With the release of the Nintendo Switch in 2017 came a new platform for indie game developers to design games for. It has been 2 years since then and the games just keep coming. This year Nintendo unveiled their upcoming Indie games, most of which will be released the next year, 2020. And I’ll be giving a brief rundown of the games themselves.
Sports Story – Sidebar Games
Based on what I saw in the trailer, Sports story is a puzzle/adventure/sports game. Players will take control, and try to solve puzzles, and beat AI using the unique mash-up of sports, mostly golf, and tennis, the game will have. The game overall looks really good in both gameplay and art. Sports Story will be releasing in the middle of 2020, leaving us plenty of time to save up money for it.
Streets of Rage 4 – DotEmu
The 4th installment in the Streets of Rage franchise, following the 3rd game which was released more than 20 years ago on the Sega Genesis. Featuring the classic side-scrolling beat-em-up game we all know and love with updated art, and animation, which beautifully comes together to make what we see in the trailer. Streets of Rage 4 will be coming to the Nintendo Switch somewhere in January to June 2020
Gleamlight – D3Publisher
Featuring a unique world of stained glass, players will take on the role of a sword wielded by children. The goal? reach the heart and destroy it. The game feature no UI, because it knows how players think, and will let the players experience the game fully with its stained glass art and platformer/fighting mechanics. Gleamlight release early next year, 2020.
Bake ‘N Switch – Streamline Media Group
The trailer starts off with the CEO eating 3 plates of different baked goods,(darn him for making me hungry). Bake ‘N Switch is a 4-player co-op game where players take on the role of bakers and must beat up the cuddly dough things, and bake them to be sacrificed to the Gods of Dough before time runs out. There is also a PvP mode for those who want to ruin their friendships. Bake ‘N Switch will be available in the Summer of 2020.
SuperMash – Digital Continue
Not to be confused with the brawler game by Sakurai, SuperMash is a unique game where players merge 2 game genres to make a unique game of their own. Want to merge platformer and sport? go do it, JRPG and simulator? go right on ahead. SuperMash will combine these 2 genres for you. Players can also share the games they made by gettings its code and sharing it for others to try out. Even the Game Director has a favorite game ZYX1W1. SuperMash will be available in May 2020.
The Talos Principle – Devolver Digital
The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle adventure game. Players are tasked with solving over 120 puzzles in a labyrinth, all while figuring out what they should do; Escape or stay with your creator. The game features more realistic graphics compared to the earlier games in this list. The Talos Principle is available now on the Eshop.
Sail Forth – Quantum Astrophysics Guild
An open-world game where players take control of a ship designed by the players themselves. Take on quests, build up your quests and get into naval battles as you explore the open seas. Sail Forth will be available sometime next year.
Dauntless – Phoenix Labs
Dauntless features similar gameplay to the popular franchise, Monster Hunter. Players along with 3 other players must team up to take down the behemoths that live on the floating islands. Hunt, craft, and hunt again, that is how the game is played. All of this is free to play and features cross-platform play with PC users. Dauntless is available for download now from the EShop.
Murder by Numbers – Irregular Corporation & Media Tonic
Taking on the role of a TV star, players must solve the murder. solve puzzles, question suspects and witnesses to find the truth. The game also features music by Masakazu Sugimori, the composer of Viewtiful Joe and Phoenix Wright franchises. Murder by Numbers will be available in early 2020.
Oddworld: Strangers Wrath HD – Oddworld Inhabitants
Take on the role of a bounty hunter named Stranger, this is the person our parents warned us about. Wielding his unique crossbow that fires literal live ammo of bugs and rodents, each having their own special effect, players must hunt down targets, bonus if you take them back alive. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD will be available January 2020, and can be pre-ordered today.
SkateBIRD – Glass Bottom Games
Is this the spiritual successor to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater(THPS) franchise? who knows. featuring cute birds on what I assume are fingerboards the game looks and feels like how the first THPS game was. All I want is a bird named Tony, this game deserves it. SkateBIRD will be available in Late 2020.
Liberated – Walkabout
Featuring a Noir like setting mixed with graphic novel panels. Liberated is a Platformer/adventure game, where players will must find out the truth of their digital era world. Liberated will come out first on the Nintendo Switch in 2020.
Boyfriend Dungeon – Kitfox Games
Crawl through dungeons and kill monsters in this action dungeon crawler. Where do the boyfriends fit into this game? they’re your weapons. Each weapon you come across is a potential boyfriend for you to have a budding romance with. Boyfriend Dungeon will be available next year, 2020.
Dreamscaper – Afterburner Studios
battle your nightmares in Dreamscaper, featuring a brawler, top-down shooter, and dungeon crawler style of gameplay. While you’re awake talk to NPCs and use their hopes and dreams to help you shape and fight the random dream worlds you fall into each time you sleep. Dreamscaper will be available early next year, 2020.
The Survivalists – Team17
Set in the world of The Escapists, players must survive, as the title suggests. Play solo or work together with other players to craft tools, build settlements, and survive together. No allies? no problem, train monkeys to help you cut down trees, harvest food, or mine for stone. The Survivalists will be available in 2020.
Axiom Verge 2 – Thomas Happ
Axiom Verge 2 is a MetroidVania style action/platformer game set in a digital world. The game features pixel art and smooth animation making for a unique experience. Axiom Verge 2 will release in the Fall of 2020.