Heidelberg 1693
I’m going to preface this with a disclaimer: while I am giving the game a negative review, I do not DISLIKE the game. In fact I like it quite a bit, and think it has a lot of good things going for it. However, at the end of the day, I feel the flaws significantly interfere with my making an honest recommendation for the game to others. With that said, to go into detail:
This game styles itself off the old-school, pre-Symphony of the Night Castlevanias, specifically Super Castlevania 4. The creators have said so as much. Both in terms of gameplay and aesthetic, this is a game about tight platforming, difficult enemy encounters and a gothic horror locale. Or at least, it tries to be. Aesthetics wise I’ll voice no complaint, save perhaps for the fact the music is pretty forgettable droning synth stuff, but visually the game is a gorgeous pixel art display of grotesque horrors set in the European Enlightenment.
– Real player with 11.6 hrs in game
Read More: Best Dark Fantasy Swordplay Games.
I’m only a few minutes in, but I’m pretty in love with this game already. Works pretty well with Microsoft Surface Go 2. Plays well with 3rd party keyboard and mouse. Using graphics settings to “simple.” I’ve seen a couple reviews here that says the controls feel a little slightly off, mainly referring to using the double jump. At times it does feel a bit of a gamble on how exactly a double jump will be performed, It’s really kind of about finding the rhythm, i’ll use a technical term here; Janky. If you can forgive the jankiness of the double jump and not being able to aim the gun higher than a 45 degree angle…It works. Seriously though, if you like old school, Castlevania, Ghosts’n’Goblins, (I’d even say) Contra NES, goth/horror theme, side scroll, GET THIS GAME NOW. It’s on sale. If i’m comparing apples to oranges, I’m having more fun playing this than I did playing Little Nightmares.
– Real player with 9.2 hrs in game
Animyst
Pros:
-Devs actually take feedback into making the game the best it can be,
-Big open world with base building and things to find hidden around the map,
-New updates bringing new things into the game over time,
-Can kill a player with a lot of things with just base spells you find on the ground,
-Fights can last long and you can hunt down other players if you so feel like it,
-you are not FORCED to fight players if you dont want ther is some PVE in the game,
-Helpfull community
Cons:
-low player base at the time
– Real player with 232.0 hrs in game
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!OK PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO PLAY THE GAME! GIVE THIS GAME A CHANCE!
At first i was unsure about the game do to the lack of players and lack of knowledge i felt that there wasn’t anything to the game, after spending a few hours online and encountering the few loyal players this game has and meeting the owners, i can tell you this game has a lot of potential and the staff is very dedicated to making this game work and are open to taking requests for future updates.
the pvp in this game is really what makes it so great and i long for the day that there is always a few players online! you basically start off as an undead who’s brought back to the world after it being destroyed. you explore the map in search of materials to craft trinkets, cosmetics and spells which u can use in combat. you can build your own hidden base and fill it with shrines to get fast materials, and even set out and raid other peoples base!
– Real player with 161.2 hrs in game
Perennial Order
Perennial Order is a 2D plant horror boss rush, set in an atmospheric Dark Age world plagued by nature-infested horrors.
Explore a mysterious world alone or with a friend, uncover a story through unusual NPC’s, and cut down terrifying eldritch bosses, all in a painterly 2D style.
David vs. Goliath Combat
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Uncover a unique boss around every corner that will test you in different ways.
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Intense combat that utilizes twin stick melee controls.
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One-Hit-Death. Respawn directly at the beginning of an encounter to learn quickly from your actions; spend your time fighting rather than walking.
Captivating 2D Style
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A painterly 2D art style with a dark fantasy inspiration.
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Themes and visuals akin to the world designs of titles like Dark Souls and Princess Mononoke.
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Painstakingly crafted by 1 artist and 1 animator. We are developing the visual identity of Perennial Order through realistic, painterly techniques combined with 2D Spine animation.
Plagued by Nature
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Immerse yourself in a dreary land where unspeakable horrors roam.
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Discover Unusual NPCs and unravel more about this mysteriously beautiful world.
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Explore a rich atmosphere through sounds and score, with musical themes distinct to each boss.
Bonded Journey
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Experience the entirety of Perennial Order from start to finish with a friend.
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Start a file with another person, so your playthrough is linked.
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Local and Online Co-Op.
Key Features
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Unique Bosses | Different mechanics to adapt to. Lovecraftian and terrifying battles.
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One-Hit-Death | Every combat choice matters. Yeah
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Limited UI | Nothing to clog up the screen to add to the atmosphere.
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Intriguing NPCs and World | A world worth exploring.
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Weather System | Reactive environment to changing weather.
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Online and Local Co-Op | Bonded Journey mode. 2 player adventure.
We like to describe Perennial Order as Hollow Knight meets Titan Souls.
Where we are capturing the beautifully dark atmosphere mixed with the Boss Rush style gameplay.
Developed by Gardenfiend Games
James Markiewicz | Programming
Vincent Van Hoof | Art
Miguel Félix | Animation
Julian Crowhurst | Music / Audio
Read More: Best Dark Fantasy Co-op Games.
Immortal Darkness: Curse of The Pale King
This game is truly a hidden gem. It’s a shame that more people aren’t talking about this seemingly-unknown game. It’s been one of my favorite accidental discoveries in recent memory.
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Wonderful handcrafted levels.
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Enjoyable, light puzzles.
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Fun combat
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Excellent, tight controls; M+KB only at the time I played. I thought the lack of controller support would be a detriment, but I’m glad to say I didn’t miss a controller at all with this game.
The best thing I can say is that I’ve put over 100 hours into it, and I really didn’t want the game to end. However, after finding everything and playing the game as all characters, there wasn’t anything else for me to do. Perhaps more content will be released in the future.
– Real player with 103.0 hrs in game
Immortal Darkness is a hidden gem. Agreed with all the “recommended” reviewers about it being a fun RPG dungeon crawler.
Thou I would like that I can trade/sell some items ( like Spells ) I don’t need/want that take up space since I can’t “switch over” items from my bag to the chest to use what is/was in the chest ( like health ) You can’t click to use items straight from the chest, have to delete items to make space.
Everytime I save game, it has 2 file ( GDS and Backup ) So if I save 10 times I’ll end up with 20 files on my local folder.
– Real player with 24.6 hrs in game
Lucid Soul
Deathtouched… Those cursed with Black Dragon blood in their veins, whether by bonding with one like the Dragon Knights of Lasserburg do by drinking the contents of the whelpling’s egg at birth, or by forced feeding of a living dragon. Whatever the method, the very design of the body is altered from the inside out, all organs cease to function normally, and certain powers begin to flood the embiber.
Some, not all, are horribly corrupted in the process. Some change appearance completely, some lose their sanity like the Ancient Black Dragon, Malganon, did. All are a threat to life, however, as all must feed off the living, through blood and flesh, to live.
It’s this need to feed that starts our story and tale of Lucid Soul, the Town of Guillen is housing foolhardy humans that decide it’s time to return to harvesting the woods around our castle. Silly little things, but how can they not feel comfortable; the world has Grey Paladins with holy powers governing every hamlet, a Priestess of Medina to relay all activities to others of their order, and above all, no fear of what lies outside their walls.
This all is about to change…
Well… for you at least. I make no promises for the others destined to bleed for our Lord’s amusement. Hytwart, King of the Goblins, now known as The Enfeebler, the longest living Goblin in history, is a thirsty deviant and it is… after all… our duty to slake his thirst! Elderly, women, children, all are used to feed the ever guzzling gluttony of the Deathtouched. Don’t look at me like that, you’ll be given an opportunity few others are given: a rare gift… if you survive the trial… A pit both deep and dark… filled with cadavers and meat from ancient raids and conquest.
A singular Black Dragon Egg, relic of the last known nest of the Dark Lady, Umbryss, second concubine to Malganon… shall be your prize. Oh, and we’ve chosen others to join you in that fetid catacomb buried within our tower… Do bring an appetite, a strong stomach, and a desperate need to survive, by any… means… necessary.
And now, for a taste of things to come…
Take control of not 3, or 4, but 7 characters at once in combat, switching between them to use Soul Points with the press of a button. Take your time to plan an assault strategically or use a character quickly and often if one is your favorite… Be careful though, you never know what the others are thinking if you focus too often on one…
Find and equip Souls taken from the slain enemies you’ve created or come across. These are your treasure chests. These are your armor and swords. As you equip them though… be ware, as some like to talk… a lot.
Leveling up your Infamy meter in this world will result in an Ability Tree selection for a character, and when you choose, their story will have a direct impact on the skill you select, resulting in you having to participate in their story to learn the new ability. Erzbet may ask you to help track down a violator of hers, Synella may be on the search for a sister or an appetizer, and Creep may be hunting down a mutinous crew member that resulted in her fate. Their stories will take place in the world around you, and you will participate.
Melee weapons and attacks, will only do so much damage, from the start of the game, to the end. It’ll be up to your creativity with contaminating enemies with your Black Dragon Blood, and how to use your skills properly, that will let you move swiftly from fight to fight.
Customize your home base of operations, Castle Wyrmsgate, with the aid of the Fleshweaver to change the surroundings and make them more suitable to your personal tastes.
Mythic: Forest Warden
Lurk into the dark WW II world from the mythic pagan god’s eye view. What is the Forest Warden? Forest Warden is a superbrain that controls its four bodies. Every body consists of a 4-armed torso and a different head. Nazi soldiers decided to kidnap one of your bodies to get knowledge on how to become a god. Your goal is to get back your body and drive Germans away from your land.
SPELLS
As you are a forest’s god, you have some decent god’s abilities. Use your spells such as fireball, ground slam or wooden shield, to help yourself protect the forest and fight the invaders.
WEAPONS
As a beast you can use your horrendous claws to kill enemies, but that’s not everything - you know how to use mankind’s weapons, like standard MP-40 guns, or even the MG-42 heavy machinegun. It is not all of the fun, your enemies will provide you a variety of other weapons including even a big search light to blind those Germans!
GUARDIANSHIP
Beware, Nazis will try to fight you back in order to survive. They know your weak point - the forest. It’s just a matter of time till they start to kill animals or burn trees - everything to drive you mad. Your goal is to save as much of the forest as you can at this war and don’t let Nazis win.
FOREST KNOWLEDGE
The forest is your home. You know everything about it, its deepest secrets. Walk on tree branches, use underground tunnels, or gain energy from the ancient pagan trees - use everything to be ahead of Nazis in this war.
EXTRA FORCE
You have 4 arms, why not to use them? Break ur enemies neck’s, rip them apart or hit them as hard as they fly through the air. Won’t this satisfy you enough? Then you can rip apart some of Nazis' vehicles - their trucks or even their tanks!
Twisted: A Dark Fairytale
A fascinating, unusual visual novel (VN). Dark - even gruesome, in parts - but compelling. The shape of the story emerges relatively quickly, but leaves questions that make the reader want to unlock more information and more endings. There is always fear and running at the forefront of everything, but the protagonist (Sage) is more resilient and determined than it might seem at first. Eventually, one can feel her** compassion overriding her well-founded anxiety.
**The game allows the player to select pronouns for the protagonist: “he/him” “she/her” and “they/them”. I chose “she/her”.
– Real player with 17.4 hrs in game
This game has an excellent story line and beautiful art. I would recommend this game to my friends, as the characters were so unique and there plot is different then most others I read.
Only thing I wish was that all the achievements worked for the game and some of the bugs were fixed with the cg library
– Real player with 10.1 hrs in game
Finsterwald
**Wandering through the deep forest, the tired wayfarer decides to arrange a night camp in a small glade hidden among the tall pines. After cutting young fragrant pine branches and resting for a while near the lightning fire, he suddenly feels a vague anxiety caused by the weirdness of the surrounding forest - not a single sound, not a single gust of wind…
The deeper the advancing darkness becomes, the deeper and more inevitable is the feeling of the growing danger of blurry forest shadows and glittering red eyes, flashing among the trees.
Only the bright campfire stands between the wayfarer and the strange outlines of the forthcoming tall figure…**
“Finsterwald” is a survival horror with elements of adventure VR game (and EVENTUALLY a 3D game - depending on Kickatarter campaign results), based on Dark Ages period German fabulas about Ancient Guardian of the Forests – Waldschrat. Vigilantly observing the behavior of all visitors, he watches over the peace and safety of trees, birds, animals and other fosterlings on the entrusted territory.
As today old narratives are almost forgotten, the careless wayfarers often do not possess the rules of behavior and don’t have knowledge about ways to tame the ancient power, still hidden in the heart of the forest…
State-of-the-art 3D immersive audio technology and modern visual design deliver the most immersive gaming experience ever. Dive into the thrilling atmosphere of old Germanic fabulas and try to cope, having only burning branches of the fire and a desperate desire to survive. Goodwilled Protector of Nature or an Evil Spirit? - It’s your turn to decide!
Midnight Evil
The game got a very cool idea but ya boy stutters, tho.
I still love it.
The thing that bugs me, three trophies: Completionist, Mole Whacker
Those two trophies are bugged.
(I finished the game about five times, the game doesn’t even tell you that you unlocked the mole game.)
I had all Data blocks and all trophies but STILL… No Competionist trophy.
Side note: I had to replay random levels about 7 times until the last two blocks appeared since they’re luck based.
The ‘Germinator Destruction Gold’ trophy works but it was a biiiiitch to get it since the pills are random and germs movement are random, as well, cu.
– Real player with 12.3 hrs in game
This game is not worth $9.99. Maybe $4.99 tops.
It is incredibly short but very fun. A little on the glitchy side because your microphone randomly stops working and you have to restart the game. It has two mini games for more achievements but they get old pretty quickly.
That’s it. My review is about as short as the game. If you pay full price you will feel ripped off. I expect a LOT more from a game with a $10 price tag.
I look forward to more games from these Devs, hopefully with more content or a lower price point so that the cost makes sense.
– Real player with 8.4 hrs in game
Night in Riverager
The developer mentions that there are some mild fantasy violence and also includes topics such as murder and torture; there is none of that in the game.
It’s also rather short, about 10-12 minutes where you talk to your mom and then you leave to fetch her some medicine since she has some sort of illness. When you leave your home, you venture northward to access a bridge to go to your uncle’s home.
You don’t make it. It ends, to me, abruptly. I don’t mind it being short, but I would like to have a bit more closure. At least let me get the medicine…
– Real player with 2.1 hrs in game
DISCLAIMER: This is a full review, and NOT a first impressions review
Night in Riverager is a game developed by Two Star Games and published by V Publishing
The game offers some nice graphics and a really beautiful aesthetic, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same
The game does suffer with some repetitiveness at certain areas of the game but a fun game nonetheless
Night in Riverager overall, however, is a fun game to play, yet sometimes repetitive and it does get boring if being played for a long time, but is a really good horror game to play in short bursts!
– Real player with 1.0 hrs in game