All posts tagged in RPG
May 28, 2018
We recently posted about Chucklefish (publishers of Stardew Valley) collaborating with Pixpil games to deliver an exciting new game entitled Eastward. In a recent interview with Red Bull, more information about the previously elusive game has come to light. Therefore we thought we’d take this opportunity to update anyone interested.
Eastward is an upcoming JRPG adventure game with pixel graphics, which is set in a post-apocalyptic Shanghai. The game, which focuses on a father and his daughter, is said to be very emotive and exciting. Eastward has beautiful graphics similar to Chucklefish’s farming simulation Stardew Valley and their upcoming magic school game Witchbrook (which you can read more about here). Therefore, Pixpil’s decision to partner with Chucklefish is undoubtedly a positive and prosperous one.
Pixpil initially started out as a small team of three. As the game progressed however, the team started to grow. There are currently around a dozen people from Pixpil working on Eastward. The company’s office is located in a Shanghai shopping mall, and is surrounded by many furniture stores. Pixpil have said that the ‘small and sneaky’ location of their headquarters has influenced the game.
Having also been compared to games such as Zelda and Earthbound, and inspired by Japanese anime, and the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, it’s safe to say the game has a wide variety of influences.
Pixpil’s co-founder and designer, Feng Ye talks about the game’s protagonists:
“The main characters are John and Sam,” Ye explains. “A tough, hard-working guy, and a long white fluffy-haired girl respectively, who start their journey in a mysterious underground place isolated from the rest of the world. In the outside world, the human population has shrunk to an all-time low, and strange creatures are beginning to descend on the cities. After leaving their small underground village, John and Sam are about to discover what has made the world become so dangerous and what destiny awaits them.”
Despite taking place in a bleak post-apocalyptic world, the upcoming JRPG still has a plethora of interesting characters to discover and engage with. For example a merchant character called William, who has an adopted robot-boy assistant, undergoing surgery to become a real boy.
Although the game is single player, players will have the opportunity to switch between the two protagonists in order to solve puzzles. The game will feature John the most, but will still incorporate his daughter Sam in order to add variety and different characteristics. On same occasions, the pair will need to be separated in order to proceed. This mechanic adds more complexities and possibilities to the gameplay.
The game combines 2D art with 3D effects. Eastward consists of tried and tested game art methods, as well as more modern effects, created with a variety of equipment, and a bespoke Homebrew engine. This very unique combination has resulted in beautiful graphics.
Eastward’s visual allure is one of the key reasons that Chucklefish got involved, according to producer Rosie Ball. “From the moment we saw Eastward we absolutely fell in love with the art style, and we just wanted to find out more! After we spoke to the Pixpil team and got hands-on with the game, we were so happy to discover that it’s not just a pretty game. It’s also really interesting from a technological point of view, with what it’s doing creatively with pixel art. The Pixpil team are being very innovative with their techniques, and that’s something that really excites us at Chucklefish.”
The developers have also made it clear however, that they want the audio in the game to be just as compelling. Due to difficulties in finding local composers familiar with their game language, Pixpil have decided to outsource audio to Joel Corelitz The Unfinished Swan, Gorogoa, Tumbleseed) and Hyperduck Soundworks (Dust:An Elysian Tail, The Adventure Pals). Pixpil are working closely alongside them to ensure the music and audio is exactly how they want it and that the soundtrack is well-matched to the game.
It has been hinted that Eastward is ‘moving towards completion’, although no fixed date for the game’s release has been set. Pixpil have said that they are very proud of their game, and belive that their partnership with Chucklefish has been very helpful in getting the ball rolling. Currently, the game is only set to be released for PC and Mac, although developers have expressed interest in releasing the game on other platforms, such as Linux.
Could this mean a spot beside Stardew Valley in the Nintendo eShop?
The full interview can be read here.
- May 20, 2018
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ittle Witch Academia and Harry Potter fans; Hold onto your broomsticks! The enchanting, Ghibli-esque world of Little Witch Academia now has its own video game!
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time is an action adventure RPG game. The game was initially released in Japan for PS4 on the 30th November 2017. In early 2018, it was announced that the release of the game’s PC version would coincide with it’s PS4 release in the west.
The game was finally published worldwide on Steam and PS4 by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment on May 15th 2018. The game costs $49.99 to download on the PlayStation Store and $39.99 on Steam.
Chamber of Time is an addition to the popular Little Witch Academia franchise ‘witch’ contains films, manga and a TV series’. The franchise has become cult viewing all over the world, especially since the films and TV series became available on Netflix.
For those unfamiliar with Little Witch Academia, entries to the series take place at Luna Nova Academy, a school for witches in training. The protagonist of the franchise is Akko, an optimistic and energetic (albeit slightly impulsive) Japanese girl who comes from a non-magical background. In my opinion, this is similar to the various Harry Potter characters that come from a Muggle family.
Chamber of Time offers players the ability to uncover the various mysteries of Luna Nova Academy. The game features the lovable protagonist Akko, as well as a variety of her friends. Players can explore dungeons, cast spells and use various magic to discover the seven wonders, as well as to resolve the mysterious time-shit that has occurred.
The game features exclusive cut-scenes made directly by the franchise’s anime studio, Studio Trigger.
With elements of RPG, this side-scrolling action game offers fans the ability to level-up character as well as finding ‘drops’ whilst exploring, which help to enhance in-game builds.
Ultimately, the game adheres to the humorous and endearing Little Witch Academia storyline that we all know and love, as well as offering a unique and interactive perspective of the world through a fun video game.
Does the concept of magic school games excite you? Why not check out the two upcoming magic school games Ikenfell and Witchbrook (formerly known as Spellbound) here.
- May 19, 2018
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]at lovers of My Potato Games, here’s some news for you to sink your claws into!
Developer’s The Gentlebros, have recently made a Paw-some announcement. Their highly regarded RPG game Cat Quest is getting a Sequel!
The sequel will be entitled Cat Quest II: The Lupine Empire, and will be released on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Android, iOS, and Windows.
Whilst there isn’t currently a release date for the game, it has been hinted that a trailer will be released soon.
For those who haven’t heard of the original Cat Quest game, it is an open-world cat-themed action RPG, which contains a plethora of characters, stories and cat puns (yay!). Cat Quest was initially released on Steam on the 8th August 2017, with releases on iOS, Android, PS4, and Switch following shortly after.
The game has obtained a 10/10 rating on Steam, as well as receiving many ‘overwhelmingly positive’ reviews. Being a lighthearted game that combines cats, combat, loot, and stories, it’s unsurprising that Cat Quest was a hit! You can read more about the first game here.
Did you enjoy the first Cat Quest game? What are yours ‘felines’ about a sequel? Let us know in the comments
- Apr 16, 2018
April is shaping up to be quite a month for gamers. Tons of new games are hitting the market, and it’s hard to decide which ones to get, and which ones you actually want to play! We have made a list of the 5 Upcoming Games to Look Forward to in April. Check out the list below!
The Big Journey (Steam – 20/04/18)
The Big Journey is a cute adventure game for mobile and PC. In the game, you play as a cat who is ‘hungry for food and excitement’. Described as a game ‘designed for kids and adults alike’, this beautiful tilt game featuring a cat named Mr. Whiskers is sure to delight both cat lovers and casual game enthusiasts. You can purchase the game here on the 20th April.
The Swords of Ditto (Steam – 24/04/18)
The Swords of Ditto is a highly anticipated action RPG PC game with an art style reminiscent of popular Cartoon Network show Adventure Time. Experience unique adventures as different characters in an attempt to defeat the evil Mormo. With a vibrant village and dangerous dungeons to explore, as well as a plethora of cool characters, tempting treasure and brilliant battles, the game is perfect for wannabe heroes and heroines. The game will be released on 24/04/18, but can be pre-ordered (with a 20% discount) here.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole (Switch – 24/04/18)
South Park: The Fractured But Whole is a comedic RPG game based on the popular adult cartoon TV series South Park. The Fractured But Whole is a sequel to the popular 2014 game South Park: The Stick of Truth. The game has received mixed reviews on Steam mainly due to issues running it with 3rd party launcher Uplay. That aside, the game is considered to be very good, with many fans believing it lives up to (or surpasses) its highly acclaimed predecessor. South Park fans disappointed with the PC version of the game will be able to enjoy it on Nintendo Switch when it is released on April 24th. ( Get it here )
Hello Kitty Kruisers (Switch – 24/04/18)
Initially released for the WiiU back in 2014, Hello Kitty Kruisers is an upcoming 3D racing game for Nintendo Switch. The game features Hello Kitty, as well as other popular Sanrio characters. The game can be played in single player mode, or with up to three other players in multiplayer mode. As you progress through the game you can also unlock new outfits for Hello Kitty and her friends. The game will be released on the 24th April. ( Get it here )
Death Road to Canada (Switch – 25/04/18)
Death Road to Canada is a popular road trip simulator game with pixel graphics. It was first released on Steam in July 2016. Gameplay is randomly generated, giving players a unique story each time they play. Explore cities, recruit weirdos, rescue dogs and fight swarms of slow-moving zombies. The game will be released for Switch on the 25th of April where it can be purchased from the Nintendo eShop. Alternatively, you can purchase it on Steam here.
Check out our list of the 15 best 3DS games of all time here. And don’t miss out on the 15 cutest Nintendo 3DS games of all time here.
- Feb 27, 2018
[dropcap]K[/dropcap]ynseed is a sandbox RPG simulation with beautiful graphics. It is not dissimilar in appearance to Rakuen and Stardew Valley. The game allows you to make choices and therefore carve your own unique story. You even get to continue your legacy after your character’s death by stepping into the shoes of your descendants. The game is being developed by the creators of the Fable series, and is set to be released as an early access on Steam at some point in early 2018.
If you love RPG games with farming elements, as much as we do, check out Fantasy Farming: Orange Season. If you want to enjoy your farming sim with a side of some dark and interesting storytelling, check out Gleaner Heights. Chucklefish, Stardew Valleys publisher is also working on a new magic school game called Spellbound, get caught up here.
About Kynseed
Live your life in a quirky world where everyone ages and dies, including your pets! Take control of the mystical Kynseed and grow your family legacy over generations as you pass your skills and powers down to your children.
- Run a tavern, apothecary, goods store or blacksmith. Farm your land. Go adventuring and battle dark faery tale creatures. Or do them all. The choice is yours.
- Develop relationships with NPC’s who have their own lives and loves, and who will remember your deeds, actions and pranks!
- Find and use Proverbs to unlock the secrets of each ingredient, creature and inhabitant of a place where folk tales are all true.
- Gather the materials to create better items, craft beers or to mix cures for a range of bizarre maladies for the simple people of the land.
- Deal with the mysterious Fae gentleman, Mr Fairweather and buy strange artifacts from him that aid your chores, help you in combat or let you just mess with the world….but be aware of the life tax he extracts annually!
In Kynseed, live your lives the way you choose in a lovingly hand-crafted and huge 2D open world.
Kynseed main Features
An Aging World
The land is affected by your choices and deeds. Seasons come and go and affect the world both visually and in gameplay.Living Things Have Memory and Grow Old
Individuals and animals grow old and eventually die. Families remember your good deeds or wrongdoings for generations.Unique Life Mechanic
Pay the mysterious Mr Fairweather for powerful upgrades and revivals, at the cost of years from your life! Will you miss out on your child’s development to buy that music box that makes dragons dance? Will your business suffer because you bought a pet cat that turns people to stone?Real-time Combat
Wander from The Path and indulge in meaty combat against various nasty faery tale creatures that guard the materials and loot you need to become the greatest in the land.Meaningful Relationship System
Build friendship into romance and produce heirs to continue your legacy. Do favours for others and not only gain friendship but also juicy information and gifts.
Event Calendar
A calendar keeps you up to date of festivals and events. Learn where and when the best ingredients grow. Attend various competitions, annual fayres, and don’t you dare be late for a date!Monsters and Creatures
They’re more than just sword fodder. Each creature has a sim and their own traits that you can take advantage of. Remember, even dragons need to go to the bathroom now and then. (That wasn’t a pile of gold that Smaug sat on!)Run Your Business
Own a tavern and craft beers with bizarre effects. Be a blacksmith and forge weapons and tools to order. Manage your apothecary and mix cures for a variety of bizarre poxes and curses.A Land Where Superstitions Are True
Heed the advice of the Old Fishwife and the locals to find out everything from where the rarest items can be found to where and when the best places to conceive are! We’re not just a little stitious. We’re super stitious.
Olde Traditions
Every village has their own customs and quirks. Visit the annual cheese bowling rite and encounter Wiki Men, Fred Barleycorn and wear the Trousers of Fertility, as passed down through generations. (I really hope they wash them…)Recipes
Hunger dictates combat prowess so a proper breakfast before some monster slaying goes a long way. Discover and use proper recipes though, and you can take your fighting to the next level, or even use the Traits in food to distract, weaken or even scare away enemies!Item Traits
All items and materials, have unique traits. From medicinal to hallucinogenic, shrinking to fattening…Want to feed laxatives to herds of sheep and lead them through town? The creative possibilities for fun are endless.Be Friends with Animals
Domestic animals and critters have opinions of you based on your actions. If they like you enough they may just let you ride them!Lovely Music
No mythical world would be complete without music to go with it. The title music has been made by Russell Shaw but also helping us out with some beautiful world music is Matthijs den Daas. Here’s a couple of tracks you can expect to hear in our prototype. We’ll be adding much more music as development continues. - Jan 30, 2018
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]re you a fan of aesthetically pleasing games? We are too! Here’s a list of 5 beautiful games you can look forward to in 2018.
The Last Night
The Last Night is an upcoming Indie Cyberpunk adventure game with pixel graphics. Set in a future where machines surpass humans, in a time referred to as the ‘era of leisure’, the game focuses on Charlie, someone who cannot engage with the augmentation surrounding him due to a childhood accident. The world around him seems pointless and meaningless and he sees an opportunity to change the way things are. But at what risk?
There isn’t currently a release date for this game.
The Gardens Between
The Gardens Between is a surrealist puzzle adventure game, developed and published by The Voxel Agents.
The game follows two best friends, Arina and Frendt, who find themselves in a beautiful world with garden islands. Players can go backwards and forwards in time, giving them the ability to discover each garden’s secrets. Throughout the course of the game, a story is revealed about friendship, childhood and growing up.
The game is set for release on Steam in Q3 of 2018.
Ni No Kuni II
The developers of the game are Level-5 and we therefore have high hopes for pleasing aesthetics. The publishers of the game are BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment.
Ni No Kuni II is an anime adventure RPG where the player follows young king Evan on a quest to found a new kingdom. Accompanied by newly made friends, the king attempts to save his people from a terrible evil.
The game’s release date for Steam is January 18th 2018. The Playstation 4 version will follow a little later, you can get it here.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an upcoming-platform adventure game developed and published by Moon Studios and Microsoft Studios respectively.
The game is a sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, released in 2015.
To progress in the game, players have to move between platforms and solve puzzles. Throughout the game, players will discover the world beyond the forest of Nibel, uncover the truths of the lost ones, and unearth Ori’s true destiny.
There isn’t currently a release date for this game. You can play Ori and the Blind Forrest in the meantime!
The Swords of Ditto
The game is an indie action adventure RPG with colourful graphics similar to Adventure Time.
Explore a charming overworld, discover dangerous dungeons and improve your player in a delightful village whilst on your quest to banish the evil that plagues the island. Experience a unique adventure every time you play as different Heroes of Legend in an attempt to defeat the evil Mormo. Use the legendary sword of Ditto and join other players in co-op battles as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime in a world filled with a variety of characters, loot and battles.
There isn’t currently a release date for this game.
Looking for beautiful games to play now? Why not check out Rakuen or RiME. Night in The Woods is also a good choice if you want an autumnal game with a great soundtrack!
