Indie Spotlight: April 2021

The GameGrin Indie Spotlight aims to give attention to videogames that the independent scene has offered us over the past month. Whether it be due to quality, success or creativeness, these are the independent games that stood out to us over the month of April.

Cozy Grove

Kicking off our list this month is a game to scratch that Animal Crossing itch. Cozy Grove is life-sim, where players camp on a haunted and ever-changing island. Much like the aforementioned Nintendo title, Cozy Grove is synced with real time, meaning its 40-hour campaign is spread across several months of the year. With its homely, hand-drawn environments and cast of personable characters, you’ll be sure to frequent Cozy Grove often.

Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
Play if you enjoy: Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion

Some games are given a spot on our list simply for the name alone. Thankfully, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion isn’t just a bizarre name, but a fantastic game to boot. Control a naughty turnip, solve puzzles, harvest crops and, most importantly, evade taxes. This capitalist-hating turnip’s adventure is a blast, and it needs your help bringing down the corrupt vegetable government.

Our Review by Alana Dunitz
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows
Play if you enjoy: Forager

Say No! More

Tired of people walking all over you? Then say yes to Say No! More. Or say no to it. It’s your choice really. Customise your character before selecting the style and language of your ‘no’ before letting loose on everybody that the little people in the business aren’t taking it from anymore. This hilarious tale will have you laughing throughout your entire playthrough. You’ll be surprised just how much saying no can be satisfying.

Our Review by Danielle Winter
Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows
Play if you enjoy: Standing your ground

Emily Is Away <3

Have you ever wanted to return to the old social media? When we were more positive and posted about simple things like baking a cake or our dogs defecating in our shoes? It’s 2008 and you’ve just signed up for that new Facenook thing, now it’s up to you to create your online persona, make some friends and conquer your senior year. Get ready for a trip down memory lane you long figured to be fenced off.

Platforms: Mac, Windows
Play if you enjoy: Emily Is Away, Emily Is Away Too

Rain On Your Parade

Are you an Englishman who has spent a lifetime wishing to be the cloud that always ruins your day? At last, you can be a part of the fluffy blobs in the sky that regularly ruin our summer. With 50 hectic levels to play through, Rain On Your Parade’s one sole purpose is for you to control and cloud and ruin everyone’s day. Hilarious and accompanied by adorable art design, Rain On Your Parade is destined to leave with a sense of chaotic triumph. You can even go to the moon.

Our Review by Alana Dunitz
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One
Play if you enjoy: Katamari Damacy, Kill It With Fire, Untitled Goose Game

Forgotten Fields

Have you ever wanted to experience the story of Alan Wake, a man going through writer's block, but without the violence and scary bits? Well, now you can in Forgotten Fields. Journey with the main character to their childhood home before it’s sold off, reconcile with old friends and relight the inspiration to create. There are some relaxed puzzle elements to Forgotten Fields, but nothing that will detract from the cooling aesthetic. Lose yourself in Sid’s world of Forgotten Fields.

Our interview with Frostwood Interactive
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Play if you enjoy: If Found…, Adios, Journey

Dorfromantik

Our final game this month is the calming, strategy game Dorfromantik. Create an ever-expanding village by placing tiles and explore a variety of biomes. Dorfromantik is a peaceful, building-strategy game, allowing players to play at a comfortable place whenever they’re ready. With limitless potential, you are able to craft your own scenic village at the pace that is most comfortable to you.

Our Preview by James Hayward
Platforms: Windows
Play if you enjoy: Carccassone, Islanders, Townscaper