Elevator: Sourcereminds me of a time back when technical limitations were more constraining, before some of today’s popular genres even existed. A team could build agame about inner tubes, or put a banjo-playing manon a box for a shmup, and that was perfectly acceptable behavior.

That freedom still exists today and is tapped into by independent designers, though some would argue that the lack of limits on creativity can be paralyzing. With mainstream game budgets as monstrously huge as they tend to be, it’s no wonder publishers aren’t jumping up and down to fund risky projects.

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This is all a long-winded way of sayingElevator: Sourceis batsh*t crazy on a conceptual level, and I love the game for it. You’ll need bothGarry’s ModandHalf-Life 2: Episode 2to partake in this delightful co-op adventure — otherwise, give the heartwarming video demonstration above a watch.

John and Molly sitting on the park bench

Close up shot of Marissa Marcel starring in Ambrosio

Kukrushka sitting in a meadow

Lightkeeper pointing his firearm overlapped against the lighthouse background

Overseer looking over the balcony in opening cutscene of Funeralopolis

Edited image of Super Imposter looking through window in No I’m not a Human demo cutscene with thin man and FEMA inside the house

Indie game collage of Blue Prince, KARMA, and The Midnight Walk

Close up shot of Jackie in the Box

Silhouette of a man getting shot as Mick Carter stands behind cover