The Miskatonic
Make multiple save files! Mine corrupted somehow, no idea how, and it was right before the end and I had to reclick through about 45 mins of reading. Annoying.
Game was longer than expected, which was good. A good deal on sale. Had been looking at this game for a while, but I heard it was short….and 5 bucks for short wasn’t really buyable imo. So I waited for sale, and it finally did and I’m glad I bought it.
Game is very incomplete though. Art is great, story is great and rich and lorie. Only has 3-4 music tracks. Is linear phonetic visual novel with a weird pseudo exploration kinda mode? but actually not explorable its deciding whether to talk to people along the way or not and the talks have no bearing on the story, its just lore. I mean you’ll be doing the talks tho cause its fun so that’s fine. The world is very interesting.
– Real player with 17.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Lovecraftian Casual Games.
So, I’ve completed the game in 4-5 hours, and given the fact that it’s a linear story, with only window for replayability being the fact that you might missed some of the dialogues (yes, that can happen).
The game is as described: Point and click based visual novel, set in a post-apocalyptic(?) lovecraftian world, which is fine, the fans wil like it, especially the goofy take, and the matching art-style, and the story is also acceptable, though it wasn’t enough.
My problems with this “game” are the following:
– Real player with 5.3 hrs in game
Ouroboros: Prelude
In short? Three words: Scary. As. Hell…
In long? A nice indie horror game that for an “Early Access” game looks pretty complete. The dungeon randomization really does make it that no attempt at this game is the same. You don’t know where you are or when the next scare or monster is going to come at you so there really is no way to “acclimate” to the environment.The darkness makes you so that you actually have to be careful about where you are going (fell into a foggy pit… twice) but also makes it easier to sneak around (monster sight confirmed). It is nice to see a dungeon horror game actually treat darkness like DARKNESS and to put thought into light dynamics and stuff. If you are looking for a challenge then this game is for you.
– Real player with 51.1 hrs in game
Read More: Best Lovecraftian Gore Games.
I awoke in a dim dungeon cell behind a locked door. A stack of crates on the wall hid a hole as large as a man, so I threw them aside and escaped! I found myself in a dark, stone corridor. I braved the shadows and heard a liquid dripping below. I descended some stairs, opened a door, and found water quickly filling a cistern… and the room. I was already waist-deep as I made my way back to the door, which had shut behind me! I pushed it back open and ascended the stairs, then I heard an unholy growl. The fear made my vision blur, but I saw the source of my terror: a ghoul crawling toward me on the floor. I froze in horror as it reached out for me… and vanished. Terror took me. I began to see glyphs and other strange symbols floating in the air as the halls twisted behind them, mocking me! WHERE AM I?
– Real player with 5.0 hrs in game
The Song of Saya
I got this game both because people are trying to compare it to Doki Doki Literature Club and because I’ve heard of its explosive popularity when it was (re-)released.
Right off the bat, to clear the air, there is absolutely NO COMPARISON between the two games. They are on their own separate tiers, respectfully.
I was excited to play it since it immediately started out with the horror. Though, when it gives us the option to choose to censor the gore and such, I expected to see it ALL, but that is not the case.
! For example, in the case of Fuminori driving his head down into the axe, and Koji dreaming of him in that state, we are not allowed to see it because it is actually censored , weirdly enough. Saya gets violated, and we see it while she’s in her “human” guise and, while I’m glad I didn’t have to see that, I was surprised to see it so censored. Not only that, some of the voice acting was taken out for that part, in what I assume to be another form of censoring so that it wasn’t as disturbing? But, what about the voice acting that’s done when Yoh is being violated when she clearly refuses–both when she has her mind and when she loses it? Lastly, what I was most disappointed with was that the game refused to give us any CGs of the full body of these disgusting “aliens.” Was it to add to the narrative that they were just that terrifying and disgusting? If that was the case, then why even bother with those first CGs of the “aliens” that Fuminori sees in the beginning? With the close up shots of the eye and another with something bulging(?) to the tentacles we see with the more nude shots, I believe they were more than capable of giving us a CG of these monsters. Maybe it is because it was initially released in, I believe, 2003 that it was afraid of giving us more? Whatever it is, the gore isn’t too bad unless you truly hate seeing guts in any form. To me, the guts were just so computerized(?) that I believe most would be able to stomach it.
– Real player with 13.9 hrs in game
Read More: Best Lovecraftian Gore Games.
“To you, who loved me, I give this planet”
The Song of Saya (Saya no Uta) is a Lovecraftian horror love story where love is disturbing no matter which way you look at it and the monster changes with your perspective. It’s depraved and wicked while taking you on a journey into the deepest parts of madness. Like every good Lovecraftian story it promises to defile and poison you by “the insanity called truth”. It also examines different truths by juxtaposing different perspectives through a prism of a hellish mirror.
– Real player with 13.8 hrs in game
Gray Dawn
“Gray Dawn” - An Attempt at an Honest Review
TL;DR: Overly ambitious atmospheric horror game plagued by low budget and lack of experience, brings nonetheless enough originality and earnest charm to warrant a look for lovers of fresh voices in gaming.
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The Good:
Oddly-named new developer Interactive Stone brings a decidedly fresh voice to the world of adventure games and it is largely based on its novelty and sheer scale of ambition that I am recommending the game to fans of the unjustly criticised “walking simulator” genre. The implementation of religious imagery originating in the orthodox world (and in particular Romania, where the developer is based) consistently impresses visually and brings new twists to otherwise well-worn tropes.
– Real player with 7.8 hrs in game
IN SHORT
Gray Dawn is a walking simulator that delves into a priest’s guild-ridden psyche after an altar boy disappears. The story is set in England and Romania and deals with guilt, grief, redemption and faith. Solid in graphics and soundtrack while lacking in tension and story.
PROS
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Beautiful backgrounds and music
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Interesting main mystery
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Symbolically rich and engaging story
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Very easy 100% achievements
CONS
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Low replayability
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Main mystery loses its edge after first playthrough
– Real player with 6.0 hrs in game
Selene ~Apoptosis~
It all begins as a beautiful stranger appears at a lonesome doorstep. This is a love story of a man who slept too little and a stray cat.
Selene ~Apoptosis~ is a free mystic thriller visual novel filled with dark romance and even darker secrets. Fight for those you love. Fight for your life. Find the truth.
And, most importantly, eat well.
CONTENT WARNING
This visual novel deals with mature themes and may not be appropriate for those who are easily disturbed. It contains scenes of violence, sexual references, strong language, horror elements and general mature content. Player discretion is advised.
FEATURES
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You can pet a cute catgirl.
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A mystic thriller/horror story inspired by Stephen King’s works.
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The main story is completely free.
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Choices-driven branching narrative.
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Over 5 endings.
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2 to 3 hrs of content (depends on your love for good artwork)
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Secret discovery journal.
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Japanese and English voiceover for female characters. You can also choose to switch that off.
Add to your Wishlist now not to miss the launch - and be the first one to play!
SKALD: Against the Black Priory
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1609100/Skald_Against_the_Black_Priory__the_Prologue
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1712620/SKALD_Against_the_Black_Priory_Original_Soundtrack_Vol_I/
You drag yourself from the black tides, across the corpses of drowned men, and onto the unwelcoming, craggy shoreline. Gulls cry overhead and the stink of seaweed fills your nose. By some miracle you have made it to Idra. It will take all your skill to survive and unravel the eldritch mysteries of the Black Priory. Pray your sanity holds.
About the Game
‘Skald: Against the Black Priory’ is an old-school roleplaying game that combines modern design and a fully realised narrative with authentic 8-bit looks and charms.
Delve into a dark fantasy world, full of tragic heroes, violent deaths and Lovecraftian, cosmic horror. Explore an engaging, branching story mixed with rich exploration and crunchy, tactical, turn-based combat that will seem familiar yet innovative to RPG fans, old and new.
Do you have what it takes to lead a company of broken heroes from the tainted shores of Idra to the gates of the Black Priory - and beyond?
Features
Lovingly crafted retro-style art:
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Experience a richly illustrated world of authentic pixel art using thousands of hand-drawn tiles and images
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A palette inspired by the legendary Commodore 64 computer.
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Optional CRT filter for that authentic old-school experience.
Deep character creation:
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Build your main character and recruit a party from among a dozen diverse characters, each with their own skill-set, agenda and personality.
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Choose from a dozen classes and backgrounds as well as heaps of feats, spells and equipment as you take your party from level 1 to 20.
Crunchy tactical combat:
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Engage in challenging, fast-paced, turn- and grid-based combat.
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Play it your way, with fully customizable difficulty and feedback settings. Or hit ‘auto-resolve’, lean back, and (hopefully) watch your party cleave a bloody path through their foes.
A richly detailed, living world:
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Explore the vast expanse of Freymark and the Outer Isles and watch your actions spell doom or salvation for the region.
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Focus on the rich, branching narrative… Or live the life of a mercenary and explore varied sidequests and encounters - the plot will wait for you.
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Manage your party as you make camp, recruit hirelings, travel by land and sea, and interact with powerful factions and their visions for the world.
Become part of a fantastic community:
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Skald was made possible by crowdfunding and already has a large, passionate and welcoming community that can’t wait to meet you.
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By joining Skald’s Early Access you’ll have a direct line to the developer, get sneak peaks and give feedback on forthcoming plans and help shape the game into a modern classic.
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We will publish the powerful tools used to create the game in an effort to support and encourage modding and content creation once the game has fully launched.
The Story of Skald: A Dream Come True
Skald is the dream-project of a lone Norwegian developer, AL.
AL missed the thrill of delving into grand, immersive games such as ‘Ultima’, ‘Magic Candle’, ‘Wasteland’ and the Gold Box series. When he noticed the lack of newer roleplaying games that combined the classic (early 90s) charm with more modern game design he decided to take matters into his own hands.
AL set to work crafting the game of his dreams.
A highly successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign with 700 backers, and a fast-growing community of passionate fans proves he made the right call.
Collaborators
Despite being a one-man company, Scape-IT has been able to collaborate with some amazingly talented people in creating SKALD:
Danny Salfield Wadeson is a UK-based writer & narrative designer who has worked on BAFTA and TGA nominated narrative games such as Roki, Backbone and Duelyst
Twitter: @MadQuills
John Henderson is an experienced fine artist and illustrator and is also a teacher of Art. Whether using dip pen, oil paint or pixels, John’s work is easily recognizable as being highly atmospheric as well as lovingly created. Having worked on many publications and indie gaming projects he is also currently busy with his own project, Wild Wood for the C64.
Twitter: @JohnHen65953721
Scott Hartill UK based artist and game designer. More interested in pixels than anything else. Currently busy developing a PS1 style survival horror in his spare time.
Twitter : @cluly
Torgeir Fjereide is a Norwegian artist and illustrator. He loves painting mythological and medieval scenes and he’ll take any excuse to paint a bearded man.
Twitter: @TheBrushOfThor
Post Horn Public Relations is a pro-bono initiative created to support talented developers.
Twitter: @horn_pr
Rachael A Edwards hails from England and spends most of her days writing fantasy novels about morally grey characters in worlds filled with mythology, corruption and magic. An avid gamer, Rachael’s love for storytelling began at a young age. She is currently working on a YA fantasy novel and is represented by Rena Rossner of The Deborah Harris Agency.
Twitter: @RachaelAWrites
MementoMoree (formerly known as Paolo Pomes) has been creating art since his late teenage years. Proficient in most types of art, from pencil & paper to highly detailed 4k textures, he’s found solace and pleasure in the retro pixel art!
Twitter: @MementoMoree
Marco Pedrana is a digital and traditional art vagrant. He started as draftsman in advertising and comics, went on in illustration, then painting, then conceptual art. He doubled back on videogame design with Aeon of Sands, creating its graphic, story, and sfx. Lately he freelances as a 3D generalist for indie game and cinema productions.
He focuses on narrative art, regardless of the medium or scope.
Twitter: @marcopedrana
Romanus Surt is the main guy at Graverobber Foundation, the developer behind Das Geisterschiff and Der Geisterturm. He does music for SKALD.
Twitter: @surt_r
Edwin Montgomery is a composer and sound designer for games, films and performance. A long-time RPG obsessive, he wrote the soundtrack for inXile’s remastered 30th anniversary version of “Wasteland”. He has created music and sounds for a variety of fantasy game worlds, including Warhammer 40,000, Game of Thrones and Neverwinter. Edwin does sound design for SKALD.
Twitter: @edwinmyshkin
Skautfold: Into the Fray
Tercera entrega de la (a futuro) pentalogía Skautfold, saga indie de un solo hombre y por desgracia desconocida para muchos.
ItF nos devuelve a la misma isla donde se desarrolla el primer juego, Shrouded in Sanity, solo que en este caso controlamos al tercer caballero, Hito. Como especialista en armas, el juego se torna un «shooter» isométrico con una dificultad que no deja respirar mucho, quizás sobre todo al principio, cuando aún disponemos de pocos recursos. La variedad de armas cubre los clásicos de todo juego con disparos más unas cuantas más exóticas propias del universo de corte Lovecraftiano.
– Real player with 18.9 hrs in game
Skautfold has been a series of slightly rough gems, and Into the Fray is no exception.
I really do feel the need to emphasis how much I love the world and story Steve Gal has been developing. It has expanded game by game from one mansion besieged by the eldritch Fog to a world under threat of being overwhelmed, without losing its focus on an interesting core cast of characters. That is a difficult feat, and one worthy of commending.
As is developing games in such a variety of genres and having them all turn out at least good. First a fairly straightforward 2D action game, then an action-platformer with Metroidvania elements, and now this - a top-down shooter with the bullet-spamming, circle-strafing energy of a 90s first-person shooter.
– Real player with 15.3 hrs in game
Detective VR: NFT secret Files
Experienced on the Oculus Quest 2
You can view my review & gameplay here: https://youtu.be/vnwnQcIpXf4
This is a difficult game to recommend because it does have some noticeable flaws. The biggest thing is that it’s teleportation only with snap turning. It also doesn’t have much content. Game took me about two hours to complete, but I think it would take most people 1 hour. The game only has 1 big room, then 1 small room.
Game is running on the Unreal Engine. While this game does look better than the vast majority of VR puzzle / escape rooms, it also has some performance issues. On my RTX 3080, I was getting steady 80 frames per second. Yes, it seems as though the game is hard capped at 80 fps.
– Real player with 2.7 hrs in game
EDIT: The 80 fps lock has now been removed, and the game works perfectly also in 90, 120 and 144 Hz.
With an RTX 3090 I can now use res 450% in solid 90 fps, but it works best with no motion smoothing. The game looks and performs mindblowingly awesome.
There’s no finger tracking, but lighting and textures etc. are of the highest quality. Also no full locomotion, but like Room VR you’re here to solve puzzles - there’s teleport though and snap turning.
Unfortunately I should have eaten more veggies as a kid to grow a larger brain, lol, so I’m still working on the prolonged dry cough! puzzles. There’s a hint system, but I’m stubborn - I need no help, lol.
– Real player with 2.6 hrs in game
Fresh Body
Interesting game, where you can build your character the way you want. For an early access game, it has alot of stuff to offer for its price. Anyone who likes hack and slash games with random elements, and is not afraid of grinding, should try it out.
Pros:
-Tons of body parts
-You can make character to look like any enemy or boss in game
-You can have same skill set like any enemy or boss in game
-Different rarity body parts, that lets you farm them untill you make a build that you want.
-Additive fast gamestyle
– Real player with 64.8 hrs in game
I wish there was a meh option for Steam reviews; if you can get it on sale, it’s alright. If not, I don’t quite think it’s worth as much as is being asked for right now.
From the beginning, you NEED to have an online connection to play this game. It is not optional; there are some boons to this. Progress is saved and apparently loaded from that server. In case of a computer crash, your progress is saved. However, with it not being optional for a singleplayer game, it’s not appreciated by me personally.
– Real player with 59.2 hrs in game
The Call of Karen
I hate leaving a not so positive review for games, I truly do, but The Call of Karen was just a bit of ….a let down.
As someone who LOVES silly, goofy, mindless games like this The Call of Karen did not deliver. The game play was instantly repeating, but not in a fun or funny way. The crazy mechanics (not sure if this is buggy or the “entity” at work) are the closest things that will get you to laugh but after the first 5 minutes even that wears off. There is minimal game play, a repetitive story and just …nothing to do. The game could be finished in 20 minutes or less but I managed to get an hour out of it since I streamed while playing this the first time. I was hoping for something silly and fun to laugh at while on stream but this quickly became so boring to play I know it may have been a bore to watch with no commentary. I felt like there could have been something fun here but it was squandered. Free game though so …there’s that.
– Real player with 1.1 hrs in game
amzing gme vryn good When the imposter is sus! 😳
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– Real player with 1.1 hrs in game