in either Timed, Stock, Team Battles, FFA, or Party Modes.

AI opponents are also available if you want to practice your team combos with a friend, or if you need to fill out a free-for-all. Players can train using various tutorials or jump into the challenging Arcade Towers and the new Trials mode.

Overall Brawlout is a gorgeous and colorful experience with fast paces and frantic battles. The game is best in a local multiplayer setting with real-life friends but online play is equally enjoyable. Brawlout is not quite Smash, but it certainly scratches that itch if you are on every other console except Nintendo. With its cult following, additional characters, and unique play style it is going from strength to strength.

The post Delayed Review: Brawlout | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Voyage Review on Xbox

Voyage is a side-scrolling narrative adventure that is both peaceful and intriguing. I had no idea what was going on for the first hour as I ambled left to right climbing over things, crawling under things, and moving things about. Whilst this sounds mediocre at best, it’s the set pieces that make it worthwhile. Each scene is ethereal in its style and animation giving players a little nugget of story in each location. Soon, you realise that it’s not so much a game but an experience. You are the hands that push these two characters onward. It’s quite compelling.

The mechanic of having two players works well as one can help the other up difficult heights as well as flick switches whilst the other holds something open. You learn to use them as two arms of the same player similar to the game Brothers. There are also some sweet animations when you swap characters, call each other over or just have a hug. When you need a hint, a quick tap of the Y button will general piano tinking stars to point out what you need to do. As such the game is easy to complete and it should be enjoyed as a story experience rather than a game you will often return to.

The game’s sounds and music does all the talking as there is no dialogue to lay out the story for you. In order to avoid spoilers, I won’t outline the main narrative as it needs to be experienced firsthand.

The graphics have a beautiful hand-painted charm and the developers haven’t been afraid to keep some areas dark or covered in a sand storm to give the world a desolate and empty feel. The inhabitants of the world feel like voyeuristic ghosts that either go about their daily business to appear to help out. There are also some animals to help out every so often.

The gameplay is super simple, push right and solve the puzzles to traverse the different scenes. At a few points during the game, you will get to move left, but essentially you are there to move the characters through the narrative. The small part of agency you do have helps you connect to the players and ultimately care about the outcome.

Overall, Voyage is a beautiful and serene game that is generally pretty slow but tells a magical story not yet seen on the Xbox. The gameplay and puzzles are simplistic but help to keep the narrative moving and players within the experience. The two-character mechanic works well but it is the hand-painted set pieces that will keep you playing. For achievement hunters, there are lots of low-hanging fruits here and it’s worth sinking 2-3 hours in to enjoy this slow boat ride of a game and walk away with 1000 gamer points and the heartwarming tale of two siblings who might just save a world if they work together and have a cuddle.

The post Review: Voyage | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

The majority of Americans prefer slots to other forms of gambling. Slots are one of the most popular games in the gaming industry, and they’ve been around for years. Play some of the top US online slot machines at slots.info to understand why it’s one of the most popular games in the business.

What are game variations?

Game variations refer to different ways in which a game can be played. In the case of slots, there are now dozens of different variations that can be enjoyed. Some of the most popular include:

Megaways game

One of the newest types of slot games is the Megaways game. This type of game provides players with a lot more ways to win. In a typical slot game, there are only a few paylines. However, in a Megaways game, there can be up to 117,649 ways to win. This makes the game much more exciting and gives players many more chances to win big prizes.

243 Ways To Win game

Another new variation of slot games is the 243 Ways To Win game. In this type of game, there are no paylines. Instead, wins are determined by matching symbols on adjacent reels. This means that there are more potential ways to win with every spin. These types of games can be very exciting and provide players with a lot of chances to win big prizes.

Progressive Slots

One of the newest variations of online slots is progressive jackpot slots. These games offer a large jackpot that grows as more people play the game. The potential winnings are huge, making these games very popular. If you’re looking for a chance to win big, progressive jackpot slots are definitely worth checking out.

Bonus Round Slots

Bonus round slots are another popular type of online slot. These games include unique features that can be activated to add to the excitement. Bonus rounds may be anything from free spins to mini-games and more. Bonus round slots are worth a look if you’re searching for an online slot game with more excitement.

Multiplier Slots

Another popular style of online slots is the multiplicative version. These games feature a multiplier that boosts your earnings. Multiplier slots are ideal for people who want to enhance their potential earnings. A multiplier game has become popular in recent years. In this game, players can multiply their wins by a certain amount. This can be a very exciting way to play and can lead to some very big payouts.

Why are these games’ variations important?

Game variations are important because they provide players with more excitement and chances to win. With so many different types of games now available, there is sure to be a game that you’ll enjoy. If you’re looking for an online slot game with more excitement, be sure to check out some of the new variations that are now available. You may just find your new favorite game.

They also have these benefits:

• They are easy to play.
• Offer potential for big wins.
• Provide more excitement.
• Give players many more chances to win big prizes.
• Are ideal for people who want to enhance their potential earnings.

The disadvantages are:

• Some people may find the games too repetitive.
• The graphics might not be as good as some other casino games.
• You need to have a good understanding of how the game works before you can win big.

Slot games will always remain popular among casino goers. The fact that many variations are now available makes them even more appealing. If you’re a fan of slots, be sure to check out some of the new interpretations that are currently available. You’re sure to find a game that you’ll love.

The post Why Developers Continue to Create New Online Slot Game Variations appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

At first glance, you’d be forgiven if you thought this was one of the many anime dating simulators on steam. Thankfully, the characters keep their clothes on and costume changes stay relevant to the story. Originally released on Steam in 2012, it has taken 10 years to make the leap to consoles

Long Live The Queen is a game about choices. Each week, you choose classes for the Princess to attend. There is a large class list to choose from covering various topics including history, weapons, animal care, and military strategy to name a few. The player chooses morning and afternoon classes that increase different stats that make up your character’s personality. Each week, your skills are tested through various dramas at the palace. One week it might be a surprise family member or even a murderer possessed by a demon. Each task requires different skills to overcome and you will find yourself winning some, and losing others. Periodically you will so need to fend off assassinations from poisonous snakes to explosions.

It’s up to you what kind of queen you become, from a power-hungry military general to an eloquent diplomat, skilled in resolving conflict through negotiation. The classes you choose shape the story and ultimately the outcome. However, if Elodie isn’t in the right mood, she won’t learn a thing. The mood is based on five sliding scales that can be manipulated at the weekend through a different set of activities. Attending a service lifts your depression whilst playing with toys makes you happy but also lonely. Throughout the story, new options appear and you are able to visit the dungeon, sneak out of the castle or talk to friends and family to discover more about the magical abilities that you have but have been kept from you, as they were the cause of your mother’s death.

Essentially, the game moves between four screens, the classes, the activities, the mood, and the picture book. The story is told through text, which can be skipped, sped up, or ignored. Every so often a big decision is needed and you might fight a neighboring country or attend a festival. Long Live The Queen is strangely addictive and as the story develops it’s easy to rinse and repeat the steps to see where you end up. To complete the game, you need to survive 40 weeks to reach your coronation. In the end, you see what kind of Queen you turned out to be.

Long Live The Queen isn’t going to be for everyone, but the idea is good. I think the mechanic might also work for a President/Prime minister game which would be quite interesting. The graphics are basic and upscaled to fit the screen so the whole experience feels a little dated. As it is only a text-based game, it would have been nice for you to be able to choose your name and create your own princess, in the beginning, to help make that personal connection. At $10 or £7.99, it’s ok, but if you can pick it up on sale it is worth playing if you are looking for something a little different. Hats off to Hanako Games for making the leap to Xbox, with 14 similar story titles on Steam, perhaps this is the first of many.

The post First Impressions: Long Live The Queen | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Long Live The Queen

Long Live the Queen begins with the young princess Elodie arriving at the castle of Nova after the untimely death of her mother, the Queen. She has no time to mourn, but must immediately begin making preparations to become the next Novan ruler. While she frantically studies and trains to raise her skills, others attempt to take advantage of Nova’s vulnerability. Elodie must fend off invasions, assassins, schemes, and civil war in order to survive long enough to be crowned Queen.

Long Live the Queen mixes and pulls together three genres: RPG, simulation, and strategy into a unique formula. The developer continued with their own ideology,“It’s not so much that it uses elements from all three of those standard genres and more than the gameplay is something entirely different which might be described as any of those three. The gameplay consists of choosing what skills Elodie learns and then deciding how to respond to a series of events and crises that happen within her country. Many choices are not available or will lead to disastrous outcomes unless Elodie has sufficient skill to handle the problem effectively, and every choice has ongoing consequences for the story and the country.”

Matchpoint – Tennis Championships

Matchpoint – Tennis Championships offers a dynamic and immersive gaming experience with its extensive career mode, unique rivalry system, authentic ball physics, and advanced multiplayer mode. From choosing the right coach to implementing the best play style, strategy and decision-making will be central to success as players experience what it truly takes to climb the ranks and become a tennis champion. Unprecedented player control and true-to-life ball physics are combined to make Matchpoint – Tennis Championships an authentic tennis gaming experience in which every swing and hit counts across the clay, hard, and grass courts.

Wayward Strand

Wayward Strand is a beautiful heartfelt interactive story, told in a very unique and curious way. You play Casey Beaumaris, an intrepid teenage journalist – as she visits an airborne hospital for the first time. Uncover the airship’s mysteries, and explore the lives of its inhabitants.

Set in the summer of 1978, Casey Beaumaris is attempting to make the most of her vacation, when her mum asks her to spend a long weekend helping out at the airborne hospital where she works.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

Celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Klonoa franchise, the vibrant and joyful side-scrolling platform game is back with a graphic revamp for a new generation of players to discover and fans of the first game to revisit. Leaning on the nostalgia and great memories of the series, this trailer brings back the song played in the 1991 commercial in Japan.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series features Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil, with an adjustable difficulty level and two-player co-op option. A demo is now also available for consoles, which includes the first stages of the two games to give players a taste of the lively world of Klonoa.

Bright Memory: Infinite

The post Out This Month on Xbox – July 2022 appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Best Month Ever! is all about the story and is more of an interactive movie than a game. This is no surprise considering that it was created by students, graduates, and employees of the “Video Game Development” program at The Warsaw Film School. You do have some agency in the game to move a character around a scene, click on certain elements and keep the story moving. However, it is more like a Telltale interactive story than a traditional game. There are sporadic mini-games throughout like throwing a stone to hit a target or lining up constellations but these are very simplistic and serve as a vehicle for you to connect with the characters and be part of the story. The biggest impact you have on the outcome fo the story is through the various decision options. Do you take the blame for a smashed window? Lie to your son? Stay in the car when asked? The developer says that all these decisions have an impact on the ending, of which there are a few.

The story itself is emotional, moving, and thought-provoking. Set in the 1960’s Louise, mother to Mitch, a black illegitimate son of a Jazz musician has it tough. Louise had a bad childhood experience which pushed her to leave her family behind. Now with only four weeks left to live she wants to help Mitch start a new life, meet her long-deserted family and perhaps even find Mitch’s father. The game is a rollercoaster of sentimental moments, action scenes, and revealing insights into Louise’s past. Thanks to the relatively fast pacing of the game, you will be burning the boss’s car one minute and catching fireflies with your mother the next. At only four hours long, it is easy to play through and during my time I did not see a death state although, during a driving section, I did wonder what would happen if I ran into an oncoming car?

The voice acting is fantastic and the script works really well to convey such a lot of complex topics. The music fits the period and helps with the melancholy ambiance of the story. The graphics are a mix of good and bad. The ‘scenes’ look amazing from the buzzing neon signs of the dinner to the waterfall in the forest, however, the character models are a little less professional. The Mitch character looks good but the animation feels too slow for his movement speed and the lighting on the Louise model sometimes makes her look like a PS2 Lara Croft. As you only see the characters from a distance, it doesn’t distract away from the story.

The game moves through time jumping to the past when exposition and using narration by an older Mitch to give insights into the young boy’s feelings at the time. For me, the journey was much better than the destination as the story and decisions really touched me whereas the end was a little bit of a letdown. However, it definitely made me think each time I had to either lie to my son or explain a very difficult situation to him. I wondered if I would do the same to my own children. I think we are quick to protect our children with lies in the real world, but when you know that your decisions will impact the final state of your in-game child, you tend to be more idealistic. But thankfully, I have not had to tell my children I used to be a stripper.

Overall. the game is a welcome respite from the action-packed adventures that dominate the gaming market. Best Month Ever! is an experience that connects with you on an emotional level and keeps you guessing throughout. As the game is more of an interactive story, it won’t be to everyone’s liking but fans of story-driven titles such as The Wolf Among Us, Gone Home, or The Vanishing of Ethan Carter might enjoy this quick emotional journey and who knows it might be the Best Evening Ever! playing a video game.

The post Review: Best Month Ever! | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Don’t get me wrong, some games do parts of it very well. For example, the evidence inspection in L.A Noire and the Scanning equipment in Condemned are both excellent. Similarly, In Phoenix Wright, being able to find holes in a suspect’s story is almost arcade-like and great fun. With this in mind, I wanted to round up some of the best murder mystery games currently available, so you can ‘get your sleuth on’ and crack that case wide open.

The Sexy Brutale

This wonderfully stylized indie game is the perfect whodunnit. Set at an extravagant masquerade party, the guests are being murdered all over the bizarre Sexy Brutale casino mansion.
However, at midnight, the clock rewinds, and the grisly pantomime all plays out again in exactly the same way. As the only person seemingly unaffected, you must watch, spy, and try to learn each guest’s secrets, so you can save them from their bloody fate.

The Council

You play Louis de Richet, the wealthy son of Sarah Faustine de Richet and member of The Golden Order, a fictional secret society. With your mother missing, presumed dead you are tasked with investigating the house and the colorful characters within it, to seek out the truth behind your mother’s disappearance. The Councils uses expansive dialogue options allowing players to delve deep into the characters’ stories. It is up to you what you believe and should you take a wrong turn, you may be the next to disappear.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

When investigator Paul Prospero receives a fan letter from 12-year-old Ethan Carter inviting him to his hometown, Prospero discovers that Ethan has gone missing and begins encountering evidence of recent violence in the village as well as unsettling paranormal phenomena. Through uncovering the events leading up to the disappearance you discover human sacrifice, suicide, and malevolent forces at work. But can you solve the mystery of this tiny mining village?

Firewatch

In Firewatch, you play Henry, a fire lookout in Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming. From Day One, you’re only real contact is Delilah, a lookout in another watchtower who you speak to via walkie-talkie. After investigating some illegal fireworks by the lake, you are embroiled in a mystery and after the discovery of a boy’s body, it is up to you to put the pieces together before the forest wildfires drive you away and destroy all the crucial evidence.

The Wolf Among Us

The Wolf Among Us is a Telltale Game similar to The Walking Dead, but based on The Fables comic book series in which the old fairy tale characters live amongst regular people in a hidden community in 1980s New York City. You play Bigby Wolf, formerly the Big Bad Wolf, a sheriff who finds a woman’s head left on a doorstep. You must follow a trail of clues and question the various characters from Snow White to the Magic Mirror to find the killer.

Shenmue

Recently remastered for modern consoles, this Sega Dreamcast classic was an amazing open-world murder mystery that built the foundations for GTA and Fallout. Shenmue is looking for his father’s killer and must talk to various suspects, uncover vital clues and, if you have time, play some classic Sega games in the arcade. Shenmue is a martial arts student and whilst he can hold his own in a fight, much of the game is spent searching for clues, examining objects, and talking to non-player characters for information on your father.

Heavy Rain

Originally released in 2010 and then re-released in 2019, Heavy Rain follows four people brought together by a serial killer. When one of the protagonist’s children is taken by the Origami Killer the game moves between these four people with Ethan being the main character. The killer calls him and demands that he complete tests to determine how much he loves his son. Every time he completes one, he will receive a piece of the address where Shaun is held. With a 2,000-page script and over 30,000 animations, this was the most ambitious game of its generation and worth playing.

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

We can’t have a murder mystery without the most famous detective of them all; Sherlock Homles. Crime and Punishments include five distinct cases with most involving a dead body and a requirement for you to gather clues and enter your mind palace to connect the clues together. Whether you are finding the killer of Black Peter, the whaling captain or a renowned archaeologist found dead in the locked steam room, you will need to build up your deduction board if you hope to solve the murders and uncover the true nature of the Merry Men.

Whilst this list could go on to include the previously mentioned L.A. Noire, Murdered: Soul Suspect, D4, and the new Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, there are too many to list. Similarly, if you look at the myriad side quests in games like Assassins Creed and Red Dead Redemption, you will find another treasure trove of murder mystery mini-games. However, in my opinion, these seven are the best examples of Murder Mysteries that you can play today.

If you have more to add, reach out on social media and tell me your favorite.

The post Seven Sleuth-Worthy Murder Mystery Games Worth Playing appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

I recently got the opportunity to play the first few hours, and this is my first impression of Remote Life on Xbox.

The first thing that jumped out to me on Remote Life was the visuals. The 3D style graphics look great but it was the creature design that caught my attention. The mix of the robotic with the Geiger-style alien gives the game a unique and eye-catching look. Blasting through the hordes of aliens is a joy when the variety of beasts is this good.

The weapons are the biggest visual treat as your ship can be equipped with four different weapon types, a mega weapon, and can also gain additional attachments to beef up your firepower. From simple red lasers to missiles, scatter shots, plasma waves, and myriad more, shooting is sheer eye candy as bullets shower the screen wiping out the enemy waves.

Each level ends with the epic boss battle and oozes retro charm as you move in and out to avoid the scripted patterns of bullet walls.

Unlike its retro predecessors, you don’t have to start from scratch if you die and are outside the three life limit, you can also save your progress at the end of each level. The menu section is a little clunky and basic using mouse-like control to select which level to tackle.

The sound and music are perfectly passable with industrial-techno background music that is easily forgettable alongside a few spoken words to break up all the large text-based exposition. The Sound FX on the weapons all sound great and vary enough to be distinct whereas the explosions are all very similar.

Level design is simple and fun and changes throughout to include the straightforward blaster to convoy missions to keep things interesting. As you circumnavigate the alien hive, there are plenty of crushers, spinning spikes, and doors to get in your way. A steady hand and calm demeanor are needed for the more hectic parts.

With a few hours of playtime under my belt, I know I am going to be jumping back into this a lot over the coming weeks as I work my way to the middle of the alien ship to deliver the mega missile that will save the world. If you are a fan of classic shoot-em-ups, Remote Life looks and plays like a modern game but has all the classic nods to the games gone before it. For a single developer, this is an immense achievement and I look forward to dealing with the all-important death blow in the next few weeks.

The post First Impressions: Remote Life | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Autonauts is a game packed full of personality and innovation to offer gamers of all ages the opportunity to explore a unique and colourful world of coding and crafting. Build a Bot workforce to automate everything in your settlement; tell them what to do, and expand their brains and operational potential with numerous upgrades and options. Create simple crafting items and structures from blueprints, and build dozens of different Workerbots to make your new planet a fully functioning home.

The Autonauts console version is a brand-new experience, providing gamers with an evolved controller-focused tutorial and structure that enables them to hone their coding skills more quickly and effectively. Conveniently code mechanical helpers by showing them what to do step-by-step, be it cooking, farming, mining, construction and so much more; then sit back and watch your automation ‘ant farm’ carry out their duties.

Autonauts combines the best of coding, crafting, simulation, world-building, production-line, and resource management to create a truly awesome experience unlike any other.

This summer, create the automated world of your dreams on Xbox One, Playstation, and Nintendo!

About Curve Games

Curve Games is an award-winning independent label working with developers worldwide to deliver the best in interactive entertainment. With a uniquely diverse games catalogue that includes renowned indie hits such as For the King, Bomber Crew, The Ascent, and Lawn Mowing Simulator, and the multi-million selling smash hit Human Fall Flat, Curve Games has taken its place as one of the leading games publishers worldwide.

About Denki

Denki is a video game developer based in Dundee, Scotland, which was founded in 2000 by four key developers from the legendary DMA Design. Denki has worked extensively in the digital interactive television (DiTV) market, as well as console, mobile and computer platforms, and has produced bespoke licensed gaming products with the biggest entertainment brands on the planet. Autonauts is an original IP from the studio and their most recent release.

The post Autonauts Coming To Xbox 16th June! appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Flat Kingdom came out on Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo almost five years after its original release on Steam and I am very glad it eventually made the leap. Flat Kingdom is a harmless puzzle platformer with nostalgic nods to Paper Mario and the Dizzy games. The story is the classic tale to save a princess and retrieve an all-powerful gem that has unbalanced the world and turned lovable creatures into angry little enemies. You must travel across six different levels, each consisting of three stages to collect coins, gain power-ups and beat bosses.

Whilst this might sound like the usual run and gun antics of Ghosts and Goblins or Strider, this is where Flat Kingdom differs. Our hero is unable to fire a weapon, swipe a sword, or even throw a punch. Instead, the fight mechanics follow a rock, paper, scissors style battle as the shapeshifting knight can change into a circle, square, or triangle. The circle form is the standard platformer character in terms of speed and a double jump, the square is stronger and heavier but is also the slowest form. The triangle is fast-moving with long jumps but lacks height. You use these forms to battle the various enemies. Your circle form beats square enemies, your square form beats triangle enemies and your triangle form beats circular enemies.

These forms are also used to solve various puzzles along the way, from smashing through platforms, floating in water and pressing various switches and levers.

The papercraft graphics are vibrant and rich and the 2.5D really helps the world pop. The different stages are the typical fare of a forest, fire, ice and so forth but all feel different enough to keep you playing.

The main character looks a little plain compared to the more detailed king and thief characters but it’s easy to see what shape you are in.

The bosses can be troublesome at first, but once you figure out the pattern to defeat them (usually jumping on a big flashing triangle) it’s just a matter of patience and trial and error.

The music for each level is top-notch with a fantastic score running throughout. The game would benefit from more voice acting and less reading but it’s understandable why the developer decided to keep it text-based.

Overall, Flat Kingdom is a fun, nostalgic puzzle platformer that is easy to pick up and play but has some challenging puzzles and old-school bosses. The rock, paper, scissors battle mechanic is fresh and new and the range of levels keeps it interesting during its short playtime. The simple cartoon graphics are beautifully simple and the soundtrack is particularly good. I would recommend trying to collect as many coins as possible as you will find yourself going back later on for additional content. Steam may have enjoyed Flat Kingdom five years ago but it was worth resurrecting it so console gamers can enjoy its retro charm.

The post Review: Flat Kingdom Paper’s Cut Edition | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

In June 2019, The Walking Zombie 2 was released on Android and iOS to rave reviews. With millions of downloads worldwide, the team at Alda Games decided to port the game to PC and consoles. However, despite the game being great fun, the mobile experience can be felt throughout from its regular requests to rate the game, to its in-game store teasing weapons that can only be bought with real-world money.

But these mobile hangovers are just a small part of a hugely competent game. If you can look past this then there is a lot of fun to be had.

The story in The Walking Zombie 2 follows a group of survivors who discover that one of them (you) is immune to the virus. As such, you are tasked with all the missions outside of the camp. The game loop is highly addictive as each mission can take between five and fifteen minutes to complete meaning dipping in and out is easy.

Players will find themselves completing quests including clearing areas of zombies, fixing up locations, rescuing survivors, and collecting supplies. There are also various mini-games such as zombie hordes or minigun turrets to keep things interesting.

These missions gain experience to help you level up and improve your player and camp. I was really surprised at the depth of the RPG side of the game with XP points allowing players to increase various skills including melee weapons, speed, health, and speech amongst others. Perks are also available to boost different skills and buffs.

Weapons vary from simple shovels to missile launchers with players able to carry two weapons that can be switched out easily for equipment in your backpack. Whilst there are a wide variety of guns, most are so expensive that you either need to grind for hours or purchase one of the coin packs. When armed, the guns feel pretty good with both a hip-fire option and a more accurate scoped setting. The melee weapons offer a satisfying crunch when smashing skulls. The combination of guns, bats, and explosives makes for a fun game loop that is simplistic but satisfying.

The map grows as you unlock new bases and there are dozens of quests to keep you busy for many hours. The boss battles are a great addition and the inclusion of a Donald Trump-style boss is a nice touch. However, as the game progresses, the boss battles are increasingly difficult, and feels like the game is urging you to buy bigger weapons for real-world money.

The menu system is extensive if a little cumbersome requiring you to use multiple buttons to navigate the different sections. After a while, this can even become frustrating.

The polygon graphics look great and their simplicity means that game runs smoothly without any frame rate drops in the heat of the action. The zombie models are often repeated but the stylist look doesn’t deter from a solid first-person shooter. Sound effects are good from the moaning zombies to the reloading rifles, but it’s the voice acting that lets it down. The poorly acted cut scenes are so bad, they are almost good ad you will find yourself laughing at their wooden nature.

Overall, The Walking Zombie 2 offers players a fun-filled romp through the zombie apocalypse with simplistic yet addictive gameplay, a multitude of quests to complete, and an array of zany boss battles. The RPG elements are surprisingly deep and there is a lot to grind for. However, the cumbersome menu system prompts to buy more coins or review the game are frustrating and should have been removed during the porting process. If you can look past its mobile heritage, there is a simple and addictive zombie shooter that’s easy to pick up and play when you have pockets of Xbox time.

The post Review: The Walking Zombie 2 | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Whisked away into the paintings, you are tasked with solving the myriad puzzles and opening up different parts of this amazing world. But is Summertime Madness a sun-soaked holiday worth taking or a twisted spiral into madness? Here are my first impressions of Summertime Madness.

Summertime Madness on Xbox

The first thing you will notice is the stunning paint-style visuals. The soft tones and bright colours make the world of Summertime Madness a feast for the eyes. The subtle blurring and paint dab-like textures give the world an ethereal dream-like quality compared to the dark war-torn world you leave behind.

There are multiple game types to try from the main 6-hour timed adventure or a more serene time-free game allowing you to explore the paintings and solve the puzzles at your own pace. I opted for the timed game as it was recommended in the start menu. If you are an advanced puzzle game player, you can opt for the three-hour advanced mode and speed run it.

During my initial playtime, I managed to solve the boat and the lighthouse and thoroughly enjoyed it. The game has a Myst-like quality in that it combines exploration with mechanical puzzles without giving you too many pointers. Should you need help solving the more taxing elements, you can trade 15 minutes with the mystery devil to get a clue on how to solve it. This was very tempting at first but once you are in the mindset of the puzzle maker, it is simply a matter of time and attempts to unlock the unfolding elements of the game. Throughout the course of the game, there is also a variety of items to collect in the form of musical instruments and the bedroom at the top of the tower is amazing if you recognise it.

The soundscape is a relaxing mix of music and soft sounds from blowing wind to musical chimes. The whole experience is serene until it becomes frustrating. Some of the puzzles seem straightforward but every so often a puzzle will move from the challenging column to the frustration column and patience is needed to return to it.

Whilst I am only two hours into the game, the six-hour time limit is both stressful, but also reassuring as you know there is an end. Myst was around six hours whereas Rivan, the sequel was over double that which was a little too taxing on my simple brain. The fact that advanced players can finish it in three indicates that it might not overstay its welcome.

Overall, my first impressions of Summertime Madness are positive. Beautiful graphics, relaxing music, and an ethereal ambiance make for an inviting game. The story is thin but helps to set the scene. The trading of clues for time is a nice touch but is sometimes sorely needed due to the odd frustrating puzzle. The more seasoned puzzler could complete this quickly whereas younger players may struggle.

The post First Impressions: Summertime Madness | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

The story behind The Gunk focuses on its two female protagonists, with you playing as a scavenger named Rani who, alongside her partner, Becks discover a near-dead planet ripe for salvage. Upon landing, they discover that it is infested with a slimy goo that’s choking plant life and mutating creatures into little beasts. The plot is simple: clean up the planet and save the world. In this respect, it does bear a slight similarity to the Steamworld games. However, it’s the relationship between Rani and Becks that keeps you interested, as they start the game in a state of desperation and argue more and more throughout the narrative.

The main mechanic of the game involves sucking up the nefarious black goo that is strangling the life from the planet’s ecosystem. Once an area is clear of gunk, it bursts back into life sprouting new flora and fauna right before your eyes, which is very cool and never gets old. The regenerated scenery is both lush and stunning and really encapsulates an alien planet. In some ways, it reminds me of Ōkami which isn’t a bad thing. However, young Rani isn’t just on clean-up duty. Throughout the game are various puzzles, some of which do require you to stop and think for a minute which is a refreshing change from similar games that hold your hand throughout.

The Gunk is cleaned up using Rani’s Bionic arm and power glove. Throughout the game, she is able to use scavenged resources you collect to craft and upgrade her glove. Being able to make your glove shoot laser works well in the puzzles and boss battles but for the more common enemy type, you are better off simply sucking them up and throwing them at other enemies. The crafting side of the game is a nice touch, but I would have liked to see more functions enabling you to access additional secret areas.

The combat is hard to get used to at first as it involves sucking up the enemy, then moving and retargeting, before firing at an on-coming baddie. Younger gamers may find this a little frustrating at first. To be honest, this game would be fantastic for younger gamers around 8+ if it wasn’t for the random swear word used in the dialogue. They have only been used a handful of times and could have easily been dropped in favour of a wider appeal.

Visually, the game is absolutely stunning on the Xbox Series X, with a more realistic style than the previous SteamWorld series and the characters are nicely animated and have their own charm. Lip synced dialogue would have been nice, but it doesn’t detract from the overall experience.

The Gunk is built by a fantastic team and is inspired by some great titles from Luigi’s Mansion to the more recent Kena: Bridge of Spirits. The graphics are fabulous and the dialogue adds depth to the protagonists. At £20/$25, it sits in the mid-range of games but if you have Game Pass you can play it for free right now. The game is fun and is not too challenging but would have suited a younger player if the bad language was removed. Overall, both I and my kids enjoyed the game and worked through the story over the course of a couple of weeks. The game doesn’t bring anything new to the table but sometimes a comfort game is just what you need.

The post Review: The Gunk | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Video games also enjoy the benefit of giving players a chance at meeting death, fighting death, or even taking up the mantle of death itself.

To celebrate the unusual relationship that gamers have with the grim reaper (in all his forms), we run down 13 games with Death as a key character.

Grim Reaper Games

Manual Samuel – The Kickflipping Death

This amusing indie game sees selfish Sam die and get sent to hell. Sam then makes a deal with the skateboarding obsessed Death to come back to life if he can survive 24 hours controlling all his bodily functions manually. This hilarious mechanic and the completely oddball story makes for a fun game in which you start by learning to breathe manually and eventually end up thrown in jail with Death, accidentally killing 300 orphans, possess a demon, and take on Satan himself. When Death finally lands his first Kick Flip, Satan is super jealous.

Flipping Death – The Replacement Death

In Flipping Death, you play Penny, a recently deceased woman who meets Death, only to be given his job whilst Death goes on Holiday. Penny soon learns she can help the variety of restless spirits with their unfinished business by jumping between the land of the dead and the land of the living. By possessing the colourful characters you can help them but also uncover why you died in the first place.

Grim Fandango – The Travel Agent

Grim Fandango takes place in the Land of the Dead (the Eighth Underworld), where recently departed souls aim to make their way to the Land of Eternal Rest (the Ninth Underworld). However, the more good deeds you do when alive give you currency in the afterlife for travel arrangements. Good people can take the fast train, whilst the bad must walk the four-year trip. In this game, you meet one Death at the department of Death, who acts as a travel agent whose job is to escort your soul to the next life.

Death & Taxes – The Office Death

In Death & Taxes, you play Death stuck doing the worst job in the world. You are stuck behind a desk and you must choose the fate of the various people/files that pass through your department. You are given a short description of each and you choose whether they live or die. With each choice, you find out how they impacted the future and link to the outcome in the end. This might be the proverbial graveyard shift, but the story is both funny and engaging and make all the paperwork worthwhile.

Darksiders 2 – The Warrior Death

Death is the eldest and most powerful of the four horsemen. Having fought alongside the Angels to kill all but four of his own kind, Death is cold, determined, and intense. However, he is deeply loyal and cares greatly for his remaining family as shown when he gives up his life for his brother war.

Coffin Dodgers – The Speedy Grim Reaper

When the residents of Sunny Pines settled down for their retirement, they didn’t realise that they would need to challenge the Grim Reaper to a mobility scooter racing championship for their very souls. If they can prove themselves to be fast and full of life, surviving and ultimately winning the championship, then he will allow them to live. However, too slow and they will be condemned to the retirement village in the sky.

Kingdom Hearts 2 – The Cursed Death

The Grim Reaper in Kingdom Hearts II is one of the bosses at Port Royal. When the player meets Jack Sparrow they learn that the Aztec Gold had been disturbed again and the curse has returned. By exploiting the curse, the Grim Reaper can become undead and invulnerable to attack making him a tricky boss to beat. This more colourful version of Death replaces his long black cloak for a more Aztec-inspired suit of armour.

Scribblenauts – The Deity Death

Death is the most dangerous NPC in Scribblenauts, capable of killing any living creature with a single touch. With 250 health points, he is too tricky to kill (even with a bazooka) and is best off avoided. If you can’t avoid him, try to blind him to avoid his deathly touch.

Death Jr – The Teenage Grim Reaper

In Death Jr, you play Death’s teenage son Death Jr or DJ for short. On a school trip to a museum, DJ opens a magical box to impress his friend Pandora only for all hell to break loose (literally). DJ and his crazy bunch of Tim Burton-esqe friends must save the day whilst keeping the truth from Death himself.

Dante’s inferno – The Robbed Death

Death is the first boss fight in Dante’s Inferno after Dante is pulled from the land of the living after being killed by an assassin in the land of the living. Dante refuses to go to Hell and battles the Grim Reaper, before finally taking his scythe, the weapon he will wield for his journey through Hell.

The Sims – The Working Death

Just before your Sim dies, The Grim Reaper appears to take them to the netherworld. However, Death can be an interactive experience in the Sims as you can use this time to chat to him about poetry and politics, scream and shout at him and even flirt and marry him but he doesn’t stick around long and disappears in a poof of smoke.

Deaths Door – The Sub-Contracted Death

In Deaths Door you play a crow who works for the Reaping Commission. An agency that now collects the souls of the living. The Agency is run by the Lord of Doors who made an arrangement with Death to collect souls on his behalf. Once the arrangement was in place, the now immortal Lord of Doors imprisoned Death and it’s up to you to tear down the new bureaucracy.

Conkers Bad Fur Day – The Tiny Grim Reaper

Gregg the Grim Reaper is a particularly short reaper who begrudgingly assists Conker in Conker’s Bad Fur Day and Conker: Live and Reloaded. He is mostly known for his humorous hatred of cats and the undead and tries to use a megaphone to sound scarier.

Five honorable mentions:

• Castlevania
• Ghouls & Ghosts
• Twisted Metal
• Discworld
• MediEval

The post 13 Video Games Featuring The Grim Reaper / Death appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Most of these delays were games that were in the middle of development and were disrupted by the pandemic. But what was terrible news for gamers in 2021 is now good news in 2022. The game lineup in 2022 is looking very stacked.

In this article, we’re going to look at the top video games that are released this year. There are a lot of games to look forward to this year, so let’s dive right into it!

Pokemon Legends: Arceus 

• Release Date: January 28
• Platform: Switch
• Developer: Game Freak

The first big release of the year is the Switch exclusive, Pokemon Legends: Arceus. This new Pokemon game takes the beloved franchise in a whole new direction while still preserving that familiar Pokemon gameplay.

Arceus takes place in a semi-open world, the first in the series. It shakes the traditional way you encounter and battle Pokemon in the overworld.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

• Release Date: February 4
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Switch, PC
• Developer: Techland

It has been seven years since the first Dying Light game release, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the sequel. Finally, the wait is over. 

Dying Light 2: Stay Human brings players to a new region in this zombie-infested world. The open-world parkour playground is four times bigger than the first game. 

Techland has made the combat and mobility of Stay Human as fluid and responsive as possible.

Sifu

• Release Date: February 8
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
• Developers: Sloclap

Sifu is made by the developers of Absolver, the combat-focused martial arts RPG that was released in 2017. Just like Absolver, Sifu features very fluid and impactful martial-arts gameplay. 

Sifu features a unique death mechanic where the player will age older whenever they die. This can be seen as a metaphor for the correlation between wisdom, experience, and age. However, if you die too much in the game, it will eventually result in a game over.

Total War: Warhammer 3

• Release Date: February 17
• Platform: PC 
• Developer: Creative Assembly

The acclaimed real-time strategy game series by Sega returns in 2022. Total War Warhammer 3 features new playable factions, game mechanics, and more. The third installment of the Total War Warhammer series features the largest cast of new legendary heroes, large flying creatures, gargantuan monsters, and magical spells. Total War: Warhammer 3 is the last entry of the trilogy, and wants to finish the series with a bang.

Mortal Empire, the huge and incredible game mode that includes every faction and map from the previous two games, is also making a comeback in Warhammer 3.

Horizon Forbidden West

• Release Date: February 18
• Platforms: PS4, PS5
• Developer: Guerilla Games

Another huge Playstation exclusive is releasing this year. Horizon Forbidden West continues Aloy’s journey from Horizon Zero Dawn. Aloy continues her investigation of the mysterious Red Blight that is threatening all life on Earth. The graphics are even prettier, taking gaming visuals to the next level. Horizon Forbidden West is one of the most anticipated games coming out this year. Horizon Forbidden West is coming out very soon, on February 18.

Elden Ring

• Release Date: February 25
• Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Developer: FromSoftware

FromSoftware, the minds behind the Dark Souls series, started the unstoppable hype train during E3 2019 when they revealed their newest game, Elden Ring. Elden Ring is, without a doubt, the most anticipated video game release in 2022. Elden Ring is a third-person RPG that features the familiar Souls gameplay and difficulty. FromSoftware collaborated with the legendary George R.R. Martin, author of A Song of Ice and Fire, for the narrative of Elden Ring.

From what we could tell from the hands-on previews and network test, Elden Ring might be able to live up to the immense hype surrounding it. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait long to experience the game. It comes out on February 25.

Starfield

• Release: November 11
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Developer: Bethesda

Starfield is a brand new IP from Bethesda, the widely Fallout and Elder Scrolls series creator. Starfield has been dubbed “Skyrim in Space.” This may be a simplistic way of describing it, but you can expect Starfield to be as huge if not bigger than Skyrim and Fallout 4 in terms of content. 

The game is set 300 years in the future, following a war between two factions. Bethesda stated that you’d be playing as a humble space explorer looking for adventure in the galaxies. Starfield is coming out on November 11 only on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass. 

Ghostwire: Tokyo

• Release Date: March 25 
• Platforms: PC, PS5
• Developer: Tango Gameworks

Ghostwire: Tokyo is the newest spooky game from the legendary Shinji Mikami and Tango Gameworks, the minds behind The Evil Within. 

It is a first-person paranormal game set in, you guessed it, Tokyo. 99% of Tokyo’s population has mysteriously disappeared into thin air, and it’s up to you to find out what’s happening. 

Despite Tango Gameworks specializing in horror games, they stated the Ghostwire isn’t exactly your traditional horror game but rather an action-adventure that features plenty of spooky and mysterious elements. The game comes out on March 25 only on PS5 and PC.   

God of War: Ragnarok

• Release Date: TBC
• Platforms: PS4, PS5
• Developers: Sony Santa Monica Studios

God of War: Ragnarok is the sequel to the award-winning God of War, one of PlayStation 4’s best games in recent years. 

In Ragnarok, the stakes are getting even higher. The world may be ending, but Kratos is looking for the Norse God of War, while Thor is hunting him. God of War: Ragnarok is God of War’s second and last entry set in Norse Mythology. We still don’t know when the exact release date is, but we do know it’s coming this year in 2022. 

Conclusion

That concludes our top video game releases in 2022. There are still plenty of amazing games releasing this year, from large studios to small indie devs. These are just our top picks for the year. Is your most anticipated game for 2022 on this list? Leave a comment down below.

The post Top Video Game Releases in 2022 appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

It was the graphic novel-style visuals that drew me to Alders Blood. The visuals are grim with long gaunt-looking hero’s who look long past their best. Players start the game as a single hunter hot of the trail of the source of all the evil. Through this initial mission, players learn the basic mechanics of moving, fighting, and hiding. As the tutorial mission comes to an eye, the hunter’s mind is touched by something ethereal showing him horrors so terrifying he is blinded and left as a jibbering mess and the main reason for the ensuing narrative.

The new posse starts the main game on a mission to retrieve the first Hunter and is entangled in a mystery that spans the map.

What impressed me when playing Alders Blood was the sheer amount of systems at play. On the battlefield, there is the standard affair of turn-based mechanics but they have added new ones such as wind direction that alerts enemies to your smell.

Similarly, when you camp for the night, the different team members can be given different jobs from foraging the area to resting. Players can craft items, trade with local traders and so much more. The mass of options can be somewhat overwhelming to start with. The four different difficulty levels do help to simplify it a little but for those who love detail in their turn-based strategies, Alders Blood has it in droves. My only word of warning is it’s difficult. The wind direction might be a cool feature but it’s also an unpredictable enemy that can cause you to lose a round.

Similarly, as the world is engulfed in darkness, the people (including your trusted hunters) are prone to corruption and can turn on you just as you start making progress.

The graphics are all in 2D and there are plenty of animations for the various characters. The cut scenes use little to no animation and are more akin to reading a graphic novel, using more static panels instead of fully animated cartoons.

The sound is as eerie as the visuals, with a muted soundscape, shrill monsters screeches, and deep grunts. The voice acting is sporadic but well-acted.

Overall, during my four-hour playtime, I was pleasantly surprised at the sheer depth of the game, whilst being darkened by the miserable bleakness of the world they have created. I can see myself losing many more hours exploring this fascinating world but also getting frustrated at the swaying difficulty levels. For fans of turn-based strategies and dark graphic novels, you will find your happy place within the desolate world of Alders Blood but if you prefer you turn-based strategies a little easier (and with a bit more positive energy) then perhaps Phoenix Point might be more your cup of tea.

The post First Impressions: Alders Blood – Definitive Edition appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

One of the most common misconceptions in the game developer community is that if your game is good enough, word-of-mouth will be generated on its own and the game will be successful on its own merit.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Marketing is its own aspect of game development, just like the art, storytelling and programming. Untold numbers of indie games no less full of potential than yours have languished in obscurity, never to see the light of day because the devs neglected marketing their own projects. Don’t make the same mistake they made.

Marketing your indie game requires smart, informed decision-making and a lot of things going right all at once. It takes months or even years of consistent effort for it to fully pay off.

Getting content creators like YouTubers and Twitch streamers to play your game is the most guaranteed way to put your indie game in front of your target audience – the kinds of gamers who are most likely to buy and enjoy your game.

We’ll go over the basic elements of a pitch, offer some insight into how gaming YouTubers think, and offer creative ways to get their attention and get them to review your game.

How Much Do Gaming YouTubers Make?

Making a YouTube channel is completely free, and unlike Twitch, YouTubers are not paid by the number of subscribers they have. That means the view count of their videos is the only direct stream of revenue YouTubers get from their channel through the platform itself.

YouTube gives content creators an income stream via ad revenue. YouTubers can make money off of those advertisements. The more people view the ads, the more money the YouTubers make. Views can be calculated differently, and can be affected by factors like the age group of the people watching the video and the video’s genre or subject matter.

Several sources estimate a gaming channel with a moderate following and reasonably engaged audience can make $0.50 per 1,000 views. It’s important to remember though that Youtube ad CPM is not directly attributable like it is in social media or PPC advertising, and that figure is only an estimate. Every YouTuber’s income can vary significantly depending on their audience and reach.

Ad revenue is by no means the only way to monetize a channel either. Many popular gaming YouTubers like JonTron and Angry Video Game Nerd will feature sponsored promotions directly in the content itself, where they’ll endorse products, services or other games. Many gaming YouTubers will promote mobile games like Raid Shadow Legends, or VPN services like ExpressVPN.

Many content creators on YouTube use grassroots fundraising platforms like Patreon to turn their channels into a revenue stream. Popular YouTubers like MandaloreGaming offer their Patreon backers exclusive rewards like access to cut content, submitting AMA questions, or having their names featured in the end credits of every video.

Making a sustainable living as a content creator on the platform is difficult, but by no means impossible. The most popular gaming YouTubers like PewDiePie and Markiplier are among the 10 highest-paid YouTubers of all time and have made millions of dollars off of their content.

The Elements of a Good Pitch

The pitch is the most important part of your game’s promotion. This is effectively the thing that will sell your game. This is your opportunity to get YouTubers and content creators interested in your game, persuade them to try it themselves, and recommend it to a potential audience of millions of gamers. 

Here are some of the most important factors to include in your game’s pitch:

1. Researching Your Lead

The first important part of an effective pitch is finding the right contact to pitch to. You’re not going to get very far if you just reach out to any random YouTuber with just a few hundred subscribers or AAA YouTubers with millions of fans to whom you’re beneath their notice.

Targeting is key here. Before you start sending out emails to anyone, you need to have a very clear idea of who your game appeals to, and what kinds of content creators are likely to resonate with it. That means identifying the YouTubers who are most likely to play your game, enjoy it, and feature it on their channel.

A good way to do this is:

• Think of 5 games that are most similar to yours
• Find 10 YouTubers that prominently feature at least one of those 5 games on their channel, until you have a test list of 50 YouTubers
• Find each YouTuber’s preferred name, business email, and social media handles
• Take notes on each one. Did they have a channel anniversary lately? Or have a video that recently went viral? Does their channel focus on games in a particular genre or niche? What makes their channel unique and different from others in their space?

2. Personalizing the Pitch

At this point you should have a small list of YouTubers to contact, just to start with. Now you need to make it specific to them.

YouTubers are usually very busy people, and get hundreds of pitches a week from game developers just like you. They get inundated with garbage pitches that are made from the same template they send to hundreds of other YouTubers. That means they won’t even give you the time of day unless you can prove that you’re an actual human, rather than a bot or a logo. You need to include details in your outreach email that make it clear you know who they are and what they do.

Try leading with humor. Try relating to the other games they care about and how they relate to yours, in a way that’s more specific than “you like [insert genre here]!” Take some time to browse their channel and get a sense of their style, their brand of humor, their in-jokes and running gags, and what kinds of running themes tie their videos together.

3. Refining Your Benefit Statement

A benefit statement, also known as a Unique Selling Point (USP), is a term encompassing what makes your game unique, special, or fun. It’s a 1-3 sentence summary of what kind of identity your game has, who your game is for, and what your game offers that other games in your niche don’t.

Spend some time really considering this. How you can you summarize your game’s core experience in as few words as possible? Generally speaking, the fewer words it takes to convey an important message the better.

4. Share the Basic Information

The benefit statement is what gets the YouTuber interested. What follows is your game’s other defining features and aesthetic qualities after they say “ok I’m listening, tell me more.”

This includes more detail about your game’s core gameplay loop, its visual style, the narrative in its story.

Don’t inundate your contact with details. Instead, front-load the most important information. Summarize them into one-sentence bullet points.

5. Include Visuals

Games are a multimedia art form, and they’re largely visual. People process visual information approximately 60,000x faster than text.

Again, don’t overload the YouTuber with information, but embedding a GIF or including a link to a gameplay trailer is very useful to include.

In his Slime Rancher post-mortem, Monomi Park CEO Nick Popovich breaks down the aspects of their game’s marketing and puts forward the concept of “time-to-grok,” a reference to the popular sci-fi novel Stranger in a Strange Land. Your GIFs, videos, and other social media content should quickly and effectively encompass your game’s core gameplay loop in a way that’s easy to understand and quickly internalize.

People have short attention spans. YouTubers’ are even shorter. Show them something that demonstrates how your game feels to play and save them time.

5 Creative Ways to Get YouTubers to Play Your Game

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s into the fun stuff.

YouTubers have packed schedules and hundreds of responsibilities to take care of. Many of them have dayjobs to support their channels and other passion projects. They hear from gamedevs like you all the time and just don’t have the time, patience, or energy to respond to them all.

Indie games are a hyper-competitive space. This industry is already oversaturated with games and sees tens of thousands of new releases any ear. If you want to get the attention of YouTubers and convince them to play their game in front of their audience, you need to go the extra mile and get a little creative.

1. Focus on Relationship Building

Social media is social.

Before you start executing your influencer marketing campaigns, take some time to sit in front of a mirror and repeat this phrase over and over again to yourself until it clicks. 

Many game developers play around with social media with the mindset the purpose is to directly sell your game. It isn’t. Engaging on social media and just being out for yourself is how you lose. Success on social media isn’t about promoting your game or even posting your own content, but found by creating and leveraging relationships.

YouTubers and gamedevs in particular are uniquely positioned to enable each other’s success. YouTubers can get unique content from you that’s only available on their channel. Gamedevs can get free exposure from the YouTubers. It’s a win-win relationship where you both stand to benefit.

Think of ways you can use your game to make friends with YouTubers or other content creators. For example, you could insert the YouTuber’s lore or memes and references into the game, if technical limitations allow. Other than that, just engage with their tweets and their Instagram posts before reaching out to them with a pitch email. Get their attention and try to be their friend first, rather than just asking them for something before they even know who you are.

2. Cross-Promotion

This ties into relationship building. You’re not likely to get very far if you reach out to a busy YouTuber with a packed schedule and just say “play my game!”

Why should they? What’s in it for them?

When reaching out to a YouTuber, it’s good practice to offer to share the live review on your own social media profiles and your other channels like your newsletter and Discord. You may think you don’t have much to offer them in terms of exposure, but every little bit helps. Content has a funny way of getting around the internet, even if it isn’t viral.

3. Closed-Betas

Influencer-exclusive closed-betas are one of the best ways you can build hype for your indie game.

Remember, YouTubers like feeling special. That’s why they chose to become internet celebrities rather than working a 9-to-5 desk job. Giving them special access to your game before anyone else gets to see it adds curiosity and anticipation for your game’s release.

A closed-beta is an instance of your game that only certain people are allowed to play. This format works particularly well for multiplayer or competitive games, like the kinds that are popular on Twitch streams.

You can invite YouTubers to a special beta of your game that’s only available to content creators. Just imagine the hilarious cross-overs and hijinx that can ensue! People trash-talking each other or forming alliances in high-stakes battles. Stuff like that makes for great entertainment.

Put a media embargo on your game until after the closed-beta is over. Then, once YouTubers and content creators put their reviews and let’s plays out, you can start broadcasting them and take advantage of your time in the spotlight.

4. Free Swag

YouTubers like being the center of attention. You know what else they like? Free stuff!

If you have a budget for merchandise, you can conduct free giveaways of your merch – t-shirts, memorabilia, digital assets like art books, downloadable content – as an incentive to get YouTubers to review your game, or at least play it.

5. Fanart

Gamers are passionate and community-oriented.

Gaming is as much a subculture and a lifestyle as it is a hobby or an industry. Showing off your game’s creativity ignites that passion, plays to the sensibilities of the gaming community, and gives them a reason to pay attention to you.

One way you can offer the YouTubers you contact a little extra something for playing your game is offering to do fanart – representing the influencer’s avatar or online persona in your game’s aesthetic and visual style.

Doing this may be hard to scale and you should be wary of setting limits on how much art you can produce, but this tactic is highly personalized and a good way to make your game stand out

Final Thoughts

Networking with YouTubers and convincing them to play and review your game can be challenging and involves consistent effort and creative thinking. However, it’s also one of the best investments of time and money you can make when it comes to your indie game’s promotion.

To sum up, here are some creative ways you can get YouTubers to play your indie game:

• Focus on relationship building

• Offer cross-promotion

• Invite them to exclusive content and closed betas

• Offer free swag

• Offer fanart

ARTHUR BIO

Jonathan Jennings is a VR game developer is the lead developer at Weird Kid Studios. His current project is a VR arena arcade shooter called Galactic Bar Fight.

The post 5 Creative Ways to Get YouTubers to Play Your Indie Game appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Whereas, in 2020, the number of PC games released solely for the Steam platform surpassed 10,000, thanks in part to indie titles that can easily be published through Valve’s ecosystem. That figure doesn’t include titles that were released exclusively on another marketplace, such as the Epic Games Store or the Rockstar Games Launcher, nor does it include the thousands of browser-based titles that were put online that year.

And since computers have the best backwards compatibility support of any gaming device, there are literally millions of titles for players to choose from, including some that are many decades old.

Solitaire

Solitaire is a popular single-player card game known for its relaxing and strategic gameplay. It has a history dating back to the 18th century, with various versions developed over time.

Solitaire gained widespread recognition when Microsoft included it as part of Windows 3.0 in 1990, becoming a staple pre-installed game that introduced many users to computer gaming.

Now, the game is as popular as ever with several solitaire variations being created such as klondike, pyramid, and spider. Play solitaire online here.

Hearts

The objective of Hearts is to avoid capturing certain penalty cards, primarily hearts and the Queen of Spades, aiming to finish the game with the lowest score.

Hearts has a history dating back to the mid-19th century and has since become a beloved card game known for its strategic depth mixed with a bit of luck. Microsoft included Hearts as a pre-installed game in Windows, providing millions of users with a digital version of the classic card game to enjoy on their computers. Now, Hearts is available on thousands of platforms across the internet and can be enjoyed in a variety of custom settings. Play Hearts online at this website.

Minesweeper

The objective of Minesweeper is to clear a grid without detonating hidden mines by systematically revealing squares and using numeric clues. Players must carefully deduce the locations of mines based on the numbers provided, making it a challenging exercise in logical thinking.

Minesweeper gained its status as a classic PC game due to its inclusion in Windows, and has since only grown in popularity. The puzzle game can be played in several difficulty settings, and features a helpful guide explaining its history in depth and rules. Try Minesweeper now.

Spacewar!

Spacewar! Is the first-ever purpose-made video game. It was built by academics from MIT in 1962 and released on the PDP-1 computer. It’s pretty primitive in comparison to modern titles, but it was revolutionary for the time.

Despite being almost 60 years old, Spacewar! is a relative spring chicken in comparison to some of the older games that can be played on a PC.

Monopoly

Nearly three decades before Spacewar!, Monopoly was created by Lizzie Magie as a tool for teaching the differences between capitalist and socialist economic systems. Most people ignored the economics lesson though and just played using the capitalist rules we know today.

While the board game versions are still incredibly popular, there are also several digital editions, including the 3D multiplayer version Monopoly Plus, which is available on Steam.

Roulette

Roulette is one of the most-played table games in the world. You’ll be hard pushed to find a casino in the world that doesn’t have at least one roulette wheel. The rules can be picked up quickly and different strategies mean you have a very varied playing experience.

Roulette was invented by accident in the mid-17th century by the mathematician Blaise Pascal who had been trying to create a perpetual motion machine. He chose the name roulette because in his native French, it means “little wheel” in french. Today, online casinos offer a range of different versions of Pascal’s original game, including European, French, and American variations, as well as live and multiplayer options.

Chess

Even at more than 400 years old, roulette doesn’t come close to being the oldest game available to play on a computer. Chess isn’t either, but at around 1,500 years old, it’s much closer.

Historians have traced the modern game of chess back to the one played in India during the 5th century. Known as Chaturanga, players were required to move differently valued pieces with the intent of capturing their opponent’s highest-valued one.

Chess and computers also have a long relationship. Through the 1990s and 2000s, IBM used chess to prove the power of its supercomputers by pitting these specialist machines against legendary Grandmasters like Gary Kasparov.

You don’t need to have an impressive FIDE score or own a supercomputer to play chess digitally though. There are several websites that will let you play against a computer or other players, as well as downloadable versions for offline play.

Checkers

Checkers, which is known as draughts in some parts of the world, shares some similarities with chess in that it uses a chequered board with pieces for the players to move. However, it is much simpler than chess as each piece carries the same value and the movement options are much more limited.

Checkers is believed to be around 5,000 years old, making it significantly older than any other games on this list.

Checkers requires far less strategic thinking than chess, so it is much easier to learn and start playing. Like chess, you’ll find plenty of places you can play checkers on a computer, including browser-based versions and downloadable apps that both offer the option to play against a computer or against other people.

The post What is the Oldest Game You Can Play on a PC? appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

So, whether you want to go all-in with a strategically planned heist, enjoy a more novel indie creation, or just try to bust the bank with a little me-time, these are the bank heist games for you.

Grand Theft Auto Online

The base game of Grand Theft Auto V is loaded with exciting heists, so when GTA Online finally launched, fans wanted to team up with their friends to rob a bunch of banks. It took a little while longer for this to come around, but once Online Heists arrived, players piled into the action. Of the story-driven options, the Pacific Standard bank job stands out as the best of the bunch, very much being what you’d think of as a classic heist.

Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine

With retro graphics and top-down gameplay, Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine is all about assembling your crew of unique characters to embark on a series of heists across Monte Carlo. Playable in single or online co-op modes, you need to select from several experts to take on the maze-like arenas. The bank heist mission is certainly the highlight here, with the escape being just as tricky as tactically accumulating the coins.

Perfect Heist

Perfect Heist offers rather compelling heist gameplay despite it leaning into its blocky aesthetics and the naturally comedic outcomes of such a set-up. With one team required to rob Money Bank, and the other playing as the police, you take it in turns, with the thieves attempting to get in unnoticed. However, there’s always the chance for things to get out of hand. The first game was well-liked enough that a Perfect Heist sequel is set for release in late 2021.

Action Bank

Certainly, the most me-time game on this list, the Action Bank slot has you spinning the reels to crack the bank’s vault door and reap the riches held within. Featuring free spins, scatters, multipliers, and wilds, the one to play for is the Big Bank Bonus. Here, gamers play for three different multipliers, with you needing to collect three of the same gem to unlock the vault, with the jackpot being 500x the bet.

Payday 2

You don’t need to look much further than the developers having recently celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the first game’s release to see how popular the Payday games have become – with Payday 2 now being the epitome of bank heist games. Just as an example, typing ‘heist’ into Steam shows Payday 2 as a top-selling game, the first game in fifth, and then most of the rest of the top-15 being Payday 2 DLC. Of these, The Big Bank is the best of the bunch, and it even features Giancarlo Esposito.

If you want to have some fun and rob a bank, consider one of the games above.

The post Bank Heist Games that Really Get the Adrenaline Pumping appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

A Juggler’s Tale is a side-scrolling puzzle platformer in which the protagonist Abby, a simple marionette, must make her way through a medieval fairy tale world to find freedom. The puppet’s strings create a unique mechanic in that you can’t go under the obstacles for fear of getting your strings caught. As such there are a variety of unique puzzles that have you avoiding obstacles and evading the relentless cut-throats and ruffians that are hot on your heels.

Players get to explore a beautiful and grim world, inspired by the tone and mood of traditional fairy tales engaging with a multitude of characters from friendly circus bears to grumpy pin-wielding bakers. The team at Kaleidoscope has done a wonderful job of mixing low poly visuals with their own dark art style with fantastic results.

The soundscape mixes atmospheric effects with poetic narration throughout as the puppeteer weaves an intense tale of hope and empowerment.

The game is short and sweet and will take a seasoned gamer less than two hours to complete. The puzzles are simple enough and the whole game feels like watching a movie as you take Abby from escaped prisoner to ultimate hero.

I truly loved playing this game. Its refreshing game mechanics, engaging story, stunning set pieces, and heartwarming story. It is no wonder that A Juggler’s Tale received multiple awards and could be THE indie game of 2021.

A Jugglers Tale is a beautiful narrative experience with poetic narration throughout. The short story and lack of replayability will put off some, but the game is worth playing and experiencing like you would a new movie. You may only play it once, but it will stay with you for a very long time.

The post Review: A Jugglers Tale | Xbox appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.

Social justice movements like Black Lives Matter have opened the door for more representation of People of Color in American Media, and that has extended to the games industry. People of color have always been pivotal to the ascendance of video games as a global billion-dollar industry and its innovation as an art form. The difference is that now more people are noticing and talking about it.

When games include a broader spectrum of the human experience – when they come from an LGBTQ+ lens, tell stories about disabled people, or are grounded in pre-colonial or non-western mythology – they give more opportunities to innovate and experiment. That allows for new ways to tell meaningful stories, or even just provide fun experiences.

In the end, that amounts to having more and better games for gamers everywhere, and that can only be a good thing. That’s why we must amplify the voices of black gamedevs and other game developers of color.

We’ll shed a little light on some of the early contributions of people of color in the games industry, and give a rundown on some of the cool, fun, and exciting new games made by Gamedevs of Color that you should play and support.

Who Was The Black Game Developer – And Why It Matters

As with most STEM fields, people of color have contributed major advances to the games industry that have largely been lost to history.

Jerry Lawson, the inventor of the Fairchild Channel F, is credited as being the first Black game designer. Lawson created many of the innovations that went on to define the modern games industry, and effectively invented the concept of home gaming.

Lawson’s was the classic entrepreneur success story. Having started repairing TVs in New York City, he went on to join Fairchild Semiconductor in San Francisco. There, he created the classic arcade game Demolition Derby, one of the first microprocessor-powered games.

He developed the Fairchild Channel F in 1976, which introduced the concept of swappable cartridges. This pioneered the idea of building a library of games and introduced the concept of home consoles. The Channel F was the early predecessor for the Atari 2600, the first commercially successful home video game console.

Lawson went on to start his own software company Videosoft, the first Black-owned video game company, which would ultimately prove unsuccessful. Lawson was not well-known in his lifetime and died in relative obscurity. Thankfully, he was honored by the International Game Developer’s Association as an industry pioneer. A joint scholarship fund established by the University of Southern California and 2K Interactive was established in May 2021 in his honor to support black and indigenous students seeking careers in the games industry.

Percentage of Black Game Developers in the Games Industry

Social justice movements and organizing by people of color in STEM have led to more of the early pioneers in the games industry to start getting the recognition they deserve, and that’s a good thing. When we pull the scope back and look at the current state of the industry as a whole, the outlook is less promising.

African Americans represent about 13% of the population of the United States and about 11% of all American gamers. Despite this, only 3% of game developers identify as Black or African-American, compared to white/Caucasian developers who make up 81% of all game developers.

It’s also worth noting that much of the representation of people of color in the games industry is in the indie gaming space and that there are few well-known Black Gamedevs in the AAA industry. There are exceptions of course, like Travis Williams who worked on classics like Vampire: The Masquerade and Ars Magica, and now works as the Head of 3rd Party Production at Oculus VR. Williams has used his position and status in the games industry to push for the representation of people of color in mainstream games.

15 Indie Games by Black Game Developers

So much for everything in this industry we need to change and fix. It’s not all gloom and doom though. There are a LOT of cool games currently in development or recently released made by gamedevs of color. They span every genre and platform, from co-op brawlers to heartfelt visual novels to action-adventure fantasy games. Many of them are offering new and unique ways to tell stories, and our industry is richer for it.

Here are some of the indie games made by Black game devs you should know about.

1. Swimsanity!

Do you remember when you came home after a long, boring day of school, and all you wanted to do was get together on your couch with your friends and play a game? You didn’t learn much, you got teased or pushed around at lunchtime, and your friends probably went through the same crappy stuff. So you’d go to one of your houses, pop open a snack, and play Super Smash Bros. Melee.

That’s the gaming itch that Swimsanity scratches, and it does it nicely. This is an underwater co-op shooter where you team up and use a variety of power-ups and weapons to fight aquatic enemies like giant orca whales and crabs. Think Power Rangers, but underwater.

Swimsanity and the creators Decoy Games have showcased at PAXEast multiple times and have been featured in Bloomberg. It’s available for $14.99 on Steam and Nintendo Switch. Remember also to join the Swimswanity Discord and follow Decoy Games on Twitter.

2. Chrono Ghost

Chrono Ghost is a puzzle-adventure game that features time manipulation mechanics like those seen in indie classics like Braid and lesser-known titles like The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom. The game places you in the role of the Chrono Ghost, who is tasked with using their new powers to prove their worth to the Spirit of Time. With one thumbstick you move the character, and with the other, you stop, slow down, or speed up time.

Chrono Ghost also has the distinction of being featured at the MAGFest Indie Showcase three years in a row. Chrono Ghost is available for $5.99 on Steam, and remember to follow the devs NITETIME Studios on Twitter while you’re at it.

3. Treachery in Beatdown City

Innovation and experimentation are all well and good, but sometimes just taking a genre that people already know is fun and making it even better is enough. Side-scrolling beat ’em up games like Final Fight and Double Dragon defined a generation of arcade gaming and became staples of modern geek culture. Treachery in Beatdown City is here to carry that torch.

Treachery in Beatdown City features a main cast of three fighters to choose from who represent different martial arts disciplines like jeet kune do, capoeira, and MMA, as they punch, kick and bodyslam their way through an urban dystopia to save President Obama from being kidnapped.

Apart from being a fun arcade game inspired by the classics, it’s also a dark comedy game that features social commentary about systemic racism and gentrification. Throwing a trashcan at a Breitbart-reading cop or a Karen jogger is pretty satisfying, and woke. You also get your standard video game villains like ninjas and cyborgs, though.

The game has been featured at PAX Rising in 2018 and 2019 and has even been given an endorsement by No More Heroes creator SUDA51.

Treachery in Beatdown City is available for $19.99 on Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Itch.Io. Don’t forget to follow the game on Twitter too.

4. Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan

What makes Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan special is that it’s rooted in African mythology, rather than the lens of medieval western fantasy that most adventure RPGs are grounded in.

Mechanically Aurion is most similar to side-scrolling action games like Dungeon Fighter Online, and certain RPG elements give it similarities to JRPGs like Golden Sun.

Aurion wears its African roots proudly on its sleeve. The game takes place in an alternate universe where Africa was never colonized. The developers themselves are based in Cameroon and are the first video game studio to come from the African nation.

Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan is available for $14.99 on Steam, and you can follow the developers Kiro’o Games on Twitter.

5. Hair Nah

If you’re a woman of color reading this, then comment below if this has happened to you.

There you are, minding your own business, you’re walking to work or going to a bar to meet up with your friends when some white Karen pops up out of the blue and goes “oh my god, your hair is so exotic/curly/poofy, can I touch it?” After which you have to swat their hand away because your head is not a ****ing chia pet.

This is just one of the hundreds of little microaggressions that most white people never have to think twice about but are part of the daily lived experience of people of color. And that’s what Hair Nah is all about.

Hair Nah became very popular when it was released in 2008 and had 200,000 shares on social media. It follows the story of a globe-trotting woman of color trying to avoid her hair getting touched by oncoming white hands as she travels to Havana, Osaka, and Santa Monica.

This game struck a chord because of how it approaches the exotification of people of color. It was so on-point that during its release it was one of the most talked-about games on the internet, and it was even nominated for a Webby Award. Plus, Hair Nah is free.

Consent is real people. People of color aren’t petting zoos. 

6. Tiny Bird Garden

What with the world in the midst of a global pandemic and a forthcoming climate apocalypse, people are understandably a little stressed out and in need of some me-time and do something fun and relaxing that takes minimal brainpower.

That’s probably why Animal Crossing became everyone’s favorite game in the early days of the pandemic. It’s also why you should probably check out Tiny Bird Garden.

Tiny Bird Garden is a casual simulation game about collecting adorable, colorful little birds. You customize the garden they live in, you talk to and interact with them, you dress them up in little hats.

This is a low-pressure, low-stress game that you can play if you’re going through a tough time and need a dose of the feelgoods. Tiny Bird Garden is available on Steam and Itch.Io for $9.99.

7. BLeBRiTY

This is a game with some A-list talent behind it, as it’s the brainchild of Jesse Williams from Grey’s Anatomy and Detroit: Become Human.

BLeBRiTY is a funny and irreverent party game in the same vein as Cards Against Humanity or Exploding Kittens, only it’s also a celebration of famous people of color and their contributions to culture.

The game offers in-app purchases but is otherwise free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Make sure to follow BLeBRiTY on Twitter too.

8. Black Inventors Match Game

This one is similar to BLeBRiTY in theming, but it’s more of an educational tool for children.

The Black Inventors Match Game is intended to teach children about Black inventors, ranging from the famous ones like George Washington Carver to lesser-known ones whose inventions have changed the world like Lewis Latimer (the inventor of the electric carbon filament that made the lightbulb possible) and Garrett Morgan (the inventor of the three-light traffic light).

The history you learn in schools is often told through a white lens. Games like this help to broaden that historical perspective while also helping children develop their concentration and memorization skills.

The Black Inventors Match Game is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store for $0.99. You can also follow the developers on Twitter.

9. ValiDate

Intimacy and romance are great, but how do you find room for love in your life when your job and your family and society in general are working together to stop you from ever finding it?

That’s what ValiDate is about. It’s a visual novel that explores the lives of 13 adults as they try to navigate their relationships – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s currently in development and is slated for release in June 2022.

A lot of visual novels are mushy brain-popcorn that focus on all the romantic aspects of a relationship. Rarely does a game comes along that examines how hard it is to hold down a relationship when you yourself are already struggling just to survive. Plus the ValiDate memes are pretty on-point.

You can wishlist ValiDate on Steam, support it on Patreon, and follow the game’s development on Twitter.

10. She Dreams Elsewhere

There are few scarier things to think about than waking up from a never-ending coma. That’s what She Dreams Elsewhere is About.

She Dreams Elsewhere is an RPG about Thalia, a woman in a coma who has to fight her own nightmares in her struggle to wake up. The game plays looks like Undertale as seen through the lens of OFF! It uses some pretty evocative imagery and unsettling subject matter, which may be why it was featured at the GDC Indie Megabooth.

She Dreams Elsewhere has a demo available on Steam where you can also wishlist the game. While you’re at it, join the Discord and follow the devs on Twitter as they go to Game Devs of Color Expo.

11. FarRock Dodgeball

FarRock Dodgeball is a classic example of a game made with love.

FarRock Dodgeball, made by developer Keenan Williams of SideB Gaming, is an arcade sports RPG about high-stakes competitive dodgeball, but it’s also about so much more than that. The game is a deeply personal story inspired by Keenan’s formative experiences growing up in FarRockaway, Queens. It’s also a love letter to New York itself, featuring homages to sneakerhead culture and NYC street food.

Plus, the 8-bit hip-hop soundtrack is bumpin’.

FarRock Dodgeball came out last week on September 24th. You can buy or wishlist FarRock Dodgeball on Steam or the Apple Store now. While you’re at it, make sure to follow SideB Gaming on Twitter and Instagram.

12. Before I Forget

Before I Forget takes the same format as a lot of arty walking simulators like That Dragon, Cancer, and What Remains of Edith Finch. And that’s not a bad thing. This game is a great example of how video games can be tools to teach empathy, and experience the world through the eyes of someone outside of your lived experience.

Before I Forget tells the story of a woman living with early-onset dementia, as she collects objects that remind her of her life experiences and piece together her memories. It’s introspective, heartfelt, and just might make you ugly cry. It’s not without good reason that Before I Forget was nominated for a BAFTA award.

You can buy Before I Forget on Steam or Nintendo Switch for $7.99. Be sure to also follow the devs 3-Fold Games on Twitter.

13. Aerial_Knights Never Yield

Not every game has to innovate or experiment or start the next big trend in indie gaming. It’s enough for a game to be about pure, unadulterated fun. That’s what you’re getting with Aeiral_Knights Never Yield.

Aerial_Knights Never Yield is an endless runner-platformer similar to Bit.Trip Runner. It takes place in a futuristic Neo-Tokyo style Detroit where you jump and parkour over obstacles. The whole game is no longer than a feature-length movie and the story takes a backseat to the gameplay, and it’s just as well because the gameplay is pretty fun and is a great way to get a quick dopamine fix. The soundtrack is also pretty great and is like a blend between The World Ends With You and Cowboy Bebop.

Aerial_Knights Never Yield is going for $11.99 on Steam. Please also consider following the dev Aerial_Knight on Twitter and Instagram.

14. Breeze In The Clouds

Have you ever wondered what sort of shenanigans your pets get up to whenever you’re not around? The creators of The Secret Life of Pets did, and so did the developer of Breeze in the Clouds.

Breeze In the Clouds is an isekai story about a pet corgi that gets teleported to a magical realm where he gains the power of airbending (or aerokinesis if you want to get fancy).

The game is a 2D side-scrolling action-platformer that features some really fun, cute, and creative character designs. The soundtrack is also really cool and hip, it’s a blend between jazz, samba, and other “old school cool” music set to a classic beat that makes you think of SNES or Sega Genesis-era games.

It’s currently still in development, but you can and should support the developers by following Breeze in the Clouds on Twitter and Discord. While you’re at it, throw a few bucks their way on Patreon.

15. Sasha Says

The last game on our list is a popcorn game that everyone can enjoy, regardless of whether they consider themselves a gamer or not.

Sasha Says is a mobile game that’s a cross between Bop-It and Simon Says that includes quotes from Women of Color role models and historical figures like Rosa Parks and Serena Williams. It’s kid-friendly, and it’s a good way for toddlers to develop their cognitive functioning and reaction times. Plus, it’s free on the Apple store with in-app purchases.

Final Thoughts

People of color have put so much more of their soul and their passion into the games that we know, love, and enjoy than they get credit for, but that’s slowly but surely starting to change. We can choose to make the gaming community a better place and open the door for more Black gamedevs to tell their stories by supporting their projects and engaging with their content online.

To recap, the awesome indie games by Black gamedevs you need to know about are:

1. Swimsanity!
2. Chrono Ghost
3. Treachery in Beatdown City
4. Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan
5. Hair Nah
6. Tiny Bird Garden
7. BLeBRiTY
8. The Black Inventors Match Game
9. ValiDATE
10. She Dreams Elsewhere
11. FarRock Dodgeball
12. Before I Forget
13. Aerial_Knights Never Yield
14. Breeze in the Clouds
15. Sasha Says

What are the other games by Black gamedevs we should be paying attention to? Are there any important ones we missed? Let us know about them in the comments, and we’ll check them out for the next round!

Arthur Bio

Jonathan Jennings is a VR game developer is the lead developer at Weird Kid Studios. His current project is a VR arena arcade shooter called Galactic Bar Fight.

The post Awesome Indie Games by Black Game Developers You Should Keep An Eye On appeared first on Gaming Debugged | Gaming Site Covering Xbox, Indies, News, Features and Gaming Tech.