ktec

The Korean developer CRT Games has released a new Steam demo for its upcoming remake of Toaplan's Snow Bros. 2: With New Elves.

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch and Steam
• Key Features: Multiplayer mode (up to four people), new variety of modes (survival, time attack, sky run), ability to experience the game with either updated visuals or original graphics.
• Demo Details: Currently contains only modern visuals, local/co-op multiplayer, and 3 stages that were previously shown at industry events.

The remake is set to release this year. CRT Games has indicated that its launch is "just around the corner!"

Do you think CRT Games's approach (remake an existing game) is a good strategy for capturing new audiences in retro gaming?

Taito will soon release its classic 1989 fighting game Violence Fight on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 as part of the Arcade Archives series. The Japanese version is set for release on October 17, with a Western launch expected shortly after.

Key Features:

• Characters: Lee Chen, Bad Blue, Lick Joe, and Ben Smith each with unique abilities.
• Gameplay: An underground fighting tournament involving other characters and bosses like Ron Max and Tony Won.
• Movement: Eight-directional controls.
• Environmental Weapons: Players can use objects from the environment as weapons.
• Bonus Mode: Fight a tiger for points to earn more rewards.
• Two-Player Combat: Option available for multiplayer action.

Previous Releases:

Previously included in collections such as Taito Memories Vol. 2 and Taito Legends 2, its sequel Solitary Fighter has also seen various releases.

Do you prefer classic arcade fighters or modern ones with enhanced graphics?

The Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection, a remastered set of beloved retro games, is finally making its way to the PC platform. This collection includes the first three titles in the classic Valis series - Valis: The Fantasm Soldier, Valis II, and Valis III.

Key Features:

• Included Games: Enjoy a trio of nostalgic adventures with Yuko, the schoolgirl warrior, as she battles to save the dream world.
• Enhanced Gameplay: Benefit from quality-of-life improvements like save states and a rewind feature, making these classic titles accessible to modern players.

Why This Is Exciting:

• Fanservice: For those who have been waiting for these games on PC, this collection will bring cherished moments back to life with enhanced graphics and features.
• Accessibility: The inclusion of QOL improvements and the overall polish make the games more enjoyable without losing their original charm.

What are your thoughts on the Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection coming to PC? Do you plan to buy it?

Unreleased games from the past are always a fascinating find for retro gaming enthusiasts. Today, an unreleased Super Famicom remake of Quinty (Mendel Palace in North America) has been discovered and leaked online.

• Game Details:

• Game Name: Quinty / Mendel Palace

• Developer: Game Freak

• Original Release: 1989 on the Famicom, released in North America a year later by Hudson Soft.

• Remake Details:

• The remake was intended for the Nintendo Power service, allowing players to flash games onto special rewritable cartridges.

• Plans existed to release this on the Wii Virtual Console, but both this and other potential releases didn't come to fruition.

• Impact:

• For fans of retro games: A new look at an early contribution that may not have seen light previously.
• For developers: Shows the development process and potential for unreleased ideas in game history.
• For preservationists: Another example of how old data can resurface, potentially saving works from being lost.

Would you have bought the Quinty remake, had it been released?

Nobuo Uematsu, the legendary composer known for his work on the Final Fantasy series, has announced his retirement from composing full game soundtracks. Over a 38-year career, he contributed to 21 Final Fantasy games, leaving an indelible mark in the realm of video game music.

• He last completed Fantasian Neo Dimension and remains open to working on smaller projects or individual pieces in the future.
• His physical and mental health are cited as reasons behind his retirement from major soundtracks.
• Uematsu's contributions have elevated video game music to a respected art form, inspiring countless composers.

"Watch this special message from #FantasianNeoDimension composer Nobuo Uematsu.

What's your favourite piece of Final Fantasy music?

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is an upcoming retro-style beat 'em up game based on the Terrifier horror movie series. It will launch in 2025 on PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

• Developer: Relevo
• Publisher: Selecta Play
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC
• Launch Date: 2025
• Gameplay: Pixel-art style inspired by '80s and '90s classics like Battletoads, Streets of Rage, and Double Dragon. Up to four players can join in local co-op.

Key Features:

• Nostalgic retro vibe
• Exaggerated violence and finishing moves
• Epic boss battles after each level
• Various weapons and power-ups including chainsaws and cleavers
• Meta-narrative experience connecting the game to the film series

Will its horror angle appeal more to fans of the film or vintage gaming?

Overview

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is set to receive a remastered release by Aspyr. The remaster aims to enhance the original game, offering a new visual experience and improved gameplay elements.

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
• Release Date: January 23rd

Key Features

• Enhanced Graphics - The remaster will provide a fresh coat of paint on the classic side-scrolling action game.
• Improved Controls - New controls should make the gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.
• Character Access - All thirteen characters and levels are unlockable from the start, along with the Versus and Training modes.

Multplayer Support

Two-player couch co-op is also available in the remaster, allowing gamers to revisit this classic together.

Background

Aspyr has a track record of remastering classic PS1 games like Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, Battlefront titles, Tomb Raider series, and more.

What are your favorite remastered games, and how do they compare to their original versions?

Developers who created the critically acclaimed game Disco Elysium are now embarking on a new project called Longdue. This studio aims to build on the legacy of Disco Elysium, offering players a new 'psychogeometric RPG'.

Key Points:*

• Team Composition: Several members who previously worked on the original Disco Elysium and its canceled sequel will continue with this project, but notable figures like Robert Kurvitz and Aleksander Rostov are not involved.
• Game Description: The upcoming game introduces a mechanic where player decisions shape both the environment and characters' psyches. The narrative centers around themes of psychological depth, intelligent storytelling, and complex world-buildings, inspired by classics such as Ultima, Wizardry, Fallout, and Planescape: Torment.
• Inspiration: Longdue is dedicated to crafting a narrative-first RPG that will push boundaries in the market for emotionally rich gaming experiences.

What are your thoughts on Disco Elysium finally seeing a "successor"?

Developer Straynus, has just unveiled Cronela’s Mansion, drawing significant inspiration from the titles of Sierra and LucasArts.

• Development: The game is over four years into development.
• Crowdfunding Campaign: A Kickstarter campaign launching in February 2025 to support physical releases including cardboard boxes, cartridges, manuals, and collectable figures.
• Platforms: Retro platforms like NES, SNES, GB, GBA, alongside modern versions tailored for Switch and PC.

In a press statement, Straynus shared: "With a long development of more than four years, Cronela’s Mansion will surprise you with the care of its graphics, the charisma of its characters, witty and fun dialogues, with a disturbing story that will not leave anyone indifferent."

• Retro Touches: Each version is built specifically for each system, ensuring unique visuals, music, and animations.
• New Features: The modern versions of the game will also introduce new gameplay elements.

Do you think this one's worth backing on Kickstarter?

Dino Crisis: Rebirth, a fan-made remake of the 1999 game developed by Steven Games Studios, is now available for download on Itch.io.

• The project uses Unreal Engine 5 to enhance graphics and atmosphere while preserving the original's horror elements.

• This is a personal project by an independent developer, and not an official remake by Capcom.

• A demo showcasing new gameplay and visual updates is available. Character animations are still in progress, so some parts of the game need further refinement.

Download the project on Itch.io to try the demo and give feedback.

If you try the demo, share your impressions.

Overview

Kara Fantasy, a new pixel art adventure game from BUG-Studio and retro publisher Ratalaika Games, is set to release on Steam. The game features charming graphics, colorful action with puzzles and battles, and an engaging storyline reminiscent of early The Legend of Zelda games.

Key Features:

• 30 levels packed with puzzles and monster fights
• Five different lands to explore
• A rich arsenal of weapons including swords, bows, boomerangs, and other gadgets inspired by classic games
• Opportunities to upgrade equipment and concoct potions
• Paying homage to the beloved The Legend of Zelda series

Business Model and Release Details:

Given Ratalaika Games' history of releasing budget-friendly retro-inspired games, it's likely that Kara Fantasy will be a cost-effective addition to the gaming library. More details on console releases are yet to come.

Have you played other Ratalaika games? What were your impressions?

Overview

Baldur's Gate inspired Passageway of the Ancients has will soon be available on Steam.

Developed by a four-person team from Texas, it’s an intriguing mix of real-time and turn-based combat mechanics, drawing parallels to Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights. The game is available for launch on 16th October 2024.

Features

• Game Setting: Set in the mystical world of Aieryon, a singular magical planet.
• Character Customization: Players can form their teams from various classes with dual personas, each needing to be leveled up simultaneously. This creates an interesting dynamic for both good and evil alignment choices.
• Combat Style: Blends real-time tactics with turn-based strategic gameplay. Tough, complex combat adds layers of difficulty and surprise.

Development Team

Developed by Passageway Games, a small but dedicated team of four.

Do you think Passageway of the Ancients will stand up to the standards set by the classics like Baldur’s Gate?