Manburger

Fun review! This is one of those games I recall seeing and being intrigued by as a tiny goblin, but never actually played. Think it might've been the sort of thing I would have enjoyed, or uh convinced myself I enjoyed. If I had attempted to play it nowadays I'm sure I'd throw in the towel after one (1) level. Admirable tenacity, perservering all the way through!

There is something to be said for laying old (mutant) dogs to rest like this. Righting the past as you say. Now when you meet your childhood self in a freak time travel accident you can say "don't bother with this one, kid."

Mouthwashing did grab me with its excellently strange, rancid vibes. "How Fish is Made but higher production values and ambition" does sound enticing.

My read on the incongruous leveling and retro stylings in INDIKA was that it was taking the piss. I enjoyed what was going on in the demo, except for, as you mention: that chase sequence. Felt a bit too trial and error for my liking. Not sure this is a game I'll buy when there's so much else fabulous to play, but you can't deny this game is fascinating and has Styyyyyyyyyle.

Speaking of style: I also enjoyed Mullet Mad Jack, but as you say, perhaps got my fill from the demo. It did remind me of the even more intense, surreal hyper-punk Post Void. That game is Pretty Good.

@glots: Hollowbody: I've been intrigued by footage of this game - that key art grabs me everytime! England is indeed the most terrifying setting. Hopefully you fight Mangled Cyborg Thatcher at the end (if not there's always) Impressive work by a solo dev! If you haven't checked it out yet, you might enjoy Crow Country

Outcast - A New Beginning: Seems like it could be a cromulent open-world action adventure, but I can't really speak to whether or not it hits on what fans of the original love - I just remember playing the demo (of the OG) as a child and being amazed by the deep footprints left in the snow. Unfortunately they're not using voxel terrain anymore :'(

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@ben_h: Stormgate: This does seem enticing - well, in theory, at least: in practice I am magnificently useless at RTS games. Get anxious just thinking about playing online. But I like looking at all those lil' guys running around!

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@chaser324: Balatro: Had randomly played this even though I'm not much of a poker pervert or card crazy, but it seems quite neat! The inherent aspect of chance feels appropriate here. Could be catnip for everyone who enjoys creating colossal combos. And getting into Poker Trouble.

And heck yeah, Ultros! Oozing is a apt word to use here.

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@tartyron: INDIKA: Ooh, didn't know this had a demo! This had a strikingly wild trailer, and the game does seem to live up to it. The classically "video gamey" aspects might be taking the piss? A lot of style, but seemingly also some substance. The puzzlin' seems decent ... but yes I don't think I need any more chase sequences.

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🔥One Hot Recc:

Hauntii - Absolutely gorgeous ghost 'em up! Love the artstyle. Some light twin-stick combat, but the main focus seems to be on exploratory 'ghost around and find out' puzzle solving - in a fun and unobtuse way, I think.

•Pretty Cool:

Crypt Custodian - Another pretty action-adventure set in the afterlife?? Though this is a game you've very much seen before: Top-down exploration, light puzzle solving & simple combat — but it's all well done and with bunch of charm. Your mileage may vary, but I thought it was fun. Not 100% I'd play this for several hours, though. Might outstay its welcome. Still, a impressive effort from solo dev Kyle Thompson!

•Next Stop, Badvibes Station:

Miniatures - Appropriately unsettled, sketchy pencilwork in this unsettling point 'n click narrative experience. I appreciate the mostly straightforward symbolism/metaphors at play: means a basic b like me can interpret for once. Probably not for everyone. And if you have some familial strife-related trauma in your past this might be a bit too intense.

The Steam Next Fest deluge of demos descends soon, but some of them where made available in advance, and I had a few recs. Chuck your own into the ring!

✨Pepper Grinder

Having been delighted by clips of this game for a few years now, I am happy to report it feels as good to play as it looks. Other games dabble in dig/swim-mechanics, but this is a exemplar of the form. Should mention Drill Dozer to activate a few extra freaks. (i am also a freak to be clear) Excited to play the full game!

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✨Children of the Sun

Humming with a mesmerizing, dense mood and atmosphere. A sniping puzzler where you attempt to pop every melon in a level with a single bullet that you can redirect when you hit a target. A lean & mean game that only intermittently communicates story at you in (appropriately violent) bursts of wordless comic panels, before throwing you back into the action. Already seems pretty sick. One to watch!

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✨Arco

Tasty chunky pixel art & a fresh, fun tactical “simultaneous turn-based” combat system!

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Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

If you're not all explormed out after PoP: The Lost Crown, this one seems pretty neat! I appreciate that you start with a double jump and dash, and then you go from there with additional abilities. (At least, that's what it seems like from the demo. Don't think this is a abilitease-situation?) The combat does not seem as slick as Lost Crown, but that could of course change in the full game. Less of a fiery recommendation for this one, but still worth checking out if your hunger cannot be sated.

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Demos going live on the 5th:

ULTROS

"...a psychedelic metroidvania where you wake up stranded on The Sarcophagus — a cosmic uterus holding an ancient, demonic being."

Excellent write-up! Indeed, I love the writing the community does here: legit some of my favorite discourse on the web, and I hope it continues. I don't think I could pick a favorite, but Gamer_152 absolutely deserves a shout-out for their thoroughly researched and in-depth articles.

@allthedinos: Thank you so much, I appreciate it! It's probably not going to freak your bean, but if you are poised to enjoy some Legally Distinct Beast Chasing, you might find Wild Hearts quite agreeable. Woops, I absolutely buried the lede by not mentioning the karakuri-aspect of the gameplay: it is a actually unique and fun addition to the gameplay!

@borgmaster: It is a disconcertingly moist heavy burden, daring to speak out, but someone has to do it. Thank you! I should indeed Bombrush. I have, at the very least, been practicing vibrating my glutes.

@totalpatoot: Haha, thank you! :D I am genuinely pleased to invoke this sort of reaction.

@zombiepie: If my list can also be included in the next Spotlight, it has arrived, wizard like:

https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/manburger/blog/manburgian-candidates-2023/274720/

Lovely list! Indeed, best wishes to Jess & Jason, and everyone in the industry affected by sociopathic suits.

Sorry to hear about the personal turmoil - hope you and the family goes into the new year in good health!

I was originally quite Taken by Alan Wake, but was unfortunately dissapointed upon replaying it ... I remained optimistic about the sequel, especially after CONTROL, which I loved — Still, did not expect AW2 to hit quite that hard. Never doubt Remedy!

Yes, wonderful list! Video games can be quite good.

You can bet your buns I read all of it, and I'd do it again! This is a threat do not test me
Stellar writing, a propulsive read!

Re: LAD (from Part 1) — I was initially a bit dissapointed they couldn't let our boy rest, but Erased was a fun romp, and hopefully they do successfully cash those big story checks.

Erudite exploration of the clever design in Marvel Champions - how they introduce character and flavor into mechanics - makes my brain tingle pleasantly. Haven't actually played card or tabletop games of that ilk, but really enjoy reading about it.