Currently in development as a solo project by Wizcat Games, 'La Cucaracha' is an action-adventure game featuring 'Dodam,' a cockroach girl adventuring through a future dystopian Korea. Set about 100 years in the future, the core of the game lies in the player forging their own path between evolved beings who have survived in the harsh wilderness and humans living in hiding within the walls of the 'Happy Special City.' Depending on the player's choices, the protagonist, Dodam, can become a tough adventurer, a hero who defends the village, or a mutant that threatens it.

The version unveiled at this year's BIC is a demo build, offering a glimpse into the basic gameplay and overall atmosphere. Basic controls can be handled via a mouse-and-keyboard combo or keyboard alone, and the game incorporates puzzle elements where players throw acquired items to open new paths or interact with the environment. This build allows for simple dialogue, map exploration, interaction, and hidden quests, though it appears to be more of a prototype where the overall gameplay experience has yet to be fully fleshed out.

The most striking strength is the beautiful pixel art. It captures the atmosphere of a ruined Korean city perfectly, and the dystopian world-building is clearly evident throughout the screen.

The choice to make the protagonist a 'cockroach girl' is a particularly bold move. Reflecting this character trait, the game features an automatic HP recovery system, making the current build quite accessible and easy to play. The total playtime is short, around 10 minutes.

The pixel art animations are smooth and well-implemented, and the controls feel decent. However, there are some shortcomings in the action department. The inability to dodge during continuous combos may be divisive, and the impact and sound effects still leave something to be desired.

Nevertheless, as this demo is an early build with an unpolished gameplay experience, it is best viewed as a way to check the game's atmosphere and concept—in which it succeeds quite well. I look forward to seeing future builds evolve into a definitive dystopian adventure game. Since there are aspects not shown in the demo, I have attached the gameplay video released on the developer's YouTube channel.