From roostin’ shootin’ to crafted adventure during this Tiny Teams. Abigail is being developed by Hapshapen Games, providing an adventure with a very crafted feel. One that aims to tell a story of rediscovering home through the power of tiles. Thanks to Yogscast Games, I got a code to check out the demo for Abigail. A demo that might be short, but sets up the premise of the adventure very well.
A dream in the night bring Abigail back home to Kiln Bay, where she is now stuck for five days until her flight to the city. With time to kill until then, she decides to reconnect with those of the town she lives. Awaking in her bedroom, she gets called down by her mom, where the first reconnection happens. And it all begins with Azulejo tiles. Which are a core part of the game. Both for making connections and playing Azulejo.
The traditional version of Azulejo is also about making connections. Each tile has categories assigned to it, with each person taking it in turns to place a tile in the 3×3 grid. Making a line that matches any of the categories will award the person who placed the last tile in the line a point. With each category matched awarding a point. Once all but one grid spaces have been filled, the game ends.
There’s also a different version of Azulejo that provides a counter to the connection-based traditional version which is found later on in the demo. This is Power Azulejo, a more action-based version similar to table football. Each side uses three tiles, with players taking turns to flick their tiles at the ball with the aim to score goals. Three goals will win. This version is very much tied to Abigail as she has been at present. Stuck in the busy hustle of city life, with it taking over her life.
Away from the games, Azulejo tiles are used for forming connections with the townsfolk. If someone wants a tile, the inventory will be opened, with a tile needing to be placed in the hand of the person. If it is the wrong tile, there is still a bit of dialogue that will play out before reopening the inventory, which I thought was a nice touch. Get it right, and that particular item of the itinerary will be crossed off as the dialogue plays.
Handing the wrong tiles to people can also unlock new categories for them, which helps when it comes to the traditional game of Azulejo. Some of the townsfolk will be happy to play a game, which is just fine by me. Other characters won’t including the friend of Chase and the first love interest of Abigail. Kate is first encountered doing a tour with some kids, and is unable to be interacted with until finding the right tile. The meeting with her is where the demo will end.
As I wander Kiln Bay, I am also lost in its crafted feel. Everything has it. Characters are simple drawings on paper cut out. Buildings are constructed with card. The inventory being a bag made of felt. As are the more decorative elements of buildings. It all fits together to create a world that feels real in its own unique way. The imperfections seen such as corners peeling away adding to that feel. I want to stay within Kiln Bay, seeing every part of it and the materials that crafted it.
There’s a lot to be enjoying with Abilgail just from this first introduction to its world. Already it is teasing me with elements cannot be progressed. The manhole cover. The abandoned house. The spider and its web. These are also things I want to be enjoying when the game sees a full release. Making new connections, discovering new facts about Kiln Bay and the people that live there.
With the Steam page promising a key decision to be made, I’ll be keeping a close eye on when Abigail releases. Much like with Lake, this feels a story of connection and discovery I will be invested in. Ready to make the right choice come the end of it. Replaying to see new dialogue I missed and what the other endings hold. I’m sure that full release will be an easily recommended experience when it arrives.
Abigail is part of this year’s Tiny Teams, a week-long festival of celebrating games from small studios. With sales on games already released, new games and major updates for games releasing, and demos for games yet to release. Running all week from 6-13/August, check the Tiny Teams page on Steam, and maybe you will find a new favourite game from one of many small studios.
Images Taken From:
Abigail | PC
