Indie Spotlight: January 2021

The GameGrin Indie Spotlight aims to give attention to videogames the independent has offered 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 January.

Dyson Sphere Program

This sci-fi simulation has taken Steam by storm since it’s release at the end of January. Players are tasked with building an industrial empire across the galaxy. Procedurally generated planets ensure each playthrough will be a unique experience, as players aim to feed a super computer that pushes humanities limits beyond our comprehension. Dyson Sphere Program is currently the highest rated indie game that was released on Steam last month.

Platforms: Windows
Play if you enjoy: Factorio, RimWorld, The Riftbreaker

Sword of the Necromancer

Originally a kickstarter game, Sword of the Necromancer raised over £175,000, obliterating its £13,000 target. A dungeon crawler, Sword of the Necromancer sends players on the quest to bring Koko back from the dead. Using a forbidden sword, the player is able to resurrect dead enemies and turn their foes into allies.

Platforms: Windows
Play if you enjoy: Hades, Enter the Gungeon

Olija

Following the journey of a man named Faraday, this swashbuckling tale of a shipwrecked man is a gorgeous, 2D pixel art game. Desperately trying to escape with other shipwreck survivors, players will find themselves drawn into the mystical Olija and it’s narrative. The fluid harpoon action is also bound to reel in some new fans.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Play if you enjoy: 90’s sidescrollers

Encodya

Based on the 2018 film Robot Will Protect You, Encodya is a point and click adventure following a young orphan and her robot guardian. Taking place in a Cyberpunk-inspired Berlin, the game's narrative focuses on the control media and corporations are continuing to take. The point and click gameplay focuses heavily on puzzle solving, as players navigate their way through this bleak, futuristic representation of Germany.

Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Play if you enjoy: Thimbleweed Park, Life Is Strange

Annalynn

By far the shortest game on this list, Annalynn is a throwback to the long forgotten classics of the 80’s arcade boom. Combining the gameplay of Donkey Kong, with the objective of Pac Man. It’s a great, albeit short, throwback that allows players to revisit an important era in gaming history. A wonderful title that deservedly sits with great reviews from the Steam community.

Platforms: Windows
Play if you enjoy: Donkey Kong, Pac Man

Heaven's Vault

There aren't too many archaeological adventure games set in space on the market, but even then Heaven’s Vault is the most captivating one you’re likely to see. With a combination of exploring ancient ruins, discovering artifacts and translating hieroglyphics, players are able to recreate the history of an ancient language, long lost to time. Heaven’s Vault is a phenomenal experience, driven by narrative, plus it’s excellent character, and it’s executed to perfection.

Platforms: Windows
Play if you enjoy: Outer Wilds, 80 Days