The indie game industry is bigger than ever, offering a wide variety of titles to satisfy any type of gamer. Although there’s a seemingly unending list of games we’re looking forward to in the coming months, here’s 25 that have us counting down the days until their release.
Dark Nights with Poe & Munro
Developer: D’Avekki Studios
Publisher: D’Avekki Studios
The husband & wife team from D’Avekki Studios are at it again, with another intriguing FMV mystery, this time an episodic spin-off to their best-selling release, The Shapeshifting Detective.
With their background in party games and the quality of their first 2 FMV titles, we anticipate a great time will be had when this supernatural, point and click adventure releases.
Features:
- 6 episodes, 6 stories (all released at once)
- Point & click gameplay
- Intuitively timed interactions
- Hundreds of branches
- Multiple endings
- Talented cast of actors/actresses
Game Trailer
Interview
Website
Release Dates/Platforms:
May 19th – PC/MAC (Wishlist on Steam)
TBA – PS4, XB1, Switch
Thief’s Roulette
Developer: hiromu656 (Malik Brown)
Publisher: Top Hat Studios
Inspired by the Danganronpa & Zero Escape series, this hybrid of first person puzzler and narrative heavy visual novel will put players to the test of solving Lady Luck’s challenges and, in the process, making life and death decisions that could lead to their own demise or that of others.
Features:
- a Story path heavily reliant on player choices
- Multiple endings
- Immersive puzzle play
- Puzzle solving assistance (when needed)
- Characters with their own personalities/agendas
- Fully explorable 3D environments
Game Trailers
Itch.io Demo
Steam Demo/Wishlist
Release Date: November 2020
Platforms: PS Vita, PS4, Switch, PC
Tower Princess: I’ve Come for You!
Developer: AweKteaM
Publisher: Hype Train Digital
This parody of the classic “knight slays the dragon and rescues the princess” will put players into the role of a randomly generated hero who must save multiple members of the royal family and create the perfect date in order to live happily ever after.
Features:
- Roguelite components
- Multiple princesses/princes (to rescue)
- Classic 3D action platforming
- Puzzle Solving
- Dungeon crawling
- 3 procedurally generated castles
- an Upgrade System (for your knight)
- Multiplayer options (collaborate or compete)
Game Trailer
Itch.io Demo
Website
Release Date: Coming Soon
Platform: Steam (Wishlist)
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos
Developer: Heliocentric Studios
Publisher: Team 17
Take down dungeons, build up your village, fish, farm, and swim in this 1-4 player action RPG from Heliocentric Studios.
Features:
- Top-down sword slashing combat
- an Arsenal of tools, spells, and weapons
- Procedurally generated dungeons
- Varied gameplay (fight, fish, build, farm, explore)
- Co-op (up to 4 players) & solo gameplay
Release Date: Summer 2020
Platforms: Switch, Steam (Wishlist)
Garden Story
Developer: Picogram
Publishers: Rose City Games/VIZ Media
Mystery, exploration, puzzle solving, and friendship are at the heart of this adorable, family friendly title which blends social simulator with adventure RPG.
Features:
- Friendship building
- Puzzle solving
- Dungeon exploration
- Combat
- a fruity, fun cast of characters
- family friendly content
- Mystery
- Play at your own pace
Game Trailer
Steam Demo/Wishlist
Website
Release Date: 2020
Platform: Steam
Pumpkin Jack
Developer: Nicolas Meyssonnier
Publisher: Headup Games
Take on the devilish role of the Pumpkin Lord and wreak havoc in the Boredom Kingdom in this colorful action platformer described as “MediEvil meets Jak & Daxter.”
Features:
- Vibrantly crafted landscapes
- Unlockable weapons
- Challenging enemies
- Dynamic, real-time battles
- Puzzle solving
- Helpful companions
Game Trailers/Gameplay
Website
Release Date: Q4 2020
Platforms: PS4, XB1, Switch, PC (Wishlist on Steam)
Spiritfarer
Developer: Thunder Lotus Games
Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games
Play as Stella, Ferrymaster to the deceased who befriends & cares for spirits before releasing them into the afterlife, in this unique, cozy management title about dying and learning to say goodbye.
Features:
- Gorgeous visuals
- 2-player co-op
- Exploration
- Diverse gameplay (Farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, craft)
- Platforming levels
- Customization
- Moving, emotional stories
Release Date: 2020
Platforms: PS4, XB1, Switch, PC (Wishlist on Steam)
Ancient Abyss
Developer: Screambox Studio
Publisher: Zodiac Interactive
Enjoy thrilling, roguelike battles and permadeath mechanics as you explore your way through a randomly generated maze to discover what secrets and dark forces lie at the bottom of the “Ancient Abyss.”
Features:
- Roguelike mechanics
- Zelda-esque exploration/discovery
- a Mix of melee & ranged weaponry
- Hidden areas
- Progression by acquiring new skills/items
- Intuitive/Smooth animation
- Beautiful pixel art
Release Dates: 2020
Platform: Steam (Wishlist)
Ageless
Developer: One More Dream Studios
Publisher: Team 17
Manipulate the age of plants and animals to defeat merciless bosses and traverse intricate puzzles as Kiara, a young woman on a journey to discover the secrets of a mysterious world, while also discovering herself.
Features:
- Puzzles
- Platforming challenges
- a Unique aging mechanism
- a Story of personal discovery
- Exploration
- Interesting plants/animals
- Hand drawn, pixelated levels
Release Date: 2020
Platforms: Switch, PC (Wishlist on Steam)
SkateBIRD
Developer: Glass Bottom Games
Publisher: Glass Bottom Games
Chill out to a lo-fi/hip-hop soundtrack as you grind, kickflip, and carve killer lines to make a name for yourself in the world of skateboarding, in this bird sized take on Tony Hawk Pro Skater.
Features:
- an Original soundtrack
- Bird sized parks
- Simple controls
- Cool clothing
- a Chill vibe
- Rad skateboarding moves
Release Date: 2021
Platforms: XB1, Switch, Steam (Wishlist)
Cris Tales
Developer: Dreams Uncorporated, SYCK
Publisher: Modus Games
Attempt to stop the Time Empress and rewrite the future for your world and everyone in it, in this love letter to classic JRPG’s which allows players to peek into the past, act in the present, and see the consequences of their decisions all at once.
Features:
- JRPG elements
- Strategic, turn-based combat
- Decision making w/consequences
- Powerful allies (to recruit)
- Inspirations from Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI
- a Beautiful, handcrafted world
- 20 hours of gameplay
Game Trailer
Gameplay
Steam Demo/Wishlist
Website
Release Date: 2020
Platforms: Switch, PS4, XB1, PC
Chicken Police: Paint it Red!
Developer: The Wild Gentlemen
Publisher: HandyGames
Two legendary rooster detectives reluctantly reunite to solve a dangerous case, in this absurdly humored, tale of love, death, redemption, and chickens, inspired by films such as The Big Sleep and Porco Rosso.
Features:
- Elements of classic adventure games
- Visual novel style storytelling
- a Film-noir experience
- Dark humor
- Gritty themes
- a Complex interrogation system
- Mystery solving/Detective gameplay
- 30 fully voiced characters
Release Date: TBD
Platforms: PS4, XB1, Switch, Steam (Wishlist)
Alchemic Cutie
Developer: Vakio/Veridian Software
Publisher: CIRCLE Entertainment
Explore a colorful island, make friends (& rivals), discover secrets, and tame/breed the perfect Jelly companion when relaxing RPG, Alchemic Cutie, ventures to Itch.io & Steam.
Features:
- Relaxing gameplay
- Family friendly content
- RPG elements
- Exploration
- Farming simulation
- Jelly companions with unique stats/ traits
- Jelly competitions
- Item Modification (w/alchemy)
- Modding support
Release Date: 2020
Platforms: Itch.io, Steam (Wishlist)
Roki
Developer: Polygon Treehouse
Publisher: United Label Games
An alluring art style, a touching narrative, and atmospheric exploration are just a few of the many elements found in this unique adventure, inspired by Scandinavian folklore, about a young girl on a mission to save her family.
Features:
- Exploration
- Adventure
- a Unique graphical style
- Mystery
- Riddle solving
- Scandinavian folkore
- Gameplay/Accessibility for all gamers/ages
Release Date: July 23rd
Platforms: Switch, Steam (Wishlist)
Resort
Developer: Backwoods Entertainment
Publisher: Backwoods Entertainment
The next title from the creators of the highly rated Unforeseen Incidents follows a writer in search of a story who discovers there’s something sinister at the heart of the picturesque town she’s visiting.
Features:
- Exploration
- Mystery
- a Low-poly 3D environment
- Quirky characters
- a Fully voiced game
- Choices w/consequences
Release Date: TBD
Platform: Steam (Wishlist)
Ary & the Secret of Seasons
Developers: eXiin, Fishing Cactus
Publisher: Modus Games
Defeat enemies, overcome obstacles, and solve complex puzzles as Ary, a young girl with the ability to control the seasons, who ventures to bring balance back to the world of Valdi.
Features:
- Exploration
- Puzzle solving
- Dynamic environments
- Combat
- Beautiful visuals
- RPG & Platforming elements
Release Date: September 2020
Platforms: PS4, XB1, Switch, Steam (Wishlist)
The Almost Gone
Developer: Happy Volcano
Publisher: Playdigious
Stuck between life and death, a young girl must piece together objects and memories from her past to discover what led to her untimely demise.
Features:
- Mystery
- Exploration
- Adventure
- Point & Click
- Investigation
- Puzzle solving
- a Story by Joost Vandecasteele
Release Date: June 25th
Platforms: Switch, iOS (pre-order), Android (pre-register), Steam (Wishlist)
Henry Mosse & the Wormhole Conspiracy
Developer: Bad Goat Studios
Publisher: Bad Goat Studios
Join Henry & his mom in their pursuit of a “too good to be true” business opportunity that turns into a grand space adventure full of conspiracies, humor, cool gadgets, and oddball characters.
Features:
- Point & Click
- Sci-Fi
- Adventure
- Exploration
- Branching puzzles
- a Dynamic Soundtrack
- Fun gadgets
- 40 environments/5 worlds
Release Date: 2020
Platform: Steam (Wishlist)
The Darkside Detective Season 2
Developer: Spooky Doorway
Publisher: Spooky Doorway
Season 2 of this pixelated, point & click investigative series follows Detective McQueen (& his sidekick Dooley) through 6 more darkly humorous stories of the paranormal and the downright bizarre.
Features:
- Point & Click
- Adventure
- Investigation
- 6 stories
- Paranormal events
- a Distinct sense of humor
Release Date: Q3 2020
Platforms: Switch, PC (Wishlist on Steam)
Darkside Detective Season 1
Sable
Developer: Shedworks
Publisher: Raw Fury
Explore an alien planet to uncover the history of its nomadic inhabitants while also discovering your place in the world, in this coming of age story about life, family, and being a part of something greater than yourself.
Features:
- Open-World
- Exploration
- Adventure
- Unique graphics
- an Intriguing soundtrack
- Lessons of self-discovery
Release Date: 2020
Platforms: XB1, Steam (Wishlist)
Summer in Mara
Developer: Chibig
Publisher: Chibig
Craft, fish, farm, complete quests, trade with others, and explore your surroundings in this relaxing, family friendly adventure headed to PC and consoles later this year.
Features:
- Open-World exploration
- Crafting
- Fishing
- Farming
- Day/Night cycles
- Climate events
- Over 100 quests
- 20 characters to meet
- 150+ inventory items
Release Date: June 16th
Platforms: XB1, PS4, Switch, Steam (Wishlist)
OMNO
Developer: Jonas Manke
Publisher: StudioInkyfox
Power relics with your handy staff to sail through the clouds and dash/glide your way over a variety of terrain as you explore the wonders and uncover the secrets of a lost civilization.
Features:
- Puzzle solving
- Atmospheric exploration
- Platforming
- Fantastical creatures
- Unique movement (dash, glide, etc.)
- Tundra, desert, & forest environments
Release Dates/Platforms:
2020 – Steam (Wishlist)
TBD – XB1, PS4, Switch
Call of the Sea
Developer: Out of the Blue
Publisher: Raw Fury
Mystery and intrigue await players in this suspenseful adventure set in the South Pacific during the 1930’s which follows a woman named Norah who’s in search of her missing husband’s expedition.
Features:
- Mystery
- Investigation
- Exploration
- Puzzle solving
- 1st person POV
- a 1930’s setting
- Stunning graphics
Release Date: Coming Soon
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Steam (Wishlist)
Sail Forth
Developer: David Evans
Publisher: The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild
A procedural sailing adventure which allows players to explore a variety of beautiful environments, grow their fleet, and do battle with pirates, sea monsters, and the sea itself.
Features:
- Beautiful environments/scenery
- Classic naval action
- 3rd person adventure
- a Variety of simulated boats
- an Ambient soundtrack
- Customization options
- a Relaxing atmosphere
Release Date: 2020
Platforms: XB1, PS4, Switch, Steam (Wishlist)
Into a Dream
Developer: Filipe F. Thomaz
Publisher: Filipe F. Thomaz
Embark on a journey into the mind of Luke, a man diagnosed with depression, where you’ll help uncover repressed memories and unveil the heartbreaking story of his life in an effort to help lead him toward recovery before it’s too late.
Features:
- an Emotional storyline
- a Moving soundtrack
- Puzzles
- Platforming
- Complex characters
- a Dreamlike atmosphere
- Full character voice over
Release Date: 2020
Platform: Steam (Wishlist)
We look forward to getting our hands on these and many more indie titles over the next year (or more).
Let us know in the comment section below which indie title releases you’re most looking forward to in the coming months.
Sources: Twitter, Facebook, & Websites of the listed developers/publishers
