With gorgeous pixel art graphics and a classic console feel, Rose of Starcross has already surpassed its funding goal on Kickstarter. As a RPG that unites magic and the supernatural with anime sensibilities, it provides varied play and comfy settings to inhabit. I chatted with Peyton Burnham about the project and its lovably quirky elements that draw on deep feelings of nostalgia.
A roguelike deck-building game dropping players into tabletop battles, Spellsword Cards: DungeonTop occupies an evolving space in the world of electronic experiences, uniting the mechanics of old-school card games and modern play. With a focused interest in the translation of board games into fast-paced indie titles, I spoke with the dev team on their recently-released project.
An open world single player space combat game, Starsector blends tactical 2D battles with trade, exploration, and fleet customization; as a project with a lot going on under the hood, I chatted with dev Alexander Mosolov of Fractal Softworks regarding the variety of player experiences in his work and the design goals driving the title.
A tactical turn-based steampunk game, Shardpunk: Verminfall drops players into a capital swarming with invaders. Survivors make hay while the sun shines, emerging from an airship to scavenge limited resources, and I chatted with Slawomir Bryk, lead designer and developer, on the nuances of his pixel art, speculative fiction journey.
With an old-school look and a kingdom management mandate, Warsim: The Realm of Aslona includes procedural content with yesteryear presentation. I find an odd sense of satisfaction in the control and exploration of a largely text-based world populated by ASCII art, and I took the opportunity to pick Huw Millward’s brain on the nature of his game.
