As the prophecy foretold: A fresh grip of demos appear early, presumably to catch some pre-game heat that’ll hopefully lead to exponential growth during the main event? (June 10th) I have at least already played a handful that I wanted to highlight:
Oh, yes. This is the good stuff. Administer it to me intravenously. If you've enjoyed any sort of game of surviving against an onslaught of enemies in a evolving arena — like a Akane, Tormentor❌Punisher, or perhaps the epitome of twin-stickin’, Geometry Wars — I recommend you give this a shot or two dozen. Feels like there's more DEVIL DAGGERS here, perhaps. The levels here do actually have a end, though, and it makes sense that the game encourages you to complete the tutorial, as there are several combat mechanics to keep in mind to fully dominate the opposition, + unique weapons to unlock. If you thought the confluence of combat systems to juggle in Doom Eternal felt like wrasslin' with a mech sim, I’d still say check this out, as I think you’d be less overwhelmed since you’re not simultaneously trying to navigating a complex 3D space. I fully got into that good murder zone with this one. (hey i do also like Eternal though)
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✨Practical Peach BlizzardsTactical Breach Wizards
Seems like another banger from Suspicious Developments, creators of Gunpoint and Heat Signal, and like those games, TBW marries a great concept with actually funny dialogue and approachable, fresh gameplay. Might look a bit like yer nu-XCOM, but each mission actually consists of several bespoke tactical puzzles with a set wizard duo/squad, without feeling limited in how you solve each problem. Though of course defenestration is heartily encouraged: this is a Tom Francis joint, after all. Been in development for a while, but I think it’s coming out this year. Actually more of a Magic Spec-Ops game than Immortals of Aveum (Which I incidentally just played: @bigsocrates was right: prototypical Solid 7/10!)
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Speaking of magic: that is what it feels like, freehand drawing walls and paths, and altering building sizes with intuitive mouse controls in this creative diorama toybox. Accompanied by gentle hints of music, and legitimately satisfying sound design. Beautiful lightning. Been following this for a hot minute, and I am glad to report it feels as lovely as it looks. No objectives, but it is fun to place different elements and discover details that emerge from different combinations and placements. The demo is a bit limited, but it should provide a good idea if this is something you’d like on your toast. Create tiny scenes to ponder and take a breath. A onsen for the soul.
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⦿ silkbulb test: First horror game in a while to actually shake me. Has some unsettling, uncanny imagery and good bad sounds. Does perhaps layer it on a bit thick with the spookers and frightums — might be better served by a more gradual build-up of tension. Still, it legitimately got some Bad YouTuber-noises out of me.
⦿ Parking Garage Rally Circuit: Ooh, satisfying, snappy drifting! Obviously the most important aspect of racing. + some sweet, chunky Saturn-esque visuals.
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Chuck your own Hot Reccs and/or Takes into the ring!
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