Everyone here knows I am a pretty big fan of Indie games. There is just something about experiencing something new that really gets me excited to play. Seeing the creative ideas people have can be refreshing, and you never know if any of the games will be the next new break-out hit. Whether you like the game or not, you have to give credit to the creative nature of the developer. In this two-part article, I will be talking about a select group of Indie games I got to play during the Steam Game Festival event online.
Growbot: A point and click adventure game
In this alien-like world, you are a grow-bot that has learned that your planet is under attack by crystals. You must save the world and find everyone to help you get the world you’re on, back up and running again. At first this game seemed very childlike because of the art style. Wrong. The art style is amazing to look at, and there probably isn’t one growbot, or item, that you look at and don’t like. They are seriously the cutest things ever! The game is point and click with puzzle elements and story. In the beginning the plot seems to get dark fast. I got the impression that you are just a young child when you must take on this task. The puzzles were fairly easy but finding everything and combining inventory items wasn’t always the easiest. I cannot wait until this game fully releases, because I want to know if I have what it takes to save their world!
Release Date: Spring 2021 Developer: Wabisabi Play
My Beautiful Paper Smile: A horror survival game
From the beginning this game is just creepy. You area child forced to wear a mask with a smile on in it, within a facility that tests you daily. The motto is you have to be happy and you can never leave, basically. The controls are easy to follow and you must help your child escaped the prison they seem to be locked in. Don’t get too out of line though because you might meet people, or things, that don’t quite care if you are doing what you need to in order to survive. You must make sure your smile doesn’t fade but dodging, running and surviving every day. Bonus for the artwork too. Everything looks hand drawn and makes for an even creepier environment to explore.
Release Date: Now (Early Access) Developer: Two Star Games
Superliminal: The puzzle game that messes with your mind and perception
This game focuses around optical illusions and puzzles. You feel like a rat in a maze and the game can really make you tense but playing with perception is the funnest thing ever! Make large items small, make platforms out of thin air and more as you wind your way through the hallways. This game literally has to be the highest recommended for me from this showcase. It is fun, challenging and you just kind of want to get to the end to see what is going to happen.
Release Date: November 2020 Developer : Pillow Castle
Projection First Light: The game of light, dark and puzzle platforming
At first, I chalked this game up to be like any physics game out there. Well, I was wrong. The platformer uses light to get your character from one point to another and let’s be honest, getting through everything isn’t always that easy. You must use your light source to create pathways to what you need. Meanwhile, the story is all based on a big puppet show. Let your mind wander and have fun as you go through new places.
Release Date: TBA Developer: Shadowplay Studios, Sweaty Chair and Blowfish Studios
I hope you have enjoyed this brief overview of some of the games from the Steam Game Festival. Be on the lookout for the next part of this two-part article.
