Skip to main content

Try Axis Game Factory for free: Kickstarter project gets public prototype

Axis Game Factory
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Last week we brought you word on a new Kickstarter project dedicated to funding Axis Game Factory. Though not a game per se, Axis Game Factory is something of a simplified suite of development tools aimed at offering users the chance to create their own video game adventures.  You can find a solid description of the program’s feature set in our earlier article, or by visiting the official Axis Game Factory Kickstarter page

The idea of Axis Game Factory is attractive on its own, but it’s difficult to get a feel for a project like this merely from text descriptions and screenshots. Realizing this, developer Heavy Water has decided to give those who might fund their project a bit of a sneak preview of the final product. As of this past weekend, Heavy Water began offering totally gratis access to a pre-final prototype build of Axis Game Factory to anyone who wants it. Yes, even if you have no intention of contributing to the program’s Kickstarter project you can still try the thing out.

Assuming this interests you, there are a few minor hoops to jump through. Though open to everyone, this prototype test isn’t technically what we’d describe as “public.” There’s no sign-up website to visit, nor a special email list to discover. Instead, you’ll need to send an email to support@axisgamefactory.com. Include your full name and email address within the message, and according to Heavy Water you will shortly thereafter be added to the prototype test.

Though space doesn’t seem limited we urge those you interested in the test to sign up as soon as possible. With only 21 days remaining on the Kickstarter countdown and $382,396 dollars left to raise, we’re suddenly concerned for the future of Axis Game Factory. Hopefully, for Heavy Water’s sake, this public test will serve to amplify interest in the project. If nothing else, it could hypothetically lower the barrier to entry for games development, and that’s always a positive.

Earnest Cavalli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Earnest Cavalli has been writing about games, tech and digital culture since 2005 for outlets including Wired, Joystiq…
All Trinkets in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, explained
The main character of Tales of Kenzera: Zau stands with two elemental items.

Your main upgrades in a metroidvania like Tales of Kenzera: Zau will always be your new abilities. These transform the way you move and fight, but there are other ways you can make Zau a more powerful shaman. Trinkets are introduced right away, but aren't given away as freely as you might think. Each one requires you to overcome a small trial that tests your platforming abilities off the main path. Technically, you can miss every single one aside from the one you begin the game with. Even though there are a few fast travel points, backtracking isn't a particularly fun experience. Here are all the Trinket locations in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, plus which ones you should equip.
All Trinket locations
You can see which zones have Trinkets on the map, and for the most part, you will be able to grab them as you navigate through them for the first time. Here are each of the Trinket locations roughly in the order you should naturally be able to get them.
Battering Stance
This is the Trinket you begin the game with and is equipped by default.
Lifted Spirit

The first Trinket is found in this side path trial in The Buluu Caverns.
Retaliating Spirit

Read more
How to start The Forgotten Kingdom DLC in Remnant 2
Invoker

Remnant 2 is a massive game that already boasts nearly endless replayability, but that isn't stopping developer Gunfire Games from adding even more to do in the popular looter shooter. The game's new DLC, The Forgotten Kingdom, provides players with a substantial amount of extra stuff to check out, such as new biomes to explore, an additional archetype known as The Invoker, and plenty of fresh enemies to take down. If you're ready to see all of what The Forgotten Kingdom DLC has to offer, read on to learn how to access it from within the game.
How to start The Forgotten Kingdom DLC
The first step in accessing The Forgotten Kingdom DLC is to ensure you've purchased and downloaded it. You can buy the standalone version from your respective storefront for $10, or you can opt to snag the $25 bundle, which includes The Awakened King, The Forgotten Kingdom, and another future DLC that has yet to be announced. If you intend to play the full trilogy of DLCs, the former is your best option, as you'll save five bucks off the total cost of all three.

Once you've purchased and downloaded the DLC, you'll be ready to access The Forgotten Kingdom by visiting a World Stone and opening Adventure Mode. You'll need to have completed the Yaesha biome at least one time. At that point, you can select "Reroll Adventure Mode" and choose The Forgotten Kingdom: One Shot on the right, which will notably give you exclusive DLC content your first time through. Keep in mind that while this initial run won't feature any older content, your subsequent playthroughs of Yaesha will weave DLC areas in with main campaign content.

Read more
All Baobab Tree locations in Tales of Kenzera
Zau fights a dragon in Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

While it wasn't marketed as being a particularly punishing game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is by no means easy. You will have plenty of environmental challenges that can instantly sap your life, and the enemies you face -- especially the bosses -- are no slouches. When you first begin, it will only take a couple of bad hits to send Zau to the land of the dead himself. Alongside the Trinkets you can unlock through hidden challenges around the map, there are also Baobab Trees where Zau can stop to reflect on his journey thus far, have a short dialogue with Kalunga, and get a small addition to his health bar. Like everything in the game, these trees aren't prohibitively hidden, but you could easily pass one by and have no idea where it was when trying to backtrack. These are all the Baobab Tree locations so you can max out your health bar.
All Baobab Tree locations
There are six Baobab Trees to find in Tales of Kenzera: Zau and each adds a small segment of health to your total. When you collect them all, you will roughly double your HP bar. Here are each of their locations in the rough order you should naturally find them in. Most can be picked up on your first time through that area.
Ikakaramba

This one is very hard to miss as it is directly on your critical path. If you do, you can fast travel to the nearby campfire to grab it.
The Great Cliffs

Read more