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[More_Badass]

Star Surveyor - 2017 (PC, Mac)

https://slimefriend.itch.io/star-surveyor

Star Surveyor is a game about exploration: exploring a planet, exploring its ecosystem, and, sometimes, exploring yourself.
It's a bit like a Metroid game, but with less violence and more look-at-that-frog-ain't-he-cute. You can explore wherever you want, but certain areas are inaccessible without the proper tools. But don't worry--no matter what tools you have, there's always plenty to see and do.

 

[Moobabe]

Star Surveyor - 2017 (PC, Mac)

This looks like what I hoped Waking Mars would be. Interest piqued.

 

[Alex Connolly]

So I wrote a thing about Firewatch. I don't know if I'm super happy about it - feel like I could, and maybe should, have gone elsewhere, read around and cited a bunch of reviews to create a discussion piece.

Oh well!

Enjoyed that a lot. Probably won't end up playing it, but enjoyed the insight.

 

[One Foul Note]

I can't wait to give Slain! a try tomorrow.

Ahh, top news. Can't wait. With that finally out that is my final kickstarted game that I am waiting for release. So it is probably time to back a whole bunch of new kickstarters heh.

 

[Moobabe]

Enjoyed that a lot. Probably won't end up playing it, but enjoyed the insight.

I enjoyed it - it's a tough sell, I guess? I don't know how much divergence there would/could be in the story though

 

[More_Badass]

Samorost 3 - $19.99 (PC, Mac)

http://samorost3.net/

Samorost 3 is an exploration adventure and puzzle game from the award-winning creators of Machinarium and Botanicula. Travel across space to nine unique worlds teeming with colorful challenges, creatures and surprises to discover, brought to life with beautiful artwork, sound and music.

Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem - $19.99 (PC)

http://www.wolcengame.com/home/

An isometric open world action-RPG. Shape shift into a highly customized character! Crush your foes, get loots, build your house and dungeon to challenge other players!

Paws: A Shelter 2 Game - $14.99 (PC, Mac)

http://mightanddelight.com/paws/

Paws is a tale of two halves and sees you traverse the dark and dank surroundings of an enchanted land as you try to fend off dangers, whilst overcoming the daunting sprawling landscape you encounter as you try to make your way home.

Flat Heroes - 2016

https://twitter.com/FlatHeroes

Fast-paced local multiplayer game with special care put into the game-feel and polishing!

 

[Fushichou187]

Flat Heroes - 2016

That looks cool! The movement also reminded somewhat of gifs we've seen showing creature animations in Rain World.

 

[Alex Connolly]

I enjoyed it - it's a tough sell, I guess? I don't know how much divergence there would/could be in the story though

It's no slight against the game or creators, just acknowledgement that I'm old and decrepit and have come to realise that genre is not for me. The days of personal Renaissance are over.

Unless it's called Cradle, but that's not really a walking sim.

 

[Moobabe]

It's no slight against the game or creators, just acknowledgement that I'm old and decrepit and have come to realise that genre is not for me. The days of personal Renaissance are over.

Unless it's called Cradle, but that's not really a walking sim.

Cradle was something special, that's for sure. Firewatch is... well it's good, but it's definitely more Dear Esther and Cradle in terms of interactivity.

What's on your radar man? Naturally follow everything you write about, but anything that doesn't have helicopters in it taking your fancy?

 

[Alex Connolly]

Cradle was something special, that's for sure. Firewatch is... well it's good, but it's definitely more Dear Esther and Cradle in terms of interactivity.

What's on your radar man? Naturally follow everything you write about, but anything that doesn't have helicopters in it taking your fancy?

Battlefleet Gothic Armada, I suppose? That, and bouts of oddness like returning to Space Hulk: Ascension and figuring out how I'm going to put together a long-play AAR on the crunchy wobble that as 7.62 Hard Life.

And anything I get charged with reviewing.

 

[More_Badass]

Damn, Samorost 3 has to be the most gorgeous game I've played this year so far, and that's counting Oxenfree, Firewatch, and SuperHOT. It's a labor of love, which I think a work in any medium has to be when it's a sequel released 11 years after the last game and has this much care and polish and artistic confidence.

 

[spineduke]

Damn, Samorost 3 has to be the most gorgeous game I've played this year so far, and that's counting Oxenfree, Firewatch, and SuperHOT. It's a labor of love, which I think a work in any medium has to be when it's a sequel released 11 years after the last game and has this much care and polish and artistic confidence.

After Botanicula and Machinarium, I was expecting great things - they have amazing artistic talent on board. Was genuinely surprised since it dropped on Steam without warning!

 

[Toma]

Aaaaah, the Frozen Synapse 2 Closed Beta should start soon.

AAAAAAAAAAAH.

 

[epmode]

Damn, Samorost 3 has to be the most gorgeous game I've played this year so far, and that's counting Oxenfree, Firewatch, and SuperHOT. It's a labor of love, which I think a work in any medium has to be when it's a sequel released 11 years after the last game and has this much care and polish and artistic confidence.

It sounds incredible too. Amanita always does great work with layered/interactive audio and Samorost 3 is a step above.

I kinda love it.

 

[More_Badass]

Unnamed game - ????

https://twitter.com/kurtloeffler

A nautical adventure. Trading, fishing, ports, and harsh seas

The First Tree - 2017

http://www.thefirsttree.com/

A third-person exploration game centered around two parallel stories: a fox trying to find her missing family, and a young couple dealing with a death in theirs. Players take control of the fox on a poignant and beautiful journey that crescendos at the source of life, and perhaps results in the understanding of death. Along the way, players can uncover artifacts and stories from the young couple’s life as they too become intertwined in the fox’s journey towards The First Tree.

Echoes - 2017 (PC)

http://echoesthegame.tumblr.com/

Echoes is a third-person puzzle-platformer in which the world has been flooded and the surface is akin to a boundless mirror. The player journeys through aery heights and watery depths, controlling a mysterious black figure capable of walking on water as well as upside down under water.
Progression requires climbing towers to dive deeper and befriending glowing fish to light the way, while hiding from monstrous sea creatures.

Niten - PC

http://nitengame.com/

In search of the past and the present find yourself lost on a remote island off the coast of Japan. Uncover the mystery where ancient Japanese culture meets breathtaking scenery, blossoming cherry trees and a sky that tells a story in its self. Watch the weather turn and see the sun go down, feel the chill of the morning mist and let the glowing fireflies guide you as you search to uncover the truth of the island.

Mystic Melee - Spring 2016 (PC, Mac)

http://mysticmelee.com/

Mystic Melee is a platforming combat game where teams of Warwizards battle to control powerful artifacts and arcane knowledge. Battle online or take on single player and co-op challenges.

The Revenant - PC, Android

http://www.auragames.co.uk/#!the-revenant/c1x7k

You suddenly awken in a hollowed out cylinder, confused, scared and alone in some form of lab. Worse still, you realise you have no idea who you are. The world around you is dark but you have no choice but to push on and explore your surroundings.

Aethyr - 2016 (PC)

http://multiverselabyrinth.tumblr.com/

Aethyr is an action adventure role-playing game in a mystical post-apocalyptic world. Fight monsters, explore dark dungeons, and battle epic bosses.

Mimic Arena - 2016 (Xbox One)

http://www.mimic-arena.com/

Mimic Arena is a local-multiplayer platform shooter with a twist. Up to four players are pitted against one another in a high energy, hectic battlefield that will test even the most seasoned gamers’ reflexes. Thankfully you will have some backup: your past self! Everything the player does, wherever they go, every shot fired; is recorded and then played back again as a Mimic. When your character is destroyed, these clones automatically spawn to fight alongside you.

Hobo RPG - PC

http://hoborpg.com/

Hobo: Tough Life is a city survival RPG. The game is situated into an attractive city environment. It is supposed to be tough. You will have to deal with hunger, hostile environment, human unconcern and with forthcoming winter.

Previously Mentioned

Totem Teller

Four Sided Fantasy

That Which Sleeps

Twin Souls

Tower of Samsara

 

[More_Badass]

The Age of Decadence is currently 40% off
http://store.steampowered.com/app/230070/

 

[Toma]

The Age of Decadence is currently 40% off
http://store.steampowered.com/app/230070/

Did anybody put some more time into this?

 

[More_Badass]

Did anybody put some more time into this?

I just bought it, but I've read some awesome praise about this game

AoD actually has pretty cool combat underneath that awkward-ass UI...

It was amazing the moment I realized I could hack my way through much tougher battles than I thought with my squishy assassin by lacerating people's hands to lower their to-hit chance. Doing that, crowd controlling with nets, and falling back to choke points was a pretty good time for a game with a reputation for everything but the fighting parts.

Hoo, I just beat a fight against a mercenary patrol that I thought was impossible with my build. The combat is hard as balls, but there are plenty of options that I'm discovering. I loaded an earlier save and had my thief/alchemist (with some points in Sword) brew some Liquid Fire, which at first seemed pretty useless since it's low damage. However, it also creates a barrier that can't be crossed for a handful of turns! So by some clever zoning and with the help of my crossbow-armed accomplices we demolished the assholes that were wiping the floor with us previously.

Loving this so far, I've been playing the "Loremaster" background, and with 3 persuasion, 3 streewise, 3 lore and 3 trading. It's pretty much the jew build. I'm bullshitting my way around town convincing people their valueables are worthless and buying them for nothing :-D

This game is incredible and you should all play it.

Let's get some stuff out of the way. The graphics suck (aside from the really nice character portraits). The combat system isn't particularly fun. The game isn't a giant, epic, open-world adventure; it has relatively few locations and much of the story is Game of Thrones-style intrigue and backstabbing rather than big existential threats.

If none of those things are dealbreakers, here's why you should play AoD: it has the best dialogue-based gameplay of any game, ever. I'm including Alpha Protocol, Deus Ex: Human Revolution's conversational battles, and New Vegas in that comparison.

Why is it so great? First, the dialogue is very well-written. It has a super-cynical, dark tone that's very different than any other game I've played. NPCs can lie to you convincingly, and a few lines of dialogue can plant some vivid characterization in your brain.

Second, AoD has the best dialogue-based choice & consequence ever. You can affect large-scale events and go down some radically different branching paths, but you can also use your dialogue skills to alter many smaller choices. Let's say you're trying to convince a soldier to betray his commander and give you secret information (this is a situation in the game, but altered to avoid spoilers). You can use your Trading skill to make a deal; you can use Persuasion to make the situation seem like a winning one for him; you can use both Trading and Persuasion in a single check to make a more favourable deal; you can gamble against him and get him deep into debt (if your Intelligence is high enough, or if you have the skills to cheat) then use that as leverage against him. In a lot of dialogue systems, all of these would lead to the same outcome. In AoD, each of these options has different consequences. Get the guy into debt, and the Thieves' Guild might come collecting and kill him. Make a Trade, and you'll have your end of the bargain to hold up. Use Persuasion, and he might take advantage of the situation to improve his own lot later.

For me this is the greatest RPG of the year and for a long time as well. It's aesthetic is a nice change as well, it's not about magic and high fantasy and I like how it uses historical accuracy and fiction to create a compelling world and story. The game is the best written RPG in the last few years but what's phenomenal about it is its dialogue system. You can play the game entirely through dialogue assuming you have built a character with the stats appropriate to do so. The amount of choice, consequence and branching of dialogue is something I've never seen to this depth in a RPG before. The game can be best described as a RPG of intrigue, deception, political assassinations, etc. Think of it as like Game of Thrones, it's not really about the direct action, it's about the intrigue and you can change the game in a lot of ways, influence fights to occur for your favour, etc. Think of it as if you were playing Varys from Game of Thrones. Granted, there are many ways to play this game, if you don't want to focus heavily on dialogue you don't have to, combat is there and very challenging

If you are interested in classic RPGs, if you like Planescape, the original Fallouts or Arcanum, if you are interested in C&C and computer roleplaying beyond swinging a sword, just put this game in your wish list and buy it at some point of the future. Fantastic setting, great lore, interesting combat and tons of interesting options, dialogues and decisions (with equally interesting consequences). A real gem.

 

[One Foul Note]

Did anybody put some more time into this?

I got it a while back and wasn't too fond of it. The UI and general gameplay is very poorly done and for a game about choice it was disappointingly limited.

 

[Alex Connolly]

Quick thoughts on Air Missions: HIND, if one cares for decent WIP thwoppery.

 

[More_Badass]

Firewatch

Firewatch offers both natural beauty to explore and engaging banter to enjoy, a mystery to unravel and a mature story. As you play, a mystery emerges, and an ever-present atmosphere of tension settles over the vibrant wilderness. Firewatch nails the feeling of exploration, discovery, and isolation that so well. Familiar trails once traveled might not feel so inviting later in the game. Plot developments can frame certain actions and areas in new lights.

HyperRogue

HyperRogue is more puzzle game than pure roguelike, set in a non-Euclidean space where the rules are always changing and one wrong move can be your last. You're a fragile being, only able to take a single hit, and you enemies are equally thin-skinned. Instead success and survival revolves around not getting surrounded and trapped by encroaching beasts. The most intriguing aspect is its varied worlds, from parched desert and living caves to mirror worlds, mined lands where safe travel revolves around minesweeper-style rules, and oceans where pirates and sharks lurk.

Love You To Bits

Love You To Bits is from the designers and animators from cute adventure game Tiny Thief, and the same charming aesthetic, movement, and atmosphere of whimsy that made Thief so enjoyable also shines in Love You To Bits. While Thief was fantasy-themed, Love is sci-fi and that new theme allowed the developers to experiment with all manner of level design and mechanics. One level, you're stuck in a time loop. Another is in a Monument Valley-esque area where gravity changes with orientation, while yet another divides its world into comic book panels. It's an inventive, colorful, cute, and just fun adventure

---

1) SuperHOT
2) Firewatch
3) Devil Daggers
4) Unravel
5) HyperRogue
6) Love You To Bits

 

[Toma]

Even though i didnt post it here, I did check out quite a few games and I was a bit disappointed by this months games tbh. Not many standout surprises or much that got me to want to talk about.

 

[More_Badass]

Notable April releases

Enter The Gungeon - April 5th
Super Impossible Road - April 5th
Aurion - April 14th
Jalopy - April 14th
Man O' War: Corsair - April 15th
The Banner Saga 2 - April 19th
Astrokill
RIOT
Okhlos
Starship Corporation

 

[Acosta]

I just bought it, but I've read some awesome praise about this game

Honored to be there, hope you enjoy it! As a tip, don't ever think for a second you are finished when you complete a run, the point of the game is trying to complete it with different characters and see the world from different perspectives.

Just wanted to throw a shutout for Grim Dawm. It´s damn miraculous that they managed to finish this, it´s really a huge and complex ARPG and if you loved Titan Quest, you will love this (the setting is more boring in general but the gameplay is fantastic). If you are experienced, try to being in Veteran, more fun than normal (and you can change back to normal if you find too much trouble).

I had been forgetting to subscribe to this thread. I'm oveloaded of games I want to play from now and then and I have been missing focus on the present of the indie scene, it pains me to see so many interesting games and feeling I'm missing out. There is tons of stuff from 2015 that I was very interested it and didn't play, it makes me feel bad but I will try to be around at least, the thread always need more posts!

 

[More_Badass]

Honored to be there, hope you enjoy it! As a tip, don't ever think for a second you are finished when you complete a run, the point of the game is trying to complete it with different characters and see the world from different perspectives.

Just wanted to throw a shutout for Grim Dawm. It´s damn miraculous that they managed to finish this, it´s really a huge and complex ARPG and if you loved Titan Quest, you will love this (the setting is more boring in general but the gameplay is fantastic). If you are experienced, try to being in Veteran, more fun than normal (and you can change back to normal if you find too much trouble).

I had been forgetting to subscribe to this thread. I'm oveloaded of games I want to play from now and then and I have been missing focus on the present of the indie scene, it pains me to see so many interesting games and feeling I'm missing out. There is tons of stuff from 2015 that I was very interested it and didn't play, it makes me feel bad but I will try to be around at least, the thread always need more posts!

Hopefully, the Best of 2015 thread might be finished by this week or next, should help narrow down your 2015 backlog (Maybe not by that much, it's the 50 best indies of 2015 )

 

[Acosta]

Hopefully, the Best of 2015 thread might be finished by this week or next, should help narrow down your 2015 backlog (Maybe not by that much, it's the 50 best indies of 2015 )

Maaan, I have been checking the "promising indies of 2016 and beyond" and I'm weeping already...

 

[More_Badass]

Maaan, I have been checking the "promising indies of 2016 and beyond" and I'm weeping already...

Trust me, I know the feeling. That's the good and bad thing about indies. At least with AAA games, you can plan out your purchases a few months in advance. Indies, there's something good or interesting coming out every week, not even counting the out-of-nowhere surprises and hidden gems. It can be pretty overwhelming. But I guess it's better to have so much choice rather than less

 

[Acosta]

Trust me, I know the feeling. That's the good and bad thing about indies. At least with AAA games, you can plan out your purchases a few months in advance. Indies, there's something good or interesting coming out every week, not even counting the out-of-nowhere surprises and hidden gems. It get be pretty overwhelming. But I guess it's better to have so much choice rather than less

Totally agree, blessed times indeed. Sometimes it´s just a matter of organizing and focusing a little.

 

[epmode]

I don't know how I missed this but the recent Steam release of The Sea Will Claim Everything includes new content. Verena Kyratzes sez:

it’s more like we put an entire additional game’s worth of writing on top of what’s already there.

I'm not sure if there's new art or music to go along with the text.

In related news, you should totally vote for the sequel on Steam Greenlight: The Council of Crows

 

[More_Badass]

Floxels - Free (PC, Android)

http://dishmoth.com/games/floxels/

Command a mob of maze-dwelling Floxels.

 

[More_Badass]

10 Upcoming Games to Keep an Eye On
Skytorn, Katana Zero, PAMELA, Rive, and more

 

[epmode]

The Rive demo is very promising. I'll probably buy it. Too bad that the developer is done with new games after that one.

 

[Moobabe]

Just got a review key through for Enter The Gungeon - a nice surprise!

 

[epmode]

***JEALOUSY***

 

[Moobabe]

***JEALOUSY***

I'll be sure to let you know how GREAT it is!

 

[Toma]

I'll be sure to let you know how GREAT it is!

There still is a chance it isnt though

 

[More_Badass]

There still is a chance it isnt though

Nah, impossible. I've seen enough footage to know it's going to be excellent

 

[Kaz42]

Hey PC gamers, how is Invisible Inc? Do you think it'll translate nicely to ps4 and the controller?

 

[Toma]

Nah, impossible. I've seen enough footage to know it's going to be excellent

Monaco footage looked a lot more fun than it was to play.
Not saying its the same, but its not like we didnt have similar cases.

There was also a pretty big one in 2015 people were lukewarm about, or recently Adr1ft and Firewatch.

 

[epmode]

Hey PC gamers, how is Invisible Inc? Do you think it'll translate nicely to ps4 and the controller?

Invisible Inc is one of a kind. One of the best games of the last few years, not jokes. It's turn-based so it should translate well provided Klei put in the work.

If you have the time, I've been watching a weekly Let's Play series that's turning out very nicely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS0AlAiiv2M

<3 Cool Ghosts <3

 

[spineduke]

Hey PC gamers, how is Invisible Inc? Do you think it'll translate nicely to ps4 and the controller?

It's fantastic - one of my goty. It's doable on controller, it should control very similarly to XCOM (but it's a very different sort of turn based game). Check out the Cool Ghosts episode epmode posted, they give a decent idea of how the mechanics work.

I'll be sure to let you know how GREAT it is!

Any comparisons to Nuclear Throne would be appreciated :3

 

[titch]

Has this been mentioned before - same dev as frozen synapse.

http://www.tokyo42.com/

Looks awesome tbh

 

[Toma]

Has this been mentioned before - same dev as frozen synapse.

http://www.tokyo42.com/



Looks awesome tbh

Seems to be only published by the Mode 7 devs, but looks interesting, thanks!

 

[More_Badass]

Hey, anyone else play stuff from this month's games?

 

[More_Badass]

The Inner Sea - $11.99 (PC, Mac)

http://theinnersea.com/

The Inner Sea is a sandbox like game with RPG elements set in the XVII century in a mysterious archipelago. You’ll build up your fleet from a single ship, hire crew, engage in naval battles, embark on missions and trade your heart's content away!

Bunker Punks - $14.99 (PC)

http://bunkerpunks.com/

Heavily inspired by the classic FPS games of the early 90’s, Bunker Punks is a roguelike first-person shooter set in a dystopian future. You control a group of revolutionaries, raiding corporate strongholds for supplies, weapons and armor. Customize your bunker, strengthen your gang and overthrow the corporate government.

Epistory: Typing Chronicles - $14.99 (PC, Mac, Linux)

http://www.epistorygame.com/

Epistory immerses you in an atmospheric action/adventure game where you play a girl riding a giant fox who clears out an insectile corruption from an origami world. As you progress and explore this world, the story literally unfolds and the mysteries of the magic power of the words are revealed.

Leap of Fate - $15.99 (PC)

http://www.leapoffategame.com/

Leap of Fate is a furiously-paced cyberpunk roguelite about overcoming your fears and achieving your fate. In a New York City where magic is real, you play as a technomage who must develop unspeakable powers to confront the Crucible of Fates. Can you survive the trials?

 

[One Foul Note]

Hey, anyone else play stuff from this month's games?

I put some time into Love you to Bit (iOS), Superhot and Stardew. Honestly money has been a bit of a worry lately so I've been a little less impulsive on my indie purchases as of late.

 

[More_Badass]

Human Resource Machine is 20% off. That was well received here, right?

Has this been mentioned before - same dev as frozen synapse.

http://www.tokyo42.com/



Looks awesome tbh

This looks great. Always down for some cyberpunk

 

[One Foul Note]

Human Resource Machine is 20% off. That was well received here, right?

Yeah, it's solid. I must admit I found the hook of that game to be its artstyle and general tone, not the actual quality of the puzzles. So if you are a kinda fairly hardcore logic puzzler/coder fan then their are a fair few other games that are probably suit you better. But if you like some light puzzling while being in that surreal and dirty world of Little Inferno then it is worth checking out.

 

[More_Badass]

Well this is a promising sign

The developers of The Last Night started a devlog
https://medium.com/the-last-night-devblog

We want to tell you how we went from scrappy pixel art for a gamejam in a tiny 691x269 window, to a massive 1920x1080 filled with delicious pixel art full of details, a real sense of depth and lovely animations.

We want to tell you how we imagined and designed the futuristic, gritty, yet charming city of the game. How we settled on some gameplay features, like our real time action dialogues and our 2.5D camera, and how we are juicing them.

We want to explain you how we animate our characters by hand, and how we randomise their behaviours to create a rich, 2D, believable crowd where you blend in. Or even how we are using lighting as an aesthetic, creative, and storytelling tool.

 

[Alex Connolly]

Pretty tempted by The Inner Sea. Windward meets Game of Thrones intro.