Steam Subsequent Fest often looks like videogame Christmas. I get to check out a bunch of thrilling new video games for an hour or so every. Some unhealthy, some good, and a few future favorites. Be it as a result of time constraints, the overwhelming flood of Summer season Recreation Fest bulletins, or fewer apparent standouts, this time round simply did not really feel the identical. So, as a substitute of my regular round-up of seven, eight, 9 demos you need to attempt, here is one: Resort Barcelona.
This 2.5D side-scrolling roguelike recreation is a brand new collaboration between the legendary Suda51 and Hidetaka ‘Swery’ Suehiro, the creator of Lethal Premonition. Impressed by basic slasher motion pictures, it is proper in my wheelhouse, however it threads the needle in such a method that non-horror followers will not really feel alienated, whereas style vets will take pleasure in being smacked over the pinnacle by enjoyable references.
You play as Justine, a younger federal marshal investigating a mysterious case that leads them to Resort Barcelona, an odd entice for serial killers. The twist is that you’ve got by some means trapped one other serial killer, Dr Carnival, inside your thoughts. With the 2 of you intrinsically linked, you acquire powers that allow you to defeat these murderers as soon as and for all.
This performs out by way of a sequence of side-scrolling dungeons. Working your method by means of a maze of two.5D environments, you should defeat smaller foes impressed by basic slasher tropes, reminiscent of chainsaw-wielding lumberjacks and masked maniacs. Survive every stage, and you finally meet the spherical’s boss – every an apparent homage to essentially the most legendary film killers. The primary is Jacob, an enormous, jacked fiend carrying a hockey masks, and his degree takes place within the, ahem, Diamond Lake campsite. I am undecided I can contemplate it a spoiler to let you know this younger man’s story includes a summer time camp, its counselors, teen intercourse, and a lake. Although not obtainable within the demo, the subsequent killer is impressed by chainsaws and barbequed meat. I will allow you to do the mathematics.
The environments are beautiful in a hand-drawn cartoon method, and the pine timber, tents, and log cabins within the background once more remind you in no unsure phrases of its inspiration. Nonetheless, Resort Barcelona is not any one-trick pony.
While you die throughout a degree, which you may do fairly often, you are despatched again to the beginning and launched to a phantom of your self. Similar to in Forza, you may journey alongside the phantom because it performs out your earlier run. You may’t management them instantly, however they nonetheless come in useful once they distract and even battle enemies for you. The extra you die, the extra phantoms you acquire. Nonetheless, in case you occur to make it additional on subsequent makes an attempt, every phantom can solely go so far as you made it throughout their respective run.
I am horrible at roguelikes. I really like them, do not get me improper, however I’m not good at them. After all, the character of the roguelike is gaining higher gear, upgrading your package, and entering into time and again, however I would like the phantoms’ assist. I nonetheless solely made it to Jacob in straightforward mode, so those that like a problem needs to be put by means of their paces on any of the more durable difficulties.
Talking of drugs, there’s quite a bit to play with right here. From unlocking new blades, ranged weapons, and different slasher-suitable gear to navigating a full talent tree and buying contemporary talents, there is a plethora of rewards in your early makes an attempt. Naturally, given the type of the sport, there are some cute cosmetics to uncover as nicely, together with a cheerleader costume, the ‘nightmare sweater,’ and even a psycho raincoat.
All of this, and I have never even talked about the resort itself, which you’ll discover whereas talking with workers and different residents, interacting with a solid of colourful, engagingly voiced characters.
I used to be slightly unfair on the high, as there have been two different standout Steam Subsequent Fest demos for me this week: MIO: Recollections in Orbit, a valuable platform recreation that Ori followers will love, and Mars Attracts. The latter, imagine it or not, is a brilliantly entertaining theme park tycoon recreation primarily based on Tim Burton’s Mars Assaults, and is as delightfully bonkers as you’d think about. However in case you’re on the lookout for that one future hit to wishlist, let or not it’s Resort Barcelona. Roguelike fan, slasher fan, or someplace in between – you may little question get a kick out of it.