hack-n-slash posts

Revealing new characters for action RPGs seems to be the name of the game today. First League of Legends, and now Fairytale Fights. Playlogic has announced today that Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk and the naked emperor from The Emperor's New Clothes will both be playable characters in the fairytale-themed hack-'n-slash game, joining the roster alongside Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood. No information on the characters' moves or gameplay has been released, so who knows what they play like. Fairytale Fights is still scheduled for Holiday 2009. Full release after the cut.

Grinding hack'n'slash games appeal to some base instinct inherent in every gamer. The instinct to grow more powerful through repeated actions. Games like Diablo, Dungeon Siege, and Titan Quest have built massive reputations based on this simple grind and level formula. However, they have two things that Ginormo Sword doesn't: gussied up mechanics, and a sense of balance. Ginormo Sword throws both of these out the window and boils the hack'n'slash genre to the basics. And it's strangely addicting.

Ginormo Sword has no story. All the locations are randomly named, and we do mean random. There is only one way to attack, and moving around is done entirely with the mouse. However, add no limit to the size of your sword (hence the title) and the ability to upgrade almost any aspect of your character to god-like levels through grind, and you have a game that is relentlessly addicting despite its faults.

[Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Welcome to Freeware Friday, a weekly column showcasing excellent games that you can play free of charge!

We do love rogue-likes. They've been featured a few times here on Freeware Friday, and they definitely inspired the hack-'n-slash games we know and love like Diablo. What happens, though, when you mix the in-depth sensibilities of a rogue-like with the fast-paced action of an arena shooter? Well, you get Triangle Wizard, a trippy and excellent freeware game that straddles the line between simulation and action. If you are the sort to get caught up in things like spell levels and resistances, then this is the game for you. If not? Well, give it a try anyway. It certainly wouldn't hurt, and it's quite newbie friendly!