Thank Goodness for rogue AI, and some sad news

Hey folks, and welcome to another Indie Release Dispatch. I wanted to start today off on a bit of a sombre note, and talk about real life for a minute. I promise though, it is relevant to the at large Pixels for Breakfast lore. 

August 1st, 2020 the Pixels for Breakfast community on Twitch had donated enough money that we were able to rescue a Shiba who had been homeless for seven years. This loveable doggo from Chiba had been couch-surfing from house-to-house, shelter-to-shelter within the confines of a community-run animal welfare group. We raised enough money via streaming donations to rescue him, and welcome us into our lives. We named him Ani (アニ) which is a play on the Japanese word for older brother (兄), and that is how he felt to me, like a kindred spirit that was meant to be in my life.

Turns out he had some massive heart issues, however once again through some donations and support, we were able to get him on some hefty medications that reduced his stress, and he actually improved dramatically. Once his condition improved, we started traveling around Japan. He visited Izu peninsula. He pranced around the rice fields of Fukushima. He met some scary deer in Nara, and climbed a mountain in the region. We even shared some curry bread together at the famous lakes surrounding Mt. Fuji. 

His medications were pricy, costing nearly half our rent every single month. Then we found out we were pregnant, and a tough decision had to be made. We couldn’t afford to be going down to reduced income, rising cost of living, pay for a newborn, and also keep looking after our beloved boy. So thankfully our friend graciously took Ani in, and after a few last weeks in Japan, together they set out for Seattle. Crazy, our little Shiba from Chiba ended up living in the massive city that birthed Grunge, and Starbucks. 

His life in Seattle was filled with adventure. He went to music festivals with the locals. He visited street parades. He probably stole some tacos (I cannot confirm this, but I suspect that he did). He learned to understand English. Most importantly, he loved his new home, and his new owner, who went above and beyond to make sure we were still an active part of his life. 

Today, Ani’s health problems got the better of him. Strangely enough we adopted Ani on August 1, 2020. He passed away in Seattle on August 1, 2024. 

Sorry for those who are just here for the games, but a huge portion of the Pixels for Breakfast community are the very reason as to why Ani became such a big part of our lives. I thank each and every one of you who donated funds, offered support, and followed us on his rescue journey. I know everyone always says their dog is “the goodest boi”, but our little shiba with the banana tail really was just absolutely perfect. I have never loved a dog so much, and truly he was raised by the Pixels for Breakfast village. Also, I cannot thank Ryan, his new owner enough for everything that he has done for us, and Ani. 

Yep. Definitely crying. Anyway, let’s get to the games. 

What came out this week? 

BioGun

Developer: Dapper Dog Digital 
Steam rating: Very Positive 
Store page

You know that one episode of Rugrats where the kids get shrunk down and shot inside of Chuckie’s body to retrieve a watermelon seed? No? Am I the only one traumatised by this? Well BioGun is the same concept - you are injected into a microscopic world where you face off against viral threats as you try to save dog-kind from extinction. 

I really love the animation and colors of this search action game, that looks to kinda throw away the dark and unknown style that the genre is known for, in favor of something that feels more energetic and feels like a Nickelodeon cartoon. When I first looked at this the reviews were Very Positive, however this morning I see that recent reviews are mixed, so maybe go into this one with a little caution, but it does look rather interesting. 

Minds Beneath Us

Developer: BearBoneStudio
Steam rating: Positive 
Store page
If you are looking for a healthy dose of sci-fi dystopia, then Minds Beneath Us is worth a look this weekend. This adventure is set in a near-future world where society is fully automated by AI, but you happen to be ensnared within a foreign body that still has remnants of its original owner’s subconscious. What does that mean for you, but also those nasty corpos that are running the world? I guess bad things, because there is a lot of gun fire and punching in the trailer. Thankfully, the game is all about dialogue choices, and by listening to conversations and searching for clues, you will unlock new dialogue that will help shape your playthrough. 

Minds Beneath Us has been on my radar for a few years now, it’s animation style really transporting me to this futuristic version of Taipei. Everything is hand animated here, which is why it really stands out. 

Mini Airways

Developer: CCC Games
Steam rating: Very Positive 
Store page

Control the skies and the runways in Mini Airways, a real-time management game where you are in charge of keeping the skies safe, and the flights on time. Clear aircraft for takeoff and landings, make sure that they get to their destinations safely. With various locations around the world to manage, and the ability to unlock new features for airports, there looks to be quite a lot of depth here. 

I think it is important to mention that Mini Airways IS NOT at all related to Mini Motorways or Mini Metro, the award-winning real-time management games from Dinosaur Polo Club. I do think that this is a cheeky little opportunity for this indie to perhaps get some spillover of fans, but I did want to point out that it is no way affiliated as far as I can see.

KitHack Model Club

Developer: Floating Origin Interactive
Steam rating: Very Positive 
Store page

Kerbal Space Program was a revolutionary game for gaming chair engineers across the globe, and it seems that a small team founded by one of those KSP members is looking to capture some of that magic with KitHack Model Club. Instead of the far reaches of space, this time you will be kitbashing RC vehicles from cars, to boats, to planes, and god knows what else. 

Designed to be a multiplayer sandbox, grab your friends and start building wild creations is the pitch, and I know that members of our community (I am looking at you Hot Rice), will be going nuts for this one. Not for me, but the Micro Machines V3 fan in me really does want to give it a try some time. 

Thank Goodness You’re Here

Developer: Coal Supper
Steam rating: Very Positive 
Store page

Thank Goodness You’re Here is finally here! This game did the rounds a while ago when Coal Supper reached the main stage of a Geoff Keighley production (if my memory hasn’t failed me), showing off their incredibly British humour in a bizarre trailer that left me wondering what the hell this even was. Described as a slapformer set in the bizarre Northen English town of Barnsworth, Thank Goodness You’re Here looks like a weird Monty Python comedy game that has some light puzzles, and plenty of gags to carry you through. 

After my week, I think this is the game I will be checking out over the weekend. Definitely looks wholly unique, which is no easy feat these days. 

Kitsune Tails

Developer: Kitsune Games
Steam rating:  Very Positive 
Store page

Kitsune Tails has been making the rounds on Mastodon for a while now, and it’s finally here after I have been teased with so many awesome visuals. A retro platformer that is channeling the purest of classic Mario sensibilities, you will explore a world inspired by Japanese mythology as you untangle a love triable between three women on a journey of self discovery. It will also have you explore complicated relationships between humans, and the kitsune, and how that works in society. 

Kitsune Tails also has a true-to life CRT filter that really cements it as a new retro classic. Really excited to finally check this one out. 

CONSCRIPT is a triumph for survival horror 

This week I started playing CONSCRIPT, a survival horror set within the trenches of Verdun in World War I. World War I honestly could be considered survival horror - surviving the trip overseas, surviving the gunfire, the gas, the dysentery. CONSCRIPT manages to capture this perfectly, while creating an isometric take on a classic Resident Evil game. No kidding, the tension and fear that I have felt in the first three hours of this game, without facing off against a single ghost, zombie, dinosaur, or beats is a testament to what Jodran Mochi has created. A fearful game where you are simply facing off against unknown humans... and occasionally rats. 

It could be the fact that while down with COVID I literally played the first Resident Evil on PSX across a 10 hour fever dream, but I honestly feel like CONSCRIPT is the best survival horror game in a good long time, and it does it all with such simplicity. Expect a full review in the coming weeks. 

And that’s it folks

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