11 Most Anticipated Indies 🍂 October 2024
October means I’m primed to look for darker games to play, but even with my current desire for scarier titles, I’ve got quite a few games I’m looking forward to that don’t involve ghosts or other things that go bump in the night. Here are my most anticipated titles for this month: the scariest thing is not having the time to be able to play all of them as soon as they are released! 😱
Pinball Spire
I’ve recently rediscovered Pokemon Pinball, and I love games that blend pinball with other mechanics. Enter, Pinball Spire! The developers call it a ‘pinballvania adventure’ and you play an intrepid pinball exploring a mysterious tower. Get to the top of the tower by blending pinball prowess and unlocking abilities that help you interact with the environment in unique ways.
Garden of the Sea
Originally out in VR, Garden of the Sea announced a PC and Switch version of the game this past summer, which was great news for folks like me who wanted to give the original a try… but don’t have a VR headset. In this first-person life sim, you’ll farm, tend, befriend, and use musical reactions to solve puzzles. I think this may fit the bill if you’re looking for a chill, cute experience that lets you customize and craft.
Grunn
You’re hired as a groundskeeper for a large mansion in a small countryside village. Sounds easy enough! There are just a few strange rules like, don’t go out after dark and don’t enter the house. Grunn blends methodical and relaxing tasks, like mowing the lawns and trimming the hedges, with a pervasive sense of unease and mystery, which is one of my favorite tones a scary game can take. Your decisions make a difference, so figure out just what’s going on here…or perish in the attempt.
Phoenix Springs
I’ll admit, Phoenix Spring caught my eye immediately, and before I knew what it was about, I already wanted to get my hands on it. Fortunately, the mystery of this stylish game also feels like a great one to play especially in the fall months. Set in a striking neo-noir world, you’ve got to find your brother Leo. It provides a twist to the point-and-click genre by getting you to connect clues and leads instead of combining physical objects, and get ready. The myths of Phoenix Springs seem like they go deep.
Kind Words 2
The first Kind Words was one of the most unique game experiences I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to see how King Words 2 (lofi city pop) expands upon that experience. Like its predecessor, you’ll spend time writing letters to real people, but you’ll also be able to interact outside of your room with your neighbors, offer up recommendations, participate in poetry slams, and more. This is a game about creation, community, and connection, and I’m so happy it exists.
Extra Coin
Steam Demo Available I’m a sucker for stories that explore the impact of virtual reality and the real world. Digital “utopias” providing an escape from the realities of daily life. Extra Coin is set in a world where wars have torn the physical world apart, and resources are slim. Enter, The Arcade. A shiny virtual world for the population to escape to. You can imagine, all that glitters isn’t gold, and we must follow Mika on her journey to discover the truth and decide whether or not she wants to break the rules to find her parents.
Last Time I Saw You
Steam Demo Available First loves. Family issues. Yokai. Last Time I Saw You feels made for anyone who loves fantasy realism and a good cry. Set in 1980s Japan, we follow Ayumi as he searches for the girl haunting his dreams. There’s some light combat, but this is mostly a story-focused game with exploration and puzzles as the main focus.
Europa
Steam Demo Available Run, glide, and explore a lush Ghibli-esque world in Europa! The environment of this game feels pulled from some of my favorite Ghibli films, particularly Castle in the Sky. And it hints at a world once filled with conflict of some sort. In Europa, you’ll play as the android Zee, exploring these ruins and discovering the story of the last human alive.
Neva
From the studio that brought us Gris comes another stunning, colorful tale. This time of a bond between a young woman and her wolf companion as they explore a rapidly dying world. Unlike their last title, this game will include some light combat along with puzzle solving. Very much like their last game, anticipate a few tears before you’re done.
Wilmot Works it Out
Fans of sorting, stacking, and arranging, rejoice! Wilmot is out of the warehouse and at home, ready to relax and decorate. This was one of my favorite demos out of PAX West, and if you’re a fan of chill puzzle games with a little light comedy and story, you’re in for an absolute treat. Periodically, your puzzle sessions will be punctuated with a visit from the courier who brings puzzles and offers up a bit of conversation for a very light touch narrative thread you can follow. But, ultimately? This is about having a comforting and pleasant time as you make pictures to hang up on your wall to enjoy.
Cabernet
Steam Demo Available As a new vampire, Liza must learn how to navigate her new unlife and the social structures of vampire society while avoiding the attention of the townsfolk in the nearby village. Your choices (and outfits!) make a difference in how the story plays out, and the struggle of this narrative is one of corruption. Will you let Liza retain her humanity, or will you indulge and embrace a mentality of nihilism?
Let me know what you’re most excited about from this list or if I happened to miss what’s caught your eye! Stay safe and enjoy all the pumpkin spice and ghosties this Halloween!
