This year’s Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase featured tons of upcoming games — huge titles like Starfield, Diablo IV, and Forza Motorsport. There were also indie games, most notably Hollow Knight: Silksong. That said, the Hollow Knight sequel is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to indies, as there were plenty more announced during the much-awaited showcase.
The indie games featured in the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase are a mixed bag. It has everything from sci-fi puzzlers to historical strategy games, and even first-person shooters with talking guns.
Ara: History Untold (Oxide Games)
Release date: unknown
Ara: History Untold is a turn-based strategy game that leans heavily on historical themes. It seems players will be given free rein to shape the Earth’s civilizations, thus forging a different future for mankind. Though the trailer doesn’t feature gameplay, Ara: History Untold will likely be similar to the turn-based strategy series Civilization. But Oxide Games promises to include “both familiar and innovative gameplay mechanics,” hopefully to set the title apart.
ARK 2 (Studio Wildcard)
Release date: 2023
A follow-up to well-loved ARK: Survival Evolved, ARK 2 promises to be the “definitive next-generation survival experience.” It features elements of its predecessor that have been rethought and redesigned specifically for the new game. However, it retains its core game mechanics, such as its crafting systems, combat, and animal taming. ARK 2 will be set in a rich new world, with a new story, improved gameplay, and some familiar creatures. And yes, that is Vin Diesel on a dinosaur.
As Dusk Falls (INTERIOR NIGHT)
Release date: July 2022
As Dusk Falls is marketed as an interactive drama. It features themes of family, betrayal, and sacrifice. Similar to games like Man of Medan, players can take control of multiple protagonists. There’s also a co-op feature that can host up to eight players at a time. Though, unlike The Dark Pictures Anthology, As Dusk Falls appears to be more of a crime drama than traditional horror. The game also has a unique visual style, making use of stills rather than moving character models to create a “motion graphic novel.”
Cocoon (Geometric Interactive)
Release date: 2023
Cocoon is being developed by Jeppe Carlsen, who is most known for having worked on the highly acclaimed platformers Limbo and Inside. A sci-fi puzzle game, Cocoon’s trailer showcases intricate 3D environments, each with its own complex systems. Instead of exploring a huge world, however, the game has players explore multiple, self-contained worlds — the so-called cocoons. And each world will likely have its own set of unique puzzles.
Ereban: Shadow Legacy (Baby Robot Games)
Release date: 2023
Ereban: Shadow Legacy thrusts players into a dying world overtaken by the mysterious Helios corporation. It follows the story of Ayana, the last remaining survivor from a forgotten race in her quest for revenge. Described as a “fast-paced stealth platformer,” the game combines sneaking mechanics with the ability to merge into the shadows. This allows players to choose between moving past robot enemies or killing them.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (A44 Games)
Release date: 2023
Flintlock: Siege of Dawn is an open-world RPG that features both gunplay and magical combat. The player must use both to defeat the army of undead wreaking havoc across the land. They must also master their combat abilities to face off against the Gods. Little is known about why the divine beings seem to be spreading chaos in the game world, but the trailer confirms one thing: they’re hardy foes. Luckily, the player has the help of their magical fox companion, Enki.
High On Life (Squanch Games)
Release date: October 2022
From Justin Roiland, co-creator of the Rick and Morty series, comes a first-person shooter with talking guns, among other things. High On Life has the player fight against an alien named Garmantuous to stop him from enslaving all of humanity and using them as drugs. The talking guns come in when the player meets the “Gattlians,” a race of weapon-shaped aliens that have also been captured. And if the trailer is anything to go on, these quirky guns will have a lot to say.
Lightyear Frontier (Frame Break, Amplifier Game Invest)
Release date: 2023
Stardew Valley meets mecha suits in the upcoming Lightyear Frontier. It’s a peaceful, open-world game played in the first-person perspective. Lightyear Frontier features the usual farming mechanics, but with the help of high-powered machinery. It’s also set on an alien planet, meaning there are plenty of ancient secrets for the player to discover. And of course, it supports multiplayer co-op.
Ravenlok (Cococucumber)
Release date: 2023
Showcasing a unique 3D pixelated art style, Ravenlok is the upcoming game from the developers of Echo Generation. The game trailer shows off the title’s bright environments and fun characters, while also giving players a glimpse of the combat — a mix of sword fighting and magic. As for the story, it’s described as an “action-packed fairytale reimagining” centering around a young girl, destiny, and prophecy.
Scorn (Ebb Software)
Release date: October 2022
It’s been a long time coming, but it looks like Scorn will be released soon. An atmospheric first-person horror game, Scorn takes place in an eerie hellscape with multiple regions. Each is filled with its own themes, puzzles, and characters, which players can experience in a non-linear fashion. The game also features combat, requiring the player to unlock skill sets and acquire different weapons in order to survive in the nightmarish world.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox (Plot Twist)
Release date: 2023
The Last Case of Benedict Fox is a 2D platformer that features the titular Benedict and his demon companion. Together, they must uncover the mysteries of an old mansion and its deceased inhabitants. The game’s environments take inspiration from the Lovecraftian mythos, pitting players against cosmic creatures and unfathomable horrors. Though with the help of the strange demon, players can fight off the beasts and navigate through the madness.