Quick reflexes and brute strength will only get you so far in the brawls of Forestrike. This Devolver-published rougelike of pixel art punishment was announced last summer and has been quietly meditating in a bush somewhere ever since. But this week the developers released a demo in which you can practice the flowing dodges and sneaky turnarounds of the “Leaf” school (a style of fighting from one of five masters planned to appear in the full game). As the fighty boy of RPS, I’ve had a go. It’s quite the satisfying little bruiser. Imagine if someone demade Sifu with retro graphics and wisdomously advised you that the brain hits harder than the hand.
After some vague rumblings earlier in the week, Nintendo has only gone and announced another Direct presentation for this Thursday, 27th March 2025.
While we await the big Switch 2 blowout next week, this one will focus on games for the original Switch, clocking in at roughly 30 minutes in length. Nintendo, as expected, hasn’t given any indication as to what we can expect from the presentation beyond saying that Switch 2 won’t feature. Given that it’s neither a Partner Showcase nor an Indie World, though, it’s safe to assume that some first-party games will be there.
Introducing More In-Game Benefits for Free-to-Play Games with Game Pass
Steve MaslineProduct Marketing Manager, Xbox
Starting this week, we’re rolling out even more value to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members with in-game benefits for free-to-play games.
Members will get items like cosmetics, characters, in-game currency, and more for additional games, including Heroes of the Storm, Naraka: Bladepoint, and The Finals. Plus, we’re adding even more benefits starting in April 2025, like Call of Duty: Warzone and Enlisted. With seasonal content drops, members always have new benefits to look forward to.
These new additions expand upon existing in-game benefits, including unlocking the full roster of champions in League of Legends, six skins in Overwatch 2, all Agents in Valorant, and more. Whether it’s customization, personalization, or progression, players get even more from Game Pass.
To access all these in-game benefits, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members just need to log in with their Xbox profile or link their Xbox profile with each game’s account. Then, simply launch the game with Xbox on PC or console and your extra benefits will be available in-game. For Game Pass Ultimate members, these benefits will be available when playing with Xbox across cloud, console and PC.
New In-Game Benefits Coming to Game Pass
Starting this week, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members will have access to in-game benefits for the following games:
Heroes of the Storm (PC) – Link your Battle.net account In this realm between realms, anything is possible – play and unlock 30 Heroes from across Blizzard Entertainment’s universes as we welcome you to the Nexus!
Naraka: Bladepoint (Cloud, Console, and PC)– Use your Xbox profile to log in Unlock all heroes, exclusive Xbox headgear, and the Phoenix Princess Pack (Justina Gu).
Smite 2 (Console and PC) – Link your account Unlock the exclusive High Velocity Hecate Skin, 5 gods (Ares, Anhur, Hecate, Hercules and Nemesis), the OP Title, and GG Emote with the Smite 2 Welcome Pack.
The Finals (Xbox Series X|S and PC) – Link your Embark ID Unlock the Stryker Grid Set, sponsored by Ivada, featuring a full outfit, three weapon skins, a charm, and a 25% boost to Match XP. Players also unlock 500 Multibucks when they claim their prize!
We’ll be bringing even more in-game benefits for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members regularly. Starting in April 2025, players will get access to in-game benefits for the following titles:
Asphalt Legends Unite
Call of Duty: Warzone
Enlisted
War Thunder
Plus, Don’t Miss These Existing In-Game Benefits
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can also take advantage of existing benefits for Overwatch 2, League of Legends, Valorant, and more when they link their Xbox account.
Genshin Impact (Console) – Link your HoYoverse account Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 2 will unlock the “Wings of Fate’s Course Intertwined” as a gift in their in-game mailbox upon logging into Genshin Impact on Xbox. Plus, unlock Intertwined Fate ×2, Northlander Billet Trove ×1, Hero’s Wit ×10, Mora ×100,000, and Mystic Enhancement Ore ×15.
League of Legends (PC) – Link your Riot account Unlock all 160+ champions, get day one access to new champions, and enjoy a 20% XP Boost to account leveling.
Legends of Runeterra (PC) – Link your Riot account Unlock all cards in the Foundations Set.
Overwatch 2 (Console and PC) – Link your Battle.net account Unlock six skins, including Cardboard Reinhardt and Turtleship D.Va! Plus, you’ll get a one-time grant of 30 Mythic Prisms, and a 10% XP boost with access to Shop cosmetics from the past three seasons (excludes Battle Pass, Collab, Mythic, and other Promotional content).
Teamfight Tactics (PC) – Link your Riot account Unlock 1-Star Rare Little Legend Tacticians and 1 skin on a monthly rotation.
Valorant (Console and PC) – Link your Riot account Unlock all Agents, get day-one access to new Agents, and enjoy a 20% Match XP Boost to Battle Pass, Event Pass, and active Agent Contract progress.
In-game Benefits Are Getting Easier to Find
Starting this week, we’re making it even easier for players to discover the in-game benefits available with their Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass memberships.
Launch Xbox on PC, navigate to the Game Pass tab and click “More Benefits”, or navigate to a participating game’s page to see available in-game benefits.
Getting Started
Step 1: Become a Game Pass member Join Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass to get in-game benefits for some of the biggest free-to-play games.
Step 2: Link your Xbox profile Launch a participating game and sign in with your Xbox profile, or navigate to a participating game’s website and link your Xbox profile with your game account.
Step 3: Claim your benefits with Xbox on PC or console Launch the participating game with Xbox on PC or console and your benefits will be available in-game.
We can’t wait to see how you customize, personalize, and progress with Game Pass. Be the first to learn about future updates by looking for the “Coming Soon to Game Pass” announcements on Xbox Wire.
To learn more about eligibility for these benefits, players can reference the table below:
Protect the streets of Detroit, survive a family of horror icons, and turn digital detective with April’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup. RoboCop: Rogue City, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory will be available to PlayStation Plus members from April 1.
Let’s take a closer look at the games.
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RoboCop: Rogue City | PS5
Become the legendary part man, part machine, all cop hero and bring justice to the dangerous, crime-ridden streets of Old Detroit. With your powerful Auto-9 or one of a range of weapons available, eradicate criminals throughout this explosive first-person adventure. Your cyborg strength and cybernetic abilities can be upgraded as you progress, to make you an even more formidable law enforcement officer.
Explore open areas and complete your objectives according to your own sense of justice. Finding evidence, interrogating suspects and maintaining public order are just some of your daily tasks as a police officer. But don’t take decisions lightly: your choices can determine the fate of citizens and the result of your mission. Your investigation leads you right into the heart of a shadowy conspiracy in an original story that takes place between RoboCop 2 and 3, with striking locations to explore and familiar faces to meet. Peter Weller, the original RoboCop actor, is even back on duty to voice the cybercop.
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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre | PS4, PS5
Take on the role of one of the notorious Slaughter family, or their victims, in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a third-person asymmetrical horror experience based on the groundbreaking and iconic 1974 horror film. As a victim you must use your wits and stealth to stay out of the Family’s reach and find the tools you need to lead to your eventual freedom. Slaughter Family players must seek out, track down, and stop their guests from escaping. Players of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre can finally find out if they have what it takes to survive.
After being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Keisuke Amazawa has no choice but to dive into the Digital World and investigate to prove his innocence. Even if that means joining a group of hackers and helping them to solve the troubles threatening this mysterious universe. Discover the mysterious backstory to the events that happened in Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth as you dive into a deeper and darker adventure, at crossroads between real and digital and experience the perfect mix between Adventure, Raising and Battle with over 320 Digimon to discover.
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on April 1 until May 5.
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Last chance to download March’s games
PlayStation Plus members have until March 31 to add Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sonic Colors: Ultimate and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection to their game library.
Ever since the upcoming DLC for Lies of P, Overture, was announced, fans have been speculating about what mysteries it might contain. And at the Game Developers Conference last week, IGN learned at least one mystery it won’t explain: the base game’s buck-wild twist of a final cutscene.
For those who haven’t yet finished Lies of P, here’s the spoiler-free version: there’s a cutscene that plays at the end of the game that seems to suggest where Neowiz might be taking the Lies of P universe next. It’s a pretty wild twist of a scene, which has left fans speculating how it might be implemented and whether we’ll get an explanation in the DLC. However, Lies of P director Jiwon Choi confirmed that this cutscene isn’t DLC-related. All he’d say beyond that was, “Please stay tuned for additional announcements in the future.”
Neowiz has already announced a full-blown sequel to Lies of P, which means it’s likely this cutscene is instead related to that. But we don’t really know any details about Lies of P 2 either, just that it’s being worked on. And Choi wouldn’t share any sequel hints in our chat with him, either.
“What I can certainly tell you is when we share such news or media and assets with you, you’ll know for sure that we are ready to present it to you. And that follows very our strict focus on quality [amid] all the pressure that we talked about in the past. So that is the one promise that I can share with you, that when we actually share those contents with you and the news, we will be ready to share that with you.”
SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE ENDING OF LIES OF P. READ BELOW THE VIDEO AT YOUR OWN RISK.
The scene we’re referring to that we asked Choi about is, of course, the Dorothy scene. We wrote about this in detail here, but the short version is that the game’s final cutscene depicts Paracelcus speaking to someone on the phone, eventually mentioning that he will “find her, for sure. Another key of ours: Dorothy.” We’re then shown the unmistakable striped sock legs and ruby slippers of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, suggesting that whatever comes next for Lies of P, it will tie into other public domain “fairy tales”. But we still don’t know how or why, and we now also know it won’t be in Overture.
SPOILERS END HERE.
We did manage to glean a few hints about what will be in the DLC. Choi recommends that while they want for Overture, Lies of P fans should replay the base game, as there are clues in the world of the game already that suggest what might be coming:
“When you play through the base game again, you’ll see many hints that we scattered throughout the whole experience,” Choi said. “A lot of hints and a lot of windows into the world, and you’ll be able to actually see that and experience that in expansion…There are many things that I actually wanted to accomplish when we were working on the base game. It didn’t get put into the base game, and all of that, at least key elements of that are going to be included in expansion.”
He adds that some fans are already onto Neowiz’s tricks, saying that he regularly reads fan theories online and that “some of them are quite close.”
We also learned a few other tidbits: Choi told us that the DLC should take roughly between 15-20 hours to complete “for experienced players” and will become available to players once they’ve passed a “certain” chapter of the game, and then accessible all the way to the end. And we know from the game’s announcement that the DLC is technically a “prequel”, with the main character getting transported back in time to Krat just before its fall. The DLC will feature new locations, new enemies and bosses, new characters, and new weapons – though again, Choi was keen on keeping the details on these a surprise for the release.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Looking to dominate the court with Basketball: Zero codes? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve searched for all active working codes for the Roblox experience, so you don’t have to. Redeem these for a range of bonuses that include Lucky Spins and cash, helping you swish your way to victory.
Working Basketball: Zero Codes (March 2025)
Below, you’ll find a list of all the currently active Basketball: Zero codes we’ve found as of this month:
1MLIKES – 3x Lucky Style spins, 3x Lucky Zone Spins
400KWOW – 1x Lucky Style Spin, 15,000 Money
All Expired Basketball: Zero Codes
Time’s up on these codes, unfortunately. As of this month, the following codes no longer work:
100KW
WCHROLLO
How to Redeem Basketball: Zero Codes
First, you’ll need to like and join the Basketball: Zero group on Roblox to be able to use codes
Then, load up the Basketball: Zero Roblox experience
In the bottom right corner of the screen, you’ll find the codes button. It’s purple with a gift box icon.
Copy your code and paste it into the box
Press redeem and claim your bonuses!
Why Isn’t My Basketball: Zero Code Working?
Typically, when a code stops working, it’s just because it’s expired. However, plenty of codes for Roblox experiences are also case-sensitive. So, it might be that you’ve typed it incorrectly. Whether a code has been entered incorrectly in Basketball: Zero, or it’s expired, you’ll see a pop-up saying “code doesn’t exist.”
To avoid using an incorrect code, we’d recommend copying them directly from this article and pasting them into the code box. We test them all before we add them to the article, so you can be certain that if it’s on here, it’s a valid code. Just be sure to check you haven’t added a sneaky extra space in there when copying it over.
How to Get More Basketball: Zero Codes
We check for codes on a daily basis, so if there’s a new code, you’ll be able to find it in this article. If you want to search for them yourself, however, you can head over to the Basketball: Zero Discord server.
What is Basketball: Zero in Roblox?
It’s no surprise that in Basketball Zero, you’ll be playing… basketball. The fast-paced 5v5 game will see you dribbling the ball across the court to face opponents and try to score as many points as possible. By unlocking new styles and zones, you’ll earn a range of atheles and bonuses that will give you special advantages. The Flash, for example, has excellent speed and agility, while the Star athelete can leap like no other. Redeeming the codes above will give you chances at Lucky Spins, which unlock the Styles and Zones, while the cash will enable you to unlock emotes and goal effects, to really celebrate the wins.
Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.
If you didn’t already know it, Honor of Kings is one of the most played games in the world. Taking the number one spot in the Chinese MOBA charts, the TiMi Group is taking its free-to-play characters – and world – in a new direction with Honor of Kings: World. While its scale and monetization screech in dissonance, its flashy combat, diverse roster of playable classes, and multiplayer-flexible modes do carry some promise.
During my half-hour-long hands-on with Honor of Kings: World at Tencent’s GDC booth, I took some time to toy around with a couple of World’s different classes, take on a boss inspired by Chinese folklore, and see a brief glimpse of the story.
Although it boasts many of the same characters as its mobile MOBA predecessor, Honor of Kings: World is no MOBA. Instead, it’s a class-driven action game – for PC as well as mobile, by the way – with the kind of over-the-shoulder, action-driven combat you might expect from something like Genshin Impact. But rather than locking mechanics or gameplay behind randomized drops like in MiHoYo’s game, Honor of Kings offers players different classes to choose from. And while the same overall control scheme unifies each class – a dodge, three standard abilities, and an ultimate of sorts – the roster of different classes struck me as fairly diverse, each with its own abilities and special perks.
Honor of Kings: World is no MOBA. Instead, it’s a class-driven action game – for PC as well, by the way.
Usually, you’ll be able to play with two separate classes, though sometimes you might need to stick with just one for story purposes. It seems like TiMi’s put a lot of effort into the dual-class system, allowing you to switch between the two during combat. The most interesting example they showed during my demo was starting a long, multiple-attack combo and switching characters once the target was launched into the air to extend a combo. It kind of reminded me of a tag system in a fighting game.
With 11 different classes in the demo I played, I’m certain there are tons of different combinations and ways to style on your opponent. But since this was my first time playing, I looked for balance above all else: I stuck with an even-keeled loadout, using a sword-wielding class for my primary role and a ranged gunner for the second. The two nicely filled in gaps left by the other during my attempt at a boss fight: I’d lay down fire using the gunner’s active reload mechanic to improve my damage and rate of fire when the boss was spitting out attacks in a frenzy, making sure to dodge the occasional flaming projectile and then rush him down with my sword, laying on the damage with a vengeance.
This swapping was easily my favorite part of the demo. I enjoyed hammering away at the boss’s stance meter, breaking his stance, and shooting the gunner’s R ability as I closed the distance, swapping to my sword class, and unleashing a devastating ultimate attack of sorts to juice every second from the boss’ temporarily weakened state.
Taking the boss down to a certain point also revealed an interesting story beat that eventually led to me playing as a completely separate character from the pre-built avatar provided for the demo. TiMi didn’t offer much information on how frequently to expect this kind of change, only that it would happen from time to time. The demo took place somewhere closer to halfway through Honor of Kings: World’s runtime, opening up my two classes’ skill trees just enough for me to have some fun with them without overcomplicating its combat.
The boss itself was a giant monkey character with various different masks, with a personality and attacking style for each. According to the developer leading my demo, this mechanic has its roots in a traditional style of Chinese theater called Bian lian. One mask might see him spitting fire in a massive area of effect on the map, while another might see him throw around a few melee attacks. I loved this melding of culture, history, and story with a gameplay mechanic.
Aside from briefly seeing another journalist in my demo in a hub area before the tutorial, I didn’t have a chance to check out any of World’s multiplayer offerings. TiMi showed a few clips of four-person squads crawling dungeons and taking on bosses before our demo, but teased something that sounded more like an MMO. That part is still a work in progress, so they didn’t share much beyond acknowledging that there would be a bigger scale multiplayer mode in the full game, so I’m curious to see what that looks like given my demo’s single-player scope.
I left the demo concerned about monetization.
Before the demo, one of TiMi’s developers walked me through some of World’s premise and setup, saying that Honor of Kings: World was a gift of sorts to the MOBA’s loyal fanbase that’s propelled it to massive success in the ten years since its launch. True as that may be, I left the demo concerned about monetization.
When another journalist asked about how TiMi plans to make money with Honor of Kings: World, the developer leading our session gave a concerning answer. “The game’s gonna be based around social, so outfits and stuff,” they said.
On its own, funding a free-to-play game with cosmetics isn’t necessarily a problem – especially since the developers made it clear that there wouldn’t be any pay-to-win – but given Honor of Kings: World’s scale, with flashy cutscenes, tons of playable characters, and epic boss fights, I can’t help but feel concerned about whether or not World’s model is financially sustainable, regardless of whether or not it’s based on one of the most successful games of the century.
Honor of Kings: World undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of it, provided TiMi can stick to its promise of giving fans of its MOBA hit a celebration worthy of its success. Even though I’m still a little worried about the amount of microtransactions that Honor of Kings: World could potentially need to fund its high production value, I still had a ton of fun dodging the big primate’s swings.
Grit & Valor – 1949 is the tale of an alternate timeline in which the Nazis got hold of mechs and promptly overran the British Isles. As Nic semi-alluded last year, you could summarise the game itself as the product of a timeline in which the people behind Wolfenstein: The New Order decided to make Into the Breach instead. Except that it isn’t quite as deviously made, based on the demo, and it isn’t turn-based. Ah, I do kind of wish it was turn-based.
A Nintendo Direct presentation has been confirmed for Thursday, 27th March 2025 at 2pm GMT / 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm CET / 12am AET (Fri) focused solely on Switch games.
That’s right, there will be no information provided for the Switch 2 folks, we’ll need to wait until 2nd April for that one. Instead, we’ll be graced with 30 minutes of announcements for OG Switch titles, likely including the highly-aniticpated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Indie Selects for March 2025: Spring Into Your Next Adventure
Raymond Estrada, Joe Olk, Steven AllenID@Xbox Life Coaches
The year is flying by, and March came through with the heavy hitters – and inevitably that means you’re hit with decision paralysis. Believe me, we’ve all been there. There’s a lot of great games out there and it can be hard to hear the call to adventure amongst all the chatter. Don’t you worry, the ID@Xbox team have handpicked six Indie Selects that will kickstart your next big adventure.
Be warned: some of these daring escapades are more than meets the eye. You may uncover a demon world or two, find heroism in a little slimeball, or you might find that diving into personal grief and trauma could be its own harrowing, cathartic and surprisingly melodic adventure. Don’t ask questions, just take a leap of faith and raid some tombs with us, because March Selects are calling! Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):
Don’t Nod, the creators of the OG Life is Strange, return to the narrative adventure genre to deliver a tale of four young girls who experience an unforgettable summer filled with coming-of-age hijinks… and something more inexplicable. That mystery thread of “what happened?” kickstarts a current day reunion of friends piecing together their adolescence to resolve what exactly transpired during that fateful summer – an experience still affecting them now. This is the first chapter, with a second installment arriving in mid-April.
I loved the original Life is Strange series with its young adult angst, ennui, and sci-fi reality bending. It made those classic, outsized teenage “the world is ending!” dilemmas 100% literal in the case of protags Max and Chloe. Don’t Nod revisit that vibe but find a way to ratchet up the stakes and vagaries that surround the journey of Swann and her childhood friends by taking the “teens in trouble” trope and toeing the line in urgency between the feel-goodness of an all-girls’ Goonies and the not-so-feel-goodness of Showtime’s ‘Yellowjackets’.
The nerdy, always camcorder-ing Swann navigates shyness and her pending move out of small-town America via narrative, choice-based relationship building in a way that punched a familiar knot of dread in my tummy, no matter whether it was the threats of bullies or otherworldly situations. But throughout, the script, VO, and attention to circa-1995 details do wonders in grounding the experience of pre-social media adolescence. I’m now very excited for the second chapter to drop, not least for the amazing, period-perfect soundtrack (a Don’t Nod specialty). One serious Cocteau Twins needle drop may just have ’80s and ’90s shoegaze kids digging deep into their 4AD record label era – a throwback I’m still luxuriating in.
Rewind back to the 90s and live the defining summer of four high school girls as they forge bonds through their growing friendship, their punk band, and an unexplained event that will forever change their lives.
Experience the story in two thrilling parts! Tape 1, “Bloom”, launches February 18 and Tape 2, “Rage”, launches April 15. “Rage” will become available as a free downloadable update when it is released.
A 27-YEAR PROMISE
Navigate between dual timelines and shape both narratives – in 1995 and 2022 – with each offering a piece of the larger puzzle: the life-changing secrets they uncovered back then and why they’re reuniting now, after all these years. Together, in this place, they’re forced to try and remember clearly the fateful memories that have eluded them for the past 27 years.
CAPTURE & CONNECT
Connect with your newfound sisterhood through lifelike interactions and conversations that feel real: engage in immersive dialogue that changes based on where you look and what you say; where you can do things like interrupt and ignore. Grab your camcorder and explore, filming Velvet Cove and capturing the essence of its people, places, and lush nature. Film just for the fun of it or try to find the dark secrets tucked away.
GIRLS TO THE FRONT
Play as Swann and get to know your new friends, each with their own lives and battles. Come out of your shell and embrace rebellion over the summer as you form friendships with Nora, Autumn, and Kat. Through your actions and words, you’ll shape your relationships with each of them on your journey to self-discovery. Will your bond wither over the years or will it feel like you were barely separated at all?
A NOSTALGIC DREAMSCAPE
In a picturesque corner of Michigan in 1995 lies the seemingly sleepy little town of Velvet Cove. Between dense woodlands and serene lakes, it’s a place where beauty meets the bizarre. Cloaked in a carefully crafted dreampop soundtrack that blends nostalgia and ethereal vibes, you’ll definitely find it all nice and relaxing…
A celestial mystery filled with demonic delights and heavenly bodies; Sorry We’re Closed is an absolute treat. You play as Michelle, a lonely shopkeeper working in an odd London neighborhood with a bizarre and colorful cast of characters. Her reality cracks after a harrowing visit from a sleep-paralysis demon who is infatuated with Michelle’s heartache. And from there, all hell breaks loose (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist).
This retro-style survival horror is inspired by the halcyon days of the genre and utilizes its classic fixed camera angle. For the uninitiated, this can take some getting used to. While this design choice can initially seem limiting, it offers a more cinematic and thoughtfully paced experience, which is crucial for quality mystery storytelling. But it’s not all old-school, as the developers at À La Mode Games have added a twist in the form of first-person combat. You’ll need to switch into firs-person mode on the fly, while using your demonic third eye to stun demons and exploit their weak hearts. This becomes a delicate balance – while you’re in first-person mode, Michelle is unable to move, adding a layer of tension and strategy to the combat that kept it feeling engaging.
Where things really start cooking are the incredible art style and stellar soundtrack. The combination of classic graphics and painterly character art make this a beautiful blend of old and new, while the soundtrack features catchy hip-hop and hauntingly chill beats, with a menu theme that I left on in the background for hours while I was working. Seriously, it’s on right now.
If you find yourself in the mood for some retro-horror and quality storytelling, Sorry We’re Closed is an absolute must play.
Sorry We’re Closed is an eccentric story-driven survival horror game about angels and demons that mixes fixed-camera exploration and arcade-style shooting. Michelle must use her Third Eye to see between worlds and uncover secrets.
Follow the final days of Michelle as she battles to break the curse placed on her by a powerful archdemon looking for love. Help (or hinder!) the lives of curious residents in Michelle’s bustling London borough as she pursues freedom from her own untimely demise.
Sorry We’re Closed is a fusion of nostalgic survival horror with a new perspective on combat, combining atmospheric environments with fixed-camera angles and the thrill of arcade-style first person shooting. Collect items and manage resources to help Michelle survive. Optional tank controls are available for those who enjoy the classic survival horror experience.
Michelle’s time is split between the perilous demon world and mingling with the locals on her residential street. Everyone’s battling their own inner demons and through Michelle you can help guide them. Multiple endings are available through RPG-style dialogue interactions with the extravagant cast.
Have you ever played a game that felt like it was speaking directly to your soul? Afterlove EP is one of those gems. It’s a unique blend of visual novel, narrative adventure, and rhythm game set in the bustling city of Jakarta, Indonesia. You step into the shoes of Rama, an indie band frontman who’s grieving the loss of his girlfriend, Cinta. From the moment you start, you’re drawn into his world of sorrow and hope.
The game kicks off a year after Cinta’s death, and Rama has pretty much isolated himself from his bandmates and life in general. Your mission? Help Rama navigate his grief, reconnect with his bandmates, and prepare for a comeback show that could change everything. Sounds intense, right?
Over the course of 28 in-game days, you guide Rama through various activities. Each day brings new opportunities to mend neglected relationships, form new ones, pick up your guitar, and get ready for that critical gig! The choices you make will shape Rama’s journey, leading to branching storylines and multiple endings. And who likes rhythm game elements? This guy! They add a real interactive layer to the narrative, letting you immerse yourself in the music and emotions that drive Rama’s story (fair warning: you may want to bring tissues).
The game’s art style is a splendid recreation of 21st Century Jakarta, with vibrant hand-drawn visuals that bring the city to life. As you explore the streets, you’ll encounter bustling markets, serene parks, and lively cafes, each contributing to the immersive experience. The soundtrack, composed by Indonesian musicians, enhances the emotional impact of the game. The melodies resonate with Rama’s feelings, creating a powerful connection between you and the character.
Playing Afterlove EP was a profoundly personal experience. As I joined Rama through his emotional journey, I found myself reflecting on my own experiences with loss and recovery. The game’s deep narrative and rhythm elements work together to create a captivating and emotionally resonant experience. If, like me, you enjoy games like Florence, which also combines narrative and rhythm elements, you’ll find Afterlove EP equally compelling. It’s a testament to the raw power of indie games to tell deeply personal and emotionally impactful stories. If you haven’t played it yet, now is the perfect time to dive into the melodic world of Afterlove EP and experience this emotional journey for yourself.
Taking place in the vibrant city of Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, Afterlove EP is a blend of visual novel, narrative adventure and rhythm game from the creator of Coffee Talk and What Comes After.
Step into the shoes of Rama, a young musician struggling to move on with life after the death of their girlfriend, Cinta.
Whilst his close friends and bandmates are all determined to help him move on, Rama has been stuck for more than a year. He’s neglecting his music, his mental health and his relationships.
Making things harder, he’s hearing Cinta’s voice inside his head, unsure if she is a spirit or part of his imagination.
Now he has just one month to get it together!
Rama’s band has a critical gig in one month’s time. Either he gets serious about his music and delivers the new songs he has been promising or the band will move on without him.
KEY FEATURES
• An emotional new story from the creator of Coffee Talk and What Comes After.
• Set in a vibrant and authentic recreation of modern day Jakarta, Indonesia
• A blend of narrative adventure, visual novel and rhythm game elements – explore, talk, jam out!
• Multiple endings and story paths – over 28 days and nights, it will be your choices that determine the path Rama takes.
• Featuring the distinctive art of renowned Indonesian indie-manga artist, Soyatu.
• Featuring an original soundtrack from popular Indonesian band, L’alphalpha.
If you’re a fan of action-adventure games, the Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered collection has got to be on your list. This collection brings together three classic titles from the iconic series, beautifully remastered for modern platforms by indie publisher and developer Aspyr. These games follow the adventures of Lara Croft, the fearless archaeologist, as she explores ancient tombs, solves intricate puzzles, and battles formidable foes. The genre is a perfect blend of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving, offering a rich and immersive experience.
I remember the first time I played Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (Tomb Raider IV). The sense of wonder and excitement as I guided Lara through the ancient ruins of Egypt was unparalleled. The remastered version has only enhanced that experience, with graphics that would have stunned me back then, and improved controls that make the gameplay smoother and more enjoyable. It’s like revisiting an old friend, but with a fresh new look.
Tomb Raider Chronicles (Tomb Raider V) and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (Tomb Raider VI) continue Lara’s adventures, each with its unique storyline and challenges. Chronicles offers a series of flashback missions that delve into Lara’s past adventures, while The Angel of Darkness introduces a more mature narrative. Both games have been given a new lease on life with the remastered collection, making them accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
If you enjoy games like Assassin’s Creed, the new Indiana Jones, or Prince of Persia, you’ll find a lot to love here. The gameplay mechanics and storytelling are reminiscent of these titles, but with Lara Croft’s unique flair that made her an iconic character in the first place.
I’ve spent countless hours exploring every nook and cranny of these games, and I can confidently say that they are worth every minute. The learning curve is there, but it’s part of what makes the experience so rewarding. Whether you’re a seasoned Tomb Raider fan or new to the series, this collection offers a fantastic journey through time and adventure.
Play the next series of Tomb Raider adventures in this remastered collection of the Darkness Trilogy.
Included Game Titles
-Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation – Lara Croft discovers the lost tomb of the Egyptian God Set, unwittingly unleashing him and fulfilling an ancient prophecy—one that plunges mankind into darkness.
-Tomb Raider: Chronicles – Following the events of The Last Revelation, Lara Croft is buried in an Egyptian tomb and is presumed dead. At her memorial, those closest to her reminisce about secrets from her past.
-Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness – Accused of murder, Lara becomes a fugitive on the run, while uncovering a sinister conspiracy involving alchemical experiments and the search for ancient artifacts.
Key Features
See the Classic & Remastered Visuals: Play with the original polygonal models or swap to the remastered graphics at any time
Travel the Globe: Follow Lara Croft around iconic locales including Cairo, Rome, Paris, and many more
Experience Lara’s Darkest Adventures: Uncover the secrets of Lara Croft’s past and shed light on the mystery of her disappearance
Looking for a familiar genre with an unexpected twist? Then you need to check out Ultros. This game is a vibrant, psychedelic journey through a cosmic landscape known as The Sarcophagus. It’s a unique blend of Metroidvania and roguelite genres, offering a fresh and captivating experience.
During my first run through I was struck by the visuals, which were both immediately captivating and almost hallucinogenic. The art style was unlike anything I’d seen before. Navigating through The Sarcophagus felt like I was on a trippy space ride, uncovering secrets and battling bizarre creatures. Ultros isn’t just about its stunning visuals, though. The gameplay is engaging, with a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. The world is easy to get lost in, but that’s part of the charm. The game’s big differentiator is a time-loop mechanic, which adds an intriguing layer to the gameplay, making each run feel fresh and challenging. The learning curve is there, but it’s what makes the game so rewarding.
If you enjoy Xbox games like Ori and the Blind Forest or Hollow Knight, you’ll find a lot to love in Ultros. The gameplay mechanics and storytelling are reminiscent of these titles, but with a unique psychedelic flair. This game just grabs you and won’t let go, as I am still exploring every corner of this game, and believe me, it’s worth every minute. Whether you’re a seasoned Metroidvania fan or new to the genre, Ultros offers a fantastic and visually stunning adventure that just feels right.
Set in a world where slimes are the heroes, not the villains (for once), Slime Heroes is a delightful 3D action-adventure debut from indie studio Pancake Games. This whimsical game combines elements of RPG and puzzle-solving, seeing you take control of an adorable, customizable slime on a grand adventure to save the Slime Kingdom from impending doom.
I was hooked. It felt like reconnecting with an old friend, reminiscent of the classic games from a bygone era. The vibrant, colorful graphics and whimsical soundtrack immediately drew me in. The gameplay is a perfect blend of open-world exploration and deceptively formidable combat—think of it as a cute version of Dark Souls. There’s an abundance of challenges and fun to be found here. You must think on your feet to survive and make it to the checkpoints, all while enjoying the lighthearted, gooey antics of your slime kingdom, which has been overtaken by mysterious corruption.
One of the things I personally love about this game is the sense of progression. As you advance through the game, you’ll encounter a variety of enemies, and upon defeating them, you’ll unlock their unique skills and special powers. This keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, as you’re constantly discovering new ways to tackle challenges. Plus, the game has a charming storyline that keeps you invested throughout your adventure.
If you’re a fan of games like Dark Souls or the Zelda series, you’ll feel right at home with Slime Heroes. The game strikes a perfect balance between being accessible to newcomers and offering depth for seasoned gamers. It’s easy to pick up, but mastering the various slime abilities and strategies will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, this game has some gooey-ness for everyone.
Journey with your fellow slimes to save the ancient guardians from a mysterious corruption taking over the land. Explore a whimsical world filled with secret passageways, challenging puzzle dungeons, and forgotten treasures. Consume special gems and dynamically combine them to create unique magical skills. Level up and fight back against the corrupted minions to restore the land.
Dynamic Abilities
-Collect an arsenal of skill gems consumed from defeated corrupted creatures.
-Dynamically mix skill gems to craft unique skill sets at any time.
-Discover all the different types of enemies to complete your gem collection.
Co-Op
-Jump into your friends’ game at any time and drop right into the action.
-The entire game can be played with a friend.
-All loot is shared; no fighting over that one pretty gem.
-Create different magical abilities that complement each other when playing with a friend.
Expansive World
-Discover secret passageways and challenging puzzle dungeons in a whimsical open world.
-Find the six gods of the realm and defeat the corrupted version of each. Once freed they will aid you on your quest!
