Continuing Steam NextFest this week is a game that I had my eye on. A puzzle game in which you play as a gecko is the kind of cozy that I am always looking for and I am glad a demo released. I think I would want to be gecko, hangout on a deserted island and do puzzles to appease the GODS.

This week is Gecko Gods Demo.

Gecko Gods is a puzzle platformer from Inresin and Super Rare Originals. The game is scheduled for release on PC, Switch, and PlayStation.

I can’t imagine that there is an in-depth, cohesive narrative that ties a gecko and a large, uninhabited island filled with ancient ruins specific to geckos. Regardless of how I think the narrative will play out, the demo includes narrative points that suggest the Gods have been slumbering for a long time and need to be awakened.

The only way to do that is to solve Gecko-specific puzzles and ride on boats that can be driven by a small lizard.

Gameplay is pretty standard: This tiny gecko can run, jump, and use their tiny voice (for an unknown reason). There are moments when the gecko can use their mouth to pull latches and levers and stuff.

The demo area has a lot of square footage to explore and just enough puzzles to give a good taste of the game. This island is huge! Everywhere is walkable, and the player will quickly see pathways to secret areas and treasure hiding behind gates. You can climb onto walls and ceilings with ease as it requires nothing extra from the player, just walk up to it and climb away!

Probably the most agile and smartest gecko ever seen.

There were times when I lost myself and was walking around the shore of the islands to just check out what was going on outside, and I climbed to the top of the island and kind of just hung out and took in the beautiful scenery. The main puzzles are centered in the cavern inside the island, where the player is given a nice variety of puzzles, from strictly classic platforming, to climbing vertically to jump through highlighted hoops.

I’ve convinced myself that Gecko Gods has a cell shaded look to it, but I am hesitant that I am positive it is. The sunlit ruins of the island and the winding caverns are gorgeous. The ancient ruins really imbue this world with a sense of mystery, which makes discovering secrets more rewarding and exciting.

I have nothing to say about the sound design, only that or often than not I pressed the button that made the gecko “MEEP” a lot. Its cute.

Gecko Gods is so far, so good. The demo offers up a lot to get a good feel of how the full release will be. I played just over 30 minutes of the demo and had a blast exploring and investigating the island, searching for secrets, and doing the main puzzles. The shear amount of cozy in this game is enough for me to wishlist it.