Everything Nintendo Announced During The December Indie World Showcase

Nintendo showcased nearly 25 minutes of indie games during today’s Indie World Showcase, and if you weren’t able to catch it, or if you missed the name of the game you’re excited to check out, we’ve got you covered. 

Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars was announced in 2020 as a prequel to Sabotage Studio’s The Messenger, and while we saw it last year, which is where we also learned that Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda is helping compose the game’s score, today’s Indie World Showcase gave us another glimpse into its beautiful world. The trailer featured some stunning pixel artwork and turn-based combat. Mitsuda also gave us a sneak peek at what he is up to. The best part about the trailer was its release window, Holiday 2022. 

Aliisha: Oblivion for Twin Goddesses

This cooperative adventure has up to two players taking control of either of Aliisha’s twin protagonists, Lisha or Aisha. You’ll need to rely on the expertise of each sister as you navigate a deserted temple. Each requires a different control scheme. Lisha’s agile movements make use of the Joy-Con motion controls, while Aisha’s AMBU drone instead makes use of the Switch touch screen. With a striking, painterly art style, UNDERSCORE’s journey of duality will be sure to delight the eyes when it releases in spring 2022. 

Loco Motive

Robust Games is a new company that was founded by two brothers. It’s a point-and-click adventure game set aboard a 1930s express train called the Royce Express. Oh, and it’s a murder mystery (murder happens a lot aboard 20th Century trains, huh?). After a killing occurs aboard the express train, you play as three characters – a straight-laced lawyer, an amateur detective, and an undercover agent – at different points in the story while attempting to find clues and ultimately clear your name because all three playable characters also happen to be the main suspects. Loco Motive is coming to Switch this summer. 

Afterlove EP

Part visual novel, part rhythm game, Pikselnesia’s heartfelt story centers around a musician named Rama, who is mourning the passing of his girlfriend. Taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, Afterlove will see Rama pick up the pieces after this great loss and learn to build relationships again, and maybe even find love once more. With a distinct manga inspiration, featuring a soundtrack composed by Indonesian band L’alphalpha, this game’s style is unique compared to anything in the Indie World presentation. This game will break down our emotions, but it may also bring us back to hope for Afterlove EP’s release this summer.

Dungeon Munchies

Dungeon Munchies is one of the more exciting reveals of today’s showcase because it’s available to purchase and play today. Beautiful, though a little grotesque, trailers show off pixel art, death, monsters and even a talking cooker. And speaking of a cooking pot, you’ll be tasked with helping necro-chef Simmer cook up new recipes by killing monsters and bringing them to her. New recipes might give you a new ability or a special bonus, and between all of the recipes in the game, of which there are over 100, you’re bound to find a new favorite meal. 

Creed Valley, Figment 2.

Figment 2 Creed Valley, a sequel to 2019, is a puzzle-solving adventure laced by music. The world you will explore is one that you create with your sword. You can solve the puzzles and other obstacles from an isometric viewpoint. To tackle the array of melodic diseases and environmental brain teasers Bedtime Digital Games has created, you and another player may team up. You can download a demo of the game from the eShop, and the complete release will come in February.

Let’s Play: Oink Games

Let’s Play: Oink Games is Oink Games’ spin on some classic tabletop games. Players can now play four different board games online and offline, either solo or in groups. The first board game will involve deep-sea diving, the second is Monopoly-inspired and involves investing to increase your stock price. A third board game is about drawing and trying to blend in with your artistry, and the fourth and final board game in Let’s Play: Oink Games, for now, is about surviving on the moon. Oink Games claims that you can now play each of these games, with more to come. 

Endling: Extinction Is Forever

Endling, which is on my list of games that I cannot bring myself not to play puts you in the vulnerable shoes of the last mother fox. Your three cute fox cubs will be your guide through the dangers of a world that has been ravaged and destroyed by mankind. Not only is your life at risk, but also the lives of their little siblings. The outcome of this adventure will depend on your actions and choices. You can give this heartbreaker a go if it is possible.

OlliOlli World

Announced earlier this year, OlliOlli World is an ambitious follow-up to Role7’s Olli skateboarding series. OlliOlli World will be presenting a unique and exciting skateboarding experience, eschewing the linear Olli game layout. The rhythm, platforming and puzzle elements from previous OlliOlli Games will be retained. We got a new look at it today and learned we’ll be playing the game on February 8, 2022. Preordering the game now will get you exclusive items in-game when it comes out next year. 

River City Girls 2,

This sequel to 2019’s River City Girls follows the popularity of the first. It features WayForward’s female heroines, along with some new faces. Misako and Kyoko (and a handful more) return to punch and kick their way through the streets of River City in single-player, local co-op, or online modes. The presentation promised higher stakes and meaner streets set to the music of returning composer Megan McDuffee. River City Girls 2 will be on the streets by summer 2022.

Omori

It wouldn’t be a Nintendo showcase without one more thing, right? Technically, this was announced during the Indie World Showcase after the games listed below, but considering this was one of the main highlights from the show, we figured we’d bump it up here. Omori, which was first released in 2020 elsewhere, is beautiful and heartbreaking and challenges players to travel between two worlds. You’ll unravel the unconventional story while defeating enemies in a turn-based combat system. Nintendo noted that Omori addresses some very serious topics, such as depression and anxiety. You can play Omori on Switch in the Spring of 2022. 

Nintendo provided a quick blast of information at the end about the indies they plan to release in 2022 and the ones that will soon be available. These are the ones you’ll find below. 

• ParkasaurusThe Spring 2022 release of a Jurassic Park-like, colorful dinosaur park simulator. 
• Don’t Starve Together: The standalone multiplayer expansion to Don’t Starve hits Switch in Spring of 2022. 
• Chicory: The Colorful Story: One of the bigger surprises of today’s Indie World Showcase, Chicory, the colorful and moving Zelda-like adventure game, is out today! 
• Baby Storm: You play as a nursery school teacher attempting to manage a classroom full of babies, and it’s as chaotic as it sounds. Baby Storm will be available on Switch, January 21st 2022. 
• Grime: A sidescrolling Action-RPG with a beautiful 3D aesthetic coming Summer of 2022. 
• Gerda: A Flame In WinterComing in 2022: A isometric survival story game. 
• TimelieYou can play a stealthy-puzzle-adventure game where time is controlled with striking noir-esque artwork on Switch. The demo is also available. To get a glimpse of the game, you can check it out now. 
• Behind the Frame: A collection of breathtaking scenesIt’s a beautiful, scenic adventure about an artist who tries to complete her masterpiece. The game hits Switch in 2022. 

And that’s the December 2021 Indie World Showcase in a (rather long) nutshell. Which were your favourite games? Were there any you were hoping to see that didn’t make an appearance? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!