Geoff Keighley’sSummer Game Festhas come around once again. During the kickoff live stream, major up-and-coming titles of the gaming industry such asThe Last of Us: Part 1,Goat Simulator 3,Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, andOne Piece Odysseyappeared to feature exciting gameplay, trailers, and commentary. Amidst these AAA titles, an abundance of indie games from smaller developers and teams also arrived during what marked the tenth year of Day of the Devs.
From familiar studios and new, fifteen indie games were announced during the stream. Ranging from nightmare-fueling horror games to comfy puzzle games,2022’s Day of the Devsdelivered a wide selection curated by iam8bit and Double Fine that is sure to please gamers of all backgrounds.
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Time Flies
People who enjoyedUntitled Goose Gamewill likely enjoy Michael Frei and Raphael Munoz’sTime Fliesfor its open world and whimsical atmosphere as they roam around as a housefly. Players will attempt to complete the little fly’s bucket list before, inevitably, they reach the end of their life. For a fly, life is very short - approximately a minute, though it varies on the region the in-game fly is born within. Completing objectives such as getting drunk or becoming rich is not mandatory for the game, as players can choose to ignore the tasks and simply buzz around exploring. The goal is to “make the best of the time you have” according to the official announcement trailer.Time Flieswill be available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC in 2023.
Bear and Breakfast
With an adorable trailer from Gummy Cat,Bear and Breakfastis shaping up to be an easy-going management adventure game. Withsimilar elements to the 2021Little Witch in the Woods, players will run a bed and breakfast as Hank the bear. Here they are tasked with cleaning, entertaining, and keeping their guests from getting too hungry, which earns the player cash based on their performance. As the business evolves, the forest beyond the B&B does as well and players will be able to explore the mysteries of the Wilderness in their downtime.Bear and Breakfastwill be released for PC and Nintendo Switch on Jul 14, 2025.
Planet of Lana
Described as a fusion betweenThe Last GuardianandLimbo, the hand-painted puzzle adventure gamePlanet of Lanaappeared with a brand-new trailer and breakdown from the developers at Wishfully. Witha stunning soundtrack from Takeshi Furukawaand vibrant visuals, the game certainly garnered plenty of attention from indie lovers. Playing as the tenacious Lana, gamers will be able to explore a “planet that used to be a place of undisturbed balance between human, nature, and animal” while befriending an alien cat-like life-form named Mui.Planet of Lanawill be available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S later this year.
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SCHiM
In this sophisticated 3D action platformer, players get to run around as the titular character, Schim, a little blob creature who travels by leaping from shadow to shadow. In a gamedeveloped by Ewoud Van Der Werf, Schim’s objective is to find the human being to whom he belongs. Playing with elements of light and animation,SCHiMis high on the list for many who want to experience a challenging yet lively environment while also being color-blind friendly.SCHiMhas no official release date thus far but will be available for PC.
Naiad
Developed by the Spanish indie company HiWarp, this game will allow players to progress through sixteen locations at their own pace while playing as a water nymph who has the ability to talk to ducks, butterflies, turtles, and rabbits. Players will also be able to help animals make it past fallen logs and other obstacles while listening to a talking cloud that acts as a guide on their journey.
Putting an end to pollution of the riverbank and restoring color to nature is a prominent theme inNaiad.People will be able to collect vitality from the leaves and flowers that land in the water, which will cause the nymph’s hair to grow and in turn, she’ll be able to sing to the animals and plants, which helps them to flourish and grow.Naiadwill be available during Q3 of this year, as it launches on PC, PS4, and PS5.
How to Say Goodbye
This narrative puzzle game from developers Florian Veltman, Baptiste Portefaix, and ARTE France was inspired by illustrated children’s books. Players will have to move elements of decor and characters around in order to help a ghost, who has recently died and is trying to accept their death. It seems this game will evoke an emotional reaction from its players, potentially similar tothe heart-wrenchingThis War of Mine. With the ghost being urged to move out of the space between life and death and accompanied by new friends and a mysterious wizard, players will have to push past evil spirits that try to trap them.How to Say Goodbyewill be available sometime in 2022 for PC.
Roots of Pacha
Soda Den’s co-op farming simulatorRoots of Pachamight remind some people ofEric Barone’s popularStardew Valley,except it’s set in the Stone Age. This twist allows players to uncover the fundamental agricultural tricks of their ancestors while creating tools, befriending animals, and growing their villages. Freedom to roam and customize will be an important aspect of the game, as well as building relationships with villagers in order to create a strong community. In addition, mini-games will provide insight into the spiritual side ofRoots of Pacha, which will be available in 2022 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
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Fox and Frog Travelers: The Demon of Adashino Island
A 3D action game, inspired by Japanese mythology, not much else is known aboutFox and Frog Travelers: The Demon of Adashino Island. Players will get to explore Adashino Island as Fox and Frog; the two must evade a mysterious something that is lurking in the shadows and journey through the night. The game will be available in English, Japanese, and other languages. It releases in a few years for Nintendo Switch and PC.
Escape Academy
Coin Crew Games, a team of physical escape room designers, has been working tirelessly onEscape Academyto create a riveting experience of stimulating puzzles. Players will enroll as a student in an academy where they must become escape room experts. The game can be enjoyed solo or with a friend.Escape Academywill be released on July 14th for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Desta: The Memories Between
This turn-based strategy game will focus on reliving memories, rediscovering friendships, and repairing relationships.The developer ofMonument ValleyandAlba: A Wildlife Adventure, ustwo games, cites this game as the story of a non-binary protagonist who is returning home after having become estranged from their previous relationships. The game will use a ball game to reveal puzzles while teaching lessons of reconciliation and regret.
Fans who enjoyedHadesorInceptionwill likely findDesta: The Memories Betweento be satisfying in terms of in-game mechanics and strategy. It was described by ustwo games as “the deepest, most ambitious and the most replayable title” from their company yet. The game is in development for mobile in collaboration with Netflix.
