Indie games are the new AAA games. Boasting fresher ideas and more unique gameplay, come with me as I look at the ten indie games I’m most excited for in 2017.
Night in the Woods
Available on: PS4 & PCDue: 21st February
Telling the story of Mae and her return to her hometown after college, ‘Night in the Wood’ is a story focused, side scrolling adventure game that looks as interesting as it is beautiful. This is mainly due to the fantastic art style that brings the host of anthropomorphic denizens to life, as well as an exceptional musical score to go alongside it.
Wattam
Available on: PS4Due: TBC
From the mind of Keita Takahashi (Katamari Damacy, Noby Noby boy), ‘Wattam’ is some sort of game… I think. It consists mainly of making cute little things do stuff like climb each other or dance, whilst the aim of the game seems to be to explore, have a good time and, I think, get all the people and places of Wattam back together… and you can explode!
Little Nightmares
Available on: PS4, Xbox One & PC
Due: 28th April
Who says that puzzle platformers can’t be terrifying and fill you full of existential dread every time you look at yourself in the mirror? Little Nightmares doesn’t say that, doesn’t say that at all. Taking place in a nightmare world, this seems to be a game that wants you to solve puzzles while you panic into your controller.
Absolver
Available on: PS4, Xbox One & PC
Due: TBC
I never knew that I wanted a free flowing action role playing game (RPG) where you learn different martial arts skills whilst fighting fellow humans online. Now I know, I want it. My closest comparison to this would be Bushido Blade, albeit a much better looking and deeper version. Plus, this looks to bring all our childhood fantasies of being a travelling martial artist to life.
Yooka-Laylee
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch & PC
Due: 11th April
C’mon guys, it’s Banjo-Kazooie but now with a lizard and a bat! Yooka-Laylee is made by the designers of Banjo-Kazooie and it looks like it could be the game that makes everyone in the world remember how good all the Nintendo 64 platformers were. Seriously, though, it’s a 3D platformer made by ex-employees of Rare and everyone will love it.
Below
Available on: Xbox One and PC
Due: TBC
It’s been a few years since the idea of the randomly generated rogue-like game featuring a tiny warrior dungeon crawling lower and lower was announced, but the length of time hasn’t dulled any of my interest. The game looks outstanding and promises to be brutal but fair, and features permadeath, meaning you can keep your character alive as you travel below.
Finding Paradise
Available on: PC
Due: Summer 2017
As the sequel to ‘To the Moon’, Finding Paradise follows the story of the two doctors from the first game on a new adventure. It will undoubtedly make you question the very idea of how your own memories of life exist and what they mean. This story is a focused RPG and is guaranteed to be emotionally destructive.
Tokyo 42
Available on: PS4, Xbox One & PC
Due: Spring 2017
Apparently, “Tokyo 42” is the lovechild of Syndicate and Grand Theft Auto 1, and from watching the pre-alpha footage, it definitely fits that bill. Set in a top-down isometric minimalistic styled city, where you’re tasked with eliminating a target whilst utilising elements of stealth and action gameplay, it’s a game that could possibly be the most visually interesting of 2017.
Cuphead
Available on: Xbox One & PC
Due: Summer 2017
I have been waiting for Cuphead for what feels like an eternity now… please be good. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930’s, focusing on ultra-tough frame precision gameplay and big, big boss battles, I’m sure it’ll be an outstanding and horrifically difficult run and gun shooter once it eventually comes out.
Knights and Bikes
Available on: PS4 and PC
Due: April 2017
I can’t think of many recent games that allow you to play co-op in the actual story rather than just the multiplayer. Knights and Bikes allows for co-op whilst at the same time being a SNES era nostalgia-fuelled rocket ship RPG, with a beautiful hand-drawn 3D world and fantastic music. I can’t wait until this game becomes one of the best games of 2017… maybe.
So, there you have it! These are my ten indie games that you should definitely consider adding to your catalogue this year. Honestly, there are about 43 other Indie games coming out that could easily have been added to this list, but I had to end it somewhere, otherwise it’ll become a list as long as Hans Langseth’s beard.
Author: Hal, Plymouth store
