Nintendo has a long history of supporting indie games, and it just gave fans the next wave of announcements for Switch. The latest Nintendo Indie World Showcase was only about twenty minutes long, buut it had a lot to offer. Fans of indie games will be glad to know there's already a solid line-up of titles coming to the Switch in the coming year.
Although the December 2021 showcase had a couple of very significant RPGs on offer, it also had something for fans of every genre; from point-and-click adventures to co-op puzzle solving and action platforming. Nintendo has courted diverse indie titles for the Switch in the past, and there's no sign of stopping yet with 2022 promising to add a few more unique games to Nintendo's flagship console.
Sea of Stars
Turn-based RPG Sea of Stars was not a new announcement at the Indie World Showcase, but it did get a new trailer that confirmed Sabotage Studio's next project will release on Switch. Although it's set in the same world as Sabotage's 2D platformer The Messenger, Sea of Stars takes place many years prior and tells the story of two characters who must use their Eclipse Magic to defeat the sinister Fleshmancer. Sea of Stars releases for Switch in late 2022.
Aliisha: The Oblivion of the Twin Goddesses
Fans of puzzle-adventure games would be wise to keep their eyes on Aliisha: The Oblivion of the Twin Goddesses, a newly announced Switch exclusive about two sisters exploring a mysterious temple. Players have to make use of each sister's abilities to progress deeper into the temple. While Aliisha can be played alone, two-player multiplayer is encouraged, giving fans of It Takes Two another cooperative title to look forward to. Allisha: The Oblivion of the Twin Goddesses releases in spring 2022.
Loco Motive
The showcase introduced another indie development newcomer in Robust Games, which is working on point-and-click adventure game called Loco Motive, in which players take control of three chief suspects in a murder aboard a train who are trying to solve the crime and clear their names. Loco Motive, which is published by Chucklefish, aims to deliver a mix of humor and suspense through a classic adventure game format once it releases in summer 2022.
Afterlove EP
Indonesian developer Pikselnesia came to the showcase with a first look at a heartfelt adventure andrhythm game for the SwitchcalledAfterlove EP. Set in Pikselnesia's hometown of Jakarta,Afterlove EPtells the story of young musician Rama's struggle to move on after his girlfriend Cinta's death. Pikselnesia previous earned praise forWhat Comes After, so adventure game fans should mark their calendars forAfterlove EP's summer 2022 release.
Dungeon Munchies
Dungeon Munchies has been available in Early Access on Steam for some time now, earning praise for its humor and combat, and now fans can play it on Nintendo Switch. In Dungeon Munchies, the resurrected protagonist slays hordes of strange and wacky monsters, then cooks them with the help of the ghostly chef Simmer, earning bonuses from each meal. Interested players don't have to wait, as Dungeon Munchies is available on Switch now.
Figment 2: Creed Valley
Figment 2: Creed Valley is the sequel to Bedtime Digital Games' Figment. In the upcoming title, players once again take control of Dusty on a journey through the human mind, solving puzzles and encountering music-heavy boss battles. Figment 2 focuses on a wave of nightmares that have infiltrated the Mind, forcing Dusty to fight back and set things right again. The full game releases in February 2022, but a demo for Figment 2 is available on Switch now.
Let's Play! Oink Games
Board game developer Oink Games has its own project to offer fans. It announced Let's Play! Oink Games during the Indie World Showcase, which collects four of its board games under one digital roof. Fans who pick up Let's Play! Oink Games can try Deep Sea Adventure, A Fake Artist Goes to New York, Startups, and Moon Adventure from the Oink Games catalogue thanks to this collection. Board game lovers can pick up Let's Play! Oink Games on Switch now, and updates are promised over time.
Endling: Extinction is Forever
Herobeat Games has been working on Endling: Extinction is Forever for a few years, releasing teasers as far back as 2018, but it appeared during the Indie World Showcase to offer a Switch release date. In Endling: Extinction is Forever, players take control of a mother fox trying to escort her three kits to safety. Along the way, she'll navigate a near-future world ravaged by pollution and a human society on the brink of collapse. This environmentally minded journey will release on Nintendo Switch in spring 2022.
OlliOlli World
Roll7 and Private Division's colorful skateboarding game OlliOlli World has gotten plenty of trailers before the latest Nintendo showcase, but its release date is news. Skateboard fans interested in jumping into the quirky animated world of Radlandia can get their hands on the title starting February 8, 2022. Pre-orders for OlliOlli World are also open now, and players who order the game in advance can get some exclusive cosmetics.
River City Girls 2
WayForward shared word that it was working on River City Girls 2 in 2020. Today, it joined the Indie World Showcase to provide some more details about the River City Girls sequel, showing off the cast of six playable characters and some of the new locations that players will be able to visit. Kyoko and Misako will return as the game's stars, but WayForward teased expanded movesets for the twem. River City Girls 2 releases for Switch in summer 2022.
OMORI
The last full announcement of the showcase was arguably the biggest. OMORI, the acclaimed Earthbound-like RPG based on Omocat's comic by the same name, is making its way to Nintendo Switch. In OMORI, players control of a young boy named Omori and his friends as they explore two alternate realities filled with strange characters and monsters, all while grappling with troubling psychological forces like anxiety and depression. OMORI will release on Nintendo Switch in spring 2022.
Further Indie Switch Titles
Nintendo rounded out the December 2021 Indie World Showcase with several smaller release date announcements for a diverse range of indie games. Between these titles and everything that got full trailers, the Nintendo Switch's 2022 could be defined in-large part by its indie library even with huge releases like Breath of the Wild 2 and Kirby and the Forgotten Land on their way.
- Parkasaurus from Washbear Studio, releases spring 2022
- Don't Starve Together from Klei Entertainment, releases spring 2022
- Chicory: A Colorful Tale from Team Chicory and Finji, available now
- Baby Storm from Baby Corp and Forever Entertainment, releases January 21, 2022
- GRIME from Clover Bite and Akupara Games, releases summer 2022
- Gerda: A Flame in Winter from PortaPlay and DONTNOD Entertainment, releases in 2022
- Timelie from Urnique Studio and Zordix Publishing, available now
- Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery from Silver Lining Studio and Akupara Games, releases in spring 2022
