#even just a tactics game more like the recent one about the grey knights would satisfy me

[meanangrydyke]

I think rogue trader looks like it s gonna be amazing and I m Really excited for it but I wish someone would make a crpg where you re a chaos warband and you have to deal with the weird politics and culture that the chaos warbands have ideally you would Not be aligned with the black legion at the start but you can align with them or one of the chaos gods or maybe one of the other legions

[britesparc]

Weekend Top Ten #432

Top Ten Games to Remaster

As we continue June’s videogame-themed series of Tops Ten – during what would normally have been E3, but is still something of a prolonged Videogame Announcement Season – I turn my attention once again to great games past. This has been exacerbated by the release of Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, a hi-def spit-and-polish re-do of two of the greatest PC games of the nineties. I have very fond teenage memories of both C&C and its pseudo-sequel, but Red Alert in particular strikes an important chord as one of “the” games that deepened and broadened by love of gaming as an art form. In the way that really only happens when you’re a kid, I absorbed Red Alert, not just completing the campaign and playing hours and hours of skirmish, but also talking about it extensively with friends, designing my own levels, and even going so far as to modify the source files to create my own super-units (nuclear tanks ahoy!). As such, it utterly delights me to declare that C&C Remastered is a phenomenal undertaking, the graphics painstakingly remade to fit modern displays, the interface masterfully tweaked to appease modern sensibilities. But at the same time it offers so many pleasing, knowing, considerate hat-tips to fans, such as a re-imagining of the classic DOS installation prompts. All in all, it’s a must-buy, bringing a 25-year-old series of games more-or-less bang up to date and preserving their legacy for a new generation.

Anyway, all this got me thinking of other classic games, and how it’s so difficult to play them nowadays. Maybe they’re mired in rights issues. Maybe it’s a technological minefield to get them to run on modern systems. Maybe elements of modern gaming – be it graphics or design – have simply passed them by, making them a far more difficult and frustrating experience than they would have seemed Back in the Day. Whatever the reason, these are games that – like classic films from the 40s and 50s – should be celebrated and enjoyed by the young’uns, not left to gather digital dust on forgotten floppies the world over.

So, with no further ado, here are ten games that I would love to see given a bit of digital TLC, renewed and revigorated for the ultra-wide monitors and liquid-cooled systems of tomorrow. In most cases these are just one game that I’d like to see spruced up and re-released, but there are a few “collections” here too, whether it’s a C&C-style pairing of a great double act, or a  celebration of a series, a la Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Oh, and I’m on about remasters here: not a full-on remake or reboot. Stuff like Perfect Dark on the Xbox 360, not Doom 2016. Old games made good on modern hardware, not a reimagining of the property.

Regardless: have at it, games industry.

Lemmings (1991) and Lemmings 2: The Tribes (1993): I definitely think they should be a double-pack, because whilst the first is a well-regarded classic, the second refines the formula, makes it more user-friendly, offers skirmish-style training modes, and amps up the comedy. But they’re both ancient by now, and despite mobile do-overs in recent years, the originals are very difficult to play. Upping the resolution whilst still keeping the character of the scantily-pixelated sprites would be difficult, but it’d be worth it to once again sample one of the gods of gaming.

Sam & Max Hit the Road (1993): other LucasArts classic adventures have had a spruce – most notably the first two seminal Monkey Island games – but it’d be good to see this cult comedy classic come back to life. I don’t know if the backgrounds ever existed in higher resolution, but I’d love to see the sprites re-drawn to more closely resemble a cartoon version of Steve Purcell’s artwork.

The Jedi Knight Series (1995-2003): I’m bundling all four Jedi Knight games in together – that’s the original Dark Forces, plus Jedi Knight, Jedi Outcast, and Jedi Academy – but let’s be honest, it’s the first two we’re really after. DF gave us a compelling mission-based “Doom Clone” (back when Doom was a genre), and one which would be amazing to see tarted up to 4K with texture filtering a-go-go; but it was its 1997 sequel, Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, that struck serious beskar. Huge, expansive levels, in “true 3D” (as we used to call it), full-motion video cutscenes, finally getting a lightsaber and Force powers, but most of all the Light/Dark Side dynamic offering (very basic) morality and a branching storyline. Again, giving it a glossy hi-def sheen would do wonders to preserve the legacy of one of the greatest Star Wars games of all time.

The Quake Collection (1996-2005): really it should be called The Quake Qollection, no? Encompassing all four mainline Quakes. Although, again, let’s be honest: there’s something deeply iconic about the first three, so no one would complain if we just forgot about part 4, yeah? Anyway: Quake was a stunner, a gorgeous 3D technical juggernaut, offering sumptuous lighting effects and gorgeous architecture. Part II came a year later and offered us coloured lighting and a coherent sci-fi story, whereas Quake III Arena in 1999 gave us a sublimely crafted multiplayer shooter and a character that was an eyeball doing a handstand. Despite being graphical powerhouses in their day, getting them to run can be a drag, so it’d be lovely to see them dragged into the 21st Century, especially if they could offer us ray-tracing on next-gen consoles, a la Quake II RTX.

Tomb Raider (1996): we’ve seen the series rebooted in (generally) excellent fashion, but at the same time it feels it lost a little of the majesty, mythos, and merriment of OG Lara. One of the first truly successful 3D games, it was like nothing before it. A subtle update to increase its resolution, filter the rough edges, maybe offer the option to move beyond the rigid grid-based movement structure, and possibly up the poly count so blocky Lara more closely resembles her rendered box-art cousin, would be terrific. Imagine the dinosaur in 4K…!

Descent (1994): one of those games that’s slipped from public consciousness, this was a full-3D shooter a couple of years before Quake shambled onto our screens. Piloting a craft in zero gravity, it offered full freedom of movement as well as a tense shooter dynamic coupled with some mild, X-Wing-style space sim elements. It was funky, fast, gorgeous, and messed with your head. I’d love a remake that kept the levels as-is, simplified the often-complex controls for modern sensibilities, and just in general made it look prettier. I worry that a contemporary “re-imagining” might lose too many of its crazy rough edges, though.

Syndicate (1993): there have been a number of efforts to re-do Syndicate over the years, but apart from its excellent sequel Syndicate Wars in 1996, none have matched the dark joys of the original. rather than try to go all modern and 3D, I’d rather see the artwork redone, redrawn at a higher resolution, perhaps offering subtle 3D touches such as dynamic light, shadow, and ray-tracing. The fiddlier aspects (getting into cars?!) could be tidied up, but the look and feel should remain the same. I honestly think this could be a big deal.

Total Annihilation (1997): if C&C can get remastered, why not the game that was arguably the first real challenger to its sci-fi RTS dominance? TA had 3D graphics, a new and refined model of base construction, and tactical touches such as line-of-sight and elevated terrain. But the comparatively low resolution of late-nineties machines meant that the robotic units could often appear slightly indistinct, turning into a grey melange; boosting the res and the poly count would do wonders, but – like C&C – the gameplay itself should be kept as authentic as possible.

Warcraft I & II (1994-95): I know, I know; they just did a remaster of Warcraft III that wasn’t well received and got everybody’s backs up. But I barely played Warcraft III (I barely played Warcraft I for that matter). Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness was the fantasy yin to C&C’s sci-fi yang, and it was great; clear, bright, fast, fun. The cartoony graphics were gorgeous and the units had bags of character (reinforced by the humorous soundbites when you kept clicking on them). I’d want to see the sprites re-drawn in hi-res, with the units given some gorgeous new animations to match their character. Other than that? Keep it broadly the same. It worked 25 years ago, it’ll work now.

Fantasy World Dizzy (1989): I nearly didn’t have a game this old on the list. For one thing, I thought pre-16-bit games would require far more retooling for modern audiences, becoming essentially the sort of reboot I said I wanted to avoid; I can’t imagine a new Skool Daze being too similar to its original. Also which Dizzy do you choose? The one I played the most was probably Spellbound (1991). But I think Fantasy World may be the most iconic. Its Amiga port was almost a remaster anyway, giving it gorgeous colour graphics. A modern version would up the resolution with all-new art assets, obviously, and perhaps could offer a more user-friendly jumping dynamic (and maybe – maybe – I’ll allow scrolling). This could be a lovely way to re-introduce audiences to the character of Dizzy, who should really be held up more as a British gaming mascot, without having to go all-in on a brand new title. Egg-cellent (sorry).

So there we are. There are a couple missing here, obviously; Simon the Sorcerer was nearly there until I realised they did do a gentle remaster in 2018. The Settlers would have made the list, except they are remaking that, although in my opinion it looks like a full-on reboot rather than the upgraded version of the original that I crave. Fade to Black just dropped off the bottom on the grounds that I barely played it in its original form, but a third-person 3D Flashback is still on my Most Wanted list (Flashback itself, sadly, has already had a disappointing remake). And the best Star Wars game of all time, Knights of the Old Republic, I decided not to include as – again – I think we’re going to see that reimagined and folded into the new official Disney canon in some form. Maybe that should preclude me imagining the original game in 4K with updated character models, dynamic shadows, and ray-tracing, but – hey – that’s just me. At least that is one game that I’ll still be able to play fairly easily on an Xbox Series X, even without whistles and bells. Here’s to dead old games!

[bitteraristocrat]

Leisurely

“If I may be so bold, young Master, when I was your age, the relationship of master and servant was far more brittle and distant. I find this arrangement unusually comfortable, ho ho ho.”

No more than a fortnight prior had Ciel passively suggested an afternoon spent with the elderly house stewart, considering Tanaka often spent his time away from the chaos and boisterous events with which the manor was ridden with. Humbly, and with great honour, the servant accepted, and their proposal became fruitful later on an autumnal afternoon in the midst of an univolving week end for the noble of the two.

The elderly house stewart sat himself conspicuously beside his employer, as the new equinox danced about them. Hues of a spectrum, ruby to bronze, scattered at their feet and above their heads in the trees, whilst downy wool protected them from the ice of the air. In spite of the chill, London’s weather proved balmy for their tea, for which Tanaka had brewed a fine Sae Midori Gyokuro, specially chosen for his young Lord as it was sweeter than a traditional sencha, and recently harvested, bearing in mind the oncoming Autumn.

“As I said,” Ciel replied with a gentle smile, pausing to sip at his tea before returning the cup to the cushion of his begloved palm, “I reckon I could benefit from an afternoon devoid of stress, whilst equally indulging a change of pace. If I may be so bold in turn, you are far closer an acquaintance in war than a servant, old man.” Tanaka chortled again, and gave a subtle nod. A glimmer in his grey eyes told fond memories of the predecessor, although, he would not dare voice his reminiscence. The previous earl, too, often allowed nonchalant moments such as these, and Tanaka had no doubt that his current master inherited a mutual generosity. If nothing else, it was an excuse for the old gentleman to relish in his finest teas of the Orient.

Their time together was predominantly spent in silence, as Tanaka was wont to focus on the rustling of dried leaves, and Ciel calculated the taste and aroma of the tea. It was a socially incongruent moment, but no less enjoyed by the matter of impropriety. The older of the pair broke the silence with an overindulgent sigh, taking in both the decay and life of the autumnesque air. “Would you consider such a gathering with your other servants, sir? You need not answer if it offends you.”

The boy hesitated. The inquiry did not offend, but prompted him to ponder. It was not an unprecedented thought, nor was he repulsed by the idea. Cocking his head to the side, Ciel began his response with a scoff. “I wouldn’t mind it.”

And, thus, brings this narration to the chess game.

Incarnadine eyes bore into that of a vexed jewel of blue, and a board of black and white separated them. Having taken the old man’s suggestion to heart, Ciel proposed a game of chess to the head butler. Of course, given the circumstances of Sebastian’s kind, the young Master mandated certain rules of him for the sake of fairness; no telepathic nonsense or any advantage the demon might have over him due to the fact regarding his inhuman abilities.

“Your move, my Lord” Sebastian informed through a sigh, crossing his legs in almost a posh air. The sight of the two sitting in each other’s presence was twofold more disturbing than with the young Master and Tanaka.

“Knight to E5, to take your pawn,” Ciel muttered, thumbing the ivory piece before replacing the ebony pawn with it.

The devil wasted no time with his retort. “Bishop to E5, to take your Knight.”

His master leaned forward, enticed by his butler’s boldness. The Bishop was unarmed, to be slaughtered, as he deduced. Advancing, he picked up his Queen, taking note of the very few pieces left on the board. Fondling the white token, his gazed flit from one side of the board to the other. He decided on a defensive move. “Queen to B3.” Sebastian’s lips pulled to a taut frown. “How disappointing,” said the retainer. The begloved hand reached for the same piece and lifted it from the board. “Do you intend to leave her so defenseless and isolated? I will allow you a chance to change your motive, if you see fit.”

Ciel returned the tease with a sharp glare. “She isn’t as you say,” he reached for the piece and took it, “do you doubt my tactics?”

“Not in the slightest, sir,” Sebastian smiled, returning his attention to the black tokens which he commanded. “Although, it would be a pity if you lost your Queen by trying to play in a way that does not come natural to you. Knight to C5.”

“What are you on about?” The earl’s countenance contorted even darker as he digested the demon’s observation. He permitted the near defiance to simmer within him. It was unclear to Lord Phantomhive, master of board games and riddles alike, whether or not he could truly beat his inhuman opponent. Yet, with each move and puzzlement, they held each other’s gaze with a tender maliciousness. Calculated, albeit unnerving, their exchange and dance of glares and chess pieces was daunting for both parties, as if they now both feigned the role of predator, victory as their prey.

“You are an offensive player, as I have observed,” the butler continued, unembellished. “The occasional defensive strategy is undoubtedly necessary, but your intentions, here, bid a dubious omen; do I sense an irrational experimentation at play?”

“I thought I ordered you not to waste my time with your supernatural theatrics, Sebastian. If you intend to cheat by ‘sensing’ my motives, or some rubbish, I will find a better way to spend my afternoon.” Ingenuity took hold of Ciel’s demeanour as his hand reached to move the Queen. “Queen to B3, check.” The demon hardly flinched. Feignedly offended by his master’s accusations, Sebastian reclined in his chair to observe the board. His assessment ravished each unpigmented token that posed a threat; the Rook on B2, the Pawn on G7, and so on. A quietude gripped the air between them.

“Have you ever played chess with a human before?” Ciel cut the silence with his query, mimicking the languid stature of his counterpart as his spine pressed into the brocade upholstery. Sebastian replied with a slow nod and a modest shrug. “I have had the pleasure of doing so on the rare occasion. Although, none have been quite as engrossing as this. You spoil me, young Master. King to F7.”

“You flatter me,” the boy gave a halfhearted chuckle. “You spoke before that my tactics frequent a more offensive trend. Yours are the same. A quintessential cut-throat foray, yet your defense is the calculated bit. How very like a hungry predator.” 

“Does it entice you?” Sebastian’s lips grew heavy.

“It is cliché. You play like a devil, just as I had anticipated.” A beringed hand pawed at the ebony King and swatted it over. The butler blinked, brows knitting at his child master’s blatant boredom. It was true, their wits were matched, with the devil lacking permission to dominate using otherworldly tactics.

“Well, if you see fit to end our game, I suppose I shall humbly accept victory,” the devil snaked his fingers through a myriad of pieces, disrupting their servitude, and began to rise to his feet. The boy scoffed, “Clearly you haven’t the slightest clue as to how this game works, nor the austerity of the point system regarding the won pieces. As it so happens, I have more points than you” Ciel rose to meet the demon, a glower and crooked grin captaining his hauteur. 

“And, as it so happens,” he mimicked the little lord, “my ill-behaved master ended the game without much consent of his opponent,” the raven snarled, mirroring the wicked smirk.

“Perhaps if you hadn’t bored me,” Ciel’s prowling hands groped the chess set, pieces of monochrome scattering at his touch, “I would have allowed you at least a taste of victory.”

Sebastian took his master’s face in hand, clutching it with obsidian talons as he etched dimples into those milky cheeks. And as he snatched his prey, a growl emitted past his daggering maw, slaver pooling about his lips. In turn, the boy grunted and writhed beneath his counterpart. “What a cheeky little thing you are.”

The young Lord spat his fury with a thorny scowl;

So very like that day, you prey upon me now. Eyes akin to that of the beaded black marbles of a beast, only throbbing vermillion with slits of the abyss struck down the middle. They bug and twitch as you hang over me. Your breath pours onto my face, sticks to my hair and clings to my skin. It is hot and saturated, I find myself surprised that the slaver that pooled at the rim of your bottom lip did not spill out onto me. You vile, disgusting creature.

Whilst the devil held his prey and feasted on his gaze;

There you lay before me, so tauntingly, each fibre of me aching with the sheer hunger that is wired in my kind. Yet, you cause the network of my hunger webbed throughout this form to twist and alter out of my control. The very nexus of my being is unraveled simply at your musk. I am unlike those of my breed, entirely due to that wretched gaze of yours. Perhaps you think me far more human, but, rest assured, I all the more a devil when you fixate me with your rage.

A heated breath was shared before the pair withdrew. Strewn about the board, the chess pieces lay. With heady glances, they revelled in the mess they made.

-

|| A very rushed piece, but I was determined to finish it. Something of a guilty pleasure. ||

[pixelrender]

Every game on my wishlist, part 1

Let’s do this, I’ll share all games on all of my wishlists and write a short reasoning for every single one of them. My goal is to find out, whether I really want to own and play all of these games and how many I will be able to remove from them without much of a regret. There probably are more productive ways to spend free time, but let’s do this.

Itch.io

The list on itch.io is the messiest one of the three. I keep adding and removing and returning games a lot. Right now it features 6 times, 2 games I would like to write about here and 23 games I intended to buy and play at some point. I know I will only have time to play 3-4 or four big games in next 2 years and this list consist mostly of smaller and experimental projects. So, many of them have a good chance of getting played. Let's take a look at individual items now.

1. and 2. Far Future Tourism and Zones

I really want to play some of Sherlock Connor's walking sims. The world's he created are different, a personal expression through the medium of video games. It's not necessary to have two packs on the wishlist and I'll remove one for now.

3. Walden, a game

I guess I might read Thoreau's book first? He's a personality, who intrigues me a lot and a game based on his life could be an interesting time. Also, the game's nature looks stunning. It makes me want to go outside and I don't think I ought to play this instead. To keep my life simple, the game leaves the list.

4. Sagebrush

I'm excited about this one. It's a walking sim with little more direction, a disturbing theme and stunning lo-fi graphics. My cup of tea and an item of high priority on the list.

5. The Haunted Island: A Frog Detective Game

It just feel like a kind game, which can help you out, when you feel down. Together with Sagebrush, these are the two games I need to play asap.

6., 7. and 8. Sokpop Games

A small selection of Sokpop titles (kamer, moreas, huts). They're cheap, original and bite sized. The three selected titles focus more on ambiance than activity/action and that's why I'm interested in them. I don't see any reason in favour of removing them.

9. Voyageur

This game's very likely an underrated gem. It has trading and an interesting narrative but it's also way more stressful than survival space games. Just check out the trailer, this game stays.

10. EarthTongue

You care about an alien ecosystem mostly composed of fungi. That and a recommendation from Natalie Lawhead Is enough for the game to be kept on the list.

11. Of Gods and Men: Daybreak Empire

I want to keep track of this game, but there are so many other tactics games I'd rather play and I own many of them already. This has to go.

12. Dujanah

They say the story is incredible and the art direction reminds me of Catemites, but I'm tired of narrative games rn. Dujanah, you're off the list.

13. Seek Etyliv

This is the most minimalist grid based game I know. Everything about it intrigues me and that's why I need to play it.

14. Overland

I love polished low poly micro worlds of this tactics game. Also, it's a road trip. They say it's not as good as Into the Breach and I agree that they should have released it earlier. But I still want to play it. 15. Sunset

An ambient game about revolution and class, but I'm not all that interested in it and I probably wouldn't be able to run it on my potato of a machine. 16. Art Sqool

It rhymes with cool! Also, I think that it brings something new in video games, that this game indeed is art. I definitely need to play this soon.

17. The Stillness of the Wind

I appreciate a lot what is this game trying to accomplish with minimalist storytelling devices, but I can't get over the color palette.

18. Glass Staircase

I enjoy Puppet Combo. I admire their low poly approach to horror games. They def participated on the renaissance of the genre and ps one era graphics. This is probably their most polished game, but It would be possible to replace it with something else from their catalogue.

19. and 20.  Far Blade and Backlands

The two Bcubedlabs' games have stunning graphics, simple mechanics and almost no stories. Their visual value and low price tag are the two reasons both games are staying.

21. The Space Between

A year ago, even six months ago, I would have been thrilled about it. But that was before I lost interest in stories of any kind. Now I only want an impression or an emotion. I don't want to follow a story to feel sad. I feel sad right now. This might return on my list in 2021, when I change mind again.

22. Caves of Qud

This a complicated hardcore retro hardcore everything ultima inspired features and death heavy rpg I'd love to try out one day. But it will take a long time for me to get there. Also, I don't think it fits with the rest of the list.

23. Pagan: Autogeny

I added this few days ago and I'm interested in it because the gamepage promises a bag of candy. In this game you roam around an abandoned mmo and occasionally come across content. I especially like the promise of 100 acres. It clearly invites the photographer in me in. This might be the right game to make paintings of too.

Humble Bundle

My second wishlist is neatly organized. It contains 16 items in a 4x4 grid. Each row is supposed to have a theme and every purchase breaks it a little. I removed some 30 items from this wishlist in May, so there aren't any items I think should be removed. But talking about every one of them might change that. 1. Gris

I used to be a Devolver fanboy and I still like their making off documentaries, but the majority of their releases are too violent and too much of a crowd pleaser. I still enjoy a game of theirs from time to time and I received a super strong recommendation to play Gris, which isn't violent. It's melancholic. And I think I might add to the discourse, which has been uncritical so far.

2. Timespinner

I like myself a good metroidvania and despite the average reviews, Timespinner has that Mega Drive aesthetic I can't resist.

3. Chasm

They say it's only decent, but let's consider two other factors. Comfort food is 7 out of 10 and so are Comfort Games. Metroidvanias became that for me as a genre and Chasm looks like a delightful diversion from all these superb titles coming out.

4. Feudal Alloy

Another decent non-linear platformer with rpg elements on my list. This one earned its spot with the unique combination of theme and graphic style. It's just lovely looking.

5. and 6. Banner Sagas

I like tactics games and for some reason the story of Banner Saga still appeals to me. I want to play through it and see how much I will have to sacrifice and to which end. 

7. Expedition: Vikings

Expedition: Conquistador is one of the most underrated tactics games. It's because fights themselves are little less involved that the rest of game. You play with a flawed crew, which forces you into bad decisions all the time. I heard great thing about it in an episode of 3MA dedicated to Vikings.

8. Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Bad North is purty and it looks like delightful, smart little game made with minimalism on mind.

9. Titan Souls

To be totally honest, this one's on the list for graphics. They're great and I really appreciate selection of browns and greys, which are dominant, but without an effect of the game looking lifeless.

10. Samurai Gunn

I talked about this game many times. It looks pretty, it sounds amazing with the soundtrack from Doseone. The trailer is my favourite video game trailer of all times and the gameplay looks like fun if you have couch and friends, who enjoy games.

11. Nantucket

It's all about the theme of whale fishing and the swag this gem has. Mechanically it seems to be quite a journey too. I enjoyed FTL and this is building upon some of its mechanics, but makes it less about surviving and more about chaining successful hunts, methinks.

12. Dishonored

The last game from the row of giants and whales is the single first person modern AAA title I crave to play. Architecture and world-building in the series are exceptional and the whole design reminds me of Half-Life, the best shooter of all times.

13. Ultraworld

A weirdly available commercial piece from the creators of Secret Habitat, one of my favourite walking sims and my favourite digital gallery. Obviously, this can't be removed.

14. Koma

I wasn't interested in this atmospheric roaming game at first but the more I heard and saw, the more hooked I got. I don't care about the mystery being second tier. The atmosphere is dripping from screenshot and that's enough (btw can't run it, so it's of lower priority).

15. Californium

I like that it's a French game about America inspired by an American. I remember people talking about it quite fondly, when it was released. Californium is weird and colorful and filled with things to take a picture of.

16. Crying Suns

An upcoming game published by Humble Bundle. The hook is that it takes FTL and battles from games such a Homeworld and stories such as Dune and meshes it all together. If it turns out to be any good, this might be my next time submarine.

Steam

The third and last list has 22 items and more than a half of them are metroid inspired designs. Both released and upcoming.  I curated this list a lot in the past as some of my friends can see it and I felt little embarrassed, when it was reaching over 100 items. Truth to be said, I bought most of these items meanwhile. Now let's see what I can do about the rest.By the end of 2019 I would love this list to consist only from Symphony of the Night clones.

1. Knights and Bikes

I bragged about this one a lot recently. Just scroll down for more. It's number one, because it's the next game I'm buying (unless sales).

2. Legendary Gary

I really hope I will find funds and time and play what could be the Bojack Horseman of nerds. The trailer for this game deeply resonated with the situation I've been for several last years and I think the game can have a deep impact on me if the writings as good as its soundtrack.

3. Anodyne 2: Return to Dust

Ok, one more time. Anodyne was unique and the sequel looks great in its low poly glory and promises to be bigger and better.

4. The Eternal Castle

The trailer for this one's stylish. I watched it at least five times in a row. But it doesn't tell a whole lot about the game and It's possible that the intro is the best part of the game. It probably will leave my list. 5. INFRA

Infra is s a puzzle game made in source (half-life engine, the best engine). Basically it all starts as a surveillance of pipes and ends up with you uncovering a conspiracy. What attracts me to it are beautiful environments and some well remembered textures and it should perform great on my rustworthy laptop. Also, I read great things about it on RPS before it became a completely different site.

6-22. Non-linear platformers

I won't be buying or playing any of these this or the next year. But 2022 should be a year for them to thrive. I will feature here some of them in a foreseeable future as some of them are pretty interesting and maybe make a comprehensive piece on castleoids for Christmas. The list goes: Axiom Verge, Timespinner, Chasm, Feudal Alloy, Visual Out, Redo!, Gato Roboto, Grizzland, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, Eagle Island, Minoria, Witch and 66 Mushrooms, Refoil, Nykra, Outbuddies, Biomass, Divinium

And that used to be my wishlist. I don’t know why I had such a sudden urge to make an article about it, but here it is and now I can delete some of these items without regret and always look back here if I need to find them.