Quick thoughts on some demos from Steam Next Fest
A metroidvania/search action game with some PS1 flair. It's a 3D platformer, which makes it somewhat notable given how much the search action genre plays in the 2D space. Movement feels real good. Chaining a dash into a jump into a glide into a double jump is the good shit. Can definitely tell its good because I was able to reach an area via a slightly roundabout method and it worked. If I'd explored a little bit more first I would have found a more direct route, but that my idea worked is what I love to see. Demonstrates how strong the basic movement abilities are when you can pull off tricks like that without too much effort.
A puzzle game where you match traffic signals together to make them explode. The catch is that each set of signals can only move along the direction they're facing. A vertically oriented piece can only move up and down, and a horizontal one can only move along that axis. It complicates the otherwise standard matching puzzle game form by making the process of matching symbols together tricky. It's also very fast.
It's Snake but you play as a cute robot dragon. It's also got a very 2000s aesthetic (feels like a very early PS2 game). What's not to love? I only played a couple levels, but it was enough to sell me on it. Really fun!
I've technically played this before a ways back, but shouting it out here because it's planned to be come a fully fleshed out game. The new demo has some additions as well. Looking forward to seeing the final version!
First-person dungeon crawler with a hell of a look. I'm very bad at dungeon crawlers in the style of classics like Wizardry, but I dig what I played of Knight Lobster. Biggest thing that stuck out to me mechanically is that you cannot level up until you reach the exit of the floor you're on. Made the first floor a challenge since I stumbled into some rough fights before I grasped the basics. Can't say I fully wrapped my head around its systems, but I was able to finish the demo.
Also, I love the manual. Can always appreciate a game going the extra mile with these. Both of the Lunacid games did something similar and it was great there to.
Someone described this as King's Field meets Amneisa: The Dark Descent and... yeah, kinda! Definitely got the vibes of Amnesia down. Even has your vision blur slightly when looking at a monster.
The controls are intentionally awkward in a way I respect. Camera movement is handled entirely by the shoulder and trigger buttons on the controller while the right stick controls your right hand. Takes a while to get used to, but it does capture the game's stated purpose to make your feel vulnerable. Trying to run or fight a monster while grappling with the controls is a potent combo.