Last week’s Epic Games Store offerings showed two very different sides to a similar coin with two very distinct types of platformers. Interestingly, we see a similar situation this week, with two games that have some similarities, with The End is Nigh and ABZU, but with vastly different presentations.

The End is Nigh is a platformer where you must take a sentient clump of ash and go through a variety of different post-apocalyptic levels in a grim world. With muted colors, the game sets a sad and melancholy tone as you play through over 600 levels and 12 chapters.

ABZU takes us in the opposite direction with a beautiful and vibrant art style. You play out your fantasy as a deep sea diver as you slowly explore the ocean and all its many wonders below. You’ll examine hundreds of real life aquatic species.

It’s a tale of two very different games this week, and both The End is Nigh and ABZU will be available for free on the Epic Games Store until September 12th. After that, Conarium will be the next offering.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Undertale

Toby Fox’s Undertale possesses a ton of charm underneath its relatively archaic visuals. Whether it’s the quirky gameplay, freedom of choice or utter wit, it’s a game whose art-style pays homage to the retro era of gaming. For a retro-styled game though, it could look a little bit better. Regardless, if you want a compelling story with significant consequences, Undertale is your ticket.

Super Meat Boy creator Edmund McMillen along with Tyler Glaiel has finally released his newest difficult platformer The End is Nigh. You can pick up the 2D title from Steam and look forward to a Nintendo Switch release later.

Taking place in a future, The End is Nigh focuses on Ash, a creature who must battle against other decaying creatures while collecting game cartridges (all fully playable) and tumour pieces. The end goal is “to simply make a friend out of pieces of people [Ash] finds along his journey.” Which sounds pretty darn grim but considering McMillen also created The Binding of Isaac, this seems par for the course.

With over 600 levels between more than 12 chapters, numerous endings and Achievements and other extras, The End is Nigh seems to be doing well with Super Meat Boy fans in terms of challenge. What are your thoughts on the game thus far? Let us know in the comments.

Edmund McMillen, best known for his work on difficult platformer Super Meat Boy and Tyler Glaiel of Closure fame, have announced a new platformer. The End is Nigh is yet another tough platformer that will test players’ patience and it arrives on July 12th for Steam. A Nintendo Switch version is confirmed with other consoles possibly getting their own versions.

The End is Nigh reportedly started as a “completely stripped down platformer with an adventure game open feel where the levels were all locked into tidy little boxes but attached in a way where they could be explored”. As per McMillen, this “felt a bit like VVVVVV meets 1001 Spikes with a Spelunky control setup”.

The End is Nigh will tie elements from McMillen’s other games together and has over 600 levels in 12 chapters. Obviously this is his biggest game yet and there will video game cartridges, secrets, hidden endings and collectibles to gather.

As for Ouroboros, the other game that McMillen and Glaiel were working on, it’s currently on hold. What are your thoughts on The End is Nigh though? Let us know below.