Neon Blood is a visually captivating detective-based RPG that masterfully blends pixel art with 3D graphics (it's pretty). Set in a gritty cyberpunk world, this game offers a compelling storyline that draws players into a universe in desperate need of salvation.
The Storyline
At the heart of Neon Blood is Axel McCoin, a detective battling addiction and striving to get his life back on track. Axel symbolizes the "Neon Light" at the end of the tunnel, representing hope and resilience in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. The narrative is rich and immersive, pulling players into Axel's journey as he navigates through personal and professional challenges.
Atmosphere and Graphics
The indie developers behind Neon Blood have done a phenomenal job creating an atmospheric experience. The game's unique combination of pixel art and 3D graphics brings the cyberpunk world to life, making it both visually stunning and deeply engaging. The attention to detail in the environment encourages players to take their time and explore, soaking in the intricate design and ambiance.
Gameplay
What you encounter in Act 1: Prologue, clue you in on what's to come. Neon Blood offers a nice amount of depth and an engaging experience for fans of RPGs and detective-based adventure games. The game's mechanics are well-crafted, providing a balance of challenge and enjoyment that keeps players coming back for more. Combat is turn-based and you will find that disagreements are resolved in battle to get someone to see things your way.
Platforms
Neon Blood is available on multiple platforms, including PC, PS5, and Switch, making it accessible to a wide range of gamers. Whether you prefer playing on a console or a computer, you can dive into this captivating cyberpunk world and join Axel on his quest. Let's jump back into Act 1:
Overall, Neon Blood is worth the buy for anyone who loves great pixel art, RPGs and detective adventures. Its beautiful graphics, compelling storyline, and immersive atmosphere make it a standout title in the gaming world. If you're looking for a game that offers both depth and visual appeal, Neon Blood is definitely worth checking out.
Story:F.I.S.T. (Forged In Shadow Torch) is a stunning exploration-based platformer that will have you hooked from the very first moment you pick up the controller. This game takes place in a visually stunning steampunk world where anthropomorphic animals inhabit the cities and are stripped of their freedom by a cruel regime of robotic oppressors. Players take on the role of Rayton, a heroic rabbit with a giant mechanical fist, who is determined to fight back against the powerful machines and save his friends and family.
The plot of F.I.S.T. is brilliantly crafted, with a perfect blend of action, adventure, and a bit of emotion. The story is told through beautifully animated cutscenes, and voice acting that adds depth to the characters based on cleverly written dialog. The themes explored are both relevant and thought-provoking, touching on societal issues such as oppression, revolution, and the two sides of power. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with enough twists and revelations to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire game.
Acting and character design are some of the highlights of F.I.S.T. The main characters are designed with great detail and care, and each one has a distinct personality and a sturdy backstory. The voice acting increases the warmth of the cast, bringing life and nuance to the characters and their motivations. Rayton is a fantastic protagonist, as he transforms from a mild-mannered mechanic into a calm fearless leader of the revolution. This gives the game a different feeling.
Gameplay:The gameplay of F.I.S.T. is addictive and satisfying, with a lot of emphasis on exploration, platforming, and combat. The world of F.I.S.T. is vast and rich with secrets, and every corner of the labyrinthine city is worth exploring. The combat system is especially well done, with various punches, combos like a fighting game, and special moves that Rayton can use to take down enemy machines. The game keeps introducing new enemies, abilities, and challenges that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Visuals: The art direction of F.I.S.T. is incredible, with each location designed with care and attention to detail. The graphics are eye-catching and create an immersive world that is full of life and character. It's really cute. The soundtrack is equally impressive, with a symphonic score that adds to the game's grand and epic feeling.
From the opening scenes, it's clear to me that the developers have invested a great deal of time and energy into creating an immersive world that feels completely seamless. The mix of industrial machinery, steampunk aesthetics, and cyberpunk influences create a world so enthralling that you'll find yourself completely lost in its detail. The interplay of light and dark adds an extra layer of realism to this game that will leave me in awe. The animation receives some criticism due to lag in certain scenes when it comes to the dialog, but it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.
Replay Value: F.I.S.T., can be described as a Metroidvania-style video game with a lot of replay value. I don't believe it is possible for all of the secrets and locations to be explored in one sitting, without challenging my sleep schedule. This works because it makes the investment something we're able to enjoy over time.
In F.I.S.T., there are several factors that contribute to its replay value. Firstly, the game has multiple enemy types that differ in difficulty, so players can try different strategies to proceed through locations. There is also an easy difficulty setting if the challenge is too much.
The game also has a lot of collectibles and hidden areas that players may have missed on their first playthrough. These can be discovered on subsequent playthroughs, giving players a reason to return to the game. Additionally, the game has a lot of different combat and platforming mechanics that players can experiment with, which can make each playthrough feel fresh. This was a hook for me.
F.I.S.T. has a lot of replay value, and players can derive a lot of enjoyment from playing through the game multiple times to discover all its secrets and different outcomes.
This is a small area of the world where the map has been uncovered.
In conclusion, F.I.S.T. (Forged In Shadow Torch) is an exceptional game that combines excellent storytelling, stunning visuals, exceptional acting, engaging gameplay, and an unforgettable world. It's a fantastic game that should be a part of every 2D platforming fan's collection. It's a must-play for anyone who loves platformers or action-adventure games.
Ashfall Brings A Dangerous Post-Apocalyptic World To PC & Mobile Devices In 2023
GUANGZHOU, China – September 16th, 2022 – Legendary Star Studio, a team with extensive experience in FPS and RPG gameplay genres, has announced Ashfall, a new post-apocalyptic adventure shooter MMORPG for PC, Android, and iOS devices, which will launch in 2023. Ashfall debuted with an explosive trailer during the Tokyo Game Show 2022, which was followed by an in-depth deep dive into its gameplay, in a presentation during the IGN Showcase livestream, offering gamers around the world an extensive first look at Ashfall.
Ashfall is set in a post-apocalyptic world that has been scorched by nuclear war, as mankind’s greatest creation once turned against them. The war was caused by a vast artificial intelligence that betrayed humanity and attempted to destroy all life on the planet, save for the robots. Humanity survived, however, and the last humans created pockets of civilization among the ruins of their former glory. Natural resources are dwindling and the last vestiges of mankind battle each other for supplies, but all is not lost, as hope lies on with the rumors of the “Core of Creation”, which may be able to heal the shattered land. The players take on the role of Wanderers: soldiers and explorers who are tasked with leaving the safety of their Vault and searching the dangerous lands, in the hope of finding mankind’s salvation.
Ashfall is a third-person adventure shooter, with a focus on using cover and team-tactics to overcome enemies. The goal of the game is rebuilding civilization and reclaiming the wasteland, but the task won’t be easy. Not only is the land itself dangerous to explore, but there are many enemies who now dwell in the ruins of society, including bands of raiders, murderous machines that were designed for war, and packs of mutated animals. Combat is just one part of Ashfall, as there is a massive world that is waiting to be explored, filled with loot for players to find and secrets to uncover about the society that existed before. There are many quests for players to take on and colorful NPCs who reside in the world of Ashfall who are waiting to be encountered.
In Ashfall, the player creates their own Wanderer from a bevy of options in the character creation mode, and equips them with all manner of futuristic guns and gear that they will need for the trials ahead. There are lots of potential character builds available that players can tailor to their own gameplay style, as well as powerful equipment that can be salvaged, in order to give them a competitive edge. The combat involves using cover and the environment to the player’s advantage, as they off against all manner of different foes. The mightiest of these can be faced in exciting boss battles, ranging from giant beasts, to elite solo enemies with skills that match the player’s own. Luckily, players won’t have to take face these challenges alone, as Ashfall has both single and multiplayer modes, allowing groups of friends to explore the wasteland together, and take on the challenges as a team.
The creators of Ashfall are huge fans of post-apocalyptic games, especially the Fallout series, and they have been inspired by some of the biggest names in the genre. With Ashfall, the team has been able to add an Eastern flavor to the game's aesthetics. It's often the case that Eastern imagery is tied to the cyberpunk genre and is rarely seen in post-apocalyptic fiction. Ashfall has the unique opportunity to create something truly unique to the post-apocalyptic genre, while still having a familiar feel. The developers have also gone to great lengths to build a visually stunning world, featuring realistic weather effects, motion captured actors for its character animations, realistic glass shattering effects, and advanced lighting and reflections, to help bring the wasteland and its denizens to life.
In order for the wasteland of Ashfall to be truly immersive, the world also needs to sound the part. Ashfall's music needs to evoke the loneliness and danger of the end of civilization, while still being stirring when adventure arises. To this end, Ashfall has a team of world class musicians that will bring the wasteland to life, including Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer (Dune, Dunkirk, No Time to Die, Gladiator), Inon Zur (Fallout3, Fallout 4, Fallout: New Vegas, Dragon Age Origins), and Steve Mazzaro (No Time to Die, Army of Thieves, The Amazing Spider-Man 2). This team has an incredible pedigree and there are few line-ups better suited for bringing the world of Ashfall to life than these men.
Legendary Star Studios gave the world its first taste of Ashfall at the Tokyo Game Show 2022, but it certainly won’t be the last. The team is planning multiple betas, which will give players the chance to shape the world of Ashfall ahead of launch. Those who wish to be among the first to experience the mysteries of Ashfall need to wishlist the game on Steam and follow the game's official social media channels, in order to be kept up to date on Ashfall and to be made way aware of when it finally launches.
Rush through the cyberpunk landscapes of Neo Barcelona in Aeon Drive, an action-platformer with a speedrunning twist! Whether solo or with up to 4 friends, sprint and dash through many areas of the neon-infused city - and use your time and space-bending abilities to get ahead.
