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[Tye The Czar]

Early Access, Alphas, Betas, and Preview Builds have become much more prominent over the last few years. I think GAF should have this as a category in our GOTY awards.

Here are the potential rules:

• The game must be playable.
• Any game that hasn't been or won't be released this year is allowed on this list.
• They can be pre-released in any year.
• They must have an official release(i.e. to go Gold) planned by the developer.
• Games that are finished but still constantly updated(e.g. F2P games or FFXV) are not allowed.

So my top 3 so far are:

1.Eternal - A Strategy Card Game - It's essentially Magic: THe Gathering with Hearthstone's excellent UI. That's the description anyone will really need. Ever since Hearthstone debuted to widespread acclaim, many CCG fans looked to Wizards of the Coast to follow suit with a similar client for Magic: The Gathering. What they have released has yet to match Hearthstone's polish and quality-of-life features. Eternal is the answer to MtG fans' cries.
Webpage: http://store.steampowered.com/app/531640/

2. Catacomb Kids - Spelunky was the game that popularized action-Roguelikes last generation by surgically removing RPG elements while maintaining solid procedural generation. This led to a smoother-flowing, but still-deadly experience. Catacomb Kids is the counterpoint to Spelunky, interested instead in putting the Rogue back into Rogue-lites and doubling down on emergent gameplay. Loot and leveling provide meaningful, impactful choices that let you determine what kind of build you want. All interactive objects are physics based, and encourages creative approaches to conflicts. Is there a powerful orc in your way that you just don't have the gear to take on? Try throwing a rock at that nearby torch and watch it run in panic into a pit of spikes. While Catacomb Kids does bring back the RPG elements, you would expect it to be as complicated and unweildy as a hardcore, turn-based roguelike. With its easily accessible controls and mechanics, that's thankfully not the case. You're encouraged to pick up and use items on the fly and choose loot. I could go on about how CK wisely levels players up through finding special items, or the randomized characters within classes, but you're better off investing in it yourself.
Webpage: https://fourbitfriday.itch.io/catacombkids

3. Streets of Rogue - With a name like Streets of Rogue, you would expect something more along the lines of a brawler. Instead, what you'll get is a top-down open-ended action RPG heavily inspired by Deus Ex. Like Catacomb Kids, emergent gameplay is king. Need to recover a mission item from a heavily fortified building? Blow a hole in the wall using a bazooka! Pollute the building's air conditioner with a Syringe! Command your buddies to go in and rough them up. The game has dozens of unique classes with their own abilities and ways of playing. Gang members will have fellow gang NPCs to watch their back while playing as a Gorilla will have angry scientists trying to cut you with scalpels. Wrestlers will allow you to throw heavy objects at your foes while being a comedian will let you attempt to charm people with your jokes! While the options are still sparse at the moment and feel kind of samey, Streets of Rogue still has a long way to go and will sure impress upon release.
Webpage: https://madguy.itch.io/streets-of-rogue