January – the month of resolutions, detox smoothies, and… a surprising avalanche of awesome indie games! Forget Dry January, this year was all about try January, because there were just so many cool titles dropping. It felt like every day brought a new and exciting indie experience. Let’s dive into some of the standouts that graced our screens (and hopefully our hard drives) this past month.
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super puzzled cat
Who doesn’t love cats? And who doesn’t love puzzle platformers? Combine the two, and you get Super Puzzled Cat, a game that’s purrfect for those cozy evenings. This game combines some adorable platforming with some challenging puzzles to solve, all in a cute and quirky environment. You’ll navigate through time and space as you journey through the levels, utilising portals, jetpacks, bombs, gum and more to make it through the tricky platforming stages. The game uses save states, so you can really dig in and experiment with how to solve each puzzle without having to worry about losing your progress. There’s over 150 levels to explore, with hidden collectables, levels, and multiple endings to find, so you can be sure to be purfectly puzzled in this one.
Airborne Empire
Ever dreamt of building a floating city? Airborne Empire lets you do just that! This city-building game takes the genre to new heights (literally!) by placing your metropolis amongst the clouds. You’ll manage resources, construct buildings, and expand your airborne domain, all while navigating the challenges of a dynamic, ever-changing environment. The unique setting and focus on airships add a fresh twist to the classic city-building formula. It’s not just about laying down roads and placing houses; you’ve got to consider wind currents, fuel consumption, and the overall stability of your floating empire. This adds a layer of strategic depth that sets Airborne Empire apart. You’ll be constantly adjusting your city’s layout to optimize for efficiency and ensure the survival of your cloud-based civilization. If you’re a fan of city builders and always wanted to reach for the sky, Airborne Empire is your ticket to cloud nine. Prepare for a truly unique city-building experience that will keep you coming back for more.
Aloft
Sticking with the airborne theme, we have Aloft, a co-op survival crafting game that throws you and your friends into a world of fragmented, floating islands. Think survival mechanics, crafting, and exploration, all while soaring through the skies on your own custom airship. The focus on cooperative gameplay makes it a fantastic choice for friends looking for a new adventure to tackle together. Imagine gathering resources, building and upgrading your airship, and uncovering the secrets of this fragmented world, all while coordinating with your friends to survive the dangers that lurk amongst the clouds. Aloft promises a unique blend of survival and exploration, with the added thrill of high-flying adventures and the camaraderie of cooperative play. It’s a game that’s sure to create some memorable gaming moments with your friends.
Wren’s Resurgence
Wren’s Resurgence sees you step into a beautifully crafted 2D action platformer where you embody Wren, a skilled warrior on a perilous quest. Her sister, Swan, has been snatched away by the Yokai, and Wren will stop at nothing to bring her back. Prepare to face a horde of Yokai, 36 creatures ripped straight from Japanese folklore. Each enemy presents a unique challenge, demanding quick reflexes and strategic thinking. Wield an arsenal of 8 distinct weapons, from swift swords to powerful magic, and master Wren’s special abilities to dodge, weave, and unleash devastating attacks. Explore 10 meticulously designed levels, each a vibrant tapestry of Japanese-inspired landscapes. From serene forests to treacherous mountain peaks, your journey will test your skills at every turn. Will you be able to take down the bosses and save your sister?
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
Grab your snowboard and carve your way down treacherous mountain slopes, performing tricks and mastering the art of downhill shredding in Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders. The game’s minimalist aesthetic and focus on flow and momentum make for a uniquely zen-like experience. It’s all about finding the perfect line, mastering the terrain, and achieving that satisfying flow state as you glide down the mountain. Snow Riders adds new challenges and environments to the mix, so even if you’re a Downhill veteran, there’s plenty here to keep you entertained. It’s the perfect game for those who want to experience the thrill of snowboarding without the risk of frostbite or broken bones. Just pure, unadulterated downhill fun.
Eternal Strands
Eternal Strands blends action-adventure gameplay with a rich, fantastical world ripe for exploration. Players take on the role of a skilled warrior as they battle colossal creatures and unravel the mysteries of a dying land. The combat system emphasizes strategic use of abilities and environmental awareness. You’ll need to learn the weaknesses of your enemies and utilize the environment to your advantage if you hope to survive. Visually, the game is stunning, with impressive creature designs and breathtaking landscapes that invite you to explore every nook and cranny. If you’re looking for a challenging action game with a compelling story, a beautiful world to explore, and epic boss battles, Eternal Strands should be on your radar. It promises to be a grand adventure that will test your skills and keep you captivated from start to finish.
Orcs Must Die! - Deathtrap
The orcs are back, and they’re more annoying than ever! Orcs Must Die! – Deathtrap brings the chaotic trap-laying action of the series to a new level. Players must strategically place traps and defenses to fend off hordes of invading orcs. The game features a wide variety of traps, from classic arrow traps to more creative contraptions that will have you chuckling as you watch the orcs meet their comical demise. With its blend of action and strategy, Deathtrap offers a highly addictive gameplay experience that’s perfect for both solo players and co-op enthusiasts. Whether you prefer to meticulously plan your defenses or jump into the fray and get your hands dirty, Deathtrap offers a satisfying blend of both.
Chocolate Factory Simulator
Ever wondered what it’s like to run your own chocolate factory? Chocolate Factory Simulator lets you live out your Willy Wonka dreams (minus the Oompa Loompas). Manage your production lines, optimize your recipes, and expand your chocolate empire. It’s a simulation game with a sweet twist, offering a satisfying blend of management and creativity. From humble beginnings to a chocolate tycoon, the possibilities are endless. Just try not to get too hungry while playing! You might find yourself craving a chocolate bar by the time you’re done.
Border Town
Border Town offers a charming blend of town-building and simulation, placing players in the role of a newcomer who stumbles upon a ravaged village. After a devastating orc invasion, the once-thriving community is in ruins, leaving only an old man clinging to hope. Your task: to help him rebuild, transforming the desolate landscape into a bustling haven.
You’ll need to recruit villagers, who each possess unique skills essential for the town’s revival. Farmers cultivate the land, miners extract valuable resources, and builders construct new homes and essential structures. As the village grows, you’ll unlock new buildings and attract more residents, giving you even more to play with.
This is a game perfect for players who enjoy building, managing resources, and provides a delightful escape into a world where hope and hard work can rebuild even the most devastated communities.
My Little Life
My Little Life is a cozy life sim that docks to the bottom of your screen so you can work and play at the same time. You’ll get to create and customize your own little world, controlling your own people. You’ll need to get them jobs, build their houses, and ensure they’ve got everything they need to be happy.
You can customise the world, taking multiple little people under you wing, and building them their own houses with their own aesthetics, and you can even take it further than that, crafting a cute town for your people.
This is a great idle game for those who work or study from home, and is definitely a great pick for life sim lovers.
The End of the Sun
Slavic mythology blends with a captivating mystery in the adventure game The End of the Sun. You’ll explore a beautifully crafted world inspired by ancient Slavic beliefs, uncovering clues and solving puzzles as you delve into the secrets of a forgotten civilization. The game’s unique setting and focus on storytelling create a truly immersive experience. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a world of ancient magic and forgotten lore, as you uncover the mysteries that lie hidden beneath the surface. If you’re a fan of mythology-based games or enjoy a good mystery, The End of the Sun is one to check out. It’s a game that will transport you to another world and leave you pondering the mysteries of the past.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Dive back into the captivating world of Citizen Sleeper in Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector. You’ll once again take on the role of a Sleeper, a digitized consciousness inhabiting a synthetic body. You’ll need to commandeer a ship, assemble a crew of diverse characters, and take on challenging contracts to survive. The fate of your Sleeper hangs on the roll of the dice, as you make difficult choices in a complex and morally grey world. You’ll embark on multi-cycle missions requiring careful planning and adaptability, as you navigate treacherous derelicts, engage in risky heists, and manage your resources. The game also refines the dice system, adding new “Push” abilities that allow you to take greater risks for greater rewards. Expect a deep and engaging story that explores themes of identity, free will, and the nature of consciousness. It’s a game that will stay with you long after you’ve finished playing.
Cat Detective Albert Wilde
Play as a feline detective in a charming point-and-click adventure in Cat Detective Albert Wilde. You’ll find yourself prowling through beautifully illustrated environments, sniffing out clues that others might miss as you attempt to solve mysteries, interrogate suspects, and use your feline senses to uncover the truth. You’ll be drawn in by the whimsical world, full of a quirky cast of characters, witty dialogue, and clever puzzles to solve. This is a purrfectly charming game that will have you smiling from beginning to end.
Into the Emberlands (Full Release)
Into the Emberlands is a cozy roguelike adventure game where you step into the shoes of a light bearer. Your village has been shrouded by the evil miasma, which pretty much makes everything dark around your village. But as a light bearer, you will be given a lantern with a certain amount of embers in it that allows you to take a certain amount of steps into this mysterious miasma. It will be up to you to go and venture out into the darkness, to find other lost knacks or villages, as well as resources to rebuild your town. This one has some roguelike elements as the map changes each time you venture out, and it’s a really great one for those who want more of a cozy, roguelite experience. Definitely add this one to your wishlist.
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain (Full Release)
This charming adventure game follows Mika as she embarks on a quest to deliver packages across a magical mountain. Explore a vibrant world, meet quirky characters, and use your broom to soar through the skies. The full release of Mika and the Witch’s Mountain brings the complete story and a polished gameplay experience. It’s a heartwarming tale of friendship, adventure, and the magic of flight. Perfect for those looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable gaming experience.
Foundation (Full Release)
If you’re looking for a medieval city building game, foundations made its 1.0 debut this month. This one lets you build medieval settlements, which you must carefully manage, balancing your resource production, construction and the needs of your people. The 1.0 update has been in the works for six years, and adds a ton of new content including a new main menu, new aspirations, a new heraldry system, new and improved residential tiers, new building options, new military options, and so much more. It is a perfect laid back medieval builder, perfect if you’re someone who liked Age of Empires for the building side, not the combat.
Whew! That was quite a month for indie games. And this, as I mentioned before, is just a taste of what was released. There were so many other great titles that deserve a mention. The indie game scene continues to thrive, offering innovative, creative, and unique experiences that you just won’t find anywhere else. So, if you’re looking for something new and exciting to play, be sure to check out some of these amazing indie gems. You might just discover your new favorite game!
