Thanks to @shenanisketches for this wonderful piece.

Preyer from Witchfire - Aluminum Foil Sculpture

Indie Game Recommendations from a Destiny Player for a Destiny Player

So between the AAA videogame industry being a nightmare and Bungie being on fire I thought it'd be nice to make some indie recommendations if you're trying to get that Destiny fix but feel like stepping away.

RoboQuest

RoboQuest is an FPS roguelike that is currently in Early Access but goes live with its 1.0 release on Nov. 7th. The gun feel and movement in Roboquest should be studied. It feels so good to play. The rougelike elements are pretty bog standard (pick a class, start a run, random items and weapon drops, on-the-go buildcrafting, meta progression via upgrades) and the artstyle, story, and music isn't groundbreaking. But it all ties in so well with the different classes, weapon variety, item vareity, and stellar gunplay that it just works. I've put in ~60 hours with the Early Access build and can't wait to jump into 1.0.

2. Deep Rock Galactic

Because OF COURSE I'm gonna bring up DRG. Everyone knows how it good it is. But if it's the camaraderie and teamwork that you enjoy from Destiny, I can't think of anything better. Every class plays distinctly from the others and meld together in such a way that solo play just can't even touch. The sheer variety of missions, modes, and modifiers has sucked hours away from my friends and I. It's still getting updates and content drops. And it's currently (10.31.23) on sale for $10 on Steam.

3. Deadlink

Another FPS roguelike. This one is moreso for the Doom fans. The movement is a little slower at first until you really get use the movement ability mechanics of the separate classes (grapple, blink, etc.). It reward weapon swapping. Like any other roguelike its loop centers around on the fly buildcrafting, random upgrade and items, and meta progression via upgrades and currency that can carry over into your next run. The music and aesthetic get a special mention. It oozes with style and polish. This one's a little harder to get into compared to RoboQuest but I still highly recommend it.

Honorable Mentions:

Borderlands (any of them)

I love the Borderlands games. I'm currently playing through 3 for the first time and having a great time. It's probably the closest to the Destiny formula as far as loot and gameplay loop goes. It's not an indie title so it gets downgraded to an honorable mention. Seriously, if you've never play one go for 2. I understand the writing is polarizing and the world building is kind of weak. But if you love it you can never be convinced otherwise.

2. Warframe

Warframe is such a unique game. It oozes style. But the economy and some recent dev decisions have driven a few people away. It's also HUGE. Trying to get into it now makes Destiny looks like a 4 hour CoD campaign. There are so many complex systems and currencies that have piled up after years and years of updates. It can feel like a slog but there's a real gem here. Honorable mention because if you're deciding to take it on you know what you're getting into.

3. FF14

Another obvious one. Way more MMO than either Destiny or Warframe. I, personally, am not a FF 14 player but if you're less of an FPS gamers and more into the MMO aspects of Destiny, I genuinely can't think of something better. They also have a very generous trial program so there's literally no harm in giving it a shot.

5. Witchfire

This is an Early Access title only available via the Epic Store so I can't give it a full recc. The devs have specifically said that they've modeled the gameplay straight off of Destiny. The movement, gunplay, and abilities are all very very D2. It feels phenomenal. The artstyle is also incredible. Like if Bungie made Bloodborne. It combines a lot of elements from a lot of different games and right now it feels pretty shallow. Just a couple of distinct areas and weapons/abilities that you choose from before embarking on an expedition. The only thing you bring back after a successful run (which you can end at anytime by finding a portal on the map or beating the area boss) is currency akin to Dark Souls' soul system. You lose them on death but you can reclaim them by visiting your deathspot in the next run. Use them back at your base for meta progression such as leveling stats or crafting new items. Really looking forward to a full release in the future.

Auric, Nemesis, Silver, and Witchfire were introduced and joined Wildchild to create Gamma Flight in Alpha Flight 76#, with a cover date November, 1989. They were created by James Hudnall and John Calimee. ("Bad News", Alpha Flight 76#, Marvel Comic Event)

Witchfire Screenshots and Thumbnails from my Lets Play

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Witchfire - Official Gameplay Overview Trailer

Website

Witchfire is going into early access a little less than two weeks from now and I'm extremely excited. I've been following the game for awhile now and knowing that it's just around the corner makes me very excited.

was checking out this game, Witchfire. Looks cool, although it's a rougelite which :/

But what a strange combination of previous games to mention: Painkiller and Bulletstorm (fine, directly adjacent to the game that they are releasing), but then The Vanishing of Ethan Carter? I mean I liked that game, it looked gorgeous but I'm wondering what the crossover here is lmao. Can we expect it to look as good as Ethan Carter?

life sucks but at least i’m hot

New Trailer for WitchFire

New Trailer for #WitchFire using the NVIDIA DLSS 3 Tech!

New Year and that means a new set of games to check out where do we start? Well, let’s start with this interesting title from Publisher and Developer The Astronauts comes WitchFire. In this new trailer we get to see a graphics upgrade with the NVIDIA DLSS 3 Tech, let’s take a look.  (more…)

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The dark and action-packed roguelike shooter, Witchfire, developed by The Astronauts (creators of Painkiller and Bulletstorm), has taken the Epic Games Store by storm since its Early Access launch in September 2023. Heavily inspired by the gothic atmosphere and challenging gameplay of Bloodborne, Witchfire has quickly captured the attention of players and achieved impressive sales figures. A Major Update Fuels a Popularity Surge Following the recent release of a significant content update titled "Ghost Galleon," Witchfire has experienced a significant surge in popularity. The update introduced new content, challenges, and gameplay elements, reigniting player engagement and attracting new audiences. Witchfire Blazes a Trail on the Epic Games This renewed interest has propelled Witchfire to the top of the charts, currently ranking among the top three best-selling games on the Epic Games Store. Only the highly anticipated Assassin's Creed: Mirage and the pre-orders for Star Wars Outlaws currently outpace Witchfire in terms of sales. This achievement signifies a remarkable success for The Astronauts, a testament to the captivating gameplay and immersive world they have crafted within Witchfire. Beyond Early Access: Transparency and a Roadmap for the Future The developers at The Astronauts are thrilled with the positive reception to the Ghost Galleon update and the overall success of Witchfire. They have expressed their gratitude to the player community for their support and enthusiasm. Furthermore, The Astronauts have hinted at exciting plans for the future. They have promised to unveil a roadmap soon, outlining the development process and providing players with a clear vision for the game's future. This roadmap is likely to detail upcoming content updates, additional features, and the projected path towards the full release of Witchfire. This level of transparency is highly valued by the gaming community. Knowing what's in store and being able to anticipate future content additions helps maintain player engagement and excitement for the game's ongoing development. A Look at Witchfire's Allure: What Makes it Stand Out? Several factors have likely contributed to the Witch fire's early access success: Unique Blend of Genres: Witchfire offers a thrilling combination of first-person shooter action and roguelike elements. This unique mix keeps gameplay fresh and unpredictable, encouraging players to continuously adapt their strategies and approach each run through the game with a sense of challenge and discovery. Bloodborne Inspiration: The influence of Bloodborne is evident in Witchfire's dark and gothic atmosphere, challenging enemies, and emphasis on fast-paced combat with a focus on risk-reward decision-making. This appeals to fans of Bloodborne's style and gameplay. Visually Stunning World: Built on Unreal Engine, Witchfire boasts impressive visuals. The dark and detailed environments create a truly immersive experience, drawing players deeper into the world of the game. Early Access Engagement: The Early Access model allows The Astronauts to gather valuable player feedback and iterate on the game based on community response. This fosters a sense of collaboration between developers and players, fostering excitement and anticipation for future updates. The Future of Witchfire: What to Expect With its impressive sales performance and positive reception, Witchfire is poised for continued success. Here's a glimpse into what we might expect: Roadmap Reveal: The promised roadmap will provide players with a clearer picture of upcoming content additions, balance changes, and the overall development timeline leading up to the game's full release. Continued Content Updates: We can expect The Astronauts to continue releasing new content updates, introducing fresh gameplay mechanics, story elements, and potentially even new areas to explore within the world of Witchfire. Community Engagement: The developers are likely to maintain open communication with the player community, fostering feedback and keeping players engaged throughout the Early Access development process. Full Release: While no official date has been announced, the ultimate goal is for Witchfire to graduate from Early Access and be available as a complete game. The roadmap will likely shed more light on the anticipated timeframe for the full release. FAQs Q: What kind of roguelike elements does Witchfire feature? A: Witchfire incorporates elements like permadeath, procedurally generated levels, and a focus on replayability with each run offering new challenges and loot to discover. Q: When will Witchfire be fully released? A: There's no official confirmation yet. However, the upcoming roadmap is expected to provide insights into the development timeline and potential release window. Q: Is Witchfire available on any platforms other than the Epic Games Store? A: As of now, Witchfire is exclusive to the Epic Games Store during its Early Access period. Future availability on other platforms might be announced later in development. Q: What are some potential features we might see in future Witchfire updates? A: Based on other roguelike titles, possibilities include new enemy types, boss encounters, weapon variety, expanded skill trees, and additional areas to explore within the game world. Q: Where can I learn more about Witchfire and stay updated on the game's development? A: You can follow The Astronauts on social media platforms or visit their official website for announcements and updates. Additionally, the Epic Games Store page for Witchfire might offer news and community discussions related to the game.