This article was originally posted on GamersInBeta.com by CapnMikeM
Sadly, PAX Prime 2014 is over, as all good things must come to an end. The last day was probably one of our best days as we got a chance to step away from the chaos of Triple A titles and for the most part, hang out with the Indies. Here is just a small sampling of some of the cool games we played on our last day in Seattle.
The above audio also features an interview with Jenna Hoffsteen of Little Worlds Interactive. During the course of the interview, we discuss their just released game The Counting Kingdom, which is available on Steam.
Chariot
Dev: Frima Studio
As we mentioned in our piece about our experience at the Microsoft ID@Xbox event, Chariot was a game which immediately caught our attention. On Monday, we got the treat to play co-op with Martin Brouard, who is the Executive Producer at Frima Studio in Quebec, Canada. During the course of our co-op experience, we teamed up to tackle some of the local co-op missions. Together, we guided the chariot over some large maps and some of the smaller maps too. Each time, conquering different levels with physic-based mechanics. For those without a local co-op partner, the game can be played solo. There is no online component at this time.
The 2D couch platformer is set to be released before Christmas of 2014. It will ship with 5 different worlds each with 5 different maps to conquer. It is a large game as Martin estimates it would take someone around 25 hours to “platinum” the game. Other features included in the game are co-op challenges and speed run modes. When Chariot releases for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, it will cost $14.99. A Wii U version will be available shortly after the other platforms launch.
Dragon Fin Soup
Dev: Grimm Bros
The guys over at Grimm Bros clearly have tapped into something with their rogue-like RPG, Dragon Fin Soup. They launched a successful kickstarter which saw them raise over 498% of their intended goal. When we sat down with one of their developers, he proudly expressed the funding came from a previous PAX Prime booth where they showed off a prototype of the game, as well as fans of the developers and good ol’fashioned word of mouth. It probably didn’t hurt that Steam and PlayStation made posts detailing the game as well.
Like previously mentioned this is a rogue-like experience where players will play as an alcoholic bounty hunter for hire named Red Robin. She likes to drink to forget her past, of which she remembers nothing. However, she knows there is something there which is causing her pain. As she completes bounties, more of her memory is restored. Beyond the campaign, there are other modes such as Survival and Endless Labyrinth. In all modes, there is permadeath but in true rogue-like fashion you do get to keep items which you have unlocked.
The game can be played either in a tactical one step-at a time approach or players can freely move about the map. Visually the game is stunning to look at and as the world opens up it somewhat reminded us of Bastion by Supergiant Games. Essentially the game plays like a tactical Hack-n-Slash. There are three different 3 forms of weapons: blunt, pierce, and slash. The weapon layout will be familiar to Diablo players. Crafting is a big part of the game as it will feature over 200 recipes.
Look for Dragon Fin Soup to release either late 2014 or early 2015.
Galak-Z
Dev: 17-Bit Studios
A game in which we have had our eye on since PAX East in 2014, was Galak-Z by 17 Bit Studios, whom you might remember from Skulls of the Shogun. Galak-Z is an open-world rogue-like space shooter reminiscent of classic 80’s games like Defender, Tempest, Asteroids, and Centipede. First thing you’ll notice about the game, especially when you’re smack dab in the middle of some grade-A combat, are how incredible the drop-dead gorgeous visuals are. They’ve taken their artistic cues from classic 80’s anime and upped the 16-bit love into visuals which provide an added depth and dimensional quality that is just staggering to behold.
Galak-Z features the all important procedurally-generated worlds where players will play through scripted missions during the ever-popular rogue-like trappings. 17-Bit has teamed up with AI platform maker named Cyntient. This collaboration has allowed Galak-Z to benefit from advanced AI who will learn the gamer’s play style and adapt a fighting scheme to make every interaction an intense dogfight.
From what we played, it is easy to get caught up in the moment and start blasting your way through the cavernous worlds. However, the skilled pilots who want to be truly successful will learn to balance elements of strategy, stealth and pure piloting skills to take down these intelligent enemies. Some tools you will have at your disposal will be tight precise controls, environmental resources, and a weapons system which can be progressively upgraded.
It is with much anticipation, we longingly wait till the day our inner-80’s space-combat-loving kid-self can play this finely crafted game. Of course, we’d feel more comfortable playing in the sanctity of our own cockpit. When ready for the masses, Galak-Z will be headed to the PS4, PS Vita, and PC.
Moon Hunters
Dev: Kitfox Games
While Moon Hunters was not playable at PAX Prime, we did get a chance to sit down with Tanya X. Short, the Creative Director for Moon Hunters, to talk more Kitfox’s upcoming game. We first learned that Moon Hunters is part of the Square Enix collective. This initiative is to help developers post creative ideas (or pitch) and have the community weigh-in to let developers know if they’re on the right path with their game. Kitfox was in the program during the inaugural stages of this project by Square Enix. Therefore they might have benefited more than some but clearly Moon Hunters is a title which has resonated with prospective gamers. Case in point, right before PAX Prime, Kitfox launched a Kickstarter campaign for Moon Hunters and was fully funded within 50 hours. As of this writing they’re currently 203% funded and there is still three weeks to go. It’s an understatement to stay gamers are interested for this one.
So what is Moon Hunters? According to Tanya, it’s 1-4 co-op action-RPG experience which deals with leaving your mark in the ancient, occult world. Players will set out on an adventure to find out why the moon has stopped rising. During this trek, players will settle into a tribe and from here the game will start to keep track of your actions. Regardless of the choices you make, you will become part of the legacy of your tribe but in order to reach the “pantheon of heroes”, gamers should be prepared to carry out exceptional deeds.
Features of Moon Hunters will include over a hundred locations to explore. During these explorations, players will encounter landmarks which will contain Myths. These myths are the key to your evolving world and character. Besides Myths, other unlockables which are beneficial to your character’s progression are new powers, items, and various creatures.
Tanya gave us a brief time frame for the upcoming events for Moon Hunters. Expect to see the game in Alpha by October or November. Depending on how that goes there will be a beta during Spring of 2015 and hopefully a launch come Summer of 2015. For those interested in learning more about Moon Hunters, click her for their Kickstarter.
Tinertia
Dev: Candescent Games
Think you’re a hardcore platformer? Well try Tinertia and get back to us. Instead of using a jump button, players will use the right stick to fire rockets to propel them around the map. As we watched players attempt this feet, they shot rockets in a downward motion to propel their character upwards or to the side to gain speed. Luckily for us, there is an unlimited supply of ammo or else we would’ve been stranded very early on.
The game takes place on abandoned planet, of which you are trying to escape from so you can reach your home planet. There is one small problem as A.R.C. stands in your way along with bosses and many obstacles. Tinertia is currently in Early Access on Steam. When released it will ship with eight different environments to explore. Each section contains one boss and approximately ten levels. There are three challenge modes beyond the campaign, which are: Speed Run, Rocket, and #YoLo. Progressing through the story and some of the challenges will unlock new skins for your character. Lastly, the game features a leader board and a Ghost replay system, where players can see their friends ghosts on the screen and aim to beat their time. For this feature, think Trials.
Tinertia was released in Early Access on August 19 and currently costs $14.99.
Fight the Dragon
Dev: 3 Sprockets
One of our favorite places at any PAX is the Indie-MINI Megabooth. The culture at these smaller sections inside of the larger Indie MEGABOOTH is one of excitement and honest to goodness DIY marketing. Such was the case as we went to our meeting with Seon the director at 3 Sprockets.
Hoarse from talking for four days straight, Seon explained to us that Fight the Dragon is a hack-n-slash user generated RPG action-adventure game. The game has been in Early Access on Steam since the end of March. When made live on Steam, the team initially created 3 to 5 adventures which became part of one longer campaign. To date, users have created approximately 2500 adventures with over 100 hrs of gameplay. The team is currently implementing updates around every two weeks and are discussing the possibilities with Steam to implement their Workshop feature.
Fight the Dragon features a single player experience, local co-op for two players, and an online component where up to 4 players team up. Missions can be completed in the order which you desire and tend to range in 10-15 mins in length. Smaller missions are geared for the player who can only invest so much time on a daily basis. Multiple adventures can be strung together for a longer play session. For those looking to be a master builder, the game does feature the ability to unlock loot while leveling up characters.
Fight the Dragon will be released sometime later this year; maybe October. 3 Sprockets will be releasing the game on PC, Xbox One, and PS4. The game will feature cross-platform creations; meaning players can experience content from other consoles on their console. To read more about Fight the Dragon, check out their Steam Early Access page.
