The Indie Informer

It seems Morsels creator Toby Dixon and I are destined only to meet when we are both exceptionally out of it. The tradition lends a certain feverish flavor to our encounters, which colors every hands-on I have with the already delirious roguelite.

This time around, our paths crossed again on the last day of Summer Game Fest Play Days. Though I can’t tell you much more of the meaning behind Morsel’s fever dream, I did get a glimpse of additional story elements, tutorials, fun power-ups, and a vaguely playable in-game board game.

Cats control the world.

Whether I can do anything about that remains to be seen. But I hopped into the first level, determined to make the world a better place for mice. And — considering how intentionally challenging a twin-stick shooter the game is, I was doing well. In my hubris, I refused to switch to the newly introduced difficulty level “soft cheese” offered to those just looking for the vibes. But when it rains bullets, it pours, as I’m sure someone says. I didn’t make it to my first safe zone before succumbing to an early grave.

Dixon, perhaps more cognizant that this meeting would eventually translate into an observation-laden article commenting on both the creator and his creation, was quick to ask my impressions. The obvious anxiety behind his queries made it feel less like the torture survey scene in The Princess Bride than it could have.

Luckily, dying is a pretty painless part of the game’s process. Made better by permanent progression level-ups after every death. These enhancing boosts grant power-ups I can nab forever after in later runs. One of my favorites turned out to be a super dash. Which, of course, can be a double-edged sword if I’m not careful of ramming headlong into enemy fire. The developer seems to have a penchant for giving with one hand and hitting players (playfully) over the head with the other.

I later acquired a boon which granted me a sort of companion — one distinctly familiar enough that I smelled an Easter Egg. It turns out, my suspicions were correct. Another creator of a well-loved indie helped embellish Morsels, and this was a nod in appreciation for that help. I won’t give away the reference, so you can be delighted when you stumble on the surprise yourself.

A person after my own heart, Dixon is deeply suspicious of things going well. So, when asking if he was excited that the demo was currently up on Steam Next Fest, he promptly asserted he was terrified. A sensation I suspect I made him feel repeatedly as I played. A lover of finding hidden things, I would periodically probe the walls for secrets. However, my behavior struck him with the impression I was checking for flaws. It’s a very illuminating reaction for what it’s like for the developer in these guided demos, and funny to realize he didn’t realize I was equally anxious about my performance being scrutinized.

Y’all know secrets are my Achilles heel, and Morsels as no shortage. Covert vents strategically placed along certain levels’ pathways transported me to unexpected scenes. After following one, I found myself in a deadly puzzle with many doors and only one way out. Because I didn’t learn my season there, I scurried into another obscured entryway. This one, happily, led to an entire shop where I could sell my hard-earned cheese. Since I had just been questioning why I should risk my life to acquire the little treats, the reveal was strangely relevant. Like the game knew what I was asking….

Paranoia aside, Morsels contains within it multitudes. It has skill-testing action for combat fans. There are endearing, if enigmatic, characters for gamers who enjoy building a relationship with their experiences. Secrets for you puzzle sickos out there. And hopefully, a successful mission to triumph over killer cats.