“A unique 2D firefighting game from the creator of Dead Cells, with all the devastating backdrafts, exploding walls and sprinklers you could expect. Fight your way through a mysterious facility and try to keep the blaze under control.”
Platforms: Windows
Release: October 18, 2021
“Set your belongings on fire on a beautiful voxel art puzzle island. Enjoy hours of deep puzzles as you explore the interactive hub world and discover surprising new mechanics.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch
Release: September 30, 2021
“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).
Platforms: Windows
Release: 2022
“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.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Release: September 23, 2021
“A story-driven action adventure set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. Players find and grow a team of tiny spirit companions called the Rot, enhancing their abilities and creating new ways to manipulate the environment.”
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5
Release: September 21, 2021
“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.”
Platforms: TBA
Release: TBA
“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…”
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Release: September 1, 2021
A beautiful hand drawn narrative adventure that is centered around botany. Not too much info about it but keep an eye out for the Steam page and Kickstarter which should be going up soon. :-)
Platforms: TBA
Release: TBA
“A platform-adventure game featuring beautiful hand-painted art and a calm, relaxing atmosphere. The game tells the story about Hoa, a little girl who lost her family, and her journey through a breathtaking and magical world back to her homeland.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
Release: August 24, 2021
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.
Platforms: PC & consoles
Release: TBA