Nintendo’s latest Indie World presentation, an annual showcase of upcoming indie games releasing on the company’s consoles, took place on 11 August. A twenty-minute extravaganza introducing a variety of games that offered something for everyone. meant that there was something for everyone. Whether you want to construct your own town or simply dig to the depths of the earth, your Nintendo Switch wishlist will undoubtedly grow after discovering what this showcase had to offer. With some of these titles already released onto the eShop, now is the perfect time to find out which games were announced so that you can get your hands on them as quickly as possible. Without further ado, here are all the games that were announced in today’s Indie World presentation:
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Lovers of skateboarding, graffiti and funky music, this one is for you. A throwback to SEGA’s Jet Set Radio,which launched on the Dreamcast in 2000, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk lets players traverse the streets by way of skateboard, stopping off at walls to vandalise them with graffiti. These rebellious activities are bound to provoke the police so players will need to utilise a meticulous trick system in order to escape the clutches of the law and become an All City King. This is all set to a soundtrack from Hideki Naganuma, the mastermind who composed Jet Set Radio’s iconic music.
Unfortunately, Team Reptile’s spiritual successor to SEGA’s popular series won’t grace the Nintendo Switch until 2022.
TOEM
Developed by Swedish developers, Something We Made, TOEM is a wholesome photographic adventure which takes inspiration from the Scandinavian countryside. While exploring a rich hand-drawn environment and taking snaps, players will be encouraged to help out NPCs. If you enjoyed New Pokémon Snap then look no further because it’s clear that a lot of love has been put into this cosy game.
TOEM is set to release in the fall of 2021 so we don’t have long to prepare our tear ducts for this endearing game.
Loop Hero
First made available to PC gamers on 4 March, Four Quarters’ Loop Hero is coming to the Nintendo Switch (hooray!). In this unique RPG, players create circulating dungeons for their character using a deck of cards, unlocking more cards and options as their hero completes loops of their dungeon. A twist on the classic RPG, this game can take the player as far as their imagination wants them to – the possibilities are endless.
Although an exact release date was not supplied for Loop Hero, it is planned to drop later this year.
FAR: Changing Tides
Explore to your heart’s content in this post-apocalyptic adventure game developed by Okomotive. When we think of an apocalypse, our mind conjures up lurid images of zombies and radiation, but this isn’t the case in FAR: Changing Tides. The next title in the FAR series puts us at the helm of a sea vessel, allowing us to explore the ocean in a quest to find refuge. This relaxing puzzle solving game can be enjoyed even if you haven’t played FAR: Lone Sails, its predecessor.
FAR: Changing Tides will make an appearance on the Nintendo Switch eShop in early 2022, giving gamers plenty of time to acquaint themselves with this series.
Necrobarista: Final Pour
Escaping death has always been a hard task and, in the 21st century, many of us find it difficult to steer clear from caffeine at the best of times. You will now be able to combine both of these things in Route 59 and Coconut Island Games’ anime stylised visual novel. Set in Melbourne, Necrobarista: Final Pour is a director’s cut edition of the original (Necrobarista) which was released last year on the IOS and PC platforms. This refined version contains several hours of new content and a noteworthy studio mode which allows players to make their own stories.
Budding necromancers will have a blast playing this game, and they don’t have to wait to do so – the visual novel is already available on the Nintendo Switch eShop at the time of writing this article.
Garden Story
A surprise launch, Garden Story has you play as a grape called Concord. While this may seem simple upon first glance, I assure you that this two-dimensional RPG is much juicier than its diminutive protagonist would suggest. Fighting off The Rot, players will also have a chance to explore the game’s island and chat to a range of adorable NPCs. What isn’t to love?
This is certain to be a GRAPE game (sorry, I couldn’t help myself) and is now available to purchase.
Boyfriend Dungeon
Is it wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon? The answer to that question is, most likely, yes! So why not woo a male suitor, who is also your trusty weapon, instead? Kitfox Games have somehow managed to blend the dungeon crawler and dating simulator genres together in Boyfriend Dungeon, giving those who purchase this title the chance to cut their way through enemies before going on romantic dates at locations such as a club or beach. An inclusive game, it accommodates for all sexualities and genders.
Unlike anything you’ve ever played before (hopefully), Boyfriend Dungeon has now been released onto the eShop.
Axiom Verge 2
Another surprise launch in Wednesday’s presentation was a long-awaited sequel to developers Thomas Happ Games’ Axiom Verge, with the original being released in 2015. This indie metroidvania takes place in the same universe as Axiom Verge, however, playing the first game in the series is not a prerequisite for enjoying this newer counterpart. Axiom Verge 2 is centred around a different protagonist with a whole new story. Be prepared for fighting and exploration as the game possesses two interconnected worlds.
If this sequel appeals to you, head over to the Nintendo Switch eShop where it is available for purchase. Alternatively, it can be played on PC and PS4 systems.
Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon
Definitely the biggest piece of news in this showcase, it has been revealed that Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon, first announced in 2020, will be coming to the Nintendo Switch in December. Developed by Yacht Club Games, the Shovel Knight Series began in 2014 and has cemented its place in the platforming hall of fame. This latest spin-off is quite different from the original as it revolves around slashing grouped enemies in a puzzle-based environment similar to that of a traditional match three game. Hold your fears, as there will still be plenty of dungeon crawling, with an array of characters to choose from. Bosses, new and old alike, will feature in the game, making this a comprehensive Shovel Knight experience. As well as including an online mode which will allow players to face off against their friends, the game includes Amiibo support for figures pertaining to the Shovel Knight series.
There’s clearly fun to be had in spades with this title which releases towards the end of 2021.
Islanders: Console Edition
This minimalistic city builder, developed by Grizzly Games, has arrived on the Nintendo Switch. Players place various types of infrastructure onto an island in an effort to develop their kingdom as much as possible. Once they can no longer expand their empire, they start over. It really is as simple as that, and is perfect for when you have a spare ten minutes on your hands.
For the small price of £4.49, this delightful game can be all yours. It is available now and can be purchased directly from the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Metal Slug Tactics
Fans of run and gun series Metal Slug, rejoice, for a new entry was announced in today’s showcase. This new addition to the series is actually a turn-based strategy game and requires players to carefully position their units to defeat opponents. Although the genre of the game is different to what Metal Slug fans are used to, they will be glad to know that it features the same pixel-art aesthetic as the original games and sees key characters, such as Marco and Tarma, return.
While this game does seem enticing, gamers will have to wait until 2022 to get their hands on it.
Tetris Effect: Connected
It’s highly probable that you’ve played a Tetris game at some point during your residence on this planet. However, one can never have too much Tetris, and Tetris Effect: Connected is a stunning variation of this classic. Combining the original concept with lush graphics, it boasts online co-op and versus modes. Furthermore, first appearing on the Xbox One, it facilitates cross-platform matches; console wars result in a ceasefire when Tetris is involved.
Not able to be bought just yet, Tetris Effect: Connected releases on 8 October 2021.
Eastward
Last to have its release date announced in the main portion of the presentation was Pixpil and Chucklefish’s Eastward, an enchanting pixel-art RPG. Set in a post-apocalyptic environment in which a toxic gas has devastated the world and forced everyone to seek refuge underground, the narrative follows the story of John, a hardworking miner, and Sam, a young girl, as they venture out into the world and try to solve the many mysteries surrounding the miasma. Players are given free rein to switch between the two characters, with the game requiring them to utilise the varying attributes of both members of the pair to solve puzzles. In addition to this, separating the duo can prove fruitful but also has the potential to lead to tragedy, increasing your vulnerability in perilous areas where mercy is a stranger.
A precise release date has been revealed for Eastward, with it coming to the Nintendo Switch on 16 September 2021.
The Indie World showcase ended with a brief montage of other indie titles being developed for, or being ported to the Nintendo Switch.
– Astroneer (January 2022)
– Hundred Days—Winemaking Simulator (Holiday 2021)
– Slime Rancher: Portable Edition (Available for purchase)
– LumberJack (2022)
– Curious Expedition 2 (Available for purchase)
– Gang Beasts (Fall 2021)
That rounds up everything that was announced in this year’s Indie World presentation. All in all, it was an exciting showcase, with a breadth of games on display and some big announcements being made. Perhaps most notably Eastward and the revealing of Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon’s release date.
Words by Julius Lawless-Master