After looking at over 350 indie games, PAX Online has announced the 20 games that have been picked for the PAX Online Indie Showcase.
Let’s take a look at the full list of games below.
Anew: The Distant Light
Developer: Resonator Interactive Platforms: PC Release Date: TBD
This looks like a Metroidvania with twin-stick shooting and some zero-g platforming. A unique art style and the promise of “game-changing” upgrades does nothing but intrigue.
“Anew: The Distant Light is a single-player, open-world action and adventure game for PC and console platforms. You are a child with limited resources, waking up on a distant alien moon, twenty light years from Earth. Discover a mysterious, interconnected alien world and carry out a mission of critical importance. Earn game-changing equipment through skillful combat and solving puzzles. Customize your gear, pilot insane vehicles, and repair your powerful home ship for the ultimate advantage. Inspired by classic games like Metroid, Cave Story, Limbo, and Dark Souls, Anew: The Distant Light will appeal to fans of platforming, combat, exploration, and visual storytelling.
Boyfriend Dungeon
Developer: Kitfox Games Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch Release Date: TBD
We’ve all seen Boyfriend Dungeon by now, surely? The dating and dungeon crawler where you date your weapons? I personally can not wait for this to release.
“For your summer job, you’re tasked with clearing the creatures in “the dunj”. Soon you discover weapons you find transform into cuties… and they’re SINGLE! (What a craaazy coincidence because you also happen to be up for grabs yourself.)
Spend the cash you earn on romantic outings to forge precious moments with your lovers and work together to clear the rampant monster infestations, because after all, a couple that slays together, stays together.”
Dap
Developer: Melting Parrot Platform: PC Release Date: January 2021
From a husband-and-wife team in Melbourne Australia comes Dap. This is a very creepy looking horror game that’ll probably freak your grandparents out.
“Dap is a top-down action-adventure/horror game about collecting and interacting with cute little critters called Daps. Set in a a lush forest world beset by an alien infection, battle strange monstrosities and scavenge for resources while using your Daps to help you along the way.
Meet bizarre, otherworldly creatures in damp and dark corners. Come face to face with powerful god-like beings who seek to destroy you. Travel to the spirit world and learn the truth behind the Daps and the infection.
With influences spanning from The Legend of Zelda, the films of Studio Ghibli, to sci-fi author Phillip K Dick, Dap is a psychedelic, horrific, cute and unique take on the top down action/adventure genre.”
Dreamscaper
Developer: Afterburner Studios Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch Release Date: PC (early access now), Nintendo Switch (2021)
Dreamscaper released into early access last month and I’ve been keeping my eye on it since then. You can grab the EA for $29.99 on Steam right now if you want to dive in.
“Dreamscaper is a relaxing Roguelite blending elements from brawlers, top-down shooters, and dungeon crawlers. Every slumber is a different dungeon in an ever-changing world with a multitude of unique events and challenges. Play as Cassidy, dive into her subconscious and take on the surreal nightmares she wrestles with in order to save her from a dark fate.”
For those wanting a slower, more tactical, and role-playing experience in their Cyberpunk — here’s Gamedec. Based solely on the trailer I’d call this the Disco Elysium version of Cyberpunk 2077. There’s even a PC demo you can download right now on the games website.
“Gamedec is a single-player non-combat cyberpunk isometric RPG. You are a game detective, who solves crimes inside virtual worlds. Use your wits to gather info from your witnesses and suspects, get to the bottom of deceptive schemes, save lives, and investigate the extraordinary relationships between virtual worlds and their inhabitants. The game continually adapts to your choices and never judges – You are the sum of your choices.”
Gone Viral
Developer: Skullbot Games Platforms: PC Release Date: September 24th (early access)
Gone Viral is being promoted heavily with a Twitch integration which will let users vote to send you rewards in-game as you play. As a randomly generated rogue-lite with crazy weapons and mutations, this looks like a great way to promote the game.
“After the apocalypse, life continues in a world full of mutants, warbots, and REAL bloodsports drawing vicious audiences. You are a gladiator battling to escape this prison arena for the amusement and admiration of the bloodthirsty crowd. Your key to freedom? Win over fans with crazy combos, earning strands of the Mutation Virus. Slaughtering with style generates the carnage needed to Go Viral.
Gone Viral is an over-the-top, randomly generated action game with heavy roguelite elements and both third-person melee and shooter combat. Unlock scores of mutations and weapons that fundamentally change your gameplay, doubling down on unique synergies and combinations of powers for a deep and deadly experience.”
HyperBrawl Tournament
Developer: Milky Tea Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS Release Date: 2020 (iOS out now)
One-to-four player pong inspired PVP action with a cast of heroes and various locations. This has been available on iOS via Apple Arcade for some time, but a PC and console release is coming soon.
“Smash, brawl and score your way to victory in relentless, high-adrenaline, 1-4 PvP arena battles. Master the HyperCurve and channel the HyperForce to become the greatest hero in the universe.”
Innchanted
An Aussie game with obvious Overcooker inspirations, but this time you’re cooking up some potions.
Developer: DragonBear Studios Platform: PC Release Date: Coming Soon
“Innchanted is a co-op adventure where you discover magical potions, serve otherworldly guests, and pacify monsters. Gather your party and journey on a quest to overcome the evil Wizard – your landlord!”
Justice Sucks: Recharged
Developer: Samurai Punk Platforms: PC Release Date: Late 2020
From Australian developer Samurai Punk, the creators of Screen Cheat comes a sequel to the roombo killing game. Yes, a sequel to Roombo: First Blood is here.
“After the events of Roombo: First Blood, your family is brutally attacked by the FamilyCorp elimination squad and in the battle you’re thrown into the living room TV. On the brink of robodeath, your consciousness enters “the TV dimension” to gain the abilities you need to rise from the ashes and avenge your family.
Experience a collection of 90’s pop culture inspired sandbox worlds, starting with a futurist robotic cruise ship being invaded by the infamous SeaBoyz, a group of mischievous pop-band pirates. Use your hacking abilities to improvise traps using gadgets, hilariously bad robots and everyday objects as projectiles as you master your environment to discover exciting and hilarious solutions to your challenges.”
Later Alligator
Developer: Pillow Fight Games, SmallBu Animation Studio Platforms: PC Release Date: TBD
It’s a cute croc and some fantastic 2D animation in this adventure game with charm.
“Later Alligator tells the story of Pat the alligator, a (mostly) harmless and (probably) innocent reptile at the center of a conspiracy that could bring down the biggest, scariest family in Alligator New York City: his own! Explore the city, meet the Family, and try to save Pat before the clock runs out. Alligator New York City comes to life with the classic hand drawn animation style of SmallBu Animation, featuring densely animated areas to explore, 30 goofy minigames, and over 100 alligator residents to investigate. With multiple endings and a fully-animated cartoon finale, Later Alligator is a funny urban adventure you can play again and again.”
Parkasaurus
Developer: Washbear Studio Platforms: PC Release Date: Out Now
A dinosaur tycoon game that released last month. Very colorful and the Steam reviews all look positive.
“Parkasaurus is a dinosaur tycoon management simulation where you take care of your dinosaurs by constructing well-designed exhibits, researching specialized technologies, and maximizing profits to expand into the ultimate dinosaur theme park. Do you favor development that favors your dinosaurs or the guests?”
Polter Pals
Developer: Split Hare Games Platform: PC Release Date: Late 2020
I’m not sure if you’re murdering people in this game but it does have a cute little ghost character.
“You play as a lonely ghost with the power to possess the living. Surrounded by Oomans who cannot see you, you must resort to using this power to steer them into environmental hazards and an early friendship, freeing the friendly ghosts within them.
Every Ooman you ghost will add you on LiveBurial, giving you a unique look at the dysfunctional, hyper-consumerist world of the living through the lens of a social media-obsessed afterlife.
Each level is a puzzle diorama, styled after classic children’s stop-motion cartoons, where you have to figure out how to make all the friends using the available hazards.”
Ring of Pain
Developer: Twice Different Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch Release Date: October 15th
We got to watch this one from afar at PAX AUS 2019. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try it out. However! There is a demo on Steam right now if you’d like to give this card rogue-like ago.
“Ring of Pain is a roguelike / card game / dungeon crawler mashup. Levels are generated randomly from decks of cards, and arranged in a ring, which lets you observe the level and strategise.
As you interact with cards the dungeon dynamically adjusts based on what you’re doing.”
Shing!
Developer: Mass Creation Platforms: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch Release Date: Out Now
Classic arcade beat-em-up action with up to four players locally or online.
“Experience the most exciting and immersive beat-em-up combat system ever – become a kickass ninja and slice some demons in style! Join a band of wisecracking warriors in a bloody adventure through the land of mythical monsters and mysterious machines”
Stronghold: Warlords
Developer: Firefly Studios Platforms: PC Release Date: 27th January 2021
I’ve never played a Stronghold game before but the real-time strategy certainly looks intense and deep in the latest entry.
“For the first time ever Stronghold: Warlords allows you to recruit, upgrade and command AI lords across the battlefield in the form of in-game ‘Warlords’. Each warlord under your command boosts your strategic prowess with unique perks, characteristics and upgradeable abilities. Put them to work for your industry, fortifying borders, forging weapons or team up for a pincer attack! Each campaign mission, skirmish game and multiplayer battle means a fresh set of warlords to command and new strategic depth to discover
The next chapter in Firefly Studios’ real-time strategy series, Stronghold: Warlords is Firefly’s first game to recreate the castle economies of the East Asia. In Warlords you take command of Mongol hordes, imperial warriors and samurai clansmen as you lay siege to Japanese castles and fortified Chinese cities. Besiege historical warlords using new gunpowder-fuelled siege weapons, classic units and a completely new way to play Stronghold.”
Swapette Showdown
Developer: 3D Generation Platform: PC Release Date: 2021
It’s a weeb match-four game, let’s be honest. But there are many modes here to make the game standout including online and local.
“Swapette Showdown is a competitive action puzzler for one to four players! Swap the blocks to create matches! Battle as/against cute magical girls a.k.a. the Swapettes!”
The Last Cube
Developer: Improx Games Platforms: PC Release Date: 2021
There are over 100 levels in this mind-melting cube puzzle game!
“Venture through six unique areas of the cube-world and overcome three-dimensional brain-teasers in this upcoming puzzle adventure game. Collect stickers on the cube’s sides and use their distinct abilities to progress through levels with atmospheric environments. You, the Last Cube, were awakened for a purpose—save this peculiar world from collapsing by solving puzzle tracks left by your ancestors.”
TopplePOP: Bungee Blockbusters
Developer: SAI Team Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch Release Date: 2020
This physics-based puzzle game takes Tetris and makes it harder. It looks like it could be super frustrating, but that would make for more fun in the 2-4 player co-op.
“TopplePOP is physics puzzle action with bendy animal acrobats on bungee cords, for 1-4 players. Designed for solo, co-op and PvP in eSports battles, speedrun leaderboards & spectacular couch co-op parties. Become champions! Or don’t, and chill with an endless variety of zen puzzles.”
Trickshot
Developer: Meddling Kids Platform: PC Release Date: TBD
This game combines Tony Hawks and competitive shooters. It looks kinda insane, but maybe just the perfect type of insanity.
“TrickShot is a fast-paced, skate trick multiplayer shooter where players dodge bullets and take out opponents as they skate ramps, grind, parkour, complete tricks and kills for the most points to win.”
Unpacking
Developer: Witch Beam Platform: PC Release Date: 2021
I played Unpacking at PAX AUS 2019 and I’m in love with it. It’s super-chill and features some beautiful art.
“Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part “item Tetris”, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.”
