Today's trailer roundup features an adorable riot simulator, a 3D puzzler inspired by classical surreal art, a physics-based action puzzler for mobile devices, an arcade game involving kittens, a 16-bit-era-inspired JRPG tackling mature themes, a retro-style platformer, a puzzle platformer in which different kinds of light illuminate different things (good and bad), an action platformer involving the wanton shattering of stained glass windows, a stealth action game in which the goal is to stab your friends, and a turn-based roguelike whose battle system involves poker elements.
Before getting to the games: the trailer roundup format has been changed ever so slightly to make it clearer which games are for which platforms and which ones are available now as compared to being in development, early access, and/or crowdfunding. Prices are listed (in USD unless otherwise specified) when known.
Anarcute
Xbox One (possibly Windows, Mac, and Linux to follow); Tentatively $15; Mid 2015
One could easily be forgiven for thinking this trailer is for a Japanese game, but it's actually being made by a team of four French game development students. Take control of a rioting mob in a dystopian society, wrecking things while the rioters protect their identities using cute animal masks. The developers quote Katamari Damacy as a major inspiration, with a player's mob growing in size as things are demolished so that the mob can destroy more things. This was originally prototyped with a horde of zombies.
Back to Bed
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS; August 6th for PC, mobile soon after
Back to Bed is a surrealist 3D puzzle game. In it, the player's goal is to get Bob, who is narcoleptic, back to bed through an environment filled with illusions and other dangers. It began as a student project, was successfully Kickstarted early last year, and won the IGF 2013 student showcase among other things.
Gravity Lab
Android, iOS; Free (with IAP); Available now
Although not new to iOS, the Android version of this physics-based action puzzle game was released at the end of May. Alongside the Android release, the iOS version got a major update. There are over 200 levels, including over 90 new challenge levels.
Kitten Challenge
Android; Free; Available now
This game from Robert Nikicionek is an arcade game that appears to involve launching the kitten from its platform at the appropriate time and in the appropriate direction to collect all the things. It has 40 levels now with more on the way.
Legena: Union Tales
Windows, Android, Ouya; $5; Late 2015; Kickstarter
Legena is set to be the first in a series of episodic retro-styled JRPG games. In Legena, stories are handed down about The Narrator, a mythical figure used to scare children into behaving. But the red sky and green lightning that herald his coming have flashed; he's real, and over the course of the series the mystery of the The Narrator will be unraveled. Developer Grandpa Pixel wants to tackle mature themes, including LGBTQ themes, in this series, which has 16 days left to raise £5,000 (approx. $8,500 US) on Kickstarter.
Metanet Hunter: REMIX
Windows, Mac, Linux; $3.99; Available now
NightKawata's first game was the free Metanet Hunter (Windows, Mac, Linux), a GameBoy-styled platformer with 35 main levels and a number of bonus stages. He's added an artist to his team for this sequel, which has 8 worlds to explore.
Schein
Windows; $8.99; Available now; Demo; Greenlight
From the developer: "Schein is a challenging puzzle platformer that tells the story of a desperate man, who ventures forth into the mystical swamp in search of his missing son. As he gets lost in the darkness, a wisp appears that offers him help, guidance, and its magical power: A light that changes the world. Use this mighty power and your wits to unveil new dimensions, defeat deadly beasts, solve tricky puzzles and uncover hidden paths through the murky swamp."
Stained
Windows; $7.99; Available now
IndieGames has covered Stained before, but it was in development at the time. It's available now, though, and this action/puzzle platformer has a unique mechanic involving the shattering of stained glass windows, the shards of which have different effects. It just launched on Steam and is 30% off until the 17th.
Thief Town
Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android; Fall 2014; Greenlight
Thief Town is a local multiplayer-only game (with LAN capability) in which the players all look identical, are dropped into a town full of identical NPCs, and must figure out which avatars belong to the other players and stab them before getting stabbed themselves. There are a couple of special modes, too, including one that pits a lone sheriff armed with a gun against the other players.
We Slay Monsters
Windows, Mac, iOS; Win/Mac Early Access $4.99; September 2014 $9.99
Furiously Interactive Games is working on We Slay Monsters, a turn-based roguelike with a battle system that incorporates elements of poker. Each class has its own unique deck, and although poker plays can be used for extra damage there are six suits instead of four. It's designed for short bursts of play lasting 15-25 minutes (unless the player dies sooner). Early access is on sale for $2.49 at time of this writing.