Dread Templar
(Don’t Fear) The Templar
It took playing the recent Quake remaster, but now I get it.
It’s good. Nay, ace. No doubt about it. If it wasn’t up against the stiff competition that is the years upon years of high quality ‘boomer’ shooters, this would be a completely unqualified early access recommendation.
Ultrakill, Ion Fury, Post Void, Project Warlock 1 + II, Amid Evil, DUSK, HROT, Maximum Action, GTTOD, Prodeus, Cultic, etc - be they full games, early access, or just demos, the retro, ‘boomer’ shooter genre really is booming. I also cannot wait for the likes of Into the Pit, Fortune’s Run, and Forgive Me Father. In fact, there are so many that even when I say that I’d place this firmly mid-list it’s not even that damning.
– Real player with 10.1 hrs in game
Read More: Best Early Access Fast-Paced Games.
TLDR; If you like retro shooter gameplay, and would like to have fun, buy it now!
I will just start listing what comes to mind, that makes me love this game, then write some experiences from my first 8 hours of playing on the hardest difficulty so far. Smooth movement with air controll using the mouse, running feels similar to classic doom (taking a short time to reach full speed), satisfying meaty gun sounds and very good feedback with lots of gore, build variety that actually changes gameplay, bullet time, stylish awesome visuals, amazing soundtrack, atmosphere, very good enemy and level design, exploration with rewarding secrets to find, weapon swapping combos combined with positioning during combat.
– Real player with 9.8 hrs in game
KUR
*updated after completion
This game does a lot right but does suffer from some minor bugs and glitches. Please keep in mind that at the time of my review, the game has been out for about 2 days and the game is in early access. I’m sure most of the bugs and glitches I mention here will be fixed down the road.
The pros in no order -
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The music is really damn good.
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The level design (or at least the levels I have played so far) are really well done, varied, and well thought out. So many nook and crannies to dig through and really pushes you to try your best to find the secrets. Pro tip - the secrets are worth looking for, except one.
– Real player with 12.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Early Access Shooter Games.
Just beat this game, and I gotta say, this was one unique and fun experience. The game is a little clunky here and there but theres really not all that much jank. The developers are still patching and updating it.
The gunplay and movement is where this game shines and excels. You got your basic arsenal of weapons for a FPS but the developers really went above and beyond making each weapon have its own Kur twist. I think the voiceacting was great. The story, I kinda get. The ending came suddenly, and that was kinda surprising in a bad way.
– Real player with 8.6 hrs in game
Pinball Lockdown
Good tables, another effort in development and it will soon perfect ( especially several cameras)
– Real player with 2.3 hrs in game
Read More: Best Early Access Pinball Games.
not a bad game, needs some general cleanup ( minor portrait mode issues, some interface cleanup/button work) overall tho, fun I’m not going to compare this to TPA, or FX3, it’s not a fair fight. it works well, good flow to tables, good themes, fun to play… its developing quite well.
– Real player with 1.9 hrs in game
Project Absentia
Who Wants Some Wing?
From the creator of Daytime Drama and Scoot Hard DX comes the most violent yet cartoony shooter you’ll ever play.
You play as Abby - an angel with an attitude and a mysterious past.
After you and your friends are taken away to the dreadful Orkan Corporation that has taken over Heaven, you decide to do the only thing you’d rightfully do - kick ass!
Abby must go through the Orkan Corporation and kick ass and take names to get her friends back!
However, not is all as it seems, as Abby soon will uncover a conspiracy that goes deeper than Heaven itself. She then will have to travel through all the dimensions of the universe to get answers.
Buckle Up For One Hell Of An Adventure!
#### Neat Features
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High Verticality! Jump and glide around to get at your enemies.
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Full voice acting for the characters!
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High-res vector artwork for the enemies for that 2000s Newgrounds asthetic!
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You’ll find plenty of Low-Poly 3D models on your quest, which can range from helpful pickups to interactive objects.
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Build engine comes to GZDoom with levels based on real locations, attention to detail. Props, posters and huge set pieces!
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Wield rocket launchers of all sorts. Use the Hailer to freeze your enemies. Shock enemies and suck enemies together with the Plasma Rifle. Atomize your foes with the Rainbowitzer, and shred your enemies with the Tornadozer. And these are just the weapons in the first episode! There’s more weapons as time goes on!
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Blow stuff up! Shatter toilets! Use vending machines! Destroy vases, flags and parts of the level itself!
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Destroy your enemies with blood and guts flying around like confetti. Blow off their heads with well placed machine gun fire. Destroy their corpses!
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Three Episodes in the final version! Dozens of levels ranging from dark factories, large cityscapes, hellish carnivals, dark factories and castles, and a chaotic realm with such sights to show you. Heaven, Hell, and The Elder Realms are your backdrop as you blow everything to pieces.
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A neat story with really cool characters, all of different walks of life… but all friggin' insane.
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Powered by ZScript for some neat effects not possible in DECORATE+ACS alone. This ain’t your kid sister’s GZDoom based game.
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An original soundtrack by Metal Neon, that blends various 90s styles into a cohesive experience.
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Turn off in-game or cutscene subtitles. Turn off Abby’s one-liners. Scale the UI up or down. Turn down the gore puddles… or turn them up. Fine tune the game to your liking with a plethora of in-game options.
Super Star Shooter 16
Super Star Shooter is a psychedelic shooter that somehow feels calming to play. It’s in early access so there are some improvements to be had but my time with it has been somewhat of a neat experience. I love the soundtrack and the voice that talks throughout the levels. In a way I feel like I’m playing a combination of star fox and tempest 4000. One thing I wish is maybe for score hunters possibly have an endless mode? That’s just a minor thing I was thinking about. I honestly can’t wait for it to be finished because the progress of this game is good!
– Real player with 1.2 hrs in game
This is a seriously good retro 3D shooter with great visuals, sound effects, speech, music and playability. If you like blasting things, you will not be disappointed.
– Real player with 0.7 hrs in game
ASCIIDENT
It would be nonsensical to think that this game was developed specifically for me, but that’s how it feels; the story, art, feels, crafting, upgrades, and worlds. I lerv everything about this game.
Please follow my curator page, Designer Plays , for a truly massive number of concise and honest reviews from a 25-year veteran Game Designer.
– Real player with 8.8 hrs in game
I absolutely love the concept, story, effects, overall just the whole game is addicting. if your into the unique and need a break from adrenaline types of games from time to time, you can find yourself playing this for hours. The longer i played, the more curious i got from the map, crafts, and the creative animations. Craving to play much more and hoping to see this game go further. Brings back the concept of how much imagination you can pack into a simple concept. Keep up the good work and Thank you!
– Real player with 3.4 hrs in game
Blood of Darkness
Initially I expected more, but considering the cost of the game - I can say for sure that this is a pretty good choice of indie games if you are a fan of this genre.
If you’re not a fan of the genre - you can’t understand the game, but you won’t be dissatisfied, that’s for sure.
– Real player with 11.1 hrs in game
Of course, there are some bugs with textures, something like this, but the game is new and I think that developers will do everything to avoid the appearance of bugs for their players. Moreover, please add multiplayer game mode - it will be much more funny to play this game with friends.
Talking about the game personally - As for 2D shooter this game is really excellent, specific atmosphere, big attention to all details, many options.
It’s a real HARDCORE, as the game is very dynamic, permanent enemies and fights.
– Real player with 4.3 hrs in game
Breadbox
An interesting take on an emulator… If the price doesn’t put you off.
I have only tried the Commodore 64 emulator so far. I like it, it gives a sense of depth to running programs with the models and sounds of the hardware there. It took a while to get used to the keyboard layout and I still haven’t found the £ mapping but otherwise it is smooth sailing. I also wouldn’t be surprised if there was a patch sometime in the not so distant future that addressed that (or I have to smash more buttons to find the pound sign :)). Joystick supported. I spent much more time with this thing than I thought I would and I gifted a copy to a friend who had one of these as a kid.
– Real player with 41.4 hrs in game
I love this simulator, and it is definitely my favourite simulator/emulator that I have used.
– Real player with 20.4 hrs in game
Defiance & Mr. Good Looking
Even in Early Access form, this game is already quite fun. I like the mechanics and ability to switch between characters with unique weapons. The music is also quite catchy. Some enemies seem a little bullet spongy, and there could maybe be a bit more ammo and health power-ups in some levels, but I’m having a lot of fun so far. Thanks to E1M1 Magazine for providing a Steam key for the game as part of being a Patreon.
– Real player with 2.7 hrs in game
An old school shooter with som unique differences. You can swap between characters on the fly and the unlockable character is awesome.
Train level also gets a thumbs up and that soundtrack is just perfect.
– Real player with 2.0 hrs in game
Key To Heaven
Truly a terrific oldschool 2D MMORPG experience! I played a ton of Illutia, RuneScape, Ragnorak and Tibia growing up and if you enjoyed those then you will adore this!
The developer consistently updates the game, interacts with the community, and responds to feedback. The small but passionate community create a warm sense of nostalgia, always happy to offer assistance. I expected to play a few hours to satisfy a nostalgic itch but can’t get enough!
Building your character provides freedom as there are no class restrictions, I chose to build a tank support Wisdom Mage. There are a variety of quests and puzzles that will have you exploring this charming world for hours on end. With four large islands, a vast ocean and other locations to traverse and discover with more on the way. You can get access to more power through the ‘Seraph/Rebirth’ system that allows you to reset to level 1 with extra stats, as well as try out other classes with an advantage!
– Real player with 1257.2 hrs in game
This is a game for those who like to grind out great gear with hrs, and i mean hrs of game play for that great set to show off to friends and foes. All in a easy to use and understand game that take little internet speed to play. It also has a great commujnity that is on top of it evn under pressure. THe discord chat has a vary open connunity with other players willing to do trades, pvp,pve and just hang out. The adventures that are set up are set to keep the player moving and looking fo rthat next secret( if i do say there are hidden things) The in game gems are a great extra for players to make the play uniqe and fresh : this dose not inhance play unless you get a global event. it is all for ur pleasure witch i htink is a graet way to show support and not to win. this games updates are keept posted and current to what they are doing in the game. that make for a nice watch as a game grows and becomes i bealive and hope the next great game to have on every pc, look and play for self if you dont think so… Off to grind.
– Real player with 198.4 hrs in game