Andre's Indie Game Chosen Ones Issue #7
Issue #7 features ElecHead, Alchemic Cutie, Senso no Ken: Thousands Layered Edge, Where Cards Fall, Golf Wasteland, Unpacking (Mini-Review), Against Ether, A Musical Story, FAR: Changing Tides
Welcome to Issue #7 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.
I’m being very selective with media embedded videos in order to make this newsletter as e-mail friendly as possible for readers using mobile devices.
Enjoy the issue!
Indie Game Discovery Roundup #56
ElecHead
(PC)
ElecHead, developed by Nama Takahashi, is a puzzle platformer that has all the appearances of your ‘standard’ platformer that we’ve all seen and played before, but the electricity mechanic in the game is the separator. Your character has a head that generates electricity that can be thrown ahead of you to solve puzzles and create electricity to trigger platforms. When your head has attached, whatever surface you land on gets electrified. The visuals wont win any awards, but the visuals look good enough for what the game is. Don’t overlook ElecHead if you like puzzle platformers. I almost did.
Release Date: October 14, 2021 (OUT NOW)
ElecHead on Steam
ElecHead Release Trailer
Alchemic Cutie
(PC, Xbox)
Alchemic Cutie, developed by Vakio and Viridian Software, is a RPG about taming and raising wild jellies as you discover secrets on Wimba Island. This presents itself as a relaxing game where you go up against other villagers using your trained jellies to beat them in competitions. You can also create special items and experiment mixing items for powerful results. I had this on my radar for a couple years and I’m glad to see it finally release.
Release Date: November 11, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Alchemic Cutie on Steam
Alchemic Cutie Xbox Launch Trailer
Senso no Ken: Thousands Layered Edge
(Android)
Senso no Ken: Thousands Layered Edge, developed by 13th Studio, is one of the few mobile games for me to ever consider including in my Indie Game Discovery Roundup section. This sets itself apart due to the beautiful art design, skill tree, and most of all, engaging combat featuring attacking, parrying, and dodging using swiping and tapping on your Android. You’re a samurai that fights back against Imperial Forces led by an Emperor after you refuse to join them. The game will eventually be released on iOS, but I have the game and will be playing it soon to give my opinion.
Release Date: November 3, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Senso no Ken: Thousands Layered Edge on Google Play
Where Cards Fall
(PC, Switch)
Where Cards Fall, developed by The Game Band, is a spatial puzzle game where you use cards to build houses to solve the puzzle. As you solve over fifty puzzles in this beautiful 3D puzzle game you reflect on moments of your life. I always get attracted to these narrative puzzle games, especially a visual one like Where Cards Fall. This is one that I have on my list for the future.
Release Date: November 4, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Where Cards Fall on Steam
Where Cards Fall - Available now on PC and Switch (trailer)
Golf Club Wasteland
(PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
Golf Club Wasteland, developed by Demagog Studio, is a dystopian golf game that is different than most other golf games out there. I played the demo of this months ago and felt like I just couldn’t let this one go unnoticed. There is a very casual yet gloomy tone to this game, as you return to Earth after fleeing to Mars to see abandoned buildings and everything strewn about. Although you have to hit your ball over objects and into holes to advance the game, it feels like a genre of its own, a golf platformer. All of this while you’re getting radio narration from Mars. The game features multiple modes for both casual and competitive players to enjoy the game.
Release Date: September 3, 2021 (OUT NOW)
Golf Club Wasteland on Steam
Mini-Review: Unpacking
(PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass)
I featured Unpacking in a previous Indie Game Discovery Roundup and was glad to have the opportunity to play this through Xbox Game Pass. Thankfully, I did not pay for it. Unpacking, developed by Witch Beam, is about unpacking boxes into a room or multiple rooms depending on the level, to learn about the person. Little did I know, everything had to be in certain positions to solve the puzzle. I thought there would be some sort of free reign to arrange the items in the rooms how you want. This wasn’t my biggest issue. Some levels have multiple rooms that you have to fill and you end up having to leave stray items all over the place that don’t belong. For example, leaving bathroom items in a bedroom. The multiple rooms make it annoying because you have to click arrows to get to the next room, rather than having a full visual look at all rooms at once.
After having to click back and forth between rooms I had to call it quits due to how tedious the process was. Some items were interesting, but not enough for me to continue. The first puzzle that was only one room wasn’t that bad to do, and I could definitely see how relaxing a game like this could be minus the room clicking. All that being said, the game is visually well done and totally the kind of game Xbox Game Pass is for.
Kickstarter Spotlight: Against Ether
Against Ether, developed by Hope Drinkers, is selected for this week’s Kickstarter Spotlight because it’s a RPG and rhythm game the features rhythm combat. The rhythm combat is also presented in a more unique way than other games have in the past. There is a demo on Steam that I will definitely be playing at some point. Check out the game and judge for yourself.
As of this writing: $8,631 pledged of $9,038 goal
ENDS Sat, November 20 2021 9:30 AM EST.
Wishlist Against Ether 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
A Musical Story
A Musical Story | Announce Trailer
A Musical Story is a game I played the demo of months ago and really liked. You explore the memories of Gabriel, who is coming to terms with this life situation through his musical memory. This is a good trailer that perfectly encapsulates the great storytelling, visuals, and soundtrack of the game. The actually rhythm gameplay is very interesting and unique, slightly modified from what you’re used to in other rhythm games. You do have to utilize your memory and naturally follow beats to complete the melodies. I’m really looking forward to this one, and this is very high on my radar.
Release Date: TBA (PC, iOS, Xbox One, Switch, PS4)
A Musical Story on Steam
FAR: Changing Tides
FAR: Changing Tides | Feature Reveal Trailer
FAR: Changing Tides is a sequel to a game I reviewed several years ago, FAR: Lone Sails. Ironically, Lone Sails isn’t a game about sailing in water at all, but this one is. Lone Sails has amazing sound mixing and soundtrack, and as you can hear in this trailer, I don’t expect that to change. I’m really looking forward to the submarine mechanics because underwater mechanics in gaming are actually very unique and not quite as common. Not many games can pull off underwater mechanics well, so I’m looking forward to seeing what puzzles are done in the water and how the submarine is utilized. I’m definitely looking forward to this one.
Release Date: Early 2022 (PC, Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X|S)
FAR: Changing Tides on Steam
Upcoming Content
What to Expect in Issue #8:
Indie Game Discovery Roundup (5 Games)
Kickstarter Spotlight
Trailer Impressions
Issue #8 may be a shorter issue due to how much content will be jammed into Gaming Odds & Ends #2. You wont be disappointed!
Issue #2 of Andre’s Gaming Odds & Ends will be published Tuesday, November 23rd! This will be a packed issue with at LEAST the following content:
Video Game News & Opinions (4-5 News Items)
Events & Showcases Thoughts
Mini-Reviews: Age of Empires IV, Forza Horizon 5
Lost Ark Closed Beta Thoughts
Trailer Impressions - Elden Ring Gameplay Overview
Andre’ Video Game Hype Rankings - November 2021 (2 Games added)
Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already. Expect the end of the year issues for Andre’s Indie Game Chosen Ones to be published late Friday/early Saturday. Maximizing general gaming, betas, and demos to finish 2021 is my highest priority to prepare for turning the page to 2022.
-Andre
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