I am wholeheartedly behind Day of the Devs’ host Tim Schafer — from video games — in his quest to find an entirely new term for World Premiere. And I think a lot of us can hop on the bandwagon, but what to switch to? Something of a wordsmith myself, I appreciated Schafer’s initial instinct to go for synonyms, leading to Earthwide Debut. However, the Dadaist in me hopes we eventually land on Pearled Wemiere. However that turns out and whatever you want to call them, today’s showcase had a ton of them. Here are my highlights, but you should treat yourself to the full show.
Blood Dungeon
A developer that can go from the chaos of Nidhogg to the chill vibes of Wheel World is one to watch out for, especially when announcing its next title. It looks like we are jumping back into the feverish tone of Messhof’s earlier games because Blood Dungeon is awash with gunshots, enemies, and numbers going up. Personally, I love the detail that the protagonist runs screaming through the dungeon with hands flailing in the air.
From the creators of Nidhogg, murder hordes of monsters in this 2D platforming auto-shooter with a killer soundtrack. Collect blood, gold, and bones to increase your powers. Can you survive the Blood Dungeon?
Tenebris Somnia
Nope. See you sickos on the other side of this trailer.
Tenebris Somnia is a 2D retro survival horror adventure game with live action cutscenes created by an award winning film crew from Argentina. Unveil the depths of a disturbing story by solving puzzles and fighting horrible creatures. …What if they aren’t just nightmares?
Mr. Records
Maybe I’ll say this about several games in Day of the Devs, but Mr. Records might be my game of the show. The hot visuals of The Plucky Squire mashed together with Melatonin-like gameplay and seemingly unending musical bangers? Plus there’s a whole-ass store management element? That’s gonna be hard to beat.
N PLUS INFINITY TIMES TWO
Round two for a beloved developer coming in hot for an unexpected follow-up title with N Plus Infinity Times Two, which follows cult classic NPlusPlus. This entry in the series seems focused on friendly competitive play, though single player will be available.
We took The World’s Best Platformer™ and remixed it from the ground up as the ultimate virtual couch party. Five different ways to play: some evergreen, some new to the series, some new to the world.
Bub
Its graphics may not be naturalistic, but I have the feeling this one is going to get too real.
Bub is the story of an artist turning his memories into art while he still can. Bub’s journey through his past is mirrored by changes in artistic style and mood, from ink drawings to rough cut paper puppets to abstracted slashes of paint. Case Jernigan and Todd Anderson have collaborated to integrate thousands of cut paper pieces, painted frames and collages into the uniquely textured and layered stop‑motion world of ‘Bub.’ The result is something personal and unique, analog artworks that create a living, breathing game world.
Lazy River
Space water zombies. If that doesn’t put a smile back on your face, I don’t know what will. I’m ready to build an impenetrable, inflatable raft, scout for the perfect materials, and do a little grilling with my friends.
Lazy River is a co-op first person shooter set at the galaxy’s most unregulated waterpark, Water Station One. The water park is connected by an infinite lazy river that runs the length of the park. You and your friends are at the park for a fun vacation, but some guy peed in the pool and the pee mixed with the space water and turned all the guests into zombies that want to kill you. You’ll need to build a raft and ride the Lazy River to the other end of the park to escape.
Ithaca
I hope the last game brought you plenty of cheer because our next World Premiere developer, the Pixel Hunt, is known for titles like Bury Me, My Love, The Wreck, and Wednesdays. If those don’t ring a bell, just know that they are intense and deal with deeply grave human issues. Also, if those don’t ring a bell, you should probably go take the time to play them before the team’s latest game, Ithaca, releases.
Fans of Ancient Greek mythology might have some clue about the themes for this upcoming title, considering its title and the main character’s name, Penelope. However, the game’s setting is about as far away from the sea-swept shores of archaic Greece. There’s also the small detail that there is someone in the trunk of your car and you don’t know how they got there.
Apple Crumble
When Happy Broccoli Games appeared on my screen, I was ready for the next game in the Duck Detective series. But no! To my surprise we are getting a whole kind of murder mystery in the creepy-cozy walking sim Apple Crumble. To top it all off, the game is set to release sometime this year.
Apple Crumble is a fully-voiced interactive mystery thriller inspired by the likes of Murder on the Orient Express and Knives Out. It’s your grandma’s 84th birthday, and nobody is trying to murder her. Stop suspecting your family members, and don’t worry about the strange man in your bedroom. How about some pudding?
Slap Out of It!
Ben Starr’s voice is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable in gaming. True to from, the man behind literal clown Jimbo from Balatro, is primed for the silliest of jokes. It all sets the tone for the absurd gameplay of this “interactive comedy sandbox” where the only way to interact with the world is by slapping.
Slap Out Of It! is a slap-and-solve adventure that stretches your wits and your noodly arms to their max. It’s a big sandbox of secrets that combines slapstick humor and hilarious lateral thinking puzzles in a beautiful celebration of stupid that will keep you thinking and laughing at the same time.
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