With GDC last week and an abundance of releases this week, there’s more than enough going on to keep an indie fan occupied. Though that’s great news, the bustle also has the potential to make players miss a few great games. From order-minded fighting to childcare, I’ve collected a few titles below you may want to put on your radar.
Forestrike
Though it still has no release date in sight, this thinking gamer’s brawler has a demo out right now which you shouldn’t miss. Jumping in, I learned trouble was brewing in the highest courts in the land. The emperor is beset by enemies, headed by a power-hungry Admiral.
Lucky for him, I’m a member of the Order of the Forestrike, and I’m on my way to help. My training offers me the ability to play out a fight in my mind over and over, testing different approaches and techniques to find the most efficient way to win. Having seen this in trailers, I expected something along the lines of Shogun Showdown’s turn-based battles, but no. Everything happens in real-time action.
I dodge, use improvised weapons, heavy strike, and quick punch my way through level after level of enemies only to discover my order has been betrayed from within. This sets up intriguing narrative elements to walk alongside the unique combat.
Super Puzzle Blasters
You can step into the past in a whole different way from our last game with Super Puzzle Blasters. This nostalgic blast from the past is so old-school Nintendo, the game follows that console’s control scheme even on Steam. Which caught me in a loop until I figured out why my typical accept button kept sending me backward.
After that hurdle, the game offered me the chance to play in adventure mode or co-op mode. There’s also a space to use in-game rewards to unlock new characters or just sit back and listen to the 90s-inspired tunes. The gameplay features brief and ever-more-complex puzzles that ask you to grab as many coins as possible and find the exit.
Bundle Of Joy
Also recently released, Bundle of Joy examines life as a new parent during the pandemic. It’s full of caretaking minigames, stress management, and gentle encouragement. The slightly Rugrats feel to the visuals coupled with the much heavier themes make for a worthwhile pairing.
I managed to hit my stress limit — though I didn’t completely lose it — before the end of day one. This first twenty-four-hour period had me mashing buttons to change a diaper, puzzling out which pieces of a bottle go together, and playing a rhythm game-like sequence to rock my baby to sleep.
While the bundle of joy was asleep, I took time to destress by holding my partner’s hand, musing about the changes in the world, and reflecting on my experiences. It’s stressful in an entirely different way than meeting the urgent needs of a newborn.
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