Summer is coming and with it a handful of refreshing indies. Here we discover the best independent releases of June 2020.
June begins and with it come naps by the fan, endless afternoons on the beach, the most bizarre ice cream combinations and – for some – the holidays. For many, the sixth month of the year offers more free time and a few opportunities to settle debts with their pending video games and / or get on the hype train and take a look at the summer premieres. There will be those who are already holding the control of their PS4 while waiting for the release of The Last of Us 2, while others will be making accounts with their abacus to see with which indie they premiere the recent anti-racism bundle of itch.io. Precisely, lovers of independent development will enjoy a summer full of fresh news. In June a few indie jewels arrive and here we recommend the seven best.
Summer in Mara (Chibig Studio)
We can’t think of a better option to start the article than Summer in Mara. Hybrid between the farming simulator and the most relaxed of adventures, the work of the Spanish studio Chibig is pure summer. From its tropical setting to its adorable aesthetics, going through a calm and casual gameplay with which to disconnect. Although the overall plot invites us to protect the Mara archipelago from an evil corporation, this indie is far from imposing busy tasks and rhythms. On the contrary. Here we bet on leisurely exploration, let the player himself decide whether to ramble around the islands, progress in history or plant a couple of potatoes. In short, enjoy the eternal summer of Mara. We can do it from June 16 on PC and Nintendo Switch, as well as on PS4 and Xbox One later.
Liberated (Atomic Wolf)
The dystopia about the risks of an always connected society narrated in Liberated may not be the most original premise in the world, but Atomic Wolf’s Poles know how to compensate for a hackneyed argument. Specifically, through a very attractive graphic section that makes Liberated a kind of interactive graphic novel. Each panel is a level and they cover topics such as the abuse of social networks and the rise of fascism. All from different perspectives and with bullets loaded with well-known onomatopoeia to reinforce Atomic Wolf’s love for comics. The most striking thing is that instead of posing a novel visual, this indie offers action, shooting and platforming in side scrolling and a fairly intense rhythm. Liberated promises a mysterious and well-written story for those who play it on Switch from June 2.
No Straight Roads (Metronomik)
June will be a month of contrasts for the indie dev and in this article you have the reliable proof of it. There’s room for understated games in form and content like Liberated, but also for works brimming with color like Summer of Mara and No Straight Roads. The latter is an especially vibrant indie because, beyond its fun graphics, it acts as an ode to rock ‘n roll. In fact, the premise of this type of hack s n slash is that we must end the tyranny of electronic music, embodied by a few final bosses, and return to the glory days of the electric guitar. That results in a wonderful soundtrack and a certain satirical tone that will get us more than a smile. With eight worlds inspired by different musical genres and two playable characters, No Straight Roads is the craziest joyindie of the first month of summer. The signature of Wan Hazmer, one of the main designers of Final Fantasy XV, is also a point to consider. We will have to wait until its last day, yes, to enjoy it on PC and all consoles of the current generation.
Evan’s Remains (Matias Schmied)
Lovers of visual novels and puzzle games have a casual and relaxed date with Evan’s Remains since June 11 on PC and consoles. Matias Schmied has been in charge of making a solo indie in which mystery, puzzles and a pixel-art of those who create a school converge. The story, in which a girl named Dysis goes in search of the missing Evan to an island riddled with enigmas, is as direct as it is engaging. The same is true of its puzzles, which use a simple platform and a generous but constantly increasing difficulty. In addition, the seal of Whitethorn Digital, a distributor specialized in relaxing games, is a guarantee of pixelated tranquility.
Beyond Blue (E-Line Media)
In this list there are several games that bet on slower rhythms, great environments to explore and free will for the player. After all, summer is here to relax and put your backpack on your shoulder in search of adventure. Beyond Blue builds on that philosophy, although it replaces the backpack with an oxygen cylinder and plunges us into an ocean of infinite possibilities. Packed with marine life, this dive simulator is run by E-Line Media in collaboration with the BBC and provides tons of information about the sea and its mysteries. Beyond Blue is halfway between video game and documentary, shining both ways, and has it all to be the most relaxing summer experience. We will be able to verify it from June 11, when it reaches computers and all consoles.
The Almost Gone (Happy Volcano)
Puzzle body and crime novel soul. That is the best way to synthesize The Almost Gone’s proposal, a puzzle title in isometric perspective. In it we play a completely isolated young woman on the verge of death, but still with the strength to rummage through the dioramas of this indie to find out why her life has been so short. History and exploration of the settings are the two main attractions of Happy Volcano’s work. The first is by award-winning Joost Vandecasteele, author of the short story collection Why the World Works Perfectly Without Me. The second works especially well due to the diversity of the locations, since we will visit deserted streets, abandoned hospitals, the house of the protagonist and many other dioramas. Its five chapters promise mystery and a unique way to tackle death in the video game since June 25, when it reaches mobile devices, Switch and PC.
Skellattack (Ukuza Inc.)
What would an indie release list be without a good metroidvania? But not just any one, but one with the seal of the mythical Konami. Skelattack comes to fill this gap with its precise platform, its measured action and a difficulty that requires a good grip on the control. With a philosophy similar to that of Celeste or The End is Nigh, this title draws on a good number of save points so that the deaths —there will be, and many— are more bearable. They also contribute a graphic style worthy of the best cartoon and a story that, although simple, has much more presence than in heart-stopping platforms like Super Meat Boy or eternal metroidvanias like Hollow Knight. A sure bet for fans of the genre that has been available on PC and consoles since June 2.
The heat arrives, the indies arrive
Now that we know the most relevant joyindies in June, it’s time to think about what July will bring us. Surely the new normality comes accompanied by new indies and, as always, at FreeGameTips we will discover the best ones.
