The Nintendo Switch just keeps getting better and better, and today’s Nindies Showcase only continued that trend. We saw a lot of great content from an impressive array of indie developers, but here are the five that really stood out.
1. Mulaka (Early 2018)
Based in Mexico and inspired by the indigenous culture of the Tarahumara, Mulaka is a 3D action-adventure game that allows you to “experience the true life of a Sukurúame.” It features gorgeous low-poly design and allows you to transform into various different animals, essentially harnessing the power of nature. The developers claim to be designing the game “hand in hand with renowned anthropologists and Tarahumara leaders to capture the true essence of the culture in the game,” which is pretty intriguing. It’s ostensibly coming out for the Nintendo Switch in early 2018, but will release for PC, PS4, and XBOX One by the end of the year. Check out the official website here.
2. Nine Parchments (Winter 2017)
Nine Parchments is, to quote the developer’s website, “a co-operative blast’em up game of magic mayhem.” It looks gorgeous, and it also seems to be heavily inspired by the likes of Diablo series. It’s ostensibly releasing on Nintendo Switch, as well as PC, XBOX One, and PS4 by the end of the year.
3. Light Fingers (Early 2018)
It’s hard to get a sense of what Light Fingers is all about, but the developers offer this explanation on their website, “Played on a magical clockworks game board, this turn-based multiplayer game has real-time action and devious opportunities for misdirection, all in the pursuit of securing more loot than your opponents.” So, it’s a sort of board game with RPG elements, and you can also pick up pieces of the board? Whatever it is, it looks beautiful, fun as hell, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Light Fingers is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, and will ostensibly be released in early 2018.
4. Morphies Law (Winter 2017)
A third-person shooter featuring robots that shrink when they’re hit, and expand when they hit another player, Morphies Law is a game that seems to have a solution for leveling the playing field between hyper-skilled and not-so-skilled players. For instance, on their website they talk about how a skilled player will get bigger and bigger as they land hits, but the less skilled players will get smaller as they’re hit, thus leveling the playing field in a really interesting way. When I first saw this game it reminded me a lot of my initial reaction to the wacky ARMS, but the more I learn about it and its complex strategic possibilities, the more I can’t wait to play it. Morphies Law will ostensibly be released on the Nintendo Switch as well as PC by the end of the year.
5. Golf Story (September 2017)
Golf Story is an 8-bit golfing game with various other sports thrown in. The concept itself is rather simple, but it looks pretty fun. Not to mention, I’ve fallen deeply in love with the likes of Stardew Valley, so anything that looks like it at this point in my life is bound to pique my curiosity. Golf Story will be released in September 2017 as a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Check out the official website for more.
Joy+Sticks Gaming 