Cass's pre-SNF demo roundup
Before Steam Next Fest kicks off on the 15th, give these interesting demos a spin.
We’re about to be absolutely saturated by demos; our cup will runneth over with Steam Next Fest. Yes, it’s definitely a “steak too buttery, lobster too juicy” kind of situation, but it might be best to get started enjoying some of the interesting samples available on Steam before the floodgates open and we’re hit with a proper deluge of demos. Jeff already did a round up last week, because honestly, we’re spoiled for choice.
Come To My Party!
This adorable game, made by a solo developer, caught my attention due to some of the animations on display. There’s some great use of smear frames on these adorable little animals, and the entire demo is just packed with charming handmade art. Come To My Party! is a game about 10-year-old Jimin, who is having her first birthday party. Sounds pretty low stakes, but as anyone who was once a kid in a complicated situation, there’s a lot of drama in things like running for class president, trying to invite friends to a birthday bash, or being jealous of the classmates who seemingly have everything put together. If you enjoyed Consume Me!, I think you should absolutely try the demo for Come to My Party!
Star Trek: Outposts Unknown
The beauty of Star Trek is that, after so many episodes with fantastical premises,you can justify basically any kind of game in that universe. While the newly launched Paramount Games is starting with an unsettling looking adventure starring Ro Laren, I have my eye on Star Trek: Outposts Unknown. Developed by Magic Fuel Games and published by Playstack, this narrative game centers around building a remote outpost that is threatened by a dangerous cosmic force. I enjoy watching the crew of the Enterprise come together to figure out some sort of space danger, and it looks like this game has a similar vibe — just planetside, instead of on a ship.
Ballgame
There are too many games in which you are asked to manipulate a ball, and frankly, I’m tired of it. It’s already been done! Go play Pong! Now, a game where you are the ball? Ballgame is a physics platform that’s kind of like pinball meets golf, except the field is littered with traps, spikes, and gelatinous monsters. Made by Human Computer, this simple game inverts a classic premise, and based on the demo, at least, it works really well for a fast-paced platformer that feels like a much more complex and dynamic Peggle.
Goat’s Odyssey
Sometimes I think one of the true signs of a great adventure game is how much freedom the developer gives you to fuck around. Take Twelve Minutes; I knew that I wouldn’t gel with the game when I had the protagonist eat a delicious cake made by his wife while the home intruder tried to truss up that same wife, and no one commented on the ridiculous scenario. Goat’s Odyssey, on the other hand, is a game that actively encourages you to fuss around with the environment. This is because you are a goat, and you love to eat underwear, headbutt obstacles, and just generally cause problems. This is a shadow theatre-style game that’s very stark, simple, and silly.
Hack ‘n’ Stack
Tower defense games are fun. Silly physics games that allow you to goof around with your friends are fun. Hack ‘n’ Stack combines these two premises. You play as bipedal animals with a rough knowledge of engineering, and your goal is to create obstacles, barricades, and turrets that can stand up to a relentless flood of determined enemies. The co-op aspect of the game is what I find most intriguing; tower defense games are often solitary pursuits, pitting the player against endless armies. Being able to bring friends along for the ride makes things more collaborative — and more chaotic.
