Indie publisher Ratalaika Games, in collaboration with indie developer Route 5 Games, has announced the upcoming release of Gematombe, a modern take on the classic block breaker genre. Set to release on 28th April 2023, the action puzzle game will be available on Steam PC, Sony PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Drawing inspiration from classic titles such as Arkanoid, Puzzle Bobble, Breakout, Puyo-Puyo, and Touhou, Gematombe offers a unique blend of puzzle and versus gameplay. Players can compete against a friend or the console, with the objective of crushing their opponent or clearing the screen of gems to secure victory. By strategically comboing gems of the same color, players can create chain reactions and unleash a Gematombe upon their opponent.
The game’s story follows Pandora, the all-gifted heroine tasked with protecting the Hall of Jars, a sacred place housing holy and magical items created by the gods of Olympus. When a jar shatters, releasing the incarnations of evil spirits known as Daemones, Pandora must embark on an adventure to restore peace to the world. She is aided by Lucciano, a holy emissary with hidden knowledge.
Gematombe’s visuals pay homage to the colorful, delicate, and charming styles of Japanese games, drawing players into its immersive world. The game offers various modes, including Arcade, Practice, Survival, Vs, Story, and Tutorial. In Arcade mode, players must defeat six characters, each with their own goals and routes. Practice mode challenges players to create longer combos and chains, while Survival mode puts players’ abilities to the test against an endless series of increasingly difficult CPU opponents. Vs mode allows for local multiplayer matches, and Story mode lets players choose a character to follow on their journey to capture the Daemones.
Key features of Gematombe include:
- A cast of six unique characters with distinct abilities
- Versus gameplay against the console or a friend
- Progression through 60 challenging levels
- Multiple game modes for varied experiences
- Six engaging campaigns with humorous cutscenes
Gematombe promises to be an addictive and challenging game that will appeal to fans of the classic block breaker genre, offering a fresh take on a beloved gaming style.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Linux, Mac operating systems
