“Waiting for the sun” – The Doors
Whoever is interested by the quarantine for the Covid-19 can really understand what is “the sun” I’m waiting for…
In the place where I’m writing, Italy, the sun is not just a star but a hope of normality, not a mirage but something to believe in.
But this is serious matter and I’m aware that today we’re here to talk about our common passion: videogames! So the “question of the day” is: can a bunch of bytes cures this damned virus?
Obviously nobody can really think so, but I’m convinced that if a “cure” is something that concern, not just our body, but also our spirit, than we can believe that even a simple videogames can lessen our suffering. During the past weeks (and still now) I was forced to stay at home… ever… and I cannot even think what would have happened to my mind without a good turn-based game, or a good book in my hand, in other words, without something capable of bring me somewhere else.
We are human beings and in order to maintain our mental health we have always to look forward and hope for our best, so even under these particular circumstances I think is right to talk about which videogames await us during the next month.
Despite the virus time goes fast and, with Spring, comes also another month full of indie releases.
To tell you the truth, beside a plethora of “not very well-known” games, this time we have also a few major releases. It would be enough to mention Gears Tactics or Alder’s Blood to get satisfaction, but under the surface we can find also some others interesting titles like, for examples, Celestian Tales: Realms Beyond (an indie game which takes inspiration from the classic JRPGs), Dread Nautical (the new turn-based release from the talented ZenStudios) or, even, Sentinels of Freedom (which seems me a to me a turn-based version of the glorious Freedom Force!).
This month there are – really! – a lot of games so pardon me if I’ll be a bit brief ????!
Commanders of Valor – 1st April
Commanders of Valor is a strategy, role-playing tabletop game.
Set in the last two centuries before the common era, players can take control of a royal family of three factions and lead them to glory.
Among the features: Role playing experience, Strategic battlefield, Factions, Multiplayer and Singleplayer mode.
On Steam.
Lock ‘n Load Tactical Digital (E.A.) – 2nd April
The Lock ’n Load Tactical series is a dynamic squad-level tactical combat computer game based on the award-winning board games of the same name. LnLT series centered on infantry combat from the 1930s to the present.
On Steam in a few days!
Istoria (E.A.) – 7th April
This one is quite mysterious.
The developers describe it like a “story driven turn-based strategy game. Follow the story of Nemu, who was sealed for 500 years, and travel between worlds.”
Hard to say something more from the images at the moment, except that there will be a lot of fights!
Very soon on Steam.
Godking: Master of Rituals (E.A.) – 8th April
Godking: Master of Rituals is a fantasy strategy game inspired by 25 years of classics, while bringing a host of new features and innovations to the table.
Pick your faction and your god-like incarnation, build your empire and crush all enemies.
Key Features
- A new 4X experience, with a rich fantasy universe to explore and powerful enemies to destroy
- Six unique playable factions, all with their own set of units, spells and even mechanics and how to play them
- Six unique god-like incarnations – the representation of you the player in the world, each with their own set of passive abilities, combat stats, spells and strategies. They combine and mix with all factions, for added replayability and experience differentiation
- Visually beautiful automatic combat – with knights, arrows, flying spells and terrifying monsters – you plan your army compositions to effectively beat the next enemy, then you lean back and watch as your brilliant plans unfold
- Rogue-like elements, with randomly generated maps, randomly placed holdings, randomized holding defenses, randomly placed magical artifacts and randomly placed world treasure chests and wandering monsters – this gives the game enormous replayability. Always a new experience and sometimes with almost hilarious results
In Early Access on Steam.
Ancient Enemy – 9th April
Card battler games are quite popular nowadays and even if I’m an inept at playing them, I can’t deny that they have some appeal and require a lot of strategy (maybe too much for me…).
So – with no surprise! – Ancient Enemy is one of them! Is an RPG card battler set in a crumbling world where the forces of evil have already won. Blast distorted enemies with a satisfying range of spells and abilities. Journey into a scarred wilderness and draw power and hope from the landscape to defeat the deadliest foe of all!
The full release is set for April 9th on Steam.
Plebby Quest: The Crusades – 9th April
Wow, Plebby Quest seems a game so intriguing and original!
I haven’t tried it yet, but I saw some gameplay trailer and it was almost impossible not to laugh. However I’m quite sure that behind its cute graphic there is a deep strategic gameplay.
The developer’s describe their game as “a turn-based strategy game set during the crusades of Europe and the Middle East. You must survive between ambitious rulers dreaming of building an empire, treacherous neighbours that long to burn your kingdom, and the religion which always makes unreasonable demands. Survive and build your kingdom’s legacy to last centuries. “
Very soon on Steam!
Alder’s Blood – 10th April
Finally, after a long wait and the recent release of the Nintendo Switch version, Alder’s Blood is coming. I cannot say if this game will be a sleeper hit or not, but one thing is sure, it has a very charming and grim setting. Something between Darkest Dungeon and XCom, but with some original features implanted.
The developers describe their game as a “tactical-strategy with stealth-based combat, RPG elements, crafting, resources gathering and management, exploration and rich storyline. Set in a grim world, where mankind killed their God and is facing extinction“.
Soon on Steam.
Goblin Times (E.A.) – 13rd April
In this joyful Steampunk world, Goblins are the absolute dominators. They have their own ways of living. Money and power is what makes this world go around and also every goblin’s ultimate pursuit. Some goblins who are good at making money become leaders of the pack. Steam Page
Troubleshooter – 13rd April
Another game close to the release after a very long Early Access phase.
We talked about this game a few months ago during a chat with the developers.
Troubleshooter is a turn-based RPG heavly story-based, with strategic battle (in the XCOM style), a selection of classes and customizable character growth from a plentiful mastery and unique abilities.There are freelance mercenaries called troubleshooters who help the police fight criminals.
Very intriguing!
Soon on Steam.
Fractalis (E.A) – 15th April
Fractalis is a procedurally generated roguelike that has turnbased/gridbased combat with a realtime feel. Among its key features you will find: Perma Death; Procedurally generated dungeons, enemies, and items; Turnbased and gridbased movement/combat; Dungeon Crawling with numerous levels to explore.
Hard to say something more but if you want to try it there is a demo on Steam.
Celestian Tales: Realms Beyond – 23rd April
I’m honest, I didn’t appreciate the previous chapter of the game, but not because it had something really wrong, but mainly because I don’t like JRPG combat stystem. Even this sequel seems essentially a JRPG in its core, but from the trailers everything seems more rich and fascinating.
Here’s the description of the developers: “Celestian Tales: Realms Beyond is a beautifully hand-painted RPG set in a world of questionable morals much like our own. Follow the journey of six Companions, knights sworn to serve and protect the heir of a noble house, as they rise and fall in their struggle to survive a world where one’s true enemies are often their closest allies.”
On Steam.
Gears Tactics – 28th April
This is one of my favorites for the upcoming month. Even if I played only to the first Gears of War, I liked very much the Aliens mood of the franchise and I think that an Xcom-esque version of the game could be really astounding.
Gears Tactics is a fast-paced, turn-based strategy game and among the others features we can find: immersive and character-driven story, customizable squad and equipment, aggressive gameplay, massive boss battles.
Obvoiusly on Steam.
Dread Nautical – 29th April
Previously released for Apple Arcade, this is the new game from Zen Studios (the developers behind the wonderful dungeon crawler Operencia). You are abroad a cruise liner called the Hope but supernatural forces have overhelmed the ship. At its core Dread Nautical it is a turn-based RPG mixed with rouguelike and survival elements.
Don’t sleep on this exclusive of Epic Games Store!***
Dungeon of Rikka (E.A) – 30th April
Dungeon of Rikka is a real journey back in time. Described as a turn based RPG, the game is a classic and rather canonical rogue-like where you have to descend into randomly generated levels trying to save your village from the impending doom of the beast that’s been left to rot in the deepest corner of the Dungeon.
On Steam at the end of the month.
Sentinels of Freedom – April
Well this time is more a hope than a real release date.
Sentinels of Freedom reminds me a lot Freedom Force with a turn-based combat system.
Key features:
- Build your Team – select from the many available heroes and unlock more throughout
- Full story campaign – writers and creators from Sentinel Comics
- Freeform movement – Turn Based game that allows you to move anywhere
- Squad dynamics – heroes or villains can work together for more powerful actions
- Living Environments – multiple objectives, interactions and dangers
- Create your Hero – choose backstory, archetype, powers, and appearance
Maybe… someday during April on Steam!
Sol-Hel – April
I don’t know about you, but I have a thing for low poly graphic and the characters of Sol-Hi are soooo cute. The game is about a team of Dead Slayers in a strange medieval setting. They will have to fight back the dead and save the World (or something like that…). Despite the not-so original story the game is charming, especially considering that behind this project there is just one guy!
During April on Steam.
Defense And Revenge – April
Defense And Revenge is a turn-based strategy.
Orcs tribe lived calmly, but once group of tribesmans have been attacked by humans. It was decided to elect leader, who will be able to defend the village and to take revenge on aliens.
You can realize your plans by organizing regular raids on vulnerable groups of enemies, also it’s possible to rob caravans. Obtained resources can be used for increase tribe’s power. Effective strategy planning and tactical management will help to defeat humans and their allies.
Someday on Steam during April!
Kards – April
If you are wondering what World War II and cards have in common the answer is simple: Kards!
It’s a card game that combines traditional CCG gameplay with innovative mechanics inspired by classic strategy games and real battlefield tactics. Take command and challenge other players in grand-scale warfare on the ground, air, or seas.
Maybe during April on Steam.
