Indie Game of The Year 2023
Indie Game Of The Year 2023
You can go to a lot of places and find out what most outlets think is the game of the year. The answers will be the usual suspects of Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Super Mario Wonder, but that would leave out so many amazing indie titles and that's why we are here. This brings us to our nominees for Indie Game of The Year.
NOMINEES
COCOON
When Geometric Interactive referred to COCOON as being inspired by The Legend of Zelda and Portal, it seemed like just another marketing line, as those are two generational experiences, but after placing my final orb, there is no better way to describe it. It’s not building upon elements of those games, but it’s constantly evoking similar feelings of being lost in an unknown world, solving mysteries and eventually seeing the world differently than you once did.
The premise of COCOON is rather simple, but how the concept evolves, is what makes the experience special. Often times, the best things in life are the simplest, and COCOON is a testament to that. Just like The Legend of Zelda, Portal, Limbo and Inside, Cocoon is an experience that will remain atop my gaming memory. The biggest issue with COCOON is that I'll never experience this game for the first time again, it’s that good.
Planet of Lana
The word epic gets thrown around loosely these days, but very few uses of the term actually earn it. Planet of Lana, from Wishfully Studios creates a larger than life cinematic odyssey on a planet far off in the galaxy with breathtaking, hand painted visuals that stopped me in my tracks on numerous occasions with images worthy of framing in one of the best puzzle platformers I have ever played.
The grand scale of this odyssey is accented by an amazing orchestral score that has a 90’s John Williams feel to it with a hint of synth. The score was recorded with an orchestra of over 90 people and when combined with the amazing hand painted visuals, create some unforgettable moments during your journey across Novo.
I tried to find faults in Planet of Lana, but there is quality across all aspects of the game that shouldn’t be present in a debut title from a studio, let alone a very small indie team, composed of slightly over a dozen artists. Over the past decade or so, only a few indie studios have made such an impact with their debut titles.
It’s easy to draw parallels to something like Moon Studios with Ori and The Blind Forest, or playdead with Limbo, Heart Machine With Hyper Light Drifter, Team Cherry with Hollow Knight. Wishfully Studios have now established themselves as a studio to watch.
Blasphemous 2
On the surface, you can see that the visuals have been overhauled. It retains the 16 bit style, but the visuals are sharper, which gives the world more depth and personality, but the big change is the new weapon system that allows you to carry three different weapons, at least once you find them all. This solves one of the major issues from the first game, as using the same weapon, retracing your steps and fighting the same enemies grew a little repetitive by the end.
Even with plenty returning foes from the first game, this big change to the Blasphemous formula adds variety and freedom to how you approach combat. However, the true genius of the new three weapon system is how it plays such an integral part in the traversal and puzzle solving. Figuring out what tool is needed for what job and switching between them on the fly leads to some diabolical platform sections.
If you loved Blasphemous, then you will adore the sequel. If you have never played the original, Blasphemous 2 is an easier recommendation than the first, despite a few issues that still linger. The changes and refinements, mainly the three weapon system, go a long way in keeping the game feeling fresh in both the combat and the exploration, which are core pillars of a good Metroidvania. Add this to the already solid foundation from the first, and Blasphemous 2 is a must play for any fan of the genre and was easily the best metroidvania of 2023.
Sea of Stars
When trying to create a hybrid game that blends retro and modern influences, most developers stray too far towards the two possible sides of the spectrum. The first is by changing too much, which ultimately leads to a game that just uses the IP and doesn’t evoke the same memories of the original. The second is by not changing enough, with a result that feels stuck in the past with limitations and surface deep gameplay. Sabotage Studio are now, proven masters of walking this tightrope of generations after The Messenger and now Sea of Stars.
Sea of Stars is another shining example of how Sabotage have quickly become the masters of making retro feel modern and one of the best indie studios around with their ability to transcend genres. Story, art, level design, score, sound direction, combat, progression, puzzles, exploration, pacing, boss fights and every other element in the game are done to perfection.
Dredge
Don’t miss the boat for Dredge, as very few games can match the pacing and intrigue of this game. There are plenty of fish in the sea and plenty of things to do including looking for shipwrecks, fishing, trying to upgrade your ship, helping others plus your imagination that’s tug boating at the back of your mind about what is just beyond the horizon. There is never a dull moment because there is also a huge lovecraftian can of worms mystery that wraps up this whole package. Before you know it, hook line and sinker you have an addiction to take just one more pass at the open seas as it drip feeds you clues and hints about this strange world.
Dredge is off the hook with its simple yet addictive gameplay loop. Pair that with a very intriguing story that is much more of a show don’t tell along with satisfying mechanics and it’s as the saying goes Red Sky at Night, Dredge is a delight
Terra Nil
Terra Nil is different and this would likely explain why Devolver Digital also stepped outside of their comfort zone of offbeat indie gems. The gameplay starts out fairly simple: convert barren wastelands into thriving ecosystems as you start the process by building some wind turbines to power your toxin scrubbers and irrigators. The way the the land quickly evolves with the decisions you make is immensely satisfying and instantly gratifying. With the click of a button a new river now flows across the landscape, or a vibrant wetland now thrives bringing new wildlife options to your map.
With its reverse city builder gameplay to its spa like score that is accented by waves crashing on the beach you just made and wind rustling through the bamboo trees that you just planted in the abandoned skyscraper to completing handbook filled with stunning art, Terra Nil is a breath of fresh air. Even though Terra Nil is on the shorter side, there is plenty to do long after the credits roll.
INDIE GAME OF THE YEAR 2023
SEA OF STARS
At the beginning of Sea of Stars, the plot was enjoyable, albeit formulaic and served as more of a compliment to the gameplay. What made it fresh, was that it had plenty of wit and self aware writing that poked holes at the genre and some of the tropes over the years in the same way that made The Messenger stand out from the crowd. Just like the gameplay in Sea of Stars constantly evolved throughout, the story blossomed into something that goes far beyond what was expected, became the star of the show and stuck the landing.
At the exact moment where most games overstay their welcome, Sea of Stars shifts gears with new locations, new party members, new upgrades, new plot details to unravel, new gameplay, new skills that kept it feeling fresh throughout it’s 30 hour story that was constantly engaging.
Sabotage Studios captured attention with their debut title, The Messenger. It rose about the pixel art apocalypse that has taken over the industry with its ultra tight gameplay, fourth wall breaking writing and obviously its twist. With Sea of Stars, not only have they proven not to be a one hit wonder by stepping into another genre, but without a doubt they have established themselves in elite company with only a handful of other studios as one of the best indie developers in the business today.
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