Fun Fact: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate holds the record for the longest-running game ever. It takes an average of 693 hours to complete, which is nearly 29 days of continuous gameplay.

In today’s email:

• The Next Big Indie Hit? Wren's Resurgence Drops a New Demo

• to Kid Icarus Gets an Awesome SNES Upgrade: Classic Gaming Just Got Better

The Next Big Indie Hit? Wren's Resurgence Drops a New Demo

If you love action games with cool pixel art, Wren's Resurgence might be the next game to add to your wishlist. The new demo, released for October's Steam Next Fest, gives players a chance to try out this exciting, monster-filled adventure.

A Journey Through Feudal Japan

Set in feudal Japan, Wren's Resurgence brings the era to life with beautiful pixel art and smooth animations that make every slash of Wren's katana feel powerful. The world feels alive and dangerous, thanks to the detailed backgrounds and interesting character designs.

In Wren's Resurgence, players take on the role of Wren, a skilled warrior on a mission to save her sister Swan. It's a thrilling journey full of fast combat through Yokai-infested lands, all to bring back peace. The game combines platforming, challenging fights, and a rich story to keep players hooked.

Fast Combat & Agile Movement

The game delivers classic action-platformer gameplay with modern controls. Wren has lots of moves—double jumps, dashes, wall climbs—that make the combat feel smooth and exciting. You'll use her katana for most fights, but there’s more.

There are eight more weapons to unlock, each with unique abilities. You collect these weapons by defeating enemy warriors or meeting helpful characters. You’ll need to change your strategy often as you get deeper into the game.

Battling Yokai From Folklore

The enemies in this game are not your usual bad guys. There are 36 Yokai enemies inspired by Japanese folklore, and each fight feels like part of a bigger story. When you defeat these Yokai, Wren gets stronger and gains new powers, making you want to keep playing and improving.

Ten Levels of Adventure

Wren's Resurgence has ten different levels, each with open areas that encourage you to explore. As you play, you’ll find shrines dedicated to the legendary warrior Masamune, where you can discover rare and powerful swords. These discoveries add extra depth beyond the fast-paced action.

Coming Soon

This game is a true passion project—made by one developer at Soliloquy Games. It’s expected to release in Q4 2024, but we don’t have an exact date yet. If you're interested, you can wishlist it on Steam now to stay updated.

Try the Demo Now

The new demo launched during Steam Next Fest lets you play through the first chapter. It might not be available after the event ends, so try it soon if you can.

With its beautiful art, tight controls, and folklore-inspired world, Wren's Resurgence looks like it will be a must-play for action-platformer fans. Keep an eye on this one—Wren has a lot more adventures ahead!

Neva: The Heartfelt Action-Adventure from the Creators of GRIS

Imagine a world where beauty and decay collide, where companionship is your only hope in a dying land. This is Neva, the latest action-adventure game from Nomada Studio, the creative minds behind the award-winning GRIS. Get ready to immerse yourself in an emotionally-charged journey filled with love, resilience, and a touch of magic.

A Journey of Bonding and Survival

Neva follows the story of Alba, a young woman navigating a crumbling world alongside a wolf cub she befriends after a devastating encounter with dark forces. What starts as an innocent connection with the curious cub quickly grows into a profound partnership, essential for their survival. Together, they face danger, traverse breathtaking yet hazardous landscapes, and discover the power of companionship.

A World in Collapse

The game's setting is a visually arresting yet bleak environment—a world on the brink of collapse. Alba and her wolf face constant peril amid a landscape teetering between beauty and destruction. This decaying backdrop becomes more than just scenery; it’s a reflection of Alba’s struggle and growth, forcing her and her companion to rise above adversity at every turn.

Themes that Strike the Heart

At its core, Neva isn’t just an adventure game; it’s a deeply moving exploration of love, identity, growth, and courage. As the wolf cub matures into a powerful adult, players witness how this evolving dynamic challenges Alba’s role as both protector and friend. Their bond is tested as the wolf's desire for independence grows, creating a complex interplay of emotions that will resonate with anyone who has experienced change in a meaningful relationship.

A Glimpse at the Gameplay

Nomada Studio is keeping the specifics of Neva's gameplay under wraps, but early previews suggest a mix of platforming and combat. The platforming elements appear to carry the studio's signature style—beautiful, fluid, and visually impactful. There are hints that combat may still need some refinement, described by early testers as imprecise, but that’s part of the anticipation for this ambitious project. Expect the heart of the game to shine through its narrative and atmosphere.

Coming Soon to Multiple Platforms

Neva will be available across major gaming platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox Series consoles. Whether you’re a fan of playing on the big screen or love the portability of the Switch, there’s an option for you. While no release date has been announced yet, excitement is building for what’s shaping up to be a standout title for fans of emotionally driven storytelling.

Learn more about Neva and stay updated on release details on their official website.

Why Neva Should Be on Your Radar

Nomada Studio’s previous work, GRIS, was praised for its stunning visuals and its ability to deliver raw emotion through gameplay. Neva looks set to continue that legacy, with an evocative storyline, a compelling relationship at its heart, and a world so richly designed it’s almost a character in itself. As we watch Alba and her wolf companion fight to survive and make a new home, players can expect a journey that’s not just about survival, but about what it means to grow alongside someone you love.

For those who love action-adventures with heart, Neva promises to be a must-play. Keep an eye out—this journey is going to be an emotional one.

Kid Icarus Gets an Awesome SNES Upgrade: Classic Gaming Just Got Better

The classic NES game Kid Icarus is back and better than ever, thanks to an unofficial SNES port that's getting a big upgrade. Get ready to enjoy this all-time favorite with cool new graphics and better gameplay that will make it feel like a whole new experience.

A Classic Game, Remastered

Last year, ROM hacker Rumbleminze released an unofficial SNES version of Kid Icarus, which was originally on the NES back in 1987. This new version wasn't just about putting the game on a different console—it made the game run smoother on the SNES with better performance and set the stage for even more improvements.

Now, the next big update is here, and it has some exciting new features.

What's New? Better Graphics and Gameplay

The latest version of this fan-made SNES port has awesome new backgrounds inspired by the 3D Classics version of Kid Icarus (first released on the Nintendo 3DS). Instead of the old black backgrounds, you’ll see cool new environments like lava-filled caves, green forests, and spooky dungeons. These new graphics are made to work perfectly with the SNES, giving the game a fresh look while keeping that retro feel.

But it’s not just about the visuals—this update also adds a special randomizer feature made just for the SNES version. This means every time you play, you could have a different experience, making the game even more fun and challenging.

Progress Update: Where Things Are Now

As of mid-October 2024, Rumbleminze has been sharing updates and sneak peeks on social media. The latest news is that all the backgrounds for the different worlds (including worlds 3 and 4) are done, and the project is now in the testing phase. We’re almost there, everyone!

Fans Keep Kid Icarus Alive

The Kid Icarus project shows just how much the retro gaming community loves this classic game. Fans are really excited to see this new version, with updated features but still keeping the original feel. There are still some bugs, like glitches and occasional freezing, but that’s part of the process. Rumbleminze is asking players to report any problems they find so the game can be improved, and fans are more than happy to help.

This project not only shows how popular games like Kid Icarus still are, but also how strong the fan community is when it comes to keeping these old games alive and even making them better for a new generation.

What's Next?

There’s no official release date yet for this updated version, but everyone is really excited. Rumbleminze’s hard work has brought new life to Kid Icarus, mixing the old nostalgic feel with new improvements that both longtime fans and new players will love.

Stay tuned for more updates as the project gets closer to release. If you’re into retro gaming or just curious about what fans can do, this is one project you don’t want to miss.

Ready to Play Again?

The unofficial SNES port of Kid Icarus isn’t just a game—it’s a celebration of what happens when fans put in the work to make something great. The new backgrounds, improved gameplay, and support from the community make this an adventure worth playing again. Keep an eye out for the official release and get ready to fly with Pit once more.

What's Next in Retro Gaming?

• GDEX - scheduled to take place from October 24-27, 2024, in Columbus, OH3. This event is likely to attract retro gaming enthusiasts alongside modern game developers and players.

• Shao-Con - set to occur from October 24-27, 2024, in Atlanta, GA. While not exclusively focused on retro gaming, this convention may feature elements of interest to retro game players and collectors.

• Retropalooza - planned for October 26-27, 2024, in Fort Worth, TX. This event is specifically tailored for retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors, making it a prime destination for those interested in classic video games.

We hope to see you back for our next issue for more retro gaming news!