Steam Next Fest 2023 - The Banger Index

A list of all the games I tried for Steam Next Fest 2023, ranked by how much of a banger they are. Notes included!

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
Oh, this is top down Dishonored. Yes.
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars
I kind of hate traditional JRPGs, but holy shit this was so much fun I could not put it down. What an achievement. This is somehow a day one for me. Play it!
En Garde!: Student Project
En Garde!: Student Project
This was a fun demo but I can't see the fun sustaining itself throughout an entire game unless a lot more layers are added. Keeping an eye out though. It's a lil janky.
Laika: Aged Through Blood
Laika: Aged Through Blood
Reminds me of those old motorcycle flash games I used to love, but with great controls, great art and atmosphere. Not sure If I'll love the final game as I'm a metroidvania hater, but it could surprise me.
Let's School
Let's School
Management friends, this is fantastic. Such good vibes. UI needs a little tweaking but could turn into something really special.
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
I think if you're into musicals, love DONTNOD's games, or are super gay, or all of the above, this is a game for you. Very intriguing story, kind of Hamilton-esque conversational numbers which I enjoy. This could end up being very good or very bad.
A Tiny Sticker Tale
A Tiny Sticker Tale
Very competently made and very sweet, but also very clearly for children. If you've got a creative kid age 6-9 somewhere, they're going to LOVE this.
Eternights
Eternights
This was so freaking bad dude. Everything about it sucked. It feels so bad to play and every third sentence had me physically cringe.
Wizard With a Gun
Wizard With a Gun
I can see this taking off but it so not for me. It's closer to Don't Starve than anything. GREAT art. Enjoyed none of the gameplay.
Growth
Growth
What the FUCK is going on
Laysara: Summit Kingdom
Laysara: Summit Kingdom
Gorgeous city builder on the side of a Tiebetan mountain hundreds of years ago, complete with everything you want from that aesthetic - yaks, huge bridges, mandalas, mountainside meditation, avalanches, and stone monasteries. Day one purchase. So much fun!
A Void Hope
A Void Hope
Poorly made platformer, not much going on, very vague about what to do and where to go to the point that I had no way to progress.
Quest Master
Quest Master
Needs some streamlining and some more options for building, but it's a competent indie Zelda Dungeon Maker. Seems like it might rely on user made content though, so we'll see how it does at launch.

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