As part of the 2022 Summer Game Fest, Day of the Devs–founded by Double Fine and Iam8bit–celebrated its tenth year promoting indie devs and their games. In the past, this festival was done in-person in San Fransisco, but it is now a digital show for all to enjoy. Several indie titles were showcased in a colorful montage, sprinkled with interviews from the makers themselves. Let’s dive into their presentation:
Time Flies
Developer: Michael Frei and Raphael Munoz
In Time Flies, you experience how precious time is as a fly. There is a life expectancy timer (in seconds!) based off where you live, and in that allotted time, you buzz about in a black-and-white hand-drawn environment to achieve things on your bucket list until…well, you die. The bucket list of things to achieve is reminiscent of Untitled Goose Game. Time Flies arrives to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, PC, and Mac sometime next year. Check out the trailer below:
Planet of Lana: An Off-Earth Odyssey
Developer: Wishfully Studios
Lana must rescue her sister from a strange, robot-army that has invaded. With the help of a cat-like companion, you traverse a lush landscape. This epic sci-fi title places you in a gorgeous hand-painted art style world that you must preserve. Planet of Lana will arrive to PC and Xbox later in 2022.
Choo-Choo Charles
Developer: Two Star Games
This on-rails shooter is a horror title that involves an evil clown/spider train that is dead-set on devouring human flesh. You fight to stay alive while upgrading the train you are riding on to escape. But wait, there’s more! When you leave your train, the games becomes more open-world as you prepare for your final showdown with Charles. Gamers that are interested can wish list this on Steam.
Escape Academy
Developer: Coin Crew Games
Escape Academy is an escape room adventure game, available as single player or co-op. You are at this academy to train as the ultimate escapist. Puzzles will not be repeated, which brings a lot of variety to this title. Escape Academy arrives to Xbox, PlayStation, and PC on July 14th. It also will be available on day one on Game Pass.
A Little to the Left
Developer: Max Inferno
A Little to the Left is a puzzle game made for the OCD gamer. It’s all about stacking, sorting, and organizing. There are several solutions to these puzzles, but be careful, a cat could come in and sabotage your progress. A Little to the Left drops later this year to the Nintendo Switch and Steam.
Bear and Breakfast
Developer: Gummy Cat
You are a bear named Hank running a bed and breakfast. What else can you ask for in this adorable management sim? Earn points by building furniture and cooking for your guests. Bear and Breakfast arrives July 28th on Steam and the Nintendo Switch.
Animal Well
Developer: Shared Memory
You explore a dangerous labyrinth in this pixel-art metroidvania. Shared Memory describes Animal Well as a layered game, providing a plethora of experiences to last beyond a single playthrough. Animal Well will release on Steam and PlayStation 5, but no date was provided.
Naiad
Developer: Hiwarp
Solo developer, Hiwarp, brings a unique experience with Naiad. Obtain leaves and flowers, interact with nature, and avoid obstacles and dangers using your skills as a water nymph. There are various environments like forests and caves. You can also sing to regenerate nature that has been polluted by humans. This title arrives to PC and consoles by the end of the year.
Roots of Pacha
Developer: Soda Den
This is a farming sim set in the Stone Age. The devs were inspired by their love of the original Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley and wanted to make unique contribution to the genre. The demo is live today on Steam.
Desta: The Memories Between
Developer: Us Two Games
Desta showcases strong themes of loss, finding one’s self, courage, and perseverance all through saving an island in his dreams. Viewers can expect more information in the coming months.
SCHiM
Developer: Ewoud Van Der Werf
With a minimalist art-style, this title puts you in the position of a creature that can only move around in the shadows. You must utilize your skills to interact with objects as you platform your way to the end of every level. Release date is TBA, but you can wish list it on Steam.
Fox and Frog Travelers: The Demon of Adashino & Goodbye World
Asobu, a community hub for indie game creators in Tokyo, shared two games. The first is Fox and Frog Travelers: The Demon of Adashino Island by RIAS. It is slated to release in a few years. The second is Goodbye World by Yo Fuji and should arrive to Steam later this year. Keep an eye out for Asobu’s Indie Showcase later this summer as well!
Birth
Developer: Madison Karrh
This solo dev created Birth as a point-and-click puzzle adventure. You live in a large city and try to quell your loneliness by exploring and collecting. Secrets and hidden treasures are scattered throughout the game. Birth releases this August.
How to Say Goodbye
Developer: Florian Veltman, Baptiste Portefaix, and Arte France
How to Say Goodbye is all about accepting death and navigating a way through grief via narrative puzzle gameplay. Navigating through the levels involve moving tiles around, almost like how you’d go about solving a Rubik’s cube. The antagonist is an evil wizard who does not know how to “let go”, only furthering the theme of dealing with loss. This title releases later this year. Even though there aren’t specifics to the release, you can wishlist it on Steam.
The Day of the Devs ended the long list of trailers with an announcement with an after-party featuring Anamanaguchi, whose music is featured in another new indie game, Little Nemo and the Guardians of Slumberland, which debuts on Kickstarter today.
Did you find any indie games that snatched your attention? Which ones are you wishlisting? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
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Sources: Asobu, Kickstarter, The Game Awards (Summer Game Fest), Game Trailers, Planet of Lana, Roots of Pacha
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