adventure
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Kentucky Route Zero Act 3 out now, season pass 25% off
Chicago-based developer Cardboard Computer has launched the latest installment for its mysterious adventure game, Kentucky Route Zero. The latest episode is the third act of five, the final two of which are expected to arrive "throughout the next year or so," according to the game's site. Season passes for the game are currently 25 percent off ($18.74) through Steam and the Humble widget on Cardboard Computer's site, and will stay discounted until Tuesday, May 13. Described as a "a magical realist adventure game," Kentucky Route Zero follows the people that travel a "secret highway in the caves beneath Kentucky." The first episode launched in January 2013, one month before its arrival on Steam, followed by Act 2 in late May 2013. Cardboard Computer originally anticipated a three-month span between each episode, previously pegging its finale for January of this year. The developer earned $8,583 on Kickstarter in February 2011 to fund the game. [Image: Cardboard Computer]
The Daily Grind: Would you play a pacifist character if it were compelling?
I don't know what got my mind on this train of thought the other day, but I got a little incensed that MMO developers constantly equate "hero" with "mass murder of hundreds of sentients," not to mention the fact that as a character, I'm more or less pushed into being a weapon. Yes, I can kill to protect and save, but the killing wears on the virtual soul after a while. My mind then turned to the prospect of being a pacifist in these combat-oriented worlds. Sure, there are always people who go far out of their way to figure out paths to leveling without killing, but what if the game made fighting optional rather than mandatory? I'm not talking about just sitting in a hovel crafting but solving quests through deduction, puzzle-solving, diplomacy, and sheer moxie. How cool would it be to be a mage whose spellbook was full of utility spells instead of fireballs and could use those to help NPCs? Would you play a pacifist character if the game made it compelling enough? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
George R.R. Martin's assistant to consult on Telltale's Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin's series of fantasy novels, A Song of Ice and Fire, is immensely popular, especially thanks to HBO's Game of Thrones adaptation. It's to be joined by another take on the property from adventure gaming studio Telltale Games. To help Telltale keep its adaptation of Martin's source material in check, HBO assigned sci-fi author and Martin's personal assistant Ty Corey Franck to the developer as its story consultant, according to The New York Times. Telltale announced its Game of Thrones adaptation at the VGX awards in December. The partnership between Telltale and HBO spans multiple years and games, and NYT reports that it began with a little persuasion from the developer in the form of a 10-minute presentation of what the game may look like when it launches this year. Game of Thrones is just one project that's keeping the 200-person developer busy, as it recently launched the third episode of The Wolf Among Us, as well as the first two episodes of the second season of The Walking Dead on Vita. We recently met with Telltale's producers and The Wolf Among Us voice actor Adam Harrington, the voice behind Bigby Wolf, for a special one-hour livestream of the game filled with funny and interesting stories. [Image: Telltale Games]
Blackwell Epiphany adventure clicks for closure on PC
The final chapter in Wadjet Eye Games' Blackwell point-and-click adventure series, Blackwell Epiphany, launched this week on PC. Available now through Steam, GOG.com and the developer's site, the fifth installment in the series costs $14.99. Blackwell Epiphany closes out the series, which began in December 2006 with Blackwell Legacy, with a lengthy adventure that stars Rosa Blackwell and her ghostly companion Joey Mallone. Players switch between the two characters (much like Gemini Rue, another excellent point-and-clicker courtesy of Wadjet Eye Games) to face off against a "malevolent force that literally tears souls apart." Wadjet Eye Games announced plans in December to bring the series along with the rest of its catalog to iOS, with the first three Blackwell games scheduled to arrive on the App Store in June. It will also port the series to Android, Mac and Linux. Those looking to try out the game can download the demo directly from Wadjet Eye Games, which is also offering a bundle of the first four Blackwell games on its store for $14.99 and via Steam for $19.99. [Image: Wadjet Eye Games]
Kickstarter Simulator 2015 is a brief adventure from Frog Fractions dev
Those that follow crowdfunded gaming projects know the drill: As most developers' Kickstarter deadlines draw near, they like to remind you to pledge your monetary support so their visions can come to life, enticing you to do so by offering concept art or videos. In the case of Frog Fractions developer Twinbeard, with a week left to go in its Frog Fractions 2 campaign, it opted to launch a brief adventure game called Kickstarter Simulator 2015. Kickstarter Simulator 2015 is a browser-based "autobiographical game about running Kickstarters" that features videos of real-life friends of Frog Fractions creator Jim Crawford. Players click on the actors to keep them on track with the zany crowdfunding project so that it sees success a week from today. The point-and-click game is as quirky and hilarious as one might expect from Twinbeard, so it's worth checking out on the developer's site. The Frog Fractions 2 campaign is just under $9,000 away from its goal and ends on Wednesday, April 9. [Image: Twinbeard]
Telltale's Walking Dead, Wolf Among Us, Game of Thrones coming to Amazon Fire TV
Telltale Games is bringing three of its story-driven adventures to Amazon Fire TV starting with the first season of The Walking Dead, which launched today with the media streaming device. The second season, in addition to The Wolf Among Us and the developer's Game of Thrones-based adventure, will arrive on Fire TV later this year, Telltale confirmed with Joystiq and Engadget. Amazon launched the $99 game and video streaming machine today, announcing it alongside a $40 game pad (though developers have the option to support other Bluetooth controllers). Telltale unveiled its own Game of Thrones adaptation in December before launching the second episode of The Wolf Among Us in February. The developer offered a new trailer for the third episode of the game today, though no release date was given for it. [Image: Telltale Games]
PS Vita Pets plays fetch on June 3
PlayStation Vita Pets, the pet simulation-meets-adventure game from Spiral House, will launch June 3 in North America and June 4 in Europe. In the game, players choose from four different dogs, care for them, then explore Castlewood Island to "uncover the long lost legend of a king and his dog." Sony's answer to Nintendogs was announced in August, at which point it was revealed that the animals in the game talked like humans. PlayStation Blog noted today that the game features roughly 10,000 lines of spoken dialogue, which is around 10,000 more lines than you'd expect to hear out of any animal. [Image: SCEE]
Deponia brings slapstick adventure to PS3 this summer
German developer Daedalic Entertainment has revealed plans to bring Deponia, the first entry in a trilogy of the same name, to the PlayStation 3 later this year. While the basic point and click gameplay of the computer game will remain intact in the PlayStation 3 incarnation of Deponia, this new version of the game gives players direct control over protagonist Rufus as he becomes embroiled in a wacky case of mistaken identity. Daedalic describes Deponia as a "fast-paced comedy of errors and one of the most unusual love stories in gaming history" while citing Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett as inspirations for the game's offbeat humor. So far there's no word on when exactly Deponia might reach Sony's console, nor any official price point for the game. Steam currently lists the PC version of the game at $20, though there's no guarantee its PS3 counterpart will follow the same pricing scheme. [Image: Daedalic Entertainment]
Pre-order Blackwell Epiphany for April 24, become a medium
Pre-orders are now available for Blackwell Epiphany, the finale of Wadjet Eye Games' adventure-driven Blackwell series due out on April 24. Aside from a DRM-free download of Blackwell Epiphany, pre-ordering will grant buyers a redeemable Steam key, access to exclusive videos featuring the game's voice actors and series creator Dave Gilbert, an invitation to a private livestreaming of Epiphany's launch party, and the game's soundtrack. If you're a bit behind or haven't started the Blackwell series in the first place, the story follows Rosa Blackwell as she copes with the recent death of her aunt, which grants her an odd form of inheritance. After her aunt's death, a ghostly figure straight out of the '30s, Joey Mallone, appears to her and explains that he's been accompanying members of the Blackwell family for a few generations now. With the passing of Rosa's aunt, she's next in line to inherit a ghostly sidekick. Naturally, the duo go on to solve mysteries together, using Rosa's abilities as a medium to communicate with the dead to piece together narratives. Their search for answers and efforts to help the deceased find peace have extended through four previous games, but Epiphany's press release teases that their work bears a "price," which Rosa and Joey will presumably discover in the finale. Blackwell's preceding episodes can be bought from GOG's Blackwell Bundle for $14.99, or purchased directly from Wadjet Eye Games for $4.99-$9.99 apiece. The developer also plans to port the Blackwell series over to iOS, but the adventure has yet to appear on the App Store. [Image: WadjetEye Games]
Sci-fi sandbox Proven Lands goes roguelike on Greenlight with demo
Berlin-based indie developer Thesetales launched a Kickstarter project and Steam Greenlight page for its roguelike game Proven Lands this week. The third-person sci-fi game is available to check out in its pre-alpha state in a proof of concept PC demo. Proven Lands features an optional five-episode main story arc in which players control Teruo Nakamura, named after a real-life soldier of the Japanese Imperial Army "who did not surrender until 1974." The game also includes an AI-driven story engine that generates a "one-off adventure" based on randomly-generated elements. Thesetales cites Don't Starve and Starbound among its inspirations, which is readily apparent in the hunt-and-gather style gameplay shown in its Kickstarter pitch video. A recent update on the project's crowdfunding page notes plans for multiplayer modes in some capacity as well. Thesetales is seeking £299,000 ($497,177) by April 12 to bring Proven Lands to PC in the first quarter of 2015, followed by Mac and iOS in the second quarter, then Linux and Android at a later date. Those that pledge roughly $15/£9/11 euros will receive a digital copy of the game when it launches. [Image: Thesetales]
Co-star in Tales of Tales' first-person exploration, Sunset
The Path developer Tale of Tales' next adventure is called Sunset, and it's due to launch in 2015 on PC, Mac and Linux. Described as a first-person exploration game, Sunset is set in a "fictional tropical republic suffering under an oppressive regime" in the early 1970s. In it, players control the housekeeper of a secluded, former philanthropist, and awaken "a new love for his country and his people" in the troubled occupant. The housekeeper investigates the man's belongings and learns of his role in the civil war, strengthening or weakening their relationship along the way. Tale of Tales founders Auriea Harvey and Michael Samyn liken Sunset to "a shooter game where you are not the hero but one of the people in the background." While deemed the second largest project by Tale of Tales, the game is being developed by Harvey and Samyn, sound designer Kris Force, is penned by an anonymous author and will receive music from Journey composer Austin Wintory. "The game contains both empathy and apathy. But also a feeling of being caught up in a struggle bigger than your day to day life," the founders added in the announcement. [Image: Tale of Tales]
Former Klei, Telltale devs reveal first-person mystery Firewatch
Indie developer Campo Santo announced its first game, a first-person mystery named Firewatch. The game is set in the Wyoming wilderness, "where your only human connection is communicating with your supervisor over a handheld radio," according to the game's announcement blog. The game's protagonist, whose job is to "look for smoke and keep the wilderness safe," winds up exploring a "wild and unknown environment" after something pulls them away from their watchtower. Firewatch's official site says the game will press players with "interpersonal choices" that will affect players' relationships with Delilah, the supervisor in question. Campo Santo was formed in September 2013 by former Telltale and Klei developers, including Mark of the Ninja lead designer Nels Anderson and artist Olly Moss. The Cave co-writer Chris Remo joined the team in February after departing from Double Fine. [Image: Campo Santo]
Curse opens its doors to WildStar addons
Curse would like to become your one-stop shopping hub for all of your future WildStar addon needs. The site announced that it's expanding its focus to include addons for Carbine Studios' upcoming MMO. Curse will be supporting WildStar mods with a new version of the CurseForge platform, which purportedly will streamline tools and better fit players' needs. The site is also open to authors creating and submitting their own projects to fill up the categories. Speaking of WildStar, Bogotter has a first-hand tour of the Dominion adventure, Riot in the Void, which you can watch after the break. Which path will he take? Who knows, but it will almost certainly end in glorious disaster!
Stop-motion adventure Dominique Pamplemousse sings on Steam, Humble Store
Stop-motion adventure game Dominique Pamplemousse is now available on Steam. The PC and Mac game is 15 percent off ($4.24), and the Deluxe Edition version is 17 percent off ($4.97) until March 18. Dominique Pamplemousse also launched on the Humble Store today, and is priced at $4.99. The indie adventure game's Deluxe Edition includes soundtrack and sheet music DLC, which is also half-off ($0.99) this week. Developer Deirdra Kiai confirmed the DLC's inclusion in the Deluxe Edition via Twitter, but warned that multiple reports indicate that some currencies "make it more money than separately." The developer also added the sheet music extras for Humble Store purchases. Dominique Pamplemousse is described as an "animated detective adventure game about gender and the economy," and is also dubbed a "musical" by Kiai, complete with singing characters. One of the characters, protagonist and private investigator Dominique Pamplemousse, is asked to find a missing pop star by a CEO of a record company and winds up framed for a crime. The claymation-style game launched on PC, Mac and iPad when Joystiq spoke with Kiai about the game at E3 last June. [Image: Deirdra Kiai]
Betrayer leaving Early Access, launching on March 24 for PC
Betaryer's prowl through Early Access will conclude on March 24, when the final version of the monochromatic adventure game launches on PC for $19.99. Set on a ghost-ridden part of Virginia's coast in the 16th century, Betrayer has players piecing together the setting's mystery while fending off Conquistadors and other presences keen on doing awful things to you. Developer Blackpowder Games, a studio comprised of talent from the No One Lives Forever and original FEAR teams, explained in the related press release that they wanted to emphasize "exploration and discovery with minimal hand-holding." If you're eager to try Betrayer right now, you can snatch up the Early Access version for $14.99, which will also give you the full version when it's released.
Humble Weekly Sale gets adventurous with Jack Keane, Edna and Harvey
Humble Bundle's latest Humble Weekly Sale is aimed squarely at fans of point-and-click adventure games, offering up a bounty of twelve genre favorites from The Adventure Company and Daedalic Entertainment. All buyers receive downloadable copies of The Adventure Company's Dead Reefs, A Vampire's Tale, Safecracker, and Aura: Fate of the Ages. Pay more than $6 and you'll also get Dark Fall, Dark Fall 2, The Book of Unwritten Tales, The Critter Chronicles, and Jack Keane 2, along with Daedalic Entertainment's Deponia and Edna and Harvey. Big-spenders may opt for the $15-and-above purchase tier, which includes all featured games and a bonus Deluxe Digital Edition copy of The Adventure Company's recently released The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief. This week's bundle offerings will remain available through February 27. [Image: Humble Bundle]
San Francisco beatnik crime hits Steam on March 11 in 1954: Alcatraz
1954: Alcatraz is a gritty, San Francisco-based point-and-click adventure about crime, doing time and the dark side of mid-century American perfection. It's due out for PC on March 11 for $20 on Steam and GOG, published by adventure game veteran Daedalic Entertainment and developed by Irresponsible Games. The game includes two playable characters, Joe and Christine, husband and wife – Joe is behind bars and Christine can help him escape, but she doesn't have to. 1954: Alcatraz incorporates beatnik culture, jazz, high-stakes crime and loads of cash, all in a 3D, comic book art style. Player decisions "extensively influence the plot and lead to various endings," Irresponsible promises. Irresponsible was founded by Gene Mocsy, the designer and artist of Quake 3's engine levels, course artist for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 and 2005, and the world modeler for James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, among other feats.
A firsthand tour of a WildStar adventure
WildStar's beta test is ramping up further and further. It's ramping up enough that pretty much everyone who isn't in the beta already is looking for a way to get in on it. Now's your chance! Hit this link for a giveaway that will grant you a chance to win a beta key for Wildstar. And one of the things you'd be able to see within the beta, if you were in, are the Adventures that have been all the talk of press releases lately. So what is an Adventure? Well, the DevSpeak video past the break will give you a nice top-level overview of that, so you could just go with that. Or you could ask me, because I got to make my way through one with the development team at Carbine Studios, getting a firsthand look at how the content is supposed to work and what's cool about it. That's also past the break.
Year Walk's eerie Swedish scares creep onto Steam March 6
Swedish developer Simogo - they of Device 6 fame - have announced a release date for the PC incarnation of the spooky Year Walk: March 6. Originally released to iOS in February of 2013, Year Walk is a puzzle game focused on an old, bizarre Swedish folktale. As with all Simogo games, playing Year Walk is less like working your way through a game and more like interacting with a novel work of fiction, so explaining the mythology behind Year Walk would defeat its purpose. Just know that the above trailer is a valid reflection of the game's eerie tone, and the sort of snowbound, Scandinavian horror awaiting players in Year Walk. Instead of simply rehashing Year Walk for its PC debut, Simogo has added a number of new features to the game. These include additional areas to explore, new in-game puzzles, updated artwork, Steam achievement support and a comprehensive in-game encyclopedia which will offer players more information on the strange things they encounter in the game's darkened forests. [Image: Simogo]
Snatcher devs reunite for steampunk adventure Blackmore
Watching the Kickstarter pitch video for steampunk-themed adventure game Blackmore is like watching your favorite band get back together - if your favorite song by said band was the cyberpunk adventure game Snatcher, that is. Jeremy Blaustein, localizer for Snatcher, Metal Gear Solid and the Silent Hill series, is heading up a new studio called iQiOi in hopes of developing Blackmore, a game he says has been his "dream" since he started working in the industry. His dream has until March 12 to raise $200,000. Blaustein has tapped several other creators who contributed to Snatcher as well. Satoshi Yoshioka will reprise his role as character designer, while Motoaki Furukawa will handle the game's soundtrack. Blaustein has also recruited David Hayter to voice main character Emma Blackmore's brother, Jonas. There's no footage or screenshots available yet, though the game's Kickstarter page describes gameplay as "classic point and click" in a isometric-view, 2.5D environment. Players will guide Emma through a gadget-laden, steam-powered vision of 1888 London on a quest to catch a murderer. Those more historically-minded may recognize the date as the year Jack The Ripper began his infamous killing spree. Should Blackmore pick up enough steam - and money - Blaustein plans to release the game for PC and Mac in spring of 2015.
