Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. With each issue I will bring you the best news that you may have missed. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!
Two “new” Broken Sword games announced
I say “new” with the quotation marks because one is new-new, and one is a “reforged” version of the original title. Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars – Reforged is a remastered version of the original 1996 point-and-click adventure game that features 4K visuals and upscaled audio. Step into the streets of Paris as George, who finds himself at the centre of a mysterious journey of intrigue and jeopardy. The game spans the globe and has players exploring exotic locations, solving ancient mysteries, and thwarting a dark conspiracy to reveal the secret truths of the Knights Templar.
Broken Sword: Parzival’s Stone is the sixth chapters in the series, offering up the simplicity of a point-and-click adventure with innovative, immersive gameplay. George and Nico reunite, but are soon drawn into a conspiracy in a world of hidden treasure hunters, medieval histories, and even quantum physics. Investigate an ancient manuscript and navigate its clues to uncover the secret location of the Grail. Of course, it’s not THAT easy, as ruthless technology entrepreneurs, corrupt government agencies, and billion-dollar global energy corporations want to solve the mystery first.
Developed by Revolution Software, both games have been announced for PC, consoles, and mobile devices. Specifics are not known. Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars – Reforged will be released in early 2024. There is currently no launch window for Broken Sword: Parzival’s Stone.
Hand-drawn Metroidvania Constance announced
You don’t normally hear the phrases “hand-drawn” and “Metroidvania” in the same sentence, which is how Constance got my attention. It’s about an artist wielding a paintbrush trying to escape a dying world created by her declining mental health. Basically, she’s trying to escape herself. The story is non-linear and the world is inter-connected, so it’s up to players what they tackle first. The game features playable flashbacks about personal struggle, work-life balance, and inner purpose, helping players uncover Constance’s past.
Use paint-based mechanics to experience a constant state of flow; dive into the grounds and walls, slice through the air and enemies. Unlock new paintbrush techniques to become stronger to help defeat foes, overcome platform challenges, and solve complex puzzles. There are more than six unique biomes, countless secrets, multiple paths, side quests, and collectibles. If you die, choose how to continue: persevere through the challenge for a price or return to a safe-point and explore other unbeaten paths.
Developed by bildundtonfabrik, Constance will be released for PC via Steam.
Justant launches on Halloween this year
Originally announced at June’s Xbox Games Showcase, Justant is an action-puzzle climbing game and a meditative journey to the top of a tall tower. Go at your own page, explore different paths, and unravel secrets from a bygone civilization. As you climb, come across biomes full of flora and fauna, each accompanied by a peaceful and atmospheric soundtrack. Brace yourself on windy slopes, find refuge in tunnels lit by bioluminescence, and more.
Master your climbing tools while keeping an eye on your stamina meter to successfully navigate the tower. As you go higher you’ll have to figure out how best to use the tools available to get where you want to go. There are alternative paths to explore, finding clues about what happened here. All this happens alongside your companion made of water, the mysterious Ballast. They will guide you through your journey by waking nature and helping to reveal clues.
Developed and published by Don’t Nod, Justant will be released for PC via Steam/Microsoft and Xbox Series on October 31.
The Thaumaturge will be released this year
It’s not quite a release date, but we now know that The Thaumaturge will be released for PC by the year’s end – that’s a start! Alongside that information comes a new trailer, “Dear Wiktor.” A thaumaturge is a miracle worker, which is both a gift and a burden. Wiktor Szulski, the protagonist, is drawn the the streets of early 20th-century Warsaw by family matters. His gift is intertwined with family legacy, shaping his life journey. Because of this, his sister is deeply fearful of him losing his life while pursuing unearthly entities and their hosts. But only a thaumaturge can tame these entities, known as Salutors, and used their abilities to discover secrets hidden within the human soul and speak to the Darkness.
The Thaumaturge is an isometric, narrative-based RPG with a unique take on turn-based combat, character development features, and investigation mechanics. It allows for players to alternate their choices and makes them deal with the aftermath. Creating their own version of Wiktor allows them to approach situations in different ways. Combat involves both human attacks/skills and psychic strikes developed by Salutors. Wiktor is able to influence and manipulate the temperament of others to bend their will to his liking.
Developed by Fool’s Theory and published by 11 bit studios, The Thaumaturge will be released for PC via Steam/Epic/GOG later this year.
