Andre's Indie Game Chosen Ones Issue #11
Alfred Hitchcock - Vertigo, Trash Sailors, Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, One Hand Clapping, Sands of Salzaar, Dr. Kobushi’s Labyrinthine Laboratory, Death's Door, Windjammers 2, Firegirl
Welcome to Issue #11 of Andre’s Indie Game Chosen Ones!
This is a reminder that anything below that is underlined is a clickable link.
Not every section will be included in every issue. My Indie Game Discovery Roundup will always be included! This is explained in the About section.
Enjoy the issue!
Indie Game Discovery Roundup #60
Alfred Hitchcock - Vertigo
(PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch)
Alfred Hitchcock - Vertigo, developed by Pendulo Studios is a psychological thriller inspired by the original movie, Vertigo. I wish this was named something different because the game has a different story and people might get fooled into thinking it’s the same story. This is a narrative experience where you play through the vision of three characters. I became interested in this game due to the trailers and the fact that the game seems to have decent voice acting.
Release Date: December 16, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Alfred Hitchcock - Vertigo on Steam
Alfred Hitchcock - Vertigo Launch Trailer
Trash Sailors
(PC)
Trash Sailors, developed by fluckyMachine, is a multiplayer game that has you sailing on a raft while recycling trash you find to create weapons and other items to fend off sea creatures and enemies. The game currently allows online and local 4-player coop with friends. Online matchmaking will eventually be added. The most attractive part of Trash Sailors are the hand-drawn visuals that create a very authentic look. This is definitely a game I will play once online matchmaking is added.
Release Date: December 16, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Trash Sailors on Steam
Trash Sailors Launch Trailer
Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator
(PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass)
Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, developed by Strange Scaffold, is a game about buying, selling, and trading alien organs in this sci-fi body horror market tycoon game. As off-putting as the premise of the game is, the pixel graphics make this game tolerable and appealing. If this game had realistic visuals of organs I’m not sure that it would get the same reaction. You’ll be holding, fulfilling requests, and re-selling organs, while also managing the interactions between the organs so they don’t explode. I’ll definitely be trying out this game soon on Xbox Game Pass.
Release Date: December 7, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator on Steam
Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator Launch Trailer
One Hand Clapping
(PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, iOS, Android)
One Hand Clapping, developed by Bad Dream Games, is a 2D platformer that involves using your voice to solve puzzles and change the world around you. There are very few games out there that involve using your voice, and this one seems to work very well. I also really like the art style of the game. I can see how playing a game like this might be draining due to using your voice to switch between high notes to humming, but I definitely want to try it out at some point.
Release Date: December 14, 2021 (OUT NOW)
One Hand Clapping on Steam
Sands of Salzaar
(PC)
Sands of Salzaar, developed by Han-Squirrel Studio, is an open-world RPG I discovered about a year ago that I almost forgot about. This is a RPG with lots of skills and professions that involves guiding troops in large battles in a big battlefield. I’m really drawn to the customization and different choices you can make that provide more replay value. This is definitely a unique gameplay experience with not many games like it.
Release Date: December 15, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Sands of Salzaar on Steam
Kickstarter Spotlight:
Dr. Kobushi’s Labyrinthine Laboratory
Dr. Kobushi’s Labyrinthine Laboratory is a turn-turn based puzzle game where you have to rescue Ayla’s dog Falafel from a towering laboratory. It’s your goal to properly use your turns to avoid obstacles and enemies to reach the next level. As a fan of puzzle games, I’m keeping my eye on this game. Don’t just take my word for it, check it out and judge for yourself.
Check out Dr. Kobushi’s Labyrinthine on Kickstarter
As of this writing: $1,268 pledged of $9,553 goal
ENDS Fri, December 31 2021 9:54 AM EST.
Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement of the Kickstarter, nor am I affiliated with the developers. Pledge at your own risk.
Trailer Impressions
Death Trash
Death Trash Early Access
Death Trash released through Steam Early Access in August and is expected to take roughly a year to reach Version 1.0 . This is set in a post-apocalyptic world, but unlike so many other games in that setting, Death Trash has very nice pixel graphics and lots of character customization to really set this RPG apart from other games. There is a demo on the Steam page that is a very high priority for me to play and write about in the beginning of 2022. This is definitely a game to follow headed into 2022, as the Steam Early Access reaction is already extremely positive.
Release Date Version 1.0: 2022 (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch)
Death Trash on Steam
Windjammers 2
Windjammers 2 - Release Date
Windjammers 2 is a game I played the demo of over a year ago and really enjoyed it. Throwing discs back and forth with different playable characters was very addicting when I played it because the characters are unique and have different strengths and weaknesses. Windjammers 2 has online multiplayer and an arcade mode for solo play. As you can see in the trailer, the sound and music is also a big plus with this game. It’s very possible this may be one of my first full reviews of 2022.
Release Date: January 20, 2022 (PC, PS4)
Windjammers 2 on Steam
Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue Review (PC)
EXCERPT
…Even with the faults of Firegirl, the controls using a controller are generally good. You can use your hose as a jetpack to climb higher floors and the analog directional controls for shooting the hose feel smooth. You do have a water tank that needs to be filled after a while, and that's one of the more minor frustrations that can easily be tweaked in the future. The controls never feel cumbersome switching between your hose and axe. That's why I'm so disappointed with how this game was put together because the key mechanics of the game do actually work well. The game's soundtrack and shadow lighting when going through the house is also good. Firegirl is a game with a lot of good ingredients, except it plays like it was baked too fast without a strong game flow. In fairness, the game is being patched and improved upon after release, but too little too late for my experience. This should have released through Steam Early Access first.
Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue on Steam
Upcoming Content
What to Expect in Issue #12:
Indie Game Discovery Roundup (5 Games)
Kickstarter Spotlight
Trailer Impressions
Issue #12 will feature games in the Indie Game Discovery Roundup that were released earlier in the year prior to the newsletter starting up.
This issue was a little late due to me battling illness the last several days. Expect Issue #12 in your inbox either Friday or Sunday.
The Steam Winter sale is set to start December 22. The Epic Games Store has a sale going on that includes a $10 coupon for every purchase of $14.99 or above. If you’re looking for good games you can check out my game recommendations (Over 50 Games!) that date back as far as ten years ago.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to subscribe and share this with others if haven’t already!
-Andre
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