Indie Video Game Round-Up #3 - PROJECT LLL, ALTAIR BREAK, PATH OF EXILE, and More

It’s that time of the week where I go through a bunch of news from indie video games. We’ve got a lot to go through, so buckle up. If I missed anything, please share any additional news in the comments section.

First off, we’ll talk about Bravery & Greed. The cooperative beat ‘em up dungeon brawler from Rekka Games and Team17 recently released on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One (affiliate link). You’ll be able to enjoy co-op arcade gameplay mixed with permadeath and roguelite elements as well as a variety of PvE and PvP game modes.

Playing as one of four iconic adventure classes; the agile Rogue, the valiant Warrior, the eccentric Wizard, or the mighty Amazon, players drop into a series of procedurally generated, side-scrolling dungeons as they fight their way through waves of vicious enemies, battle giant bosses, and stuff their pockets of gold, filling up the greed-o-meter as they go!

Next, Knight Shift Games and Playtonic Friends announced Andru, the second playable character for Elsie. This game is an upcoming neo-retro roguelike and Andru is a melee-based character with bladed weapons and a hooded vest. You can enjoy Elsie next year when it releases on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

Andru’s suite of weapons include a variety of elemental swords, claws, and ghost blades, all with different play styles, abilities, and effects. Every weapon class has three elemental variations similar to Elsie's guns. Each type of elemental weapon has a different play style and feel, including different combos, attack speeds, and distinct effects that open up a slew of gameplay possibilities.

In the world of MMOs, NCSOFT announced a new 3rd person shooter called Project LLL. This sounds like an interesting game as it will feature a post-apocalyptic South Korea, 10th century Byzantine Empire, and 23rd century future co-existing in a single timeline. Also, you’ll be able to pilot robots, automobiles, helicopters and more. Project LLL is set to release on PC and console in 2024.

Project LLL will feature a vast open world in which more than 30km of land area is seamlessly connected to a single environment offering players compelling procedurally created content that reacts appropriately to the player’s situation instead of playing preset content on repeat.

Project lead Seeder Jaehyun Bae said:

I personally referenced the novels Foundation and Dune. In terms of the subject of the game, I was influenced by the novels of Philip K. Dick. I tried to develop the story with themes of technology, human justice, and alternate history as shown in Blade Runner, Total Recall, The Man in the High Castle, etc.

I think gamers these days are more interested in how a game actually plays than cinematic animations. Since this was the first reveal, I wanted to show the game itself without any exaggerations or polish. There will be a few more opportunities for us to share the development process like this. This is only the first step in our communication.

If you enjoy the 2D Platform Slasher Moonscars from Black Mermaid and Humble Games, you may be enjoying the recent quality of life and balancing improvements made. The update was released for PC via Steam and will be rolled out onto console in the coming days and weeks. You can find the patch notes below.

• Controller rebinding options added, fixed old input rebinding bugs. Native Dualshock support can be toggled in menu.

• Navigation map completely overhauled. Markers added and other fixes related to it.

• New type of Dark Mirrors introduced. Now only rare Corrupted Mirrors require sacrificing in order to be unlocked.

• Moonhunger system modified - Now for the Moonhunger to activate, player has to achieve at least 3 Sprite Levels before dying.

• Dark Mirrors gland drop bonus now costs bone powder instead of glands.

• Spalls mana cost, upgrade costs and timings are better balanced.

• Fixed multiple enemies bugs that were causing soft locks.

• Late game balancing, including boss Lajos.

• Tutorial parts improved.

• Multiple general fixes leading to locks or crashes.

WayForward and Arc System Works released RWBY: Arrowfell. This side-scrolling action-adventure game tells an original, canonical story set during RWBY Volume 7 and you can now enjoy it on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox (affiliate link).

Meanwhile, Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive launched a number of new content items for Cities: Skylines. Here’s a quick breakdown of all the new content you can enjoy. All but the Roads & Vehicles item are paid DLC.

• Heart of Korea Content Creator Pack by Elvis: Inspired by a South Korean metropolis, this pack introduces 60 assets including service buildings, growables, and 10 other unique structures.

• Skyscrapers Content Creator Pack by Feindbold: Enjoy more than 15 skyscrapers influenced by iconic high rises from all over the world.

• The “K-Pop” Radio Station and the “'80’s Downtown Beat” Radio Station are available and sold separately.

• Roads & Vehicles, a free update for all players, adds free content to both the base game and three Expansions (After Dark, Snowfall, and Plazas & Promenades). Content includes: different capacity vehicles like buses and trams, as well types of roads with multiple lanes, tracks, and bicycle lanes.

The free-to-play online action RPG Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis recently got a small anime addition. SEGA recently launched the AC Scratch Ticket: Overlord Style. This provides a variety of weapons based on the hit anime series Overlord including Ainz and Albedo avatar items, Voice Tickets, Emotes, Weapon Camo, Stamps, and more.

If you’re enjoying the MMORPG Tower of Fantasy from Hotta Studio and Level Infinite, they recently launched the Confounding Labyrinth 2.1 update. This update brings the new Confounding Abyss map full of menacing bosses, exciting challenges, and the new simulacrum Lin. You can play Tower of Fantasy now on Android, iOS, and PC. Are you enjoying it?

Don’t worry VR players, I’ve got some news for you. The sword fighting game Altair Breaker launched the Event Horizon update. This update brought a new area called The Depth and a new boss called Unknown to challenge players. Also, the Royal Set DLC is available to purchase now with new weapons and avatars.

• The Depth - The structure of the map changes each time you explore it. This is a high-difficulty area that can be challenged after defeating the final evolution form of LAWS-ZERO. The area also features a new drone-type LAWS circling in the air.

• Unknown - A large, unidentified LAWS called “UNKNOWN” lurks in the depths of the new area. LAWS are the experimental battle AIs left behind and free to wander around. This boss exceeds the strength of LAWS-ZERO with its ultra-powerful attacks that take advantage of the VR space in all three dimensions.

If you’re looking for some great lofi music to listen to while you work, Humble Games and Nikko Nikko launched the lofi album for the upcoming rhythm RPG Infinite Guitars. You can stream it now on Apple and Spotify. Then, you can play the game on Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam|Humble [affiliate link]), and Xbox One starting December 13.

In Infinite Guitars, a world shredded by the devastating war against the Mechs, the remnants of humanity scavenge and fight to survive. Now, the metal war machines have reawakened—and only your electric guitar can turn their technology against them! Gather up the party, tune up your favorite axe, and get ready to rock in Infinite Guitars, a genre-melting rhythm RPG featuring vibrant anime-inspired art, adrenaline-fueled Mech battles, and a blazing original soundtrack.

Also, Crunchyroll announced a new 8-bit adventure game for their mascot Crunchyroll-Hime called Hime’s Quest. This game will be released on Game Boy Color with pre-orders open now through December 23. Of course, you can also play the game via download or browser later this year for free, but the ability to buy a new Game Boy Color game is something else.

Take control as Crunchyroll-Hime to save the anime club from Y2K in her first-ever video game: Hime’s Quest. Set in 1999, something electric is in the air. A malevolent force has crept into New Crunchy City, wreaking havoc on its technology, and tragically destroying the Anime Club’s precious DVD/VCR combo player. Can you root out the dastardly cretin brazen enough to ruin their meeting?

Finally, Path of Exile’s new expansion was given the name The Forbidden Sanctum. This expansion will be available to play on PC starting December 9 and on consoles starting December 14. On December 1, fans can tune in to Twitch at 1 PM PST to watch a livestream where Grinding Gear Games will be showing off the new content from the expansion.