Hi, I’m Daniel Thurman

Daniel reviews cyberpunk books, games, and more.

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  • Ghost Song Has Gone and Gotten Itself a Release Date

    Well this is something that I’ve been waiting many years to hear. After a many years-long wait, Ghost Song finally has a release date! The game was initially funded on Kickstarter back in 2013 and for various reasons ran into many delays. Earlier this year developer Old Moon announced that the game was on track for a 2022 release and had a publisher, Humble Games. Now, it’s been announced that this beautiful metroidvania will be released on November 3rd. That is not long at all! Especially after 9 years. Take a look at the announcement trailer below.

    Ghost Song is coming November 3rd

    Based on the trailer above and some of the screenshots I’ve seen recently, it appears that time has been kind to Ghost Song. Extremely kind. The game, while always looking good even back in 2013, looks gorgeous as it nears completion. It so far looks like one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever seen and I couldn’t be more excited for its release.

    On the desolate moon of Lorian, a long-dormant Deadsuit awakens from slumber—armed and combat-ready, memory clear of purpose. But something new is stirring…

    Strike out beneath the surface in search of answers in Ghost Song, an atmospheric 2D adventure of self-discovery, ancient mysteries, and cosmic terror. Explore winding caverns lit only by bioluminescent flora, battle strange and powerful creatures, and acquire new abilities to help you unearth this alien world’s long-buried secrets.

    Descend deep into the darkness—only then will you learn (or is it remember?) the truth.

    –Ghost Song Steam Page

    One thing that has always struck me about Ghost Song is its unique sci-fi horror aesthetic. It looks on the one had like it is very Metroid-like. It is very sci-fi. You are exploring a desolate alien planet, acquiring weapons and upgrades to your space suit, etc. But on the other hand, there seems to be some sort of mysterious paranormal aspect to this that gives it some enormously creepy vibes. Cosmic terror indeed. And I am here for it.

    Ghost Song is coming to a variety of platforms including Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. It’s also coming in the heart of Castlevania season, so I’ll have to divide my time between it and my yearly Castlevania marathon. It’s likely going to prove difficult not to give this my full attention, though. I cannot wait to unravel the mysteries of this strange world.

  • Rebel Transmute Is an Upcoming Metroidvania I Can’t Wait to Sink My Teeth Into

    Metroidvania games are, as much as I hate to use this term, a-dime-a-dozen these days. Some more Metroid than Vania. Some more Vania than Metroid. This is not a bad thing because we get some truly great games as a result. We also get some not so great ones. By all accounts however, Rebel Transmute looks like it will be one of the great ones. As you can see by the trailer below, the game is one of those that is closer to Metroid than it is to Castlevania.

    If you, like me, are constantly saying that you need more Metroid in your life, Rebel Transmute seems like the kind of game that will have you covered. Of all the Metroidvanias I have seen, this one is closer I think to Metroid than most if not all others. And that is not a bad thing. In fact it is a very, very good thing.

    Explore a rich and storied world, fight colonizers, and unravel a dark mystery in Rebel Transmute! This challenging and intimate action adventure will see you battling cosmic bosses, befriending emotive bots, and transmuting your very being to find your missing mother. You play as Moon Mikono after she crash lands on Terra 6, a dilapidated research planet and her mother’s last known location. In this modern metroidvania you’ll embark on a deadly journey through an abandoned outpost on an alien planet. Each sector of the outpost will offer up its own stunning visuals, difficult challenges, colorful characters, epic bosses, and vibrant score.

    -Press Release

    I’ve been following the development of Rebel Transmute for the last couple of years and it seems to have evolved nicely. I’ve also seen hype for the game gradually build. And deservedly so. The game seems like it will deliver a pretty authentic Metroid-like experience which has a lot of people interested.

    Evan Tor, the game’s sole indie developer, is going to be funding the rest of the game’s development via Kickstarter. Currently the game is scheduled to go live at Kickstarter on August 30th. If you are interested in the promise this game shows to give you a good Metroid fix, you should head over there now to add the game to your watch list so you can get notified when it goes live.

    You can also wishlist the game on Steam right now as well as download a demo of an early build of the game. The developer has stated though that the demo is going to be updated to coincide with the launch of the Kickstarter that will allow players to play up to 4 hours of the game. Currently the game is aiming for a PC release via Steam. Hopefully it will come to other platforms as well at some point.

    I love the promise this game shows of being a genuine Metroid-like experience and I personally hope the Kickstarter does well. Again, I really do need more Metroid in my life. And so do you, I assume. Heck, everyone needs more Metroid in their life, whether they know it or not.

  • Biomorph Is a Kirby-Meets-Hollow Knight Metroidvania

    Indie game developer Lucid Dreams Studio has announced their next game, Biomorph. It looks like another beautifully hand-drawn metroidvania in the style of Hollow Knight with copy abilities in the vein of Kirby and Mega Man. Biomorph also appears to have some city-building sim elements as you are working to rebuild the city of Blightmore with options to customize the look and feel of the city. While you do this you are meeting townspeople and learning more about them and the history of Blightmore.

    In Biomorph, players can:

    • Play as the enemies by killing them and taking their shape. Players will be able to use their skills to fight other enemies or use their powers to navigate in uncharted territories.
    • Fight through a challenging AI system where previously mimicked creatures unlock new powers to create a unique experience while revisiting areas of the game.
    • Explore a vast non-linear, interconnected world composed of 16 different environments, home of optional boss fights, eccentric NPCs, tons of secrets and upgrades to reward the most daring explorer.
    • Choose a fighting style by using an arsenal of melee and range weapons, each of them having its own upgrade trees, to bash and shoot enemies.
    • Create different builds in support of individual play styles by equipping and mixing different unique skills that you can upgrade.
    • Customize the look of the main hub of the game, Blightmoor, to have a unique experience and to feel at home.

    Biomorph is the 2nd release from Lucid Dreams Studios following 2020’s Legends of Ethernal. The game is due out in 2023 and has been announced for PC via Steam and consoles. Which consoles specifically we don’t know, but on the official website, it currently lists Nintendo Switch.

  • Life on Mars: Genesis Is a New Metroid-Style Game for Genesis/Megadrive

    The indie gaming scene is no stranger to metroidvania titles. It seems like every other day now a new one is released, to varying degrees of quality. But how about one for the Sega Genesis/Megadrive? There haven’t been too many of those, I’d wager. But that is exactly what Life on Mars: Genesis is. Developed by Spain-based homebrew specialists Kai Magazine Software, Life on Mars: Genesis is an upcoming Metroid-style experience for Sega Genesis/Megadrive that aims to recreate the classic 16-bit Metroid-like experience on a platform that for obvious reasons didn’t have Metroid games.

    Judging by the trailer above, the game is more Metroid than Vania, but it certainly seems to capture the aesthetic of Metroid pretty well. Everything from the alien visuals to the creepy, otherworldly music and sound effects convincingly recalls our travels through Zebes decades ago.

    Life on Mars: Genesis is going to have a physical release and is up for pre-order right now. Of course, in order to play it you will need to either have a Genesis/Megadrive console or a modern clone console, such as an Analogue Mega Sg or a Retron 5. If those are out of your price range, you can find a whole slew of cheaper options via Amazon. At this time we are unsure if there will be a digital release. However, there is a playable demo that you can play online right now.

    Life on Mars: Genesis is actually a reimagining of an MSX2 homebrew game by the developer. That one did have a digital release, so I suppose there is hope for a digital version for the Genesis/Megadrive one. The current ship date for the cartridge is November/December, 2022.

    Perhaps you are interested in the game but not necessarily playing it on the Sega Genesis/Megadrive (or the MSX2 for that matter). Fortunately they also remade game for PC via Steam back in 2017.