All posts tagged in Linux
Nov 22, 2019
After a successful Kickstarter over a year ago, Dwarrows now has a new trailer and can be Wishlisted on Steam (for PC, Mac, and Linux) with an expected release date of Q1 2020! There isn’t any news on the Xbox One version as of now but at least we’ll be able to get our hands on the game very soon!
Dwarrows, developed by Canadian indie studio Lithic Entertainment Inc., is a peaceful 3rd-person adventure and town-building game. Gather, build, puzzle, explore, and quest in a beautifully handcrafted world!
Since I spoke of Dwarrows last, the developers note that there have been many major improvements and updates which include new pets and pet abilities (yes you can befriend them), new character quests, new dungeons, and more!
Dwarrows Official Trailer
If you’re interested in town-building games like this one, check out my article here: Foundation: A New Kind of City-Building Simulation Game.
- Oct 25, 2019
Book of Travels, created by Might and Delight, is a relaxing game where you can create your own character and backstory, as well as create your own story. There are no main goals or sidequests, and you don’t have to save the world. Just enjoy walking through beautifully hand-painted and calm pastoral environments alone or with a small group of friends. The game will be available sometime in 2020 for PC, Mac and Linux. You can even wishlist it now on Steam here. The developers say it will cost $30.00 on Steam “and wherever you buy Book of Travels, there will be no subscription fee.” They also plan to continue to evolve the world, its lore and its backstory, adding events and levels for years to come.
This unique RPG will focus on exploration and discovery in your own creative way. Players that choose to forge relationships and travel with companions will only have access to emotes and symbols. Through wordless communication, the developers hope the players will find unique ways to say a lot with very little. To take part in this fairytale world, you can back it on Kickstarter here and receive in-game items, and art as rewards.
For another game about exploring lush natural beauty like Book of Travels, check out my article here: Eastshade Coming to PS4 & Xbox One Vey Soon.
- Oct 22, 2019
Introducing a new Steam feature that lets you play your couch co-op games with friends over the internet, together.
Since October 21st, 2019, you can join Steam’s Beta of their new feature Remote Play Together. This feature allows you to invite your Steam Friends to play local co-op, local multiplayer, and shared/split screen games online! This means two things: that you don’t need friends to be physically present in your home, and that every player will have access to their own computer screen and mouse/keyboard/controllers!
This feature gets even better because only the host of Steam’s Remote Play Together needs a copy of the game! No more having to buy your friends the same Steam game just to be able to play together! Furthermore, don’t worry if you have a Mac, Linux or PC because this streaming service is cross-platform.
The process for setting up this feature is very simple with the details laid out here. Moreover, Valve has specifically pointed out that players will have access to the host’s controller inputs, voice chat volume and game screen but not the host’s desktop. To join the Beta now you can go here.
Valve is currently working on improving network stability, compatibility across a variety of hardware, and adding more games to their growing list of supported titles. You can check out the thousands of games here. If you want to know if a specific game is supported, look for this new tag above!
To help get you started, I recommend the following wholesome, potato-approved games:
- Overcooked 2
- Unrailed
- Cat Quest II
- Farm Together
- Monster Prom
- Heave Ho
- Knights and Bikes
- Wuppo
- Infinite Mini Golf
- Summer Catchers
- Mowin’ & Throwin’
I’m now a Steam Curator so you can find all of my recommended Steam games here! Let’s be Steam Friends! Also, if you have any recommendations, I’d like to hear them!
- Sep 29, 2019
Have you ever wanted to be a grape? To be honest, we previously hadn’t really thought about it. But once Garden Story made us ask ourselves that question, we realized that we do, indeed, want to be grapes! Garden Story is a life-simulation adventure-RPG by Picogram, due to be published in spring 2020 by Rose City Games and Viz Media.
In Garden Story, you play as Concord. He’s a grape. (We’re not sure if ‘he’ is a ‘he’, though. Do grapes HAVE gender?) Concord has a new job: he has become the village guardian. It’s a task that would normally only require one to keep the village in good shape and the villagers happy, but something terrible has snuck onto the island under Concord’s watch. ROT.
Rot has begun to spread through the island, and it must be stopped before it overtakes everything. Thankfully, Concord lives in a village of nice peop…fruits. They’re a great bunch! If Concord is a good guardian and helps the villagers with their problems, they’ll be inclined to return the favour. Concord will have to be wise with time, because there is an environment to take care of, an island that needs exploring, friendships to make, and puzzles to solve.
Garden Story Features:
- Restore a dilapidated island: Explore and cultivate each of the four regions as Concord the Grape.
- Nurture your environment: Care for garden plots, gather resources, and upgrade your tools to better take care of your new home.
- Solve the mystery of the Rot: Uncover the island’s broken past as you solve puzzles and defend yourself against the corruption of Rot.
- Curate a library: Deposit and catalogue resources to create a library of island lore!
- Set your pace: Care for garden plots by day, take a stroll in the evening, or focus on completing favors…It’s all up to you!
- Acquire memories: Experience new things to fill Concord’s scrapbook with usable perks and traits!
Garden Story will be playable on PC, Mac and Linux. If you’re curious about this game, you can watch the video below, or visit Garden Story’s Steam page to put it on your wishlist. If you’d like to see more cute games where you adventure around, helping people, check out Errand Boy and Chicory.
- Sep 26, 2019
There’s something really appealing about pixel art games. Their simplistic art-style induces nostalgic childhood memories of times when 8/16-bit games were the norm. From highly regarded releases such as Undertale and Stardew Valley, to the influx of upcoming pixel-art games in the making, such as Ikenfell and Eastward, it is evident that retro graphics are still highly in demand, and that pixel art is most certainly not dead. And so here’s our 8 favourite modern-day pixel-art games:
Littlewood
Littlewood is a new RPG where you play the role of a hero who has completed their quest of defeating the evil wizard, saved the world of Solemn, and is now trying to rebuild the town of Littlewood. Being developed by the indie developer Sean Young, Littlewood brings an interesting spin to the usual town building simulator by melding together aspects of familiar games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing. Littlewood is out on Steam for $14.99 and will soon be available on Nintendo Switch as well.
Peaceful Days
Peaceful days is an upcoming indie farming RPG game that aims to please fans of the cutsie, yet so engaging simulation game genre. In Peaceful Days you will meet new characters as you stroll through this beautifully crafted town, make new friends or catch up with lifelong buddies – the choice is always yours. Head over here for some more info on the upcoming Peaceful Days game.
Stardew Valley
Originally released for Windows, Stardew Valley was highly regarded for features such as complex characters, diversity in character customisation and dating, and the game’s enigmas and secrets. Its overwhelming success leads to its release on other platforms including Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PS Vita. The popular farming sim is also available for Android and iOS. With Multiplayer now available on Steam and Nintendo Switch – soon PS4 and Xbox One, you can also enjoy farming with your friends.
Celeste
Celeste is a narrative-driven adventure platformer featuring pixel graphics. The aim of the game is to help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain. with over 700 screens of platforming challenges and secrets, and over 2 hours of original music featuring live piano and catchy synth beats, it’s no surprise that the game was given a 92% rating by Metacritic upon its release for Switch back in January. At just $14.99, the game undoubtedly offers good value for money.
Terraria
Terraria is an indie 2D Action-Adventure game developed by Re-Logic. The game was initiall released for Windows in 2011, but has since been released on various other consoles and devices. Often compared to Minecraft, features of the game include exploration, crafting, building, and combat with a myriad of different creatures. The game has ‘overwhelmingly positive’ reviews on Steam, and as of September 2019, has sold 25 million copies across all platforms. At only $9.99 on Steam, the game is affordable and offers pretty good value for money.
Undertale
Undertale is a story-rich RPG by tobyfox with ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews. Described as ‘The RPG where you don’t have to destroy anyone’, Undertale is story-rich due to your character’s journey, and also due to player choices affecting the game. You play as a human child who has fallen underground into the realm of monsters and thus, tries to find their way home. You encounter both good monsters and bad along the way, which you can choose to spare or fight. There are a variety of puzzles to complete in order to progress, and a variety of interesting areas to explore.
Rakuen
Rakuen is a beautiful adventure game that features a hospitalised boy, who travels to the fantasy world of Rakuen with his mother. Upon its release on 10th May of last year, Rakuen was a firm favorite here at MPG, despite flying under the radar a little. Since then, however, it has obtained a well-deserved overwhelmingly positive review score on Steam, and captured the hearts of many. Priced at $4.99, the game offers very good value for money. A mini TV series entitled ‘The Farmer In The Sky’, which is based on the world of Rakuen, is currently in development.
Moon Hunters
Moon Hunters is an indie action RPG game developed and published by Kitfox Games. The game was initially released for Windows, Mac and Linux through Steam on March 10th 2016. It has since been released for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Described as a 1-4 player co-operative personality test, players can create their very own legend. Explore a mysterious Mesopotamian-inspired world which changes every time you play. The Steam version of the game (which is a reasonably-priced $9.99) contains a free expansion pack entitled Eternal Echoes.
Owlboy
Owlboy is a story-driven platform adventure game for Windows, PS4, Switch, Linux, Mac, and Xbox One. Notorious for its long development cycle, Owlboy was started in 2007 and completed in 2016. Playing as Otus, who is part owl and part human, players can fly and explore an exciting world above the clouds. Gather Otus’ friends to join you on your journey as you explore the open skies. Eliminate enemies and overcome obstacles in a game deemed “worth the wait” by Destructoid. The game was first released on Steam on November 1st 2016, where it can be currently purchased for $24.99.
Crossing Souls
Crossing Souls is an indie pixel art action-adventure game set in 1986 (retro vibesss!). After a group of friends discover an unusual pink stone which allows them to travel between two worlds, they become involved in a government conspiracy. Control five kids with special skills on summer vacation whilst fighting and solving puzzles in order to save the world. Released on 13th February 2018, the game which costs $9.99 on Steam has received ‘very positive’ reviews.
Golf Story
Golf Story is an interesting take on an RPG. It is a pixel based RPG that revolves around the sport of Golf. It is from a new developer called SideBar Games. Besides a really fun and easy to learn Golf play, the game also features a story mode with tons of fun characters to meet. For the green thumb people, there is also some gardening aspect to the game. For only $14.99 this game offers many hours of fun, especially thanks to the multiplayer portion, the game has great deployability.
Hearthstead
Hearthstead is an upcoming farming and life RPG game with all the elements needed to make for an engaging experience. Games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon have redefined the farming and lime simulation genre, with marriage relationships, seasonal events and just so much more to do. The fantasy setting allows the game to take different paths with very little to no creative restrictions. I am thinking fairies, mermaids and garden gnomes who can help with chores! Head over here for some more info on Hearthstead.
.Age ( Yes, dotAge )
In .Age, you are the village elder in a town that has cursed with an apocalyptic curse. This causes all kinds of trouble for you and the villagers that you must protect while growing your village. You will need to gather resources and do research as your town grows, which will aid in the health and wealth of your citizens. If you are as excited as me, check out the latest on .Age here.
This list is by no means exhaustive as there are loads of other great Pixel-Art-Stylised games out there. Let us know in the comments what your favourite pixel art game is!?
- Sep 6, 2019
A Short Hike is a little peaceful exploration game about hiking up a mountain. As of July 30th, 2019, sole indie developer adamgryu (adam robinson-yu) released his adorable relaxing adventure game for PC, Mac, and Linux on Steam here and Itch.io here. The game is only $7.99 US and is already receiving a large amount of very positive reviews.
About A Short Hike
Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. Follow the marked trails or explore the back-country as you make your way to the summit. Along the way, meet other hikers, discover hidden treasures, and take in the world around you. (Description from Steam bio)
Key Features
- Explore the island any way you like. Choose your own path to follow and see where it leads you. You never know what you might stumble into!
- Hike at your own pace — there’s no need to rush to the summit! Take your time fishing along the river banks or swimming by the lakeshore.
- Collect hidden treasures to reach new heights. Try taking a dive off the mountain peaks to soar above the forests.
- Chat with the other hikers you meet along your route. You might be able to help each other out!
- Listen to a lush original soundtrack by Mark Sparling that progresses dynamically as you explore the wilderness.
For more information about A Short Hike, you can go to the official website here. Furthermore, if you enjoy playing short and calming games, check out our review here: Solo Islands of the Heart Review – An Introspective Journey About Love.
- Aug 24, 2019
ENCODYA is a point-and-click adventure game set in a dystopian future by sole developer Nicola Piovesan, an award-winning filmmaker. What inspired him to create ENCODYA was the “creativity of Studio Ghibli, the setting and atmosphere of Blade Runner and the humor and game style of Monkey Island”. Although this reminds us of the 1999 animated film Iron Giant and we’re loving it. You can back this game on Kickstarter now, and for another 24 days, right here! The game will release for PC, Mac and Linux (Steam and GOG) with a plan to later port it for mobile and consoles.
About ENCODYA
It’s 2062. Tina – a 9 years old orphan – lives with SAM-53 – her big clumsy robot guardian – on a rooftop makeshift shelter in Neo-Berlin, a dark megalopolis controlled by corporations. The protagonist is an urban jungle kid, which has learned to live alone, scavenging dumpsters of the dystopian city, eking out a living of scraps. Her funny robot always with her, programmed to protect the girl no matter what.
Key Features
- 6+ hours of gameplay
- 2 playable characters
- 30+ non-player characters
- 50+ locations
- 500+ lines of dialogue
- Randomization of objects and locations
- Original art and assets
- Custom sound design
- Original soundtrack
- Professional voice actors
Kickstarter Rewards and Stretch Goals
Besides the game itself – with lots of bonus digital features such as wallpapers, concept arts, videos, soundtrack and more – there are many cool extras: film posters, blu-rays, t-shirt and even a retro style physical copy of ENCODYA in a box! But the most attractive rewards are the ones that will place the backers into the game itself! See your name in the Neo Berlin phonebook or on a neon sign, or be in a poster, or even become an NPC with whom the player can interact and talk!
Finally, the stretch goals are as follows: translation to 3 extra languages (Italian, German, Spanish), one extra hour of gameplay (new puzzles, locations, characters), and the last goal having yet to be revealed.
If you’re still unsure about backing this project, you can try out the demo here or see below for more details. For another point-and-click adventure game darker in tone, check out our article here: Roki: Explore A Dark Yet Wonderful World.
- Dec 1, 2018
Initially released on Steam back in 2016, Stardew Valley is a Harvest Moon-reminiscent RPG farming simulation with pixel graphics. Developed by ConcernedApe and published by Chucklefish, the game was very well received. It currently holds a 10/10 rating on Steam where it also has ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews.
Game features include:
- Raising animals, growing crops and improving your farm
- Improving skills in 5 different areas (farming, mining, combat, fishing, and foraging)
- A variety of complex characters, places, enigmas, and secrets to discover
- Diversity in character customization and dating
- Over two hours of original music.
Stardew Valley has obtained a 10/10 rating on Steam, received numerous ports for a variety of platforms, and is still a chart topper on the Nintendo Switch eShop. It’s, therefore, safe to say that the game is highly regarded and popular.
The highly anticipated multiplayer update for the PC version of the game was released on 1st August 2018.
Multiplayer update features include:
- The ability to play with up to 3 others in online co-op
- A 3-day travelling festival where farmers can come and go as they please
- A mysterious new winter event that enables farmers to start a new ‘secret’ collection type
- Farmers who have made great progress will be given the opportunity to help out a townsperson
- New character events
- Changes to the Skull Cavern
- Ability to change your profession
- Ability to craft signs
- New outdoor decorations
- Introduction of the auto-grabber, an expensive item that automatically harvests milk and wool
- Introduction of garden pots. Garden pots allow you to grow any crop inside year-round
- A new crop that only grows indoors
- Fireplaces and new furniture
- Ability to put a hat on your horse
The solo developer of Stardew Valley (ConcernedApe) has previously announced that the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch versions of the game will also get a multiplayer update eventually. The developer has confirmed in tweets and updates that the co-op will not be cross-platform. As disappointing as this is for fans to hear, the decision is understandable.
Whilst an exact date hasn’t been given, the game’s publisher (Chucklefish) has recently confirmed that Stardew Valley for Switch will be next to receive the Multiplayer update. Having been submitted for final approval, it is expected that the update will be available either by the end of the year or in early 2019.
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