You’d be forgiven for missing the Spring Games Showcase. By its independent nature, it’s a lower-key event than a showing from Nintendo or Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest… It also went live at the very unreasonable time of 3 am (AEDT) for us Aussies!
Hosted by Kinda Funny and The Mix, 60 indie games were shown off across dozens of genres.
Here are Quest Daily’s picks of the bunch:
Parcel Corps
Parcel Corps puts you in the shoes of a spandex-clad, adrenaline-fueled bicycle messenger delivering mail at break-neck speeds while avoiding the cops!
Grind, skid, and wall-ride to the top of the postal corporate ladder, competing against bitter rivals, under one of three courier corporations. Rich Villainé, an oil tycoon with political ambitions, is standing between you and your two-wheeled ambitions. I feel like there’s a hidden meaning behind that name, but I can’t quite put my finger on it… It’ll come to me.
Its vibrant, cel-shaded art style, parkour-like BMX tricks, and satirical story are adding up to make one compelling package! Expect a delivery later this year for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
– Shaun
Wild Bastards
From Aussie studio Blue Manchu Games, Wild Bastards is the spiritual successor to 2019 hit Void Bastards, instantly evident from the eye-catching comic book art style.
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The tactical-roguelike FPS features a procedurally-generated galaxy, where every planet has its own terrain, weather, and even gravity. Assessing the planet and picking the right crew to explore is key to victory. You’ll need to manage a crew of thirteen outlaws, each with their own weapons, abilities, relationships, and rivalries.
Coming to a galaxy near you sometime this year, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC.
– Shaun
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days
A side-scrolling zombie survival game with a reliance on stealth and resource management? Goddamnit I’m in! Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days has you leading a group of apocalypse survivors through a zombie-riddled 1980s Texas, scavenging, crafting, and fighting off the undead to survive.
With the shambling dead everywhere, you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of each encounter… Should you risk getting hurt in combat but gather precious supplies? Or avoid the fight but lose the much-needed resources? Other survivors can be recruited, tricked out of their food, or even straight-up murdered for their supplies!
I love a zombie game that forces you to make hard decisions, your choices affecting who lives and dies. Much like the Telltale Walking Dead series, you’re not some action hero, you’re not out to save the world… You’re just trying to survive.
Creeping onto PC later this year.
– Shaun
Hermit and Pig
Ever dreamt of role-playing as a reclusive hermit and his truffle-loving pig? Well, you’re in luck because the hufungus adventure, Hermit and Pig, fits your very specific tastes… You weirdo.
Sniffing out a sinister corporate plot, this unlikely pair must go the whole-hog to bring down “the man”. Explore a fungi-filled world with your mud-loving bud, fight against abnormally violent creatures, and overcome deep social anxiety.
A tantalizing truffle adventure awaits in this lovely hand-drawn RPG, coming to PC via Steam later in 2024!
– Daniel
Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch
This arcade-style side-scroller, set within the Jay and Silent Bob universe, has really tickled my pickle. As a quiet fan of the films, I can’t wait to get my hands on this co-op beat-em-up.
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Full of innuendo and movie references, Chronic Blunt Punch is shaping up to be full of ridiculous and stupid fun.
Currently only announced for PC, there’s no release date yet, but it’s likely coming later this year.
– Julian
darkwebSTREAMER
Embark on a chilling journey into the depths of the internet with darkwebSTREAMER. This gripping psycho-horror RPG streaming management sim promises an experience like no other.
You play as an occult streamer, flirting with madness and mutilation in your quest for internet fame. Manage your skills, relationships, and survival while navigating a world of hauntings, rituals, and eerie encounters. With procedurally generated internet, events, and AI NPCs, no two playthroughs are alike.
At PAX AUS 2023, the booth to play this game was packed; a major highlight of the expo. Now, as we get closer to launch, the hype is stronger than ever.
It’s coming soon to PC via Steam.
– Julian
Fruitbus
Discover the mouthwatering world of Fruitbus, a charming culinary adventure brought to life by Norwegian developers, Krillbite.
Customise your trusty food truck, explore the lush Gustum archipelago, and whip up delectable dishes using fresh ingredients from vibrant islands. As you cultivate a loyal following of customers, unlock their unique stories and unveil new horizons for you and your Fruitbus.
Fruitbus’ art style is certainly holding back on the realism, but its quirky character models are sure to make you smile.
With a demo available now on Steam, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in this colourful and fruity journey.
Look out for this cosy game on PlayStation and Xbox consoles and PC.
– Julian
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
Step into the webbed feet of a down-on-his-luck duck detective in Duck Detective: The Secret Salami.
This cosy-styled mystery features a sinister sausage-based conspiracy! With a 2-3 hour gameplay, it’s strange there’s a demo on Steam, but why not?
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Interview suspects, uncover hidden secrets, and crack the case wide open with your de-duck-tive reasoning. Fully voice-acted and packed with quirky features, Duck Detective is shaping up to be a quick and meaty adventure.
It’s coming to PC later this year… What a quack-up.
– Julian
Remember to wishlist your favourites on Steam and you can catch the showcase in its entirety here.
