Indie Video Game Round-Up #10 - Game Boy, NES, Switch, and More
There’s been a lot of news about indie video games since the last round-up. I’m not able to cover all of it, but I do want to share some highlights. Please share any of your favorite indie news that I missed in the comments below.
First, at the end of March, Incube8 Games and Mike Yamato released 2021: Moon Escape on the Game Boy in both physical and digital forms. The game will also be released on the Nintendo Switch without changes in the second week of May. The game is an open-world adventure that has you needing to survive and finish your mission.
Set in a galaxy devastated by an unprecedented war, you will play the role of Tars Nunien, a paladin of the Marked Brotherhood, whose only mission is to return the enemy war plans to the capital planet Astra Nova in the hope of organizing the last desperate defense against the terrible Kisur Barbarians.
Game Boy fans can also look forward to the Kickstarter campaign coming in Q2 from RubenRetro. The Kickstarter will be for physical releases of Shera’s Music Party and Linda’s Music Party. Both games are rhythm music games inspired by hit games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
Players are accompanied by a kitty of their choice who will cheer up if they have a good rhythm or lose concentration if they fail. Each game version has 7 scenarios with 3 different difficulty levels and each scenario has a unique event that players must master to clear the level.
If you like city building games, you can get hyped for Timberborn from Mechanistry and Stray Fawn. This is a fun twist on classic city builders by having it be all about beavers. It sounds great.
These beavers change the landscape of colony simulators with a flood of fresh ideas.
Manage river currents to survive droughts, create towering beaver-builds, irrigate land, and go boldly into a lumberpunk-fueled future!
A game I’m very excited for is Dokapon Kingdom: Connect. It’s being brought back from the Wii era and the one time I played it before it was a lot of fun. It’s a combination of the board game aspect of Mario Party mixed with RPG elements. The team at IDEA Factory recently released a brief video to help explain the basics of the game. You can play Dokapon Kingdom: Connect starting May 9.
Everyone in Dokapon Kingdom loves money.
One day in this peaceful land, monsters suddenly appeared and began attacking nearby towns. The economy collapsed, and people were at their lowest. Taxes were no longer being paid, of course.
So that's when the King took action!
He decided to gather the bravest warriors to rescue these towns so he can get paid! In exchange, the one who collects the most shall be rewarded with the Princess' hand in marriage and the throne.
And thus, an adventure for money begins, where absolutely anything goes!
League of Legends fans can enjoy a new adventure from Riot Forge and Digital Sun. The team recently released the 2D RPG The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story on Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, PC (Steam|GOG|Epic Games), and Xbox consoles (affiliate link).
Developed by Digital Sun, creators of Moonlighter, The Mageseeker is a gritty 2D hi-bit pixel action RPG, set in Demacia, a mighty kingdom in the world of Runeterra that seeks to curtail what it deems as forbidden magic while wielding magic themselves to maintain order. Play as Sylas, an escaped mage who joins a band of rebels in the deep forest. Their revolution will shatter Demacia's deceptive peace - a peace built with the blood and sweat of mages. The Mageseeker provides an action-packed fantasy gameplay experience for those looking to experience a story of power, identity, and justice. Sylas will utilize his unique spell-stealing abilities to draw upon the magic of his enemies and use those powers against them.
Switch gamers can now get physical versions of The Pathless from Giant Squid, Annapurna Interactive, iam8bit, and Skybound Games. The game is now available from your favorite retailers for $39.99 or an exclusive version with a poster, art cards, and more is available from iam8bit’s site.
Become the Hunter, a master archer who travels to a mystical island to dispel a curse of darkness that grips the world. Soar through the air and forge a connection with your eagle companion in this multi-nominated action adventure. Perform fluid acrobatics and execute awesome trick shots with a unique archery system that allows effortless shooting while moving at high speeds. Defeat the cursed spirits and restore the light as you find your own way in a pathless world.
If you want to go back to the days of the NES, Retro-Bit has got you covered. You can now pre-order the Hammerin’ Harry: Concrete Collection which includes Hammerin’ Harry and Hammerin’ Harry 2 for $99.99. Pre-orders will close on May 21, so don’t dawdle too much. This is the first time the games have received a physical release in the United States which is exciting on its own and each game has a unique cartridge design with full-colored instruction manuals and more.
Originally released by Irem as a side-scrolling arcade game in 1990 before being ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System one year later, Hammerin’ Harry tells the story of a hammer-wielding carpenter who vows to protect his hometown of Beranme (Carpentersville) from cutthroat businessmen. His journey continues in Hammerin’ Harry 2, which adds to the 2D action with shoot ‘em up stages where Harry uses his mighty hammer to fly through the air.
This brings us to the latest Indie World Showcase form Nintendo. This highlighted a ton of indie games coming to the Nintendo Switch. The big highlight to me is the free update for Cult of the Lamb, but ther’es also Rift of the NecroDancer, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, and more. You can watch the entire showcase below.
Mineko’s Night Market from Meowza Games and Humble Games: As the adorable Mineko in this narrative adventure-sim, you’ll do various jobs, befriend the townsfolk and craft all sorts of doodads for the weekly Night Market. There are a ton of things to do, like joining parades, entering cat races and performing on stage. And if you’re just itching to explore, the island has many secrets to uncover and puzzles to solve. Stop by Mineko’s Night Market, setting up shop on Nintendo Switch Sept. 26.
My Time at Sandrock from Pathea Games and PM Studios: Through a captivating story rife with dozens of characters and side quests, you’re tasked with restoring a post-apocalyptic desert community to its former glory in this sequel to My Time at Portia. You’ll gather resources to assemble machines and transform a derelict workshop into a finely tuned facility. Why not venture into ancient ruins and scavenge for relics? Or say hi to the locals and make some friends? This town’s popular with the monsters, so take ’em down in melee combat. Plus, if you have the main game, a separate online* multiplayer version will be available after the game launches, so you and your friends can help Sandrock thrive together. My Time at Sandrock launches on Nintendo Switch this summer.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach from Steel Wool Studios and ScottGames: In the latest installment of the family-friendly horror games you’ll play as Gregory, a young boy trapped overnight in Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. With the help of Freddy Fazbear himself, Gregory must survive the near-unstoppable hunt of reimagined Five Nights at Freddy’s characters – as well as new horrific threats. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach is available later today!
Shadows Over Loathing from Asymmetric Games LLC: Set in the 1920s within the West of Loathing universe, Shadows Over Loathing is a slapstick RPG full of silliness and stick figures. Venture through a sprawling black-and-white world filled with talking frogs, sentient math and eldritch horrors. There’s also a ton of roles to play: From marching to the beat of your own nefarious schemes as a Jazz Agent to holding the curds of the cosmos in your hands as a Cheese Wizard. The digital version of Shadows Over Loathing launches on the Nintendo Switch system later today! Pre-orders for the physical edition of the game will be available at many retailers soon and will ship in the fall.
OXENFREE II: Lost Signals from Night School Studio and Netflix: Set five years after OXENFREE, Riley returns to her hometown of Camena to research strange electromagnetic waves. Tune the radio to communicate with supernatural beings and manipulate the world around you. And watch out for a shadowy cult attempting to open a reality-altering portal. While exploring the town, use the new walkie-talkie conversation system to connect with local contacts. Your choices will have an impact on Riley’s development, relationships and the story. Tune in to OXENFREE II: Lost Signals, launching on Nintendo Switch July 12. Pre-orders begin today in Nintendo eShop and the My Nintendo Store.
Quilts and Cats of Calico from Monster Couch: Make a purr-fect quilt from patterned pieces of fabric in this adaptation of the tabletop game Calico. Place pieces on a board and sew buttons to score points and attract adorable cats! Each cat has a preferred pattern, so stitch in style to become an expert quilt maker. You can also take some time to customize your cats and give them a paw-sitively great look. Get cozy with up to three friends in local** and online* multiplayer, join ranked matches against online players or try your hand at weekly challenges. Cuddle up with Quilts and Cats of Calico, launching on the Nintendo Switch system this fall.
A Little to the Left Cupboards & Drawers from Max Inferno and Secret Mode: More puzzles await in the paid Cupboards & Drawers DLC*** for A Little to the Left. Get tidying across 25 new puzzles as you explore a world of small spaces, secret compartments and surprising bits and bobs stuffed into every drawer. Charming new illustrations and scenarios are also included in this DLC, which launches on Nintendo Switch this June.
Teslagrad 2 and Teslagrad Remastered from Rain Games and Modus Games: Harness electromagnetic powers to solve physics-based puzzles and move seamlessly through Scandinavian-inspired environments. Yet, this land holds many dangers, as fearsome beasts stand in your way. Master the art of Teslamancy and defeat them to discover additional areas to explore. Plus, play a remastered version of the first Teslagrad game with enhanced visuals and 10 extra challenge levels in the Teslagrad Power Pack Edition featuring both games when it bolts onto the Nintendo Switch system later today! You can also purchase Teslagrad 2 and Teslagrad Remastered separately later today, too.
Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon Puzzler’s Pack from Vine and Yacht Club Games: Dig into more roguelite puzzle action in the free Puzzler’s Pack DLC*** for the Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon game. Venture forth as two newly playable characters, test your puzzle prowess with Quandary Challenges and make your way through the perplexing halls of Castle Quandary. You can also pay Mr. Hat a visit for over 20 in-game hats to modify runs or pick up some nifty new relics in Chester’s Shop. This DLC shovels its way onto the Nintendo Switch this spring.
Cult of the Lamb Relics of the Old Faith from Massive Monster and Devolver Digital: Expand your flock in this free update to the Cult of the Lamb game. Dozens of new items, relics and enemies are scattered across remixed dungeons, guarded by new versions of the four guardian bishops. Take your spoils back to the cult with new buildings to construct and followers to recruit, plus a new unlockable quest. And after beating the game, keep the faith going with the new Permadeath, Gauntlet and Boss Rush modes. Relics of the Old Faith launches on Nintendo Switch on April 24.
Blasphemous 2 from The Game Kitchen and Team 17: Calling all calloused and wounded souls: Return to follow The Penitent One again through a mysterious land filled with nightmares in this sequel to the nightmarishly fun hack-’n-slash platformer Blasphemous. Explore a dark world that’s faithful to the original game with its skill-based combat and tricky platforming elements, that also improves upon its signature pixel art style and the range of abilities at your disposal. Featuring progression systems, custom builds and an expanded player move set, your judgment awaits on Nintendo Switch this summer.
ANIMAL WELL from Shared Memory and Bigmode: In this atmospheric pixelated world, you’ll search for treasures as you gradually uncover a dense environment. Where you go is entirely up to you. Many interesting creatures live here, but some might be hostile, so stay alert. Any items you’ve picked up can be used in a number of ways, like making a quick getaway or even having friendly creatures help you out in a pinch. There’s a lot to uncover, so get crafty with your items and see what you find. Summon your courage and curiosity for ANIMAL WELL, launching on Nintendo Switch this winter.
Rift of the NecroDancer from Tic Toc Games and Brace Yourself Games: In this spinoff of Crypt of the NecroDancer, move to the rhythm with a new musical twist to lane-based combat. Monsters will come flying at you, so match the on-screen prompts to kick ’em to the curb. Each one has a different movement pattern, and some take multiple hits to defeat. Look forward to boss battles that’ll really get you groovin’ and a special minigame to play for each of the five character storylines. Keep the beat alive when Rift of the NecroDancer launches on Nintendo Switch this year.
PlateUp! from It’s happening and Yogscast Games: Create, decorate and automate the restaurant of your dreams in the roguelite management-sim PlateUp!, the game where lots of hungry customers clamor for meals at lightning-fast speeds. Manage both the kitchen and front of house to keep your customers happy. At the end of every randomly generated shift, you can acquire new high-tech appliances like turbo ovens to upgrade your kitchen and make your next restaurant venture even more successful. Up to three friends can join you locally** or online* to help run your culinary empire. Serve up some deliciousness when PlateUp! launches on Nintendo Switch in October.
Crime O’Clock from Bad Seed and Just For Games: There’s no time to waste in this puzzle-exploration game; you’ve got over 40 cases to solve across time and space. There are many eras to visit, from the Lost Age to a cybernetic future. In each era, you’ll see how crime scenes develop for different time ticks, and taking action in one era can change events in another. By traveling through time, meeting characters and resolving each case, your map will change and more adventures will be unlocked. Set your alarms to Crime O’Clock when it launches on Nintendo Switch June 30.