This cosmic horror game will force you to trust characters to survive

Another summer has come and gone, and so it is time for one of life’s greatest comforts: video games. It can be difficult to mourn the end of summer but I find it soothing to look forward to fall, and the shorter days. For this week’s work in progress, I came across some works that were darker and more creepy.

We have atmospheric games and more in Cool WIP, Polygon’s roundup of eye-catching clips and screenshots of works in progress. The Polygon staff searches the web for interesting new games to show you some of the coolest.

The week’s offerings include a Metroidvania with a driving horror game and a Metroidvania in which a grappling hook becomes your best friend. We also have a Metroidvania that puts a grappling hook at the heart of everything.

It was amazing to think that cosmic terror could seem so dreamy.

They are the developers Drive Dead Static describe the game as an “anti-Nihilism simulator” where you absolutely have to trust others to survive in its world. It appears that the gameplay involves intense driving, walking in abandoned places and a lot of running. It sports this dreamy, misty lookThis is what sets it apart among horror games. Its developer, Reuben, hasn’t announced a release date, but you can check out more info on its Steam page.

Fwoosh and fwoosh Take a look at this clever grappling hook

Developers Rusted Moss describe it as a “bullet-helly” Metroidvania where the main way you get around is using an elastic grappling hook. The game features a small companion that can turn into a grappling hook. The game is available in English. clip of it in actionIt shows how the player swings around hanging stalactites on the other side before picking up a powerup. It looks as though exploration and traversal are important in Metroidvania games, which is why the idea fits well with the genre. Rusted Moss has a demo available for Windows PC via Steam.

I don’t think these lily pads are stable enough for you to escape a monster

Bramble: Mountain King It is a Nordic adventure inspired by Nordic folktales. Dimfrost Studio was the creator. posted a clipA character called Olle runs away from the zombie-like creature that chases him in water. As Olle jumps from lily pad to lily pad, he almost doesn’t make it, since they are so floppy and unstable. Even from this short clip, the game looks like it’ll have a somber, haunting tone. BrambleIt is expected to release sometime between 2023 and 2024.

Play a touching game to get to know patients in hospitals

Wayward StrandThis is the only exception to this creepy list. One character is portrayed as they embark on a floating hospital ship. The game is character-focused and involves exploring the cel-shaded environment and talking to various workers and patients. The game is cheerful and emotional. This is what’s best about the game: it was just released. Wayward StrandLaunched on Thursday for Windows PC

You get the idea.

I haven’t seen a whole lot of folks talking about it, but Annapurna Interactive is publishing a creepy game called Cocoon. We don’t know a whole lot about it yet, but it looks like it uses a concept similar to Russian nesting dolls where you will explore worlds within other worlds. True to the title of the game, the developers draw on various bug motifs throughout, so the game certainly won’t be short of creepy crawlies. Geometric Interactive’s CocoonReleased in 2023