Bitsummit is an annual game conference and trade show in Kyoto, Japan, with emphasis on independent developers. The term "indie" has gotten a bit of a bad rap for whatever reason, but in terms of gameplay and concepts, the independent scene remains a huge source of innovation. Here's just a few of the games we thought were pretty neat.
We'll post some more photos from the show floor soon. Still sorting stuff out. Check out the links in those slides to see some of those games.
BitSummit 2015
-
Back in 1995 (PC)
"I can't believe someone did this in Unity. It's just insane."
rn-Youhei Yanase, Unity Technologies Japan Creative Strategist
rn
rn"I hope I can view this website without frames."
rn-Me just before visiting backin1995.com
rn
rnPlenty of indie games have tapped into consumer nostalgia for a 2D retro aesthetic, but Back in 1995 is deliberately engineered to look like a low-poly PSOne-era horror game, complete with fuzzy textures, jaggy edges, and tank controls. The demo didn't show off much of the game, but the player could pick up a wrench and very slowly and clumsily hack blocky monsters to death. It's strangely endearing. Lots of people were saying "Natsukashii~" ("How nostalgic~") -
Bokosuka Wars 2 (PS4)
Bokosuka Wars was a rough but foundational game released in 1983 for PC, and later 1985 for the Famicom. 30 years later, Bokosuka Wars is making an odd comeback. This isn't a sequel so much as a re-imagining of the original game, with both a new and retro graphics mode. The original Bokosuka Wars was a (somewhat opaque) game that laid important foundations for future tactical RPGs, simutations, and real-time strategy games. Players would command a king to advance west across a vast chessboard-like world, rescuing and recruiting troops who follow along behind. Positioning troops so they can fight enemies they have an advantage over, while trying not to leave any behind, is a lot harder than it looks. There was a record distance posted on the booth and I thought "Pfft, that doesn't seem so difficult." Nope, it totally was. rn(The original has a totally infamous game over screen that proclaims "Wow! You lose!") -
Forget Me Not: My Organic Garden (PC, Mac via Playism and Steam)
A story-based clicker/visual novel hybrid game with an unusual premise. The protagonist Organa works with a woman named Irene, growing a garden and harvesting produce for the townspeople — produce like hearts, kidneys and colons. You know, the usual stuff. (Continued in next slide with different screenshot) -
Forget Me Not: My Organic Garden (PC, Mac via Playism and Steam)
(Continued from previous.) The cutesy visual design is at odds with the fact that you're growing organs. Fruit-looking organs, to be sure, but the story's foundational is built around the fact that you're growing organs for townspeople in need. This game just released on Playism July 29. -
Move or Die (PC, Mac, Linux)
A frantic, fast-paced party game that pits up to four players against each other in a tournament of rapid-fire minigames. The title says it all: if you stand stationary, your character's health will drain, so you must move or die. The winner of each minigame receives points, with the player to hit a point cap being declared the winner. (Continued in next slide with different screenshot.) -
Move or Die (PC, Mac, Linux)
(Continued from previous.) The games are diverse--some involve covering as much ground as possible or racing to a goal, while others encourage stomping, scaring or blowing up other players. The developer made a point of making the game as quick to pick up and play as possible. Check more at moveordiegame.com. -
Torquel (Windows standalone, Steam, PS4, Vita)
An action puzzle game where you must guide a person inside a square to reach a goal at the end of the level by avoiding hazards. You can roll a little from side to side using a stick or D-pad, but the best way to get around is to press a face button, which will extend a solid bar out of a corresponding side of the square. You can use these bars to propel yourself up, down or sideways, to save yourself from falling into lava pits, or to hang on the edge of drops. (Continued in next slide with different screenshot.) -
Torquel (Windows standalone, Steam, PS4, Vita)
(Continued from previous.) There's no single best way to get from point A to point B, and this is a game that is hilarious to play even if you keep dying. It's easy to get disoriented as your square rotates, and plenty of people panicked and mashed buttons as they hurtled towards some lava, causing their character to bounce off of things and go flying in strange directions, creating both incredible comebacks and pathetic deaths. Torquel is an absolute riot to play or watch.
rnFor more, you can visit torquel.net and fullpowersideattack.com -
Vane (PC)
Vane is still in very early stages of development, and features a mysterious ruined world and a child with the ability to transform into a bird and back. The developers are aiming to create an open-world exploration experience. There's not much else I can say that will make sense, so just watch the video at the top of the official website and you'll get an idea. -
Galak-Z (PC, PS4)
Galak-Z: The Dimensional stands out from other memories because of how dreamy the controls were. This thing is all about rocketing around in space blowing shit up, and you can rest assured that your enemies will always be on-screen and never the controller itself. This game launches Aug. 4 and its official page is part of developer 17-bit's own website. -
Downwell (PC, Android, iOS)
Okay here's the deal:
rn-You're falling down a well.
rn-You have gun shoes.
rn-You kill enemies with the shoes.
rn-You have to land to reload though.
rn-Go get 'em!
rn-downwellgame.com
