Screenshots For Dwarrows - The Town-building, Adventure Game From Lithic Entertainment

We've talked about Dwarrows before, when it was greenlite to be on Steam. I wanted to post some extra screenshots of the game since I'm in love with the art style.  You can check out the developers on their site, and they are pretty active on Twitter.  Check out the screenshots below, but keep this one on your radar:

Preview - Thoughts On Cuphead, Below, and Arrowheads from E3

Hey everyone! So as I've been tweeting, I got to go to E3, and got to play a lot of great games. Some of those great games were developed in our own back yard. Here are some general thoughts I've had on them:

Cuphead from Studio MDHR

We've discussed this a few times on the podcast, but this game is beautiful. It's fluid and smooth, and it was great to confirm this in person. Platforming sections have just been announced and I got to play the section from the video we posted earlier.  The game is certainly difficult, but the controls are easy to grasp and similar to Megaman games of the past. I think once you get the level design down, and the placement of enemies you'll be flying - it will be interesting to see how long this takes. Sadly I didn't get a chance to try out a boss, but the 10 minutes I played left a great impression.

Below from Capybara Games

E3 probably isn't the best place to play test a game like Below, especially if it's the first time you've ever played it.  It deserves to be played in a dark room, with nothing else to get in the way with headphones on. You start the demo on a beach with your boat and before long you're going "below" in a mountain, fighting creatures and collecting items.  The atmospheric and creepy music matched my actions perfectly, and there appears to be some sort of crafting system, but I didn't get a chance to try it out.  Battling was similar to Legend of Zelda games of old, having a sword, shield, bow and arrow at your disposal, but with other weapons to pick up like a spear.  Below is planned for this summer, and I would turn off the lights when you play.

Arrowheads from OddBird Studio

You don't have to travel to Los Angles to play OddBird Studios multiplayer shooter.  You can download Arrowheads from their site right here, and when you do I recommend getting some friends to play along with. Think of it as a 3D Towerfall. The gang has added some extra levels since the last time I played it, and it's just as fun as ever.  The art and animations are colourful, the gameplay is solid, and the game is just straight up a lot of fun to play. If you want to hear some further discussion on it, make sure to listen to Episode 22 of our podcast, but keep this one on your radar.

Remember that this article was a Patreon early exclusive, which means they got to read it first. Become a Patreon today.

Alone With You Is "Done - Pretty Much"

Indie developer Benjamin Rivers has been tweeting quite a bit about his upcoming game Alone With You, and it looks like we're going to get a release date soon. Check out some of the tweets below (I promise I didn't stalk anyone...)

Well, hey. Guess what?
Alone With You is done.*

(*Pretty much. 😕)#gamedev #indiegame #AWYgame @PlayStation pic.twitter.com/R26IypMjIo

— Benjamin Rivers (@BenjaminRivers) June 3, 2016

You ever get the feeling it's going to be a long day? #AWYgame #gamedev #indiegame #pixelart pic.twitter.com/jZccoJkTFf

— Benjamin Rivers (@BenjaminRivers) June 8, 2016

Well, doesn't that look nice. #AWYgame #indiegame @PlayStation #PSVita pic.twitter.com/uE0NMo3pEh

— Benjamin Rivers (@BenjaminRivers) June 15, 2016

@Brambmas05 @PlayStation I'll be able to talk after E3 madness dies down!

— Benjamin Rivers (@BenjaminRivers) June 15, 2016

Alone With You is planned for PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita, and from the sounds of it, once E3 has died down a bit, we'll find out more about the sci-fi adventure game. Stay tuned for updates, but in the meantime, maybe check out 9 minutes of the game from late last year.

New Gameplay Trailer For Mirage: Arcane Warfare

Torn Banner Studios have been busy showing off footage for Mirage: Arcane Warfare, and this one comes courtesy of the PC Gaming Show at E3.  You can check out the trailer below which shows more footage of the FPS multiplayer shooter.

Watch an exclusive new Mirage: Arcane Warfare gameplay trailer from the PC Gaming Show at E3 2016. Mirage: Arcane Warfare arrives Fall 2016. Sign up for the Summer Beta: http://miragearcanewarfare.com Obliterate your enemies with powerful magic or silence them with a sword in Mirage: Arcane Warfare, a multiplayer FPS from the creators of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare.

Mirage: Arcane Warfare is planned for Fall 2016, but you can sign up for the Summer Beta on the official site.

DrinkBox Studios Bringing Severed To Wii U, iOS, and 3DS This Summer

So Severed didn't stay on Vita Island very long, understandably DrinkBox Studios has announced that Severed will be making its way to 3DS and Wii U as cross-buy title, as well as iOS.  You can check out the announcement trailer below for Nintendo consoles:

Take control of a one-armed heroine named Sasha, wielding a living sword on her journey through a nightmare world in search of her family. Swipe-based touch controls will let you solve puzzles, find secrets, and do battle with a host of disturbing monsters.

Meanwhile DrinkBox Studios tweeted confirming the game is coming to iOS.

Extra E3 news! Severed is coming to iOS this summer! https://t.co/u52ZoEpwV9

— DrinkBox Studios (@DrinkBoxStudios) June 14, 2016

Fans of DrinkBox won't have to wait long, all three versions are expected to come out this Summer.

13AM Games Announces Retail Version For Runbow - Also Coming To New 3DS

It was a busy time for 13AM Games at E3, the gang announced a bunch of news things for Runbow (and despite most of us making a prediction involving 13AM Games, we were all wrong). For starters, Shantae from the Shantae series will be added as a free downloadable character to Runbow.

In addition to that, Nighthawk Interactive will be brining Runbow Deluxe to Wii U retail, and Runbow Pocket Deluxe to retail new 3DS. A downloadable version Runbow Pocket, will also hit the new 3DS eshop.  Both versions will include the full game, all of the DLC and complete soundtrack. While the pocket version will include 4 exclusive 3DS themes, and streetpass trading cards.  You can check out the full trailer, and press release below - everything is expected to hit sometime this year.

The critically acclaimed Wii U game Runbow goes portable on New Nintendo 3DS! official site: http://www.13amgames.com/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/13AMGAMES twitter: https://twitter.com/13amgames MiiVerse: https://miiverse.nintendo.net/titles/...

EDISON, New Jersey - June 13, 2016 – Nighthawk Interactive has revealed it will bring independent developer 13AM Games’ party platformer Runbow Deluxe to Nintendo’s Wii U system and Runbow Pocket Deluxe to the New Nintendo 3DS hand-held system later this year. An updated release of the original Runbow, these new versions include all of the DLC launched for the game since it debuted last year on Wii U, including a new story adventure, levels, costumes, characters and more.

Runbow Deluxe on Wii U supports competitive multiplayer for up to nine players locally and online and comes with a bonus download for the game’s two-volume original soundtrack.

Runbow Pocket Deluxe takes all the fun of Runbow on the go with new StreetPass functionality for exchanging information, like favorite character and best Bowhemoth run time. It also comes with an exclusive theme download for New Nintendo 3DS.

Bursting with hundreds of stages, Runbow is a fast and frantic action game featuring multiple gameplay modes and a uniquely challenging mechanic in which platforms and obstacles in the environment appear and disappear in tune with shifts in the world’s color palette. The game is drawn with colorful art design inspired by 1960s animation and includes playable guest characters like Shovel Knight (Shovel Knight), Juan (Guacamelee!), Drifter (Hyper Light Drifter), CommanderVideo and CommandgirlVideo (BIT.TRIP RUNNER), Max (Mutant Mudds Super Challenge), Gunvolt (Azure Striker Gunvolt) and many more, including the just-announced addition of Shantae (Shantae Half-Genie Hero).

Runbow Deluxe and Runbow Pocket Deluxe are expected to arrive this fall in retail stores. Both titles are rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB.

 

 

Cally's Trials Out Now On Steam

In the midst of E3, VDOGames have released Cally's Trials on Steam.  You can get the game right here, which does have a 10% discount going on.  You can also enter an art competition to win a free copy of the game.

"Set before the events of Cally's Caves 3, Cally's Trials is a roguelike action-platformer with a weapon-levelling system that lets you evolve weapons as you use them. Cally must save her parents from the maniacal Herbert, who has laid waste to the Caves and built a massive lair deep inside."

Since I posted the trailer for the game when the game was originally announced, I posted below a Let's Play for it. Make sure to follow the gang on Twitter!

I play a game called Cally's Trials. I'm not so good at this game but still had a lot of fun playing it. Key was provided by VDO Games and Dietrich Online Services. Special thanks! Let's Play Cally's Trials. Cally's Trials Gameplay. Tyclone Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TycloneOfficial

Our E3 Predictions - Toronto GameDevs

Yesterday on the podcast, Bret, Dan, Shae, Brendan, and myself gave some predictions on what we think we'll see at E3.  Given that the press conferences are about to start, I thought I'd make a post about it. I'll leave out the non-Toronto predictions out, but make sure to check out the full podcast for all the predictions:

Shae:

• 13AM Games will be announcing a new game

Dan:

• We'll see a demo for Below from Capybara Games
• (from last week) 13AM Games movie (probably joking)

Brendan:

• Didn't make a specific Toronto game developer prediction, so I'm taking this chance to shame him. Shhhhhaaammmeeee.

We made a lot of predictions on Runbow/13AM Games, let's see who's right.

Bret:

• We'll see a Guacamelee 2 from DrinkBox Studios
• Single player game from 13AM Games feature Satura from Runbow 

Steve:

• Ubisoft Toronto is the lead developer behind the next Splinter Cell game
• Runbow amiibo / Nintendo costume in Runbow
• Arrowheads NX launch title (I was joking)

Time will tell, happy E3 everyone! Make sure to check out the podcast for all the predictions.

Torn Banner Studios Shows Off Mirage: Arcane Warfare Footage Ahead Of E3

PCGamer wrote a great article on Mirage: Arcane Warfare, in which some new footage was also show. I thought I would post it since coming up to E3, it's a solid read: 

"Physics are a vital part of the game as well, both for the way in which it gives melee combat “a sense of weight,” and also because it's funny. “When you hit someone, it's not like their body just limply falls down. You'll know the strength of that hit you just knocked them with, and their body will go flying across the room,” Senior Brand Manager Alex Hayter says in the video. And that, according to Torn Banner President Steve Piggott, “really adds a lot of humor to the game.”"

Go "Behind the Banner" in a new Mirage: Arcane Warfare behind-the-scenes video series from Torn Banner Studios. In this video, learn about how blood and gore in Mirage add to the satisfaction and creativity of the game's visceral combat encounters.

Mirage is looking great, and is scheduled for release on this year on PC. You can read the full article here and follow along on Twitter to stay up to date.

Blue Isle Entertainment Releases New Footage For Valley - Coming This Summer

Valley, the first person adventure game from Blue Isle Entertainment was announced last April, and some new footage has surfaced.  Garrett Marks took the PlayStation Blog to talk about the game, which is coming this Summer to PlayStation 4, and PC.

"As you’ll see in the video, intrepid players can do some truly incredible things as they seek to further uncover the mysteries of the valley: give life to dying trees and animals; leap the distance of an entire football field; swing through a Pathfinder training forest of ginormous trees; and even defend oneself against some mysterious enemies. These are just some of the many awesome things you’ll be able to do as you explore the ancient depths of the valley, all the while keeping both it and yourself alive."

Valley, in development from Blue Isle Studios, makers of the popular horror game Slender: The Arrival, promises a first-person adventure like none other. Players will pilot the L.E.A.F. exosuit, powering up their physical abilities to unheard of levels then exploring the massive world from above and below -- dashing over landscapes, leaping between structures, all while wielding control over both life and death.

Hopefully we'll see more of the game at E3, but until then make sure to follow the studio on Twitter.

CupHead Gameplay Shows Off Platforming Level

Up until now, it was thought that Cuphead would be just a boss-rush type of game. That would of still been cool, but now Studio MDHR has shown off some platforming sections. You can check out the video below:

Cuphead isn't just a boss-rush game anymore. Now it has traditional, Mario-esque platforming too. And yes, it's insane. ------------------------------­---- Follow IGN for more! ------------------------------­---- YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/ignentertainment?sub_confirmation=1 IGN OFFICIAL APP: http://www.ign.com/mobile FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ign TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ign INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/igndotcom/?hl=en WEBSITE: http://www.ign.com/ GOOGLE+: https://plus.google.com/+IGN

Cuphead is scheduled to release for Xbox One and PC this year. Last year they announced at E3 the delay, so hopefully we'll get the full scoop on the platforming shooter this year. Until then, follow the gang on Twitter, and listen to our podcast where we gush over the art.

OddBird Studios Wins ESAC’s Student Video Game Competition - Going To E3

Good friends of the site, Oddbird Studio has won the annual Student Video Game Competition from The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), which means they'll be at E3 next week.  You can check out the quote from Cody below:

"We are beyond excited to have the opportunity to showcase our game Arrow Heads at E3 this year” said Cody Romphf. “Everyone on our team has their own expertise, whether that’s gameplay programming, stylizing characters, animation, or level design. We can’t wait to show the talent and skills that come from Canada”, he added."

To celebrate, Oddbird Studio also released a teaser trailer for their multiplayer game, which we throughly enjoyed when we talked about it on the podcast a few weeks back.

Arrows Heads is a zany battle royale archery game being developed by a group of students from Sheridan's Bachelor of Game Design program! Arrow Heads was the winner of Best Overall Game and Artistic Achievement from the Toronto Level Up Student Showcase in 2016.

Huge congrats to everyone at Oddbird Studio, and Sheridan College. You can read the full press release here. Make sure to give everyone lots of love on Twitter and FaceBook.

Watch Dogs 2 Announced - Ubisoft Toronto Involved

With E3 right around the corner, developers are working on revealing their games in preparation for the big event. Ubisoft has announced Watch Dogs 2, the sequel to the open world game from two years ago and Ubisoft Toronto announced they're helping with the title.

We are so proud to join the @watchdogsgame development team and help build the beautiful game world of SF! https://t.co/Jk0x8e3GmP

— Ubisoft Toronto (@UbisoftToronto) June 8, 2016

Watch the first-ever look into the new Watch_Dogs 2. Set in the birthplace of the tech revolution, the San Francisco Bay Area, Watch_Dogs 2 explores a new reality where an interconnected city and network of personal devices are used to control and manipulate citizens on a unprecedented scale.

Watch Dogs 2 comes to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC November 15th. You can check out the full Ubisoft Blog for all the details.

13AM Games Tells Fans To Wait For E3 For "cool new Runbow announcements"

Earlier today, an Amazon leak was posted online that had to do with 13AM Games' 9 player multiplayer platformer Runbow.  I've never really wanted this site to be about "leaks" or "inside information", that was never the purpose, so I wasn't going to post anything about it. However, 13AM Games did make an official post going over the leak (for those interested, you can read about the original story here).  I copied a blurb from 13AM Games statement below:

It’s important to note however that this info and this Amazon post did not come from 13AM Games, and contains some incorrect information. We can’t elaborate yet, but all I can say is that everyone should tune into E3 where we will be making some cool new Runbow announcements. Be sure to follow us for all the latest Runbow news on Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr. If you ever have any questions, shoot us an email. It needs to be reiterated: Thanks for your passion and excitement. Our fans are literally the best.

We'll just have to wait and see. It is important to note that in an interview with TorontoGameDevs.com, 13AM Games did say they working on something with Runbow.

Alto's Adventure Getting Free Update - "Zen Mode"

Alto's Adventure, the infinite skier on iOS and Android is getting a free update that includes a Zen mode. Zen Mode, which hits iOS tomorrow on June 2nd, will "remove scores and let you continue from wherever you crashed -- all you have to do is enjoy the experience."  It will also include a more relaxing soundtrack, and a photo mode.

The free update hits iOS tomorrow with an Android port coming "soon". You can download Alto's Adventure on iOS and Android.