Belgian indie development studio Badass Mongoose has released a playable demo for their upcoming puzzle-adventure title, Helix: Descent N Ascent. The demo is now available on Steam, arriving just ahead of the game’s participation in the February edition of Steam Next Fest, which is scheduled to run from 23 February to 2 March.
The newly released demo provides approximately 30 minutes of gameplay, offering players a first look at the title’s mechanics. The slice of gameplay introduces three specific abilities used for exploration and puzzle-solving. The narrative and mechanical hook involves a “dark counterpart” that appears to actively sabotage the player’s progress throughout the experience.
Visually, Helix: Descent N Ascent seeks to utilise s a monochrome art style. The developers have cited a range of influences for this aesthetic, including 1980s black-and-white independent comics, 1990s manga, and 1970s Franco-Belgian comic strips. The game’s atmosphere is further supported by a soundtrack composed by Jim Guthrie, who is known for his work on titles such as Sword and Sorcery, Nobody Saves The World, and Below.
Helix: Descent N Ascent is currently targeting a release window of Q2 2026. The game is planned for launch on both PC via Steam and the Nintendo Switch.
