Typically for this column, I spend time browsing various hashtags on Twitter to see what is going on. This week I enjoyed watching a steady stream of released and emerging games for #PitchYaGame, an awards show and hashtag for indie developers where people show off their games. In some cases, I was pleased to see WIPs covered in previous columns. But it also opened up a world of under-the-radar work by developers who didn’t post as regularly.
We have newly discovered gemstones and more in Cool WIP, Polygons weekly summary of eye-catching clips and screenshots of ongoing work. Every week, Polygon staff scour the internet for the most interesting games that are still under construction to bring you a selection of the coolest emerging projects.
This week we have a breathtaking sci-fi game with incredible attack animations, a beautiful open world game in which you help a panda find peace, a horror game inspired by monster movies from the 80s, an elegant rhythm game and an anime-inspired RPG set in the 90s.
You won’t believe any person did this
Felix Schade is the developer and Creator of Morbid metal, which they describe as a sci-fi action roguelite where you shape shifting to collect sick combos. A Split clip von Schade shows the game in action as a character leaps from one enemy to the next while unleashing a chain of shimmering attacks suitable for the most noticeable JRPGs. Morbid metal doesn’t have a release date yet, but you can get frequent updates on it Damage Twitter account.
A very shaky but very determined warrior panda
According to the developer Namra Aka is a game about helping an ex-warrior panda find his inner peace. From what we can see in a clip shared on Twitter, the game features paint-style graphics as well as the ability to curl up and take a nap in places – including on a giant capybara. The game has a release window of 2022 and you can get updates on the Developer’s Twitter account.
Watch out for this parasite
This top-down twin stick shooter called Demon spore Looks like you’re running for your life. A Clip posted by the developer Ed Kay shows the meat-like monster seeping out of the middle of a laboratory and making its way across the room. According to Kay, the game was inspired by monster movies from the 80s. There isn’t a publish window yet, but you can follow as always Developer for updates.
Assembling furniture is fun with this rhythm game
Please play this video with the sound switched on; The music that goes with the rhythm game is so cute. The game called Bits & Bops, is described as a collection of rhythm mini-games. A Clip of a mini game where you hammer in nails contains a bright and happy track reminiscent of a song from a Nintendo game. As the screen scrolls, keep to the beat and hammer in your nails. Bits & Bops has no release date but you can keep up to date with that Studio Twitter account.
Bits & Bops is a collection of original rhythm mini-games featuring:
Catchy music!
⚡ Snappy gameplay!
✨ Gorgeous 2D animation!Below is a clip from Hammer Time, a mini-game where you listen to the timing of the nails and then hammer them to the beat!#PitchYaGame pic.twitter.com/A2uNdLAQNA
– Tempo Lab games (@TempoLabGames) November 2, 2021
This game looks straight out of a cartoon segment on Saturday morning
Wandering Stars is an RPG inspired by the 90s anime. The catch is that you can put different adjectives together to create your own attacks. One clip by developer Paper Castle Games shows a fighter who performs an “amazing water strike” to attack an enemy. The release date for the game is unknown, but you can follow the team on their Twitter account.
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