For those of you who did not know it seem to be an event in the indie community that didn’t get a lot of buzz unless you were a part of that community. The Big Adventure Event –The BAE– for short took place from January 20 – January 24, 2022, and featured over 100 demos of Adventure Games. Most of these games were point and click. However, there were some puzzle platformers and action-adventure games as well. So I took the liberty of playing a few of those games and compiling them into a video.
It should be known that the video is in no type of order except the order in which I played these games. So this isn’t a Top 12 list or any of the sort. It is just 12 games that I played from The BAE. So please don’t get it confused with a top 12 list. With that being said there are some things that I need to get out of the way before we go into our list.
- The following Gameplay Footages are demos of the games featured in the video. Therefore, the footage you see may or may not be featured in the final version of the games. Also, there may be some noticeable bugs in the games.
2. Photosensitive and Motion Sickness Warning
The video may feature games that use flashing lights, images, and/or motions that can be an issue for those who have Photosensitive issues and/or those who suffer from motion sickness, Even if you’ve never had them before. If at any time during watching this gameplay video you feel:
Temporary confusion
Episodes of staring blankly
Uncontrollable jerking movements or twitching of the arms and legs
Loss of consciousness or awareness
Psychological symptoms such as fear and anxiety
Cold sweats
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
Irritability
Inability to concentrate
Increased saliva, nausea, and vomiting
Immediately stop viewing the video and seek medical attention. Your health is more important to me than a view of a video.
Viewers Discretion Advised.
3. Trigger Warning
Some of the games in this video may contain one or more of the following subjects:
Violence/Abuse
Suggestive Themes
Drug Use
Crude Humor
Blood and Gore
Sexual Themes
Simulated Gambling
Strong Language
Mental Health Struggles
And therefore may not be suitable for some viewers
Viewers Discretion is Advised
Now that we’ve gotten all formalities out of the way. Let us go ahead with the list of 12 Indie Games From The Big Adventure Event.
*Clicking on the Heading for each game will take you to that game’s Steam Page so you can buy/wishlist the game.
1. WHATEVERLAND
Developed by Caligari Games and published by Caligari Games, WhisperGames, Whateverland is a very beautifully crafted and story-rich point-and-click adventure. In Whateverland, you play as a man named Vincent, a thief who has stolen from the wrong person and ends up in Whateverland for his crime. Once in Whateverland, Vincent see’s all types of things that are strange to him and befriends Nick, a human/ghost who tells him that nobody ages in Whateverland but your body can change depending on the type of person you are in Whateverland. Now with the help of Nick, they set out on a journey to see if they can escape Whateverland.
I really enjoyed this demo a lot, and the game has full-on voice acting so if you’re not one that likes to do a lot of reading, this is the perfect game for you. I also feel that this game can be streamed very well for the same reasoning. Overall, I cannot wait until the game releases and play more of it.
2. Kardboard Kings: Card Shop Simulator
Have you ever wanted to run your very own card shop? Now you can with Kardboard Kings: Card Shop Simulator! Developed by Henry’s House, Oscar Brittain, Rob Gross and published by Akuapara Games, Kardboard Kings: Card Shop Simulator puts you in the shoes of Harry, a young man who has just lost his father. Harry’s father once ran the shop as he was the World Champ for a card game called Warlock. As much as the game is a simulation it also has a visual novel vibe and so if you’re a visual novel fan then you’re going to like this as well. The story is pretty good and the simulation makes it even better.
This was a demo that truly surprised me, as I thought it was only a visual novel in the beginning. However, I am glad that I gave it a go because it was a lot of fun and I was really pulled into the game a lot. I cannot wait for the full version of the game as I want to see what Harry goes through and what else the game has to offer.
3. Escape Simulator
If you love Escape Rooms, then you’re in luck! Let me introduce to you Escape Simulator. Developed and published by Pine Studio, Escape Simulator is a puzzle Escape Room game in which you can play solo or with another person. The demo for the game features 4 (if you count the Tutorial) different Escape Rooms that you can play. Another good thing about the Demo is that the demo can be played in CO-OP as well and it is a lot of fun. The game also features community escape rooms, so the game never really ends.
I REALLY REALLY ENJOYED THIS DEMO! Yes, I meant to type that in caps. To be honest I think Escape Simulator may be one of the best Escape Room games I’ve ever played. I had the luxury of playing this with DanVanDam and we had a lot of fun with the game. So much fun with the game that we are both looking forward to playing more of the game together. If you love escape rooms, I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s currently available for 14.99 USD on Steam.
4. A Twisted Tale
Another point and click game I was looking forward to playing because the game is simply beautiful and stunning. Developed and published by Voodoo Bembel, A Twisted Tale is a nod to point-and-click adventure games of the past. Sadly, the demo didn’t show much of what the game had to offer, taking more of a lax approach with its demo. In the Demo, the main character enters an antique shop and looks around for homages to the older point and click games. This is fine because there is full voiceover acting in the game, but I personally would have loved to play a bit of the game to get a feel for what the game has to offer.
The game does release Sept 1, 2022, and so I’ll have to wait until then to give the game a go there. Nonetheless, it’s still a gorgeous game and I cannot wait to try it when it does release later this year.
5. Sail Forth
Ahoy! Thar mateys. Do ye like an adventure that takes the ship out on the sea? Then ye be in luck with the game Sail Forth. Developed by David Evans Games and published by The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, Sail Forth is a truly relaxing and beautiful atmospheric game. You take on the role of Captain Toot (heh..heh) who is setting out on the sea, and along his travels finds crewmates. Another cool thing about this game is that you get to customize your boat as you go along. So think Sea of Thieves is just cuter and more chill and relaxing.
I do like games that feature the open sea and allow you to explore it. The Demo was a lot of fun and I really got into the game a lot. The game is supposed to release this year. So be sure to wishlist it if you want to enjoy a grand sea adventure.
6. Airhead
Ever felt like your head was just full of Air? Well in Airhead that is literally what happens. Developed by Octato and published by HandyGames, Airhead is a puzzle-platformer game in which you play a headless humanoid, who eventually finds a head that you have to use air tanks to fill up with air to either make yourself float or let out air to make sure you can get through tight spaces. Just don’t let out all your air or it’s game over.
To be fair, I saw Airhead and thought the name was cool, so I didn’t know what to expect from the game. I was really please with the Demo for the game. I’m glad I took a chance on the game because the concept was interesting and the controls for the game were great. If you want a fun and challenging puzzle platformer adventure game then I suggest wishlisting Airhead.
7. 1f y0u’re a gh0st ca11 me here!
Developed by Furoshiki Laboratory, フロシキラボ and published by WhisperGames, 1f y0u’re a gh0st ca11 me here! 幽铃热线 was another one of those games that the name caught my attention. In the game, you play Vantis, who was once a maid and is now a call center operator for ghosts in the underworld. Vantis’s task is getting the ghosts to the right team within the five seconds that the ghost has to talk. Part simulation and part visual novel the game had a little something for fans of both.
The one issue I had with the demo is that although the ghost has five seconds to get out what they need to say in order to get help, it comes too fast. I get that it is supposed to be rapid, but it’s a little too fast for someone who is just starting the game. I had trouble reading all of the bubbles at once and it frustrated me more than it made me enjoy the demo. I hope that the developers may consider two modes; a casual mode for those who want to enjoy the story of the game, and then a mode for those who want to play the game as intended. Other than that the game is unique and interesting, so I would like to see where it goes.
8. 30 Birds
Developed and published by ram ram, 30 Birds is a very interesting concept for a game, as well as a very beautiful and colorful game. Not only is the game beautiful, but the story is just as beautiful. The game puts you in the shows of a bird thief, who is trying to collect 30 Birds to find the goddess Simurgh and bring her back to Lantern City. The game also has some really interesting mechanics such as the world turning in a square formation as you move through it.
The demo was breathtaking, and I was really amazed by the mechanic of the world turning in a square shape. I also really liked the art style, which reminded me of stained glass and there was enough in the demo that pulled you in and made you want to play more of the game. In fact, when the demo ended I was a little sad. I am really looking forward to playing 30 Birds when it’s ready.
9. The Crimson Diamond
Looking for a point-and-click that is full of nostalgia? Then look o further than The Crimson Diamond. Developed by Julia Minamata, The Crimson Diamond is a nod to the games of yesteryear. You play as Nancy Maple, a clerk for a mineralogist who wants nothing more than to become a mineralogist. So, her employer sends her up to a little town to check out a diamond that was discovered by a fisherman inside of a fish. However, it seems like it’s more to this little town than just a diamond.
The game itself is a text-based point-and-click game. Where you have to type out what you want Nancy to do. The art style takes you back to the days of games such as Hugo’s House of Horrors, and the original Monkey Island games. Overall, if you are looking for a nod to the past; then I recommend wishlisting The Crimson Diamond so that you are alerted when it comes out.
10. Haiku, The Robot
Of course, this list would not be complete without at least a Metroidvania, so insert Haiku, The Robot here. Developed and published by Mister Morris Games; Haiku, The Robot has you traveling across a world as Haiku, a robot leaving in a post-human world. Fight your way through the lands and collect upgrades to increase Haiku’s Skills to get through the world without humans.
I’ve always been a fan of Metroidvania and so playing Haiku, The Robot was a treat. The game gave me Hollow Knight vibes, and I really enjoyed getting lost in the world. The controls were pretty solid and overall that demo was a lot of fun. It was really hard for me to stop playing the demo for this one. if you’re a fan of Metroidvania’s then be sure to add this to your wishlist so that you are notified when the game releases.
11. Best Month Ever!
If you only had a month to live what would you do? That is what the game Best Month Ever asks. Developed by Warsaw Film School Video Game & Film Production Studio and published by Klabater Best Month Ever is told by Mitch, who is telling the story of the last month with his Mother. After Mitch’s mother, Louise finds out she is dying; she does what she can to make sure he has the Best Month Ever! She makes sure Mitch has a good home to grow up in, as she will no longer be around.
Best Month Ever is one of those games that hit you right in the feels. You can’t help but feel for Louise as she tried her hardest to do what was right for Mitch. The game is a choices matter game, as the choices you make during Mitch’s childhood affect him in his adult life. Overall the game is really heartwarming and for sure to be a tearjerker. I highly recommend adding it to your wishlist so that you are notified on May 5, 2022, when the game is released, so that you can go on this journey.
12. The Fabled Woods
If you enjoy story-rich walking simulators then you may want to take a look at The Fabled Woods. Developed by CyberPunch Studios and published by Headup, The Fabled Woods is a walking simulator that starts off in what appears to be a nice and quiet wood area. However, there is some bad energy around these woods. Only when you close your eyes can you see the true nature of the woods.
The Demo lets you play through the beginning of the game and that’s about it. However, it was enough to make me want more of the game. This is a walking sim game, and walking sims are not for everybody. I feel that the game has a good story too and it pulls you in. The graphics are beautiful and I really like the demo a lot. The game is currently out and if you are interested in the game it is going for $9.99 USD on Steam.
I hope that you enjoyed the video and the article. Remember, this list is not a Top 12 list, it is just the way that I played the games. I hope that you will take the time to go ahead and wishlist any of the games that did catch your attention. Remember by wishlisting a game, helps to increase that game’s visibility and really does benefit the game. So until next time, I am Ready Set Indie Games, please be safe and keep gaming.
