Games
Nintendo has just revealed another generous helping of indie titles for the Switch eShop. We pick out the 10 most promising games.
The Nintendo Switch already has a formidable line-up of independent titles confirmed for its eShop, including Overcooked, Hollow Knight and Fast Racing NEO, but indies aren't done with Nintendo's hybrid console, not by a long chalk. Freshly announced this week are a bevy of downloadable delights which are all coming to the system very soon indeed; without any further ado, let's run down 10 of the most interesting 'Nindies' you'll be playing in the next 12 or so months.
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
2007's No More Heroes was one of the Wii's most distinctive games, combining motion-based combat with a wicked sense of humour. Ten years later, creators Suda51 have returned to the character of Travis Touchdown with this Switch exclusive, which sees everyone's favourite geek assassin getting sucked into a demonic games console along with his enemies, where they have to take part in a series of mini-games to survive. An unexpected announcement, Travis Strikes Again is confirmed for release in 2018 and is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Battle Chef Brigade
Sometimes, mixing together totally different gameplay styles results in a game which offers variety and plenty of entertainment despite the odds, and that seems to be the case with Battle Chef Brigade. It's part side-scrolling combat action, part match-three puzzling and part graphic adventure, and showcases a sumptuous anime-style aesthetic which makes it look like a cartoon rather than a game. The objective is to venture out into the wild to slay beasts in order to pocket ingredients before returning to the kitchen to create some mouth-watering dishes using the match-three puzzle mechanics. It's crazy, but it could work.
Golf Story
Another pleasant surprise from Nintendo's recent Nindies Showcase, Golf Story is best described as a sports RPG; golf is the focal point, but the beautiful, pixel-rich 2D visuals are packed with character, while the gameplay is a mix of hitting the green and working your way through the twisting and dramatic narrative. Your golfer gains experience and skills as the game progresses, and it's possible to buy upgrades and find secrets hidden around the wild and wacky courses. Be sure your ball doesn't get eaten by that alligator!
Morphies Law
This was one of the most left-field announcements during the Nindies Direct – a four-on-four third-person shooter where getting hit doesn't kill you, but changes the size of your character. The idea is simple; by shooting an enemy in a particular body part, you grow the same part on your own character – as well as increase your team's avatar, which looms ominously over the stage. The objective is to be the team with the biggest avatar when the match ends, but morphing has other consequences – successful players will be larger and therefore make easier targets, while weaker players will get smaller and harder to hit.
Super Meat Boy Forever
With its bad language, questionable content and infuriating difficulty curve, Super Meat Boy Forever might not seem like a natural fit for the family-friendly Switch, but the cult nature of this taxing platform action title should still ensure that players will be glued to their Joy-Cons – assuming they don't hurl them at a wall in frustration, of course. The dynamically-generated levels are brutally hard, making this a release that will test the skills of even the most seasoned platforming expert.
Dragon: Mark of Death
The next 2D epic from Inti Creates – a studio which can count Mighty No. 9 and as past releases – is this side-scrolling action-RPG. It offers 30 quests and four different character classes to play as, and boasts local and online co-op play for up to three players. New powers are unlocked when you make a pact with a fearsome dragon, and each class plays entirely differently; you can take the vanguard and attack foes with the warrior or select the magic-user in order to offer healing support to your allies.
Tiny Metal
Any self-respecting Nintendo fan worth their salt wants a new Advance Wars, but until that happens there's always Tiny Metal. Clearly inspired by the classic turn-based strategy franchise, Tiny Metal features 'hero' units which gain special abilities the more you use them and have the power to turn the tide of battle – whilst simultaneously being a key target for your enemy. Developers Area53 have got the visual side of things absolutely nailed down, with the 3D units and environments looking fantastic. We expect big things, and so should you.
Wulverblade
Announced three years ago as an Xbox One exclusive, Wulverblade has undergone plenty of development since then, with visuals being retooled and loads of additional content added. The upshot is that Nintendo fans are getting the game first, and the Switch could be the ideal platform for the game's two-player co-op mode which aims to resurrect the glory days of arcade brawlers like Final Fight and Golden Axe. With plenty of gore and a surprising amount of historical accuracy on display, this gorgeous 2D epic could end up being a real gem in the Switch's ever-expanding library.
PikuNiku
While the game's official PR mentions a 'dystopian future', it's hard to see that in footage of PikuNiku, which so far looks very colourful and cute. However, behind those appealing visuals hide some troubled characters that you're expected to help out, while the 'absurd, puzzle-exploration' (the developers’ words, not ours) should ensure this isn't quite like any other game you've experienced. Co-op is confirmed, which should make the Switch version all the more appealing, given that it can host local multiplayer wherever there's room to set down the console.
Super Beat Sports
This Switch exclusive comes from Rock Band developer Harmonix and is the sequel to the Apple TV game Beat Sports. Boasting a gorgeous cartoon visual style and a predictably catchy soundtrack, the gameplay revolves around a series of sport-based mini-games which – as the title suggests – all have a musical theme. It all looks utterly charming and should find a sizeable audience on Nintendo's system.
