Welcome back to 80s August, The Splintering’s month-long celebration of the greatest decade since movable type. When I was in elementary school, one of my friends had a computer in his bedroom that we would stay up all night playing around on. He was the only person I knew with a computer, and coming from a household that only gamed
Read more
Indie game developer and publisher 7 Raven Studios recently announced that After Wave: Downfall is now available on Xbone and SeXbox, is coming soon to Nintendo Switch on 4 August, and finally to PS4 and PS5 on 5 August. After Wave: Downfall is a vertically scrolling, arcade-style shooter set in a sci-fi world decimated by a great flood. One or
Read more
On Wednesday, publisher Digerati announced that A Tale of Paper: Refolded is planned for release on 19 August for Xbone, SeXbox and PC (via Steam, Epic, GOG and other storefronts). Both a PS5 and Nintendo Switch version are expected to launch later in 2022. Developed by Open House Games, A Tale of Paper is a puzzle platformer that was originally
Read more
Upon first hearing about Avenging Spirit, I immediately thought of an old GameCube game called Geist. Ever play that one? Well, the gist is, you play as a ghost who possesses enemies and then uses their individual abilities to progress. Definitely a similar concept to Avenging Spirit, but after playing through it, I am more reminded of the old SEGA Genesis game, Kid Chameleon.
Read more
Earlier this week, QUByte Interactive and PIKO Interactive announced that classic shoot ‘em up compilation QUByte Classics: Thunderbolt Collection will be coming to Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbone, and SeXbox on 4 August. Originally developed by PIKO, the Thunderbolt titles are vertical scrolling 2D space shooters akin to Raiden and Truxton. Here’s the official breakdown of QUByte Classics: Thunderbolt Collection,
Read more
Indie game publishers PLAYISM and Vaka Game Magazine recently announced that Noel the Mortal Fate is coming to Xbone, SeXbox and Microsoft Store on 26 July. Developed by Kanawo, Noel the Mortal Fate has been available on Nintendo Switch and Playstation platforms for a few months now. All of these console versions feature significant updates to the original Steam PC
Read more
Game publisher QUByte Interactive recently announced that a new puzzle platformer Bricky to Me will release on 21 July for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbone, and SeXbox. Developed by IdunaSoft, Bricky to Me puts players in control of a brave knight who must overcome a series of randomized, 2D environments. Plus, there’s a kitten. Here’s the official breakdown of Bricky
Read more
Atari recently announced the next game in their Recharged series: Yars: Recharged. The game is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox, Nintendo Switch, Atari VCS, Stadia (really?) and PC (via Epic and Steam). Like the other games in Atari’s Recharged series, Yars: Recharged is made in collaboration with developers Adamvision Studios and SneakyBox. The game is a modern interpretation of
Read more
Publisher Ratalaika Games recently recently announced that Long Live the Queen will be coming to Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbone and SeXbox on 12 July. Developed by Hanako Games, Long Live the Queen is described as an “eye catching visual novel” that blends elements of RPG, strategy and simulation into the standard visual novel mechanics. Here’s the official breakdown of
Read more
Ratalaika Games recently announced that both Flea and Tapeworm Disco Puzzle will be coming to consoles on 1 July as the Parasite Pack. Created by Scottish developer Lowtek Games Studio, both Flea and Tapeworm Disco Puzzle are inspired by retro 80s arcade aesthetics and gameplay mechanics and designed for players of all ages. Here’s the official breakdown of both games
Read more
Publisher Digerati recently announced that the horror adventure game in the form of DreadOut 2 will be coming to PlayStation and Xbox consoles in July. Created by Indonesian developer Digital Happiness, DreadOut 2 is a third-person ghost hunting game inspired by Indonesian folklore and urban legends- as well as the first DreadOut game to come to consoles. Players take the
Read more
Dutch game developer Potata Company recently announced that Almost My Floor will be released on PS5, PS4, Xbone, SeXbox, and Nintendo Switch on 1 July. Unlike the name might suggest, Almost My Floor is not a dating simulator. In fact, it’s a terrifying point & click adventure set in a world of living nightmares. Hm… sounds like it could still
Read more
At Summer Game Fest, Microids revealed the first gameplay teaser trailer for Flashback 2, a thirty-years-later sequel to Conrad Hart’s first sci-fi adventure. This new installment into the Flashback series (?) is being developed in collaboration with members of the original creative team, and will offer a similar blend of puzzle and action as the first game. Here’s the official
Read more
Tate Multimedia recently released a new trailer for Kao the Kangaroo, the retro revival platformer set to launch on 27 May for PS5, PS4, SeXbox, Xbone, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. This new trailer showcases the game’s supporting cast, including Kao’s mentor and sparring partner Walt, his mother – the “Iron Lady” – Marlene,
Read more
Indie publisher Ratalaika Games has announced that 2D space shooter Remote Life is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox and Nintendo Switch on 27 May. Created by one-man developer Next Game Level, Remote Life is a horizontal shoot ‘em up inspired by the retro arcade shooters of the 80s and 90s. Instead of using pixel art, however, the environments are
Read more
On Thursday, publisher RedDeer.Games announced that the futuristic racing/visual novel hybrid is coming to Nintendo Switch tomorrow, 6 May. Developed by Dev9k, Nirvana is inspired by scifi anime of the 1980s. It is actually a new version of Nirvana: Pilot Yume, but this console edition is “tailored to the preferences of players who love the retro vibes and deep stories
Read more
Publisher KEMCO recently announced that RPG Infinite Links for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox, and Steam PC on 12 May. Developed by Exe Create, Infinite Links is a fantasy RPG with a skill system built around collecting talismans. Here is the official breakdown of Infinite Links from KEMCO: Talismans are magical items that contain great power, even with some
Read more
On Wednesday, publisher Chorus Worldwide announced that visual novel Mothmen 1966 is planned to release on 14 July for PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox, Nintendo Switch, and Steam PC. Developed by LCB Game Studio, Mothmen 1966 is intended as the first in a series of visual novels inspired by “mid-20th century pulp fiction and ‘80s home computer graphics.” Here’s the official
Read more
On Monday, publisher Ratalaika Games announced that co-op action puzzler game Dandy & Randy DX will be released for PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox, Nintendo Switch and Steam PC on 29 April. Created by Brazilian developer Asterstic Game Studio, Dandy & Randy DX features throwback design and mechanics similar to classic era games and is also inspired by a true story
Read more
Everything is better with grappling hooks. On Monday, publisher QUByte Interactive announced that the new 2D platformer Raven’s Hike will be available on the PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox and Nintendo Switch on 28 April. Developed by Wired Dream Studio, Raven’s Hike features a retro-inspired pixel art aesthetic and requires players to progress through a set of puzzle-filled stages using only
Read more
Paradox Interactive recently announced that Shadowrun Trilogy will launch on 21 June 2022 for Nintendo Switch, Xbone, SeXbox, PS4, and PS5, and preorders are now available on all platforms. The Shadowrun Trilogy is a remastered release of the three fantasy-cyberpunk RPGs in the Shadowrun Returns series (so no, not the original). These include: Shadowrun Returns Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director’s Cut
Read more
On Thursday, publisher Freedom Games officially launched action/RPG Anuchard for Nintendo Switch, SeXbox, Xbone, and Windows PC. Developed by stellarNull, Anuchard is described as a “civilization restoration action RPG” where players descend into monster-infested dungeons to restore the captured souls of a small village. The retro-inspired visual aesthetic is intended to be reminiscent of 90s-era PlayStation games. Here’s the official
Read more
On Wednesday, QUByte Interactive and PIKO Interactive announced that the retro FPS Zero Tolerance is coming to PS4, PS5, XBone, SeXbox, and Nintendo Switch. Officially titled QUByte Classics – Zero Tolerance, this new port will actually be a collection of 3 games: Zero Tolerance, Zero Tolerance Underground, and an unreleased demo titled Zero Tolerance Beyond, which is unlockable by completing
Read more
Publisher RedDeer.Games recently announced that Bit Orchard: Animal Valley will be coming to the XBone, SeXbox, and Nintendo Switch on 22 April. Developed by a one-man developer from the great state of Tennessee (aka 2Boone Games), Bit Orchard: Animal Valley is a retro-inspired farming simulator with a visual aesthetic mimicking the original Nintendo Game Boy. Here’s the official breakdown of
Read more
Originally created thanks to crowdfunding, Fat Panda Games’ 2D platformer Flat Kingdom: Paper’s Cut Edition is making the jump from PC to consoles thanks to publisher Ratalaika Games.* The eternal battle between 2D and 3D has come to the peaceful Flat Kingdom. Now a brave warrior named Flat must venture into unfamiliar 3D landscapes to collect six magical jewels, rescue
Read more
Indie publisher Ratalaika Games recently announced that Flat Kingdom Paper’s Cut Edition is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox and Nintendo Switch on Friday, 1 April. Developed by Fat Panda Games, Flat Kingdom Paper’s Cut Edition has been available via Steam PC for several years. The game combines 2D action and puzzle solving as your hero fights to prevent a
Read more
Game publisher Top Hat Studios has announced that Vengeful Heart is planned for release by the end of March for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox and the Epic Games Store (it’s already on Steam). Described as a “retro futuristic visual novel” Vengeful Heart is set in a cyberpunk, sci-fi world coupled with throwback aesthetics reminiscent of 80s anime and
Read more
On Friday, KEMCO announced that Legend of Ixtona (anyone have a good idea on how that’s pronounced?) is now available for Xbone, SeXbox, Windows 10 (via the Microsoft Store) and Steam PC. Legend of Ixtona is a turn-based strategy game set in a fantasy world filled with plenty of creatures, conspiracies, and character classes to explore. Here’s the official breakdown
Read more
Atari recently announced that a new puzzle-platformer Kombinera for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox, Atari VCS, Steam PC and mobile platforms. Developed by Graphite Lab, Kombinera is described as featuring “Juicy animation, clever storytelling, and memorable puzzles.” Here’s the official breakdown of Kombinera from Atari, followed by the latest trailer: Kombinera is a new IP from Atari that seeks
Read more
In gaming eras immemorial, there was a little console known as the TurboGrafx-16 (aka the PC Engine outside of the United States). Despite never gaining much traction in the West, the PC Engine was a strong 16-bit contender in Japan. Among the well-regarded RPGs and shoot ’em ups (or shooters, as we called them back then) that graced the TG-16,
Read more
The Splintering 