Blind Dating Your Games
How much do you need to know ahead of time before trying a new game?
If you're like me, you consume gaming in nearly all facets of your life
Podcasts. Streaming/Streamers. Playing games. Reading articles/posts (like this one!).
However, if you're also like me, you may be juggling too many day-to-day responsibilities to keep up with e v e r y t h i n g in the space. In this scenario, you can go two different routes:
- Play your next game based on the opinion (however detailed/in-depth) of a friend, or social-follower source (e.g., podcaster, streamer, content creator, etc.); OR
- Go in blind.
The Double Edged Sword
I recently just had an amazing blind gaming experience. Sometimes, picking Option 2 (above) is spicy and fun. Sometimes, you feel a bit of disappointment because you committed valuable time to a game that didn't fill your dopamine reserves in the way you expected.
I sometimes find it difficult to take Option 2, personally. Our time is valuable. Some nights I may only get less than 60 minutes to play something. If I'm reading a good book, sometimes taking Option 1 is the way to go.
However, every so often, you find a game/experience that feels even better because it was unexpected.
Three Recent Games That Fit This Bill (for me)
Recently in my stream I played three different games that I knew of only by title. No one I knew or followed was playing/streaming them in any capacity. I decided to give them a shot and was extremely impressed by all three - so much that I wanted to shout them out here:
Mistfall Hunter
Skystone Games
Mistfall Hunter is a dark fantasy extraction ARPG. Combine skills, talents, and gear for each class in thrilling combat! Whether you team up or go solo, one thing remains certain—only by fighting your way through can you return with a full haul. Good luck, Gyldhunter.
Mistfall Hunter is exactly as the title card describes. I played as the Mercenary class - which allows you to swap between sword-and-board and two-handed hammer "loadouts". Even playing on mouse and keyboard, I found the controls to be incredibly responsive and intuitive - this being a 3rd person action game and all.
It ran very well in my limited time with it, had a very good look to it, and has a ton of potential in my opinion. If you've been sitting on the fence, it might be worth a look!
The Dark West
Black Hand
The Dark West is an Action RPG that challenges both your skill and sanity. Face a cursed western frontier, where faith and damnation war beneath an eternal dusk. Your choices will carve a path through a world where greed unearthed something fouler than death.
I mentioned in my audiobook game genre post that Diablo IV was a good example due to its excellent EGG rating. What if I told you that The Dead West also fits the bill (more-so for MMM but I digress)?
This game oozes Diablo II vibes, and in the best of ways. It has an interesting skill-tree progression ladder, akin to a Snakes and Ladders board (did I mention I'm a Dad?). The game ran well, looked great, and has a playable demo that you can try out on Steam right now.
IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator
Nick Nieuwoudt, Dominik Latos
IRON NEST is a brutal dieselpunk heavy-artillery game where you dominate the battlefield through a colossal war machine. Take map measurements based on the received coordinates, strain the hydraulics, and gunlay the cannons to unleash devastating blows ⟹ Will you obey High Command, Operator?
Yes - there are a ton of 'simulator' games out there. This one is different (to me, at least). It's made by a team of two, even if they so humbly have in-game notes indicating how their community has a huge impact on the making of the game. I love heartfelt stuff like that.
You need to calculate distances, elevations, and bearings while ensuring you have the proper ammunition loaded and correct number of powder charges in order to strike your target. You get a detailed map and intuitive tools to help you calculate everything. Even a dum-dum like me was able to figure it out.
This game is special. It also has a playable demo that you can check out right now.
What's the takeaway?
Take a risk. Pick Option 2. You never know what you might find.
~GRIDDLY
GRIDDLYBEAR is an Indigenous and neurodivergent Canadian, father, husband, brother, and goof. He streams on Twitch twice a week, and can be seen hanging around numerous internet dwellings including Kinda Funny and Hang Time. Don't ask him what the latest meme is though - he likely won't know. For a Canadian he's also weirdly obsessed with Philadelphia sports teams - GO BIRDS.