Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective (IGC)
It's been some time since a game like this has been featured on MrDavePizza, but Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective absolutely belongs. As a game that originated in a book series, the game takes many cues from the visual classics of growing up. Incidentally, I was a big fan of books like Where's Waldo? and Eye Spy, which are similar in scope and content as Pierre the Maze Detective--perhaps you remember too. So, let's get into this, what is Labyrinth City? It's a top-down puzzle game with hand-drawn characters in a visual feast of eccentric characters and scenes, through…
Owlboy – A Fine Indie Owlish Adventure
Sometime about 100,000 years ago Owls became all the rage. I joke, since owl knickknacks and stories have surged in popularity over the past couple of decades. But they've long symbolized intelligence, wisdom, and ability. Which is good, because those are common themes in Owlboy. I tested this game on Nintendo Switch, but it is a cross-platform Metroidvania, an acceptable umbrella term for a whole ton of games out there.
Wild Dive: Indie Game: Quick Review
Hello friends. Today I'm reviewing a really brief but beautiful and fun game called Wild Dive. You may have noticed some changes around here in content and how often I'm posting. No worries, this is still a regular blog, only I've been spending a little more of the time I allot for it on cosmetic aspects of the site and refining older posts. I'm not done yet, but it's getting there. I also am working on some new topics such as my Movies & TV section. It's not all about being popular for me, but I know most of you…
Because It’s Hot! – Why Pizza? Impressions
I'm back, reviewing a game. An indie game. A very indie game. An indie game prologue. Because it's hot! - Why Pizza? Freeze frame. But seriously, I am in recovery from an intense year of reviews. So, when I saw this perfectly amusing stylized demo on Steam with a radical pizza theme, I narrowed in on it. I only played for about 7 minutes or so, because platformers make my head explode. (Real reason: I suck at them.) But since I've added the Dave Pizza Promise, which is sifting out the rather uneventful, it was more like 30 minutes. Right?…
The Last Act: A Visual Novel: Impressions
The Last Act is a visual novel with a theatric theme about an actress in a lead play character. Interact with a social group of charismatic characters, while find yourself getting more and more into the script as the serious drama unfolds. The choices you make unfold the story in different ways, but ultimately you'll find yourself interacting with supernatural characters that seek to interact in your fate. Will you continue on with the play? Or is it too much? Or do people just need to mind their own business? It's up to you.
Arcade Spirits: New Challengers: Impressions
I keep an eye on Steam's demo listings on a daily basis. I've been really into visual novels for some time now. I like the way they hit my writer's palette when it comes to emotionally charged game content. The game Arcade Spirits: New Challengers is a sequel to a 2017 visual novel named Arcade Spirits. The story takes place in an alternate history, the year 20XX, where arcades have not seen deprecation or obsoleteness. As such, the arcade is quite an interesting place to run into quirky characters and get into all sorts of gaming fun not quite afforded…
Drawing + “Patchless” PizzaPost 🍕
Patchless is about how I feel when I play any game that frustrates oneself to no end because of inconsistent mechanics. Fortunately, this is intentional in this game. I don't really have much to say on it; the 8-bit music is good although a little wonky, glowy black screen background which reminds me of level 5 in Super Mario Bros, which is enchanting in its own right. This is kind of what you might expect from a game jam in some experiences. It's pretty good. Simple, but satisfactory. Unfortunately, it wasn't simple enough for me because I got really confused…
Coffee Talk: Demo Impressions
Coffee Talk is an interactive visual novel released in the pumpkin spice season of 2020. You play a barista in Seattle in a futuristic/alternate-universe. Your customers range from human to succubus, and it is your job not only to make them coffee in your coffee shop but also to help talk them through their personal problems. The gameplay is interspersed with actual barista beverage making with various ingredients and you can even make latte art. The game art is also enjoyable and has a high-quality direction in design.
Henchman Story Demo: Villainous Humor
Henchman Story is a cartoony comedy visual novel about life as a henchman for a supervillain named Lord Bedlam. You'll live life within the ranks of other henchmen in dorm-style accommodations within the secret hideout or out in the field, holding your ground against superheroes who want to foil Lord Bedlam's operations.
VirtuaVerse: Pixel Art Cyberpunk Game: Review
VirtuaVerse is an indie cyberpunk pixel art point and click adventure that exudes what some might think of as classic cyberpunk. You, a hacker named Nathan, wake in your apartment, which your girlfriend has changed the exit code to. Stylistically it appeals to an aesthetic of disheveled, neon glow surrounded by cybernetic paraphernalia. Solve enigmatic puzzles to progress the story.
