Side Quests // 11.21.22

360 no scopes (literally) and absolute terror

Hi folks!

Sam here; this week I’ve got two recommendations, both of which have been on my radar for a while.

HYPER DEMON

First up is HYPER DEMON, from developer and publisher Sorath.

Now right off the bat - HYPER DEMON is intense.

From the Steam Store:

HYPER DEMON is an FPS like no other.

a pearl of lightning.
a dream from the future.
a drop of poison.
a swan song.

While the game has a number of innovative mechanics, the secret sauce is the sensory overload the game throws at the player through two features - a spherical projection view that gives the player a near-180-degree field of vision, and a red holographic “rear-view“ overlay that completes the sphere of awareness.

Ultimately, these two features work to give the player a full 360-degree field of perception. Combine those with a usual lighting-strike-on-cocaine level of intensity that boomer shooters are known for, and you get an experience designed to test the limits of the human mind.

Reviewers attempt to describe the sensation as “feeling like their soul is on fire“, “perceiving higher dimensions“, and “how it feels to chew five gum“, and the game includes both an addiction warning and a photosensitivity warning.

I think that illustrates what you’re getting into pretty well; if you like boomer shooters, experimental mechanics, or transcending the limits of human perception, check it out.

It Steals

Next up is It Steals, from developer and publisher Zeekerss.

Now, I promise I wasn’t intentionally trying to be sadistic this week, but It Steals is… also extremely intense.

As a self-described “experiment in survival horror“, It Steals has five modes, each of which represents an escalation of unpredictable monstrosities and tense stealth mechanics.

Since it’s horror, I won’t spoil too much more, but It’s also notable for having a 99% positive review rating with almost 600 reviews. Reviewers laud the game for its innovation and its ability to cultivate intense paranoia - many mentioned how difficult it was to even open the game after experiencing the terror it induces.

If you didn’t get enough scares in October, pick this up for just $5 (plus the cost of therapy for the inevitable night terrors and anxiety).