Ducky Obrien Show 022 - The Adpocalypse is upon us

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

YouTube has allegedly been found to be pushing what they call "true view" ads to other outlets. This is a pretty big deal because large corporations are paying YouTube big bucks to advertise what are usually those skippable video ads that play before, in the middle, or at the end of videos. These ads perform better than forced auto playing ads on other sides/games. The result, if corporations don't trust YouTube enough to buy ads anymore, there's less money going out to content creators.

Ducky Obrien Show 023 - Revisiting Alien Life Simulator

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

The developer reached out to me 2 years after I first covered the game letting me know they're still working on the game. I checked it out and they did great work. The game is still janky and needs work but the developer is actively taking feedback and making changes right away.

The game is a third person roguelite that's heavy on action.

►Dev Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/justinsix ►Dev YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTF55vLsfcuI2epJShoZa0Q ►Steam Store Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1478310/Alien_Life_Sim ►YouTube Preview: https://youtu.be/Fb2RToHJkts

Ducky Obrien Show 024 - Unwanted Feedback - Vampire Hunters

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

Vampire Hunters has so much potential but is marred by tedium and contradictory design elements.

►Steam Store Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2206270/Vampire_Hunters/ ►YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/zZ2I88hUadE ►Blog Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/11/unwanted-feedback-vampire-hunters/

Ducky Obrien Show 025 - How Kick Can Take Over

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

I don't know why platforms always pay millions and go after a few of the biggest streamers when you can save a lot of money and go for way more smaller/medium sized streamers in a wide variety of categories to create an instant healthier ecosystem. Mixer signing Shroud and Ninja didn't work so well.

YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgvuiIt3iw Blog ► https://duckyobrien.com/

Ducky Obrien Show 026 - Indie Games Galore (Bat Boy, Killer Frequency, Meaningless, SETTRIS)

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

In this episode, I cover four indie games:

Bat Boy

Bat Boy is a retro platformer through and through. From the nostalgia inducing 8-bit graphics to the simple but catchy chip tune sound track, this side scrolling action platformer feels like an old classic made in modern times.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/21/bat-boy-gameplay-preview-retro-platformer/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/XcsBy5DUCUc

Killer Frequency

Killer Frequency is an interactive thriller from the perspective of washed up radio host Forrest Nash. Through a series of rather unfortunate events, all the 911 calls have been routed to the radio show and now Forrest must try to save everyone calling in. We won’t speak of Ponty’s Pizza however…

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/21/interactive-radio-thriller-killer-frequency-gameplay-preview/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/I_sXci7zrfA

Meaningess

Meaningless is a pretty chill puzzle game. Your main goal is to manipulate blocks so that the marble can get to the end of the level. This may seem like a simple mechanic but the puzzles grow in complexity to the point that the solution isn’t so obvious at first glance.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/22/meaningless-gameplay-preview-chill-puzzle-game/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/fMNpmIvd_kI

SETTRIS

Zoo Corporation is back at it again fellas. They usually make solid puzzle games featuring what one could say are very well endowed anime girls. This one doesn’t have any anime girls and honestly speaking that makes me more comfortable playing this game.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/22/settris-gameplay-preview-tetris-puzzles/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/PGcpsvF35dM

Thanks for listening!

Ducky Obrien Show 027 - Indie Games Galore (STONKS 9800, Super Catboy, Trepang2, We Stay Behind)

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

In this episode, I cover four indie games:

STONKS 9800

STONKS-9800 is a stock market simulator with retro vibes and some inspiration from anime. The game seems to give the impression that you are a salaryman day trader..

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/25/stonks-9800-gameplay-preview-retro-anime-stock-sim/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/e6vd3RIGJzg

Super Catboy

Super Catboy is a platformer that takes heavy inspiration from the classics. The pixel art style looks fantastic and a lot of the game comes so close to being as pixel perfect as the art.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/25/super-catboy-gameplay-preview-retro-catformer/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/Jf1BuH-1glY

Trepang2

Trepang2 seems a little basic in terms of modern game design. There are no progression tracks, no meters constantly going up for completing pointless micro tasks and manipulating you into playing the game for far longer than you had wanted to. There aren’t a bazillion guns that mostly perform the same with hundreds of mundane modifications. What Trepang2 does have, however, is fun and it has it in droves.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/26/trepang2-gameplay-preview-oldschool-fps-like-f-e-a-r/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/AWFf1fuhulw

We Stay Behind (Demo)

We Stay Behind seems to be an interactive narrative from what I’ve gleaned from the demo. You play the role of a reporter investigating a small town that is under imminent threat of being completely destroyed by a falling asteroid. Some of the townspeople have chosen to stay despite the danger and it’s your job to investigate why.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/26/we-stay-behind-demo-gameplay-preview-intrigue-mystery-and-possibly-something-sinister/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/evWMBinl4S8

Thanks for listening!

Ducky Obrien Show 028 - Indie Games Galore (En Garde, An Ankou, Fae Farm, Texas Chain Saw Massacre)

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

In this episode, I cover four indie games:

En Garde!

En Garde! is like Sekiro for ants, and what I mean by that is that the game is actually quite very good! The combat in En Garde is spiritually similar to Sekiro but it’s much more accessible and forgiving. The magical quality of the combat is that it still makes you feel like you are a pro whenever you successfully pull of a series parries and dodges in a row, especially when surrounded by multiple enemies.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/28/en-garde-gameplay-preview-sekiro-for-ants-this-game-is-pretty-good/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/A-nUPnpxbCI

An Ankou

An Ankou is a simple roguelite. You go into the game, craft one weapon, upgrade one set of armor, and leave a bloody trail of spider and other monstrosities’ corpses as you fight your way tooth and nail to the final boss.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/29/an-ankou-gameplay-preview-the-spiders-dont-stop/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/BXiDN3O0GWs

Fae Farm

Fae Farm is a very competent farming simulator in a sea of farming sims. It has tried and true elements and mechanics found in games such as Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley as well as the more casual social village sims like Animal Crossing.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/08/31/fae-farm-gameplay-preview-harvest-animal-crossing-valley/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/Ol9akHZPNyA

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Dead by Daylight fans will be immediately familiar with the asymmetric multiplayer gameplay focusing on horror found in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Four survivors are tasked with escaping the basement and then the house of the Slaughter family.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/01/the-texas-chain-saw-massacre-gameplay-preview-dead-by-chainsaw/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/BxRHKh8JVLw

Thanks for listening!

Ducky Obrien Show 029 - Indie Games Galore (Sunkenland, ghostpia, Rhapsody II, HYENAS)

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

In this episode, I cover four indie (and non indie) games:

Sunkenland

Sunkenland is the very definition of jank. There are so many quality of life features missing, so many bugs, so many things that are imbalanced, and just overall very rough edges on almost every mechanic you interact with. Yet, I can’t deny after close to nineteen hours into the game, there is definitely something magical about it.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/11/sunkenland-gameplay-preview-ghetto-rust-in-waterworld/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/cQ-4JdxCeO0

ghostpia Season One

ghostpia is a kinetic visual novel. I mistakenly thought this meant that the visual novel had animated sequences but the ‘kinetic’ actually just refers to a visual novel with no choices. You simply read the narrative and you can’t pick your own options.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/12/ghostpia-season-one-gameplay-preview-kinetic-visual-novel/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/gRVuR70JmH0

Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess

Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess takes place after some years have passed following the events of the first Rhapsody game. You play as Kururu, the daughter of Cornet, as she ventures forth to find a dashing prince of her own.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/12/rhaposdy-ii-ballad-of-the-little-princess-gameplay-preview-the-musical-adventure-returns/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/kmgS-ix0CBI

HYENAS

HYENAS is an interesting take on the extraction shooter genre. The extraction part is not focused so much on obtaining loot like in Escape from Tarkov, where any gear you bring in is lost forever if you die. Games like Tarkov create a high risk versus high reward style of play where bringing in better guns and gear means a better chance of getting out alive but also carries the higher risk of losing everything with other players targeting you.

►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/12/hyenas-gameplay-preview-interesting-ideas-but-unnecessary-progression-system/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/K2el9BnAfxQ

Thanks for listening!

Ducky Obrien Show 030 - Indie Games Galore (Hauma, BIT.TRIP RERUNNER, The First Descendant, Conquistadorio)

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

In this episode, I cover four indie (and non indie) games:

Hauma - A Detective Noir Story

Hauma – A Detective Noir story is an interactive visual novel. The game features a gripping narrative backed by solid voice acted lines of dialogue. The story does start off slow but once it gets going, it managed to pull me in and keep me invested in how the ending would pay off despite some moments that did manage to break the immersion.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/1443470/Hauma__A_Detective_Noir_Story/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/27/hauma-a-detective-noir-story-gameplay-preview-interactive-visual-novel/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/CrmWDjaD9aY

BIT.TRIP RERUNNER

BIT.TRIP RERUNNER revisits the classic BIT.TRIP RUNNER series and comes complete with extra levels, additional material that gives a peak behind the scenes, and a level maker to make, share, and play user created levels. If you are a fan of the BIT.TRIP series, RERUNNER definitely looks to be the ultimate version out as of now.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2222540/BITTRIP_RERUNNER/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/27/bit-trip-rerunner-gameplay-preview-the-ultimate-version/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/WcWWzQDpbeM

The First Descendant

The First Descendant is a looter shooter from Nexon. You shoot things, get guns to shoot bigger things to get even better guns to shoot even bigger enemies. You get the picture. Destiny 2, Warframe, and Borderlands are some games from the same vein.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2074920/The_First_Descendant/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/09/29/the-first-descendent-beta-gameplay-preview-bland-and-blase-but-not-terrible/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/QlSkykubImY

Conquistadorio

Conquistadorio is a rather macabre point and click adventure game. The general atmosphere and feel of the game is pretty unique as a result. For some reason I can’t quite put my finger on, the game conjures up the same feeling as Limbo even though the two games are quite different in mechanics.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2472550/Conquistadorio/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/10/03/conquistadorio-gameplay-preview-if-limbo-was-a-point-click-adventure/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/E0ZfDVNFHzM

Thanks for listening!

Ducky Obrien Show 031 - Indie Games Galore (Disagea 7, Tatari The Arrival, Ooblets, Sweet Dreams Alex)

Video Game News, Reviews, and Guides (and sometimes random things)

In this episode, I cover four indie (and non indie) games:

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless has all the hallmarks of a Disgaea game. You can lift teammates (and enemies) up, creating a hilarious but highly mobile tower and proceed to throw people willy nilly all over the place. Prinnies still explode when thrown, as they should. You still have item worlds and other familiar mechanics carrying over and topping it all off is the gorgeous artwork, excellent voice acting, and catchy music. The dubs are always fantastic for NIS games in my opinion, they hit the perfect balance of being somewhat close to the original Japanese and just enough corniness to make it charming.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2250600/Disgaea_7_Vows_of_the_Virtueless/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/10/11/disgaea-7-vows-of-the-virtueless-gameplay-preview-ewwdo-dood/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/CAWwDLoaIZg

Tatari: The Arrival

Tatari: The Arrival is a demo for a horror game and it’s pretty darn rough. It doesn’t even feel like the game has reached an alpha phase and we’re just getting a look into a concept. Let’s just say there is a metric ton of jank in the demo.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2496460/Tatari_The_Arrival/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/10/11/tatari-the-arrival-gameplay-preview-janky-demo-with-potential/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/z-SptFdznBU

Ooblets

Ooblets is immediately reminiscent of a modern take on Viva Piñata, a wholesome mix of village sim, some light farming, and a casual sampling of Pokemon. If you’re not familiar with Viva Piñata, you grow Pokemon from the soil. Plants are people too OK. Take that PETA.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/593150/Ooblets/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/10/11/ooblets-gameplay-preview-im-not-like-the-other-viva-pinatas/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/wl01uovtNc4

Sweet Dreams Alex

Sweet Dreams Alex is like a tower defense game but without the towers. There is a singular monster taking the shortest path towards a sleeping child. It’s your job to create a maze to make sure the dream ends before the monster makes it to the kid. Later levels have multiple monsters, faster monsters, and benevolent ice cream creatures (who doesn’t like ice cream?!) so the game provides more of a challenge than you’d think.

►Steam Store Page : https://store.steampowered.com/app/1561090/Sweet_Dreams_Alex/ ►Article: https://duckyobrien.com/2023/10/12/sweet-dreams-alex-gameplay-preview-tower-defense-puzzles-without-the-towers/ ►Video: https://youtu.be/HbYe298eGTs

Thanks for listening!