If you follow my work here, it’s likely this isn’t the first time you’ve heard me praise Ysbryd — which previously worked on games like No Place For Bravery and VA-11 Hall-A. But PAX East gave me the chance to try out some new things in the publisher’s upcoming slate, and I couldn’t be more pumped for all the games to release later this year.
Love Eternal
It’s hard to know where to start when each game begs to be talked about first, but Love Eternal hits me right in the weird little sicko place in my soul that loves a challenge and a mystifyingly beautiful narrative. If that wasn’t enough, my guide for the game looked directly into my eyes and told me, “You think you have a grasp on the game’s concept — my sweet summer Jill — but you have no idea what’s coming.”
There is no better way to get me hyped for a game. What I currently think I know about the title is that it’s a tough-as-nails 2D precision platformer. Most of the action requires me to navigate chambers stuffed with spikes or lasers to continue my journey and, hopefully, discover what’s turned my world upside down. The twist here is I can, at any moment, flip gravity to avoid death, though this presents its own vertigo-filled problems. The gameplay is as pleasing as I could hope for, and its story crumbs whet my appetite for more.
Demonschool
Dredge, eat your heart out. Demonschool’s got some creepy fish to catch now, too. Fans of the tactical strategy game centered around a group of spiritually gifted high schoolers have been watching this title for a few years, me included. So I’ve had several chances to go hands-on with the brain-burdening combat. However, this year’s demo offered me a chance to experience its many minigames.
When they’re not busy tracking down ghoulish anomalies and saving the world as they know it, Faye and the gang can strengthen their bond with some downtime activities. My two favorites are somewhat related: Fishing and Cooking. Perhaps it wouldn’t be a great idea to fry up the catch of the day in this case, however. When I skipped down to the harbor and hooked a fish via a minigame most players will find familiar, I managed to net a disgusting monstrosity.
Everdeep Aurora
Everdeep Aurora was my one last thing of PAX East, and it came with a one last thing of its own. I — and I’m told I’m one of the few who can say this at this point — got a chance to play the retro handheld-inspired game on a Nintendo Switch. Honestly, this might be the way I experience the entire game. Its 16-bit visuals just look so at home in that format, and its simplistic controls translate flawlessly.
Before that surprise, however, I spent my time playing on a bigger screen in a new area of the world. My journey began at the doorstep of a dilapidated underground mansion. Though it looked deserted, there were actually a few unexpected residents — children. And these miniature versions of animals were keen to play hide and seek before they’d gift me the key to a special room. Luckily, the new preview section also granted me access to a fresh mechanic, a good ol’ wall jump. Everdeep Aurora’s gameplay became multidimensional as, aside from its satisfying drilling, platforming became the name of the game. I also got to show off my skills with a claw machine after a fun discovery in the spooky locale, with prizes like new cosmetics and lore hints.
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