All posts tagged in Pixel Graphics
Feb 29, 2020
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is bound to be the top of every Nintendo Switch owner’s game wishlist this month. However, here are four other great games that are also coming to the console this month.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the 2005 matched pair of Pokémon games Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team. The remake will release on Nintendo Switch on March 6th, and will be available to purchase as both a digital or physical copy for USD$59.99.
About
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, you will wake up in a village as a Pokémon including the likes of Pikachi, Eevee, and Charmander. Whilst getting to explore a magnificent reimagined world, your objective is to solve a strange predicament and build a rescue team to find and rescue lost Pokémon from a variety of dangerous dungeons. The game can be downloaded from the Nintendo eShop for USD$59.99 or purchased as a physical copy.
Features
- Begin the game by taking a personality test to determine which of 16 Pokémon you will become.
- Try out the first few levels of the game in the free demo version. If you want to continue playing, you can carryn over your save data to the full version of the game.
- Experience living as a Pokémon in a bustling village and interact with other NPC’s living there.
- Solve the mystery of your strange predicament by befriending others and taking on a variety of missions to find and rescue lost Pokémon from dungeons.
- Build a rescue team who are up to the challenge of saving the world from a variety of natural disasters.
- When not rescuing lost Pokémon from perilous dungeons, return to Pokémon Square to prepare for your next challenge.
Half Past Fate
Half Past Fate is an upcoming 3D Pixel-art-stylised rom-com adventure game developed by Serenity Forge and set to be published by Way Down Deep. The game is set to release on March 12th 2020 on a variety of platforms.
About
In the game, you follow the lives of 6 different individuals who find each other in unusual ways. Half Past Fate is described as a time-jumping saga, from eight days to eight years, that will change how you feel about fate forever. The game will release on a variety of platforms including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and of course, Nintendo Switch, where it can be downloaded for USD$19.99.
Features
- A heartwarming and relatable present day narrative.
- Jump through time and discover how six ordinary people find each other in extraordinary ways over eight years.
- Immerse yourself in a beautiful 3D Pixel-art-stylised world.
- Change a flat tire, eat some spicy ramen, and learn the difference between green and black tea.
- Most importantly, enjoy relatable stories about life and love, and how fate can bring people together.
A Street Cat’s Tale
A Street Cat’s Tale is an emotional pixel-art-stylised adventure game about the survival of a stray kitten. The game is both developed and published by feemodev, and was first released on PC and Mobile last year in 2019. The game will be published and available to download on the Nintendo Switch eShop by CFK for USD$7.99 on March 12th 2020.
About:
A Street Cat’s tale is a game where you play as an orphaned kitten. The aim of the game is to survive thirteen days as a kitten on the streets alone, after the tragic death of your mother. In the game, you will have to find your own food (which can be healthy or unhealthy and affect your health) and forge relationships with other animals and humans. But beware, not all of the NPC’s you encounter will be nice. Will the poor little kitten survive? And will it end up continuing to roam the streets, or find a loving home?
Features:
- Roam the streets as a stray kitten and obtain food in order to avoid starvation and survive.
- The game features a variety of NPC’s each with their own personalities.
- Like in real life, some NPC’s dislike strays and will get angry if you attempt to interact with them.
- However, some people will like you and may give you something to eat.
- If you get close enough to certain NPC’s, they may tell you details about themselves.
- There are 11 different endings in this emotive narrative-driven adventure game.
Cooking Mama: Cookstar
Cooking Mama: Cookstar is the sixth mainline game of the cookery simulation-styled Cooking Mama series. Whilst a specific release date has not been announced, the game is set to release on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 at some point in March 2020.
About
Cooking Mama: Cookstar is the first ever HD Cooking Mama game. It is also the first Cooking Mama game to release on a platform besides Nintendo or mobile. The game has been praised by PETA for featuring a vegetarian mode. screenshots of the game were first leaked back in August of 2019.
Features
- Live out your culinary dreams and become a virtual Cookstar with Mama as your mascot.
- Collect and master over 90 brand new recipes.
- Re-create a variety of dishes from previous games in the series.
- Choose between traditional and vegetarian options for the first time ever.
- Play by yourself or with a friend in the game’s multiplayer mode.
- Take photos of your dishes and apply filters and stickers.
- Share pics of your creations with friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.
- Sep 29, 2019
Coffee Talk is a narrative game currently in development and production by Toge Productions. You may know Toge for games like She and the Light Bearer or Magicat.
Although seemingly dark, we find Coffee Talk to be a warm and relaxing story of everyday problems through the lens of magic.
About Coffee Talk
Set in an alternate version of Seattle, Washington, you will be a barista serving fantastical patrons. As rain fills the night outside, you’ll get a glimpse into the lives of orcs, elves, mermaids, and more. You will participate in dialogue with customers while also trying to perfect whatever drink they order.
Unlike other narrative-based games, the storylines and decisions will branch not from your dialogue options but from “how you treat and serve the customers of your café.”
A dark and earthy color scheme meets with a ‘90s anime-inspired art style that is both beautiful and calming. On top of that, the music is a jazzy assortment of lo-fi. Toge calls the game “an experience to make you think, feel, and help rest your body and soul.”
Game Features:
- Fantasy Characters: Although the problems are familiar, the characters are anything but. Meet mermaids, orcs, elves, and other yet-to-be-disclosed fantasy races.
- Unique Outcomes: The way you treat characters while serving them will change the decisions they make.
- Chill Aesthetics: Along with the look of the game, you will have a selection of chillhop music to help set the scene.
Here’s the teaser trailer
Coffee Talk is slated for a PC and Mac release “sometime after midnight” this year. A playable demo is available on Steam, itch.io, or directly from Toge Productions’ website. You can follow updates for the game on Twitter.
Need a relaxing game while you wait? We recommend Unpacking. Want more visual novel games? We’ve got that, too, with Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy and What Remains of Edith Finch.
- 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!?
- Jul 11, 2019
Role-playing games are a classic video game staple, but many don’t fit the MyPotatoGames vibe. Every once in a while, though, we are lucky enough to stumble across one that puts a unique, and more wholesome, spin on the genre. We think Skjoldur Story will do just that.
Skjoldur Story is an RPG currently in development by Snoozing Pixel, LLC. Set in a bright pastel fantasy world, the game puts the spirit of adventure right at its heart. We can’t wait to try it out.
About Skjoldur Story:
In Skjoldur Story, your only weapon is your shield. You can use the shield to block attacks, of course, but it also absorbs the abilities of your enemies. To defeat enemies, you combine these abilities with puzzle-solving.
The game is non-linear, so you are free to advance in any direction at any pace. The only caveat being that the final tower can’t be beaten until you’ve taken care of everything else. Even dungeons can be opened in any order you want. The power stones needed to open them are found scattered throughout the entire world.
There are a number of hidden areas. Some of these areas are similar to minigames and help advance your progress. There are also various shops where you can buy items to increase your success!
Game Features:
- Full Gamepad Support
- Original Soundtrack
- Hidden Areas
- Multiple Varying Puzzles
- 5-10 hours of gameplay
- Simple and accessible controls
- Non-linear world
- Planned collector’s items
Watch the Reveal Trailer:
The game will be available on Steam in early 2020. Make sure to go ahead and add it to your wishlist! For updates, you can check out the website, or follow the dev on Twitter.
Other upcoming RPGs we think the MyPotatoGames fam will enjoy include Town and Scrap Story. Check them out!
- Jul 7, 2019
Developed by FaceIT and published by Noodlecake Studios, Summer Catchers is an upcoming indie game that we here at MyPotatoGames have our eyes on. With breathtaking pixel art and a soundtrack that’s already won awards, this game looks beyond promising.
About Summer Catchers:
In the North country, there lives Chu, a girl who has never seen summer. Tired of the snow and ice, Chu builds a wooden buggy and heads off to the south, on a quest for summer. What awaits her in this vast, creature-filled world?
Summer Catchers is many things but, at its core, it is a 2D racing game. You will travel through 8 levels with different environments. Along the way, you will update your buggy with new looks and new abilities.
You will also encounter various creatures. Some of these creatures aim to keep you from reaching the south. To defeat them, you will have to equip the right tools right at crucial moments. You will also meet creatures that want to befriend and help you on your journey.
Game Features:
- Completionist Play: You may find a replay necessary if you want to find all the hidden bits in this game!
- Upgrades: Stylish upgrades are available for your car along with unlockable abilities.
- Discovery: Not only is the beautiful world explorable, there are also events and mysteries for you to discover.
- Variety: This game has it all. It’s an arcade game, a rhythm game, a racing game, a puzzle game, and it has a story!
Watch the trailer:
Summer Catchers is set to release Tuesday, July 16th on Steam. The soundtrack will also be available as DLC.
Summer Catchers wasn’t the only upcoming Indie Game revealed at E3. Click here for more anticipated, MyPotatoGames approved indies! For more summer-themed games, check out upcoming Summer in Mara and Leilani’s Island.
- May 16, 2019
Last year, you may remember us announcing a 3D animated series based on the heartwarming adventure game of 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, Rakuen was a firm favorite here at MPG, despite flying under the radar a little at first. Since then, however, the game has received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam, earned a rating of 9.5/10 on Polygon, and received a Metascore of 84/100 by Metacritic. Priced at £6.99/USD$9.99, the game offers very good value for money.
On August 10th 2018, Laura Shigihara (the developer and publisher of Rakuen), posted a surprising and exciting trailer to her channel, announcing the future release of a 3D animated Rakuen series, entitled The Farmer in the Sky.
The cute trailer gave us a sneak-peak of what to expect in the animated series, which is set in the whimsical world of Rakuen. Since the trailer’s release, The Farmer in the Sky has been in development by Laura Shigihara and animator Slamacow.
However, fans of Rakuen will be pleased to know that the wait is over, as the first episode of the series, (entitled ‘Too Many Minimoris’) was posted on the YouTube channel of Morizora Studios three days ago on the 13th May. The Rakuen Steam page has confirmed that there will be more future episodes, and therefore to subscribe to the channel.
- Oct 23, 2018
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s no secret that pixel-art-stylized games are popular right now (we even recently wrote an article about our favourites). Pixel-art-stylized video game fans will be pleased to hear that there is another game in development. Developer’s Aloft Studios are currently working on a Zelda-inspired game entitled Hazelnut Bastille, which they hope will bring some retro vibes and SNES magic to the Nintendo Switch console.
Hazelnut Bastille is an upcoming Zelda-esque 16-bit JRPG Metroidvania game that has been confirmed for PC, Mac, Linux, and more recently, Nintendo Switch. The game has been compared to Chrono Trigger and Golden Sun. It currently has a tentative mid to late 2020 release window.
Aloft Studios is a small indie game studio who have emphasised that quality is of utmost importance to them.
Additionally, composer Horoki Kikuta (who is known for his work on Secret of Mana) has joined the Hazelnut Bastille team as a celebrity guest composer.
Aloft Studios have given the following information about the game in a previous interview with Nintendo Life:
“The timescale for this release will either be simultaneous with our PC / Mac / Linux release, or following some months after, as funding and development time ultimately allows, but we would very much like to see a release across all four of our starter platforms if it proves possible!”
“Hazelnut Bastille, for PC, Mac, and Linux, and now Nintendo Switch, is a lush, topdown Metroidvania in a 16bit JRPG style, which seeks to continue the great lineage of superior design from the mid 90’s- the moment in time when mainstream 2D titles reached arguably their greatest level of refinement, in titles such as Super Metroid and Link to the Past. We seek to emulate this period in most ways, from graphic presentation to audio production, to general level design philosophy. Hazelnut Bastille tells the story of a young woman who travels to a foreign shore on the outskirts of her world, in order to seek out the promised gifts of mythological ancients, in hopes of retrieving something which was lost to her. On the way, her story becomes irrevocably intertwined with the lives of those living in this far off land.”
A Kickstarter for the game launches today (23/10/18).
- Oct 12, 2018
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he solo developer of Stardew Valley (Eric Barone of ConcernedApe) has recently made an exciting announcement. Stardew Valley will soon be available on iOS and Android! The game will be coming to iOS first, and will be released on the app store (where it can be pre-ordered) on the 24th October. The mobile version of the game is being overseen by London-based studio The Secret Police.
About Stardew Valley:
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.
Some of the game’s 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.
The game is already available to play on a wide variety of platforms including:
- Microsoft Windows
- Linux
- Mac OS
- PS4
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- PS Vita
About Stardew Valley for mobile:
Unfortunately, online multiplayer farming will not be available on iOS and Android. The port will, however, include all of the single player content from the recent 1.3 PC update.
The mobile versions have been optimized for touch screens, and contain a new UI, new controls, and a new menu system. Additionally, upon the game’s launch, players will be able to transfer their PC save data to iOS via iTunes.
Priced at $7.99 and with no in-app purchase options, the port is seemingly good value for money.
Eric Barone has said that the Android version of the game is nearly complete. He has also reassured gamers that work on multiplayer updates for consoles will be unaffected. This is because the console updates are being handled by teams separate from those working on the mobile versions.
