Happy Sunday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here with another week of Geek News. I’m in the middle of writing a novel right now, so Geekly may not have too many headlines until I’m finished. That means we’re going straight to the fun stuff of new releases. Let’s talk about the new board games and video games that released this week.
On Call Launches on KickStarter
On Call is a cooperative strategy board game about managing an overcrowded emergency room on the brink of disaster. Why are there never enough beds?!
Pick a character with specialized actions. Will you be triaging the walk-ins clogging your waiting room? Or racing O-negative to the treatment room? But in a chronically understaffed ER, remember to chip in to help your teammates!
Move the hospital’s nurses and doctors from room to room to take your actions. But plan ahead to where your teammates might need them next – they can’t be in two places at once! Every action ripples through the hospital, in this “worker movement” game of cascading consequences.
Have time for a breather? Guzzle coffee to learn new skills, in an intuitive action-upgrading system that allows you to increase your effectiveness with every passing shift.
Challenge yourself in optional “limited communication mode” – without hidden information. Find the perfect mind-melding combo to keep your patients from crashing; no backseat doctors allowed!
Comes with 20 scenarios, like episodes from a medical drama. Each scenario adds new setup, rules, objectives, and strategies.
Thank you, King and The Pawn Games, for the description. Mrs. Geekly works at a hospital and refuses to play board games with a medical theme, but I’m going to see if I can get her to change her mind with On Call. This game looks adorable. Surprisingly, a lot of the hospital-themed board games on the market are competitive. What? That doesn’t make a lot of sense. On Call is a cooperative game, which feels closer to the theme. Another reason why Mrs. Geekly doesn’t care for medical-themed board games is that they typically last a long time. On Call runs about an hour and a half at most. That’s not a bad play time and it probably means that players in On Call have short, snappy turns. I’m all for that. On Call offers multiple pledge levels between: $48 and $185. If you’re interested in On Call, check out its KickStarter page.
Plants Vs Zombies: The Board Game Launches on KickStarter
Plants vs. Zombies: The Board Game is a fast-paced cooperative tabletop game for 1-4 players that captures all the comedy and chaos of the iconic Plants vs. Zombies franchise.
In Plants vs. Zombies: The Board Game, players must work together to outsmart hilarious and horrifying Zombie hordes by growing defensive lines of precocious plants to protect the homestead. Featuring iconic Plants vs. Zombies plants like Peashooters, Cherry Bombs and Wall-nuts, players must plan their defense wisely to stop the Zombies in their tracks.
Each level challenges players with a new zombie horde to defeat. If any zombies reach the house, the players lose. Players work together to defeat all the zombies and win!
Featuring:
- Classic Plants vs Zombies gameplay faithfully brought to the tabletop.
- An exciting campaign unlocking new content and challenges.
- Fun for all ages, with difficulty that scales to the players at the table.
- Iconic characters brought to life with pre-assembled miniatures.
Thank you, Mantic Games, for the description. Yes! It was only a matter of time before Plants Vs. Zombies received the board game treatment. I always thought its brand of tower defense worked well in the tabletop space. Mechs Vs. Minions proved that. It looks as if Plants Vs. Zombies: The Board Game will continue with what made the video game great: quirky characters. And like Slay the Spire: The Board Game a handful of years ago, Plants Vs. Zombies what is a solo video game experience and converts it to a cooperative, multi-player experience. That’s a great choice. Who wouldn’t want to play a multi-player, cooperative Plants Vs. Zombies? Plants Vs. Zombies: The Board Game offers multiple pledges between: $54-$233. If you’re interested in Plants Vs. Zombies: The Board Game, check out its KickStarter page.
Bucket List! Launches on KickStarter
Bucket List! is a family-friendly, mid-light strategy game for 1–4 players in which you compete to accomplish whimsical childhood dreams before the Grim Reaper ends the game.
Throughout the game, you’ll pursue outrageous goals like surfing down a lava flow, juggling flaming chainsaws, or spending a night in Count Dracula’s castle. Collect the money, time, and skills you need, make clever choices about which dreams to pursue, and race to complete the most valuable goals before time runs out.
Designed to be easy to learn while still offering meaningful strategic decisions, Bucket List! is competitive without being combative. It also includes two solo modes, allowing you to compete against either a bot player or Death itself.
Thank you, Outer Burrow, for the description. I like the idea of Bucket List! being competitive without getting combative. Modern board and card games have leaned in this direction, and it’s a good trend. It makes board games more accessible. Like many other games on this list, Bucket List! plays in a snap. It features easy-to-learn rules that get players started quickly. Both of those can be barriers of entry for players to the board gaming hobby. And I like Bucket List!’s conceit: finish your bucket list before you die. Bucket List! offers two pledge levels: $39 and $59. If you’re interested in Bucket List!, check out its KickStarter page.
Solo Game of the Month Offers a Trio of Spooky Games on GameFound
Typically, Solo Game of the Month launches one solo board game on GameFound, but this month, the publisher is offering a whopping three. That’s three games. Let’s begin with The Cursed Menagerie.
The Cursed Menagerie began as a print-and-play, meaning players would pay small amount to download PDFs and print off the game themselves. Solo Game of the Month is offering The Cursed Menagerie for the first time in retail form. I like the idea of The Cursed Menagerie. Players inherit a cursed or haunted item, and players must ascertain what ghost haunts the item and how to rid the item of its ghost. The Cursed Menagerie is a fun puzzle, and with 13 objects to unhex, you’ll find plenty of replay value.
Under the Z is another game featuring strong exploration beats. In Under the Z, players explore the lost and mutated city of Atlantis. Who knew zombies were why Atlantis fell? And shout out to Under the Z’s play on words. I love a punny title, and Under the Z is plenty punny.
Mickey Mouse entered the public domain a few years ago, and I wondered when someone that wasn’t Disney would make art featuring Disney’s famous mouse. Technically, the Mickey Mouse from “Steamboat Willie” entered the public domain, but still. That’s why Steamboat Willie and the River of Doom can be produced. It doesn’t break copyright laws. Yes! Steamboat Willie and the River of Doom is a puzzly game, set in the classic cartoon world of “Steamboat Willie” with Cthulhu elements. That’s right, the Ancient Ones are after Mickey Mouse. Can you save him?
Since Solo Game of the Month uses GameFound, and we’re looking at a preview, we don’t yet know how much this trio of spooky games will cost. But this is an excellent trio of games. The Cursed Menagerie, Under the Z, and Steamboat Willie and the River of Doom look amazing. If you’re interested in any of these Solo Games of the Month, check out their GameFound page.
The Great Escape Launches on GameFound
An exciting cooperative WWII game where players try to successfully escape their POW from Stalag Luft III. Designed by Philip duBarry. In The Great Escape, you and your fellow air force officers will follow in the footsteps of the prisoners of Stalag Luft III, as you attempt to dig tunnels under the wire and escape. This will require exceptional timing, resourcefulness, and some luck. Outsmart the guards and carry on the war in the only way you can. If you help twelve prisoner pawns escape before the Gestapo locks down the camp, you and your comrades will have won the game. Each turn you have action points and with these action points you dig tunnels, move your pawns or collect valuable resources.
Thank you, Sound of Drums, for the description. I love The Great Escape’s theme. As you can imagine, numerous board games have used The Great Escape as a title. This is Philip duBarry’s version, and duBarry has a great track record: Revolution!, Black Orchestra, and Citizens of the Spark. This version of The Great Escape should capture the premise’s feel. Publisher Sound of Drums is no stranger to war games either. The Great Escape falls right into their wheelhouse. I’m keeping my eye on this title. If you’re interested in The Great Escape, check out its GameFound page.
Scarab Sands Launches on GameFound
Scarab Sands is a highly competitive, fast paced, area control game with almost no down time. Players compete as dead souls inside a pyramid, sending their scarab troops to fight for control over sacred rooms. Only the one with the lightest heart will make it to the Afterlife.
Each round starts with determining movement for scarab troops. This happens simultaneously for all players, by using command arrows on player mats hidden by screens. Movement is resolved in turn for 1) basic units,2) flying units and 3) armored units; Therefore, moving basic units happens almost blindly, guessing the moves of the opponents, while armored troops move when most of the stage is set. After movement, combat is resolved through dice rolls in every room where two or more players’ troops are present, until a single player (or none) controls it. Each room offers rewards for controlling it, such as upgrading troops or getting an obelisk die.
Player starts with 7 heart tokens, and the first one to free all of them, wins the game. There are multiple ways to free a heart, such as (1) controlling the pharaoh room, (2) simultaneously owning the three obelisk dice or (3) spending Ma’at influence points (mostly gained when losing a battle).
Whenever a scarab dies in combat, heart tokens are flipped to their “larvae” side. These tokens are flipped back to hearts in the last chamber of the pyramid, spawning one basic unit for each larvae flipped. Therefore the closer a player is to victory, the less basic units they are going to be able to spawn.
Thank you, Stranger Games Studio, for the description. Scarab Sands looks amazing. Case in point, the image above is the prototype. That isn’t even the final product. While I’m not the biggest fan of dudes on a map, Scarab Sands looks to reduce the playtime of that game type. There aren’t enough board games with an Ancient Egyptian theme. Okay, there are several games with this theme, but I seldom grow tired of them. Scarab Sands looks like a good addition. Stranger Games Studio and Scarab Sands’s designers are new to hobby game publishing, but I may need to keep an eye on this creative team. If you’re interested in Scarab Sands, check out its GameFound page.
Valor Mortis Releases
Valor Mortis is a first-person action soulslike from the creators of Ghostrunner. Rise from death as a former soldier of Napoleon’s army. Wield supernatural powers, battle horrifying monsters, and unravel a conspiracy that threatens all of humanity.
Thank you, One More Level, for the description. Not enough games use the Napoleonic Wars as a backdrop. You have my attention, Valor Mortis. Outside of the theme, Valor Mortis offers gameplay akin to Dark Souls. You’re battling horrendous monsters, defending humanity from an all-consuming evil. We’ve seen a lot of Souls-like games over the past several years, but the theme, interesting setup, and solid reviews make Valor Mortis a game to keep on your radar. Valor Mortis is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.
The Witch’s Bakery Releases
The Witch’s Bakery is a 2D narrative Adventure RPG where you live a magical life as a witch-baker in Paris! Serve customers, visit iconic streets and heal people’s heart with your croissants.
Thank you, Sunny Lab, for the description. The Witch’s Bakery looks adorable. I don’t know if you get to actively bake the goodies (I think so), but it doesn’t matter. I’m getting hungry just looking at all the delicious breads The Witch’s Bakery offers. I’ve been meaning to cover more visual novels because they’re a growing genre in video games. I don’t know if The Witch’s Bakery fits that definition or if it’s more of a point-and-click adventure. Either way, I wishlisted this title. The Witch’s Bakery nails the idea of a cozy video game and has received excellent reviews. The Witch’s Bakery is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series S/X.
Deep Dish Dungeon Releases
A survival exploration game where you navigate through a puzzly hand-crafted dungeon, with metroidvania and crafting elements. Unravel the enigmas of the dungeon’s depths solo or online co-op multiplayer.
Thank you, Behold Studios, for the description. Deep Dish Dungeon offers up a salivating combination of cooking, crafting, and exploration. Why do most of these video games involve food? They’re making me hungry. Anyway, Deep Dish Dungeon (love the name, by the way) sells me on its puzzle aspect and the fact that you can play the game solo or online co-op multiplayer. Deep Dish Dungeon does cite having hand-crafted dungeons. While I like the idea of dungeons crafted with intention, I wonder how this affects Deep Dish Dungeon’s replay value. Once you solve a puzzle, will the puzzle change at all on a second play? Something tells me the survival aspect will make the puzzle change even if you know the solution. Great idea combining these elements. Deep Dish Dungeon has received good reviews, and it’s available on PC and Xbox Series S/X.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Releases
Obliterate heretics in the name of the Emperor in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2! Play as Ultramarine Malum Caedo or Sister of Battle Nyra Veyrath in this sequel to retro FPS Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun with MORE enemies, MORE weapons, and NEW ways to purge!
Thank you, Auroch Digital, for the description. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 continues in the original’s footsteps, only with more weapons and more bombastic action. It epitomizes a Boomer Shooter (like Doom). Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 may have dated graphics, but I think that works in the game’s favor. I saw Warhammer (the tabletop miniatures game that started this franchise) as a board game version of something like Doom. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2’s graphics capture that feel. The image above depicts enemies as standees you might find on a tabletop. Awesome! Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 has received good reviews and is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.
Penguin Colony Releases
Cosmic horror, through the eyes of a penguin. Rival human factions have come to your home in the Antarctic, seeking an ancient and inconceivable being. Observe their descent into insanity in this faithful re-imagining of H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness, and other stories.
Thank you, ORIGAME DIGITAL, for the description. I’ve seen plenty of games based on Lovecraftian horror, but none of them are told through the eyes of a penguin. Wow! I didn’t know I needed this in my life. Watching a penguin go from slightly creepy scenes like the whale fall shown above to M. C. Escher-like caverns beneath the sea or are those scenes happening above the sea. I’m unsure. Without playing Penguin Colony, I question my sanity. Penguin Colony is from a smaller developer and perfect for our series of quirky video game reviews. Don’t be surprised if we cover Penguin Colony this upcoming year. You can even try out the free demo on Steam.
Ratatan Releases
Ratatan is a rhythm roguelike action game that combines rhythm games and side-scrolling action, with online co-op gameplay supporting up to 4 players. An intense battle unfolds with over 100 characters fighting in a massive melee. Let’s defeat the enemies together!
Thank you, Game Source Entertainment, for the description. Beyond its name, Ratatan shares a lot of similarities to Patapon. In fact, I had to double check to make sure the same developers behind Patapon didn’t release Ratatan. They did not. I always like Patapon. It was one of my most played games on the PlayStation Portable, so I’m interested in Ratatan. It combines a rhythm game like Guitar Hero with a roguelike. It’s a great combination of gaming elements. But I may wait for a demo or sale on Steam before picking up Ratatan or I may wait until after I pick up a Nintendo Switch 2. Games like Patapon and Ratatan work really well on the go.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Releases
Crimson Curse —Will Your Fate Bloom in Despair or Salvation Set 23 years after Castlevania Dracula’s Curse – follow Rose Belmont’s journey in an all new 2D Action-Exploration title from KONAMI, Evil Empire and Motion Twin.
Thank you, Konami, for the description. Castlevania is back! While some of the first-person and third-person (over-the-shoulder) games in Castlevania’s catalogue can be fun, it’s great seeing the series return to its 2D, side-scrolling roots. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse captures the original vibe, and it’s received good to great reviews. The graphics look like the next level up from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which is music to my ears. That may be one of my favorite Castlevania titles. Heck, it’s a lot of people’s favorite game in the series. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series S/X.
We had a lot of new releases this week. It’s almost like the holidays are right around the corner. Which game has you the most excited? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.
