Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
As always, this year’s PAX Australia was filled to brim with exciting indie games waiting to be discovered. And we wasted no time in scoping out the best of them.
City of Brass
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG What is it?
An unforgiving first-person rogue-lite leaping from the pages of the Arabian Nights. Players assume the role of a thief battling to reach a fabled treasure at the city’s heart, wielding a versatile and powerful whip that can be used to disarm, trip or stun enemies, grab inaccessible objects and break through barricades. Basically, it’s Bioshock-meets-Indiana-Jones-Meets-Alladin.
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG Who is it being made by?
Uppercut Games.
When will it be available?
City of Brass is available now on PC via Steam’s Early Access program. The full version of the game is slated for launch on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in 2018.
Hello Neighbour
What is it?
A stealth horror game where you take on the role of a nosy do-gooder who attempts to sneak into the home of his enigmatic neighbour and discover just what is making all those strange noises coming from their basement.
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG Who is it being made by?
Dynamic Pixels.
What did we think of it?
Based on our time with the game, we’re really impressed. It’s got some sandboxy quirks and imperfections to be sure. However, there’s a genuine thrill in attempting to outsmart the AI controlling the titular neighbour - which learns from your actions.
Credit: Dynamic Pixels Tied together by a Pixar-esque cartoonish art-style, Hello Neighbour looks like it’ll be fun caper to get to the bottom of come the game’s full release.
When will it be available?
The full game releases on the 8th of December 2017.
AMID Evil
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG What is it?
A HEXEN-style level-based first person shooter with a retro look and an original soundtrack composed by Andrew Hulshult. The game is broken into seven distinct episodes, with each offering players the chance to face off against different enemies using ludicrous arcane weaponry “that can be overcharged with the souls of the dead”.
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG Who is it being made by?
Indefatigable
When will it be available?
The Steam page for the game says it will be available soon, but doesn’t give any sort of specific time-window.
Hand of Fate 2
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG What is it
Like the first game, Hand of Fate 2 will see players overcome trials built from a deck of collectible cards, handed out by the game's menacing Dealer. The sequel is set to add new weapon types, fighting styles, enemies, bosses, boost cards, storylines and victory conditions into the mix.
Who is it being made by?
Defiant Development.
Credit: Defiant Development What did we think of it?
We came away really excited about Hand of Fate 2. The combat feels sharper and more refined, the companions seems cool and the restructured levels feel more dynamic to navigate. According to the devs, Hand of Fate 2 is envisioned as "the final word" on this sort of game - and we’re keen to see what it has to say.
When will it be available?
Hand of Fate 2 will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC players on the 7th of November.
The FRAMED Collection
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG What is it?
A compilation of the multi-award winning noir puzzle games FRAMED and FRAMED 2. Both are narrative-driven puzzle games see the player re-arrange panels the of a comic book to tell - or change the outcome of - a noir story.
Who is it being made by?
Melbourne-based games developer Loveshack.
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG When will it be available?
FRAMED and FRAMED 2 are available now for mobile via the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The Steam compilation version will launch in early 2018.
Aura of Worlds
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG What is it?
Aura of Worlds is a creative tactical roguelite platformer with a focus on exploration and improvisation. Players will deploy an array of unconventional abilities, their wits and reflexes in order to make it through a set of deviously difficult and procedurally generated levels.
Who is it being made by?
Cognitive Forge.
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG When will it be available?
Aura of Worlds will be releasing on Itch.IO this month and come to Steam in early 2018
West of Loathing
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG What is it?
West of Loathing is a single-player comedy role playing game set in a stick-figure rendition of the wild west. Players will journey forth to find their fortune in a humorous Western adventure brimming with branching storylines, tactical turn-based combat, and big hats.
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG Who is it being made by?
Assymetric.
When will it be available?
West of Loathing is available now via Steam. The iOS version of the game will be available later in 2017.
