Summary
The games industry is at a point where creativity is sorely lacking, as PlayStation proudly revealsyet another hero shooter to a chorus of boos, while Konami tries and fails to understandwhy there’s no appetite for a Silent Hill 2 remakethat nobody asked for. Things are getting stale, and the problem won’t change as long as publishers continue to chase trends andshut down studios that even attempt to make something that may not have mass appeal.
Indies are where you’ll find unique and creative experiences, and this year’s Wholesome Games Direct showcase managed to round up a bunch of them and make me feel like the industry may not be so doomed after all. Dozens of games were shown off this year, far too many to give each one their own spotlight, but here are some that are worth keeping an eye on.
Caravan SandWitch
It’s not often that a single, minute-long trailer manages to get its hooks in me, but I thinkCaravan SandWitchlooks like one of this year’s most promising indie titles.My personal highlight of the show, Caravan SandWitch has a strong focus on exploration, as you traverse a world ravaged by environmental disasters either on foot or in your van.
It’s a post-apocalyptic setting that shakes off the usual depression and despair to tell a story about resilience and community. There is no threat of death, it’s just you, your van, and the open road.
Discounty
It wouldn’t be a Wholesome Direct without the odd management sim here and there, butDiscountymanaged to stand apart with its slightly sinister undertones. Your aunt drags you out to a run-down harbor town and pretty much forces you to manage the only grocery store in the area.
You’ll use your profits to upgrade your store, try and cater to individual customers, and improve your stock. However, Discounty differs in that your success is not in everyone’s best interest, and there’s a chance you can make as many enemies as you do friends.
Fruitbus
We go from managing a grocery store to managing a food truck now, as while Discounty andFruitbusshare the same space, you couldn’t get a more different experience. For starters, it’s entirely open world, allowing you to take your truck wherever you like while you forage for fruits and veg to turn into delicious meals.
Those that come and visit your truck will tell you about their lives, if your food is good enough to give them an Anton Ego Ratatouille moment. Fruitbus also has a vast amount of customization options that let you switch up your cooking style and truck’s appearance. You can’t ask for much more, really.
Lost and Found Co.
Very rarely does a hidden object game come along and bash you across the face with its personality, and you’ll struggle to find any bursting with as much color and charm asLost and Found Co.
Each area you see in the trailer feels vibrant and alive, teeming with activity and interesting people, as you search for objects to earn money and fame for a startup company founded by a long-forgotten goddess. It’s simple, yet also manages to stand out in a somewhat saturated genre with a delightful art style and interactive world.
Music Power Up
On the other hand,Music Power Upis unlike anything I’ve seen before. It won’t be for everyone, but a game that revolves around creating music for other video games which also functions as a legitimate music production application is such a brilliant idea.
Music Power Up comes with ten different minigames, each one you’ll be able to create the music for, all while learning about actual music production and tricks of the trade. you may even sing into a sampler and use your voice for your music. It’s a very niche title, but very cool if music is your jam.
Screenbound
We don’t stop with the unique concepts there either, asScreenboundcould possibly be the very first 5D game you ever play. You’ll navigate a 3D world while also traversing a 2D world in a retro 2D handheld console at the same time.
Certain environmental puzzles and obstacles can only be seen on one plane or the other, and both screens have their own unique mechanics, making Screenbound a tricky platformer to navigate, but one that definitely stands out as a result.
Into The Emberlands
We’ll end with another exploration game, yet one that ventures a little into roguelite territory by having you venture out from your cozy little town in search of resources.
Into the Emberlands’main feature is the Miasma, a thick fog that is threatening to swallow up your village unless you do something about it. Each run into the Miasma has you on the hunt in a procedurally generated world for resources, creatures, and lost villagers, as you grow out your village with more buildings and fight back the encroaching corruption.
There were a lot more games I could’ve featured here, as this year’s Wholesome Games Direct was teeming with fun and interesting experiences that I would urge anyone to check out if you’re looking for something a little different. You can see the full lineup of titleson the Wholesome Games websiteif you missed the show, and I can guarantee there’s a good chance you might find your next favorite indie hiding there.
