WingedKagouti on 14/6/2024 at 08:45

---

I already linked it elsewhere, but (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2001070/Heart_of_the_Machine/) Heart of the Machine is a great strategy game. The Next Fest demo covers the prologue and chapter one, which make up the extended tutorial and is somewhat linear. First playthrough for me took about 12 hours, so it's not like there's nothing to experience.

The full game is planned to span across multiple timelines, some of which will affect each other.

qolelis on 17/6/2024 at 11:34

---

As per the usual, I played a few demos:
(https://store.steampowered.com/app/1601570/The_Alters/) The Alters: if you, like me, don't much like base-building and resource management, this might be the game for you. It does feature base-building and resource management, but it's the story that made it interesting. Perhaps even interesting enough to put up with the daily chores. You basically clone yourself to help you get your base rolling (literally) and each clone is the person you could have been if you had made decisions other than the ones you made. So, it's as much about handling people—who are all you—as it is about expanding your base and surveying an alien planet. It's sort of like The Sims in a way, but in space.

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/2565520/Year_Unknown/) Year Unknown: Short exploration game with a narrative set in a far future where the universe has been replaced by a city-wide library slash megastructure. Typically, my kind of game.

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/1582650/Caravan_SandWitch/) Caravan SandWitch: I almost gave up on it, because, as already mentioned, a lot of talking and not so much exploring, but I got into it after a while. I'm glad a stuck with it and I'll probably play the full game at one time or another. The exploration is there, either by foot or by vehicle, and the characters are alright. The world building reminded me a bit of Star Trek: SNW: A utopia to escape to.

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/2684130/Gravity_Lab/) Gravity Lab and (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2266640/Astro_Link/) Astro Link: What I usually say about these kinds of puzzle games: pretty standard stuff, but not badly made. I had fun solving perfectly mind-preserving puzzles about switching gravity and placing boxes on buttons.

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/2727850/Looped/) Looped: I liked this. Extremely charming, hand-drawn P&C game about love and time travel and spending maybe more time than your partner might have wished for on building your own space ship in what might be your garage—your former garage, that is, because who needs a car when you have a space ship‽

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/1868360/Deep_Sleep_Labyrinth_of_the_Forsaken/) Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken: horror P&C adventure based on lucid dreaming with some turn-based combat elements and a few chase sequences. With the combat added, it's not my first choice of adventure game, but eh, could be worth putting up with that to enjoy the rest of the game.

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/2817620/Machinika_Atlas/) Machinika: Atlas: A direct sequel to Machinika: Museum, taking off from where the previous game ended. Same puzzle genre as The Room and The House of Da Vinci, although without borrowing too much from those. The puzzles are satisfyingly mechanical. Nothing crazy-hard.

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/2781520/ORIENTIR/) Orientir: Nothing mind-blowing, but could be a nice game about exploring nature, learning about animals and plants, while also exploring something more beyond. Age-wise, I might not be part of the probably younger main target audience. I'm probably not going to play the full game, but it's got potential.

henke on 17/6/2024 at 20:22

---

Oh yeah I somehow neglected to mention either of those. They were both fun. Good looking out, Aja! :thumb:

Aja on 31/7/2024 at 01:44

---

I think at least part of it is that devs want to show off their game in the state that it's at, but then they improve it and don't want the old version around to give an inaccurate impression. It is a bit odd though.

henke on 19/10/2024 at 12:44

---

Anyone played any good DEMOS?

I played some demos about downhill skiing and being (bastard) cops.

Lonely Mountains Snowriders and SNØ are both arcadey downhill skiing games which feel pretty good!

The Precinct - These devs previously made the GTA1-inspired American Fugitive, which I liked. Their new 80's cop game is similarly GTA influenced, tho with more of a Chinatown Wars perspective. The demo has you chasing criminals, handing out parking tickets and flying around in a chopper. Good variety, but it also just feels like a string of tutorials without ever really letting you sink your teeth into the gameplay. The game might turn out alright.

COP BASTARD - John Woo-inspired first person shooter. Very simple and a tad clunky, but also very fun once you get into the groove of it.

Also if anyone is into bullet hell shmups they should check out Sektori, which is a very polished and slick one of those.