Plot Twist, a Melbourne-based games studio, has announced that the visual novel Ashes will launch in Early Access this May, with a full launch planned for December. This period of time will be used to finish the story, refine the existing minigames/add new ones, and provide new narrative content. The game blends graphic novel panels with interactive puzzles.…
Tove Jansson’s Moomin characters long ago stepped outside the pure world of just their books; even when Jansson was alive she was experimenting with different forms such as comic strips and limited merchandise. That has extended into video games in the past with very mixed results, though I did rather…
Did you know that, while mazes are designed to confuse and confound…
Not A Cat Studios has announced STARCULT. Night: Twisted Age. The dark…
Richly atmospheric, retro-inspired point-and-click adventure game Casebook 1889 – The Leipzig Murders transports players to a chapter of European history that is rarely explored. Set in Germany at the turn of the 20th century, you take on the role of Detective Joseph Kreiser as he investigates a string of murders.…
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I’ve played some great games that use in-game smartphone mechanics; for example, I love 2017’s A Normal Lost Phone. Waiting for Reply brings this type of gameplay to a visual novel format as you interact with the world through your smartphone. Use apps to send messages, check emails, take photos,…
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Brazilian indie developer Dragonroll Studio has been making games since 2019, but until now, they have all been game jam or free titles. Its focus is on making cute, subversive games. The team is poised to launch its first premium game, visual novel Pivot of Hearts. (A free demo is…
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There is a very fine line between homage and something that is just outright theft of an idea. A good example of the former is Wargroove, which is clearly inspired by Intelligent Systems’ Advance Wars, but has its own identity through storytelling, unit design, features, presentation and so on. On…
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It was only a few weeks ago that heartfelt game Hanako’s Flower Shop was announced with a release window of April, and today a specific launch date was pinned down for late this month. The game follows the titular character, a young woman at a crossroads in life. She decides…
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COVID lockdowns broke us all a little bit (or, at least, those of us who endured actual lockdowns). Huddled in our little spaces while we waited for the government to assure us that the threat was passed and we could, again, go out and experience the world. At its core,…
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Chucklefish has been busy, and I’ve been patiently (for once) awaiting any news regarding its upcoming magical life sim Witchbrook. And today is that day! During the Nintendo Direct, a new gameplay trailer dropped alongside a release window for the game. The trailer is the first good look at Witchbrook,…
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JRPG-inspired, hand-animated sidescrolling Metroidvania game Fallen Tear: The Ascension now has a release window of early 2026, and a new animated teaser is available. The game is set in the lush lands of Raoah. As the mysterious Hira, players will explore the world while seeking friendly allies. Your new friends…
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The Dark Quest series of games is set to expand this year with Dark Quest 4, a standalone entry that brings players back to the dungeon that feels like a living board game. The turn-based RPG dungeon crawler blends strategy and imagination through unforgettable quests. It is inspired by board…
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There was a brief period of time where the tower defence genre was a big deal and just about everyone was trying to get on board with it, right through to the biggest publishers. It’s easy to understand why – the games are relatively easy to develop, and it’s relatively…
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