Indie World Direct April 2023 News Rundown

Every year we get a few Indie-focused Indie World Direct presentations that give us an idea of what Indie titles are coming to Nintendo Switch. Other big gaming companies showcase Indie devs, but no one really does it quite like Nintendo. Yesterday, we had a 20-minute Indie World Direct full of news and announcements. Let’s get into the meat of what was shown, shall we?

As always, the showcase opened with a notice that all release dates or windows could be subject to change due to complications from COVID-19 or other delays. The showcase began with a trailer for Mineko’s Night Market, a Japanese-centric Narrative Adventure where you play a young child named Mineko as they discover that magical tales in their village may not be as farfetched as they thought. Created by Humble Games and Meowza Games, Mineko’s Night Market will be released on September 26^th, 2023.

Next came new footage of My Time at Sandrock from Pathea Games. Considering how well My Time at Portia has done on Switch, I figured it was only a matter of time before we’d get Switch port info. In My Time at Sandrock, you’ll be restoring a desert community to its former glory. Like My Time at Portia, there are Life-Sim elements all over the place, plus new character-centric narratives, and new mechanics like new mechanical workshop elements, archaeology-esque mechanics, and customization options. My Time at Sandrock will launch on Nintendo Switch later this summer. It’s already in Early Access on Steam if you just can’t wait.

The Multiplayer cooking Roguelite PlateUp is coming to Switch! After immense success on PC, this chaotic restaurant and Time Management party game is coming to the Nintendo Switch for a whole new host of players to enjoy. Build your own restaurant and turn it into a five-star dining experience. Be careful though, the more you progress, the more complex and difficult your restaurant management will get. Up to 4 players can enjoy PlateUp together when it launches on Nintendo Switch this October.

After that announcement came a reveal for a new game called Quilts & Cats of Calico, developed by a studio called Monster Couch. Quilts & Cats of Calico is a digital adaptation of a board game (that I’d never heard of) called Calico, which has you sewing a quilt using colored pieces of fabric, alternating with your opponent. It’s an interesting concept, but check out the trailer, since it makes more sense visually than explaining it. Quilts & Cats of Calico will be released this fall.

Crypt of the Necrodancer fans got a bit of a treat next, with a new trailer for the spinoff Rift of the Necrodancer. This new stand-alone Rhythm game is full of mini-games and other exciting elements with a brand-new storyline. Rift of the Necrodancer has a 2023 release window, so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more announcements.

Next came a block of announcements for DLC for games that were already revealed/released from previous Indie World Directs. First up is the Cupboards and Drawers DLC for A Little to the Left. This really makes me happy since I’ve been hoping for new puzzles after finishing everything the base game has to offer. This new DLC comes with 25 new puzzles and new story elements. The Cupboards and Drawers DLC will be released this June.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon fans are also in for a treat with the new Puzzler’s Pack DLC. This paid DLC includes two new playable characters, new “Quandary Challenges” and a new story. There are also new relics, hats that change up runs, and more. The Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon Puzzler’s Pack DLC will be released this Spring, though we don’t have a release date yet.

One of my favorite games from 2022 is also getting DLC! Cult of the Lamb developer Massive Monster just announced that the free Relics of the Old Faith Update will be coming to Switch! This update overhauls combat and adds new items, enemies, buildings, follower types, NPCs, and more! The Relics of the Old Faith Update will be released on April 24^th, so there isn’t much longer to wait!

Next, Bigmode Publishing provided a reveal for Animal Well, a new game crafted by a solo developer. Animal Well is an Atmospheric Platformer that lets you explore a mysterious labyrinth while avoiding deadly creatures within. You’ll solve puzzles, meet the labyrinth’s inhabitants (some dangerous, some not), and utilize a variety of items to progress and explore. Animal Well will be released on Nintendo Switch early next year.

Another new reveal came in the form of Crime O’Clock, a Puzzle Exploration game that has you solving cases across time and space. Developed by Bad Seed and Just for Games, Crime O’Clock will ask you to solve over 40 cases. As you complete cases and meet characters, new things will be unlocked, affected by changes in the timeline. Crime O’Clock will release on June 30^th, 2023.

Rain Games took the opportunity to provide more details on Teslagrad 2, as well as announce a Nintendo Switch release for Teslagrad Remastered. For the uninitiated, the Teslagrad games are Scandanavian-inspired Puzzle Adventures where you’ll harness electric-based abilities to progress. Teslagrad 2 offers a new story, new mechanics, and beautiful hand-drawn visuals. Teslagrad Remastered returns to where it all began with enhanced visuals and 10 all-new challenge levels. Teslagrad 2 and Teslagrad Remastered are available now on Nintendo Switch!

Next up came a reveal of Shadows Over Loathing, a 1920’s focused adventure with mobsters, monsters, and more. Set in the same universe as West of Loathing, this hand-drawn experience is a slapstick RPG in a black-and-white world. The digital version of Shadows Over Loathing is available now, with a physical release coming this Fall.

With a surprise reveal, the developers at The Game Kitchen announced Blasphemous 2, the sequel to the religious-inspired Soulslike Metroidvania. Dripping with Catholic imagery and Baroque-style art, Blasphemous 2 puts you back in the role of the Penitent One. You find yourself in a strange land, torn from your resting place. Blasphemous 2 will be released this summer.

We also got an extended view of Oxenfree II, which was previously announced at another Indie World presentation (I think). Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is a Narrative Adventure that puts you in the role of Riley, who returns to her hometown to investigate mysterious electromagnetic waves. Set 5 years after Oxenfree, you’ll tune into the various signals, manipulate the world around you, and interact with supernatural entities. Your choices will determine Riley’s relationships and various endings when Oxenfree II: Lost Signals releases on July 12^th, 2023.

As the last announcement, the Direct took time to throw another rapid-fire burst of announcements and updates our way. Here are the highlights:

Paper Trail – Releases August 2023
Little Kitty, Big City – Releases in 2024
Chants of Sennaar – Releases September 5^th, 2023
Brotato – Releases 2023

Escape Academy: The Complete Edition – Releases Fall 2023
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach – Available Now
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk – Releases August 18^th, 2023

With those last few announcements, another Indie World presentation ended. Personally, I think this was a pretty solid Indie World Direct. There were some surprises, some interesting reveals, and though we didn’t get any information on some highly anticipated launches like Hollow Knight: Silksong, there was a lot to love here. If you’d like to watch the Indie World Direct yourself, check it out below.