IndieDevDay, the largest video game fair currently being held in Catalonia, has closed its doors with record numbers. According to those responsible, this sixth edition has brought together around 12,000 attendees, who for three days have been able to play more than 170 independent titles.
All of this in an event that has had the participation of 120 development studios and many other activities, which have been spread throughout the 8,500 square meters of La Farga de l'Hospitalet (Barcelona).
But not everything is about numbers – no matter how good they are – and we have to talk about video games. From La Vanguardia we have decided to make a selection of the 10 demos that have surprised us the most.
This is a completely subjective list, it is not a top nor something categorical or immovable. They are simply the ten video games – that we have been able to try – and that have caught our attention the most, either because of their artistic design, their premise, their playability or the fact that their development team is amazing.
From Seville comes this open-world, turn-based strategy title that, first of all, draws attention for its spectacular visuals. It is a dark game with clear inspirations from works like Darkest Dungeon, the Dark Souls franchise and some Lovecraft stories. At the moment, it is still in the early stages of development and Quickfire Games – a team of only four people – has only been working on the project for seven months.
In addition, they won the award for best strategy game at IndieDevDay so it seems that Quickfire Games are doing things quite well.
Trailer for Prelude: Dark Pain
Prelude: Dark Pain Steam Page
They have not yet finished the degree of video game development they are taking, but that prevents the Dhelpra Games team from having to throw themselves into creating a game that offers a very interesting mix. Nomad Defender is a combination of addictive Kingdom Rush-style tower defense, the structure of the masterful Inscryption, and the aesthetics of the classic Tron movie. The demo can be played through itch.io.
Nomad Defender trailer
The premise is simple: an office worker has to go through hell armed only with his stapler. And this is the key. Hell of an Office doesn't get lost in unnecessary mechanics, it gets to the point and peppers everything with a lot of humor. It mixes first-person shooting with platforming and the goal is to complete the levels before the lava engulfs you. It is a fast game, extremely arcadey and potentially very addictive. And the best of all is that it can now be played in early access on Steam, so there is no excuse not to try it.
Tráiler de Hell of an Office
Hell of an Office page on Steam
This 3D platform adventure won the award for most adorable game at IndieDevDay. A cartographer cat stars in the new project from the young team Koala in a Box, who have already published games such as the puzzle title Square Keeper. This small studio formed by a group of students who have just finished their video game development studies stands out for a very fluid, pleasant control system and for a striking and very nice artistic style. The demo can be played through itch.io.
Catography Trailer
A twist to real-time strategy. Toy Tactics first catches your eye – its visuals are a delight – but it captures you because of the mechanics. The player manages an army and his objective is to overcome the enemy, logical. And to do this you must draw on the ground how you want to distribute your combat units. In addition, the game offers four completely different settings – the fifth is yet to come – such as feudal Japan, the Roman Empire, medieval Europe or the golden age of pirates.
Toy Tactics Trailer
Toy Tactics page on Steam
After completing a Master's degree in video game development in A Coruña, the members of GamesPond have combined their talent to give shape to this adventure set in a dreamlike and evocative world. Avy combines elements of platform and puzzle games, but, above all, it stands out for its beautiful artistic and visual design. The player must put themselves in the shoes of Avy, a girl who travels to a fantasy and nightmare island made of toys.
Trailer of Avy
Antro is especially surprising for its soundtrack. Electronica and hip-hop come together to give life to this adventure through a decadent and hyper-surveillance underground city. Among its references are the great dystopias of the 20th century such as Orwell's 1984 or Huxley's Brave New World. As for the way it plays, Antro mixes 2.5D platforms with elements typical of a musical and rhythm game. It's worth not losing track of it.
Antro Trailer
Antro page on Steam
Speed, precision and physics. This is the magic formula of Aureole, a platform game starring a hoop that, without a doubt, will be a challenge for those players eager to beat their own records. Developed by Team Stargazers, a duo halfway between Galicia and Madrid, and edited by the veteran Barcelona team Jandusoft, this original project stands out for its vibrant visual aspect, for the state of flow it produces in the players and for its undisguised tribute to a classic like Sonic.
Aureole trailer
Aureole page on Steam
What would you do if you only had 6 hours to live? This is the premise of The time I have left, a title that mixes environmental exploration with a fixed camera – in the style of the first Resident Evil, but without terror – with turn-based combat and RPG elements. The base is good and interesting: a time-trial adventure in which everything revolves around time. Although it remains to be seen how so many different mechanics fit together. The good thing is that the release date is scheduled for 2024, so we won't have to wait long.
Tráiler de The Time I Have Left
The Time I Have Left page on Steam
Connected to an old tube television, it was difficult to walk between the stands at IndieDevDay and not notice this disturbing black-on-white horror game. The Great Below is in development by the small team at Dobra Studios and wants to break the conventions of survival horror. Set in a creepy mansion, the game proposes a series of escape room-style mechanics and puzzles. Its visual aesthetics, inspired by the games of the first PlayStation, contribute to generating a chilling sensation. Horror and puzzle enthusiasts should keep an eye on it.
The Great Below page on Steam
