And they said it would never happen. Nidhogg, the two-player fencing game that's been a staple of the indie gaming scene and an award winner since 2010, is finally being released to the public. On more than one occasion the press who've gone hands on have called this "the perfect game," so if it wasn't on your radar before, it should be.Unlike earlier builds that have made the rounds at different events over the last few years, the public release of Nidhogg appears to feature a single player campaign. Those looking for the game's touted multiplayer don't have to worry, though; the release trailer below also showcases a tournament mode that supports 8 players.We've heard endlessly good things about this one over the last few years, and can't wait to see if it lives up to hype. Let's find out together when the game hits Steam on January 13.
If you've been a PC gamer anytime in the last 20 years, you probably have fond memories of playing Command & Conquer at some point. In my case, it was playing Red Alert at launch back in '96. I must've played that thing 'til my clicking finger gave out.Whatever game your mind goes to, it's almost definitely in Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection. Featuring 17 games from the series past, I'm tempted to say it's everything that ever released under the Command & Conquer banner (but I'd also be lying, because Tiberium Alliances is a thing). Normally $19.99, you can pick it up right now for 75% off. That's $4.99 for 17 games, right up to 2010's Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight.Click here to check out the whole list of games and/or to pick up this incredible deal before it disappears.
I'm entering into this year's predictions far more humble than I did 2013's. Why? Because I got everything wrong last year. But that's ok - life is a learning experience, and I've learned to keep my predictions a tad more realistic. So with that in mind, I'M GONNA PREDICT SO HARD YOUR FACE IS GOING TO MELT.Can I break the bad predictions curse? We'll find out in twelve months. See you in 2015, doubters!!(Geez, I really hope I got it right this time).
2011's To the Moon knocked our socks off. It was a triumph in interactive storytelling that netted a perfect score from both Gamezebo and our readers. As you can probably guess, that means we've been waiting on pins and needles for the next release from Freebird Games. And while A Bird Story is still slated as "coming one day," Freebird managed to sneak a great little treat into the closing moments of 2013 yesterday: a To the Moon holiday special minisode.Clocking in at a brief 20 minutes, the story focuses on Dr. Watts and Dr. Rosalene at work during the holidays. You can get this one for free directly from the Freebird Games website, or if you already own To The Moon on Steam, this episode should be releasing shortly as patch to your existing game (though Freebird notes you'll need to manually open your folder to find/play it).Haven't played To the Moon at all yet? There's no better time: you can pick it up for its holiday sale price of just $2.99.
As 2013 draws to a close, it's time to look ahead to what 2014 might bring in our great parade of Gamezebo predictions. Before we do, though, I think it's important that we hold ourselves accountable for the sins of the past: namely, our 2013 predictions.Were we right? Were we wrong? There's only one way to find out. Check out everything predicted by Gamezebo Founder Joel Brodie, Editor-in-Chief Jim Squires, and former Associate Editor Dant Rambo at the beginning of 2013 to see how right we were. (SPOILER: we were about 67% right).
Here's an interesting turn of events: the same day we announce that our Game of the Year is Kentucky Route Zero is the same day we notice that it's 50% off! If our write-up has you itchin' to try it, there's really no better time to buy. Normally $24.99, you can pick Kentucky Route Zero up for just $12.50.Your purchase will net you a Steam code for PC and Mac, as well as access to all future episodes (there will be five acts in total, but only the first two are available now).What are you waiting for? It's our Game of the Year. Let's find out if it's yours too.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play a game inside a dream? That's exactly what Kentucky Route Zero feels like. Everything is normal, except it's not. Everything makes sense, except it doesn't. Context ceases to apply. Every bit of strangeness is met with a mix of hesitation and acceptance.You're in an office building that seems to be both inside and outside simultaneously. The third floor is populated solely by bears. Yet all the while, business as usual is being conducted. People are at their desks. Proposals are being looked over. There's a receptionist who insists you jump through the necessary red tape before seeing someone. Moments like this are what Kentucky Route Zero is made of: that strange sense that lives inside of dreams, where no matter how fantastic the elements at play may seem in retrospect, they're merely unsettling at the time - like puzzle pieces that don't quite fit.It helps that you're not the only one that feels this way. Conway and Shannon, the game's protagonists, seem to share this mixed sense of unease and acceptance. And as unsettling as it all is, it's also quite beautiful. Kentucky Route Zero is a game that capture a familiar feeling that I've never seen another medium successful recreate. I suppose the closest comparison might be a David Lynch film, but even those fall short by comparison.
If you're a fan of visual novels and dating sims, there's a good chance you're familiar with RE:Alistair++. The game scored four and a half stars when we reviewed it all the way back in 2010, and if that's not enough to convince you of the game's quality you can download it for free and find out for yourself.If you've spent the last three years wondering why there hasn't been a sequel of some sort, don't worry: sakevisual are prepared to right that wrong.Backstage Pass will take players on a sim journey through the entertainment industry, controlling the life of makeup artist Sian Goodin as she tries to build both her career and her love life. With 15 different endings, fully-voiced gameplay, and the pedigree of a game like RE:Alistair++ behind it, Backstage Pass sounds like it has the potential to really deliver for fans of the genre.If this one looks up your alley, be sure to give it a vote on Steam Greenlight. Pre-orders are available at sakevisual.com/backstagepass.