The Epic Games Store makes at least one free title available for download weekly. This week, the games Mindcop and Shogun Showdown are available for download between September 17th and 24th.
Details about Mindcop
Mindcop is an independent 2D point-and-click game heavily inspired by film noir. It places the player in the role of a detective with the ability to access people's minds, blending investigation elements with surrealism. The objective is to solve a murder mystery within a five-day deadline, following the structure of traditional graphic adventures with fully two-dimensional movement.
A distinctive aspect of Mindcop is the time limitation. Unlike conventional point-and-click games where all interactions can be performed to progress, this game restricts the number of daily actions. Investigating a location or questioning someone consumes minutes; when time runs out, the day ends. This mechanic makes every decision crucial, as there is a real risk of losing clues, asking incorrect questions, and reaching wrong conclusions.
In the dream environment, the dynamic changes significantly. The detective must navigate the scene before the timer runs out, while colored mental projectiles hit the suspect's brain. This is where the puzzle element manifests: the player must rotate the brain to form color sequences horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. By achieving this, the character gains access to three doors—truth, uncertainty, and lie—each offering information that mixes memories, imagination, and dream visions, which the player must interpret.
Mindcop is recommended for those who appreciate investigative games with complex puzzles, provided they accept its cartoonish style and the absence of spoken dialogue, except in cinematic scenes. Fans of point-and-click and graphic adventures will find it an interesting and different alternative to the genre standard.
Features of Shogun Showdown
Shogun Showdown is another independent title with a unique premise. Initially, it follows the common roguelike format, requiring the player to choose a character and start a round. However, the difference emerges shortly after: each wave presents a grid board where the character moves, and their attacks and abilities are represented by cards. These cards can be upgraded or new ones can be obtained between waves, allowing different cards to be combined in each attack during combat.
Turn-based progression is vital in combat, allowing the player to distance themselves from opponents or swap positions, even causing enemies to attack each other. Although there is no exact time indicator for enemy attacks, there is a yellow warning that signals the correct moment to act or move. These elements recall games from the Megaman EXE series but differ by keeping all characters on the same board, adding a strategic layer.
Upon completing all waves of a phase, the player explores the map to initiate new confrontations or locate merchants and upgrades. The graphics adopt a pixel art style, which, despite being simple, is rich in detail, and enemies generally have fluid animations. However, the animations of playable characters tend to be more rigid, reflecting the vast number of distinct attacks and abilities each character can possess.
Shogun Showdown is a free game on Epic Games this week that should please independent game enthusiasts, particularly those who enjoy pixel art. It is also a good option for those who enjoy more accessible roguelikes, but which still demand quick planning and strategy.