By ​Rob Holt ​@acousticmagic

Can you tell us a bit about Aaero? It’s been described as a ‘musical rail-shooter’… we haven’t come up with a better description so we’re going with that. We set out to make a game that took the strengths of music games and opened them up to a wider audience. We didn’t want to use plastic instruments or emulate being a musician, instead we treat the music as if it’s a cinematic action movie score and fit the gameplay around it. There’s all sorts of subtle things the engine is doing, like adjusting the trajectory of missiles, to make sure things happen on beat. We don’t want to force people to tap along in time. It will reward you if you are hitting on beat but you never have to. We developed the ribbon following mechanic to focus the gameplay on a different aspect of the music than previous music games. Although it sometimes follows the pitch, particularly in vocal tracks, it usually follows the sweeps of filters on the lead synth. If you aren’t following them, you lose that part of the music. It’s all about getting the gameplay to feel connected to the audio.

"A cult classic indie game is likely to be very lucrative… a cult classic AAA game is likely to be an IP that gets canned due to poor sales."

"Don’t listen if people tell you that you can’t do something that you’re pretty sure that you can. What they’re actually telling you is just that they couldn’t do it themselves."

by Sam ​Sant @SlamShotSam Developer: Hypersect Publisher: Hypersect Platforms: PS4, PC Players: 1 - 4

What is Inversus, beyond its simple, contrasting looks? It’s a mind-bending shooter in which the player - a square coloured either black or white - is restricted to movement on tiles of the opposite colour. Tiles can be flipped to your colour by shooting across them, opening new paths whilst denying them to the opposition. Careful planning and well-placed shots can shut down and trap your enemy, comfortably accommodating the killing blow. Sounds simple enough. How does it play?   Exceedingly well. The best ideas are often simple ones, and Inversus is no exception. Its smooth, fluid movement and four-directional shooting mechanics mean anybody can instantly pick up and play - just like the classics that inspired it. The gradual introduction of power-ups, cover points, and looping edges to increasingly complex maps in time offers a wealth of opportunities for deep and tactical play. Sweet! What modes can I put these tactics to use in? Versus mode is the main hook, as you might have guessed. It spans 27 varied maps, each available for both 1v1 and 2v2 encounters. The former generally houses tense standoffs, whilst the latter - at least in our experience - is the place for amusingly hurried communication that results in fumbled cooperation.

The best ideas are often simple ones, and Inversus is no exception.

by James Michael ​Parry @James_Parry

​​It makes a very distinct visual impression, conjuring up thoughts of everything from classics like Snake and Asteroids to the ancient Chinese board game Go (being cultured as we are). Looking simple doesn't detract from the challenge though - mastering some of the complex maps will take considerable time - and as games are relatively short it's a good one to just jump into on a whim.

by   Chris Brand @pass_controller

Sam was hoping that no-one would post any screenshots this week, forcing me to uphold my promise of drawing another picture using Paint. Thankfully, Rodent dived in with a bunch of goodies just after the cut off point, saving me the trouble (and embarrassment). Although I put forward a new deal, the conditions weren't met:

I can't believe this is still being released just a week after Battlefield 1, sales are going to suffer surely?

I just pre-ordered, got it for £95.99 down from £119.99 using points earnt in Ubisoft games

Meanwhile, GTA V fans wanting some group action can get together with the usual suspects on Thursdays, where carefree recreational activities such as this can be enjoyed. I would like to say that no-one was hurt whilst taking this picture, but we all know that's unlikely to be true. It's like a Plas fail waiting to happen.

by Sam ​Sant @SlamShotSam

The showing was a sure-fire way to grab gamers’ attention, but, as we’ve seen time and again, hype can court controversy. Expecting a linear and narrative-focused experience in the vein of Bioshock based on what they’d seen, many were disappointed to discover an open-world survival game in its place. In addition to complaints of a purported bait-and-switch, the survival systems themselves have come under fire. Many of these criticisms are valid, most notably the incredible frequency at which you’ll need to eat, drink and sleep. As a result, you’ll spend more time in menus and managing gauges than exploring the fantastically grim city of Wellington Wells at times.

The showing was a sure-fire way to grab gamers’ attention, but, as we’ve seen time and again, hype can court controversy.

Gameplay wise, hiding in plain sight by mimicking those around you in behaviour, appearance and sobriety is an excitingly unique stealth mechanic. If you draw too much ire through acting out of the ordinary, citizens deliver their own brand of justice by engaging you in weighty, stamina-based combat. They don’t subscribe to the polite Assassin’s Creed mob mentality, instead intelligently flanking and attacking to ensure you have a bad time. With permadeath enabled, this ensures you’ll always take great care to put your best face forward.

by ​Chris Brand ​@pass_controller

We saw a new series debut this week - Taken for a Quickie (I approve, Sam) will give you the basics on some of the smaller titles that may have slipped under your radar. ​In the first instalment, Sam offered a mini review of Pharaonic. Disaster struck once again when one of the achievements glitched, leaving him unable to obtain that coveted 100% completion. I sense violence in his future.

​"Early feedback pretty much confirms the fears I've had since it was announced: resource gathering gets boring quickly, combat is limp, planets are same-y." 

by Sam ​Sant @SlamShotSam Developer: Milkstone ​Studios Publisher: Milkstone ​Studios Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC Players: 1

What’s Pharaonic, then? It’s a 2.5D marriage of classic Prince of Persia and Dark Souls. You might remember its developer, Milkstone Studios, for their swathe of dubious Xbox Live Indie Games - the kind you thought justified shuttering the programme last year. In a climate where developers fall from grace on a semi-regular basis, it’s refreshing to say that Milkstone have grown significantly in a short space of time, proving themselves one to watch with this release. ​​How does it play? Much like the two games that inspired it… In fact, exactly like the two games that inspired it. Take Prince of Persia’s side-scrolling trap evasion, mix in Dark Souls’ combat and wider game mechanics, and you’re there. Milkstone aren’t afraid to admit it, with plenty of references to the fact. Moment to moment gameplay sees you explore a surprisingly nonlinear Ancient Egyptian world. Whilst doing so you meet frequent combat encounters that have an engaging back-and-forth rhythm. To be successful, you’ll always want to know an enemy’s unique weakness, as well as playing to your own strengths by utilising the equipment that best fits your playstyle. What about its story? There’s one hidden in there somewhere. Something about a Pharaoh reincarnated throughout the ages. It’s half-baked and you won’t particularly care, plus it's not helped by the absence of voice over.

Take classic Prince of Persia’s side-scrolling trap evasion, mix in Dark Souls’ combat and wider game mechanics, and you'll know exactly what to expect.

by Chris Brand @pass_controller

We've had a busy 7 days and my request for more screenshots and videos was met with... Well, screenshots and videos. Too many to post them all here, but feel free to​ scroll through them as you savour the weekend. ​ We greeted a new member to the forums, NEMOY, who received a very warm welcome from all. Here's hoping he can knit us all matching jumpers, I have an idea for a design.

Oh no, there needs to be a montage of trying them on, it'll really make the film class. 

If you prefer tanks to monkeys, Rodent has something to brag about. He finally managed to unlock the AMX CDC in World of Tanks. ​It only took hours of playing and 250,000 XP. He also saved up over 8 million silver in the process. To put that in perspective, you have zero silver. Yeah.