Today was the second day of GDC, and I got to enjoy hands on experiences with great indie games, and some unique games featuring alternative controls that were downright unconventional, physically demanding, and seriously fun to engage with.
Enough with the small talk! Let’s jump right in.
The first game I want to talk about is original, and off the wall. Developed by Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson, Consume Me is a slice of life from the perspective of a young girl trying to balance her social life, dieting, and chores. I was charmed by this game’s amusing storytelling devices that allow the character to really come alive. As our protagonist tends to her daily tasks, she deals with relatable issues, displaying quirky facial expressions alongside a plucky stick-to-itiveness that motivate your to help her complete her goals. You get the sensation of progress as you check days off the calendar, and there are hints at a lot of deeper emotional themes behind the happy-go-lucky demeanor of the characters. The boy she tries to impress may be a shallow jerk, and a maturity meter that one assumes can be filled by experiencing this, or other story driven developments, suggests there is a deeper level of gameplay to this game than simple dieting. With animation that reminds me of Steven Universe, and a quirky original style, I can safely say that when this game comes out, I will buy it, and it’s one of my favorite games from what I’ve seen at the convention so far.
Have you ever moved somewhere and didn’t know where to put everything? In the game Unpacking, developed by Wren Brier you click cardboard boxes to take items from them, and place them one at a time into a room until you’ve solved the puzzle. It’s very simple, very straightforward, and yet, there is a sort of zen that comes with clicking the box, and interacting with the items. Again, this game is very relatable, and that’s what makes it good; once everything is out of the box you have to sort of rearrange things to get your ideal placements. This can also be said of life, we must adjust to find the ideal configurations. With a variety of 90’s throwback styled items, you’ll find yourself adrift in nostalgia while you wonder, where does this thing go? Will it fit in the drawer? These are the questions you’ll be asking yourself with Unpacking, and while you do, the cares that tether you to the world will melt away. Check out this soothing game.
The next game I wanted to mention was called She Dreams Elsewhere, developed by Davionne Gooden, Creative Director of Studio Zevere. I was captivated by the fluid backgrounds and music in this turn based RPG. The overhead world has elements that speak of the old NES title Crystalis, and the storyline takes on a dark comedic sinister tone. Keep an eye for this one when it’s released.
Let’s talk about games with unconventional controllers. In Coal Rush, developed by a team of Swedish students from Campus Gotland, two players must shovel golf balled sized “coal” from a vat into their individual bins to make each of their trains, depicted on a screen in front of them, accelerate. Behind them levers switch the tracks, of which there are several, so that obstacles and pitfalls can be avoided. There’s a rope on the left and when you pull it the engine whistles, scaring any critters away from you, and, with any luck, sabotaging your opponent in the process. The winner crosses the finish line first, and in the end both players get a decent workout. I see this right at home in Dave and Busters, or perhaps at an amusement park.
When you play Cook Your Way, made by Enric Llagostera, you will explore the world of immigration if it were determined by Master Chef style results. During your immigration interview you must prepare a country’s traditional meal. On the screen you field the questions and follow orders from two chefs. The interface looks very much like a stove, featuring dial for adjusting the heat and a pot you can stir to keep food from burning once added to the pot. The controller also has a knob signifying a faucet, and there is a plastic knife you can use on the chopping station, activated when recipes demand that certain ingredients be diced. The ingredients themselves are slim physical cartridges, which fit into a small slot near the stirring pot. As there are several steps involving the preparation, the underlying tone of taking an immigration application as you cook is an interesting look at the manner in which capitalistic systems subjugate immigrants through proof of worth governance mechanics. I liked this psychologically provoking and unique game.
There's still so much more to show you, and so much more to see! Tomorrow is another day! Remember if you want to get in touch with me, or suggest a cool gaming company you want me to check up on, you can reach on Twitter @ETH_Nation. Until next time!
Featured image by Joe Chiappetta.
