I’m brave enough to say it: I enjoy when a video game looks fantastic. Take Cuphead? Spectacular. Holstin? Quite the visual treat. Metaphor: ReFantazio? Blows my mind.

A striking visual style can grab my attention even before I understand the gameplay. This was the case with the Steel Next Fest demo for Black Raven, a “2.5D action-adventure rooted in Slavic Folklore,” whose visuals alone prompted me to download it.

Sadly, that might have been a hasty decision since the demo plunges you into some dark events within the first moments. Picture Gladiator—Black Raven hits similarly hard. You play as Ivan, a character resembling a statue of muscles and jaws, who rushes into the woods, thinking he’s found a friend, only to discover upon returning his home burnt, wife dead, and child presumably abducted.

Though the violence portrayed might feel excessive due to the lack of attachment to Ivan’s family after such a brief encounter, the narrative is aimed towards a darkly pulpy comic book aesthetic. It pushes you toward the moment when Ivan retaliates fiercely against his enemies. The game pairs bold visuals with an intense story.

Apart from this demo being remarkably short, it packs a punch. The fifteen minutes I spent, including one unfortunate death, consisted of an intriguing story segment followed by a swift combat sequence. This unique 2.5D style leaves an otherworldly impression, even if the gameplay is quite basic.

Keep this title on your radar. Most of my excitement stems from its distinct art style. While the limited combat may not be overly complex, Black Raven shows promise, and it would be unwise to form conclusive judgments based solely on a brief demo that could be played repeatedly in a single lunch break. I’m invested in where Black Raven is headed, and the eventual full release might just live up to this initial pledge.