3 Musical Indie Games to Get You Deep in Your Feelings

Posted on September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 by skittzi

Have you ever found yourself imagining your own music video for a song you’re listening too? Often caught gazing longingly out the window and sighing dramatically? Looking for a video game that somehow artistically expresses all your emotions at once? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this list is for you! Here are three musically rich indie games to play if you’re looking for a killer soundtrack you’ll have on repeat for days while getting deep in your feelings.

We Are OFK

Starting off our list is the recently released We Are OFK, an episodic, interactive narrative series following four friends as they get together, break up, make up, and make their debut as indie pop sensations in a dreamy, pastelified Los Angeles. Pastels don’t mean everything is rainbows and sunshine, though. There’s plenty of moods and drama to dive into as the story unfolds.

What struck me instantly about this game aside from its very charming visual style was how genuine the characters felt. From cute texts and emoji exchanges to off-the-cuff inside jokes and nicknames, the OFK squad felt like home. As I played I felt like I was watching a little documentary about my own friends. I’ll admit when my friends and I were in high school, we had this band AU for ourselves where we all had imaginary roles and stage personas. We wanted it to be a manga, I think? But our band was much more influenced by the emo stylings of My Chemical Romance than Luca La Fae’s ethereal pop vibes. Anyway, I was instantly invested in everything going on in the lives of Itsumi, Luca, Jey, and Carter. The voice cast does an excellent job of bringing these characters to life in a believable and authentic way. Also everyone is super queer and hot so like, bonus points!

We Are OFK transcends the traditional visual novel structure by adding a delightful level of interactivity with playable music videos tucked into each episode. When the first music video segment came up for me I was grinning ear-to-ear! And I don’t feel it’s a gimmick that wears thin by the final episode. Each segment is just as powerful every time the music comes in and speaks to the different emotions at play in the story. I played through on the Steam Deck and it felt to me like the handheld gaming experience just made everything that much more intimate and impactful.

I could continue gushing about this gorgeous game forever, but I think I’ll just get back to playing the EP on repeat. You should check out the band’s websiteto learn more. Experience the making of the band on Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

The Artful Escape

If you’d like your video game escapism to transport you to another world entirely then look no further than The Artful Escape, a rock and roll platforming adventure. You play as teen musician and guitar prodigy Francis Vendetti, whose head is way above the clouds as he copes with living up to his uncle’s folk music legacy. You soon ditch your little town blues for a journey across a cosmic landscape to discover who you are, and who you aren’t.

When I first played The Artful Escape I felt completely enveloped by its magnificence, so much so that walking into the office for work the next day actually made me feel like I was in the wrong body. I was meant to be traversing the Cosmic Extraordinary in a sick jumpsuit and shredding on an electric guitar. Needless to say, I played the soundtrack while I worked to give my brain some sort of relief from my mundane existence. To this day I still play The Darkest Hour Theme when I need a little boost to my energy (don’t listen to it before you play the game though, it’s so powerful in the moment, trust me on this one).

The Artful Escape’s visuals are undoubtedly vibrant and psychedelic, but what impressed me off the bat, and continued to impress me through the game’s finale, was a sense of scale and depth like I had never felt in a “2D” platformer. The mountain trails surrounding Francis’ sleepy hometown of Calypso were confined to my screen but also felt incredibly vast, as though the landscape stretched out for miles before me— and that’s before you even get into space. There’s an entire cosmos of delightful critters to meet and unimaginable landscapes to traverse while crafting your ultimate stage persona.

Writing about this game is making me want to play it again so I can fall deep into the rabbit hole of wailing guitar riffs echoing in a chamber of cosmic wonder. The Artful Escape is available on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

Sayonara Wild Hearts

For a fast paced and heart pumping experience, check out music-based action arcade hit Sayonara Wild Hearts. Mend your broken heart and restore balance to the universe as you skateboard, dance battle, and sword fight your way through surreal and vibrant levels with a custom-written pop soundtrack. You can play one level at a time for a quick gaming break or binge the entire album in one go. Plus there’s lots of replayability for the high score chasers and challenge runners out there.

Sayonara Wild Hearts is such a lovingly crafted experience and has secured a place in my heart as a comfort game. The visuals are vibrant, the soundtrack slaps, the levels are unique and challenging, and layered throughout is a story about heartbreak, the stages of grief, and self-acceptance. Tarot cards play a huge part of the symbolism in the game, representing characters, weapons, vehicles and more. The references to tarot are more than just a visual motif but also echo the themes of each level with their traditional interpretations of disruption, change, introspection, intuition, and more. For the collectors and/or tarot enthusiasts, there’s even a physical major arcana tarot deck available in the Annapurna Interactive merch store.

Although at its core Sayonara Wild Hearts isn’t a particularly long experience from start to finish, it is one that has stuck with me for several years and lives on repeat in my mind. Some gamers will talk about the envy they feel of others playing a game for the first time. I definitely feel that way about this game. Your experience awaits on Steam, Apple Arcade, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

All of these games are close to my heart because of the emotions I felt while playing (and replaying) them. And yeah, I’m a Cancer Sun so I’m an emotional person regardless. But I think video games are at their best when they make you feel something. Wonder and delight in an unexpected gameplay mechanic. Sorrow and sadness over the heartache of others. Joy and fulfillment in the triumphs experienced along the way. Music has the unique ability to conjure up and heighten all of these emotions and more when you reflect on your experiences in and out of game. Listening to the songs alone can become a powerful way to relive the game in your mind. It helps when they’re bangers too.

Skittzi is a variety streamer, cosplayer, and video game enthusiast. She loves indie games, RPGs, and many things in between. You can catch her live streaming more games like the ones featured on this list on Twitch attwitch.tv/skittzipoo.

Review code provided for We Are OFK by Popagenda.

10 (More) Indie Games For Your Radar

Posted on June 23, 2022June 23, 2022 by skittzi

It’s that time of year again! Summer games season has blessed us with another wealth of new titles to discover and add to your ever growing wishlist. Whether you’ve got more indies in your library than you know what to do with, or you’re window shopping for your first indie experience, you’re sure to find a new favorite on this list! Let’s take a look at 10 upcoming indie games to put on your radar.

COCOON

COCOON is a unique puzzle adventure game from Geometric Interactive, a studio co-founded by the lead gameplay designer of indie classics Limbo and Inside, and published by Annapurna Interactive. In COCOON, the weight of the world is literally on your shoulders as you carry around orbs on your back that contain different levels and abilities within them. Leap between worlds by combining, manipulating, and rearranging these orbs to solve intricate puzzles and unravel a cosmic mystery.

Of course I was instantly hooked on the charming visual style of this game but once I saw the adorable winged protagonist seamlessly dive into a portal to another world I was totally captivated. The development studio credits The Legend of Zelda and Portal games as inspiration for COCOON, but for me it also evokes a similar atmosphere to Creature In the Well with its unique puzzle solving mechanic and fantastical sci-fi setting. COCOON is set to release in 2023 and will be available on Xbox, Steam, and Nintendo Switch. Learn more at cocoongame.com.

Soulstice

Hack and slash through a city overrun by deadly creatures in this action RPG developed by Reply Game Studios and published by Modus Games. Simultaneously control both Briar and Lute, two sisters whose souls are bound together, to explore and fight through a stunning dark fantasy setting.

If you’re captivated by the grim atmosphere of Soulsbourne games but prefer faster paced (and potentially more satisfying) combat, then this is a game to check out. The combat is similar to playstyles used in God of War, Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, NieR: Automata, or Dante’s Inferno. With her incredible strength and resilience, Briar masters melee attacks and combos, while her sister Lute helps to control the battlefield with her otherworldly abilities. Together, they are on a mission to reclaim a city overrun with terrible, feral creatures. Soulstice is coming to PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on September 20. You can register for early PC demo access at soulsticegame.com.

Melatonin

This dreamy rhythm game developed and published by Half Asleep Games will have you nodding your head without nodding off (unless you want to, the vibes are pretty chill). It uses animations and sound cues to help you keep the beat and stay immersed without the flashy overlays you might be used to in the rhythm genre. If you aren’t familiar with rhythm games, you can test the waters with practice mode and assist options are included to help you if you’re feeling lost.

The hand-drawn and mostly monochrome pastel visuals certainly give this game a modern ethereal vibe perfect for some low-key late night gaming. The upbeat and (for lack of a better word) dreamy soundscape flows perfectly with the simplistic gameplay for an immersive experience that’s sure to mesmerize for hours on end. And there certainly will be hours of content with several chapters, challenge modes, mashups, and even a level editor. Melatonin releases September 16 on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch. Check out the demo on Melatonin’s Steam page.

Nivalis

Nivalis is a unique slice-of-life sim set in the same cyberpunk city featured in the award winning narrative exploration game Cloudpunk, developed by ION LANDS. Choose how you spend your time from managing restaurants and nightclubs, meeting strange and diverse characters, decorating apartments, fishing, to maybe even finding love.

Last year I played through Cloudpunk for the first time and was really impressed by the depth to which you could explore Nivalis, both by hovercar and on foot. In fact, I couldn’t get enough of it! A slice-of-life sim is the perfect genre to further explore this massive city and all the wonders it has to offer. At the moment is seems the plot of Cloudpunk won’t directly tie into Nivalis, but it is a fantastic place to start if you want to get a taste of the city while waiting for an official release date for Nivalis. The unique art style and synth heavy soundtrack come together to create an immersive sci-fi setting. I was a little surprised to see the models of the characters in Nivalis look more “life-like” compared to the voxel style used in Cloudpunk, but it’s a detail that I don’t think will take away from the game’s unique vibes. Fans of the cyberpunk bartending simulator VA-11 Hall-A should definitely keep Nivalis on their radar. Add Nivalis to your Steam wishlist to get updates on the game’s release.

A Little to the Left

A Little to the Left is a casual puzzle game developed by Max Inferno and published by Secret Mode where you organize and sort household objects. Tidy up and create arrangements that are pleasing to you, as there are multiple ways to solve each puzzle. You’ll also have to watch out for a trouble-making kitty who‘s determined to “help” you organize.

Take all those “oddly satisfying” videos you’ve ever binge watched and roll them into a cozy video game. With over 75 unique puzzles, A Little to the Left seems like the perfect game to unwind and relax with in short sessions. But if you happen to get on a tidying streak and binge, there will be daily puzzles that will provide a unique and refreshing challenge. If you’ve enjoyed other chill puzzle or exploration games like Assemble with Care, Unpacking, or Vingettes, this game should give you the same playful vibes. Personally, I think this game would be perfect to have on touch-screen devices, but for now you can wishlist A Little to the Left on Steam, and play the demo on itch.io.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox

Get ready to descend into a world of darkness and mystery in this eerie metroidvania style action adventure developed by Plot Twist and published by Rouge Games, Inc. Use self-proclaimed detective Benedict Fox’s bond with a demon companion to explore the memories of the recently deceased and solve a murder in a decaying mansion.

I love a good spooky game, but sometimes I struggle with playing them myself without sending my heart rate through the roof and not enjoying myself. Especially games like the Outlast series or Dead Space (if you follow me on Twitch my “love” of Dead Space is a reoccurring joke…). But I absolutely adore games like Darkest Dungeon where I can get my creepy cosmic horror fix but with gameplay that is significantly less stressful for me to endure and is actually enjoyable. The Last Case of Benedict Fox looks like it will deliver all of the supernatural and unsettling horror vibes I love in a way that will be fun and satisfying yet suspenseful. Wishlist The Last Case of Benedict Fox on Steam to get updates on the game’s release scheduled for sometime in 2023.

Thirsty Suitors

Thirsty Suitors is a stylish, story-driven adventure game developed by Outerloop Games and published by Annapurna Interactive. Confront Jala’s exes in over-the-top, turn-based battle sequences, impress mom with your cooking skills, and skate your way around town.

I’ll admit I’ve been thirsty for this game ever since I saw the trailer that introduced a delightful blend of quirky and comedic story telling, vibrant visuals, and entertaining interactions. Thirsty Suitors has a lot to offer with multi-faceted gameplay, characters with outrageous styles and personalities to match, and a story that’s sure to hit close to home. For me, the cherry on top of this flirty and groovy game is the LGBTQ+ representation in the cast. I’m looking forward to falling for every one of Jala’s (very hot) exes while duking it out high energy battles, hoping maybe we can kiss and make up. Thirsty Suitors is coming soon, and you can wishlist it now on Steam.

SCHiM

Navigate through a lively environment by jumping between shadows in this unique puzzle platformer developed by Ewoud van der Werf and published by Extra Nice. You are a schim, or shadow spirit, and must find your way back to the human you’ve been separated from by traveling from shadow to shadow.

I love the childlike and imaginative approach to the puzzle platformer that SCHiM takes. It’s very clearly inspired by the “floor is lava” concept where you can touch anything BUT the floor to get around. I also love the unique concept of how the environment works as a puzzle by relying on cast shadows as opposed to the objects themselves. The cell shaded art style is not only eye catching, but it’s the perfect way to take a 3D environment and present it as 2D obstacles. If you head over to schim.art you can create your own palette by altering the colors used in various scenes of the game. I may have gotten very distracted from writing this post by playing around with the color editor and now I’m low-key hoping there will be a mode where you can change the colors of the level in-game. Anyway, SCHiM is coming soon to Steam and itch.io.

Good Bones

In Good Bones you are faced with mystery, grief, and revenge after moving into a new home in this haunting point-and-click narrative adventure developed and published by RETCON Games. Search for clues about a mysterious death, solve narrative puzzles, and make tough choices that will effect how the story plays out.

If you’re ready for a story to hit your heart like a ton of bricks but be kinda spooky while doing it then buckle up. RETCON studio founder and solo dev Jes Negrón provided insight into some of the game’s themes, including how a queer Latina family navigates grief, domestic violence, and strained parent/child relationships. Good Bones promises to be a very heavy but very rewarding narrative tucked beneath some sleuthing, puzzle solving, and paranormal activity. If you’ve enjoyed games like Gone Home, Tell Me Why, or A Normal Lost Phone, then Good Bones should be a good fit for you. Good Bones will be available on Steam and itch.io in August.

Birth

Combat your loneliness by constructing a partner made from bones and organs found in this surreal adventure puzzle game developed and published by Madison Karrh. Solve physics-based puzzles & discover secrets in a strange and lovingly hand-drawn city.

Birth feels to me much more like an interactive art piece compared to what you might think of as a typical video game. Really, all video games are art but this one is art art, ya know? In between prying gold coins from a skeletal creatures paws and knocking over glass bottles to solve puzzles, this game feels like it would be full of pleasant surprises that are thought-provoking and tear-jerking. Don’t be fooled by the macabre imagery and uncanny environments, you will probably cry at some point and be left with a gaping hole in your heart by the end (I might be projecting here). While you wait for Birth to release on Steam later this fall, you can check out Madison’s other games on itch.io .

If any of these titles piqued your interest you should definitely add them to your wishlist! Not only will you get email updates on game releases and sales, but adding games to your wishlist actually helps the developers in a lot of ways, and it’s free. There’s plenty more where that came from, too. To discover even more indie games check out the Day of the Devs broadcast as well as the Wholesome Direct.

10 Indie Games For Your Radar

Posted on July 25, 2021June 23, 2022 by skittzi

Summer is a great time of year for gamers. Between all the different conferences and showcases throughout the season, there can be an overwhelming amount of titles to keep track of. Whether you’re an indie enthusiast or just venturing into indie territory for the first time, this list is sure to have something that entices you! Let’s take a look at 10 indie games that should be on your radar.

Sable

Sable is an open world exploration game developed by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury. You can guide Sable on her hoverbike across vast deserts and mesmerizing landscapes dotted with ancient wonders. Explore a unique and rich world while solving puzzles and discovering who Sable really is behind her mask.

What instantly caught my attention about Sable was its unique art style. The bright and flat colors, thin linework, and simple shading captivated me and filled me with the same sense of awe I feel when looking at Jake Wyatt illustrations. It evokes a feeling of traversing through an epic graphic novel. Sable looks absolutely jam packed with ancient areas to explore, colorful characters to interact with, and peculiar puzzles to solve. I’m looking forward to losing myself investigating every inch of this gorgeous game, all while enjoying an original soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast. If you’ve enjoyed games like The Pathless, GRIS, or Journey you should keep an eye out for Sable releasing on September 23. Wishlist it now on Steam.

Solar Ash

Solar Ash is a 3D sci-fi action adventure platformer developed by Hyper Light Drifter creators Heart Machine and published by Annapurna Interactive. Journey through a surreal, vivid and highly stylized world filled with mystery, wild high-speed traversal mechanics, endearing characters, and massive enemy encounters.

Solar Ash looks set up to be as stylish and fantastic as its award winning pixel art predecessor. I’m excited to see what Heart Machine can create in such an expansive 3D environment. There’s a lot of potential to build upon the sense of scale and grandeur from Hyper Light Drifter. From what we’ve seen so far of the game, I don’t think it will disappoint. The environment of Solar Ash looks absolutely breathtaking! Even though moving through the world is meant to feel fast paced, I’ll certainly be stopping to take in the sights as often as I can. Solar Ash is set to release later this year on the PlayStation and Epic Games stores.

Unbeatable

Unbeatable is a narrative focused rhythm-adventure game developed and published by D-Cell Games. Music has been outlawed and it’s up to you and your band to bring it back in this action arcade styled, old school anime inspired, bursting with attitude adventure.

The stylistic influence for Unbeatable is clearly pooled together from a variety of recognizable media, but it undoubtedly stands out as a unique experience. This game feels like staying up late watching Toonami with friends on a hot summer night after a long day of adventures. It’s the Fooly Cooly vibes that drew me in with the energetic animation style and absolute banger of a soundtrack. Unbeatable boasts a ton of accessibility options that will help you enjoy the game regardless of your ability to stay on beat as well as online multiplayer for those high score chasers out there. You can continue to support the game via their Slacker Backer page and play the episodic, side story demo [white label] on Steam and itch.io now.

Death’s Door

Death’s Door is an action-adventure role playing game developed by Titan Souls creators Acid Nerve and published by Devolver Digital. You are a Crow working for the Reaping Commission who becomes entangled in a quest to open the titular Death’s Door by vanquishing powerful souls long overdue to be collected.

I’ve been playing Death’s Door on my stream since its release and I have nothing but praise to offer it. If you like engaging and fast-paced combat mixed with classic environmental puzzles in a hauntingly beautiful environment packed with ruthless enemies, then you’ll want to pick up this game. It’s filled to the brim with witty and quirky NPCs, mesmerizing landscapes, challenging but satisfying battles, and mystery. I find myself trying to explore every nook and cranny to discover hidden caverns and maybe a few shiny collectibles. I am constantly surprised by how densely packed the game is while feeling satisfied that there’s so much left to explore and conquer. The vibes are a delightful blend of Dark Souls, Legend of Zelda, Below, and Hyper Light Drifter. It feels familiar while providing its own unique flair which makes this game an instant indie classic in my book. You can pick up Death’s Door today on Xbox and Steam.

The Artful Escape

The Artful Escape is a surreal narrative-driven adventure platformer developed by Beethoven + Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive. Play as teenage guitar prodigy Francis Vendetti on his multidimensional journey to inspire his stage persona.

I first discovered The Artful Escape of Francis Vendetti after their initial 2016 Kickstarter campaign had already failed its funding goal. I was devastated because this was one of the most jaw dropping games I had come across for a while. The art style was so complex, stimulating, and vibrant, and I loved the idea of playing as a David Bowie inspired rock star. When it was announced years later that Annapurna had picked it up and that it was still in development I was ecstatic. I’ve had the game wishlisted on Steam for over a year, and I’m hoping for a release date and more details at the upcoming Annapurna Interactive showcase on July 29th.

Jett: The Far Shore

Jett: The Far Shore is a cinematic action adventure developed by Superbrothers and Pine Scented, with an original score by Scntfc. Embark on an interstellar trip as Mei, a scout for a unit of aviator scientists deployed to a mythic ocean planet in hopes of securing a future for their species.

As a fan of the indie cult classic Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, I was beyond ecstatic when Jett was revealed in the summer of 2020. I was instantly mesmerized by the expansive space exploration and smooth traversal. Jett’s most recent gameplay trailer showcases just that, and more! While you are investigating a foreign planet, combat and resource management won’t be core mechanics. Instead you’ll rely on your jett’s tools and your own resourcefulness to conduct research and come out of potentially dangerous encounters unscathed. Superbrothers also promises some narrative intrigue with Mei’s past. If it’s anything like Sworcery, I know this game is going to get me deep in my feelings. If you’re into interstellar exploration with maybe a dash of existential dread, then you should have this game on your radar. Jett: The Far Shore will be available later this year. Wishlist is now on the PlayStation and Epic Games stores.

Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

Behind the Frame is a narrative-driven puzzle game developed by Silver Lining Studio and published by Akupara Games. As an aspiring artist you will collect, fix, and of course paint your way through this panoramic world filled with beautiful hand-crafted visuals and a smooth, elegant soundtrack.

If you like games with a cozy feel, this one is definitely for you. Behind the Frame radiates with all the charm and comfort you’d associate with a classic Studio Ghibli film. There will be puzzles to solve, secrets to uncover, and art to create — all at your own pace. If you enjoyed games like Akupara’s other story rich title Mutazione, Assemble with Care from Ustwo Games, or the recently released Chicory: A Colorful Tale published by Finji, then Behind the Frame would be a great fit for you. The game is set to release later this year, and you can wishlist it now on Steam.

Loot River

Loot River is an action-roguelike with puzzle elements developed by straka.studio and published with the help of SUPERHOT PRESENTS. Explore procedurally generated labyrinths using unique Tetris-like platforms to slide around ancient ruins, face gruesome foes, and of course collect some loot.

I was instantly mesmerized by Loot River’s gritty pixelated art style and multi-faceted gameplay. Between the fast paced combat, spatial block-shifting, and enchanting water animation, Loot River is a feast for the eyes. The concept of moving pieces of the dungeons with you as you explore is enticing, providing a unique layer of gameplay to balance while fighting to stay alive. If you enjoy dark fantasy settings mixed with tense, action-packed combat, then you should add Loot River to your wishlist on Steam.

Season

Season is an atmospheric adventure game developed and published by Scavengers Studio. Immerse yourself on a solitary bicycle journey through a surreal and poetic mid-twentieth century world on the brink of collapse. Discover a new world for the first time while collecting artifacts and making memories.

I came across an unassuming booth at PAX East 2020 with a faded rug, a leather briefcase, and a small banner that showcased the protagonist of Season tucked into a corner of the exhibit floor. I was pulled in, but unfortunately their demo schedule was booked that day. I took a picture of the setup, hoping to remember the game later. I was pleasantly surprised when Season was announced for PlayStation 5 during the 2020 Game Awards. The world looks absolutely stunning and immersive, and I eagerly await exploring the vast and unknown, yet familiar landscapes on bicycle. I even passed on the opportunity to playtest the game as I wanted to go in to the full release as raw as possible and experience a pure sense of wonder. You can wishlist Season on the Steam store now.

We Are OFK

We Are OFK is an interactive series about an indie pop band developed and published by Team OFK. Experience the making of the band and Interactive EP about dreaming, dating, and paying rent in Los Angeles.

Director and co-writer Teddy Dief had tweeted vaguely about an upcoming “project palm tree (using the palm tree emoji)” a while back which had first put OFK on my radar. When We Are OFK was finally revealed to be a pop music based interactive experience, I was incredibly excited, especially after the impact that Sayonara Wild Hearts left on me. OFK has a dreamy pastel style, cute and diverse LGBTQ cast, and catchy music to match. If you like visual novels with modern romance, relatable characters, and upbeat tunes then wishlist We Are OFK on Steam and stream their debut song Follow/Unfollow while you wait for the full release later this year.

Honorable Mention: Laundry Game

I want to mention a game I have had on my radar for a while that wasn’t officially showcased this summer but deserves a look. Max Turnbull (@beakfriends on Twitter) is a queer indie game developer and 3D illustrator working on a game set in a perpetually picturesque laundry mat. In Max’s game you hang out with a sassy skeleton and maybe attempt to do laundry. There aren’t many other details about the gameplay or plot available now, but I love seeing Max’s updates on Twitter and look forward to finally getting to play this cozy hidden gem.

These titles are only a drop in the bucket of the wealth of indie games we have to enjoy and look forward to. If you’re hungry for even more indies to add to your list then check out the list of games featured during the Wholesome Games Direct from June.

Before Your Eyes: The Experience of a Lifetime

Posted on May 3, 2021May 28, 2021 by skittzi

Every now and then an indie game comes along and makes me think “this is what video games are all about!” The recently released, innovative masterpiece Before Your Eyes from GoodbyeWorld Games is the latest game to inspire this feeling in me. Being an indie enthusiast, I was surprised that I had missed any news about Before Your Eyes until after its release. I was instantly intrigued by the charming art style and gameplay premise — navigating the narrative with real time blinking.

Now if you’re thinking “oh my god I could never play that game, I blink so much” I assure you there’s no need to worry. The game can utilize your webcam to detect your real life blinks. (Note: If you plan on streaming the game with a separate camera capture in your overlay it would benefit you to use two different webcams, one for yourself and one for your blinks.) Before starting the game you do a calibration test and have the option to calibrate at any point if you feel an adjustment is needed. In my playthrough I felt my blinks were pretty accurately detected, and had minimal issues. If you’re still really concerned about blinking through the game, you can opt out of the functionality and click through using a mouse instead. However, I would really recommend playing with the blinking mechanic enabled if you can, at least for your first playthrough. It really is pivotal to getting the full experience of the game. Personally, I think GoodbyeWorld did a great job of giving you time to focus on what’s going on while creating the urgency of not missing anything. You will miss things, but in a way that’s the point.

The game begins on a boat where you are awakened by The Ferryman, a scruffy anthropomorphic mutt of a man who has just fished you out of a river of souls. He says he’s going to take you to see the Gatekeeper so that you may be judged for your actions in life for the chance to be let into her glorious city. Right off the bat I was enthralled by The Ferryman. His disheveled design, quirky mannerisms, and unique speech set the tone for the story. Stephen Friedrich provides an absolutely wonderful mocap and voice performance to truly bring The Ferryman to life. His opening scene captivated me from the start with the perfect combination of whimsy, charm, and atmosphere.

Soon enough The Ferryman sends you blinking back into your memories in order to gather details about your life so that he can impress the Gatekeeper with your story. You discover that you are Benjamin Brynn. You live in a little seaside town with your parents Richard, a professor of maritime archaeology, and Elle, a former composer turned accountant. As you blink through Ben’s memories you see that he’s quite musically inclined, much to Elle’s delight. He’s a bit of a gifted child and is soon able to play one of Elle’s own compositions on the piano by ear. Delighted by Ben’s musical ability, Elle encourages him to keep practicing so that he might have a chance to succeed where she ultimately fell short.

As you blink through Ben’s life it becomes apparent that Elle has lofty ambitions for him that are no doubt influenced by her inability to break out as a composer before starting a family. Her father was also a musician and had hopes that she would be a musical prodigy herself. She seems encouraging and well-meaning, but she’s definitely projecting her own expectations that her father once held over her onto her son. I could see her overbearing desire to push Ben to succeed tainting her relationship with her son, and even her husband. Richard is much more carefree and easygoing when it comes to Ben’s upbringing, and he seems to do his best just to make sure that Ben has a cheerful childhood.

Richard and Elle both love Ben, but they are sometimes at odds with their own personalities over how he should be raised and what’s best for their family. Richard optimistically brings home a stray cat for the family much to the mild irritation of Elle, who is allergic. At a party at the Brynn’s house celebrating Ben’s musical talent Elle makes backhanded comments about Richard’s profession. There’s a subtle tension that can be felt between the two of them the longer you linger in your memories. Blink and you’ll literally miss the nuance in their relationship.

Another important figure in Ben’s life is his neighbor Chloe. The two have history class together, and it isn’t long before they are passing notes and hanging out playing video games together. Chloe is quite spunky and spirited and I think the way she’s written is very genuine and endearing. The memories Ben has with her are really full of childlike delight, like the excitement of sneaking out past bedtime to camp out under the stars. Spending time with Chloe provides a playful distraction from Ben’s otherwise rigorous piano practice.

All of Ben’s relationships feel very raw and genuine, and I applaud the writers for creating such realistic and relatable characters. They’re grounded in aspirations and insecurities I think we can all relate to — fitting in, being successful, leaving a legacy, love, loss. Ben himself doesn’t directly speak with the other characters, and it’s easy to project your own feelings and interpretations onto his decisions, although he doesn’t feel like a completely blank canvas. This isn’t the type of game where you decide whether you’re going to play a benevolent or immoral character. You can feel the influence of Ben’s own thoughts and feelings just from the way other characters speak with and around him. Everyone will interact with the narrative differently, but I think everyone will be able to relate to it.

Before long, Ben becomes sick and steps away from practicing music only to rediscover his love of drawing. His dedication to this new art form leads him down a path to becoming quite a successful and renowned painter. Although, his success is not without setback. Navigating Ben’s career as a painter is only part of the story — the rest of which I think would be best left for you to experience for yourself.

GoodbyeWorld Games expertly brings together each element of the game’s design to create a truly immersive and emotional story. The eye tracking is much more than just a gimmick, and is utilized in unique ways aside from simply blinking to progress the narrative. At certain moments, your blinks can be used to select specific artistic decisions, like which shapes to lay onto your canvas when you paint. You even need to shut your eyes to focus (ironically) on certain dialogue. These moments, along with the game’s soundtrack, are definitely best experienced while wearing headphones. Tonal shifts in the piano music in the background seamlessly set the mood for each scene. All of this combined with incredible voice acting and enchanting visuals sets Before Your Eyes up as a true masterpiece.

There is plenty of surprise and delight to be had in Before Your Eyes, much of it that would benefit from you experiencing it first hand. But I will say that by the end of it I was absolutely inconsolable and blinking back tears, so make sure you have some tissues handy. I even think that compulsively crying might have contributed to what made the final moments feel so magical for me, so don’t be afraid to let the floodgates open.

Even if you try to “cheat” and stare down your computer screen you will miss moments you wanted to linger in. Much the way it is in reality. You can’t possibly process all the information around you perfectly. The edges are blurry and dark. It only lasts an instant. Being present every moment of our lives can be difficult. ‘I’m enjoying this game, but am I really savoring it? I’m awake, but am I really registering all the sensations around me? What will I look back on fondly? What will I remember?’ GoodbyeWorld really creates a poignant yet relatable commentary on this with Before Your Eyes, and it’s an experience I will certainly remember (and replay when I want to refresh my memory.)

None of us are immune to the passage of time, and I think it’s a universal fear to worry whether we’re living our lives fully. Will we be worth remembering? What happens to us when we draw our last breath? Despite the heavy themes of the game and the tears I shed, I find the experience to be comforting. Richard, in a particularly profound moment, definitely pinpoints this feeling plainly — “If the unspeakable darkness I’m carrying can be so well expressed, maybe it’s not so unspeakable.”

Before Your Eyes is available on Steam and the Epic Games store.

Skittzi is a variety streamer, cosplayer, and video game enthusiast. She loves indie games, RPGs, and many things in between. You can catch her live streaming more games like this on Twitch at twitch.tv/skittzipoo.

NUTS: Can you see the forest for the trees?

Posted on February 27, 2021May 28, 2021 by skittzi

NUTS is a first person, single-player narrative game about monitoring and reporting squirrel behavior. You play as a rookie field researcher coming to the remote Melmoth Forest to track the movements of the squirrels and discover why they behave so strangely. NUTS boasts bold style and an intriguing narrative executed through distinctive gameplay.

The core mechanic of NUTS is a unique type of environmental puzzle that requires you to navigate through the forest while tracking the path of some tricky squirrels. You are given cameras that you set up around your map based on GPS coordinates given to you by your boss, Dr. Nina Scholz. The cameras serve as markers and give you a small window to view the targeted squirrel’s path each night. Your objectives often require you to follow a squirrel from its starting position through the area to its nut stash.

I found myself attempting to anticipate the path of the squirrels and was totally wrong at times but pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed playing back the footage each night and strategizing where to place my cameras next. Placing the cameras to stage the perfect shot during the day and scrubbing your footage each night feels fluid and seamless. It’s a perfect balance to keep you fully engaged and on the edge of your seat. This mechanic doesn’t change much throughout the game but navigating the different areas and discovering their hidden secrets is very rewarding. Even in areas where I was “stuck” for a bit, I was never frustrated with the gameplay itself. In fact I found it quite fun, and was definitely invested in my strategy.

NUTS promises intrigue and absolutely delivers. It presents itself as a mystery with nefarious roots. You feel on edge, trying to anticipate the nature of your study, and even your relationship with Nina. As things unfold and the plot thickens you might find yourself second guessing your initial theories. Throughout the game there are several questions posed that never get concrete answers — and I don’t think they need answers. Part of the appeal of the game is to speculate and craft theories. One might say you go a little… nuts. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on what’s going on, things are not as they appear. Throughout the game I was anticipating the next squirrely development and left wanting more.

The unique use of color in NUTS is absolutely mesmerizing and evocative. As a warning, some players may be sensitive to the high contrast color combinations used. Color itself is a very powerful tool for conveying emotion and mood, especially when the palette used is much different from what we expect to see in the real world. Day 1 immerses you in vibrant orange equipment, teal trees and foliage, and a dusty yellow sky. Night 1 captivates with starkly contrasted blues in a way that evokes night vision cameras. Trees shift from teal to magenta and violet. The horizon morphs from a soft buttery yellow to a muted minty blue. NUTS masterfully uses high contrast lines and gradients to establish its space without the use of any shadows or lighting. The more time you spend in Melmoth the less alien it feels. You become acutely aware of the mood of the forest as the color palette changes.

NUTS takes advantage of minimal yet purposeful audio design to create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. Your task is to focus on the squirrels but it’s clear you’re not alone with them out there. You can hear resounding bird calls and babbling brooks. Melmoth Forest feels truly alive, and in a way, distressed. Ceaseless humming, soft subtle notes, and drawn out chords echo around you as you pursue the squirrels. At a certain point there is a shift in the soundtrack that really struck me. It emerges later in your study, replacing the usual ominous din with an energetic excitement. A sense of discovery, mystery, wonder, desperation. An invigorating chase. This moment is one of the elements that, for me, cements NUTS as an experience to be remembered.

While playing, I personally found myself skipping ahead and completing some of Nina’s objectives before she actually asked for them. I was so fixated on the squirrel behavior that when I discovered any anomalies along the way I went out of my way to track what was going on. This isn’t necessarily a fault of the game. In fact, I think it’s a strength for the narrative to be so engrossing to feel compelled to get to the bottom of things before you realize they need to be investigated. However, the way Nina responds to your various photos would suggest that she anticipates you to strictly take things one objective at a time and in order. You’ve got multiple cameras at your disposal which make it much easier to get photos of multiple objectives at once in one night. It’s just a little odd to hear dialogue that seems paced to span over multiple days all in one night when you hand in multiple photos at once.

One aspect I would have liked to see done differently was the way the days and nights rolled over throughout the game. The first time you enter a new area to start tracking new squirrels the Day resets to 1 and the color palette changes. Your journal does list a new location but all of your pictures are gone from the previous area. At first, this threw me for a loop and I had the idea that maybe we would be going through two different timelines — the “present” of 1997 and the past in 1982 when Nina mentions she was last in Melmoth. This concept intrigued me but it turned out to not be the case. I think by the end of the game having your counter potentially read “Day 32” or “Night 46” would really drive home the idea that you’ve been out here for a while and heighten the sense of urgency as your situation gets more dire.

Overall, I was impressed by the delivery of the mysterious narrative. There were turns I didn’t expect and events that left me guessing at what would come next. One small detail did stand out to me right away, however. On your first day, Nina mentions the phone line cuts out sometimes after you get disconnected from her mid-sentence. This immediately made me nervous. But it never seems to cut out again throughout the rest of the game, even as we move deeper into the forest. This detail sets up some mystery and tension in the beginning but never becomes relevant again. As the game goes on the need for this tension slips away and gives way to more pressing matters. For the sake of consistency, having this issue further into the game would make sense, and add to the drama, but ultimately it’s a small detail that isn’t missed with everything else going on.

NUTS certainly proved to me to be a captivating experience. The game is relatively short, with a few chapters that can be played over the course of several hours, and the pacing feels engaging even if some of the puzzles take you a little longer to complete. Although I think some different approaches could have taken the experience to the next level, ultimately I was really invested and satisfied with what I played. I would absolutely recommend this game to anyone looking for a compelling story with unique gameplay and an even more unique visual style.

If you’d like to avoid spoilers, you can finish reading here. If you’d like to play the game yourself, NUTS is currently available in a variety of different languages on Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, Steam, Humble, and itch.io. For more of my thoughts on the game, keep reading.

You can catch me live streaming more games over at twitch.tv/skittzipoo.

Time to get deep into my feelings here. While I had high hopes for NUTS to be able to deliver a sense of discomfort and mystery, I was not expecting to be so attached to Nina. She is essentially a bodiless character there to give us objectives, but she becomes so much more than that. I feel guilty for thinking that she was some kind of villain at first — that she was hiding something from us. But she was just the opposite. She gave us everything she could. She cares so much. For the forest, for the squirrels, for you. Her passion and resilience are echoed in the main character. You are essentially in the same position she was in 15 years ago trying to save the forest. Going through almost her exact plight. I was inspired by her. I felt for her. I feared for her safety.

Finding the cassette tapes hidden in each chapter is just extra content, but they provide so much insight into just how pure Nina is. I teared up while listening to the last one. Nina seems so at peace in the forest, like she belongs there, despite her admitting her loneliness. She even seems like she wants to come back. After exploring and finding Nina’s guitar at an abandoned post I was hoping she’d have something to say about it. I took a picture and faxed it over to her as soon as I could. I felt a pang in my heart when for the first time the phone didn’t ring after I faxed over a photo. Nina always has something to say, so why doesn’t she say anything about this! Eventually she acknowledges it as a “landscape” shot, but nothing else. I wanted so badly to hear her chuckle and say “Oh I can’t believe you found that old thing!” I wanted to give her a pleasant memory amidst the looming dread brought on by Panorama. Hearing her sing over the end credits makes up for it a little though. Her little love note to the forest assures me everything will be all right.

I like to think the flood wipes the forest clean of Panorama’s work. I like to think Nina comes with a rescue crew and greets you with an embrace when the boat finally floats to safety. I like to think Simon sensed the danger, and got to safety before the waters rose. I like to think the squirrels adapt and start over.

They are resilient and resourceful after all. They’ve protected themselves for this long. They’ll thrive. In the end, nature will thrive.