Another Nintendo Indie World Showcase has wrapped, and with it, a new slate of indie games is headed to Switch. This presentation was arguably one of the weaker showings, particularly in comparison to last December's event that featured headliners like Cyber Shadow and Among Us. Still, some key announcements were mixed in that are sure to delight fans.
Of course, any discussion of the presentation isn't complete without briefly mentioning the titles that were missing. Just as Nintendo itself has been quiet with respect to many of its major games, key indie studios are still playing their cards close to the chest. Hollow Knight: Silksong and Sports Story are two titles that players have been waiting for updates on, and another has showcase passed without them. Regardless, there were enough solid moments here distract from these disappointing absences.
Hindsight
Hindsight is yet another conceptual and artistic adventure from Annapurna Interactive. The publisher has been responsible for some of the most beautiful and impactful indies of recent years, from Donut County to Sayonara Wild Hearts. Hindsight looks to be another compelling, emotionally affecting journey. The game is developed by Joel MacDonald, and tasks the player with meticulously exploring a woman's life by combing through her memories. While not much is known about the game, Hindsight will launch later in 2021.
Olli Olli World
Olli Olli is no Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, but it is a beloved indie skateboarding series nonetheless. Olli Olli World is the newest installment, and certainly the most ambitious. It is ratcheting the franchise's arcade gameplay up to the next level, pairing it with a surrealist, eclectic aesthetic. With new mechanics, characters and a grander scope for the overall experience, developer Roll7 has a special skateboarding adventure on its hands. Olli Olli World will launch this winter.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
The four-player Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brawlers like Turtles in Time are some of the most iconic and fluid beat 'em ups of all time. TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is looking to recapture that spirit in a modern context, and if the trailers are any indication of the final product, it looks like it will succeed on that front. This isn't a surprise, as the talent behind the project is perfect for the job: Tribute Games is developing while Dotemu publishes. The latter is known for the exemplary Streets of Rage 4. Dotemu's stamp of approval should be enough to compel fans when Shredder's Revenge launches later in 2021.
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Skul: The Hero Slayer is a roguelike action-platformer that seems to check all the boxes that a game like Dead Cells does. The intricacy of its pixel art is matched by the fluidity of its combat system. Developed by SouthPAW Games and published by NEOWIZ, Skul looks to like an easy purchase for fans of its genre. The game is highly acclaimed too, as it launched to positive reviews on Steam earlier this year. Nintendo fans can expect Skul to release on Switch this Summer.
Fez
Fez is arguably one of the most iconic indie games of all time. Its puzzle-platforming design ingenuity has impressed fans since its release in 2012 and subsequent ports to myriad platforms. The Switch release marks Fez's first appearance on a Nintendo platform though, as it skipped both Wii U and 3DS. Its hybrid 2D-3D puzzle design will certainly speak to this new audience that already enjoys titles like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. Fez, developed by Phil Fish, is available right now on the Nintendo eShop, one of many games to be stealth-launched following the presentation.
Oxenfree II: The Lost Signals
As per the usual arrangement, this Indie World presentation ended with a final big reveal. This time, fans were treated to the announcement of Oxenfree II: The Lost Signals. For many, this was a sizable announcement. Oxenfree is a lauded narrative adventure game with a supernatural element, and Oxenfree II is looking to maintain the ethos of its predecessor with a brand-new story that takes place five years after the first title. Fans can look forward to this sequel from Night School Studio and MWM Interactive later in 2021.
While this particular showcase may not have featured a Hades or Cadence of Hyrule, titles like Oxenfree II and Shredder's Revenge were major. Indie World Showcases are always a grab-bag of familiar IP and bold new concepts that make each presentation an essential watch, and while the aforementioned titles were clear highlights, there were even more fans can look forward to playing. Hopefully, Nintendo continues to spotlight and lift up indie games through 2021, as they're a vital part of the Switch's ecosystem.