Each year, a treasure trove of games emerges that don’t quite make it into our Advent Calendar, yet they deserve a moment in the spotlight.
In my 2024 Selection Box, I’m excited to share my personal favorites—an eclectic mix, much like a plate of leftover bites from my Steam library.
Working as the news editor often leads to a bit of a whirlwind lifestyle, where my attention can flit from one story to the next.
Consequently, I find myself quickly sampling game demos, only to toss them aside like a fleeting fashion statement—out of sight, out of mind.
Yet, buried within those discarded titles, I know there are hidden gems just waiting for a second glance, leaving me with a nagging feeling after only skimming the surface of their gameplay.
Withering Rooms
If you’re a fan of American McGee’s Alice or enjoy eerie tales featuring peculiar protagonists tucked away in vast, unsettling environments, then Withering Rooms will likely capture your interest.
This 2.5D corridor crawler takes players inside a procedurally generated Victorian mansion that morphs nightly, punishing your progress by resetting your inventory as you traverse dreamlike landscapes.
The game enchants players with its atmospheric dollhouse vibe, imaginative foes, and unique combat mechanics that delve into the occult, despite controls that may feel a tad unwieldy.
What stands out are the game’s creative elements, such as ghosts visible only in mirrors, potions that magically enlarge your character, and the clever ability to masquerade as a zombie to trick ghastly enemies.
Players can also cast hexes on doors to fend off monsters and enchant armor to enlist them as allies.
The writing and lore hearken back to the classic survival horror titles like Rule of Rose, Fatal Frame, and Clock Tower.
I encourage you to explore it yourself and see if it matches my spirited endorsement.
Should I misjudge it, I can only hope Horace the Endless Bear grants me leniency.
To the Stars
I feel more confident recommending To the Stars, a game perfectly designed for those quick, engaging bursts of play—each session only takes about 15 minutes.
It’s just right for your coffee break, especially if you enjoy your brew accompanied by the whimsical charm of anthropomorphic planets.
The objective? Connect the starlanes between planets to launch fleets against one another.
But beware! Each planet has its own resource needs, and watching them waste away will lead straight to their demise in the struggle for cosmic dominance.
Victory can also be snatched by securing space monuments, and special abilities spout into play as time ticks.
Some savvy members of the Rock Paper Shotgun community liken it to Galcon, albeit draped in an upscale, Hanna Barbara-esque flair.
The vivid personalities of the planets give life to the game, as they exchange glances and emotions, bringing each encounter to life.
The soundtrack pulses with energy, amplifying the enjoyment.
While it’s not verified for Steam Deck, I suspect its charm and mechanics would translate beautifully to handheld gaming.
If I happen to be mistaken, I invite Horace the Endless Bear to unleash his fury on my cookware.
Isles of Sea and Sky
Despite my initial reluctance toward block-pushing puzzles, the demo of Isles of Sea and Sky won me over instantly.
This delightful puzzler evokes a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of classic SNES games.
You play as a furry castaway navigating a serene open-world archipelago filled with myriad single-screen challenges, complete with an abundance of blocks and keys to manipulate.
While a story unfolds around you, it takes a backseat to the game’s calming pixel art and relaxing puzzle complexity that allows for multiple solutions.
This title celebrates the sokoban genre brilliantly.
Players will encounter an array of mechanics, including tiles that become impassable, jets of water that send objects flying, blocks on a countdown, and icy patches that will slide characters right off course—all culminating in a delightful gameplay experience.
Isles of Sea and Sky deserves a place among the best, and if I am wrong in my excitement, I can only brace myself for Horace the Endless Bear to concoct a whimsical spaghetti dinner from my insides.
So, whether you’re keen to explore chilling narratives, cosmic strategies, or charming puzzles, these games are waiting to beckon you into their unique worlds.
Happy gaming!
Source: Rockpapershotgun