Oh, August? Go away – I’m trying to sleep! This year refuses to stop moving forward doesn’t it and August 2021 looks like it’s going to be one hell of a month for the indie games.
It was a tough month to narrow down to just ten games but I feel like every game on this list has a right to be here. There were well over 50 indie games I found worth highlighting this month, just to add some perspective to the struggle of choosing just 10. I had to be pretty ruthless, and I couldn’t allow fancy graphics to distract from the soul of another game. This month has some fresh spins on the beloved Metroidvania genre, a star-studded time loop game, and another game about wandering that I’m quite taken by.
At the end of July, we also got the first-ever showcase from Annapurna Interactive, a notable indie game publisher. There were teases for many new games as well as reveals for some updates to older titles like the DLC coming to Outer Wilds – yes, another time loop game! I promise I play other stuff. When I have the time that is.
So without further delay, let’s see what cool indie games are on the way in August 2021!
Grime
Developer: Clover Bite
Release Date: August 2nd
Platforms: PC
Genre: Action RPG
“Destroy… Absorb… Grow… GRIME is a fast and unforgiving Action-Adventure RPG in which you crush your foes with living weapons that mutate form and function, and then consume their remains with a black hole to strengthen your vessel as you break apart a world of anatomical horror and intrigue.”
Grime sure looks like a wild time, boasting a horrific venture into an alien world full of visceral adaptation. As you progress you’ll update only the traits that suit your overall playstyle. With an array of frenzied monsters, Grime is a Souls-like Metroidvania, unlike anything I’ve ever played. This one appears to be the perfect entree before Metroid Dread releases in OCtober. Till then, get grimey with this venture into evolution.
Here Comes Niko!
Developer: Frog Vibes
Release Date: August 4th
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Adventure
“Here Comes Niko! is the cozy 3D platformer for tired people! You play as Niko traveling across scenic islands. Make new friends, catch fish, solve puzzles, snag bugs, and more! Oh, Did I mention your boss is a frog?”
This one I found quite perplexing but the 2D sprites in the 3D world won me over in the end! Here Comes Niko! is a scenic adventure across a range of islands where you’ll meet new friends, reel in fish, net bugs, and solve puzzles in this chilled-out dream job. It’s also worth mentioning, your boss is a green frog who wears a tie and eats bugs! I’m loving the carefree vibe of this one and I honestly wouldn’t mind jet-setting off to an island where my job is to make new friends.
Haven Park
Developer: Fabien Waibel
Release Date: August 5th
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Genre: RPG Simulator
“Be Flint, who is doing his best to keep his grandma’s park up and running and make it a place for the campers to enjoy. Learn the camper’s wishes and build whatever their hearts desire to attract even more quirky characters and look forward to whimsical conversations and quests.”
Have you ever wanted to run your own caravan park? There’s a good chance this one is going to be up your alley then! Haven Park is an open world park management game intended to be a relaxing and peaceful experience. Play as Flint as he manages his Grandma’s park by performing maintenance and building whatever makes your campers happy. I place this one somewhere between Stardew Valley and A Short Hike for its loving blend of reserved adventure in spaces that aren’t overwhelming.
Greak: Memories of Azur
Developer: Detalion Games S.A
Release Date: August 18th
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Adventure
“Greak: Memories of Azur is a side-scrolling single-player game with hand-drawn animations. You will take the role of three siblings: Greak, Adara, and Raydel to guide them through the lands of Azur. Alternate control between them and use their unique abilities to escape from the Urlag invasion.”
This game looks absolutely gorgeous. The hand-drawn characters look phenomenal and the environments look even better. I’m a sucker for side-scrollers and I really appreciate the notions of a group of siblings finding their way to safety and I hope this one features some hearty emotional pay-offs. This one is also published by Team17 who has been killing it with the caliber of games they’re releasing. I’m pretty excited to get my hands on this one because it gives me a softened Hollow Knight vibe. It’s a game I cherish for the way the story shines through the slashing and boss fights.
Twelve Minutes
Developer: Luis Antonio
Release Date: August 19th
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Thriller
“What should be a romantic evening with your wife turns into a nightmare when a police detective breaks into your home, accuses your wife of murder, and beats you to death… Only for you to find yourself immediately returned to the exact moment you opened the front door, stuck in a TWELVE-MINUTE time loop, doomed to relive the same terror again and again… Unless you can find a way to use the knowledge of what’s coming to change the outcome and break the loop.”
Prepare for another time loop game, though this one draws from the future to rewrite the past. With an A-list cast of iconic voices, Twelve Minutes is a thriller peeling back the actions of a couple in their apartment after a police detective breaks in. If you know me you know I love the paradox of a good time loop and I’m loving that the indie games are delivering since last month we got The Forgotten City. This top-down thriller is sure to be a nail-biter!
Recompile
Developer: Pigames
Release Date: August 20th
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Adventure Platformer
“This atmospheric, Metroidvania hacking adventure lets you take control of a semi-sapient program struggling against deletion. In the sprawling 3D world of a Mainframe, Recompile features intense combat, tight 3D platforming, super-powered abilities and an environmental logic-based hacking mechanic.”
Is this another Metroidvania on the list? Yes it is indeed! Recompile is a fight for survival, pitting players against a digital landscape where 1 second is an eternity. Find the truth as you hack and destroy every enemy in your path to one of the game’s sprawling endings. Imagine a fresh take on Tron like we’ve never seen it before as you learn to fight hostile programs out to delete you before you find out the purpose of the mainframe.
The Vale: Shadow of the Crown
Developer: Falling Squirrel, Creative Bytes Studios
Release Date: August 20th
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Action
“CLOSE YOUR EYES. BECOME A WARRIOR: Feel your enemy’s rasping breath; a foot shifts on swampy ground; the crack of steel on wooden shield. The Vale is an audio based action adventure that sets out to breathe new life into medieval combat and fantasy narrative.”
This one is an interesting one. The Vale: Shadow of the Crown is an audio-based adventure that is fully accessible to blind gamers which is something we don’t see enough. Bring with it 5 plus hours of gameplay that allows you to choose your armor, play style, magical powers, companions, and even quests! The story feels like a plot out of Game Of Thrones following a blind-from-birth princess whose brother has just taken the throne and sent her away to the edge of the kingdom. En route, the princess is attacked forcing her to take her safety into her own hands.
Book of Travels
Developer: Might and Delight
Release Date: August 31st
Platforms: PC
Genre: Adventure
“Ready your pack, grab your walking stick, and step into a world of mystery and legend. Craft a unique character and immerse yourself in the enchanted lands of Braided Shore. Set your own goals and adventure alone or together with Travellers you meet on the road in this serene TMORPG.”
With visuals that look like they’ve been freshly painted, Book of Travels is a journey on the road less travelled. Walk alone or with others in this intricate world where you set your own goals and venture across the land. Book of Travels encourages wandering, allowing players to go where their heart desires. It’s sure to be a gem for those in lockdown who yearn for an escape into a digital world unlike any other. Along the way, you’ll come across all manner of randomly occurring events making play sessions unique filled with characters you’ll never forget. Cannot wait to sink into this one as it’s one of my more favoured releases in August 2021.
Song Of Iron
Developer: Resting Relic
Release Date: August 31st
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: RPG
“Behind you lies a trail of broken helms, shattered shields. You hold the axe of a fallen foe. Worn and dented, it will suit it’s purpose. What lies ahead is still a mystery, your goal is not. To save your people you must find the Great Temple of the Gods, but do not expect a warm welcome.”
Vikings sure are having their moment of recent but this game brings something new to the feast. Song of Iron is a side scroller adventure that looks awesome, appearing cinematic as you journey to save your people with the help of the gods. It’s a fitting first game from solo-dev studio Resting Relic that assures a unique and bold style of game that rewards the player. I’m keen to check this one out because of the realistic style of the character, it makes it seem quite lively.
The Big Con
Developer: Mighty Yell
Release Date: August 31st
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Adventure
“Hustle your way across ‘90s America as a runaway teen con artist. Choose how to make your scratch as you don disguises, pickpockets, and rip people off in this comedic crime-filled adventure. Experience the totally rad ’90s in all its plaid and payphone glory!”
Ever wanted to live out your stylized criminal dreams and not risk the criminal record? Best test your light-fingered antics in this colourfully disguised teen con artist adventure. Play as Ali, a sarcastic band camp drop out on a road trip to save her family’s video store. I’m really enjoying the bright, exuberant nature of this one and it feels like it’s got a lot of heart for a crime game that deals in petty crimes. Become a chameleon, take what you need and maybe your family can keep its doors open! The Big Con looks like the real deal.
So there you have it, indie game lovers…
These are just 10 of the new indie games we’ll be getting our hands on this month, let us know which one you’re most excited to play or if we missed any!
About the Author
Alex Beaty
They/Them
Alex enjoys games with rich storytelling and bold character arcs that inspire their own pursuits in game writing and narrative design.
