COCONUT ISLAND GAMES RELEASES PIXEL-BUSTING ARCADE SHOOTER VECTORIUM ON WINDOWS PC
SHANGHAI – May 3, 2018 – Independent game studio Coconut Island Games has released Vectorium on Windows PC via Steam for $4.99 (with a bonus 10% discount available to customers at launch). Developed by IndigoBlue Game Studio, Vectorium is a fast-paced arcade shooter with 15 colorfully pixelated levels and a beat-dropping electronic soundtrack.
Choose from a number of different character types with distinct playstyles and blast a wide range of enemies and bosses to smithereens. Combine basic and special attacks to rack up huge scores while dashing to evade a hail of deadly fire of all shapes and sizes. Complete each challenge solo or with a friend in 2 player local co-op.
Coconut Island is an independent game studio based in Shanghai, China. Founded in 2009, we’re committed to creating innovative games of all kinds that we love to play ourselves. Most of our members have worked for years at famous companies in the game industry like Konami and Autodesk. We released Naughty Kitties on Xbox One and One Tap Hero on PlayStation®Vita in China as one of the first Chinese developers making consoles games.
Our games have won many awards and nominations at events like IGF China and the Unity Awards. We also help organize China’s biggest indie games community/conference, IndieACE, with our experience as one of the earliest Chinese indies.
STAY, the innovative story-driven pixel-art adventure title is coming to PC, MAC and Xbox One worldwide this May
Every choice matters in this atmospheric, gripping and suspenseful puzzle story, you alone are the key to Quinn’s escape and sanity…
PQube (London, UK) May 3rd, 2018 – PQUBE today is delighted to announce that STAY, the highly anticipated atmospheric adventure game featuring pixel-style graphics and a gripping thriller-like story is releasing worldwide on PC May 16th and Xbox One on May 30th. The title will feature a 20% worldwide launch discount on Steam from the 16th May until the 23rd of May.
Along with the review, we’re allowing people to stream or record to the end of the first nine chapters to show the variety and choices on offer before the release date of the title, being a story-driven game with plenty of choices we don’t want to spoil the experience for everyone!
What would you do if a stranger’s fate rested in your fingertips? And how would you cope if every second could be the difference between life and death? New graphic adventure STAY is set to ask those very questions when it launches worldwide on PC and Mac on May 16th and Xbox One on May 30th.
Developed by award-winning Spanish indie studio Appnormals Team, STAY is the story of Quinn: A therapist who wakes up alone and locked in a strange room with nothing of note save for a computer hooked up to an internet chat room. That chat room has one other member: You. As Quinn’s only contact with the outside world, you become his single ray of hope. Your choices – and your timeliness when it comes to responding to his requests – will single-handedly shape his escape efforts… or lead him down the path to an untimely end.
The clock never stops STAY plays out in real-time, meaning that every minute spent away from the game is a minute Quinn is left alone. Drop out of conversations or leave Quinn to fend for himself for too long and there may be consequences to your actions.
Raise your empathy
Quinn is on edge, and every response matters. Prove yourself a compassionate ally and he’ll learn to trust you and share both his findings and deepest thoughts. Fail, and his emotions may work against you.
Interactive storytelling
Featuring 24 chapters, seven different endings, dozens of life-altering choices and entire webs of conversation, STAY is designed to be replayed multiple times. Explore myriad rooms and unearth hidden secrets in subsequent playthroughs to piece together the full story.
Uncover the truth
Webcams around the environment and on the computer enable you to watch and analyse Quinn’s reactions, mental state and actions while he is Away From Keyboard. Pick up on his lies, use that knowledge to your advantage and uncover the truth at the heart of STAY.
Solve mind-bending puzzles
Help Quinn get the better of the conundrums he encounters inside his prison by taking direct control of his actions during numerous puzzle sections.
STAY is ready to break out worldwide on PC and Mac on May 16th & Xbox One on May 30th.
Check out #staythegame on social media.
About PQube
PQube is a publisher, distributor and service provider for the interactive entertainment industry with a global reach through UK, Europe, Middle East, Australia and North and South America from its offices in Letchworth, Paris, Bristol and Bawtry. PQube is a licensed publisher for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo platforms and publishes and distributes games on PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, 3DS, iOS, Android, PC and digital download. PQube has established a track record of success with major franchises including:- BlazBlue, GuiltyGear, WRC, MotoGP, Ride, MXGP, Arcana Heart, Harvest Moon, Senran Kagura and Steins;Gate. PQube also creates and distributes hardware, consoles and technology including Sega MegaDrive, Atari Flashback, BlazeTab and BlazeGear. PQube also provides a full range of creative, design, web, marketing, PR, development and e-commerce and fulfilment solutions. We thank all our partners and acknowledge all game names, brands and trademarks as properties of their respective owners. www.pqube.co.uk
About Appnormals Team
Appnormals Team is an award-winning indie studio from Barcelona, Spain. Co-founded by long-term friends Inaki Diaz and Dani Moya, who respectively worked in multiple fields of design and coding for many years, the creative duo started a journey together because of their passion for pixel art and love for old school games. After releasing several casual mobile titles such as the acclaimed ‘Super Barista’, Appnormals Team is dedicated to developing genuinely innovative games across multiple platforms; titles which embrace the studio’s quest for original mechanics, unique premises and a hallmark retro look and feel
Stunlock Studios brings new action MOBA Battle Royale mode to Steam and WeGame this summer
Skövde, Sweden – May 3, 2018 – In search for a MOBA-like Battle Royale game? Well, look no further, as Stunlock Studios today revealed the first details of Battlerite Royale, a combination of an Action MOBA/Arena Brawler and the Battle Royale survival gameplay. Featuring spectacular fantasy landscapes on a map 30 times larger than the standard arena mode map, Battlerite Royale throws 20 players into a cutthroat island deathmatch, played “Free For All” or as a duo.
“With a top-down Battle Royale mode we’ve set out to bring the ultimate survival experience to Action RPG and MOBA players.” said Johan Ilves, Marketing Director at Stunlock Studios. “We want to give players the excitement of a Diablo-esque exploration experience combined with the character variation of a MOBA and the thrill of a survival game. That said, I think anyone who’s looking for a fresh and different take on the Battle Royale genre will have a blast.”
Battlerite Royale is played in a top-down perspective using WASD controls and victory depends on factors such as players’ skill, map awareness, situational builds, and a sliver of luck. During fast-paced 10-minute matches players explore the map in order to find a variety of items, fight other players to grab their loot, and, ultimately, be the last one standing on the island. There are 27 unique Champions to choose from that offer a robust mix of roles: ranged, melee, and support. Every champion plays differently and mastering their abilities is the key to survive on the island, which makes Battlerite Royale stand out from similar titles.
Since the launch of Battlerite, more than 4 million unique players have tried their luck in the arena, shooting Battlerite up to the top of the ‘top selling’ free-to-play games on Steam on several occasions. Each week players get access to six unique champions on free rotation, and every character can be permanently unlocked with in-game currency or in-app purchases. As of today, the “All Champion’s Pack” is available to unlock all 27 current and all future champions for $29.99/ €27.99/23.79£.
About Stunlock Studios
Founded in 2010, Stunlock Studios is one of the leading Swedish independent game developers located in Skövde. With a passion for competitive gaming, the studio crafts groundbreaking and community driven games, always with their players in mind. Previously released titles include Bloodline Champions and Dead Island: Epidemic. For more information, visit: https://www.stunlockstudios.com
DARK SOULSÔ: REMASTERED WILL BE PLAYABLE ON MAY 11th AND 12th WITH THE NETWORK TEST
Dark Souls fans will need to mark these dates on the calendar as BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe today announced the Network Test client schedule for the upcoming DARK SOULSÔ: REMASTERED. In May and during 2 days, Xbox One and PlayStation®4 players will be able to discover the treacherous land of Lordran! Network Test on Nintendo Switch™ will arrive later.
Specific schedule is below as players need to register and download the game in advance:
May 2nd 00:01 CEST: Network Test client will be deployed and downloadable for players.
May 8th 11:59 CEST: Network Test client is not available for download anymore.
May 11th-12th: First players will be able to access the network test and tread on Lordran’s lands, meet their inhabitants and fight their treacherous ennemies. Network test schedule is below:
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe S.A.S. part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc. is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive content for platforms including all major video game consoles, PC and mobile. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TEKKEN™, SOULCALIBUR™, DARK SOULS™, NARUTO™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, Dragon Ball, GALAGA™, RIDGE RACER™ and ACE COMBAT™. For more information please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu
AMBUSH OF THE IMPOSTERS DLC FOR SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET RELEASED
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe haev released the first DLC Ambush Of The Imposters for SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, PC Digital via STEAM® and other distributors. The DLC features a brand-new story arc with a new dungeon and boss battle.
Ambush Of The Imposters also includes:
New playable characters: Dyne, Yamikaze and Musketeer X
New game mode Bullet of Bullets: With their customized characters, players can fight Kirito and other characters in this new offline mode
4vs4 Deathmatch Multiplayer Mode (available in Hero Battle and Avatar Battle): Now Players can fight in teams of four against each other without Boss enemy.
New story, new dungeon and new boss enemies are also available
Members of the Epic Reward Club will receive a special offer to celebrate the release of the DLC. Registered players on PlayStation 4 will get a Sinon Alo Costume for free. Visit the Epic Reward Club to register and get the exclusive costume!
Ambush Of The Imposters is part of the Season Pass for SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET which will also include future DLCs. SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Digital via STEAM® and other distributors.
About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe S.A.S. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe S.A.S., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for all major video game consoles, iOS, Android, and online platforms. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including PAC-MAN™, GALAGA™,TEKKEN™, SOULCALIBUR™, ACE COMBAT™ and DARK SOULS™. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe is the premier publisher for anime based video games including NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL™, and ONE PIECE™. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.eu or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU
Rockstar Games released a brand new trailer for the upcoming open world cowboy game Red Dead Redemption II. The trailer sets the stage for the game. It’s 1899 and the Wild West is almost tamed. The last of the outlaw gangs are holding onto their old ways of robbery, banditry, and murder as government-run law enforcement becomes the norm. Based on the trailer, it appears the outlaw gangs are not the only ones struggling with the change as the townspeople also must struggle with being unable to take the law into their own hands.
Red Dead Redemption IIis set to launch on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 26, 2018. This is Rockstar’s first game to be built with the latest generation of consoles in mind.
It has been announced that Shining Resonance Refrain will be released in North America and Europe on July 10th with the title launching for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC on that date. All launch copies of the title will be “Draconic Launch Editions” that will feature a collectible metal slipcase featuring artwork of Excella, Sonia, and Kirika.
Shining Resonance Refrain is a remaster of the original Shining Resonance that was previously released as a PlayStation 3 exclusive in Japan and when it is released in the West it will include dual audio options plus all of the DLC that was released for the original game. Also included in this release is a new “Refrain Mode” that will unlock the Imperial Princess Excella and Dragonslayer Jinas as party members.
To go along with this release date announcement Sega has also released a character trailer that you can check out below.
Tripwire Interactive released Killing Floor: Incursion on PlayStation VR today. Already out on Steam for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, Killing Floor: Incursion is a single-player or two person co-op FPS.
The game features the first narrative story campaign in the zombie franchise. Players take on the role of an elite Horzine Security Forces Soldier sent to discover the Zeds origins. Along with the story campaign, Killing Floor: Incursion offers the Holdout mode that challenges players to survive as long as they can against infinite waves of Zeds.
Killing Floor: Incursion was designed exclusively for VR platforms. The game features motion controls, 3D UI, and a wide variety of weapons to slaughter hordes of Zeds.
The PlayStation VR version is getting all post-launch content from the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift versions plus a new timed exclusive Holdout map called The Crucible. It’s available now on the PlayStation Store for $29.99 USD.
Frostpunk is a survival city builder. The game follows a small crew of migrants who travel north to start a new city after an ice age freezes London, England. After settling down by a coal generator, players must guide their small city through sudden drops in temperature, civil unrest, and dwindling supplies. To survive, players will need to make tough decisions that will test their own moral compass in a world where there are no good choices.
Story
Frostpunk is set in a grim steampunk world. For a city builder, Frostpunk offers quite a bit of storytelling. At launch, the game comes with three scenarios with their own story. The day to day trials of the city is told through citizen dialogue and events, while the world’s lore is fleshed out through scouting around outside the city.
11 bit studios has crafted a fantastic story for Frostpunk. The game’s Hope and Despair gameplay mechanics are tied nicely to the game’s story. Frostpunk’s advertising pushed the idea that the game would test player’s morality and that there are no right or wrong decisions. While it isn’t perfect, Frostpunk is one of the better examples of the moral grey zone that people actually deal with in every day life. There are plenty of decisions that are morally cut and dry, but even those come at a heavy cost as resources are always stretched thin. While lesser in numbers, there are some more morally ambiguous decisions in the game with no right or wrong answer, such as deciding whether to allow a man facing amputation to die as he wishes or forcibly amputate the limb. 11 bit studios does good job providing players with options that will constantly have them wondering if they made the right decision.
Gameplay
Frostpunk is a city builder with the threat of failure constantly hanging above the player’s head. The ever present cold is the game’s main driver for resource management. Players must keep their citizens warm with coal fired generators or risk illness, amputations, or death. Citizens are a limited resource and can only be replenished with new survivors. Every citizen unable to work means a smaller workforce, and the effects are felt in almost every aspect of the game. At the same time, keeping a healthy workforce is only half the battle. Keeping the people hopeful about their future and warding off despair is just as important. A poorly timed event can spread the fear of impending doom through the population, while uniting the people behind a common cause can keep spirits high even in the face of plummeting temperatures.
Frostpunk’s juggling act is made a little easier with its Book of Laws. Players can implement decrees to address a certain problem in the society. Often times, these decrees come with a moral quandary like deciding to implement child labour or spend precious resources to provide day care. Issuing a stream of decrees is an absolute must to survive the early game. The Book of Laws and its moral challenges is one of Frostpunk’s unique features, and I’m disappointed to see it fade in importance and use in the late game.
The difficulty curve in Frostpunk is not smooth at all. There are clear points in the scenarios where the difficulty level suddenly jumps. Disruptive events are a good way to keep things interesting, but the sudden jump in difficulty and the predictability of the events are boring and a bit frustrating. The high jump in difficulty makes it extremely challenging to survive the event without prior knowledge and preparation. The pre-scripted events in the scenarios mean the game’s current replay value lies in playing scenarios over again until players can figure out the right path to overcome the impending events.
Frostpunk’s UI is decent, though it could use a few improvements. Every important function for buildings is easily accessible. The menus are simple and laid out in a logical fashion. I like how the game handles road construction. Since all buildings need to be connected to the generator by a road, the UI provides players with a button to immediately jump into the road construction menu. There are a few hitches. Road placement can be a little flaky at times. The warning for resource piles being used up is small and out of the way, which can kill efficiency. The building menu’s categories could be taller for easier access, as I found myself constantly overshooting. The overworld scouting UI feels a bit clumsy, as it requires some clicking to send a team on their way, explore, and then get them moving once again. I feel using a drag and drop system and then having teams automatically exploring at their destination would make for a much smoother experience
Overall, Frostpunk’s city building gameplay is a tense, but enjoyable play. Outside of the disruptive events, the game is well balanced. The constant struggle for survival as temperatures become progressively colder is an enjoyable challenge. Frostpunk’s replayability is a work in progress. There are only three scenarios on release. While some difficulty options can be tweaked, it is still no replacement for a sandbox mode that provides randomized events and challenges. The extremely large spikes in difficulty will not be for everyone. Those who will prefer the puzzle like approach to solving scenarios will likely enjoy Frostpunk more than those who prefer gameplay that emphasizes flexibility and thinking on their feet.
Visuals
Frostpunk’s art style is a dark spin on classic steampunk. The game’s artwork is superb. The inhabited areas are a dark, dirty mix of greys and blacks that are lit up by splashes of oranges. These areas contrast wonderfully with the bright white snow. While not immediately noticeable, the game has a surprising amount of detail. Citizens trudge their way through the snow to hunt late at night or stream into the town square for an early morning meeting. The character and building design is fitting for Frostpunk’s setting, with its dilapidated buildings and heavily bundled citizens.
Audio
Frostpunk delivers an enjoyable audio performance. There is very little voice acting, but what is there is excellent. The sound effects work well for the game. The music is subtle, providing a good accompaniment to the gameplay without being intrusive.
Overall
Frostpunk is a solid, albeit slightly flawed survival city-builder. The game’s lore is excellent, and the moral dilemmas it offers transcends the usual good and bad dichotomy that video games tend to offer. The gameplay is decent, though not everyone will like the scenario’s puzzle-like nature due to the sudden difficulty spikes. As of publishing, there are only three scenarios and no sandbox mode, which makes replayability a little tricky. Even with its warts, city-building fans should give Frostpunk’s grim world a try.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
After spending four years in Early Access, Endnight Games has finally released The Forest1.0. The survival horror game was among the early cohorts of Steam Greenlight titles in 2013.
The 1.0 update sports a hefty change log, featuring a ton of bug fixes, game optimizations, quality of life adjustments, and new content. Most notably, the end game has been completely revamped and a new alternate ending has been added to the game. Endnight Games plans on continuing development on The Forest, with cheat controls for multiplayer servers coming soon.
The most intriguing part of the 1.0 announcement isn’t the launch itself, but rather The Forest’s VR reveal. The VR version is scheduled to launch on May 22. The VR version will have a 3D UI and supports motion controls for chopping down trees. Endnight Games will be giving all owners of The Forest free access to the VR version. It is not entirely clear if the VR version will be a separate title or be a setting in the base game.
The Forest is available now onSteam for $19.99 USD.
