Xbox Games Showcase Extended is over and as part of the show we’ve been treated to a montage of 10 new games coming out as part of the show [email protected] Indie Program – all will be available in Game Pass upon their release for Xbox.
If you’re interested in learning more about these games, you’ve come to the right place – this article provides details on each and every one of them. I was even lucky enough to try three of the upcoming titles myself. Read on for my impressions:
technonics
technonics takes the basics of the popular factory automation genre and turns them on their head, putting you in the role of a first-person character rather than an overseer from above. Set in a twisting labyrinth of bioluminescent alien caves, it only takes a few minutes to realize just how deep these two caves and these systems will go.
With a chunky lo-fi aesthetic, there’s a quiet yet eerie aspect to the whole thing – guided only by a mysterious voice that seems just as confused about the situation as you are, you’re on your way to finding out where you are, by creating Unlock a network of manufacturing facilities and uncover the mysteries of the abandoned factory you woke up in.
It’s an intriguing mix of narrative adventure and factory simulation, but the latter element becomes very import ant very quickly. You must intercept the local flora to use as biofuel and pump it into mining machines to build up layers upon layers of machinery. A peek through an initially impenetrable window shows just how far this will go – you see a fully built factory, packed with unfamiliar machines, a foretaste of what will be some very complex systems to build technonics
Little kitty, big city
If you wanted to simplify it, you would say so Little cat, big city is a narrative-driven puzzle game in which you guide a cat back to her home through a series of quests. But once you start playing it, you realize that this is a far more self-driven game. Yes, you get specific quests (collect shiny things for a crow to get a fish that boosts your stamina, collect bread for a stray that teaches you to navigate unfamiliar streets), but there’s a playfulness at the heart of it All of this prompts you to engage much more with the world around you.
Your (beautifully animated) cat is much more than just a means of transportation. You see pots on the side of the wall and, of course, smack them to the ground – and realize there’s a side quest that involves destroying things in malicious ways. You’ll see a discarded can and a trash can – putting them in will unlock another quest. In just a few minutes, you suddenly realize that random bits of this world guide you to play with their systems and, more importantly, just have fun being a cat for a while.
This is both a declaration of love to the unpredictable personalities of cats and a straightforward game – and the fact that it’s so enjoyable to control is a perfect invitation to step into that world.
Another crab’s treasure
This could well be titled Cutest Soulslike Ever Made. With the look of a classic mascot platform game, Another crab’s treasure lures you into its beautiful cartoon world before it shows its claws. The presentation may be a little whimsical – you’re portrayed as a small crab whose shell has been stolen – but at its core, this is a deeply challenging action RPG.
But don’t think that this is just a reskin – there are some very interesting innovations here on the known systems. The key is that you can pick up discarded bits of ocean litter — soda cans, bottle caps, party hats, and more — and use them as temporary wrappers. Each has its own health bar that instantly changes how defensively you have to fight. Even better, each of them also has a unique ability, so choosing the right one for each fight is a necessity.
This translates into some really exciting boss fights. Arenas are littered with multiple grenades, which means part of your strategy will be swapping and swapping different pieces of gear to use all the powers at your disposal. It will be fascinating to see Soulslike veterans grapple with this and realize just how much there is to challenge yourself to do here.
Other games in the assembly
In addition to the games that I played myself, seven more were planned in the assembly [email protected] title presented. Here’s a sneak peek at each one – be sure to keep an eye out for more news in the future!
Galacticare
Save the galaxy – one patient at a time! As the new director of GalacticareBuild and manage a series of hospitals to keep your patients alive as long as possible – for money! And also because it’s the right thing to do.
The Wandering Village
The Wandering Village is a city building simulation game on the back of a giant roaming creature. Build your settlement and enter into a symbiotic relationship with the colossus. Will you survive together in this hostile yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world infested with poisonous plants?
The Book Wanderer
The Book Wanderer is a narrative adventure in which you play the role of Etienne Quist, a writer-turned-thief with the ability to immerse himself in books. Use your powers to travel between reality and the book world, stealing legendary items like Thor’s Hammer and Excalibur to restore your writing ability.
Harold Halibut
Harold Halibut is a handcrafted storytelling game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship lost in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro future world filled with unique (voiced) residents as he does his best to discover the true meaning of “home”.
neon white
neon white is a single player speedrunning FPS where you can sacrifice your guns for divine parkour moves. You are White, an assassin handpicked from Hell to compete with fellow Demon Slayers for a chance to live permanently in Heaven. The other assassins look familiar though…did you know them in a past life?
Mineko’s night market
Mineko’s night market is a narrative-driven social simulation adventure game that celebrates Japanese culture and invites players to craft whimsical items, eat delicious snacks, and ultimately feast on all the cats.
Sea of stars
Sea of stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. It tells the story of two children of the solstice who combine the powers of the sun and moon to cast Eclipse magic, the only force capable of repelling the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.
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