Best of Switch Indies – 14 Nov 2021

Another week’s gone by and another 50 games were released on the Nintendo Switch eShop! But don’t fret, I’ve sorted the wheat from the chaff to bring you the 5 new indie titles that are definitely worth your attention.

Airborne Kingdom

Released: 10 November 2021

Price: AU$33.99 / US$24.99 / GB£19.99 +20% additional launch discount

Genre: Simulation / Strategy / Adventure / RPG

Developer: The Wandering Band

Publisher: Freedom Games

Airborne Kingdom is a stunning airborne city building and management game. Embark on a journey as a small kingdom to expand your population, research new technologies and buildings, and forge alliances with terrestrial kingdoms. Each journey will begin on a unique, procedurally-generated map encompassing three distinct areas with 12 cities to discover.

Why this excites me

I’ve enjoyed playing “Tycoon” simulation management games since the original SimCity was released in 1989. While there have been many different themes and styles over the years, from fun to complex, theme parks to game development, none have had you establish and manage a literal flying city, and deal with the additional challenges that presents, such as your citizens (or your city) falling to their death.

Extremely highly regarded since its PC release in 2020, Airborne Kingdom loses some of the graphical fidelity and perhaps control on Switch, but that’s something we’ve been accustomed to and can overcome for the privilege of being able to play it whenever, wherever.

GUNKID 99

Released: 11 November 2021

Price: AU$10.50 / US$6.99 / GB£6.29 +25% additional launch discount

Genre: Action / Arcade / Shooter / Platformer

Developer: Yongjustyong

Publisher: Top Hat Studios

GUNKID 99 is a fast and frantic 2D arena shooter that will seriously challenge your skills and reflexes. Craft your own unique play-style and unlock crazy weapons and combos.

Why this excites me

Originally released on Steam in 2019 and inspired by Super Crate Box, this under-appreciated gem sees you chase high scores not by killing the enemies on-screen, but by collecting the constant weapon drops, which force you to adapt your play style to the firearm in hand. There’ll be no settling for that trusty gun on which you can always rely in this one.

Clearly the passion project of a single developer, this is a true indie in both spirit and execution.

Pukan, Bye-Bye!

Released: 12 November 2021

Price: AU$7.50 / US$4.99 / GB£19.99

Genre: Platformer / Puzzle

Developer: Artalasky

Publisher: ChiliDog Interactive

Created to enrage. You have been warned.

Why this excites me

Here’s a game that will be best played while listening to the wise counsel of Master Yoda: “The greatest teacher, failure is.”

Pukan, Bye-Bye! is a 2-bit, green-screen, memory-based, puzzle platformer that seemingly only exists to inflict pain on players. The game is a constant trap, few of which you’ll see coming, but holy hell, it’ll be rewarding when you nail it.

At almost half the price of its Steam counterpart, but 7 times of its mobile one, I’d highly recommend the Switch version since you have physical controls to make it that tiny bit easier while still being able to easily put it down when you take that much needed–and even more deserved–break.

Retro Highway

Released: 12 November 2021

Price: AU$9.00 / US$5.99 / GB£4.99

Genre: Racing / Arcade / Action / Adventure

Developer: Gearhead Games

Publisher: Gearhead Games

Hit the Retro Highway and return to the days of 16-bit blast processing and pure arcade fun! Retro Highway is a throwback game aiming to combine the accessibility of modern titles with the high-skill challenge and charming aesthetics of old.

Why this excites me

If you grew up playing classics such as Out Run, Super Hang-On, and Road Rash, and also enjoy modern endless runners like Subway Surfers, then I think you’ll like Retro Highway. But even if you didn’t follow the same gaming trajectory as me, I still think you’ll enjoy Retro Highway.

It looks like an absolute blast of high-octane, arcade racing fun, smothered in an old school, 16-bit aesthetic and chiptune soundtrack. It also features online leaderboards to ensure you keep coming back time after time.

Treasures of the Aegean

Released: 12 November 2021

Price: AU$30.00 / US$19.99 / GB£16.99 +10% additional launch discount

Genre: Adventure / Platformer / Puzzle / Arcade

Developer: Undercoders

Publisher: Numskull Games

What happened to the Minoan civilization? Join parkour master Marie Taylor and treasure hunter James Andrew in a historical action thriller, as they unveil the secrets of a forgotten kingdom that has been tragically trapped in an endless time loop. Explore a beautifully hand-drawn, non-linear open-world, recover valuable relics, chart a lost island, and gather new clues in every loop to complete an ancient prophecy. Solve the riddles and mysteries that angered the old Gods, on your quest to prevent history from repeating itself forever.

Why this excites me

Similar to Super Sami Roll last week, the title screen and screenshots for Treasures of the Aegean didn’t fill me with much hope, but, boy, am I glad I stuck with it and delved deeper.

The comic book art style indeed presents very well in-game, and it appears to be a superfluid and flowing action-puzzle-platform game, drawing inspiration from Metroidvanias, Prince of Persia and Tomb Raider, and finished with a dollop of Majora’s Mask’s repeating time cycle.

It honestly looks spectacular.

So there we go; we’ve reached the end of another week. Hopefully, I’ve shone a light on a few games which might have otherwise been overlooked, and may even bring a touch of Marie Kondo to your library.

Read last week’s round-up