HardwareFreaks

Tag: co-op games

  • River City Girls 2 is free on the Epic Games Store

    The digital gift shop is back, and this week, the Epic Games Store is treating its community to a spectacular lineup of free titles. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to expand your library or dive into some absolute classics, now is the perfect time to claim your share.

    This week’s offerings include two wildly different gems: the energetic co-op beat ’em up River City Girls 2 and the legendary, deeply unsettling classic I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.

    Available to add to your library from today at 4PM until next Thursday the 9th of July, these titles are completely free to claim and will remain yours forever.

    First up is River City Girls 2, a vibrant side-scrolling beat ’em up that channels the chaotic fun of old-school arcade classics. As a spin-off from the beloved River City franchise, this sequel expands the action by introducing exciting 4-player co-op gameplay. While the game faced some snags during its initial launch, it remains a fantastic choice for teaming up with friends and getting into some high-octane action.

    Then there is a complete tonal shift: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. This isn’t just a game; it’s an unforgettable piece of interactive literature. Based on Harlan Ellison’s iconic 1967 short story, the point-and-click adventure plunges players into an existential nightmare centered around a malevolent AI computer known as AM. The creative process for this adaptation was unique, involving direct collaboration with Ellison, who not only wrote the game’s extensive script but also provided his voice to the primary antagonist.

    Whether you’re looking for high-energy co-op mayhem or a mind-bending descent into digital horror, this week offers something for every taste. Don’t miss the opportunity to bring these unique experiences into your collection before the free period ends.

    Credit: KitGuru

  • Nightdive’s Thief remaster is adding a weapon wheel and other UI changes, ‘but we’re not forcing you to use it’

    There is something wonderfully nostalgic about diving into the history of classic games, especially when those games are meticulously remastered. Recently, during Nightdive’s deep dive into remastering indie excellence like co-op games and classics such as Steam Deck games, the conversation inevitably circles back to the arcane secrets of keybinds.

    Producer Daniel Grayshon casually unearthed a treasure trove of memories while discussing the original design of browser games and their iconic arsenals. He recalled remembering specifics: pressing 4 to summon water arrows, 2 for the trusty blackjack, 8 for rope arrows, and F6 for the getaway flash bomb. It’s a delightful reminder that long before modern control schemes, the sheer muscle memory of these sequences defined the thrill of being a master thief.

    Nightdive has made it clear that their primary goal in remastering games is not to shake up the core experience. The studio team listens intently to community feedback, ensuring that changes are additive rather than disruptive. They prioritize preserving the atmosphere and the feeling of the original design, insisting that if a player remembers something exactly as they did, that memory should be honored.

    However, even with respect for legacy, Grayshon pointed out that the controls in the original laptop games definitely needed some refinement. He argued for introducing a weapon wheel—a small change that could dramatically enhance fluidity during high-pressure moments.

    Imagine attempting to execute a quick lockpick while simultaneously trying to recall the specific key for your square-toothed or triangle-toothed pick. The original system required cycling through inventory options just to manage equipment, slowing down what should be a lightning-fast, tense action. A weapon wheel promises to eliminate that friction entirely.

    Instead of forcing players into a new system, the suggestion was about convenience. It’s the perfect balance: offering the streamlined option for those who want efficiency while leaving the familiar controls intact for those who cherish the original muscle memory. The ideal scenario is having the option to use a helpful tool without feeling compelled to abandon the unique way you learned to play.

    Ultimately, maintaining that delicate balance between honoring history and enhancing modern accessibility ensures that classic experiences remain captivating for generations to come—a true testament to thoughtful game design.

    Credit: PC Gamer