(Update: Added Wrestledunk as the final game reveal and Wayward Strand’s trailer.)
PAX Australia has revealed the six games that make up the PAX AUS Indie Showcase.
The PAX AUS Indie Showcase is a fantastic opportunity for Australian and New Zealand developers to show off some of the best they have to offer. Last year’s selection of games was fantastic, and the booths were always packed right at the convention show floor entrance. I expect this year to be no different.
So, let’s take a look at this year’s games:
Death Hall
(Thomas Janson & Gareth Wiecko)
http://www.deathhall.com
“Be brave and enter the Death Hall, where a monstrous blob will be hot on your heels as you escape its abysmal lair.”
A difficult platformer with simple controls, a striking “hell” art style and a nice soundtrack. This iOS title is actually out now for under five dollars with no microtransactions, so I gave it a quick look and enjoyed what I played. Death Hall lets you play in both vertical and horizontal orientations as well—always a nice touch.
Death Hall is available now on the App Store for $4.49.
Exo One
(Jay Weston)
http://exo-one-game.com
“Exo One is a gravity-defying, exoplanetary journey. Pilot an alien craft and master its unique, gravity-based movement system. Glide across otherworldly landscapes, surf towering cloud formations, and reach incredible speeds and heights. Open a wormhole and step through into mankind’s first mission outside the solar system.”
The trailer showcases a unique visual style that nails an otherworldly vibe—which is fitting. We haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but there’s a demo available if you pre-order via Humble Bundle and want to try it ahead of PAX AUS 2019.
Exo One is coming to PC sometime in 2019.
Ring of Pain
(Simon Boxer, Twice Different)
http://ringofpain.com
“Roguelike flavour, card game pacing. Randomised, chaos embracing. Each card’s an encounter, each turn a decision with 2 to 4 choices—test your intuition. Manage inventory, optimise. Learn, adapt or face demise…”
A dungeon-crawling card game is a compelling twist—especially if you usually hate the “crawling” part. The first trailer sets the tone for a distinctive card-based delve, with Adrian Vaughan’s narration sealing the vibe.
Ring of Pain is scheduled for release in early 2020 on PC.
Unpacking
(Witch Beam)
https://www.unpackinggame.com
“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—create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.”
I hate packing, but I kinda enjoy unpacking—probably why I move objects around and re-arrange things so much. A game focused purely on that feels oddly perfect for me. The gameplay trailer looks super relaxing.
Unpacking is scheduled to release in late 2020 on PC, Linux and Mac.
Wayward Strand
(Marigold Bartlett, Jason Bakker, Maize Wallin, Russell Dilley, Kalonica Quigley)
https://blog.waywardstrand.com
“Wayward Strand is an interactive story about a teenage girl exploring an airborne hospital and getting to know the patients within.”
Set in 1970s Australia, you’ll explore an airborne hospital as Casey Beaumaris. While visiting, you’ll interact with those aboard and watch their narratives play out—or get involved yourself. You can also try two jam games set in the same universe: Wayward Hand and Sabotage in Stormy Skies, both available free on itch.io.
Wayward Strand is scheduled for release in 2020 on PC, Mac, iOS and Android.
Wrestledunk Sports
(Team Fractal Alligator)
https://twitter.com/WrestledunkGame
“Wrestledunk your friends! A collection of 4 local and online multiplayer sports games, coming soon to Switch!”
The only sports games I ever get good at are party games, and this looks exactly like that. Four different games, lots of chaos—and crucially: online play. Every year at PAX there are tons of fun split-screen titles; I’m stoked this one supports online.
Wrestledunk Sports is coming to Nintendo Switch.
Which games grab your attention the most? Let us know in the comments below. We’ll have more from PAX AUS 2019 in October as well.
