CODE NAME S.T.E.A.M.

Alien invasion in a steampunk world!

Available platforms: 3DS

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Strategy RPGs aren't for everyone, I used to think that, but would you pay attention if I told you Lincoln was in this one?

Historical fiction. Steampunk. Aliens. And a not dead Lincoln, this game has everything.

Being serious now, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a strategy RPG developed by Intellegent Systems, who you know most for the Fire Emblem seires, WarioWare, and the Paper Mario series. That's quite the credibility.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a bit simpler than most other strategy RPGS. Code Name has fully 3D Maps, with a 3rd shooter camera, meaning you have to traverse through the limited amount of spaces you can move. This also means that for all weapons in the game, you have to aim to do damage. Another thing is that there are no 'troops' like other SRPGs, instead, every 'type' of troop (I don't know much of SRPGs I'm sorry) is personified by one singular character. Every alien in the game (unless stated or mechanically proven otherwise), has a weak spot that once aimed at correctly, does extra damage, rewarding good aim.

These quirks make Code Name S.T.E.A.M. stand out from other games, if the premise didn't pique your interest enough.

I haven't fully finished the game but I can GUARANTEE that you'll have fun with it. It never takes itself seriously, in fact, it relishes in the crazy ideas it just keeps introducing, and for that I think it's best to play the game as blind as possible to be surprised by what ever thing you find as "crazy".

Heads up though, because there's a chance if you buy a physical copy, it may not work. It might be me having a bad streak of luck, but I bought 2 catridges (for crazy low prices for 3DS games), and both times the catridge ended up not working. I didn't get scammed or anything, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is cheap in general, but if you want to avoid having to see a corrupted game screen, your best next bet is to emulate it.

Important links

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• Code Name S.T.E.A.M. trailer

b-e-e-t-l-e

Small and cozy word puzzle game

Available platforms: Web browser/Linux/Mac/Windows

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b-e-e-t-l-e is a very, very short word puzzle game that has you going around as a crocodile solving problems... by typing in words. It's very cozy, it's very cute, and pretty fun.

The coloring of the game reminds me of GameBoy sprites but maybe they just went all green because crocodiles are green. hah!

Like I said, it's a very cozy game so the difficulty isn't so high like in other puzzle games, it's actually a bit on the simpler side.

The game being so short is due to the fact that it was originally made for a Game Jam. If you want more of what b-e-e-t-l-e offers, you're out of luck...

Is what I would say but good news! The duo behind it, Paul and Viv are planning to make a full pledged game on steam! It expands beyond itch.io b-e-e-t-le, with more impressive spritework and more puzzles and more cute lil guys to look at, so stay tuned for that! (if you want).

Important links

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• Link to b-e-e-t-l-e's itch.io page
• Link to b-e-e-t-l-e's Steam page

SPOLOUS EX

Arcade shoot em' up in the browser! (or as .exe if you prefer)

Available platforms: Browser/Windows

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You have played an arcade shoot em' up before, I know you did. Galaga? Centipede? Other game titles? Well anyways, instead of going to the arcades to play one of those, how about going onto the web browser?

Okay, for starters SPOLOUS EX doesn't scroll upwards but it scrolls horizontally like Gradius. In fact, it's a Gradius-like (if that's even an official term), with it sharing many of it's features of it's grandfather. That part doesn't really matter, what does matter is that the inspiration is on it's sleeves, as many SPOLOUS EX levels are almost a 1:1 to the original Gradius. What does set it apart though, is that SPOLOUS EX gives you the option to pick between >12 forms of the spaceship you pilot, each giving different playstyles, huge difference from the original.

One huge hurdle the game has is that it was developed by a singular Japanese developer, suppon, so the english translation that you see is very shaky so I'll provide the controls down in this list to avoid confusion.

Controls (on keyboard)

• X: fire
• Z: power-up
• C: special ability
• Tab: toggle menu
• arrow keys: movement (obviously)

Other than that SPOLOUS EX is very dynamic, having its own set of charm, and also quite difficult, I can never go past the first level with more than 2 lives >_>. It is a reimagining of a game from the 80s, so I guess that's warranted.

But it's cool and awesome and has some really nice sound design and music so I think you should check it out.

Important Links

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• Link to SPOLOUS EX's itch.io page
• SPOLOUS EX trailer

The Case of the Golden Idol

Point and Clicks are not at all dead

Available platforms: Pretty much everywhere AND on mobile. crazy

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This artifact keeps getting tied for murders with its possessors and we don't know why! It's up to you to look at several scenarios spanning decades, look for clues, and fill in the blanks to figure out how said people died. Mostly murder.

As the game goes on, a more cult theme starts to appear, telling us that the titled Golden Idol is not what it seems.

I said it was a point and click when that's not really true it's more a clues game your aunt would play on your phone but better and with more substance. Still a point and click at heart though.

Each scenario you got to sleuth out gets increasingly harder and more complex, so a stark difference from the other puzzle game listed on this article list, but as long as you have your head on your shoulders and your deductive skills (and maybe sometimes a playthrough video on a different tab (for guidance, of course)), then you're set to embark onto the supernatural deaths surrounding the Golden Idol.

There's 2 DLCs of the game but as a heads up, and I don't know if this goes for the other ports, you do not need to buy the complete bundle that's on Steam. If you buy the base game, you're fine. When you first boot up the game through Steam, it asks you which version would you like to play in, vanilla, or the version of the game with all the DLC included. You can always change this in the settings.

Besides having the extra content, the only differences between the two versions is that one was more made for mobile devices, while the other is more suited for PC.

Unique style, unique premise, and the sort of game you don't see as much anymore, which is point and clicks. I think it's worth the shot to check it out.

Important Links

• The Case of the Golden Idol (vanilla) trailer
• The Case of the Golden Idol's Steam Page (dunno the prices on other platforms)

METAL DOGS

WHERE THE DOGS ARE METAL (not really)

Available platforms: Pretty much everywhere, actually.

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Do you want to play as a dog with a rocket launcher, machine gun, and cannon strapped on it's back? Do you want to play as a dog killing aliens in an top-down Hack n' Slash? Do you want that dog to be on a mission to be in one of the few populated areas in a desolate, apocalyptic earth? Do you just like cute dogs?

METAL DOGS is right up your alley. Matter of fact is around the corner, because I have introduced the game to you.

As per usual for Hack N' Slashes, the amount of things you have to think about stat wise isn't much in this game. The higher the rarity the weapon is, the higher the attack. Armor gives buffs, and you can always craft and upgrade weapons and armor.

Combat has 3 attack buttons, corresponding to each weapon type, a dash, and super movies and abilities. Each weapon type (machinge gun, special equipment (so far I only encountered missiles), cannon) have their own firerates, amount of ammmo per clip, and cooldowns so you have to worry about that.

The setting METAL DOGS is in brings in a lot of atmosphere, which is lifted to new heights by the amazing artstyle METAL DOGS has. All of the key art of the game is absolutely beatiful.

Graphics are a bit on the weaker side, despite being a 3 year old game, but I think it adds to the aesthetic. Everything is meant to be seen as ugly because everything and everyone you meet has been irradiated and mutated into something unrecognizable. I don't why tanks are a common enemy though. Did they gain a conscious?

I do have some quams with the game though, and it might get bolstered because I'm playing it on a Switch 1 (which is often in handheld mode), but they're more nitpicky and more my personal preference. For starters, the mini-map takes up too much of the screen, and second, the text is too small. Neither of these things can be changed in the settings. If this is a turn-off, then that's ok.

I can look past this though because the game is geniunely interesting and I'm surprised more people haven't talked about it. Then again, most indie games aren't massively popular.

METAL DOGS developers, 24framesinc., hasn't made much besides METAL DOGS, doesn't mean anything besides that they're newer to game development and haven't really garnered an audience, but it also tells me that team is geniunely talented, so if you want, keep an eye out.

• METAL DOGS trailer
• METAL DOGS' listing on Steam (don't worry, it's the same price on every platform)