“Set out on an adventure through the changing landscapes of memories lush with feelings of love and loss. Every moment of this rollercoaster ride is a new challenge and a chance to see your life in a different light.
“Control the flow of time and change your surroundings from the shifting of seconds to entire seasons. Fast forward, move back or pause time to relive your memories and overcome every obstacle on your journey.”
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox
Release: December 3, 2019
“The ground starts shaking, light bulbs are breaking – and something rather unusual is happening right behind the walls of your very room. Equipped with nothing but wit and courage, you slowly descend into a world inhabited by avian folk and seemingly deadly furniture monsters.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple Arcade
Release: July 22, 2020
“An exploration and adventure game about wildlife sprung from the depths of the internet. An unknown power seems to upset its balance. Join forces with exotic creatures to unravel the mysteries of this universe.”
Platforms: VR (PC & PSVR)
release: July 24, 2020
“A reverse horror game in which you assume the role of an amorphous creature of unknown origin. Stalk and consume those that imprisoned you to spread fear and panic throughout the facility. Grow and evolve as you tear down this prison and acquire more and more devastating abilities on the path to retribution.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox, Switch
Release: July 23, 2020
“An adventure game inspired by Scandinavian folklore – a dark contemporary fairy tale underpinned by a touching narrative, an alluring art style, ancient puzzles and atmospheric exploration.
“Join Tove on a fantastical journey to save her family; one that takes her deep into a hidden, long forgotten world of folklore, filled with strange locations and even stranger creatures. Explore the ancient wilderness, solve its mysteries, and save your family in this modern adventure game for all.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch
Release: July 23, 2020 (Switch & Mac TBA)
“In a back-alley cafe, the dead are granted one last night to mingle with the living. Necrobarista follows a dynamic and diverse cast of characters as they navigate Melbourne’s hipstery coffee culture, the questionable ethics of necromancy, and the process of letting go.”
Platforms: Windows, iOS (PS4 & Nintendo Switch to come)
Release: July 22, 2020
“In Afterparty, you play Milo and Lola, recently deceased best buds who suddenly find themselves staring down an eternity in Hell. But there’s a loophole: outdrink Satan and he’ll grant you re-entry to Earth.
“What adventures will you stumble through in the underworld? Every step is up to you. Time to go on the best bender ever, uncover the mystery of why you’ve been damned, and drink the big guy under the table.”
I recently played through this with a friend on Xbox and loved the story, setting (lots of dark humour going on), and the voice acting. There are some very light gameplay mechanics but this is definitely all about conversations and narrative. Even though they are quite different games, the humorous corporate underworld along with the charming characters brought up a lot of Grim Fandango nostalgia.
We were really enjoying it until we hit a game breaking bug halfway through and it was a bit depressing to have to restart. That being said, due to the branching nature of the story we decided to take a different path the second time through which turned out to be a lot more enjoyable than our previous choices, and saved us a bit from having to go through all of the same dialogue again.
I am still very much in love with the game and I’m going to go have a peek at their previous game Oxenfree, which I missed out on before. Other than the bug it was a really enjoyable trip, and if not for that I would fully recommend it to anyone looking for a very narrative focused adventure that touches on mental health in an interesting way. Hopefully you will have better luck than we did. 🙏
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Release: October 18, 2019
“A psychological horror game, based on a true story that happened to me when I was a child.
“Fear in real life is not from zombies that want to eat your brain, or the ghost that came back from the after-life to open your fridge while you slept. True fear is when you cry in the corner of your small room for some food and water. True fear is when you are constantly shamed, terrorized, and humiliated for years. True fear is when you can’t see the end of it.
“Back then, the only thing I had was a book. When I read it again and again, it would sometimes feel like I was inside it, in a different place. For me, that was an escape from reality.
“This game builds up an unforgettable and unique atmosphere from the beginning. This is not a walking simulator, and this game does not contain jump-scares. You play as a mentally ill person who suffers from panic disorders.
“You play as me…”
Platforms: Windows
Release: July 4, 2020
“A woman alone in a house. A mystery and a love story. Explore the present to uncover the past, in a short story of love and loss and a life well-lived.
“A narrative exploration that examines a world where memories are constantly fading and jumbled. A game about dementia and what happens when you can’t hold onto the things you’ve done or the people you’ve loved.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Release: July 16, 2020
“A farming, creature collection, and town life game where you build up your farm, befriend townsfolk, grow ooblets, and have dance-offs.”
Platforms: Windows, Xbox
Release: July 15, 2020 (early access)