Alien Appetite: Conquer the Cosmos with a Human-Eating Katamari in Planet Zoo 2 and Valor Mortis

Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations is crucial for maintaining operations in the Treehouse. Edwin recently reminded me of the impending renewal of my Maw Safety Certification, emphasizing the importance of having a valid license for wild eldritch creature control. Without it, the site would have to be shut down. Today, I find myself in the Maw’s chamber, coaxing it to produce some gaming content.

Edwin is present as well, relishing the opportunity to be on the opposite side of the plexiglass for a change. However, his enthusiastic gestures towards the Maw are a cause for concern.

Here’s a glimpse of the games I’ve extracted from the Maw’s offerings:

Monday 12th October

• Spy Drops Gaiden is a stealth game reminiscent of the original MSX2 Metal Gear, with a subtle approach that evades detection by guards.
• Battleplan appeals to strategy enthusiasts who enjoy mapping out their plans, offering a unique gameplay experience.
• Hubert provides entertainment with its sheep herding gameplay while awaiting the release of The Free Shepherd, a sci-fi flock wrangling game.

Tuesday 13th October

• Planet Zoo 2 introduces a new concept of running a nature reserve and constructing aquariums and aviaries for resident creatures.
• Bio-Submariner DX is an undersea shooter game that transports players to an aquatic battlefield reminiscent of classic handheld gaming experiences.
• Rolla offers a unique gameplay experience where players embody a malevolent human-eating entity, rolling through a city of tentacles.
• Total War: Shogun 2 – Compete caters to historical strategy enthusiasts with enhanced graphics and additional factions.
• Valor Mortis blends Napoleonic-era settings with elements of body horror, providing a challenging first-person soulslike experience.
• Legion immerses players in the role of a face-changing super spy navigating treacherous missions with strategic precision.

Wednesday 14th October

• Thank You Bus Driver by Double Fine tasks players with managing a bus and enforcing rules, adding a unique twist to simulation games.
• Signal Lost offers a thrilling experience of operating a crashing drop pod through command line interfaces, testing players’ survival skills.
• Over The Hill caters to outdoor adventure enthusiasts seeking a laid-back gaming experience amidst challenging terrains.
• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 continues the intense first-person shootery of its predecessor with an intriguing fleshmetal puzzle map.

Thursday 15th October

Friday 16th October

• Dreadline Express unfolds a mysterious narrative aboard a speeding train under an alien sun, engaging players through interactive card-based gameplay.
• Tenebris Somnia combines pixel art horror with live-action cutscenes, offering a unique blend of visual storytelling.
• Beyond These Stars, from the creators of Before We Leave, presents a non-violent city-building experience where players journey through the galaxy on a space whale.

Currently, we are busy with various tasks, including organizing the RPS 100 list, reviewing Over The Hill, planning a feature series, and curating news content for our readers.