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.

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 at twitch.tv/skittzipoo.

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.