14 things we learnt from Nintendo's Nindies Summer Showcase
Phew, that's a lot of information
Yesterday Nintendo's gave us a whole host of indie games to get excited for and, by now, our lists are practically bursting. Only a week since Ninty's Indie Highlights Direct (which also gave us 14 things to get hyped about), what else could they possibly add?
Well, as it turns out... a lot. Some things we've been hoping for, some things we had inklings about, and some things are a delightful surprise.
Better still, all of the information revealed yesterday and all of the wonderful games should be coming out over the next six months or so. Apart from one which launched yesterday after the presentation, so that's always nice.
1
Hyper Light Drifter
- Releasing: September 6th 2018
A couple of years after its Steam debut, Hyper Light Drifter is on its way to Nintendo Switch as a Special Edition.
At 60 FPS, you've got a host of stunning landscapes to explore in this action RPG. Play it alone or with a friend and enjoy it any way you fancy - docked, handheld, tabletop, whatever.
On the Switch version you've also got a few exclusive bits to crack on with, including: a new outfit, the Tower Climb challenge, Crystal Shot attack, and the deadly Blade Caster.
2
TowerFall
- Releasing: September 27th 2018
The fact that TowerFall's on its way to the Switch isn't really NEW news after Celeste developer, Matt Makes Games, revealed a couple of characters joining the roster a couple of months back.
Having gotten a sincere confirmation and a quick look at the game, however, gives us all the more reason to celebrate. This will undoubtedly be the ultimate way to play this intense archery combat game.
Nintendo Switch will also be offering up some exclusive content besides the new characters, Madeline and Badeline, including new six-player battles, gameplay variants, and more.
3
Treasure Stack
- Releasing: December 2018
If you're a bit fond of stacking things and were way too good at Tetris, Treasure Stack should suit you up right.
As the name suggests it's all about stacking treasure chests, but with some neat puzzler and platformer elements thrown in. You can play in local co-op or go against other players online and fight your way to the top of seasonal rankings.
Treasure Stack boasts epic HD Rumble support, so I'm rather looking forward to physically feeling the game taking place. After Golf Story's fantastic example, we know it can be done.
4
Zarvo
- Releasing: October 2018
On the subject of co-operative and competitive games, Zarvot is all about cubes, friendship, and blowing things up.
In its Story Mode you'll band together with another cube friend to throw your pal an amazing birthday present to cheer them up.
If you fancy getting involved with something more competitive, there's a nicely balanced 2-4 player mode where you get to fire lasers at your friends, hurrah!
5
Mineko's Night Market
- Releasing: Early 2019
This narrative-driven adventure game will be coming first to Nintendo Switch next year and features one of our very favourite things - cats.
Play as Mineko as she starts her new life in a small town at the base of Mount Fugu. Go about your daily activities, complete all sorts of jobs, and craft curious items in preparation for the weekly Night Market.
Not only does the game look visually stunning, it also seems like a wonderful adventure which'll lean heavily on story-telling, traditions, and characters.
6
Samurai Gunn 2
- Releasing: Q1 2019
It's been a few years since the original cropped up on PC, but Samurai Gunn 2 is finally on the way - and as a Switch exclusive for a window of time too.
Designed by Beau Bluth, co-creator of Hyper Light Drifter, in SG2 you can work through the game with a friend to discover what's really threatening Gunn City.
If you're not really in the mood for working through the adventure, you've got a 2-4 player versus mode where you can take advantage of new levels, improved controls, and more characters.
7
Bullet Age
- Releasing: November 2018
Bullet Age is a co-operative action-platformer with a charming cartoon art style. There's plenty to do and plenty to learn in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Gain abilities, play through the many carefully designed levels, discover all sorts of secrets, and stop the ARC empire before they achieve world domination.
As well as using HD Rumble to immerse you into the world, it'll also come in useful for discovering secrets which I'm so down for.
8
The World Next Door
- Releasing: Early 2019
The World Next Door follows the story of June, trapped in a fantastical world with an eclectic variety of characters. Develop friendships through a reputation system and defeat opponents in real-time puzzle battles.
While this is primarily a story-based game with branching dialogue trees and mysteries to discover, you can also sit back and enjoy some healthy competition with a pal. Play its two-player Versus Mode in local multiplayer for ultimate bragging rights.
9
Levelhead
- Releasing: November 2018
This creative platformer offers up slick platforming gameplay, sure, but what you really want to get in on is its level building.
Work through an exciting single-player campaign across a series of player-generated levels, join up with up to three other friends in couch co-op and build levels together (always hilarity waiting to happen), or create your own levels to share with the world.
With over 60 elements to pick and choose between, there's a lot you can play around with. Whether you want to be nice or nasty is totally up to you.
10
King of the Hat
- Releasing: Early 2019
If you've ever scrapped with a pal over a hat before, this multiplayer fighting game may drag up some interesting memories for you.
Since your soul lives in your hat, you need to protect it by all means. Once you hat gets crushed you die - it's as simple as that. It's a hat-squish-hat world out there, and you may have to step on a few hats to save your own skin.
Let's face it, you'll probably enjoy it though.
11
Untitled Goose Game
- Releasing: Q1 2019
Whether you've seen clips of this game before or not, as of next year you'll be able to experience life as a goose. Not just any goose - a grumpy goose out to mess with everyone.
This sandbox-style game sticks you in on webbed feet and leaves you to waddle about your business. Have a wander through the village, steal hats, eat lunches, nick keys, and more just because you can.
No one messes with geese.
12
10 more games on the way
In a super-speedy montage, Ninty spat out ten more titles that it couldn't quite fit into its 15-minute video, all of which we'll be getting in 2018.
- Desert Child - December 2018
- Wasteland 2: Director's Cut - September 13th
- Bastion - September 13th
- The Messenger - August 30th
- Undertale - September 18th
- Jackbox Party Pack 5 - October 2018
- Transistor - November 2018
- Dragon Marked for Death - December 13th
- Light Fingers - September 20th
- Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP - October 2018
13
Indie in the news
- Live: Right now
Yes, Nintendo snuck a little bit of non-game revealing information in the stream to let us know that indies are going more independent.
By that, I mean the indie section is getting its own news channel on the Switch's news section, so be sure to subscribe for the very latest news around this area.
14
Into the Breach
- Released: August 28th 2018
True to form, Nintendo couldn't end a presentation without surprise-dropping at least one of its games straight away. If you've never played Into the Breach, now's your chance to do so.
This is FTL developer's only other title, and one that's been highly regarded on Steam for its detailed strategic combat and roguelike gameplay. If you die in-game, you're off to a different timeline to start again, so you can't just wing it through battles.
