Author: Pickled Sea Cat

Onomatopeya

“A puzzle game where you will discover the fun side of Japanese onomatopoeia while managing a strange little shop. You play as Corto, the new part-timer, and your job is to find a match to the requests of the quirky clientele.

“Here’s the catch: they are looking for something that corresponds to a certain onomatopoeia! Look around the shop and play with all the items there, you will surely find something! And if you don’t know Japanese onomatopoeia don’t worry! Everyone in town will be happy to give you a hint.”

This is probably one of my favourite things that I found this year for how unique and quirky it is. You can see the full video from the asobu showcase (a lovely collection of indie games coming out in Japan).

Visit the Website

Platforms: Windows
Release: 2022

Sable

“A coming-of-age tale of discovery through exploration across a strikingly rendered open world desert.  Go on a deeply personal journey across an alien planet as the young Sable, exploring ancient monuments, ruined architecture, and ships fallen from the cosmos, all while learning the history of its inhabitants and discovering her place in the world.”

Buy on Steam

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Release: September 23, 2021

BitCraft

“A massively-multiplayer community sandbox game where players work together to build a new civilization in a single, editable wilderness with an ancient past. BitCraft’s gameplay emphasizes skilling, building, crafting, farming, trading, and exploring, empowering players to cultivate a sheltered village with their friends or establish impressive cities and empires.”

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Platforms: TBA
Release: TBA

OPUS: Echo of Starsong

“A narrative puzzle adventure game. Asteroids emitting a sound known as “Starsongs” have become the center of conflict for the immense power they hold. Determined to claim asteroids of his own, a young man ventures out with a girl who can imitate starsongs, lending Her voice to unravel an ancient myth deep in the heart of space.

“Throughout their journey, the crew will encounter people of all sorts. From starsong intel brokers, to asteroid excavation enforcement officers. Some may act as an obstacle, while others will prove themselves to be allies. Most people of Thousand Peaks have a personal story to tell when it comes to the conflicts that have ravaged their homeland. Uncover the troubled history of this solar system…”

Buy on Steam

Platforms: Windows, Mac
Release: September 1, 2021

Black Myth: WuKong

A gorgeous action-adventure based on the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West. The combat animation and extremely detailed world really come together to add another level of atmosphere, like in the way the werewolf knocks things over and tears shingles off the roof. You can transform into various creatures and characters like a cicada, a giant beast, and even enemies you have defeated.

You can find the full gameplay video here.

Visit the Website

Platforms: PC & consoles
Release: TBA