I was able to schedule some time with the folks at HeadUp Games and they were showing off games from all kinds of genres. Some action, some comedy, and everything in-between is what HeadUp brought with them to the Boston Convention Center for Pax East this year so let’s jump right into it!
Silver Chains is a horror PC game where you explore a 20th century English manor. Be on guard as things are not as they appear to be while you explore the mansion as shadows will appear, lights will flicker, and things will spook you if you’re not careful. The game plays like an old-school point and click first person adventure but you need to discover clues and items to help you along the way such as keys to unlock doors and candles to light rooms. You’re trying to discover what happened in the mansion and why you’re inside it since you woke up in it with no recollection of what happened. Silver Chains looks very realistic and if it’s trying to scare the player then it needs to be as realistic looking as possible. It was however, tough to see at times what was in each room as well as what direction to travel in the mansion but I’ll chalk that up to an early build of the game.
Next up was Vambrace: Cold Soul a role playing game that has strategy elements built into it too. You’ll be able to build your own party and fight as one! You take on the role of Evelia Lyric who is the only human capable of entering the city of Icenaire. You’ll have to use strategy when it comes to gathering your team as each party member has different traits/skills to use that will be beneficial to the cause. Some have magic attacks, some have healing, some have range attacks and some are able to heal longer/stronger at bonfires. Healing at bonfires is crucial as that’s the only way you can heal your party during exploration and every advantage you have will be key to victory. During battle, you can set up combo attacks that will attack multiple enemies however quick wins in battle will be key. You will want to win quickly as you have a meter that rises during exploration and if that meter hits the top on the character it’s on, that character will die and there is no way to get them back. You have other meters to keep an eye on, one rises that makes battles even tougher so keep an eye out on that one. You’re trying to get out of the “dungeons” as quick as you can and finding the quickest path on the map is critical. You’ll also have events during travel that can help or hinder process so be on guard at all times!
Lastly was a game called Dead End Job, a shooting type game where you’re trying take care of the alien scum and get a promotion all at the same time. You’ll get to live out your fantasy as a Ghostbuster for Ghoul-B-Gone when they need some help! You’ll get thrown into this Ren and Stimpy looking shooter where you have to take care of all the ghosts in each area before you can proceed into the next area. You will have different weapons/items to use to assist you and when you reach a certain point, you get a promotion. This upgrade can help you gain more money or run faster or something that will help you. During play you will have to save civilians that have been ghosted and they only have you to rescue them! You’ll have both control sticks at your disposal as one moves and one aims your weapon. I’m not usually a fan of this style of control but it works for Dead End Job as the action doesn’t come at you crazy fast until the much later levels. Do you have what it takes to get promoted and not get stuck in a Dead End Job?
From what I saw at HeadUp Games, it looks like their upcoming lineup has some interesting games and you wouldn’t want to miss them.