Author - Jerry Paxton

Achilles: Survivor Demo Out Now

The Legends are true! The demo for Achilles: Survivor is now available in Steam Next Fest. Achilles: Survivor is a bullet heaven title with 20-minute play sessions and a building mechanic unique to the genre!

The Next Fest Demo features:

Three playable characters, each with their unique powers and transformations (one to start and two to unlock)
Four maps to play through
7 enemy types, 1 mid-boss, and 2 final bosses
20 categories to upgrade and improve after each run
Each run takes around 15 minutes to play
Building mechanics unique to the genre

Achilles: Survivor is a dynamic single-player bullet heaven game where you face thousands of enemies, build destructive structures, develop your character to return as an even more powerful machine of destruction, and survive waves of enemies.

Beyond Shadowgate Review (PC)

Beyond Shadowgate is a triumphant return to the classic point-and-click adventure genre, a love letter to fans of the original while offering a compelling experience for newcomers. Born from a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $120,000 from eager fans, this passion project from Zojoi, the team behind the 1987 classic Shadowgate, picks up 35 years after the events of the first game, inviting players to once again brave the depths of the living castle.

The game masterfully captures the spirit of its predecessor, with challenging puzzles, perilous traps, and a darkly enchanting atmosphere. You play as Del, son of the hero Jair, who must venture into Shadowgate to confront the resurrected Warlock Lord and save the realm from his evil clutches. The narrative, while simple, effectively sets the stage for an adventure filled with danger and intrigue.

One of Beyond Shadowgate’s greatest strengths is its ability to evoke nostalgia without feeling dated. The graphics, while updated, retain the charm of the 8-bit era, with detailed pixel art and vibrant colors that bring the world of Kal Torlin to life. The game even offers XInput controller support, allowing players to experience the adventure with a classic controller for that truly authentic feel.

The puzzles in Beyond Shadowgate are a highlight, striking a balance between challenging and rewarding. They require careful observation, logical thinking, and a bit of experimentation, often demanding players to think outside the box. Unlike some modern point-and-click titles that rely on obscure solutions, the puzzles here feel grounded in the game world and its lore, making them satisfying to solve.

Compared to other recent point-and-click adventures like Return to Monkey Island or The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow, Beyond Shadowgate embraces a more traditional approach. It forgoes the self-referential humor and meta-narrative prevalent in those titles, focusing instead on delivering a pure adventure experience reminiscent of the genre’s golden age. This dedication to its roots is perhaps a testament to the dedicated fanbase who helped bring this project to life through crowdfunding.

While Beyond Shadowgate excels in many areas, it does have minor shortcomings. Some interactive elements can be difficult to spot due to the pixel art style, leading to occasional pixel hunting. Additionally, the pacing can feel uneven at times, with certain sections requiring more backtracking than others.

Despite these minor flaws, Beyond Shadowgate is a remarkable achievement. It successfully resurrects a beloved classic, expanding on its predecessor in every way while staying true to its roots. The challenging puzzles, immersive atmosphere, and nostalgic presentation make it a must-play for fans of point-and-click adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer eager to explore the depths of Shadowgate, this game, brought to fruition by the dedication of its fans, offers a thrilling and rewarding experience.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

TRON Catalyst Announcement Trailer

Big Fan Games, a subsidiary of Devolver Digital, together with developer Bithell Games in collaboration with Disney Games, today announced Disney TRON: Catalyst, a thrilling, story-driven isometric action game set in the world of Disney’s TRON. Continuing the story of the Arq Grid, first introduced in TRON: Identity by Bithell Games, TRON: Catalyst will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch in 2025: https://www.bigfangames.com/games/tron-catalyst

In Disney TRON: Catalyst, players are introduced to Exo, a highly resilient and resourceful program with an incredible ability to initiate time loops. With this newfound power, Exo takes on the overlords of a crumbling Grid all while evading Conn, a malevolent agent of CORE. Exo must gain control over her mysterious abilities and uncover the unexplained ‘Glitch’ that threatens the Grid.

As Exo, players will battle on-foot and on Light Cycle to complete missions and gain crucial insights that will help them on their quest. While learning from her mistakes, Exo will also need to navigate warring factions to unlock new paths and uncover the secrets of the Arq Grid.

Disney TRON: Catalyst launches on PC and consoles in 2025 and will also feature beautiful new hand-drawn art and original music, from the TRON universe. Wishlist today.

Follow Bithell Games and Big Fan Games on social media and stay tuned for more updates on TRON: Catalyst.

reMarkable Paper Pro Review: The Future of e-Ink Tablets is Here

The reMarkable Paper Pro isn’t just a tablet; it’s a portal to a focused and creative workspace where ideas flow freely, batteries endure, and seamless connectivity empowers your workflow. It masterfully blends the tactile satisfaction of pen and paper with the convenience and flexibility of digital technology, all while offering the freedom to work untethered for extended periods. This isn’t just about taking notes; it’s about unlocking a more profound and fulfilling creative experience.

From the moment you hold it, the reMarkable Paper Pro exudes quality. Its svelte and featherlight design makes it an effortless companion, while the expansive 11.8-inch color E Ink display offers a generous canvas for your ideas to unfold. But the true enchantment lies in the writing experience. The subtly textured surface of the display, in concert with the precision of the Marker or Marker Plus, evokes the familiar sensation of pen gliding across paper. Each stroke feels instinctive and responsive, with just the right amount of resistance to mimic the real thing. The absence of any perceptible lag further amplifies this seamlessness, allowing your thoughts to materialize on the digital page without interruption.

And now, those thoughts can take on a spectrum of hues. The Paper Pro introduces color to the reMarkable experience, offering nine distinct shades to write and annotate with. Imagine highlighting key passages in vibrant yellow, sketching diagrams with bold blues and reds, or adding subtle shading to your illustrations with a gentle touch of gray. This infusion of color adds a new dimension of creativity and organization, allowing you to express yourself with greater nuance and visual impact.

reMarkable has meticulously crafted the reMarkable Paper Pro to be a haven of focus. There are no app icons clamoring for your attention, no notification banners intruding on your thoughts, and no seductive pull of the internet to derail your concentration. This dedication to single-tasking allows you to fully immerse yourself in your work, whether you’re capturing meeting notes, sketching architectural designs, or annotating research papers. The adjustable reading light further enhances this focused environment, ensuring comfortable viewing in any setting, from the sun-drenched outdoors to the soft glow of a bedside lamp.

Adding to this sense of freedom is the remarkable battery life. With up to 14 days of regular use on a single charge, the reMarkable Paper Pro liberates you from the constant search for power outlets. This endurance empowers you to work wherever inspiration strikes, whether you’re nestled in a cozy café, brainstorming in a park, or sketching on a long flight. And with up to 90 days in standby mode, you can rest assured that your Paper Pro will be ready when you are, even after an extended period of inactivity.

But the reMarkable Paper Pro doesn’t just emulate the analog experience; it embraces the power of digital organization and connectivity. All your notes, sketches, and documents are meticulously stored and readily accessible. The reMarkable app seamlessly synchronizes your work across multiple devices, ensuring your ideas are always within reach. You can effortlessly organize your files into folders, pinpoint specific content with the powerful search function, and even integrate with popular productivity apps like Evernote and OneNote. Moreover, the Paper Pro seamlessly connects with cloud services like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox, allowing you to effortlessly import files and expand your digital library.

And for those who crave the tactile feedback of a keyboard, the optional Type Folio is a game-changer. This ingenious accessory transforms the Paper Pro into a versatile hybrid device, seamlessly blending handwriting and typing. With its ergonomic design, full-size backlit keys, and satisfying key travel, the Type Folio delivers a comfortable and efficient typing experience. And because it requires no pairing or charging, it’s always ready to capture your thoughts, whether you’re jotting down quick notes or crafting a lengthy document. This seamless integration of handwriting and typing unlocks new levels of productivity and creative expression, allowing you to effortlessly transition between brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and editing.

The optional Marker Plus elevates the writing experience to new heights. Its finely textured grip provides enhanced comfort and control, while the built-in eraser allows for swift and precise corrections without disrupting your creative flow. This meticulous attention to detail underscores reMarkable’s dedication to crafting a truly refined and intuitive writing experience.

While the Paper Pro excels in its pursuit of focused productivity and creative expression, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s not intended to replace a fully-featured tablet or laptop. Its functionality is deliberately streamlined to enhance concentration and mirror the analog writing experience. However, for those who cherish focused productivity, artistic exploration, and the tactile gratification of pen and paper, the reMarkable Paper Pro is an indispensable tool. It’s an investment in a more mindful and productive workflow, where distractions fade away and your ideas take center stage.

Overall Score: 5 out of 5

Pros:

  • Unmatched paper-like writing experience
  • Distraction-free environment
  • Excellent organization and accessibility
  • Comfortable reading in various lighting conditions
  • High-quality design and construction
  • Vibrant color options for writing and annotation
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Seamless integration with cloud services
  • Optional Type Folio for a seamless typing experience

Cons:

  • Limited functionality compared to traditional tablets
  • Premium price point
  • Some advanced features require subscription

The Stone Of Madness Release Date Trailer

Tripwire Presents, the publishing division of Tripwire Interactive that focuses on releasing great games from other independent studios, today announced that The Stone of Madness will launch digitally on Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch™ system on Jan. 28, 2025. The upcoming tactical stealth adventure title developed by The Game Kitchen, acclaimed developers of Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2, will participate in Steam Next Fest , which runs from 10:00 am PDT Monday, Oct. 14 through 10:00 am PDT Monday, Oct. 21, giving gamers an opportunity to get hands-on as they play through the game’s multi-hour prologue experience. The publisher also released the game’s animated intro trailer to help prepare gamers for their journey into madness, offering a stylized introduction to the five uniquely flawed prisoners and their daring plans to escape their unjust confinement. Hopefully with their sanity intact.

The Stone of Madness is a tactical stealth adventure game set in a Spanish madhouse in the late 18th century, presented with gorgeous hand-crafted, period-inspired artwork. Located in the Pyrenees, a timeworn Jesuit monastery is home both to a madhouse and an inquisitorial prison; five mysterious characters have been imprisoned between its walls under different pretenses. Plagued by cruel punishment, madness, and despair, they will soon devise a plan to escape this place and its evil inhabitants, relying on each other to face their deepest fears.

ASKA Launches Update 2: Farmers and Fighters

Everyone’s favorite viking survival tribe builder, ASKA, published by Thunderful and developed by Sand Sailor Studio, today launched a breadth of new content as part of its Update 2: Farmer & Fighters.

Through the update, players can now enjoy:

  • Town Militias – Upgrade the Eye of Odin, form a town guard and rally them with a mighty Smolkr horn to defeat enemies.
  • Wall-Mounted Cave Torches – Caves have become even better with wall-mounted cave torches and new small iron clusters. Additionally, the Crawler boss has been reworked so players should take another “stab” at this evil foe.
  • Seasonal Crop Schedules – Create automated crop rotation tasks that will add variety to fields during specific seasons.
  • New Customization Options –  Survive in style with new hairstyles, tattoos and facial features, which are unlockable through the deeds system.
  • Additional Features – Expand your settlement with the Horn Tower Addon, as well as enjoy Steam Cloud Saves, now available.

COLORFUL Presents Intel Z890 Motherboard Lineup for Intel Core Ultra 200 Series

Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading brand in gaming PC components, gaming laptops, and HiFi audio products, introduces its lineup of Intel Z890 motherboards to the newly launched Intel Core Ultra 200 Series processors. The new Intel Z890 motherboards feature several technological improvement including 40Gbps USB4 connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, and higher DDR5 memory support among others.

Upon launch, COLORFUL presents seven Z890 motherboards designed to cater a wide range of users from casual desktop users to more demanding users such as gamers and content creators.

For high-end PC builders, COLORFUL introduces the iGame Z890 VULCAN X/W, iGame Z890 FLOW and iGame Z890 ULTRA motherboards. The iGame Z890 VULCAN X/W is the flagship motherboard, packed with premium features designed to deliver performance and aesthetics – available in black and white models.

For mainstream users, the CVN Z890 ARK FROZEN, CVN Z890M GAMING FROZEN and BATTLE-AX Z890M-PLUS motherboard offer a great balance of features and latest technologies.

Intel Core Ultra 200 Series Processors

On October 10, 2024, Intel launched the new Core Ultra 200 series desktop processors, featuring a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores. While hyper-threading has been removed, the new Arrow Lake architecture and TSMC’s 3nm process achieve up to a 30% reduction in power consumption and a 16% increase in IPC performance compared to the 14th generation.

The interface has also been upgraded to the advanced LGA1851 specification. Notably, these processors include NPU units for AI computing, marking the arrival of the desktop AI PC era and offering users a groundbreaking experience in high-performance computing and AI applications.

iGame Z890 VULCAN X/W

The iGame Z890 VULCAN X/W motherboard showcases a striking black and white color to color-match most gaming PC builds. Comes in an E-ATX form factor like its Z790 predecessor. Its large Vulcan heat dissipation armor on the front and an alloy protection backplate enhances both durability and cooling efficiency. Additionally, the Vulcan Infinity Mirror beside the VRM heatsink and double “V” Vulcan field on the PCH both support ARGB lighting, creates a cohesive design that appeals to PC gamers and enthusiasts.

The flagship iGame Z890 Vulcan X/W motherboards boasts premium specifications and features including a robust 20+1+1+1 phase 105A DrMOS power supply module and a fully black fin-type heatsink. With four alloy-reinforced DDR5 memory slots supporting dual-channel high-frequency memory of up to 8400MT/s.

The motherboard offers ample storage options, including five M.2 (one PCIe 5.0 x4 and four PCIe 4.0 x4), and four SATA interfaces. The IO panel includes six 10G USB-A ports, two USB4 40G Type-C ports, dual 2.5G/5G network ports, and a Wi-Fi 7 antenna interface.

The iGame Z890 Vulcan X/W also features advanced overclocking functions such as an independent base frequency adjustment buttons and the LN2 mode, along with an upgraded BIOS, enhance user experience by ensuring smoother and more efficient performance.

Key Features

  • Available in black and white colors to match your style
  • Supports Intel Core Ultra 200 Series Processors
  • Supports memory up to DDR5-8400MT/s, DDR4-8800MT/s (OC)
  • Premium 20+1+1+1 power phase design with 105A DrMOS power stages
  • Server-Grade 8-Layer PCB
  • Alloy-reinforced DDR5 DIMM slots with thickened gold-plated contacts
  • LN2 MODE for extreme overclocking
  • WiFi 7 + Dual LAN (2.5G + 5G) + Bluetooth 5.4
  • USB4 40Gbps Type-C
  • USB3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps Type-C (PD 60W)

iGame Z890 FLOW

The iGame Z890 FLOW motherboard features an intricately designed CNC-milled heat dissipation armor showcasing smooth, dynamic curves that blend aesthetics and performance. This innovative design contrasts traditional rigid lines. Its ARGB lighting effects symbolizes the continuous flow of iGame energy to the processor.

The iGame Z890 FLOW sports a 20+1+1+1 power phase design with 90A high-spec DrMOS power stages, coupled with high-performance chip polymer capacitors to support sustained, full-load operation of Intel’s Core Ultra 200 series processors.

Additionally, the iGame Z890 FLOW offers extensive storage options with five M.2 interfaces (including one PCIe 5.0 x4 and four PCIe 4.0 x4), alongside four SATA ports. The IO panel is well-equipped with four USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and two versatile 40G USB4 Type-C ports, catering to high-speed peripheral needs.

To enhance the gaming experience, the iGame Z890 FLOW features a combination of 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 7 wireless networking capabilities. Furthermore, it includes a convenient USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port that supports 30W fast charging, allowing users to quickly charge their mobile devices.

Key Features

  • Supports Intel Core Ultra 200 Series Processors
  • Supports memory up to DDR5-8400MT/s, DDR4-8800MT/s (OC)
  • Premium 20+1+1+1 power phase design with 90A DrMOS power stages
  • Server-Grade 8-Layer PCB
  • Alloy-reinforced DDR5 DIMM slots with thickened gold-plated contacts
  • WiFi 7 + 2.5G LAN + Bluetooth 5.4
  • USB4 40Gbps Type-C
  • USB3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps Type-C (PD 30W)

Specifications

POLARIS Gameplay Trailer

Today, Polaris Team (an offshoot of award-winning indie developer Variable State) announced that its PvE co-op shooter with fully destructible environments, POLARIS, will be a participant in Steam Next Fest, lasting from Monday, October 14th until the event’s conclusion on Tuesday, October 22nd. Players interested in experiencing this first entry into the world of Polaris can download the demo now via the Polaris Steam page, and below, check out the explainer trailer to guide your entry into battle!

Since the game’s reveal at IGN Live this past June, Polaris Team has been hard at work in the development process, refining the core gameplay mechanics and exploring a more stylized visual aesthetic. The demo featured at Steam Next Fest will highlight these central components, including a dynamically destructible environment, flying abilities and co-op shooter-action. Players will also be able to offer feedback, coordinate multiplayer sessions, and discuss their POLARIS experience in the newly launched Discord.

The in-game infrastructure of POLARIS can be toppled, blown apart, and otherwise destroyed over the course of every match. The same is true of the natural environments and terrain upon which they’ve been constructed. Whether decimating skyscrapers or burning craters in the earth, players will find that the world of POLARIS is intricately destroyable, leading to a reactive and ever-evolving combat environment with each new match.

Terrorbytes Early Access Launch Date Trailer

Publisher Over the Moon (The Fall, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia) and developer Treetop are proud to reveal that their upcoming 4-player comedy horror game Terrorbytes is coming to Steam Early Access on October 22nd. Inspired by Tron and Stranger Things, Terrorbytes follows four rebellious young friends as they’re sucked into a haunted arcade cabinet and forced to gather pellets for the horrifically mangled retro arcade hero “Ms Croak-Man”.

A terrible and sadistic virus has twisted and turned everything upside down, including the players: In a cruel mockery, players are forced to take the role of the ghosts (the game’s old villains) and run from Ms Croak-Man. Can you survive long enough to uncover the mysterious evil that has trapped you, and escape?

Cooperation in Terrorbytes is a key feature: All players collect pellets for energy, which go into a shared pool, and everything has a cost; even sprinting costs energy, so players will have to manage energy carefully if they want to meet the game’s collection targets, or purchase upgrades and special items. Items range from a humble flashlight, to a satisfying power washer, to map-room upgrades that allow players to spawn helpful arrows, decoys, or broadcast their voice to other players. You’ll need all the help you can get to survive this arcade realm full of skin-walkers, invisible stalkers, pocket-dimension horrors, and more.

This Early Access version of Terrorbytes will launch with five levels, four different playable characters, five tools, and five safe room upgrades. New maps, playable characters, enemies, and more will be added in the months to come.

You needn’t wait that long to try Terrorbytes for yourself though, as a playable demo is available today through October 22nd as Part of Steam Next Fest. This introduces the first two maps, offering a taste of the hilarious horrors to come in the full game.

“We’re excited to not only let people play the Terrobytes demo today, but to continue their journey into the Early Access release as soon as Next Fest ends on October 22nd,” said John Warner, Founder and Studio Lead at Over the Moon. “The Early Access version offers significantly more maps, tools, upgrades and enemies than the current demo, and that’s just the beginning! We’ll be updating throughout Early Access, as we listen to player feedback and add more content.”

Don’t Be Afraid 2 Release Date

Cat-astrophe, Eneida Games and Untold Tales have announced today that Don’t Be Afraid 2 will launch on Steam and GOG on Monday, October 28th, 2024.

Don’t Be Afraid 2 is a first-person, psychological horror mystery and a direct sequel to the 2020 Don’t Be Afraid which sold very well for the developers. DBA2 will continue the tale of the original protagonist David, plunging him into a fresh, blood-curdling mystery as he tries to cope with terrible trauma from his childhood.

Relive the darkest moments of David’s life while exploring the horrific locations, gathering clues about his past, and solving puzzles left behind by the deranged murderer toying with his life.