Two of the biggest trends for indie games recently are so-called ‘roguelikes’ and space-based simulations. Add real-time shooters and you have the recipe for a fun and addictive game that will appeal to a broad cross-section of players. That is what Stellar, a roguelike space shooter, is offering in a game with a planned 2016 release date. Check it out!
Brian Fargo and inXile Entertainment had a great 2014 with the release of Wasteland 2. Now they are returning to the property that inspired their first game a decade ago, as they have announced officially that they are working on The Bard’s Tale IV. The last official entry in the series was all the way back in 1988!
When I wrote about the official announcement of Avernum 2: Crystal Souls last year I noted that I had missed the initial release of the first three games, and only played parts of them since. In 2012 I played and replayed Avernum: Escape from the Pit, and now I have played Avernum 2: Crystal Souls and completely loved it!
While Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth launched just three months ago, the legendary strategy game create is already preparing his next bold adventure – Sid Meier’s Starships, which is coming later this year to Mac, PC and iPad. The game will offer some connectivity to Beyond Earth, but is its own grand adventure. Check out the announcement info!
I love Phoenix Online Studios because whether they are developing or publishing, they manage to put out some hilarious and high quality games. So when I hear they have something in the works – I want to know about it! The newly announced Supreme League of Patriots looks hilarious and engaging and like just the sort of amazing game I’ll love!
The Baldur’s Gate franchise of epic fantasy role playing games are amongst the most beloved and critically acclaimed of all time. They have recently been re-released as ‘enhanced editions’, and now Beamdog has teased us with pictures of screens and tidbits of information about their ‘Adventure Y’, which is “bridging the gap between Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II.”
Wadjet Eye has released some great games recently, creating the Blackwell mystery games and publishing Gemini Rue. So I was intrigued when I heard that they were working on a new game with indie developer Technocrat, which they announced today. The game is Technobabylon, a dystopian cyberpunk adventure coming to PC in spring 2015 and to Mac/Linux after.
The history of gaming is littered with long-forgotten classics, great games rendered unplayable due to compatibility issues, or the lack of a 5.25″ floppy drive! Add the complexity of getting DOSBox configured and optimized, and the bar is simply too high. But now the Internet Archive has set up a portal to play 2400 games on your web browser!
Gear up gamers for fun, flash and functionality! The Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2015) is featuring new and upcoming gaming accessories to enhance video game experiences for all ages. Nyko and Mad Catz are familiar names in gaming peripherals and this year brings more great gaming options including a PlayStation 4 data bank, PS4 Type Pad, innovative gaming headset, Xbox One light grip, and XB1 mini charge dock.
2014 was an incredible year to be a PC or Mac gamer, and even better if you are a fan of classic RPGs. I am both, so I got to enjoy one of the best years of gaming I can recall since before Microsoft entered the console wars! If you love PC or Mac gaming, you must check these out!
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris has a “top-down” viewing perspective as up to four players can take on adventures in this quality game exclusively available by download. Our “tomb raider” Lara also has a rivals and ancient evils in her midst as develop Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix craft this sequel to the 2010 Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
The Sims 4 now gifts new career-related content and a Holiday Celebration pack to their ever-growing set of free content since the initial fall release. The new business and athletic careers branch into two new paths/professions, which unlock four career-reward rooms in the build mode when played through. Sims now get paid time off! Update in-game or on Origin.
The fast paced, double stick, and multi-directional shooter franchise continues as Geometry Wars³: Dimensions features online play, leaderboards, furious music, and new boss fights plus a single player campaign mode called “Adventure” where movement is the key to success as players can enjoy a retro title full of content and fun.
Soldak Entertainment is an indie developer making great games, mostly in the RPG genre. From the incredible Depths of Peril, the never-old Din’s Curse, light-but-fun Kivi’s Underworld to the sprawling space adventure Drox Operative. Now for their next game they are dipping into the undead with Zombasite, a post-apocalyptic fantasy action RPG coming in 2015 to Windows, Mac, and Linux.
I discovered the Heroes of Might & Magic (HOMM) strategy-RPG game series with the excellent HOMM IV, but quickly discovered HOMM III was the pinnacle of the series. Ubisoft has announced that they are releasing a HD restoration of the game called Heroes of Might & Magic III HD – Restoration of Erathia, coming to PC, iOS and Android tablets.
Developed by Avalanche Software and published by Disney Interactive Studios, Disney Infinity 2.0 has released the second “wave” of figures, power discs, and other items. This newly released wave includes Merida and Stitch in the Starter Pack and the separate figures Aladdin, Tinkerbell, Maleficent, and Donald Duck plus Hiro and Brymax from Big Hero 6.
Destiny has come calling to gamers everywhere as Bungie, the game producer that brought the world Halo, offers several game elements, styles, and genres in one action role-playing, first-person shooter (FPS). Though the story gets deeper than needed, players can easily find amazing experiences, challenges and victories amid a post-apocalyptic world set 700 years into the future.
Fury has come to the World of Tanks as Wargaming and Sony Pictures team for a synergetic punch! Sony Pictures’ new WWII action film Fury (in theater October 17) is featured in new World of Tank game bundles on PC, Xbox 360 and iOS. These bundles feature a Fury-branded iconic M4 Sherman Tank commanded by the film’s lead character, Wardaddy.
Dragon Age: Origins is now free on PC from the Origin game distribution service from Electronic Arts through the special “On the House” program. Dragon Age: Origins is a role-playing action video game originally released in 2009 and reviewed by us here. Be aware that you’ll need an internet connection to access the online services and features.
Developed by Avalanche Software and published by Disney Interactive Studios, Disney Infinity 2.0 unleashes the Marvel Universe into the gameplay based on playsets, discs, and set pieces all physically placed on a base pad so players can put characters directly into the game with free gameplay options in digital versions.
Maxis and Electronic Arts will release free content for their latest installment of their popular life simulation game series, The Sims 4. Players just log in EA’s gaming service Origin then enjoy updates the rest of the year including the recently released special Star Wars costume set and Halloween items with pool coming in November.