In Cosmic DJ, players embark on an epic musical journey to reunite band members and repair the broken “Jamtennas” around the galaxy. Using “THE POWER OF MUUUUSIC“, players must create their very own songs to inspire change in the universe. Players have access to dozens of unique instruments that may be used to craft a jam worthy of rocking all of space and time.

Players have the option of inputting their notes using either a tap sequencer using the ZXCV keys, or by using a grid sequencer with simple mouse clicks. These vastly different styles of input should appeal to both novices and master musicians alike. Cosmic DJ’s songs consist of a few campaign segments, each split into 8 tiny sections for players to create music from. Using the grid sequencer, notes can be assigned to different sections for each instrument. As players go through the campaign, these segments will eventually combine into a complete player-made song that may then be exported to .mp3.

What makes Cosmic DJ so different from other music games is that it never takes itself entirely seriously. Everything about Cosmic DJ seems to exist on this fun-first design style that just makes the game so enjoyable. An great example of this is an early mission segment where you must inspire a former band member, now a “space juice” bartender, to rejoin the band by creating an epic jam that includes a space juice cocktail shaker as an instrument. The out-of-this-world instrument choices, not to mention the completely insane storyline behind the game, combine to make a game that feels so different from whatever you’ve been playing before this.

What really impressed me with Cosmic DJ was its focus on fun music creation. After players go through the campaign, or using the quick play option, the songs they create may be given an in-game album cover and then exported to .mp3 file. The cover and metadata embedding for the song is handled entirely by the game, at which point players may then upload to services such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Cosmic DJ’s developers designed the game with this interaction in mind, and in today’s era of strict copyright protection, that’s awesome.

In the past decade or so, music games have gained in popularity and inspired countless gamer’s lives. From the fat melting aerobic exercise of Dance Dance Revolution, to the almost learning to play a real instrument style of Guitar Hero, music games have transformed the way we play games. The truth is though, not all music games have to be this life-changing experience that leaves you a better person. Cosmic DJ will not make you thin and sexy, nor will it even try teach you how to play guitar. What Cosmic DJ will do is provide you with an epic musical adventure that you’ll never forget.

Summary: A game design that focuses on fun makes Cosmic DJ one of the most unique music games you’ll ever play. Simplistic music creation tools and dozens of quirky instruments should provide hours of entertainment.

For those that aren’t already familiar with IndieBox, each month subscribers receive in the mail a package that contains a physical collector’s edition of a unique indie game. As most indie PC games exist in a purely digital form, IndieBox is flipping the establishment on its head with these boxes. The contents of each box are a kept as a well-guarded secret in an effort to maximize the feeling of excitement when subscribers open that month’s IndieBox for the first time. In addition to the DRM-free physical copy of the game, IndieBoxes will come with a game manual, a unique box for display, the official soundtrack, and many other exclusive game-related goodies.

The September IndieBox includes:

• Cover Art by JunkBoy.se
• USB Game Cartridge ­ This month’s cartridge includes the DRM­free version of
• Luftrausers and game demos for AirBrawl and Super Scrapped Robot
• Steam Key Luftrausers
• 16­page Color Manual
• Original CD Soundtrack
• Bonus CD track by Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire
• Combat Medal
• Iron­On Luftrausers Patch
• Foam Fighter Plane
• Custom Luftrausers IndieBox Sticker

To learn more about IndieBox, head over to https://theindiebox.com/. Follow the team on Twitter at @TheIndieBox.

Independent developer Vagabond Dog and oppressive game publisher Devolver Digital have released a unique new demo for the unconventional RPG Always Sometimes Monsters. Gamers will assume the role of a video game journalist attending a review event for the game itself and be able to interact with other journalists, the developers, and, of course, play a short demo of Always Sometimes Monsters. Those that complete the demo will be able to write a review and score the game within the demo and help determine the success of the developers.

“Always Sometimes Monsters is one of those RPGs that’s best enjoyed when you can compare your game with someone else and see how different your experiences were,” said Justin Amirkhani of Vagabond Dog. “This demo offers players the opportunity to do so by mixing game highlights with real-world quotes from fellow players and critics alike in one absurdly meta package. We may have gone over the top on this one.”

Released in May to both critical and commercial success, Always Sometimes Monsters tells the story of a down-and-out character on the verge of collapse after learning the love of his or her life is set to marry someone else. Selecting from characters of different gender, race and sexual orientation players will encounter a world that reacts uniquely to who they are as they live through common experiences and unique hardships. With time working against them, players set out on a unique cross-country journey filled with memorable and countless choices. Each playthrough is filled with a staggering number of diverging paths, creating a narrative tailored to the individual playing, their choices, and their personal ethical compass.

You can grab the free demo of Always Sometimes Monsters on Steam, the game is currently on sale for 50% off.

The Expendabros have assembled and set their sights on the forces of ruthless arms dealer Conrad Stonebanks in the forests of Eastern Europe. Battle in a flurry of bullets and non-stop action through ten full-throttle missions set amongst the picturesque tree tops and the absurdly dangerous lumber mills teeming with enemy soldiers, excessive artillery, and inconveniently placed circular saws. Rescue your brothers in arms and play as seven different legendary soldiers – each with their own unique weapons and special attacks – with up to four players at once in local multiplayer co-op mode.

You can take part in this historic day by heading over to expendabros.com to grab your free copy on Steam. Learn more about broforce at  http://broforcegame.com/

Expendables 3 will be in theaters on August 15th.

Deconstructeam and Devolver Digital have launched the much-anticipated point-and-click thriller Gods Will Be Watching for PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam, Humble, and GOG. That’s right, your carefree days of crushing candy and enslaving weird Japanese creatures to fight at your whim are over – it’s time to grow up and face some intergalactic moral dilemmas like an adult.

You can grab the game right now on Steam for $9.99 at http://store.steampowered.com/app/274290/

There’s also a Collector’s Edition available for $19.99 that brings along a digital comic, soundtrack, and digital art book.

Pro fingerboarders Devolver Digital and the talented British deviants at Roll7 announced today that the PC, Mac and Linux versions of OlliOlli will 720 all up on Steam on July 22 for $12.99. Originally launched on the Sony PlayStation® Vita to rave reviews, OlliOlli has been lovingly handcrafted for the PC platform boasting four game modes, sweet rewards, scientifically measured precision fingering for the ultimate board control and more.

The purely insane content in OlliOlli includes more than 250 challenges including the RAD mode that unlocks only after you’ve mastered all other challenges. With more than 120 different tricks and grinds to master, OlliOlli will test your skills to the limit and engage you in increasingly competitive gameplay as you try to shred your way up the new leaderboards.

You can learn more about the game at http://www.roll7.co.uk/.

Head over to Steam and wishlist OlliOlli at http://store.steampowered.com/app/274250.

The twistedly lovable fans of Hotline Miami who enjoy brutally smashing in the skulls of strangers will be pleased to know that developer Dennaton Games has unveiled a level editor for Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number. With the new level editor, fans will be able to meticulously design their own soul-crushing levels to die over and over again in and share with other cold-blooded strangers on the Internet.

Fans with a talent for designing potential murder scenes will be able to create a floor plan and place items within including furnishings, fashionable décor, weapons, and unforgiving enemies armed with whatever instrument of death you choose.

Players that want to cause the most havoc possible in Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number will likely be super excited about the prospect of creating their own insane creations.

You can learn more about the game at http://www.devolverdigital.com/games/view/hotline-miami-2-wrong-number

Always Sometimes Monsters is a humanizing, story-driven adventure that tells a touching story about love and loss, and was a huge hit among critics and fans at PAX Prime and East. The choices we make will ultimately lead us down a certain path, but will they define us? That’s for you to find out! In preparation for this emotional roller coaster, we recommend having the Kleenex and bourbon handy

You can grab Always Sometimes Monster for 10% off until May 28th on Steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/274310