SONGBRINGER... the 2nd coming of 2D Zelda?!


I don't know about you... but in my opinion, 2D games have been kicking butt lately. I'm not talking sales numbers... what I am saying is that there are a number of titles that should not be overlooked simply for being 2D games... and SONGBRINGER is one of those games! For the veteran SDGT Ent supporters... you know variety is always something we push.

While the prevention of genre-burnout may be one of the reasons, supporting other genres is another and it helps us get gems we may have never considered if stuck on one genre. That said... if you're looking for something different but cool... check out the trailer, and if it tickles your fancy, check the game out at the link below (permadeath included)!

Some of you may be looking at the title and wondering what I may have smoked... while some of you may look at characteristics in the game and agree that there is a similar feel there. I look forward to seeing where things go from here (based on the game's success).


Features

  • Single-player action RPG
  • AI or human-controlled second player
  • Local co-operative two player mode
  • Full gamepad support, including rumble
  • Real-time combat
  • 7 kinds of weapons including the nano-sword, boomerang-like top hat, bombs, blink orb, ghost sword projectile, lighter and kilo bombs
  • Hundreds of unique items and power-ups
  • Some items can be combined, for example: ghost sword + lightning cube = lightning sword
  • Hidden items, secret entrances, secret pathways, bomb-able walls
  • Over 30 different achievements
  • A science fiction narrative featuring a space cutter named Songbringer, its crew, an ancient evil army, and a planet named Ekzerra
  • Approximately 8-16 hours of gameplay per adventure, depending on thoroughness
  • Procedurally generated overworld and dungeons
  • A world contains: 1 overworld, 10 dungeons and 13 primary bosses
  • Worlds are based on a six-letter seed; enter the same seed to play the same world on any platform, or enter a new seed to play something different
  • World generator is handcrafted, creating worlds based on human-designed rules, blending the best of both procedural and bespoke game design
  • Multiple NPCs, some of which are rare finds
  • Dynamic shadows
  • Full day / night cycle
  • Reflective surfaces
  • Original soundtrack
  • Online leaderboards highlight the top players based on completion time, percentage of map uncovered and percentage of items found
  • Roguelike-inspired permadeath option which gives a higher score on the leaderboard and allows for faster runs
  • Support for multiple languages including: English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese-Brazil, Romanian, Russian, Swedish and Traditional Chinese



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The Walking Dead: A New Frontier... reviewed!

This installment is... one heck of a love & sorrow experience... for me.




The Walking Dead show is tough for some of its fans to watch... and when it comes to the TellTale series... it's just as tough (to play). Totally not in the sense of it being a hard game as far as difficulty settings go (they've never taken that approach to these games), which makes it an experience that all gamers (that meet the age requirements... and the ones who don't give a crap about the ESRB) can get into if they can handle it. Controls are incredibly simple so that you can focus on the real challenge... but on-screen commands will keep you on your toes when its time. They aren't just used just to be used either, it's a good balance... like for dodging, moving things, trying to force doors close to keep zombies out, tussling with enemies, etc.

The Walking Dead video game series as a whole... take you a different route when it comes to difficulty. Decisions... decisions... it's something about those decisions that can save the day or just really screw up a situation in traumatic fashion. Some of it... you can't avoid even if you've prolonged the inevitable (dying that is)... so it is what it is. That said... you should check it out regardless because the experience is memorable. The Walking Dead: A New Frontier, brings even more action than the first two seasons (for me)... but don't get me wrong, the first two are far from less than. They have their own charms, characters... and they're part of the storyline and experience that has built up to what we have in A New Frontier. The story is progressive (even down to your decisions/game saves) and definitely shows the growth from where things began with the shock of zombies emerging... to zombies just being a part of life now.

The Walking Dead: A New Frontier places you in the role of a new character in the series by the name of Javier Garcia... a former baseball star who has to deal with family drama, love triangles, foes that are still among the living... and of course zombies. You get plenty of back story in this one which I really appreciate because It sheds light on the Garcia family and other character relationships. This breaks things up so that you aren't always in tense action (some of the time) and really gives your offline audience more to enjoy as far as the overall story is concerned. The way they lined up some of the scenes made it more difficult to make decisions (because I knew or eventually found out who a character was)... but I managed.

You spend a portion of time dealing with zombies in this game, but most of it consists of dealing with the New Frontier. The zombies are still there, but they're kind of the threat you know is around... and avoid while dealing with a more skilled enemy (which can actually end up being yourself at times if you make the wrong decision). Twists and turns had me at “Hell No” because some decisions make you wish you can take them back, some... more than others. Percentage wise... after each episode you get to see what decisions other gamers made, and this season... fewer people chose the decisions I made. The decisions recorded further add to the interest I have regarding Crowd Play... that gets the audience in on the action via mobile devices... and I think it was a genius idea to dial up crowd participation instead of having them get mad at the decision you've made. I'm curious to know how things would play out with family and friends joining in on the action.

I try not to give spoilers... so I will keep it as vague as possible, but (dammit, TellTale) there is someone who died in horrible fashion... much too soon and I have to point it out. I would've thought this particular person would go out in a blaze of glory, but it was just crappy for me... and felt like the person was just... killed off after all they've been through. I can't even count this as a con, wouldn't be fair... although the story is what these games should mainly be judged on beyond bugs, other than that... the story is fantastic. I guess there was just no place to fit this person except for the backstory. I will go back to see if I can change fate... but it really didn't seem like it. (Sigh)

Some of you may look at a game like this and wonder where the replay value could come from... but based on the decisions made, it's easily packed with replay value by way of different decision making. Until you've exhausted all decisions to see what may happen differently, there will always be the chance of something happening differently... and that's the beautiful thing about this game. I went ahead and play through to completion, but after making certain decisions... there are various choices that justify me thinking “I'm going back to do that differently”.



I haven't mentioned this before... and I actually just realized it myself: I think one of the biggest reasons why I enjoy this series... is that there are movies that I would watch, and no matter how many times I'd watch the movie, I'd wish something different would happen at certain points. This sort of gives me that opportunity via this series.

Visually the art style has always appealed to me in this series, and season 3 is no different... it holds up well, which is a benefit for games like this that aren't relying on the latest graphics enhancements to wow the audience.

Overall, you get twists, turns, action, choices and consequences in one heck of a worthwhile experience that has proved to be worth the money yet again. Based on it being an experience... I recommend playing with an audience. Don't forget a nice sized TV, popcorn, drinks and a nice sound system to really take it in. The $5/per episode that gives you a movie-like experience... gets two thumbs up from me, and it was always priced just right in my opinion.


Fun factor: 5
Visually: 5
Replay value: 5
Price: 5


“5 / 5 Cool Points”




SDGT Studio the Comic Ep 3: Atari Box?!

Our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Harvey, be safe and evacuate
to a safer location if you have the option. - Team SDGT




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Windjammers: Limited Edition Flying Power Disc!

Windjammers is headed our way... yes, but get your hands on the Flying Power Disc Frisbee collectible from Wham-O while it's hot. We've had the pleasure receiving one from Wham-O and to be honest... the hardest thing to decide is... should we play with it or preserve it. Decisions! - Blu


Go Out and Play Windjammers: Wham-O Brings the Arcade to the Backyard With its Limited Edition Replica of the Flying Power Disc

DotEmu and Wham-O Release a Real-Life Windjammers Frisbee® in Celebration of the Arcade Game’s Re-Launch for PlayStation

Two of the most iconic games are joining forces. Wham-O, the legendary toy brand and creator of the original Frisbee®, announces it will be releasing a special edition Windjammers 175g Frisbee® in celebration of the classic nineties arcade game’s re-release for PS4 and PSVita on August 29. Wham-O’s real-life version of Windjammer’s “Flying Power Disc” will be sold exclusively at Fangamer.com for the next month.

“We are super excited to be partnering with DotEmu as they re-launch one of everyone’s favorite arcade games,” says Olyvia Pronin, marketing director of Wham-O. “Now, fans of the game can enjoy Windjammers both on the screen and in their backyards.”


Originally launched in 1994, Windjammers is a sports arcade game in which players hurl a flying disc back and forth in various settings. French video game company DotEmu recently announced it would be re-launching the game exclusively for PlayStation, and soon after, partnered with Wham-O in hopes of creating a real-life replica of the game’s flying disc.

Wham-O’s limited edition Windjammers Frisbee challenges Frisbee fans and Windjammers enthusiasts alike to practice, perform, and compete using all of their favorite moves from the game beyond the screen.

“Wham-O is all about active outdoor play, which is why we were especially enthusiastic about bringing Windjammers’ flying disc to life,” said Pronin. “It is an absolute must-have collectible for any fan of this awesome game.”

In addition to launching the original Frisbee, Wham-O is also the company behind several other classic toys including Hula Hoop®, Hacky Sack®, and Slip ‘N Slide®.

For more information, please visit http://www.wham-o.com, and to sign up for the purchase of the original limited edition Windjammers 175g Frisbee by Wham-O today, visit https://www.fangamer.com.


Brought to you by... DotEmu & WHAM-O!

Shantae: Pirate Queen’s Quest



Shantae: Half-Genie Hero – Pirate Queen’s Quest!
  
Name: Shantae: Pirate Queen’s Quest
Publisher/Developer: WayForward, XSEED
Release Date: Available 8/29/2017
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U, PS4, PSVita, Xbox One, and Steam
Players: Single Player
Price: $9.99 USD
Play the role of the bodacious buccaneer Risky Boots in Shantae: Pirate Queen’s Quest, the first major expansion to the critically acclaimed Shantae: Half-Genie Hero!
About:
Raise anchor and prepare your body for a total re-imagining of the base game’s play style, theme, and storyline. You’ve played the genie-half, now experience the other side of the story!
As the villainous pirate Risky Boots, your quest is to travel the world in search of the components needed to conquer Sequin Land and defeat the Half-Genie brat!
Game Features:
  • The fan-favorite control scheme from Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse returns, placing a plethora of pirate skills right at your fingertips!
  • Take on any world in any order!
  • Slice your foes to ribbons with Risky’s Scimitar, or blast away with her Pistol!
  • Collect and master Risky’s Pirate Gear! Bomb Shot, Grappling Hook, Hat Glide, Cannon Jump, and more!
  • Deploy your Tinkerbat crewmen to turn the tide of battle!
  • Collect Cursed Magic to customize Risky’s abilities any way you like!
  • Includes brand new monsters and classic foes, now in HD!
  • New puzzles, storylines, and game endings!
NOTE: This product was crowd-funded by fans that generously backed multiple tiers of bonus content, including this expanded content! Thank you to all of our Backers!



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Rise of the Tomb Raider 20th Anniversary… reviewed!

Lara sets out on a new adventure… after one heck of a new first impression.


I say it like that, not only because this isn’t Lara’s first rodeo, but it is the first time I’ve made more of an emotional connection with the Tomb Raider. The initial games (PS1 days)… were colder, but I took it for what it was, making moves to get where I needed to be in the level in order to progress to the next location. The way the character was set up to move, really frustrated me… and although it got better from the 1st Title to games like Tomb Raider Legend… the latest installments are more my cup of tea.

The new Tomb Raider ushered me into a story that I looked forward to experiencing, not just something they get through. I’m really glad the decision was made to take Lara back to the beginning where we joined her in the growth process of what’s to come. There are very valid reasons now… to continue the franchise forward adventure after adventure. We can literally experience her growth process as the Tomb Raider… and after playing Rise of the Tomb Raider, I’m ready for the next installment.

This is the 20th Anniversary, so I wanted to look back and share my experience whether frustrating or not… because today’s Tomb Raider may have never existed without those initial building blocks.
In this installment, you’re already on the ground running and the sting of being forced to proceed is gone. Now it’s adventure time… and if you’re new to Tomb Raider… I do recommend starting off with the 1st installment to get up to speed.


In Rise of the Tomb Raider... you embark on an expedition in... Siberia, and believe me when I say there is plenty of chilling action to enjoy as you dive into the adventure, kicking butt and uncovering secrets while in a rat race against an organization known as the... Trinity.

From A to Z the story is well written... and there's nothing I'd change about it (including the playable backstory). Although it's fictional action adventure... I appreciate the fact that the game's story still has that element that makes sense. It's not over the top, even with a certain secret as a factor in the story. So strap up with Lara's bow & arrows and jump in. (The more you adjust to using the bow and arrow types, the better. Poison arrows are by far my fave, but the incendiaries really come in handy.)

Holy ****!
Visually the environments are stunning... and sometimes creepy at times (especially when a bear is near... or is after you). I enjoyed sitting back and just checking out the lay of the land that the developers brought to life... in addition to the great work done on the characters (not only visually but personality wise).

Audio is almost as equally satisfying for me. You get those little additions like the sound of walking through snow, reloading guns, the sound of bushes while sneaking through them to get the drop on enemies, etc... and it just amps up the experience (as intended).

Beyond the main adventure... which is very good, you have optional tombs that will challenge you to think. Just like in the previous game, these tombs increase the enjoyment of the adventure because you get a break from the action to do something different... while still being a part of the adventure. That's also one of the reasons why I really enjoy them, I can take in the visuals while also thinking of how to solve a tomb's puzzle without the worry of someone trying to take my head off. This is just one part of the hefty replay value this game has to offer.

The replay value you get from this game is huge... all games aside (outside of the video game itself), expect to get a lot of playtime out of this title. In the 20 Year Celebration, you also get:
Blood Ties – This is a single player story giving you a taste of Lara Croft's life at home. I can't exactly say that this specific story shows the best aspect of that life, but it gives you more to enjoy. This story places you in a situation with Lara's uncle challenging her ownership of Croft Manor in the wake of her father's death. This hour long addition can be played in third person or even VR mode.

Co-op play for endurance mode, extreme survivor (difficulty setting) for the main campaign, a special outfit and gun, 5 classic Lara skins and... all the previously released DLC. There are a lot of games that have plenty of content, but... this one made me say “Damn”.

Previously released DLC includes... Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch... that challenges you to a new tomb that houses an... ancient terror, and Cold Darkness Awakened... where you combat waves of infected enemies. Going back to the co-op... I think it will be appreciated more so after the adventure is done because you will take the skills you've sharpened to go full bad ass online to see how you can hold up... and it delivers that survival aspect that has proven to be of interest to quite a few gamers (add a person you can vibe with on the other end and... that's hours of fun). So yeah... the replay value in Rise of the Tomb Raider is huge.

Price wise, no arguments here, you're getting value on value that you're able to come back to and not just replay... but you have many factors that give you something new to enjoy after the main adventure is done, all tombs have been raided, all side missions completed, etc.

Overall, this is a beautiful game... chock full of content that takes you for one heck of a ride... that I highly recommend.

Fun factor: 5
Visually: 5
Replay value: 5
Price: 5


“5 / 5 Cool Points”



Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co.