Straight off the back of The Crimson Diamond, here’s another point and click indie that’s been on my radar: Devil’s Hideout by Cosmic Void. A prolific Saturday covering two demos? How does one fit in the time?! Come on – they’re demos, and considering the time I’ve spent, as I’m sure you have this Steam Next Fest…
Anyway, fellow adventurers should be familiar with the developer, and if not, you might want to check out Blood Nova, The Corruption Within and Twilight Oracle. Even better, check out Tommy Gun Witches, which I played on Itch.io before Blood Nova, but I did not realise it was the same person. Another ‘anyway’…
Jeitaro
You play as Lauren, who is told by a medium that her younger sister, who supposedly died on the operating table, is still, in fact, alive and that cultists staged her death. Already, Devil’s Hideout throws you deep into the action, not giving you time to process how straightforward it is to connect with the deceased using simple electronic equipment.
Unlike a point and click such as Lucy Dreaming or The Night Is Grey, Devil’s Hideout uses static characters, mainly from a first-person perspective. Lauren is accompanied by her friend and protector, Atticus, who is also keen to find out what has happened to the sister, Beth, but at the same time, dubious about the information they have been given by the medium.
Though the approach is a little different to a conventional point and click on face value, you still have an interactive inventory to combine items and use within each scene to solve a problem, or perhaps fluke a solution as I did once or twice – yes, I know – in a demo. It’s not hard, but I’d solved one or two issues by a happy accident. Logically, I’d never have worked it out, having never paid attention in Science.
Even in this early stage, which offers approximately 20 minutes of playtime, the story advances swiftly and introduces the supernatural and other things very early on. This is conveyed well by the superb artwork, as can now be expected from the developer. The opening scene of the medium was beautiful, and the soundtrack accompanying the scene was perfectly matched. What an instant pull!
Considering the short gameplay time and the risk of exposing the storyline before you can experience it yourself, do the right thing and go download this demo now and see what you think. Honestly, a week never goes past without me saying that 2024 is one of the best years for indie games, and Devil’s Hideout is another one to add to that roster. Ask for it by name!
