There’s been plenty of large, blockbuster video games hitting over the previous few weeks, and that may get a bit tiring. So this weekend, as I used to be perusing the Steam new releases, I noticed a curious-looking recreation referred to as Void Stranger. I didn’t know what to anticipate, however it had some keen constructive evaluations and a novel thought.

What I obtained was one of many extra nice surprises of the 12 months. Void Stranger is a puzzling gem that I haven’t been capable of get out of my head.

Made by ZeroRanger studio Methods Erasure, Void Stranger is a puzzle recreation within the Sokoban style; primarily, pushing and manipulating blocks. Even if you happen to don’t know the origin, you most likely acknowledge the fashion from video games like Baba Is You, Chip’s Problem, or (arguably) Catherine. The overwhelming majority of your time taking part in is spent in a Sport Boy-stylized world, manipulating the small quantity of actual property you’ve, fascinated about how each step, course, and manipulation can get you towards the subsequent set of stairs.

It goes on and on like this, down flight after flight. Your protagonist is tumbling down a labyrinth, reminding me of video games like Dungeon Encounters or one other current indie shock, Demon Lord Reincarnation. But it surely has some surprises of its personal, too.

Made in abyss

As you’ll be able to inform from the trailer, Void Stranger doesn’t simply do one look. It’s obtained a complete wealth of beautiful pixel artwork it makes use of to inform its story, in very imprecise and interpretative methods. It pulls some actually intelligent tips that may make followers of Inscryption or Doki Doki Literature Membership sit up a bit of their seats. I’m hesitant to share any of them as a result of a minimum of the primary one—involving a quick respite—obtained a number of real laughs of appreciation out of me.

Even simply briefly eyeing the discussions taking place on the Steam boards, it’s simple to inform there’s loads occurring on this seemingly simple recreation. What’s impressed me about Void Stranger, although, is it’s pretty dedicated to utilizing its medium to convey the mysteries. Inside all these deeper explorations and concepts, manipulations of issues that appear each mind-shattering and game-breaking, it’s all nonetheless the identical sokoban puzzler. Methods Erasure has discovered some actually intelligent methods of constructing a deep enigma throughout the mechanics of its puzzles, and I actually dig that.

I don’t know if I’ll handle to see the underside of this labyrinth. However if you happen to’ve grown weary of the AAA bombardment we’ve had for the previous few weeks and wish one thing decidedly offbeat and totally different, Void Strangers is that. You may choose it up right here on Steam or via the Itch.io storefront.