Five Indie Games that Indie Game
Enthusiasts/Non-Enthusiasts Should Try Out
GeekyGamerGirl87
Being a lover of indie games, I am always out on the hunt for the next best indie game. Some of the games I come across are hits and other times not so much. I try to be fair and give every indie game I try a fair run. However, ever so often; there are just some indie games that I must share with everyone who are into indie games.
The problem when it comes to indie games, is that some people are afraid to try games they aren’t used to or not from a company they know of. This is one of the main reasons I enjoy playing and covering indie games. The thrill of finding a game that everyone isn’t playing and making them aware that such a game exists, makes me feel like I am doing the indie game community a service.
If you have been wanting to get into indie games but are afraid to do so; here are a few indie games to try to get your feet wet in the indie gaming pool, so to speak.
Sheep With
Developer: Robber Socks
Platform(s): Windows/MacOS/Linux
Genre: Action Puzzler
Controls: Keyboard and Gamepad
Availability: Now
Developed by Robber Docks, Sheep With is an action puzzler game that is loads of fun. You play as a farmer whose sheep has gotten away from his farm. In your trusty plane, you venture out into the lands collecting your sheep.
The game is very challenging and is well design to keep you entertained for hours. The puzzles for the levels get harder as the game progresses, so you’re not simply doing the same thing over and over. You do have to think about what you are doing before doing it and if anything, when you fail, it just makes you want to play more.
Although the game is well thought out and looks nice, there is some tweaking with the gamepad’s controls. I highly recommend setting the gamepad controls to your liking so that you can fully enjoy the game. I have played with both keyboard and gamepad and prefer the gamepad much more over the keyboard controls.
If you would love to give Sheep With a try for yourself, visit https://robberdocks.itch.io/sheepwith to obtain a copy, you won’t be disappointed at all.
Q-Yo Blaster
Developer: Team Robot Black Hat
Platform(s): Windows
Genre: Shoot Em Up (Shmup)
Controls: Keyboard and Gamepad
Availability: Now
Developed by Team Robot Black Hat, Q-Yo Blaster is a shmup that is as unique as it is interesting. The earth is being attacked by insects from outer space and your team must stop them. Starting off you can choose from three different attributed teams. Each team has six characters on them. You have a team that is based on damaged, a team for endurance, and a team that is equally balanced.
The gameplay is solid. The game offers two modes; easy and normal. As far as each mode goes, easy is easy; but if you are looking for a good challenge then I do recommend playing normal mode. It will give you the challenge you are looking for. As I have a love for shmups, I tend to play on normal mode and found it both challenging and rewarding.
If you are into shmups; you can purchase Q-Yo Blaster at https://teamrobotblackhat.itch.io/q-yo-blastergame or on steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/772610/QYO_Blaster/
Raygun Gadabout
Developer: Quantum Duck Studio
Platform(s): Windows/MacOS/Linux
Genre: Shooter Platformer
Controls: Keyboard/Gamepad
Availability: Alpha Demo Out Now/ Full Game Aug 2019
Developed by Quantum Duck Studio, Raygun Gadabout is a shooter platformer set to fully release in Aug 2019. In the game you play as the lovely Quinn, who appears to be a space explorer of some sort. As this is the demo, it is does not provide much of a backstory except you are on a planet and you are simply exploring the planet.
Although there are some issues with the demo, it does look like a very interesting game. I hope that as QDS continues to work on the game; they give the game more of a backstory. Besides just simply running around, solving puzzles here and there the game has protentional to become something great. At the moment, there are more questions than answers. For example, why is Quinn here? Where did she come from? What is she hoping to gain from her quest? Come on QDS inquiring minds need to know.
QDS has started a Kickstarter for Raygun Gadabout in the hopes of raising 25,000 CAD towards the development of the game. Hopefully, it is successful, and they deliver on their product.
If you want to experience the demo yourself; you can try it out at https://quantumduck.itch.io/raygungadabout and support the Kickstarter when it launches on April 3, 2018 at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/quantumduck/136454417?ref=452902&token=5b1066fc .
The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands
Developer: Xigma Games
Platform(s): Windows/MacOS
Controls: Mouse and Gamepad
Genre: Simulation
Availability: Now
Developed by Xigma Games, The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands is a 2D simulation game with an amazing soundtrack. You as a wander start up a bonfire and become an overseer of a small colony.
You will then have wanderers that come in and you assign them different tasks. I know what you must be thinking, it sounds awfully a lot like Fallout Shelter and I will never steer you wrong and will say it does sound a bit like Fallout Shelter.
However, the artwork and the music for the game is what makes it very relaxing and calming. I can get lost within this game for hours just because of the music alone, and although at times the game is repetitive; I find myself coming back to play it more and more as I discover new parts of the colony and get lost within its music.
Although, I think the price is a little steep, (9.99 USD) it still is a pretty good game to relax out to and chill. If you are interesting in checking it out for yourself it can be purchased via steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/788210/The_Bonfire_Forsaken_Lands/
Jack’s Quest: The Tale of the Sword
Developer: NeTox
Platforms: Windows/Mac
Controls: Keyboard and Gamepad
Genre: Action Platformer
Availability: Demo Out Now/ Full Game TBA
Developed by NeTox, Jack’s Quest: The Tale of the Sword is a game that I have been following faithfully on twitter as well as through the itch.io platform, and I have covered on my own personal Twitch channel a few times. You may say I am a bit of a fan girl when it comes to this game.
This game holds my attention not because it has a retro style to it, but because of the storyline for the game and the game is just a tad bit challenging. You play as Jack, who is in love with his childhood friend Nora, just as he and Nora are confessing their feelings, Nora is kidnapped by a creature in which Jack must save her.
Yes, it is the classic damsel in distress story, but the gameplay of the game and the look is what keeps me drawn to it, and I also am a hopeless romantic. The developer is constantly posting updates on their twitter page as well as their itch.io page. The demo is always changing; which is a good thing because it shows that the developer is continuously working on it and making improvements.
This is one game that I am waiting on to become a full game release, but until then you can also grabbed the Demo and give it a try for yourself by visiting https://netox.itch.io/jackquest .
If you are very much into the indie game scene; then these are just simply some games that should be added to your list of indie games to play and watch for. If you are still new and fresh to indie games, these games should be able to help you get started in your exploration of indie games and help you to develop a love for the indie game scene.
