Nintendo Direct: Indie World Showcase August 2020

Another Nintendo Direct showcase has arrived folks! This time we dive back into Nintendo’s Indie World to explore multiple indie releases coming to the Switch in the near future. As you know, Phenixx Gaming thrives on indie content so we’re excited to see more, especially on the Nintendo Switch. We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get started, shall we?

It is important to point out, that at the beginning of the showcase, Nintendo made an important disclaimer in regards to COVID-19. All of these release dates and release windows are obviously still subject to change. Even games that have a firm release could be delayed or moved if COVID-19 causes setbacks and delays. Keeping our expectations in check moving forward is a good idea.

The showcase opened with a reveal that I am very excited about. Hades, developed by Supergiant Games, is coming to Nintendo Switch. The reveal was accompanied by a stylish and interesting animated sequence that makes me wish they’d make an anime series based on the game. You hear me Supergiant? No? Okay. Anyway, Hades puts you in the role of Zagreus, the son of Hades. Zagreus wants to escape the Underworld and is aided in his quest by the other gods of Olympus.

As with any roguelike, you go through procedurally generated runs, die, make some meta-progression, and then continue on. Supergiant Games have added their storytelling and eye for design as well. Supergiant Games also announced that the Nintendo Switch version will support cross-saves, allowing you to transfer your progress from PC to your Nintendo Switch. Hades will come to Nintendo Switch this Fall, though we weren’t given a specific release date.

Next up came an announcement for Hypnospace Outlaw, developed by No More Robots. Hypnospace Outlaw is a window into the early days of the internet where you investigate cases on the “digital streets of Hypnospace” while dodging viruses, villains, and other obstacles. Hypnospace Outlaw launches for Nintendo Switch on August 27^th and a demo is currently available on the eShop, as well as an option to pre-purchase the game.

The next announcement was a surprise release for a game that I am very excited about. I had intended to share a preview of Spiritfarer with you all after the Steam Festival, but I never got around to it. Now, Spiritfarer has released on Nintendo Switch and other platforms. Spiritfarer is a cozy management game where you play the titular Spiritfarer Stella, who must help the spirits of the dead make their way into the afterlife.

You do so by transporting them across the seas on your handcrafted ferry. Befriend passengers, explore an imaginative world, customize your boat, farm, and do a myriad of other things as you take your friends to their final destination. Spiritfarer is now available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Continuing on, we have an announcement for Garden Story. Developed by Picogram and Rose City Games, Garden Story is a game meant to “inspire community stewardship and showcase the importance of coming together to help one another when times get tough.” It is a very timely concept, especially in the hellscape that 2020 has become for some people.

Garden Story is a “wholesome action-adventure” game where you play the newly appointed guardian named Concord, who is a grape fresh off the vine. It is up to Concord to help rebuild their community and stave off the dangerous Rot. Cultivate friendships, gather resources, and restore buildings in order to help unite the grove. We won’t see Garden Story until 2021, but it already looks like an adorable and fun experience that will be coming to Nintendo Switch.

The next announcement involves Subnautica, which has been an acclaimed hit on PC for a while now. Unknown Worlds Entertainment is bringing Subnautica and its sequel Subnautica: Below Zero to Nintendo Switch. They didn’t give a specific date beyond “Early 2021,” but fans of Subnautica or survival games will be able to sink their teeth into it when it launches next year, presumably alongside (or close to) the full Subnautica: Below Zero release on PC.

Next, we have an announcement for a game called Takeshi and Hiroshi by Oink games. As a budding game developer named Takeshi, you must entertain your little brother Hiroshi with the latest chapter of your game. Takeshi and Hiroshi is an RPG in which you choose the monsters that Hiroshi faces and craft cool challenges.

Try not to make things too difficult though. You’ll have to balance the difficulty delicately in order to make the game a truly unforgettable adventure. Takeshi and Hiroshi is now available on Nintendo Switch, as a surprise launch for the Direct. I am very curious about this one and the art style looks really cool.

Another game was released today that I have been following for some time. Raji: An Ancient Epic released for the Nintendo Switch during the Nintendo Direct today. Raji: An Ancient Epic, developed by Nodding Heads Games, is an action-adventure game set in Ancient India. It is the first action-adventure game (to my knowledge) to dive deep into Indian culture. Raji also takes inspiration from Hindu and Balinese mythology and asks that you play as the titular Raji in order to defend the world from the Demon Lord.

Take up powerful weapons such as the divine bow Sharanga and the traditional Trishul, while you assist Raji in saving her brother and stopping the demon horde. Raji: An Ancient Epic is absolutely gorgeous, and contains architecture and art unlike any western audiences have seen in a game before. It is a timed console-exclusive for the Nintendo Switch and will come to PC, PS4, and Xbox One at a later date.

Bear and Breakfast took the stage next. Developed by Gummy Cat Studio and Armor Games, Bear and Breakfast puts you in the role of Hank, who must turn a dilapidated shack into a thriving Bed and Breakfast. Customize the rooms, raise the reputation of your establishment, and watch it grow into a thriving slice of paradise. Bear and Breakfast will also be a timed-exclusive for the Nintendo Switch and will arrive in 2021.

Whippoorwill Limited’s A Short Hike was showcased next. Explore Hawk Peak Provincial Park and its peaceful mountain landscapes. A Short Hike is all about going at your own pace and gives you the freedom to explore the beaten path or go off the trail and explore back roads and other areas. Get to know the hikers, find buried treasure, and take a boat ride if you feel like it. A Short Hike is a timed-exclusive that is available now on Nintendo Switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_bW7CnDA-Q

Reigns developer Nerial and publisher Devolver Digital have announced their next project known as Card Shark. Card Shark is a game about cheating at cards and aims to teach real card tricks and manipulation to players. Fleece and cheat your way to the top of 18th-century French society. Build up your card tricks and buy your way into high stakes games. Be careful to not get caught though, your opponents won’t take kindly to being cheated. Card Shark will release in 2021 for PC and Nintendo Switch.

The next game in the Torchlight franchise is coming to Switch! Torchlight III brings the land of Norvestria to the Switch platform. Set 100 years after the events of Torchlight II, this sequel puts you in the hands of a new hero who must delve into foul dungeons and take on powerful foes. You’ll be able to build your own forts, show off your gear, and do all manner of things when Torchlight III comes to Switch this fall. Switch players will also get an exclusive red fairy pet when Torchlight III releases.

Next came the Escher-inspired Manifold Garden, a gravity manipulating puzzle-exploration game inspired by physics-defying artwork. You’ll have to change your perspective to solve some of these mind-bending puzzles and I for one can’t wait to experience this one. Manifold Garden is now available on Switch.

The next announcement came from a game that looked to be inspired by Ori and the Blind Forest. Evergate is a platformer that asks you to recover your memories and save the afterlife. Guide a child-like spirit named Ki through life, death, space, and time in this puzzle-platformer. Evergate is now available on Nintendo Switch.

With those announcements out of the way, Nintendo had a rapid-fire list of games that their partnered indie-studios are working on. Here is a list containing these projects.

Haven – an RPG releasing Later this Year on Switch
Going Under – an action game releasing September 24^th
The Red Lantern – a dog-sledding game releasing this Fall
Unrailed – A train-themed puzzle game releasing September 23^rd
Struggling – A strange and creepy game releasing August 27^th
InMost – A horror game releasing August 21^st
She Dreams Elsewhere – an RPG releasing in Early 2021
Grindstone – a matching puzzle game releasing this Fall
Gonner2 – the sequel to Gonner coming this Fall

After that rapid-fire breakdown of releases, Nintendo had one last surprise in store. A free multiplayer update to Untitled Goose Game is coming on September 23^rd. Now you can play with a friend and be a pair of menacing geese. They also announced a physical edition of Untitled Goose Game coming soon.

The last bit of info was an announcement of an indie sale on the Nintendo eShop. So, if you have a bit of cash, go pick up some of the stuff listed in this article at a reduced price! This was a packed Nintendo Direct and I can see a lot of indie games I’m eager to dive into. Let’s hope the next Direct gets us more information on some highly anticipated titles. Until then, stay tuned for more Nintendo news and announcements as they arise!