Dystopias that blend the Cold War and cosmic horror, sparkling gaming musicals and thieves worthy of Ocean’s Eleven…welcome back to INDIEspensabili! On the pages of it’s time to dive headlong again into the multifaceted and sizzling universe of independent development, to set sail looking for original and promising productions.
Some time ago we had the pleasure of accompanying you to the discovery of some intriguing Indies published by Handy Games and once again we are preparing to rattle off the information learned during an event organized by a single publisher, Humble Games. In a welcome spring showcase, the managers of Humble Store have in fact raised the curtain on several titles that have caught our curiosity. As per the tradition of Essentialsso keep your Steam Wishlist ready and don’t forget to take note of the games that arouse your curiosity: happy reading!
Signalis
Developer: rose-engine
Publisher: Humble Games
Type: Survival Horror
Exit date: Autumn 2022
Platforms: PC / Xbox One (and Xbox Series X | S in backward compatibility) / Xbox Game Pass
Steam page: Signalis
We had already had the opportunity to report it among the most interesting Indie games of E3 2021, but we are happy to come back to talk to you about Signalis, a production that appears more and more intriguing with each of its appearances. From a strong passion for such cornerstones such as Resident Evil And silent Hillthe small rose-engine team shapes a merging survival horror Lovecraftian horror, retro-futurism anchored in the decades of the Cold War and melancholy mystery.
In the role of Elster, a humanoid entity identified as a “replica”, players will find themselves on the surface of a planet covered with snow and ice, but whose depths seem to hide disturbing secrets. Having lost her traveling companions, the protagonist crosses the boundaries of an abandoned underground structure, which is worryingly reminiscent of a prison camp. As if this were not enough, Elster begins to be struck by flashbacks of a past that does not belong to her, while her dreams seem to slip further and further away, lost in the dark In the depths of the white planet that she is the backdrop to. Signalisthey hide creatures worthy of the pen of HP Lovecraft, while another “replica” proves to be pervaded by a dark evil. Radio signals encrypted by a mysterious code further complicate the situation.
Survival horror with a melancholy atmosphere, Signalis it does not promote adrenaline-fueled gameplay: the direct confrontation will in fact be Elster’s last resort, struggling with realities too frightening to be able to arrest them with simple bullets. Between solving a puzzle and a message to decipher, players will find oppressive atmospheres and a story rich in nuances and levels of interpretation awaiting them. On the aesthetic front, Signalis comes to life thanks to an effective fusion between pixel art, low poly aesthetics and anime style cut-scenes.
With the latest presentation from Humble Games, the rose-engine team reiterated that Signalis will debut exclusively on the Microsoft ecosystem, with debut on PC, Xbox One and – on Day One – the Xbox Game Pass catalog. A definitive launch date is missing, but the debut of the German survival horror will take place in the autumn of this year.
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Developer: Summerfall Studios
Publisher: Humble Games
Type: RPG / Music
Exit date: TBA
Platforms: PC
Steam page: TBA
We radically change the register, passing to a production worthy of a videogame Broadway, for a title that wants to give life to a mix between role play and … musical! The intriguing premise is accompanied by a peculiar narrative plot, signed by none other than da David Gaiderformer Lead Writer at BioWare and one of the creators of the imagery of Dragon Age.
The events of Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical develop in a contemporary metropolis, in which the gods of ancient Greece hide among humans. In this sort of American Gods, Grace is a Muse who has received the gift of the ability to involve other people in musical numbers with her voice. Undoubtedly original power, the latter seems to be essential to be able to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of its predecessor.
As mentioned, Stray Gods blends the musical component with real RPG dynamics, with the players who will therefore find themselves shaping their own story through multiple choice decisions and dialogues. In search of herself, Grace will be able to support the desire to develop new friendships or loves, within a virtual world made entirely by hand and which promises to be full of style.
To give life to Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, the Summerfall Studios team can count not only on David Gaider, but also on many other talents. For the composition of the soundtrack, for example, we find the award-winning on board Austin Wintory (Journey, Saga banner), while leading the dubbing of the eccentric characters of the Indie will be present – among others – Troy Baker (Joel in The Last of Us; Higgs in Death Stranding) And Laura Bailey (Abby in The Last of Us: part II).
Monaco II
Developer: Pocketwatch Games
Publisher: Humble Games
Type: Action
Exit date: TBA
Platforms: PC
Steam page: Monaco II
After the success of Monaco: What’s Yours Is Minethe Pocketwatch Games team is ready to bring the gang together to land new hits in an unexpected sequel. Under the umbrella of Humble Games, the software house is in fact devoting itself to the development of Monaco IIobviously thanks to the contribution of Andy Schatzcreator of the IP debuted back in 2013.
In this new adventure based on well thought out crimes, players will find a real one waiting for them star cast of theft. Between expert hackers and masters of the break-in, options will not be lacking, with the community of Monaco II who will have the opportunity to opt for multiple types of approach to the goal.
Experience to live both alone and in cooperative mode, the sequel brings to the stage an endless selection of settings. The crime scenes will in fact be generated in a procedural way by an AI carefully shaped by the development team. Preserving the mix of top-down view and first-person action simulation, Monaco II aspires to the title of “ultimate theft simulator“.
At the moment, the development of the game is in the early stages, with Pocketwatch Games that will still need some time to finalize the preparations for the launch of the title. Pending more details, the debut of the title on PC has already been confirmed, but a criminal foray into the world of console gaming cannot be ruled out. The more curious, however, can follow the progress related to the realization of Monaco II via the Pocketwatch Games Twitch channel, where developers will offer weekly direct to illustrate the evolution of the title.
Moonscars
Developer: Black Mermaid
Publisher: Humble Games
Type: Action RPG / Souls-like
Exit date: Summer 2022
Platforms: PC
Steam page: Moonscars
And from the daring action of Monaco IIlet’s move on to the decidedly dark tones of Moonscarsa Souls-like 2D painted in pixel artwith a scenographic pictorial aesthetic dominated by shades of white, black and red.
Within a world with a strictly non-linear structure, Gray Irma is a creature “of meat and clay“, which gave birth to a mysterious creator, known as the Sculptor. What is the purpose behind this surreal spark of life, is a question that brings with it answers that drip blood and despair.
With a combat system that contemplates the construction of multiple builds and the need to master attack, defense and counterattack, Moonscars conveys the feeling of a title deeply violent and oppressive. Colossal blades and sorcery interact to offer Gray Irma an arsenal that matches her desire for knowledge and revenge. The level of challenge, needless to say, promises to be calibrated upwards, for a slasher in two dimensions that could prove to be a welcome surprise for lovers of the genre.
The worldbuilding articulated by Moonscars is still shrouded in mystery, but in the coming months it will be possible to discover more aspects of the production, which will debut on PC in the late summer of this year.
Ghost Song
Developer: Old Moon
Publisher: Humble Games
Type: Action RPG / Metroidvania
Exit date: 2022
Platforms: PC
Steam page: Ghost Song
We close our review with an adventure with cold and alien shades, proposed by the developers of Old Moon. With Ghost Song, the software house takes players to the surface of Lorian V, a desolate moon that languishes inhospitable in deep space. In the subsoil of the celestial body, a maze of labyrinths keeps secrets buried by eternity, on which we will have to try to shed light, in the role of a creature awakened from a long sleep, devoid of memories or purpose.
At the end of this journey, we will be able to discover – or remember – the truth that distinguishes the fate and nature of Lorian V, but before then there will be obstacles and challenges. Structured according to the typical stylistic features of the Metroidvania, Ghost Song offers suggestive settings, illuminated only by the light generated by bioluminescent life forms. With a color palette that unravels between shades of purple, blue and ice white, the Indie evokes a melancholy and mysterious atmosphere, in which NPCs are ready to tell stories of discovery and redemption.
In order to face the underground labyrinths of the moon, the protagonist must learn to master a wide range of skills and special powers, which will be unlocked as the adventure progresses. Between almost cyberpunk-style weapons and close combat strategies, the combat system of Ghost Song it seems to offer a fair degree of variety, within a framework in which character development will be essential to gaining access to new areas of the map.
With a score composed by Grant Graham, Old Moon’s descent into darkness unfolds between ancient mysteries, self-discovery and Lovecraftian horror.
