Best of Switch Indies – 30 Jan 2022

I really should shut my mouth. After bemoaning last week’s abysmal releases on the Nintendo Switch eShop, we were spoiled for choice of good indie games this week. With almost 50 games released, close to 10 were contenders, but I managed to narrow it down to a top 4.

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2

Released: 27 January 2022

Price: AU$33.75 / US$24.99 / GB£19.99

Genre: Action / Arcade / Platformer

Developer: Inti Creates

Publisher: Inti Creates

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 is set in a parallel universe where a dystopic story unfolds in a ruined desert wasteland where only robots exist.

In the sequel to the original Luminous Avenger iX (pronounced “icks”) and a spin-off to the main Gunvolt series, you once again take control of Copen in this speedy and stylish 2D action game. But this time, you’re armed with a new spinning blade weapon to rip through your enemies.

Why this excites me

Luminous Avenger iX 2 is a hyperactive, precision rhythm action game on steroids that looks absolutely stunning.

While completing the game is relatively quick and easy to do, the real challenge comes from achieving the elusive X rank on each level. You’ll need to learn the placement and patterns of your foes and how not to rely on your safer abilities. Repetition is key to success and continued enjoyment.

While there has been some negativity from fans of the first game regarding changing Copen’s core feature-set, I welcome them. There’s no point in a sequel that just rehashes the first game exactly.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth

Released: 28 January 2022

Price: AU$31.50 / US$24.99 / GB£18.89

Genre: Action / Platformer / Other

Developer: Team Ladybug, WSS Playground

Publisher: PLAYISM

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a mouthful—I mean a 2D action-exploration game developed under the close supervision of original creator Ryo Mizuno. It depicts the previously unknown story of Deedlit and the events leading up to Record of Lodoss War: Diadem of the Covenant.

If you also have absolutely no idea what most of that means, you’ll be pleased to know that newcomers to this universe can fully enjoy the game anyway. 🎉

Why this excites me

RoLWDiWL (trust me, it’ll catch on) is a 2D Metroidvania that heavily leans into and even surpasses its Castlevania inspiration.

The action and gameplay look amazing, but it’s the pixel art that really wows me; it’s phenomenal. Watch the trailer above and tell me that the dragons and monsters within aren’t the most magnificent things you’ve ever seen in a game. I dare ya.

The Artful Escape

Released: 26 January 2022

Price: AU$28.95 / US$19.99 / GB£14.99

Genre: Adventure / Puzzle / Action

Developer: Beethoven & Dinosaur

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive

In an attempt to escape the musical legacy of his uncle, a teenage guitar prodigy embarks on a psychedelic journey to inspire his new stage persona and search for who he isn’t in an adventure spanning stolen opera houses, melodic alien landscapes, and the impossible depths of the Cosmic Extraordinary.

It stars voice performances by Michael Johnston, Caroline Kinley, Lena Headey, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Strong, and Carl Weathers.

Why this excites me

Goddammit, I opened my mouth again! No sooner had I said that RoLWDiWL (💪) had the most magnificent monsters seen in a game along comes The Artful Escape to rub my nose in it. My God, this game is mesmerisingly beautiful!

With few mechanics beyond simple platforming and memory games, The Artful Escape is much less a traditional game and more of an experience. Albeit one akin to Bill & Ted wearing Global Hypercolour T-shirts while starring in Yellow Submarine and sucking a few of Lucy’s Sky Diamonds.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play it. In fact, this is one I think everybody should experience, even if you don’t like rock ’n’ roll. 🤘

Unforeseen Incidents

Released: 28 January 2022

Price: AU$29.99 / US$19.99 / GB£17.99

Genre: Adventure / Puzzle

Developer: Backwoods Entertainment

Publisher: ASHGAMES

When small-town handyman, Harper Pendrell, meets a dying woman in the street, he unwittingly stumbles into a diabolical conspiracy and the mystery of a deadly virus that is spreading across the country.

Why this excites me

Much like Cooped Up, which predicted pandemic home quarantining in 2016, Unforeseen Incidents also deals with a deadly virus in a comedic way and was first released before this wretched real-life pandemic in 2018. Why it took over 3 years and during Wave 29 of Optimicron Prime to appear on Switch is beyond me, though, especially as the Switch seems to be the home for excellent point-and-click adventure games right now.

With an intriguing cast and clever, witty writing, Unforeseen Incidents takes a traditional approach to mystery-solving like its famous predecessors but imbues us with a quirky, beautifully hand-painted world that deviates from its pixel art cousins.

You never know; it might also help us deal with our current circumstances.

And that brings us to the end of another round-up. It’s weeks like this, with such a wealth of talent and ideas among independent developers on display, that I’m reminded of why I love writing these weekly round-ups.

As always, you can find all the new additions and every historical one in my complete Best Of Switch indies list.

Catch you next week!

Read last week’s round-up