The Best Indie Games of 2019 on Switch, PS4, Xbox -Tales of the Neon Sea (Pic: Daily Star)
When it comes to choosing your next game, its not just the big studio release schedule you should be keeping an eye on. Smaller, indie developers have a lot to offer gamers as well. From hidden gems on the PS4 and Xbox One to incredible indie experiences tucked away on the Nintendo eShop, this weekly round-up will highlight some of 2019s best indie games we've been playing and help you decide which ones deserve not just your money, but more importantly, your time.
INDIE GAME OF THE WEEK – Tales of the Neon Sea
Developed by Palm Pioneer for PC
Tales of the Neon Sea is a pixelated mystery adventure with a quirky neon colour scheme and a unique retro style.
Set in a futuristic cyberpunk city, both humans and robots live in a world where tensions are high and conflict frequently arises. Our protagonist is veteran detective Rex who becomes embroiled in a murder case (an old lady victim) that has wider implications than anyone could have expected.
A 2D pixilated experience, the game runs for multiple hours and provides an intriguing old school style detective mystery. The cyberpunk twist is enjoyable, but the underlying humans vs subservient robot thematic may feel a bit overdone to fans of the genre.
Tales of the Neon Sea (Pic: Palm Pioneer)
When it comes to gameplay, there are simple puzzles that test the skills of our hero, as well as the opportunity to deduct evidence from crime scenes and slowly unravel the conspiracy which has overtaken the city. There are even sections where you play as Rexs cat, a capable crime stopper itself.
In the end, its the cyberpunk-sleuthing mashup which makes Tales of the Neon Sea so memorable. This is a game thats fun to play, and a perfect demonstration of what creative indie developers can do when they decide to knit two genres together.
Keep reading to see our favourite indie games in 2019!
Farming in My Time At Portia (Pic: https://portia.pathea.net/)
My Time At Portia – Developed by Pathea
My Time At Portia is a post-apocalyptic game with a difference. A life-simulation experience, the game revolves around construction and interaction with the residents of Portia in a vibrant, colourful world. No gritty dystopian setting and drama here.
Gameplay revolves around taking over your fathers old workshop and using materials gathered from around the world to create new structures, furniture and buildings, both for the residents and for your own house.
Youll also be encouraged to interact with the townsfolk, building friendships and eventually even a romantic relationship. To create a good repour, youll need to complete specific tasks the villagers set you, and present them with gifts suited to their particular taste. Get it wrong and theyll take offence.
Underneath the new world of Portia are a number of interconnected caves and abandoned ruins. As well as providing ores and materials that are essential during the game, youre likely to find old relics which piece together the story of Portias history.
Similar to the Animal Crossing franchise, you can pour weeks of your time into this game and never feel bored or as though the content is repetitive. Monster battles and farming mix things up, and discovering the truth about the post-apocalyptic event that drove everyone underground is another draw.
If youre looking for a post-apocalyptic game unlike anything out there, or simply want a relaxing life-sim, My Time At Portia is well worth a look.
Available now on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch
Figment (Pic: https://www.bedtime.io/figment)
Figment – Developed by Bedtime Digital Games
On the surface, Figment is just another colourful action adventure game. But delve deeper, and youll find an inventive and meaningful portrayal of mental trauma.
Set in The Mind you play as Dusty, an old warrior who used to hold the title of Courage of The Mind. Joined by his sidekick Piper, the two friends pledge to fight against the evil thats poisoned their home. The two share a lot of comedic banter, and depending on your particular brand of humour you may find this hilarious or grating.
Gameplay-wise, Figment is an isometric platformer with puzzle elements across a number of colourful and wacky worlds. Levels are decorated with giant pencils, toy instruments and other cutesy paraphernalia, all incorporated into The Mind as obstacles and the tools to get past them.
You quickly learn that the quirky world used to be bright and colourful, but that a brood of monsters has transformed The Mind into a darker, more toxic version of itself. Dusty must fight against these foes and solve a series of puzzles in order to return The Mind to its former glory.
Combat is simplistic but usually fun. Likewise, puzzle-solving is often repetitive, but at least the formula the game is repeating is an enjoyable one.
Whilst it has a few minor flaws, Figment is an entertaining and ultimately worthwhile experience. For a more in-depth game assessment, check out our 4/5 review here.
Available now on on PS4, Switch and PC
Pikuniku (Pic: Sectordub)
Pikuniku – Developed by Sectordub
It may sound like a new Pokémon, but Pikuniku is actually a charming and colourful indie game that revolves around a cast of barmy characters.
Gameplay mechanics are relatively simple, with protagonist Piku (a kind of blob with legs) interacting with doors, boxes and switches to gain entry to 2D rooms and levels. Piku can also twist his body into new shapes to reach areas that were previously inaccessible, meaning that there are several different ways to progress through each level.
The game runs around five hours long and, during most of it, youll find yourself helping the quirky characters in the game solve a handful of missions. As you complete these tasks youll uncover the narrative of Pikuniku which, despite its cutesy appearance, delves into revolution and deep-rooted dystopian conspiracy.
Pikuniku also has a two-player mode which allows a second player to engage in local co-op. This mode features nine distinct stages, with the second player controlling Niki alongside Piku. Teamwork is essential to get through each level and puzzles must be approached in a different way to the single-player campaign.
Whichever way you choose to play, Pikuniku is a bright, lively experience which is well worth picking up.
Pikuniki is available now on Nintendo Switch and PC
Trüberbrook (Pic: btf)
Trüberbrook – Developed by btf
A twist on the classic point and click adventure, Trüberbrook tells the story of young physicist Hans using a hand-crafted, 3D model world that is genuinely stunning.
As Hans arrives in the West German town of Trüberbrook, an alluring sci-fi mystery presents itself and, over the four chapters of the game, Hans must finely comb each area he visits for clues as to whats going on.
Game environments range from snowy mountain tops to charming rural hotels, to gloomy caves. The world is meticulously put together via photogrammetry; a method that involves building the model set for a scene in real life before digitally scanning it into the game. The result really is exquisite, and this is one of the most uniquely beautiful indie games out there.
The games narrative is a little short, and Trüberbrook should only take you around eight hours to complete. But constant thrills, twists and turns make Trüberbrook engaging and exciting enough to warrant a second and even third playthrough.
Available now on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC
Jupiter & Mars (Pic: Tantalus / Wicked Witch)
Jupiter and Mars – Developed by Tantalus/Wicked Witch
Jupiter & Mars is a futuristic underwater adventure game which follows two playful dolphins named Jupiter and Mars. There is a meaningful story here as well, with humanity having been wiped out by climate change and the toxic oceans they left behind only now beginning to regain their former natural glory.
The narrative sees an elite race of whales call for the help of Jupiter and Mars. The whales want to destroy the few remaining man-made structures which are still poisoning the ocean around them, preventing marine life from prospering as it otherwise would.
Youll have to solve puzzles and find pathways by using echolocation to locate key objects or have Mars break through obstacles opening up the way forward. Jellyfish and electric impulse-firing fish will offer some level of threat, but they can easily be pacified by a dolphin sound pulse.
Though interactions with enemy fish and puzzle-solving make up a good proportion of the game, its exploring the depths of the sea that is much more rewarding. The games underwater world is an almost recognisable one, but you can really see the devastating impact of what we humans have done (and are still doing) to the planet.
Jupiter and Mars works best as a PSVR game. Playing in this format, you can truly appreciate the scale and detail of the ocean around you, but, however you play, Tantalus Media have certainly succeeded in creating a relaxing and worthwhile experience.
Available now on PS4 and PSVR
Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice (Pic: https://www.hellblade.com/)
Hellblade – Developed by Ninja Theory
After enjoying success on PS4, Xbox and PC, Hellblade: Senuas Sacrifice has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch.
Hellblade is a dark fantasy action game with strong psychological components reflecting the mental illness central character Senua struggles with as she attempts to save her lovers lost soul.
While Senua physically travels alone to Helheim (Norse for Hell), she is accompanied by the anxious voices which whisper in her ears. These harrowing voices (even more inhibiting when Hellblade is played with headphones as the game suggests) replicate those experienced by sufferers of psychosis, the condition Senua is afflicted with but believes to be a curse.
Hellblade looks incredible. The graphics are AAA standard and its a huge achievement to get something that looks this good to run on Switch, even if it does take a hefty 18 gig game file to do so.
The gameplay is relatively simple with sword combat and rune-based puzzles the main challenges on offer. However, its the narrative thats the real core of the game with Senuas journey punctuated by enlightening glimpses into her tragic backstory.
The games voice acting is incredible and only strengthens the power of the writing, especially with Melina Juergens delivering an incredibly emotional mo-cap performance. Ultimately, Hellblade is an experience you will think about long after the final credits have rolled.
Available now on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch.
Unravel 2 (Pic: EA)
Unravel 2 – Developed by ColdWood Interactive
A local co-op game at its heart, Unravel Two is a charming, imaginative and incredibly fun 2D platform-puzzler.
Unravel Two sees Yarney (a lovable red creature made of wool) return from the first game, now accompanied by a blue yarn creature who works with Yarney to progress through a series of ingenious, macro-inspired levels.
The Yarneys can be controlled by two people in local co-op or by one person in single player mode, with the ability to switch between either Yarney at any time or intertwine them into one.
The Yarneys have the ability to tie strands of yarn to platforms, or to lasso hooks dotted around the stages. They can also create yarn bridges and swing each other from one platform to the next. Its a seriously enjoyable gameplay dynamic added to the fact that the macro-scale levels are gorgeous to look at.
As the Yarneys press forwards through the games seven chapters a ghostly tale unfolds in the backgrounds of the levels. While its shrouded in mystery and often open to interpretation, it eludes to a deeper, darker narrative hiding beneath the games cutesy surface.
When it comes to difficulty, the games puzzles quickly become tricky and a Challenge Mode ramps this up to extremely tough. But with unique mechanics every moment of this game is enjoyable and, as a co-op puzzle-platformer, its right up there with the very best the genre has to offer.
Available now for PS4, Xbox, Switch and PC
Where The Bees Make Honey (Pic: Wakefield Interactive)
Where The Bees Make Honey – Developed by Wakefield Interactive
Where The Bees Make Honey is a story about memory, reflection and nostalgia. Playing as Sunny, an overworked woman at a crossroads in her life, you look back on childhood memories, all whilst yearning for simpler times gone by.
The game employs multiple styles of gameplay to convey its message, from sandbox puzzle sections to first-person exploration segments.
But, whatever style the game chooses, the graphics are constantly delightful and always artfully done.
The most enjoyable of the games mechanics are the sandbox puzzles which are similar to those featured in Captain Toad Treasure Tracker.
These pint-sized worlds are populated by cartoony trees, structures and creatures, but they also contain devious puzzles which can only be solved by rotating the world and examining the landscape from different viewpoints.
There are more realistic first-person sections too, and each unique perspective and art style says something meaningful about different parts of Sunnys life.
The game isnt very long, but it manages to pack a lot of content into its short running time. However, with such varied mechanics, a couple of technical issues taint the experience slightly, including a rabbit that is frustratingly difficult to control.
Overall, though, Where The Bees Make Honey is a beautifully-crafted, touching story about reflecting on the good times and moving forward in life.
Available now for PS4, Switch, Xbox and PC
Symmetry – Made by Sleepless ClinicRead More – Source
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