Downwell Review: Well? Where? Down!

Action Adventure Arcade Featured PC Reviews Shooter
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie
Developer: Moppin
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release Date: Oct 15, 2015

Take the role of a curious young person as they venture…well, down (a well).

Simple enough, right?

Equipped with nothing more than a pair of trusty gun boots, search for untold treasures and make your way deeper into the darkness. Nasty creatures and mysteries secrets lie in wait for your discovery.

Collect red gems, equip power-ups, and level up this precocious explorer to battle well-dwelling monsters and uncover hidden caves.

No two trips are the same, enter: Downwell.

*Doesn’t it seem like every story starts with the main character asleep? They’re dreaming this for sure.

Gameplay

Downwell, developed by Moppin and published by Devolver Digital, is a procedurally-produced, rogue-lite game featuring a typical gameplay mechanic that has been turned upside-down.

Many of us retro gamers are familiar with the standard top-down, scrolling shooters featuring spaceships or World War II airplanes, but Downwell combines this mechanic with extremely tight platforming to create an entirely new experience.

downwell indie game

*When you run out of ammo, you’ll have to land carefully to reload without damage!

Levels are freshly assembled for each playthrough, combine this with different weapon types and upgrades, and you’ve got a truly robust experience. These levels change based on how long you can keep your one life going, those who are more skilled will reach deeper into the well and onto more challenging levels.

Ammo comes in the form of ‘bullets’, represented as a bar on the right side, each time you land, this bar refills, acting as an automatic ‘reload’. Ammo is also released if an enemy is stomped on, providing the ability for lengthy combo chains if the timing and execution are right.

downwell game review

*The action moves fast, stay on your toes!

Periodic breaks from the action are provided in the form of shops, this is an optional feature, as there are other modes which remove this mechanic for a greater immersive experience. Health power ups are available from the shops, while weapon  or other upgrades can be selected in between levels.

There’s not much to Downwell in terms of storyline, it is all gameplay based. Personally, I don’t see this as a bad thing.

The gameplay IS the storyline, and it is riveting.

Audio & Visuals

The immersive presentation is exactly what every gamer wanted the Super Nintendo to do over 20 years ago, only now is technology providing the capabilities for pixel art games to live up to our imaginations.

Downwell requires an immense amount of skill to play well, and the simple 3 tone graphics enable the perfect contrast to recognize threats with extreme accuracy. Different themes are unlockable as you progress further into the game, collecting XP along the way. Not only this, but different body types are also available, providing variation for gameplay styles.

downwell game

*The dingy green of Game Boy original, smoother than 1989 could ever.

All shooting of enemies happens in a downward direction, stemming from the ‘gun boots’, it’s not a whole lot different from games like Jetpack Joyride, although Downwell is presented in a slick 60 FPS 8-bit graphical interface.

The physics engine is very fluid and allows for long-chain combos given the skill level of the player. Longer combos equate to more XP earned by the end of each level. There are no limits to the combo chains that are possible.

Downwell features a very 80’s chiptune-esque soundtrack; providing a retro theme that blends well with the gameplay and visuals. The music changes with each level, enveloping the player in a new environment as the enemies and other platforming challenges increase.

downwell game review

*The action only gets harder and more busy as you descend.

As with most pixel art and retro style video games, the music provides a necessary amount of tension in order to heighten concentration during the more demanding sections. Downwell is no exception.

Stomping on enemies & unloading lasers from your gun boots is the ultimate satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Downwell is a masterpiece; for a game that’s only asking $3 (on Steam), you absolutely cannot go wrong with this purchase.

Fluid graphics, a fulfilling challenge, and replayability to-boot (pun intended), there’s not a single reason to deprive yourself of such a well-crafted pixel art game.

downwell review

*Different backgrounds keep the contrast high, depending on your mood!

Stop reading this review, go buy the game, and play it yourself. Every retro gamer deserves this in their library.

About 20 hours were poured into the well before the writing of this review.

I still don’t know what lies at the bottom.

Well, you down? Race ya.

Megasphere: Pre-Release First Impressions

Action Adventure Arcade Featured PC Reviews Shooter Steam
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megasphere

Awakened from your slumber, a gravitational field is discovered within your vicinity, you’re a humaniform explorer set out to discover an abandoned ship within the solar system you’re exploring.

Upon arrival, a ship is found still broadcasting its ID on the outskirts of Jupiter’s orbit, this presents no sort of problem but leaves questions instead of answers.Nostars, no guidelines, no tutorials, no rules, no maps, no assistance. Enter: Megasphere.

Megasphere, developed by AKGames, is a procedurally produced sci-fi action platformer. Equipped with a big shiny gun, the player battles robots in an unpredictable world that is different each time you play.

ATAI is the main character, the one with memory loss and a huge gun (a non-optimal combination to be honest). TURMS is the informational robot that serves as your guide on this quest. Although this artificial intelligence’s guidance serves you through the Prelude. Upon entering this abandoned ship: no guides, no maps, no hints, no tutorials.

megasphere game pc

*These enemies are smart, don’t wait to fire, they won’t be.

The player must rely on their wits.

Megasphere commands a higher skill level in order to play, immediately calling back to the retro video games that demanded Coordination, quick reflexes, and determination to surpass your previous attempts.

Let’s dive into this demo and take a look at the features, gameplay mechanics, and visual presentation that creates such a unique experience.

megasphere pc game AKgames

*Have you ever seen a square explosion?! BOOM.

Gameplay

Megasphere calls back to retro video games like Metroid and Castlevania (a genre called ‘Metroidvania’) with puzzle-platformer style. It incorporates gameplay mechanics and artistic stylings present in another popular titles, such as Terraria.

But what sets Megasphere apart from these other games, is the sense of responsibility put onto the player to discover the mechanics, power ups, and other information that would typically be present within a tutorial.

Paired with a procedurally-procured level design, the player can be sure each playthrough will be unique. This game is difficult to say the least. Set at the normal difficulty, by the time I reached the end of the demo, I was flexing my dexterity and timing.

megasphere metroidvania sci fi game

*In case you missed the previous square-explosion image.

All of which was enjoyable; due to the 60 FPS smooth gameplay, beautiful pixel art graphics, and excellent sound design.

The enemy AI is some of the most clever I’ve had to deal with while playing a pixel art video game. They attack you strategically, and recoil if excessive damage has been dealt.

This causes the player to chase the enemies in order to finish them off, adding a new level of strategy in dealing with the other combatants attacking you.

Megasphere is a polished experience considering it’s a Pre-Alpha release.

Visuals

This. Game. Is. Stunning.

Megasphere presents a visual style that of which we all imagined Metroid to be as children.  Between the particle effects, dark backgrounds, and insane amount of detailed pixel art: it is a feast for the eyes.

The visuals in this game are so polished, one cannot deny the quality and craftsmanship.

This game is in a style all of its own.

megasphere sci fi metroidvania indie game

*Anyone else thinking TRON?

Dark, brooding backgrounds contrast against the bright neon lighting effects, sparks, and polygonal explosions to create a robust . Combine these aspects with the 60 frames per second gameplay and that’s a lot of visual information for the brain to take in.

However, as the enemies begin to swarm the player, the game commands dexterity to pull off complex chains of dodges and attacks.

High intensity action paired with fluid gameplay: a winning combination.

Sound

The sound design in this game is flawless between the crunching mechanical sounds whirring, blades, and ambient industrial instrumental background. It compliments the visual design and envelops the player in an environment of loneliness despair and danger.

megasphere enemies

*These gyroscoping frisbee blades of death are the toughest enemy.

The music is set to a slower pace as you explore, however, enemies are in your vicinity, ramps up the intensity to match the quick visuals and graphics

A sense of urgency washes over the player, having to deal with enemy swarms and varying attack methods. Don’t panic!

Final Thoughts

Megasphere, under it’s Pre-Alpha release, is a refreshing newcomer to the Metroidvania genre. Although some polishing to be done, some sticky ledge corners, it is a beautiful game to play and enjoy. This pre-release offers a few levels to explore, a taste of what’s to come, I’m sure.

Support the developer for the price point of $15 on Steam, it’s already in my library. Personally, I cannot wait to play the full version and give it a full review.

Coffee Crisis: Heavy Metal Alien-Brawler

Action Arcade Featured PC Reviews
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coffee crisis

Full release review of this neo-rogue beat ‘em up!

Coffee Crisis is a neo-rogue co-op brawler of two baristas, Nick and Ashley, who have come to a realization: aliens are stealing away all of the good musicians on Earth. They take it upon themselves to defend the good music left on this planet.

Caffeine coursing through their veins, heavy metal in their hearts, and moshing moves violent enough to repel small greys and grandmothers alike: enter Coffee Crisis.

First Impressions

Coffee Crisis greets players with a colorful palette and great character design displayed on the title menu.  The menus are easily navigable, while heavy metal riffs pump you up for the action to come.

After a brief introduction of the storyline, the player is thrust into violence when General Duke puts hands on our heros. The visual style is consistent with mid 90’s consoles; makes sense considering it was originally released for the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis in 2017. (The same console released in 1989.)

Mods (short for Modifiers) switch the gameplay up on the fly. Depending on the situation and timing, this presents itself as a good thing or bad thing.

Enemies are often at the advantage during these times, requiring players to develop a strategy and understand the rhythm of counter-attacking, while dealing with visual disturbances, extra attacks, or buffs / bonuses.

Passwords are presented at each game over and after moving onto a new level, there are no saves. I haven’t played a game that did that since Game Boy Color in 2000. Each run provides 3 continues before the game over.

coffee crisis

*General Duke, the first boss of the game, makes his presence known before you even begin!

Gameplay

Coffee Crisis is a neo-roguelike with a fast-paced style, with lots of swarms and mobs. The difficulty doesn’t change the number of enemies required to fight, but the damage of their attacks are reduced.

Enemies have different timings and patterns to watch out for. Combos are possible with proper use of the jump button, I found that attacks were possible both the upward and downward movements of the jump’s arc.

This game features four different difficulties: Easy, Normal, Metal, and Death modes

“Come back for more in Death Metal Mode,

where the difficulty is cranked to 11!”

Coffee Crisis features a call back to Mortal Kombat’s ‘Test Your Might’ sequence with a twist: keep your level within a gap to consume the optimal amount of caffeine required for an increase in HP!

coffee crisis review

*The first level introduces Mods: some help, some do not. The screen crack effect: definitely not.

Sound

Coffee Crisis, from the very first menu, graces your ears with it’s Heavy Metal soundtrack, and it goes HEAVY — breakdowns and all.

As a contrast: the Pause menu features Muzak (for a proper coffee break [pun intended]).

Sound design is crisp and accurate, including environment effects like weather. One of the mods dampened “hearing” (sound output) and played an old-timey tune to jitterbug to on (what sounded like) a phonograph. The sound effects of brawling combine with ripping riffs in a uniquely satisfying experience.

If you’re not a fan of kick-ass metal: there are volume controls in the options menu, too.

Chances are you won’t want to…

coffee crisis indie game review

*Nick and Ashley, the only two baristas on Earth, METAL enough to demolish extraterrestrial threats.

Design

Graphics are vivid, fluid, and buttery smooth. Coffee Crisis handles very well, even through the intense mobs. Stressful moments require creative strategies or you’ll be swarmed, the harder difficulties make quick work of a solo player.

I made it past the first level on Death mode and was promptly stomped out by a half-dozen Grey aliens, Men in Black, other unidentified entities, AND angry old people. It is unforgiving, how retro games are supposed to be.

Twitch / Mixer integration is an interesting feature (for streamers) that allows your audience to vote for the mods that are going to enter your game next. Giving a new level of interactivity and a modern spin on classic mechanics, while providing a unique challenge that can change with each playthrough.

Visual modifiers include: a ‘broken’ screen, CRT Green / Black & White overlays, negatives, pointillism, and much more. These effects stack onto one another to increase difficulty in certain spots.

A ticker across the screen provides a read-out of information on modifiers. Although good luck trying to take your eyes off the action to read them, it moves by at near a blur when attempting to preserve health.

During the time of heavy modifiers, it can be a challenge distinguishing the playable character from certain enemies, leaving no choice but to button-mash and pray to the Metal and Caffeine gods.

coffee crisis game

*After about the 6th level, our heroes become… a little delirious; after all that caffeine.

Controls

Coffee Crisis supports both Controllers and Keyboard inputs. Featuring a profile view of the action: like Double Dragon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or newer titles like I Am The Hero.

You’ll be moving Left-to-Right on the screen, but to the character’s perspective, it’s Front-to-Back. Front-to-Back walking is faster than strafing Up-and-Down the screen (character’s Left-to-Right).

Standard keyboard button layout, controller Analog / D-Pad movement + face buttons. Vibration / Rumble features are present and jolt you at times of danger and delirium alike.

The game blends mods, controls, and mobs better than expected. Once your timing is down, you’ll be pulling combos and single-handedly wiping out crowds. Heavy action keeps you on edge, leverage the lateral movement speed changes to circle around danger zones.

coffee crisis game review

*Don’t get jumped in Candy Land; aliens don’t play nice.

Final Thoughts

The fulfilling storyline, unlockable achievements, and cheat codes lend to the replayability tremendously. Funny moments including meme references and breaking of the 4th wall provides some surprises that are thoroughly enjoyed.

Coffee Crisis is meant to be enjoyed with another person, as the difficulty proved too much of a challenge on Normal for solo runs. Set to Easy, I completed the campaign in about 80 minutes or so.

Mega Cat Studios (the developer) employ precise controls, smooth graphics, and gameplay modifiers to keep players coming back for more.

Released in early May at a $5.99 price point on Steam, there isn’t a good reason to miss this game.

You won’t be disappointed, this retro gamer sure wasn’t.

Flynn: Son of Crimson Preview: Please conserve the Red

Action Adventure Featured Kickstarter PC Reviews RPG Steam
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flynn son of crimson

Either someone didn’t get the memo about the shortage of red pixels circulating the surreal memeverse, or the Son of Crimson is personally responsible.

Much like the meme, red is your primary source of power in Flynn: Son of Crimson. I should clarify that by saying Flynn uses a set of blood-red powers to overcome obstacles and crush his enemies.

Based on what I saw from the demo of Son of Crimson, a 2D action platformer still in the early stages of development, those obstacles are also pointed out to the player via their bright red coloration. If you need to climb a wall, smash a boulder, or swing on a knob with your grappling hook, those interactable objects are all highlighted for you.

flynn son of crimson action game

The demo also showcases a range of crimson weapons: sword, axe, boxing gloves, and bow, which is mapped to a separate button for some fast sharpshooting action.

At first, I thought the idea behind these weapons was to quickly switch between them based on the enemy you’re facing, though I didn’t feel the need to swap weapons in the game’s current state. Creatures have different attack patterns you can dodge after observing them for a moment or two, but they seem killable regardless of your weapon choice. At the moment it seems the only distinctions between items are damage and speed, which may make more of a difference in later stages of the game.

flynn son of crimson

Son of Flynn is best played with a controller, as the developers point out before the title screen. Controls and platforming feel natural, and the game plays smoothly for the most part, except for the occasional hiccups you can expect when you delve into demo territory.

So far, it’s hard to tell exactly how the promised Metroidvania elements will come into play, but the game does show inklings of satisfying combat and fast-paced gameplay. It’ll take more exploration in the game world to see how Flynn fares against tougher enemies with more complex attack patterns.

flynn son of crimson indie adventure game

With lovely pixel-art graphics, strong art design, and a charming soundtrack, the game seems to be starting off on strong footing. According to developer Studio Thunderhorse, you can expect the full game to include a rich story, new combat techniques and weapons, varied environments and a companion creature to help you explore and bash baddies.

LINK: http://thunderhorse.co/

The devs expect Flynn: Son of Crimson to launch sometime in 2019.

Castle Agony: Hi-Fun, Lo-Fi Action

Adventure Featured Horror PC Reviews RPG
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First impressions for this Point-and-Click adventure!

A dark, mysterious castle looms in the distance as you approach by carriage down a long road. Upon arrival, you learn of the many hidden dangers that are sure to meet you on the treacherous journey ahead. Sent with a mission from God, accompanied by your ever-faithful dog, embark on this journey against The Vampire in this call back to the original Nintendo era. Enter: Castle Agony.

Agony is a point-and-click horror / mystery game developed by The Pompous Pixel, released late March on Steam. Inspired by classics like Resident Evil and the Castlevania series, this game strives to combine elements from many different sources, with influences even from Dungeons & Dragons. Learn the secrets hidden inside ‘Castle Agony’ and save more than just your soul. Warning: your index finger will be working hard.

castle-agony

*Just outside the Castle, exploring the first open space in the game.

Easily, the first thing you will notice upon starting Castle Agony is the accurate (true to the era) sound design. The Pompous Pixel logo changes from an innocent looking person to a ghouly vampire; the soundbyte accompanying it?

A guffaw, a challenge, a you-don’t-know-what-you’re-in-for preface to a game that is sure to surprise. The title screen loads up and the classic soundtrack begins playing, a soft yet eerie arpeggio, setting the mood to what will be a dark and at times, a grueling game.

castle agony

*The first encounter with The Vampire, upon entering Castle Agony.

Sound

The music changes once the adventure begins, and continues to change as you meet new enemies to battle and new areas to explore. The original soundtrack by Vesager provides the dark ambience right from the start, the opening area’s music was so catchy I found myself whistling along with the catchy tune after only a few minutes. Although the melodies themselves are small in variation and number, they provide a fulfilling listening experience.

I even played the music while writing this review.

Gameplay

As mentioned earlier, you have a dog which serves as a second playable character along this quest. Your dog is named Harry. He can fetch, follow commands, and can help with items and other tasks (like crawling through tight spaces and tunnels). Harry can retrieve items separately from the human and vice versa. Allowing for some flexibility in certain situations.

castle agony

*The crafting menu, with a couple of slots to combine different items together.

A crafting system is used to create and combine different artifacts into useful creations. The items created can even be used in combat. Molotovs and Holy Water are included among other items.

Castle Agony features a turn-based, action point combat system. Attacks are based on dice rolls and these affect the different skills available to you during the battle. Limited to 5 ‘actions’ per turn, attacking takes 2 ‘actions’ and the chances of missing your attacks are possible.

Design and Controls

The point-and-click style controls is a callback to a classic experience, as the player clicks on interesting items, chests, and other sights to further investigate or loot. Not much else is to be said about them, since the only actions which control the game are the two mouse buttons, other than a few shortcuts for menus and crafting. The dialogue is entertaining and provides the story and exposition through the accompanying human character. Color schemes change from bright colorful environments outside to murky and dark once inside the mansion.

castle agony

*It’s spooky-tomb-time!

Although the visual design is solid, the frame rate crawls to emulate older video game systems, leaving some animations to look even choppier than probably intended. One example being the walking animation of the Harry (the dog). This is nothing major to the overall experience of the game, but was noticed almost immediately.

If the game is left unattended for about 5 minutes, say for a bathroom break, and you haven’t just hit a ‘Tome’ to save, you may be surprised to find the game unresponsive to your clicks. A minor bug, but one nonetheless. This did cause a bit of frustration, having to make up the progress which wasn’t saved. After the second occurence, I realized saving more often prevents further issues.

Castle Agony does a phenomenal job in setting the scene and immersing on different levels: visually, aurally, and mentally. Yes, this game is one that requires a keen eye for detail and some logical reasoning. Like many other point-and-click games before it, small details can offer large rewards if clicked on for investigation.

castle agony

*Castle Agony, prepare that clicking finger

First Impressions and Final Thoughts

My first impression is overall a good one, with a runtime of about 3-4 hours, there is still a bit of the game left to explore. Especially considering I was clicking nearly everything in sight within each new area, I know there is a bit adventure left before the final showdown. However, the overall pacing of the game is slower than I personally enjoyed.

Between the frame rate, turn-based attack scheme, and adjusting to a point-and-click control scheme, this game wades at it’s own pace. If you’re into a precise method of contemplation and planning, this game should fill that niche for you. Personally, I prefer games with direct combat and a quicker pace, but this game was still a fun experience that I recommend.

Castle Agony, a game developed by The Pompous Pixel, is a worthy addition to your Steam collection. For a price point under $10, this game provides a unique experience, memorable storyline, and a visual presentation that is true to the era of gaming it takes after.

Did I mention you can play as a dog?

Castle Agony Gameplay Video

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