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'Hohokum' developers make a roguelike game full of loot and cute
It's been less than a year since Honeyslug, the trio behind games like Hohokum and Super Exploding Zoo disbanded to pursue solo projects. Today, we're seeing one of the first such efforts, Loot Rascals, a roguelike strategy game. Loot Rascals is the first title from Hollow Ponds, a new studio founded by Nikki and Ricky Haggett, both of who were on the Hohokum team, the latter as lead designer. Also working on the game are artists Swatpaz, an animator for Adventure Time, and Meowza, who worked on Alphabear and Road Not Taken.
Hohokum dev's latest boasts llamas that go boom
Super Exploding Zoo is a game that developer Honeyslug describes as a "arcade-y tower defense-y explode-em-up," though most players will simply know it as "that game where explosive llamas stop an alien invasion." "That old family favorite, the Super Exploding Zoo, is under attack from evil aliens who've come to devour all the lovely, tasty animal eggs," reads the developer's brief story synopsis. Since humanity is useless in the face of alien invasion, it's up to a squad of militant animals to fight off the omelette-loving extraterrestrials. Some critters feature their own unique abilities – the crocodile can ford rivers while the meerkat can dig – but regardless of which critters you lead into combat, gameplay in Super Exploding Zoo boils down to a war of attrition against increasingly lethal waves of alien invaders. Helpfully, Honeyslug mixes things up a bit with the addition of puzzle stages and online multiplayer gameplay. Super Exploding Zoo is slated to appear on the PlayStation 4 and Vita handheld where it will feature cross-play functionality. Honeyslug has yet to reveal a release date for either version of the game. [Image: Honeyslug]
Tonight, Twitch streams a live performance of the 'Hohokum' soundtrack
There's a lot to love about PlayStation's latest indie darling Hohokum, and its soundtrack is an absolute standout reason for even playing the game. Sony knows this and is partnering with game-broadcasting giant Twitch to stream a concert of the game's score tonight to celebrate. Starting at 9:45 Eastern / 6:45 Pacific, you can catch the artists from Ghostly International being interviewed and playing the game's tunes via both the PlayStation and Ghostly Twitch channels. You can even watch the show right here after the break; it's up to you! Given how chill the indie's music and visuals are, Twitch's second-ever concert could be the perfect way to unwind and head into the weekend.
Hohokum review: Not hokum, just ho-hum
Hohokum is essentially a playable cartoon. Minutes after starting it up, I was reminded of Pinball Number Count, Yellow Submarine, and other animated works from the '60s and '70s in the way Hohokum overloads the senses with contrasting imagery tied to a unifying theme. Like Sesame Street's interstitial cartoons in particular, Hohokum often feels like it was made not because it's trying to say something important, but simply because it looks cool. There isn't much gameplay or challenge beneath its beautiful exterior, though. Hohokum's audiovisual splendor is irresistible and you won't regret the time you spend with it, but the end result can't quite gel into a complete and fulfilling experience.
PSN Tuesday: Hohokum, Surgeon Simulator: AE, Disgaea 4
This week's PlayStation Store update brings with it something new for every Sony system, from the PlayStation 4 to the oft-neglected PS Vita. As of today, PlayStation 4 owners can purchase the adorably stylish (and cross-buy compatible) Hohokum for $15, or the gory, far less adorable Surgeon Simulator: Anniversary Edition for $13. Further, those who have yet to pick up bizarro survival sim Don't Starve can now purchase the game and the Reign of Giants expansion for $19. Risen 3 is the highlight of the PlayStation 3's new offerings and is available at a relatively bargain price of $50. Hohokum has likewise arrived on the PlayStation 3 at $15 alongside Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed, a $40 action-RPG that involves exploring Japan and stripping vampires down to their undead underoos, though not necessarily in that order. Though largely neglected during Sony's Gamescom press conference earlier today, the Vita handheld sees the most numerous new releases with this latest update. The $40 Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited is the handheld's highlight, though it too sees Hohokum and Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed, alongside Gravity Crash Ultra, My Singing Monsters and Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds. For more on all of today's releases as well as the new discounts and pre-orders now available on the PlayStation Network, visit the PlayStation.blog. [Image: Sony]
Playdate: We're livestreaming 'Hohokum' on PS4! (update: game over!)
Welcome, ladygeeks and gentlenerds, to the new era of gaming. The one where you get to watch, and comment, as other people livestream gameplay from next-gen consoles. Because games! They're fun!
Hohokum soars into art gallery, soundtrack preview available
So what if we have to wait until August 12 before we can ride a flying rainbow-snake-thing through the colorful skies of Honeyslug's Hohokum on PlayStation systems? We can listen to its enchanting soundtrack right now via music database site, Hype Machine. If you're in the Los Angeles area, you can also head to Echo Park on any day between August 9 and August 17 to see a gallery of art from the game, and thus delight two of your senses. Hosted by iam8bit, "The Hohokum Art Spectacular" will feature not only lovely illustrations, but a chance to play the game as well. Music for our ears, art for our eyes, gameplay for our hands ... now we just need to have Sony and Honeyslug release an official Hohokum-scented candle and Hohokum-flavored candies and we'll have all five primary senses covered! [Image: Sony]
Hohokum launch trailer is just the right amount of weird
The arrival of Honeyslug's cheerful Hohokum is mere weeks away, and it's still impossible to classify. The game received a new trailer to celebrate its August 12 launch date (August 13 in Europe), showing the meditating hermit-like star of the game in addition to the squiggly, flying worm that players control. Devised by artist Richard Hogg, Hohokum became a 2011 IGF finalist before Sony Santa Monica began working with the Hogg and Honeyslug in May 2013 to bring the game to PlayStation platforms. It will be Cross-Buy-enabled as well, so the $14.99 price will give players access to the PS4, PS3 and Vita versions. Hohokum is part of the PlayStation Store Play event Sony announced just yesterday, in which players that pick up four games in August will receive $10 of in-store credit. Additionally, pre-orders for the four games are 20 percent off each for PlayStation Plus members. Joining Hohokum in the deal are Rogue Legacy, The Swapper and CounterSpy. [Image: Sony]
PlayStation Store Play event offers pre-order discounts, bonus PSN credit
Throughout the next month, Sony is launching a selection of new cross-platform games at a discount for PlayStation Plus members as part of its annual PlayStation Store Play event, with cash-back credit offered for buying multiple titles. Featured games include Cellar Door's roguelike platformer Rogue Legacy (premiering July 29), Facepalm Games' side-scrolling puzzler The Swapper (August 5), Honeyslug's fanciful exploration game Hohokum (August 12), and Dynamighty's espionage-themed CounterSpy (August 19). All games are available as Cross-Buy releases, and are playable on the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita. PS Store Play games are available for pre-order at a 20 percent discount for PlayStation Plus subscribers. PSN members are eligible to receive $3 in store credit for buying two featured games, $6 for three, or $10 for all four between July 22 and August 25. [Image: Sony]
Hohokum squiggles out across PlayStations in August
IGF finalist Hohokum wiggles into its promised summer window, launching on PS4, PS3 and Vita on August 12 in North America and the day after in Europe. In the words of co-creator Richard Hogg, "you can say that it's colorful, you can say that it's exploratory, you can say that it has a creative, informative element to it. I think you need to see it, though." In a new video, Frobisher Says dev Honeyslug says its new game originally featured a man as the player character. Indeed, he's shown leading procession of creatures behind him in what looks like a far more typical platformer than the real deal. Instead, Honeyslug went with a weaving, flying technicolor worm, and his freedom of movement seems to epitomize the studio's ambitions for the game.
Here is IndieCade's E3 showcase lineup
With E3 just over a week away, IndieCade revealed its lineup of games at the event. The "Showcase @ E3" will feature 34 games and installations, marked by Dennaton Games' top-down shooter sequel Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Spry Fox's Road Not Taken for PS4, Vita, PC and Mac and Hohokum. Sony Santa Monica revealed earlier this month that Hohokum will launch this summer for PS4, PS3 and Vita. Games included in the showcase were selected from submissions for the upcoming IndieCade Festival, slated to be held in Culver City, CA in October. IndieCade will also host a Sportsfriends PS4 tournament at its booth during the week, which qualifier periods held on Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11 with the tournament planned for the morning of Thursday, June 12. Head past the break to see the full list of games in the showcase. [Image: Dennaton Games]
Explore the whimsy of Hohokum on PS4, PS3, Vita this Summer
If the warmer, sunnier months put you in the mood for something a bit less bloody and a bit more adorable, you'll be pleased to hear that Hohokum is now slated to hit the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and Vita this Summer. Artist Richard Hogg describes Hohokum as "the right kind of wonky," a descriptor that should not be seen as an indictment of the game's functionality. Instead, Hogg is referring to the unorthodox characters and gameplay that lend Hohokum the same kind of pleasantly weird vibe found in Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy or Katamari Damacy. Instead of slaying enemies or racking up points in the usual fashion seen in video games, Hohokum focuses on the joys of exploring a vibrant world populated by weird creatures who, for once, aren't out to kill you. Though Hogg's post on the PlayStation.blog offers no specific release date beyond the nebulous "this Summer," he does note that the game now has its own website. There you can find music, artwork and footage of the game in abundance - far more than you see on most other official sites. [Image: Sony]
Hohokum debut pushed back from Japan's PS4 launch
Hohokum, the relaxing and adorable downloadable title from Frobisher Says developer Honeyslug, has been delayed beyond the PS4's Japan launch. Famitsu reports Hohokum is now expected within the vague timeframe of "sometime in 2014," noting the game's original planned release date hovered around the PlayStation 4's debut in Japan (via Siliconera). Sony will launch the PlayStation 4 on February 22, 2014, in Japan. Along with most Western launch titles, the PS4 will arrive with region-exclusives, including Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, Yakuza: Restoration and more. Hohokum is also coming to the PS3 and Vita.
IGF finalist Hohokum launching next year for PS4, PS3, PS Vita
Sony Santa Monica is working with artist Richard Hogg and Frobisher Says! developer Honeyslug to produce Hohokum, an upcoming title for the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita. Hogg describes Hohokum as a "whimsical colorful game with an emphasis on playful exploration and creativity." Players control a wormish, kite-like flying creature as they navigate a virtual playground and ferry around its inhabitants. It resembles Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy in premise, and Hogg notes that the experience is free from the "usual pressures" common to video games, such as persistent hand-holding and failure states. Hohokum was named as a finalist in the Excellence in Visual Arts category of 2011's Independent Games Festival. Hogg expects the game to launch in 2014.%Gallery-187737%
