The Best New Blood Games - Investment Policy

Summary

New Blood Interactive stands out for bold game mechanics and post-launch support.
Rise Of The Triad remaster sets the standard for preserving classic games with added content.
Indie games like Amid Evil, Ultrakill, and Dusk offer unique gameplay experiences and creative weapons.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that these three games – Gears Tactics, Faith: The Unholy Trinity, and DUSK – are truly exceptional. Each one offers a unique gaming experience, immersing players in different genres, settings, and narratives.

Independent gaming has made significant strides since its beginnings, offering distinctive experiences that larger-scale games lack. Alongside this growth, independent publishers have emerged, one of them being New Blood Interactive, who declare their motto as “We love you and hate money.” This philosophy is most evident in their games, which showcase daring innovations, intriguing mechanics, continuous post-release support, and affordable pricing.

This independent powerhouse, led by David Oshry, has soared to international fame through its fearless knack for taking risks, crafting some of the top-tier games in today’s market. Even though certain games are yet to leave Early Access (a strategy that has proven beneficial), they offer remarkable gaming adventures, leaving us eager to see where these games will head next.

7. Rise Of The Triad: Ludicrous Edition

The Remaster Mastered

In Early Access: No

Even though the gameplay might seem a bit outdated now, Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition, a joint project between New Blood, Apogee, and Nightdive Studios, stands as a benchmark for video game conservation. This updated version boasts all the standard enhancements like improved resolution and smoother frame rates, but it goes beyond that by including cut content from earlier betas, online multiplayer, a level editor, every previous expansion pack, such as The Return of the Triad (originally a mod), and even a new episode.

Rise of the Triad, originally released in the ’90s, carries a nostalgic feel similar to the shooter games of that era, complete with all its imperfections. However, despite these similarities, it remains an excellent window into the evolution of the genre’s history.

6. Blood West

Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked

In Early Access: No

Initially, Blood West wasn’t published by New Blood, but later on, it was acquired by the studio. This acquisition includes plans for improvements to the game’s quality of life and a new expansion called Dead Man’s Promise.

Blood West

5. Amid Evil

MAGIC MISSILE!

In Early Access: No

Creating a fantasy-themed shooter set in the boomera era poses an interesting challenge for developers: How can they design weapons suitable for the genre while maintaining fun gameplay? The game Amid Evil, developed by Indefatigable, tackles this issue brilliantly with a variety of imaginative weapon choices. Initially, you wield a traditional boomera melee weapon – an axe. As the game progresses, you gain access to more extraordinary weapons such as a sword that fires energy beams which bounce off surfaces, a trident that shoots bolts of lightning, and a staff capable of firing shrunken planets for massive damage. To top it off, there’s a unique ability called Soul Mode which enhances these weapons, adding extra effects and causing increased damage.

Just as anticipated, the game includes secret areas packed with additional items. For players seeking more challenges, there’s an expansion titled “The Black Labyrinth” and a VR edition boasting unique features. For instance, the early-game axe can be hurled and retrieved, much like Kratos’ Leviathan Axe in “God of War“.

4. Ultrakill

Hell Is Full, Blood Is Fuel

In Early Access: Yes

Created by Arsi “Hakita” Patala, the game titled Ultrakill can be described as a fusion of elements from popular games such as Quake and Devil May Cry. Imagine if these two titles were blended together, then mixed with Dante’s Inferno and seasoned with the movement shooter genre – that’s Ultrakill for you! The gameplay is as thrilling as its concept, allowing players to command a robot, V1, who dashes and fires through the Nine Circles of Hell. The game actively encourages aggression, as enemy blood replenishes V1’s health, making it essential for players to swiftly eliminate their adversaries in order to gain the vital health boost they need.

Fortunately, there’s an arsenal of extraordinary weapons at your disposal, each one capable of handling any challenge. Some examples include: A revolver that can deflect bullets by bouncing them off a coin, a shotgun with the ability to eject its core for explosive damage, a railgun that fires a drill, and an arm that not only parries attacks but also increases your health and stamina if timed correctly. There are many more hidden gems in this collection. To achieve a high style rating, players must make full use of all the resources available to them.

3. Gloomwood

The Good Doctor

In Early Access: Yes

Gloomwood, created by a collective effort from Dillon Rogers, David Szymanski, Nate Berens, and Thomas Porta, offers an immersive gaming experience that resonates with fans seeking a game reminiscent of the classic Thief. Visually, Gloomwood embraces a Victorian-style horror atmosphere, characterized by ominous Gothic architecture and a chilling citywide epidemic. The adversaries in this game align with the gothic horror genre; huntsmen exhibit glowing eyes, mutated canines are referred to as “fish dogs”, and the Goatman, as its name suggests, is self-explanatory.

In line with the spirit of the game influenced by Thief, play mainly revolves around sneaking, hiding in darkness, and devising inventive means to surpass challenges. Given its immersive sim nature, there are multiple possible solutions, some traditional and others quite unorthodox, inviting exploration. Contrasting its predecessor, combat isn’t strictly avoided in Gloomwood. Instead, players should monitor their ammunition and health, as this game draws from similar inspirations to create a distinctive gaming experience.

2. DUSK

Soap Becomes The Strongest Weapon In FPS History

In Early Access: No

Before his work on Iron Lung, David Szymanski created a boomer shooter by the name of DUSK, which became an instant classic upon release. DUSK sees the protagonist, appropriately referred to as Dusk Dude, fight his way through hundreds of cultists and monsters. Like any boomer shooter worth its salt, there’s a plethora of weapons available, such as dual-wield shotguns, meat hooks that can reflect projectiles, and soap, a throwable item that insta-gibs any enemy (excluding the final bosses of each episode) because it deals one billion damage.

In every episode, the game abounds with secret spots, concealed treasures, and additional hidden stages that are cleverly concealed. DUSK thrives on the terror of its environment; each adversary is crafted to be as spooky as can be, featuring entities like haunted scarecrows blending with ordinary ones, creatures known as Horrors with elongated features, and Wendingos appearing in one of the game’s most frightening levels.

1. Faith: The Unholy Trinity

Not Vatican Approved

In Early Access: No

There’s a strong case to be made for “Faith: The Unholy Trinity” by Airdorf Games as one of the best horror games ever created, despite its seemingly simple graphics reminiscent of Atari 2600. Delve deeper and you’ll find that this game masterfully employs music and sound design to create an atmosphere of tension, while the strategically designed monster mechanics ensure players are always alert.

One notable aspect of this game is its rotoscoped cutscenes, which create a powerful atmosphere in both gameplay and animation. These, along with the developers’ clever contrast of in-game visuals, occasionally venture into the ‘uncanny valley,’ enhancing the fear factor. The narrative of the game, titled Faith, is equally compelling. It delves into themes such as religion, remorse, and mortality (and even worse fates). As protagonist John Ward re-enters Martin House with a mission to complete unfinished business, this is merely the beginning of his journey. Each chapter in the game offers multiple endings, and there are additional lore documents that offer deeper insights into the storyline.

2024-12-16 02:04