# GAME REVIEW - PEPPERED: an existential platformer

![Key Art 1.png](https://auth.echoshock.net/storage/v1/object/public/echo-images/1756755661941_Key%20Art%201.png)

## To watch this review in video format click [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW3l8e1FHA8).

> The end of the world is coming, the God of Death is about to break free… and me? I'm stuck in a job interview.

**This is Peppered.** An existential platformer  where your choices matter in an ever changing format. You could be making choices and failing, in a loop like it's groundhog day, or you could be dodging bullets and death traps like it were the next megaman. 

---

**It's a very heavy story oriented experience, filled with tons of humor.**
It's a mix of satirical commentary and a little slapstick, that got me more than a few times, and it hits more than it misses. The story alone is enough to have a good time with, but it's the gameplay that makes this a great time. 

### This isn't just platforming though. just when you've mastered a mechanic, the game introduces a new thing that changes how the rest of the game is played and looked at. 
- One level has you diving for shade before you overheat, 
- another would have you pushing shopping carts to run away from anthropamorphic bulls chasing you. 

**You'll meet characters like a fish that's on fire that doesn't have a problem with it, to a cop that follows rules to a T even if it doesn't make sense, and many many more.**

You'll go from bland office rooms to bizarre underground arenas. You'll be navigating deadly platforming puzzles to being in absurd conversations like being part of a game show that's also a court. 

*I was so sucked up by the engaging storytelling and the wacky characters that I swear there were times I forgot it was even a pixelated game.*  

My biggest and really only critique is wishing there was a seperate dash or dodge button. As it is now you press down which doesn't feel as intuitive when it comes to quick decision making.

*It's unpredictable and packed with clever humor and hidden paths to discover. I completed it in about 3 hours, but it's a story that will stick with me in some ways forever.* 

**So If you're looking for one of the most creative and story-driven indie platformers of the year, with humor, variety, and surprises around every corner, then you definitely should check it out.**



The Glade #2 - 01/09/2025

# The Glade #1
![Untitled design.png](https://auth.echoshock.net/storage/v1/object/public/echo-images/1751650668524_Untitled%20design.png)

The first ever Glade is finally here and here are your two games for this one!!


# [Spiritfall](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1835240/Spiritfall/)

![Spiritfall Key Art 1920x1080.jpg](https://auth.echoshock.net/storage/v1/object/public/echo-images/1751650692484_Spiritfall%20Key%20Art%201920x1080.jpg)

[Checkout on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1835240/Spiritfall/)  

Spiritfall is an action, roguelike, platform-fighter game that offers a very unique experience, and as somebody who previously thoroughly enjoyed *Brawlhalla* (and was quite good at it *\*cough\**), this game scratched an itch, and gave me something I didn't know I was looking for, and did it beautifully, it offers:

* Amazing Movement.
* Upgrade Trees.
* Multiple Weapons.
* Meta Progression, after every run you can make upgrades that carry over.
* Procedurally Generated Runs, every run of the game is different.
* Fun Learning Curve.

These points ship together in a package that is so fun and easily pulls you in for hours, the devs managed to somehow synchronize the in-game improvements that you get after every run, with your real world improvement and understanding of the game, your character gets better, and you the player get better, at the same time, which makes you chase more and more.

Spiritfall is not a small name in the Indie space, but in my eyes deserves even more attention, it also recently came out on consoles, so this feels like a very good time to talk about it and spread the word.

# [Rough Rivals](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3249490/Rough_Rivals/)

![HeaderCapsule.png](https://auth.echoshock.net/storage/v1/object/public/echo-images/1751651216759_HeaderCapsule.png)


[Checkout on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3249490/Rough_Rivals/)  

Rough Rivals takes the NFL and puts in the Wild West, and when you take an already aggressive sport and wrap it in an "anything goes, no rules" environment, its as fun as it sounds, a fresh concept that is done really well, it offers:

* In-Match Upgrades.
* Strategic Placement.
* Split-Screen, Couch Party Mode.
* Nice Campaign
* Fluid Movement.
*  Endearing Artstyle.

Its a shame I didn't get to play this game with a friend cause I think Split-Screen is the real deal. But even without it, you get to make up a team with your start player, big tanks, scrawny fast runners, and place them strategically on the "pitch" only for stuff to go down 5 seconds later, bodies start flying and and punches are thrown, and the mid-match upgrades make it a dynamic game within every match.

## A Personal Note.

One thing both of these games have in common is that the developers were some of the first that took the time to speak to me, even in their busy schedule, they were willing to tell me about their game, offer advice, and learn about EchoShock, and I appreciate that so much.
I think that this is an experience Indie Gaming can offer, a form of entertainment that still feels personal and passion-filled, and if EchoShock is about making Indie Games more popular, I can't think of a better pair of games to reflect the experience that comes with going Indie.

Give these games a try!!

On a different note, this Glade shipped a little later than scheduled (sorry), I got a little lost in the sauce with everything going on, but I'm learning and improving, and trying to make EchoShock better day by day!

The Glade #1 - 04/07/2025

# Welcome to EchoShock

> **IMPORTANT**  
> The first installment of *The Glade* comes next Friday, the **4th of July**, at **12:00 UTC**.  
> Be there or be square.

![welcome_to_echoshock.png](https://auth.echoshock.net/storage/v1/object/public/echo-images/1750535016552_welcome_to_echoshock.png)

---

## EchoShock is your new go-to platform for finding underrated, curated indie games that deserve more love!

---

## So what is EchoShock?

EchoShock is a passion-project built by a Computer Science graduate who wanted to be a game developer. After seeing the state of the gaming market and how dominant industry juggernauts are, the new goal was to desaturate the market, and create a space where gorgeous indie games that got outshined finally get some spotlight!

---

## What features do we offer?

As you can see next to the logo, this is the very first, alpha version of *EchoShock*, meaning that right now, the features are minimal.  
I considered pushing back the launch date to flesh out the site a bit more, but decided to go live with the current version so I can start featuring indie games and making the impact I’m striving for sooner. While also acquiring users and gathering feedback. I want to keep building EchoShock in public with your help.

###  The Features:

1. **The Glade**  
   1.1. The Glade is the main event—this is where I feature games that I think deserve your attention.  
   1.2. The Glade drops weekly with an Echo (a blog like this one) that features my review and my thoughts on the game(s).

2. **Echoes**  
   - An Echo is simply a blog, and there are **two types**:  
     - **Glade Echo**: tied to a Glade installment and features my review  
     - **General Echo**: can be about pretty much everything—we’ll see what I have to say haha.

3. **User Sign-up**  
   - Helps me gauge interest and evaluate the progress I’m making.

4. **Help Center**  
   - Drop any feedback you have there: bug reports, feature suggestions, words of encouragement—anything goes!

---

## More features are on the way!

I have tons of ideas!!!  
I want to host a community here someday, starting with *profile pages* and *your reviews*. I want this to be a place people feel welcome and excited to visit. I am sure it will take a while, but I’m very excited and very motivated to make it happen!

> **Sneak peek**  
> I also have a **HUGE feature** lined up with a deadline (the end of the year). No spoilers, no promises, but it’s one of the features I wrote out when I first started this project on a notebook. That one takes some time, but I’ll keep you guys posted.

---

## So what should you do now?

1. **Sign up** if you haven’t already.  
2. **Follow EchoShock** on all the socials linked at the bottom.  
3. **Wait (not so) patiently** for next Friday, and hopefully my game choice(s) make your next weekend a lil more fun.

—  
*Jan*





Echoes

All Echoes

The Glade #2 - 01/09/2025

The Glade #1 - 04/07/2025

Welcome to EchoShock