In the middle of summer, our thirst for curiosity for the releases deriving from independent videogame production is not quenched. Indie video games continue to populate our platforms, and we can’t wait to present you our selection for it month of July. After the advice and suggestions to get you closer to this world thanks to the spring special dedicated to indies in April, now we focus on those arriving in the middle of summer. Between recent releases and completed Kickstarter projectslet’s see together i new indie video games of the month of july selected for you.
3 Indie Video Games of July
Let’s find out together which are the best independent games chosen for this month.
Choose Amazon Prime to purchase your favorite video games, it’s free for 30 days
1. Night School Studio – OXENFREE: Lost Signals
It is no coincidence that this second chapter of the OXENFREE saga both also released under the Netflix label. Well yes, it is a targeted choice that has led to considering this title as if it were a new TV series, building the story around characters and dialogues. So let’s see in detail what this title offers us, chosen among the indie video games of July!
In Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals there are no right or wrong choices, nor game over, but depending on our choices we will be directed towards certain narrative paths. As a result, the endings will also vary. The story revolves around Riley e Jacoband most of the dialogues and interactions will take place between the two of them, resuming the narrative shortly after the end of the first title.
We are a few miles away from the island where the events of Oxenfree took place, and both protagonists have been tasked with strategically place radio antennas along the coast. A mission that will bring with it many twists and not indifferent path variations. Without too many spoilers, especially for those who have not played the first chapter, however, we anticipate that during the adventure you will find some interesting puzzlesto be solved thanks to a deliberately unclear map.
Thus one is established very close connection between the two titles, consequently defining the success of the product in question. Thus radio waves and interesting aesthetic choices also return, even in solving puzzles, often based on the alignment of figures by acting on audio frequencies. So a title that workswith an interesting soundtrack that indeed deserves a further upgrade on an artistic level.
2. Duality – Unholy
Lately, the kind of horror is struggling and finding titles that offer truly effective and original solutions is difficult. Unholy, the new work of the Duality team, only partially succeeds in this difficult challenge, easily comparing it to recent releases. Let’s see together how our scary experience went (but not too much)!
The plot of Unholy puts us in the shoes of Dorotheawho decides to run away with her son Gabriel from the monastery where they took refuge. Unfortunately the leader of a mysterious sect manages to kidnap his son of the protagonist, thus taking him to another world for a dark ritual. Dorothea is not discouraged and plunges into this unknown dimension, based on emotions, but devoid of hope.
The basic idea can also work, thanks to interesting and determined protagonistbut it is the plot that has many holes in the water, especially in the way of presenting Dorothea herself. It’s hard to empathize with herand get familiar with poorly managed narrative rhythms: from an introduction that is too rich to moments of empty content afterwards.
The core of the gameplay then lies right in the solving simple environmental puzzles and in dealing with emotions, crystallized in spheres that come out of the corpses and thrown by Dorothea with a slingshot towards the enemies. It is precisely in these moments that the difficulty of level design and enemy AI, both limited and limiting. Not a very good performance therefore, overall, where the horror atmosphere is perceived only in the two distinct worlds and the rest of the technical and aesthetic choices highlight an almost vintage and too dated look.
3. Chibig – Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara
We complete our selection of indie video games for the month of July with a progetto Kickstarter recently released on Steam and consoles, which leads us into a decidedly fresh and fun atmosphere. Let’s talk about the effort made by the team Chibig to realize Koa and the Five Pirates of Maranew really curious adventure platformer, tested on PS5.
The title we have in our hands is certainly not long-lived, but quite interesting. Very similar, in some respects, to the Tchia title that we tested a few months ago, we are back here to ride the waves of a traditional platform adventure. We go down as baby Koa who, having arrived on the main island of the archipelago, notices the harmful pirate influence on the regular life of the population.
Choose Amazon Prime to purchase your favorite video games, it’s free for 30 days
Thanks to some peers who wish to become pirates one day, Koa learns of a competition granted by the pirate code, the victory of which allows not only to become a buccaneer, but also to assert one’s role within this caste.
To succeed in the enterprise we will have to explore the world of Mara, between wild islands and volcanoes, frozen caves and many bosses. Also the soundtrack manages to reflect the mood of the game and gameplay, light and convincing at the same time. A title as we said not particularly long-lived, indeed, but still engaging and capable of cheer us up with a good pace of play. Reasons that explain how the original Kickstarter project succeeded in its feat.
Also for this month of July, the advice dedicated to indie video games ends here. Stay with us for the monthly updates dedicated to this important sector of video game production!