Featured Indie Game
The Great Rebellion
By Yorch la Torch
The Great Rebellion is a breath of fresh air. It is a welcome response to a time when the modern Western AAA gaming industry seems to be churning the same game over and over again with bloated budgets, and frequent attacks on gamers through social media. Developed by Austrian studio, KvltGames, The Great Rebellion is a 2D action platformer with roguelike elements. The game is set in a dystopian Europe where a technocratic elite oppreses its inhabitants through identity politics, blockchain, and social credit scores (sounds familiar, right?) You play as a hero who becomes part of the rebellion to free Europe. The game features some of the best pixel art I've seen in years, along with a memorable soundtrack that will keep you pumped in your fight for freedom.
The Great Rebellion starts with a phenomenal intro. It sets both the stage and stakes of the universe you are about to play a part in. It is followed by a tutorial that never drags and is actually fun, unlike modern Western AAA tutorials that feel like a chore, making you lose interest in the game immediately. The tutorial teaches you the basic jumping, dodging and shooting mechanics that form the basis of the gameplay. It also explains that you need a negative social score to improve your weapons, and how to use power-ups. Once you are ready, the game procedurally generates a level. That's where the real action starts.
The Great Rebellion will challenge you. Getting used to the controls and battle rhythm takes some time and practice, but the game is incredibly rewarding. You can zip by a level horizontally or face greater challenges by exploring lower areas where more and better weapons are located. The game, at its core, is a bullet-hell, so you need to be incredibly aware of every single enemy that appears on screen while keeping an eye on your health and ammo. It may sound overwhelming, but if you're reading this review I encourage you to try it out. It is highly addictive. If you find the challenge too steep for some reason, the game offers an easy mode as well.
One of The Great Rebellion's key features is how levels are generated algorithmically. Every time you die (or are censored by a committee of fact-checkers), the levels will regenerate, offering different characters, weapons, companions, and power-ups. Speaking of companions, the game features historical figures from European history, such as Napoleon and Julius Caesar, who will aid you in your journey. The Great Rebellion_ is also filled with pop culture references that will not only bring a smile to your face but may also give you some food for thought.
So, if you're tired of all the political correctness, terrible pricing tiers, predatory TOS, and the extorting influence of DEI consultants in modern gaming, The Great Rebellion is a game you have to experience!
You won't regret it.