Wraithkal: The Indie Gaming Corner
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Big Bombs Blow Best: Switch Exclusive ‘Bomb Chicken’ Finally Explodes Onto Steam

After playing quite a bit of Stardew Valley over the years, I've experienced a fair share of chicken craze. But here's the thing: none of them dropped bombs. Ever. Why am I bringing this up? Well, Bomb Chicken... lays bombs instead of eggs. All the time! Doesn't jump either, stacking bombs to reach high places instead. A completely insane creation and I love it.
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Outsmart Cold War Enemies and Allies in ‘Precipice’ or Press That Big Red Button

While the Cold War is certainly not a topic to joke about, in any form or way, it does make for a compelling video game setting. Even more so for strategy titles such as, say, Precipice, in which world leaders from no less than seventy-two countries have been realized "as animals native to the region" (wait, what?). Much like allies and enemies, resources must be managed in this tactical affair to prevent... nuclear annihilation.
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Make a Game About Whatever You Think Grownups do in the ‘Actual Adult Games’ Jam

There are many game jams out there. Numerous, even. Sadly, most of them aren't exactly overly creative when it comes to the theme (you know who you are!). Actual Adult Games is the rare exception, tasking participants with the creation of a new game about... well, whatever he/she/it/they think adults do. Doesn't have to be an 'adult game', although I suppose it could. If it must.
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Nominations for Spring Thing Festival of Interactive Fiction 2019 Now Open

Even though it's still freezing here, spring has arrived in other parts of the world, and with it, the 2019 edition of Spring Thing Festival of Interactive Fiction (there's a mouthful for ya) - a celebration of interactive fiction. Text adventures, as depicted above, from this entry, is just one of many forms these can take. There are also those in which players simply click through a series of choices rather than, you know, input commands. Good stuff.
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Point ‘n Click Adventurers Ben and Dan Finally Returning in ‘Lair of the Clockwork God’

It feels like forever since adventure classics Ben There, Dan That! (2008) and Time Gentlemen, Please! (2009) saw the light of day. I suppose it has actually, if 'over a decade' is the same as 'forever'. Which it isn't. Right? Anyway, the reason I'm bringing this up is that Lair of the Clockwork God marks the return of the two protagonists - Ben and Dan - from aforementioned titles, and it is going to be awesome!
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Dribble, Tackle, Quest and Aim for the Goal: Your ‘Football Story’ is About to Begin

I don't often come across soccer games with an actual story, even less so ones that don't simply claim to have one, and then all the game contains in the end, is a lackluster excuse for a career mode. Not good enough. Just not good enough. What is found in-between Football Story's many matches, however... now that might even be a proper tale for the ages (or so I'm hoping).
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Overcome Insurmountable Obstacles by Reality Hopping in ‘Unbound: Worlds Apart’

It's not like we're running out of new and/or upcoming 2D puzzle platformers these days, but ones with lovely, unique mechanics? Now those are much too rare if you ask me, and one such is Unbound: Worlds Apart, bringing with it a groovy reality hopping portal mechanic. More or less. (Translation: Soli, its protagonist, can leap between dimensions through... well, portals.)
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Filter Deceptive Deceitfulness in ‘Her Story’ Successor ‘Telling Lies’ to Find the Truth

What happens when private conversations are no longer all that secret and intimate? Telling Lies, that's what, a game revolving around an illegally acquired NSA database. A database which, among other things, contains footage of four seemingly innocent people. Unfortunately, all is not as it seems, a horrendous event linking our little group... Cue dramatic music.
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Upcoming ‘Cat Quest II’ Lets Players Scratch That Action RPG Itch in a Tail of Two Kings

Cats and dogs are fighting. Again. Wait, perhaps 'still' is more accurate? They never seem to get along for some reason, and yet, something tells me they'll have to, in Cat Quest II. While the nations of Felingard (cats) and the Lupus Empire (dogs) are locked in heated battle, the two kings... are on a mission to reclaim their thrones. Which requires teamwork. Until it doesn't. Or some such. Bear with me, please - much fur to sift through here.
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‘Don’t Starve Together’ Roster Expands With the Imp(ressive), Mischievous Wortox

Over the course of the three years and change since Don't Starve Together launched, Klei has been quite the busy bees, expanding the game in many ways: new playable characters, modes, enemies, timed events, and of course, an assortment of bug fixes and tweaks. While the latest addition, Wortox the fiery imp, might not set the game ablaze (get it?), his arrival is still not to be underestimated.
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Enter the Third Dimension: Roguelike Sequel ‘Risk of Rain 2’ Blasts Into Early Access

It's been a long time coming, originally announced back in 2017 (remember?), but now Risk of Rain 2 is finally here - albeit in Early Access. Do not let that deter you from picking up a copy, however, as while bugs and other creepy crawlers are likely still part of the package, as is a boatload of lovely things. Things like four-player co-op, enormous bosses and a huge world to explore... and die in. Again and again. For such is the fate of those partaking in a roguelike.
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‘Slydris 2’ Review: Flashy Block Dropping Fun For Everyone

Do you enjoy sliding blocks of various shapes across the screen, to then drop them down in an attempt to clear one or more rows? You do? Then Slydris 2 is just what the doctor ordered for your favorite mobile device! Not only does it make two-dimensional block manipulation look stellar, but the focus is also shifted towards careful planning rather than having players think fast (unlike, say, Tetris).
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‘Astroneer’ Review: To boldly go…

"You'll get to explore the galaxy!", they said, tossing bits like "who knows what awaits out there?" and "it'll be fun" into the conversation, whenever the topic of me venturing into space as an Astroneer came up. Little did I know at the time just how right they were. The things I did, planets I visited, the discoveries I made - it was just a grand ol' time, really.
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‘Summer of Pride’ to Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Games, Devs, Streamers on Twitch… Soon

The month of June brings many a thing worth celebrating, including lesser-known ones such as National Donut Day (June 6) and Decide To Be Married Day (June 27). None are as important or well-known as LGBT Pride Month, however, and this year it will coincide with Summer of Pride, a month-long Twitch celebration of LGBTQIA+ video games, developers and streamers... hosted by MidBoss! Groovy stuff.
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‘Snowblind’ Lets You Hack, Slash and Fling Fireballs at Skeleton and Cultist Alike

No matter what you do in Snowblind, eventually, the cold climate will get the better of you. Unless its sword-wielding skeletons and/or spell-slinging cultists drain your health first, that is. Doesn't mean you should simply stand still, awaiting your inevitable demise, however... even if taking a number of enemies with you to the great beyond is really all you can do, in this procedurally generated survival tale.
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