Schlagwort: Brocula

  • Indie Selects for May: Games We’ve Played and Think You’ll Love

    Indie Selects for May: Games We’ve Played and Think You’ll Love

    Reading Time: 10 minutes

    The ID@Xbox team had a hard time picking games this month since there were so many great titles to choose from. We ended up selecting a wildly varied set of unique games. We were blown away by a “love letter to retro survival horror,” while at the same time we were immersed in sims that let you do everything from build an aquarium to rebuilding after a war. We’ve also got a retro action platformer, an intense party game and even a cozy vampire life sim.  Here’s the list (in no particular order):

    People say this is a love letter to the classic age of mid-’90s survival horror like Resident Evil and Silent Hill… and that it is – so if that’s your thing, why are you not already playing this? Even if you’re not looking for a jaunt down a haunted memory lane you should still buy a ticket to the macabre, twisted theme park that is Crow Country. It sports vintage, ’90s-style controls but they have been pleasantly updated to remove the, well, most “annoying” aspects of things like tank control. The theme park itself is a wonder to explore, and it’s as delightful as it is terrifying to meet the mutilated inhabitants and guests. The thematically appropriate puzzles are challenging, varied and even occasionally funny, and the soundtrack is amazing. You’ll likely fly through Crow Country in six or so hours, and you’ll love every minute of it.

    Xbox Live

    Crow Country

    SFB Games

    77

    $19.99

    The year is 1990. It’s been two years since the mysterious disappearance of Edward Crow and the abrupt closure of his theme park, Crow Country. But your arrival has broken the silence, Mara Forest. If you want answers, you’ll have to venture deep into the darkness of Crow Country to find them… A survival horror game, where you’ll test yourself against puzzles and riddles as you investigate the eerie tranquility of the abandoned theme park. Don’t be deceived by the whimsical surroundings, something is awfully wrong in Crow Country. As you unlock new areas, backtrack and discover more, you gradually piece together why Edward really shut down his park and where he mysteriously disappeared to. You’ve heard some pretty disturbing rumors, but they couldn’t possibly be true…..right?  For visitors to the park who are more interested in spotting crows and taking in the sights, Exploration Mode allows you to journey on without the fear of being attacked by the mysterious monsters roaming Crow Country. Besides, if you knew what those monsters really are….. Just how far would someone go to follow their ambition? Are some sins too wicked for redemption?  A tale of reckless hubris and human greed, and now at the center of it all… you.  Who are you really, Mara Forest? 

    You’re new in town. Time to get to work. You have to take on part-time jobs, explore the surroundings, meet new people, earn some money, and fix up the old homestead. And by homestead, I mean castle. Did I mention you’re a vampire? You’ve woken up after centuries and it’s time to come into your own as a vampire and secure your legacy. Brocula is a relaxing, cozy game that oozes charm. Building on the life sim experiences of games like Stardew Valley and Moonlighter, the twist of being a vampire while you’re going through life tasks makes Brocula feel fresh and comfortably familiar at the same time.

    Xbox Live

    Brocula

    DESTROYER DOGGO

    14

    $19.99

    Embark on an epic journey as Brocula, a vampire awoken from a 500-year slumber in a world unrecognizable to him. Stripped of his wealth, he must navigate the daunting maze of capitalism, taking on part-time jobs at the local garage, coffee shop, and restaurant to earn a meager living. But that’s not all—his ancestral castle, now in ruins, poses another challenge. Work tirelessly to repair the dilapidated fortress, all while facing the bureaucratic hurdles of reclaiming its ownership from the town’s mayor. Engage in a captivating gameplay loop that revolves around money and societal struggles. Tend to your crops, cultivate a flourishing farm right next to the castle, and sell your harvest for profit. Immerse yourself in the art of fishing, honing your skills to reel in a bountiful catch that can be used for cooking delicious meals. Yet, as a vampire, your responsibilities extend beyond mundane chores. Manage your cult, restoring the once-forgotten church and conducting regular sermons to gather the lifeblood you crave. Venture into the treacherous depths of the everchanging forest, an enigmatic dungeon teeming with monstrous creatures and valuable treasures, ripe for the taking. Experience the rich tapestry of Brocula’s world through stunning visuals showcased in our screenshots and cinematic trailer. Will you rise against the perils of capitalism, reclaim your heritage, and forge your own destiny? Unleash the immortal within and embark on an unforgettable quest!“

    Remember all of those friends you used to have? Before you played Pummel Party? Yeah, this is one of those games. It’s all about destroying your friends, and possibly your friendships. It’s great, though. You can play online or via local co-op in split screen, and you can play against your friends or, once you lose all of your friends, against bots. What makes Pummel Party stand out is the variety of game modes and wacky items you can use, like the Remote Controlled Eggplant, along with all the crazy characters you can choose from. Lots of the mini games are “jump right in” fights with everybody on a single screen, while Board Game Mode mixes up the experience with expanded environments.

    Xbox Live

    Pummel Party

    Rebuilt Games

    33

    $14.99

    Pummel Party is a 4-8 player online and local-multiplayer party game. Pummel friends or AI using a wide array of absurd items in the board mode and compete to destroy friendships in the entertaining collection of minigames. ONLINE AND LOCAL MULTIPLAYER
    Play how you want. Pummel Party allows 1 to 8 players to compete online or 4 players locally on the same screen. Whether it’s online, or in person, it’s all the same friendship ruining fun. BOARD MODE
    There can only be one winner here, and you know it has to be you! Battle through hazardous terrain to acquire an arsenal of weapons and items and employ them however you can to make sure that you reign victorious over your friends. ITEMS
    It’s all out war! Use an array of absurd weapons and objects to claw your way to victory. From the simple ‚Punching Glove‘ to the ridiculous ‚Remote Controlled Eggplant‘ the items in Pummel Party will lead to many funny and rage inducing moments. It’s never been easier or more satisfying to crush your friends aspirations of winning! MINIGAMES
    From simple nostalgic fun to unique and evolutionary Pummel Party contains a wide array of exciting minigames. Knock your friends in to the abyss in ‚Snowy Spin‘, dig three dimensionally in ‚Sandy Search‘ to be the first to find the treasure and make sure you’re not holding the bomb when it goes off in ‚Explosive Exchange‘. MINIGAME MODE
    Just want to jump in to the action? Pummel Party includes a minigame mode so that you can get straight to the games! BOTS
    Already destroyed all your friendships or just need to fill out your roster? Pummel Party includes full bot integration meaning you can still play or practice Pummel Party with any number of real players.

    World War 2 has ended and your job is to re-build. That’s the simple, yet monumental premise of WW2 Rebuilder. Ostensibly a building and architecture sim with “clean up” mechanics, WW2 Rebuilder also lets you delve in to the history and stories of the civilians who lived through the tragic events of the war. While the building game loop is well done, and new building challenges and mechanics are added with each new city you encounter, it’s not designed to be a meticulous and difficult builder. Instead, the gameplay is relatively relaxing, which gives you the space and freedom to really immerse yourself in the world, people and stories.

    Xbox Live

    WW2 Rebuilder

    PlayWay S.A.

    32

    $19.99

    Build the new future of Europe! Flip, renovate, repair and rebuild places destroyed during World War 2. Get to know the history and stories of civilians. Play an immersive building simulator with grappling storytelling. Here is a game about war, in which we do not grab a rifle, but a hammer, and instead of destroying – we create. It’s 1945. It’s the end of World War II, the war that left a mark. Now people like you have to leave their hometowns to rebuild their countries. Motivated by different reasons, they get set on the same quest – to repair and renovate places completely destroyed during the war. BUILDER SIMULATOR THAT TAKES YOU ON A JOURNEY AROUND EUROPE
    Visit monuments and buildings, stumble upon their history and take part in the biggest rebuilding missions. Meet civilians from England, Germany and France and guide them through the process. Through the journey you will collect resources and craft materials to flip houses, repair industrial buildings, roads and squares. Pick up a hummer or a trowel, drive in a bulldozer, become a mechanic and operator of various machines like a crane, drive jeep cars and bicycles. Clean up the area, defuse and get rid of the bombs and design the new look of a place by decorating.

    You’re a knight and, well, you have a candle on top of your head. Never let the light go out! Candle Knight is a 2.5D action platformer that excels at the basics of the genre with really crisp, tight gameplay. But what we loved were the unexpected touches like being able to jump into paintings and explore the surreal worlds within. Beyond the gameplay, Candle Knight is visually stunning right from the start, with fantastic art, music and design that really invites the player to pause and take it all in.

    Xbox Live

    Candle Knight

    JanduSoft

    9

    $12.49

    Wield your flame to overcome menacing creatures lurking in the shadows of a ruined castle, use the dynamic difficulty system to your advantage, traverse challenging platforming sections and solve cryptic puzzles inside surreal paintings in this 2.5D action adventure platformer. Play as an enchanted candle holder trying to restore the light to its home, Do you have what it takes to journey deep into the heart of an abandoned castle? Does your flame represent hope, or will it bring nothing but destruction?

    This game is exactly what the title says. Create and design an aquarium. The “contracts” can be completed quickly and there’s no story to distract you. Instead, it’s a simple, cozy, Zen experience with realistic feeling aquariums, and a wide variety of fish and fixtures. While we loved making and enjoying our aquariums, the real reason we’re recommending this game is that we found it to be as entertaining for our cats as it was for us.  

    Xbox Live

    Aquarium Designer

    RockGame S.A., Games Operators

    4

    $12.99

    Aquarium Designer gives you an opportunity to create the aquarium of your dreams! Become a professional whose job is to design it, build it, and fill it with the various underwater wildlife! All types, all sizes – your creativity is your only limit! Have you ever dreamed about your own aquarium? Do you already have one, but it’s not enough? Or maybe you want to test yourself before having the real fish tank? Aquarium Designer is a game for you! In Aquarium Designer you can design and create realistic fish tanks of various scales – from small fish tanks to large aquariums. Fill them with all the kinds of different aquatic species – angelfish, bettas, goldfish, and many, many more! Aquarium Designer creates an opportunity to make an ideal aquarium and behold your creation! In Aquarium Designer you design the aquariums for the customers and earn money to buy new elements to use in the future! Restaurants, hotels, offices, or even a rich businessman’s residence – every place can benefit from a colorful fish tank teeming of life! Read the client’s design brief, choose the shape and size of the fish tank, then add all the necessary equipment – filters, water conditioners, and air pumps. Throw in some gravel, decorations, and fish and there it is – ready for use! The better you do the more money you earn! Every professional needs some time off! In Aquarium Designer you can enjoy creating your very own fish tank in two creative modes – Casual and Realistic. You can try different configurations and elements, but always remember about the future residents of your fish tank – that means the fish of course! Different species have different needs and require specific conditions. And if anything goes wrong, you can always try again – no animals will be harmed!

    Website: LINK

  • How ID@Xbox is Enabling 8 Global Game Developers to Realize Their Vision

    How ID@Xbox is Enabling 8 Global Game Developers to Realize Their Vision

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    One core mission here at Xbox is ensuring that games can be experienced by players all around the world, and supporting developers on their journey to create incredible experiences is a key part of this goal. This year, ID@Xbox is helping independent studios bring some amazing new titles to Xbox, PC and Game Pass. To celebrate here’s a look at eight exciting upcoming games from the EMEA and APAC regions, and how Xbox is supporting bringing them to life.

    Fallen Tear: The Ascension by Winter Crew (Philippines)

    Get stuck into a fresh take on Metroidvania in Fallen Tear: The Ascension, a 2D JRPG set in a magical, unique world. As Hira, you’ll uncover secrets from your past, battle dangerous beasts, and even defy a god or two along the way! More details on the title are expected soon.

    “As a team debuting our first game, we needed more experience to promote and spread the word about it effectively. ID@Xbox helped us realize that reaching a wider audience is now possible,” says Stephen Manalastas, Founder of CMD Studio. “Our game was created as a love letter to the gaming community, offering a fresh and enjoyable take on the Metroidvania genre. We’re truly grateful for ID@Xbox’s support, as it allows us indie developers to share our passion with the world.” 

    InKonbini by Nagai Industries (Japan)

    Nagai Industries is crafting a wonderful slice-of-life narrative title that places you in the shoes of a small-town convenience worker in 1990s Japan. Stock goods, manage deliveries, and enjoy the tranquil, heart-warming stories you’ll uncover each day. InKonbini is set to release in early 2025.  

    “When you’re an independent developer, your marketing resources are extremely limited, and finding a platform that enables efficient communication with the world of gaming media can be crucial,” says Dima Shen, Founder of Nagai Industries. “We at Nagai Industries have been extremely fortunate to join the selected group of developers allowed to present their projects at ID@Xbox and to have a chance of reaching a wider audience than we have ever aspired to. Not only that, but the way this initiative is designed and handled makes you feel at home right away, and this friendly attitude of everyone involved is what makes it a unique, memorable and an overall positive experience.” 

    Brocula by Destroyer Doggo (India)

    In Brocula, you’ll take on the role of a vampire awoken from a 500 year snooze with a mild problem – the world has changed entirely. You’ll navigate the daunting maze of capitalism to earn your way, and reap the fund to restore your ancestral caste, which is now owned by the town’s major. You can also start a cult! More details on Brocula are coming soon. 

    “As a solo dev it is hard to manage different parts of the game dev cycle. The number of resources shared via ID@Xbox online sessions and webinars is just amazing,” says Prateek Jadhwani, Founder of Destroyer Doggo. “It gives you a new perspective on how much people are working (from the ID@Xbox team) in the background to make your game a success, whether it be in terms of helping you with marketing, development related queries or even helping new developers like me talk to studios who have launched successful titles. I am glad to be a partner at ID@Xbox. Thank you ID@Xbox team for all the help and support!”

    Go-Go Town by Prideful Sloth (Australia)

    Go-Go Town is a quirky, co-op city builder where you’ll take on the role as mayor of a rundown town. Team up with friends to build new shops and businesses, hire staff, but be prepared to take on a number of unpredictable catastrophes along the way. 

    “We’re grateful for the opportunities and support ID@Xbox provides to developers around the world,” says Joel Styles, Co-Founder and Director of Prideful Sloth.  “Their recent digital showcase and GDC showcase events both allowed us to demonstrate Go-Go Town! to the press and public, letting us share our game alongside other amazing indie titles from around the world. These experiences not only help in getting our game noticed but also allow us to connect more deeply with the Xbox community and media. Big thanks to ID@Xbox for their support and love of indies!”

    Still Wakes The Deep by The Chinese Room (UK)

    Horror meets the harsh tides of Scotland in Still Wakes the Deep, a first-person narrative adventure that sees you navigating a collapsing oil rig. Here, you’ll battle with reality and unforeseen carnage as you attempt to save your crew from the depths of the freezing, dark North Sea. The title is coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC and Game Pass on June 18.

    “As creators, we want as many people as possible to play and complete our game,” says Rob McLachlan, Lead Designer at The Chinese Room. “ID@Xbox has already given us the platform and support to bring Still Wakes the Deep to new audiences, which has meant we could take our time and focus on delivering the exact game we set out to make without compromises.”

    Nightscape by Mezan Studios (Qatar)

    What happens when the sky loses its light? This is a query that Nightscape protagonist Layla asks, as she embarks on an enchanting journey to restore the stars. Layla will encounter puzzles and mysterious creatures as she explores a damaged, but atmospheric setting as she explores an ancient Arabian world.

    “Our vision is to establish ourselves as a leading force in the game development landscape of the MENA region,” says Hamad K, Creative Director at Mezan Studios. “This ambition wouldn’t have been attainable without the invaluable trust and support extended by the remarkable team at ID@Xbox.

    “Their genuine understanding of our objectives and empathetic engagement has been pivotal. Working with the Global Expansion Team not only facilitated our selection at Tribeca but also unlocked funding, mentorship opportunities, enhanced our credibility, and significantly boosted visibility for our debut project, Nightscape, which is currently under development. We are immensely excited and thankful to be on this transformative journey. Special shoutout to Chloé Giusti and Temi Afolabi who have been instrumental in getting us this far!”

    Jump Ship by Keepsake Games (Sweden)

    Take to the cosmos in Jump Ship, a mission-based PvE FPS where you’re in charge of your own spaceship. Spend time on the ship and get stuck into space battles or find a planet to land on and explore for those much-needed upgrades. 

    ID@Xbox gave us the opportunity to fully reveal our debut game,” says Filip Coulianos, Game Director at Keepsake Games. “We’re grateful that Xbox allowed us to showcase Jump Ship alongside other great indie titles, and cannot wait to reveal more as we approach the release.”

    Botany Manor by Balloon Studios (UK)

    Botany Manor is a serene puzzle game that already bloomed into Xbox Series X|S earlier this week. Spend your days on the estate of retired botanist Arabella Greene and her vast collection of rare and interesting plants. To restore the grounds to their former glory, you’ll need to uncover notes and items scattered around the grounds for tips and clues that’ll help you bring these long-forgotten plants to life again. A perfect game for green thumbs. 

    “For me personally, ID@Xbox gave me a huge confidence boost as creative director on Botany Manor,” says Laure De Mey, Founder of Balloon Studios. “Being part of Game Pass, being included in showcases and having Xbox’s continuous support felt incredibly validating, and allowed me to really believe in the core vision of the game.” 

    Website: LINK