PARIS — May 24, 2022 — Hardspace: Shipbreaker, the acclaimed zero-g spaceship-salvaging sandbox game from Blackbird Interactive and Focus Entertainment, is available now on Steam and PC Game Pass. Fresh out of Steam Early Access with nearly two years of community-driven development, Hardspace: Shipbreaker 1.0 is finally here and ready to employ you in a thrilling, one-of-a-kind space career!
Experience the daily life of a working-class spaceship salvager in Hardspace: Shipbreaker, a sandbox game with next-gen physics and demolition effects set in an industrial sci-fi future. You’ll need to master scanning, cutting and dismantling a variety of increasingly hazardous spaceships for valuable components and resources to pay off your astronomical credit debt to the LYNX corporation. Death lurks around every bulkhead, but danger is how you earn your paycheck.
In addition to the compelling campaign and casual free-play modes that make up your solo journey as a space worker, you can test your skills in R.A.C.E mode and win timed competitions against other shipbreakers on the leaderboard.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker has grown immensely with multiple updates since its early access release, with three new ship classes as well as ghost ship variants; improved visuals and performance; new equipment, salvage and hazards such as the demo charge and radiation; a full story mode in a three-act campaign; new characters; and the R.A.C.E, a competitive mode with time-limited challenges.
To celebrate the 1.0 release, players can get their hands on a double vinyl edition of the Hardspace: Shipbreaker OST! Pre-order now and enjoy laid-back Americana sound enhanced with synth notes to infuse your salvager’s existence.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is available on the Focus Store, as well as on Steam and the Microsoft Store with a 25% launch discount. A bundle featuring the full game and OST is also available on Steam. The game is free to download for PC Game Pass subscribers.
For the King II is now available to Wishlist on Steam
London, 24th May 2022 – Curve Games and IronOak Games are thrilled to announce the highly-anticipated sequel to the successful multi-platform franchise, For the King. For the King II builds on the hugely popular original game’s challenging blend of strategy, RPG combat, and roguelike elements to create an epic new experience. Now with 4 player co-op! Check out the amazing new trailer here.
For The King II allows fans to kick off a single-player experience or play cooperatively online with up to 4 players. Offering a whole host of new biomes to explore, a beautiful, updated art style, and a brand-new original soundtrack, players will be transported deep into the wonders of Fahrul, leading them further than ever before into this stunningly imagined land of adventure. From the vast number of character and item combinations to the procedurally generated maps, quests, loot, and events – The world of Fahrul is ever-changing and will constantly keep players on their toes!
With a greater focus on strategic decision making and class, armour and weapon customisation, players will need to pick their battles carefully, arming characters with the skills and gear needed to succeed in this famously unforgiving combat system that rewards planning and foresight.
Will you choose to fight side-by-side with your friends or split up to claim all the loot for yourself to boost your unique abilities, tactical advantages, and powerful synergies? The more you play, the more you permanently unlock items for your characters.
About Curve Games
Curve Games is an award-winning independent label working with developers worldwide to deliver the best in interactive entertainment. With a uniquely diverse games catalogue that includes renowned indie hits such as For the King, Bomber Crew, The Ascent, and Lawn Mowing Simulator, and the multi-million selling smash hit Human Fall Flat, Curve Games has taken its place as one of the leading games publishers worldwide.
About IronOak Games
Founded in 2015 by industry veterans with a passion for board games and roleplaying games, IronOak Games is now part of the Curve Family of studios. For The King, the debut title from the studio, released in 2018 to critical acclaim and has sold over 3 million units.
Hertfordshire, 24th May 2022 – KOEI TECMO Europe is proud to announce that their highly-anticipated musou thriller, Touken Ranbu Warriors, is now available digitally across Europe on the Nintendo Switch™ and PC via Steam®. This title marks the first time that developer Ruby Party, known for their Otome style games, has released a game in the West – combining their expertise with the Omega Force development team to bring a new Touken Ranbu experience to life. To celebrate the game’s launch, KOEI TECMO Europe released an action-packed launch trailer to showcase what fans can expect from the title.
In Touken Ranbu Warriors, famous swords take on the form of warriors known as the Touken Danshi (swordsmen). Fifteen Touken Danshi have been drifting through time without their master to guide them when they are suddenly attacked by the menacing History Retrograde Army (HRA). After the fighting breaks out, the Touken Danshi are approached by the Government of the Time, and are sent on a mission into the war-torn Sengoku Era where the revision of Japanese history is already underway.
Touken Ranbu Warriors is a collaboration between the ‘spirits of blades’ simulation game Touken Ranbu – ONLINE – by DMM GAMES and NITRO PLUS and KOEI TECMO’s famed 1 vs. 1,000 WARRIORS series. Fans of the Touken Ranbu series can now experience their favourite characters in 3D for the first time as they take on missions against the History Retrograde Army. Utilise the powerful abilities and graceful actions of the Touken Danshi, including Hissatsu attacks which perfectly capture each character’s personality as they elegantly defeat any enemy in their path. Two characters can also partner up on the battlefield to unleash electrifying co-operative attacks — the more they fight together their bonds deepen and special conversation events can take place. The game also features two different control modes: Easy Mode allows simple button commands for those new to the action game genre, while Regular Mode allows for a wider range of actions for fans already accustomed to musou-style controls.
Touken Ranbu Warriors also features the Honmaru, the main base for the Touken Danshi, where players can get a glimpse of the daily life of their favourite characters. Occasionally mini-games will take place between missions. For example: if two Touken Danshi are together in the kitchen, they can work together to create mochi. If the mini-game is cleared, materials or koban can be obtained which can be used to upgrade the Honmaru or the Touken Danshi.
Two versions of the highly-anticipated musou title are available for purchase today; a Standard Edition, which comes with a digital copy of Touken Ranbu Warriors, and a Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes a digital copy of the game and access to an assortment of DLC. Special DLC packs featured in the Digital Deluxe Edition include the “Honmaru Backdrop”, which enables gamers to change the season of the honmaru; the “Additional Music” DLC, which includes 5 additional music pieces from Touken Ranbu -ONLINE- specially arranged for this title; and the “Uchiban Outfit” 16 piece set, which allows gamers to change the outfits of the Touken Danshi.
KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite Ninja Gaiden and fighting entertainment title Dead or Alive. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of GUST, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com
A Quick-Fire Game of Cat-and-Mouse Between Righteous Sheriffs and No-Good Outlaws that Puts Detective and Stealth Skills to the Test!
Los Angeles, CA (May 24, 2022) — Today, Snail Games — global developer and publisher known for the Ark: Survival Evolved franchise — alongside publishing pardner Wandering Wizard and developer NewGen, are excited to announce West Hunt, a Wild West social deduction game for PC. The game, designed for 1-4 players, will be available June 14, 2022 via Steam Early Access.
“West Hunt has allowed Snail Games to step into new territory with the growing social deduction genre,” said Peter Kang, COO of Snail Games. “The unique blend of mechanics combined with the classic Old West setting is sure to provide tons of hilarious moments, and we can’t wait to see what kind of trouble players get up to in West Hunt.”
West Hunt is set in a small but bustling village in the Old West, filled with kind-hearted folks from all walks of life. But among them hides a wolf in sheep’s clothing, stirring up trouble right under their noses: the Outlaw! Lucky for this one horse town there’s a Sheriff ‘round these parts, with a loaded six-shooter at their hip. After players receive their role, the deadly game of cat-and-mouse begins!
As the Outlaw, players are tasked with completing all their assigned missions before time runs out; bribing the Barman, poisoning the water supply, praying for forgiveness, and other staple Outlaw activities. Completing missions will increase the Outlaw’s notoriety, giving the Sheriff key information to help track them down and put a permanent end to their bad-guy antics. As the Outlaw, players can do optional side missions to reduce their notoriety and blend in with the other villagers. Surely that dancing nun in the bar wouldn’t hurt anybody?
Meanwhile, as the Sheriff, players must carefully observe the behavior of the villagers in town to deduce the identity of the Outlaw and kill them within the time limit. But don’t get trigger happy, as shooting an innocent villager will result in the Outlaw winning the game. As the notoriety of the Outlaw increases, hints such as their last known location, their last completed mission, or uncompleted missions can be collected from mailboxes around the town. Being a Sheriff ain’t easy, but it’s honest work.
Key Features of West Hunt Include:
Belly Through the Brush: Dodge Johnny Law with randomized elements every game, including Outlaw skin and Outlaw missions. Sheriff hints are also located in random places each round to even the odds.
Howdy Pardners!: 1 vs 1 isn’t the only way to play. Team up for 2 vs 2 matches, play against bots, and create unique rules with custom games.
Quit Yer Yammering: In-game voice chat means Outlaws and Sheriff’s can taunt one another to their heart’s content!
Best Dressed in the West: Customize the look of the Sheriff, personalize winning and losing emotes, and even get a helper hound to sniff out trouble!
West Hunt will release for PC via Steam Early Access on June 14, 2022, with a full release announcement coming at a later date. Players can wishlist the game today at:
To keep up with all things West Hunt, follow Wandering Wizard on Facebook and Twitter, and visit their official website.
About Snail Games
Snail Games has been a pioneer in the digital technology and entertainment industry since it was founded in 2000. The company has developed and published more than 100 digital products – providing entertainment to 150 million users in over 100 countries and regions. In addition to desktop and console titles, Snail Games has recently expanded its scope to include mobile and VR releases and continues to innovate in the areas of software, hardware, and telecommunications.
About Wandering Wizard
Based out of Los Angeles, Wandering Wizard was started in 2019 as a publishing label under Snail Games. They are dedicated to bringing unique, high-quality independent Western games to market, such as Outlaws of the Old West, and the upcoming Expedition Agartha and West Hunt.
Daedalic Entertainment’s cinematic stealth adventure will be available for PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Hamburg, Germany, May 24th, 2022 – Daedalic Entertainment and NACON are happy to finally reveal the release date of the story-driven stealth adventure The Lord of the Rings: Gollum – Daedalic’s take on one of the most iconic characters in fantasy history arrives on PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S on September 1st, 2022. The Nintendo Switch version is planned for later this year.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, based on the legendary The Lord of the Rings trilogy of books by J.R.R. Tolkien, tells of Gollum’s experiences from behind-the-scenes in the first chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring. After losing his precious ring to Bilbo Baggins, Gollum decides to leave the Misty Mountains and embark on a perilous journey that leads him from the dungeons of Barad-dûr to the realm of the Wood-elves in Mirkwood. In order to survive the dangers of his journey through Middle-earth, Gollum has to sneak and climb and use all his cunning. He also has to deal with his Hobbit-self – Sméagol. It’s up to the players if they want Gollum to have the upper hand when it comes to making important decisions, or if they prefer to allow Sméagol to take over. Gollum also encounters well-known characters from the books as well as a few new faces.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, developed by Daedalic Entertainment in partnership with Middle-earth Enterprises, is co-published by Daedalic Entertainment and NACON. The game will release on PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on September 1st, 2022. A physical edition for consoles will also be available.
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About Daedalic Entertainment
Daedalic Entertainment publishes and develops high-quality games for all platforms. The company has a diverse line-up of high-quality titles, including classic adventures, RPGs, and strategy and multiplayer games. With an international team of close to 100 employees, Daedalic is currently developing a new line-up of innovative games across consoles, PC, and mobile platforms.
Based in Hamburg, Germany, Daedalic is one of Europe’s most acclaimed publishers and developers. With a total of 32 awards in the German Developers Award (including multiple accolades for ‘Studio of the Year’) and 12 German Computer Game Awards for genre-defining games such as Deponia, Edna & Harvey, Silence, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, The Long Journey Home, and State of Mind, Daedalic is a record holder for the two most prestigious game awards in Germany. Recent publishing hits include Barotrauma, Unrailed!, Iratus: Lord of the Dead, Partisans 1941 and more.
Daedalic is currently developing the AAA title The Lord of the Rings – Gollum. The action-adventure tells the story of Gollum from a perspective never witnessed before in any storytelling media, all the while staying faithful to the legendary books of J.R.R. Tolkien.
About NACON
NACON is a company of the BIGBEN Group founded in 2019 to optimize its know-how through strong synergies in the video game market. By bringing together its 9 development studios, the publishing of AA video games, the design and distribution of premium gaming devices, NACON focuses 20 years of expertise at the service of players. This new unified business unit strengthens NACON’s position in the market and enables it to innovate by creating new unique competitive advantages. https://corporate.nacongaming.com/
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Inspired by a deep appreciation for the fictional world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, Middle-earth Enterprises is dedicated to working with businesses providing quality products in accordance with best green business and sustainability practices, including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a commitment to protect our earth, its wondrous beauty and the viability of every living creature. The Saul Zaentz Company dba Middle-earth Enterprises (SZC) has been producing and licensing films, merchandise and stage productions based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit for more than four decades.
PAC-MAN is celebrating its 42nd anniversary. To celebrate, a new video game is releasing this week, along with several partnerships in culture and fashion and a new song and music video.
Releasing this Friday, May 27th, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC (supports Xbox Play Anywhere), PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ invites players to discover or revisit 14 titles in the legendary PAC-MAN series, with some that haven’t been available in years. The game is also compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S and will be playable with Xbox Game Pass at launch. In addition to the multiple PAC-MAN games that they will be able play in their virtual arcade, players will be able to customize it with cabinets, decorations and memorabilia, before taking on the various in-game missions.
To continue the festivities, a new theme song and music video is releasing today. Titled “We are PAC-MAN!”, and interpreted by Kaho Kidoguchi in Japanese and English, and Ann Una in Chinese. The song aims at promoting people cooperating and connecting together to live a healthy lifestyle.
To join in the celebration, the ever popular Fortnite game from Epic Games will welcome PAC-MAN themed cosmetics on June 2nd, giving players the opportunity to show off their appreciation of the classic character.
In addition to these announcements, PAC-MAN’s presence outside of video games keeps on growing thanks to new partnerships. Starting June 6th, the PAC-MAN x EASTPAK collection will be available in participating retailers throughout EMEA, USA and South Korea, carrying bags, suitcases and pencil cases. For tourists visiting Paris, the Yooma Urban Lodge Paris Tour Eiffel will feel like being part of a PAC-MAN maze with a immersive decoration of the hotel’s entrance hall, courtyard and corridors. In Berlin, as the Computerspielemuseum is encouraging everyone to replay history in their museum, PAC-MAN and the ghosts will take over a train of the U-Bahn 5 starting this month. Slated for this Autumn/Winter, a PAC-MAN Collection in collaboration with sloggi will be available in several countries in Europe and Asia.
Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.
Bandai Namco Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience, and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC.
Bandai Namco Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.
Sydney, Australia, May 24, 2022 – Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Milestone, a leading global racing game developer, announce the HOT WHEELS™ – Looney Tunes Expansion for Hot Wheels Unleashed™, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, that will be available starting from July 14, 2022.
The Looney Tunes Expansion makes the competition really animated with five newvehicles, a themed Track Builder Module, themedcustomisations items for the Basement and the Player’s Profile, and a new environment where players can relive the hilarious adventures of the classic animated series: the Looney Tunes Adventure Park. This is a theme park divided into 4 areas, including the iconic desert set of Wile E. Coyote™’s epic fails.
The Looney Tunes Expansion is included in the HOT WHEELS™ Pass Vol. 3or can be purchased separately from July 14, 2022. Together with the Looney Tunes Expansion, the HOT WHEELS™ Pass Vol. 3 also includes 9 vehicles, 3 Themed Customisation Packs and 3 Track Builder Modules and can be purchased from June 9, 2022.
About Milestone Founded in Milan in 1996, Milestone S.r.l. is one of the leading and longest established racing game developers in the world. The 260+ people team is responsible for hit series like HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™, MotoGP™, MXGP and Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame, as well as RIDE and Gravel, Milestone’s own IPs.
About Mattel Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and e-commerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
May 24, 2022 — The new season of World of Tanks’ Battle Pass will be arriving soon, and this time, they’ve got backup. Bolstered by reinforcements of the Ultramarines, the Death Guard and the Evil Sunz Orks from the Warhammer 40,000 universe, this promises to be a battle pass, that players won’t want to miss! Whether you find yourself shouting the “Red ‘uns go faster!” battle cry, you garb yourself in sickly greens and browns, or you call for “courage and honour”, tankers will be able to represent their favourite 40k factions on the World of Tanks battlefields.
This season will feature three main chapters, each containing 50 stages that can be completed in any order. And this time, unlike any season before, the Warhammer 40k setting means each of the chapters features a 3D style inspired by the aforementioned factions for this season’s core vehicles. But wait, there’s even more: completing each chapter will reward you with a commander who flies the flag of each faction (as well as 2D styles and a collection of customization elements for said faction), so tankers will definitely want to make it to the end!
“We’re excited to collaborate with and bring the 40k universe into World of Tanks, and we’re sure our players will be equally thrilled, too,” states Max Chuvalov, Publishing Director, World of Tanks. “Just like Warhammer 40,000, battles are about strategy, understanding your role in the arena and how you can work together to secure the victory.”
The mechanic will be familiar to Battle Pass veterans: players can earn Battle Pass Points in Random Battles (except for Grand Battles) while playing in Tier VI-X vehicles when they perform well on the battlefield. Tankers can also bolster their amount of Battle Pass Points by completing daily missions which are available to vehicles of all tiers.
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 15 offices around the world, including studios in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, and Vilnius. 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.
World of Tanks is the first team-based, massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to the golden age of tank-engineering. Immerse yourself in epic tank battles with gamers all over the world. Your arsenal includes over 600 armoured vehicles from 11 nations, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.
Games Workshop® Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L), based in Nottingham, UK, produces the best fantasy miniatures in the world. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer®: Age of Sigmar® and Warhammer® 40,000® games, miniature soldiers, novels and model kits through more than 523 of its own stores (branded Games Workshop® or Warhammer®), the www.games-workshop.com web store and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop and its other, related, brands and product ranges (including our publishing division ‘Black Library’ and our special resin miniatures studio ‘Forge World’) can be found at www.games-workshop.com.
Krut: The Mythic Wings Swoops Onto Consoles, PC, Mac July 12, 2022
SYDNEY – May 22, 2021 –Krut: The Mythic Wings is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash platformer based on Southeast Asian lore, from publisher Blowfish Studios, developers GoodJob Multimedia and Pixel Perfex, and producer RSU Horizon. A century-long battle will be rekindled on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, as well as PC and Mac via Steam, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, as revealed in Indie Live Expo.
A great Krut warrior named Vera seeks the ancient land of his ancestors. His heart burns with a searing flame, which can only be extinguished through liberating his people from the evil Zulla’s tyranny. Endowed with the legendary Silver Wings, the young soldier sets off in search of elemental magic to restore the Wings’ true power. Charge through the vibrant landscapes of the infamous Himmaphan Island, including lush forests, castle ruins, burning cities, and more.
Defeat the fantastic beasts prowling each region, with an array of quick-attack combos. Use the power of flight, for the advantage in both the land and sky. Exchange spirit orb pieces to enhance Vera’s Attack, Defense, Wing Power, and other abilities. Skillfully time critical hits and precise stuns to subdue the six great guardians, collect corresponding elemental spirits, and overcome the corrupt power of the island.
“Krut: The Mythic Wings is lovingly based on the story told in the beautifully animated Thai film Krut: The Himmaphan Warriors,” said Ben Lee, co-founder of Blowfish Studios. “The team has worked passionately to showcase not only a classic hero’s tale, but also to proudly represent the historic customs of their local region. Coupled with classic speedrun-friendly platforming, Krut makes a culturally significant and nostalgic package.”
Krut: The Mythic Wings will be available for $9.99 / £5.99 / €7.99 on all major platforms, featuring language support for English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and Thai.
RSU Horizon is an entertainment production company, based out of Thailand and responsible for the 2018 animated film Krut: The Himmaphan Warriors. They are passionate about reimagining beloved IPs from film, animation, and beyond through new mediums like video games, telling extended stories fans around the world can enjoy. They are one of the few game industry forces in Thailand pushing for more native console games from that region.
Blowfish Studios is an award-winning game developer and publisher based in Sydney, Australia. The studio strives to release original multi-platform games, while also collaborating with developers from around the world. As developers first, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to any partnership. The studio provides development services to get the game release ready, porting to all major platforms, platform approval, marketing, and promotion to the world. Blowfish Studios is a part of Animoca Brands gaming focused endeavors.
Animoca Brands, ranked in the Financial Times list of High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021, is a leader in digital entertainment, blockchain, and gamification. Animoca Brands develops and publishes a broad portfolio of products including the REVV token and SAND token; original games including The Sandbox, Crazy Kings, and Crazy Defense Heroes; and products utilizing popular intellectual properties including Formula 1®, Marvel, WWE, Power Rangers, MotoGP™, and Doraemon. Animoca Brands’ portfolio of blockchain investments and partnerships includes Sky Mavis (Axie Infinity), Dapper Labs (CryptoKitties and NBA Top Shot), OpenSea, Harmony, Bitski, and Alien Worlds. Its subsidiaries include The Sandbox, Blowfish Studios, Quidd, Gamee, nWay, Pixowl, Bondly, and Lympo.
The Use of Life, Gamebook-Inspired JRPG, Surprise Releases on Steam Early Access
TOKYO – 24 May 2022 – The Use of Life, the gamebook JRPG with roguelike elements from developer Daraneko Games and publisher PLAYISM, sets out to avenge its clan starting today on Steam Early Access for PC, following a surprise launch today during INDIE Live Expo 2022.
Set out as Goshe, a young Rabbitfolk who gains the ominous ability to siphon powers from the dead after his home village is destroyed and burnt to ashes. Make decisions wisely, as each action, line of dialogue, and path Goshe chooses affects the course of the story and his Flame of Life and Flame of Power. These character aspects unlock new choices and determine whether he ultimately uses his life for the good of others or himself.
Engage in “choose your own adventure”-style gameplay paired with dice-like random number events that determine the outcome of skill checks and if Goshe can avoid conflict or spur on more dangerous battles. Discover the first two chapters of the game in Early Access, leading Goshe down a path of vengeance against those who wronged him or one of finding peace amidst the horrific trauma he endured.
Square off against foes in JRPG-style combat, where each side chooses three actions at the beginning of each turn in battle, not knowing what the other will use. Goshe can utilize a combination of skillful sword strikes, powerful elemental magic, resourceful items, and defensive maneuvers. When the enemy attacks, tap the correct direction in time to reduce incoming damage or block the attack entirely, but one wrong move could lead to a critical hit.
Earn curse EXP to enhance Goshe’s stats and SP to level up different classes, unlocking new abilities and tactical options in battle. Improving stats makes Goshe a more fearsome warrior and can unlock new dialogue options and choices in events that shape the fate of him and his foes. Death isn’t just the end, as Goshe can retry a certain number of times based on difficulty level, but running out of retries means Goshe must begin his journey from scratch.
“I believe there’s a shared tension in roguelikes and gamebooks that video games just haven’t quite unlocked yet, and The Use of Life is my attempt to explore an undiscovered harmony between them,” said the sole developer at Daraneko Games. “Every decision counts, and I hope Early Access serves as a way to help shape my game for the better.”
The Use of Life is available now on Steam Early Access for Windows PC for $17.99 with support for English and Japanese language text.
Japan’s oldest indie publisher, PLAYISM, is known in the West for supporting popular indie games such as Gnosia, Idol Manager, Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight, Touhou Luna Nights, Fight Crab, Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-, the La-Mulana series, Bright Memory, Bright Memory: Infinite, and DEEEER Simulator among other titles.
PLAYISM’s motto is “Bringing a Different Breed of Indie Game to the World”.
