Alpha Beta Gamer

FreezeME is a glorious retro N64 style 3D platform game inspired by Mario 64, that allows you to freeze objects and enemies in place with your camera.

As soon as you enter the first world of FreezeME you’re instantly transported back to the glory days of the N64. The huge open world level of the Alpha is big, bold, bright, cheerful, full of surprises and features an authentic N64-sounding, super-happy soundtrack. This genuinely feels like a place Mario would go on holiday when he’s not busy saving princesses.

Being an early alpha, it’s not perfect, the XBox 360 controller is supported but not fully functional, it can be a little glitchy and the characters movement can feel a little awkward at times, but these are normal flaws in developing such a game and will no doubt be remedied in future releases.

The freezing-objects-with your-camera mechanic is a nice novelty too, but that’s not the reason to play this game. You’ll play this game this game because it’s a glorious slice of nostalgia, transporting you back to the heyday of the 3D platformer and of the last cartridge-based home console.

Download the Alpha, Free

Dark Deception may look like a horror game, but it’s actually Pac-Man, the creepiest, freakiest Pac-Man game you’re likely to play.

You’re tasked with roaming the corridors of the maps, collecting all the shards (Pac-Mans dots) to complete the level. This is easier said than done though as it’s much harder to do from a first person perspective than a top-down view. Not knowing where the enemies are means there are some real jump scares as enemies pop out from behind corners just in-front of you.

There is a story to the game, that’s something to do with you playing a cop on the run, but it doesn’t really matter, all you need to know about this game is that it is freaky first person Pac-Man and it’s great.

Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde were never this scary.

Play the Alpha Demo, Free

Superfighters Deluxe is a fun multi-player 2D platform shooter akin to Smash Bros or Crash Commando that features little men shooting, stabbing, mashing, smashing, burning and blowing each other into tiny bits. It’s a bigger, better version of the original Superfighters, offering online multiplayer, improved melee combat, more character cutomisation and lots of other new features.

Fights are generally quite short affairs, starting with a dash to pick up the weapons that are scattered across the level, then all out war as all 8 players fight for their survival, with the last man standing being crowned the winner. The retro graphical style and customisation options add a lot of charm, while the levels are well designed, looking like 1 screen pieces of pixel-art, scattered with explosives and destructible scenery. It’s a fun game filled with a plenty of chaos and there’s always plenty of games ongoing, so you won’t be short of people to play with.

Play the Pre-Alpha, Free

WizardWizard is a challenging indie platformer with tight controls and a great soundtrack. Similar to Super Meat Boy, it’s got short but tricky levels and the ability to restart quickly. It’s an enjoyable little game with plenty of charm, thanks to the beautifully crafted pixel-art graphics and a nice sense of humour.

With only 25 levels, it’s a short, hard, precision platformer. Your wizards only power may be that he can jump, but he certainly does it well!

Download the Pre-Release Build, Free

The Hunter is an excellent minimalistic 2D top down stealthy horror/action game which takes place in total darkness, with you only being able to identify your surroundings through the use of echolocation.

There’s a deeply foreboding atmosphere to The Hunter, as you’re instructed to hunt down and kill ‘him’, with no idea who or why. You do get some limited weaponry, but your main weapon is stealth, there are some strange creatures roaming the world, and if they hear you, they WILL chase you down and kill you.

The core concept of The Hunter works really well, with the crude echolocation provided by your footsteps highlighting your surroundings, but also alerting enemies to your presence, you have to choose your moments to make a move. Unfortunately the nature of the game means that it doesn’t take the most exciting screenshots or GIFs, but it is an excellent game, we’d highly recommend either watching the ‘Lets Play’, or even better, just playing the prototype (it’s Free!). It’s Hotline Miami with the lights turned off, which is just as hard as it sounds and an extremely tense experience.

Watch the ‘Lets Play’ or Play the Prototype, Free

Rambo: Last Blood is probably the best Rambo game you’ll ever play. Programmed by Naughty Dog Dev Peter Javidpour, it’s an inventive puzzle game with wonderful retro visuals, reminiscent of Swords & Sworcery, and an excellent sense of humour. With a full playthough clocking in at less than 10 minutes, it’s a short, sweet & entertaining game that just keeps throwing surprises at you. Highly recommended.

Play the full game, Free

Roche Fusion is a fast paced, fun arcade shoot-em-up with snazzy special effects, lots of over the top weaponry and big boss battles.

It plays wonderfully. Battles take place on a single screen, with enemies swooping in for wave based attacks, making the game feel like Space Invaders on steroids at times. The power-ups also deserve a special mention, they’re well designed and pretty spectacular, particularly the Black Hole Gun that shoots a big black hole that sucks enemies in to their demise.

Download the Beta, Free

Heart & Slash is a fantastic looking fast paced 3d brawler/roguelike inspired by Bayonetta, Mega Man and ADOM. You control Heart, a malfunctioning robot who’s fighting for its identity against the minions of standardization, you want to be unique, you want to be LOVED.

Heart & Slash is a wonderful game, the levels are short, fast paced, procedurally generated, brutal affairs that really will test your skill. With over 75 different weapons and 60 different body parts allowing for thousands of unique combinations. The weapons are fun and varied, while body parts allow you to teleport, stop time, fly, wall-jump, discover enemy weaknesses and so on. Heart & Slash thrives on variety.

Heart & Slash manages to feel retro while also feeling fresh and unique at the same time, it’s a wonderful piece of robotic roguelike brutality. Johnny 5 is alive & kicking ass.

Download the Alpha, Free

_Speed_ is a fun top-down futuristic racer inspired by Micro Machines and WipEout, with clean, colourful aesthetics and fun fast paced gameplay. There’s a nice selection of game modes, race-crafts, and power-ups all wrapped up in a stylish futuristic setting. Ships handle superbly, races are fast paced and fun, and it’s got an excellent soundtrack.

It’s a thoroughly enjoyable arcade racer that really does feel like a 2D, top-down WipEout.

Download the Alpha, Free

Super Mega Bob is a beautiful retro platformer/shooter, inspired by Mega Man, The Legend of Zelda, Adventures of Lolo, and Kirby. Gameplay is fast paced and fun, with beautiful 16-bit style graphics, lots of enemies, big bosses, and awesome upgrades, including assorted hats and costumes.

It’s a wonderful slice of retro action, with vibrant visuals, fun gameplay and lots of character. Super mega retro fun.

Download the Beta, Free

Posts tagged retro game