It’s the day before PAX East kicks into gear and the wonderful people over at Six One Indie have put together a showcase to start off the festivities. Over the course of 30 minutes, they showcased 18 games of a wide variety: from platforming through a crystal world to traveling across a land ravaged by a climate meltdown in search of somewhere habitable. You would be hard pressed to find someone who could not identify at least one game that caught their interest.
While a case could be made for any game shown today to be included on this list, there are a certain few that stood out above the rest. Here are six games to keep an eye on from The Mini Indie Showcase.
ANNO:Mutationem
The game that caught my attention immediately was ANNO:Mutationem. The cyberpunk aesthetic with a mix of 2D and 3D graphics make the game stand out among the rest. In this action-adventure game you play as Ann: a highly-skilled, combat-trained lone wolf on a personal mission in a giant metropolis, full of sinister mega-corporations.
As seen in the trailer, Ann will use an arsenal of weapons that include a sword, guns, and grenades to shred through hordes of enemies and huge bosses. Players will also be able to explore diverse locations such as cities and underground structures, free to come and go as they please. Returning to previous areas may reveal events that were not available during the first pass through.
Items can be obtained by collection, purchasing through vendors, or crafting with materials. Ann’s stats, skills and gear can all be upgraded, and chips can be used to modify any weapon you may find.
ANNO:Mutationem’s gorgeous visuals and unique gameplay make this game a must for players seeking a new experience. The game is currently available now on Steam and PlayStation consoles.
Arctic Awakening
Arctic Awakening’s trailer brings back memories of Firewatch, another first-person narrative adventure. However, instead of the wilderness of Wyoming, the player is thrust into the mysterious Arctic North after your plane crashes. You and your robot companion must search for your co-pilot and a way home.
Choices matter in Arctic Awakening, effecting the decisions of those around you and changing your relationship with companions you meet along the way. Exploration is the player’s key to unraveling the secrets that surround you; while dynamic weather means each area will never feel the same.
Arctic Awakening will be released as a collection of five 60-90 minute chapters. The game is set to be released in 2022 on PC and consoles, but no definitive date has yet been given.
Ex-Zodiac
To those Nintendo fans awaiting the next entry in the Star Fox franchise, Ex-Zodiac is here to tide you over until (IF) that dream becomes a reality. Ex-Zodiac is a low-poly 3D rail shooter heavily inspired by 2D and 3D shooters of the early 90’s. Ex-Zodiac features 12 main levels full of secret areas and side-paths, multiple routes to complete the game, major bosses at the end of each level, and a 16-bit style soundtrack by +TEK.
Ex-Zodiac is being developed by Ben Hickling in his spare time and currently has a 2-level demo available to download and play on Steam. The full game is set to release sometime in 2022.
Songs of Glimmerwick
Songs of Glimmerwick is Stardew Valley meets Harry Potter. The player takes control of a character attending the land of Glimmerwick’s University of Magic. Casting spells through music using your flute can do everything from enchanting tools to work by themselves, to creating bridges by raising the earth beneath your feet.
The unfolding narrative quests will focus on unique characters and stories. Players will attend classes, grow the university garden, make friends with classmates and townsfolk, and explore the island’s many oddities and mysteries. Experience gained can unlock skills to help in gardening, trading, or special skills like talking to frogs!
Songs of Glimmerwick is developed by Eastshade Studios consisting of Jaclyn Ciezadlo and Danny Weinbaum. The game is estimated to release in Q3 of 2023 on PC with consoles to be determined.
Super Space Club
Super Space Club is an arcade-styled endless gunner in which the player takes control of a group of pilots know as the ‘Super Space Club.’ These pilots’ singular goal is to become the top-ranked club in the galaxy.
For any fans of the Geometry Wars series of games, Super Space Club will feel right at home. The player zips around the screen while dodging enemies and obstacles, all while taking them out with an arsenal of weapons.
Super Space Club is developed by GrahamOfLegend, a one-man studio based in New York City. The game is set to release sometime in 2022.
Alienate!
Alienate! is a party trivia game for 2 to 12 players set on an Alien Game Show ship. In a twist that blends Jackbox with Among Us, you must work with your teammates to answer the questions correctly; however, some teammates win if the team answers incorrectly!
Only one player needs to purchase Alienate! and others can join online through use of a game code. Alienate! is developed by Friendship is Fun, and does not yet have a definitive release date.
Overall, Six One Indie put together a great showcase with good pacing and some interesting looking indie titles. Which games stood out to you?
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