Games We Found That We Really Think You Should Keep An Eye On #3
Demos are awesome. Not only do they get you excited for the actual game like a movie trailer but you get to go hands-on with said game. A game may look fantastic and belong to your favorite genre but something like weird controls can turn you off. Guess what, a demo would have saved you money and possibly frustration. Steam Next Fest is our favorite Steam event as there are a lot of demos. A LOT. This year we tried 67 in total but 16 of them stood out.
Side note: Our previous recommendations were Airhead, Antonblast, and Below the Stone and that article can be found here. Airhead just released (2/12/24) but we have not had a chance to jump in, Antonblast has not yet been released but the demo is still available to try, and Below the Stone is out in Early Access with a content update set for 2/16/24.
Side note #2: Steam Next Fest is technically over but some of these games keep their demo up.
Check out the sizzle reel first and then read on for more information:
Save your friends, fight off the vampire apocalypse, and survive the horrors of freshman field hockey practice in #BLUD, a delightfully zany animated dungeon crawler that blurs the line between action RPGs and hyperkinetic 90s cartoons.
This reminded us of the plot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer but in animated form.
Artifact Seeker is a 3D Roguelike Survivor RPG game. Aurorium continent is just a board of gods game. You can obtain artifacts by slaying enemies. How to use the power of artifacts, to play the game of gods? To end the game? Or just be a god yourself. Artifact Seeker, Your choice.
We reviewed Soulstone Survivors last year and this felt very similar.
Awita: Journey of Hope" is a captivating side-scrolling metroidvania game that follows the remarkable journey of a courageous girl determined to rescue her village from the clutches of a devastating epidemic.
BIOMORPH is a dark metroidvania game where you become the creatures that you kill! Solve ingenious puzzles and navigate a stunning hand-drawn world. Meet quirky characters, rebuild a city, and uncover the secrets of a sprawling, fallen civilization… and of your own mysterious origins.
Who does not want to transform into the creatures you defeat and just cause chaos. It is a very cool twist on the tried and true Metroidvania genre
Blast through rocks with your machine gun drill. Collect rare gems, ores and ancient artefacts, upgrade your ship and unlock new abilities. Uncover the mysteries of the deep and the dangers that lurk below.
Talk about a super addictive game with an extremely satisfying gameplay loop. You could easily lose hours digging around and unlocking new gear without even realizing what was going on.
On a deadly road trip into darkness, control the path of a single bullet and unleash a fury of vengeance on the sinister cult that ruined your life in this tactical puzzle-shooter.
A puzzle game revolving around taking one shot to take out all enemies? Sign us up.
Cleanup Crew is a fast-paced survival action roguelite. Complete emergent objectives, customize your build and put your skills to the test to survive nerve-wracking hordes of creatures across bizarre worlds. Will you be able to survive until extraction?
It seems like every week we get a new game in this genre but we are big fans of the cartoon style.
Crypt Custodian is a charming metroidvania about cleaning up the afterlife. Play as Pluto- a mischievous cat who has died, and is sentenced to be the afterworlds janitor... FOREVER! Hang out with other doomed ghosts, battle beasts, and explore a vastly expansive landscape.
We are huge fans of Sheepo and Islets so anything from Kyle Thompson is a must play in our book.
Eden Genesis is a platform game focused on fast-paced trials, quick reflexes, and a rich story in a cyberpunk world dominated by neon lights and corporations. Take control of Leah, a young cyborg lady, and overcome challenging trials to liberate her corrupted mind!
Where shadow falls, it begins. Dive into Eden's Guardian, a challenging metroidvania experience with handmade pixel art set in a world with medieval and fantasy aesthetics devastated by conflict where the history of Gods and humans intertwine.
We are big fans of Blasphemous and this is clearly inspired by those games.
Emberbane is a 2D Metroidvania offering precise platforming and combo-driven combat. Harness the power of four elements - fire, water, earth, and air - as you traverse the lands of the gods in a tale centered on revenge and the turmoil it brings.
Of course we backed this great looking Metroidvania on Kickstarter.
Welcome to Kingsgrave, a gloomy metroidvania adventure inspired by classic Zelda games. Gain more power and obtain new combat skills as you explore the fractured land, slay foes created by plague, solve puzzles and rebuild villages. Reclaim your realm!
A top down Metroidvania definitely caught our eye.
A 2D video game that combines platforming and action with a touch of exploration in which we control Morkull, God of death and darkness and lord of the Ragast, whose main mechanics lies in the breaking of the fourth wall, which will allow Morkull to communicate with the player in various ways.
We love the platforming but the fourth wall breaking has us excited for this game.
MULLET MADJACK is a single-player fast-paced FPS that brings you directly inside a CLASSIC ANIME. Power up your character and reach the last floor; Beat your best time or try again. Haste makes waste… OF YOUR ENEMIES!
We love the instant replayability of trying to beat your fastest level clearing times in this over the top FPS.
A Metroidvania x Roguelite where you journey with the aid of a cursed hat. Use a variety of magic or possess your enemies to reach the lowest levels! Bring back loot, build new facilities in your village, make a living and strengthen yourself for the next battle! Supports up to 4-player multiplayer.
A Dead Cells inspired Metroidvania with base building may seem like an odd pairing but it actually works.
Pepper Grinder is an action-packed 2D adventure blending traditional platforming with an alternate drilling mode that allows you to dive in and out of the earth like a dolphin swims through water.
Platforming via drilling. Uh sure, we’ll bite. Plus, Devolver Digital is publishing.
