The Indie Gamer #15

CLOUDPUNK Corporate conspiracy, hackers and rogue AI. Navigate a cyberpunk metropolis!

Max Rhyms Interview with a

Streamer

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

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ADORE

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CATCH THE HYPE!

An experience of evoking and controlling creatures in real time

New

& Improved!

Nearly 20 More Pages Of Content!

Nintendo

Indie World

2020

What we saw!

The metal, action, fantasy slasher! Why you need to play it right away Plus a hands on review!

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GAMES

08 Captain Bones 12 Mayhem In Single Valley 14 Adore 18 Clunky Hero 20 Sayri: The Beginning 24 Elderborn 28 Nintendo Indie World 2020 32 Encodya 34 Hellpoint 36 Kapia 38 Saint Kotar 42 World Seed 44 Cloudpunk 46 Darkbolt 14

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INTERVIEWS

18

Captain Bones 10 Adore 16 Clunky Hero 20 Max Rhyms 40

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Relaunch

The magazine is back!

I couldn’t stay away. Even with everything else I have going on, I still managed to find the time to interview developers and put this together rather quickly. I’m excited for the magazine to live on with help from Gamestingr and new writers who are as passionate about indie games and developers as I am! Let’s make this awesome and thank you for reading!

Bigger

The magazine has been upgraded! With more writers, that means we can cover more content which meant more pages!

This month we expanded from 32 to 48! Within a few months we hope to expand that number even further until we reach 100 pages!

Thank you for supporting us with your purchase or subscription.

Better

More good news concerning the magazine! Not only is it bigger, it’s getting better! Next month we will be rolling out in a whole new style! We look forward to our next issue and are very proud of this one.

From month to month, you can expect improvements from small to big!

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Writing Credits

Have your next project front and center!

Opportunities to have a full ad page inside!

Editor

If you are interested please send inquiries to Jeffporter@indiegamermag.com

Jeff Porter Writers Jeff Porter Robbie Stevens

Want To See Your Game In Here?

Rhys Boulton Imanka Wijesighe

Want your game to be in our next issue?

Please reach out to as at Jeffporter@indiegamermag.com

Ali Nazar

We can set up an interview or include your game and progress.

We can’t get to every game every month but we love hearing from developers about their projects!

Cover This month’s cover is from Elderborn

All images used within are from Independent developers and belong to their creators.

Platform PC / Steam Genre Open world action/survival RPG Release Date 2020 Developer Saygın Karahan

Article by | Imanka Wijesighe

CAPTAIN BONES Become the pirate you always knew you could be!

Captain Bones is another extraordinary title in the ever-expanding universe of indie games developed by not a studio, but a single person, Saygin Karahan. The game is a really fun and visually pleasing. The developer has taken a much simpler approach graphics wise but the gameplay more than makes up for it. Captain Bones is an open-world survival gaming experience knitted around a story of a pirate whose ultimate goal is to become a captain.

The life of an ambitious pirate who is trying his best to become a captain is unraveled through a colorful and settling cozy little world. A pretty neat Pirates of the Caribbean/ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag like environment is brought to the players in the most minimalistic way possible. The Pirates of the Caribbean vibe is achieved by the soothing music and melodies and the Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag’s

Try to spear fish to cook for food. You don’t want to starve!

atmosphere is brought in by the open-world aspects and elements of the game. In this snug little world, a regular pirate is set on his own expedition to become a captain by getting a boat and recruiting a crew along the way.

Coming to the gameplay experience of this title, you will be exploring new islands, winning the local folks’ hearts, collecting loot and feeding your crew.

A lot of effort and thoughts have been put to the surrounding activities in the environment, especially the oceans and the interactions with it.

Obviously, the ocean or the sea is the very first thing that comes to the mind when thinking about a pirate. There are plenty of things to interact within the ocean and the beaches, and Captain Bones will surely keep us entertained and busy for hours when it releases on Steam.

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Captain Bones takes place in the atmosphere of charming pirate islands, all hand-crafted.

You can chop down trees to gather resources required to build rafts and boats for your exploration needs and you can also loot or kill fish for food.

However, the seas swarms with sharks and other enemies who are willing to take you out so, it is always smart to keep an eye out for dangers at all times. You can also fight these enemies, which you will a lot; especially the sharks. And the reason why you will be in danger a lot throughout the game is that you have been cursed which makes difficult times attract you often.

Captain Bones surely is a fun little game and the gameplay looks pretty relaxing and a great way to kill some time. The game is still currently in active development and is expected to release soon. However, the early access of the game is currently available on Steam. The developer has been introducing many new gameplay

Captain your own ship and crew! Become the pirate captain you set out to be.

Create rafts, and work up to building ships!

Collect resources to craft these.

mechanics and features to the game, like jumping between buildings, stealth mechanics and other game updates, so it is safe to assume that there will be a lot of really cool features when the final version of the game is released somewhere this year.

Engage in sword battles along the islands you travel. Be careful though.

INTERVIEW SAYGIN KARAHAN Q: Can you tell us about the battle mechanics and who you will encounter in the world?

Q: Can you tell us a bit about crafting and how players can eventually get their own ship?

Q: What was your biggest hurdle in development and how did you overcome it?

A: This game isn't a battle cored game. I'm trying to get a balance of ďŹ ght and stealthiness. Like the real world, the player should avoid lots of risks when trying to solve puzzles and being a great pirate.

A: Crafting is one of the main mechanics of the game. You could craft from scratch to making a basic raft. But, the player should buy or steal ships from NPCs. There will be some variations of ships according to sizes.

A: This is a very good question because I didn't ask myself this question for years. I think the hardest part is time planning and keeping mental health well. Time planning is hard because I never had to do that. My bosses used to ask to do what I should develop but now, I have to plan myself. Also, keeping mental health is hard because working alone for years is craziness. Maybe, I'm already crazy.

Q: How big is the world of Captain Bones and how many islands can you explore?

A: For now, I'm still adding new islands. It will be around 20 islands in the end but it will contain 5 islands for early access.

Q: Is there a progression system that players will follow?

A: There will be a progression system in a dierent way but it is secret for now.

Q: What does it mean to you to be an independent developer?

A: It's freedom! I mean, working in a company sounds like selling your lifetime and imagination for money. Now, I feel more control in my life and time. Also, working as an independent developer, you can make any games when and what you want.

Q: What were your inspirations behind Captain Bones?

A: I always loved to play action-adventure games like "Monkey Island" games. Also, I am a big fan of Assassins Creed Black Flag. So, I decided to make a hybrid game between them.

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Platform PC / Steam Genre Top-down action adventure Release Date 2020 Developer Fluxscopic Ltd.

Article by Rhys

Boulton

This is a warning, if you’re scared of animals turned the page. Right, still here? Let’s continue.

Developed by the same people behind You Are Not a Banana: Better Edition which everyone should play just for its name.

Fluxscopic is the developer behind Mayhem in Single Valley and it’s going to be like the title suggests; Mayhem in a Single Valley. It's published by tinyBuild, meaning that there must be something special here as they’ve published some great games like Mr Shifty, Hello Neighbour and the amazing Graveyard Keeper.

You play as the one and only troublemaker of the valley, Jack. As you set off on your journey to leave home. After his goodbyes to his family, he sets out on his journey.

The plan is to live a new life in the big city, but as the old saying goes “what goes around, comes around”.

As Mayhem strikes the Valley on

the day, he leaves home.

Toxic sludge has gotten into the water supply and made the dead rise and animals go mad. Through your journey as Jack, you discover things that weren’t meant to be discovered by any human being...

The Single Valley wasn’t normal, even before the Mayhem. As the town is struck by what we would think of as abnormalities but hear it would be classed as normal. An example of this, would be you are one in a million likely to be hit by lightning in your life but in the Single Valley it’s more like one in fifty. I can imagine the News channel is very different there and actually entertaining. So, imagine the paranoia within Single Valley when anything bad is 11 times more likely to happen. Let that sink in for when you meet the townsfolk.

This is Fluxscopics second game and they have come a massive way since their first game You Are Not a Banana. I think this shows mostly in the art style they’ve used. It’s still pixel art which a lot of indie games are using these days. It’s the realistic pixel art style that makes it stand out from others as making pixel art look realistic is no easy feat. It still manages to keep true to its Retro roots with some animations and gameplay elements.

It’s outstanding how they balance the Retro and Modern style together to make this happen.

The Retro style is at the core of this game, like the Cassette player that the main character, Jack, uses through the game. This is not just in the background; it’s used as an actual mechanic in the game. As you can use the Cassette to pick and choose what music you want to listen to through your travels. Let’s all hope there’s a relaxing track on

one of the cassettes to help us through a tough puzzle or a massive bear. No, you didn’t misread, there are big bears in this game. It's too late to change the page now sorry you’ve come too far.

The gameplay of Mayhem in Single Valley is a mixed bag of goods with action-packed combat while you’ll have to tackle enemies from Zombie-like humans to monsters like squirrels. Yeah, you read that right squirrels, you won’t think they’re cute after this. There are so many rewarding puzzles to solve throughout the game that will keep you intrigued. This is due to so much detail put into every game mechanic from the throwing to combining different objects to make new ones. That’s just scratching the surface and they all affect how you solve different puzzles. Fluxscopic has put a lot of detail into these mechanics to keep everything fresh and it really

shows.

I’m not spoiling anything but there’s also going to be an Easter egg or two. With the detail they’ve put into the game, there’s no telling what hidden secrets are within the game.

Mayhem in a Single Valley seems to combine Retro and modern in a great way and this is greatly shown within the gameplay. As it takes a Retro art style and combines it with complex puzzle systems. With all the different NPC having weaknesses and their own desires.

Giving you the opportunity to find inventive ways to solve the puzzles.

The top-down adds a lot to the adventure aspects of the game. As you’ve always got a full view of everything around you. This gives you the 360 view around you, making it better to see all the detail in the arrangement at all times. It

also makes you explore more, as it always keeps you thinking, what’s going to be over there...

This game stands out from a lot of indie games which is probably how a large indie publisher found this game. Though it is easy to see why it got picked due to the story, what's simple to begin with and goes through twists and turns. It has an amazing balance between modern and Retro and that could bring in a huge fan base. From its Retro art style to modern puzzles, this game shows how both can come together to be part of a great game.

The Mayhem awaits!

Adore

Platform PC / Steam Genre Roguelite RPG Release Date Feb. 18 2020 Developer Cadabra Games Article by Rhys

Boulton

Have you ever wanted to be a Monster tamer, but can’t even tame your dog? If that sounds like you, this is definitely the game for you. As Cadabra has done this in Adore. As you summon beasts which aids you on your journey. This is actually Cadabra’s first game they've developed and published and for a first game, it looks fantastic and looks more like a 7th game!

It should be mentioned that it's currently in Early Access meaning that it's going to be updated regularly through the coming months. Also, when it's in Early Access it's cheaper to buy than when it's fully released as the price will rise.

In a world where God is losing powers and monsters roam the world. The God of Creatures has been weakened and are looking to mortals for help. A curse has spread through the land and has taken over all creatures and

there's a theory that there's someone or maybe, something, trying to murder the God of Creatures.

The God of Creatures, Draknar, is losing his power. As a last chance to save his creatures and himself, he consults a young apprentice to help find what is

“A CURSE IS SPREADING AND TAKING CONTROL OF ALL HIS CREATURES” going on in the Realm of Gaterdrik. As you follow the apprentice, Lukha, you will discover mystery and secrets and maybe even find out what is happening to the creatures in Gaterdrik.

The graphics of Adore are great with all 3D areas looking

different in their own way. All areas have a great cartoon look to them. There is a lot of detail put into the graphics. It's all a randomly generated game meaning that there must be a lot of detail within the game to make that run smoothly and to keep it fresh. The developers at Cadabra Games believe that the art behind a game is a massive part of a game, meaning that we are in for some amazing artwork in Adore.

The randomly generated system adds a lot to the replay-ability value of the game. As nearly all playthroughs will have something different and unique to them. It also makes you always play on your guard as you can never get used to the layout of the game. This makes the game easy to learn but hard to master as you can easily learn the basics of the game to get used to one map and then

Your creature can earn synergies with other types of creatures. This means that it will activate a bonus or even change an ability when you are in control of that required type.

everything could change leaving you at square one. You are going to have to master combo skills to become a Monster Master.

Adore has a lot of different gameplay mechanics that makes it work, all are important. One does stand out though, the monster control mechanic. As it has a lot of depth to it, you are able to customise your play by summoning different creatures and controlling them to suit your style of playing the game.

Each monster has their own strengths, weaknesses and abilities. To become a true master though, you might want to look into learning multiple styles to be truly ready for anything in the world of Gaterdrik by mixing up the monsters you use together, to

You have to be very careful when invoking creatures. Since Lukha has a strong bond with them, if they die, your character take some damage. They are as precious as your life.

create your own style and adapt to certain situations.

As the game is in early access, it is cheaper to buy today and will go up in price in the future as mentioned but what's in store in the future for this game makes you buy it now. The future updates are going to include more creatures you can tame, meaning new combos to use to defeat the enemies. There’s going to be more boss fights, every game needs a good boss fight! A few more things you are going to be able to do in the future are capture a boss and use as your own monster, more maps to test your skills and a new game plus for the gamer who likes a bit of a challenge.

Adore focuses a lot on the combat system and shows that in the gameplay. Although that is true, that's not the only focus Cadabra Games has in this game. There is a massive focus on the story and the art to make it a great experience while playing the game. It already has replay-ability features but with being in early access, there’s going to be a lot more to come.

It's a big one to keep an eye on and become a great monster tamer.

Adore Interview

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WE WERE JUST PASSIONATE ABOUT GAMES, BUT LITERALLY STARTING FROM SCRATCH.

INTERVIEW Cadabra Games With

Q: Can you tell us about the beautiful art style and what it was like creating the monsters?

A: The Game Art goes beyond visuals and emotions. We believe that art not only helps with the immersion but plays an important role in great game feel.

Q: Can players see the monster's abilities before capturing monster's or will it be a surprise?

A: No, it's part of the risk/reward and it is to force players to adapt.

All creatures are randomly generated for each run. Each one can come with unique Synergies that may require you to hunt another type to activate the synergy.

Q: How will players capture the monsters? Is there an ability or item they use?

A: The main character, Lukha, who is an apprentice Adorer, has the ability to capture and evoke the creatures of Gaterdrik using the Essences, which are fundamental energies that are needed in this process of purifying and capturing the creatures.

Q: Can you tell us more about the synergy system and how it works?

A: The Synergys system is designed as a way to deepen the player's experience of combining diverse creatures in a way that enhances their abilities. Basically your creatures can gain synergies with other creature types. This means that it will activate a bonus or even change an ability when

you are in control of that required type.

Q: What were your inspirations behind 'Adore'?

A: The idea behind Adore was to create a game in which you had an experience of evoking and controlling creatures in real-time that was simple to learn but difficult to master. I can mention, for example, the mechanics of Dota heroes who control multiple creatures and Starcraft, but these games are hard to play. Another reference is Dark Souls for its combat mechanics.

Q: What was your biggest hurdle in development and how did you overcome it?

A: Certainly the team's lack of previous experience in game development. No one on the team had worked, nor studied game development before Adore. We were just passionate about games, but literally starting from scratch.

The way we found to overcome this difficulty was through the community, mainly through the platform we used in the development, but also interacting with other Brazilian and foreign studios that we came met during these years.

Q: What does it mean to you to be an independent developer?

A: It is to be always trying to find a common denominator between having an almost infinite freedom for the creation and lacking human and financial resources to do so.

Platform PC / Steam Genre Metroidvania style Platformer Release Date TBD Developer Nicola Piovesan

CLUNKY HERO Grab your broom!

We’ve seen robots with fishbowl heads as heroes.

We've seen Shovel knights as heroes and even seen cups as heroes, but we never seen a hero with a bucket on his head. Clunky Hero by Nicola Piovesan makes this possible, as this is a game focusing on a hero with a bucket on his head and a broom in his hand.

Article by

Rhys Boulton

The story follows a Clunky head hero called Rufus. On his adventures through forests, towns and dungeons. As you travel through the areas, you are accompanied by your trusty broom, which will help you fight the threats ahead. There is no telling what will be creeping about down within the dungeons. The game is heavily story-driven, and NPC are going to be a big part of that in places like taverns. As well as a focus on humour and we can never have enough funny games out there!

The graphics in the game are detailed and give a realistic look to them. Although the game is 2D, the graphics makes it look like it's nearly 3D. This is from layering different backgrounds and objects.

A mini-boss in the platforms of the Village area You’ll have to kill it! With a broom...

The game is in early development, so the gameplay could evolve into something quite expansive. As it’s classed as a Metroidvania mixed with RPG. It’s looking like that there could be a lot more depth to the gameplay to come. As it stands currently, it is looking like an introduction and upgrading system will be put in place and maybe different weapons even though the broom is pretty good. It would be good to see a frying pan in the future or even a SHOVEL.

...humor makes it a massive stand out from other games Clunky Hero is in development, it's looking very promising. It looks like it’s going to be its humour what makes it a massive stand out from other games. As taking the Metroidvania game and mixing with RPG elements will make a great experience. Its humour that's kind of lacking in the gaming industry and it could make something special.

An image from the Stinky Dungeon! Why does it stink so bad? We’ll have to find out.

If the Stinky Dungeon is too much, there’s a Pretty Forest!

However, there’s probably some not so pretty things inside.

INTERVIEW NICOLA PIOVESAN Q: What were your biggest hurdles in development and how did you overcome it?

A: I started developing Clunky Hero in February, so at the moment I've ZERO budget for it. The aim is to launch a Kickstarter campaign asap.

So, for now, I'm doing almost everything alone, in my free time from ENCODYA (that is still my main project), then I've 3-4 friends helping me in their free time with animations, character design and such. So, again, budget is the main issue for a project like this, but thanks to very talented people we are one more time making a high-quality game with small resources.

Q: Inspirations behind creating 'Clunky Hero'?

A: I always loved Platformer Games with a storyline and a touch of RPG, but they are rare to find. Even if in the latest years, amazing games like "Ori and the Blind Forest" or "Hollow Knight" were a big success.

CLUNKY HERO somehow

is highly inspired by Hollow Knight, but with a mood completely different. Clunky Hero is, in fact, very colorful and with tons of humor. Another source of inspiration is the card game "Munchkin", especially for the parody it does of RPG. Q: Can you tell us about our protagonist Rufus?

A: Rufus is a very funny guy, a bit rude but genuine, spontaneous and incredibly funny. I don't want to spoil much about the story that leads him to have a bucket as a helmet and a broom as a weapon, but it's very grotesque!

Q: Will we communicate with NPCs for quests?

A: Yes, there are quests, shops, items, loots, and an inventory system, like you can find on a typical RPG (even if in a lighter and more "arcade" version). All of that in a typical platformer-action game.

A lot of jumps, exploring around, fights, etc... But also dialogues,

quests, and items.

Q: Will we be able to upgrade Rufus's abilities or equipment?

A: Yes, Clunky Hero is a typical Metroidvania game. Therefore to access some areas and progress the game, you need to get new skills and abilities (like the Double Jump, Dashing, Climbing a Wall, etc.). As well as a lot of funny new weapons and wearable items.

Q: Can you tell us about the battle mechanics and how combat will work?

A: The battle mechanics are pretty simple: just hit the enemy as much as you can! Rufus will have a basic combo attack (3 different swings of the weapon), as well as more powerful "Blasting Attacks" (to be gained along the game), plus a range "weapon" (that I don't want to spoil yet). So it'll be mainly a "body-to-body" battle, but each enemy can attack in a different way.

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Aims to warm your heart and whisk you away on a colorful journey to a new home, filled with emotion and wonder.

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Platform PC / Steam Genre Adventure Release Date 2020 Developer Vidloonnya Reborn

SARYI:

Article by

Rhys Boulton

THE BEGINNING Are you bored of the same action-packed gameplay? Are you looking for something a bit more beautiful? If you’re thinking yeah, I am, this is the game for you. Sayri: The Beginning will scratch that beautiful itch. The game developed by Vidloonnya Reborn looks to bring a beautiful and charming world to us.

The publisher behind Sayri: The beginning is Crytivo, the same publisher behind games like Today is your birthday and Serin Fate. One is very dark, and one is very light-hearted, but both look very exciting.

The story of Sayri: The Beginning is a tale of beauty and terror. As a catastrophe hits your home. After this, you crash on a mysterious land full of puzzles and new friends. The new land is called Ayris. Inspired by beauty, you decide to explore the land and that’s where your journey begins.

Did you guess who the main character is yet? Through the game, you play as Sayri. As you explore Ayris, your new homeland. As you explore, you’ll meet new friends with their own unique ability to progress through the game.

Through progression, you’ll find out the secrets of what happened to your old home and find out more about your new one. You’ll also come to terms with your new home as you settle in.

Beauty incarnate is the only thing to describe this beautiful game. The world looks like it’s something out of a fairy-tale with an amazingly designed environment. There is also a wonderful cast of different adorable friendships to be made within the game. Each friend has their own style and in-depth design, they all add something different to the game. All these things truly make the game a fantastic experience and the desire to see more of the cute art style, what the developers Vidloonnya Reborn have done seem near flawless.

The design of the game is for all ages, big and small. So, anyone can enjoy this

wonderful game. It’s made with the childish side of you in mind. So even if you’re normally a Doom player, you are most likely going to enjoy this because who doesn’t want to feel nostalgic. The developers have actually said that the game is like a warm hug and who doesn’t want that.

Sayri: The Beginning has a big focus on puzzles and exploration. The exploration element is how you find the different obstacles that you’ll have to solve. After you get through one of many obstacles, you’ll unearth new parts of the story and develop fresh skills and abilities. There will be tough challenges through your adventure, but you will have new friends to help you.

The game doesn’t only focus on puzzles and exploring, though. It has a massive focus on friendship, something that hasn’t been covered enough in video games. You’ll explore the land of Ayris.

Sayri will come across different beings what you’ll save from different situation.

After saving them, you’ll befriend them as they will help you on your journey. If you make a new friend, they will have their own special ability. This gives you a new way to solve puzzles and gives you fresh, new ways to play the game keeping it interesting throughout.

Even though the gameplay is simple, it doesn’t take anything away from its experience. As the wondering art style of the world and creatures make the world feel real. As it pulls you in through the heartstrings and keeps you there throughout. The story is a gripping, full of twists and turns. The way it tells the story is through solving a puzzle you get a little bit of the story like it's like an actual puzzle that you’d do a table. You get these pieces of story by solving these puzzles and it really gives you that progression feeling making you just want to play more. The gameplay is full of beautiful moments throughout the game which further entices you to see more of the land of Ayris.

Elderborn

Elderborn

Elderborn

Platform PC / Steam Genre Action Release Date Available Now Developer Hyperstrange From the company Hyperstange, this first-person perspective, action fantasy slasher game is described as brutal and metal with a souls-like/RPG character progression. According to the summary on their website, ‘Elderborn’ is about, “The times of legend, the barbarian tribes need a new dark messiah. The player becomes a merciless slayer who will uncover ancient secrets in the city of doom, and forge their own destiny.”

Think of ‘Elderborn’ as a title similar to ‘Doom’. Instead of enormous guns, however, it is all in your face melee battles. The trailer feels very similar as well and features glorious combat,

gore, and powerful attacks.

According to Hyperstrange, the single-player campaign will take a player anywhere between 8-10 hours to complete.

HURRY NOW! Purchase by tomorrow, April 2, and save 20%!

There are planned releases on Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch soon as well!

In the last month, with early previews and special key giveaways, there are already 300 reviews on their Steam page.

The reviews prove to be very positive already. The fast-paced combat, different weapons, RPG elements, and progression are just some of the things that people were raving about. Not to mention the aesthetic an indie studio was able to create.

For essentially a dollar per playing hour, you shouldn’t let this title pass you by.

We had the opportunity to play ‘Elderborn’ just before release and it was a trip to say the least!

The fast-paced combat is pretty seamless. There are a few attack and block animations that seemed a little slow, but the ability to change weapons more than made up for it.

As soon as I loaded into the first level it felt very much like a Doom atmosphere with swords and sandals instead of big guns and explosions. This immediately turned me on to the idea and what I was getting myself into!

While it’s fast paced, don’t expect it to be easy. I was both surprised and impressed with the level of difficulty it presented. It’s no walk in the park, so use your surroundings and skills to your advantage. Kick enemies off cliffs and watch them fall to their deaths.

One of my favorite abilities I unlocked were the skills to rip off and throw heads! It’s just awesome and made me smile more than I should have.

Prepare for an experience and engaging adventure that will last 8-10 hours in a single playthrough!

The combat is a mixture of light and heavy attack moves where you can also kick enemies off balance.

Which can be very useful, especially if they have shields. Each weapon also has a block ability or parry, you just need to get the timing right.

… A character progression and skill system that allows you to play the game in your very own way All the weapons in Elderborn are melee-based with no range.

Although there are quite a few weapons to fight with, the balancing can seem a bit off. With newer weapons you obtain not being quite as powerful as some others. However, if you find one you like, it’s not bad to make it work.

If you die, and you will, there are fountains that are like respawn points. However, if you die the enemies also respawn so you will have to completely clear the area out again.

Where the first level is mainly a linear story, the second opens up much more and allows you to free climb on buildings and cliff to surprise your enemies!

Nintendo Indie World The direct started very strong with Dark Fire.

This could be completely wrong, but it seems like the game takes inspiration from Hollow Knight. As it looked like a 3D version of Hollow Knight which is no way a bad thing as Hollow Knight is an amazing game. It’s the art style and the way the character moves and fights what stands out. Its simple in a way but it looks like the mechanics could go very in-depth the more you play.

Baldo is a JRPG inspired game and looks to have a Ni-No-Kuni art style. As the developer said, they are a fan of RPG and Japanese anime. We didn’t get much story from the trailer but from the developer himself, we’re going to get an anime-inspired magic story. As the saying goes, you should always trust an anime fan with writing a story. The gameplay shows some puzzles and combat but with the mention of magic means that there must be some focus on it.

This is probably one of, if not the weirdest, from the Direct. So, as from the name, you are dead and play as a ghost in a kind of point and click format. On a very unusual island, you must find the secrets of your home. The developer at Annapurna Interactive is well known for puzzle games, so be ready for some great ones.

Pups in space, do I have to say anymore. Yeah, ok, you play as a dog in space in a shoot-em-up style gameplay. The game has a focus on multiplayer and by the name, it’ll be a comedy for the whole family to enjoy.

Ok, I take back what I said about I Am Dead being the weirdest. Do you remember them really funny, simple videos made from stick people called Cyanide & Happiness? Well, they’ve made it into an Apocalyptic game. We didn’t see much gameplay only what looks like the main character exploring. Although looking at Cyanide & Happiness’ past work, it looks to be one of the funniest games of the year.

Let’s step away from the action for a minute with Summer in Mara. A farming sim of sorts with a focus on adventure and story. In total there going to be 30 different islands to explore and farm. The game seems to have a lot of great content to keep you engaged for hours.

A very ambitious game based around time paradoxes. It’s a first-person short with a focus the way you moved in previous rounds and making a clone out of it. The clones of yourself make up your team and fight alongside you.

The game seems very confusing but if they achieve this, it opens a lot of different opportunities.

The developer said this is an original concept and he may be right. You play as one of the town members in RPG fashion but with a weird twist. At night you can turn into either a cat or a dog. While during the day as a human, to travel you must ride sheep. We haven’t seen much gameplay, so there’s no telling what this will do to your playthrough, but you can climb walls as a cat. This could divide dog and cat people alike what are you choosing? * Cough, cough, dog. *

It’s a massive thing when a game as hard as it always gets compared to Dark Souls. This has Souls in the name, so that’s a free pass, right?

The game is a pixel art Dark Souls inspired game where you fight Gods. So, know there’s going to be a hard fight when you have to fight a God, it’s in the name!

Seems to be a tradition to have a port in Indie Directs now. This technically isn’t an indie game. So, let’s keep it brief, it’s a horror first-person game focusing on witches. Think of it as The Last of Us with witches instead of crazies.

Hello Games is making another game, it’s up to you if you trust them or not after their first one not living up to their talk. The game does a lot less ambitious from their last game so maybe they have learned from there mistake. The game does look very good with an interesting art style and a dark emotional story-driven game.

We’re at the point where we quickly go through the games. The game Ghost of a Tale looks amazing. Its art style looks very realistic, set in a medieval magic land. You will explore, fight and run through this game. Yeah, you can also play as a mouse, need I say you more.

A game where what you do shapes your surroundings, as this game is generated in real-time depending on your movements.

Through the game, you’ll be trying to save your fellow Grims, the name of your race. The art style is simple but, the complex mechanic system seems to make this game something special.

This game looks beautiful with its amazing character design and environment. It’s not surprising that it's developed by the same people behind Journey. Looking at the trailer, it looks to be a very story-based game with amazing subtle details. You play as a child of the light, flying and exploring though dreamlike realms to uncover mysteries of the land.

It seems like card-based video games are growing every day and each seems to have its own twist. Faeria is normal, as you have to build your deck but not just that you have to build your terrain which will drastically change the battle. There’s a lot to do in this game and all of it includes you getting new cards to dominate the battlefield.

Sky Racket is available right now as your reading this. It’s a shoot-em-up mix with a block breaker, both very old genres in the industry. So why not mix them? It’s a simple game with an enjoyable mechanic and a simple story. It’s a game you can just play and not get bored of, it's full of surprises here and there to keep you intrigued until the end.

The game will mess with your mind. It’s set in the first person, where you explore. As you explore, you come across a puzzle, but all puzzles have an illusion. An example would be when you can see a picture, but only from one angle as it lines up. Then, when it lines up, the illusion becomes reality. In the trailer, it was a cube. There’s going to be much more complicated puzzles, but that’s the simplest to describe. It’s something that is really ‘out the box’ and a must-play.

It might have been because Nintendo didn’t have enough to show, but they should have shown more of this game! Bounty Battle is a Smash Bros inspired game but instead of Nintendo characters. We have some of the most iconic indie main characters out there like Dead Cells and Guacamelee. That’s not all though, as they’ve made original characters to play as in the game. This idea has never been done on this level before, so it should be something EPIC!

It’s a game about bird watching. This one is definitely not for everyone, but it’s going to be a very relaxing game after a stressful day.

Wingspan would be an amazing game for bird watchers, especially with all the added detail into every bird. This makes every bird stand out. It looks like they are real species of birds, so this would also be a great game for someone wanting to get into bird watching.

An Overcooked-inspired game without the cooking and instead is about moving out, another stressful thing to do with other people!

The game looks fun with couch co-op which is never used enough these days. This is going to be a crazy game full of action, physics and probably a lot of arguing among friends and family! Good luck!

This was very brief and didn’t explain much, but it’s a dungeon-based game set around rolling dice. A very different idea to say the least. The art style looks very comic-like and looks to have a lot of comedy behind the drawings. It looks very enjoyable with a new perspective on a dungeon crawler which is very hard to do, so it’s one to keep an eye on.

Another Nintendo Direct tradition! A sequel at the end of a direct. A spin-off/sequel of Dungeon Climber, you might have guessed the games are focus around dungeons. The is an arcade classic style game with bullets flying everywhere. The only way to survive is to shoot first and keep moving no matter what!

Now On Instagram! @TheIndieGamerMagazine

Platform PC / Steam Genre Adventure/Puzzle Release Date TBD / Free Demo Available Developer Nicola Piovesan

ENCODYA

Just the story of a 9 year old and her big clumsy robot!

Article by

Rhys Boulton

Over

SIX

Hours Of

Gameplay!

Explore the beautiful city and try to convince people to help you.

Are you looking for a game that takes inspiration from Studio Ghibli films, Blade Runner and not only that but have inspiration from the Monkey Island for humour? You’ve come to the right place; Chaosmonger Studio has somehow managed to make all that into a point and click game! There’s a high quality

demo available right now you should check out after you finish reading this. Encodya is the first major game to be released by Chaosmonger Studio but they have experience of producing large projects due their filmmaking background.

Encodya mostly follows a 9 year old orphan called Tina but also follows the robot Guardian SAM-53. It is set in the future in the year 2062 in a futuristic Berlin. As it's being taken over by corporations. These types of futuristic stories set on dark corporations controlling the future are starting to creep more into video games making it a very interesting subject to see. As there doesn’t seem to be many point and click games that have taken on this type of story. It kinda makes you think it will happen...

Unlike most games, you control both characters kind of at the same time. SAM-53 follows Tina most of the time through the game as her protector throughout the game, as he is programmed to do so. Although, in certain situations, you'll be playing solely as SAM-53 if a puzzle needs a bit more muscle. Who doesn't want a humorous robot as your companion and guardian. Tina is the main character of the two.

She is an Urban jungle kid who lives in a Rooftop Shelter. As she has adapted to her surroundings from living alone; she has learnt to live off the city through scavenging and living off scraps to survive.

The game is based on an award winning short film Robot Will Protect You. So, we know one thing, for sure, the game is in good hands as the same people behind the film are doing the game. This is something really special as this rarely, if ever, happens and it really proves that in the indie game industry anything can happen.

The graphics of Encodya are very similar to the short film. The short film is a great watch. so, you can't blame them, if it's not broken, don't fix it. The art style of this game looks amazing. With every game scene looking like concept art. It also has a comic look and feel to it, but it is 3D so when you walk around that feel does fade but still there through the game.

The detail and effort put into the design of this game with more than 30 NPCs is completely different with original designs by the studio. There are more than 50 different locations, mostly all with puzzles to solve. It may have been easier to design all of these

areas due to it originally being a film. Do not take this as a bad thing though as it won't be easy turning a short film into a fully fledge game. So, the effort to make this game is well and truly there.

Encodya also puts a lot of effort into its sound design as every game should. As one of the most underrated things in gaming.

They have made an original soundtrack which makes your experience even better. The soundtrack really sets the atmosphere of each part of the game. There is a custom sound design to add to the atmosphere of the game. The sound behind Encodya makes the game feel very epic. It proves that the film it's based on really deserved the awards it got. Also, to all the designers out there, always take care of your audio design like this gem of a game.

In the futuristic world of Encodya, you'll explore the world through a classic genre of point and click. A revived genre of gaming that's a great way to tell a story like this one. With so many different areas to explore with their own puzzles, you are going to clicking like mad trying to accomplish, to get to the next

puzzle. Unless you're good at puzzles and will put rhythm to the madness, if not, here's a tip for you because you won’t want to put this game down after you start. There's a replay-able aspect to the game as the locations and objectives are randomised.

Making you want to reply to try the different puzzles within the game. You'll be a puzzle master before you know it.

There is so much detail in this game in every aspect, even the dialogue has that special little something to add to the game. As it has more than 5000 lines of dialogue and most of it is voiced by professional voice actors. This game is really something special with out of the box ideas and an unbelievable effort to make it something exciting.

The game takes a short film and makes it into an indie game which is rarely, if ever, done. It takes engaging characters, creates art, puzzles and a futuristic story. Adding it all together and making it into something out of the box which is hard to do in today's gaming industry.

The future is bright with this one.

Platform Steam/PS4/Xbox One/Switch Genre Action-Adventure RPG Release Date April 16, 2020 Developer Cradle Games

Hellpoint

Article by

Rhys Boulton An atmosphere full of darkness is what you’ll get from Hellpoint. A very good-looking game from the game developers; Cradle Games.

The developers might take its dark tone from the Cradle of Filth maybe. The game is going to be published by Tiny Games which are behind some great games like Hello Neighbour. The game has a planned released date of 16 April 2020 on Steam, after which they are planning on releasing on all major consoles. If you can’t wait until then, there’s currently a sequel chapter of sorts. A demo set 50 years into the future, maybe teasing what will happen in Hellpoint…

The plot of the game is in-depth and amazing. The game is set in a world where human achievement was at its highest but has now fallen to ruins, overran by puppets of the comic Gods. The space station once known as Irid Novo is on the brick of complete collapse.

You have been organically printed onto this space station to find out how this destruction has happened to the once pinnacle of human achievement. As you explore through the station, you will find the secrets of what has happened and find some very dark things below. Be careful. The more you dig, the darker it gets.

The graphically, Hellpoint is beautiful. Even though there’s a lot of darkness to near enough everything in the game, you can still see the beauty behind everything. It resembles a blockbuster sci-fi with its futuristic style throughout. The details of all the bosses, enemies

Hellpoint

and even the environment have so much detail, you’ll never want to leave the dark world of Hellpoint.

The artwork of this game shows how much effort has been put into the game.

Hellpoint is an RPG where you have a wide range of different weapons to suit your playstyle.

With every weapon having its own unique property which will affect your playthrough depending on what weapon you choose. The game focuses on combat and exploring. The combat mechanic is pretty simple with dodge and attack mechanics which resembles the latest God of War. As you

explore deeper, things will get darker and harder. So, rest assured, it’s possible to bring in a friend on your journey with couch co-op.

The station you are exploring is orbiting a black hole in real-time meaning that it can trigger special events including bosses, massive horde appearance and enemy stats changing. This is definitely something that will keep the gameplay fresh but will also keep you on high alert at all times. So be on your guard!

The game has a lot going on, it’s hard to tell this is indie game which, thinking about it, feels very much like Dead Space mixed with Dark Souls. Mixing a very dark tone with simple gameplay mechanics. It has a lot of details in the right places like the story which seems to be very deep and dark, full of twists and turns. The weapons and environment seem to be a massive part of the game and I can’t wait to explore this dark world and try out some of the deadly weapons.

Platform PC Genre 3D Adventure Quest Release Date April 16, 2020 Developer Port 5

KAPIA

“A fun, post-apocalypse adventure game” Article by Robbie Stevens

For many gamers, Kapia will have flown stealthily under the radar. Still, those with a vested interest in upcoming indie titles, alongside any industry insiders, would have been aware of Kapia. In truth, Kapia has been brewing in the pipeline for some time. But for a small, family-based team, composed of only two actual developers, that process doesn't happen overnight.

Despite the clear disadvantages that derive from a small dev-team, the passion project, spearheaded by Port5, continues to arouse interest from gamers across the globe. So

much so, the future game has been given the green light by the Steam community. For those of you that aren't aware, Steam's greenlit scheme is essentially a rite of passage. Or instead, a litmus test to gauge the game's reception. And thankfully, the Steam community recently gave Kapia the go-ahead. Thus, voting in favor of its release.

As a result, gaming giants Valve is in the process of pushing things forward. In time, they hope to secure Kapia's much-anticipated release on the ever-popular software distribution platform. So now we

have sent hype-levels skyrocketing into overdrive (I can feel it too folks).

Let's take a further look at the game, to glean insight into what to expect when it hits stores a little later down the line. With that in mind, here's all the intel we know so far. At its core, Kapia is a 3D point-and-click adventure game. That much we do know. But there's much more to this intriguing indie-game than meets the eye.

In a press release issued via Kapia's official blog, Port5 took the time to outline some of the core fundamentals. According to the

statement, players can expect a "fun, post-apocalypse" adventure game, with "witty characters," and the option to "search for useful objects to fix, break, or hack your way through the game."

So, on the surface, it looks as though Kapia will promote subtle RPG elements. Meanwhile, there appears to be some form of item management at play here. Whether that amounts to an outright crafting system is uncertain. Maybe it means just merely juggling items and switching gear on the fly? Either way, Kapia remains an unknown entity. At least for now. Regardless, the overall signs are certainly promising.

"Hacking" is also an area of interest.

In the past, games have used Hacking to bypass terminals and various security systems. But also, as a way of gaining further info about the enveloping world. With that in mind, it'll be interesting to see what Port 5 cooks up conceptually, regarding Hacking, and which direction it takes. Commenting further, Port5 states, "Everything about KAPIA is unique: characters,

dialogues, environments, and of course, you- our audience."

Again, it's admittedly vague. And as it stands, the information available to us is primitive. Despite that, it does seem like the inclusion of dialogue will usher in an element of choice.

Whether these decisions impact the main story, is yet to be established.

We'll have to wait and see.

wish this passion project all the best.

Fingers crossed they pull it out the bag. Only time will tell, of course.

Sometimes though, it's best to let the imagination genuinely run wild with grandiose levels of expectation. But with potentially unique characters to converse with and the mouth-watering prospect of diverse environments to explore, there's plenty of potential to this upcoming indie title. Stay tuned for more intel on Kapia, as and when it surfaces.

Your one-stop-shop for fresh news.

All in all, Kapia is still a bit of an unknown quantity. Even so, there's enough here to send the saliva strands into meltdown mode.

Plus, we can't wait to see the final game. That is, once it's fully finessed and polished to perfection. Will it take the world by storm? Well, we

Cat soldiers in mech suits?

Reason 482 to try KAPIA upon release.

Everything is connected, so make sure to keep all the episodes in mind!

Saint Kotar

Platform PC Genre Point & Click Horror Adventure Release Date Expected May, 2020 Developer Red Martyr Entertainment

SAINT KOTAR

“Find the truth behind a macabre series of murders” Article by Imanka

Wijesighe

Saint Kotor is a horror adventure game that is currently being developed by Red Martyr Entertainment. The game was first announced back in 2016 and was initially was set to be released in 2017. But the game was delayed and the development was halted temporarily as the studio faced “technical difficulties”. This all happened when the studio was named Tanais Games and when the game and the studio went completely silent for almost 3 years, fans started to lose hope and forget the game, at least until last December. The ambitious studio announced their

comeback under a brand-new name, Red Martyr Entertainment and a trailer teasing the Kickstarter campaign for their long-paused game, Saint Kotor.

Coming to the game, it is a horror type adventure game that mainly focuses on puzzle-solving. You will be unscrambling the mysteries of a gruesome series of murders that are related to devil worshiping and witchcraft. The plot is interestingly woven with a lot of surprises which will sometimes give you literal chills.

The playable characters arrive in this spooky little rural town named Sveti

Kotar, which looks like a mellow place from afar but says otherwise when you take a closer look. This place is basically filled with disturbing and chilling stories, some of which you will be investigating.

You will be ultimately uncovering the truth of your own past as well as you go on. The thrilling nature and the curiosity it manages to create in the minds of the players will keep them entertained and wanting more of the game.

Saint Kotor presents a 2.5D gameplay experience where the whole game is essentially a point and click game.

FEATURES Dark psychological horror adventure set in the small rural town of Sveti Kotar.

Glimpse of a vast and foreboding world to explore.

Two fascinating playable characters, two captivating storylines.

Decisions are fateful and affect the storylines.

However, this choice of perspective, camera movement, and the other key elements really compliment the game’s horror nature and detective nature. The game is absolutely massive with more than 70 locations for you to explore and unravel throughout the course of the game.

Another key feature is that the game offers two different playable characters where each one’s storylines differ from one another and both equally appealing. And one more thing to notice is that all the decisions you make affect the outcome of the game and affect the storyline so you will have to make all the right decisions.

If you’re interested in this game, you can soon try it out on its early access demo on Steam. The Croatian development team took the right decision to not overhype and oversell the game in the past couple of years when the productions were stopped.

The comeback was also brilliant in a way where they managed to create the necessary hype for the game to finally finish the production. The studio started this new decade fresh with a brand-new name, by announcing and revealing the upcoming Kickstarter campaign for the game. So, if you want to help the team out by donating a couple of bucks, feel free to and the game’s playable demo will also come out with the Kickstarter launch, so you can try it out yourself and see!

Mysterious and gripping branching plot.

Hand-painted distinctive art style that fits the game’s mood.

Fully voiced.

Eerie original soundtrack.

Modern twist on a classically inspired point and click adventure gameplay.

Interview with

MAX RHYMS

Max has built a loyal and dedicated following. Popularly known for rapping during his streams, he takes extreme pride in his ability to deliver quality content over and over. He brings hip hop culture into gaming and has hooked thousands to join into his streams. His infectious personality will have you tuning in every day.

Q: What got you into streaming and how long have you been doing it?

A: I became a streamer because of how much I enjoy interacting with others around the world through gaming. My positive interactions have translated into a passion of positive influence on others to not only follow their dreams, but crush them. I have been successful a Gaming Content Creator/Influencer for just over a year and this what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Q: What's been your favorite game to stream?

A: My favorite game to stream has been Fortnite Battle Royal. I love this game because it has allowed me too play with my community across all platforms and build professional relationships that will be long-lasting.

Q: If you could tell new streamers one thing, what would it be?

A: I would tell them to plant their flag. That is in context to them putting out what makes them different and amazing. In this content game, you cannot just be dope, you have to be different.

Q: What's been your biggest achievement in content creation?

A: My biggest achievement in content creation is a compilation of my level influence and community longevity.

My community is such an amazing family. People utilize the MRU community as a safe haven to come to for family, passion, and performance.

I have had supporters direct message me many times and tell me my content has affected them in ways that have changed their life forever.

This type of recognition is why I am so passionate about what I do.

Q: Is there a specific moment in a stream that you remember to this day?

A: I remember one of my supporters came into my stream and told me that her grandmother passed away and I helped her get through it without even knowing it. She said that the positive interactions and passion that come into her life from my stream put her in a happy place allowing her to cling to who and what she loves. She thanked me and donated $100. That was so heartwarming to me and I will never forget that moment. That is an easy reminder of why I do what I do.

Q: What do you hope to achieve in content creation / Have you already achieved it?

A: I want to have a larger impact on others around the world through my gaming and influential content. I want to be able to support myself and my family through my content creation full time allowing me to leave my full-time career at Verizon Wireless.

Q: Do you remember the moment you decided you wanted to create content and stream?

A: Yes, I remember being so confused and not knowing what to do. All I knew was that I wanted to have fun gaming and that I wanted people to watch. Now it has turned into something that literally changed my life forever. I have the conviction that I will maintain my success and reach new heights through consistency and performance.

Q: What was your beginning like and how can others start out effectively?

A: My beginning was bumpy and I am glad it was because it created a solid foundation on my purpose as to why I stream and create content. Others cant start out effectively by locking down their purpose. The purpose is at the core of who we are as content creators and without a solid purpose, when times get rough they will more than likely quit. The purpose is what allows us to overdrive our content and remain focused

WORLD SEED

Platform PC / Steam Genre RPG Release Date Feb. 28 2020 Developer Kortes Article by Ali

Nazar

World Seed is a game that utilized random generation and creates a unique after every hour. The idea of the game is to create a world that does not have any boundaries. The game takes inspiration from classic tabletop games. Players can gather resources by cleaning different tiles. There are crafting mechanics in the game which will make your character stronger. As you explore the world your character will progress.

As per the developers of the game, Mr. Korte "World Seed is essentially a single-player game in a multiplayer world". This

quote explains the idea of the World Seed. World Seed lets you make your own destiny rather than forcing you to play along with a preplanned plot. Of course, the game has a long way to go but if you are a fan of the classic tabletop and card games with modern looting machines then World Seed is the game for you. It not only have the touch of classic board games but unique elements as well.

World Seed is a lifelong dream of Kim Korte a web developer.

He is the sole developer of the game and invested everything he had in this game. During our interview with Korte, he said that World Seed is his desire not

a source of income. World Seed is the result of year-long constant development.

The unique aspect of the World Seed is multiple and limitless worlds. In the game, the number of randomly generated world is nearly limitless. World Seed is an online game but anyone can play it without the internet.

However, players would need to connect the game to the internet every time they start it. Once connected players can disconnect from the internet and play offline. Offline players won't be able to access multiplayer content. World Seed is trying to provide a

single-player game with a multiplayer world by focusing on both single-player and multiplayer at the same time.

In World Seed, you can claim different zones and craft different items. Complete quests for different rewards and go on dungeon raids with your friends.

There is also a PVP element in the game which pits players against each other. Character progression in the World Seed is different for each player. There is a rare chance of similar abilities for two players.

The maps of World Seed is not fixed because it changes every hour. Each hour the map is randomly shifted. All the traces of the old map are scrapped and replaced with a new map. Even

the loot system is affected by the shifts of the map. There are four different types of tiles in the game. Nature tiles, Snow tile, Desert tiles, and Rocky tiles.

Each tile gives different types of resources for instance nature tiles give wood while rocky tile gives you stones.

Unlike other games, the map of the world is similar for all players regardless of their level.

Drop for players is random but the tier level of the drop will be the same. All players can see each other on the map so the session for every player is universal. World Seed is still in the beta phase but it is improving with each passing day. You can play it for free on a web browser or buy it from steam.

Craft and upgrade your gear and complete quests for various rewards!

Explore an immense vertical cyberpunk city with your hover car and on foot

Platform PC / Steam Genre Story-based Exploration Release Date April 23, 2020 Developer ION LANDs

CLOUDPUNK A neon-noir story in a rain-drenched cyberpunk metropolis.

Article by

Robbie Stevens With the release of Cyberpunk 2077 imminent, what better time to satiate the appetites of sci-fi fans worldwide, than with Cloudpunk. An all-new indie adventure-based RPG. Developed by ION LANDS, under the publishing prowess of Maple Whispering Limited, it's safe to say Cloudpunk understands its target audience. With only around six weeks to go before the game's official release on Steam, the hype wagon has been steamrolling into overdrive at an accelerated rate. So much so, that feverish indie fans can't wait to sample the fruits come April 23, 2020.

Unravel mysteries in a world of corporate conspiracy, hackers and rogue AI through the eyes of Rania

So, what's all the fuss, about, I hear you cry. Well, don't worry. Here's all the essential intel we know thus far.

Thankfully, we now know the name of the game's primary protagonist. You play as Rania. Operating on the fringes of legality, your semi-legal job as a courier involves delivering packages to clients throughout the sprawling city of Nivalis.

From a visual perspective, Cloudpunk is a technicolor treat for the senses.

Inside, dazzling neon lights project a lush, luminosity over the city, and its rich array of inhabitants. From the snippets we've seen so far, there's a real sense that this mega-metropolis is bustling with life—a busy hive of activity just bursting at the seams with personality. It does indeed look that special.

So, what can we expect gameplaywise? Well, at this point, it's still too early to tell. Even so, we have a general incline as to what we'll be doing come April, this year. To start with, and to state, the rather obvious,

players will assume the role of postman for large portions of the game. Look out Sam Porter bridges!

Given the fact that Cloudpunk is a story-based exploration game, there must be a lot more clout to gameplay aspects, under the polished veneer of its awe-inspiring visuals. Although, the extent of which is still an intriguing topic of uncertainty.

However, what we do know is during the game, you'll come into contact with a "diverse range of characters including androids, AI and unscrupulous humans at every level of society," it states on the Steam product page.

So, NPC's look set to feature. But whether they star as a significant role in the central story, is another matter.

Regardless, their inclusion in some form or another is fascinating. Under the surface, there's a lot more depth to Cloudpunk than meets the eye. Of course, only time will tell what that content will entail. But the gameplay looks good, a far cry from casual fetch and carry missions. The monotony of which may wear a little thin, over time. Until then, we'll have to sight tight and see what's in store.

All in all, the initial signs are somewhat promising for Cloudpunk.

Of course, it's still early days. But from what we've sampled so far, the future's bright for this upcoming sci-fi spectacular. If nothing else, Cloudpunk looks set to act as a fun, futuristic sidedish to the much-anticipated star-attraction, Cyberpunk 2077. And surely, that can only be a positive thing. Be sure to stay subscribed for more juicy intel as and when it arrives.

Article by

Imanka Wijesighe The shoot ‘em up subgenre is one of the most underrated shooter game genres out there.

Well, what good is an action game without a little bit of a challenge?

Especially top-down shooter titles haven’t really received the attention and the appreciation they deserve as most players easily get bored of playing them or who knows; they might just be too hard for them.

However, what if I told you that there actually is a game in this genre that presents a great action game experience along with a compelling apocalyptic storyline?

Behold Darkbolt, a mix of a little bit of this and that, to deliver an amazing game with everything you could ask for in this genre!

The game brings out a whole new level of depth to the horror nature of the game through the perfect execution of different game elements like graphics and music. A gothic/Lovecraftian apocalyptic vibe is vividly delivered through the

game’s stunning visuals and the brilliant use of realistic and beautiful lighting effects. The very first thing you will notice when you dive into the game is the game’s unique look, combined with the tense music to bring out the ultimate feeling of a horror setting. The lighting effects particularly perform really well and look amazing in the game, especially how they interact with objects in the environment. You will be surviving through cities filled with monsters in a rogue-lite gameplay experience where death cannot be undone and where everything you do matters. Darkbolt mainly focuses on and forces the player to manage the resources carefully as they are scarce. And another iconic feature of this game is that there is plenty of stuff in the environment for you to interact with, like carts and doors which covers hidden passages and paths, and lamps which you can interact with to change the combat styles, etc.

Platform PC / Steam Genre Action-Shooter Release Date TBD Developer Overflow