Nintendo's May 2022 Indie World Showcase
Nintendo showcased over 20 minutes of indie games at the Indie World Showcase today. If you didn’t catch it or missed the name of the game, the name (or release date) of the exciting game you’d like to check, we’ve got you covered.
Everything announced today at the May 2022 Indie World Showcase:
Ooblets
Developed by Glumberland, Ooblets is most likely a game you’ve already played. Because it was previously released in Early Access for Xbox One and PC in 2020. However, it is currently being rolled out to Switch, potentially in 1.0 format. It’s the same game. That said, it’s a very cute farming/living simulation game where you control a highly customizable character to grow your Ooblets in Ooblets.
Batora: Lost Haven
Coming to Switch (and PC) this fall, Batora: Lost Haven is described by developer Stormind Games as “a deep story-driven game”. It features many platforms and battles that blend your physical and mental strength. In fact, you can sacrifice one in battle to strengthen and benefit the other. This represents the push and pull between self and consciousness throughout the game’s story.
The description of Batora: Lost Haven states, “The physical and mental strength of an naive and reckless girl who has lost everything is the only weapon that can save the planet from oblivion.” “Journey across a colorful and fascinating planet in this fast-paced adventure where your conscience will bear the weight of the decisions.”
ElecHead
Developed by one person at NamaTakahashi, ElecHead began his life as a proof-of-concept game developed around the theme of “Flow” at a school competition. But after the competition, NamaTakahashi decided to make it a full game, and today ElecHead is a cute and charming platformer that embraces electricity. You can use it to solve puzzles, move platforms, and more. Elec is a character that looks like an electrical outlet, taking control while moving the platform through the facility to restore light to the world. It’s coming to the Switch this summer, but if you don’t want to wait until then, it’s already available on PC.
Soundfall
Scheduled for release this spring, Soundfall is a rhythm-based looter shooter action game with “musical gameplay”. Described as a dungeon crawler, you take control of a guardian girl of harmony on a mission to save the world of Symphonia. You can do it alone or in a team of four. Whether you’re alone or tagging a friend, you’ll use your physical attacks and guns to shoot and take down enemies to the beat of a cool pop soundtrack. Packed with bosses, dynamic levels that respond to over 140 in-game tracks, and beautiful art styles, Soundfall is coming to Switch (and PlayStation, Xbox console, PC) this spring and coming soon.
Wildfrost
Wildfrost is a ‘tactical rogue-like deck builder’ from Deadpan Games that looks like a cozy and good time. As you might expect from its description, it contains dozens of beautiful cards, card mates, and items you’ll use to ultimately win your fight against snowy creatures, from cute to scary but still cute. At the end of the battle, you can return to the Hub Town to unlock new events, cards and NPCs to upgrade and interact with. The Daily Challenge also aims to keep you coming back long after your credits roll. Wildfrost is visiting the Switch this vacation.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, or what the developers call TABS for short, is a very ragdoll-like fighter developed by Landfall Games, and appears to be full of laughs-inducing battles. You can play as a samurai, knight, fencer, and more in battles with over 100 wobblers (fighters) on each team. TABS also has mounts such as woolly mammoths and other fearsome animals to take home victories. If you don’t like any of the in-game wobblers, you can create your own in Unit Creator. This tool allows you to create a custom wobbler by determining its weight, size, speed, and more. TABS is releasing the Switch this summer, but you can play it now on Xbox Series X/S or PC.
Gunbrella
Powered by Devolver Digital and Gato Roboto developer Doinksoft, Gunbrella is a “noir punk action-adventure game” with lots of side-scrolling battles and platforms, and fun traversing mechanics. Shooting is reminiscent of Spelunky, but more advanced because you can “dive, swing, dash and dive” using the title Gunbrella. You can also scour this devastated world to find parts you can use to upgrade your Gunbrella. Gunbrella will launch the Switch in 2023.
We Are OFK
Indie pop band OFK is ready to tell the story of how the Los Angeles-based band got to the top, or at least tried it. Developed by Team OFK, We Are OFK is described as a “music biography film” in episodic format, with new episodes released every week until the end of the story.
According to the press release, “All five episodes of We Are OFK are released weekly, with each new episode releasing a new OFK single.” “At first, episodes 1 and 2 will be released together.”
You play as Itsume Saito, who struggles to succeed in LA’s music scene while managing a full-time job, brutal commuting, and more. But one meeting with an up-and-coming Hollywood producer could change all that, and we’ll see the full-voice cast play when We Are OFK hit the Switch this summer.
Silt
Developed by the completely remote team Spiral Circus Games, Silt takes place in a “strange ocean” world that is black and white and full of puzzles. You will unravel long-forgotten mysteries as you explore a surreal underwater world with strange machines, ancient ruins and dangerous marine life. During your travels, you will own sea creatures that can use their abilities to solve puzzles while trying to survive against deep sea goliaths and more. Silt is launching the Switch this June.
Mini Motorways
Dinosaur Polo Club’s mini motorway is literally a game between multiple mini motorways. This is because you are tasked with bringing these highways to life, starting from a small town that eventually grows into a metropolis. As a result, you will have to revisit this map inspired by real cities to upgrade to highways and more. The daily and weekly challenges aim to keep coming back and you’ll see for yourself soon as Mini Motorways arrives on Switch today.
Wayward Strand
Developed by Ghost Pattern, Wayward Strand is set in a hospital airship floating in rural Australia in the 1970s. You play as Casey, a teenage journalist who is interested in the stories of patients in this strange hospital. Each story takes place in real time, so you have to decide who to talk to and when to talk in order to progress the story. In fact, Ghost Pattern says it recommends multiple plays to get the full story and advanced storyline never seen in previous plays. Keeping a journal of what you learn from talking or eavesdropping with patients and doctors will help unlock new locations, stories, revelations, and more. Wayward Strand releases the Switch on July 21st.
Cult of the Lamb
Massive Monster’s Cult of the Lamb continues to look great, combining roguelite action gameplay that looks and feels very much like Hades, with an animal forest style base-building mechanic. Game Informer recently took an exclusive look at Cult of the Lamb. Cult of the Lamb New Gameplay Today lets you watch exclusive gameplay while hearing developer commentary. According to Massive Monster, no release date has been announced, but Cult of the Lamb is expected to release sometime this year.
Another Crab’s Treasure
If you’ve been playing Elden Ring recently and thought, “I wish I was gay,” Another Crab’s Treasure might be for you. That’s because the team at Going Under, Aggro Crab, describes Another Crab’s Treasure as, to be precise, a soul-like, in fact a shell-like thing. As expected, it looks like a Dark Souls game played underwater. You play as a crab using things like cans and seashells to strengthen its shells while fighting other crustaceans. The Switch will be released in 2023.
The Indie World Showcase ended with a fast-moving montage featuring OneShot: World Machine Edition, Gibbon: Beyond the Trees, Idol Manager, Card Shark, Cursed to Gold, A Guidebook to Bable, and OPUS: Echo of Starsong - Full Bloom.
