Gaming conventions typically include a floor show where attendees can play demos of games in development from indie studios and AAA companies alike, an experience missing with events like E3 2021 going all-virtual. In lieu of that opportunity, Summer Game Fest 2021 teamed up with Xbox to create the ID@Xbox Summer Game Fest Demo event. Over 40 demos for unreleased indie games are available to download and play for free in the Xbox Store.
Xbox is careful to caution players that these demos are different from what is usually featured on their demo channel. Where those games are typically snapshots of something that is either finished or close to it, these demos are for games in the earlier stages of development, with much more polishing on the way. Several of the demos themselves are also sure to remind players of this fact, popping up a launch screen cautioning bugs, lag, or unfinished work.
This is the second year Xbox and Summer Game Fest have partnered to bring players game demos, with the 2020 ID@Xbox event hosting over 60 demos for players to try. The 2021 demos are available on the Xbox demo channel from June 15-21. While some of the demos may stay longer, or get removed to return at a later date, others will be gone forever, and Xbox hasn't yet specified which titles will stay and which will go. If 40 game demos is a lot to play in less than a week, here is a list of titles to be sure to play before they leave.
Tunic is a simple, beautifully animated world in which fans play as an adventurous fox exploring an island full of danger and mystery. Tunic is reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda series, and the demo is teeming with foes to be slain, unlockable dungeons, treasure chests, boss fights, and more. Interestingly, all items and signs are labeled with runes not yet decipherable to the players. Tunic is also a nice reminder that a game doesn't need to be dialogue-heavy to craft an engaging narrative with characters players can connect with.
Sable has players traversing desert landscapes with mesmerizing audiovisual production. Sable, the game's namesake, must embark on a rite of passage by taking her hoverbike across the open world that makes up Sable's setting. Gameplay is focused on discovery; players are free to roam wherever they like and investigate whatever they choose. Uncovering this strange, ancient-yet-modern world is an absolute delight.
The premise of Lake is quite similar to Stardew Valley: Meredith Weiss, an overworked woman, takes a two week vacation delivering mail in her rural hometown of Providence Oaks. Though the narrative's vehicle is simple - delivering mail - the heart of the game comes through interacting with the town's residents. As Meredith, players can select their responses to NPC dialogue or choose how to spend free time in the evening. Lake is scheduled to be released September 1, coinciding with the date at the start of its narrative.
Lawn Mowing Simulator is surprisingly relaxing despite focusing on an oft-bemoaned real-life chore. In the game, players must work to build a business by doing yardwork for clients in the British countryside. The lawn mowers are based on real machines, and players can upgrade them in various ways to earn more points and more cash flow for their business.
All demos were played on an Xbox One.
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