8Bit/Digi

The Game Developers Conference 2022 was not just about understanding whats new and the current challenges in the industry but also a chance to play some upcoming titles. During the week, I got to try some amazing titles that are out now or coming soon.

These are some of the games I got to check out during the Game Developers Conference.

On the Expo Floor

Hitman Sniper: The Shadows is a mobile game based on the Sniper side-missions missions from The World of Assassination trilogy. Players take on the role of an ICA sniper who is dispatched to take out a target. How they take out the target is based on the operative’s skill and course of action. The game was being showcased at the Unity booth.

Mini Motorways is a city planning game with a minimalist style. Players are tasked with designing the road for a growing city starting with a simple layout before having to plan for a major city. The game was nominated for several awards and it won the Audience Award at the Independent Games Festival.

Morse is a unique strategy game set during the Atlantic theater of the Great War. Players must use morse code to plan their attack then fire on the enemy ships. However, it’s a race against time before the enemy ships evade your field of vision. The game was featured at the Alt. Control showcase of GDC. 

At The Mix

Power Chord is a roguelike deck-building game that has players battle the undead using the power of rock. Players will have to assemble a squad of musicians to battle a legion of demons. This will require them to build a deck and plan out their attack in each stage. As they progress, there deck will grow while adding new band mates to the deck. 

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER is a point-and-click adventure inspired by the classic Famicom games of the late 80’s to early 90’s. Players will take on the role of ES88, a psychic detective, and work with Gates to stop a rouge esper who is hiding in other people’s memory. The game is set to launch sometime in Fall 2022 but players could check out the demo on Steam now. 

Scathe is a four-player FPS bullet-hell inspired by the Doom reboot and classics like Quake. Players are deployed to each stage and must battle waves of demons with whatever weapons they could find. The action is fast-paced and brutal while requiring players to adapt to the world. The game is set to launch sometime in 2022. 

Legion Hearts is a deck-building game inspired by Valkyrie Profile. Players will battle their foe by building a squad and sending them to battle. Your deck could grow by absorbing the stats of the defeated foe and unlocking characters. The game is set to launch for the PC sometime in late 2023. There are also plans for a future mobile and Switch launch if possible.

[I] Doesn’t Exist is an upcoming text-based game with visual details while also using AI to improve the experience. Players will command the avatar and begin by acquiring a key to the next world. It soon will become a meta experience in which players are forced to examine themes of control and free will. The game is expected to launch sometime in 2023.

Have a Nice Death is being developed by Magic Design Studio and published by Gearbox. It’s a roguelike hack and slash that puts players in the role of Death. Having reorganized the underworld like a corporation, his subordinates have forgotten who is in charge, thus Death must traverse the underworld to set them straight. The game is currently in Early Access on Steam with plans for a 2023 launch.

Aurora Punks Session

Aurora Punks held a special session to showcase several of their upcoming games. Me along with Noor Ahmad attended this session to check out the latest titles. Here are the games we got to play.

Chenso Club is a side-scrolling adventure that is a combination of Mega Man and The Power Puff Girls with some carnage added to the mix. Players take on the role of the titular group as they battle to save the world from aliens. The game will feature elements of rogue gameplay and RPG mechanics. 

Block’Em is a 4 player party game that has players overcome obstacles while competing against each other. Players will have to reach a checkpoint while building a pathway with blocks. However, they have to watch out for lava while other players tried to knock them out. This is going to be one party game we can’t wait to launch. 

Kung Fury: Street Rage – Ultimate Edition (Nintendo Switch) is an updated version of the beat’em up based on the cult film. Players take on the role of either Kung Fury, Hackerman, Tricercop, Barbarianna, or David Hasselhoff and battle waves of Nazi’s. The original game and the DLC have been out for some time on the PC and other consoles. To have an idea of what to expect, also check out my review of the original Street Rage for the PS4. 

Bullet Casters is what happens when you combine a tower defense game with a bullet hell stick shooter. One either takes on the role of an attacker or a defender of the gate. Players either go up against each other or the game itself. It was overall one very intense experience for us and a must play game with friends. 

This special report is part of 8Bit/Digi‘s coverage of the Game Developers Conference 2022. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: GDC provided me with press credentials for the week.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.