Fall For Indies: Darkest Dungeon 2 And October’s Spookiest Titles

As Halloween draws near, neighborhoods are transforming from mundane dwellings to scary places. Lawns are filling up with the decorative deceased and – unfortunately for people who rightfully fear spiders – oversized arachnids. And it seems like indies can’t resist the lure of the upcoming spine-chilling holiday either. Many indies due to be published over the next couple of weeks will have an especially frightening spin. However, the news might be even more ghastly, as one of October’s most anticipated releases recently fell victim to a delay.

The Trick and the Treat

There are juggernauts in every sector, even those within the indie market. October seemed ripe for another huge harvest. But current events have mirrored the season’s candy-gathering traditions, offering players a trick and treat.

Solar Ash

PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC

Let’s start with the trick; Solar Ash – the second game from Heart Machine, the studio that made Hyper Light Drifter – was delayed last week. The original launch date was in October. Fans now will need to wait to see it. But don’t despair; the game still technically has a fall launch date. Solar Ash will be coming to PlayStation 2 and PC on December 2.

Darkest Dungeon 2

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Get ready to savor the sweet, sweet treat that is Darkest Dungeon 2 because it’s entering Epic’s Early Access on October 26. While the sequel will carry on Lovecraftian horror stories with familiar combat and well-known adventurers it promises some new twists. You can find out more about the Runaway character here.

It’s Spooky How Many Games We Need To Play

Don’t waste your time, there are too many great indies out there. Last month’s hits are still calling our name, but that’s only half the reason to feel unsettled. A number of terrifying titles are available in October to help you get into Halloween spirit.

To the Pit

Xbox Series X/S. Xbox One.

Into the Pit got an awesome reveal at this year’s Xbox Gamescom showcase, and the retro-looking roguelite is ready to launch tomorrow. When your cousin finds an ominous hole in the ground, there’s no thought to turning away or try to cover it up. You are wrong. You both belong to a family of mystics and can’t pass up the occult opportunities. Xbox Game Pass will soon have this magic-infused title in first person. It looks great and is all set to celebrate Halloween.

Untiring

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Undying is a little on the nose for the spooky season, but we won’t hold that against the game. In this intriguing adventure, a mother is attacked by a zombie in a dangerous world. She has little time to prepare her son for the unknown. Coming to Steam Early Access October 19, Undying will task you with teaching him how to fight the hungering horde before joining the zombies’ ranks yourself.

Jars

Move to PC

Don’t leave your mouth ajar when you see this game’s delightfully creepy, hand-drawn art style. Jars will be available on October 20th. It is a combination of a puzzle and strategy game. What’s the objective? The objective? To destroy as many fragile containers in your basement as possible. You aren’t just trying to destroy; destroying these containers ties in with saving the planet.

Grotto

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This story-driven title will allow you to read the stars and determine the fates of others. Luckily, you’ll be playing as a Soothsayer, so you’ll already have some idea how to interpret those tricky celestial bodies. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for error, so be sure to think hard about your pronunciations. Check out this announcement trailer to see if Grotto is worth your time.

Gravewood High

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Gravewood High enters Steam Early Access in October 20. And, let’s be honest, high school is hard enough without the looming threat of mysteriously disappearing, but the students at the curiously named school just can’t catch a break. The building has turned into an uninviting maze, and the teacher seems determined to hunt you down.

Echo Generation

Xbox Series X/S. Xbox One.

It’s time to grab your crew and patrol the neighborhood for aliens because Echo Generation is launching on PC and Xbox Game Pass October 21. We were recently shown a trailer for Echo Generation, which gives us more information about this gorgeous, voxel art game that has some seriously nostalgic vibes. Echo Generation is a turn-based, Stranger Things-style RPG that you might enjoy.

Evertried

PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC

Evertried, a tactical roguelike that is due to be released October 21st, is all about building a tower in afterlife. The isometric view and pixel graphics meld together with the game’s turn-based combat, creating an experience that looks both challenging and easy on the eyes. Is it possible to get to the top?  

Growbot

Computer

This point-and-click adventure features a robot who is on a mission protecting her station’s space station from an approaching danger. It has a unique color palette and a very colorful style. This team employs the term biopunk to describe the game’s aesthetic mix of the robotic and organic. Growbot launches on October 21. The title gives you the chance of exploring an exotic alien world and defending against the crystal danger.

Tandem: The Tale of Shadows

PlayStation 4 and Switch on PC, Xbox One, Switch

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows combines top-down and side-scrolling puzzle games with an interesting premise. Two protagonists are trying to unravel a mystery disappearance. You can switch between them. What’s the twist? What’s the twist? But don’t be fooled by the cute-sounding leads – the game has a dark tone and takes inspiration from Tim Burton, Jules Verne, and Conan Doyle. Tandem: A Tale of Shadows will be out on October 21.

Subway Midnight

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Aggro Crab Games, the developer behind the wonderful roguelite Going Under, is publishing its first game. Developed by Bubby Darkstar, Subway Midnight’s cuteness makes it feel all that more frightening. This bizarre adventure will be performed on a train filled with ghosts. While you are moving from one car of the train to another, you will try to help these ghosts come to terms about their past lives. You’ll be pursued by someone, so make sure you move quickly, unless you want to become a zombie when the game releases on October 28. 

Campfire Tales

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Who’s ready to tell scary stories around the campfire? Launching on October 28, the developer’s description for this game builds a unique narrative. It reads: “DO NOT PLAY! This 8bit game is a port from a mystery source…This casual, linear, interactive story game centers around a campfire with old friends telling… tales.” So, pick up Campfire Tales at your peril.

Do these titles scare you? More titles are available in the Fall For Indies list; click on any goose to see them.