Of course, there’s more to come, with the sandbox farming title My Time at Sandrock coming June 19th for cloud, consoles and PC. Keplerth is available on June 20th, exclusively for PC, while EA Sports FC 24 is being added on June 25th via EA Play. SteamWorld Dig 1 and 2 go live on June 26th, and though both are playable on the cloud, the former is restricted to consoles, while the latter is only playable on PC.

Open-world RPG base-builder Robin Hood – Sherwood Builders caps off the month, arriving on June 27th for cloud, PC and Xbox Series X/S. Several titles will be leaving on June 30th, though subscribers can gain a 20 percent discount on purchasing them. Check out all five of them below:

• FIFA 22 (Console and PC)
• F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Stranded Deep (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Sword and Fairy Together Forever (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The future of Google’s gaming streaming service, Stadia, is a mystery. While it hasn’t gotten off to a very good start, Google says it’ll take some time, so we’ll just have to wait and see where that falls. In the meantime, you’ll at least be able to experience some free games, and in March we get quite the treat of three different titles as Google announced.

First up is Codemasters’ GRID, the racing game that straddles the line between racing sim and arcade action. The Stadia version actually includes an exclusive 40 player Endurance Mode.

Then we get two separate games from the SteamWorld franchise. The first is SteamWorld Dig 2, where you embark on a fantastical spelunking adventure, and SteamWorld Quest, a card-battling game that takes you through the world of the fantasy series.

All three games will be available to Stadia Pro subscribers starting at the beginning of next month on March 1st.

In this feature, we’ll be talking about what we feel have been the 15 best Metroidvania games of the last few years. Given how spoilt for choice we are, it goes without saying that we’ll be missing out on a few games, so sound off about those in your comments below.

So let’s kick this off, and let’s begin with the most obvious choice:

HOLLOW KNIGHT

To say that Hollow Knight is not only one of the best games of the last few years, but quite simply one of the greatest games ever made, would not be an exaggeration in the slightest. Team Cherry’s masterpiece exudes a breathtaking level of confidence in everything it does, from the crisp combat, the incredible atmosphere, and the tight platforming to the labyrinthine map design, the charming visuals, and the memorable boss fights. It’s the standard that all Metroidvania games should aspire to, and stands toe-to-toe with genre giants like Super Metroid.

]]> https://gamingbolt.com/15-best-modern-metroidvania-games/feed 0 429830 https://gamingbolt.com/steamworld-dig-2-now-available-on-xbox-one https://gamingbolt.com/steamworld-dig-2-now-available-on-xbox-one#respond Fri, 23 Nov 2018 01:11:42 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=374180

SteamWorld Dig 2, the excellent metroidvania adventure game that launched on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and PC last year, is available to purchase now on Xbox One. For some reason, this excellent game, which is full to the brim with great mechanics, fantastic level design, and a whole lot of content, was not available on Microsoft’s console until now, though thankfully that seems to have been rectified.

It seems like this is just the game straight up, with no platform specific or exclusive content, which is often characteristic of indie games that come to consoles later. It also costs $19.99, which is the exact same price that the game is everywhere else.

Still, as mentioned, this is an amazing game, and I think Xbox players who have any interest in the Metroidvania style of game design need to look into this, since it’s one of the best games of its ilk we have seen in years.

The ravenous Nintendo Switch user base has been chewing through indy titles at an alarming rate, so much so that many previously download only titles such as Sonic Mania have been receiving belated physical releases due to their massive success. Steamworld Dig 2 is another one of these success stories, with a date now being given for the PS4 and Switch physical copy. 

Those wishing to try Steamworld Dig 2 for either the first time, or those who loved the game enough to double dip just to have it on their shelf can do so as of June 19, 2018. This was pushed back from an original May 22 release in stores, first announced in February.

While the game is only going to see physical release on Nintendo Switch and PS4, with bonus reversible cover art and poster included, the game is available now on those platforms, plus PS Vita, PC and Nintendo 3DS digitally.

https://twitter.com/RisingStarGames/status/998201838171287553

If you’re currently a member of Twitch Prime, then you’ve no doubt availed of the company’s recent initiative to deliver free games to you. Last month saw in-game loot for Fortnite and TERA but this month’s free games easily top that.

Until April 30th, Twitch Prime members will receive SteamWorld Dig 2, Image and Form’s stellar Metroidvania-esque platformer that serves as a prequel to the first game; Tales From the Borderlands, a Telltale-style adventure set in the Borderlands universe; stylish top-down shooter Tokyo 42; and other titles like Kingsway and DubWars. Not a bad selection considering all the other benefits that Twitch Prime members get for $10.99 monthly (like no ads).

Even if you sign up for Twitch Prime right now, the free games will still be available to you. Keep in mind that Twitch Prime availability will depend on your region. If it’s not available in your country, then no free games sadly.

The Nintendo Switch has proven to be a haven for independent game developers. Whether it is because of just how well indie games lend themselves to a form factor like the Switch’s, or because of a lack of competition from larger AAA third parties, or because of how ridiculously easy the porting process to Switch really is, there has been a mad rush by most indie developers to get their games on Nintendo’s hybrid. And those games have been selling, like crazy.

Speaking at a GDC panel today, Nintendo has revealed the list of the ten indie games that have sold the most worldwide. Some names on this list won’t surprise anyone- games like SteamWorld Dig 2, Stardew Valley, Celeste, or Shovel Knight. Others might make you take pause.

You can check out the full list of the ten most successful games on the Switch below- bear in mind that the list is not in any order.

• Steam World Dig 2
• Stardew Valley
• Kamiko
• Celeste
• Fast RMX
• Golf Story
• Enter the Gungeon
• Overcooked: Special Edition
• NBA Playground
• Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

Image and Form’s excellent SteamWorld Dig 2, which launched last year for PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PS Vita, will be adding another system to that list- a Nintendo 3DS version of the game has been confirmed. What’s more, you won’t have to wait too long for it either- the game will be available to 3DS owners just ten days from now, on February 22.

The 3DS version of the game seems to be a feat of programming, and will run at a full 60 frames per second, even with the 3D slider cranked up to full. It won’t be cheap, though- Image and Form have confirmed that the game will cost $20, and presumably, there won’t be any Cross Buy program in place, either.

If you haven’t already played the game for whatever reason, now would be an excellent time to jump in, because it is absolutely awesome. While personally I am partial to it on the Switch, in the end, the game is great no matter where you play it, so if it’s 3DS you want it on, go for it.

Nominees:

Hollow Knight

Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight doesn’t break much new ground. However, with its gorgeous art-style, stellar combat, massive and mysterious storyline and excellent environment design, it’s one of the finest Metroidvania titles ever. The aesthetic will immediately grab you before pulling you under into a dark fantasy world full of adorable (and deadly) insects. No matter which platform you’re on, Hollow Knight must be experienced.

Paradigm

Something is up in Krusz, an Eastern European country with mutants and genetically modified sloths. The game centres around Paradigm, a cast-away mutant who develops a love for electronic music before having to save the world. It’s bizarre, sure, but Paradigm is also memorable, embodying a retro future aesthetic and world design that’s best described as “Pixar meets Fallout”.

Cuphead

Fleischer-style animation meets swing music across a range of devilishly tough bosses and stages. Studio MDHR’s Cuphead is simply a triumph in visual design, embodying the 1940s seamlessly into its gameplay while presenting a unique platforming shooter for old and new school fans alike. It’s difficulty might push some people to the edge but if you stick with it, Cuphead is immensely satisfying.

SteamWorld Dig 2

Instead of the randomly generated areas of the first game, SteamWorld Dig 2 takes a decidedly more Metroidvania approach. As Dorothy, players are tasked with finding Rusty, the protagonist of the first game. That means digging through rocks, harvesting minerals, purchasing upgrades and solving the mystery of all these darn earthquakes. SteamWorld Dig 2 packs charm, enough freedom to make your own path and tons of challenges for the Metroidvania fans among us.

Statik

What happens when you’re tasked with solving puzzles in virtual reality? It sounds innocuous enough but Statik places a box around your hands, challenging you to figure out which button corresponds to which mechanic. There’s an intriguing story in the background, which also serves to provide hints to the puzzles, but Statik otherwise uses its VR premise to immerse you in a strange, hostile world with plenty of intrigue.

Night in the Woods

A talking cat traversing a nightmarish landscape while asleep and trying to make sense of her life while awake – that’s only the beginning of the rabbit hole that is Night in the Woods. This side-scrolling adventure game set in the town of Possum Springs sees protagonist Mei returning from college and trying to make sense of, well, life in general. Despite its relatively slow pacing, Night in the Woods scores with its aesthetic, quality of dialogue and strong character interactions. Greg rules, okay?

Nex Machina

Housemarque’s Nex Machina: Death Machine could be described as part Smash TV, part Robotron, three-fourths of a frantic action game and all arcade. It imbibes the spirit of old-school shoot ’em ups with a variety of weapons, screens full of enemies and a dash mechanic that adds some much needed mobility to the action. With its neon aesthetic and addictive gameplay bent, Nex Machina will eat up many, many hours of your life.

Thimbleweed Park

A dead body has turned up in Thimbleweed Park and two agents are on the case. But there’s a clown running about, a game developer torn between ambition and family, ghosts and much more swimming in the background. What is going on? A grand adventure from Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, the legendary developers behind Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion, that’s what. Come for the old-school visuals and stay for the laughs in this bizarre yet compelling puzzle adventure.

What Remains of Edith Finch

A great narrative in today’s world, especially in the realm of gaming, is tough. What Remains of Edith Finch makes it look easy, floating seamlessly from one perspective to the next, exploring lives across time and space. The narrative style is simply breath-taking; the aesthetic is one of the year’s best; and the story will affect you in more ways than one. Needless to say, go in blind and be ready for an incredible experience.

Far From Noise

Games that focus purely on dialogue aren’t uncommon in the indie space and few are as effective with it as Far From Noise. Set on a cliff with two characters trapped in a car, a discussion begins about the nature of life, the likelihood of death and making peace with one’s self until the end. It’s involving, interesting and worth a look, especially if you’re up for a casual playthrough about life, the universe and everything.

Winner: Cuphead

When recommending Cuphead, we often fall back on the fact that despite not being for everyone, this is a game that everyone should play. Cuphead isn’t just a beautifully animated, imaginative title filled with heaps of awesome boss fights. It’s not just tribute to the 1940s style of cartoon making or the swing music that influenced countless legends. The game itself is a glowing return to the days of run and gun platformers that tested your wit, reflexes, muscle memory and most importantly, your attention to detail. Forget about being the Dark Souls of platformers – Cuphead is a love letter to fans of Mega Man and Mega Man Zero, proving that run and gun gameplay with a fairly high skill ceiling is still an experience unlike any other in today’s industry.

Cuphead is delightful in that its very aesthetic invites players in while the compelling gameplay keeps pushing them forward. It’s a heady, addictive mix and even with a difficulty that prevents most people from immediately picking it up, Cuphead is subliminally impactful and wonderfully charming. It may not be reinvent the wheel as far as action platformers go but in terms of visual design, production, presentation and setting, Cuphead can’t be missed.

Note: GamingBolt’s Game of the Year categories, nominations and awards are selected via an internal nomination, voting and debate process. You can check the rest of categories and the respective winners here.

Image and Form Games’ SteamWorld Dig 2 is out this week for a few platforms so in the meantime, why not celebrate the spirit of adventure and digging with a new launch trailer? It tells the story of Dorothy, a steambot who’s on a quest to find Rusty, the protagonist of the first game and her friend. Check it out below.

Like the previous game, SteamWorld Dig 2 will encourage you to dig, dig, and dig some more beneath the surface. There are treasures to discover, platforms to jump over and secrets to discover, as is typical for a Metroidvania title. You can expect a series of upgrades and other items to help on the journey.

SteamWorld Dig 2 will retail for $19.99/€19.99 and release on September 21st for the Nintendo Switch and September 22nd for the PC. The PS4 and PS Vita versions will arrive on September 26th in North America and September 27th in Europe.