Nintendo had its first Indie World Showcase of the year REALLY early on Thursday morning! But it was inevitably worth the lack of sleep with a BUNCH of weird and wacky games revealed.
For those of you who forwent sleep to watch the showcase live, hats off to you! For everybody else, here are the highlights.
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OXENFREE II: Lost Signals
Five years on from the events of the much loved OXENFREE, this sequel will see Riley Poverly returning to her hometown to investigate peculiar radio signals. But not all is right within the small coastal town of Camena!
OXENFREE 2 will feature a new walkie talkie system, allowing you to chat with the locals to uncover new information and insights. You can also just ignore them if you want, but there MAY be consequences to that! Your choices will shape the story, impact relationships and affect who Riley becomes as a person.
Stop a nefarious cult, close mysterious portals and save the future in this supernatural thriller
OXENFREE 2 is out on July 12.
Blasphemous II
The Penitent One returns once more in this follow up to the pixelated gore-fest Blasphemous.
Awakened in a strange new land, you must adventure through grotesque gothic landscapes packed with puzzles, death traps, hordes of monstrous enemies and titanic boss battles.
I LOVED the first game with its brutal hack ‘n slash combat mixed with tight platforming and souls-like elements. Blasphemous II looks to build upon that strong foundation with improved pixel-art, new weapons, skills and execution, and a whole new labyrinth like world to explore.
I’m excited to get my hands on this and discover the untold horrors within!
Blasphemous II is set to release in American Summer (June – August)
Mineko’s Night Market
The gorgeous Mineko’s Night Market is a story-driven, whimsical adventure that celebrates Japanese food, culture and (most importantly) cats!
Guide the curious Mineko, as she endeavors to help her neighbours, restore the struggling village to its former glory and unravel the mystery of the Sun Cat, Nikko.
Complete daily activities, whimsical quests and craft unique items in preparation for the weekly night market.
With a host of mini-games like themed parades, stage performances and CAT RACING, the night market sounds like the place to be! You can also barter with dozens of friendly townsfolk and sell almost anything you craft or find around the island.
Mineko’s Night Market launches on September 26.
My Time at Sandrock
My Time at Sandrock is a farming/building/life sim that’ll have you gathering resources, befriending locals, erecting new structures and even defending the town from monsters, all in the hopes of saving Sandrock from economic collapse.
Like its predecessor My Time at Portia, Sandrock is set 300 years after a calamity destroyed most modern technology.
Explore the expansive desert terrain surrounding the town, delving into old ruins and battling monsters with both first-person melee combat and third-person shooting mechanics.
Packed with hundreds of side quests, dozens of quirky characters and a host of mini-games to get lost in, there seems to be plenty to keep you busy!
My Time at Sandrock is set for American Summer (June – August)
Animal Well
Discover the ethereal and enchanting world of Animal Well, an extensive puzzle box with multiple layers of secrets. The non-linear world is made up of over 250 interconnected rooms that you’re free to explore in whatever order you wish.
You’ll encounter creatures both beautiful and unsettling, you’ll need to rely on your wits to avoid danger in this combat-free metroidvania.
Animal Well is coming early 2024
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There were a bunch of other quirky little titles packed into the showcase, links below:
Teslagrad Remastered
Available Now
Teslagrad 2
Available Now
Shadows Over Loathing
Available Now
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
Available Now
Crime O’Clock
June 30
Paper Trail
August
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
August 18
Chants of Sennaar
September 5
Plate Up
October
Quilts and Cats of Calico
American Autumn (September – November)
Escape Academy: The Complete Edition
American Autumn (September – November)
Brotato
2023
We also got a look at upcoming DLC for some indie favourites:
A Little to the Left: Cupboards and Drawers DLC
June
Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon Puzzler’s Pack DLC
American Spring (March – May)
Cult of the Lamb: Relics of the Old Faith DLC
April 24
READ MORE: The Lamb God giveth – new DLC incoming
My watchlist just got a whole lot beefier!
I’m especially looking forward to Blasphemous 2 and Mineko’s Night Market.
