Gait Games

When I talk to other journalists and random bus stop strangers about the idea of divesting from Microsoft and Xbox – worth doing for many reasons besides the company’s dealings with the Israeli military – there is often an air of learned helplessness, a kind of deer-in-headlights mentality. Microsoft’s gaming biz is too huge to ignore. They own so much. They own a lot of the malarkey that gets eyeballs. Which I can confirm, based on day-to-day experience of traffic stats. Still, I would argue that they do not have any momentum with the things they own, and to be frank, a fair whack of their stuff does sod-all traffic for us. Microsoft today are institutionally incapable of being intriguing. As such, an extremely indulgent way of thinking about the BDS boycott is to treat it as positive encouragement to seek intrigue elsewhere.

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### The Debate Surrounding Stellar Blade: Blood Rain’s Main Character

The launch of the inaugural trailer for *Stellar Blade: Blood Rain* at the Summer Game Fest on June 5, 2023, has sparked notable conversations within the gaming community. Central to these discussions are worries about the game’s main character, Evie, and the implications of her design and portrayal.

#### The Response to Evie’s Appearance

Evie’s youthful look, the lead character in *Stellar Blade: Blood Rain*, has drawn attention and raised concerns regarding the representation of youth in characters. Numerous fans have highlighted the distinction between Evie and her predecessor, Eve, who was created with a more mature appearance. The conversation escalated regarding how Evie’s look corresponds with her characterization, especially given the game’s hinted themes of violence and action.

Hyung-tae Kim, the CEO of Shift Up and director of the original *Stellar Blade*, responded to these issues in a recent interview with IGN. He underscored that although Evie is indeed younger and smaller than Eve, she has a robust personality and participates in intense confrontations, making her a character equipped to face significant obstacles. Kim claimed that players’ views would evolve once they experience the game firsthand, indicating that Evie’s complexity would be more evident through gameplay than solely through her visual design.

#### Reactions to Feedback

Nonetheless, Kim’s defense of Evie has not appeased all critics. Many have seen his comments as sidestepping the heart of the worries regarding Evie’s representation, particularly her provocative poses in marketing materials. Critics argue that while character traits are crucial, the design choices might unintentionally send messages regarding the character’s role and importance within the game.

The discussion around Evie’s character has also been heightened by Kim’s remarks about the character’s clothing. He alluded to them being “even more appealing,” raising concerns that this might exacerbate the already contentious details of her design. The presence of “jiggle physics” in earlier trailers further intensifies these worries, with many viewers deeming them inappropriate, considering Evie’s younger portrayal.

#### The Wider Impact

The conversations about Evie’s character in *Stellar Blade: Blood Rain* reflect a more extensive trend in the gaming industry regarding character design and representation. As games progress in narrative depth and audience aspirations, the portrayal of female characters remains a contentious topic. Striking a balance between crafting engaging, multifaceted characters while steering clear of problematic stereotypes is a challenge that many developers encounter.

Shift Up’s management of this issue will be carefully watched by the gaming community as the release date nears. Players are likely to stay doubtful until they can engage with the character and evaluate whether Evie’s design truly aligns with her narrative role.

In summary, while *Stellar Blade: Blood Rain* presents an exciting continuation of the series, the responses around its main character indicate that debates regarding representation and character design in gaming continue to be relevant. The game’s success may ultimately depend on the depth of Evie’s characterization and how it connects with players beyond her visual appeal.

THERE ARE SO MANY !!

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I have sacrificed many an hour to the altar of Vampire Survivors and its kin. Deep Rock Galactic Survivors, Nimrods, Brotato, TerraTech Legion, Soulstone Survivors. I could go on. So I will, Rogue Genesia, 20 Minutes Till Dawn, Halls of Torment, Swarm Grinder. I’ve even put more time into the Warhammer Survivors demo than I’d care to admit. Many of them follow a similar formula to Poncle’s original with only slight tweaks, and yet I’m still drawn into the loop of dodging about an arena, kiting hordes of enemies as my autofiring weapons soar up a generous power curve.

Blood Dungeon, though, is different. By stretching the familiar mechanics of Vampire Survivors over the skeleton of a platformer, Nidhogg’s creators Messhof have made something delectably different.

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**Sonic Pico Park: A Team-Based Journey with the Blue Blur**

I’m a *Sonic the Hedgehog* fanatic. If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I adore racing around at supersonic speeds. Always in motion, I have a rainbow to chase, yet I’ve found it tough to get my friends excited about Sega’s platformers. Whether it’s the rapid-fire platforming or outdated views concerning the series’ shift to 3D, many are reluctant to jump into the *Sonic* universe. However, I think I’ve discovered the ideal game to attract them: *Sonic Pico Park*.

As indicated by its title, *Sonic Pico Park* is inspired by the cooperative platformer, *Pico Park*. In this title, numerous players must coordinate their actions to maneuver through challenging obstacle courses. Players will face several tasks, including executing perfectly-timed jumps, stacking atop one another, or leveraging specific character skills to solve puzzles as they advance through stages. Essentially, it resembles a group of individuals functioning as a single organism, with each player controlling a different part, relying on effective communication to collaborate smoothly.

During a playtest at Summer Game Fest, I joined three unfamiliar players for a session where we navigated not just the gameplay but also the social dynamics of aligning our efforts. We played as legendary characters—Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy—each contributing distinct abilities, such as Knuckles’ glide and Tails’ flight. However, most characters had fundamental skills like the spin dash and standard jumps. Unlike typical *Sonic* games, where velocity is essential, *Sonic Pico Park* transforms each level into a cooperative puzzle that demands careful planning and precise execution to solve.

This collaborative aspect can spark moments of hilarity, especially when working with individuals less acquainted with the game. The levels are packed with classic *Sonic* features, including bouncing springs that can easily derail the best-laid plans. A single mistake can send players plummeting into holes or colliding with each other, resulting in pandemonium.

The appeal of *Pico Park* lies in its requirement for players to either possess a solid connection or maintain a strong sense of humor to cope with the minor frustrations that emerge when unraveling puzzles. As players tackle the unique challenges posed by the *Sonic* twist on the game, they must ingeniously plan how to collaborate without inadvertently thwarting each other’s attempts.

Despite its propensity for chaos, *Sonic Pico Park* is a delightful experience that embraces the absurd and fosters camaraderie. Throughout the demo, our group formed a bond that enabled us to successfully navigate the game’s levels. Now, I’m excited to play with my friends and see how well we can cooperate. A key highlight was my question regarding the possible inclusion of Shadow the Hedgehog in the game. While the Sega representative didn’t offer a conclusive answer, they indicated that more details would be revealed in the upcoming months. With the game designed to accommodate up to eight players, there’s optimism for additional characters and extended enjoyment.

*Sonic Pico Park* is scheduled to launch on PC and other platforms, providing a fresh perspective on cooperative gameplay that merges the cherished elements of Sonic with the engaging challenge of puzzle-solving. For fans of the series and newcomers alike, this game guarantees laughter, teamwork, and boundless fun as players race their way through chaotic yet captivating levels.

WE ARE, WE ARE, ON THE CRUIIIISEEE! WE ARE!

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**The Emergence of the Bullet Heaven Genre: A Celebration at Steam Fest**

With the addition of the “Bullet Heaven” tag on Steam in May, the gaming world has experienced a notable transformation, signaling the rise of a genre that draws significant inspiration from the hit game *Vampire Survivors*. This fresh genre complements the well-known bullet hell category, delivering an exhilarating and chaotic experience for gamers. Valve’s Steam Fest has embraced this trend, unveiling a sale that showcases a variety of games from both genres, featuring beloved titles such as *Returnal* and *Megabonk*. This article highlights ten remarkable games in the Bullet Heaven and Bullet Hell categories that you absolutely should check out.

### 1. TerraTech Legion
Payload Studios, famed for their sandbox adventure game *TerraTech*, has astonished fans with *TerraTech Legion*, a bullet heaven title rooted in the same universe. This game gives players the opportunity to construct their vehicles and enhance them with new weaponry and tools as they navigate through levels. This distinct feature provides players with a greater sense of freedom, merging the *Survivors* concept with the vehicle-building aspect that *TerraTech* enthusiasts adore.

### 2. Sektori
Brought to life by independent developer Kimmo Lahtinen, *Sektori* has emerged as a major success, offering a thrilling twin-stick shooter experience that echoes *Geometry Wars*. With a diverse gaming portfolio, Lahtinen delivers a challenging yet uniquely captivating bullet hell adventure, filled with stunning visuals and depth.

### 3. Minishoot Adventures
Gaining renewed attention upon its launch on the Switch 2, *Minishoot Adventures* is a twin-stick shooter that deftly blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and bullet hell action. Players embark on an epic quest, battling a purple plague while freeing friendly ships and enjoying exploration akin to classic 2D *Zelda* games.

### 4. Enter the Gungeon
A decade after its debut, *Enter the Gungeon* continues to be a cornerstone of both bullet hell and rogue-lite genres. Renowned for its distinctive style and character, the game delivers an immersive dungeon-crawling experience. With an 80% discount during the Steam Fest, it’s an ideal opportunity for both newcomers and seasoned players to revisit this classic.

### 5. BoneCraft
*BoneCraft* offers a darker, lo-fi interpretation of the bullet heaven genre, focusing on reflex-driven gameplay paired with an intriguing unlocking system that allows players to create minions from collected bones. It reflects the initial wave of post-*Survivors* titles, mesmerizing numerous players with its unique approach and mechanics.

### 6. Glyphica
Presenting an inventive twist, *Glyphica* turns typing into a survival challenge. Surrounded by encroaching words, players must type them out to protect against incoming messages. Although in Early Access since October 2024, the game continues to receive significant updates, ensuring a fresh and compelling experience for players.

### 7. Halls of Torment
*Halls of Torment* serves as a superb option for fans of *Vampire Survivors*-inspired gameplay, characterized by rich visuals and dynamic enemy encounters. The game introduces a novel mechanic where players can discover armor and weapons during levels, introducing an element of strategy by allowing them to teleport collected items back to a base for later use.

### 8. Xenotilt
From the makers of *Demon’s Tilt*, *Xenotilt* boldly adopts a gothic theme while integrating bullet hell mechanics. The latest installment, *Hostile Pinball Action*, amplifies the intensity and enables players to unlock upgrades and rescue survivors, fine-tuning the experience for Steam Deck.

### 9. Arms of God
Recently launched in Early Access, *Arms of God* distinguishes itself with its high-fidelity graphics and a metal soundtrack reminiscent of *Doom*. Players can combine weapons to boost their power, presenting an engaging mechanic that promotes creative builds amidst the chaos of combat.

### 10. Just King
A distinctive fusion of *Vampire Survivors* and *Slay the Spire*, *Just King* allows players to safeguard their king using a team of characters, each possessing unique attack styles. The game encourages experimentation and strategic planning throughout its levels, culminating in exhilarating boss encounters, all showcased in charming artwork.

The Bullet Heaven genre continues to thrive, accentuated by Steam Fest’s thematic celebration. As players delve into these varied offerings, it becomes clear that this genre is not merely a passing trend but an expanding facet of contemporary gaming. Whether you enjoy customizing vehicles, facing unending waves of foes, or immersing yourself in intriguing narratives, there’s something for everyone in Bullet Heaven and Bullet Hell.

Unlocking your Schrift.

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Valve have stopped producing physical Steam Gift Cards for retailers, meaning once the current stock runs out you won’t see them anywhere out in the wild. Valve say this is because no matter what protections they’ve added to the cards, “scammers have adapted”.

While Valve will continue to sell Steam Digital Gift Cards through their shop, this means the days of trading in old physical games and using the credit to buy a gift card are coming to an end.

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1…2…3… breathe.

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