Weird upcoming games that I can't wait to play

I've always been a fan of games that break the mold and try something weird. Obviously, the concept of weird is very subjective, because one person can consider some games normal, while others write them off as completely bonkers, but I think it is possible to classify them in a way that respects the bold risks and interesting leaps these developers are taking.

The gaming world has exploded over the past few years, and with it, the indie development scene. More and more creative people are trying their hand at game dev, and as a result, many other gamers and I are getting to experience some truly remarkable games that don't exist in the AAA space, thanks to the talented and unique minds who are redefining gaming.

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Pipes.exe

Co-op horror evolves

Details:

• Based on classic Windows screensavers

• Parkour gameplay rather than escape style

Co-op horror has seen a major resurgence thanks to the release of games like Deadly Companybut Pipes.exe Looking to push further into the realm of the weird with an all-new, parkour-style adventure full of laughs and scares. The game sends you back to the early Windows days when colorful screensavers were all the rage, and sucks you straight into these environments, each full of puzzles and creatures from another dimension.

The gameplay focuses more on making jumps and climbing structures than collecting resources, but there are plenty of levels to clear, from pure pipe fever dreams to brick mazes with monsters lurking around every corner. I'm already in love with the art direction and can't wait to try out a truly unique co-op horror game that's equal parts funny and scary at the same time.

corpse dressed

No more mouthwash

Details:

• From the creators of mouth wash

• Immersive controls and UI

corpse dressed Takes the concept of tank control as literally as possible, placing you and two friends in a cramped tank inside a strange, desolate city that's far from empty. The big draw for me is the diegetic controls, where every button, switch, and level needs to be pulled manually, enhancing the sense of immersion and adding a lot of weight to your every action.

When it comes to the co-op component, you and your group take on very different roles within the tank. One drive, one shoot, and another commands, and if you're going to have any chance of making it out alive, you need to communicate and stay strong, even when the odds start to stack heavily against your team.

Through heaven and hell

Details:

• Metroidvania-style exploration

• Brutal enemy design and gorgeous settings

Metamorphosis seems All stitched together like a series of artifacts, each moment, whether it's a cutscene or a gameplay segment, is coated with a beautiful brutality that sets it apart from many other games in the space. You are trapped in a ruined world filled with giant structures and demonic entities, and only by slashing, shooting and jumping into the unknown can you come closer to the final paradise.

What initially caught my interest was the art style, which ensures that every image has the same level of darkness from start to finish, being a cross between pixelated and highly rendered scenes. It's bloody and terrifying, and a must-play for anyone looking for a truly remarkable story wrapped within Metroidvania.

Hieronymus

Entering the Twisted Triptych

Details:

• Inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch

• Communication surreal shooter with fantasy elements

Art and games have always crossed paths, yet it's so hard to find a game that pays homage to its source. Hieronymus. Inspired by the surreal and twisted works of the eponymous painter, you are thrust into a whimsical world where all order breaks down, and any semblance of logic is completely forgotten.

Disturbing four-legged creatures walk on two legs, animals wear clothes, and even your surroundings feel like they're falling apart before your eyes, perfectly capturing the essence of what made the original works so compelling. When it comes to gameplay, I think the combination of exploration and FPS combat makes for an ideal mix of action and thought that should set it apart from many of the safer and more streamlined games in the genre.

Prove you're human

Closer to AI than ever before

Details:

• Commentary on AI and Consciousness

• Looks like other media Ex Machina

Prove you're human Brings AI to the forefront of the experience, placing you in the digital world while your real self continues his normal life in reality. The story focuses on Mesa, an AI who has become convinced that it is human, and it is your job to learn about her and suppress those thoughts of humanity.

Some of the best parts come from the more unsettling aspects of the gameplay, such as the captcha tool that lets you interact with distant objects in mysterious, often terrifying ways. Although the game looks colorful on the surface, there's clearly a very sinister undercurrent running through it, and because of that darkness, it's a must-play for me at launch.

VA proxy

Scale unlike anything else

Details:

• Huge structures and enemies too

• A combination of fast-paced combat like Souls and hack-and-slash gameplay

VA proxy It's been on my radar since the first demo dropped, and since then, I've been actively investing in development. Set in a mechanical and tainted world, you are a lone warrior on a quest for freedom, but in your path are countless machines and other enemies that are more than happy to stand in your way.

The visual style feels very unique and mysterious and reminds me a lot Shadow of the ColossusBecause of the eerie feeling that coats every moment of the gameplay. And perhaps the biggest draw is the combat, basically taking notes from every action genre and merging them into one cohesive whole that should please even the most seasoned hack-and-slash players around.

Hoarder

Finding nightmares in the world

Details:

• Cleaning simulator turned horror game

• Secrets hidden beneath the surface

Hoarder is a remarkable exploration game that starts out quite simple, but soon reveals itself as somewhat unfamiliar. The initial hours are spent cleaning and uncovering the smallest details inside the house, but as you dig deeper, it becomes clear that there is much more to the building than first meets the eye.

You end up piloting a submarine and fighting more nightmares every night, suffocating as the story progresses as the fear becomes borderline unknown. I guess if you're a fan of atmospheric horror like I am, Hoarder Another great game in the genre and looks like a real standout in the space that could be one of the best ever made.

Dungeon experience

Your very own custom Mudcrab

Details:

• Comedy first person adventure

• Silly characters and a silly story that holds it all together

Dungeon experience It's about you and your pursuit of financial freedom. Guided by a low-level Mudcrab, you'll find yourself in a variety of hilarious situations, from office cubicles to underground dungeons, and at no point do things seem to get any less absurd.

Fun games come in all shapes and sizes, but I would argue that for trailers and demos Dungeon experience Funnier than the funniest ones out there. It's so absurd and self-aware that I have a hard time imagining a world where I won't be on the floor dying of laughter when it's finally released, purely because of the ridiculous nature of this lighthearted adventure.