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Rocket League

Rocket league was originally released for Microsoft Windows and PS4 on July 7th of 2015 by the California-based game studio Psyonix. Over the years, the game has been released on various other platforms including Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and even Linux. Last September, Rocket League became free-to-play, opening access to the widest range of players as possible. There are tens of millions of people around the world that have played this game. As time progressed, there have been plenty of cosmetic additions and ways to personalize your vehicle. However, the core gameplay has remained unchanged. The game still remains as simple yet intensely competitive as ever.

There are tons of gamemodes in Rocket League. You can go head to head or play in teams. There are many other rules that can be changed as well.

The Soccer of the Future

What exactly is Rocket League? Ultimately, it’s a futuristic sports game where rocket-powered cars are trying to push a ball into a goal, similar to soccer. During gameplay, the player(s) control the vehicle and utilize a robust physics system to try to outmaneuver their opponent(s) and score on them. Rocket League’s advanced physics system simulates realistic  interactions between the cars and the ball. Momentum and mass are relevant factors during collisions and it can take a great deal of skill and experience to truly master the game. Let alone the tons of additions to the game through free updates and DLC, there was already a great deal of singleplayer and multiplayer content in the base game during its release. Season mode takes the player through a singleplayer campaign where they can unlock customizations for their vehicle and new playable maps. You can also play online in many different types of matches that uniquely fit with the playstyle of your choosing.

Some of the DLC add very well-made customization options, like this Batmobile.

GOOOOOOOOOAL

There are two major reasons that Rocket League has stood the test of time. Firstly, the long-standing interest that has been captured by the online gaming community has played a big role in the game’s continued focus from Psyonix. Several thousands of players have spent countless hours competing in the ranked mode to climb the very competitive ladder to the top. There is still a very dedicated fanbase for this game over five years after its release date. Secondly, the stream of updates and DLC for Rocket League has kept people checking in to see what’s new. The full list of free updates and DLC is very expansive and broad. Generally, they add a wide variety of customization options and new game modes. Through partnerships with other brands like DC Comics, How Wheels, and the NFL just to name a few, there are tons of ways for a player to personalize their vehicle. There are also a wide variety of maps and gamemodes that keep gameplay fresh and interesting. If you’ve never tried the game out, now is the perfect time. Considering it’s free-to-play and been refined for years, there’s plenty of fun content to be enjoyed.

#RocketLeague

Super Drink Bros.

Super Drink Bros is a fun little indie game from the Japanese studio Neko Game Teacher. It’s still in early-access on Steam and you can pick it up for the small price of $4.99. This is a high-speed fighting game where where drink cans battle it out in hardcore combat. Does it sound crazy? Yes. Is it a ridiculous idea? Absolutely. But considering the game’s price, you can actually have some real hilarious fun playing this game with a friend, or even online. Check out the reviews on Steam yourself and you’ll see that the vast majority of players are having fun with it.

One of the characters in Super Drink Bros is a bamboo water bottle with a samurai sword.

Who’s Thirsty?

How many games can you think of where drink cans fight each other? Well, now you can at least think one. The game features multiple different fighters in the form of different types of drinks. Each drink uses a different fighting style. Some drinks fight with their fists. On of the drinks is armed with a gun. There’s even a drink that uses a samurai sword. To top it off, you can even design your own custom can and play with that character. Each fighter has a unique set of moves and characteristics that will make it feel different from the other drinks. There are also mutiple maps that have unique obstacles. For example, fighting in the restaurant will mean that furniture might get in the way. Meanwhile, a fight in the wrestling ring will mean that there’s nothing between you and your opponent.

Every fighter in the game has unique combination of moves.

The Beverage Battle

There are still plenty of features that the developers intend to add in the future. They plan to add a ranked mode so that you can play against players with a similar level of skill. They plan to add a 2vs2 mode so that you can actually team up with a friend against a team of enemy drinks. The team might also add multiple new maps. And of course, there’s also the chance for the characters in the form of cans. The developers have said that the price will increase when the game is fully released, so if you want to mess around with a new inexpensive fighting game, Super Drink Bros might actually be what you’re looking for.

#Indie #DrinkBros #Fighting

Slime Rancher

Slime Rancher is one of Steam Early Access’s greatest success stories. It’s the first game produced by the California based studio Monomi Park. The game has sold over 3 million units and usually has hundreds of thousands of monthly players. That’s an impressive feat for an indie studio’s debut project. The game first arrived on Steam in January of 2016 and was fully released in August of 2017. Since then, a stream of free DLC and content updates have kept the game fresh. The studio’s long-lasting devotion to the game continued to drive it’s sales on Xbox, Playstation, and PC. Slime Rancher proves that you don’t need a giant team to make a well-received game with a healthy community of dedicated players.

There are a wide variety of slimes that you can find on the Far, Far Range.

Not an Average Farm

In Slime Rancher, you play as Beatrix LeBeau. She’s traveled to an alien planet inhabited by creatures known as “slimes”. She’s inherited a ranch on the planet and she plans to make a fortune by collecting and combining the the tons of different types of slimes. Slime Rancher is a sandbox game, meaning that you’re placed placed into a large world with minimal instruction on what to do. You interact with the world the way that you choose to interact with the world. You explore the wild at your own pace and discover the game’s hidden secrets as you navigate the world. As you learn more about the mysterious planet, you’ll also come across more and more interesting and unique slimes. Hardcore fans of the game have spent many hundreds of hours collecting all the slimes, making their own hybrid slimes, and simply taking care of the slimes that they already have. The potential fun is potentially endless, especially considering the consistent stream of additional free content.

Who couldn’t love an angel slime?

The Far, Far Range

How has Slime Rancher been able to maintain its player base? Well, players are excited to see what comes next in the game. Without forcing the player down a questline, they want to see what the rest of the world has to offer. A beautiful soundtrack and welcoming graphics also help to keep people coming right back. People are excited when more content keeps getting added that upgrades everything from the gadgets, to the ranch, to the crops, to the slimes. As long as Monomi Park keeps showing Slime Rancher the love that its shown the game in the past, the player base is probably here to stay.

#SlimeRancher #Indie #Sandbox

The Pope: Power & Sin

The Pope: Power and Sin

The Pope: Power & Sin is an indie game from Polish studio Forestlight Games that will be released in 2021. Playing as the Catholic Pope at the dawn of the Renaissance, the game presents the player with many influential choices. Currently, it appears that this game will likely be a novelty that a gamer would only buy if they really want to say that they’ve “been the Pope”. With sub-par graphics and confusing gameplay, it’s likely that most people will want to steer clear of this game. But, you might still be able to have fun if you play light-heartedly and find fun in some of the absurd situations that the Pope finds himself in.

screensht of choices
There are many ways for the Pope to deal with his problems.

Unholy Head of the Church

The Pope: Power & Sin is inspired by Pope Alexander VI, who served from 1492-1503. During this time in history, the Pope was involved in several scandals and corrupted the authenticity of the Church. As the Pope, you focus less on the Church and more on securing power, riches, and pleasure for yourself. You can unite the Italian peninsula and expand the Church’s reach. You can expand your wealth by raising taxes on the people. The methods through which you secure political allies can vary greatly. It’s up to the player if they want to use peace, bribery, threats, or even violence to motivate important political players. As the Pope, God will always be on your side no matter what decision you make.

screenshot of the Pope lying in a pool of blood
There will be major consequences for the decisions that the Pope makes.

Power vs. Morality

This game clearly intends for the player to look forward to manipulating the power of the Pope. If you think you’ll enjoy enacting out the corruption of the Church’s highest authority, then you might be able to extract some fun out of this game. However, you can tell that the game has a low budget by its graphics and animations. Don’t expect a historical RPG or political strategy game that will be on par with the greatest in the respective genres. All-in-all, this is a novelty game that takes place in a historical setting that is rarely visited by video games. If you want to experience the crazy situations that the Pope finds himself in, look out for this low-budget game in 2021.

#Indie #Historical #Pope

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated

SpongeBob in front of his pineapple house

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is coming to Android and IOS on January 21st. The game was initially released for PC and major consoles in June and July of last year. This is actually a remake of the original Battle for Bikini Bottom, which was released in 2003. Updates from the original game include a multiplayer mode, cut content from the original, and updated graphics. This remake was published by THQ Nordic and developed by Purple Lamp Studios. Reviews for the game have been across the board, but the remake is sure to bring nostalgia to fans of the older SpongeBob games.

SpongeBob running from robots
Robots make up the bulk of the enemies in Battle for Bikini Bottom.

Are ya Ready Kids

Battle for Bikini Bottom is a 3D platformer. Most of the gameplay consists of collecting various items and destroying evil robots created by Plankton. You can play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy in these levels. Each one of these characters have their own abilities too. As the trio travels across Bikini Bottom, they encounter plenty of giant robot versions of classic SpongeBob characters. These giant robots make up many of the enemies in the game’s boss fights. There are also several other classic characters from the show that make an appearance in the game. You can also go to many of the show’s most iconic locations.

SpongeBob fighting King Jellyfish
Giant robots aren’t the only bosses that SpongeBob and his friends must face.

Aye Aye Captain

What’s changed from the 2003 version? Not much outside of higher-end visuals and modern resolutions. However, there is now an offline and online horde mode that lets you play with a friend. You can choose from a wider set of classic SpongeBob characters and fight against hordes of robots. You can play as Gary, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Robot Plankton, and the singleplayer characters. This game is a family-friendly classic that tries to appeal to both the original audience and a younger generation of gamers. Retail price for PC is $29.99, but the mobile version will only be $9.99.

#SpongeBob #Classic #Remaster

Flea

Flea is an indie game released by the one-man studio Lowtek Games on October 30th 2020. Alastair Low ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to create a platforming game that would support a physical NES release. The NES was originally released in 1983 by Nintendo and changed the gaming industry as a whole. Having been a huge fan of NES games when he was younger, Low wanted to create a new game that would run on his favorite old console. Alongside the Flea physical NES cartridges that have been produced, you can also buy physical discs for the SEGA Dreamcast or download the game on Steam. All in all, this is a very unconventional 2020 release with a fun backstory behind it.

Flea uses other bugs as enemies, like mosquitoes.

Back to the Basics

Flea is a 2D retro platformer. It’s a relatively simple game where you play as Henry the Hyperactive Flea. Henry jumps around and navigates enemies that take the form of different types of bugs You also collect blood in order to complete the levels. There are a total of 80 levels with plenty of interesting characters in the game. Characters include the Fleadom Fighters, Humflea, Taiflea, and the Itchhiker to name a few. This game doesn’t bring much innovation to the table, but that’s the point. Flea attempts to entertain the player by bringing them a classic video game experience straight from the 80’s.

Nostalgia Galore

Like many of the games that appeared on the original NES, Flea can be very challenging. Although certain levels might be brutally difficult, there is enough fun to be had so that most fans of retro games will be able to get through to the end. Flea is $10 on Steam but it’s 50% off until January 5th at noon. If you’re a fan of retro platformers, then consider giving Flea a shot.

#Indie #Platformer #NES

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is set to be released for PC and next-gen consoles some time in 2021. It’ll be the first game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. Produced by the Ukrainian company GSC Game World, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a dark horror game set in an open-world environment with first-person shooter combat. Set in a fictional timeline of the Chernobyl disaster, the player explores the wastes of the “Zone”. The Zone is where scientists conducted vile experiments that went horribly wrong after the nuclear explosion. The game is filled with characters and mutants that will keep the player on edge. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the fourth game in the critically-acclaimed series and it has been nearly twelve years since the most recent release. This new game will be the biggest by far and will run on a much better engine.

a ferris wheel
The Zone has a very creepy and eerie feel to it.

Disaster at Chernobyl

Like the past titles, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 faces the player with a multitude of major decisions to make as they play the game. There are many different endings for the game, all of which are determined by the choices that you made. The game also has a high replayability, as every playthrough will have different events unfolding in the world. GSC Game World wants the Zone to feel like it’s alive and moving all the time. Not only do you directly impact the fate of the Zone, there are special events that will impact it as well that might be out of your control. Altogether, the state of the Zone can end up being wildly different by the end of two different playthroughs.

strange mutants in tanks
You’ll find very strange things in the Zone, including mutants.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is Back

Just like the older games, you will play as a brand new character in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Playing as Skif, you are one of the stalkers. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stands for Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers and Robbers. They’re people who’ve come to the Zone to exploit it for financial gain. They hope to find precious treasures and artifacts that have been abandoned in the dangers of the Zone. Some stalkers work alone while some stalkers band together into factions. As a stalker, you’ll be pit against humans and mutants alike. The first-person perspective helps make the player really feel the situation that their character is in. The fear of what might be behind a corner is amplified and you really are nervous about what’s going to happen to the character. If you’re a fan of horror and having control of the narrative, be on the lookout for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 in 2021.

#STALKER #STALKER2 #Horror

Hades

Hades logo

While an undeniably challenging year, we can at least remember some of the great games that came out in 2020. Hades, already out on PC and released on the Nintendo Switch last September, was one of these games. Hades won IGN’s Game of the Year Award. It also won Best Indie Game at The Game Awards 2020. It was produced by SuperGiant Games, known for the successful indie title Bastion and a few others. Hades is a rogue-like dungeon crawler. This means that every time you die in the game, you start all the way at the beginning and start your journey again. However, the game is different every time you awaken. Plus, there are loads of powers, weapons, and abilities that will unlock themselves as you get farther with each run through. Hades also features a fully voiced set of characters that tell the game’s story. The art is beautiful and the gameplay is well-designed. Hades has a lot to offer.

Dialogue from the player's character
Every character in Hades is beautifully hand-drawn.

See you in Hell

You play as the Immortal Prince of the Underworld, Zagreus. The game takes lace in the mythological ancient Greek underworld of Hades. It’s you’re goal to escape this world and ascend to Mt. Olympus with the gods. But it won’t be easy, as there are countless waves of monsters blocking your path. As you attempt to escape, again and again, you’ll meet many characters. Some will help you on your journey and some will not. There are well known gods like Athena and Zeus. There are even strange underworld gods like Thanatos and Chaos. You can also find classic Greek heroes like Achilles.  Hades also features powerful bosses with strange motivations. The game’s story is slowly unraveled as you meet these characters and uncover all that this game has to offer. There are thousands of unique story events and no two runs will ever be the same.

gameplay screenshot
In Hades, no two runs will ever be the same.

Time to Go Get Killed Again

Hades is a dungeon crawler. Whenever you enter a new area, you won’t know what’s waiting for you on the other side. It could be a room full of ghosts, you might get to speak to a Greek God, or it might be a giant monster. The spontaneity of each run motivates you to keep trying to make it through the entire world, no matter how many times you die trying. You’ll want to meet every character. You’ll want to slay every enemy. But most importantly, you’ll want to keep on playing. Hades earned its accolades for a reason, so give it a try if you like dungeon crawlers. It’s 20% on Steam until January 5th.

#Hades #SuperGiant #Indie

Transformers: Battlegrounds

Transformers: Battlegrounds was released on October 23rd for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch. It’s published by Outright Games, known for publishing family-friendly games across a range of titles from Ice Age to Adventure Time. Transformers: Battlegrounds is an XCOM-styled strategy game. The player controls a team of up to six autobots that include fan favorites like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. In each fight, the player will battle decepticons in turn-based combat using coordinated strategy. The game also features an overarching story about the hunt for the allspark and the fate of the universe.

Optimus Prime
The player can take control of a range of classic autobots.

Autobots, Roll Out

Transformers: Battlegrounds features an original story with a familiar plot. Megatron is invading the Earth in his hunt for the allspark and the autobots need to stop them. The battles will take you to maps across the Earth and the transformer planet of Cybertron. On Earth, fights will unfold in desserts, forests, cities, and even Cybertron itself. Plus, each controllable autobot has a unique Ultimate ability to be unleashed when their Energon meter is full. After you complete the story mode, the game also features local multiplayer. You can team up with a friend and play in co-op mode against the decepticons. Or, you could go head-to-head in battle against each other.

Screenshot of battle between transformers
Different autobots have different specialties in combat.

Fights against the Decepticons

Transformers: Battlegrounds features 3 difficulty modes to facilitate fun for players of all ages. The digital deluxe version include four skin packs and Cube mode. Cube mode is a capture-the-flag styled battle where the autobots and decepticons fight for the control over the allspark. All-in-all, Transformers: Battlegrounds is straight-forward in what it provides to the audience. If you enjoy the XCOM series or are a fan of turn-based combat, then you might enjoy this game. It’s definitely unlike any other Transformers game released in the past.

#Transformers #Battlegrounds #Outright

Stellaris: Console Edition

Stellaris: Console Edition is releasing the MegaCorp expansion DLC on January 26th 2021. This is the third expansion pass released for the console edition. This expansion adds giants corporations into the world that can help build giant megastructures and facilitate booming populations. Originally released for PC on May 9th 2016, Stellaris is a grand strategy game set in space. Your goal is to explore the universe and steadily grow your galactic empire/republic/nation. Stellaris: Console Edition was released for Playstation 4 and Xbox One on September 6th 2020. The game provides the player with a wide variety of personalization options for their galactic civilization. You choose what your alien race looks like, where they live, how they think, and how they survive. Whether you want to play as war-mongering bird people or trade-faring plant creatures, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who went down the same road as you. Like most of Paradox Interactive’s games, there is a steep learning curve. But once you figure out a successful strategy, there’s an endless amount of fun to be had with the game.

Screenshot of the game's map
The galaxy is filled with alien empires to be conquered or befriended.

An Infinite Universe

The player isn’t the only one with a unique civilization. Every time you play, you’ll experience varied and unique species. This will make every player’s galactic journey different. Stellaris features an expansive diplomacy system where you can communicate with the different species that you encounter. The types of diplomatic options that you have with each species can vary based on technological, cultural, and other factors.  Plus, the galaxies in the game are procedurally generated. This means that you’ll see different planets, stars, quests, races, and events every time you start a new game. No two playthroughs will ever be the same. Because of how different each playthrough can be, Stellaris has a high replayability value.

Screenshot of a space battle
When diplomacy fails, war will follow. Space battles might unfold between two galactic empires. There are also battles against giant space-traveling monsters as well.

Galactic Conflict

Stellaris features beautiful 3D models and artwork that keep the player excited to continue exploring distant galaxies. You might find a cute alien race that wants to be your friend or you might find a terrifying alien race that wants to devour your people. Or you could even find a cute-looking alien empire that wants to blow your home planet to bits. As you build up your own empire, you’ll see it all. Beyond the alien races, there are also beautifully crafted spaceships that are unique to different species classes. Humans, insectoid aliens, and plantoid aliens all fly in very different looking spaceships. Each species has its own personality beyond the statistical bonuses and drawbacks for each species. They don’t just play different, they look and feel different. If you’re a fan of sci-fi and strategy games, then consider giving Stellaris a try. But be prepared for a learning curve when figuring out how to manage your galactic empire.

#Stellaris #Paradox #Strategy #Space #Sci-Fi

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