• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Indie Games 2016 [April] GOTY 2015 thread is done!

Super Footbrawl - PC
puppetsoccer3.gif

http://pixelpizza.de/footbrawl.html

A low-poly mix between Gang Beasts and Rocket League
 
What's that?

Destructible top down shooter thingie from the Crimsonland guys:
destruction_animation.gif

nc_gl_ss5.jpg


Not too fond of the art style, but might try it anyway as I loved Crimsonland.
 
Just posted in another thread, definitely interested to hear some impressions on Neon Chrome. I put it on my wishlist while just perusing upcoming releases a few weeks back as it looked interesting, and I just got the email right now from Steam that it was released.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FhjOx92W_Y

15 minute playthrough of Ruiner. This game is seriously on my radar now. The melee looks surprisingly good and there's a bit of a Transistor style element where you can plot your movements and rip through enemies. Visually there's a bit of homage to Akira as well, with piled up cars and large Japanese graffiti painted on the roads.
Ruiner2.jpg
 
So Duskers is leaving early access next month if the fella making is to be believed. I'll have to keep an eye on that one, it has been getting some good press over the EA process.
 
***x-posting from Steam thread as I am wont to do****

Hey Indie friends,

All of the stuff I recorded at PAX East has been edited and shoved on to you YouTube. I pretty much lived at the Indie Megabooth, Minibooth and ancillary perimeter. I wanted to do more, but I'm currently trying to get preview builds of games and make a "Best of" for PAX East indie games.

The playlist is here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdC3pP79J-A90diXUFDTK9t8lm_axQ_hH

To be more specific, here are two vids of games that I think could use a bit more attention:

Beat Cop - a PnC adventure game-of-sorts. Think of it like a streamlined PoliceQuest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMto04aflL4&index=5&list=PLdC3pP79J-A90diXUFDTK9t8lm_axQ_hH

Lastfight - Looks to be a capable PowerStone clone. Unfortunately, they don't have online multi just yet. But I haven't heard of this game at all until I saw it at the show floor, so take a gander:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjOf4979KDI&index=7&list=PLdC3pP79J-A90diXUFDTK9t8lm_axQ_hH
 
I've spent about 7-ish hours in Neon Chrome, and I've enjoyed my time thus far.

It's the game I'd boot up after banging my head against Chamber 4 in Enter the Gungeon, because at least I felt like I was making some progress.

I can see why if you're a roguelite purist it may rub some the wrong way.

disclaimer: they sent me a key because I'm a "youtube personality"
 
Can you compare it to Crimsonland?

I've never played Crimsonland, so I can't say. Sorry.

My biggest problem with Neon Chrome is that it's designed in a way that you have a fail a bunch of times before you can beat it. And unlike other roguelikes, it's very little about the skill you develop or knowledge you learn and more about grinding out upgrades that are necessary to succeed.
 
Bits and bobs but rubbishy little overall. It has been a real strong month for indies which sadly causes a lot to slip by. I think I would probably love games like Deadbolt and Samorost but Gungeon has eaten pretty much all my time.
Same. I put 20 hours into Gungeon in like two weeks! I rarely play any game for 20+ hours, so to play that much in so short a time is a testament to how good the game is
 
***x-posting from Steam thread as I am wont to do****

Hey Indie friends,

All of the stuff I recorded at PAX East has been edited and shoved on to you YouTube. I pretty much lived at the Indie Megabooth, Minibooth and ancillary perimeter. I wanted to do more, but I'm currently trying to get preview builds of games and make a "Best of" for PAX East indie games.

The playlist is here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdC3pP79J-A90diXUFDTK9t8lm_axQ_hH

To be more specific, here are two vids of games that I think could use a bit more attention:

Beat Cop - a PnC adventure game-of-sorts. Think of it like a streamlined PoliceQuest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMto04aflL4&index=5&list=PLdC3pP79J-A90diXUFDTK9t8lm_axQ_hH

Lastfight - Looks to be a capable PowerStone clone. Unfortunately, they don't have online multi just yet. But I haven't heard of this game at all until I saw it at the show floor, so take a gander:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjOf4979KDI&index=7&list=PLdC3pP79J-A90diXUFDTK9t8lm_axQ_hH

I haven't heard of Beat Cop or Last Fight before. You just wonder with how much loved Power Stone was why it didn't get any "clones" from indie developers.
 
Amirelia
giphy.gif

https://magicspellstudios.itch.io/amirelia

Explore a deeper meaning of friendship in the abstract world of Amirelia. Grab a friend and immerse yourselves in award-winning cooperative gameplay as you work together to overcome a variety of puzzles and other obstacles. Amirelia offers a vivid, rich environment where curiosity and imagination are not only welcome but encouraged

CHIKARA: Action Arcade Wrestling - PC
ChT1T7nWkAArhFo.jpg:large

http://www.actionarcadewrestling.com/

Whether it's a simple drop toe hold, or a plasma blast to the face, CAAW gives users complete control over all the crazy action! Borrowing elements from both wrestling and fighting games, CAAW opens the wacky world of professional wrestling up even wider, granting the user power to employ not just traditional wrestling holds, but lasers, fireballs, rocket launchers and more!

Kundalini - Free (PC)
z2Fwca.jpg

https://zellk.itch.io/kundalini

The player controls Kunda, the celestial keeper of the resumption, attempting to appease the dying God and accompany him into the cycle of renewal.
They need to ride the raging dragon's decaying body and ring the seven bells on his back to bring Ouroboros peace.

3030 Deathwar Redux - $9.99 (PC)
daphice_station.png

http://store.steampowered.com/app/464360/

Blast off and explore this exciting 2D Space Adventure! The game features Open World Space exploration, boarding stations and derelicts, talking to people and trading on stations, tons of missions and an exciting plot!

Morphê - ????
ChV24UnUgAAWHTz.jpg:large

https://twitter.com/pixelfootgames

A relaxing mountaintop covered in stone 'tomes', where you can add/remove/modify elements of the ambient song that's going on.

Rocket Fist - May 12th (PC, Mac, Linux)
tumblr_o6gkovYlX11safdjjo3_1280.jpg

http://snddev.tumblr.com/

Rocket Fist is an arena game with armless robots in chaotic battles with rocket fists. Prove your dexterity and aim against your frienemies killing each other with rocket propelled fists in this frenetic mix of dodgeball and billiards!

Rage Disco - ????
ChTy-tVWgAEymgz.jpg:large

http://suicidepenguin.com/ragedisco

Just after discovering ruins of ancient city you find yourself trapped in Rage Disco. On this endless party you are trying to find your way out.
To survive you must run away from lasers and maintain sanity, as you constantly bump into some strange pills...

Craven - Free (Browser)
Cg6cmmcWgAErrY0.jpg:large

http://gamejolt.com/games/craven/143652

Lead your Ravens. Eat Cadavers. Avoid Wolves

Hyper Ultra Astronautics - ????
ChTs9JDWwAEgEOj.jpg:large

http://www.fractilegames.com/

A 2.5D local multiplayer space shooter.

Bad Cargo - PC, Mac
DamagedFearlessAntelopegroundsquirrel.gif

https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=55411.msg1243763.0

Defend your crashed ship on an unknown mineral planet riddled with aggressive mine-bots.

Previously Mentioned

Zarvot

Prey for the gods

Make Sail
 
I'm really enjoying Neon Chrome, although some of it might be due to playing a ridiculous amount of hours of dual stick shooters that depend on dodge mechanics over the last month. The gameplay feels a little slower than Gungeon or Alienation due to the aforementioned lack of a dodge and the slower character movement. However, it makes up for it in how you're expected to use the environment for your advantage. The Rouge Legacy style upgrade path is a welcome addition as well given that it makes you feel like you're making some kind of progress in all of your runs. On top of that the visual style and soundtrack are excellent; though that might come down to how easily I'm won over by any kind of cyberpunk.

I'm only a few hours in and I could see why it might become tedious if you have to play it for 20 hours straight for review, but the reliance on tactics over twitch makes it a nice break from the other excellent top down shooters that have been released recently.
 
New managore game

codex - Free (PC)
ChZwNdVUUAAYPi8.png:large

https://managore.itch.io/codex

A highly experimental game. Pen and graph paper is strongly recommended

Starship Corporation - $19.99 (PC)
screenshot12.jpg

http://www.starshipcorporation.com/

A scifi simulation game, in which players must design, assemble and test space ships, in a bid to build a supreme Galactic mega-corporation. Gain your reputation by engineering and selling your own spacecraft, testing them to the limit in RTS missions and simulated emergency and combat situations.

Pharaonic - $15.99 (PC, Mac, Linux)
hiypY7i.jpg

http://store.steampowered.com/app/386080/

Pharaonic is an unforgiving sidescrolling Action-RPG set in Ancient Egypt. Explore a vast kingdom full of dangers and brutal enemies while you find the truth behind Ahmosis I, the Red Pharaoh.
Only the most audacious warriors will have any chance of success. The Pharaoh's army and countless dangerous creatures will stand in your way.

Offworld Trading Company - $39.99 (PC, Mac)
OTC_Release_Blast_Off.jpg

http://offworldgame.com/

Mars has been colonized and has invited you to lend a hand to make sure the new colony has a shot at success. But you're not the only one that's been invited, other business rivals are here as well and they have no qualms about playing dirty to gain the choicest territories on the Martian surface and driving their competitors out of business.

Neon Chrome - $14.99
destruction.png

http://neonchromegame.com/

Neon Chrome is a ruthless top-down cyberpunk shooter with rogue-like elements. The game takes place inside an arcology - a massive sci-fi mega structure.
Blast your way through walls with guns and cybernetic abilities and try alternate approaches with different roles like the Hacker or the Cyber Psycho. Upgrade your character stats, discover new cybernetic enhancements and build up strength to finally stop the Overseer.

Seraph - $12.99 (PC)
tumblr_inline_o4vqx2fdhh1szhksi_500.gif

http://www.seraph-game.com/

Seraph is a skill based, acrobatic shooter… without aiming! Featuring an angel, known as Seraph, who’s fighting to restore her lost power and ultimately escape a prison infested with demons. However, dark magic has trapped the angel inside her human Vessel: if the Vessel dies, so will Seraph.

Redcon - $5.99 (PC, IOS, Android)
s6.png

http://www.hexage.net/redcon/

Set in the dystopian future in which the First World War never ended, humanity knows only war and bombardment.
You are a Strike Commander, tasked by Fuhrer of the Empire State to spearhead an artillery offensive against Traitor General Kranz. You might be the one to end all wars.
Customize and manage your battle fortress. Grow and upgrade your arsenal of weapons and utility facilities, then place them in different slots of your fortress layout.
 
Shapeshift Biker - Free (PC, Mac, Linux, Browser)
Whirlwind.gif

http://www.moremountains.com/shapeshifter-biker

You're a shapeshifter biker, all alone in a desolated world, chased by angry ducks in black trucks. To escape, you need to collect all the Animal Powers scattered across the land, in mysterious blue boxes.

Wood for the Trees - Free (PC, Mac, Linux)

Zen & the Art of Transhumanism - Free (PC)
jX1Pw9.png

https://deconstructeam.itch.io/zen-and-the-art-of-transhumanism

Zen and the Art of Transhumanism is a cyberpunk pottery game about improving the human race through technology.

Shadow of the Red Hand - Free (Browser)
45696-shot3-1461029869.png-eq-900-500.jpg

http://idumpling.s3.amazonaws.com/ld35/webgl/index.html

Escape from the Red Hand of Doom in this platformer made entirely of hand shadow puppets!

The Forest Song - ????
TheForestSong.jpg

http://colabeestudios.com/forest-song/

In a forest filled with supernatural creatures, the player discovers a magic flute and gains the ability to relive key moments in their life.

Nostation - July (PC, Mac)
TvfCvvv.jpg

http://bubblegames.cn/Nostation/

Nostation is an open-world scenario based game.
The player will board on a train with five other passengers but none one knows the start and destination of this train. This will be an unpredictable trip. Driven by your actions, the train will stop four times and each time only letting one passenger off at each station. With only four stops and six passengers aboard, who will end up trapped on the train forever?
 
New managore game

codex - Free (PC)

it's worth mentioning that the game is built around having one bit of output (the game only ever shows you a red screen or black screen, nothing else), which means it's super duper confusing! also, there was a major bug that pretty much broke the game, which was only just now fixed.
 
I haven't heard of Beat Cop or Last Fight before. You just wonder with how much loved Power Stone was why it didn't get any "clones" from indie developers.

Yea it is weird. Between PowerStone and Shadows of the Colossus not getting any spins on it.
 
Had a good go on Neon Chrome earlier and I am enjoying it, although I am not sure I can totally recommend it. The gameplay is enjoyable (it plays not completely unlike if Hotline Miami had health,) but their is a real strong focus on getting cash and leveling up outside the game which makes each play feel a little muted. You can get cybernetic perks and different guns but the perks are a little uninteresting and you can only carry 1 gun so you end up just sticking with what you are comfortable with.

Also, the destruction element is a little disappointing overall. The levels are so small and pokey that most of the destructible walls are situated right next to doors meaning that it is generally a little pointless destroying your way around. It is always a little fun having a big firefight and seeing after that you completely totaled a room but it isn't something you exploit for tactical advantages or anything. Although I will say the way that the bosses completely obliterate their surrounding environment is pretty wonderful and a game highlight.

I would also add that their is just not a lot of guns and not a lot of different enemy types in the game. You play different classes but they are not massively different so with that every run has a bit of a repetitive feel that sets in fairly early. All that said, the actual shooting is a real cool experience, it is just the surrounding mechanics that don't quite add up. So I would say 'hey it is a good experience if you really like your top down shooters,' but if you are fairly neutral on that genre or are more interested in the roguelite elements then I would say waiting for a sale if probably your best bet.
 
I think you mean "only" two. :(

I really wish indie devs latched onto making games inspired by Shadow instead of all the "souls" inspired stuff

I am perfectly fine with both tbh. I dont feel we tapped into everything any of these could potentially offer, as Nioh also shows.

But yeah, not arguing against more Shadow of the Colossus, I really need to replay that.
 
I think you mean "only" two. :(

I really wish indie devs latched onto making games inspired by Shadow instead of all the "souls" inspired stuff
The problem with this is that a Shadow-inspired game is drawing inspiration from literally a genre of one. What makes Souls so compelling is very broad (satisfaction of overcoming intense challenge, a focus on exploration, careful cautious combat, atmospheric, etc.), while makes Shadow so compelling is very specific (small individual climbing and taking down giant monsters, an open evocative landscape, etc.)

So a Shadow-inspired game will always be intensely compared (perhaps intimidatingly so) to that one specific game, while a Souls-inspired game can evolve and change things in myriad ways while still maintaining those basic tenets.
 
Anyone play anything from this month's OT?

Stephen's Sausage Roll - Tough sell that won me over in spades. Charming presentation, satisfying mechanics, creative controls, wickedly genius puzzles (seriously, Twisty Farm should be in a museum...and that's just Area 1!).

My vote for this year's Best Game No One Will Buy.
 
I imagine their will always be a fairly low level of games directly inspired by SotC. It must be very tough to manage the game play around these massive organic always-moving beings and resource heavy to create a world large enough to house them in. Not to say that it is easy to make a game inspired by another franchise but at least 2D platformers and space shooters have a relatively low development barrier to entry.
 
I imagine their will always be a fairly low level of games directly inspired by SotC. It must be very tough to manage the game play around these massive organic always-moving beings and resource heavy to create a world large enough to house them in. Not to say that it is easy to make a game inspired by another franchise but at least 2D platformers and space shooters have a relatively low development barrier to entry.
True, but I imagine it could be done in less intensive means like 2D or isometric, level by level rather than an open world, procedurally generated monsters rather than hand-crafting each one, etc.. I mean, look at Deadly Tower of Monsters and imagine that perspective, the sky-diving, and multi-tiered levels being applied to large Colossus-esque monsters. It could be done

But I think the fear/backlash of being so close in design to a game that's considered a masterpiece of the medium is what really prevented people from tackling that style of gameplay. Rather than not being able to actually design a similar game
 
Top Bottom