Twinworld Game Reviews

Archive for May, 2022

Paris, May 19th, 2022 – DONTNOD Entertainment, independent video games publisher and developer, is excited to announce the release date for Gerda: A Flame in Winter, its first third-party published game developed by Danish studio PortaPlay.

In this poignant narrative game inspired by real life events, the Danish village of Tinglev is under German occupation during World War II. Players will walk the path of Gerda Larsen, an ordinary woman in extraordinary circumstances who is forced to take a stand after her life is suddenly turned upside down.

One day, Gerda returns home from the clinic where she works as a nurse. She notices blood as she enters the house and soon discovers that her husband, Anders, is being arrested by the Gestapo. He has left behind important resistance documents, and it looks like many Danish and German lives will depend on her next actions.

A tale told not on the front line, but within the intimate setting of the small Danish village Gerda has lived her whole life.

Armed only with her wits, compassion, and insight, the advantage she has as a civilian is the knowledge of her community and village. Gerda’s personality traits are her skills, and her connection with others will also determine how the story unfolds. Choices are made through a mix of exploration and dialog, as well as resource and relationship management. Each day, she writes about her experiences and the actions she took in her diary, which players will use to develop aspects of her personality to allow Gerda to deal with situations in different ways.

She will meet a large cast of characters throughout the game: her fellow villagers — both Danes and ethnic Germans — as well as members of the Resistance, and the occupying Nazis. Every interaction holds weight, and every decision is critical in times of turmoil and war. With lives on the line, your morals will be challenged, and beliefs compromised… How far would you go to protect your loved ones?

DONTNOD is honored to work with PortaPlay in bringing this untold story to life. The character of Gerda is inspired by a real Danish resistance fighter and grandmother of PortaPlay’s Head of Development, Hans von Knut Skovfoged.

“This game is important to us because it is inspired by true stories of World War II, including those of my grandmother. With Gerda, we hope to share an accurate vision of some of the struggles of occupied populations during that time and highlight that some people were faced with difficult choices that defied absolute judgement. Through this narrative game we hope to encourage the sharing of testimonies. We know there are many civilian stories that go untold in wars and occupations around the globe, many still in the middle of theirs right now. And we are glad to be able to tell at least one such story, with Gerda: A Flame in Winter.” shares Hans von Knut Skovfoged, Head of Development at PortaPlay.

Gerda: A Flame in Winter will be released on Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam) on September 1, 2022, and is already available to wishlist on Steam!

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – 19 May 2022 – Today, Strictly Limited Games are announcing an exclusive, limited physical release for the Breakers Collection by QUByte Interactive, in partnership with VISCO. Included are the 90’s cult classic 2D fighting game Breakers and its sequel Breakers Revenge, coming to home consoles in the West for the very first time ever. Additionally, exclusive new features, like an online versus mode or a highly-requested training mode, are part of the collection.

Breakers Collection will be available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PlayStation 5 (PS5), as a boxed Limited Edition and Collector’s, with pre-orders kicking off on Sunday, May 22nd, at 12 AM CET (midnight), only at Strictly Limited Games.

About the Breakers Collection:

The Breakers Collection includes two games: Breakers, a 2D fighting game released by Visco on December 17, 1996, for the Neo Geo and Arcades in Japan, as well as its sequel Breakers Revenge, released on July 3, 1998. On top of that, there will be brand-new content for the cult classics like an online mode, a training mode, an art gallery, and more.

In terms of gameplay, fans can expect the same special action-based fights similar to other fighting games of that era. Each of the eight distinctive fighters in Breakers, as well as the two additional characters from the sequel, Breakers Revenge, can perform super moves by accumulating enough energy in their power gauge and performing the command. On top of that, genre-typical moves like dashing, back-stepping, or acrobatic combos complete the old-school fighting game experience you don’t want to miss!

Over 20 years after the original release, Breakers finally breaks out of obscurity. We are proud to present to you the upcoming physical versions of both Breakers and Breakers Revenge in one refined collection, courtesy of the magnificent remastering efforts by QUByte. Easy to learn but challenging to master – this is a fighting game gem for retro fans and newcomers of all ages. This also marks Strictly Limited Games’ first release of a 2D fighting game, and we could not be prouder that it is a title with such a storied history that aligns so well with our values and deserves a permanent, physical legacy!

Features:

• A hidden gem from the golden age of arcade fighting games, remastered for modern consoles
• Makes full use of the Neo Geo’s power to deliver beautiful pixel graphics
• Sophisticated gameplay with fast and sharp controls that rewards tactics over button mashing
• Up 10 characters to choose from, each with their unique fighting style (8 in Breakers and 10 in Revenge)
• Compete for life or death in the legendary FIST tournament in Arcade Mode
• Duke it out with your friends to assert dominance on your couch in classic Versus Mode
• Brand-new Training Mode, being a highly requested feature after the beta (Revenge only)
• Impeccable online multiplayer featuring rollback net code with casual and ranked modes, tested by the community during open beta (Revenge only)
• Global online ranking boards (Revenge only)
• Art Gallery Mode

Strictly Limited Editions:

Strictly Limited Games is giving Breakers and Breakers Revenge the combined boxed legacy they deserve, with the unique Breakers Collection limited editions, available for pre-order exclusively via the Strictly Limited Games online shop.

The standard Limited Edition is limited to 4,000 copies for Nintendo Switch and 1,500 for each PS4 and PS5, at a price of 29.99€ / $34.99, including a colorful game manual.

The Collector’s Edition is limited to 3,000 copies for Nintendo Switch and 1,000 each for PS4 and PS5, for 59.99€ / $65.99, including lots of additional collectibles:

• Collector’s edition box
• Colourful Game Manual
• Tia Langray Headband with Breakers Collection logo
• Two sweat wristbands with Breakers Collection logo
• Soundtrack with songs from both Breakers and Breakers Revenge
• Acrylic diorama featuring Tia Langray and Sho Kamui
• Arcade flyer for Crystal Legacy (original Breakers prototype), A5 size
• Double-sided poster with main visuals, A2 size
• Breakers collection die cut logo sticker
• 10 Character Cards, A7 size
• Lenticular card

Source: PR Email

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is coming to Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PC on September 27, 2022 in North America!

Lloyd Bannings is assigned to Crossbell’s Special Support Section where he and his new teammates must prove themselves as they fight to overcome the injustice of a city gripped by corruption! Meet the members of the SSS in the character trailer and see just how much potential they’ve got!

The Trails from Zero Character Poll is going on now through June 1, 2022! Vote for your favorite character for a chance to win the “In Good Company” 1000-piece puzzle!

Learn more about Trails from Zero by visiting the official website!

Source: PR Email

May 17th 2022 , Indie publisher Ratalaika Games, together with developer Next Game Level, is on a special countdown for its inspirational Shoot-em-up Remote Life due to be released on May 27th 2022. Releasing on all console platforms, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch, priced at a must have $18.99 / €17.99 / £14.99.

Top Marks

With a crazy number of distinguishing features, neat level design, 3D rendered graphics, insane creature design, cool music and SFX, with the most important focus on challenging gameplay, variety and playability, Remote Life really packs a punch in a retro visionsed game fit for the 2020s.

One Man – One Vision

Remote Life has been put together by a one man production team, with a skill set that is remarkable. Inspired by seeing and playing games from the past decades that have helped formulate and create his concept, design, gameplay elements and mechanics. From Commodore 64, SNES, Sega Genesis and Amiga 500, to current consoles, he has captured the essence of those games and their playability and game feel to create his own unique game – Remote Life…

…and so the story goes

A Huge and menacing Alien Hive is approaching our planet. The only way to defeat it is to get inside and destroy it from the centre. You are John Leone, an ambitious pilot, ready to fire all his ammo inside the jaws of horror! Take your space Jet and save our planet. Discover the reason why the aliens are attacking and experience a mysterious story behind this attack.

Insane and delightful

Insanely scary graphics, with a pointer to sci-fi films of the 80s and 90s, set in a credible alien world, Remote life will suck the player into the atmosphere of the game and create excitement with background music and sound effects that summon a nice balance to the pending chaos that unfolds.

A Message to Gamers

Developer, Mario Malagrino, gives a poignant message, “For Remote Life I tried not to be inspired by any specific game. That ensures its uniqueness in this genre. I don’t think that producing clones of other games is a great challenge . This allowed me to have a free mindset, and you can see that especially in the weapon system that is quite unique for shmups. Another thing that you do not see usually is the autosave of level progress. This allows you to finish the game in a longer timeline, and does not force you to play ‘restless’ the entire day. There are so many other features on offer”.

The Game, The Objective

To defeat each Final Boss on each level in this way the players progress until they arrive at the centre of HIVE. Mainly because, only from the centre of the Alien Hive, humans can launch a big missile and destroy the Hive. There are also special levels where the pilot (gamer) has to escort bigger vehicles that are carrying items that are needed to win this war. All these great features make sure that the game is really a great challenge every time you play without being boring or repetitive.

Exciting Elements:

• Aggressive, smart and ceaseless enemy attacks
• Use your brain to select the right weapons – there are lots
• Fabulous auto save function
• Unlock other spaceships that are faster and better suited
• Special Missions
• Guns galore with their own attributes
• 16 levels with great final bosses
• Mid level bosses
• 4 difficulty levels
• OnScreen frame rate to impress

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – 10 May 2022 – ININ Games, in partnership with Rogueside and under licence from Games Workshop are delighted to announce the pre-order start for exclusive and highly limited boxed editions of Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef. This exciting, brand-new game is scheduled to launch in fall 2022 and eager collectors can already pre-order their exclusive Limited Edition or Collector’s Edition, starting on Thursday the 12th of May!

These editions will only be available at Strictly Limited Games and their partnered fan store Gamesrocket and include items that cannot be found anywhere else, a must-have for Warhammer 40,000 fans! This follows after the fantastic previous collaborations between Rogueside and Strictly Limited Games on the critically acclaimed Guns, Gore & Cannoli franchise.

About Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef:

For many centuries, the planet of Luteus Alpha has been producing much-needed material for the wars raging on in the Armageddon sector. Many are drawn to the planet, and so is the great Warboss Ogruk Gutrekka. Upon arriving on the planet, Gutrekka stole your most precious hair squig. Filled with vengeance, you’ve sworn to do whatever it takes to return your hair squig, and prove who’s the strongest!

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is a hand-drawn 2D action-adventure taking you on a wild ride full of intense action, funny one-liners and tons of explosions!  Fight your way through the hive city of Luteus Prime in single-player mode or as a party of up to 4 battle-hardened Orks in online or local co-op. Pick your class, grab your weapons and get ready to battle Humans, Orks and Genestealer cultists, and ultimately put an end to Warboss Gutrekka!

Features:

• Classic 2D side-scrolling run & gun goodness, filled with intense action, funny one-liners, screaming deaths and comical dialogues!
• Choose your class, picking between four distinct characters, each with their own unique toolkit true to the Warhammer 40,000 lore.
• Inflict chaos with an arsenal of up to 20 different weapons at your fingertips. There’s no such thing as having too much dakka!
• Set foot on Luteus Prime in single-player mode, or form a warband of up to four Orks for some co-op fun! Multiplayer is available both online and in local co-op and the arena even allows for epic PvP battles.
• Challenge the mightiest empire in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Become victorious, bring the planet to its knees and lead your very own Waaagh!
• The beautiful hand-drawn scenery gives an incredible sense of depth and engaging story cinematics break up the action
• Get your socks rocked off with an amazing heavy metal soundtrack, composed by Deon van Heerden.
• Yes, there will be explosions. Like, tons of them!

Limited & Collector’s Editions:

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef gets physical, powered by Strictly Limited Games and Gamesrocket. The Limited and Collector’s Editions for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation® 4 (PS4) and PlayStation® 5 (PS5) can only be found at these two stores.

The Limited Edition is limited to 3,500 individually numbered copies for Nintendo Switch and 1,500 for PS4 and PS5 each, at a price of 29.99€ / $34.99. This edition includes a unique cover artwork and a colourful game manual.

The Collector’s Edition is limited to 2,500 copies for Nintendo Switch and 1,000 for PS4 and PS5 each. This orktastic edition for real collectors is priced at 59.99€ / $65.99 and includes the following exclusive collectibles:

• Collector’s Edition Box
• Colorful Game Manual
• Acrylic Diorama with 4 Ork Boyz
• Original Soundtrack on CD
• Shoota Metal Keychain
• 4 Ork Boyz cardboard standees
• Character Sticker Set
• Double-sided Poster, A2
• Skull Fabric Patch

Both editions will be available for pre-order on Thursday the 5th of May, at 8 AM PDT / 11 AM EDT / 5 PM CEST and shipping is expected for fall 2022, alongside the launch of the game.

Source: PR Email

May 6th 2022 – Indie publisher Ratalaika Games is delighted to be working with developer Next Game Level on the distinguished Shoot-em-up Remote Life that is due to be released on May 27th 2022. Releasing on all console platforms, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One,  Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch  priced at a remarkable $18.99 / €17.99 / £14.99.

Remote Life shows off the amazing expertise and talent of a one man developer whose creation gives a salute to some of the amazing shooters on the scene. By adding his own touch of magic, with its  beautifully rendered 3D backdrops, superbly created enemies, eye catching and jaw dropping bosses, this retro inspired shooter leaves an indelible impression.

Source: PR Email

Madrid, Spain, May 6th 2022 – Indie studio Retro Forge, working in partnership with publisher Dear Villagers (The Forgotten City, ScourgeBringer) are sorry to announce that its upcoming 16-bit inspired action-RPG metroidvania adventure Souldiers has seen a short delay. Originally planned for a May 19th launch on all platforms, the release has been pushed back to June 2nd on Switch, Steam, PlayStation and Xbox platforms.

“We’re very pleased with how Souldiers is coming along overall, but we still have a few bugs to work out and we want to ensure that when we release the game – and ask consumers to spend their hard earned money on it – that they’re getting a bug-free premium experience,” said Alberto Hernández, creative director at Retro Forge. “We know how much it sucks to have to wait longer, but we assure everyone that it will be worth the wait. We’re a small team, and developing a game of Souldiers’ scale, during a global pandemic no less, saw us overcoming many unforeseen challenges, so we really appreciate your patience as we polish up Souldiers into the refined retro experience you all deserve..”

Souldiers wraps metroidvania exploration, crunchy soulslike combat, RPG customization,and precision platforming into one gorgeous pixelart package. Players take on the role of either scout, caster or archer, battling for freedom in Terragaya, a mystical land on the border between life and death. Each class has its own unique attacks along with different agility, attack, defense, and health stats. Your character can further be customized through branches of unlockable skill trees, offering a huge degree of freedom as you venture through Souldiers’ fantastical realm.

Outwit cunning enemies, solve nefarious puzzles, upgrade your character, and explore every corner of a dazzling, intricate 16-bit world. Souldiers is a handcrafted retro epic for the ages.

Features:

• Choose your class: Unleash the fury of your sword with the scout, summon the wrath of elements with the caster, or rain down arrows on your foes with the archer.
• Gripping combat: Slash, parry and dodge your way through an ever evolving roster of enemies, upgrading your skills and equipment to find a combat style that’s perfect for you.
• An interconnected world: Discover a sprawling handcrafted landscape filled with treasures, tough-as-nails bosses and secrepathways.
• 16-bit sensation: Terragaya comes to life with vibrant world-class pixel art packed to the brim with details.
• Smart moves: Solve environmental puzzles and leap from place to place using an ever expanding moveset.

Source: PR Email

Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 3: La Pucelle: Ragnarok / Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is coming to Nintendo Switch on August 30, 2022 in North America! Available September 2, 2022 in Europe and September 9, 2022 in Australia.

La Pucelle: Ragnarok is making its western debut and is loaded with tons of new content including the Overlord Prier Scenario, and new characters like Etna, Flonne, Laharl and more! Find out who is friend or foe, and what it takes to be part of an elite demon-hunting group.

Check out the official website for more details, and be sure to preorder your Limited Edition copy today!

Source: PR Email

Hamburg, Germany, May 4th, 2022 — Daedalic Entertainment and Chunkybox Games are delighted to let all hell loose as Wildcat Gun Machine is now available on PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store), PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. Create mayhem in this bullet hell dungeon crawler and take on disgusting flesh abominations with an arsenal of mighty guns and extra cat-power.

In Wildcat Gun Machine, players get thrown into maze-like dungeons filled to the brim with truly disgusting and furocious enemies in order to liberate giant mech robots from demonic elder gods in a story H.P. Lovecraft himself would be proud of! In order to achieve this goal, players can choose from 40 different gun types – all perfect for riddling the spawns of hell with bullets – as well as super abilities born from character upgrades to match. Wildcat Gun Machine presents itself as a classical bullet hell boss battle experience with a twist: instead of randomizing enemy encounters, they are specifically designed to provide difficult combat puzzles.

Key Features

• Bullet Hell shooter
• Over 40 gun types
• Epic set-piece boss battles
• Skill upgrades to suit your playstyle
• Unique 2D art style

Wildcat Gun Machine is now available on PC and consoles!

Source: PR Email