Today’s Indie World Showcase gave us a pretty w onderful little basket of release dates, shadows, and ports for games we wanted to see on the Switch.
However, as is often the case with these presentations, Japan’s Indie World was quite different from ours. There was some overlap, of course, but we’ve rounded up a list of everything that was exclusive to the Japanese showcase. A lot of them are coming out in the West, and we even have a date for one or two of them. To enjoy!
Every game announced exclusively for Japan’s Indie World Showcase (April 17, 2024)
Shanghai Summer – Outside
Shanghai Summer has actually been out on Switch since February 8th, but the game got a short trailer during Japanese Indie World along with a demo drop. Hooray!
Shanghai Summer is an adventure game set in the millennium. Our protagonist, Baichuan, goes through a series of “anomalies” over the course of twelve days. In his search for the truth, he finds that his hopes and past regrets are finally coming together. Will they be able to “fix” him forever?
Bread & Fred – May 23, 2024
The viral co-op puzzle platformer from 2023 has a Switch release date — and that May 23rd date also applies to the West. Play as a pair of penguins and fight your way through tough and funny platforming challenges in next month’s Bread & Fred.
Bread and Fred is a challenging co-op platform game from Apogee where two players must work together to jump and climb to the top of a snowy mountain. Play as both Bread and Fred in their exasperating and sometimes maddening climb that requires precision with every jump. Each time you land you will be closer to the top and one step closer to mastering the platform, but your fall down the mountain will be even further.
MACHI KORO with everyone – July 5, 2024
Machi Koro With Everyone is a digital board game and it is the the final version of the Machi Koro games, says developer Grounding. Playable online and offline, the game will be released in Japan in July — a western version has yet to be confirmed.
MACHI KORO With everyone is a competitive digital board game. Start with a wheat field and a bakery, earn coins from facilities, take coins from other players and aim to grow your city and build landmarks as fast as possible.
Exit 8 – exits today
Here’s another shadow-drop – and yes, it’s also available in the West. Exit 8 is a highly acclaimed walking simulator where you explore Japanese underground passageways. It’s only $3.99 and was hugely popular on PC before this surprise Switch release.
Exit 8 is a short but sweet walking simulator inspired by Japanese underground passages, liminal spaces and Backrooms. Do not ignore any anomalies. If you find anomalies, report back immediately. If you find no anomalies, do not return. To exit from exit 8.
Immortality – July 25, 2024
Remember Undying, the survival horror game from 2023 where you control a mother who has been bitten by a zombie? The game was given a release date during Japanese Indie World, and is coming to Switch on July 25th. A date has yet to be confirmed for Western audiences.
As Anling and Cody explore the world, they will encounter a group of characters who present unique challenges. How Anling and Cody deal with each determines their fate, some may die, some may survive, and some may become loyal allies or even archenemesis. Will humanity truly prevail?
Arrangement: Isterious Adventure – Summer 2024
We don’t have a date for Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure yet, but this gorgeous-looking game got a brand new trailer during Japan’s Indie World Showcase. Since its reveal during the Partner Showcase in February 2024, we’ve been looking forward to seeing more of this, where you’ll explore the world by sliding blocks.
Gameplay takes place on a single, interconnected ‘web’ that spans the entire world, quickly uniting movement, exploration and combat. Everything in the same row or column as Jemma moves when she moves, and can be “tangled” around the edge of the grid – creating both a playful sense of chaos and a regular flow of small, thoughtful puzzles that spin and play with the central mechanic.
Bō: Path of the Blue Lotus – July 18, 2024
So yeah, we didn’t get any news on a certain hand-drawn Metroidvania, but Japan’s Indie World gave us a new trailer for a different one: the incredible-looking Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus. Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bō’s development team consists of members who famously worked on AM2R.
Embark on a mystical journey as Bō, a sky flower (tentaihana fox) who descended from the sky to fulfill a mysterious ancient prophecy. Use your legendary bō staff to bounce and glide smoothly through an otherworldly realm of hand-drawn dreamscapes, weird and lovely yokai, and giant monsters summoned from the ancient legends of Japan.
Sagres – out today
An open world sailing RPG? Count on us. And you can set sail today. As the captain of the ship Fernando, you will explore the world of the 15th century, from the Sahara desert to the snowy mountains of America. There’s turn-based ship combat, boat customization, and a whole reputation system to check out when you hit the open seas.
Set sail on an adventure in the age of discovery! Explore the seven seas as the newly minted captain of the ship Fernando. Customize your ship, fight pirates and sea monsters, and gather your crew to investigate the mysterious disappearance of legendary explorer Sir Antony.
A Dance of Fire and Ice – 2024
We need more rhythm games on the Switch, and thanks to developer 7th Beat Games, we’re getting one in the form of A Dance of Fire and Ice. This rhythmic one-button game is based on strict timing and follows two orbs — one fire, the other ice — as they circle each other. Keep them in tune and you’ll be a master of rhythm. The game is already out on the PC and App stores, so we think this one is for the West.
The dance of fire and ice is a game of strict rhythm. Keep your focus as you guide the two orbiting planets along a winding path without disturbing their perfect balance
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