Welcome to GTOGG’s March 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.
ANNO: Mutationem
Set in a world of neon-lit metropolises, influential megacorporations and mind-blowing cyberpunk tech, the game will let you assume the role of Ann, a highly-trained lone wolf on a quest to find her missing brother. The project mixes 2D action-platforming with immersive 3D town exploration, allowing players to meet a host of quirky characters (including a cyborg corgi, apparently) and fight their way through the hordes of dangerous enemies they’ll have to inevitably face.
Syberia: The World Before
Syberia: The World Before is the much-anticipated return to Microids’ beloved adventure game series – serving as the fourth installment of the franchise, the game tells its story through parallel timelines: it follows series protagonist Kate Walker in 2004 as she embarks on a brand-new adventure, while also traveling back to the past – to 1937 – where a young pianist called Dana Roze faces the looming threat of World War II.
Expedition Zero
Expedition Zero’s titular expedition puts you in the heart of Siberia and tasks you with investigating a dangerous anomaly zone surrounded by a wall and several searchlights, all intent on keeping things inside. You start working for a mysterious person as it’s your only ticket out of this place, but that also means having to brave whatever dangers await you inside the zone’s haunted forests and abandoned facilities; and let’s just say that the elements – the biting cold, most of all – are not your only enemies in the dark.
Instruments of Destruction
Are you plagued by constant stress? Do you need something to help you unwind? Well, in that case, allow me to introduce you to Instruments of Destruction, a game that lets you do just that. Build the construction vehicle of your dreams, regardless of how insane it may sound, then show those buildings who’s boss! If advanced physics technology gets you excited, so will this game.
Have a Nice Death
Taking place at Death Inc, the procedurally generated and rather aptly named company of a highly overworked Death (i.e. you), the game will have you restore order to a disorderly workplace environment as you engage in flashy, fast-paced platforming and combat – meet quirky characters, put your scythe to good use and maybe, just maybe, earn yourself a much-needed vacation?
TUNIC
Sweet and simple, TUNIC has you control a tiny little fox who goes on a big adventure to explore some mysterious ruins. What immediately grabbed me with this one (aside from the positively soothing soundtrack) is just how clean, warm and inviting the art style is, and how quickly it managed to ease me into the world. The fluid, sword-and-shield-based combat system, along with the sheer fun of getting to explore every nook and cranny of a spooky labyrinth were somewhat reminiscent of the Zelda franchise, so if you’re looking for something more or less in that vein, you might want to give TUNIC a look.
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 April 2022!
