Ironcast, Action Henk, and McDROID all launching on Xbox One today

Vu Anh Nguyen

Major Nelson has taken to his website to shine the light on a trio of new indie releases for the Xbox One. Let’s have a look at them.

The first, McDROID, is an action puzzle game with elements of tower defense from developer GRIP Digital, also the publisher of Q.U.B.E: Director’s Cut. Player control the titular quadrupedal robot to defend the planet on which it crash-landed from aliens with crazy sci-fi weapons and an ever-growing defense system. These utilities need resources which can be harvested, and even used by the enemies. A Survival mode is also there to keep up the replay value, and the lush cel-shaded graphics makes for an attractive visual experience in general.

Get McDROID from the Xbox Games Store

The next in line is “platform-racing” game Action Henk. Described as “lightning fast” by developer RageSquid, the game features quirky action-figures frantically running, dashing, and sliding through what looks like a humongous toy obstacle track, with the backdrop of a room full of stuffs from the 80’s. The game features Ghost mode and multiplayer for that local party fun, and special characters and skins (including a Sonic-inspired jumpsuit for the titular beer-bellied hero, and the unmistakable Piccolo from Dragon Balls) should keep you engaged for some time. Did I mention it also comes with a track maker?

Get Action Henk from the Xbox Games Store

Last but not least is Ironcast from developer Dreadbit. The developer has provided a perfect description of the game’s alternative-history settings, so here it is in their own words: “a time when refined men and women in top hats and bonnets commanded gigantic walking war machines, laying waste to the enemies of the British Empire.” Of course, players will get to take control of one of these war machines, called an Ironcast, and defend the Queen’s land of the 1880’s Victorian era.

The gameplay is reminiscent of the legendary Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, or more recently, Puzzle & Dragons, where players make attacks (shown in real-time, 2-D Super Robot Taisen style) through a match-3 board. The game features sharp graphics, interesting story, British narrator, and plenty of upgrades to pore over.

Get Ironcast from Xbox Games Store