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Indie game capsule reviews: Immortality, Wayward Strand, Cult of the Lamb, Betrayal at Club Low, Atuel

Radiator Blog

There's a Portal-like moment where you escape the puzzle. This isn't a big apocalyptic video game betrayal cutscene where a villain reveals himself and destroys a castle, instead it's a smaller deeper betrayal that instantly brought me back to being a teenager. Pro-tip: play with a gamepad.) PS to Half Mermaid: thanks for the beefcake.

Indy 52
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Deathloop deconstruction / design thoughts

Radiator Blog

NOT telekinesis, only works on NPCs / PvP) Havoc (temporary shield / damage buff), very useful for people who keep dying (i.e. none of Dishonored's morality system and I think this is good, the "stealth puzzle = humane cage free assassination" philosophy has aged poorly imo 69% less stealth.

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Sandbox vs themepark

Raph Koster

It was like resetting a little stage-play; the NPC actors hit their marks and reappeared at their start location. Highly narrative, intricate puzzles, and immersive storytelling. Breadcrumbs, dialogue trees, cutscenes, progression paths. Earlier in MUD design, these zones even “repopped” all at once.

Sandbox 64