Upcoming Indie Games to Keep an Eye On

I remember that now, yeah couple years ago the chap was talking about this on a podcast, I think.

Well reminded!

Stevintendo wrote:

That's such an interesting art style, I don't know if I've played anything that looks like that before. Perception, maybe?

He's put a lot of work into developing that style too. Turns out getting the dithering and effects right on a two-color image takes a significant amount of work. But it's pretty much unique. You can't mistake its early Macintosh style for anything else.

Gremlin wrote:

He's put a lot of work into developing that style too.

It really shows; it's so striking!

I played the demo back when it came out and was very impressed. Been waiting a long time for more info.

Huge bias disclosure - Im working with this dev to finish the game and helping with some funding. That said, here's an upcoming indie twin-stick-shooter. I call it a mashup of Geometry Wars and Rez.

Twin Synth

We'll launch on PC/Steam first for just a few months of Early Access to polish up the balance. My hope is to get it to Switch before the end of the year, but they're starting to restrict access pretty heavily, especially to new developers.

I recommend turning on the audio for the trailer

If anyone would like to review or let's play Twin Synth here or anywhere else I have some review keys. We've set the Early access launch to Oct 15. Just PM me. Include a link to your channel or review site if you please.

Edit: A bit more about the game. Its part music game, part twin-stick shooter. The game generates audio on the fly based on the properties of your shots and what's going on. We can 'skin' the game with an evolving synth set over time and swap out some of the sound's core features. You can also pause and tweak these yourself in incredible detail.

The gameplay features a control scheme that has you in a frictionless environment (like Asteroids) where your shots push your ship. You have 2 guns and control your movement with them. So you literally shoot to move. Its a challenging skillset to master.

Here's a trailer reviewing the gameplay

Interesting concept, and I love the music. Unfortunately, I'm about as good as a duck at twin stick shooters...

*raises hand*

Captain Electronica checking in, thumbs at the ready!

EDIT - However, if you're looking for someone to get you visibility, I ain't it. A Steam review is about as far as my reach goes.

We launched Twin Synth today to Early Access. I honestly don't expect a whole lot, just getting heard above the noise is incredibly hard these days, but its still a great feeling to be able to push the button. Early Access will be pretty short, focusing on polish, bugs, and balance.

IMAGE(https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steam/apps/926870/header.jpg?t=1539619196)

polypusher wrote:

We launched Twin Synth today to Early Access. I honestly don't expect a whole lot, just getting heard above the noise is incredibly hard these days, but its still a great feeling to be able to push the button. Early Access will be pretty short, focusing on polish, bugs, and balance.

IMAGE(https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/steam/apps/926870/header.jpg?t=1539619196)

Congrats, it looks great!

Looks really clever! Absolutely in love with the aesthetic.

I actually didn't clue into the fact that the music was player-driven at first. I rewatched the video knowing that, and the big combo at 0:20 was so satisfying to hear

I’m seeing rumors that Below might finally come out this year during the Xbox Winter of Arcade

Below feels like its been floating for a long time now, I'd love a surprise release.

I'm personally super interested in Eitr, which was announced in 2015 and apparently coming out next year.

Certis wrote:

Below feels like its been floating for a long time now, I'd love a surprise release.

I'm personally super interested in Eitr, which was announced in 2015 and apparently coming out next year.

Eitr looked pretty amazing when they first announced it. It’s been at the top of my Steam wish list since March 2016.

I would love some solid evidence that Below is actually coming out. I’m grasping at every rumor right now. Below finally has a Steam listing and it says 2018 as the release date so fingers crossed.

I can't believe I missed this when it was posted in August:

Caution NSFW language

Game by creator of Rick & Morty. You’ll recognize the voices for sure.

Certis wrote:

Below feels like its been floating for a long time now, I'd love a surprise release.

I'm personally super interested in Eitr, which was announced in 2015 and apparently coming out next year.

Dark Souls the pixels?

Below release date officially announced as December 14th! Merry Xmas me.

pandasuit wrote:

Below release date officially announced as December 14th! Merry Xmas me.

Oh nice! I've been looking forward to this for years.

Battle Princess Madelyn

Similar to Ghosts & Goblins

Am I the only one that's getting tired of Justin Roiland loudly swearing at me?

Accounting+ has made me leery of any further Squanch Games output.

RolandofGilead wrote:

Battle Princess Madelyn

Similar to Ghosts & Goblins

This looks like a pretty good game!!

Jonman wrote:

Am I the only one that's getting tired of Justin Roiland loudly swearing at me?

Accounting+ has made me leery of any further Squanch Games output.

No, you're not the only one. I love me some Rick & Morty and look forward to the next season, but god damn if Roiland isn't starting to sound a little one-note. The need for him to do ALL of the character voices & improv dialog in any of his creations has become a little grating-- they're all variations on Rick or Morty.

I don't think I've mentioned the amazing Geneshift around here, so here goes. It's a top-down, GTA2-inspired shooter with a full-blown singleplayer/co-op campaign, many multiplayer modes, including a mini battle royale mode, and fantastic bots. They also just added a fascinating challenge system:

https://steamcommunity.com/games/308...

It's disgustingly fun in both single and multiplayer.

WipEout wrote:

but god damn if Roiland isn't starting to sound a little one-note.

I think I see what you did there? (I heard 'god damn' in Mr. Poopybutthole's voice)

Below looks cool.

Has anyone tried Thea 2: The Shattering early access? I got hooked of Thea: The Awakening after it got a shout out from Certis at some point. The brief look I've had was promising though I'm not sure I dig the new world map and it all looking a bit Civ V-ish... But I loved the exploration/farming/crafting/card battles balance in the first game, though I think I dropped off after finishing a game with two or so different gods (I think they were gods?).

Heretic Operative

Strategy-RPG project by a college friend of mine, ex-Looking Glass and Irrational programmer. I don't know any more than the released basics but it looks really promising.

GRIS is coming out today. If anyone tries it I'd love to know how it is. I want it eventually but if it is playable by kids then I'll get it immediately.

qaraq wrote:

Heretic Operative

Strategy-RPG project by a college friend of mine, ex-Looking Glass and Irrational programmer. I don't know any more than the released basics but it looks really promising.

That looks very interesting!

Below is out. Downloading now.

Since I've got the systems down, and found the 3x speed button, Nantucket has really caught me. A very solid and exciting game.