Issue 1 of DIG (Dojo of IndieGames)

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THE DIG Welcome to the Dojo of Indie Games PRIORITIES OF A GRIM REAPER Pet the cat, Stare in the Mirror or Decide someones mortal fate? (Death & Taxes) SHORT, SWEET, BEAUTIFUL A meaningful experience of love found YOU CONTROL (Florence) WHAT THE PEOPLE SEE In a world full of politacal scandal, it’s your turn to spin the truth for the public (Not For Broadcast) For all the latest news on some of the hottest Indie Games, take a flick through inside ISSUE 1 Weeks 5-8 Published by RaginRamen 1 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome, Everyone! I’m happy with how this first issue is turning out and it’s spurred some confidence in me to keep going! Let’s start with why I decided to create this magazine. The reason is pretty simple, there are plenty of Game magazines out there and websites where you can get all gaming news, but they often overlook the amazing work being released every week in the indie community. I want to fill that hole, shout to the world (with your help) all the fantastic IndieGames that should get the attention they deserve. There have been numerous releases this month from Strategy to Roguelike, Puzzles and some downright strange. But three games stood out to me and had me playing on repeat, these were ‘Not For Broadcast’, ‘Florence’ and ‘Death & Taxes’. =================================================================== My first issue is similar unto a catalogue with short reviews and descriptions. However, I am extremely ambitious and full of ideas. With more planning, trial and error and hopefully help along the way, my plan is to start adding more to this magazine. I envision Kickstarter articles, IndieDev Interviews, News and Feature Reviews/Previews that got into much further detail about my top 3 games. That’s my introduction, my journey has started and I hope you join me in it. So what are you waiting for? DIG in. Peace and Love Vasco (aka RaginRamen) RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 2

CONTENTS WEEK 5 page 4-11 Through The Darkest of Times The Supper Here Be Dragons Ministry of Broadcast The Pedestrian Not For Broadcast WEEK 6 page 12-19 Empires in Ruins Gunhouse KUNAI Scourge Bringer Stone Shard The Blind Prophet WEEK 7 page 20-27 Alders Blood: Prologue a-part-ment Florence LUNA: Shadow Dust Necronator: Dead Wrong Path of Giants WEEK 8 page 28-35 Bloody Rally Show Curse of Anabelle Death & Taxes Mechanic Miner Stellar Commander World of Horror 3 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

NEW RELEASES WEEK 5 [28th JAN-3rd FEB] HERE BE DRAGONS Genre: Adventure, TurnBased, Strategy Developer: Red Zero Games Publisher: Red Zero Games Link: Official Site Available on: Steam MINISTRY of BROADCAST Genre: NarrativeDriven, Platformer Developer: Ministry of Broadcast Studios Publisher: Hitcents, PLAYISM Link: Official Site Available on: Steam NOT FOR BROADCAST Genre: Immersive, FMV, Simulation Developer: NotGames Publisher: tinyBuild Link: Official Site Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 4

THE PEDESTRIAN Genre: Adventure, Casual Developer: SamuraiPunk Publisher: SamuraiPunk Link: Official Site Available on: Steam THE SUPPER Genre: Adventure, FreeToPlay Developer: Octavi Navarro Publisher: Octavi Navarro Link: Official Site Available on: Steam THROUGH THE DARKEST OF TIMES Genre: Simulation, TurnBased, Strategy Developer: Paintbucket Games Publisher: HandyGames Link: Official Site Available on: Steam 5 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

BEGIN THE ADVENTURE! From the smallest and shortest to crossing the Ocean THE PEDESTRIAN You are the Pedestrian! that keep it fresh and will leave you scratching your From the start when I first head for solutions. Genre came across a short video of Adventure, Casual the gameplay, I have been I’ve loved everything about enamoured with this little this game, from the simple Developer Gem. It’s taken a simple gameplay and difficult puzzles SamuraiPunk platformer idea and given it to stopping and admiring the fresh flavour with how you re- scenery while beautiful music design levels to try and find plays through my ears. Publisher the correct paths. Every so SamuraiPunk often when you enter new Get this game and get the locations full of life, there are soundtrack! Link: Official Site also new puzzle elements Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 6

THE SUPPER Genre Adventure, Free to Play Developer Octavi Navarro Publisher “The Voice inside her This is a short game (half Octavi Navarro head is still there. an hour long in fact), but It won’t leave her reading that line has me alone. It commands so intrigued. It’s also been Link: Official Site her to serve a very described Cute, Dark, Available on: Steam special meal to Disturbing; just what I want some distinguished from a little horror story. customers.” HERE BE DRAGONS Genre Adventure, TurnBased, Strategy Developer Red Zero Games “Christopher Columbus Sailing through a living discovered the map you will learn the true Publisher Americas in 1492. In story of crazed captains Red Zero Games 10 weeks. With 100 vanquishing Krakens and men. With 3 ships. This Leviathons. I mean its is a LIE!” obvious isn’t it? Otherwise Link: Official Site those monsters would still Available on: Steam be around. 7 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

WE’RE WATCHING YOU Oh... did we say that out loud? NOT FOR “Look, mate - it’s not that hard. Choose the and intuitive. Later you will learn about the freedom you BROADCAST angles, roll the ads, and bleep the swears.” have in choosing adverts, the cameras and what to censor. This is the really fun part Genre I had yet to finish the game as you decisions will have Immersive, FMV, before I was rushing to write huge consequences on the Simulation this review. I’m that excited. populace that have tuned into So let’s dive straight in. your tv station. Many aspects Gameplay may seem daunting of the game have reminded Developer to some when you see all me of “Papers, Please” (by NotGames the buttons and screens but Lucas Pope). the keybinding is smooth Publisher tinyBuild Link: Official Site Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 8

MINISTRY OF BROADCAST Genre NarrativeDriven, Platformer Developer Ministry of Broadcast Studios “Rife with dark humour, elements from Abes sarcastic quips, and Odyssey. YOU are a Publisher general absurdity of contestant on the regimes the system.” most popular reality show, Hitcents, PLAYISM in which the winner will be With the obvious inspiration free to travel to the other Link: Official Site from Orwells 1984, there side of the wall and be with Available on: Steam is also the recognisable your family. You can trust the humour and platformer regime right? THROUGH THE DARKEST OF TIMES Genre Simulation, TurnBased, Strategy “This is how we live. tone but in that by keeping Developer This is how we try to historical accuracy, you Paintbucket Games to survive. You are will NEVER overthrow the the leader of a small regime. That doesn’t mean resistance group in your actions mean nothing, Publisher 1933’s Berlin.” you’ll fight to the last and HandyGames save as many lives as you Very dark game, not just in possibly can. Link: Official Site Available on: Steam 9 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

Also CHECK OUT With so many IndieGames released weekly I unfortunately don’t have time to play all of them and give a fair review. But here is a list of those that caught my eye and deserve to be reviewed by all of you out there. If you do decide to give one of them a go and write a review, post it on twitter with the studios handle and #DisoverIndies. Let’s all shout together to the world, the celebration of indiegames! Cardboard 36 Apples Ground Awesome Pea 2 Coffee Talk Beats of Demonheart Fury Hunters Black Powder: Effie Red Earth Bookbound Elderborn Brigade Box Kid Hollow Adventures Island Call of VII Hyper Dot RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 10

Impossible Speaking Soaring Simulator Terraforming Kofi Quest Earth Metal Unit Terramancer The Coma 2: Mortal Glory Vicious Sisters Nubarron: Adventure of Vampires An Unlucky Fall: Rising Gnome Willy Jetman: P1R4T3S Astromonkey Revenge Red Mercenary Shadow Rain Simulacra 2 11 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

NEW RELEASES WEEK 6 [4th-10th FEB] EMPIRES IN RUINS Genre: TurnBased, Strategy, RPG, Tower Defense Developer: Hammer&Ravens Publisher: Hammer&Ravens Link: Official Site Available on: Steam GUNHOUSE Genre: Casual, Puzzle, Tower Defense Developer: Necrosoft Games Publisher: Necrosoft Games Link: Official Site Available on: Steam KUNAI Genre: Metroidvania, Action, Adventure Developer: TurtleBlaze Publisher: The Arcade Crew Link: Official Site Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 12

SCOURGE BRINGER Genre: Action, Adventure, Roguelite, Platformer Developer: Flying Oak Games Publisher: Dear Villagers Link: Official Site Available on: Steam STONE SHARD Genre: TurnBased RPG, Strategy, Adventure Developer: Ink Stains Games Publisher: HypeTrain Digital Link: Official Site Available on: Steam THE BLIND PROPHET Genre: RPG, Adventure, Point’n’Click Developer: ARS GOETIA Publisher: Plug In Digital, Maple Whispering Limited Link: Official Site Available on: Steam 13 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

CORRUPTED WORLDS... It’s the RPG life STONE SHARD “Experience the on your thirst and hunger, and unforgiving life of a most infamously the healing medieval mercenary” mechanic is out of this world Genre: TurnBased RPG, with how you mend bones and Strategy, Adventure I was not prepared for just treat sickness. how unforgiving this game can My deaths have been be. It was said perfectly near countless, but rather than huff Developer: Ink Stains Games the end of the prologue “You and puff I am just filled with are not the hero of this game, vigour to keep pushing and try Publisher: HypeTrain Digital so don’t try and fight multiple again. Don’t believe me? Just enemies at once, instead take a read at other peoples Link: Official Site use strategy” (not verbatim). experiences, there are truly Available on: Steam This is evident from the very some amazing stories shared beginning. Keeping a check out there of their adventures. RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 14

EMPIRES IN RUINS Genre: TurnBased, Strategy, RPG, Tower Defense Developer: Hammer&Ravens “Tame the Western diplomacy and expand your Marches, disobey your empire through a story- Publisher: Hammer&Ravens orders and save your driven campaign full of dark brandy. Not strictly in humour with this order.” Sgt Hans Heimer can be Link: Official Site as charming as an ashtray Available on: Steam A hybrid of Tower Defense soaked in brandy, but we and Empire Management. love him You can govern, handle THE BLIND PROPHET Genre: RPG, Adventure, Point’n’Click Developer: ARS GOETIA “Although he’s used to in his first appearance while Publisher: Plug In Digital, executing his duty, it slicing clean through the arm won’t be as easy as it of a suspected demon. The Maple Whispering Limited should be this time...” hardcore 90’s Goth art style kicks off this journey and Link: Official Site The Apostle Bartholomeus doesn’t hold back. Available on: Steam is here to take names and dismember. You learn this 15 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

COLOURS TO KILL FOR Explosions and Violence have never been so pretty SCOURGE “Puts you in the shoes of the deadliest warrior “The Floor is Lava” It’s been a while since I’ve BRINGER of her clan: Kyhra. played a game so fast paced Help her to explore the and yet so smooth in the unknown and slash her controls. I feel like a ninja Genre: Action, Adventure, way through ancient god flying from room to room Roguelite, Platformer machines.” leaving nothing but destruction in my wake. I’ll admit when I A warrior must not just have first started the game, there Developer: Flying Oak a large flowing mane, but were many deaths, but once Games they must also fly through the your reflexes catch up, you’re air killing and slicing multiple dodging attacks, stunning Publisher: Dear Villagers enemies without touching the enemies and learning how to ground. I call this technique deflect blasts. Link: Official Site Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 16

KUNAI Genre: Metroidvania, Action, Adventure Developer: TurtleBlaze Publisher: The Arcade Crew “You play as Tabby, new weapons and kick- infused with the soul of ass skills. Not only will you Link: Official Site an ancient warrior who achieve total badassery, joins the fight against but you’ll also find secrets Available on: Steam a robot uprising.” and mysterious characters throughout the robot land. Swing through the levels “You are a NINJA TABLET. with your Kunai while ‘Nuff said.” battling robots and unlocking GUNHOUSE Genre: Casual, Puzzle, Tower Defense Developer: Necrosoft Games “Launch a hail of you explode a rainbow, it’s Publisher: Necrosoft Games bullets and special not just colour invading your attacks at the enemies eyes everywhere you look, Link: Official Site who want to consume but the insane art by Juan Available on: Steam your delicious orphan Ramirez. This is a game you friends!” will not get bored of, so it’s a good thing there’s infinite This is what happens when levels. 17 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

Also CHECK OUT With so many IndieGames released weekly I unfortunately don’t have time to play all of them and give a fair review. But here is a list of those that caught my eye and deserve to be reviewed by all of you out there. If you do decide to give one of them a go and write a review, post it on twitter with the studios handle and #DisoverIndies. Let’s all shout together to the world, the celebration of indiegames! Action Ball 2 MindSeize Apple Slash Philophobia Boris: The Dark Raid Titans Survival DriftOn Survive the Blackout The Tale of Doris and Ghosts’n’DJs the Dragon: Episode 2 Last Week Wide Ocean Big Jacket Metaphobia RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 18

COMING 6th MARCH, READ IN NEXT MONTHS ISSUE 19 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

NEW RELEASES WEEK 7 [11th - 17th FEB] A-PART-MENT Genre: StoryDriven, TextBased, Adventure Developer: Elsewhere Company Publisher: Elsewhere Company Link: Official Site Available on: Steam ALDERS BLOOD: PROLOGUE Genre: RPG, TurnBased Strategy Developer: Shockwork Games Publisher: No Gravity Games Link: Official Site Available on: Steam FLORENCE Genre: StoryRich, Adventure Developer: Mountains Publisher: Annapurna Interactive Link: Official Site Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 20

LUNA: THE SHADOW DUST Genre: Adventure, Puzzle, Point’n’Click Developer: Lantern Studio Publisher: CoconutIsland Games Link: Official Site Available on: Steam NECRONATOR Genre: RTS, Deck-Building Developer: Toge Productions Publisher: Modern Wolf Link: Official Site Available on: Steam PATH OF GIANTS Genre: Casual, Adventure, Puzzle Developer: Journey Bound Games Publisher: Journey Bound Games Link: Official Site Available on: Steam 21 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

WE ALL HAVE DESIRES Be it gold, memories of old... or enslavement of the world LUNA: THE “Behind the shadow of reality, an enchanted tell us a fairy-tale-like story without the use of dialogue or SHADOW DUST world awaits illumination.” writing, making this game truly universal. Genre: Adventure, Puzzle, From the very beginning, you The puzzles themselves are Point’n’Click are welcomed with a beautiful not too difficult, neither are 2D HandDrawn animation and they too easy. What they relaxing music. The richness are is creative in the use of Developer: Lantern Studio of the sound from the string shadow and light, with one instruments compliments the puzzle playing with time in Publisher: CoconutIsland art style immensely. such a perfect way. Games This is noticed from just If you want to enjoy a Link: Official Site watching the trailer, what is point’n’click game with beauty, Available on: Steam truly special is the way the pick up this game, and don’t art and music are used to forget to buy the OST too. RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 22

NECRONATOR Genre: RTS, Deck-Building Developer: Toge Productions Publisher: Modern Wolf “Why trudge your death and destrution. Well way through years of this is the game for you. training... when you Using stretgy, cunning and Link: Official Site could just make a deal the right card, spread your Available on: Steam with an evil ancient influence across the land demi-god?” with an army of the dead at your command. Be honest, when you open a game, it is all about the PATH OF GIANTS Genre: Casual, Adventure, Puzzle Developer: Journey Bound Games “Control three Sit back, put on your Publisher: Journey Bound characters (Bern, headphones and relax as you Games Matchi and Totch), use float deeper into the winter their teamwork, leave land. no one behind, and There are no move limit Link: Official Site hopefully find some or timer associated with Available on: Steam gold!” puzzlers, just a delightful adventure to experience. 23 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

WATCH CLOSELY... I have a story to tell you FLORENCE “Florence is a heartfelt experience that lasts experience that just makes me fall in love with will always around 30 minutes. have a special place in my Genre: StoryRich, It’s short, but deeply heart. Adventure meaningful.” It’s a story about an ordinary, everyday life that we all know Developer: Mountains Truly a beautiful experience. too well, no surprises or twists Despite my love for action and it was predictable, but Publisher: Annapurna games full of dark worlds and not in a bad way. Emotions darker characters, I’m a big were still strong and the Interactive softie, and these small games accompanying music is a work that open a window into an of art. Link: Official Site Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 24

A-PART-MENT Genre: StoryDriven, TextBased, Adventure Developer: Elsewhere Company Publisher: Elsewhere “Intimate look at What it does do is use this Company Nick’s state of mind medium to it’s advantage as he picks through and creates an interactive the wreckage of his novel, an experience to Link: Official Site relationship with explore and connect with Available on: Steam Madison.” as you learn the characters stories in exploring the Not a game for everyone as Apartment. there is very little gameplay. ALDERS BLOOD: PROLOGUE Genre: RPG, TurnBased Strategy, FreeToPlay Developer: Shockwork Games “In the world ruled by describe how cruel this world misery and humanity is that you will be entering. rotting in the shadow The spawns of darkness Publisher: No Gravity Games of God’s dead carcass - roam the land and you... well death becomes mercy.” you’re not a hunter like in the Link: Official Site full game, but a commoner Available on: Steam What an astute little line to just trying to survive. 25 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

Also CHECK OUT With so many IndieGames released weekly I unfortunately don’t have time to play all of them and give a fair review. But here is a list of those that caught my eye and deserve to be reviewed by all of you out there. If you do decide to give one of them a go and write a review, post it on twitter with the studios handle and #DisoverIndies. Let’s all shout together to the world, the celebration of indiegames! Nom Nom Darksburg Apocalypse Gunman and Table the Witch Manners Labyrinth of Urtak: The the Witch Desolation Mission: It’s Veritas Complicated Wolcen: Mission Lords of Zigloton Mayhem RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 26

OUT NOW! READ MORE IN NEXT MONTH ISSUE 27 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

NEW RELEASES WEEK 8 [18th - 24th FEB] BLOODY RALLY SHOW Genre: Racing, Action, Sports, Multiplayer Developer: Koda Linija Publisher: Koda Linija Link: Official Site Available on: Steam CURSE OF ANABELLE Genre: StoryDriven, Horror, Puzzle Developer: Rocwise Entertainment Publisher: Rocwise Entertainment Link: Official Site Available on: Steam DEATH AND TAXES Genre: Narrative, Strategy, Simulation Developer: Placeholder Gameworks Publisher: Placeholder Gameworks Link: Official Site Available on: Steam RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 28

MECHANIC MINER Genre: Adventure, Survival, Sandbox Builder, RPG Developer: Hello John Publisher: Hello John Link: Official Site Available on: Steam STELLAR COMMANDER Genre: RTS, Action, Multiplayer Developer: Blindflug Studios Publisher: Blindflug Studios Link: Official Site Available on: Steam WORLD OF HORROR Genre: 1-BIT, Horror, RPG Developer: panstasz Publisher: Ysbryd Games Link: Official Site Available on: Steam 29 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

CHAOTIC MACHINES! For survival, war or winning that all important race. MECHANIC “Use your imagination to balloons, giant mechanical build crazy mechanical spiders. MINER devices to conquer the world challenges.” As well as a robust library of custom blueprints to create, Genre: Adventure, Survival, There have been many there are three modes to test Sandbox Builder, RPG attempts at the sandbox yourself on. survival genre where you In Story mode, you will be gather resources, build a taken through a narrative and Developer: Hello John base and fight off the wild learn the ropes of being an and unknown lands... but until ultimate mechanical miner. Publisher: Hello John now, none of those let you You prefer to just create? build crazy multi limbed steam There is an entire mode Link: Official Site machines with blades and all where you are immortal and Available on: Steam sorts. have infinite resources, go mad! Your imagination is your limit, Finally survival for the which is pretty endless. You Hardcore players can build submarines, hot air RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 30

BLOODY RALLY SHOW Genre: Racing, Action, Sports, Multiplayer Developer: Koda Linija “Dystopian roguelite fatalities? Publisher: Koda Linija combat racing game Maybe just me... with infinite variety of race tracks.” Truly customise your car Link: Official Site with any paint job, fully tune Available on: Steam Does anyone remember under the hood and create that film Death Race 2000? your own race tracks. Stallone in a machinegun car? Countless pedestrian For Glory and Blood! STELLAR COMMANDER Genre: RTS, Action, Multiplayer Developer: Blindflug Studios “Fast-paced fun of a will take up your whole modern, tactical RTS lunchtime. Publisher: Blindflug Studios as well as a touch of nostalgia.” The fast pace of battle Link: Official Site combined with the strategy Available on: Steam on land, air and space make Strategy gets very deep, but for a unique PvP experience don’t let that fool you into you can finish in 5 minutes. thinking your online matches 31 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

THE STAGES OF HORROR From 1-BIT, right through to 2D and 3D DEATH AND “Keep the chaos away or foil plots to destroy You get several profiles to fall on to your desk each day and TAXES the world and rise through the ranks using your moral high ground, or nonchalance attitude, of Reapers all the decide on their mortal fate. Genre: Narrative, Strategy, way up to MIDDLE- Simulation MANAGEMENT, wow!” You are given guidelines to follow, but really now, it is Developer: Placeholder Trust me, I wouldn’t be much more fun to follow your recommending a game about hea- PAH, just make money, Gameworks signing papers at an office buy squeaky toys imbued with desk unless it was really fun. a tortured soul, check yourself Publisher: Placeholder out in the mirror and please Gameworks My first playthrough is you substitute cat boss. complete and well into my Link: Official Site second I have to say I am I’m sure the Humans can sort Available on: Steam very much enjoying it. themselves out. RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 32

WORLD OF HORROR Genre: 1-BIT, Horror, RPG Developer: panstasz “Navigate a hellish entirely in 1-BIT. Publisher: Ysbryd Games roguelite reality with turn-based combat and Styled after Junji and Link: Official Site unforgiving choices.” Lovecraft, it’ll be sure to Available on: Steam stand the hairs on your neck. There is something both sinister and beautiful about a Only the brave should dare horror IndieGame produced to play. CURSE OF ANABELLE Genre: StoryDriven, Horror, Puzzle Developer: Rocwise Entertainment “Uncover a mystery book, craft relics and rituals; that dates back to 10th solve puzzles and, travel Publisher: Rocwise century B.C. and face between time. Entertainment dark forces that are even older than the Start your adventure in this Link: Official Site Earth itself.” horror full of mystery and Available on: Steam legends With the strange mystical 33 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

Also CHECK OUT With so many IndieGames released weekly I unfortunately don’t have time to play all of them and give a fair review. But here is a list of those that caught my eye and deserve to be reviewed by all of you out there. If you do decide to give one of them a go and write a review, post it on twitter with the studios handle and #DisoverIndies. Let’s all shout together to the world, the celebration of indiegames! Lair of the ADORE Clockwork God Ciel Fledge: Daughter Lost Raising Brothers Simuator Creepy Tale Lumote Deadtime Skul: The Defenders Hero Slayer Dreamo TAUR The Suicide First of Rachel Contact Foster RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 34

COMING 31st MARCH, READ MORE IN NEXT MONTH ISSUE 35 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

on the NEXT ISSUE my most anticipated ... we will be returning with more cool Indie Games that I am looking forward to trying out once they are released. Yes, Your Grace - It’s good to be king... except for maybe the backstabbing and impending doom. Beautiful Desolation - Otherwordly, dangerous, breathtaking. What was it they say about a rose’s thorns? Over The Alps - Invisible ink, secret history and a race across Switzerland while evading police. This is your Hitchcockian story to tell. RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 36

Grab a bowl full of IndieGames and ...DIG IN!! 37 Issue 1 [Weeks 5-8]

RaginRamen IndieGame Recommends 38