This time, I have a little more time to talk about the overall games that I played, because I got to play a little more than usual (because I was on vacation). There is no order, just a rapid fire of demos that I really liked.

1. Slots and Daggers: From Friedemann and Future Friends Games.

I think that this game was the most fun. I like slot machines, gambling, and dealing damage to bad guys. It is just good fun watching the coins shoot out. super fun, super simple.

2. Cairn: From The Game Bakers

I thought this game would be streamer-slop, but it had me hooked from frame 1. Climbing the mountain is facilitated with immersive survival elements. It had me at re-taping my hands because they were beat up from climbing.

3. Big Hops: From Luckshot Games

A 3D platformer that has a frog as the protagonist? The traversal is on point, the game is fun and quriky and I really like the movement. Sign me up.

4. Skate Story: From Sam Eng and Devolver Digital

THIS GAME IS NOTHING BUT A VIBE. I’ve played this demo twice, and the whole thing is enjoyable. The camera is perfect for seeing tricks; the tricks themselves look great, and the story is so far out that it’s ridiculous.

5. Smash It Wild: From Goblinz Studio and Ernestine

I was a little put off by this game because I am not a fan of “tactics” games, but the volleyball theme got me playing. It is a pretty fun game. Play games, do a weekly schedule, equip equipment, and power up your team to be #1.

6. BARRELROLL: From Barrel Roll and Rubika Supinfogame

Deckbuilding roguelike in the form of loading bullets into a six-shooter is a fantastic idea. Play as a hired gun, search out bad guys, and build your deck with bullets that have abilities like setting baddies on fire, dealing more if someone has already died.

7. Void Hazard: From RealPeach

Survival horror game that reminds me a lot of Dead Space and Resident Evil. Limited inventory space…In space. It took me a moment to fully understand how terrible a situation the player is in, but I had a lot of fun moving around corridors listening to hear if any horror is breathing or moving around to try and avoid them.

8. Dead Weight: From Klukva Games, Spaghetti Cat

Another tactics game. I don’t think this one sets itself apart from most tactics games I’ve seen, but I had fun with the steampunk-ish theme. There are roguelike elements to it, that when you die, you get to spend points to get stronger and then come back to beat more ass. It works.