Welcome to GTOGG’s July 2022 edition of Promising Indie Game Releases, where we highlight indie and non-mainstream titles that we believe deserve your attention – in other words, “look at all this potentially cool stuff you might’ve missed otherwise”. That would’ve been too long for a title, though.
In any case, let’s get right down to it.
Loopmancer
Loopmancer puts players in the role of Xiang Zixu, a talented private detective who ends up getting killed while investigating the mysterious disappearance of a female journalist. There is, however, a twist – immediately after his death, Xiang awakens in his apartment and comes to the intriguing realization that time resets every time he dies. Taking place in the futuristic cyberpunk world of 2046, Loopmancer will feature plenty of high-octane action on seven massive levels, allowing players to unleash the full extent of their cybernetic arsenal as they fight street thugs, mutants and deadly cyborgs alike, all the while trying to shed some light on the mystery of their own murder and constant looping.
Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony
An enhanced HD remaster of the original Touhou-inspired metroidvania, Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony no doubt oozes nostalgia and a sense of familiarity to any old fan of the genre – I mean, just look at it. If you’ve ever said to yourself, “boy, would I like to play Symphony of the Night with Touhou characters”, you’re very much in luck. The remaster will also feature enhanced HD graphics, six languages and full Japanese voice acting – what’s not to love?
Mothmen 1966
Rendered in a lovingly retro, 8-bit art style and featuring a sufficiently lo-fi soundtrack, Mothmen 1966 is meant to inspire the feel of 80s home computers like the ZX Spectrum in order to create a genuinely cozy, oldschool atmosphere. Taking place during the Leonid meteor shower of November 1966, the game (which, by the way, was inspired by classic Choose Your Own Adventure titles) follows a cast of characters as they find themselves swept up in a dark, potentially paranormal conspiracy involving men in black and mysterious, red eyes that flash ominously in the dark…
Endling: Extinction is Forever
This very much eco-conscious project takes place on an Earth devastated by the environmentally destructive actions of mankind, and puts you in the role of a fox trying to care for her cubs in an increasingly hostile world. Aside from making sure you always have available shelter, you’ll have to hunt other animals for sustenance, feed your cubs and teach them valuable survival skills to help them get by in the wilds – it won’t be easy, but you have no choice but to survive, as extinction is indeed forever.
Intruder In Antiquonia
Set in the modern day, Intruder in Antiquonia stars a young woman by the name of Sarah who curiously finds herself waking up near the road to the titular town of Antiquonia – the thing is, she’s also suffering from amnesia. Your next step is clear: figure out what happened to you, why you’re here and what’s generally going on; the only problem is the town itself, which seems to completely reject the internet. Described as a mystery drama, the game will offer plenty of puzzles to solve as you shed some much-needed light on the secrets of this oddly internet-hostile town and uncover the reasons for Sarah’s amnesia.
Stray
Stray is what I would describe as a “cyberpunk cat game”, which likely already tells you what it’s all about. Set in a labyrinthine cybercity with winding alleyways and neon-lit vistas, Stray will put you in the shoes (paws?) of a cat making its way through a hostile world while being accompanied by a floating drone. There will, of course, be plenty of mysteries to untangle and various dangers to face, but don’t worry, your catlike nature will not be pushed into the background – so expect to gracefully skip and hop between platforms… and occasionally get on people’s nerves with your antics.
And that’s our list for now! Did you discover a new indie game to look forward to? Well, we hope you did. In any case, don’t forget to check back in about a month for our next episode, where we’ll be taking a look at the indie games of August 2022!
