Scarlet Hollow
Summary:
Scarlet Hollow plays like a richly illustrated choose-your-own-Southern-Gothic-misadventure in the lush, remote Appalachian Mountains. For some, that adventure will be to get someone or something to accept your re-gift of oozing boiled peanuts, family matters and mortal peril be d*mned.
Each episode takes about an hour for a single run. The game is being released episodically, with the 7th and final episode slated for late 2023.
Unprofessional Gushing Post- Ep 2:
I already loved Episode 1 (which is FREE TO PLAY on a separate Steam page), but Episode 2 has everything I loved from Episode 1 AND MORE. More story branching, more ART, more CHARACTERS…I finished the Ep with so many feelings, such as intrigue and despair and a desperate need to protect these characters from whatever awful fate is in store for their home. I’m constantly amazed at how quality this game is despite the small dev team on their first game, and it’s only gotten better since launching last year.
– Real player with 33.4 hrs in game
Read More: Best Early Access Story Rich Games.
This is what I’ve been looking for for a really long time when it comes to visual novels. Something that is somehow both horrific and adorable at the same time that keeps me wanting more. At the time of writing this, there’s only 2 episodes out and I spent the good part of 2 days exploring all of the options and getting all of the achievements because I really couldn’t get enough of it.
Starting from the top, the artwork is beautiful. I was 100% not expecting the creature designs. It caught me off guard the same way I was caught off guard reading my first Junji Ito book. I knew it was tagged as Horror but I wasn’t expecting deer when it happened. I also wasn’t expecting some of the decisions I had to made. There’s so many branching paths, adding in the differences between traits and specific trait combos which is something unique I haven’t seen before, for me there’s so much replayability. There’s something new to learn each go and secrets behind every corner. On top of that, all of the characters and the writing is amazing. Everyone feels so real, like they’re all people I’ve met in my life. Comparing this to other visual novel games that are focused on getting certain characters to like you, this is different. Part of me thinks there’s no way to get every character to like you and I’m okay with that because it really does make it feel like they’re real people.
– Real player with 23.1 hrs in game
ItsyRealm
In ItsyRealm, you’re on an awesome quest to discover the secrets of a necromancer god only known as the Empty King. Fight, explore, craft, and quest your way through this single-player cutesy RPG.
Along your way, you’ll have to think on your feet using staff, sword, and bow to fight mythical monsters and eldritch abominations!
Use 21 skills to gather and craft powerful equipment from dangerous dungeons, teeming forests, ancient ruins, the open sea, and more!
Help a bunch of like-minded adventurers achieve their own victories!
Be your authentic self with tons of customization options, from clothes to gender identity!
Read More: Best Early Access RPG Games.
Primus Vita - Artemis
Artemis has two objectives: find the water, and then pump it on the Beaufort.
Discover the under world of Primus Vita and face the enemies with new abilities along your progression.
Read More: Best Early Access Action Games.
Super Punchy Face
As Someone Who Likes Side Scroll Hack N' Slash Beat Em Ups. I Thought This Was Fun. There’s For Sure Areas To Improve In But Overall I Had Fun.
– Real player with 1.9 hrs in game
Errant Kingdom (Chapters 0-5)
I’m at Chapter 3 for now, but I don’t know if I’ll ever finish this game so I’ll write my review now.
I can’t not recommend it because the game is beautiful, the characters are nice and diverse, the story is interesting, the writing isn’t boring, the music is fitting. You can choose your character’s gender and race, you can choose your backstory.
But. And this is my one big but - the romances. There are 6 “love interests” out of which 4 are involved with eachother. 2 were a couple that you can help get back together if you so wish and other 2 are implied to sleep together, without a lot of romantic interaction. You have the option to go “poli” with these 2 couples as well as just pick one. I’m not a fan of this - two’s company, 3s a crowd. I always feel like I’m third wheeling when there’s already couples in the game or that I’m breaking them up or butting in where I don’t belong.
– Real player with 109.1 hrs in game
I Cannot recommend more highly
Errant Kingdom, by Lunaris Games has easily become one of my favorite visual novels despite its status as an early access game. Yes, the game is still in development, and yes, content for it is still being produced, but what is there is quality. The art is stunning, the story is engaging and mysterious (It takes a good few chapters to finally realize why you are in Novus), the characters are unique and enchanting. I cannot get enough of this game.
– Real player with 35.1 hrs in game
ZONERS
Falling somewhere between air hockey, soccer, fighting games and a mad alien party…
In a parallel universe, in the distant future, in a Milky Way both familiar and not, the king of the galaxy, King Klianc IX, has let it be known that the next ZONERS Galactic Cup is approaching fast.
So now, the greatest gather once again to compete for the ultimate prize: A single wish of their choosing, to be granted by the cosmic King himself! With the fate of anything & everything up for grabs, it’s well and truly…TIME TO GET INTO THE ZONE!
WHAT IS ZONERS?
ZONERS is a fast paced, 1-on-1, Competitive Sports Action game, that aims to please casual and hardcore players alike!
Strike the ball with your melee, projectile, super and hyper moves, or dash to close the distance and activate a parry for a last second save and score in your opponent’s goal. Keep scoring quick enough and you’ll get rewarded with extra points and maybe even a satisfying Zone Break. But don’t let your guard down or give up, as the double scoring extra time, a shield tearing Hyper move or even a catastrophic own goal could flip the tables at the last second!
CHARACTERS LIKE NO OTHER
Featuring an eccentric cast of unusual characters to play as. From Urnest the old man trapped in yo-yoing 10 year old form as a ghost and the last human left, to a mad pinball collecting crab called Crabhammers, complete with a flying pinball bumper vehicle, to the mischievous scientist fairy Ringressa, whose research on portals continues to hide her mysterious lower half, to the genderless, sentient goo known as Gluup, that just really wants to give you a hug…explosively!
NOT QUITE THE GALAXY YOU KNOW…
It might be the Milky Way galaxy, but it certainly isn’t the one you know. A rich world of silliness lies before you, with little details to discover. Stages take place in all manner of weird and wonderful locations, and a central menu hub to navigate in the ZONERS HQ means ZONERS isn’t just about the tight, chaotic gameplay.
SIMPLE BUT DEEP
Every character shares the same simple inputs, but has access to wildly different stats, spins and abilities. Focus and timing can mean the difference between a score topping Zone Break or a heart-breaking own goal! It might look like tennis, yet with every character having access to ranged moves in their arsenal, there’s always an opportunity to keep on the pressure. How do you break your opponents line when every character is over powered?
ACCESSIBILITY & CUSTOMISATION
A wealth of profile based accessibility options that can be accessed in any mode and will develop even further alongside community feedback makes sure that players of not only different skill levels, but physical capability can easily jump in and have their fun with as little hassle as possible!
Further more, with the ability to create and save your own custom rulesets, there’s almost endless fun to be had. From basic mode settings like time or score rule sets and round numbers or lengths, to more wacky changes like directional based ball gravity and even multi ball, you’re sure to find something to tickle your fancy!
#### ZONERS is mostly the work of one person, Paris Stalker, featuring fantastic original new music from a range of specially handpicked artists such as CRYSTALBOY, Funk Fiction, RoBKTA, Shadow Mantra Steve, ViRiX Dreamcore & Vector U and quality SFX from Max Newton
ARISEN - Chronicles of Var’Nagal
I like this game so far. Don’t get me wrong it is still early access and their are missing text on some parts, but I am entranced by the story lines and who I want to be with
– Real player with 7.7 hrs in game
If you spam-skip the game has a stroke.
– Real player with 5.5 hrs in game
Killer Gin
a few minor bugs so far, but that is expected of course. worth a buy
– Real player with 96.4 hrs in game
One thing is for certain : This game has the most features I’ve seen implemented in a RPGmaker game both in and out of combat.
– Real player with 45.0 hrs in game
Shell Out Showdown
Shell Out Showdown is a wonderfully engaging game that is also incredibly polished for still being in Early Access. Game play is smooth and enjoyable both with friends and solo against computer players. I love all the cosmetic options available in the shop and the overall art style of the game is top-notch. Highly recommend to any and all types of gamers!
– Real player with 5.9 hrs in game
Gameplay is similar to a platform “fighting” game with the rather unique spin that you and your competitors are a bunch of vending machines trying to get rid of all your concessions. It’s not the sort of mechanic I ever expected to see in a game like this but the execution ends up being a hilariously hectic good time.
The controls are tight and movement mechanics are familiar. I’m especially a fan of the dash. The pixel art is cute and fun, and the music is top-tier. And you can even customize your character with effects and paint colors and “buddies.”
– Real player with 4.2 hrs in game
Dead Man’s Rest
A very good game, even in early access (it’s almost complete at this point, anyway).
I follow Argent Games ever since Requiescence, even if I tend to purchase their titles elsewhere due to Steam censorship, which isn’t relevant here since the game is not explicit in content.
It has to be my favorite of their games, alongside Requiescence itself.
The storylines are interesting, and with a very short common route (that has more than one path to access the various routes), it makes replaying each route a whole new experience, especially since what is true in one route won’t be in another, aside from core traits and background elements about the characters.
– Real player with 17.0 hrs in game
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Dead Man’s Rest
Developer: Gallium Games
Publisher: Argent Games
Pros:
1. The Wild West, a place where a balance of lawlessness and peacekeeping is a mainstay. Gunslinging, alcoholism, and tensions between Americans and Natives run in the back. What happens if we add in a little love to that? A more taboo love such as homosexuality in a time where heterosexuality was the overwhelming factor? You get Dead Man’s Rest, a finely packed visual novel with short routes varying from 5 love interests, each being variably different from each other but keep the characters consistency almost each time. It does a great deal in being faithful to old western culture that involves your standard by the book sheriff, trifles with Native Americans, and some small scenes of gunfighting, however it does an excellent job at adding in the romance aspect. It feels down to earth and realistic, with morals that reflected the time back then whether it be about sexuality or your culture, and how people react.
– Real player with 12.3 hrs in game