The Messenger 
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Sea of Stars, the RPG from the dev of The Messenger, coming to Switch Holiday 2022Dec 15, 2021 - VG247Sea of Stars, the long-awaited RPG set in The Messenger universe, finally has a Switch release date for late 2022 via an announcement from the latest Indie World showcase. From Sabotage, the developer of The Messenger, Sea of Stars will serve as a prequel to that game and also feature guest composer Yasunori Mitsuda, known for his work on the soundtracks of Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and Xenogears, just to name a few. The story unfolds with two Children of the Solstice, a lunar monk and a solar bladedancer, as they combine their powers to create eclipse magic, the only thing that can stand up to the monsters of the alchemist known as The Fleshmancer. The art style is done in a gorgeous hand drawn-looking tribute to Japanese RPGs. The biggest characters and enemies are especially impressive in motion. As a follow up to The Messenger, Sea of Stars is especially exciting because The Messenger truly displayed a deep understanding of retro genres and subverting them into something interesting and new. If the same ingenuity is poured into Sea of Stars, RPG fans could have something truly special on their hands. Read more Messenger Owners! Save 15% on Olija for a limited time*!Jan 28, 2021 - Community AnnouncementsFor a limited time*, Steam owners of GRIS, My Friend Pedro, Katana Zero, or The Messenger will save 15% on the just released Olija! Check out the animated launch trailer below: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1297330/Olija/ *Offer ends February 11th at 10AM Pacific *48 hours left to back Sea of Stars on Kickstarter*Apr 16, 2020 - Community Announcements{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/31656805/9f7fd7298f18cbed04dd5a91ed5058d32e2f3d3c.png On March 19th we announced Sabotage's next game, Sea of Stars, along with the launch of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The enthusiasm for our retro inspired turn based RPG is such that the funding goal was reached in under 7 hours. On April 9th the last stretch goal, a free DLC for backers called Throes of The Watchmaker , was reached before it was even announced. Amongst other announcements made during the campaign were the contribution of Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger) as guest composer, and the addition of an early backer physical edition of the game to be released in partnership with Limited Run Games. Telling the story of two Children of the Solstice, Sea of Stars is a turn based RPG that focuses on engaging combat and unrestrained exploration, featuring freedom of movement seldom seen in the genre. Sea of Stars’ compelling world unites players with Valere and Zale, youths fated to become Solstice Warriors. Combining their Sun and Moon powers to perform Eclipse Magic, they are pledged to fight the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer. Those interested in backing the Kickstarter have until April 18th 11:46 AM EDT and can head directly here and get involved for as little as $1: Sea of Stars Kickstarter page To Wishlist Sea of Stars on Steam: Sea of Stars Steam page Sea of Stars website: Sea of Stars webiste And to join our wholesome community on Discord: Sabotage DiscordHave You Played The Messenger?Mar 18, 2020 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunHave You Played? is an endless stream of game retrospectives. One a day, every day, perhaps for all time. The little demon that revives you every time you die in The Messenger is a bit of a git. It’s an often quoted idiom made famous (but not originated by) Benjamin Franklin, that “…in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. Quarble is both of these things. When he first appears, he gleefully informs you that every time you perish, he will take all of the gems you collect until his services have been paid for. He’s forever hiding in the background, waiting for you to slip up, so he can note your debt in his little ledger. (more…) Retro-ninja game The Messenger is free on the Epic Games StoreNov 14, 2019 - PC GamerThe Messenger is a retro-platformer with an interesting twist. It starts off like a fairly standard action-platformer from back in the day, but soon turns into "an expansive time-traveling adventure" that makes use of both 8-bit and 16-bit graphics and audio. And not just for visual flavor but as an actual mechanic: Players can swap between the two styles mid-level to solve puzzles, for instance. In late 2018 it got a new Game+ mode with a more challenging difficulty, and earlier this year new levels were added in the free Picnic Panic DLC. And now it's free for the week on the Epic Games Store: Hit the page, click the "get" button, take it from there. You know how it goes. There's only one free game this week, because The Messenger is rated E10+ by the ESRB. (Access to "Mature" games can be disabled by Epic Store parental controls, so whenever the weekly freebie is M-rated Epic gives away a second, more family-friendly game as well, to ensure that everyone gets a game.) There will be just one free game next week too, the tile-based RTS roguelite Bad North: Jotun Edition, which despite the title is actually quite good. Top-down blasters Ruiner and Nuclear Throne are this week's Epic Games Store freebiesNov 7, 2019 - Rock, Paper, Shotgun If you like your violence from the perspective of a duck, or of a child who held onto their kite during a gale, then the two free games on Epic Games Store this week are very much for you. Both Ruiner and Nuclear Throne are top-down shooters, given freely as long as you grab them before next Thursday. Then the cycle of free stuff begins anew. (more…) Retro ninja platformer The Messenger gets free DLC levelsJul 13, 2019 - PC GamerThe Messenger is Sabotage Studio's 2D platformer in the vein of classics like Shinobi and Ninja Gaiden 2. And, if you've finished it already, it now has some free DLC accessible to anyone who has made it to the credits. Picnic Panic is a vacation-themed collection of three new levels with new boss fights as well, set on on Voodkin Island. It seems kind of like an anime beach episode, and various characters from the base game will tag along with you on this new adventure. As the press release puts it, "keep your friends close, and your anemones closer." To access Picnic Panic, make sure the DLC has downloaded and you're on a save file that's beaten the final boss. If you're on New Game +, you'll need to have unlocked the map. Either way, head over to the shop and find the pink neon palm tree sign to set off for Voodkin Island. The Messenger: Picnic Panic DLC Expansion Available Now for Free!Jul 11, 2019 - Community Announcementshttps://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/31656805/32ffca8a384fd291b541d7c5d9b66d5e47d12766.png Picnic Panic is a FREE sun-soaked expansion to the Messenger in which the beloved characters from the original game tag along on a trip to Voodkin Island. Explore three refreshingly new levels - each culminating in unique and inventive boss fights. https://youtu.be/LCGjEwVXZW8 To start your tropical adventure you'll need to download the DLC and make sure to use a save file in which you have beaten the final boss of the main game. Then head to the Shop and check that pink neon palm tree sign to head to Voodkin Island. Picnic Panic's soundtrack features 18 brand new fantastic music tracks by composer extraordinaire Rainbowdragoneyes. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1107180/The_Messenger__Picnic_Panic_DLC/ Enjoy! The Sabotage team E3 2019 games every game confirmedJun 13, 2019 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunThey just keep coming don’t they? A lot of games were announced at E3 2019, things that we didn’t know about, as well as stuff that’s previously announced, or expansions to already released games. Now, to the casual outsider, what we’re doing might seem absolutely nuts, but we thought we’d put together an alphabetical list of all the PC games that have been confirmed to appear at this year’s E3 show. With well over a hundred of them now in the books, the next year or so looks packed. (more…) E3 2019 games every game confirmedJun 12, 2019 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunThey just keep coming don’t they? A lot of games were announced at E3 2019, things that we didn’t know about, as well as stuff that’s previously announced, or expansions to already released games. Now, to the casual outsider, what we’re doing might seem absolutely nuts, but we thought we’d put together an alphabetical list of all the PC games that have been confirmed to appear at this year’s E3 show. With well over a hundred of them now in the books, the next year or so looks packed. (more…) E3 2019 games every game confirmedJun 11, 2019 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunThey just keep coming don’t they? A lot of games were announced at E3 2019, things that we didn’t know about, as well as stuff that’s previously announced, or expansions to already released games. Now, to the casual outsider, what we’re doing might seem absolutely nuts, but we thought we’d put together an alphabetical list of all the PC games that have been confirmed to appear at this year’s E3 show. With well over a hundred of them now in the books, the next year or so looks packed. (more…) E3 2019 games every game confirmedJun 10, 2019 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunOh dear god, there’s a lot of games announced at E3 2019. A lot of new things that we didn’t know about as well, especially coming out of Microsoft’s conference. It might seem absolutely nuts, but we thought we’d put together an alphabetical list of games that have been confirmed to appear at this year’s E3 show. With well over a hundred of them now in the books, the next year or so looks packed. (more…) Daily Deal - The Messenger, 30% OffApr 8, 2019 - AnnouncementToday's Deal: Save 30% on The Messenger!* Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are! *Offer ends Wednesday at 10AM Pacific Time Devolver Digital s bundle on Twitch Prime might be deal of the weekDec 21, 2018 - Rock, Paper, ShotgunWhile I’ve my issues with Amazon’s global mega-monopoly, I can’t deny that the monthly sack of games that Twitch gives out to Amazon Prime subscribers is an oft-impressive bunch. This month more impressive than most – it’s a bundle of Devolver Digital’s best, including Broforce, both Hotline Miami games, Strafe (much improved by updates), Crossing Souls, The Swords of Ditto and recently lauded ninja platformer The Messenger. You can grab a month of Prime (even the free trial) and once it lapses you get to keep the games, to be launched through the Twitch desktop app. Update: Until December 31st, Twitch Prime also gives you the SNK Bundle, Hacknet: Complete Edition, Smoke & Sacrifice and Poi, all of which you get copies for yourself to keep and a spare to give to friends. The Devolver pack doesn’t come with extra gifts, but is available until January 31st. (more…) Fab Ninja-Gaiden-inspired retro platformer The Messenger is getting free DLC next yearDec 10, 2018 - EurogamerDeveloper Sabotage has announced that its excellent retro platformer (with a twist!) The Messenger will be receiving a helping of free DLC next year on Switch and PC. Known as Picnic Panic, The Messenger's free DLC update will feature a vibrant vacation theme, replete with oceans, palm-strewn beaches, and, yes, skull surfboarding. It promises to deliver a standalone storyline featuring three new areas, voodoo magic, callbacks to the superb main game, and boss fights - some of which, including a pleasingly pink octopus, can be admired in the reveal trailer below. Based on one brief snippet in there, it looks like The Messenger's brilliant gimmick - in which (no spoilers) the game finds interesting new ways to evolve its wonderfully fluid, Ninja-Gaiden-inspired 8-bit action-platforming - is back, courtesy of the aforementioned voodoo magic. And there's some catchy new music to complement the whole thing too. Read more… The Messenger cranks up the difficulty with a New Game+ modeNov 21, 2018 - PC GamerThe Ninja Gaiden-inspired retro-platformer The Messenger got a big update today that adds "quality of life" changes including remappable controls and "dialog turbo speed," as well as a New Game+ mode that will give players the option of bringing items unlocked in previous playthroughs into new games. Access to that bonus equipment comes at a cost, however, as New Game+ mode will also serve up significantly increased difficulty. Enemies will do more damage in the mode, and bosses will have increased hit points. The resurrection demon Quarble will be more of a hardass, too: Normally he'll follow you around and swipe any time shards you collect until you've covered your debt for the resurrection, but in New Game+ you'll have to pay him up-front, or you'll stay dead. And with each subsequent run, another "+" is added, ramping up the difficulty even further. Other changes in the update include the ability to toggle Prophet hints from the map, bug fixes, and a jukebox that will become accessible in the shop after you find your first Music Note. Details on the update are available on Steam. The Messenger is currently on sale for 30 percent off, reducing it to $14/£11/€12 as part of the Steam Autumn Sale, which runs until November 27. Retro action platformer (with a twist!) The Messenger just got a New Game Plus modeNov 21, 2018 - EurogamerDeveloper Sabotage Studio has just released a brand-new update for its excellent retro action platformer The Messenger, introducing a welcome New Game Plus mode for players on PC and Switch. For those unfamiliar, The Messenger's retro platform action is at least somewhat inspired by Tecmo's classic NES Ninja Gaiden games. It's a tautly designed, meticulously paced little gem that unfolds as a series of linear platform challenges - each area a delight to navigate, thanks to the game's fluid move set. I wouldn't call it ground-breaking, but it's certainly extremely enjoyable - and presentationally it's wonderful too, with some bold 8-bit-inspired visuals, a catchy soundtrack, and some exceptionally entertaining writing. That's only half the game, however; around about the mid-point, there's a significant twist, but it's one that you might prefer to discover for yourself if you haven't already been spoiled. If so, do feel free to skip the following paragraph - and, indeed, the semi-spoiler-y trailer below. Read more… Patch Notes v1.0.4 “Messenger+ Update”Nov 20, 2018 - Community AnnouncementsNew Game+ mode: -NG+ is additive, where each subsequent cycle increases difficulty, but also lets you lock in an item to have from the start, making the quest shorter every time -Tread carefully; in NG+, you need to pay Quarble upfront, or it’s GAME OVER -Can you beat the dev’s high score of New Game+7?? Controls remapping: -Accessible through the pause menu Dialogue turbo speed: -Hold right trigger (default) and jump to skip text as fast as possible Underwater labyrinth accessibility: -A visual effect (bubbles) will be there for adventurers who carry the Magic Seashell Prophet hints now accessible directly in the map: --Can be toggled on and off Jukebox: -Accessible in the Shop after finding your first Music Note -Accessible through the pause menu after first discovering it in the Shop Updated Windmill Shuriken: -Accessible from the start in NG+ -Charges now based on a cooldown timer -Hitting targets with it also gives a cloudstep Miscellaneous bug fixing, none of which affecting speedrunningDaily Deal - The Messenger, 30% OffNov 20, 2018 - AnnouncementToday's Deal: Save 30% on The Messenger!* Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are! *Offer ends Wednesday at 10AM Pacific Time Patch 1.0.2 - (Bug Fixes) just released on SteamOct 15, 2018 - Community AnnouncementsGreetings Messengers, we just pushed a patch to Steam to address some issues a few players were encountering. Patch notes v1.0.2 : - Fixed memory leak to prevent framerate drop issue when playing for extended periods of time (6+ hours) - Fixed soft lock that occurred when dying at the same time as killing a boss - Fixed game timer that would restart at zero after going over 24h - In Catacombs, preventing an issue where players could get stuck in a challenge room after saving in the room and reloading the game because of breakables respawning - In Rivière Turquoise, fixed an issue where players could respawn in the wrong dimension and get stuck - Health and mana drop upgrades will now function properly the moment they are bought, instead of upon restarting the game - Being careful with spoilers here, but a certain button mashing sequence has been reworked to prevent blockers for certain players. We are also working on a few quality of life features, including key remapping, and will follow up shortly with another update.
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