EGX is one of the biggest gaming showcases to be held in the confines of the UK, as the show manages to showcase all the spectacular triple A titles some of the smaller indie games are sure to be missed. This is where the spectacular EGX Rezzed steps up to the podium, this show brings to light the creative and talented developers that sometimes get over looked. The 3 day show at Tobacco Dock in London allows the public unrestricted hands on time with Indie games galore.
This years showcase was spectacular, there was a large focus across the board on Virtual Reality and signalled that this is going to be a growing market in the years to come. There was no shortage of games to get our hands on and only 3 days to play as many as we could.
ID@Xbox had a big focus on titles that were near completion, two games that stick out in my mind were Raging Justice by Makin Games and Gear Gauntlet by Drop Dead Interactive.
- Raging Justice – A game that could be called a spiritual successor to the timeless classic Streets of Rage or Double Dragon. The game is a side scrolling beat em up title where you play as one of two cops dishing out the most brutal law enforcement you could imagine.
- Gear Gauntlet – A game I fell in love with last year, as the gear is a maze runner title with a twist, you have to use coloured buttons to break down walls and avoid saw blades as you make your escape from this frustrating addictive game.
The main showcase of the Xbox room was a massive table filled with machines playing Quantum Break, both Windows 10 and Xbox One builds of the game. Though getting a seat at that table could have cost you some of your time as there was always a healthy amount of people looking to get their hands on with the game.
More titles on display were the Xbox One version of Starbound, Subnautica, Rocket League, Super Hot, The Turing Test, Coffin Dodgers and many more. Each game had its own charm and whit while having the added privilege of being able to talk to members of the team who actually made the game.
Outside of the Xbox room was a game coming to PlayStation next month and Xbox later in the year is Table Top Racing. The game was a smash hit on the mobile market and now making its way to consoles. The easiest way to explain the game is Micro Machines meets Mario Kart, add in a group of friends and you will have a fun time with possible swearing and threats at each other. The game is a refreshing step back to social gaming and a much needed injection of fun into the current racing market.
Unrelated to Xbox the show also has a big focus of board and table top games, where at any point in the day you can sit down with a group of strangers and just enjoy the simplicity of a game. This aspect of the show actually forces other people to come together and work in a group or a competitive manner, though is also introduces a social element missing from the rest of the show.
The platform of choice for the indie mega room was PC as this is the platform that just about every game is created on. Not all the games we played were Xbox; this does not mean we are exclusively endorsing Xbox only games. The Indie mega room was the largest room and sometimes meant passing things several times before managing to get some hands on time. Though some games of note to come out of this room were the following:
- Shadowhand – A Solitaire game with RPG Elements and a turn based battle system makes this game something different and addictive. Play through the games story as a Highway woman in Victorian England and become the legend of the Shadowhand.
- The Breakfast Club – This is almost like the game I am Bread, yet it is a 4 play player co-operative game where you have to work together to control the items on a breakfast table. The objective is to create the breakfast meal without any items hitting the floor. This game was created during a 48 hour game jam and is extremely impressive and hilarious.
- Grip – This insane racer will make your car (and head) spin with the twisting and turning tracks while being able to drive along walls and ceilings. The game is heavily inspired by Rollcage games from 1999.
- Giant Cop – This is the game where I finally got my hands on the HTC VIVE, this VR game puts you in the roll of a 30 foot cop who has to patrol and carry out your duty on the tiny population around you. The game allows you to use the planned out space of the VIVE along with the controllers to use all aspects of the environment to your advantage. Pick up, throw, push and pull things in all directions while living life as a giant.
- Deceit – An interesting game where 9 players have to escape from a mental hospital, sound simple enough ……. wrong. 3 players are actually infected, when the lights go out the infected transform into beasts that have to take out the remaining players and stop them from escaping, use weapons and other items to fight back against the enemies. The game is played in 3 rounds where most people will have the chance to play as each role.
The event also puts on many different showcases including master classes with developers, or panel discussions where audience get to ask questions to people from all walks of gaming life. The show has a relaxed atmosphere allowing people to be relaxed and enjoy their time at the show without hassle.
Stay tuned to our XBLGamerhub.com YouTube Channel for our video round up of EGX Rezzed.
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