Tag Archives: indie game

video game reviews

Terra Memoria: The Cute RPG You Should Already be Playing

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I was sent a free copy of Terra Memoria to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Terra Memoria?

Terra Memoria is a pixel art turn based RPG out now for PC, Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation

Terra is a world of magic and magical technology. For years, innovation has been powered by magical crystals mined from the earth. But a shortage has hit Terra, and access to these crystals grows increasingly scarce by the minute. The citizens of Terra grow uneasy as the world around them begins to shut down. Luckily, Fate has willed a group together a group with the power to change everything. What secrets will they uncover? Can Terra ever be restored to what it used to be?

Gameplay

Terra Memoria is an adorable RPG with interesting mechanics that help it stand out against other titles in the genre. I particularly enjoyed how the game handles crafting, gear, and combat.

Crafting and leveling are done at campfires or inns in town. Make sure you visit them often. As you battle monsters in the field, you’ll collect materials and experience points. Getting to a rest area automatically levels your character, and I appreciate that simplicity. Crafting is what makes the rest areas an interesting mechanic.

Crafting armor and cooking is done during a party’s rest, provided you have the right amount of materials. This is not only flavorful, but it means you don’t have to keep running back to town for upgrades if you plan accordingly. Cooking is done through a simple rhythm mini-game that you can fail if you’re not paying attention. Failing a recipe means you lose the materials, and materials can be scarce in the beginning. Cooking permanently raises your party’s HP, so eat often. This is the only way to raise your HP, and tougher enemies will wipe your party if you haven’t been easy. I appreciate that cooking isn’t just a gimmick, and I didn’t mind the mini-game.

Crafting weapons is just a press of a button. Unlike most games, gear in Terra Memoria comes in the form of stickers. This is such a cute idea, and I wanted to craft them all. Stickers grant buffs to the elements a character can use. Each attaching character can only carry three stickers at a time, and these stickers make a difference.

Terra Memoria’s combat system is the reason why you should play this game. When combat starts, characters and enemies are placed in a space on the timeline. When a character uses an attack, they are moved several spaces on the timeline based on the attack. For example, casting a punch attack will move a character four spaces in the timeline.

Characters have access to fast and slow actions. Fast actions are weaker, but they cost less spaces. Slow actions are more powerful, but move your character to the end of the order. Landing in an occupied space means you go after. The key to combat in Terra Memoria is taking advantage of the action economy, enemy weaknesses, and shield breaks. Breaking an enemy’s shield moves them to the end of the combat round, so try to do so often.

What makes combat exciting is the RNG. The party is made up of three main attackers and three characters to support them as pairs. While the three main attackers are always the same, the pairs are chosen randomly at the start of each combat. You can restrict the pairs you don’t want, but you can never choose your pairs. Each support character has a unique ability that changes how the main character attacks. This gives the party a very diverse move pool, but it also means you’re going to get pairings that don’t feel optimal. Make sure you restrict your choices as soon as the option is available.

Some abilities are stagnant, but Opals is also driven by RNG. Sometimes you’ll pull the exact pairings with the correct elements, and others you’ll have to deal with what you are given. I never felt like the RNG was unfair, and it always felt amazing when the stars aligned perfectly.

There is a grind to this game, as there typical for the genre, but it doesn’t feel soul-crushing. The RNG kept things interesting, and there was always a chance I would mess up and have to start over.

Review

I loved Terra Memoria. If you’re looking for a new RPG, this game should be on your list. This game is cute, quirky, and a whole lot of fun. The story for this game is well written. It is a little on the silly side, but I appreciate the dedication to its tone and theme. It made the game feel like a wholesome good time.

If it wasn’t clear, I enjoyed the game’s mechanics immensely. Combat was engaging and fun, crafting didn’t feel like busy work, and collecting the cute stickers became an obsession. I didn’t even mind the grind. You can over-level, so be mindful. The bosses always seemed to offer a decent challenge, so it wasn’t a huge issue.

Puzzles in this game are creative, and challenging, but don’t require a guide. There is a building mechanic. I don’t care much for building, but it is cute and is sure to eat away at your life. My only complaint is that I would get lost a lot, but I am famously bad at directions. If you’re a fan of classic RPGs without waypoints, this game is for you.

I loved Terra Memoria, and I think you will do. It is cute, fun, and very addicting.

You can pick up Terra Memoria PC, Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation for $19.99.

video game reviews

S.O.L. Search of Light is an Interesting Little Puzzler

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I was sent a free copy of S.O.L Search of Light to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a good budget gaming headset, check out the Fifine H9s using my Amazon Affiliate link. You can check my full review here. 

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What is S.O.L. Search of Light?

S.O.L. is a puzzle adventure game with unique tower defense mechanics to keep things interesting. The game is out now on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation. 

You find yourself alone in a dark and strange world. As you make your way through your journey you will uncover strange new technology that will help you find a brighter future. Build your base, search for resources, solve puzzles, and fight off monsters. Most importantly, keep your base safe. What secrets will you uncover in the darkness?

Gamplay

S.O.L. is split into three phases: build, adventure, and defense. 

In the build phase, players use their farmed resources to bolster their base’s defenses. They can construct buildings, upgrade existing ones, or assign roles to their hired drones. This stage is pretty straightforward. I don’t believe you’ll need a build guide, but you should be mindful of your resources. Resources are limited, and wastefulness will be punished.

Once a player is done with their build phase, they can set off on adventures. Adventures are set up in typical randomized roguelike fashion. Players have the choice of paths and activities they can do. They can solve puzzles for coins and materials, fight monsters for resources, or recruit drones to work at their base. There are also randomized events that will either grant a player a boon or give them a punishing debuff. Resources do influence a player’s decision, but the game never feels like a railroad. Most importantly, the RNG seems fair and the runs never feel repetitive. 

In between adventures, monsters will invade a player’s base. Players must defend their base against a wave of enemies. The portal closes when all enemies are defeated. Hopefully, your base doesn’t get too destroyed and you don’t die. Dying or losing your base means restarting from zero. This stage is very manageable, and I always felt there was enough time to prepare between invasions. My only complaint is that the AI for the drones is dumb, and they will run into enemies and die. In a game where resource management is important, this can be a bit annoying. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is a noticeable issue. 

Combat in this game is pretty basic. Players have access to a basic melee attack for adventure and defense phases. In the defense phase, towers and traps will do most of the damage, but well-placed melee attacks are appreciated. Enemy AI can be outsmarted, which is nice. 

The puzzles in this game are challenging without being impossible. I love puzzle games, and S.O.L. is no exception. The blend of genres keeps the game refreshing. My only complaint is that it is possible to get stuck in a puzzle where you have to reset the whole game to get free. I wish there were a way to reset just the puzzle, but that would take away some of the pressure from the survival aspect of this game. 

Review

The game is fun and addicting. I was either stressed about building the perfect base or stressed about staying alive. This stress made the game engaging, and even though I wasn’t good enough to make it to the end, I had fun trying. 

If you’re looking for a unique puzzle game with neat flavor and interesting mechanics, S.O.L. Search of Light is a solid choice. Its cute, its fun, and its different in a good way. S.O.L is the type of game you want to pick up for a fun couple of hours, but don’t want a long term commitment.

You can buy your copy of S.O.L. Search of Light Steam, Switch, and PlayStation for $19.99.

video game reviews

Action Fubuki was Okay, but not Really Worth the Time or Money

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I was sent a free copy of Action Fubuki to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a great budget headset, pick up a pair of the Fifine H9 Gaming headset using my Amazon affiliate link. Check out the full review here. 

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What is Action Fubuki?

The Evil Elon Dusk, CEO of the EXE Company, is using his power and influence to conduct harmful experiments on innocent people. You have been recruited by the Special Action Agency (SAA) to stop his plans and save his victims. Armed with your famous Goro Taijutsu, you must fight your way through hordes of his minions. Do you have what it takes to save the world from his wrath?

Gameplay

Action Fubuki has a simple gameplay loop. Players enter a room where they must defeat all required enemies before advancing to the next stage. The difficulty increases between rooms, and progress is reset after death. Combat is chaotic, full of explosions and flashy animations, but the performable actions are limited. While there is some story for flavor, it doesn’t matter. The goal of Action Fubuki is to get as far as you can without dying while collecting all the points. 

Impressions

While Action Fubuki has some charm, I can’t recommend this game. None of the overly flashy animations can distract from the fact that this game isn’t finished. Combat feels clunky and unoptimized. While I had fun for the first few minutes, it got old quickly. Once you look past all the explosions and flashing lights, you really aren’t doing anything. There might be skill involved in this game, but the lack of optimization will ruin runs. I saw noticeable dips in the game’s performance when I tried to record it, and the game crashed a few too many times for my liking. It isn’t an unplayable piece of shovelware, but you can be spending your money elsewhere. 

I didn’t hate this game, but it’s not worth recommending in its current state. What’s more, Action Fubuki seems to be an abandoned project. The game’s official Twitter has been deleted, and the game’s last update was in February. I am all for supporting the little guy, but this gamble doesn’t seem worth the investment. At least not for $11. 

You can pick up your copy of Action Fubuki on Steam for $10.99, but I wouldn’t bother. 

gaming news

Drakantos March Devlog: Iris Teasers, Challenges, & Mounts!

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The March Devlog just went up for Drakantos, and I am hyped for what is to come. Each update brings us closer to a release date, I just hope I can get into a beta soon. If you’re looking for a game with a classic MMO vibe, a cool pixel art aesthetic, and the portability to play it anywhere, you’re going to want to look into Drakantos.  

Make sure you check out the Devlog for all the juicy details and don’t forget to add Drakantos to your wishlist. If you enjoy my comment, please give this a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

Iris Teaser

The community has voted, and this month’s teaser is Iris gameplay. Make sure you join the official Discord to stay up to date on all the updates and to get hyped with the growing population of fans. Iris is a sorceress who uses illusion magic. She can create illusions of herself that can also attack, portals to teleport, and a magical shield. She definitely seems to be one of the flashier heroes I’ve seen gameplay for.

Challenges

Nil’varix is a demon clown who will appear to characters and offer them special challenges on their missions. Accepting these challenges will add new mechanics to a mission for added difficulty. One example is a giant demonic hand that follows the players and tries to smash them. Completing these challenges increases the rewards received by the players at the end.

Nil’varix is a demon clown who will appear to characters and offer them special challenges on their missions. Accepting these challenges will add new mechanics to a mission for added difficulty. One example is a giant demonic hand that follows the players and tries to smash them.

This sounds like such a cool feature because it gives some added diversity to the grind. Players may learn and memorize the mechanics for a certain mission, but you can never really be ready for the randomly generated challenges Nil’varix. I can see this being an issue if the game loops through the same type of challenge, but we’ll have to see the implementation.

There are currently 15 challenges programmed at the moment, with more planned for the future. Some examples given are:

  • Chain the players together, requiring them to move within the chain’s limited range.
  • The players swap places every X seconds.
  • Every enemy you kill drops a bomb that explodes after a while.
  • Randomize a card for each player, and some enemies will have this card displayed on their heads. The corresponding player must remove this mark. If the wrong player hits it, he will receive damage as punishment.
  • A giant hand follows your team for the entire mission, trying to smash you.

Traps

You can’t have a fantasy game or a dungeon without traps. Having environmental challenges and traps adds some depth and flavor to the world. I’ll have to see how random the traps are. It be cool if there were characters who could disarm traps in dungeons or use them against enemies.

More Mounts!

Adventurer’s Guild Tavern

The Adventurer’s Guild Tavern will be one of the main player hubs where players can buy supplies and accept missions. I love the flavor and aesthetic that went into this design. I love all the art that has been coming out for this game, and I can’t wait to see more.

Weiss Schwarz

Spy x Family is coming to Weiss Schwarz January 26th

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If you haven’t seen the Spy x Family (the x is silent) anime, you need to because it is adorable. For fans of the series, you are going to want to pick up the Spy x Family set that is hitting Weiss Schwarz on January 26th! The set will feature art from the anime and will include a special promo card for store events, a trial deck, a booster box, and a Meister set. The set will bring

Make sure you always check with your LGS to see if they carry Weiss Schwarz or if they’ll be running events. If that isn’t an option, you pick up Spy x Family or any other Weiss Schwarz product from TCG player. 

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Promo Cards

In an effort to promote the game, stores will be relieving special promo packs to give out at events. Make sure you check with your LGS for details! There are six unique promo cards you can receive, and each pack contains one of the following:

Booster Box

Booster Boxes come with 16 9-card booster packs. You can pick them up now:

Meister Set

Now if you want some swag, you might want to spring for the Meister set. The set includes:

  • 1 Special Promo Card (Looks like Anya)
  • 1 Storage box for your cards
  • 10 Booster packs
  • 1 Rubber playmat

The Anya card is cute, and if you like the set, you might want to pick one up. You can up a set from TCG Player for $85 (including shipping), or from your favorite card shop!

Trial Deck

You get a 50 card deck, a paper playmat, and a deck manual to get you starter. You can pick up the Spy x Family trial deck for $26 (including shipping) or from your favorite card shop.

gaming news

Discover Realm of Ink: A Cool Stylized Roguelike

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Realm of Ink is an action roguelike coming to PC and consoles this year. The game features a unique brushed artwork, a neat isometric design, and promising gameplay. The art is what initially drew me to this game, but the story has me interested. 

Red discovers she is a fictional character within the Realm of Ink short story collection. She must now travel through the depths of her story to discover the truth of her existence. Is her fate prewritten by some faceless author, or does she have the power and free will to write her own?

I am curious to see how Red’s story pans out. Players will also get to play as other characters as they are unlocked, and I am a huge fan of the spoiled character designs. I did get an early copy of the demo and will be posting my impressions as soon as the embargo is lifted. Until then, I recommend you watch the trailer and add Realm of Ink to your Wishlist. 

video game reviews

Loot River is the Souls-like Tetris Game You May Need to Try Once

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I was sent Loot River for free to review. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

Loot River is a unique roguelike that combines the bleak and unforgiving grind of a Dark Souls game with Tetris. Players must fight through endless and dangerous catacombs where they fight monsters, find treasure, and defeat bosses. With the power of the Relic, players can move the ground to travel through its darkness, solve puzzles, and manipulate enemies. Can you find the end before you meet yours?

The game does a fantastic job of blending the two genres to create a unique and memorable experience. The souls-like elements are simple but unforgiving. The Tetris part creates the game’s unique movement and adds dimension to the combat. The combat is simple but with enough strategy to make it engaging.

Players start each run with a simple weapon and have access to a basic attack, thrust, parry, and dodge. You can move your character, but you can also move the platform you’re standing on independently. You must use a combination of these actions to defeat your enemies and clear each level. These elements come together to create Loot River’s creative combat system. 

Throughout a run, you will pick up weapons and gear. This gear is randomly generated, and you lose it when you die. I felt like the RNG was fair enough, but some runs were easier than others. You can also find and buy permanent upgrades to make runs easier. The more you play, the more upgrades you’ll have access to. 

Like most games in the genre, Loot River’s gameplay is repetitive. The RNG and procedurally generated levels help mitigate some of the monotony, but you’re still repeating the same actions. I find comfort in the repetition, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. There is also a leaderboard and level editor coming on December 19 with the PlayStation release.

My favorite aspect of the game is the aesthetic. I love the minimalistic pixel art, and the soundtrack is amazing. Most importantly, the game is fun. If you’re looking for a new roguelike to fill some time, check out Loot River. The game is $25, which I find a little high, but the devs continue to release updates so take that as you will. I’d wait for a sale personally. 

Loot River is available now on Xbox and Steam for $24.99. It’s free if you have Game Pass.

gaming news

Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase Review: My Top 5 Picks

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Nintendo just had its Indie World Showcase, and there are a few titles to be excited for. I’ll be going over the five that stood out to me the most, not necessarily the best. Make sure you check out the full Showcase because there might be some hidden gems waiting for you.

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Howl

A curse has fallen onto the land, turning all who hear into blood-thirsty beasts. The world’s salvation falls on the hands of a deaf girl. Does she have what it takes to rid the world of this curse?

Howl is a turn-based strategy game coming to all major consoles. I fell in love with Howl the instant I saw it. Its art style has a classic fairy tale vibe that I adore, and the gameplay looks interesting. I recommend you check out the trailer to appreciate the concept.  

You can pick up Howl now on Steam and Switch for $14.99. There is a demo available for both systems for those interested. Howl will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Epic Games on January 23rd, 2024. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist.

I did receive my review copy, so make sure you stick around for that. I was honestly going to pick it up regardless because this game gives me Child of Light vibes, and I love that game. 

Planet of Lana

A strange force of alien robots has invaded the planet and has begun taking its inhabitants. It is up to Lana and her small cat companion Mui to brave the dangers of the wilderness and get her back. What secrets will this adventure unlock? Will Lana ever see her sister again?

I’ve reviewed Planet of Lana on my blog before, and I can’t stress how badly you need to play this game. It has beautiful art, a solid story, an amazing soundtrack, and some chill puzzle action. If you like puzzle adventure games, you need this game. Go read my full review if you want to know more. 

Planet of Lana is coming to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in the spring of next year, and trust me, it’s worth the wait. Make sure you wishlist it till then, or try the Steam demo in the meantime. 

Backpack Hero

Backpack Hero is a unique inventory management roguelike that has finally come to the switch. Brave the perilous procedurally generated dungeons with only what fits in your backpack. The road is dangerous, and you will die a lot, but it will be a heck of a ride. 

I’ve reviewed Backpack Hero before and loved every minute of it. The art is cute, but the gameplay is addicting. You’ll never have more fun managing your inventory. Check out my full review if you want to know more. 

Backpack Hero is out now for the Switch, and it is about time. This is the perfect game to play on the handheld. It’s fun, relaxing, and not a huge commitment. Although it might become one once you get hooked. You can pick Backpack Hero on the Switch for $19.99, but it is on sale now for $16.99 until November 21. Backpack Hero is also available on Steam. 

Death Trick: Double Blind

Morgan’s circus has come to town, but their star magician has gone missing, and it is up to you to find out what happened. What secrets will you uncover beneath the big top?

Death Trick: Double Blind is a unique visual novel that lets you embark on an intricate investigation and experience it from two perspectives. Choices matter, and you’ll have to come to your own conclusions, but it looks like it’s going to be a hell of a ride. The art is amazing, and I enjoy the concept. I’ve written about the game before, so make sure to check out the original post if you want to know more. 

Death Trick: Double Blind comes to Steam and Switch sometime next year. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

Blade Chimera

Last but not least we have Blade Chimera. Monsters and spirits have flooded the city, and it is up to Shin and the Missa Association to stop keeping humanity safe. Fight your way through this cyberpunk-themed 2D metroidvania game you aren’t going to want to miss. Use your demon sword to kill enemies, solve puzzles, and save humanity.

This game looks amazing, and I feel like I am due for another Metroidvania game. The art and aesthetic are awesome, and the gameplay looks fun. I am interested to see how creative they get with the sword’s magic. I know for a fact I am not good enough to beat this game, but I’d still like to try. Blade Chimera comes to Steam and Switch Spring 2024. Make sure you add it to your wishlist. 

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Two unique dungeon-crawlers from Fervent Workshop are hitting Kickstarter on October 16

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Fervent Workshop is launching two unique games in their upcoming Kickstarter that you should look at if you like choose-your-own-adventure books, deck builders, dungeon crawlers, or Dungeons & Dragons. The campaign starts on October 16 and will feature the games What Lies Below and Dungeon Maker Deluxe. This will be a short campaign, so go back early. 

I play a lot of One Deck Dungeon, so when I saw the campaign for What Lies Below, I knew I needed to try it. This is a solo game where players dive through an immersive story-driven experience where danger is real, death is permanent, and your decisions matter. All you need to play this game is a pencil, a character sheet, and some luck. The game features unique skill checks, 14-win conditions, and many ways to die. Do you have what it takes to make it through once?

The game comes in two editions: Print-and-Play and bound printed book. The PNP version of What Lies Below includes an interactive PDF and a printable character sheet to get you started. Those who prefer physical media and have shelf space should opt for the book because you get both versions. Early backers will get an exclusive reusable dry-erase character sheet to use on their adventures. Most importantly, the Kickstarter will have a free sample of the game available for download. Make sure you grab your copy and try it out. If you like D&D and dungeon crawlers, you need to look into What Lies Below. I’ve got an early copy of the game and will post my impressions as soon as I get a few runs in. Stay tuned for that.

The second game making its debut is the dry-erase edition of Dungeon Maker Deluxe, which is an update to the existing Print-and-Play edition. Dungeon Maker Deluxe is a dungeon-crawler deck-builder that supports up to six players, with an option for solo play. Players draft from a deck of monsters and use them to fill the rooms and fortify their dungeons to keep out pesky adventurers. With all the possible combinations of dungeons, characters, abilities, and monsters, you are always guaranteed a unique delving experience. Do you have what it takes to stump your friends?

This game looks like a lot of fun, especially in a large group. I don’t have friends to play with, so I appreciate the solo play option. Dungeon Maker Deluxe combines all my favorite formats in one. If you like games like 7 Wonders or Tapestry, then you need to look into this Kickstarter. This update will include 36 unique cards (versus the 18 in the original), streamlined gameplay, new character art, and the dry-erase sheets.

If you want to see how these games are played, Board Games for One made a great video showcasing both. He gives a clear and easy-to-follow explanation of how to play the games and runs through a few scenarios to provide a solid preview of what to expect. Go check it out, and make sure you follow the Kickstarter. The campaign starts on October 16. 

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gaming news

El Paso, Elsewhere coming soon to Xbox and PC

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I just saw the trailer for El Paso, Elsewhere, and I can’t help but feel excited. I’ve played the previous title, El Paso, Nightmare, and loved every minute of it. Make sure you check out my full review. 

El Paso, Nightmare is a fun little Doom clone that you should pick up if you want something fun that isn’t a huge commitment. Battle against endless waves of monsters and demons as you make your way through a nightmare of a labyrinth. My only complaint is that it can feel a little repetitive, but it earns its $5 price tag.

El Paso Elsewhere is bringing a story to this delightful indie title, and I am here for it. The trailer gives off some fun Noir vibes, and the new bullet time mechanics look like a blast. It looks like Blade meets The Matrix, and that seems like a good time. If this game is anything like its predecessor, El Paso, Nowhere is going to be a fun quirky game with a fantastic soundtrack. I’ll be following its development closely and will do my best to play it as soon as it becomes available.

El Paso Elsewhere comes out sometime this fall on PC and Xbox. A demo is available on Steam if you want to try it first. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist, and make sure you try out El Paso, Nightmare while you’re at it!