When Day Of The Devs: SGF Edition 2023 hit the Summer Game Fest circuit, the indie gaming scene ignited with innovation. This annual event, curated by Double Fine Productions, iam8bit, and Greg Rice from PlayStation, shines a light on the boundless creativity of indie developers worldwide.
The 2023 event unrolled a vibrant digital carpet of indie treasures. The showcased games, from dazzling visuals to novel mechanics, prove that the indie genre is limitless. With 15 engaging titles by a mix of emerging and established developers, it’s evident that originality is the reigning monarch in the indie kingdom.
Summary
Let’s journey into the unique worlds these games unveil.
Beastieball
In Beastieball, a brainchild of Wishes Unlimited, a studio with a track record of enthralling titles like Chicory: A Colorful Tale, players dive into a vibrant, open world brimming with charm. The creators’ expertise in fostering strategic and team-oriented gameplay is evident, promising a delightful blend of turn-based RPG and sports mechanics. It’s all about strategizing, bonding, and partaking in exhilarating volleyball matches. Set for release in 2024, Beastieball promises a blend of strategy, teamwork, and charm.
Summerhill
From the creative minds at Land & Sea, who stunned the gaming community with the immersive Alto’s Odyssey, comes Summerhill. This game is another masterstroke from the developers, promising an emotionally rich journey that resonates with the serene, visually stunning experiences Land & Sea is renowned for. Players start as a shepherd, guided by a faithful collie through a beautifully-rendered world. The release date is still a mystery, but the anticipation for this visually captivating adventure is high.
Retro Gadgets
Coming from Evil Licorice, a group known for pushing the boundaries of traditional gaming experiences, Retro Gadgets serves as an exciting platform for creativity and learning. Mirroring the developers’ penchant for innovation, Retro Gadgets hands over a virtual toolbox to the players, inviting them to tinker, learn, and share their inventions.
Saltsea Chronicles
Die Gute Fabrik, known for its distinctive narrative style and engaging gameplay mechanics, presents Saltsea Chronicles. The game lets players navigate a world of maritime mystery and survival, echoing the studio’s commitment to immersive storytelling.
Hauntii
Hauntii is another intriguing entry, showcasing its developers’ flair for weaving an engaging narrative within unique gameplay mechanics. Offering a fresh twist on the twin-stick shooter genre, Hauntii invites players on a mysterious journey filled with puzzles, hidden secrets, and the allure of the unknown.
Cart Life
First released in 2010 and removed from Steam in 2014, Richard Hofmeier’s highly regarded retail simulation game is being revived in a new and enhanced version. Developed in partnership with AdHoc Studio, this revamped iteration of Cart Life aims to bring back the struggles and triumphs of being a street vendor. The game is enriched with updated story content, art, controls, and mechanics, offering players a deeper look into the lives of three characters trying to make ends meet in street vending. The challenges are many: players must juggle their own needs and those of their loved ones and still meet their customers’ demands – which isn’t easy, considering time and money are always in short supply. Poised for release on PC and consoles later this year, this new version of Cart Life is set to breathe new life into the compelling narrative of the original.
Mars First Logistics
Fans of construction and simulation games should try Mars First Logistics. Set on Mars, this physics-based open-world simulator dares players to build creative mechanisms for transporting objects across the Martian landscape. Expected to hit Steam early access this month, the game was first revealed in 2021.
Été
Montreal-based studio Impossible’s Été lets players experience the vibrant city as aspiring painters, painting the world to life. Besides interacting with and painting the environment, players can create custom watercolor paintings for local commissions. A blend of creativity and exploration, the game is set for a 2024 release.
Helskate
Inspired by the adrenaline-pumping Tony Hawk games, Helskate meshes the exhilaration of skateboarding with the mechanics of roguelites. This action-packed skateboarding roguelite whisks players away to the mythical realm of Vertheim. They’ll use their hard-earned skateboarding skills to battle against the monstrous inhabitants. Helskate incorporates an intriguing progression system where death is not the end but a stepping stone to gaining power. Players acquire knowledge and resources with each demise, becoming more potent in their subsequent runs. Helskate, set for an Early Access release in 2024, promises to infuse the skateboarding genre with a dash of demonic charm and a robust progression system. This game is a must-watch for all Tony Hawk enthusiasts.
Viewfinder
Sad Owl Studios’ Viewfinder is a remarkable perspective-based puzzler. Players can manipulate the environment by integrating elements from one world into another, evoking a blend of Portal and Superliminal. No release date has been announced.
Hyper Light Breaker
Heart Machine’s Hyper Light Breaker brings the universe of Hyper Light Drifter into a 3D open-world co-op roguelite
. While transitioning from 2D to 3D might concern some fans, the game’s potential for an exciting adventure keeps expectations high. The release date is still under wraps.
Cocoon
This entry by Playdead veterans Jeppe Carlsen and Jakob Schmid immerses players in a world where an insect-like protagonist wields orbs containing whole worlds. The game combines puzzle-solving with mesmerizing visuals and is expected to launch on Steam later this year.
Eternights
StudioSai’s Eternights is a single-player RPG that’s part dungeon crawling, part dating sim, all set in an anime-style post-apocalyptic world. Players engage in exciting combat and manage social interactions through a calendar system. Eternights is set for a September release on Steam.
Henry Halfhead
In this unique puzzle game, navigate Henry Halfhead’s daily routine by controlling objects around him in clever and amusing ways. New footage of Henry continues to build anticipation, although a release date is yet to be announced.
Simpler Times
Developed by Stoneskip, Simpler Times is a calm, reflective game set in one room. Players play as Taina, reliving her childhood memories as she prepares to leave her home. The game, set for release in 2024, takes players on a nostalgic journey through photography, puzzle-solving, and exploration.
Wrapping Up
Day Of The Devs: SGF Edition 2023 continues to demonstrate that indie games are a prime space for innovation, storytelling, and artistic expression. This year’s lineup offers something for every gamer, from epic adventures and complex puzzles to the joy of art and nostalgia.
