Video Game News & Reviews from hardcore gamers.
When a new collectible card game (CCG) emerges, it’s not just about the mechanics or the art it’s about the vision, the passion, and the journey of the people behind it. I had the privilege of interview the team behind Gear Slayer CCG, a free to play multiplayer card game set in the vibrant world of Aurellia. In this exclusive interview, we dive deep into the creative process, the hurdles they overcame, and the unique features that set Gear Slayer apart.
First Impressions and Core Gameplay
Warship Survival Demo throws you straight into the chaos of naval combat, challenging you to survive as long as possible against relentless enemy waves. You start your journey with a modest torpedo boat, navigating open seas that quickly fill with foes. The core gameplay loop is simple and fast paced: sink enemy ships, dodge incoming fire, and collect experience to level up your vessel mid match. The game’s roguelike structure means each run is unique, with random upgrades and scaling difficulty that encourage replayability.
The demo currently offers two game modes, including an endless mode where the challenge ramps up the longer you stay afloat. As you progress, you can unlock various ship types destroyers, frigates, battleships, aircraft carriers, and even submarines. Each ship class has its own strengths and playstyle, but in the demo, you’re limited to one weapon per ship, which restricts tactical variety. While the game promises permanent upgrades and a prestige mode in the full release, these features are not yet available in the demo.
Stepping into the world of Mycopunk, I was immediately greeted by a universe that feels refreshingly original. The game throws you into the boots of the New Atlas Hazard Crew, a ragtag team of robot rejects hired by the SAXON corporation for one last shot at redemption. The premise is simple but effective: you’re an exterminator, but instead of pests, you’re up against a planet wide fungal catastrophe that has corrupted both the environment and technology. The game’s opening moments set the tone perfectly there’s a quirky sense of humor, a dash of corporate satire, and a vibrant, almost cartoonish art style that stands out in a genre often dominated by grim, muted palettes.
A Kingdom on the Brink: Setting the Stage
The Succession of Changing Kings places you in the fraught shoes of a monarch presiding over a crumbling realm. Once prosperous lands have withered, trade has vanished, and your kingdom’s brightest minds are fleeing for greener pastures. The game’s opening moments immediately set a somber, almost desperate tone, immersing you in a world where every decision could spell salvation or doom. The world building here is genuinely impressive; the writing paints a vivid picture of decline, and the cast of characters you encounter each with their own quirks and motivations adds a layer of intrigue and dark humor that keeps the narrative engaging.
What struck me early on was how the game’s humor and personality shine through even in bleak circumstances. The dialogue is sharp, and the events are peppered with witty asides and clever references. This blend of grim stakes and levity creates a unique atmosphere, making the kingdom feel both lived in and unpredictable. It’s a rare balance that keeps you invested in the fate of your monarch, even as you brace yourself for the next disaster.
Imaginytes is not your typical tower defense game. Developed by Rasmus Lindholm, a solo developer from Denmark with a background at LEGO, this title boldly fuses the strategic depth of tower defense with the unpredictability of roguelite progression and the tactical nuance of deckbuilding. Set in a whimsical dreamworld, Imaginytes offers players a vibrant, procedurally generated landscape where every run feels unique and every decision carries weight.
Prelude Dark Pain immediately caught my attention with its ambitious blend of tactical depth, rich storytelling, and a hauntingly beautiful presentation. As someone who values both narrative immersion and strategic gameplay, my experience with the alpha demo left a strong impression-one that makes me eager for the full release. In this article, I’ll explore the game’s world, mechanics, technical details, and my personal takeaways, aiming to give fellow gamers an in-depth look at what makes Prelude Dark Pain stand out.
This past weekend, I had the chance to attend the Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on event in Amsterdam—and wow, what a ride! From the hardware to the games and even the swag bag, it was a full-on Nintendo experience. Here’s everything you need to know from someone who actually held the future of Nintendo Switch gaming in their hands.
Continue reading “Hands-On with the Nintendo Switch 2”Zero Medal: The Galaxy Champions is an upcoming beat ’em up game that channels the golden age of arcade action, blending nostalgia with fresh creative energy. Developed single-handedly by Rogerio Ferraz da Silva, known as Roger Ferraz, this project is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the enduring power of childhood dreams. In this exclusive interview, Roger shares the journey behind Zero Medal, the challenges faced along the way, and what makes this game a unique addition to the genre.
Sitting down with Alon Kaplan, CEO, Team lead, and composer at Biohex Studios, at the Olamot convention, I was eager to uncover the story behind Moduwar-an RTS unlike any other. Alon recounted how the journey began nearly a decade ago, when he and co-creator Alon Tzarafi (CTO & Lead Game Designer), both passionate about real-time strategy games, gathered friends to brainstorm a new concept. Inspired by the cult classic NetStorm, they envisioned a game where players connect floating islands and build modular weapons. The twist? In Moduwar, these islands would be living creatures, not static landmasses.
After a pivotal phone call, the core mechanic of splitting and merging living entities was born. The team quickly built a tiny prototype, but the road ahead was anything but straightforward. Showcasing early builds at conventions, they received positive feedback but struggled to find a publisher willing to take a risk on such an unconventional idea. It wasn’t until a chance meeting with Firesquid at Gamescom that things finally clicked, leading to a publishing deal and a renewed sense of purpose to finish the game.
Get ready to jack into a world of neon chrome, synthwave beats, and high-stakes tactical combat. Indie developer Shotgun Anaconda, in collaboration with publisher The Colab, has unveiled DeadWire, a tactical hacker-shooter poised to electrify the Steam platform later this year. Fresh off its showcase at Twitch’s inaugural Galaxies event, DeadWire promises a unique blend of fast-paced action and strategic environmental manipulation, all wrapped in a gritty cyberpunk aesthetic. Players are invited to step into the shoes of “Wire,” a special operative navigating a city where advanced technology barely conceals the rampant crime beneath.
The core premise, “Think fast, hack faster!”, sets the stage for a demanding experience where reflexes and strategic thinking are paramount. As Wire, players won’t just be shooting their way through objectives; they’ll be actively manipulating the digital and physical landscape to gain the upper hand. With a compelling narrative hook, deep hacking mechanics, and a challenging level structure, DeadWire aims to carve its niche within the action genre.
Deadwire on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2995100/DeadWire/
DeadWire plunges players into a meticulously crafted cyberpunk environment, characterized by stark contrasts and hidden dangers. The setting serves as more than just a backdrop; it’s an integral part of the gameplay loop, offering opportunities and threats in equal measure.
The game depicts a sprawling metropolis bathed in the glow of neon lights and chrome surfaces, embodying the classic visual tropes of the cyberpunk genre. However, this dazzling facade barely masks the “brutal reality” of its “crime drenched streets.” This juxtaposition is central to the game’s atmosphere, suggesting a world where technological advancement coexists with social decay and pervasive danger. Players can expect to navigate environments ranging from sleek corporate HQs to gritty back alleys, each potentially hiding secrets, threats, and opportunities for tactical hacking.
The visual design aims to immerse players in this dystopian setting, where the bright lights often illuminate dark truths. The environment itself is poised to be a character, reflecting the themes of technological control, rebellion, and the moral ambiguities inherent in Wire’s mission. The emphasis on a “neon soaked dystopian city” suggests a world rich in lore and atmospheric storytelling, where every corner turned could reveal more about the societal breakdown and the powers that operate within the shadows.
Players assume the role of “Wire,” identified only as a “special operative.” This designation implies a high level of skill in both combat and infiltration, likely involving advanced cybernetic enhancements or specialized hacking tools that allow for the seamless integration of physical action and digital warfare. Wire’s mission isn’t just about completing objectives; it’s deeply personal, revolving around the need to “Save your Mentor.” This narrative element introduces a driving motivation beyond mere survival or contract completion.
The plot hints at unraveling a “dark web of deceit and treachery,” suggesting that Wire will become entangled in conspiracies that reach the highest echelons or deepest underbellies of this dystopian society. This quest promises not only intense action sequences but also moments of investigation and revelation as players piece together the truth behind their mentor’s predicament and the larger forces at play. The journey through the city’s treacherous landscape will likely test Wire’s loyalty, skills, and perhaps even their humanity.
DeadWire‘s gameplay is built upon a foundation of interconnected systems: hacking, shooting, and environmental interaction. Success hinges on the player’s ability to fluidly combine these elements under pressure.
This is arguably DeadWire‘s most distinctive feature. “Chain Reaction Carnage” empowers players to “hack your enemies and the wider environment to daisy-chain destruction.” The term “rewire” suggests a deeper level of manipulation than simple on/off hacking. Players might be able to alter enemy targeting systems, causing them to attack each other, or overload their cybernetics, triggering debilitating effects or even localized explosions that harm nearby hostiles. This mechanic transforms enemies from mere targets into potential links in a devastating chain reaction.
Furthermore, extending this rewiring capability to the environment opens up vast tactical possibilities. Imagine hacking a power conduit to overload connected security systems across a room, disabling turrets, cameras, and door locks simultaneously. Alternatively, players could potentially “rewire” environmental hazards – like electrical panels or industrial machinery – turning the level itself into a weapon against unsuspecting foes. Mastering this system will involve identifying hackable nodes, understanding their connections, and triggering sequences for maximum destructive efficiency, turning complex enemy encounters into satisfying displays of tactical ingenuity.
While hacking is central, DeadWire doesn’t skimp on direct confrontation. The game features “High-Octane Combat” that emphasizes speed and agility. Players need to “Move fast, shoot,” suggesting a dynamic combat system where mobility is key to survival. Whether this involves slides, dashes, or other advanced movement techniques remains to be seen, but the focus is clearly on avoiding damage while positioning effectively for attacks.
The inclusion of “power-ups” adds another layer to the combat loop. These could range from temporary weapon enhancements (increased damage, special ammo types) to defensive boosts (shields, invisibility) or even advanced hacking capabilities (faster hacking speeds, new rewire options). The synergy between fast movement, precise shooting, and strategic power-up usage will be crucial for overcoming the increasingly difficult challenges the game throws at the player, reinforcing the “think fast” component of the core gameplay loop.
Building upon the Chain Reaction Carnage mechanic, DeadWire explicitly highlights “Environmental Hacks.” This system allows players to “Use the environment against your enemies” for purposes beyond direct damage chains. The key verbs here are “Distract and destroy.” Players can leverage hackable elements within the levels to manipulate enemy AI and create tactical openings.
Examples could include hacking large display screens to show distracting visuals, triggering loud alarms in adjacent areas to draw patrols away, or remotely activating machinery to create noise cover for stealthy movement. On the destructive side, players might hack unsecured cranes to drop heavy loads, overload gas pipes to cause explosions, or activate fire suppression systems to create temporary visual cover or disorient enemies. Effectively utilizing these environmental interactions will be vital for controlling the battlefield, bypassing heavily guarded sections, and achieving objectives with finesse rather than brute force alone.
DeadWire aims to provide a substantial experience, combining a significant number of levels with a distinct audio-visual presentation and clear plans for release and community engagement.
DeadWire promises a considerable amount of content with “40 levels of ever increasing difficulty.” Initial reports mentioned 30+, but the confirmed figure of 40 suggests a robust campaign structure. This increasing difficulty curve will likely introduce new enemy types with advanced capabilities, more complex level layouts requiring intricate hacking solutions, and boss encounters that test all of the player’s acquired skills. The gradual escalation ensures that players must continually adapt their strategies and master the core mechanics.
For those eager to sample the experience early, a demo featuring 5 levels is planned (or perhaps was available during the Twitch event). This provides a taste of the core gameplay loop – hacking, shooting, and environmental manipulation – and allows players to gauge the game’s demanding nature. This structured progression through numerous distinct levels ensures a lengthy single-player experience focused on skill development and strategic problem-solving within the dystopian world.
Complementing the cyberpunk visuals is an “Epic Synthwave Soundtrack.” This musical choice is synonymous with the genre, perfectly evoking a “world of tech and rebellion.” Synthwave music, with its pulsating rhythms, retro-futuristic melodies, and often melancholic undertones, is ideally suited to enhance both the high-octane action sequences and the atmospheric exploration of the neon-drenched city.
The soundtrack aims to make players “lose yourself in the cyberpunk soundscape.” It will likely serve multiple functions: driving the pace during intense combat encounters, building tension during infiltration sequences, and underscoring the emotional weight of the narrative moments involving Wire and their mentor. A well-implemented synthwave score can significantly elevate the immersion, making the world feel more alive and the action more impactful, truly capturing the rebellious spirit often associated with cyberpunk narratives.
DeadWire is scheduled to launch on Steam “later this year” (referring to the year the announcement was made). Developed by Shotgun Anaconda and published by the indie specialists at The Colab, the game is targeting the PC platform initially. Prospective players are encouraged to wishlist the game on Steam to stay updated on its progress and release date.
Furthermore, the developers are fostering a community around the game, inviting players to join the official Discord server. This platform will likely serve as a hub for news, discussions, feedback, and direct interaction with the development team. For press and content creators, the team has indicated that preview and review builds will be made available, offering an early look at the tactical hacker-shooter experience. This proactive approach to community building and media outreach suggests confidence in the product and a desire to engage with the player base leading up to launch.
It’s important for potential players to be aware of the game’s mature themes. The developers explicitly state that DeadWire “Includes fictional drugs, violence and blood.” This advisory sets expectations for a gritty and intense experience, consistent with the dark undertones of its cyberpunk setting and narrative.
The presence of fictional drugs might play into the world-building or even gameplay mechanics, while the violence and blood warnings clearly indicate that the combat will be visceral and impactful. Players should anticipate intense firefights, potentially graphic consequences of hacking mishaps or successful enemy takedowns, reflecting the brutal reality underlying the city’s neon facade. This transparency allows players to make an informed decision based on their comfort levels with such content.
In conclusion, DeadWire is shaping up to be a compelling entry into the cyberpunk action genre. Developed by Shotgun Anaconda and published by The Colab, this tactical hacker-shooter combines fast-paced combat, intricate hacking mechanics via its unique “Chain Reaction Carnage” system, and strategic environmental manipulation. Set in a visually striking neon-drenched dystopian city, players take on the role of Wire, a special operative on a personal mission fraught with deceit and danger. With 40 challenging levels, an evocative synthwave soundtrack, and a clear focus on blending reflex-based action with thoughtful tactical play, DeadWire promises a demanding and immersive experience. As its Steam launch approaches later this year, interested players should keep an eye out for further updates, consider wishlisting the game, and prepare to hack, shoot, and rewire their way through a world of futuristic mayhem.