Welcome to our Weekly Wholesome Gaming Round-Up. Don’t forget to take our survey to kick off our 10-year anniversary for LadiesGamers! This week, we have news about:
Tales of the Shire, wherein a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit, Wildfrost is now on Mobile, and there’s a lot of Cassette Beasts news. There’s info about the prequel to Simon the Sorcerer, about narrative adventure Farewell North and Magical Mixture Mill leaves Early Access. There’s a free update on Switch for My Time at Sandrock and Whimel Academy is coming.
In a Hole in the Ground, There Lived a Hobbit
Your cosy Hobbit life awaits in Tales of the Shire, a heart-warming new The Lord of the Rings™ game by Wētā Workshop and Private Division. The game will come to PC and consoles in 2024. That will be a treat for Tolkien fans, and with Wētā Workshop involved I have high hopes!
Wildfrost on Mobile
Wildfrost is coming to Mobile! When James reviewed the game last year, he wrote in his conclusion:
The gameplay is horrendously addictive. Although I got mad so many times at the bad cards I was dealt, I still found myself jumping back in for another run. This was probably thanks to the quick game sessions, cheerful graphics and happy game presentation.
You can expect the game on Android and in the AppStore on April 11th.
Cassette Beasts News
Fans of the creature collector RPG Cassette Beasts can look forward to some editing developments. A new multiplayer update, slated for May 20th, promises to enhance the gaming experience significantly.
Players will have the opportunity to explore the game’s world alongside up to 8 friends and partake in “Play With Friends” mode for matchmaking via invite codes. They can engage in PvP battles with custom rules, and join forces in 2-player co-op raids against Rogue Fusions. Additionally, players can trade tapes, further enriching the game’s interactive potential.
For those eager to dive in early, a beta version will be available on Steam’s beta branch until May 20th.
Alongside the multiplayer expansion, a collaboration event with Moonstone Island will introduce themed costumes and a new Pombomb character starting May 20th. Moreover, the announcement of Cassette Beasts’ impending launch on mobile devices promises to bring this beloved RPG experience to even more players around the globe.
Want to know more about Cassette Beasts? Check out our review here.
Prequel to Simon the Sorcerer
Simon the Sorcerer Origins, the prequel to the 90’s point-and-click Graphic Adventure Simon the Sorcerer, is shaping up to be a nostalgic yet fresh addition to the beloved series, with the original creators, Simon and Mike Woodroffe, giving their blessing to an all-Italian development team’s vision for the young sorcerer’s new adventures.
The project showcases exciting gameplay scenes voiced by British actor Chris Barrie, the original voice of the protagonist. With Mason Fisher providing the soundtrack and the game boasting 15,000 hand-drawn frames, the dedication of the 80-strong development team is evident in their effort to continue the Simon the Sorcerer legacy.
Adding to the excitement, pop icon Rick Astley will feature his “Together Forever” hit in the game. Set to launch in 2024, Simon the Sorcerer Origins will be available on all major console platforms and PC.
Narrative Adventure Farewell North
Solo developer Kyle Banks and indie publisher Mooneye Studios announced that their emotional narrative adventure Farewell North will be released this Summer on PC, Switch and Xbox Series X/S. This title and its protagonist have been on the radar of many who are into narrative games, beautiful visuals and, above all – dogs!
Farewell North is an open-world exploration adventure in which you play as a border collie on a journey with his owner through the Scottish highlands. Exploring by foot and canoe, collie Chesley is doing his best to bring colour back into his owner’s life as a story about loss and mental health is slowly unveiled, and his beloved owner has a chance to heal.
Several differently themed islands can be explored at your own pace while solving some light puzzles and remembering the events of the past that led to your human falling into depression.
Magical Mixture Mill Leaves Early Access
A year ago, Paula looked at the Magical Mixture Mill when it was in Early Access and felt it needed some more brewing time in development (her preview is here). This week, the game left Early Access and is released in version 1.0. This is what you can expect:
“Players will embark on adventures across diverse biomes, dodging aggressive flora and fauna to gather exotic ingredients for their potion concoctions. But beware, the feisty plants in these parts aren’t shy about picking a bone with intruders! Success in this game doesn’t just come from mastering the art of potion-making; it’s also about understanding and catering to the needs of a picky clientele of heroes. By getting to know your customers and tailoring your magical brews to their tastes, you’ll cultivate customer loyalty that’s as rewarding as it is sweet.”
You can find more information on Steam here, where it is offered for $19.99 / €19.99 / £17.99 with a limited-time 33% launch discount.
Free Update Switch for My Time at Sandrock
The development team at Pathea has been working hard to bring the Nintendo Switch version closer to the experience on other platforms. This week, we got a free update that not only adds lots of new content to the game, including new customisation items designed by Kickstarter backers, new fairground rides, and a new end-game dungeon, but also big performance and visual improvements for the Switch version. This is what’s included in the update:
- Visual Performance and FPS Boost. Game performance has been positively transformed throughout Sandrock to ensure a smoother and snappier play experience. Improvements include nearby and distant shadows having higher fidelity, more realistic lighting and illumination effects, better grass textures, improved facial shadows and lighting and more. Sandrock has never looked better or run better on the Nintendo Switch!
- Dynamic factory queue system. The former 20 item limit has been increased and offers players more flexibility and options when managing workshop tasks.
- Say hello to the Keyboard Sword! Experience new quests, weapons and hairstyles designed in collaboration with the My Time at Sandrock Kickstarter backers. This new content offers increased character customisation options (ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre), more combat choices and two new emotionally impactful questlines.
- Roguelike Endgame Dungeon named Dead Sea Ruins, located in Lab 7, which will test the combat skills of even the most hardened adventurer..
- Rideable Rollercoaster and Merry-Go-Round added to Catori World theme park.
- NPC Cooking and Repeatable Daily Side Quests – Cook delicious dishes with your in-game partner and embark on daily missions
- Letter system which allows players to receive in-game mail from their parents and photos from NPCs which are added as memorable moments in the story album.
- Magic Mirror planting system which allows builders to more easily manage harvesting, watering and other agricultural actions.
Whimel Academy Coming
Whimel Academy is coming to Steam this year. The game invites players into a magical world of academic challenges and adventures at a prestigious school for aspiring mages. In this slow-paced time manager game, you take on the role of a student embarking on a six-year journey filled with classes, friendships, and the exploration of a richly detailed magical universe.
The game offers a casual fantasy experience with its first-person perspective, allowing players to personalize their academic path through courses like Herbology, Astronomy, Divination, and Magical Theory. Beyond the classroom, engage in crafting, part-time jobs, or simply relax in the academy’s gardens or your dorm room with a book and a furry companion.
With an emphasis on managing your schedule, inventory, and well-being, Whimel Academy ensures every choice contributes to your success in this enchanting world. The game also focuses on social interactions, offering players the chance to build relationships with a diverse cast of characters, each bringing their own unique stories and personalities to the experience.
