One of the hidden gems of the E3 experience in Los Angeles is the expression of self from the independent developers. They put their hearts and souls in their work after many hours of creation. Not only are they sharing a part of themselves with their games, these same people are hoping that others will enjoy their work too. Specifically, E3 is one of the platforms that helps these artists gain wider exposure. Hopefully they all walked away with plenty of fans and maybe some new discoveries and friends. Below is a break down of five indie games we followed at E3.
Stepstone Island
Created by a small team and lead by Katie Pustolski, Stepstone Island is bringing fitness and fun together. In this journey, Olly the Osprey is on an island and needs your help. This app connects to the health app on the iPhone (unsure yet if it will be available to Android users) and every step that is taken, coins will be available in the game. One of the cool parts is the coins (a representation of your hard work) helps Olly restore the island.
When you help Olly by getting tools, landmarks and other things, the island begins to transform. In some cases other characters will show up to compliment the hard work or be of assistance. Stepstone Island looks bright and fun, but it also reaches out to people that want to get active and help the environment too.
Healing Spaces
As a project in college, Healing Spaces became a reality for developer Gabriela Gomes. At first the concept was slightly confusing because there is no gameplay, but a projection instead. Upon the wall was a sunny forest setting, Phillips Hue smart lights were around and what appeared to be some table decor. Little was it fully apparent that everything was a part of this creation.
Healing Spaces was created to help assist caregivers and patients suffering with dementia. Some patients that may have behavioral problems associated with dementia can focus on the scenery in front of them as well as get a genuine sense of the environment with the lighting. As a bonus, caregivers can also create the tabletop decor which is used as a sensory object to help bring patients back to a safe space that may be associated with good memories. Even though this is Gabriela’s first project, some local facilities have started to try this new method in hopes of helping others and her creation is already gaining steady traction.
Fractured Lands
Unbroken Studios worked hard to present their beta of Fractured Lands this year. With their game being up for an award, this battle royal styled game might take home the prize. Upon looking at this game, the first thing seen was the fan base. So many players were crowded around to play that the opportunity to play almost got missed.
Battle royal is a hot trending style right now and Fractured Lands bring players to the core of a post apocalyptic environment. Vehicles are a necessity along with the many weapons they are working to add in for the final release. Use the vehicle or weapons found around this Mad Max styled sandbox to take out your enemies and become the last man standing. Also, instead of a shrinking play area that most of us know of by now, Fractured Lands brought us a nuclear tornado that causes chaos instead. No one wants to be caught in that. We were very impressed by how polished the game is and the ease of play for a current PC game.
Aria’s Legacy
A lot of people that crave a puzzle now and again have often turned to escape rooms for entertainment. So what if they didn’t have to pay the high prices anymore, get a group together, or travel miles to get across town to play? Aria’s Legacy by the Pixel Crushers combines the thoughtful process of escape rooms with technology, and it’s not cheesy either.
With over 50 levels, Aria must solve the mystery that her aunt left her. This is what the demo was asking of us at least. Tablet in hand, the play area was scanned and the story began. Just that simple. Suddenly the camera and screen, showed us a new room. There were dressers and things to explore even though the camera was using the image of the room we were in. For any puzzle solvers, Aria’s Legacy will make you feel like you’re right there in an escape room with this mobile AR and it has nice imagery too!
3 Minutes to Midnight
Scarecrow Studios caught our eye this year with their cartoon styled point and click adventure game 3 Minutes to Midnight. With a broad cast and unique, sometimes adult personalities, there was an internal need to play. Stories must be told and the pop culture jokes included make the trip incredibly fun.
Based in a fictional New Mexico landscape sometime in the late 40s but after WWII, Betty must find out why there are no memories. Somehow a plot has been brewing to take over the world and no one remembers. 3 Minutes to Midnight uses logic to put the puzzles together and gives players the ability to use dialogue choices to advance in the game. Beware however, some characters might be a bit unhinged upstairs. This is a cute, funny and logically sound game that is definitely worth the play. Once you start this adventure it will be hard to stop until everything is done.
