Indie, 2D Portal-like charmed this reviewer with its innovative gameplay mechanics and puzzles.
"...the titular Gateways mechanic and switch pressing puzzle design appear to be lifted from Valve’s Portal series. But, fortunately, this is not the case. David Johnston at Smudged Cat Games has proven with the critically acclaimed Shuggy that he knows game design and, as the rest of the game goes on to prove, Gateways is very much its own breed."
These aren’t nostalgia grabs or gimmick-laden throwbacks. They each bring something genuinely fresh to the table, mechanics that feel baked into the exploration and combat, not just tacked on.
Play as Dik, a nimble acrobat exploring the depths of Hell to rescue his brother from the Devil’s hands. With no weapons to rely on, success hinges on mastery of physics-driven movement, and quick adaptation to deadly obstacles.
GDC 2025 has revealed the finalists for the 27th annual Independent Games Festival (IGF).
