Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The gaming world doesn’t need to worry about that. Born in the digital era, video games have their entire history at their finger tips. Indie games have a tough challenge, of balancing old and new. First day showed us a lot of classically inspired games, but today we saw more of the future as well.
Virtual Reality
Our first game of the day was a virtual reality project by a recent graduate at IUPUI. Using the Unreal 4 engine, he built a virtual reality FPS, where you take control of a World War I nose gunner. With built in shaky seats, fans, and heat lamps I felt like I was back in the trenches pushing back the enemy. I’m sure that our photographer Anthony got a kick watching me swing my head around with my mouth open like a doofus.
Sausage Sports Club
Next was a favorite among the fellow game devs: Sausage Sports Club. Built by Chris Wade this adorable romp with long necked animals playing games like soccer, capture the flag, paint, sumo, and more! Anthony and I got to play with the developer, Chris and another convention goer. While Anthony may have one, and I scored an own goal, it was a whole lot of fun. When the competition is telling you to check them out, the game must be good. Able to support up to 8 controllers at one time this is a party waiting to happen.
Battle Chef
Last year’s top choice in indie gaming at Indy PopCon was Trinket Studios’ Battle Chef. While they couldn’t defend their title this year, they came back better than ever. Boasting a beautiful art style reminiscent of studio Ghibli and Avatar: The Last Airbender Battle Chef combined three of my favorite things. Food, RPG’s and Bejewelled. For part of the game you’re traversing the world in a side scrolling brawler trying to get ingredients for an upcoming cooking competition. But once you get back you need to match tiles like in Bejewelled in order to win the competition.
Smuggle Craft
Ya know… maybe this should be called Struggle Craft instead. A throwback to the Star Wars: Episode I pod racer that is one tough momma, this brought back a lot of good memories. (And some painful ones.) Blitzing through the turns is not recommended in this procedurally generated racing game. If you try to face into the horizon, be prepared to fly into the abyss of failure just like I did again, and again…. and again… and again.
The Abigail Cypher
I might be a little biased when I say this was the best game ever made. But that miiiiight have something to do with the fact that I may or may not be an NPC in the game. When they weren’t busy scanning the faces of potential characters in the game, Void Softworks’ The Abigail Cypher was mesmerizing Anthony and me. With the most impressive graphics I’ve seen in an indie game, this first person psychological-thriller felt like a AAA title at times. Will you be able to help Detective David Miller save his kidnapped daughter and clear his name? Or will the Masked Man have another victim in the city of Ashport?
Brigador
Ever feel like you just need to blow shit up? Ever feel like you need to hop into a giant mech and blow shit up? Ever feel like that mech needs to have infinite ammo and a super jump? Brigador his you covered. This isometric vehicular combat game was a callback to classic PS1 games. Built in its own custom engine, the entire game is editable, with the developer commands ready at any time. With fully destructible environments, plenty of ammo, and a 200 page tie in book written by a vet with two tours in Iraq under their belt, this is the real deal. Get ready to blow shit up with Brigador.
Holy Potatoes, We’re in Space!?
If you watch some of the larger gaming channels on Youtube, you might remember when Markiplier played Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop!? Well their back and better than ever. And in space! Daylight Studios explained that they wanted to continue the series without doing a direct sequel. Enter space. Now players have the chance to not only continue the procedurally generated management simulation, but also try their hands at combat as well. While it was only in alpha, there was already polish-o-plenty on this entry.
Crashlands
Our final game from day 2 is a feel good story that reminds you of the good games can do. Butterscotch Shenanigans is a team comprised of three brothers who got their start in the mobile industry. Tragedy struck when one brother was diagnosed by Stage 4 Cancer. With such news in mind, he told his brothers that what could be potentially his last game, needed to be special. Enter Crashlands. This game had all of the fixings in mind for gamers. Animal training, customization of characters, RPG elements, etc. Two years, two stem cell transplants, and an official cancer free clear from the doctor later, and Butterscotch Shenanigans has officially reached new heights. The success of Crashlands has allowed them to expand their team and hire more people. Crashlands is a fantastic experience on Steam and iOS with a great story behind it.
With so many great games already seen, I have all the confidence in the world for day three at Indy PopCon.