For the first Friday in September, there’s a lot of different platformers available, along with titles with different roguelite elements, and more! For the “big” game, be on the lookout for Monument Valley which is available at the Epic Games Store until Thursday morning next week!
I’ve also prepared a short YouTube video where I share my thoughts on three popular games mentioned below.
Note: All of the images shown below are from the game’s respective Steam sales page.
Antinarkomania (Logic Platformer)
Ok, so I don’t exactly care for this game’s art style or music, but the gameplay is interesting! You play as three different characters that you can change between on the fly. Each have unique special abilities that you need to utilize to make it through certain areas in the game. It reminds me of Blizzard’s Lost Vikings games (Battle.net page), and that is the major reason why I’m including it. I hope that some who played those in past will enjoy this one as well!
Blind Bullet (Top-down Shooter)
When it comes to uniqueness, this game is quite interesting! It’s an overhead shooter where your character is blind and you figure out where enemies are by listening for echoes of footsteps and things like that. Just so you know, the game does have visuals so it isn’t a truly blind experience. Neat!
CROAK CAFE : FROM POND TO PLATE (Puzzle Roguelite)
This is one of the first really popular games I found this week. it is a puzzle game with roguelike elements that wrapped in a cooking theme. Some of the footage reminds me of “falling block” games with foods coming down from the top of the screen. You need to combine them to prepare food for your customers who happen to be a bunch of frogs! I really like the art style with the characters being flat like paper. 100% of 24 reviews are positive!
Cube Ninja (Action Platformer)
One of multiple games this week that have a retro 2D aesthetic. Here, you play as a ninja who needs to kill his enemies as quickly as possible. There is significant amount of blood in this one, and for some reason golf is involved as well. Perhaps in a mini-game?
Deep Inside: Amore sola mi fa remirare (Horror JRPG)
The description for this says it is an old-fashioned RPG Horror Game. It seems to fit the bill, and looks like a 16-bit JRPG but without battle scenes. I liked the music in the trailer and how the unraveling of the mystery was presented. According to the sales page, the game has depictions of blood, death, suicide, and murder. I say that just so potential players may be aware of those topics being explored. It doesn’t have 10 reviews yet, but all the ones I saw were positive!
Deserter: Prologue (Stealth Sim)
This is a 3D stealth RPG game where you play as a man named John, who has gone to war but is now a pacifist. He now needs to use his cunning and thieving skills to escape from a military camp. One thing that makes it stand out is the voice acting, which is done well! 96% of 31 reviews are positive!
Echoes of Seasons (3D Puzzle Platformer)
For those who like 3D puzzle games, there’s Echoes of Seasons. I feel like it has a neat art style and some pleasant music as shown in the trailer. It seems to take place in Greece and as you solve puzzles you place offerings on altars to Demeter. Doing so allows you to progress further. It doesn’t have 10 reviews yet, but the game seems to be off to a good start! All of the ones I saw were positive.
Fantahouse (3D Platformer)
While not flashy, this is a pure 3D platformer game for the fans of the genre. The trailer doesn’t show any people, but rather just various rooms that have platforming challenges in them. After you complete the room, you go to the next. It may not be the most exciting game out there, but I liked the music. The trailer says that it is supposed to be relaxing, so I appreciate that!
Flying Courier (Casual Simulation)
If you want a chill delivery game where you fly around and explore a Victorian world this is your game! The trailer for it is really calm and pleasant, and I like the art style quite a bit!
FoE Remains (2D Action Platformer)
At least a couple of the games this week take place in a post-apocalyptic environment, and this is one of them. Although it isn’t immediately obvious, this is also known as Fallout Equestria: Remains and is based on a crossover fan fiction between Fallout and the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic TV Show! You can find the original story here (Note: Adult content). The game can be played in a browser at itch.io as well.
It is a side view platformer with action/shooter elements, procedurally generated levels, and RPG aspects. Apparently this was a flash game back in the day, and has now made its way to Steam. In the reviews, people seem to be really excited to play it again! 98% of 89 reviews are positive!
The Gallery – A Riley Magras Exhibit (Puzzle Simulation)
Here’s one for art aficionados. It seems to be a walking simulator through a gallery that showcases the work of Riley Magras. There doesn’t seem to be too much gameplay, but I thought some people may want to check it out!
Infinite Game Cartridge Collection (Indie Game Collection)
Do you like to try out a lot of different types of games? Well, this is a collection of a ton of little demos, experimental titles, and small projects from game jams. It looks really cool!
Kaelaverse: Pemascape (2D Puzzle Platformer)
Regular readers know that I like 2D platformers, and this is one of the most popular releases for the week! It is a cute game with a nice art style. Apparently Kaela Kovalskia of Hololive ID has gone missing, and you play as one of her assistants who is looking for her. The game also has crafting elements. 100% of 239 reviews are positive!
Lost Lives (Multiplayer 2D Shooter)
I don’t normally post things that are related to PvP games. However, I found this one intriguing! It’s 2D action shooter that takes place after devastation in the Soviet world. What further sets the tone apart is that there is singing in the trailer that is fascinating to listen to. That’s one of the big reasons I wanted to include it today! 85% of 28 reviews are positive!
Mazzy (Puzzle Platformer)
Those who appreciate minimalistic art styles and puzzle platformers may want to take a look at this game. In it, you rotate the level to get to where you need to go instead of just moving your character around. Interesting!
Monument Valley (Puzzle)
The extremely popular puzzle game Monument Valley is free this week on the Epic Games Store. Those of you who did not buy it in bundles here and here can now get it for free now!
The Most Epicest Snowball Fight Ever! (Turn-based Strategy)
This is a super cute tactical game that has a great art style and looks extremely charming. Unfortunately, the trailer doesn’t have any sound. I’m not sure why that is the case, but the reviews say it is really cute and enjoyable. 100% of 11 reviews are positive!
RABBAT (Physics-based Platformer)
Wow, this is a cool looking game! It is a physics-based platformer about a robot that wakes up on the moon. You have to use different tools to traverse the environment and you can take scrap to customize your little machine. I like how the trailer does a great job of showing different aspects of the game. It also has action elements and two minigames to play!
Salvagers (Action Roguelite)
A neat looking action roguelite where you take your crew and loot areas looking for scrap to sell and upgrade your equipment. It doesn’t seem to be a straight-up “survivor” game, having specific enemies that you need to defeat and bosses to destroy. One of the reviews for it was quite enthusiastic!
Song of Nanzhao (Puzzle Adventure)
This is a puzzle adventure game that takes place in ancient China. You are a court musician who does not speak and needs to help people. Through music you solve puzzles and connect with the villagers. I really like to look at this game. Note: It uses AI assets for some of the background music and also during the cinemas.
Taina’s Cursed Legacy (Choose Your Own Adventue)
I tend to show off games from different cultures, and in this case this is a text-heavy Choose Your Own Adventure game that takes place in a Slavic world. It includes multiple endings and hand drawn illustrations!
Uncommon App (Immersion Sim)
Despite this game’s unusual name, it is an immersion sim where you are trying to decide who is able to be admitted into your school. The choices you make have an impact on the story and how your school changes in the future. I like the art style quite a bit as well as the music in the trailer. Some of the reviews say that it is trying to be similar to Papers, Please, but with a lighter tone
Wacky West (Action Runner)
Wacky West bills itself as being one of those endless Runner games that is like what you find in YouTube ads, but this is the real deal. I enjoy the art style of the game, and the attitude of the sales page. On the other hand, I didn’t think the music was great, but it did fit the wild west theme. 83% of 30 reviews are positive!
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