Games From Spain News Recap: December 5 – 13, 2024
Welcome back, regulars and visitors!
Not so long ago we apologized for not having much news to tell you, and that’s because the end of the year is usually a weird time for indie developers. The AAA scene gets all the attention, so it’s hard to find the perfect date for a small game to shine and stand out. But look how the tables have turned in a matter of days! Unexpected announcements, amazing games to enjoy this vacation season… We have it all.
Without further ado, let’s move on to the news of the week. There’s a lot to comment.
News
Neva wins the Games For Impact award at The Game Awards 2024
A few weeks ago, we announced that Nomada Studio was nominated for three different categories of Geoff Keighley’s Game Awards. While the award of Best Art Direction was for Metaphor Re:Fantazio, and Balatro was chosen as the Best Indie Game, Neva and its wonderful development team got the Games For Impact award. It seems to have become the lucky category for Nomada Studio, as in 2019 they won the same award with Gris.
Games From Spain would like to congratulate the Catalan studio for this great achievement, and for continuing to tell emotional stories that connect the hearts of gamers around the world.
The Game Kitchen surprises the world with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
From the universe of the Dead or Alive fighting game series, Ninja Gaiden was born in 1988 to give Ryu Hayabusa his own development through a deep and dark standalone side story. This is one of the most beloved characters of the franchise, and one that allows developers to create a well-balanced mix of brutal combat with stealth and platforming. In fact, the game series covered a wide range of genres all over the years.
Ten years after Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, its latest spin off, Ryu is back in action in a new installment of the series that will see the light in Summer 2025. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is being developed by The Game Kitchen, creators of Blasphemous I & II, in collaboration with Dotemu, Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja.
According to the producer David Jaumandreu, they opted for high-quality art style, flashy colors and clean shapes “inspired by the dynamic feel of ‘90s anime”. They spent a lot of time studying the original games to “achieve the ideal look” and “capture the fluidity and speed of a ninja with a level of detail, smoothness and pixel art quality never seen before in the series’ 2D entries”. You can learn more about its creation in this new PlayStation Blog entry.
New releases
Stars in the Trash (PC) | Valhalla Cats, IndieArk
As animal lovers, we could never forget Disney classics like Lady and the Tramp or Oliver & Company. If you loved their endearing protagonists and beautiful hand-made animations, Stars in the Trash will be a dream come true for you. This long-awaited game by Valhalla Cats brings the magic of these beautiful movies into a narrative-driven platformer that combines action, exploration and puzzles.
Stars in the Trash follows the adventures of Moka, a spoiled cat that decides to run away from home and discover how it feels to explore the outside world. Of course, such a cute guy soon makes tons of friends! But his journey takes an unexpected turn when he meets the kennelman. This dangerous human will force Moka to learn how to survive in the streets and appreciate what he left behind.
Among Ashes (PC, PS5) | Rat Cliff Games, Dojo System
Video game creepypastas are so back this year! Among Ashes is a first-person survival horror narrative experience that will bring you back to the good old PSX days. On a stormy night of the early 2000s, your best friend sends you a link to a horror game that he found online – Night Call is the name. As you play, things get a little strange on your side of the screen. What kind of horrors have you summoned? Whatever they are… keep playing, or you might die.
Naiad (PC, PS5/PS4, Xbox Seres X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch) | HiWarp
Naiad was announced two years ago and made a surprise appearance during the Wholesome Snack exhibition. It’s now available on all platforms! This cozy title invites players to flow with its protagonist through a mysterious river full of secrets. The flora and fauna have a lot to say, if you want to listen…
The game consists of 16 episodes where you’ll explore different biomes, from a little and quiet spring to a forest and a cave… until reaching the vast sea. Also, the protagonist of Naiad will do her part to protect nature from certain humans who want to take advantage of it and pollute everything.
Eden Survivors (PC) | Aeternum Game Studios
Cyberpunk 2077 meets Vampire Survivors in this new game by Aeternum Game Studios, the studio behind the Aeterna Noctis franchise. This single-player auto-shooter dares players to defeat hordes of alien invaders with their cutting-edge amazing mechs. Each pilot is linked to a specific robot, featuring different combat and passive skills. They will need to use the environment to overcome the alien legions until extraction time.
Eden Survivors take place in the same universe as Eden Genesis, which means that Leah Anderson and other characters from the game will be playable!
The Spirt of the Samurai (PC) | Digital Mind Games, Kwalee
A cinematic-style action adventure inspired by Japanese mythology and folklore??? We’re in! In The Spirit of the Samurai, players assume the role of a samurai that must protect his hometown from a bloodthirsty oni and its yōkai army. Takeshi will wander through ruined villages, gloomy caves and desolate cemeteries while battling these creatures with the help of a brave kodama and his loyal warrior cat Chisai.
There’s a combo editor to customize your sword skills and magical powers, and enemies will respond to these changes in your playstyle thanks to the game’s dynamic AI system. Also, each level is detailed to the last detail to ensure immersion.
Smoots Summer Games II (PC) | Kaneda Games, JanduSoft
Missing the warm days? We don’t judge, it always had something special. It smells of dreams, new beginnings and exciting plans. Besides, no one can deny how glorious it is to have a cold drink after exercising outdoors — that’s a pleasure you can only experience in Summer! We can’t take you back in time, but we can at least recommend you Smoots Summer Games II, A new arcade game that will ignite your desire for summer plans with friends.
Smoots Summer Games II brings you to a cartoon world of competition for up to 4 players, where you’ll test your skills in a variety of classic sports events – 100m dash, 400m hurdles, javelin throw, pole vault, swimming and many more. Could it be the perfect way to decide who pays for the pizzas at the next party? Don’t miss it on Steam!
And that’s all for today, folks! Remember to subscribe to our mailing list to receive our monthly recaps. Also, keep in touch with us via social media – you’ll find us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
See you next week, happy gaming!
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