Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX)

Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX)

Cursed Castilla is an arcade action game which is based and inspired by the Ghosts and Goblins series and other retro titles. It brings an 16 bit graphics style, a quick action packed gameplay with tight controls and a high level of difficulty.

The story is set in the Middle Ages in the Spanish Kingdom. You play as a knight who is sent on a quest -together with other 3 fellow knights- by the King to cleanse the Kingdom from the evading demonic horde. The story basically is a Spanish mythos and there are several parts of the game where creatures from other European mythologies appear. Since the creators are Spanish the game overall in its music and its design has a Spanish vibe.

Real player with 47.0 hrs in game


Read More: Best Indie Action Games.


Really fun, quite challenging, and at times even feel a little unfair retro-style game. However (with the exception of one part), the checkpoint system is very forgiving so it’s rarely frustrating.

You attack using only throwable weapons, where only a certain amount can be out active at a time until they either hit an enemy, an obstacle, or fly off screen. This means that the closer you are to enemies, the faster you can attack, and also that if you spam you can be left defenseless for a brief window. It also has some pretty unique jumping mechanics similar to some other retro platformers wherein you jump much farther if you are holding a direction when you jump, and jump almost straight up if you aren’t holding a direction (however, unlike some games, you can still nudge slightly in either direction while in the air). Additionally, attacking (especially if you are spamming) slows you down substantially. These mechanics mentioned above can make it feel a bit janky until you get used to it, but the game controls great and has highly accurate hitbox (although your entire character is the hitbox which makes dodging obstacles difficult). There are a variety of environments and a massive amount of bosses that for the most part where unique and fun.

Real player with 11.6 hrs in game

Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX) on Steam

Ashi

Ashi

Korean traditional style spicy hardcore game!

Challenge the extreme level of difficulty that increases as you clear the stage!

- Genre

Spicy Hardcore Platformmer Game

- Story

The adventures of naughty boy “Ashi” when he accidentally falls into an unknown world.

And Ashi meets the treasure bead “Gooseul,” which supports the life of the “Ju” country, one of the many countries there.

- Summary of “Ashi”

Using the power of the “bead” wakes up things related to the “Ju” country that fell asleep.

Awakened objects help and unintentionally interfere with the player through interaction.

Let’s use these properly to overcome obstacles.

▶ Simple control: Simply move, jump, and use the power of beads.

▶ Stimulating the desire to challenge a difficult platformer

▶ Graphics and sound with an oriental vibe.

▶ Stories and characters like children’s stories.

- Game Features

1. Using the power of the bead awakens the life of things around it.

Let’s move through the map by interacting with the awakened lives.

▶ The power of the bead is the most important force for Ashi.

▶ This bead will help you get through the stage, and depending on how you use this force, you will be able to clear the stage easily.

▶ Conquer the power of bead with your sense of challenge and physical strength!

2. Oriental Style Pixel Art

▶ Oriental graphics and BGM will give you a dreamy atmosphere.

▶ You will be able to experience a mysterious and harmonious Korean style.

▶ If you enjoy the story and background like Korean classic fairy tales, you will understand Korea better.

3. Level Design of High Difficulty

▶ You can feel High difficulty in only Ashi.

▶ The difficult level will stimulate your spirit of challenge and maximize the fun you can get through Ashi play.

▶ You have to clear the stage with a lot of gimmicks and traps,

and you will be able to overcome it with high concentration and physical strength.


Read More: Best Indie Adventure Games.


Ashi on Steam

Balloon Girl

Balloon Girl

I ran into a massive bug that always put me at level 2 regardless of the level I beat, causing me to constantly have to run through the previous levels just to reach the newest level, over and over again. I ended up spending more time traveling than playing any one level eventually.

Even ignoring that glaring issue, there isn’t anything here worth recommending. The game is very simple and it rarely if ever throws anything new your way as you progress. The timer is just a nuisance and it discourages exploration. By the same token, it makes coins almost pointless as you lose more points by way of excess time banked at the end than the points you’d gain by picking up a coin (the coins themselves don’t do anything besides give some points). This is most likely the intention, but I dislike not being able to directly control the character. This makes trying to fall down way harder than it needs to be. Having lives and a “game over” is also pointless as you’re not forced to start over (thank God), but you also don’t suffer any punishment either, such as losing your current high score. The game is quite easy overall. I’ve played more involved and better platformers (and less buggy) for cheaper.

Real player with 3.1 hrs in game


Read More: Best Indie Pixel Graphics Games.


THE GAME

There’s a gathering of sorts. A girl, boy, baby, and dog are all outside when a storm comes along and blows away all of their magical balloons. You must collect them all, which means exploring 50 levels, suspended by two balloons. 2D retro style platformer with hand drawn pixel graphics.

There are four playable characters. The aforementioned girl, boy, baby, and dog. The game seems to play the same regardless of which one you choose. As I recall you get four lives. You die by hitting flying insects, spikes in the walls, ceilings and floors, and of course the flames from torches. After all flames and balloons don’t mix well together. Once you use up your lives you either continue, starting with a fresh set of lives, or you can restart the game from the beginning. If you choose to continue you again can select a character between the four, and will start with the last level you completed.

Real player with 1.7 hrs in game

Balloon Girl on Steam

Brain Meltdown - Into Despair

Brain Meltdown - Into Despair

If you’re a fan of platformers, (and preferably good at them lol), and this has piqued your interest, buy it. You’ll definitely enjoy it.

It’s a fun little game. At the time of me writing this, there aren’t too many levels yet, but it’s a very fun premise that I’m surprised hasn’t really been explored much.

Level design is pretty solid. Makes use of a lot of different types of mechanics that play to the double-player premise.

The game also has a very nice art style. It’s a nice plus to have two really colorful, cute characters to look at while you stew over how to beat the next section. lol

Real player with 5.9 hrs in game

8/10

Beautiful game. Difficult as hell, and Rage Inducing like God’s power to smite sinners. This game also has one of the most beautiful Soundtrack of its time, with beautiful artwork to back it up. Cute, Intense, fun, Painful.

The only downside which happens way too much is that every now and then when starting a new profile, after around 20 deaths or so the game decides to blackout. The menu can still be accessed through sound navigation but after restarting the game, the same issue occurs. The only hope is to delete the save file and start fresh.

Real player with 5.3 hrs in game

Brain Meltdown - Into Despair on Steam

Fire Boy

Fire Boy

The game tells the story of a boy whose life is changed when he finds an unknown artifact, soon after, a strange being appears asking for his help to recover the dinosaur eggs that were stolen from his planet, the boy receives a beautiful sword and silver fire armor, soon after being trained to master the fire, he begins his adventure by going to the planet Monstrengos in order to recover all the dinosaur eggs that have been stolen.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE GAME:

Unique Phases - There are 50 stages of pure fun, each stage a new mechanic or new enemy, flying platforms, which disappear and rotate, interaction with the scenario, enemy monsters, friendly monsters, one thing is certain, you will see many cute monsters and ugly ones too, in each level you will have to find 3 dinosaur eggs, and don’t even think it will be easy to find them, the little monsters hid them in unimaginable places.

Nice Gameplay - On the keyboard you play well, on the controller you play even better, controlling the hero is a pleasant and cool experience too.

Game Differential - The player will hear comic comments from the hero while playing, but will have the option of not listening to them.

Cute Graphics - Colorful, cute and nostalgic designs.

Original Soundtrack - With lively songs that make you want to hear them.

Armors and Swords - Each armor has its sword and a unique power.

Cool Collectibles - Achievements that will make you happier.

Find Love - I am creating this game with a lot of love and affection in my house, my focus is on the fun, so come and help the Fire Boy quickly recover all the dinosaur eggs and become a Hero.

Fire Boy on Steam

Lantern Bearer

Lantern Bearer

Really fun, solid difficulty platformer.

Real player with 40.5 hrs in game

Quick Description:

-Not for the faint of heart, but well worth the cost of entry for precision platforming enthusiasts.

What’s Good:

-Movement, jumping, and sense of control all feel really good. Solid overall fundamentals.

-Controls are simple and work well. You have a standard jump and a double jump that spins your character in the air.

-5 unique biomes that each introduce new environmental hazards and mechanics.

-Adorable bear main character w/ solid pixel art aesthetic.

-Doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, and every level feels fun and fresh.

Real player with 6.3 hrs in game

Lantern Bearer on Steam

Orc Scrolls

Orc Scrolls

this game is bugged. the 13th level is impossible. but if you go to the main menu you get to start over from level one and the game thinks its level 13 so when it counts up to 20 you win the game… i disliked the one of the three soundtracks and the game was repetetive.

please dont play this game

Real player with 0.8 hrs in game

What a fantastic game this is, 100% it on my first go around, rich and inviting storytelling and gameplay, OST goes great with Destiny 2 friendings vibin,100/10, GOTY.

Real player with 0.8 hrs in game

Orc Scrolls on Steam

Pharao Reloaded

Pharao Reloaded

I love this game. Of course it has not the pace or the graphics or sounds of modern games but the charme of the original ones which it’s a remake of. I played the original on my dad’s computer 30 years ago and never finished the forth pyramid. It was so damn hard. And this one is hard too g. I like the improvements the developer added like the hierogylphs around the playfield which are decoration only. But the spider is a tough new enemy and the two new potions fit in well.

The first two levels are rather relaxing, there are just ghosts and mummies as wandering enemies but the third level and above becomes tough really quick.

Real player with 123.9 hrs in game

A great entertaining Maze Game.

I don’t know the original Pharao or Fred, but I started playing Pharao Reloaded since a friend recommended it to me.

At first, I was not really happy due to the “original not so smooth graphic and weird sound” but with the new graphic and sound modes, I really started to enjoy it. It’s nice if you just want to relax a bit and as soon as you start a level, you definitely want to finish it (I gave up once, where I ended up in the same dead end three times, due to my not available skill) :)

Real player with 1.6 hrs in game

Pharao Reloaded on Steam

Square vs Triangles

Square vs Triangles

I was a bit hesitant to buy this game but it’s quite good.

My only complaint is sometimes I feel like you HAVE to take a hit…

Real player with 0.9 hrs in game

Square vs Triangles on Steam

They Always Run

They Always Run

They Always run is quite the fun action side scroller game. Both the visuals and music are quite stunning. Controls are tight and it is easy to move and fight throughout the levels. Combat can and does keep you on your toes, but it is not what I’d call overly challenging. The only criticism that I can come up with at the moment is the lack of voice overs. In my opinion this game needs voice overs to help with the immersion. I don’t know why but I can imagine Simon Templeman (voice of Kain from Blood Omen) being a fitting voice for the protagonist Aidan. But who knows, maybe they’ll add voice overs in future patch/ updates.

Real player with 15.5 hrs in game

They Always… Hmmm?

Legend:

+++ Bullseye!

++- Neat!

+– Mmmm … okay!

— Yikes!

+-+ Mix Bag (Sometimes is ok Sometimes is not)

+- Not a Big Deal. (Neutral)

HIT & MISSES:

+++ Art style is spectacular! One of the main reasons I bought the game!

++- Characters and World Building stories are pretty good. Although some of the dialogues can be cheesy.

++- Presentation of story ideas can be better. Currently some of the story elements can be a little sloppy but nothing narration breaking.

Real player with 14.3 hrs in game

They Always Run on Steam