No, there’s no Smash Bros. news, you idiots.
Like everyone else, Nintendo has been on top of curating a healthy indie scene on the Switch. And their indie showcases highlight that. I’d argue this one actually had some games that surprised me; moreover, they’re dipping into timed exclusives on some of them.
That said, due to the ongoing pandemic, none of the planned releases dates are exactly written in stone. So, they’re actually quite broad.
Regardless, let’s dig in and go over what they gave us:
HADES (Supergiant Games)
Supergiant Games should be familiar to most of us, thanks to Bastion and Transistor. Their latest action roguelike, HADES is headed to the Nintendo Switch, and most importantly, it’ll support cross save features with the PC version, if you’ve been playing that. The game’s pretty stylish, as well. Never hurts, eh? HADES is set for a Fall release.
Hypnospace Outlaw (No More Robots)
Hypnospace Outlaw takes you to a particularly radical version of the old internet; a land of animated GIFs, crazy blogs, and the Space Jam website. Your job is to stop cybercriminals through hypnospace using only your trusty cursor and keybord. Hypnospace Outlaw hits the Switch on August 27th.
Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games)
So Spiritfarer has actually been in the pipeline for a while; Nintendo showed it off either late last year or early this year, to my recollection. Regardless, this cozy game about ferrying the dead to the afterlife looks spectacular, visually. It strikes me as being a somewhat cathartic game. Spiritfarer is out now on the eshop.
Garden Story (Picogram, Rose City Games)
Garden Story is seeing a port to the Switch. Rebuilding the grove and bringing the community together is the name of the game in this one. It’s taking a little longer to grow, though; it lands on the Switch next year.
Subnautica & Subnautica: Below Zero (Unknown Worlds Entertainment)
Both Subnautica games are headed to the Switch sometime next year. Which means you can get your dive on wherever you please. Both games will be available early next year.
Takeshi & Hiroshi (Oink Games)
The story of a designer to be and his little brother. And, you know, hints of more going on behind the game Takeshi is making for Hiroshi. Takeshi & Hiroshi is available on the eShop now.
Raji: An Ancient Epic (Nodding Heads Games)
This game was one of the surprises, to me at least. IT’s positively dripping in Hindu and Balinese myth. But more than that, just looking at it, it really brings to mind Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and I mean that in a good way. Particularly, Raji seems to share a similar thread of weighty platforming to compliment its action adventure combat. Raji: An Ancient Epic is available on the eShop right now as a timed console exclusive.
Bear & Breakfast (Gummy Cat Studios, Armor Games Studios)
Bear & Breakfast brings management gaming to the forest. And yes, you play as an actual bear. Hank the bear has to balance the operation of a quaint bed and breakfast with the possible difficulties from what may live deeper in the woods. Bear & Breakfast come out on the Nintendo eShop as a timed exclusive next year.
A Short Hike (Adam Robinson-Yu, Whippoorwill Limited)
Another cozy game gets ported to the Switch. A Short Hike has you climbing to the summit however you see fit. Don’t forget to smell the roses along the way, though; that’s the enjoyable part. A Short Hike is available on the eShop right now, and is a timed console exclusive.
Card Shark (Nerial, Devolver Digital)
Card Shark is a game about being a French card cheat during that heyday of salons and stuffy French aristocrats. But cheat well, or it may be your life. The game features real card manipulation and trickery (so, you know, you might finally figure out how to win that weekly poker game). Card Shark hits the eShop next year.
Torchlight III (Echtra Games, Perfect World Entertainment)
Set 100 years after the previous game, Torchlight III promises a bounty of loot, as well as buildable forts and the return of pets. Torchlight III makes its way to the Switch Fall this year, and the Switch version even comes with an exclusive pet.
Manifold Garden (William Chyr Studio)
A trippy, physics based game that plays with physics and bends your mind just as much as its M.C. Escher painting inspirations. Manifold Garden is available on the eShop right now.
Evergate (Stone Lantern Games, PQube Limited)
A game about saving the afterlife using the soulflame to traverse areas, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies. Evergate is up on the eShop right now.
Indie Roundup
- Haven (The Game Bakers) Late 2020
- Going Under (Aggro Crab, Team 17 Digital Limited) September 24th
- The Red Lantern (Timberline Studio) Fall 2020
- Unrailed! (Indoor Astronaut, Daedalic Entertainment) September 23rd
- Struggling (Chasing Rats Games, Frontier) August 27th
- Inmost (Hidden Layer Games, Chucklefish) August 21st
- She Dreams Elsewhere (Studio Zevere) Early 2021
- Grindstone (Capybara Games) Fall 2020
- GONNER2 (Art in Heart, Raw Fury) Fall 2020
Untitled Goose Game: Multiplayer Update
Less a part of the showcase, and more news, Untitled Goose Game is getting an update to allow local multiplayer. Meaning twice the mischievous geese! Also, an eventual physical release.
There’s also a nice sale going on in the eShop right now, featuring discounts on a number of indie titles. Including some of the games from the presentation! The sale runs from now until the 30th of August, so it’s the perfect time to pick up some of these titles.
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