Welcome to our Weekly Wholesome Gaming Round-Up on this International Women’s Day!
Immerse yourself in the chess-inspired Gambit Shifter, support the enchanting Sugardew Island on Kickstarter, and explore the Princess Peach: Showtime demo. New the strategic depths of Victoria 3 in the new expansion, delve into the magical world of Potions: A Curious Tale, prepare for the strategic adventure in Ark of Charon on Steam, and get excited for Pixelshire‘s digital and physical release on Switch and PS5.
Happy International Women’s Day
At LadiesGamers, we wholeheartedly embrace this day and feel it’s super important. This is a time to acknowledge the achievements of women, and for our purpose specifically, to highlight the achievements of women in the gaming industry! Which is why this past week we’ve published two articles:
Steam still has the Women’s Day Sale by WING’s Interactive on (until March 10th) and Paula wrote an article with discounted games that we have reviewed. You can find that article here.
Meanwhile, Kalina saw a few of the games she was curious about have demos that are available to play and she decided to take a brief look at some of them. Take a look at nine demos you can try out now.
Inspired by Chess: Gambit Shifter
Volcanite Games, a development studio based in Turin, Italy, has just launched their first commercial project: Gambit Shifter is a cozy and relaxing puzzle game inspired by chess, capturing its timeless charm and reinterpreting it in a new and captivating way. There’s a demo up on Steam right now, so you can check out if this game is for you!
Kickstarter Sugardew Island
Rokaplay has just launched a Kickstarter for a game that’s right up our alley! Sugardew Island, is set to launch in Q2 2024 for PC, Nintendo Switch, and PS5, depending on how well the Kickstarter campaign does. Here’s what the game is about:
After a tumultuous storm and shipwreck, players find themselves on the once-peaceful Sugardew Island, now in turmoil due to the desecration of the sacred Harmony Tree. You have to get busy trying to restore harmony, manage your own farm shop, cultivate relationships with local wildlife and the mystical Forest Folk, and breathe life back into the island. The Kickstarter campaign has already hit its €30,000 goal ahead of its conclusion at the end of March. You can check out more details here!
Demo Princess Peach: Showtime
Most of the time we write about indie games, but on this International Women’s Day I couldn’t resist adding the fact that there’s a demo in the eShop for Princess Peach: Showtime. In two weeks, on March 22nd, this action adventure game is released. Good for her that Princess Peach doesn’t have to be rescued anymore by Mario!
Expansion Pack Victoria 3
Grand strategy simulation game Victoria 3 got our highest rating when it was released, with Paula saying:
It’s a slow and well-structured game that rewards patience for players who like to see their long-term planning play out. However, I don’t think it is a game for all strategic players to enjoy; the micromanagement will put many players off the game. But players like myself who love the game’s deepness and strategy will be rewarded with hours of enjoyment.
Now you can dive in again to rule your empire and navigate the tricky world of alliances with Sphere of Influence, a new expansion that launched on May 6th, 2024. In Victoria 3, developed by Paradox Interactive, you get to make friends or foes as you build a powerful group of nations, all working together for a shared purpose. You can either team up with stronger countries for protection or try to grow your own nation’s influence by bringing other countries into your circle.
The expansion pack takes you back to The Great Game, a famous historical contest where the British and Russian Empires competed for control in Central and South Asia. Whether you’re a small nation looking for friends or a big one aiming to expand, Sphere of Influence adds a whole new layer of strategy and fun to your quest for dominance. And if you are new to Victoria 3 and don’t know where to start, here’s our guide to get you going!
Release of Potions: A Curious Tale
Potions: A Curious Tale, an adventure and crafting fantasy game by Stumbling Cat, has been released on Steam this week. You play as Luna, a budding young witch, on a visit to her grandmother’s to hone her magical skills. In this enchanting game, you’ll gather resources, venture through mystical lands, solve engaging puzzles, interact with various characters, and master the art of potion brewing.
But it’s not just about combat; your intellect is your greatest asset. You’ll need to outsmart, charm, and even intimidate your foes to get the valuable items you need. For fans of crafting and fantasy simulation games, Potions: A Curious Tale offers a rich and immersive experience that’s sure to captivate and challenge.
The full version is on Steam now, but for now, the demo is still available for you to try.
Ark of Charon is Coming to Steam
With its visual design inspired by the works of studio Ghible, I’m intrigued by the adventure to save a dying world in Ark of Charon, set to release on Steam in 2024. This game, developed by Angoo Inc. and published by SUNSOFT, offers an intriguing mix of colony simulation and tower defence gameplay.
As a caretaker, you will have to nurture a fledgling settlement atop the sentient sapling of the World Tree, growing it into a thriving mobile metropolis. Strategic construction is key – don’t let your plans go pear-shaped due to gravity, it’s quite literally all about balance!
As you progress, enlist the aid of friendly familiars to gather resources, delve into ancient relics, and harness forgot technologies to bolster your colony’s defences and capabilities. Yet, danger lurks beyond the safety of your campsites, with vicious creatures drawn to the World Tree sapling’s vitality. Prepare to face these threats head-on by constructing a well-defended base, arming it with powerful weaponry, and ensuring you’re ready to fend off any assault.
Pixelshire Getting a Switch and PS5 Release
Pixelshire, which we already knew was coming to Steam, is now expanding its horizons to consoles with upcoming releases on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. And thanks to Maximum Entertainment and Kappa Bits, players can look forward to both digital and physical editions of Pixelshire.
Dive into the world of Arcadia, where you can construct the town of your dreams, make friends, and build a community to your heart’s content. From resource gathering and home building to interior and exterior decoration, Pixelshire offers endless possibilities for personalization and creativity. You will be reminded of Stardew Valley, but of Animal Crossing, too, like I was when I looked at the demo.
If you are keen to lay your hands on the physical versions on PS5 and Switch you can now pre-order them at major retailers, including Signature Edition Games. Here is the latest trailer!