DISCLAIMER: The title “Early Access” means that the product/game is still under development. As such, the content featured below is subject to change. This includes any opinions I may have at the time of writing, as Alpha and Beta builds sometimes change their core mechanics on a whim. It’s important to stress the word opinions, as I find it unethical to review something not yet released in its final form. In other words, don’t take anything you see here too seriously. You can view all of the articles of this series by clicking the “Video Games” tab, located on the top of this page.
Frozen State – This game is very unforgiving to the uninitiated…I myself lasted a single day on my first play-through. Needless to say it has a bit of a learning curve, though most survival games do. I like the idea of being able to travel to different points on a grid map to loot structures for supplies though be warned, the enemies in this game are pretty tough. Stealth and caution seem to be the order of the day (based on what I’ve played, anyway). Overall my experience was a positive one and I’m looking forward to heading back in to beat the odds. You can find it on Steam’s Early Access program for $9.99 with price increases planned throughout development.
Clandestine – It’s been a while since I’ve seen or played a game featuring a spy/stealth-esque co-op mode. I have fond memories of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s” Spec Ops mode which allowed two players to team up and take the fight to the enemy in various situations. “Clandestine” is similar to this in that one player will be in the thick of the action while the other plays the hacker who assists from afar. Not to worry, folks who prefer to go solo can switch between the two with the press of a button. It’s VERY difficult in my opinion, though some gamers (old-school “Ghost Recon” players especially) enjoy the whole “one hit and you’re dead” mechanic. You can find it on Steam’s Early Access program for $29.99 with a price increase scheduled at launch. The Early Access version also grants you one piece of DLC for free, to be priced at $4.99 after launch.
I Shall Remain – “I Shall Remain” is an ARPG set in an alternate timeline, specifically at the end of WWII. Only in this universe, the Nazis managed to unleash a deadly virus over US territory. As a survivor, your goal will be to fight zombies, scavenge, gather allies…you know, all the stuff you’d expect to do during a zombie apocalypse. It has a lot going for it, what with character progression, inventory management, quests, and an economy that stresses the serum you’ll need to keep from turning yourself. While the game is still under development and has some bugs, it’s thoroughly enjoyable as-is (motion blur is my biggest complaint as there’s no option to turn it off). I can safely recommend this one, especially if you enjoy survival games and ARPGs. You can find it on Steam’s Early Access program for $14.99 with a possible price increase planned after launch.
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Gameplay Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq5cwFb7QAQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at8EBCOj1vY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPJwSv1HeN8