LudoNarraCon, the global, digital convention celebrating narrative video games, is back this year with panels and 42 awesome games to check out. I went through the games and found the ones that stood out to me, so let’s take a look.
For those that don’t know, LudoNarraCon is a digital convention celebrating narrative video games, hosted on Steam. An initiative of indie label Fellow Traveller, it aims to create a platform to showcase and celebrate interesting and innovative narrative games, replicating as many of the aspects and benefits of the physical convention experience as possible within a digital format.
AFTERLOVE EP
From the creator of Coffee Talk comes a slice-of-life adventure about love, loss and music. Explore modern Jakarta as Rama in his journey to learn about himself, create music, find love and come to terms with the loss of his girlfriend Cinta, whose voice still lives on in his head.
BEFORE YOUR EYES
Embark on an emotional first-person narrative adventure where you control the story—and affect its outcomes—with your real-life blinks. With this innovative technique you will fully immerse yourself in a world of memories, both joyous and heartbreaking, as your whole life flashes before your eyes.
BEHIND THE FRAME
Guide brush strokes and solve a variety of puzzles to help an aspiring artist complete her masterpiece amid her brusque neighbor’s gaze and his pesky cat. As her painting starts to take shape, uncover an emotional tale of chance and artistry revealed behind unrelated yet familiar moments.
COFFEE TALK EPISODE 2: HIBISCUS & BUTTERFLY
Dust off your coffee machine and prepare your warmest smile to meet your customers again in the second episode of the much loved coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator; Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly.
GLITCHHIKERS: THE SPACES BETWEEN
Glitchhikers is a surreal journey through the spaces between places. A late night drive, a deserted airport lounge, a moonlit walk through an empty park, a quiet carriage on an overnight train. Who will you meet? What will you talk about? Where will the journey take you? Find yourself along the way.
HIGH ELO GIRLS
High Elo Girls is a coming-of-age Visual Novel set in the esports scene. You play as the latest recruit for a new all-girls team. Can you help your squad achieve their true potential, or will you only squander your own?
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE
How to say goodbye is a narrative puzzle game inspired by illustrated books. Move the elements of decor and manipulate reality to help a group of ghosts wandering between two worlds reach the “other side”. But beware of the evil spirits that will try to keep you prisoner…
MASK OF THE ROSE
A marvellous romance with a hint of murder. Lose your heart to a stolen city in this game of amorous intrigue! Seek love, for yourself or your friends. Help a murdered man find justice. And watch out for the bats.
MINDHACK
MINDHACK is a visual novel where the player turns evildoers minds into a flower garden.
MONSTER PROM: ROADTRIP
Embark on a road trip like no other in this co-op narrative survival adventure. Visit fun locations, meet wacky characters, and manage your resources wisely. And yes: you still can date some hot monsters 😉
STRANGE HORTICULTURE
Strange Horticulture is an occult puzzle game in which you play as the proprietor of a local plant store. Find and identify new plants, pet your cat, speak to a coven, or join a cult. Use your collection of powerful plants to influence the story and unravel Undermere’s dark mysteries.
WITCHY LIFE STORY
Don’t get kicked out of training in this troublesome witchy life simulator! As an un-illustrious witch of the illustrious von Teasel family, tend your garden and craft spells to make friends, prepare for the harvest festival, and figure out your life… Or not! Growing up is hard, OK?!
WYTCHWOOD
Wytchwood is a crafting adventure game set in a land of gothic fables and fairytales. As the old witch of the woods, explore a strange countryside, collect magic ingredients, brew sorcerous spells, and pass judgement upon a capricious cast of characters.
And there are so many other games being featured! You can see all of the exhibiting games on LudoNarraCon’s website as well as on the Steam event page. Plus there are helpful panels for game devs and talks with the developers of some of these games if you want some behind-the-scenes into them. The con runs from now through May 9th, so don’t miss out!
