Andre's Indie Game Chosen Ones Issue #5
Issue #5 features Happy Game, Echo Generation, Dogs Organized Neatly, Unpacking, Tunche, Model Builder, Shrine's Legacy, Harold Halibut, Serial Cleaners, and The Last Cube.
Welcome to Issue #5 of Andre’s Indie Game Chosen Ones!
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Indie Game Discovery Roundup #54
Happy Game
(PC, Switch)
Happy Game, developed by Amanita Design, is a game sure to draw anyone’s attention due to its visual design. All of their games have a unique visual style, dating back to games like Botanicula (2012) and Machinarium (2009). Given that Halloween is coming up, I figured I would include at least one game in my roundup that gives creepy vibes. The game features psychedelic horror puzzles in not so pleasant environments with creepy sounds and music to top it off. I don’t know if I’ll play this, but you might! Definitely check this out because I almost overlooked this one myself.
Release Date: October 28, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Happy Game on Steam
Echo Generation
(Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Game Pass)
Echo Generation, developed by Cococucumber, is a turn-based RPG featuring a story about kids battling monsters and mechs to save their town. What really caught my attention initially are the 3D pixel visuals that are not so common in video games. The trailer really sells the game, as you can see nice art direction and presentation. Since this is on Xbox Game Pass I’ll definitely try this game out at some point.
Release Date: October 21, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Echo Generation on Xbox
Echo Generation Launch Trailer - OUT NOW
Dogs Organized Neatly
(PC)
Dogs Organized Neatly, developed by DU&I, is a puzzle game about fitting dogs inside a grid so that all of the dogs in the puzzle can fit. I played the demo and enjoyed my experience, primarily because the presentation of this puzzle experience has a lot of charm. The illustrations of the dogs make an otherwise boring type of puzzle structure be much more interesting. DU&I also has a successful previous game, Cats Organized Neatly.
Release Date: November 1, 2021
Dogs Organized Neatly on Steam (Watch trailer here)
Unpacking
(PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass)
Unpacking, developed by Witch Beam, is a game I decided to include in my roundup because it seems like a very relaxing and casual game. The gameplay seems to be unpacking boxes and fitting objects into a room, while also trying figure out more about the life behind each unpacking. Unpacking definitely falls under the category of games I would probably never buy, but luckily this will also be on Xbox Game Pass, so I will try! I can see how this might be an interesting experience, but we’ll see.
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Unpacking on Steam
Tunche
(PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
Tunche, developed by LEAP Game Studios, is a beat’em up action game with hand-drawn visuals that also features rogue-like elements. You can choose up to five characters, including Hat Kid from A Hat in Time (I never played).Your goal is to restore the peace in the Amazon rainforest. I chose this as part of the roundup because I really like the visuals and it also gives me some minor TMNT gaming vibes, especially because you can play with friends. A lot of games in this genre have a similar look, but Tunche definitely sets itself apart. A demo is also available on Steam.
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Tunche on Steam
Tunche Release Date Trailer
Game Preview: Model Builder
Disclosure: A preview copy of Model Builder was provided for free.
I've always been someone that enjoys to build things, but I've never built anything in real life that required as much precision and paint like these kinds of professional looking models. This is primarily because of the messy process of painting, gluing, and using different instruments. Model Builder, developed by Moonlit S.A., is a perfect opportunity to sort of get that experience of model building without the mess and everything that goes with it, including having to buy the models.
This is a preview version of Model Builder not available to the public just yet until January 27, 2022, and I was excited to try out this model building experience on a computer. I enjoyed the time I spent with it, but not without a few snags that I hope will be fixed by the time the release version comes. Everything about building a model is presented neatly and generally easy to understand. The game does a really good job of making it easy to select the next part, and even better, they easily snap together. The most difficulty I had was rotating a single part of the model while multiple parts were on the workbench table at once. That's something I hope and expect will be resolved by release.
Besides building the model, you also have to paint it. The game has different easily selectable brushes and you don't have to waste time to try finding the color the manual asks for. It's as easy as clicking the manual to get the color for a specific part, as well as the brush. Where I ran into my most frustrating problem was trying to get the right section of the model part to have the right color I wanted. The manual highlights certain areas you need to complete before the progress bar moves, but I found it difficult to see what it was asking me to click on with the brush. I thought I had done something right, but then it wasn't the right area and it would mess up colors of the model.
After frustration that I expect to be fixed in the future, I decided to break away from the game until more updates come so I can play a more closer to release version. There is a lot to like about Model Builder, including having a shelf that you can put all your finished models on display.
I will definitely try out Model Builder again before release with an updated report
Model Builder is currently scheduled for release on January 27, 2022.
A demo is also available on Steam.
Release Date: January 22 2021
Model Builder on Steam
Kickstarter Spotlight: Shrine’s Legacy
Shrine’s Legacy, developed by Positive Concept games, is an action adventure RPG that I will honestly say looks similar to most games in the genre. That being said, I do like The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy elements in the game. Most importantly, the main reason I’ve decided to include this in my Kickstarter Spotlight is because the game is co-op. Few games in this genre are co-op, so that sets Shrine’s Legacy apart and I want to see where this goes. Go take a look and judge for yourself.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/positive-concept/shrines-legacy
As of this writing: $20,579 pledged of $25,000 goal
ENDS Sat, November 6 2021 6:00 PM EDT.
Wishlist Shrine’s Legacy on Steam
Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement of the Kickstarter, nor am I affiliated with the developers. Pledge at your own risk.
Trailer Impressions
Harold Halibut
Harold Halibut - Gameplay Commentary
Harold Halibut is near the top of my ‘Hype Rankings’ because why not? Watch this trailer admire how gorgeous this game looks. I’m generally adverse to point-and-click type of games, but Harold Halibut is a big exception, using stop motion filming to create all the environments and characters. This trailer also shows a sneak peak of interesting interactions that Harold can have while walking through the ship. This is a ‘must play’ for me.
Release Date: TBA (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
Harold Halibut on Steam
Serial Cleaners
Serial Cleaners Early Gameplay Trailer
This Serial Cleaners trailer shows some gameplay of what you’ll be doing. The game’s premise is that you’re essentially ‘cleaning up’ for the mob by moving bodies and washing away blood. This is a sequel to Draw Distance’ first game, Serial Cleaner (2017), but the upcoming one has much better graphics and presentation. It does feature stealth gameplay, but the premise is what carries the interest for me. I don’t know what to expect, but the visuals and art direction are good enough to get me to want to play it.
Release Date: Early 2022 (PC, Consoles)
Serial Cleaners on Steam
The Last Cube
The Last Cube - Console Announcement Trailer
The Last Cube is an interesting game and this trailer shows the reasons why. It’s a puzzle game where you have to control a cube and maneuver into positions to use specific stamps on sides of the cube to unlock new areas and progress. I played the demo and the gameplay feels really fluid and relaxing. You’ll spend most of your time moving your cube back and forth to obtain certain symbol stamps, while at the same time trying to preserve symbol stamps to use them on specific spots without overwriting them or losing them in the process. This is a very well done trailer that presents the gameplay experience accurately. The Last Cube is probably a game I will want to play on release. The demo is currently available on Steam.
Release Date: Q1 2022 (PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch)
The Last Cube on Steam
Upcoming Content
What to Expect in Issue #6:
Indie Game Discovery Roundup (5 Games)
Kickstarter Spotlight
Trailer Impressions
Steam Early Access Report/Game Preview
Thanks for reading! We are now approaching a busier time of year for gaming. Within the next few issues you can expect some more Mini-Reviews of games that I’ve played enough of to give my thoughts.
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-Andre
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