Indie Games on PlayStation 5 Prevalent During Recent Showcase Event

Especially during this present generation of gaming, the independent “indie” development scene has kicked off. While previously, we have had to wait for major publishers to release physical copies of games, the increased capabilities of internet technologies has mean’t that smaller studios can develop and self-publish either digital-only or across multiple mediums. Few of these games are likely to garner decision making when it comes to the next generation console, but they are games which enable players to have a near endless stream of games worth their attention.

A few days ago, Sony Interactive Entertainment hosted their latest State of Play livestream, which highlighted several video games being released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR and PlayStation 5. While there were a few major games showcased, a lot of its runtime was dedicated to indie games being released across all platforms.

Don’t have time to watch the full almost 50-minute video? Scroll down for a summary of all the game’s showcased!

Godfall (PlayStation 5)

The development team at Counterplay Games shared the above nine-minute walkthrough of the upcoming Fantasy game, highlighting its five weapon classes, move sets for longswords and dual blade skillsets and more.

Temtem Confirmed for PlayStation 5 in 2021

Currently in Early Access on the Steam storefront, developers Crema has confirmed that their massive-multiplayer creature-collection game Temtem will be available on the PlayStation 5 come 2021. Favourably compared to Nintendo’s Pokemon franchise, this game pitches a more social, connected experience when exploring the world and capturing its creatures – including chat systems, competitive battling and clubs.


4×4 Multiplayer Heist Game Hood: Outlaws & Legends Unveiled

In development by Sumo Newcastle, Hood: Outlaws and Legends was unveiled to be a new 4v4 multiplayer heist game in development for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and Windows PC platforms. It will be released sometime in 2021. In this game, players will form two teams of outlaws, and compete in their attempts to steal treasure from an oppressive government in what has been described as a “dark and violent, medieval world”.

It is always an exciting moment when you finally get to reveal the game you have been working on behind closed doors for so long. With Hood: Outlaws & Legends, our aim was to create a dark and brutal re-imagining of the Robin Hood legend, pitting myth and superstition against man-made power and corruption. The team here in Newcastle are all passionate gamers, and over the past 16 months we believe we have created a new and fresh twist on the PVPVE genre.

Owen O’Brien – Studio Director at Sumo Newcastle

From the first moment, we’ve been thrilled by the unique dark universe created by Sumo Newcastle. Hood’s lore, setting and gritty re-imagining of these legendary outlaws bring something truly unique to the multiplayer heist genre. We can’t wait to show more about the game in the coming months and unveil all the exciting ingredients that make it a blast to play with your online gang.

John Bert – COO of Focus Home Interactive

Time to Take to the Streets in January 2021 with ‘The Pedestrian’

Developed by Skookum Arts, The Pedestrian is billed as a 2.5D puzzle platformer based around the public sign system. It will see you explore a world as a 2D character who moves through the signs one might encounter hanging on a wall or a signpost, and has the ability to rearrange and connect them to navigate from point A to B.

The following is a quote from designer Joel Hornsby, posted on the PlayStation Blog:

In the beginning we did a lot of prototyping in an attempt to find our unique puzzle mechanic. We discovered while working in our puzzle editor that creating the puzzle was half the fun! So we took the core of our puzzle editor (moving and connecting signs) and turned that into our main mechanic. This created two distinct modes – playmode and puzzlemode. In playmode you control the main character, while puzzlemode allows you to edit the layout of the puzzle.

With the main mechanic out of the way we focused on the visual language that would make the game standout. One way we did this was to follow the same concept as the public sign system; using symbols to represent information in a universal manner. We replaced traditional tutorials and menu items with simplistic icons. In addition, we designed the gameplay visuals to be approachable with simple shapes and clean lines to aid in the solution of more complex puzzles. Our sound engineer, Logan Hayes, spent years fine tuning the musical signature of the game, which further developed The Pedestrian into a pleasant cinematic experience. We then packaged everything together in a beautiful 3D environment where the character seamlessly flows through it.

Joel Hornsby – Designer at Skookum Arts

Don’t want to wait? The Pedestrian is now available to purchase via Steam.


Auto Chess heads to the PlayStation 4 in October

As someone who never fell in with the chess playing crowd in primary school, this is usually a game I would either skip entirely or go glossy eyed when hearing about. But should the format be changed a little bit, now you have my attention. After releasing the strategic competitive auto battler Auto Chess on smart devices last year, Dragonest Game has confirmed it will be headed to the PlayStation 4 in October 2020.

In Auto Chess, your role as the player is to develop strategies in order to deploy the ideal chess piece army to defeat the other players in the lobby. You use the chess pieces from a shared pool to create your own lineup, and then they enter the battle phase and fight each other automatically. You will be facing against seven other chess players during each match, while defending your own chess board.

If you have never heard of Auto Chess and it has caught your attention, check out this post by Dragonest Game CEO Loring Lee on the PlayStation Blog.

The Worlds of Control and Alan Wake Collide in Final Game Expansion

Connecting the game which propelled them to popularity and their newest horror experience, Remedy Entertainment shared their trailer for Expansion 2: Awe for their 2019 third-person shooter horror game CONTROL.

Due to be released on 27 August 2020 across all platforms, this content will take Jesse Faden into the Investigation Sector of the Federal Bureau of Control, which has for years been stalked by a new creature of darkness. For those familiar with Remedy Entertainment’s earlier works, this creature might not come as a surprise. Faden is tasked with exploring numerous Altered World Events, including Bright Falls, the setting of Alan Wake.

Could this be the long-awaited conclusion to Alan Wake’s story?

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series Heads to PlayStation VR

Developed by ILMxLAB in collaboration with Black Shamrock, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR is headed to the PlayStation VR platform on 25 August 2020.

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series is a three-part experience that takes place on Mustafar, the lava-filled planet that is home to Darth Vader’s fortress. During your time on Mustafar, you traverse Vader’s fortress, uncover ancient secrets beneath the planet’s surface, and learn to master the Force.

New Gameplay Trailer Released for Bugsnax

Developed by the team at Young Horses Inc, most well known for their work on the Octodad series, it was announced during the major PlayStation 5 showcase a few months back that they were working on a new game called Bugsnax.

Due for release on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 this holiday season, the development team has shared the above gameplay trailer, giving prospective players a look at what to expect from this unique looking game.

Bugsnax is a first-person adventure game where you must solve the mysteries of Snaktooth Island by observing, hunting, and capturing Bugsnax using an advanced array of Snak-catching traps you’ll discover on your journey. Shortly after arriving on the island and encountering Filbo Fiddlepie, the well-meaning interim mayor of Snaxburg.

You’ll explore Snaktooth Island, meet the rest of the cast of furry puppet-like Grumpuses, who each possess clues to the puzzling disappearance of Elizabert Megafig. Each one of these eclectic characters has their own story to tell; they’ll require a little persuasion, often in the form of their favorite Busnax that you can help catch for them and yes, feed to them. Only then will they really open up to you, agreeing to interviews so you can learn more about these curious creatures called Bugsnax, and discover why each grumpus decided to join Lizbert’s expedition.

Philip Tibitoski – CEO and CM of Young Horses Inc.

Neon-Drenched Action-Adventure Game Anno: Mutationem headed to PlayStation 4

Developer ThinkingStars has confirmed their 2D/3D hybrid adventure game Anno: Mutationem will be headed to the PlayStation 4. Also being released on the PC, this puts players into the shoes of Ann, a highly-skilled combat-trained lone wolf within a giant neon-lit metropolis. Within the city, are sinister mega-corporations, mysterious fringe groups and creatures more bizarre than words can express.

Genshin Impact Heads to PlayStation 4 in Coming Months

Japanese video game developer miHoYo has confirmed that worldwide servers will be available for their online game Genshin Impact in the coming months. Furthermore, the game will be headed to the PlayStation 4.

Genshin Impact is an open-world ARPG set in the vast fantasy world of Teyvat. The game sets out to provide a lively open world, a diverse cast of characters, element-based combat and exploration, and an engaging storyline. Players will take on the role of the mysterious “Traveler” as they embark on an unforgettable quest to find their lost sibling, unraveling the mysteries that enshroud themselves and the world of Teyvat along their way.

Braid: Anniversary Edition Confirmed for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

Following its original release on last-generation platforms in 2008-2009, developer Number None has confirmed that an anniversary edition of Braid will be released in 2021. This 2D puzzle-platformer will feature a number of improvements over its original release, including:

  • The in-game graphics are being hand-repainted by artist David Hellman, in addition to some areas being redesigned to make them more special.You can switch back and forth between remastered and classic graphical settings at any time.
  • The sound will receive an additional pass as well, with involvement by Martin Stig Anderssen and Hans Christian Kock.
  • Developer commentary will be introduced into the game, providing insight into the game’s programming, art, design and more through in-game hyperlink portals.

Braid: Anniversary Edition is in development for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Mac and Linux.

Hitman 3 to Receive VR Support at Launch

As part of some exclusive console content for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, IO Interactive has confirmed their upcoming stealth action game Hitman 3 will come with support for the PlayStation VR. Whether wanting to try it out on only a few levels or play the whole game immersed with your virtual headset, you will be able to.

Furthermore, you will not be limited to just the Hitman 3 main campaign. Every location from the World of Assassination trilogy can be played in VR, when you play them in Hitman 3.

New Details Shared about Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

and finally, a new trailer and details were shared for Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, the next official numbered instalment in the long-running franchise. Developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, the following specifics were confirmed:

N. Verted Mode

A mirror mode which lets players traverse through neon wastelands, old timey film sets that crank up gameplay speed and other new takes on Crash’s world. Players will receive alternate perspectives, sound effects, music and in some dimensions, extra additional transformations to the gameplay experience. Completing these levels will earn you Bumpa-berries, which offer new rewards.

Dingodile Returns

Crash and Coco will also be joined by new playable characters at key points on their journey to save the multiverse. In addition to already revealed Neo Cortex, enter Dingodile – half dingo, half crocodile – as a playable character for the first time in the platform adventure games!

After Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Dingodile hung up his old flamethrower-rocket launcher combo and retired from a life of villainy. But now he’s back with unfinished business, falling through space and time into another dimension where his adventure to return home begins.

New Skins for Crash and Coco

Unlockable skins for Crash and Coco will be unlockable by players through earning gems and completing challenges through the games. These skins are entirely cosmetic, ranging from pirate garb to unicorn onsies. Two sets of outfits – dubbed “Marsupus Erectus” and “Serious Upgrade,” – will be offered to PlayStation players after completing the second level of the game, while those on other consoles will be able to access such content “earlier than 31 December, 2021”.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time will be released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One from 2 October 2020.

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