Vertical slice
Short note
Note needs to be developed and expanded.
Feb 9, 2026
A vertical slice is a demo of a game’s major features, without being an exhaustive account.
The introductory chapter or level may only be a limited showcase of the game.
The vertical slice may combine aspects of early-, mid-, and late-game, so that reviewers develop a more full picture of the game’s design.
An opening of a game may itself be a kind of vertical slice, providing the player with a glimpse of the game’s possibilities and compelling them forward.
Outside of games, a tutorial may function as a kind of vertical slice.