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Garden Story First 1 Hour of Gameplay

Join us for the first hour of gameplay of Garden Story as we make fruity new friends and rebuild our new home as newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove!

Unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove. Traverse a vibrant island to combat invasive Rot, inspire its inhabitants, and rebuild your home. You won’t have to do this alone: fruity friends await, ready to lend a hand!

Garden Story
Developer: Picogram
Publisher: Rose City Games
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 12 Aug, 2021
Price: $19.99

Available now on Steam – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062140/Garden_Story/

Summary

Recommended – “Garden Story offers a casual yet very enjoyable gameplay experience, a sweet soundtrack and cute pixel-art with loveable characters that will help you on you quest to rebuild your new home.”

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Realms Deep 2021, 3D Realms Digital Event, Kicks Off Today

Realms Deep 2021, 3D Realms Digital Event, Kicks Off Today

AALBORG, Denmark — August 13, 2021 — Realms Deep, 3D Realms’s digital event, makes a triumphant return for a second annual show today filled with world premieres and special guests. The event runs from Friday, August 13 through Sunday, August 15, with the main live show airing tomorrow, August 14, 10:00AM PDT, on the 3D Realms Twitch channel.

Last year, 3D Realms featured 40+ games over two days at the very first Realms Deep, including reveals for awesome upcoming games like the Hexen-inspired dark fantasy game GRAVEN and Ion Fury’s Aftershock expansion. This year, 3D Realms ups the ante with reveals and updates on more than 150 games over three days!

Get ready for updates on GRAVEN, Ion Fury: Aftershock, Core Decay, and more, but 3D Realms built Realms Deep as a non-profit event to shine a light on games that can’t always make it out to more traditional shows. Expect appearances from Slipgate Ironworks, Devolver Digital, 1C Entertainment, Running with Scissors, New Blood Interactive, HYPERSTRANGE, and many more.

While the majority of the big surprises will debut during Saturday’s live stream, today focuses on exclusive content released via the Realms Deep “Vault”. Throughout the day, more Vault content will unlock, including talks, interviews, lessons, and deep dives with the minds behind some of your favorite shooters, past and present. Check the Realms Deep 2021 home page for countdowns throughout the weekend.

To accompany the event, 3D Realms partnered with Steam for a Realms Deep Sale. With discounts of up to 90% off titles appearing throughout the show, any shooter fan can find something awesome to play. Exclusive Realms Deep merchandise including posters, hats, beanies, shirts, and hoodies will be available, with all proceeds going directly to charity.

We’ve been buzzing with excitement about Realms Deep 2021 since last year’s show,” said Frederik Schreiber, CEO of 3D Realms.Being able to make this an annual tradition where we can support our friends is amazing. We hope you enjoy today’s Vault unlocks!

Realms Deep 2021 begins today on the Realms Deep website and continues through August 15, with a live show airing at 10:00AM PDT on August 14 on 3D Realms’ Twitch channel. For more information, visit the official Realms Deep website, follow 3D Realms on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, join the team’s Discord and check out the official 3D Realms website.

About 3D Realms

Founded 30 years ago, 3D Realms was the publisher, developer and creator of many legendary gaming franchises, most still going strong: Wolfenstein 3DDuke NukemShadow WarriorMax Payne and Prey.

To learn more about 3D Realms please visit the studio’s official website.

Pet Project Games reveals new gameplay trailer for co-op horror FPS Ripout

Explore derelict spaceships teeming with mutants and take them on with a unique arsenal of sentiment pet weapon technologies

Belgrade, Serbia – August 13th, 2021 – Independent developer Pet Project Games today released the first gameplay trailer for Ripout. Launching on PC in 2022 and built with Unreal Engine, Ripout is a co-op sci-fi horror FPS with customisable biotech weapon combat, that features the Living Pet Weapon (LPW) that absorbs advanced tech from downed mutants including shield, plasma and teleportation biotech upgrades. Earlier this year Pet Project Games released a teaser showing just a few snippets of gameplay, but now the true Ripout experience is laid bare in the full gameplay trailer:

Ripout is set in the 22nd Century, an era where humanity has reached beyond Earth to conquer the solar system. An interplanetary revolution for humanity began, but it would quickly turn disastrous. This new expansion was greeted with new threats, as Alien forces emerged and threatened this new golden age. Desperate to find a way to keep them at bay, humanity developed a cell that regenerated soldiers’ tissue at superhuman speeds. But the cell turned sentient, causing those soldiers to transform into gruesome and bloodthirsty mutants. With humanity’s saviour now fast becoming their downfall, soldiers are deployed using the latest in biotech weaponry to deal with the mutants that have overtaken its fleet of battleships, turning them into derelict and deadly graveyards…

“We’re extremely excited to be able to fully unveil Ripout to players. The game takes aesthetic and gameplay influences from a load of genres and melds them together into something unique.” said Goran Rajsic, lead game designer at Pet Project Games. “We wanted to offer up a fresh twist on the action horror genre and we think the elements of procedural generation, co-op multiplayer and the awesome biotech weapons deliver an innovative experience that sets Ripout apart from the crowd. We hope everyone is excited for 2022, when we unleash our game to the world!”

Key Features in Ripout:

● Procedurally generated levels:Ripout is a sci-fi procedurally-generated shooter, enabling players to undertake missions that will never be the same.

● Variety of different missions, monsters and objectives: Every mission will offer various objectives to cater to players with different playstyles. Mutants can reconfigure their bodies and assimilate other monsters to become a constantly evolving threat.

Scalable co-op multiplayer: Featuring intense co-op gameplay, Ripout offers scalable difficulty to ensure teams always have a fun yet challenging experience.

● Sentient weapon companions: Players have their LPWs by their side at all times. They can use them as a weapon to shoot mutants or unleash it to feast on enemies and even harness some of their biotech powers.

● A cozy hub ship: Players can take a break between patrols in their cruiser hub. Hang out with your friends, play some arcade mini games from the 80s and customise your loadout, ready for another randomly generated mission.

Website: https://ripoutgame.com/
Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1558830/RIPOUT/

About Pet Project Games:

Pet Project Games is an indie video game company founded in January 2020. It consists of seasoned developers that have many years of work experience in the games industry, developing multiple projects together. While working on these projects, they realized they could take the gaming experience to the next level and offer a new game. As passionate gamers and fans of classic video games, they are developing Ripout, their most ambitious project to date.

Fort Triumph, Fantasy Turn-Based Tactics Game, Now Out on Consoles

The whimsical fantasy tactical RPG is now available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Playstation 4

Krakow, Poland — August 13, 2021 — All in! Games is excited to share that Fort Triumph, the fantasy turn-based tactics game from CookieByte Entertainment, is now available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Playstation 4 with backwards compatibility on the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series S|X. The console version of the game can be purchased for $19.99.

There’s good news for PC players as well. Fort Triumph’s price has dropped from $24.99 to $19.99 on Steam and GOG. It will also be available on the Epic Games Store later this month for the same price.

Watch Fort Triumph’s newest trailer:

“CookieByte Entertainment have created a fun turn-based tactics game that seamlessly blends classic inspirations yet stands on its own,” said Piotr Żygadło, CEO at All in! Games. “What’s more, the whole game’s aesthetic and humor lends itself perfectly to console play and makes the tactics genre more approachable for players of all levels.”

“We love turned-based games and thought, ‘what better way to honor the genre than to create a game that marries the strategic elements of XCOM and the iconic features of HOMM’,” Adam Zeira, CEO of CookieByte Entertainment said, “Although the core of the game is based on a few familiar concepts, we took things up a notch by adding a tactical layer to environmental interactions, and the possibility for players to manipulate their surroundings.”

Fort Triumph Playstation Store Page
Fort Triumph Xbox One Store Page
Fort Triumph Nintendo Switch Store Page
Fort Triumph Steam Store Page

About Fort Triumph 

Fort Triumph is a fun fantasy-themed turn-based tactics game. It has been described as part XCOM, part Heroes of Might and Magic III, while adding unique tactical environmental interactions of its own. Decide what level of challenge you’re ready to face, explore the world, build towns, collect artifacts, improve your heroes, and utilize physics to influence your tactical surroundings while you enjoy original in-game music created by award-winning composer, Marco Valerio Antonini.

About CookieByte Entertainment

CookieByte Entertainment is a team of tactics-passionate indies who have been working on Fort Triumph since 2016. What started as a trio of friends has grown into a small team of programmers, artists, and writers working from Tel Aviv. Most of the team grew up on tactical turn based games, RPGs, and adventure games, but they have a couple of hard core FPS lovers as well as several brave MMORPG survivors.

About All in! Games

All in! Games is a publicly traded video game publishing and production house based in Krakow, Poland. Founded in 2018, the team creates and supports local and international games for PC and consoles. All in! Games’ portfolio features titles such as Chernobylite (The Farm 51), Paradise Lost (PolyAmorous), Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms (Gamera Interactive), Tools Up! (The Knights of Unity), and many more. For more information, visit: https://www.allingames.com/

Frenetic Co-Op Time Management Flight Attendant Simulator Shakes on a Plane Now Available on PlayStation and Xbox Consoles

That chicken had better not be served cold! Overcooked style multiplayer mayhem, 30,000 ft in the air! 

Wiesbaden, Germany – 13th August, 2021 – Attention passengers! Please return your seats to the upright position, fasten your seat belts and prepare for some crazy antics! Assemble Entertainment and developer Huu Games are thrilled to announce that chaotic couch co-op title Shakes on a Plane is available today for PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S. The console versions will be available from the PlayStation Store for £15.99 / €19.99 / $19/99 and the Xbox Store for £16.74 / €19.99 / $19.99 (with a limited time 20% launch discount for the Xbox version). Shake on a Plane is also available for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch

Have you always dreamed of a life in the clouds, jet setting from exotic locale to exotic locale, and enjoying the finest international cuisine? Well, how about just the jet setting part, and instead of enjoying fine cuisine you’re instead serving burgers and shakes to a group of impatient, hangry passengers all crammed together in a metal box thousands of feet in the air? Shakes on a Plane tasks you and up to three friends with providing a satisfying airborne culinary experience in a chaotic environment with simple, easy-to-use controls and deceptively tactical gameplay. Coordination, delegation, and teamwork will propel-ler you to victory and ensure a five-star rating on the “How Was Your Flight Today” survey. And if the passengers get too sassy you can always para-drop them out the airlock — trust us, it’s standard procedure for all airlines.

Shakes on a Plane features Include:

  • Flying is Fun…Right?: Crying babies, obnoxious drunks, impatient business class fliers…It’s not your job to pick the passengers, but it is your job to keep them satisfied with delicious treats and tasty beverages
  • Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Grab up to three other players to build your ideal team of talented flight attendants, but don’t forget that you’re locked with them inside a narrow metal tube at 30,000 feet — coordination, cooperation, and patience are the keys to a successful flight
  • I Didn’t Order the Fish: Attention to detail is vital to keeping your impatient passengers sated with enough fast food to hopefully put them to sleep for the remainder of the flight. Make sure you get the right order to the right person, on time, or the cabin might get a tad unpleasant…
  • Putting the F in First Class…And UFO: Don’t get too comfortable…each plane has a different layout, forcing players to adapt on the “fly” and perfectly plan their food delivery path

Follow Assemble Entertainment on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and join the community on Discord

About Assemble Entertainment Based in Wiesbaden, Germany, Assemble Entertainment is an independent games developer and publisher best known for modernized award-winning Leisure Suit Larry series, featuring two new entries in the iconic decades-spanning saga, and the multi-award-winning Endzone – A World Apart, that challenges players to survive and thrive following an environmental apocalypse. Assemble Entertainment also organizes GermanDevDays, an annual conference that attracts more than 1,200 attendees from across the German-speaking video game development industry.

Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle Launches within Europe and Australia

Available Now on Nintendo Switch™

Check out our review here: Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle Review

London, United Kingdom – 13th August 2021 – Marvelous Europe Limited are today excited to announce that Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle, an exciting new card battle RPG based upon the anime adaptation of Cygames’ hit strategic multiplayer mobile/PC card battle game Shadowverse, is now available physically and digitally for the Nintendo Switch within Europe, and digitally, within Australia.

In Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle players will begin their quest to become a Shadowverse champion with the goal of restoring the Shadowverse Club at Tensei Academy. As players progress through this adventure, they will learn more about the Shadowverse card game and collect new cards to build more powerful decks. The game can be experienced solo, or players can head online for multiplayer matches to test complex new strategies against others.

Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle is available with an SRP of £44.99 / €49.99 / $79.95 AUD with physical copies available at participating retailers across Europe. A playable demo, which allows fans to experience the entirety of the first chapter within Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle, is also available to download from the Nintendo eShop. Save data from this playable demo can also be transferred to the full game.

Alongside the release of Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle Marvelous Europe Limited have today confirmed that previously released downloadable content in Japan is also now available to purchase for the game. This downloadable content will broaden the game with additional leader skins for the player avatar and expand the already extensive range of Shadowverse cards available within the game.

Leader Skin:
These are available to purchase individually from the Nintendo eShop.

● Leader Skin: “Seiya Kibakura”
● Leader Skin: “Takuma Kibakura”
● Leader Skin: “Vivian Joubert”
● Leader Skin: “Vanessa Joubert”
● Leader Skin: “Marcel Tabeoka”
● Leader Skin: “Miyabi Zaizenji”
● Leader Skin: “Ko Hebigami”
● Leader Skin: “Zuo Onizuka”
● Leader Skin: “Leon Aurenche”
● Leader Skin: “Rei Saotome”
● Leader Skin: “King of Shadowverse: Rei”

Premium Passes:
These Premium Passes are available to purchase directly from within the game. Content included as part of a Premium Pass can also be purchased individually from the Nintendo eShop.

Premium Pass 1:

● Leader Skin: “Hiro: Awoken Flame”
● Leader Skin: “Mimori: Sublime Melody”
● Leader Skin: “Mysterious Girl”

Premium Pass 1 + 10 Levels:

● Leader Skin: “Hiro: Awoken Flame”
● Leader Skin: “Mimori: Sublime Melody”
● Leader Skin: “Mysterious Girl”
● Leader Skin: “Mai”

Premium Pass 2:

● Leader Skin: “Kazuki: Pursuing Victory”
● Leader Skin: “Kai: Soul Baron”
● Leader Skin: “Masked Maestro”

Premium Pass 2 + 10 Levels:

● Leader Skin: “Kazuki: Pursuing Victory”
● Leader Skin: “Kai: Soul Baron”
● Leader Skin: “Masked Maestro”
● Leader Skin: “Ai”

Premium Pass 3:

● Leader Skin: “Kagura: Heavenly Envoy”
● Leader Skin: “Luca: Dark Emperor”
● Leader Skin: “Shadow Knight: Ein”

Premium Pass 3 + 10 Levels:

● Leader Skin: “Kagura: Heavenly Envoy”
● Leader Skin: “Luca: Dark Emperor”
● Leader Skin: “Shadow Knight: Ein”
● Leader Skin: “Kobayashi”

Premium Pass 4:

● Leader Skin: “Alice: Underworld Sovereign”
● Leader Skin: “Makise”
● Leader Skin: “Shiro Kiriyama”
● Leader Skin: “Shadow Knight: Zechts”

Premium Pass 4 + 10 Levels:

● Leader Skin: “Alice: Underworld Sovereign”
● Leader Skin: “Makise”
● Leader Skin: “Shiro Kiriyama”
● Leader Skin: “Shadow Knight: Zechts”
● Leader Skin: “Marguerite Valois”

Legendary Card Passes:
These Legendary Card Passes can only be purchased directly from within the game.

● Legendary Cards Premium Pass
● Legendary Cards Premium Pass + 10 Levels

About Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle:
Based on the anime adaptation of Cygames’ hit strategic multiplayer mobile/PC card battle game Shadowverse, Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle brings the deep deck-building mechanics to a new platform and delivers them with a fresh narrative experience perfect for both new and experienced players.

In Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle, players take the role of a transfer student to Tensei Academy, where they are quickly introduced to the Shadowverse card game by their classmate, Hiro Ryugasaki. The new friends team up with Shadowverse club president (and only member) Rei on a quest to master the popular card battle game and protect the club from the threat of disbandment by winning the national championship.

Throughout their adventures, players will be able to explore unique locations around the school and surrounding town, where events and encounters await in the least expected places. Team up with new friends, battle to become the national champions, and save the Shadowverse Club from getting shut down!

Developed by Cygames, and published by Marvelous Europe Limited in Europe and Australia on the Nintendo Switch™ system, Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle is now available physically and digitally. Further details can be found on the official Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle website.

Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle has been rated PEGI 12, USK 6 and ACB PG.

About Marvelous Europe
Founded in April 2012, Marvelous Europe Limited is the European arm of Marvelous Inc. a publicly listed entertainment company based in Tokyo. Marvelous is both a game developer and publisher with our popular PC and console titles including Story of Seasons and Rune Factory, in addition to third-party acquisitions such as Granblue Fantasy Versus and Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin.

For more information about Marvelous Europe products, please visit www.marvelousgames.com. We can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marvelousgames and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/marvelous_games Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.

RiMS Racing – Dev Diary Video 4 – Exclusive tracks from Bloody BeetRoots

The Bloody Beetroots provides the soundtrack to RiMS Racing and adds exclusive tracks!

Lesquin, France, August 12, 2021 – NACON and RaceWard Studio are pleased to release the fourth and final dev diary video for RiMS Racing, a brand-new motorcycling simulator concept available on August19 on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™ and PC in Europe and on August 24 in North America.

The new video highlights the game’s distinctive audio, delivered in a way that provides complete immersion for players. Recorded in true race conditions, the audio components are consistent with each riding manoeuvre and vary based on the viewing angle chosen by the player.

The dynamic soundtrack is by the Electronic Music Project The Bloody Beetroots with original tracks specially written for the game. Formed by Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo, The Bloody Beetroots has produced many tracks in collaboration with famous artists: Tommy Lee, Paul McCartney and Steve Aoki. The six exclusive tracks on the game’s original soundtrack are releasing next autumn as an EP and guarantee an adrenaline-filled experience for all players!

Full track list for RiMS Racing:

  • Rocksteady
  • Cornelius
  • The Source
  • Reactivated
  • Butter
  • Saint Bass City Rockers
  • 100,000 Prophets
  • Mork
  • Definition of House Music
  • Heavy
  • Elevate
  • Bully (Exclusive)
  • Blow (Exclusive)
  • Bleeding (Exclusive)
  • Easy (Exclusive)
  • Ezekiel (Exclusive)
  • Ready Player One (Exclusive)

And the collaboration with The Bloody Beetroots goes beyond the music because gamers can also play as Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo directly in the game with the DLC “The Bloody Beetroots Specials”, which includes motorbike livery for the Ducati Panigale V4R and a full riding suit in the artist’s colours thanks to a collaboration with Dainese.

Watch the new dev diary video on YouTube:

Look out for a new RiMS Racing development diary video from RaceWard and NACON each Thursday at 3pm CEST.

The latest news for RiMS Racing on Facebook and Twitter.

RiMS Racing will be available on August 19 2021 on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and on Nintendo Switch™ in Europe and on August 24 in North America.

Add RiMS Racing to your Steam wishlist

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 11 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, enables it to innovate by creating new unique competitive advantages and achieve its ambition to become one of the world’s leading players in gaming. https://www.nacongaming.com/

About Raceward Studio
RaceWard Studio are an Italian video game developer, creating state-of-the-art racing games. Driven on principles of ensuring excellence and developing a highly rewarding professional environment, the studio boasts mastery of leading-edge technology, fused together with a team of veterans which combine experience, skills and passion.The company is currently working on a new IP: RiMS Racing, a racing game with never-before-seen level of details, featuring the best-in-class motorbikes from officially licensed global-leading manufacturers. In 2019 the company became part of the Nacon group, which is also handling the worldwide publishing of RiMS Racing across all major gaming formats. Raceward Studio is now one of the largest videogame companies in Italy and it continues to expand.

Fire Tonight Reignites Love for Puzzles, Electronic Music Today on Nintendo Switch, PC

Fire Tonight Reignites Love for Puzzles, Electronic Music Today on Nintendo Switch, PC

TORONTO – Aug. 12, 2021 – Fire Tonight, a narrative puzzle experience from developer Reptoid Games and publisher Way Down Deep following a couple’s journey to find one another in a burning city, turns up the heat on Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, and Mac today.

In the midst of a raging inferno, love finds a way and continues to bloom between Maya and Devin. With a passion that burns brighter than the flames surrounding them, Maya makes her way through the blaze to reunite with Devin who awaits her in an apartment full of memories.

Devin eases his anxieties by listening to mixtapes and distracting himself with memory-soaked mementos reflecting on their relationship. Maya roller skates through the metropolis avoiding the heat and police patrols by taking adventurous routes over rooftops and alleyways teeming with puzzles blocking her path. Nothing can extinguish the spark between these two.

Inspired by Information Society’s song of the same name, Fire Tonight acts as a love ballad to a time before cell phones, when mixtapes were a sign of affection and CDs were just becoming a thing. Explore a neon-tinted cityscape with an original electronic soundtrack by Canadian composer Lex Metcalfe. Relieve this era’s unforgettable aesthetics in a nonviolent interactive love story. 

“Information Society couldn’t be more pleased to see this delightful narrative game based on THE song ‘Fire Tonight,’ from our 1990 album Hack,” the band said. “We love the story, the art, and everything else about it!”

Fire Tonight is available now on Nintendo Switch and Windows PC and Mac via Steam for $5.99 USD / €4,99 EUR / £4.49 GBP. To learn more about Fire Tonight, please visit the official website and join the community on Twitter and Facebook. Information Society also recently released a new album ODDfellows on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021; it can be purchased via Bandcamp.

About Reptoid Games

Founded in 2015, Reptoid Games is a Toronto-based independent games studio behind the 2017 Ubisoft Indie Series award-winning title Fossil Hunters. The team at Reptoid aim to create hand-crafted, bespoke character-driven experiences for players across the globe.

For more information, check out the official Reptoid Games website.

About Way Down Deep

Way Down Deep is a Texas-based boutique publisher that specializes in bringing to life non-violent games set in the real world. Fire Tonight joins a growing catalogue of titles about love and life, including Circadian City, Half Past Fate, Date Night Bowling, and more.

To learn more, please visit the official Way Down Deep website.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX Review

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX

Developer: Merge Games, Jankenteam
Publisher: Merge Games
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: June 22, 2021
Price: $19,99 USD – Available Here

Overview

The big eared, hard punching Sega mascot is back! After more than 2 decades, developer Merge Games took it upon themselves to bring back the original Sega mascot recreated majestically with new graphics, music, stages and more.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World launched originally launched in 1987 for the Sega Master System console to some critical acclaim and spawned a number of sequels, that, unfortunately, didn’t retain the charisma and fun of the original, and with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog, Alex was reduced to a couple of appearances in other games and even as a playable character in Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed. That was until now as a group of fervorous fans decided they wanted to develop their own version of Miracle World.

Story

There is now a short, animated introduction as you start your journey, showing Alex in training and the old “a looming evil approaches.” Alex is a martial arts student. After traversing a few stages, you find your master, who is very well, thank you. He tells the protagonist: “You’re Alex Kidd, a member of the royal family of Radaxian, you must save your brother, the prince, and his betrothed, defeat a tyrant hellbent on overtaking the kingdom known as “Janken the Great”, and restore the petrified townsfolk to normal.” That’s a lot, but Alex departs on his journey to save his homeland without thinking twice. There are now more NPCs besides the shopkeeper and secondary characters, like villagers. They can be found scattered throughout stages, each with their own piece of dialogue which adds a bit more life into the game. Even then, the story is still minimalistic as it was originally, being little more than an excuse to get things rolling.

Gameplay

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is an action platformer with some adventure elements. You traverse the landscapes of Radaxian, punching enemies with Alex’s oversized hands as big as his ears, all while avoiding traps and destroying yellow shining blocks that contain money that can be used in stores in some stages for items that will help you on your journey. These items can be selected and used on the fly now, which is a welcome addition.

The remake retains almost everything from the original to a fault, which could be a blessing or a curse depending whether you are a new or a returning, long time fan. As varied as the game tries to be with underwater sections, secret passages and the use of vehicles, like a helicopter or a boat; they mostly progress in a very repetitive fashion with the same blocks, pits and enemies placed in the stage that repeat after 3 or 4 screens until you get to the end. It was designed this way, in part, due to the processing and memory limitations of the time, and Jankenteam decided to not mess with the game’s core. You’ll also encounter some weirdly designed obstacles like spikes that can only harm you if you touch its sides. A particular puzzle where you have an item depicting images indicating how to solve it, only to find, after a lot of trial and error, that the developers forgot to change its reading orientation as it’s read in the same way as the Japanese version, from right to left. Maybe I’ll never know if this was left due to an oversight, on purpose or couldn’t be changed due to time constraints.

The enemies you’ll encounter range from little critters such as scorpions, bats, little dragons and a jumping ball whose only features are a pair of eyes and a … mustache. They’ll just wander toward you and can be simply avoided by jumping over them or defeated with a single punch. Alex will die in one hit, even by jumping on top of them; I guess Sega wanted to differentiate Alex Kidd from Super Mario as much as they could. This dynamic of deciding what enemies to kill, blocks to break, obstacles to avoid, and items to use; combined with the fast pace of the stages, can be a lot of fun. As you get better, you’ll simply fly through the stages. You have a limited number of lives, but the game now has infinite continues and your progress will be automatically saved so you can try to tackle it later if you wish.

At the end of some stages, there’ll be a boss. Some boss battles will require you defeat them in a match of JanKenPon (Rock, Paper and Scissors). It’s a battle of trial and error as, initially, you don’t have any way to know what they’ll choose. If you guess wrong two times, you’ll lose a life. This can be very frustrating, as using a continue will send you all the way back to the beginning of the stage without your money and items you collected, as such, they’re more of a hindrance than a proper, fun boss battle. Other lesser bosses will be resolved in a more traditional fashion, that is, punching them to death. These battles were tweaked, adding new patterns to their attacks or modifying the way they’re defeated in some cases. Although minor, these changes are still welcome, especially for returning players.

As with most remakes, we have some new features like new stages. They are implemented in a way that feel like they were always a part of the original game: fast and short. The new additions add much needed longevity to the game. Another neat addition is the inclusion of collectibles apart from the normal items you get: from a Sega master system console to items referencing other Sega games and versions of Alex Kidd. These are scattered throughout the world and can be given by NPCs or even in common blocks. These were specifically included for fans of the original game and Sega, so its references will mostly be lost on new players and can be skipped entirely as they don’t alter any aspect of the overall experience. There’s also an option to enable infinite lives at any point in the game for those who want an easier time or just want to try the game without too much hassle. It will disable some achievements and can’t be reverted unless you start a new save, so choose wisely.

Visuals

Everything was entirely redone from scratch and now features gorgeous sprite work and animations. The graphics use vibrant colors that go perfectly with the game, bringing the world of Radaxian to life; As soon as the boat stage started I was incapable of not smiling like an idiot, because of how bright and “happy” it looked. Stages now can be at night or during a beautifully animated rainstorm. Jankenteam and Merge Games really put their soul in recreating the visuals for this remake.

Audio

The original game already had a charming and catchy soundtrack although very repetitive and with only a few tunes. In the remake, the music was recreated with a higher quality and heavy emphasis on Spanish guitars that goes very well with the game and its “tropical” scenery. The audio is a joy to listen to because the music doesn’t feel repetitive anymore as new tunes were added and old ones were expanded.

Overall

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX is a faithful remake of one of the precursors of modern videogames. It was created by fans and is as untouched as they’re able to make, so it won’t be for every fan of the genre who might prefer something more modern. It’s still worthy of being experienced by new or veteran players. It’s not only a piece of videogame history. It’s a fun game on it’s own, if you’re able to overlook some of the more bizarre design choices or the repetitive pacing of the stages. It’s still short, even with the inclusion of new stages, but once you beat the game, you get access to a revamped Master System version and a boss rush. That, along with collectibles and different paths you can take, can prolong its longevity, especially if you want to see everything or are an achievement hunter.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

This Week in GTA Online: New Robbery Contract, Emperor Vectre LS Tuners Car, Double Rewards in the Pursuit Series and Siege Mentality, and More

The New Emperor Vectre

Plus Take Down The Lost MC in a New Robbery Contract, and More

Too extra for the classics? More over-the-top than underground? Forget trying to find that scrapyard bucket and make the only first impression that counts in the Emperor Vectre. Like a supermodel with a mean 100m sprint, the Vectre is a spectacle in every sense of the word.

Now available from Legendary Motorsport in GTA Online.

New Robbery: The Lost Contract
The Lost MC is sitting on a goldmine, and you’re entitled to your share. Take them down a couple of pegs by targeting their bustling methamphetamine empire for a sizable score. Gather some intel, steal a truck to haul your payload, and blow the whole operation to smithereens. Visit the Job Board in your Auto Shop to get cracking.

Last Chance: Car Meet Membership Bonuses
This week is your final chance to get the LS Customs Varsity Jacket for simply showing up to the LS Car Meet, while all LS Car Meet Members who reach Reputation Level 20 by August 18 will get a bonus to the tune of GTA$250K.


2X GTA$ and RP on Pursuit Series
LS Car Meet Members with a knack for crafting slick escape routes will earn Double Rewards for outmaneuvering their fellow drivers and the LSPD as part of the Pursuit Series this week.

2X GTA$ and RP on Siege Mentality
Siege Mentality places a small team of defenders armed to the teeth against a determined group of attackers attempting to breach the holdout. Whatever side you’re on, both teams earn 2X GTA$ and RP for playing Siege Mentality this week.


Car Meet Prize Ride and Challenge
Car Meet Members who win 3 Sprints for 4 days in a row this week can drive away behind the wheel of the Karin Futo GTX. Swing by the Slamtruck at the meet to check out what you’re competing for and scope out the competition. Issue a Sprint challenge from the Interaction Menu while inside the LS Car Meet.

Test Out New and Unreleased Cars on the Test Track
Want to see how a new steering wheel feels in your hands? Why not give the unreleased Pfister Growler a trial run on the LS Car Meet’s Test Track, or put some dents in an Emperor Vectre before buying your own? The Dinka Jester RR is also available to try, free of charge. Just head over to the Test Rides in the LS Car Meet.

This Week on the Podium: Lampadati Michelli GT
Make sure to make a pit stop at The Diamond Casino & Resort and give the Lucky Wheel its daily spin to walk away with GTA$, RP, clothing, snacks, and mystery prizes. This week’s top prize on the podium is the Lampadati Michelli GT, an Italian import with a whole bunch of angry horses shoved under the hood. Andiamo.

Discounts:
All Executive Office properties continue to be half off. Plus, these vehicles are still available to pick-up at a discount through this week:

Lampadati Tigon — 30% off
Mammoth Squaddie — 30% off
RO-86 Alkonost — 30% off
Vapid Ellie — 40% off
Grotti Itali GTO — 40% off

Prime Gaming Bonuses and Benefits

GTA Online players who successfully connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account with Prime Gaming will get GTA$100K just for playing any time this week.

In addition, Prime Gaming members can get the Auto Shop property located in Strawberry for free through August 18, as well as exclusive discounts, including half off the Benefactor BR8 racecar and 80% off the Coquette Blackfin. Any Prime Gaming members in good standing who do buy the Auto Shop property in Strawberry at full price will be given a 100% rebate within 72 hours after purchasing it.

To ensure access to future benefits, make sure to visit Prime Gaming and sign up.

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.