Third time year, but I got you some sizzling stuff to check out on. I was already impressed by the number of game demos I played from the last 2 Steam Next Fest, this one also came loaded, and I think is the last one for this year. A good way to end things, too. However, despite my enthusiasm to write about so many of the games I've checked out and wanting to introduce, I have to write a short list for this one.
Some of these games are very interesting stuff, like the 3rd one takes place this month of October, Halloween, and it seems to have also a variety of horror game selections too. And I am here to tell you that from here on out, horror games are going to be changed forever, here and out. Could be return of the golden days, even a renaissance period.
Alright, time to stop wasting time. Let's get to the good stuff. Here are my impressions of 5 games I've chosen to show here.
5. Psychroma
There's something to be said about the grimy artwork. Flushed in neon purple, this dystopian horror game is grueling, very existentially grueling. The protagonist is a transsexual whom have lost her memory, and is now trying to figure out who she is and what's going on, right before realizing that she and her friends need to escape the apartment due to its haunted nature.
It's set in a grim future, the heavy horn solo on the intro just echoes how bleak the game is. But that becomes nothing once the psychological horror starts seeping in. I could see that some of the touchy subject matters probably is detracting them from playing this game, but I am telling you just putting that aside, this game intense at times, and might be stuck as free real estate for a long time. It has the same effect on me that Signalis also had.
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There's also notable homages to Bladerunner too, the ambiance and atmosphere itself distorts themselves at times to give this sense of falsehood but also incoherence. That makes sense since all of this is psychological perception also enabled by some malignant entity in the house. They also like making noises too, pretty uncomfortable. If you're a glutton for mental torture, well, this one is sort of right up your alley.
4. Vernal Edge
It has charm, I'll give it that. I like the attitude thing each of the characters have, including the FMC, she's like this salty edgelord that has no time to play hero and just want to kill her father for betraying her. But that's one of the good aspects of this title.
The combat and exploration is fast, no nonsense. It already has a great foundation, but right after finishing the level, and avoiding this fight with this sorceress, I was taken to this world exploration section with an airship where I get to travel place to place on the air and land on different levels. There's a melee attacking, range attacking, and spells. The spell ones are interesting, you can equip like 4 of them to cast, and by casing the ones you want, just press the spell button based on the direction they've been slotted to.
It's a Metroidvania game that seems to stand out, and I can tell it wanted to do more after getting to the end point of the demo where it progresses really further, giving me even more reasons to be invested in it.
3. DarKnot
I hate cheesy names, especially ones that have like a capital letter in between like it's mixing two words like they're the worst portmanteaus, but putting that aside and the subpar voice acting, this game has my attention. Because it is heavy-handed in its inspiration from Evil Within, and maybe P.T. This is a survival action title, and it's also always online. The game never pauses, that's because it has online co-op.
It has tenuous tension in terms of horror elements. There's a story to uncover, but I doubt that's where the main reason for playing this hinges on. I can't say I want to follow the progress of the game's development, but I am curious how they'll do the online horror part right before it's out.
2. The Pale Beyond
Argh, matey, ya fancy some frostbite in ye leg? Ah yeah, the Banner Saga artstyle, and dialogue choices, now you know this is going to be a good one. Around the first 20-30 minutes, I thought that's all this game is going to be. Except you play second fiddle to the ship captain, and you have to help your captain get the ship in good shape.
Resource management, survival, strategy, it's like playing Frostpunk but for a ship, and it's based on real life excavations. Making sure your crew stays healthy and morale steady. Make tough decisions often to ensure that you reach your goal by the end.
The narrative is strong, the characters are people you want to know of, there's so much history in it, and with all else, the journey is also brutal. A 19th century journey to find a long-lost ship deep within the frozen seas. Can't wait for this game to chew me out, emotionally.
1. Tails: The Backbone Preludes
Another story rich game, but this one is more about social enlightenment. This is a game that helps its characters progress and transcend past the grievances in their lives that hold them back and find strength to unravel a web of conspiracies.
This happens to be a prequel to a strange post-noir game, because the prologue that came out as free was the best way to introduce that game before the game released its full version and pretty much disappointed everyone. The prologue superceded in everything compared to all aspects of the game. This prequel is probably a redemption line for that, and after playing it, I am sold.
4 main characters, 4 different perspectives to look at for one interconnected branch of stories. I played this for an hour or less, and it was enough to pull me in. Some of the choices you make for the characters grant them skills that will help you in each scenario. A character rich story drama that has a lot going for it.
Honorable Mentions
Decarnation: A deeply disturbing body horror game, taking place in the late 80s, starring a depressed French woman dragged into the macabre of her own making? It took its time to build the unsettling atmosphere before it got to the real good stuff.
The Knight Witch Demo: A Metroidvania bullet hell, your character floats and attacks enemies from her blaster. Gameplay is intense, and rock solid with a spell card system that randomizes.
The Forest Quartet: A deeply introspective journey about a Danish musician, after the loss of his wife, copes with his fame and artistic work. A lot of visual storytelling going on that speaks of the character's psyche, but it seems to be a sombre yet wholesome narrative.
There's like a day and half time left before it ends, sorry if I wrote this late. But if you've checked out demos, do let me know which ones you did.
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