Indie Games Galore: Hades 2, Nintendo Direct Surprises & More New Releases

Welcome, fellow game enthusiasts, to our latest dive into the vibrant world of indie gaming! This past week brought a double dose of exciting news. We saw a fantastic showcase from the revived Acclaim, highlighting some truly unique titles. Not long after, Nintendo commanded attention with its hour-long Direct. While it featured big names like Mario Tennis Fever, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and a Donkey Kong Bananza expansion, what really caught our eye were the stellar indie games that also took center stage.

Among the indie highlights, Hades 2 is undoubtedly a big one, with its full release arriving on September 25 for Switch, Switch 2, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Other beloved indies like Stardew Valley, Human Fall Flat, Overcooked 2, and PowerWash Simulator 2 are also set for Switch 2 versions.

A classic Nintendo Direct surprise, Lynked: Banner of the Spark shadow-dropped on Switch and Switch 2. This action RPG from FuzzyBot and Dreamhaven boasts a style reminiscent of Hades meets Hi-Fi Rush, and with added mouse control and GameShare support on the newer Switch, it’s definitely high on our ‘to-play’ list.

Another intriguing title is Popucom, a multiplayer adventure platformer where match-three shooting meets cooperative play. Each player gets two colors, meaning teamwork is essential to take down enemies. Look for Popucom to hit Switch this holiday season.

New Releases

Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game
First up, if you enjoy solving gentle mysteries, Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game is out now. Developed by the female-led Indonesian studio Posh Cat Studio, this charming slice-of-life detective game has you playing as freshman Mary, unraveling minor inconveniences and misunderstandings across 10 delightful cases. Its simple mechanics promise playful twists and surprising solutions – a perfect low-key puzzle experience, available on PC with a launch discount.

Disc Golf City
For a more active, yet still relaxed, vibe, Disc Golf City has emerged from Early Access. This game brings the fun of disc golf to a vibrant urban environment, letting you bounce discs off city objects for trick shots. From Agapo Games, it’s available for PC, Mac, and Linux, and a demo is available if you want to try before you buy.

Beyond Sunset
If you’re craving something with more edge, Beyond Sunset just hit full release. This cyberpunk first-person shooter with RPG elements from Metacorp / Vaporware and Movie Games boasts a fantastic vaporwave aesthetic and fast-paced action clearly inspired by classic Doom. For just $10, it’s a stylish blast.

Katanaut
And for those who can’t get enough Metroidvania, Katanaut is here. This roguelite from Voidmaw, now published by Acclaim, has you exploring a gore-soaked space station, mastering new weapons and skills on each run, and finding permanent upgrades through memory fragments. It’s available on PC.

Upcoming Games

Pacific Drive: Whispers in the Woods
The unique driving sim and survival horror game Pacific Drive is getting an expansion! Whispers in the Woods, launching later this year, promises 8-12 hours of new content, including characters, dangers, mysteries, and car-customizing cosmetics, perfect for fans of supernatural Pacific Northwest adventures.

Acclaim’s Showcase — A Glimpse into the Future:
The recently revived Acclaim showcase was packed with promising indie titles. Here are a few that caught our attention:

GridBeat
GridBeat from Ridiculous Games is a fascinating blend of puzzles, tactics, and dungeon crawling, all set to a rhythm game beat. Infiltrate corporate networks, evade malware, and escape with data, all while moving in sync with the music. It’s coming to PC, with a release window TBD.

Basketball Classics
For retro sports fans, Acclaim is now publishing Basketball Classics. This NES-style arcade basketball game, already available on PC, features 5-on-5 sidescrolling action, hundreds of teams, over a thousand players, and even couch multiplayer. Keep an eye out for its console debut soon!

Pixel Washer
If you enjoyed PowerWash Simulator, then Pixel Washer might be your next obsession. Play as an adorable piggy wielding a power washer, cleaning everything in sight. This Valadria-developed game promises quirky scenarios and even boss fights, coming to PC.

HyperYuki: Snowboard Syndicate
Finally, HyperYuki: Snowboard Syndicate instantly evokes the spirit of SSX meets Jet Set Radio. This Wabisabi Design snowboarding game offers races against NPCs or human opponents, a challenge-based main mode akin to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and a relaxing endless mode. With split-screen and 8-player online multiplayer confirmed for PC, it’s an easy wishlist addition. Acclaim has also stated they are actively exploring console releases for their titles, aiming to bring these experiences to as many players as possible.