Hello, this is my first time posting in the forums. I do not typically join forums, but I don't really have many people to talk to about my passion for videogames and I would like to change that! I hope I can be a thoughtful and fun contributor to the discussions.
I've been watching Easy Allies for a while now and I really enjoy their content.
Sometimes it can be easy to overlook many smaller game releases that are coming out, but there have been so many gems this generation when it comes to indie games. I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread dedicated to all of the new and upcoming indie releases to bring more attention to some of these games.
To kick things off, today is the release date of "Devil Engine", a side-scrolling shmup, available on Steam and Switch, coming to PS4 and EXA(?) later this year. It is retailing at 19.99 usd. A free demo is currently available on Steam.
I think the game looks pretty cool from what I have seen. I have tried the demo and I like the feel and style of the game, although it is extremely difficult. I am not too experienced with the shmup genre, so I am not sure how common some of this game's mechanics are, but I liked how the game offered various speed settings in-game and the burst ability (basically a bullet-dodging barrel-roll) was cool. I will probably hold off on getting this one until the PS4 release comes out, but I am excited for it. Last year I really got into a vertical-scrolling shmup called "Crimzon Clover", which sparked my interest in the genre. I am eager to check out more.
Is anybody else here hyped about Devil Engine? Thoughts?
Wow, good stuff so far. I have never heard about either of these games. "Slay the Spire" is definitely going on my to-buy list. I find most Rogue-likes interesting and I am really liking the look of how the card-game mechanics fit into this one.
Only one week left...I'm hyped!
I must have played through the demo about 8 times now. I've only really played the first and second DMC games, but I am excited to get back into this series.
I think the key aspect of this generation has been access. More and more game developers have access to get their products on the market. Purchasing products has never been easier thanks to digital distribution, so customers are given easier paths to access games, without being barred by games going out-of-print and hard to find. These, I think, are some positives that outweigh the negatives and controversies surrounding this generation.
Of course, the biggest positives are the games themselves. When I think of the great experiences I have had this generation, many coming from fantastic small studio games like "Hollow Knight", "Rain World", "Hyper Light Drifter", "Hotline Miami 2", and so much more, the more I believe that what has been done this generation measures up to some of the great eras of the past. Back in the Xbox 360 days, I remember looking at XBLA titles as a niche interest, a novelty in relation to "regular" 59.99 priced releases. Today, the definitions are changing. Simply put, "indie games" belong in the general discussion of games and not in a sub-category. I believe part of the reason we have seen so many quality releases this generation has been in response to digital marketplaces creating easier pathways for developers to sell games.
The many controversies of this videogame generation, from loot boxes to on-disc DLC, the biggest possible detriment of all is going to be in the topic of preservation. It is still very early to see what challenges will be faced, but with early signs like the closure of the Wii shop and games being taken off digital marketplaces for licensing problems, game fans should be completely aware of these issues. With the digital marketplace being so prevalent, it is paramount for the companies hosting these marketplaces to find lasting solutions to preservation concerns. Imagine a future where all games, past and present, were digitized and made readily available. Imagine if there was an official solution to finally digitize games that are entangled in licensing problems. Isn't it worth it for a developer's work to be readily accessible and not fated to be a rare piece of plastic that will only be experienced by game collector hobbyists?
But focusing on the pure aspect of the game experiences of this generation, I think videogames are in an exciting, transformative place at the moment. Do you agree or disagree with these sentiments? Do you think this is a great time for videogames? Do you see potential in what has changed in the gaming landscape?
By review score scales, I am referring to using a 10 star system, 5 star system, etc. to review games.
I assume most people are comfortable with either the 10 or the 5 star scale, because that is what I see people using 90% of the time. But from a consumer standpoint, using reviewers to partly help influencing a purchasing decision, I feel that both scales are lacking.
Starting with the 5 scale, which I think is definitely better than the 10 scale, my main issue is the difference between rating a game 1/5 vs. 2/5. Regardless if a game gets either of these scores, the reviewer's opinion already seems to be communicating that they had a negative experience with the game. If I see a game get a 2/5, it tells me the reviewer did not like the game.
I feel that the 10 scale is the worst, as the balance feels completely off with how practically all reviewers seem to handle it. Anything from a 1/10 to a 5/10 tells me the reviewer didn't like the game. Is there really much value in differentiating what makes a 1/10 vs. a 3/10? Is it important to have so many different levels of "bad"?
Wouldn't a 4 scale system make more sense? A 4 scale system would not necessarily manifest similarities between an educational grading scale, as 5 and 10 scales seem to. It is slightly more adaptive than a thumb up/thumb down system, as you can differentiate between good and really good. The 2/4 feels different enough from a 1/4 in communicating a mediocre experience vs. a negative experience.
To highlight some questions:
Do you think there is an important distinction between reviewers giving a game a 1/5 vs. a 2/5? Is it important to have the range of 1/10 through 5/10 in communicating a negative experience?
Do you think the aspect of giving a game a number score has any inherit benefit over reviews that do not use any numbers or stars? Do you prefer reviews that do not use a number scale?
"Crypt of the Necrodancer" is some of the most fun I have had in a rhythm-based game. I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't yet, its price can get pretty low in Steam and PlayStation Store sales.
I've been trying to catch more Japanese live-action movies. One recent one that I have seen that I really liked was "Radiance" (dir. Naomi Kawase). I thought that the performances in that one were very good.