Set in contemporary São Paulo, visual novel Pivot of Hearts explores the idea that love doesn’t follow a single path. Branching relationships are determined by tarot-based choices, a gameplay mechanic explored in my recent interview with Brazilian developer Dragonroll Studio. The game’s narrative explores love, identity, and the many forms…
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Richly atmospheric, retro-inspired point-and-click adventure game Casebook 1889 – The Leipzig Murders transports players to a chapter of European history that is rarely explored. Set in Germany at the turn of the 20th century, you take on the role of Detective Joseph Kreiser as he investigates a string of murders.…
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I’ve played some great games that use in-game smartphone mechanics; for example, I love 2017’s A Normal Lost Phone. Waiting for Reply brings this type of gameplay to a visual novel format as you interact with the world through your smartphone. Use apps to send messages, check emails, take photos,…
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There is a very fine line between homage and something that is just outright theft of an idea. A good example of the former is Wargroove, which is clearly inspired by Intelligent Systems’ Advance Wars, but has its own identity through storytelling, unit design, features, presentation and so on. On…
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Best known for developing Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, Summerfall Studios has announced unholy roguelite deckbuilder Malys for a 2025 release. No platforms have been announced. The developer has also revealed the pre-launch Kickstarter campaign for Malys, which is expected to launch this month. In the game, you exorcise the…
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It was only a few weeks ago that heartfelt game Hanako’s Flower Shop was announced with a release window of April, and today a specific launch date was pinned down for late this month. The game follows the titular character, a young woman at a crossroads in life. She decides…
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COVID lockdowns broke us all a little bit (or, at least, those of us who endured actual lockdowns). Huddled in our little spaces while we waited for the government to assure us that the threat was passed and we could, again, go out and experience the world. At its core,…
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JRPG-inspired, hand-animated sidescrolling Metroidvania game Fallen Tear: The Ascension now has a release window of early 2026, and a new animated teaser is available. The game is set in the lush lands of Raoah. As the mysterious Hira, players will explore the world while seeking friendly allies. Your new friends…
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The Dark Quest series of games is set to expand this year with Dark Quest 4, a standalone entry that brings players back to the dungeon that feels like a living board game. The turn-based RPG dungeon crawler blends strategy and imagination through unforgettable quests. It is inspired by board…
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There was a brief period of time where the tower defence genre was a big deal and just about everyone was trying to get on board with it, right through to the biggest publishers. It’s easy to understand why – the games are relatively easy to develop, and it’s relatively…
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