When it comes to interesting RPGs, there are a wide variety of developers out there who have created amazing games. Although some of these studios have created Game of the Year contenders and beloved franchises, most of them stick to a certain formula and have similar gameplay mechanics; this is the case with CD Projekt Red, Bethesda, and FromSoftware’s popular titles. Despite these companies’ successes, they rarely change their formula. One Indie company, however, likes to create a wide variety of RPGs for gamers to experience. At PAX East 2025, we met with Ocean Drive Studios to preview three of their games. Two of these three games are available to play, while the other will be joining early access sometime in 2025.
At PAX East, Ocean Drive Studios gave us an early look at God Save Burningham, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch, and an updated version of Section 13. This hour-and-a-half appointment allowed us to check out each game, but even with 30-minute intervals, it still felt like there wasn’t enough time to experience everything these demos had to offer. Up first for the meeting was checking out God Save Burningham, but due to an earlier meeting, we started out with Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch, but this time on the Nintendo Switch.
Playing it on the Nintendo Switch wasn’t too different from the original experience on PC. This time, rather than starting at the beginning of the game, we were just thrown into the mix and expected to remember how to play. At first, it was a bit difficult to remember the basis of combat, but after a little bit of time with the game, it came back to us. New to the experience was a new character interaction system where you could see each character’s relationship with one another and how they felt about the other members of the party.
After not playing the demo for a year plus, it was interesting to see how the game has improved. The voice acting seems to have changed slightly, with the characters having more depth of emotion, and it felt like they were connected as a party, versus strangers who had been thrown together. Right now, the game is available through early access on Steam if you want to check it out.
Up next was an interesting zombie survival game called God Save Burningham. Although the combat within the game takes place in the Middle Ages, it still has some elements in the story that could take place in a rural town in the middle of nowhere. If we were to compare God Save Burningham to any other game, it feels very reminiscent of Dead Rising when it was first released. The combat was pretty janky with enemies, and the player’s character rag-dolling around when in close-quarter combat scenarios. Yes, this rag-dolling was comical at times, but in life-or-death situations, it could be frustrating, especially when you have two or three holding onto you for your dear life.
The demo did not really give us much insight into the game’s story; instead, it prioritized showing off the different survival mechanics within the game. Players will need to manage the character’s health, stamina, mental health, energy, and hydration. You will need to clean yourself off when dirty, cook food, drink water, and sleep in a timely manner. Failing to do so can be life-threatening, with the player moving slower or potentially even collapsing. For the first 2 days in-game, I spent time running around the nearby huts looking for resources. The game does not clearly mark the items, so you will need to look carefully.
God Save Birmingham feels like it has the potential to be a fun zombie survival RPG, but it does feel like it has a bit of a way to go before it is a fully functional game. The game did have some weird interactions that felt like they weren’t supposed to be there, which was frustrating but comical. Keep an eye on this one because it could be one that comes out of the graveyard to bite and surprise you.
Last but certainly not least was Ocean Drive Studios’ newest release, Section 13. We have been following Section 13 since it was called Blackout Protocol. Prior to the game’s release, we got a chance to see how the game has changed and evolved. Rather than focusing solely on multiplayer gameplay and combat, Ocean Drive Studios has created a single-player story to give the world more depth.
For our preview, we got the chance to experience the different levels in the game, try out a wide variety of weapons, and even check out the available skills. Whether playing the game solo or in multiplayer, it seems like Section 13 will be very grind-heavy, with the player needing to clear maps multiple times in order to upgrade all the skills. Since the demo was single-player while we were there, it will be interesting to see how they have changed the multiplayer experience. Will it scale up to match the number of players in the game?
At the moment, the game has mixed reviews on Steam, but there is a demo available in case you want to try it out. From our time with the game, if you like Top Down Shooters and Rougelikes, then you will enjoy this game. For a game that is only $20 before any sales, it has a ton of potential to be hours of fun; it is definitely one that we will be playing in the near future.
