I’m beginning to feel a bit self-conscious when I craft my Indie Game Lookout..
This column is supposed to highlight great indie games of all stripes. However, I keep getting pulled in by all the awesome shooters I see. I can’t help it; I’m a sucker for the pew-pew. Yes, they have been great indie finds, but I want to shine a light on other genres. So for this edition of Indie Game Lookout, I am focusing on the great NON-shooters I have found. As always, if you know of any great indie titles, let me know via Twitter.
That Day We Left
[youtube id=”ppCaMtflc14″ autoplay=”no”]
Developer: InnerVoid Interactive
Platform: PC, Mac
Release Date: TBD
Available via: Steam Greenlight
I usually don’t mix politics with my gaming. But this game…THIS game…
That Day We Left is a point-and-click adventure game that tackles a pretty powerful topic: the Syrian refugee crisis. The game aims to paint a realistic picture of the crisis from the perspective of a family of refugees. And from the video and the playable alpha, it’s a pretty bleak but engrossing picture.
You play as Rashid, a man who’s attempting to leave his war-torn country with his family. Along the way, you must maintain your family’s morale high while walking through hostile territory. The situations found in the game have been re-enacted from stories told by refugees, and the developers insist that they portray everything in as neutral a light.
Playing through the alpha prototype gave me a Walking Dead vibe. The storytelling is dialog-driven and full of weight. Players must manage resources along with ensuring your family’s safety and well-being. The situations get rather harrowing, and some of the early decision you must make are pretty rough.
Graphically, the game looks sparse, but I like the way the world looks. For an alpha, there’s a fair bit of polish. There’s quite a bit of dialog, but it helps flesh out the family and their world. Like Walking Dead, the tension with each move and decision is palpable.
This game is currently attempting to make it through Greenlight. The subject matter may be heavy, but I believe the game to a very good one thus far.
Hollow Knight
[youtube id=”0GXyV9EvB_g” autoplay=”no”]
Developer: Team Cherry
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, Wii U
Release Date: 2016
Available via: Developer Website
Whereas the previous game was heavily focused on story, Hollow Knight goes turbo on the visuals. This game is one of the most visually arresting platformers I have seen in a while.
The game takes place in the land of Hallownest. You are the Hollow Knight, and the game has you traversing interconnected worlds, fighting bug-like creatures, avoiding traps, and solving mysteries. The story is a bit threadbare, but honestly, when your game looks as gorgeous as this, you can forego the story for a bit.
The worlds are eerie yet strangely beautiful. Everything looks hand-drawn and exudes tons of personality. The titular character, the NPCs, and the enemies all have simple but fluid animations. The entire game looks something straight out of a cartoon. Accompanying the wonderful visuals is an equally wonderful soundtrack. It complements the scenery very well, adding a touch of melancholy to the world.
Gameplay seems to be typical platformer fare, with the requisite tricky jumps and special mechanics platformers. Hollow Knight’s attacks, and other abilities and spells are strewn about for the player to find. Navigating the world while fighting baddies looks to be challenging, and boss battles seem to be pretty involved.
This game is available for pre-order via their website. I cannot recommend this game enough.
Dark Flame
[youtube id=”vt3ColsQ8ms” autoplay=”no”]
Developer: Warren Smith
Platform: PC
Release Date: TBD
Available via: Steam Greenlight
Say the “word” Metroidvania and you instantly conjure up images of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, considered by many to be the pinnacle of the genre. Well, Dark Flame is an homage to Symphony of the Night in the purest sense.
When looking at Dark Flame, the similarities to SotN are inescapable. Indeed, this game mimics the aesthetic of the original, but without completely aping it. It’s almost like a 16-bit rendition of SotN.
You play as Taharial and you are a crusader during the Baltic Crusades. Your brothers have gone completely mad, and you have charged yourself with trying to find out what is making them lose their minds. You tear a path through the land, ridding it of evil creatures as you search for the answers.
Taharial moves and plays similar to a powered-up Alucard in SotN. All the Metroidvania elements are present: progressive storylines, new abilities that open up previously inaccessible areas, save points, plenty of hidden areas, and more. The gameplay and movement is pure action platformer. Visually and aurally, the game feels at home on a SNES. The game’s aesthetic is an absolute throwback, and I love every second of it.
What more can I say about this game? It is pure retro –vania fun! It’s already been Greenlit and the game’s developer is trying to round up the necessary funds to bring it to life. You can check out his Patreon and chip in if you wish.
