Update: Bumping the article due to resolved issues with preview videos now displaying properly
Microsoft invited us to attend their now annual ID@Xbox Showcase during GDC 2016. We got our hands on quite a few games that we'll share videos with you over the week, but there were a few games that stood out to us. Why, might you ask? Simply put, these games are coming to Windows 10 as well as the Xbox One. Let's check 'em out!
The Turing Test
The Turing Test comes from developers Bulkhead Interactive who have been in the news recently for their successful Kickstarter with Battalion 1944. The Turing Test, however, is a different kind of beast. The best way to describe is that it mixes their last game Pneuma: Breathe of Life with Portal.
The game has you playing as engineer Ava Turing as she explores a research base that is stationed on Jupiter's moon, Europa. Use your Energy Manipulation Tool to take power from one object and place it in another in order to complete puzzles.
I spent a little more than 20 minutes with the alpha build and walked away completely impressed. The graphics are top-notch and the controls are straightforward with the learning curve being how each object in a puzzle works. If you've ever played a Portal game, you'll feel right at home with the Turing Test.
The Turing test is slated to hit Xbox One and Windows 10 this August.
Pit People
Pit People comes from The Behemoth, the developers of cult-hits like Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers. The game is a turn-based strategy game in which you must take on Electrobots, Vampires, and sinister Cupcake people as you try to travel across an apocalyptic wonderland.
As expected, the game features The Behemoth's signature art style and as well as its sense of humor. In the game, you can customize your character as well as level up certain abilities just like you could in Castle Crashers. One of the coolest features of Pit People is that the game also features 2-player co-op and can even go up to 4 players for a 2v2 gametype.
After working my way through the tutorial I found myself enjoying the game and wanting to play more. The game kept me laughing from start to finish and although I'm generally not a fan of turn-based strategy I found myself intrigued by the odd characters and weapons.
There's no timetable on when the game will release but they did tell me that we can expect a closed beta sometime later this year. When we get further information regarding that we'll let you know!
Check out our detailed Pit People preview for more impressions!
Kyub
Kyub is a puzzle game from the Japan-based studio, Ninja Egg. The game has you playing as a Kyub that must work its way through obstacles such as gravity, lasers, and earth's elements in order to make its way through puzzles.
In the game, you must manipulate certain materials to change the status of your Kyub to help you through parts of a puzzle. For example, if there's a fire block that you have to cross over you need to turn the Kyub into a water Kyub in order to make it across. As for the game's objective, it's simple. Do whatever you can to beat the puzzles as fast as you can in order to receive a gold rating.
The game doesn't feature a direct form of multiplayer, but you can compete against your friends fastest times. The game has a bit of a learning curve as I had to give the developers the controller in order to get good gameplay footage. But if you're a friend of difficult puzzle games then Kyub was made just for you.
Thimbleweed Park
Thimbleweed Park first hit headlines back in 2014 when the Kickstarter was funded by almost 70% more of what it was asking for. The biggest reason for the game's appeal is that the game relies heavily on nostalgia as it is a 2D point-and-click adventure and the fact that it comes from the creators of Maniac Mansion.
Legend has it that Thimbleweed Park used to be a thriving town but now it's a place that you don't even want to find yourself passing through. The story begins with two useless cops who happen to find a bottom of a river and as you try to solve the crime you learn what Thimbleweed Park is all about.
My first half an hour with the game was eventful, to say the least. The game has a lot of dry/satirical humor that will have you laughing out loud even when you least expect to. I also found the characters to be quite mesmerizing although I'm usually not a fan of games that lack voice-acting. That being said developers of the game promised that the final version of the game will include full voice-acting. All in all, it's a game I can't wait to get my hands on again just to unravel the mysteries that surround Thimbleweed Park.
Kingdom
Kingdom is a 2D side-scrolling game that molds strategy with resource management. The game first started as a flash title online but steadily garnered attention from gaming outlets. Now it's making its way onto consoles.
The visuals of Kingdom are so gorgeous that just a quick glance of the game sucks you into its world. The game is presented in a pixel art that almost looks as if it was water painted. Your job is is to build up your kingdom to protect it from bad guys.
The thrill of Kingdom comes from "finding it out" as the game gives you no direction whatsoever and instead you must use trial and error to get the gist of Kingdom. Unfortunately, I found Kingdom to be rather elusive GDC and didn't get to play it for myself. That being said, the game is currently out on Steam and it has very positive reviews.
Wrap-up
Well there you have it, these are the five games shown at Microsoft's ID@Xbox Showcase that was labeled to be coming to Windows 10 as well. That being said, it was never stated whether or not the games would be available in the Windows 10 store or if that just meant that you could buy the games on Steam.
However, only a few games that made the jump into the Windows 10 store have been announced beforehand with most titles being announced a week or just days before. If we get official word if/when the titles will be coming to the Windows 10 store, you'll definitely hear it from us first.
