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  • svgNov 23, 2023Reviews

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    Spells & Secrets is a magical roguelite adventure where you must free the Academy of Greifenstein from the magical creatures that have overrun it. You’re a young wizard who’s just gone off to school at the esteemed academy to learn more about your magic. However, on your first night there, something strange happens and now the school is a mess. Magical creatures run amok in the halls, your fellow students are lost in the ever-changing rooms of the school, and there’s something a little more nefarious going on. 

    The Story

    Spells & Secrets sets up a very basic story from the beginning. Again, you’re a young wizard who has arrived at the Academy of Greifenstein to learn about magic and improve your abilities. You’re then dropped right into the problem of the school being overrun with magical creatures. After that, the story unfolds as you progress through each dungeon level and encounter fellow students and even some of the bad guys. It’s a pretty standard “good vs. evil” situation. Someone has caused chaos at the Academy, it’s just a matter of sussing out who did it. 

    The question I have is why am I, a literal magical novice and child, the one who’s responsible for fixing the issue. I’m traversing the dangerous hallways of the school in search of my fellow students, fighting monsters, and encountering the bad guys. Meanwhile, the Spells & Secrets adult teachers are chilling outside in the courtyard prepared to sell me spells and upgrades so I can get further in my dungeon crawling. Surely one of the experienced people should help me! Silly adults. 

    Overall, I enjoy how the Spells & Secrets story unfolds as you progress. You don’t have all the answers, and you don’t always get them quickly. It takes time to earn enough for new spells and upgrades. Plus, without those upgrades and new spells, it can be difficult getting through dungeon levels. Some of those creatures are unforgiving! I also appreciate the lack of hand-holding. There is a tutorial, but you’re not interrupted frequently by cutscenes or new game mechanics. You just get to blast through some rude creatures.

    The Gameplay

    I won’t pretend I’m incredible at fighting games, and Spell & Secrets has only proved that further. It took me several runs of the first floor before I managed to progress to the second floor. It can be frustrating, but that’s part of the draw of roguelites. It’s certainly easy to see when you’ve made upgrades to your repertoire, too. I went from struggling to blasting through creatures like they were nothing. So, it offers a very satisfying experience, despite the repetition. You feel like you’ve earned it once you progress. 

    I enjoy the variety of spells in Spells & Secrets, too. Each one has a different effect, while also deploying in a different way. Magic Missile is just a bullet of magic you shoot at the enemies. Freeze comes out in a spray of icy clouds, and so on. It’s easy to visually see which spell is which when scrolling through them or deploying them against enemies. Being able to build on their capabilities is satisfying too. Improving the power of Magic Missile absolutely made my runs easier to complete. And adding different spells that have different effects allows you to combine the powers of your arsenal to more efficiently defeat enemies. It lends a sense of creativity and strategy to the game. 

    enemies. It lends a sense of creativity and strategy to the game. 

    Final Thoughts

    Besides the fighting, you can join what appear to be like school clubs. There are four for you to choose from, and it helps give you an objective outside the main storyline and dungeon crawling. You can even earn different clothing items to further customize your character. Spells & Secrets is overall a roguelite dungeon crawler with a sprinkling of socializing and other fun. I personally think it’s a fun combination! 

    I’d recommend this game to anyone who enjoys the idea of being a magic-slinging wizard. Overall, I’d give it:

    You can find Spells & Secrets on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation now!

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  • svgFeb 8, 2023Indie Highlight

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    Adopt Stray Cats, Furnish, Manage, Decorate Your Restaurant

    You might have noticed that I’m completely in love with cats and keep an eye on any cat-related games such as Cats & Soup – Cook Up A Storm With The Help Of Cats, Cattails Become A Cat And Join A Cat Colony, and Calico – Magical Girls Running Cat Cafes Update. Therefore, with utter excitement, I share with you a cat cafe managing, restaurant decorating, simulation game.

    In Cat Cafe Manager, you’ll adopt stray cats to bring them into your restaurant. It’s a restaurant that you get to renovate, furnish, expand, and decorate! Train your staff and decide what goes on the menu to keep those customers coming in! Furthermore, you can forge relationships with the locals, help them with their personal problems, and even get them to divulge secrets of the town!

    Available Now on Switch and Steam

    Cat Cafe Manager is developed by Roost Games and published by Freedom Games, whom have published the likes of To The Rescue!, a dog shelter managing game. You can get Cat Cafe Manager on Steam here or for the Switch here.

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  • svgJan 16, 2023Indie Highlight

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    Exploring, Crafting, Farming, Fishing, Bug Catching, and More

    Relive your youth during your summer holidays by helping out at your grandparent’s farm, fishing, bug collecting, and foraging! What’s unique about this farming sim is the level of interaction with your tasks. For example, you can herd a scattered flock of sheep or play fetch with your pets!

    Another exciting feature, reminiscent of The Good Life, is the ability to transform into a dog and a cat! At night, in your dreams and with the help of a magical hat, you’ll have work to do and the farm to protect. As a dog, you fend off the wolves, and as a cat you chase off pests.

    Of course, your companions are also helpful during the day. Your dog can support you in farming tasks like sheep herding, among other things you can train it to do. Your cat can discover new missions and hidden places.

    Free Demo Available on Steam Now

    Everdream Valley is developed by Mooneaters and published by VARSAV Game Studios. The game is coming soon to Switch and PC, although we don’t have exact dates. However, you can try out a demo for it now on Steam here.

    More farming fun

    take a look at One Lonely Outpost the next big farming game like Stardew Valley on another planet.

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  • svgAug 26, 2022News

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    Restore the Magic, Garden, Fish, and More

    Disney and Pixar characters once lived in harmony in picturesque Dreamlight Valley. That is, until the Forgetting happened. Memories were severed by the growth of Night Thorns, and the inhabitants were left with nowhere to go. Feeling hopeless and lost, they locked themselves inside Dream Castle.

    Now, it’s your job to return that magic to Dreamlight Valley. Play as a unique, customizable character. Spend your time gardening, cooking, fishing, and so much more. Embark on an adventure to restore the magic to Dreamlight Valley. Unlock the doors of the Dream Castle to return the characters to their homes. Forge friendships with characters and experience their rich backstories. Discover secrets as you complete quests, and earn rewards. You will even be able to design your own home and design the valley however you wish!

    Early Access Available November 6th

    Dreamlight Valley will be free-to-play when it releases in 2023. Early Access opens November 6th, but that isn’t free. However, players can choose from three Early Access packs: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, or Ultimate Edition.

    Standard Edition will include 2 wearable items, 9 furniture items, 3 design motifs, and 8,000 moonstones currency.

    Deluxe Edition will include all Standard Edition cosmetic items, plus 10 decoration items, the Celestial Sea Turtle companion, 7 wearable items, the Deluxe Jersey and matching Mickey Mouse Donut Headband, 3 design motifs, and 14,500 moonstones currency. 

    Ultimate Edition will include all Standard and Deluxe Edition cosmetic items, plus 15 decoration items, the Royal Fox companion, 2 wearable items, the Ultimate Jersey and matching Mickey Mouse Donut Headband, 3 design motifs, and 20,000 moonstones currency. 

    For another upcoming magical life sim game, check out Witchbrook.

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  • svgJul 26, 2022Indie Highlight

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    Explore, Fish, Farm, Befriend, and Build as Momo the Purple Cat

    Play as Momo, a kitty that craves a new rural lifestyle, and travel with best friend Mikan to a deserted island. However, the island you’ll settle on is cursed and attracting monsters! Players will have to explore dungeons, mines and new regions, all while revitalizing a ruined village.

    To help along the rebuilding effort, farm, cook, craft, fish, and give gifts. Send job postings to other furry friends and invite them to live in your community! You can even take on part-time jobs yourself. Snacko also has quite the extensive decorating mechanic with snap-grids and free rotation to all buildings and items. With a free camera, you can easily move, place, dye, or put away any object anywhere.

    Coming Soon to PC, Switch, PS4/PS5

    Snacko is developed by Bluecurse Studios and published by Armor Games Studios. They recently announced with their new trailer below that their cute cat sim adventure is also coming to PlayStation. The game is releasing soon in 2022 on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5.

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  • svgJul 8, 2022News

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    Cluffowl, Woolum, and Totokaku, oh my!

    The new Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase continues to grace us with a slew of life-simulation games. If you always wanted to know what it would be like to farm in a world like Final Fantasy, you’re in luck! Square Enix just released a new trailer announcing HARVESTELLA, a beautiful fantasy world that may even be better than Rune Factory 5.

    In HARVESTELLA, players will be able to tend to their crops, befriend the townsfolk, explore various cities and dungeons, cook to replenish HP and increase stats, and take care of animals. There are adorable fantasy creatures to love in this world. For example, those round red chicken-like birds are called Cluffowl. You can even pet and receive rewards from your chubby kitty with antlers, the Totokaku.

    Not only are there all four seasons in this game, but a new mysterious one called the season of death, Quietus. During this period, crops wither and the dust of death prevents people from even walking outside. You’ll have to progress the story to unearth why this keeps happening for longer periods of time each year.

    Available November 4th, 2022 on Switch and Steam

    HARVESTELLA is available to pre-purchase on Steam here, and listed on the Nintendo eShop here. The launch date is set for November 4th, 2022. Therefore, players will not have to wait very long to get their hands on this game!

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  • svgJul 7, 2022News

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    Featuring Japan-Originated Popular Character Doraemon in the World of Story of Seasons

    During the latest Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, a sequel to the previous Doraemon and Story of Seasons mash-up was announced! This new entry to the franchise will see Doraemon, Noby and friends, back for some more relaxing farming on an unknown planet.

    As always, this adorable sim features plowing fields, harvesting crops, and tending to the animals, all with the help of Doraemon’s gadgets. However, the most exciting and new addition is the local play feature! Meaning, you and a friend can now build a ranch together!

    Releasing in 2022 on PC, PS5, and Switch

    Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is published by Bandai Namco and developed by Marvelous. The game will launch on PC, PS5, and the Nintendo Switch later in 2022. We’ll be sure to post the links to the listings when they’re available!

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  • svgJun 11, 2022Indie Highlight

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    Make Friends, Mix potions, Cast Spells, Spend Time Witch Your Cat and Tend to Your Garden

    Kitori Academy has gone through many changes since we’ve last reported on it. During today’s Guerrilla Collective 3 and Future of Play Direct, the developers at Cubenary showcased a new trailer for their magical life simulator. Live the adventures of a wizard apprentice with your fluffy kitty spirit companion!

    In school you’ll attend your garden of vegetables, catch and collect spell-creatures, learn to brew powerful potions, and craft charms. Outside of the academy, you can discover secrets, catch bugs, fish, forage, and cook.

    Launching on Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in 2023

    You can Wishlist the game on Steam here. Schedule your school courses now, because we have a lot of spells to cast and potions to brew already with Witchbrook.

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