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- #11 | Monthly Showcase
#11 | Monthly Showcase
This month’s lineup takes you from eerie gardens to cyber dystopias, with fast-paced roguelikes, tactical deck-builders, and more.
For the best experience, enjoy this newsletter on a computer with a warm cup of coffee ☕️.
This month’s Indievelopment killed it with the Kickstarter projects. Now, it’s time for the full juice. October absolutely has a +1 on September. IT. SLAPPED.
Housekeeping:
We’ve got a Steam Curator page that houses all our top 8 picks.
Shout us a Ko-fi.
Honorable mentions and must-play gems are up next. Prices are listed in USD, and all images are clickable, leading straight to the developer/publisher website.
Let’s drink.
Honourable Mentions
From a Skyrim and Fallout dev comes a stealth-focused hunt through folklore-infused lands. Upgrade your senses, use elemental arrows, and outmaneuver mythical creatures. The Axis Unssen—$24.99
Condemned by the All-Father, you navigate the dark, relic-filled depths of the Necrovale, battling for survival. Tinker with builds, discover lost relics, and ally with other outcasts in this isometric ARPG. Into the Necrovale—$14.99
Command a medieval kingdom’s survival against relentless sieges. Balance resources, build defenses, and wield magic to fend off thousands of enemies. Strategy, economy, and endless waves. Diplomacy is not an Option—$29.99
Master fast-paced melee and parkour as you ascend cursed towers. Chain abilities, improvise stylish kills, and push your skills to the limit in this intense, skill-driven adventure. Shady Knight—$19.99
Farm, fish, and craft goods in a cozy island market sim. Manage employees, adapt to seasons, and grow your business in a charming, competitive world—far above the usual sim game standard. Old Market Simulator—$9.99
Dive into a VR adventure with Max, blending first-person power-ups with classic platforming. Rescue mudpups, tackle tough challenges, and explore 40 handcrafted levels full of surprises. BIG Astro Bot vibes. Max Mustard—$29.99
Glide across a lush, terraformed moon, exploring the ruins of a fallen utopia. Uncover secrets, solve puzzles, and upgrade your jetpack in this meditative, story-driven adventure. Europa—$14.99
Enter a grim, Celtic-inspired open world where your choices shape the land. Forge alliances, master flow-based combat, and harness nature’s spirits in this pixel art Action-RPG. Drova - Forsaken Kin—$24.99
Steam • PlayStation • Xbox • Switch Trailer • $14.99 | Once a loyal knight, now a reanimated corpse banished to the Abyss, you rise as KILL KNIGHT. Your mission? To kill the last angel across five brutal, hand-crafted layers filled with eldritch horrors. This fast-paced, top-down action game demands aggression, precision, and strategic weapon management. With a retro, neon-soaked aesthetic inspired by 90s arcades, you’ll unleash wrath blasts, exploit enemy weaknesses, and master an evolving arsenal of pistols, heavy weapons, and swords. The PS1-inspired visuals add to the gritty atmosphere, while Sever Mode offers an extended challenge for leaderboard supremacy. It’s a hardcore experience for those who crave ruthless combat and deep strategy. |
Trailer • $12.99 | Hired to tend a garden in the picturesque Dutch countryside, you’re in for more than just pruning flowers. Your tools are missing, the owner’s vanished, and venturing out after dark isn’t just discouraged—it’s deadly. Beneath the charming scenery lies a quirky, puzzle-filled horror adventure with multiple endings, hidden routes, and a dark sense of humor that only Sokpop can deliver. Unravel the mysteries, discover secret paths, and brace yourself for unexpected scares. If you’re craving a blend of eerie exploration, clever puzzles, and satisfying gardening, this one is a must-play. |
HIDDEN GEM
Trailer • $19.99 | Reporter Iris Dormer arrives at Phoenix Springs, a desert oasis hiding a web of secrets, myths, and self-discovery. This modern take on the point-and-click adventure features a unique ‘mindmap’ system for tracking clues, a fully voice-acted cast, and hand-drawn visuals with a bold, noir-inspired aesthetic. As you delve deeper, expect surreal puzzles and a story that blurs reality, memory, and technology—evoking the enigmatic feel of a Lynch film. Don’t expect clear answers by the end of this one. Jump Dash Roll gave a great, in-depth review of this. |
HIDDEN GEM
Trailer • $4.99 | In a war-torn world, The Arcade offers a digital escape, but Mika isn’t here for leisure—she’s searching for her missing parents. This looping virtual city is filled with quirky encounters, strategic duels, and minigames, from dice games with cats to intense showdowns. But beneath the shiny surface lurks a darker reality, forcing you to confront the true cost of escapism. With its vibrant pixel art, immersive storytelling, and engaging challenges, this hidden gem blends exploration, combat, and secrets in a captivating adventure. |
DICEOMANCER, 10th Oct 2024 Trailer • $14.99 | What starts as a simple fishing trip turns into a battle for survival, and your only weapon is a peculiar dice power that can change any number on the interface. This deck-building roguelike offers nearly 500 cards, 200 relics, and six classes, each powered by unique mana combinations. The game blends strategic card play with dice-driven decisions, as D20 checks determine your fate in combat and events. Its hand-painted art style creates a romantic, nostalgic atmosphere, while gameplay expands on the genre’s classics. It’s a bold homage to Slay the Spire that might just surpass it, offering fresh twists on card strategies and dice manipulation. |
Steam • PlayStation • Xbox • Switch Trailer • $19.99 | From the creators of GRIS, Neva is an emotionally charged action-adventure following Alba and her wolf-like companion through a decaying world. As they journey together, their bond evolves—from a rebellious cub to a powerful ally, testing Alba’s resilience and commitment. With stunning visuals, atmospheric music, and platforming challenges, Neva offers a mix of combat and exploration. The game introduces a 'story mode' to ease difficulty, but be prepared for intense, precision-based sequences that will push your skills. It’s a beautifully crafted adventure for those who loved GRIS, though the difficulty spike might surprise even seasoned players. |
Trailer • $24.99 | Step into the elegance of a Parisian opera house in this VR rhythm game where you’re the maestro of an elite orchestra. Using gestural controls, you’ll conduct everything from classical to jazz, delivering a performance that immerses you in the world of high culture. The game blends humor with precision, challenging you to master each piece while an audience waits to applaud—or throw tomatoes. Though you can 5-star all tracks quickly, it’s a joy for classical and jazz lovers alike. With its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, it’s a must-play for rhythm game enthusiasts. |
HIDDEN GEM
Steam • Epic Store • PlayStation • Xbox Trailer • $24.99 | Black Iron, a high-tech prison on Jupiter’s icy moon, has fallen to chaos as infected inmates overrun its halls. As one of the last remaining guards, your mission is simple: reach the final escape pod. But you’re not alone—rival survivors, including a deranged custodian and a ruthless gangster, are also fighting for their lives. This fast-paced roguelike combines frantic combat, punk-rock vibes, and strategic upgrades. Each run teaches you something new as you gather weapon schematics, build your loadout, and face off against your own reanimated corpse for powerful rewards. With its intense arcade-punk soundtrack, every run feels like a high-stakes sprint to freedom. |
Happy gaming!
The Indieformer Team
P.S. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and favourite discoveries with us via the comments, Threads, or reach us at [email protected]
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