It is convention time again and as is our custom, I have compiled a list of the indie games that were knocking about at the event.

Mr. Greyscale

From student Paul O’Callaghan, Mr. Greyscale has made quite a stir in the Irish indie game scene. Aiming for a release window of Summer 2019, the game is a mind-bending puzzle platformer which combines Meat Boy-eques difficulty and boxy level design, with stage flipping puzzles that call to mind Fez. There have been many new additions, such as flaming hazards and boss fights, since an older demo for the game which I played in August and all of which show signs of a cult hit in the making.

Arc Saviour

Recently released on steam, Arc Saviour may look like it shares DNA with the likes of Star Fox or Panzer Dragoon, but it actually has more in common control wise with ground-based shooters like Call of Duty. It is thanks to this that the game solves a problem that both games had. The ability to turn one’s ship with a quick flick of the mouse allows for the precision aiming that Nintendo attempted to achieve with Star Fox Zero’s motion aiming and the multi-dimensional nature of the space battlefields. This forces the player to keep moving in a way that many shooters discourage with their abundance of cover and weapons which deal damage on firing, unlike dodge-able projectile weapons. An impressive feat for a solo developer, this is one I can’t wait to jump into.

Jennifer Wilde

Adapted from a comic of the same name, this game mimics its beautiful black and white art style. This is because helming the project is Stephen Downey, the comic’s original artist. What is more, the original writer, Maura McHugh, is the game’s scriptwriter. This stands to be a fascinating adaptation. The fledgling studio Outsider Games does have one title to their name, Wailing Heights, which is currently out on Nintendo Switch and PS4.

Altero

This game about a sentient voodoo doll is stunning from both a visual and game design perspective. It contains many interesting level mechanics revolving around dying to progress, an idea that I have rarely seen before. Designer Diego told me that there was a focus on story and that the gameplay and story were deeply intertwined, this fascinates me and I cannot wait to see more.

 

Lazer GRRL

Lazer GRRL is a free game on GameJolt and Itch.io. The game sees two players building circuits and the eponymous Lazers to destroy the opponent’s base. I played the game with a friend of mine at the convention and though she repeatedly handed my ass to me, I never stopped having fun. We played a multitude of matches and in each I would try new strategies. Being free there is no excuse whatsoever not to give it a go and support an Irish game studio.