Games That Interested Me in 2023’s Game Showcases Part 2
Games I found interesting in 2023 game showcases!
And here’s Part 2 of the games I found interesting during this year’s summer game showcases!
Future of Play Direct
Traverse a massive, ruined and beautiful world in this intense, atmospheric action platformer. Steal enemy abilities and fight them back with their own runic magic and deadly swordplay, as you attempt to find your lost twin sister in the sunken kingdom of Ithos.
Do I need another metroidvania game? No, but I won’t let it stop me from wanting to play this one. Especially when it gave me Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow vibes with the mechanic of being able to get abilities from enemies.
Blast your way out of tentacle hell as a failed lab experiment gives birth to a rapidly growing viral horror in this intense action rogue-lite inspired by 80s Monster movies. Use the lab to your advantage and improvise an escape plan before this constantly evolving life form spreads out of control.
I don’t really like the top down camera angle for games, but honestly this one interested me enough to look past that. Not to mention the chills I got while watching.
Psychroma is a narrative-driven side-scroller where you play as a digital medium. Confront the past by piecing together the broken memories of a cybernetic house, and exorcise the ghosts in the machine.
This one seemed interesting and the inclusion of the Talk 2 Me thing was a right choice as it certainly grabbed my attention. Well, until we got to see close ups of characters and some of the minigames, which made me want to see what’s going on in this game’s universe. There is a demo for it so I’m going to check that out.
Live with the ever-present burden of being trapped in a time loop only you can know about in this turn-based RPG. Create a better future for you and your friends. Find hope where there is none left. Pray to the stars and free yourself from time.
I actually knew about this since last year as it sounded so interesting and I like the art direction the developers went with. Now here’s hoping we’ll get another chance to play its demo.
Relive the days of past social gaming networks and dive into this fictional video game era, where the ‘Kinmoku Shark’ gaming system and its online social network ‘Videoverse’ were still popular…
This one was during the hype reel, so there was only a few seconds of the trailer, but I already knew about this one and I’m excited to see the full release. I was pretty skeptical, but after trying out the demo it won me over.
In this first-person puzzle escape room game, you are trapped in the mysterious Mystwood mansion. Explore corridors and find hidden rooms while solving puzzles and deciphering codes to find a way out. Will you escape or linger to uncover the mansion’s final secret?
An escape room game where your main goal is to get out of the mansion? Sign me up!
Shashingo is an edutainment game that teaches you Japanese through virtual photography. With your trusty camera, take photographs of the fictional streets of Japan to capture new words and images as fully translated flash cards!
This game really out here combining my two favorite things, learning a language through gaming and photography.
A virtual pet game starring bugs from land, air and sea! Play as a research scientist living in a cabin with just your bugs and a penpal for company. Spoil them with pets, minigames, food and furniture. Raise and release bugs to help Beetleback Ridge recover from a devastating fire.
This one looked like a Tamagotchi-type game, and apparently I already had this wishlisted, and I’m here for it. I gotta check out its demo soon too.
Grimfield Mystery is a Mysterious Action Adventure about a lost boy with a floating magic hand!
Another one from the hype reel where I know nothing about it, but nonetheless it looks interesting enough for me to want to play it.
TOUCHSTARVED is a dark romance visual novel where your choices determine whether the story ends with gothic romance or blood-curdling horror. Explore an enigmatic city and find a cure for your curse by entrusting your fate to 5 love interests, each uniquely monstrous in their own way.
Please tell me this is otome. Please tell me this is otome. Please tell me this is otome. IT’S OTOME.
Also demo! Gotta love when visual novels have demos so I can see if I like its writing style.
Wholesome Direct
Bubblegum Galaxy is a cozy narrative building game about rebuilding the galaxy tile by tile. Discover and design new planets, complete missions, explore your office and befriend your co-workers… all while trying to find out who deleted the galaxy!
This one looked pretty cute and the gameplay seemed interesting despite it not really being my thing. There is a demo so I’ll definitely check it out to see if I would like building new planets with tiles.
Prepare to clean out the cabinets and secret compartments of the home with even more charming illustrations, surprising scenarios, and 25 delightful new Cupboards & Drawers themed puzzles to discover.
While I haven’t played A Little to the Left yet (past the levels in the demo), this dlc looks pretty good as it gives us more puzzles to get the organization bug out of us.
Venba is a short narrative cooking game, where you play as an Indian mom, who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Players will cook various dishes and restore lost recipes, hold branching conversations and explore in this story about family, love, loss and more.
I’ve been really looking forward to this one for, wow, three years now. I’m so glad we got a release date now and a demo!
A wholesome pixel art platformer. Cook magical delicacies from a vast collection of ingredients in your own shop. Explore an unfamiliar town and deliver tasty treats to the townsfolk. Learn new ways to traverse, discover secrets, and experience a unique witchy world.
This one looks so good and a game where you cook recipes where you do have some freedoms in what you put in (like when you cook irl) is definitely a game I want to play. Just need to wait one more year…
Welcome to Manitas Kitchen, a casual cooking game with a dressing of arcade and mini-games, where you’ll meet Trexito, a T-Rex with short arms that has one dream: to become the best pizza maker!
Why is it so cute that a T-Rex wants to be a pizza maker despite its short arms? Also this game is releasing on my birthday so I have to play it now.
Sushi Ben is a VR narrative adventure where you must save a local sushi restaurant from going out of business. Sushi Ben features colorful narrative encounters, beautiful 3D manga panels, and an anime-inspired art style.
I’m actually been following this game’s development on Twitter and it looks so good! The sad thing though is that this is a VR game and since I don’t have a headset I sadly won’t be able to play this unless a non-VR mode is added.
Leave everything behind and open a tiny bookshop by the sea in this ambient narrative management game. Stock your tiny bookshop with different books and items, set up shop in scenic locations, and run your cosy second-hand bookshop while getting to know the locals.
This is a game I found out through Twitter and it just has a cute concept. I can’t wait to be able to manage my own little bookshop.
Welcome aboard! A bad case of forgetfulness plagues the passengers – embark on a journey of self-discovery shaped by your own personality. As a lost ladybug, talk to everyone on board and uncover the train’s secret destination in a wholesome, card-based, talk-’em-up RPG!
Another game I’ve been waiting for a while for! This one had a similar mechanic as another game that I played, but this one had a different story premise that I think I’d like a bit more. This also adds another demo that I have to try out.
Fishbowl is a slice of life, coming of age story told over a month. Video call loved ones, work from home, sort through puzzles to rediscover childhood memories, do care tasks and get to know yourself better, one day at a time.
I became aware of this game I believe last month and it looked and sounded interesting.
A relaxing puzzle game where you recreate towns from people’s memories. These people will give you written puzzles and to solve them you’ll be able to either modify the buildings or use different tools, such as one that makes wind, and many others. Each puzzle will surprise you in a different way.
The reel didn’t really do this one justice, but looking up its trailer after the direct made me curious. It’s the kind of game where the premise sounds good, but I’m still unsure on how well I’ll do with its puzzles. Just need to wait until the release or a demo becomes available (hopefully).
Create your own cozy, aesthetic indoor garden paradise.
Time for me to have a virtual window garden to go along with me irl window garden lol.
Can you save magic before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve? Life After Magic is a queer, retro visual novel that follows jaded ex-magical girls as they reconnect, deal with young adulthood, and face off against one last threat before Y2K hits.
Another game I knew about, but this time months ago. This one is actually a free game that’s already been released, but I haven’t gotten around to playing it yet.
The Future Games Show
Earth has flooded, and the planet is doomed, but there’s still time to enjoy the view. Guide Nikos and friends through the flooded world of Highwater and beyond in this turn-based strategy adventure game, where they’ll have to fight for their chance to escape.
This one was more of a live performance than a trailer reveal, which seems like it’s going to be a scene in the game, and at least from the trailer bits it seemed interesting.
A turbocharged narrative-driven adventure RPG featuring open-world exploration, stunt-infused racing, and explosive vehicular combat! Build up your team and unravel a twisting story as you compete to take down an oppressive mega-corporation and its enigmatic director.
I don’t usually play racing games, but looks like this may be the exception once this one releases.
Bobby and Penny, rookie magicians, enter an adventure to get back to their dimension and retrieve the Magic Book in Enchanted Portals, a co-op 2D platformer.
Oh I remember this one! This was the game accused of being a Cuphead ripoff. I’m glad this game was able to survive as I’m still interested in it. I do wonder about the game feel though.
Your life is plunged into disarray by a monstrous entity known as “the Vile”. With the town in shambles and your arm left blackened by the Vile, you discover that your best friend, Luella, is also missing. Will you save the town and find Luella — or will you give in to the monster you’ve become?
This one was briefly featured in the “Ones to Watch” reel and honestly, I saw the main character wearing a deer mask and I wanted to know more.
Unrecord is a single-player FPS that tells the story of a tactical police officer from the perspective of his body camera. As you work to solve a complex case, you’ll need to use your tactical and detective skills to succeed.
Another game from the reel that looked interesting.
Build a new civilization out of the chaos of an apocalyptic solar flare as you grow your House from a lone shelter to an industrial metropolis. Take on the burden of preserving life itself and help your people realize their aim: “A future beyond survival.” Lead the world of New Cycle.
I don’t usually play games like this, but it gives me major Frostpunk vibes, which I ended up loving, so looks like I’ll keep an eye on this one.
Welcome to Paleo Pines, a charming island known for its friendly dinosaurs, quirky townsfolk, and mysterious past. Befriend dinos and enlist their help to fix up your ranch and farm crops to create your cozy dino sanctuary! Then set out with your companion, Lucky, to uncover the island’s secrets.
This one was one that I saw the announcement for months ago and the first thing I thought (and said about this game) was that someone finally made a farming sim featuring dinosaurs. I love that we’ll be using dinosaurs as farm hands (and I remember a scene where you’ll even be using one to water your plants which is delightful. Can’t wait to add to my farming sim collection.
Survive the anomaly-filled Olympic Exclusion Zone with a car as your only lifeline. Scavenge resources from abandoned research sites, load up your trusty station wagon, and drive like hell to make it through alive. This run-based driving survival adventure arrives in 2023.
I remember seeing this game somewhere, but I don’t exactly remember, but this one interested me back then and I’m still interested now. It seems like it’ll be a unique experience with it being focused all around your car.
Xbox Games Showcase
>Extended Showcase
South of Midnight is a new action-adventure from Compulsion Games. Explore the mythos and confront mysterious creatures of the Deep South in this modern folktale while learning to weave an ancient power to surmount obstacles and face the pain haunting your hometown.
It looks interesting and creepy so far, but I want to see how the gameplay is like.
Your story begins again. Memento Mori. Awaken the depths of your heart in Persona 3 Reload, the genre-defining RPG now reborn for modern consoles.
I mean, I love me some Persona, especially 3 where the main character is a pretty boy, but I got disappointed after hearing some things outside of the showcase. It turns out this isn’t going to include content from FES or Portable. Which is pretty dumb as this would be the perfect time to combine the two so players can experience everything Persona 3 without having to play it at least twice.
This is like on the same level as the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes not including the additions and improvements from Platinum. I wonder if the plan is to do the re-release enhanced version thing, like they do for every Persona game, where they add the content in, it’ll be put in as DLC, or this is the Persona 3 remake we’ll be stuck with.
At least I already own both FES and Portable.
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.
I loved Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice so I’m definitely interested in Hellblade 2.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a direct sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon where an unexpected chain of events sets two legendary ex-yakuza, Kasuga Ichiban and Kazuma Kiryu, on a larger-than-life adventure as dual playable protagonists.
Another Yakuza/Like A Dragon game, and this time featuring our new boy Ichiban! I still need to finish Yakuza: Like A Dragon (and well, restart since it’s been a while) though.
Witness an epic clash between the spirit realm and mortal man, featuring traditional Japanese aesthetics.
I love the art direction this game went for, but I’m not too sure whether or not I’ll like the gameplay. I guess we’ll see once we see more about the game and when it releases.
Ignite a fire in your heart in Persona 5 Tactica, an all-new strategy RPG adventure with the Phantom Thieves of Hearts!
Atlus is really milking Persona 5 huh? Honestly, I’d rather have a canon P% spin-off/sequel where we see where the Phantom Thieves are after so many years (basically when the MC could return to Tokyo since Sojiro wouldn’t take us in) rather than spin-offs where the events might or might not have happened and the characters are basically the same as they were in P5. Anyway, since this is going to Gamepass I will most likely check it out.
Enjoy meditative vibes in Jusant, an action-puzzle climbing game. Scale an immeasurably tall tower and ascend to new heights alongside your watery companion. Master your climbing tools, find your way up through diverse biomes, and piece together the tower’s past.
I can go for a puzzle climbing game.
Enter the mirror of reality… into the pinnacle of fantasy.
I did not expect Atlus to make their own Perssona-like JRPG. It’ll be interesting to hear more about the game once we get closer to release.
PC Gaming Show
The age of steam has passed and now, oil leads the way as humanity’s newest salvation. However, with new threats on the horizon, the future of the city looks even grimmer than before.
I unexpectedly loved Frostpunk so I’m hoping it’ll be the same for this sequel. Sadly, this was only a cinematic trailer so no gameplay was shown.
Don the La Sombra and descend into Santa Mascota as Detective Pablo Cruz, chosen by Death herself. Blending Mexican folklore and classic arcade gameplay, Mariachi Legends is an action-platforming trip through a world where the Dead live once again.
Only a couple seconds of gameplay was shown…but this game got me with just its artwork. Looking forward to see more of this one once we’re closer to release.
Roleplaying on the edge of a system in crisis. You are an escaped android, with a malfunctioning body, a price on your head and no memory of your past. Get a ship, find a crew, and keep both running as you navigate the shifting landscape of the Starward Belt. Can you build refuge among the stars?
I liked Citizen Sleeper so of course I’ll be interested in a sequel. The story seems like it’ll be interesting and while we saw no gameplay, the store page does look like it’ll have the same gameplay as the first game.
Navigate breathtaking, celestial worlds while mastering the beat of chart-topping hits from today’s most popular artists, including PinkPantheress, Charlie Puth, Duran Duran, and more. Discover fresh new music from tomorrow’s biggest stars on a cosmic trip where every note guides your way.
You had me at rhythm game.
Navigate breathtaking, celestial worlds while mastering the beat of chart-topping hits from today’s most popular artists, including PinkPantheress, Charlie Puth, Duran Duran, and more. Discover fresh new music from tomorrow’s biggest stars on a cosmic trip where every note guides your way.
I was not expecting a horror survival game where your enemies are sentient puppets, but I am all for it. It looks like it’ll be a good game from what we were shown.
Bloomtown: A Different Story is a narrative JRPG mixing turn-based combat, monster taming and social RPG set in a seemingly pleasant 1960s Americana world. Join Emily and her group of friends to save their cozy town from the demonic creatures that live in the hearts of its residents!
This one really got us in the beginning making us thing it was (only) a farming/life sim and then we got a little RPG turn-based combat surprise.
Ubisoft Forward
Dance and share exciting moments all year long with the #1 music video game platform of all time! Just Dance 2024 Edition features 40 songs, from the latest hits and beloved classics including “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny, “How You Like That” by BLACKPINK and “I Want to Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston.
I’m a bit confused with this one, considering I thought Just Dance 2023 was supposed to be the last yearly released title with everything after being added in. Especially since Just Dance 2023 is just listed as Just Dance when you buy it. It’s very unclear whether they went back on yearly releases or this is going to act as a DLC pack. That said, while I love Just Dance I don’t think I’ll get this one unless we see custom playlists, sweat mode, and World Dance Floor returning.
Capcom Showcase
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, the classic puzzle-solving mystery adventure directed by Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi, is back! This long-awaited HD remaster features upgraded visuals and sound and new gallery content.
This is a game I’ve been wanting to play for a long time, but I bought it for the DS last-ish year. So while I’m glad this got a re-release (and annoyingly enough didn’t get announced before I bought a DS copy) I most likely will just stick with the DS version.
Court is back in session with Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy! Featuring three games – Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice – join Apollo Justice on his journey to bring order to the courts and bring an end to the dark age of the law!
Gotta love me some Ace Attorney, but again I have every game on the DS (except The Great Ace Attorney and the Miles Edgeworth games of course). I did buy the original trilogy pack for PC so I most likely will for this one.
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