News: Spelunky 2 Announced

It seems that everyone has played Spelunky, given its ever-increasing stream of popularity since its original release in 2008, and its enhanced re-release in 2012. But even in an infinitely-generating world, there is still room for something new, so Mossmouth has announced that a sequel is in development, and it's heading to PS4 and Steam (and possibly other platforms at a later date). This time, the task of spelunking has been handed off to a new generation, as evidenced in the teaser trailer below:

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News: Guacamelee 2 Announced

Did you happen to play a little Dia de los Muertos -slash- dimension-swapping puzzle-platformer -slash- comedy adventure -slash- luchador metroidvania called Guacamelee? If not, there's nothing stopping you, since it's available on practically every platform available, and it's an excellent game. At any rate, Drinkbox Studios has released a teaser to officially announce Guacamelee 2, which is coming to PS4 (and likely other unannounced platforms) in 2018. For now, check out the humorous trailer below, which has a dash of gameplay. The game promises an even more colorful world, the dimension-swapping of the original, some new movement and attack abilities, and even 4P local co-op.

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News: Radio the Universe Gets Sexier

Radio the Universe, from developer 6e6e6e, is an isometric action adventure offering a large open environment with interconnected areas, secrets, and shortcuts. In this melancholy industrial world, the player must contend with deadly traps and combat mechanized monstrosities, but he can get a leg up on enemies by upgrading his weapons and abilities. Mobile players can dash, dodge, and jump to avoid enemy projectiles and traps, and use these skills to advance on enemies during lulls in their attacks, and they can absorb some damage by using a shield with the proper timing. The tone of the game is further set by hand-drawn interstitial cutscenes, and as the developer warns: "Players who die in-game die in real life."

The developers have released an uncut 15-minute video of the game, showing off visuals that have increased notably in sexiness since the Kickstarter campaign launched some five years gone:

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Target Acquired: Greedy Guns

Greedy Guns, from developer Tio Atum, is an action platformer inspired by fast-paced high action games such as Gunstar Heroes and Contra, combined with Metroidvania exploration elements. Players may go alone or team up with another player in 2P co-op to blast away baddies on alien planets. Players are able to move and aim independently with full 360 degree control of their shooting, allowing for shooting while dodging, fast strafing, and the tried-and-true method of running away and screaming while shooting at the bad guys running up behind you. Explosions? Check. Double jump? Check. Enemies bursting into piles of spinning gold coins when they are destroyed? Checkaroonie.

The game is now available for PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam. Check our coverage here.

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Target Acquired: In the Shadows

In the Shadows, from ColorSpace Studio, is an action-puzzler where the player uses light to combat shadow creatures... and to use them in puzzle solutions. It turns out that a number of objects transform into creatures in the evening, but the player is able to transform them back by exposing them to light. This generally involves pushing lighted boxes toward shadow creatures, at which point they may become doors, ladders, or other objects that the player may use in order to press forward.

The game is now available for PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam and GOG. The game is also planned for PS4 and Xbox One.

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Target Acquired: Songbringer

Songbringer is a sci-fi action-RPG from Wizard Fu Games, which offers a procedurally-generated overworld and ten dungeons packed with chunky pixel art and heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda. The game may be played alone or with a friend in 2P co-op, as players explore the landscape in search of more powerful items and weaponry, as well as abilities that allow them to reach new areas. Players gain access to melee and projectile-based weapons as they take on varied foes, enemy swarms, and huge bosses. Dungeons require the player to solve puzzles to see his way through, with some even removing the player's sword until the dungeon is completed.

The game is now available for PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam, Humble Bundle, and GOG, Xbox One via Microsoft Store, and PS4 via PSN. Check our coverage here.

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News: All 4 Episodes of Tiny Barbarian DX Now Available

The first episode of Tiny Barbarian DX, from StarQuail Games, was first released in 2013, followed by the second episode in 2014, but fans of the miniscule Conan-inspired warrior have had to wait a long time for the final two episodes, which have just been released. If you already bought the game on Steam, these episodes are available as a free update. Coinciding with this update is the just-released Switch version of the game, which may be downloaded via the eShop, or purchased in physical form. The physical version also includes an instruction manual, keychain, and pouch (pictured below).

For a full rundown of the first two episodes, check our coverage here, which we will update with the third and fourth episodes once we finish them.

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Target Acquired: Nidhogg II

Nidhogg II, from developer Messhof, is a sequel to the indie hit Nidhogg. Gameplay will be very familiar to those who enjoyed the original, but the art style has changed drastically, with stick figures and simple backgrounds replaced by the grotesque (and occasionally bright and cheerful) art of Toby Dixon. In addition, characters are now customizable, and there are more levels and several new weapons. Instead of just fencing foils, players will find themselves wielding broadswords, daggers, and even bows and arrows, each of which requires different tactics. The game is just as fast as ever, with quick deaths, the ability to toss weapons, disarm foes, and engage in hand-to-hand combat, and huge sprays of blood when an enemy is defeated... only to respawn moments later. Fight your way to victory and demonstrate your worthiness of being devoured by the legendary Nidhogg. Or, set up an 8P tournament to do the same in an environment that allows the proper amount of yawping and cursing.

The game is now available for PC and Mac via Steam, and PS4 via PSN. Check our coverage here.

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New Blip: Blazing Chrome

Joymasher, the studio behind Oniken (our 2012 Game of the Year) and Odallus: The Dark Call, returns with Blazing Chrome, a run-and-gun inspired by the likes of Contra and Metal Slug. The game can be played alone or with a friend in 2P co-op, with players selecting between a human member of the resistance named Mavra, or a rebel robot named Doyle in the apocalyptic world of 21XX. Players use machine guns, rocket launchers, and lasers to blast grotesque alien and robot creatures with a style very reminiscent of Contra III: The Alien Wars, with its dark cityscapes and barren deserts, angled platforms, the ability to hang and shoot simultaneously, and of course, its stylish detailed bosses.

The game is headed to PC but does not yet have an announced release date.




To find more promising 2D games currently under development, be sure to check out our Master List.

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Target Acquired: Heat Signature

Tom Francis, the developer behind the excellently crazy spy/electrician game Gunpoint, is back with a brand new adventure, this time focusing on infiltrating ships in space with a focus on sneaking up on them by keeping your heat level low… thus the Heat Signature title. As you hurtle through space, you encounter ships, each of which has a radius of sensors looking for heat signatures. By lining up a solid thrust outside of this radius, and minor tweaks within it, you can slide past their sensors unseen and dock with the ship. From there, the game goes on-foot in a top-down perspective, as you infiltrate the ship and attempt to make your way unseen by patrolling guards… or at least unheard as you come up from behind and knock them unconscious. Different objectives include disabling ships and their weapons, killing a specific target, stealing technology, or even taking control of an entire ship.

The game is now on PC via Steam and Humble Store.

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Target Acquired: Silver Grapple

Jamie Rollo, the developer behind the jetpack speedrunner Wave Run has returned with Silver Grapple, a grapple-based actioner that takes place in an underground complex. Some sort of accident has occurred, and the grapple-wielding protagonist finds himself (or herself) trapped in a building complex with several other survivors. The player must repair equipment, activate teleporters, and use some pretty extreme grappling to eventually make his way to the surface. Grappling requires split-second timing to hit jump pads, rocket around corners, and fling yourself through the air with incredible precision... and little room for error. Exploring each area uncovers items that allow for higher jumping, quick respawns, and even the ability to skate across the surface of water.

The game is now available on PC via Steam and Itch.io. Check our coverage here.

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