These past few days have been amazing for gaming. I’ve already mentioned the Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak digital event which was really nice, but there’s still quite a lot of things to talk about. One of those things is Nintendo’s Indie World presentation that aired a few days ago. If you’d like to see it, click this link here or watch the video below.
If you’re like me, you tuned into the livestream mostly because there were rumors about Hollow Knight: Silksong making an appearance (like there is for apparently every Indie Direct). That being said, I don’t let what may or may not show up affect my enjoyment of these live game announcements. So let’s talk exactly about what was announced, as well as my overall feelings of the Indie Direct as a whole.
Ooblets
Developed by Glumberland (really cute logo), Ooblets is a simulation game that allows you to farm, train, and collect cute creatures called…Ooblets. You’re also able to have your Ooblets follow you as you traverse the community you reside in making friends all the while. You can also decorate your character and your house, run a shop, and many more things. While Ooblets already released for early access in July 2020, it officially launches on the Nintendo Switch during the Summer.
It’s a very charming game and a lot of people in the livestream seemed happy to see the game make it in the Indie World presentation. As for me personally, I’m gonna have to skip out on it. I already have so many games with that “life simulation” feel to it, and I’m planning on getting another one in the form of Rune Factory 5. But that’s not to say it doesn’t look good.
Batora: Lost Haven
Batora: Lost Haven is an action RPG developed by Stormind Games. This game focuses on the story of a 16-year-old named Avril. In order to step up as a hero, you’ll have her travel across many planets, putting her physical and mental strength to the test. Failing to do so could be disastrous for her. This game comes out sometime this Fall.
It looks like a very cool game and I’m honestly more interested in it the second time around than I was upon first seeing it. If I do plan to get it, I think I’ll wait to see what others think of it. If it’s anything like Hades, I’m absolutely down to give it a chance, because this has the potential to be even better.
ElecHead
Developed by a one-man team, Nama Takahashi’s ElecHead is a 2D puzzle platformer with an interesting mechanic to it. As you traverse ElecHead guiding him through challenging traps on his quest to bring light to the world, you’ll have to literally use your head to bring the various machinery to life and assist you. You’ll also have to detach your head to solve some of the puzzles, but don’t do so for too long or you’ll…explode. ElecHead launches onto the Switch this Summer.
It’s odd on all accounts that I really want to play this game. It’s the first (and probably only) game on here made by a single person and while I don’t mind puzzles at all, I usually like it as a secondary element to games rather than it being the main focus, like in Pokémon. However, this premise of your character’s body powering the trapped room is way too unique to pass on. I may not get it as soon as it comes out, but I absolutely will eventually.
Soundfall
This game takes place in a land called Symphonia. You’re teleported there to battle against the Forces of Discord as a Guardian of Harmony, which there seems to be five of to choose from. You’ll have to battle to the beat of the music to get by, on levels that are generated depending on the song you choose. There are over 140 tracks to fight to, either by yourself or with three other players locally or online. Drastic Games and Noodlecake’s Soundfall launched on the same day as the Indie Direct, May 11th.
Despite being five and a half minutes into the presentation, I feel like this was one of the biggest games they showed off. I’m really into it since it gives me a Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the Necrodancer kinda feeling to it, which was a game I absolutely loved. Can’t wait to try this game out soon.
Wildfrost
Wildfrost is a roguelike deck building game where you go on a quest to put an end to the eternal frost, which seems like an infinite snow spell. To do so, you must customize your deck with companions and items to aid you in battling waves of monsters in your way. You can also achieve your goal by upgrading your headquarters, which will unlock more cards and events for you to partake in. Developed by Chucklefish and Deadpan Games, Wildfrost comes to the Switch during the holidays.
It looks quite cute for a roguelike card game, but even that cuteness doesn’t interest me that much. I’m not too keen on card games personally. Even when I do like them (such as Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel) It’s way more fun for me to watch them be played by other people rather than play it myself. This might be one of those games, but if I hear a lot of good things about it, I’ll probably check it out.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
TABS was not only one of the big games announced, but one that needs no explanation. Landfall Games developed and released this super fun ragdoll simulation game back in April 2019 (2016 if you count the alpha version) but now, the game has a home on the Switch console…or at least it will when it releases this Summer. What I didn’t know though was that the creatures you fought with were called “Wobblies.” That being said, it’s simply amazing this game can be brought to the Switch, and it doesn’t look terrible either.
Gunbrella
Developed by Doinksoft, Gunbrella is a side-scrolling action adventure set in a gritty world. You play as a gruff woodsman on a quest for revenge, armed with nothing but a gun that doubles as an umbrella. You can use said “gunbrella” to maneuver in various ways through many locations as you take out enemies that block your path. You’ll also meet many characters and uncover several dark mysteries along your journey. Gunbrella launches onto the Switch next year, 2023.
As a Splat Brella main in Splatoon 2, this game’s premise appeals to me. It’s unfortunate that it’s coming out so far from now since I’m bound to forget, due to all the great games that are coming out this year, not even limited to the indie games. I’m hoping that they have another announcement around the time the game releases. If nothing interesting comes out around that time period, I’m definitely buying it.
We Are OFK
We Are OFK is an interactive episodic video game that tells the story of the up and coming indie pop band, OFK. You get to see how the relationships between the four band members form through cutscenes, texts, arguments, and music videos produced and performed by OFK themselves. This game will be released on the Switch this Summer.
It looks like it’ll be a really emotional and interesting game. The music is also really amazing, at least the music that was played in the trailer. Sadly, it’s another one of those games that personally isn’t for me. I can’t wait to see people I watch play it though, since it seems like it’ll be another one of those games that makes for great streams and content.
SILT
Developed by Spiral Circus Games, composed of two people based in the UK, SILT is a game set in an oceanic world. As you explore in this puzzle adventure, you’ll unravel the mysteries of the underwater abyss. You’ll come across many different structures and dangerous creatures throughout your adventure. Some of the creatures you meet can be possessed, giving you their abilities to help solve some puzzles. You’ll also need their help to navigate some areas and ultimately survive. SILT comes out on the Switch in June.
SILT looks like it’ll be a very dark and thrilling game. While I’m not usually drawn to those kinds of games, this looks like a very interesting title. I still won’t be checking it out (my feelings on puzzle games haven’t changed) but I can still acknowledge that Spiral Circus seemed to have done really well, and I encourage anybody else that may be interested in it and actually like puzzle games to support it.
Mini Motorways
From Dinosaur Polo Club, the developers of Mini Metro, Mini Motorways puts you in the position of solving traffic jams across different locations. You’ll have to draw out roads to help cities maintain a proper flow of traffic. You can take on daily and weekly challenges for a more…challenging experience. Throughout all this, you’ll unlock more maps along the way. Mini Motorways launched on the Switch the same day as the presentation.
It looks like a very simple and interesting game. Speaking of looks, I like the simplicity of the design of everything. It really works in favor of the overall purpose of the game. If other people really like it, it may be a game I’ll check out.
Wayward Strand
From developer ghost pattern (yes it’s lowercase), Wayward Strand takes place in a hospital floating in the sky during the 1970s. You take on the role of a girl named Casey as she explores the hospital, making friends with the occupants and seeing their stories unravel. They all happen at the same time, so you can choose which ones you’ll want to experience. As you befriend them, you’ll write down information in your notes that can be used to unlock new locations and progress some storylines even further. It comes onto the Switch on July 21.
This game is very interesting in the setting alone. I’ve also never heard of a floating hospital. Besides that, this game seems like it’ll be very chill, something you’d want to play when you want to relax or have some alone time. I already have quite a few games like that, so whether I check this game out or not depends on other things but I think it’ll be worth looking into.
Cult of the Lamb
Developed by Massive Monster, Cult of the Lamb is an action adventure game that puts you in the shoes of a possessed lamb saved by a ritual sacrifice. You have to repay your debt by gathering worshippers, collecting resources, building structures, and battling monsters in dungeons. Cult of the Lamb comes out on the Switch sometime this year.
It’s quite a charming game, but it doesn’t really appeal to me honestly. I don’t really have much else to say about it. I’ll be keeping an eye on it anyways though.
Another Crab’s Treasure
Developed by Aggro Crab, Another Crab’s Treasure is an action adventure game that puts you, a crab, in a treasure hunt to buy back your shell. Throughout your hunt you’ll encounter many enemies, and many shells that you can use to defend yourself and do other things like roll and use magic. Set in an underwater world, you’ll come across many secrets to uncover on your quest. Another Crab’s Treasure launches onto the Switch next year.
For a game that makes you control a cute little crab, it looks really really good. I like that the developers weren’t shy about it being a soulslike game, and I especially liked that they wanted it to be that way while making it appealing to newcomers of the genre. For that alone, I have to check it out, not that I’m new to Souls games or anything.
Final Remarks
After the last game, the next minute was full of many sneak peaks of games coming out either that same day or later this year. Oddly enough, there wasn’t a big game announced to close the presentation like there usually is. I feel like TABS could have fit right in there. That being said, this Indie Direct wasn’t too bad. There were definitely some cool and interesting games presented, but not a whole lot I was personally interested in myself.
What did you think of the presentation? Did you enjoy all they had to show? What were you hoping to see (and why is it Hollow Knight: Silksong)? I’d love to hear your thoughts whatever they may be and I hope you enjoyed this article.