Welcome back, Dear Reader, to the second entry in this ongoing foray into the world of indie games.
I’ve been around the block a few times now, so I think I’ve got a good eye for a game. As I’m always delving into the release schedule for my regular roguelike round-up, Gone Rogue, I figured it would be fun to do the same for indies more generally.
That being so, here is a big fat list of indie games, releasing on PC for the first time and some ported to console (a lot of older stuff landed on Switch this week, for example). I’ve skipped on pornographic games, demos and prologues, and tried to pick out the highlights for your consideration. FWIW, here are my top picks:
- As a roguelike nerd, Shadowed: The Demon Castle of Ooe is my highlighted release of the week. It’s a bit niche for most people, though.
- Speaking of “most people”, I reckon a few of you will be drawn to Neva, a stunning new game by the studio that gave us Gris.
- Fullbright (of Gone Home fame) has made a game about spiders that live in the toilet. Enough said, really.
- A treat for Xbox players this week is the launch of Animal Well, a top tier platformer that has finally made it over to the platform.
- Blindfire by Double Eleven sounds like a really interesting concept for a multiplayer game – here’s hoping it can get enough players.
Killing Time: Resurrected | Night Dive Studios, 3DO | Oct 18 | PC (Win) | “Journey into a mansion on the Island of Matinicus where you’ll arrive to find the mansion full of hellacious demonic creatures. Solve deadly puzzles, uncover the secrets behind a famous mystery and discover an ancient artefact from the Pharaoh Ramses, if you can live long enough to find it.”
Perfect Teams | Lys Games | Oct 18 | PC (Win) | “Perfect Teams is a Rogue Like deckbuilder in which you have to assemble a team of three characters, each one with unique cards and unique powers, to explore different universes and fight the corruption caused by the fusion. What will be your Perfect Team?”
Valkyrie of Phantasm | Areazero | Oct 18 | PC (Win) | “Control characters from the Touhou Project series in this shooting action game featuring high-speed aerial versus combat! Danmaku battles faster than you’ve ever seen will unfold in the skies of Gensokyo as you use your mobility to dodge countless bullets flying at you with a variety of spells.”
Necro Story | Rablo Games | Oct 18 | PS5 | “Necro Story is a creature-collection RPG where you play as a (kind of) evil necromancer more into undead shenanigans than saving the world! Command quirky minions, outsmart foes, and snag their souls to power up your team. Expect strategic combat, laughs, and plenty of mischief.”
Gnome Online | H-Production | Oct 18 | PC (Win) | “Gnome Online is an innovative, Real-Time, fast-paced, PvP, Sandbox MMORPG.”
Fullbright Presents TOILET SPIDERS | Fullbright | Oct 17 | PC (Win) | “A short, replayable lo-fi first-person survival horror game where you must learn to judge your odds and manage your resources to avoid or scare off the giant radioactive spiders laying in in wait inside filthy toilets that contain the keys and items you need to complete your mission and escape with your life.”
DreadHaunt | Digital Happiness | Oct 17 | Xbox | “DreadHaunt is a survival horror and deception game that can be played solo or in multiplayer. While designed with multiplayer in mind, a single-player story mode reveals the chilling origins of the supernatural events from a decade ago.”
Brave and Desire | Aqua Siren | Oct 17 | PC (Win) | “A party battle, rogue-lite RPG, where the structure and events change each time you start the game. Advance through the dungeon by selecting a route and trying to reach the deepest depths of it.”
Sniper Killer | Black Eyed Priest, Henry Hoare | Oct 17 | PC (Win) | “Eliminate your victims as a serial killer dubbed ‘The Sniper Killer’. Terrorize the city with your keen eye and thirst for blood while staying one step ahead of a detective hell bent on bringing you to justice.”
Arizona Sunshine Remake | Vertigo Games | Oct 17 | PC VR | “ASR elevates the original, award-winning game, completely rebuilt with GORE-geous VR graphics and next-gen VR combat and weapons. Face the undead alone or with up to three fellow survivors in a post-apocalyptic southwestern America overrun by zombies.”
Animal Well | Billy Basso | Oct 17 | Xbox | “Hatch from your flower and spelunk through the beautiful and sometimes haunting world of Animal Well, a pixelated wonder rendered in intricate audio and visual detail. Encounter lively creatures small and large, helpful and ominous as you discover unconventional upgrades and unravel the well’s secrets. This is a truly unique experience that can make you laugh in fear, surprise, or delight.”
Citadelum | Abylight Barcelona | Oct 17 | PC (Win) | “Citadelum is a city builder set in legendary Ancient Rome. Build your own settlement, gather resources and evolve it into a magnificent city. Explore the world, trade and lead your mighty legions in epic tactical battles. Earn the favor of the Gods or challenge them, if you dare.”
Aery Midnight Hour | EpixR Games | Oct 17 | Switch, PS, Xbox | “In Aery – Midnight Hour you play a little bird on its journey to the devils Halloween party after hearing Dracula talk about it. Enjoy your journey as a little bird and enjoy the feeling of flying while exploring a whole world filled with beautiful, and scary little secrets.”
Blindfire | Double Eleven | Oct 17 | PC (Win) | “Blindfire is an online multiplayer first-person shooter that takes place in the dark. Brave the arena alone or team up in matches of up to 8 players.”
Lyne | Thomas Bowker | Oct 17 | Switch | “Deceptively simple. Infinitely complex. LYNE is a minimalist puzzle game that will knot your brain as it calms your soul.”
Take Me Home | Error byDefault | Oct 17 | PC (Win) | “A 2D side scroller where player can play as 2 swappable character, a girl and a rabbit. Stay together through various obstacle until they reach their destination.”
Core Keeper | Pugstorm | Oct 17 | Switch | “Drawn towards a mysterious relic, you are an explorer who awakens in an ancient cavern of creatures, resources and trinkets. Trapped deep underground will your survival skills be up to the task?”
Ynglet | Nifflas | Oct 17 | PS, Switch | “In Ynglet, you jump, dash, slide, bounce and float your way through an abstract, effervescent sky. Melt into the reactive, dynamic soundtrack, while beautiful colors make every moment a visual treat.”
Recolit | Image Labo, Marudice | Oct 17 | Switch | “Your spaceship crashes, and you find yourself in a dark town that looks just like any other, but that has something different about it. Its people go about their daily lives as if nothing was off, even though the sky above their heads is always black.”
Eternights | Studio Sai | Oct 17 | Switch | “Eternights is a dating action game where you try to make the most out of life during the apocalypse. Monday: Go on a date. Tuesday: Clear dungeon. Friday: Freak out! The clock is ticking!!”
MetroLand | Kiloo | Oct 17 | PC, PS, Switch | “MetroLand is a new endless runner that takes what you know and love about the classic endless runner and turns it up to 11!”
Alchemist: The Potion Monger | Art Games Studio | Oct 17 | Switch | “First-person Alchemist Simulator with RPG elements. Explore the world, gather ingredients, and sell or use potions you craft to help others and fend off enemies. Adopt pets to help you with your alchemy knowledge (and to pet them). Decorate your home however you like and brew your destiny!”
Crow Country | SFB Games | Oct 16 | Switch | “The year is 1990. It’s been two years since the mysterious disappearance of Edward Crow and the abrupt closure of his theme park, Crow Country. But your arrival has broken the silence, Mara Forest. If you want answers, you’ll have to venture deep into the darkness of Crow Country to find them…”
Eden Crafters | Osaris Games | Oct 16 | PC (Win) | “Embark on a journey of survival, crafting, and automation in Eden Crafters, a solo and co-op open-world game that challenges you to turn a hostile planet into a habitable haven for humanity. Temper the climate, create a breathable atmosphere, and turn toxic lakes into water: shape a new world!”
8-Bit Adventures 2 | Critical Games | Oct 16 | PS, Switch | “It’s everything you love about NES, SNES and PS1-era JRPGs – with all of the charm, heart and soul, but none of the inconvenience. Dynamic turn-based battles & pixels with personality!”
Blazing Strike | Numskull Games | Oct 16 | Switch | “After surviving an apocalyptic event, the remains of human civilization are in disarray. In this dystopian world run by a corrupt and murderous government, a resistance group is ready to stand up for the people. Will they succeed in overthrowing these evil autocrats?”
Neva | Nomada Studio | Oct 15 | PC (Mac, Win), PS, Switch | “Experience the moving tale of a young woman and her lifelong bond with a magnificent wolf as they embark on a thrilling adventure through a rapidly dying world.”
DayZ Frostline | Bohemia Interactive | Oct 15 | PC (Win) | “Set on a snow-covered archipelago called Sakhal, spanning an impressive 83km² (not including ice sheets), featuring a breath-taking winter wilderness teeming with new challenges and opportunities for survival. Brace yourself for a truly immersive adventure where the environment itself is as much your adversary as the infected and other survivors.”
Drova – Forsaken Kin | Just2D | Oct 15 | PC (Win), PS, Switch | “Drova is an Action-RPG that marries the dark grim tones of its genre with the mysticism of Celtic mythology. Encounter a society where ancient restless spirits and divided factions battle for dominance. Uncover forgotten abilities and unravel the secrets of a past shrouded in mystery.”
Aaero2 | Mad Fellows | Oct 15 | Xbox | “Trace ribbons of light to release the energy in the music as you speed through stunning alien worlds. Fly solo or team up with a friend. Encounter strange enemies and giant boss creatures. Unleash devastating missile barrages and rain heavy cannon fire to the beat of the epic soundtrack by Monstercat.”
Up to Par | It’s Anecdotal | Oct 14 | PC (Mac, Win) | “Up to Par is a minigolf game with roguelite elements. Stay under par, or you’re out! Play through procedural levels, spend your spare shots to unlock abilities, and push your golf game to the limit across unique environments.”
NovaMundi | Slashware Interactive | Oct 13 | PC (Mac, Win) | “NovaMundi is an open world procedural exploration game with tactical combat. Lead a group of adventurers in the dangerous lands of the Andes in the XVI Century. Build your reputation to recruit people in towns, and barter for supplies to survive and unite the people to stand against the invaders.”
Shadowed: The Demon Castle of Ooe | Lab Rabbit Games | Oct 13 | PC (Win) | “Step into the shadows as a lethal ninja, or go in katanas blazing. Shadowed is a traditional roguelike with a focus on stealth, combat, magic, and long-term planning. Beware, because at the bottom of the demon castle, the red-handed Shuten-doji revels, and there’s no turning back to grind.”
Melt Them All | coderKillo | Oct 13 | PC (Lin, Win) | “Melt them All is action rogue-lite where you must survive as long as possible to maximizing your energy production in the process. Automate the resource collection and upgrade buildings and weapons to kill, mine and produce even more effective.”
Gun Frog | Zoteling | Oct 12 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win) | “Gun Frog is a unique physics-based movement shooter where you bounce on lily pads, kill flies and explore a vibrant world as a frog that ate a gun.”
