indie dev | GameLuster

The Thrill of BitLife, and The Many Lives I’ve Lived

June 14, 2023March 12, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

Many of us have a game that we just can’t put down. Animal Crossing. Bloodborne. Fortnite. We get sucked in, and it’s …

Indie Power Hour: Ellen – Escaping a House of Horrors

April 1, 2020March 2, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

Indie Power Hour - Ellen - featured image

See the video on our YouTube channel!

Indie Power Hour is a show which focuses on new and upcoming indie games. In each episode, GameLuster writer Chloe Spencer will discuss the basic facts and elements of the game, as well as demonstrate one hour of gameplay. The goal is not to play a game to completion, but rather highlight interesting projects viewers might not have known much about.

A murdered family, a missing girl, and a mansion full of ghosts – these are the horrific things you encounter while playing Ellen, a 2D pixel horror game.

You play as detective James, and your goal is to escape the mansion while also investigating the mysterious disappearance of the Smith family’s daughter, Ellen. Solve puzzles to obtain clues, but tread carefully – you never know what lurks around the corner.

You can get Ellen on itch.io, Game Jolt, and Steam now.

Indie Power Hour: Textorcist – Chaotic Crusade Against Demons

April 1, 2020February 23, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

All you need to make it through the impending demonic apocalypse is a little bit of faith – and the courage to confront your own demons. Enter Textorcist, a bullet-hell typing game where you play as private exorcist Ray Bibbia.

When Ray exorcises a young girl, he uncovers a sinister slave trade, and its roots trace back to the Holy Church. As he pursues various leads, the clues suggest that the clergy are underneath demonic influence. Can Ray stop demons from overtaking Rome and restore order to the city?

You can get Textorcist on Steam now. Read Chloe’s full review of the game here.

Review: The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia – Words Are Your Hell Now

June 14, 2023February 21, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

While some of you may have treated your sweethearts to an expensive dinner date on Valentine’s Day, I kicked back …

From Passion Project to Kickstarter Campaign: The Making of Born Punk

May 31, 2019February 18, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

Although Born Punk isn’t out yet, it’s already a success story. The Kickstarter for this upcoming cyberpunk point-and-click adventure game was funded within 24 …

Review: Rainswept – Pursuing Truth in the Face of Tragedy

June 14, 2023February 7, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

Last Friday, Frostwood Interactive released its first game, Rainswept. Inspired by the 1990s cult-favorite television show Twin Peaks, the point-and-click thriller centers on the …

Impressions: Born Punk – An Ambitious Cyberpunk Adventure

June 14, 2023February 5, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

Cyberpunk is a beloved subgenre of science fiction that pits the societal underdogs against oppressive totalitarian regimes, and are often set …

Indie Power Hour: Rainswept – A Twin Peaks Inspired Mystery

April 1, 2020January 31, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

Rainswept is a point-and-click mystery adventure game where you play as troubled but intelligent detective Michael Stone, who is sent to the coastal town of Pineview after an apparent murder-suicide occurs. But as Stone investigates the crime scene, he realizes that there is more to the story. With only a week to identify the true killer, Stone and his partner Amy Blunt must work together to solve the mystery.

You can grab the game from Steam when it releases on February 1.

Screenshot Saturday – Graceful Guns a Blazin’

February 24, 2023January 26, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

Screenshot Saturday is a weekly feature on GameLuster, based on the Twitter hashtag, focused on upcoming indie games. On Saturdays, …

Indie Power Hour: Yearning, A Gay Story – Finding Love and Acceptance With Yourself And Others

April 1, 2020January 23, 2019 by Chloe Spencer

In this episode, Chloe plays Yearning: A Gay Story, also known as YAGS. This free LGBT visual novel recently released last week and has already accumulated over 500 downloads from itch.io. Set in the year 2006, you play as a college freshman who is coming to terms with his sexuality, as well as navigating the most intimidating aspects of university. The choices that you make determine the outcome of the story — and who you’ll end up with.

This game is available for free on itch.io.