Steam Next Fest is upon us once again. Demos are being shown off, eager developers are hoping to get their names out there, and there are more things to do than ever before. If you're anything like me, you'll want to play them all. And at this point, I've dove into a fair number of different Next Fest Demos, and my wishlist has grown tremendously. But, I wanted to take a bit of time to highlight some of the standouts that I've seen so far. From games that I normally wouldn't play, to games that I've talked about in the past — that's what Indie Games of the Week is all about.

This week, I'm highlighting three games in total. The mystery that Clue: Murder by Death unravels. The grid-based strategy and combat of Dungeons and Warbands was put together by a single developer. And the adorable first-person platforming adventure Whisk, which I've talked about here before on Glizzy. Each of these games has a demo available now, and I would strongly suggest checking them all out. Why? Well, let me tell you why each of these games deserves some of your time.

Clue: Murder by Death May Look Adorable, but a Surprisingly Competent Mystery Lies Beneath the Surface

My first nod for Indie Games of the Week has to go to Clue: Murder by Death — a game that caught my eye with its art style, and kept me around for the intriguing mystery that unfolded before my eyes. Clue: Murder by Death is a very slow game, a game that requires a lot of exploration and backtracking, but one that rewards you for it. But its intricately woven plot, aura of intrigue and mystery, and charming visual and audio design make it a must-play for crime scene aficionados.

Let me set the scene for you — the Lord of the manor has been found dead. There are 10 suspects, each with their own motives and reasons for wanting to bring Lord Anderson's life to an end. And it's up to you and two other members of the crew to discover what went wrong, whodunnit, and why they did. You've got 120 minutes (or three hours now, thanks to a recent update) to figure it all out with minimal handholding along the way. This one is for the true crime sickos, even though the cutesy art may not make it appear like it's a hardboiled detective story.

This Was Probably the Fastest Two Hours of My Life, Honestly

Having an always-ticking clock in the corner of the screen is daunting. Always knowing when your investigation needs to come to an end adds an incredible amount of tension to the exploration-based gameplay that Clue: Murder by Death offers. The manor is massive, and exploring it is going to take some time, even for dedicated sleuths such as myself. It's a game that rewards multiple playthroughs with alternate characters, with each member of the group interacting with things differently. No lines of dialogue are shared between characters, meaning that an NPC may tell one player something and hide the truth from another.

Clue: Murder by Death is a slow game, one that demands you search every nook and cranny while also reminding you that you have a mystery to solve. I've played through the game multiple times at this point, and I don't think I've still discovered everything that it has to offer, but I'm already itching to dive back in. The development team behind the game is also listening to feedback, implementing longer timers to encourage exploration and stoking the fire of mystery that lies within our guts. I do wish that rooms would be labeled on the map, but otherwise, if you're in the mood for a slow-burning mystery that is going to engross you more than you could ever expect, Clue: Murder by Death is an excellent addition to your library.

Dungeons and Warbands Has Done the Impossible - It’s Got Me Interested in Grid-Based Strategy Games?!?

If there is one type of game that has never held my fancy for the longest time, it's grid-based games. I know they have their audience, but typically? I'm not a part of it. That is, until I discovered Dungeons and Warbands. At first glance, I was curious to see what made this different from other games of the same ilk. A fantasy-themed RPG adventure with a created character? It seemed like everything else I had played. That is, until I actually played it. A mixture of grid-based strategy, combined with hack-n-slash action? Sign me right up.

Yes, I've played games like Fire Emblem in the past and found enjoyment in them, but there's something beneath the surface of Dungeons and Warbands that scratches a particular itch I feel with this genre. Rather than it being a flashy, turn-based affair, actions are quick, and death is even quicker here. It's unforgiving, unless you prepare well enough in advance. Bandits can take your life as quickly as you encounter them, unless you're one step ahead of them. While you can mindlessly venture into dungeons, you need to fully prep before you meet your demise.

Plus, Dungeons and Warbands Looks and Sounds Beautiful in Motion, With Exceptional Lighting and Moody Sound Design

At first glance, you may be quick to dismiss Dungeons and Warbands for having a non-conventional artstyle. Rather than having full character models on display, each character is defined by a portrait. Admittedly, it's a little silly watching the bust of a character roaming around the surprisingly large and dense open world. But once you get used to it? You'll find that it's an incredibly beautiful game. Great use of lighting and sound design makes exploration far more interesting and tense. You never know what is lurking right around a corner, unless you've got the light of a torch shining just right. Every turn felt like it could spell death for my crew and me, so I needed to be careful with every step I took.

Normally, this type of game isn't for me. But after diving into the demo build for Dungeons and Warbands, I was quick to add it to my wishlist. Actions are fast. Enemies are dangerous. And the world itself is gorgeous to see unfurl before your eyes. As a passion project by a solo developer, I'm very interested in what Dungeons and Warbands has to offer. Especially since it was one of, if not the first game in its genre, to actively hook me from the start.

I Know I’ve Talked About Whisk Before, but I Gotta Highlight It Again

If there's one thing I love more than games I can play with my wife? It's cats. I'm a fiend for cats. They're just the most adorable things on the face of the planet (dogs are okay, too, though). That's why I was initially intrigued by Whisk, a co-op only multiplayer game that has players parkouring through stages, saving dream cats. It's like Double Dusk reached into my brain, figured out my dream game, and ran with it. Watercolor pastel stages that are littered with risky jumps and branching paths? Perfection. Utter perfection.

But, here's the thing — even if you aren't a cat sicko like yours truly, there's still a ton of reasons why Whisk is a game you should be keeping your eyes on. It's got some of the smoothest first-person platforming I've ever seen in a game. The level design is clear, visually interesting, and full of alternate paths you'll need to take to save more cats. And the soundtrack is a work of art. Plus, the dynamic between the two main characters is quippy and full of fun jabs, making it feel like a real friendship. Maybe the real friends are the ones we made along the way while playing Whisk together?

Plus, Whisk Is Perfect for Those Who Want to Speedrun Everything

Whisk falls into that perfect middle ground for a game like this. It can be played casually, taking your time to soak up the scenery. Or you can play it as fast as you'd like, and rush through these stages like your name is Ogilvie Maurice the Hedgehog. Yes, that's actually what Sonic's real name is, sorry to break it to you here. Nevertheless, you can play Whisk exactly as you see fit. Replaying stages to get better scores and a faster speed, or slow and steady. It's completely up to you how you want to play.

My wife and I? We took it slow. Even though my inner speedrunner wanted to come out to play, she wanted to soak in the sights. That's what makes Whisk special, outside of the interesting premise and fantastic movement. It's a game that players of all skill levels can play and enjoy, and only get better as they continue their journey. Plus, you get to pet cats to heal their little bubbles. HOW ADORABLE IS THAT?!? It's a great game for couples, a great game for friends, and an even better example of how indie games keep pushing the boundaries of what should be possible in a co-operative adventure like this.

There Are So Many More Games To Talk About for Indie Games of the Week

The Indie Games of the Week series isn't going to be a one-off. As Dwayne and I continue to discover more interesting and unique games? We're going to talk about them here. Glizzy wants to champion games of all sizes, budgets, and popularity, so don't fret. If you're posting, we're seeing what you're talking about. This is just the first of many articles that are going to talk about different games that we're spotting across social media. I'm a chronically online little gremlin, so I'm always searching for the next game to steal countless hours away from me, and that's what this is all about. I've got plenty of ammo in the chamber, and I'm ready to keep talking about unique, interesting indie games that catch my eye, so be prepared — I'm coming for you... and your games. 🙂