Author: AndresPlays

An opinion piece in which AndresPlays reminisces about his years writing about indie games, and what he has learned in the process. I don’t consider myself Catholic anymore, but occasionally I wonder about being at the gates of heaven trying to make a case for myself. “I always gave my Uber drivers five stars!” “Yes, son, but you chewed their ear off enough that they earned it.” “What about my game reviews? I always tried to be as fair as possible.” “Is that so? What about that time you called a game one of the worst games to come out…

Remaining Grace is a touching ghost story about human connection that has just been announced for PC. It will be playable at PAX West in early September. Described as an intimate, non-linear ghost story about chosen family, Remaining Grace is coming to PC soon. Telling the story of Grace Tao, it plans to explore the interconnected lives of those she left behind. The debut project of ambedo studios, it includes the lead designer of Dreamfall Chapters, Quintin Pan. A playable demo will be available in early September at PAX West 2026. Players will guide the spirit of Grace through a…

The bread and butter of every MMO, Guild Wars 3 reveals its first playable species in the land of Tyria. Guild Wars 3 released their latest blog, focusing on the most important part of any MMO: its playable species. Led by Narrative Designer Danny Barnes, they honed in on major narrative details regarding the Humans. Their history up to this point certainly makes them seem an equally reliable and embattled bunch. As the article mentions, humans have existed for over seven hundred years. Trying to find their footing in the burgeoning lands of Orr, they find themselves in  rather unwelcome…

Duskfade is a 3D action platformer that does not reinvent the wheel, but its dazzling landscapes, heartfelt narrative, and lively platforming make for a memorable journey. 3D action platformers came to define the PlayStation 2 era. Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper, to name a few. Their likable characters, far-out settings, and tricky platforming made younger generations attach to these cartoony adventures. Over the years, Nintendo seemed to take over the platforming scene, with bigger studios more interested in higher graphical fidelity. Lately, they seem to be making a comeback in the form of independent studios paying homage…

Sephiria recently launched its full 1.0 release. It instantly became one of the best action roguelite RPGs thanks to its forward-thinking systems. Early Access releases have proven controversial due to changes by loud parts of a video game’s fanbase. Pleasing everybody is never in the cards. Every so often, though, a new release launches in a 1.0 state that it feels like it accounted for all the possibilities. That sense of awe that a genre such as a roguelite gives with its high potential for builds is seemingly impossible to achieve. And yet, Sephiria is one such example that the…

Pixel Byte just celebrated 3 years of covering video games, big and small. Here are a few thoughts on what it means for us and the future. Last night I was watching the documentary Mr. Scorsese. In it, the legendary filmmaker of Goodfellas tells the story of his life. Something that stuck with me is how, when he was 18, he was going to enter business school. In the 1950s, it was expected. “Filmmaking? Son, you are out of your mind,” he recalls. But suddenly a friend of his passed away from cancer that year. As any brush with death…

Dodo Duckie features a cute duck that changes from 2D to 3D perspectives to showcase creative puzzles in this wacky narrative platformer. The democratization of game development tools now allows for creative ideas to flourish everywhere. Changes in perspective are not new. Super Mario Odyssey did it in a mostly superficial sense. Existing as a nod to the legendary platformer’s legacy, it arguably did not do enough with its change from 2D to 3D other than to serve as a callback to a previous generation. Dodo Duckie takes this a step further, introducing puzzles and whimsical undertones. Leading with its…

Guild Wars 3 launched its main theme honoring its legacy on all major music streaming platforms, led by acclaimed game composer Kazuma Jinnouchi. Reveling in years of wonderful fantasy soundscapes, the Guild Wars 3 Main Theme is now available on all major music platforms. Composed by the ArenaNet studio team, they brought in lauded game composer Kazuma Jinnouchi to craft a unique musical experience. With a career in series such as Halo, Metal Gear Solid, and Star Wars, their approach was rooted in honoring the legacy of the Guild Wars franchise. Alongside the release of the theme itself, a featurette…

Big Walk is a cooperative multiplayer adventure that focuses on an authentic recreation of nature to achieve its collaborative efforts. It is safe to say that I live a comfortable life. A house with a fully stocked fridge. Video game consoles and high-speed internet cable to access any and all streaming services. Finally, an air conditioner, which is a godsend during this sweltering summer heat. The problem with such earthly delights is that they end up making me complacent. Staying too long in a comfort zone is what detonated my extreme anxiety in early 2023. What I found a panacea…

The Mermaid Mask is the latest entry in the Detective Grimoire series. Its theatrical cast and clever murder mystery make it the best one yet. In my late teens, I had already moved from a small town to the big city to study in college. One day, while helping a friend move, I found a surprise that would change the course of my life. You see, it was a very old house where he was going to make his new life. Ancient portraits of dignified women, dilapidated furniture, the smell of decay. Forgotten in a dingy, dusty closet was a…