| Thea 2: The Shattering | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | MuHa Games |
| Publisher(s) | MuHa Games |
| Engine | Unity [1] |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Thea 2: The Shattering is a 2019 strategy video game developed and released by MuHa Games. It is the sequel to Thea: The Awakening , released in 2015.
Thea 2 establishes a canonical history of what happened during and since the first game. Both games are based on Slavic folklore but take place in a high fantasy setting. A new evil rises, and the world is split into islands. The gods task a champion with stopping this evil force. [2] The gameplay blends elements of turn-based 4X games, role-playing video games, and digital collectible card games. After choosing a patron from among the Slavic deities, players choose a champion. This character must stay alive to progress and may be one of several character classes. Any character can perform a task, such as foraging, crafting, and fighting, but classes who specialize in that task can complete it faster. Combat and events are resolved through a card game. Once the player has enough resources, they can establish a village, and, unlike the first game, they can have multiple villages or choose to stay nomadic. [3] Crafting was overhauled from Awakening and made to depend less on grinding. More resources were also added, and children are no longer treated as a resource. To address concerns from people who disliked the card-based combat in the first game, more options were added. The collaborative multiplayer now also allows friends to assist each other in combat. [2] [4]
Developer MuHa Games attempted two unsuccessful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns for their previous game, Thea: The Awakening. They attributed this to being an independent game studio and the game's idiosyncratic mix of genres. Once that game was released and developed a community, MuHa Games said it was easier to reach their crowdfunding goals. [5] Thea 2 entered early access in November 2018 [6] and released on Microsoft Windows on 13 May, 2019. [7] It was released on Nintendo Switch on 19 August, 2021, [8] and Xbox One on 28 January, 2022. [9]
In his review for Rock Paper Shotgun , Nic Reuben found the game's complex rules to mostly stand in the way of the parts that he considered fun: creating a sensible tale from the random events and quests. He described it as "an imperfect thing that I can't help but feel affectionate towards". [3] In GamesRadar 's list of the best 4X games, Malindy Hetfeld recommended Thea 2 for people who enjoyed elements of the genre without needing a hardcore experience. [10] Joel A. DeWitte reviewed the Switch version for NintendoWorldReport. Describing the Switch port as "painfully slow", he said he had to complete his review by playing the PC version of the game. [11]
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, MuHa Games announced they would donate all proceeds from sales in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to support anti-war efforts, causing some people to leave negative reviews. [12]
4X is a subgenre of strategy-based computer and board games, and includes both turn-based and real-time strategy titles. The gameplay generally involves building an empire. Emphasis is placed upon economic and technological development, as well as a range of military and non-military routes to supremacy.
Slay the Spire is a roguelike deck-building video game developed by the American indie studio Mega Crit and published by Humble Bundle. The game was first released in early access for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux in late 2017, with an official release in January 2019. It was released for PlayStation 4 in May 2019, for Nintendo Switch in June 2019 and for Xbox One in August 2019. An iOS version was released in June 2020, with an Android version released in February 2021.
A roguelike deck-building game is a hybrid genre of video games that combines the nature of deck-building card games with procedural-generated randomness from roguelike games.
World's End Club is a puzzle action-adventure game developed by Too Kyo Games and Grounding, and published by IzanagiGames. It was initially released as part of Apple Arcade for iOS and macOS in 2020, and for Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows the following year.
Neo Cab is a 2019 video game developed by Chance Agency and published by Fellow Traveller. In it, players role play as Lina, a driver for Neo Cab, a vehicle for hire service. After her friend Savy mysteriously disappears, Lina investigates the disappearance while picking up passengers.
Inmost is an puzzle-platform game developed by Hidden Layer Games and published by Chucklefish. It was released for iOS on October 11, 2019, and later ported to macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, on August 21, 2020. The game follows a young girl, a knight, and a man in search of answers. These stories are interconnected to a creature which feeds on pain, and is set in two different worlds.
Genesis Noir is an adventure video game developed by American studio Feral Cat Den. The game follows the main character, No Man as he visits different parts of the universe while trying to save his love. The game was released on Windows, macOS, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch on March 26, 2021.
In Other Waters is a 2020 adventure game for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch. Players take on the role of an AI that assists a xenobiologist in exploring an alien world.
Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo is an adventure video game developed by the Spanish company Pendulo Studios and published by Microids. It is loosely based on the films of Alfred Hitchcock, particularly Vertigo (1958). The story follows a man named Ed Miller, who enters therapy to cope with the mysterious after-effects of a car crash.
Minute of Islands is a 2021 puzzle-platform game developed by Studio Fizbin and published by Mixtvision for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Worlds of Magic is a single-player fantasy turn-based 4X strategy game developed by Wastelands Interactive and published for Microsoft Windows in 2015. In late 2015 it received a PS4 and Xbox One ports under the name Worlds of Magic: Planar Conquest; which has been sometimes described as an improved sequel. In 2016 Worlds of Magic: Planar Conquest was also released for PC, iOS and Android as Planar Conquest. In 2020 Planar Conquest was ported to Nintendo Switch.
Eastward is an 2021 action-adventure role-playing video game developed by Pixpil and published by Chucklefish. It was released for the Nintendo Switch, macOS, and Windows in September and for the Xbox One in December 2022.
Night Call is a 2019 noir-inspired adventure video game, co-developed by MonkeyMoon and Black Muffin, and published by Raw Fury. It was released worldwide on July 17, 2019, for PC platforms, and on June 24, 2020, for Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch. In Night Call, player assumes the role of a Parisian taxi driver who survived the actions of a serial killer, and is compelled to solve a murder mystery following his awakening from a coma. Aside from pursuing interactions with the driver's passengers as the conceit behind the investigation, the gameplay of Night Call also incorporates aspects of a management simulator, which reflects Houssine's need to make a living as a taxi driver.
Wytchwood is an adventure video game developed by Alientrap and published by Whitethorn Games and Whisper Games for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game was released on December 9, 2021.
Thea: The Awakening is a 2015 strategy video game developed and released by MuHa Games. It is based on Slavic folklore and includes minigames based on several different genres. It was followed by Thea 2: The Shattering.
KeyWe is a 2021 puzzle-platform video game developed by Stonewheat & Sons and published by Sold Out. The game was released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on August 31, later releasing on September 28 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S ports were released on December 16. KeyWe follows Jeff and Debra, two kiwis working at the Bungalow Basin Telepost Office. KeyWe was prototyped during the 2018 Global Game Jam. Grant Gessel, the technical artist, took inspiration from Going Postal, a story by Terry Pratchett. Rare games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day inspired KeyWe's art style. KeyWe received mixed reviews from critics.
Bear and Breakfast is a 2022 management sim video game developed by Romanian studio Gummy Cat and published by Armor Games. It was released on 28 July 2022 for Microsoft Windows, with a Nintendo Switch version released on 15 September. The game follows the exploits of Hank, a bear who opens a bed and breakfast. Its gameplay mixes elements of classic management games with narrative passages and branching dialogues.
Alwa's Awakening is a Metroidvania video game developed by Elden Pixels. It was first released in 2017.
We Are OFK is an episodic adventure game developed by Team OFK and directed by Teddy Dief. Its five episodes released between August and September 2022 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch. It is the biographical story for the virtual band OFK of the developers.