Funselektor Labs, Inc. — the team behind art of rally — has just launched a demo for their new project, Over the Hill. The two games share the same gorgeous soft-palette aesthetic, but they couldn’t be more different. Where art of rally is about going fast, Over the Hill is about going slow. Very slow. But it’s pace is a breath of fresh air that’s left me itching for the full release.
Pick a Point, Find a Way
The demo drops you into the rugged wilderness of British Columbia. After a brief introduction to the basics, you’re left to your own devices. I really like how much space Over the Hill gives you to explore — both literally (the map, even in this demo, is huge) and figuratively. You’ve got a map and some waymarkers, but really, you’re free to just get out there and explore how you see fit.
Most of my time was spent picking a point on the horizon and figuring out how to reach it. Which was, at times, genuinely challenging — you genuinely need to slow down and think about your approach. Being a little too hasty, I often found myself in ditches, relying on my winch to drag myself out of trouble.
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There are plenty of points of interest that reward curiosity, too. Cabins act as respawn points, while crates offer car upgrades and cosmetic additions. You’ll also come across small challenges, like recovering stranded vehicles, and earn in-game currency to spend on upgrades or entirely new cars.
Easy Does It
There’s a very deliberate pace to Over the Hill, and it is slow. The car resists rushing — your gearbox has low and high ranges, but even high is super relaxed. You could probably walk faster than (s)low range, but it does let you properly take in your surroundings.
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And what incredible surroundings they are. The landscape, and the way it’s stylised, is drop-dead gorgeous. Not high fidelity, but still providing views that absolutely take your breath away. The day-night cycle is particularly atmospheric, with delightful sunrises and sunsets. Add a mellow soundtrack, and in all it is a deeply relaxing experience.
And it’s an experience you can share — there’s a multiplayer mode for up to four players. However, my time with it was as rough as the terrain I was trying to explore — server issues and disconnects got in the way, big time. Still, the potential is clear, and it feels like this could be a perfect game to explore with friends.
Final Thoughts
Even in demo form, Over the Hill feels very confident in what it wants to be. It’s firmly about the journey, not the destination, and I’m keen to see how that journey evolves when the full game arrives later in 2026.
The demo for Over the Hill is live now on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest until June 22.
