Alex Orona and Super GG Radio’s Best Betas and Demos of 2021 | Winter Spectacular 2021
What’s good, internet? I’m Alex Orona, host of the NPR of Illinois Podcast Super GG Radio. Our focus is beta tests, early access, and pre-release demos of indie games and I’m here to give you our top ten for 2021!
Nice rig! But can it run Kingdom of the Dead?
10. Kingdom of the Dead
Think back to the days of original Doom or Hexen, but add in a slick pencil sketch art style and we have Kingdom of the Dead. As a demon hunter, you and your talking sword go on a fast-paced adventure to stop evil cults from summoning nasty monsters from the depths of hell. Use your arsenal of guns and hunter tools to fight off devil dogs, giant demonic worms and magic spewing cultists.
For fans of: Original Doom and Hexen
Release: Early 2022
Trailer: Kingdom Of The Dead [PC] Release Date Trailer
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1547380/KINGDOM_of_the_DEAD/
And the award for Best Family Game 2022 goes to….
9. Death Trash
Death Trash is an old style isometric RPG by way of the OG Fallout games. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but you are a person born and raised in an underground civilization, quickly expelled into the apocalyptic wasteland to survive. What follows is an adventure into discovering the source of the mystery meat that is growing out of the ground and the gods that rule this world. Maybe you’ll even find an answer to how the world came to be. The answer awaits you.
For fans of: Fallout and Fallout 2
Currently in Early Access
Trailer: Death Trash - Gameplay Trailer | Summer of Gaming 2021
https://store.steampowered.com/app/941460/Death_Trash/
Just do what I do and always react with a face that screams MILD SHOCK… It is very versatile.
8. Who’s Lila
Who’s Lila’s art style is reminiscent of a GameBoy game, but it’s got a lot more in store here. It’s described in its Steam page as a reverse detective game where you are attempting to unravel the mystery of your enigmatic protagonist. Your main character is unable to express emotions, and as such, the central mechanic is having access to his face. When in conversation, you are tasked with moving points on his face to express appropriate emotions and get information on who exactly is Lila. The face mechanic is unsettling in a real special way and the story was unnerving. For suspense and horror fans, this is one that oozes with atmosphere.
For fans of: Silent Hill
Release: February 2022 Demo on Steam
Trailer: Who's Lila Demo official trailer!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1697700/Whos_Lila/
This game would be higher on the list but the ludo-narrative dissonance of blue guy with a sword really takes away from the experience.
7. Rocket Sword
There’s something to be said about a simple premise and Rocket Sword has just that. You are a generic blue person who grabs a rocket sword and then all chaos lets loose. It's really, really funny, guys. You can barely rein in the disarray of that wild sword but that’s the point of the gameplay. Directing the sword wildly while this blue person hangs on for dear life. The enemies range from tanks and helicopters to giant mechs. Check this one out as you’ll be in for a wild ride.
For fans of: No Time to Explain and Bleed
Release: Currently on hold
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP7ubuquK8k
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1749580/Rocket_Sword/
This is nothing like Star Fox 64. I can see what is going on.
6. Whisker Squadron
I always found the Star Fox series limited - almost suffocatingly so. Whisker Squadron improves on Star Fox’s design tenfold with an expansive branching map system and fast-paced dogfighting air combat The graphics are retro in style but this feels modern in all the right ways. The levels are varied from being in tight laser corridors to interplanetary missions. There’s a lot of promise here.
For fans of: Star Fox
Release: 2022 Currently funded on Kickstarter
Trailer: Whisker Squadron Kickstarter Trailer
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1303400/Whisker_Squadron/
Yeah, I already know that I could do with a good hiking game in 2022.
5. Valley Peaks
Nothing like a nice relaxing mountain climb, or at least that’s what Valley Peaks will make you think. With its two-handed climbing mechanics and wonderfully chill ambience, you can’t help but feel at peace here in the town of Valley Peaks. This will be a feel-good hit for sure. Its friendly frog townsfolk make for an overall welcoming atmosphere. This is one town I return back to every once and a while for a pick me up and a quick climb.
For Fans of: A Short Hike and Donut County
Release: No Date but there is a Demo on Itch.io
Trailer: Valley Peaks Trailer
https://tubclub.itch.io/valley-peaks
Other games have style. But Wolfstride has styyyyyyyyyyyle.
4. Wolfstride
When we first stumbled upon Wolfstide for our podcast, we were absolutely FLOORED by the art style. This game is straight out of a bombastic anime like Samurai Champloo or Cowboy Bebop. You play as a team that has a mech fighter in the robot smashing league. The team consists of a pilot, mechanic, engineer, and more. Together you purchase upgrades and plan strategies for the next fight. The fights themselves are card battles with considerations like energy costs, body parts, and armour. The key here is when a card is played, the intense animations feel like you’re watching an anime. Wolfstride is simply stunning.
For fans of: Samurai Champloo and Slay the Spire
Release: December 9th 2021
Trailer: Wolfstride - Official Gameplay Trailer | Summer of Gaming 2021
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1331210/Wolfstride/
Oh… so this isn’t a sequel to Cookie Clicker?
3. Cookie Cutter
Cookie Cutter is an enigma to me. It’s crass, gross, and out there. It’s also beautifully animated with tight gameplay that feels like it’s already ripe for release. The game is a 2D platformer beat ‘em up Metroidvania (that’s a lot of labels) but you play as Cookie, a vulgar android trucker prostitute who takes no crap and drinks gasoline. It’s a wild combination, but in play the animations look akin to a cartoon due to how smooth the sprites move. The action is fast-paced with everything around it looking like silk. It’s incredible how much love has been put into this project.
For fans of: Streets of Rage 4 and Ren and Stimpy
Release: Still in heavy development
Trailer: Cookie Cutter - A Thicc Android Goes on a Rampage in this Beautifully Animated Action Metroidvania
https://twitter.com/CookieCutterDev
Fashion Police Squad is like Cruelty Squad, but less intent on making your skin crawl.
2. Fashion Police Squad
Another game using the Doom model to produce something truly unique is Fashion Police Squad, where you play as an officer who fights crimes against fashion. Crocs with socks? Sagging pants? Oversized suits? They are all here and need to be taken care of with fashion weaponry! Guns that shoot pins to resize clothing, belts used to stun enemies, and tie-dye guns to spruce up boring greys, this game has it all. The gameplay is emphasized with hilarious conversations amongst the squad regarding their after-hours activities and jokes on poor apparel choices, plus puns galore. It’s all here and it’s definitely a winner.
For fans of: Chex Quest HD and Zoolander
Release: 2022
Trailer: Fashion Police Squad Reveal Trailer
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1319460/Fashion_Police_Squad/
Not since Narwhals dueled to the death in space have video games been… um, like this I guess.
1. Spiderheck
The number 1 and 2 spots on this list were hard to pick, but Spiderheck wins out with the pure party joy it brought me. Spiderheck’s premise is essentially spiders with lightsabers battling it out for arachnid supremacy. It’s a really wild idea that pans out to something fantastically fun. As a spider you can walk on any surface, plus can shoot a web to swing around. Using these basic mechanics and some wonky physics creates a recipe for anarchy. Bonus points come in with the multiplayer update to its current demo that has now added guns! Shotguns, grenade launchers, and many others to really get buck wild with. This is a party game for sure.
For fans of: Nidhogg, Gang Beasts, and Stick Fight (and folks without arachnophobia)
Release: Soon Demo on Steam
Trailer: SpiderHeck - Game Announcement Trailer | PS5, PS4
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1329500/SpiderHeck/
