Epic Games Store free game: “Circus Electrique”

Epic Games Store‘s latest freebie is Zen Studios and Saber Interactive‘s circus management RPG Circus Electrique.

Circus Electrique is certainly a different kind of game from a developer known for its many pinball titles, as it’s about Victorian steampunk London where citizens have turned into killers and have to be stopped by circus performers.

Acrobatics and combat go hand in hand, as the strongmen, fire blowers, clowns, and others go up against bobbies, British sailors, posh girls and other archetypes, even involving threatening mimes or robobears. Managing the performers also means rebuilding the circus and training them for the next fight adds a refreshing twist to the RPG formula, too.

The game can now be added to the Epic Games Store account for free until tomorrow, April 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

Official website

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GOG release: “Arcade Tycoon: Simulation Game”

Squidpunch Studios and Vincent Ltd’s management game Arcade Tycoon: Simulation Game opens its DRM-free doors on GOG.

The 80ies and 90ies were certainly a great time for the arcade industry and people getting together in front of the screens to experience all sorts of exciting games. While there aren’t so many locations left (thankfully some entrepreneurs and retro fans have started opening new ones and keeping the spirit alive), Arcade Tycoon: Simulation Game is the closest thing to reliving this bygone era.

This isn’t done from the perspective of the players, but those who provide the arcade machines and the ambient decorations. Investing in new technology as well as training staff helps to prevent going out of business and keeping guests happy. As one is soon visited by aliens, thieves, and raging customers, it’s only a matter of time before chaos sets in. But with such lovely pixel art presentation, it’s definitely a joy to even behold some of the disasters on screen.

Arcade Tycoon: Simulation Game was originally released in October 2021 and is now available DRM-free on GOG with a 30% launch discount that lasts until tomorrow, May 16, 2024, at 1 PM UTC.

Official website

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GOG releases: “Chef: Pizza & Baked Goods” and “Chef: Cocktails & Drinks” DLCs

Inner Void and Digital Tribe Games‘ management simulation game Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game has even more goods to offer its GOG customers with the Pizza & Baked Goods and Cocktails & Drinks DLCs.

Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game was already discussed in this game release news four years ago, but the DLCs have taken a bit longer to arrive in DRM-free form, with Pizza & Baked Goods from 2022 and Cocktails & Drinks from 2023. As a restaurant is only as good as what it serves, it’s a logical step to upgrade the recipes.

Pizza & Baked Goods has 10 templates for custom recipes, 20 pre-made recipes, 17 new ingredients, and 41 decorations, while Cocktails & Drinks offers 5 templates for custom drinks, 26 pre-made recipes, 26 ingredients, and 40 decorations to add freshness in both the menus and the local places themselves. This will certainly please every culinary fan of whatever dishes he or she likes to create with the right ambience to serve them.

Pizza & Baked Goods was originally released in July 2022. Cocktails & Drinks came out in May 2023. They’re both now available DRM-free on GOG with 32% launch discounts that last until tomorrow, May 15, 2024, while the base game Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game is 75% off its original price.

Official website

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GOG release: “Battle vs Chess”

Targem Games and Topware Interactive‘s fantasy strategy game Battle vs Chess takes a DRM-free turn on GOG.

It’s been more than a decade since I reviewed the PS3 version of Battle vs Chess (I have still fond memories of publisher Topware in and outside gamescom 2013), but the title mixing the traditional thinker’s game with a fantasy theme has lost none of its magic.

While the concept of having various figurines with their special movement patterns is left intact, there’s much more to it to keep modern players’ attention, including two campaigns with 30 missions and goals. There’s even a beat-em-up fight mode in six arenas, and the DLCs also incorporate a weird Bomberman element to proceedings. With visuals having received some updates, it’s all the more satisfying to see the chess pieces in action… when they tear each other to pieces.

Battle vs Chess was originally released in May 2011 and is now available DRM-free on GOG with a 50% launch discount that lasts until today, May 13, 2024, at 1 PM UTC. It can also be bought as a Grandmaster Edition which includes the Dark Desert and Floating Island DLCs. One can even get the Grandmaster Premium Edition that adds the Art & Music Premium Pack which is basically the soundtrack and artbook as well as 4K wallpapers.

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Game release: “The Lullaby of Life” (PC)

1 Simple Game and Midwest Games‘ musical puzzle adventure The Lullaby of Life offers a relaxed and beautiful time.

With stressful days occupying most of our lives, it’s always good to know there are games that can help to escape the daily grind or whatever it is that brings one’s spirits down. Here one plays as a particle born in the beginning of the universe with the ability to play musical notes as waves to bring life to other beings.

An ambitious premise aside, the gameplay is much more relaxing and has a surprisingly cartoon-y vibe with its colorful presentation. Of course one is instantly reminded of Thatgamecompany‘s 2006 zen gaming experience flOw (see the Journey: Collector’s Edition review), but this has a much cuter look to it with a bigger focus on actual puzzle solving. Still, as the developers cite Flower and Journey as inspirations, it’s only fair to mention this obscure title, too. It’s certainly a perfect game for children’s screen time and those who just want to chill out a bit.

The game is out now on PC with a 34% launch discount that lasts until tomorrow, May 13, 2024, at 2 PM UTC.

Buy the game for PC on
GOG
Steam

Official website

If you liked reading this article, make sure to LIKE it or comment on it on EMR’s Facebook page :). Or FOLLOW the blog on EMR’s Twitter page.
Using the GOG link and buying the product also helps ;).