It’s A Wrap! Off the SET! (game review)

Disclaimer: It’s A Wrap! was provided to PCS for review gratis. This reflected the review in neither positive or negatives, all views are purely from the experience and skill level of the reviewer.

It’s A Wrap! is puzzle platformer where the puzzles and the platforming both start quite easy and then get much harder and at least for me not experentially without a high degree of patience and willinging to try and try again. When it comes to video games that is not me. It does not make the game bad or good, it is just not me. I also don’t have the greatest controller skills. I don’t play FPS for that reason. I tend to stick to games that for the most part are easy or can be set on a “story” mode. That is not an option or setting in this, at least not from my searching at present time. Again, not a deterrent.

The first thing I must praise is the graphics. The art style is excellent, the animation is fantastic, the character designs burst with flavor. The cut scenes are clever and wile have no voice acting seem to still feel cinematic. The sound design and music is also polished, fits the themes and works really well in conjuction. The level design is where the game maybe falters a bit. While the editing bay concept is brilliant for the puzzle portion of the gameplay, I do wish the scripts were less outlandish, causing for scenarios that even when solving the editing pay issue, split second button pushing still matters in the platforming and this is where my personal skill fails me. It isn’t the game… it’s me I am positive. You (the universal you) are probably a better game player than me. I can figure out HOW to do something, physically doing it is another. So I can yell “jump now!” but you better be the one jumping when I saw now… not me yelling at me. You know? Like the director character in this game who has set up elaborate death traps and pretends they are normal stunt scenes. That isn’t the actual plot, just the feeling I got while playing.

Seriously, if you don’t mind having to die many many funny, well animated deaths to finally figure out not just the right puzzle solution but the exact timing on running and jumping than It’s A Wrap! is truly the game for you. On top that you’re getting laughs, three different movies/scenarios of completely different campy action adventure genres (Cave Explorer, Sci-Fi and Robots, Explosions and Crime) and even some human plot of frustration, drama, excitement and laziness from the actors, director, producers and all various other jobs [gaffer, sound, camera, set designers, costume, etc.].

I must state again there is a grind of frustration. This review got delayed because I was hoping maybe just maybe I could get further in the game than I have so it’d be a more polished fully entrenched one. The fact is I can’t even get past scene 4 in the first movie and my thumbs hurt because of it. Once again, NOT a bad thing. Just a truth of the matter. I had fun and tons of it, but at a certain point I realized I had to at called “It’s a Wrap!” so I could write about the game instead of playing it in hopes of completion. I can only hope you’ll do better or maybe you’ll be like me, but since you’re not reading a review and just playing, you have all the time you want.

“It’s A Wrap!” sells for $17.99 reguarly and is available for PC on Steam, Epic Games and GOG. It is also available on the Nintendo Switch.

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IDW PUBLISHING CELEBRATESNEW YORK COMIC CON 2023 IN ARTIST ALLEY WITH SIGNINGS, EXCLUSIVES, AND MORE

 IDW TO CELEBRATE COMICS IN ARTIST ALLEY WITH ACCLAIMED CREATORS KEVIN EASTMAN, G. WILLOW WILSON, SCOTT SNYDER, AND MORE

SAN DIEGO, CA (September 8, 2023) – When fans enter New York Comic Con’s awe-inspiring Artist Alley, the IDW Publishing booth will be there to greet them, front and center in the giant hall of talented and passionate comic book creators. 

Located at booth HB905, IDW Publishing’s booth will feature an exciting lineup of creator signings with fan-favorite writers and artists including Kevin EastmanG. Willow WilsonScott Snyder, and many more. Plus, the IDW Publishing booth will showcase artists as they sketch, host giveaways for fans, offer portfolio reviews (more details to come, keep an eye on IDW’s social!), present large art displays for photo opps that will change each day of the show, and much more.IDW Publishing co-publisher Mark Doyle remarked on his personal history with Artist Alley and explained why the hall of creators means so much to him.

“I really think Artist Alley is the heart of any convention. It’s where I spent all my time at shows as a fan and then when I started my professional career in comics whenever I wasn’t working at the booth and I had free time I was always in Artist Alley. Talking with talent who I work with, scouting for new talent, seeing what the fans are gravitating towards… it’s the place to be. It’s also great for fans because they can have easy access to all of the creators who they want to see plus see all the great books IDW has to offer, go to our signings, and get con exclusives!”

Additionally, IDW Publishing will have two can’t-miss panels for fans attending NYCC 2023. Information on the STAR TREK and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES panels are below, with more details to come soon!

Star Trek: Boldly Going with IDW Publishing
Fri, Oct 13, 2023
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Room 408
The Eisner-nominated STAR TREK comics embark on a bold new mission with IDW Publishing, and there has never been a better time for new or lifelong fans to join the mission! Brand-new comics and info will be declassified as the brilliant minds behind the books unveil a spectacular selection of Star Trek stories for fans of any age to enjoy. Plus, a spooky sneak peek at HOLO-WEEN, Star Trek’s month-long celebration of Halloween! Comic fans, attending this panel is highly logical.

TMNT: The Next Mutation of Turtle Power from IDW Publishing
Sat, Oct 14, 2023
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Room 406.2
From the eagerly anticipated THE LAST RONIN sequel to celebrating 150 issues of mutant mayhem, IDW’s TMNT panel is packed with exclusive announcements and awesome art that’ll make turtle fans want to give each other a high three! Featuring TMNT’s iconic co-creator Kevin Eastman and the radical creatives bringing extra Turtle Power to the pages of the acclaimed Ninja Turtles comics, the secrets behind IDW’s TMNT stories will be revealed to fans at the panel before anyone else in this spectacular shellabration of everything TMNT!

IDW Publishing’s booth will be in Artist Alley all four days of New York Comic Con, from October 12-15. Stay tuned for the full signing schedule and list of NYCC exclusives. See you at the show! 

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Nerd Notes: Games Only (9/7/23)

A large collection of game trailers that have caught attention during Gamescom 2023, PAX West 2023 and more. Prepare for visual stimulation.

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New Details for REVEIL and Edge of Sanity Unveiled at Fear Fest 2023

Chilling new trailers for both titles debut as part of this year’s Fear Fest terrors providing an extended look at gameplay

HAMBURG, Germany, (September 6, 2023) — Daedalic Entertainment revealed two frightening new trailers for their upcoming horror titles REVEIL and Edge of Sanity today as part of Fear Fest 2023. Learn more about them by watching the trailers below!

REVEIL is a narrative first-person psycho-thriller game that focuses on story, puzzles, and exploration. Find out what’s going on inside Walter Thompson and what his dark past at the Nelson Bros Circus has to do with it.

Versatile, handcrafted puzzles, unanswered questions, captivating clues, and a disturbing psyche demand a lot from both the player and the protagonist, Walter Thompson. Can you manage to make sense of it all? Should you persevere, there is a chance to find answers to your questions.

More details can be found on the REVEIL Steam page here.

Edge of Sanity is a survival horror game with a psychological edge set in the unforgiving wilderness of a cold war-era Alaska, featuring hand-crafted 2D art and an intense atmosphere inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.

You were part of a resupply group helping scientists working in the Alaskan field lab. Finding the site devoid of humanity you stumble upon horrifying creatures, and during the escape, your group splits up. You were lucky enough to make it out alive and set up camp to plan your future expeditions to find your missing team and learn what happened.

Each day in this area is a tough fight for survival. Limited food and supplies, and your sanity stretching over the edge. Be prepared to improvise and look for any advantage you might have against various monstrosities. It’s all up to you whether the darkness fully consumes you or you manage to cling to what remains of your sanity.

Further details on Edge of Sanity can be found on Steam here.

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The Beginnings of the Legend of Jordan Mechner

(Note: PC-S has had a gratis review copy of The Making of Karateka for a week. This did not influence this review in anyway.)

The Making of Karateka encompasses a lot, a documentary, a collection of historical digital ephemera and designs, a short podcast, a remaking of a classic game going back to its original inception (unlike the version made in 2012 with Liquid, referenced with in THE program that is Making of) and new and original playable versions of prototype games.

In many ways it is unlike anything on the market, at least for a video game. Imagine your favorite movie from long ago, with the original version, but also a remastered edition, but also commentary, new documentaries, the old epks, but also the entire screenplay, every letter between the studio and the filmmakers, a deep dive into the score, home movies by the director, the screen tests and then maybe even say the dalies with all the various takes plus development about the never made sequel.

That is what Digital Eclipse has done with this project. Made the Ultimate Anniversary Collector’s Collector Edition of a treasured video game, telling its origins and then hidden secrets and further deep dives, it is a book, a movie and full fledged video game all in one. The best part is Karateka is just the first game planned in this series. I don’t know who or what games are planned but if they could do this same treatment with the likes of Will Wright, Sid Meier, or if sticking to Brøderbund, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

If they had even had half of what they stuffed in to this Making Of Karateka it’d still incredible. The heartfelt sitdown between Jordan and his father Francis, the sitdowns with various Broderbund, the look at the never finished Karateka II which eventually turned into a truly major franchise in Prince of Persia and the the ability to actually PLAY early versions of Karateka, a remastered version and even a remaster of a previously unpublished game?

One of the more fun things personally for me was to see some of images from the English edition Mechner’s autobiographical family memoir historical graphic novel, Replay: Memoir of an Uprooted Family being published by First Second through Macmillan. The use of these images added to the legacy of the game, as much as having established other game developers also talk about how much the game meant to them.

The Making of Karateka is available NOW on Steam, GOG, Epic Games, Playstation and XBox for $20. It’s a game, a movie, a book, an education and a treasury… a not miss for any video game lover, fans of video game history, fans of Prince of Persia, or just people who love good stuff made well.

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As Seen At NY NOW: FOOD and BEVERAGE

Traditions De France had a small presentation next to a French perfume company. While the company started in 1889, a former VP of sales at the parfume company chose to bring his grandmothers recipes Traditions to America upon a lack of finding candies of the type in the states. I have tasted the various fruit and also rose flavored and they were delicious.

Burlap & Barrel put out single origin spices coming from farms and locations all around the world. At the expo they gifted me Purple Shallot, Black Lime, Royal Cinnamon, Tomato Powder and Wild Mountain Cumin. I have used them in a variety of dishes including Australian lamb, Chicken thighs and rice and Eggplant.

The Nutr machine caught my attention at the show right away. I was able to actually procure an order for one. Since getting it earlier this week I have made Brazil Nut, Walnut and Hazelnut drinks and each have been amazing. I look forward to making macademia, pistachio and even some hot sunflower & pumpkin seed “soup”.

There were so many other wonderful food items at NY NOW to be aware of including Raaka Chocolate, It’s NOLA Granola, Food Crayon, Olde Haven Farm and Wildwood Chocolate.

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TRAILER DEBUT: ZACH M. STAFFORD’S GOOD COMICS FOR BAD PEOPLE PROMISES FANS AN EXTRA (FABULOUS) DOSE OF ABSURDITY  

LOS ANGELES 08/28/2023 – Today Skybound unveiled a brand-new trailer for Zach M. Stafford’s upcoming OGN Good Comics for Bad People: An Extra Fabulous Collection. This hardcover, collecting the best of the popular webcomic Extra Fabulous, arrives in comic book shops on November 1, 2023. 

This new trailer grants a sneak peek at Stafford’s graphic novel debut. Collecting fan-favorite Extra Fabulous comics in print for the very first time, the 240-page hardcover hilariously tackles a variety of topics including life, relationships, teamwork, death, and dinosaurs! With 24 book-exclusive comics and an introduction written by webcomics superstar Sarah Andersen, AKA Sarah’s Scribbles, this release will not disappoint fans of the acclaimed webcomic. 

The trailer can be viewed here

Good Comics for Bad People first launched as part of the hit “The Extra Fabulous Experience” Kickstarter campaign alongside the party game Boo-ty Call in July 2022, securing worldwide media coverage and earning nearly $475,000 in pledges. The “Extra Fabulous Experience” became a top five webcomics graphic novel campaign of all-time.  Good Comics for Bad People: An Extra Fabulous Collection (Diamond Code: MAY230133 I SRP: $14.99) will be available at booksellers, along with digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 and at comic book shops and everywhere comics are sold on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.  Official Good Comics for Bad People: An Extra Fabulous Collection Synopsis:  Master of the hilarious, unpredictable, and just plain weird, Zach M. Stafford’s GOOD COMICS FOR BAD PEOPLE marks his graphic novel debut, and features all the laughter, absurdity, and bodily fluids that have made his worldwide mega-hit webcomic so (in)famous! 
For more info and updates on Skybound, visit www.skybound.com.

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Exploding Onto the Scene—80s Action Puzzler It’s a Wrap! Drops Surprise PC Launch & Reveals Nintendo Release Date at Gamescom

Award-winning Indie Reveals New Gameplay, Mixing Pulpy Filmmaking with Time-Bending Puzzle Platforming


LYON, France (August 23, 2023)—
Today developer Chanko Studios and publisher AMC Games shadow-dropped the PC launch of It’s a Wrap!, their one-of-a-kind 2D puzzle platformer inspired by classic action films of the 1980s. Accompanying the announcement, a nostalgia-inducing trailer featured in the Future Games Show reveals new gameplay, from intergalactic space battles to high-octane chase scenes, all packaged in an “unforgettable” rap performance in the style of the absolute cheesiest 80s commercials.

Players eager to direct and star in this summer blockbuster can play It’s A Wrap! on Steam, Epic Games Store, or GOG now, or pick it up on the Nintendo Switch™ system on August 31, 2023. Watch the It’s a Wrap! Release Trailer here: 

Though inspired by B-movies, It’s a Wrap! launches wrapped in laurels from festivals around the globe. The game has been included in 19 showcases at venues like PAX West and London Games Festival; top awards include the Critic’s Choice Award at Indie Game Fest 2023Excellence in Design and IGN Japan’s Media Highlight Award at BitSummit 2022Most Innovative Newcomer at the Creative Gaming Awards 2022, and the award for Most Fun at Indie X 2022

As Chanko Studios’ debut title, these acknowledgments are a testament to the small team’s exceptional craftsmanship, passion, and dedication to delivering a standout puzzle experience. “It’s a Wrap! is our heartfelt tribute to the golden era of 80s action movies, and we hope it resonates with players who like their puzzles challenging and their action over-the-top,” said Guillaume Bernard and Dominik Schwäger, Co-Founders of Chanko Studios

It’s A Wrap! cleverly combines challenging puzzle-solving, satisfying 2D platforming, and an abundance of 80s nostalgia. In It’s a Wrap! the player directs and stars in low-budget Hollywood films trapped in a loop of rehearse, die, and repeat. With the unique “timeline editing” mechanic, players assume the role of director and must skillfully maneuver the timing of actors, props, and special effects to craft the perfect scene before the cameras start rolling. Places, people!

As soon as you hear “action,” the player switches roles to take control of film star Johnny Rush as he navigates a series of meticulously choreographed stunts. Whether it’s evading explosive trucks in a high-speed motorcycle chase, dodging asteroids in epic space battles, or outrunning a boulder chasing you down a treacherous cavern, Johnny Rush will meet his cartoonish yet spectacular demise time and time again until everything is picture perfect.

“AMC Games is always on the lookout for unique voices and innovative experiences, and It’s A Wrap! is a perfect example of that,” said Clayton Neuman, Vice President of Games & Franchise at AMC. “It’s as surprising as it is delightful, as head-scratching as it is thrilling. This game has something for everyone— whether your passion is 80s blockbusters, mind-bending puzzles, high-octane platformers, or Final Cut Pro.”

It’s a Wrap! is available now on Steam, GOG, and the Epic Game Store, with a Nintendo Switch release coming on August 31, 2023. Players can test out their filmmaking skills by playing a new demo on the showfloor at Gamescom this week, or downloading it from Steam. Stay informed and join the conversation about It’s a Wrap! on Discord or Twitter.

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Cult Hit Flash Game Series Reemerges with Trailer & “Slashy-Slashy” Demo at Gamescom: Lucky Tower Ultimate

Publisher AMC Games partners with Studio Seufz, developers of indie darling The Longing, to deliver hand-drawn cartoon hijinks and roguelite mayhem in Lucky Tower Ultimate

Stuttgart, Germany (August 23, 2023)—Today Studio Seufz, the indie studio behind the critically acclaimed The Longing, partnered with publisher AMC Games to unveil a slapstick gameplay trailer and a slashy-slashy demo for their upcoming roguelite adventure Lucky Tower Ultimate at Gamescom 2023. The hand-drawn cartoon roguelite is the third installment—and first premium title—in the Lucky Tower series by Benedikt Hummel and Anselm Pyta. Lucky Tower and Lucky Tower 2 are classic Flash games that became viral hits played tens of millions of times over. 

Lucky Tower Ultimate is planned for release in Fall 2024, but players can check out the raucous new demo at Gamescom, or download it from the Lucky Tower Ultimate Steam page next week. Watch the Lucky Tower Ultimate Trailer: https://youtu.be/4J-rTHC3H34

Fueled by sassy humor and hand-drawn graphics, Lucky Tower Ultimate is a narrative-driven roguelite where attempting to escape a dangerous tower looks like a cartoon and feels like a joke. As the clumsy Knight Von Wanst, players must decide between three doors on each tower floor that might reveal deadly traps, monsters, or a cast of colorful characters to join the escape party. How seriously Von Wanst takes his knightly responsibilities is entirely up to the player.

“Together with AMC Games, we aim to make Lucky Tower Ultimate the funniest roguelite that’s ever been—a game where every run is a new absurd adventure with wacky characters and unexpected twists and turns,” say Anselm Pyta and Benedikt Hummel, the game designers of Lucky Tower. “Without a doubt, this is our biggest and most ambitious project yet!” 

The new trailer puts the spotlight on features that set Lucky Tower Ultimate apart from other games in the genre. Von Wants, his companions, and the antagonist Evelius have numerous, fully voice-acted reactions to everything that happens in the game. Every object—whether a foodstuff, animal, furniture, weapon, or corpse—can be used in surprising ways, and many of them can be wielded by the enemies as well. And last, but not least, are the plethora of secrets and branching character interactions for players to discover.

“AMC Games is proud to partner with Studio Seufz—it’s not every day that you get the opportunity to resurrect a cult Flash game series for a modern audience,” says Clayton Neuman, VP of Games & Franchise at AMC. “Lucky Tower Ultimate represents our first foray into the incredibly popular roguelite genre; no two play experiences are the same, but each one is guaranteed to deliver gut-busting laughs and quirky puzzles.”

Studio Seufz and AMC Games will be exhibiting a new Lucky Tower Ultimate demo at Gamescom in the Indie Arena Booth; the demo will also be available to download directly from the game’s Steam page. To stay up to date on Lucky Tower Ultimate, players can wishlist the game on Steam or join the conversation on the Studio Seufz discord.

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ILLFONIC TO PUBLISH & CO-DEVELOP MGM’s KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE: THE GAME 

Asymmetrical Multiplayer Experts Turn 80 ‘s Movie Cult Classic into a Video Game with Teravision Games.

August 22, 2023 (Gamescom, Cologne, Germany) – IllFonic, Inc. is thrilled to announce its newest endeavor. The team is now the publisher on record for the highly anticipated game Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game. Alongside Teravision Games, IllFonic will co-develop the newest installment to this cult classic which will be available to fans on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is a crazy, fresh take on asymmetrical survival horror experience. Based on the iconic 80’s movie, the 3v7 multiplayer game brings back the unique, over-the-top mix of horror and comedy. In the battle between Killer Klowns and the citizens of Crescent Cove, team up and harvest humans or save the world from an alien invasion! The game was first announced at Gamescom in 2022 and immediately drove huge buzz and excitement that spread across the globe.

CEO and Co-Founder of IllFonic, Charles Brungardt, shares his excitement, “When we first started talking to Good Shepherd Entertainment and Teravision Games about this possibility we were very excited about the IP. Then we got to know the team at Teravision and knew we were going to make this happen. Everyone at Good Shepherd has made the handoff process of this project enjoyable, as there is a lot of behind the scenes business in order to make something like this possible.” Brungardt continues, “And we are thrilled to help create another experience for the community that they can truly immerse themselves in. Imagining yourself in this universe is wild, it is why we love creating and publishing games for IPs we are fans of!”

Robert Marick, Head of Consumer Products, MGM, said, “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with IllFonic to bring this new Killer Klowns game to fans. As the franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary, it continues to capture the imaginations of new fans and has staked its claim within the cultural zeitgeist. We are sure that devotees to Killer Klowns, as well as gamers in general, will be excited to immerse themselves in the franchise with the debut of the new game.”

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Killer Klowns has become a true pop culture phenomenon with scary-good products from a wide range of licensees for costumes, apparel, accessories, interactive, location-based entertainment and home and beauty, and MGM continues to grow the program into new categories.

Crescent Cove is a sprawling arena for these unique multiplier fights between Klowns and humans – boasting various locations, and various tactical opportunities for both teams. Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game provides a unique approach to hide-and-seek gameplay, customization & respawn systems, PvPvE, and dynamic objectives leading to multiple match results. This game evolves the online horror formula in new ways.

Gameplay:

• Take on the role of the iconic Killer Klowns – cooperate in a team of three players, utilize unworldly abilities, hunt humans with zany weapons, and plan your alien invasion to harvest the population of Crescent Cove successfully.

• Fight back as a team of seven brave citizens of Crescent Cove – explore the city for valuable loot and weapons, avoid getting captured by Klowns, and try to survive the alien invasion.

Enrique Fuentes, CEO and Co-Founder of Teravision shares his thoughts on IllFonic’s acquisition of publishing, “We are really excited about partnering with IllFonic for Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game. They have more experience than anyone in the industry in the asymmetrical multiplayer genre. The combined passions of Teravision Games and IllFonic will allow us to take the game to the next level and make us feel confident about the challenges of multiplayer at this scale.”

IllFonic and Teravision will be at Gamescom this week for the media to get their first chance to play Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game with the teams. To schedule a media hands-on seat at Gamescom please connect with your public relations contact for IllFonic.

*Note – An Internet connection is required for online multiplayer.

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