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Survive Unknown Hazards in Farworld Pioneers on May 30

The latest IP from former Rimworld, Starbound artists and developers launches on PC, Game Pass, and consoles this May

COLUMBUS, Ga. — April 6, 2023 — Farworld Pioneers, the open world 2D side-scrolling survival title following a team of scientists after wrecking on a random planet from developers Igloosoft and publisher tinyBuild, explores PC and Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. A recently updated playable demo featuring the first planet game is available now on Steam.

Start with just your best friend, Buddy(™), and a survival pod to build your way to huge colonies on alien worlds. Find ways to survive by using surrounding resources, hunt local wildlife to sustain health and stamina, and research ways of expanding the colony. With a lot of determination, you can even build a ship to transport surviving colonists to other planets with different ecosystems, biomes, and secrets to discover. 

You can play alone or with friends in multiplayer mode, which supports up to 32 people on a server. Move seamlessly from PvP to co-operative, existing between groups online using a dynamic faction system. Peril lurks around every corner, as randomly generated monsters can attack at a moment’s notice and the more your base grows, the more you’ll make yourself the target for raiders. Prepare for attack by finding and mining raw materials, and outfitting survivors with the best protective gear and weaponry. There are also plenty of gizmos to be discovered by research and leveling up skill trees to increase productivity.

Experience scenic landscapes on a 2D scrolling canvas that keeps adventurers hungry for more. A pixelated color palette that ranges from dark hues and vivid colors provides a contrast that makes sprites and different environments pop on screen with many different biomes like sand-swept deserts, forest terrains, and frosty plains inhabited by manseals. Oh, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the adorable dog companion Weenie.

Farworld Pioneers is a combination of many different genres and mechanics,” said Rho Watson, Founder and Developer, Igloosoft. “We’ve combined a sandbox experience with AI colonists and base-building mechanics to give players a reason to always be expanding and improving their colony.” 

Farworld Pioneers launches on PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. It will also be launching on PC and Xbox Game Pass on day one.

To learn more, visit Igloosoft’s official website and follow @IgloosoftGames and @tinyBuild on Twitter.

About Igloosoft

Igloosoft is an indie game studio founded by Rho Watson, who previously worked on successful titles such as Starbound, RimWorld and Gnomoria. Watson gathered a team of experienced creators & gamedev veterans to realize the vision of an open world 2D sandbox game that offered more than a mere fight for survival on a foreign planet. 

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild is a Seattle-based indie label behind the Hello Neighbor franchise and over 30 renowned titles, including Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners and Party Hard. With additional development offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Riga, Latvia, tinyBuild is rapidly building a portfolio of fun, high-quality games across multiple platforms.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Reveals May 23 Release Date in New Supercharged Trailer

PARIS April 11, 2023 Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, the bloody and explosive homage to the retro shooters of yore set in Games Workshop’s iconic universe, will launch on May 23, 2023. Coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, the game is open for pre-order now on all platforms (except Nintendo Switch).

Focus Entertainment, Auroch Digital and Games Workshop combined their passion to bring this exciting new addition to the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life. Boltgun is a neo-retro, over-the-top shooter driven by unrestrained nostalgia for the fast-paced FPS action of the ‘90s — a stunningly modern boomer-shooter with fluid gameplay and glorious sprite art.

Step into the ceramite-armored boots of a mighty, battle-hardened Space Marine — charge, shoot and chainsword your way through the ruinous forces of Chaos. Unleash your holy arsenal to purge the creatures of darkness in an implacable pixel bloodbath!

Sign up as a Focus member to get exclusive news and upcoming special offers for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun and the whole Focus catalog.

Learn How to Survive the Deadly Future of Reality Entertainment with Showgunners’ New Gameplay Overview Trailer

Play smart and hit hard to win in this action-packed turn-based strategy game, launching May 2 on PC

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands April 11, 2023 – Good Shepherd Entertainment and Artificer have released a new gameplay overview trailer for Showgunners, the turn-based strategy game set on a blockbuster reality TV show in a dystopian future. You’ll get the full breakdown on what it takes to survive hellish obstacle courses, ambushes and challenges to the delight of the fans in this over-the-top tribute to action classics like American Gladiators, RoboCop and The Running Man.

Whether you’re competing for money, fame or revenge, you’ll need every advantage to win against Showgunners’ fierce opponents. Use your squad’s unique abilities to gain an edge: swap places with enemies as Tybalt, overwhelm foes with Warden’s robotic strength, and find the perfect sniping position with Phantom’s cloak. But combat’s not the only thing that matters – the best champs know how to win the love of the fans with exceptional plays, earning better rewards to use in the heat of the action.

You’ll need both brawn and brains, too, thanks to dynamic puzzles and lethal traps in each unique level. And remember to watch out for surprise twists from the show’s director, who’s more than willing to throw out the rules to boost ratings for his corporate overlords!

Showgunners will debut on May 2, 2023, on PC via Steam and GOG.com and is available to wishlist now. For more on the game, visit www.showgunners.com, and follow the latest updates on Discord.

About Good Shepherd Entertainment

Good Shepherd Entertainment is an award-winning independent game publisher based in the Netherlands. The company has built a robust global footprint, shepherding talented development teams to create impactful games that innovate, challenge, and – most importantly – entertain. We’ve done this by pairing creators with writers, musicians and IP powerhouses and through strategic partnerships with some of the industry’s most notable names, including Devolver Digital, Croteam and Perfect World. In addition to the acclaimed John Wick Hex and Monster Train, GSE’s selection of titles includes Hellboy Web of Wyrd, Showgunners, Phantom Doctrine, the Transport Fever series, and the Hard West series. For more information, visit www.GoodShepherd.games.

About Artificer

Artificer is a Warsaw-based studio founded by the team responsible for Hard West and Phantom Doctrine. Artificer is equipped to punch above its weight class: the studio consists of over 40 talented developers, including many award-winning veterans who have previously worked on numerous acclaimed titles, including Call of Juarez, Outriders, The Witcher, Dying Light, Shadow Warrior 3 and the Dead Island series.

Led by the “measure twice, cut once” philosophy, with immense devotion to hand-crafted work and strongly established turn-based experience, Artificer is ready to present you with their latest turn-based title: Showgunners.

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN AVAILABLE NOW ON STEAM

SYDNEY (11th April 2023) – SQUARE ENIX® has announced that STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN™ is available now on PC via STEAM®. Developed in collaboration with Team NINJA from KOEI TECMO GAMES, creators of the NINJA GAIDEN and Nioh series, this action RPG brings a bold, new vision to the FINAL FANTASY® series that both existing fans and new players alike can enjoy.

The game is now permanently available at a lower price across all platforms, making it the perfect time to experience Jack’s quest to destroy Chaos. For more information, visit: https://www.square-enix-games.com/sopffo

Newcomers can get caught up on the game’s story by watching the new STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN recap trailer

In STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN, players can experience an alternate retelling of the classic FINAL FANTASY story, with a blend of challenging and strategic action-packed gameplay set in the world and lore of the beloved series.

Join Jack and his allies Ash, Jed, Neon and Sophia, as they throw open the gates of the Chaos Shrine and step into a world of dark fantasy and take on exhilarating battles to discover if they are truly the Warriors of Light the prophecy foretold.

Players can also enjoy three expansions for STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN. Players can access each of the expansions through the game’s Season Pass, which is included in the Digital Deluxe Edition.  Those who already have the Standard Edition of the game can purchase the Season Pass separately.

  • Jack and his allies must face new challenges in Trials of the Dragon King, which sees appearances from Bahamut, the king that rules over dragonkind, and the Warrior of Light, who fights to restore light to the crystals and save the world.
  • Wanderer of the Rift picks up the storyline from Trials of the Dragon King, in which players can pit Jack and his allies against Gilgamesh, the dimension traveling fan-favourite character from the FINAL FANTASY series.
  • DIFFERENT FUTURE sees Jack and company guided by the spirit of a moogle to reach a city in an alternate time and space to face one last challenge, concluding the STRANGER OF PARADISE storyline.

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is now available on PlayStation®5 consoles, PlayStation®4 consoles, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One as well as PC via STEAM® and the Epic Games Store. For more information, visit:  https://www.square-enix-games.com/sopffo

Official Website: https://www.square-enix-games.com/sopffo

ABOUT Team NINJA

Team NINJA is one of KOEI TECMO GAMES’ six brands, with development teams specializing in creating hardcore action games. Their most famous series include: NINJA GAIDEN, DEAD OR ALIVE and Nioh, and the team consistently develops new titles that receive praise from all around the world.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 173 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at: https://square-enix-games.com

© 2022-2023 KOEI TECMO GAMES/SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA

LOGO ILLUSTRATION: ©2021 YOSHITAKA AMANO

FINAL FANTASY, the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN logo, DRAGON QUEST, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, and TAITO are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. “PlayStation,” “PS4” and “PS5” are a registered trademark or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

April showers bring naval powers in World of Warships: Legends’ latest update

Spring into all new content, with bonuses for Legends’ fourth anniversary, the debut of a brand-new card collection, an exciting range for Golden Week, a new five-week campaign and more

11th April – The April update marks the fourth anniversary of World of Warships Legends with plenty of in-game rewards including a Premium Tier IV destroyer for veteran players. Alongside these celebrations, Legends gears up for a slew of Japanese-themed content drops, with a Golden Week range arriving on April 24, the introduction of card Collections to the game, and Japanese Premium battleship Iwami waiting at the end of another classic Warships campaign.

World of Warships: Legends turns four!

Marking four years since the launch of the game’s open Beta test, World of Warships: Legends is celebrating its anniversary by sharing a special Loyalty Reward bundle with players. These prizes increase in value based on how long players have been in the game, with seasoned Legends veterans unlocking an exclusive Tier IV destroyer, the French Premium ship Cyclone. Additional rewards can be achieved by completing a special time-limited anniversary mission.

Silver Tsurugi Campaign and Golden Week Content

Celebrations don’t stop there! With Golden Week coming up, on 24th April Legends is introducing a special range of content as a part of the festivities. Included in this range are ship skins, a new crate, and a unique Commander guise that comes equipped with its own special voiceover.

More Japanese content continues, with the new Silver Tsurugi Campaign. Following the classic five-week, 100-milestone format, this campaign culminates in the enviable Japanese Premium battleship Iwami. Worth adding to any armada, Iwami maximises its incredible accuracy through both lethal torpedoes and rapid-firing main calibre guns. 

Collections come to Legends

Debuting into Legends’ waters, Collections enter in this update. Obtained through special crates and across mission chains, these collectibles offer a new way to put together memorabilia. The first of this new series is the 12-card Kaigun collection, themed around Japanese Navy Commanders, ships, and aircraft. For completing this inaugural collection, players will be rewarded with Mikasa ’23, sporting a bright new paint job.

Into the Arena with Arms Race Mode

Closing out this packed update is the launch of three Arena Seasons in Legends. Kicking off April 20, players can battle it out in Arms Race Mode, using ships from Tier VII-Legendary to prove their mettle, depending on the season.

All aboard for $120,000 in rewards

Adding to the fun, World of Warships is introducing an exciting month-long opportunity for PC players to win their share of a $120,000 prize pool! From April 6, players who unlock three selected newcomer achievements can earn $20 to their PayPal account. Seasoned players can also get in on the action, by inviting new players through the Recruiting Station, to unlock $10 per recruit to their wallet.

This update also brings a number of bug fixes, upgrades and balance changes across the game.

About World of Warships: Legends

Experience epic naval action in World of Warships: Legends, a massively multiplayer online game where you can master the seas in history’s greatest warships! Recruit legendary commanders from maritime history, upgrade your vessels and stake your claim to naval supremacy with or against players around the world in thrilling and immersive battles.

World of Warships: Legends brings the online naval action loved by millions to home consoles for the very first time, alongside a host of content and features exclusive to the console experience.

Official website: https://wowslegends.com/

About World of Warships

World of Warships is a free, historical, online combat PC game from Wargaming. With its massive fleet of most iconic war vessels, including five different ship classes and strategically designed environment, World of Warships provides the ultimate naval warfare gaming experience, suitable for everyone. Thanks to its largest collection of historically accurate ships available to play, World of Warships prides itself as a digital ship museum and a focal point for naval history enthusiasts. New thematic content and innovative game modes are being added on a regular basis, providing a diverse and exciting gameplay to its broad player base.

One franchise – multiple platforms

After the successful launch of World of Warships on PC, its unique gameplay and design has been adapted to bring free massive naval battles to other platforms with World of Warships: Legends available on PlayStation and Xbox and World of Warships Blitz on iOS and Android mobile devices. Official website: http://www.worldofwarships.eu

About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 16 offices around the world, including studios in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius and Belgrade. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include the free-to-play hits World of Tanks, World of Warships and World of Tanks Blitz.

Official website: wargaming.com

Penny Arcade’s Acquisitions Incorporated’s Series 2 Achieves 170% Crowdfunding Goal

Fully Funded in 13 Days, Live Roleplay Series Promises New Mischief for Fans

Redmond, Washington – 11 April 2023 – Penny Arcade’s popular live-play D&D series founded in 2008, Acquisitions Incorporated, rolled a natural 20 with its now closed Series 2 Kickstarter, exceeding its original goal by 170% for a whopping $424,478 earned in total! Having secured its Series 2 funding, this fantasy startup is ready to celebrate their 15th year of growth in style.

The successful funding of Series 2 will enable the pioneering live show to build upon its impressive legacy with bigger and more elaborate productions, highlighting the narrative prowess of dungeon-masters Jeremy Crawford, Lead Rules Designer of Dungeons and Dragons, and Series 1’s Chris Perkins, Senior Story Designer of Dungeons and Dragons. 

As a pivotal trailblazer in the space, Acquisitions Incorporated paved the way for a new era of roleplay adventure podcasts, including household names like Critical Role and Dimension20. Now in its 15th year, its fandom and franchise have grown significantly to include annually anticipated live performances at Penny Arcade Expos (PAX), its own tabletop board games, and even an official D&D Sourcebook published in 2019.

“We’re basically a classic punk band getting the crew back together to show these kids how a real party’s supposed to go down, with more excessively nerdy fantasy stage designs, of course,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder, Penny Arcade. “Our entire cast is incredibly thankful to all of our backers and we can’t wait to make some magic for the world this summer.”

Acquisitions Incorporated: The Series 2 will star:

  • Jerry Holkins, co-founder of Penny Arcade and Acquisitions Inc.
  • Mike Krahulik, co-founder of Penny Arcade and Acquisitions Inc.
  • Jasmine Bhullar, Streamer and veteran of TTRPG live plays including Critical Role, Dimension20, and Penny Arcade’s Court of Cups
  • Anna Prosser, Producer, performing artist and mainstay in TTRPG actual plays including Acquisitions Incorporated and Dice Camera Action
  • More returning friends and special guests to be announced soon!

Acquisitions Incorporated: The Series 2 will kick off this September 2023. For further information, please visit Penny Arcade’s official website or follow Penny Arcade on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

About Acquisitions Incorporated

At Acquisitions Incorporated, you inquire – we acquire™. For nearly twenty years, other people have had things you’ve really wanted and we’ve gone over there to get those things, even if they didn’t want us to do that. Typically, they don’t. But we don’t work for them, we work for you™. We’ve acquired it all, but we specialize in staves, gems, and storied weapons of great lineage. We do apply a reasonable surtax for rods, because rods. It’s been a problem. This is Acquisitions Incorporated in a nutshell: Defenses negotiable. Merchandise plentiful. Franchises available.

Acquisitions Incorporated is the show that kicked off an entire genre based on a simple premise: “Friends having fun playing Dungeons & Dragons”. Starting as a simple podcast in 2008, “Acq Inc.” has grown into a beloved franchise encompassing sell-out live shows, videogame appearances, and weekly streamed spin-off show, Acquisitions Incorporated: The “C” Team.

About Penny Arcade

Since 1998, Penny Arcade (www.penny-arcade.com) has grown from a simple online comic strip into an industry-leading media company. With over 3.5 million monthly readers, the New York Times–bestselling “Penny Arcade” comic is widely considered one of the most authentic and influential voices in gamer culture and the gaming industry. Penny Arcade also created PAX — the largest consumer gaming festivals in the U.S and Australia — as well as Child’s Play Charity, which has raised over $45 million to benefit children’s hospitals.

Soul Survivors, Dark-Fantasy Time Survival Roguelite, Unsheathes Steel via Early Access on May 3

Soul Survivors, Dark-Fantasy Time Survival Roguelite, Unsheathes Steel via Early Access on May 3

El Dorado Hills, CA. – 11 April 2023 – Soul Survivors, the dark fantasy time-survival roguelite from developer and publisher Stingbot Games, gears up for battle on PC via Steam Early Access Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Cut through thousands of foes in a skill-based, time survival game blending roguelike runs with challenging combat and meta-game progression. Select from two playable heroes for the Early Access launch, with six total planned throughout development, and progress through two unique dark fantasy environments replete with a myriad of monsters and fearsome bosses lying in wait. March into combat as The Bogatyr, a heroic knight whose heavy armor and short-range attacks can cleave through mobs with powerful force. Or reanimate corpses as The Necromancer to create an overwhelming army fueled by the dark arts.

Earn experience by defeating enemies to unlock powerful abilities that dramatically alter each character’s skillset. Improve auto attacks to add devastating effects like the overhead Butcher’s Blade and spend hard-earned gold to unlock permanent talent upgrades, such as the Necromancer’s Soul Reaver, which grants pets the ability to collect souls. Master an array of character builds due to each class’ diverse playstyle and create the ultimate killing machine.

Explore dangerous locales like the haunted Linden Forest, a ruined pasture filled with restless spirits and corrupted flora, as enemies race to cut heroes down. Encounter rare area-specific enemies with stage-changing rewards and scour environments for Sacrifice Altars where brave warriors can trade health for ability upgrades. Survive long enough in each stage to challenge area bosses like the hulking Flesh Golem and Chancellor Autlaic, a massive skeleton lurking deep underneath a fallen castle. Each stage is endless, and if a player manages to defeat all bosses, they will enter Cursed Mode, which begins the ultimate challenge of survival.

Soul Survivors combines the breakneck pace of time-survival games with the skill-based systems of hardcore action RPGs and Souls-likes to create a rewarding and engaging experience designed around highly replayable sessions.

“We are hard at work building and expanding on Soul Survivors to create a game unlike anything that’s come before it,” said Sterling Selover. “By blending elements of time-survival games with challenging, skill-based action combat, we are confident that Soul Survivors will provide players with hours of entertainment when it comes to Steam Early Access on Wednesday, May 3, 2023!”

Soul Survivors will launch on Windows PC via Steam Early Access for $3.99 USD with English-language support. For more information, visit the official website, follow Stingbot Games on Twitter, and wishlist Soul Survivors today.

About Stingbot Games

Stingbot Games is an El Dorado Hills, California-based independent game development company comprised of avid gamers with an insatiable thirst for creating fantastic gaming experiences. The studio’s first title, The Forbidden Arts, was released in 2019.

For more on Stingbot Games, visit the official website.

Dredge Review

Dredge

Developer: Black Salt Games
Publisher: Team17
Platforms: Xbox One, Playstation 4, PC, Playstation 5, Xbox Series X (Reviewed), Switch
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $24.99 USD – Available Here

Overview

As long as humanity has sailed the seas there has been a fear of what lies beneath the waves. Tales have been woven about monstrous creatures that lurk in the depths alongside stories of great treasures to be found for those willing to take the risk in unknown seas. What if those tales had more than a grain of saltwater to them? Black Salt Games’ Dredge seeks to deliver such an experience where fishing during the day can be a seemingly peaceful and serene experience only for nightfall to bring about eldritch horror. Does this fishing game manage to succeed or has their ambition sunk it beneath the waves?

Story

Players take on the role of a nameless fisherman responding to a help wanted ad only to find himself suddenly losing himself in the fog and crashing upon the rocks near his destination. After being rescued, the mayor provides the fisherman with a new-used boat barely capable of handling the waves and reeling in the smallest of fish and, after the player tries their hand at catching some fish, introduces them to the local fish market and shipyard before letting players roam the open seas. What appears to be a serene fishing village where players fish during the day quickly grows strange as darkness brings an unknown terror at night with strange visions and threats appearing upon the waves. With horrifically twisted creatures somehow surviving the seas, shady figures, and many mysteries surrounding the area this fishing tale is far from a peaceful life.

The storyline in Dredge is handled quite well with players uncovering hints about the strange happenings around the islands as they interact with its inhabitants, uncover strange ruins with even stranger visions, locate messages left behind by others, and more. Even the flavor text for normal catches as well as aberrations offers a bit of insight and makes every new catch a treat. The core storyline is fairly simple but quite effective in its mystery and players will meet a wide array of characters with their own short stories to tell and tasks for players to complete, or even fail should the worst happen. Dredge’s approach to horror is handled with a light touch that is all the more successful when paired with its eldritch flavoring, making this tale one that will drive players back to the depths as they search for their next catch.

Gameplay

As a fisherman, players will be spending almost their entire time in Dredge navigating the ocean looking for patches of fish to catch. Navigating along the ocean is simple enough and catching fish is handled through a variety of timing based mini-games with various levels of difficulty depending on the type of fish and how large it might be. There is even a “relaxed” option that allows players to always catch a fish that they have hooked though it may take a bit longer. Ironically, this can be a bit of a detriment to players as the only time that time passes is when players are moving, catching fish, or dredging the depths. As such players will need to manage their time wisely as daylight only lasts from 6AM to 6PM with the game taking on a far darker tone once night falls.

Once the sun falls below the horizon players will find themselves entered into a far more dangerous sea as the fog rolls in and blankets everything around them. This lack of sight would already be dangerous on the open sea but what hides within the fog is far more dangerous and the panicked mind can make these visions a reality on this cursed sea. As players stay out past nightfall they will begin to slowly panic, represented by an eyeball that grows more frantic as time passes and their condition worsens. As players travel through the night rocks will appear in brand new locations threatening to rip through their hull, twisted flocks of birds may appear to feast on their catch, and far worse as supernatural hazards begin to take offense at the player’s very presence on the ocean as they openly attack the players ship in all manner of ways.

Fishing at night is a dangerous task but also one that players must endeavor to complete as not only will various story missions require players to catch fish that only appear at night but other elements, such as the eldritch aberrations of familiar species, appear more frequently once the sun has set. This plays off a significant risk and reward as players can seek out these far more expensive fish in an effort to sell them and turn their cash into upgrades for their boat, creating a satisfying gameplay loop of relaxed fishing followed by danger and reward only to be repeated once the sun has risen again.

Dredge offers some elements that can help mitigate panic as well as surviving the night itself such as books obtained as rewards from completed pursuits though many of them simply involve upgrading the tiny tugboat players were given at the start. Through the use of dredging equipment players can salvage timber, junk metal, cloth, as well as treasure and far more important trinkets from the ocean floor and these upgrade materials can then be applied to not only increase the amount of items the boat can carry, but also outfit it with more equipment slots as well as increase the amount of damage it can withstand, from rocks or other elements. These upgrades feel quite worthwhile even if they take some time to earn as players will immediately notice their ship growing more capable once they can install an extra set of engines, brighter lights to pierce through the fog, and of course fancier fishing equipment to catch the over one hundred and twenty different species of creatures available in the title.

An interesting element in Dredge is inventory management and while some may find it a bit frustrating, it quickly becomes a fun experience as players try their best to cram as much of a catch they can into their ship while also trying to make sure it can outrun the dangers in the night. Fish come in all shapes and sizes, so twisting them around to perfectly fit is a satisfying experience. That being said, damage to the ship is a very real threat and one that is  incredibly annoying at times as damage will not only diminish the ship’s cargo space but also cause the loss of whatever item may have been in that slot. While this can mean simply the loss of an expensive fish, it can also cause the loss of a quest item and although quests can still be completed with no reward, it feels like a major loss should this happen. It also means players may find themselves nearly dead in the water should they unluckily damage an engine when hit, leaving them puttering around as easy prey for the night or a potentially long journey back for repairs at the nearest port or merchant.

It is also worth noting that while Dredge is by no means a difficult game, it does have its fair share of challenges, with two of the five locales being notably harder to manage than others as they have monstrous presences all times of the day and will actively hunt the player if they aren’t careful. This can lead to a far more challenging fishing experience especially if players happen to head to one of these areas early or haven’t availed themselves of a certain mysterious man’s abilities to increase their own capabilities though what that involves will be up to the player to find out.

Visuals & Audio

Dredge features a lovely looking art style that looks great during the daylight and fittingly spooky at night. The players’ boat stays relatively small even as players upgrade it to the maximum, making the tiny boat a zippy little thing but also one that is dwarfed by the threats that appear beneath the waves in their own great monstrous design. There is something to be said about the artistic stylings taken towards the NPCs players come across as their character portraits feel perfectly fitting for the setting and theme of the game but also a bit samey. The real stars design wise are the aberrations of the various species that players can catch as the artists have let their imaginations run wild with how the seas’ effects have twisted them.

There is unfortunately no voice work to accompany any of the game’s text but the game does feature some great background music that fits the more dangerous seas as well as some fittingly uplifting music during standard exploration and fishing.

Overall

Dredge can feel like a calming fishing game one minute with players happily managing their inventory and heading back to port to sell their catch only to be in a tense struggle for survival once night falls. This creates a highly enjoyable gameplay loop wrapped up in a satisfying storyline with plenty of mystery and touches of horror. With over a hundred and twenty fish to catch, numerous strange events to witness that can appear at any time of day, and a large ocean to explore, Dredge has not only founded fishing horror, it has excelled at it.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

The iconic soundtrack for Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie leaps from the screen to vinyl, CD, cassette & digital releases

Wahoo! iam8bit is delighted to announce its latest blockbuster collaboration: The company is working with Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal Pictures to bring The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s incredible soundtrack to fans in special physical releases. The soundtrack is available digitally from Back Lot Music today on April 7th, and the film is in theaters now!

Like Mario himself, the soundtrack transcends time and will be available in three fitting physical formats: vinyl records, CDs, and even old-school cassette tapes. Pre-orders are open now, and fans won’t want to miss out on these products, all designed with iam8bit’s impeccable attention to detail and love for the timeless Super Mario game franchise.

The Super Mario game series and its irresistible music have become a mainstay in the pop-culture canon. Nintendo composer Koji Kondo collaborated with composer Brian Tyler (Fast & Furious series, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Crazy Rich Asians) to reimagine iconic Super Mario Bros. music for The Super Mario Bros. Movie soundtrack. The result is a truly magical homage to the 8-bit era and beyond. Some of Tyler’s other credits include Taylor Sheridan’s hit series Yellowstone and the prequel shows 1883 and 1923.

“I know the Mario music so well and have always been very nostalgic about all the music that Koji Kondo has written for the games,” Tyler says. “It was an absolute delight to be able to not just write new themes and music to represent Mario in this film, but to merge it with the music that Koji Kondo wrote for the games. I wrote a score emblematic of the scale and emotional depth of this film that still represents the music of the games since their inception.”

iam8bit’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie soundtrack ceremoniously continues that journey, featuring all 36 tracks from the film’s soundtrack – including the complete version of Bowser’s piano ballad “Peaches” and incredible all-new Mario art. Every detail on the 2xLP has been thoughtfully considered, from the magnificent gatefold jacket that showcases art straight from the stellar team at Illumination to the playful record sleeves that feature a pattern of familiar Super Mario Bros. icons. The album ($41.99) is pressed on red and green records, with an exclusive pink and yellow colorway available only on iam8bit.com

The CD ($19.99) includes the complete movie soundtrack on 2 discs in a premium four-panel package. For retro connoisseurs, the cassette edition ($19.99) lets you party like it’s 1985. It features the complete soundtrack for The Super Mario Bros. Movie packed into a cassette tape, in randomly distributed red or green colorways. Superfans can also pre-order a special 7″ single ($12.99) featuring Bowser’s yearning piano ballad “Peaches” on the A side, and the classic “Mario Brothers Rap” as its exclusive B-boy side. The Super Mario Bros. Movie soundtrack albums and 7” single are available for pre-order today on iam8bit.com and are expected to ship in Q3 2023.

Slapstick Roguelite Platformer Mr. Sun’s Hatbox Revealed for Nintendo Switch, Coming April 20

Build a crew, wear many hats and take on ridiculous heists in this hilarious action game, also launching on Steam!

STOCKHOLM April 7, 2023 – Hats up! Solo indie developer Kenny Sun and publisher Raw Fury have announced that Mr. Sun’s Hatbox, the slapstick roguelite platformer nominated for “Excellence in Design” at this year’s Independent Games Festival, will debut on April 20, 2023. The game will launch simultaneously for PC and Mac via Steam, as well as Nintendo Switch, which was revealed for the very first time today!

Wishlist Now: Steam

When the dastardly Mr. Moon and his troublemakers steal poor Mr. Sun’s hatbox delivery, it’s up to you as an honorable courier to get that hat back! Upgrade your HQ, build up a crew of reformed hat thieves, and go on dangerously ridiculous heists to get the job done. Whether you opt for careful stealth or charge into combat guns blazing, you’ll don a whole closet of weapons and headgear with unique perks to return this stolen package to its rightful owner.

Play campaign missions on your own or teamed up with a friend in co-op via local multiplayer* or Steam Remote Play Together. You can even face off with lasers, swords, cannons, pitchforks, rubber ducks, stale baguettes, a staff that turns enemies into frogs, and, of course, a variety of powerful hats in Deathmatch and Last One Standing multiplayer modes!

Key Game Features:

  • Start small and build up a crew to take down the mischievous Mr. Moon and his cronies across a challenging variety of action-platformer missions.
  • Grow your base of operations to fuel even more daring feats. Build a brig to brainwash captives, a lab to experiment on your staff, a black market to purchase illicit contraband and more!
  • Eliminate Mr. Moon’s minions, or capture them for your cause! Recruit a team of ex-crooks with an array of unique traits to use on future missions.
  • Collect over 50 hats with special properties, including Dynamite Headbands, Cardboard Boxes, Noise-Canceling Earphones and Jet Packs! Choose the best hats to complement your play style.
  • Play each mission solo or with a friend in co-op, then duke it out in Deathmatch and Last One Standing PvP modes via local multiplayer and Steam Remote Play Together.
  • Colorfully vibrant retro pixel art design from Mr. Kenny Sun, creator of visually stylish experiences like Circa Infinity and Yankai’s Peak.

A free demo for Mr. Sun’s Hatbox is currently available on Steam. Game saves from the demo will carry over to the full game at launch, so you can play now and pick up where you left off later! For more on the game, visit www.MrSunsHatbox.com, and check out the latest new clips on TikTok.

*Controllers required for local multiplayer.

About the Developer

Kenny Sun is an award-winning game developer based in Brooklyn, New York. He’s been making games since 2007 and has developed a wide variety of titles including Circa Infinity, Twinfold, and Tender: Creature Comforts.

Website: http://kennysun.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KennyYSun
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrkennysun

About Raw Fury

Raw Fury is a boutique indie (un)publisher founded in 2015 by Jonas Antonsson, Gordon Van Dyke, and David Martinez. We do not care about genres or mechanics. We care about experiences and emotions. We want to help developers make magic.