I first saw Baba Is You a year ago during the Experimental Gameplay Workshop at GDC, and was — like everyone else in the crowd — absolutely blown away. But, of course, with these big novel ideas always comes the fear that it might not translate into a coherent game. Some of the stars of the EGW have gone on to be somewhat flat, their hook/gimmick never finding its way to becoming a compelling reason to keep playing. But, hoorah, not this time! Baba Is You is immediately completely superb, a puzzle game where you literally rewrite the rules as you play.

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Please play the prototype demo of Baba Is You, so I’ll have an easier time explaining why the full version – now due on March 13th – is one of the most exciting puzzle games on the horizon. It’s the work of Arvi “Hempuli” Teikari, previously known for tiny but perfectly formed metroidvania Environmental Station Alpha. It’s a puzzle game about re-writing the rules of the game by pushing key-words around like blocks. Lava Is Melt? A quick reshuffle, and Lava Is Float; the previously impassable lake of fire now hovering safely in the air above. Concept Is Brillo. Trailer Is Below.

Update: The level editor won’t be ready in time for launch, but the developer informs me it’s planned for a later update.>

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There’s just one week left until a borderline-biblical plague of developers descend upon Birmingham to showcase their up-and-coming games to all. This great gathering shall be known as EGX 2018 and starts on September 20th, running until the 23rd.

There’s going to be hundreds of games on show there across all platforms, featuring developers of all shapes and sizes – both physically and business-wise. While I’ll be sadly missing out on the fun (someone’s got to man the news desk), here’s a few choice PC games that’ll be at the show, and everyone should be checking out. (more…)

When you go to San Fraaaanciscooo, be sure to wear a lanyard with Media inscribed on it round youuur nnnneck That s what Adam, John and Brendan sang to each other as they gleefully skipped through the streets of California s tram-infested hill city. The crew were in town for the yearly Game Developer’s Conference where they spoke to developers, played games, and gambled on the results of the annual awards show. Now they re back and ready to tell you all about their Stateside adventures on the latest RPS podcast, the Electronic Wireless Show. (more…)

Rad trash mammal simulator Night In The Woods scooped this year’s Grand Prize during the 2018 Independent Games Festival Awards at the Game Developers Conference last night, also lifting the award for Excellence In Narrative. Baba Is You, an upcoming puzzle game about shifting words to change how parts of the levels and game work, also picked up two awards. Looking across all the winners, ah yes, there certainly are good video games going around. (more…)

It’s that time again already – 2018’s Independent Games Festival hands out its best-in-indie gongs on March 21 (as part of the Game Developers Conference), and these are the games in line for a prize. And, more importantly, a big shot at success thanks to the profile, although it should be noted that a fair few of these have done rather well for themselves already.

Scooping the most nods at 4 is veritable brain-frying, rule-rewriting puzzler Baba Is You, while the singular, surreal climbing game Getting Over It… With Bennett Foddy and charming, cups-on-ears narrative adventure Night In The Woods both boast a respectable three, followed by FTL follow-up Into The Breach with 2. There are many more lovely, lovely things on the full list of finalists below.

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I’m about to show you a trailer. 20 seconds into that trailer, I imagine you’ll have some kind of reaction. Maybe you’ll crack a grin. Maybe you’ll make a soft, cooing noise of appreciation. Maybe your mouth will drop open as you gasp, your mind reeling with all the possibilities that one simple game mechanic presents.

However you react, I bet you’ll decide that Baba Is You is a puzzler you want to play.

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