REVIEW: The Big Con Demo

Since millennials were old enough to experience existential terror, nineties nostalgia has been in fashion. But few games are more committed to this theme than The Big Con. This is a coming-of age adventure from Toronto developer Mighty Yell. Though the title's exact launch date, slated for this summer, has yet to be announced, you can sample about a half-hour's worth of gameplay in demo form thanks to Steam's Next Fest.

The Big Con shows subtlety from the beginning. The opening credits sequence mocks the design industry's obsession with the floppy disc as an anachronistic saving icon. However, the main menu screen invites users to stay and listen to a power-pop theme tune, which sounds like a b side by That Dog. It's not just an attempt at evoking a bygone decade. The world of The Big Confeels a bit like a funhouse mirror that reflects the past. All the era's cartoons, flannel and consumerism are filtered through the idealistic lens that is memory. They all melt together in a surreal dreamscape.

This is an example: The first thing you will see when you start the demo is a ghost, who wears a backwards snapback and skateboards. He serves as the Big Con's de facto narrator. Rad Ghost, as he is known, briefly explains the exposition that you won't see until after the full launch of the game. Ali, a 17-year-old girl from band, must raise $97,000 to save her mom's video shop from the mob. She's going on a cross-country mission to find the pockets of every unlucky person she meets in order to quickly raise the money.

It's easy to search through the wallets of strangers. Just sneak up behind one or more NPCs and perform a quick event. Then, add some change to your account. Although it can be tedious, it is necessary. The longer cons are where the real money is.

Each stage of the demo will show you a small map that is presented in a three quarters camera angle. It reminds me of ToeJam and Earl'soverworld. There are many ways to make wealth redistribution more profitable than petty theft, whether Ali is wandering about town looking for bus fare. To win cash prizes, you will need to make more detours. Although some money-making methods work better than others, all of them are morally questionable. What choice do you have?

It is interesting to note that it feels worse to steal in a videogame than to commit violent acts -- something that any Skyrim player or Fallout player will be familiar with. That's exactly the point. The Big Conis described as a "nonviolent crime adventure", which allows players to have fun with mischief in a coming of age movie, rather than experiencing the catharsis of inflicting bodily injury. The point-and-click lawbreaking displayed here is, however, quite cozy.

The Big Con is a cartoon-inspired visual style that stands out from its gameplay. Although robbing shoppers quickly became tedious, I wanted to explore every inch of each level before moving on. Mighty Yell takes cues from Infinite Falls Night in the Woods. He peppers the world with cheesy puns. Deadpan dialog is presented in the form speech bubbles. Doug fans will be captivated by the sketchy art style filled with jazzy squiggles. A few sarcastic fourth-wall breaks and a closing reference to the infamous "Winners Don't Do Drugs campaign. This game is best enjoyed with a bowl full of sugar cereal nearby.

This preview of The Big Con doesn't show the full appeal of the title. It is more plot-driven and atmospheric. Mighty Yell's first offering pays homage to classic road movies and promises an easy-to-digestible story that's just as comforting than a rented comedy for teens. If only my download had some microwaveable popcorn and Twizzlers!