The Escapist Magazine partnered with GOG to host their two-hour-long Indie Showcase celebrating over 70 games from all over the world on June 11, 2020. You were probably caught up in the PS5 event fever and forgot about this smaller and quieter event – but don’t worry! We are here to bring you our list of the top 10 games from this show that caught our eye!
For the sake of highlighting lesser-known indie gems we are excluding better-known games like Chernobylite, Destroy All Humans Remake, Everspace 2, G.T.F.O., Quantum League, Spongebob Squarepants: Battle For Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated and Stronghold: Warlords. We have also recommended some honorable mentions which fall loosely into each particular category. So in no particular order, here are our top 10 picks from The Escapist Indie Showcase!
Windbound
Taking inspirations from modern classics such as Breath Of The Wild and Moana, it is almost impossible to go wrong! Shipwrecked on the Forbidden Islands, you explore, adapt, and navigate the land and sea to unlock Windbound’s deep secrets while being enveloped in soul-stirring music!
Available on: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Release date: 28 August 2020
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is set in an alternate history post-nuclear Polish wasteland, where a 12-year-old kid finds a mysterious Nazi bunker. Explore a vast underground world where weird technology and Slavic myths mix – discover the past of its inhabitants and shape the present with your decisions.
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Release date: Sometime in 2020
Gamedec
If the glut of the cyberpunk genre of games is leaving you wanting for more, you might want to dive into this! Gamedec is an isometric single-player reactive RPG where you are a game detective who solves crimes inside virtual worlds. Like tabletops, this game focuses on character development through your choices. With deep interactions, detailed worlds, and a constant assault on your wits, Gamedec is surely one to look out for!
Available on: Microsoft Windows
Release date: Sometime in 2020
Honorable Mention: Nighthawks – The Vampire RPG
Scourgebringer
Help Kyhra, the deadliest warrior of her clan, to explore the unknown dungeons and slash her way through ancient machines which are guarding the secret to redeem humanity. This post-apocalyptic roguelite platformer seems like a fascinating mix of Dead Cells and Celeste.
Available on: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
Release date: Early Access
Honorable Mention: Arboria
Minute Of Islands
This game is a feast for the eyes – featuring intricate hand-drawn comic-style visuals with clean lines and quirky animation. You play as a young mechanic Mo who is on her quest to repair a strange world teetering on the brink of collapse. Wield the powerful Omni switch and play through this narrative puzzle platformer.
Available on: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Release date: Sometime in 2020
Trepang2
A violent corridor shooter with bullet time gun-fu – a spiritual successor to FEAR. Promises a single-player campaign, horde defense, timed attack modes with kinetic melee combat, and brutal close quarter gunfights.
Available on: Microsoft Windows
Release date: TBA
Honorable Mention: ULTRAKILL
Eldest Souls
This Souls-like pixel art game has a brutal and challenging difficulty curve. You don the armor of a lone knight on a quest to slay the imprisoned and forgotten Gods hiding inside a temple-prison called Citadel. You meet ‘interesting’ NPCs and uncover dark mysteries while defeating those Gods and claiming their powers for yourself.
Available on: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Release date: Sometime in 2020
Honorable Mention: Hellpoint
Garden Story
Inspired from games like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, Garden Story reinvents some of the basics of being a social sim adventure RPG. You balance caring for the environment by caring for garden plots, exploring new regions, fostering new friendships with fruity characters, and solve puzzles to help restore the beautiful world of Grove back to its former glory! It’s one of those games where you can kick back and enjoy – forget the objectives and feel the happy vibes.
Available on: Microsoft Windows, macOS
Release date: TBA
Röki
This adventure puzzler steeped in Nordic folklore with a unique art style is a dark contemporary fairy tale. You join Tove on a fantastical journey across an ancient wilderness to save her family by befriending monsters.
Available on: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Release date: 2020
Raji: An Ancient Epic
Raji is the debut game of Indian developer team Nodding Heads Games. It is an action-adventure set in ancient India, where you play as Raji who has been chosen by the gods to stem the tide of the demonic invasion of the human realm. With a refreshing new art style inspired by Pahari hand painting and tactical fast-paced combat, this game is something that we just can’t wait to get our hands on!
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Release date: Q3 2020
That’s our list guys. What are your favorite discoveries from The Escapist Indie Showcase? Tell us in the comments below.
Till next time!
