Steam Next Fest is an opportunity to deliver an early look at upcoming games, and each year gamers have the chance to find game demos they can try. My Father Lied is an upcoming first-person point-and-click mystery game that captures the nostalgia of classic 90s-style adventure games like Myst. It tells the story of Huda and her search for answers to mysteries left by her father’s 20 years of disappearance.
In the 90s and early 2000s, gamers were introduced to a new way to play adventure games. Instead of the traditional point-and-click or text parser-style adventures, we were introduced to a world from the First Person View and able to traverse some of the most memorable locations in gaming. My Father Lied has taken a similar approach, utilizing 360-degree images and conventional 2D images to give it a graphically unique look. This artistic approach also allows it to run on relatively low-spec devices.
The Core Gameplay
The Steam Next Fest demo introduces us to Huda as she explores a seemingly abandoned military bunker in Iraq. It wastes no time in showcasing how we will interact with puzzles, and how streamlined moving between different scenes will be. There’s a loving attention to detail in every corner of the rooms you visit. Subtle animations exit for objects we interact with, and rewarding sound effects play when you’ve unlocked a clue. It is an experience that immediately rewards you with a desire for exploration.
I was initially apprehensive about how difficult the puzzles might be, but they are presented with logical clues that allow you to take your time in solving them. We are almost immediately greeted with the rich history of the Sumerian civilization and the history of Iraq. I’m presented with a door that has a series of coded entry requirements, and a room with historical maps and documents. It doesn’t take long before I’ve pieced together the requirements of solving this puzzle, and I’ve opened a door leading to the end of the demo. The introduction to My Father Lied has ended, and I long for the day I can experience the full adventure. The unique visual style of the game, the ambient sound and music, and the voice acting have created a memorable demo experience I will not soon forget.
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