Tag: #platformer

  • Gonzalo the Chicken – Episode I: A Poultry-Powered Blast from the Past

    Gonzalo the Chicken – Episode I: A Poultry-Powered Blast from the Past

    The golden age of 3D platformers is making a serious comeback, and it’s doing so with a beak, a comb, and a very short fuse. If you grew up clutching an N64 controller or spending your weekends with a PlayStation 2, Gonzalo the Chicken – Episode I needs to be on your Steam wishlist immediately.

    Developed by the two-man team at WhaleplaneStudios, this indie gem is more than just a “chicken crossing the road” joke—it’s a high-octane love letter to classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Jak and Daxter.

    The Dynamic Duo: Gonzalo & Azzar

    In a genre defined by iconic pairings, Gonzalo and his companion Azzar bring a literal “explosive” chemistry to the table. You play as Gonzalo, a flightless but surprisingly agile chicken navigating a world abandoned by its creator.

    But Gonzalo isn’t alone. He’s joined by Azzar, a retrievable, living bomb who handles the heavy lifting. Instead of just jumping on heads, you’ll be launching Azzar at the “Crocogator” army.

    Key Gameplay Mechanics:

    Bomb Mutations: Feed Azzar “bomb goo” to unlock mutations like fire, homing, and sticky bombs to solve environmental puzzles.

    Ridiculous Movement: Master the art of the ground pound, the dash-dive, and the “flap” to clear massive gaps and find hidden secrets.

    Poultry Combat: When enemies get too close, Gonzalo can unleash physical combos to push back the reptilian hordes.

    Why We’re Excited

    What sets Gonzalo the Chicken apart is its commitment to the “collectathon” spirit while modernising the feel. The game features a vibrant, low-poly aesthetic that feels fresh but nostalgic, spanning diverse locations like the sandy shores of Claw Island and the bioluminescent forests of Noxglade.

    For the completionists out there, the game includes a “Breakfast Menu”—a system that allows you to unlock hilarious game modifiers and secret eggs, giving you plenty of reasons to return to levels and beat your best par times.

    Final Verdict: Coming Summer 2026

    Gonzalo the Chicken – Episode I is currently slated for a Summer 2026 release (Q3). It’s clear that WhaleplaneStudios has poured five years of passion into this project, and if the early trailers are anything to go by, this is going to be a must-play for platforming fans.

    It’s time for this chicken to cross the road… and blow up everything on the other side.

    TechMash Tip: Keep an eye out for the demo! The developers often showcase early builds during Steam Next Fest, which is the perfect time to test out your bomb-throwing aim.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/VOKaM

    #WhaleplaneStudios #GonzalotheChicken #Steam #gametrailer #Crocogators #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcade

  • Echoes of Myth: Souls-Inspired Action Roguelite From Finnish Solo Dev Launches Today

    Echoes of Myth: Souls-Inspired Action Roguelite From Finnish Solo Dev Launches Today

    The indie scene in Finland has a reputation for punching well above its weight, and today’s release looks to continue that tradition. Jukka Tykkyläinen, the solo developer behind Shifting Reality Interactive, has officially launched his debut commercial title, Echoes of Myth, on Steam.

    Born from a love for the deliberate, high-stakes combat of Souls games and the deep build-crafting of Diablo, Echoes of Myth is a top-down action roguelite that demands both mechanical skill and strategic planning.

    A Fractured World in Need of a Vessel

    In Echoes of Myth, players take on the role of an unbound divine spirit. In a world where the gods have vanished and reality has fractured into drifting realms, you must possess mortal vessels to journey toward the world’s core.

    The game’s structure is built around a “cyclical journey”—meaning death isn’t the end, but a chance to return to the Sanctuary. Here, you can spend Titan Essence gathered during your runs to unlock permanent upgrades, making each subsequent attempt a little more manageable.

    Key Features at Launch:

    Deliberate Souls-lite Combat: Every enemy attack is clearly telegraphed, emphasising dodging, parrying, and positioning over mindless button-mashing.

    Build Your Legend: With no rigid character classes, your playstyle is defined by the weapons, spells, and relics you find. You can lean into pure melee, devastating magic, or a hybrid of both.

    Divine Relics & Infusions: Discover artefacts left behind by vanished deities that can fundamentally change how your abilities function.

    Handcrafted Variety: Explore 7 distinct biomes, each populated by unique enemy families and guarded by 7 major bosses and 10 mini-bosses.

    Endgame Challenge: For those who master the core journey, the Realm Distortions system offers high-level challenges to test the most optimised builds.

    From ARPG to Roguelite

    Interestingly, the project didn’t start as a roguelite. Tykkyläinen originally envisioned a more traditional action RPG but pivoted during development.

    “The roguelite structure, along with removing explicit character classes, ultimately allowed the game’s systems to click and form the foundation of the final design,” says the developer.

    This shift allows for a more focused, “mid-core” experience where a full run takes roughly 45–60 minutes once mastered—perfect for players who want the intensity of a Souls encounter without the 80-hour time commitment.

    Availability

    Echoes of Myth is available now on Steam for PC. To celebrate the launch, the game is currently running a 15% discount off its base price of £10.99 / $12.99.

    If you’re still on the fence, a playable demo from the recent Steam Next Fest remains available on the store page for a limited time, giving you a chance to feel the weight of the combat before you dive into the fractured realms.

    Find out more here – https://www.echoesofmyth.com/

    #JukkaTykkyläinen #echoesofmyth #topdownaction #roguelite #combat #Steam #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcade

  • Survive the Night: Chainsaw Woods Slashes Onto Steam This March

    Survive the Night: Chainsaw Woods Slashes Onto Steam This March

    The survival horror genre is about to get a lot more claustrophobic. Developer and publisher Ratsuha has officially announced that their pulse-pounding indie title, Chainsaw Woods, is set to launch on PC via Steam on March 19, 2026.

    If you’ve ever had that nagging feeling that something is watching you from between the trees, this game is designed to turn those fears into a reality.

    A Forest That Never Forgets

    Chainsaw Woods places you in the heart of a dense, suffocating woodland with one simple goal: Escape. However, “simple” is a relative term when the environment itself refuses to stay still.

    The game features procedurally generated maps, meaning every playthrough reshapes the forest floor. You won’t be able to rely on memory or previous routes; instead, you’ll need to rely on your survival instincts and the faint glow of torches you light along the way to ward off the encroaching darkness.

    Fight for Your Life

    While the atmosphere is heavy with dread, you aren’t completely helpless. As you explore, you’ll encounter the “Enemies of the Woods”—twisted entities that don’t take kindly to trespassers.

    Combat: You’ll be armed with a shotgun to fend off the horrors lurking in the shadows.

    Tactics: Ammunition is a luxury, not a guarantee. You’ll need to balance your aggression with careful exploration to find the exit before your luck—or your shells—run out.

    Playtime: Each run is estimated to last between 30–40 minutes, making it a perfect “just one more try” experience for those who love high-stakes, roguelike loops.

    Don’t Go Into the Woods Alone

    Terrified of the dark? You don’t have to face it by yourself. Chainsaw Woods supports Online Co-op for up to 2 players. Whether you’re splitting up to cover more ground or huddling together for safety, the multiplayer element adds a layer of tactical coordination (and inevitable panic) to the survival experience.

    Techmash Verdict: With its blend of random generation and tense resource management, Chainsaw Woods looks like a promising addition to the indie horror scene this spring.

    Ready to test your nerves? You can head over to the Chainsaw Woods Steam Page now to add it to your wishlist and prepare for the hunt on March 19th.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/AtXUT

    #Ratsuha #ChainsawWoods #Survival #Horror #steam #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcade