Twinworld Game Reviews

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Rising Lords, the unique turn-based strategy from Argonwood and Deck13 Spotlight is now available on Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. Built with the support of a passionate community, this addictive mix of heroic battles and intricate realm management is ready for you to explore!

Mastering your resources, providing for the needs of your people and expanding into neighboring territories will pave the way for your realm to prosper. Dive into this immersive medieval world on your own, or join your friends for exciting cross-platform multiplayer sessions where your tactical skills will be put to the test in epic, turn-based battles. Enhance the experience even further by creating custom maps, shaping the battlefield to your liking and adding a personal touch to your shared adventures.

A labour of love

Since the beginning of Early Access, Rising Lords has grown tremendously, both in terms of content and overall game polish. Along with a complete overhaul of the game’s systems and visuals, many new features have been added during development, such as factions, new game modes and, most recently, a story campaign. Carefully balanced, the result is a rewarding experience that seamlessly blends tactical gameplay with charming card and board game elements.

The saga unfolds

Brace yourselves for a massive content update to our story campaign that continues the tale of our protagonist, Tankred of Tannheim! Embark on a journey filled with compelling characters, unexpected plot twists and challenging quests that will call upon your wits and strategic abilities. Are you ready to navigate four all-new chapters and witness the impact of your decisions? The adventure awaits, and the story is yours to discover!

Rising Lords is now available in its full version on Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. Join the ranks of Lords and Ladies in this epic medieval strategy game and become part of its amazing community!

Source: PR Email

Berlin, Germany – January 16th, 2024 – In a week’s time, mammoth-sized battleships will cruise the skies. Will you be there to fight against the Motorhead Empire?

Known as Empire of Steel in Europe, and Koutetsu Teikoku in Japan, The Steel Empire is a 1992 shoot-’em-up for the Sega Mega Drive developed by HOT-B. Recognized for its distinctive diesel-punk aesthetic, The Steel Empire combines elements of steampunk and late-19th-century industrial design, making it a visual trailblazer in the shooter genre.

Based on the PC game from a few years back, The Legend of Steel Empire is the latest HD remaster of the series. With improved graphics and controls, The Legend of Steel Empire launches physically and digitally for Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, 2023! This iconic shooter will also be available for PlayStation 4 at a later date.

Save the Republic of Silverhead… You are the only hope!

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – 11th  January 2023 – Rising Lords, the exciting, turn based, all encompassing turn based strategy title, developed by Argonwood and published by Deck13 Spotlight, is only days away from its launch on PC Steam as well as Xbox One, Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch later this month!

Participate and Grow

Experience and become immersed in  the mediaeval and exciting  world of Rising Lords as you assume the role of a Lord endeavouring   to rise through the ranks and gain more power throughout the kingdom.  Battle with other lords, increase production, resource gathering, diplomacy and treason, tax and rations, and much more. A variety of modes to explore include  campaign/multiplayer, quick battles which will deploy a vast array of strategic acumen.

Rising Lords’ unique blend of  card/board style  turn based presentation and intricate gameplay  conveys a lavish and ambient feel in a digital game experience that will leave gamers happy and will even capture many new players who are unfamiliar with this – cross genre experience.

Feature & Facts

• Simultaneous cross-platform multiplayer (no waiting for other players’ turns)
• Story campaign (4 new missions on release)
• Many different gameplay modes (scenarios, battles)
• Map and story editor, customizability (change looks of your own player character)
• Emphasise tactical combat with counter system, maps, terrain and unique morale system
• Mod capability/create your own maps and story missions
• Story mode and challenge mode

Source: PR Email

Toronto, Canada – January 9th, 2024 – Independent game studio Hilltop Studios has revealed that their upcoming narrative-driven deduction adventure game Lil’ Guardsman will launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, all PlayStation and all Xbox consoles on January 23rd. Prepare to decide the fate of the kingdom in this comical successor to classic 90’s point-and-click adventures!

To commemorate this reveal, Hilltop Studios has released an all new trailer introducing players to 12-year-old substitute guardsman Lil, as she breaks down what it takes to cover for her wayward father on the job. Get a glimpse at some of the colorful characters, difficult decisions, and all manner of security-related shenanigans you’ll get up to ahead of Lil’ Guardsman’s launch.

Lil’ Guardsman is a narrative deduction game inspired by the classic point-and-click genre and the mechanics of Papers, Please. Set in a high-fantasy world with the comedic sensibility of Monkey Island and other 90s Lucasarts adventure classics, Lil’ Guardsman puts players in the role of a young girl who finds herself tasked with covering for her dad as a castle gte guardsman. What could go wrong?

As you interrogate an array of eccentric characters trying to gain entry to the city walls, you must discover each visitor’s true intentions through cunning dialogue and a clever use of your toolbox of investigative items. Use your cypher-cracking Decoder Ring, douse travelers in Truth Spray, or threaten them with your trusty Bullwhip! You’ll have to make tough decisions as Lil, deciding who to allow into her castle home. Consequences can be severe, so you must make clever use of your abilities to uncover mass conspiracies and protect Lil’s castle and family from devious interlopers.

“With Lil’ Guardsman we wanted to mix the deductive puzzle-solving and branching storyline of Papers, Please with the warmth and humor of Monkey Island and Grim Fandango,” said Hilltop Co-Founder and Co-Game Director Artiom Komarov. “We’ve been cracking each other up for two years coming up with scenarios, dialogue, visual gags, and picturing the voice cast that make up Lil’ Guardsman’s world, we’re so excited to finally share it with everyone on January 23rd!”

Source: PR Email

Warsaw / Detroit – January 4th, 2024 – Niche publisher Nakana.io will launch on Nintendo Switch a new title in 2024 (first half of the year most likely). Ahro is a side-scrolling adventure created by Deroit-based Oeh Interactive (Joel Vile).

The story of Ahro starts when he begins having distressing and frequent breakdown episodes. After finding only mild relief from herbal medicine, he sets out to find a legendary miracle cure on a journey through an imperial occupied land.

The player will explore a unique and intriguing world. Ahro can release his spirit and travel into the sky to discover new items, places and secrets. The player will be challenged to figure out how to access out-of-reach areas and make their way forward, while being rewarded for their curiosity as they traverse the landscapes.

This transcendent side-scrolling adventure takes place in a fictional world full of history and deep lore. Themes addressed aim to be contemporary, relatable, and provide space for reflection and interpretation.

Source: PR Email

Gothenburg, Sweden – December 19th, 2023 – Elden Pixels is proud to reveal its upcoming anxiety-fueled metroidvania The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest, coming next year to PC and consoles. On the brink of physical and emotional burnout during the last stages of an intense game project, a game developer escapes into a dream persona who himself is trapped in a mental prison.

Enter the mind of Fletcher, the developer’s dream persona, who just so happens to be a slightly overweight, 43 years old divorcee, struggling Honky Tonk musician, craft beer enthusiast, father of two. Look, not all heroes wear capes, but ours at least wears a cowboy hat. Help Fletcher as he struggles to pick up the pieces and bust his way out of the mental prison he’s stuck in.

Loosely inspired by real events, The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest, tasks players with helping Fletcher escape his mental prison and save the day! Venture through ominous environments ranging from Mars, to an insane asylum, to inside a computer. You’ll have to explore, collect unique weapons from each area – that can be tackled in any order – and employ a host of fun and creative upgrades if you’re to find and defeat the five prison gang leaders. Or become their friend. Either way!

“The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is heavy on metaphor and self-reflection, but hey, if you’re not down with all that anxiety, these points can be completely skipped and you can plough your way through another tight metroidvania with killer mechanics, a banging chipmusic soundtrack, and more pixel art than you can stomach!” said Mikael Forslind, Game Designer at Elden Pixels. “Note: The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is not recommended for anyone with a peanut allergy.”

Source: PR Email

Darmstadt, Germany, December 19th, 2023 – rokaplay, in collaboration with FIRECHICK, is set to unveil a substantial free update for its pixel-art top-down level editing sandbox, Super Dungeon Maker, on both Nintendo Switch and Steam for PC today. This anticipated update is packed with thrilling additions, promising to elevate the gaming experience for both new and seasoned players.

Super Dungeon Maker Updated Features:

• New Character Skin: Unleash The Knight in the realm.

• New Diverse Dungeon Themes: Embark on adventures with five new themes, each featuring unique mechanics:

  • Film Set Theme

  • ”So Many Me” Theme

  • Lava Theme

  • Tomb Theme

• New Enemies: confront six new opponents:

  • Shieldforker (Forker with a shield)

  • Projeggslime (Slime with projectiles)

  • Sparkull (Fire Skull)

  • Homefly (Chasing Fly)

  • Reveton (Skeleton Chicken)

  • Hoohoo (Ghost Chicken)

• New cosmetics: The latest visual addition – pets.

• Creative Dungeon Enhancements:

  • Traps trigger hit and barrier switches for more creative dungeons.

  • Corn Coins unlock Corn Gates.

  • Golden Eggs can now be placed on different floors to explore more endings.

• Hall of Fame Dungeon: High Tier Kickstarter backers present their unique and creative dungeons here.

• Enhanced Gaming Experience: undergo a reworked undo-system and improved controller functionality allowing players to draw floor tiles much faster.

• Steam Trading Cards (Steam Only): personalize your gaming profile.

“We are thrilled to unveil this update, meticulously designed to enhance the Super Dungeon Maker experience for all players,” said Linda Treffler, Co-Director and Artist at FIRECHICK. “The sheer delight of witnessing the imaginative creations crafted by players has truly astounded us. Experiencing their creativity has been a genuine treat and their creations are nothing short of remarkable!”

“With this latest update FIRECHICK has taken Super Dungeon Maker to the next level,” said Adrian Kaiser, Head of Communication at rokaplay. “Super Dungeon Maker was already an amazing game, but now there’s so much more room for player expression, and making your own dungeon has never been easier!”

Source: PR Email

14 December 2023 To celebrate the acclaimed Story of Seasons series, today Japan publisher, Rainy Frog, is excited to announce the next instalment of the critically lauded Piczle series Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons. Releasing on Nintendo Switch and PC Steam, this must-play puzzler offers a feast of fun, compelling challenges and beautiful settings that can be enjoyed on release 27th February 2024.

With the current trend and upsurge for more cosy titles, Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons, is a perfect fit to please that demand, as well as capturing a new audience that wants something more relaxed, but at the same time challenging and enjoyable!

The Recipe for Success

The critically acclaimed Piczle series has been redefining the logic-puzzle genre for over a decade. Infusing the series with a rich story and lovable characters, each Piczle title gives puzzle fans more than just puzzles. From the sprawling world and story of the critically acclaimed Piczle Cross Adventure to the retro LCD inspired Piczle Puzzle & Watch Collection and the rich depths of Piczle Lines 2: Into the Puzzle Verse, Piczle offers unique logic-puzzling experiences.

Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons continues this tradition and winning formula by offering not only the most feature-rich and cosy nonogram experience available, but doing so in homage to everybody’s favourite farm life game series!

In Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons players experience addictive nonogram logic-puzzles that celebrate the beloved farm life game series by exercising their brain with classic logic-puzzles. Favourite villagers and bachelors, tools and crops, animals and upgrades in nonogram form will provide you with countless hours of puzzling!

No end of nonograms

With over 350 puzzles featuring a wealth of different Story of Seasons mainstays you’ll have a veritable pasture-full of puzzling pleasure! Puzzle variations include nonograms featuring the series’ farm animals, seasonal crops, villagers and, of course, your favourite bachelors and bachelorettes!

Bigger together

Five unlockable collage puzzles celebrate Story of Seasons’ festivals by combining dozens of puzzles into a bigger picture. Each collage puzzle combines dozens of individual nonograms that each unlock part of a bigger canvas celebrating your favourite festivals!

Explore the Almanac

Clearing specific puzzles will unlock entries in the in-game 100+ page almanac that celebrates all your favourite characters and critters from the Story of Seasons games.

Play it your way!

True to the Piczle series, Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons provides the most feature-rich and option-abundant experience available to cater the puzzling experience to players’ exact liking. From hiding away the timer to correcting mistakes, from choosing the puzzles’ themes to managing how completed clues are marked off, play exactly how you want. There is no wrong way to play!

There is so much more on offer to ensure an intuitive & intriguing time is had!

Piczle series creator and Score Studios CEO James Kay commented “Thanks to Marvelous’ cooperation, I was able to develop a game that faithfully reflects the story of the Story of Seasons series. It was a great honor to work with Marvelous on the game and hope that fans of both Story of Seasons and Piczle will enjoy the game.”

Hikaru Nakano, Manager at Marvelous Global Games Studio added “The characters and crops from Story of Seasons have been turned into cute puzzles, creating a really fun game. I hope fans of the Story of Seasons series will enjoy the game.”

Features

• Test yourself with 30 hours of brain stretching puzzle fun with 350 puzzles.
• Reveal a bigger picture by completing collage puzzles combining dozens of smaller puzzles.
• See your farm grow with new crops as you complete puzzles.
• Watch the seasons change in your farm as you progress.
• Browse a 100+ page almanac with information from five Story of Seasons games.
• Listen to music from the Story of Seasons games in the Music Player.
• Enjoy the same charming character and farm graphics used in the Story of Seasons games.
• Tweak the puzzle experience as you like it with a wealth of puzzle options.
• Unlock 25 varied achievements.
• Supports 9 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese)

Source: PR Email

Stuttgart, Germany – 12th December 2023, World renowned publisher Deck13 Spotlight, together with developer Argonwood, is excited to announce the forthcoming release on January 18th 2024 of Rising Lords, a stylised and medieval turn-based strategy experience. After nearly four years in Early Access on PC Steam, which was critically acclaimed, it has built up amazing community support. The full and final release will be synced in with the news of its debut release on Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo Switch, marking an enchanting triple-platform serving of enticing strategy.

Implemented for release

Together with a gripping story campaign, other alluring elements broaden its tactical appeal with exciting card and board game features, presenting an experience not to be overlooked. The full release of Rising Lords comes with an impressive list of must ‘shout about’ enhanced features: From graphics, user interface and engine upgrades to new events, maps, buildings, special figures, factions, skill cards, morale system, diplomacy, map editor + workshop support, challenge mode, story campaign and much more!

Setting the scene

The epic Rising Lords takes place in the fictional Northern Island Kingdom of Aubelin. For generations there has been no king, and the country is loosely ruled by the Council of Counts. The people are unhappy and the various regions are in a desolate and isolated state. The all-new story campaign accompanies the journey of Tankred of Tannheim, a young boy who must quickly learn to follow in his father’s footsteps and protect his homeland from bandits and cultists.

Onwards – Battle Forth

As Lord or Lady, lead your provinces to success by balancing production, resource gathering, construction, diplomacy, taxes and rations. Build mighty fortified cities, raise massive armies and use a variety of unique characters to triumph over your enemies. Manage your growing number of lands and people as you conquer neighboring territories, and engage in highly tactical grid and turn-based combat, using counters, skill cards and terrain to your advantage. Help your people become knights or sacrifice them on a battlefield far away, but be careful – even the most humble peasants will revolt… eventually.

Challenge yourself and your friends with simultaneous cross-platform multiplayer, a map editor and multiple gameplay modes! The story campaign consists of a prologue and six chapters, not forgetting a challenge mode where waves of enemies appear at every turn, and a scenario mode where you can choose a map and battle up to three lords (or friends of yours).

Features & Facts

• Turn-based tactics
• Varied game modes
• Versatile maps and map editor
• Skill and event cards
• Deep morale system
• Resource management and building construction
• Weapon forging and army creation
• Balancing of military and economic strength

Producer Carola Feierfeil “With a long and focused development Rising Lords can boast of MORE skill cards, units, events, buildings, victory conditions, etc. We are extremely pleased with the varied modes, including the gripping story campaign where you play the role of a young boy struggling to restore the glory of his ancient house and every decision you make will shape your path.”

An epic turn-based challenge is set to battle, build and survive!

Source: PR Email

Denver, USA – December 8th, 2023  – Independent game developer C2 Game Studio and Versus Evil, one of the leading independent video game publishers, have today released an all new blog post detailing some of the environments you’ll explore when Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients launches on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms in 2024.

This latest blog post provides an overview of Gliese, a realm draped in mystery, where history lies cloaked in shadows and destiny teeters on uncertainty. Gliese boasts a spectrum of biomes that enrich its essence. Each environment beckons explorers to unearth their secrets, discover hidden temples, explore caverns, and undoubtedly revel in the manifold wonders that Gliese holds.

Here you’ll get a snapshot of its arid wasteland The Great Xanios Desert, once home to Gliese’s most ancient civilization; the  lush Deep Forest where legends speak of a hidden grove where the whispers of ancient wisdom echo; the snow-capped Kalios Mountain Range where harsh temperatures and fierce winds make for a challenging venture to all but the unique breed of Hiltsik who’ve adapted to the climate and setup a village there; and the enchanting Firefly Forest & Sacred Lake, full of serene waters and rumored to serve as the passage to a hidden Diokek City.

If you’d like to come to grips with Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients, a demo is currently available on Steam that offers a taste of its deeply satisfying combo-based combat system.

More about Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients:

The world of Gliese is threatened by dark forces, revenants from a forgotten time. Astor, a young warrior, must rise and unearth the secrets of the past, exploring majestic, mysterious ruins and ancient temples in an epic fight for the planet’s survival. Only Astor can gather the ancient powers and legendary weapons needed to stop an unholy ritual.

Journey across an expansive, colorful world, full of mystery and danger. Abandoned ruins and derelict temples from a long forgotten era pepper the landscape, teasing mysterious tales that you must uncover. Aided by an enigmatic presence, Astor will dive into an intricate storyline filled with iconic and endearing characters. Explore deep forests, sprawling deserts, frozen tundras, and crumbling ancient structures as you embark upon a globe-trotting adventure.

Source: PR Email