Every independent video game showcased at AVCon: Adelaide’s anime and video games festival in 2018
Independent video game developers from around SA – and Australia – brought their best works out to test on the crowds at anime and gaming festival AVCon last weekend. We went in to try all of them.
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Independent video game developers from around SA – and Australia – brought their best works out to test on the crowds at anime and gaming festival AVCon last weekend. The Advertiser attended with the stated goal of trying every game. Here’s the full list in alphabetical order.
Amberial Dreams
This arcade platformer evolved from an earlier game built in Flash. With deceptively simple controls of left and right, bouncing your way through these convoluted and colourful mazes becomes increasingly challenging. Creator Cuauhtemoc Moreno said it was designed for easy accessibility, is available on tablets and has its own level editor and music sequencer.
Arcsine
You only need one button in this timing-based puzzle game, controlling a lever that swings between pivots across a board. Developer Crepe Studios said an earlier mobile version became insanely popular, so inspired this more polished remake. The community can also contribute levels of their own.
Backyard Cricket VR
One of the few games here venturing into the relatively new realm of VR, Backyard Cricket was envisioned as a bigger scale version of the classic test match board game. The mechanics of swinging a virtual bat are already up and running, but the full board with all roles is in development. Early access will begin soon.
Beautiful Bricks
“I love these brick breaker games but found them a bit boring and wanted them to evolve,” said developer ReadyWolf. Beautiful Bricks is a hybrid of several classic arcade games, most notably pong and space invaders. Multiple players use joysticks to control moving blocks, working with or against each other to clear rooms with bouncing projectiles. Currently in late beta.
Blockpocalypse
“Super Mario Bros meets Tetris” was the introduction for this game, yet it arguably possesses more tension than either. Players race to build their way above the rising lava by grabbing and rotating pieces of the terrain as they go. The “four-player party apocalypse” will see people work together to climb, until the pressure forces them to leave someone behind. Available now on Steam early access.
Bloodbeard’s Revenge
A hilarious retro RPG with a graphic style unique to this convention. Made by the frontman of pirate band Captain Hellfire and the Wretched Brethren, Bloodbeard’s Revenge features a cartoon-like world to plunder, but a turn-based combat sequence featuring real people as pirates and mermaids. Timed attacks keep you on your feet in battle, but it’s the swashbuckling dialogue which is most memorable. Full version to be released on September 22.
Brief Battles
Powerups exist in almost every game, but what about powered underwear? Jump into these fast-paced rounds to see who can sit on their friends fastest. Or spit fire, or become a cannonball. Game maker Juicy Cupcake said it started out as an adventure game, but was scaled down for a multiplayer arena game. Available on Xbox One, Windows and Steam this year.
Cardboard Keep Collection
This eclectic collection features Warden: Melody of the Undergrowth – a platformer adventure remiscent of Nintendo’s early 3D days; Puzzle Pupper – a cute puzzler with doggos stretching and winding around to reach food; Attrition: Tactical Fronts – a turn-based war strategy game on a hexagonal grid; and Witch Thief – a “bullet hell” modified for the 3D realm. Most available now on Steam.
Cave of Atman DX
An 8-bit style dungeon adventure where players have to carefully plan every step of their knights to navigate a room and battle skeletal enemies. It began as a popular 2014 Flash game, and still retains the graphics and audio from then. Developer Chris Johnson recently contributed his game Expand to an Adelaide itch.io Bundle which raised funds to help the homeless at the Hutt St Centre. Available for download now.
The Cinema Rosa
An film noir style exploration game set in an abandoned cinema, the game explores themes of nostalgia, romance, loss and regret as you explore the protagonist’s past and restore the cinema to its glory days. Set for release in early 2019 on PC, Mac and Oculus.
Collateral Damage
A plethora of stylised robots duke it out in this arena battle drawing influence from Super Smash Bros and MOBA games. Each of the nine heroes has their own ability sets to wield across nine maps, set on a shattered world with the robotic survivors clashing for the last remaining resources. Sign up for the beta at https://www.artisansgames.com/
Cuttle Scuttle
Force of Nature set out to celebrate something uniquely South Australian: “the great cuttlefish migration of Whyalla”. Using the concept of “reverse Pac-man” as a foundation, the team built an ecosystem for the life cycle of cuttlefish. Camouflage yourself to avoid predators, find a mate, lay eggs in a safe place and move on to the next sea bed. Final beta available now for Windows and Mac.
Darkest Sour
TAFE SA / Astro Squirrel
The visuals of this game are as delightful as its pun title suggests. Everything is made of lollies. The TAFE students who envisioned this Super Mario-style platformer wanted to create something to show off their art which was bright and eye-catching. Conquer this sweet and sour world as a gummy bear trying to retake his home from the sour worms.
DeRailed!
Build your endlessly expanding railway in real time as the train rapidly catches up to you in this soon-to-be-released phone game. Simple directional controls on the touch screen are easy to pick up, but the enormous map will take time to master. Coins earned in game can unlock more trains and carriages with their own special abilities. Available on iOS and Android in the next few months.
Dungeon Chop Chop
This Diablo-style RPG adventure takes place across a variety of colourful fantasy zones. Stylised cartoony graphics make you feel welcome right from the beginning in the starting town, from where the two players can stock up on gear before heading out to hunt monsters. It’s easy to get carried away and rush ahead, but those taking a more methodical approach will be rewarded. Now available on itch.io.
Energy Core
This spaceship shooter, in the classic style of space invaders (but with more variety of movement) began as a tutorial, by a game development teacher. Developer The Sleepy Order said he enjoyed it so much he kept it going, and will release it on Steam this time next year. The comic book art style grabs attention, and increasingly challenging obstacles and bosses make progress compelling.
First look at one of the bosses in Energy Core.#gamedev #indiegames #Unity #shmup pic.twitter.com/WTuEZHwauA
— The Sleepy Order (@TheSleepyOrder) 1 May 2018
Exo One
This surreal and extremely immersive exploration game sees you rolling and gliding over vast alien landscapes, controlling a spherical probe sent to explore a new planet. Impressive weather effects, atmospheric soundtrack and stunning vistas will keep you in pursuit of the next horizon, making use of (and sometimes defying) gravity. Available this year through Steam.
Floormaker
In underground worlds reminiscent of old Super Mario Bros levels, players must use their limited resources to create their own paths and bridges out of portable blocks. Developer Rosden Shadow said he wanted to create a puzzle game where there was always a better way to win - an incentive to return and complete previous sections by being even more resourceful. Available on browser at https://rosden.itch.io/
Floormaker by @Rosden_Shadow is a problem solving game about figuring out how to place the least amount of blocks down in each level. #IGR2018 pic.twitter.com/TtxVAAdBLv
— The Indie Games Room (@indiegamesroom) July 6, 2018
Ganbare! Super Strikers
“Final Fantasy meets soccer” was how Rese explained their tactical RPG sport game. Players on the field move in turns, equip items and gain new abilities to give them an edge over other teams. The story mode follows a small team in Japan working their way up through the national cup and then the world. Available now at itch.io.
GoatPunks
This rollicking arena battle’s twist comes in its vertical map - players must fight for control of platforms that surround mountains, spires, totems and towers. Butt heads with other goats as you clamour to reach the top, or risk your footing to collect the weapons and shields spread among the lower levels. Currently in early access on Steam, to be released on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Linux.
The Homecoming
Inspired by the text-based games of the 80s, this interactive novel gives the player/reader the choice of different directions, and typing each one will take you to a different location, a different part of the story. Watercolour paintings will aid the imagination in conjuring the 16th century fantasy world.
Horde
Why are the zombies always the enemy, always the loser? Brain Dead Devs wanted to change this, putting you in charge of the alpha zombie who tears their way through a construction site, infecting all in your path. As you gather strength in numbers you can take on stronger defences, though you do still need to use your brains to progress. Set for release late this year, download the demo here.
If not us: An interactive fiction anthology
This feels in part like a literary choose your own adventure, but developer Ruqiyah says it’s a different style of gameplay depending on which character you pick. Five of them go on a quest and all but one die - and each has their parallel universe where they were the sole survivor. Each story is experienced a different way; each is a piece of the puzzle. Available for download on itch.io
It’s Snowing On Mount Fuji
Double Deck Studios
Patrol the streets and make your mark in this metal/grunge-themed third-person collector. Double Deck Studios will have Adelaide bands record the soundtrack to this game, another creative addition to its hand-painted, cel-shaded graphic style.
Lethal Lawns
The punchline is “competitive mowing bloodsport”, Dime Studios says in introducing this wacky party game that’s not nearly as mundane as a game about mowing sounds. Clear as much of the lawn as you can while running down anyone unfortunate enough to get in your path. Map modes include a road, pool, bridges and even a “zen” backyard, further adding to the hilarious contrast of this gory gardening. Available now on Steam.
Kana Quest
Kana Quest offers to teach you Japanese hiragana and katakana in the form of a tile-based puzzle in the vein of dominoes and Candy Crush. Each individual grid will have a different layout of kana which the player must move around to match by a common sound. Developer Not Dead Design wanted it to be a good puzzle game first, and education second – “we’re not trying to be chocolate-covered broccoli”. It’s set for release late 2018/early 2019.
Kitsune: Nine Divided
JagerWare’s stealth/adventure platformer starts you out as a Kitsune, the nine-tailed fox from Japanese folklore. True to that legend, your abilities are in trickery and manipulation - taking control of various animals from the Chinese zodiac to strategically solve puzzles, make your way across the land and reclaim your stolen tails. Set for release on Steam in late 2018.
Thank you to everyone who played our game at @indiegamesroom last week! 😄
— JagerWare (@JagerWare) 27 July 2018
It was very rewarding to have people play our game and give us plenty of feedback.
Hope to see and hear more from you all again! 🦊#GameDev #indiedev #indiegame #madewithunity #unity3D #gaming #kitsune pic.twitter.com/vn5BxZOabu
ManaTech
Magic and technology collide in this fantasy twin-stick shooter that also draws on elements of RPGs and arena fighting games. Destructible and moving maps keep combat versatile and fast-paced. Beginning as a student project, more 3D characters are being built from the ground up. The studio is aiming for a release next year.
My Lil Fanfic
Anyone that’s ever dreamt of turning their personal headcanon into a wild fan fiction will have a hilarious time with this adorable story generator. Choose how your characters react in a widely branching narrative, then hammer away at the keyboard to read what happens next. Developer Star Paridaes says the original version was actually about writing terrible fan fiction erotica, and the future of the game will involve even more branching and story types.
Thank you to all our great authors today at the @TeamAVCon @indiegamesroom We loved seeing all your creativity! #AVCon2018 #IGR2018 pic.twitter.com/xQzReIhN9r
— My Lil Fanfic @ #IGR2018 #AVCon2018 (@MyLilFanfic) July 21, 2018
Nine Heavens: War of Dragons
Nine heavens layers stylised 2D combat over stunning Asian-inspired 3D backdrops. “We were going for something that hasn't been made yet,” King Bit Games says. Up to eight players can run along any of the lines drawn on the arena map, strike with directional dash attacks, and defend themselves with timed parries and blocks. Alpha downloadable at itch.io.
Office Tossing
In the style of Angry Birds and Worms comes this turn-based game of workplace warfare. Figure out exactly how high you should throw that paper plane (or recycling bin) so it hits your annoying colleague without your boss noticing. An arsenal of other office-based “weapons” are available through gameplay or the shop. Available on Google Play / Android.
Owls and Vowels
This cute word-building game built on the natural reputation of owls as “super wise creatures”, though these ones can’t fly away from the tree until they attain that wisdom. Point and drag to quickly build words, on a grid that gets bigger (and therefore more wordy) the higher you go in the game. An in-game dictionary teaches you definitions without derailing gameplay. There are online leaderboards, though the local one (on a whiteboard) had many entries too. Available on the App Store and Google Play.
P.O.P.
FourPlusOne
This is the first game made by second-year TAFE students Cassidy, James, Morgan, Tim and Eric. They describe it as an “isometric puzzler platformer”, where players must control a robot trying to exfiltrate a dilapidated factory, making use of the environment and electronic controls to create an escape route. The team plan to continue on to Flinders University to continue their software development.
Primordials: Fireborn
The breathtaking world of Eridal is your oyster as you take control of Ash, an amnesic avian-humanoid adventurer unlocking the secrets of the realm and his own past. Multi-directional melee combat already feels invigorating, and the visual style invites the curious explorer. Toybox Games expect an eight-to-ten-hour single player campaign by the time the game is complete, featuring 13 traditional levels as well as boss arenas/dungeons. Release date TBA.
Raccoon Rummage: Trash or Treasure
What’s the one thing a raccoon does the most? Developers Sarcastic Snail Games put a lot of thought into this before arriving at this cute trash-or-treasure concept, where you dig Raúl raccoon’s claw hands into a bin to grab randomly piled objects and determine whether it’s precious food, useless junk or a trinket that’ll buy you some more time.
Rooftop Renegade
Two players are pitted against each other in completely different gameplay styles here - one is the time-travelling thief Svetlana, gliding across the rooftops of a futuristic city in a platform-based race, while the other has a FPS view and must blast as many obstacles as possible to slow down her run long enough for the AI to catch her. Melonhead Games is hoping to have the full release for PC and console early next year.
Roto Color Rhythm
A distinctive, immersive music experience in the same vein as Guitar Hero / DJ Hero, with players tapping the colour-coded notes in time with various songs. The game seeks to advance the genre and draw attention to the hypnotic and meditative effects of sound and colour. Developer Blue Volcano went to great lengths to support the musicians - using songs from personally known independent artists and giving each their own information page in the game. Set for release in early 2019 on PC and Mac.
Sorcerer
A unique casting system based on hand gestures forms the core of Sorcerer. The virtual reality controls can be difficult to master, requiring very precise and accurate movements to blast away hordes of enemies. On Tilt Interactive opted for a non-intrusive user interface that keeps the screen clear, allowing for full immersion and a more realistic experience.
Space Beards
With arms flailing wildly in the air, it’s hard not to smile at these space swashbucklers frantically trying to save their ship from blowing up. The co-operative crew evokes Sea of Thieves in its gameplay - the makers were shooting for something slapstick and chaotic. “It’s got that couch cop mentality of yelling at your friends when something goes wrong.” Things did indeed go wrong, but were all the more humorous because of it. Available now at itch.io
Spacetug
Spacetug, the first entry from Tundra Storm, was at first based on a parking simulator, and evolved into a space logistics game with newtonian physics. With thrusters on each side of the ship, moving on the 2D space-station map is simple at first but complicated to navigate proficiently. Now available on the Google Play store and soon on iOS.
Tech Hunter
The team at Split Symmetry wanted to focus on exploration and puzzle solving rather than combat, and for players to explore the story by solving puzzles across the open alien world. Players control an aerial drone in the sci-fi treasure hunter, which will feature a fleet of vehicles later in development.
The Vault
Venture into an impeccably detailed world that transports you from your initial sci-fi setting into the mountains of medieval Europe. Monkeystack collaborated with the University of London and Arc Centre of Excellence History of Emotions in creating the interactive experience, saying “it’s underpinned by the history of emotions and how emotions have evolved with us over the centuries”. You can watch a playthrough or download it from the website.
Voxon VX1 3D Volumetric Display
The only gaming setup at AVCon featuring custom-built hardware. The team at Voxon have made the VX1 3D volumetric display, a flat surface vibrating 30 times a second, on to which images are projected 400 times each second. The result is a holographic three-dimensional cube, in which multiple people could play classic games such as Pac-Man, snake or chess. The device itself has a huge variety of other uses in displaying interactive digital imagery, from entertainment to education. For a video of the VX1 in action, scroll back to the top of this page. It’s available now.
Originally published as Every independent video game showcased at AVCon: Adelaide’s anime and video games festival in 2018