Ports-a-plenty, a zen backyard creator and different new indie video games value trying out

Welcome to our newest roundup of what is going on on within the indie recreation area. This week noticed the arrival of some pretty high-profile ports, a soothing backyard creation recreation and way more. I’ve even managed to tear myself away from Football Manager 26 for lengthy sufficient to let you know about a few of them.

Barely per week goes by and not using a enjoyable theme occasion happening on Steam and one which runs till November 10 can also be happening on the Nintendo eShop. The Metroidvania Fusion Festival is a celebration of — what else? — the broad spectrum of Metroidvania video games. It options 245 initiatives, together with upcoming video games and demos, and a sale with reductions of as much as 90 p.c.

I’ve grabbed a couple of demos to take a look at this weekend, together with Key Fairy (a pacifist bullet-hell recreation that sees you grappling and dancing your means round enemies), Echo Weaver (a time-loop puzzler that I’ve talked about earlier than) and 2D platformer Little Ghost, by which you discover a combined media world as a cute specter.

In phrases of offers, Blasphemous is 75 p.c off, Blasphemous II is half off, 2D motion recreation Gunbrella (which I’ve had on my wishlist for years) is 65 p.c off and physique horror delight Carrion is 22 p.c off. I can wholeheartedly advocate Turbo Kid, a quasi-sequel to one in every of my favourite movies of the identical title. That’s 35 p.c off on this sale.

Elsewhere this week, I learn a strong profile of developer Lente Cuenen within the The New York Times. Cuenen is the developer of Spilled!, a soothing waterway cleanup recreation I’ve been that means to take a look at for some time. The piece is an intriguing look into the lifetime of Cuenen, who makes video games about boats whereas residing on her boat within the Netherlands.

New releases

A few notable indies made the leap onto Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 this week, together with 1000xResist. This narrative-driven sci-fi journey from Sunset Visitor and writer Fellow Traveller Games earned widespread acclaim when it debuted on Steam and Nintendo Switch final 12 months, significantly for its storytelling, visuals and the way it explores numerous themes. It received a Peabody Award too.

I’ve but to dive into 1000xResist, despite the fact that it has been on my PC and Steam Deck for months. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S gamers now have the prospect to leap in as nicely. What’s extra, 1000xResist is on Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

A bit of over a 12 months after releasing the total model of the Satisfactory on PC, Coffee Stain Studios and Coffee Stain Publishing have introduced the multi-million-selling manufacturing facility builder to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. You can play solo or with associates as you assemble factories on an alien planet. You’ll discover the planet to search out sources and perhaps even have interaction in a bit fight.

In common, each critics and gamers have rated Satisfactory extremely. Some would possibly say it’s greater than passable.

Pools was one in every of my favourite video games of final 12 months. It’s a disquieting strolling simulator, an eerie journey by means of a liminal area. I may nearly odor the chlorine as I explored the mazy swimming pool-inspired environments. It’s extra eerie than downright scary. Developer Tensori introduced the expertise to iPhone, iPad and Mac this week. The iPad model additionally works on Apple Vision Pro.

To that finish, a digital actuality model of Pools is coming to PS VR2 on November 25. You’ll be capable to test it out in flatscreen on PS5 on the identical day.

Thrasher is the most recent title from Brian Gibson, the artist and composer of the extraordinary rhythm recreation Thumper (and in addition the bassist for the noise rock band Lightning Bolt). The arcade motion recreation debuted on Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro final 12 months. It made the leap to Steam (and SteamVR) this week, so now you can play it on a flatscreen for the primary time.

Thrasher is a really trippy-looking recreation from developer Puddle and writer Creature Label. It looks like fairly the wild trip and it was named Apple’s Vision Pro recreation of the 12 months for 2024. For what it’s value. the workforce behind Thrasher says that the sport runs at 90 fps on Steam Deck.

Here’s a very completely different change of tempo. Dream Garden is all about creating a soothing backyard area for your self. You can use hills, rivers, ponds and pebbles to form the panorama, then add decorations. With the rake software, you’ll be able to hint patterns within the sand.

There are not any limits or timers on this Japanese-inspired recreation from the duo at Campfire Studio. Dream Garden is out now on Steam.

The Falconeer first took flight 5 years in the past — it was an Xbox Series X/S launch title, reality followers. A brand new version for Steam referred to as The Falconeer: Revolution Remaster is an entire rework, as solo developer Tomas Sala rebuilt the sport from the bottom up. It options new tech, overhauled and expanded environments, gameplay upgrades and the entire earlier DLC.

I’m glad to listen to that Sala has improved the flight mechanics. I discovered it a bit powerful to familiarize yourself with the aerial fight once I performed The Falconeer again in 2020, however I loved it in any other case.

The remastered model (which seems to be a lot grander in scope than the unique recreation) is out there as a free improve for present homeowners on Steam. Everyone else can hop in free of charge till 1PM ET on November 10. While the remaster is now the default possibility, you will nonetheless be capable to entry the unique model of The Falconeer through a devoted Steam department, Hooray for recreation preservation!

Upcoming

It would not be an version of our weekly indie roundup and not using a canine recreation, would it not? You can play Sheepherds! solo, however Ultimo Disco primarily designed it as a celebration recreation for sofa co-op or on-line multiplayer.

It is, because the title suggests, a sheepherding recreation by which you will corral flocks of sheep to shear their wool. You can earn beauty gadgets and outfits on your pooch, and bump up the problem with non-obligatory challenges in the event you like. Sheepherds! is coming to Steam on November 17.

We’re large followers of the Playdate round these elements and it is all the time enjoyable to study new video games which might be coming to the great little handheld. Panic held a showcase this week to shine a highlight on some upcoming video games, in addition to others included within the fall sale that runs till November 13.

Fauna is Cadin Batrack’s observe as much as Playdate comics The Botanist and To Dust. It’s choose-your-own-adventure visible novel with a branching narrative, this time set in a close to future by which massive language fashions have superior to the purpose the place people can discuss to animals. The animals use their newfound communication abilities to hunt equal rights. Fauna appears fairly fascinating! It’s coming to Playdate soon.

Zachary Snyder’s Diora is a puzzle journey that duties you with discovering a “mysterious force that is manipulating structures and the people around them.” At first look, it jogs my memory a little bit of Fez and the Monument Valley collection. Diora will hit Playdate on December 16.