Making Indie Games Known
IndieCade is on the ground at e3 2014, marking the definitive indie festival’s eighth time participating. As always, they have dozens of diverse indie games that sprawl across a wide range of platforms. Card games, board games, virtual reality, and even an interactive art installation are all being displayed alongside some truly divergent video game projects. There are a handful that really jumped out at us, but be sure to take in the list in its entirety to attain maximum indie game enlightenment.
So Many Me
by Extend Interactive
Filo finds himself in the midst of the worst identity crisis ever. Every time he picks up an orb, a clone of him appears. No matter how many of the new “me”s appear, they are all content to follow in his footsteps. What is causing this cacophony of careless carbon copies? By changing your own abilities slightly, you can lead your thrall against a driven enemy force. One of these guys must know what’s going on!
Hack ‘n’ Slash
by Greg Rice // Double Fine.
Why settle for merely leaving gaping lacerations in your foes? In Hack ‘n’ Slash, you can slice directly into the code of devices around you, allowing you to rewrite it to suit your needs. Uncover enough new techniques, and you’ll even be able to access the code of the game itself. Hijacking the Facebook account of the man behind the curtain? All in a day’s work.
…And Then It Rained
by Megadon Industries
A stripped down, atmospheric audio experience. Move the various colored pillars to augment the sounds and colors of the falling rain colliding with the objects below. Now sit back, and breathe it all in.
Hohokum
by Honeyslug
I’ve seen several promotional videos of Hohokum, and I never quite know how to peg it. Its vibrant, eclectic art style is as inviting as it is bizarre. The odd snake creature central to the game seems capable of flying through the realm at great speeds, though you’ll likely want to slow down and take in the scenery. Though I can’t seem to apprehend the point of the game, I find that I really can’t wait to play it.
Elegy for a Dead World
by Dejobaan Games and Popcannibal
“Elegy for a Dead World is an experimental writing game, where you visit worlds based on the works of British Romance-era poems about the end of the world.” Gaming + literary workouts? Can it be done? We love the idea…but will it work?
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
by Dennaton Games
Like it’s neon-seating predecessor, Hotline Miami 2 promises more of the old ultraviolent in 2D top-down shooter mode, with an added Hard Mode to boot. Wait, hard mode? The first round had us already loosening our collars. The sequel also brings special moves for each of the various characters, including roll moves, dual weapons and chainsaw expertise.
Check out le trailer:
Anamnesis
by Somek Friends
The last time I used the word “Anamnesis” was when I spoke it out loud after reading Philip K. Dick’s “V.A.L.I.S.”
What happens when you mix the zeitgeist of ultra-cool by dropping you into a near-future Los Angeles, torn asunder by a deadly virus run amok. The twist is that the Oculus Rift as a second screen is used to examine objects more closely, while the main computer display shows your first person perspective. It sounds like something out of a William Gibson/Jeff Noon peyote ritual. Raaaad.
Check out the trailer for Anamnesis:
Paparazzi
by Pringo Dingo Games
We are liking this concept – a multiplayer game in which one player – a celebrity – must avoid the roving, relentless camera of the other player. In a way this “cat-and-mouse” action style reminds us of an indie favorite – Hidden in Plain Sight.
CAVE! CAVE! DEUS VIDET.
by We Are Muesli
A nominee for best Indie Game at E3, this visual novel built on the Ren’Py engine is inspired by the bizarre and surreal works of master painter Jheronimus Bosch.
Choosatron Deluxe Adventure Matrix
by Monkey with a Mustache
This one is so novel (pun, eek!) that is bears special mention. This SPARK and Twine driven, wooden Kleenex box looking thing is actually a Choose Your Own Adventure maker that prints onto inkless thermal paper, allowing you to keep a tangible receipt of your wacky adventures through the imaginationverse. (I just made that word up).
Their Kickstarter video is the best for understanding what it’s all about:
Learn more about the Choosatron at the official site.
Indie Influx
Don’t forget to take a peek at the rest of IndieCade’s lineup; you never know which of these could be the next indie darling title.
Bloom – The Game
by Plethora-Project
Bounden
by Game Oven
Celestia
by Cheng Yang & Yang Shi
Choice Chamber
by Studio Bean
Close Castles
by Sirvo
CounterSpy
by Dynamighty
Drei
by Etter Studio
FRACT OSC
by Phosfiend Systems
Glorkian Warrior: The Trials of Glork
by Pixeljam
Grow
by Chris Hassebrook, T. A. Pribbenow, & Kyle Bromley
Long Take
by Turtle Cream
Monstermatic
by Mico Studio
Nova-111
by Funktronic Labs
please be nice 🙁
by Aran Koning
Project Heera : Diamond Heist
by Mazhlele.
Road Not Taken
by Spry Fox
Slap .45
by Gnarwhal Studios
StoryPops
by Localite Games Inc.
T.R.E.E.
by 6 O’Clock Games
Tetrageddon Games
by AlienMelon
Thralled
by Team Thralled
Toto Temple Deluxe
by Juicy Beast
What?!? Oh…
by Games Without Strings
XING: The Land Beyond
by White Lotus Interactive
