Seems like September is here already but never fear! The indie games coming in September are quite a strong bunch. Featuring many adventures to be had.
I’m really proud to say there is not one but two games coming out of Australia this month. Both of which made it onto this list. The Artful Escape is already turning heads for its psychedelic vibes, star-studded voice cast, and original soundtrack. Webbed is also catching eyes with its web! Releasing onto PC, it lets players take control of an adorable spider and shoot webs in order to traverse levels. Both of these look like awesome games so I do hope you’ll check them out and support the Melbourne indie game scene!
So without further delay, let’s see what cool indie games are on the way in September 2021!
OPUS: Echo of Starsong
Developer: SIGONO INC
Release Date: September 1st
Platforms: PC
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
“I will claim the starsongs, and bring honor to the clan.”
Exiled by his people, Jun ventures out in search of starsongs to redeem himself. But progress is slow, until he saves Eda, a witch who can pick up on the sound of asteroids. However, what appears to be a blessed encounter, will end up becoming a lifelong burden…”
I love that this is the first game of September on this list. Opus: Echo of Starsong looks to be a gorgeous venture into the galaxy. Featuring a cast of iconic characters all with unique pasts, this starsong is sounding quite lovely and well rounded. What attracts me to this one is the quality of the visuals. The art style is a combination of futuristic and modern. In what we’ve seen so far it’s very cinematic which will certainly complement a narrative game such as this. The game also has a focus on being an at your own pace game. While there are light puzzles and resource management involved it’s done through simple gameplay that is very accessible to players of any skill level. I’m really looking for to picking this one up so I can be treated to its visuals.
Lake
Developer: Gamious
Release Date: September 2nd
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Adventure
“It’s 1986 – Meredith Weiss takes a break from her career in the big city to deliver mail in her hometown. How will she experience two weeks in beautiful Providence Oaks, with its iconic lake and quirky community? And what will she do next? It’s up to you..”
With the world the way it is right now, Lake might just be what every player needs. It’s the story of Meredith Weiss on break from her career in the big city to help her dad by delivering the mail. It’s an escape to nature, with a town of familiar quirky residents you’re bound to love. You decide what will happen in this branching narrative where there is no good or bad ending – only simply what happens while there. I think there’s a lot of nuance to this story that will appeal to many people because returning “home” is often a fairly daunting task. Being able to experience a coming home story through the eyes of another sounds quite therapeutic. Lake is awaiting you.
Golf Club Wasteland
Developer: Demagog Studio
Release Date: September 3rd
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
“The rich fled to Mars but venture back to a desolate Earth for a round of golf. Each hole in the wasteland offers its own little story and possible puzzle to sink the perfect shot. Play through destroyed brutalist monuments, crumbling shopping malls, and abandoned museums as neon signs and poignant graffiti take swings at current events, Silicon Valley culture and humanity..”
Honestly, the rich fleeing to earth because they have made Earth unlivable, doesn’t seem that far from the truth. Golf Club Wasteland is a tour through what was once so full of life but is now a bittersweet putt through the end times. Each hole is a fresh vignette into its own little story where your goal is to maybe score a bogey since the world is now your golf course. Boasting a Story Mode, Challenge Mode, and Iron Mode will give players of all skill levels something to putt about. The premise for this one is petty meta so I can understand why it might not be for everyone. What makes me want to play this one is the skill that is involved in lining up each shot and the landscapes featured look so melancholic. The game also includes the soundtrack and a graphic novel art book for those looking to learn more about the world of the game.
Webbed
Developer: Fabien Waibel
Release Date: September 9th
Platforms: PC
Genre: Puzzle Platformer
“Webbed is the story of a happy little spider on an adventure to save her boyfriend from a big mean bowerbird. Explore the dangerous wilderness with nothing but your webs and your wits. Practice the art of web-swinging to speed your way through the world! Leave your own unique mark by spinning webs through the interconnected world. Stick webs to almost anything and use them to create your own paths.”
Don’t be afraid of this little spider! Webbed is a clever take on the puzzle-platformer genre that has players swinging through the wilderness. This little spider is on a journey to rescue her boyfriend from a fearsome bowerbird. Already I’m obsessed with this one. Franky, the spider is adorable so I hope this makes the game playable for even the most squeamish. The gameplay mechanic of the spider-slinging web and swing around for mobility looks really intuitive as well as fun. You can even dance with the bugs in the game as you help them along the way. Also, I must mention that this one is made in Queensland by Sbug Games. I’m keen to catch this one when its release date flys past my web!
The Artful Escape
Developer: Beethoven and Dinosaur
Release Date: September 9th
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Action Adventure
“A teenage guitar prodigy sets out on a psychedelic journey to inspire his stage persona and confront the legacy of a dead folk legend. Starring voice performances by Michael Johnston, Caroline Kinley, Lena Headey, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Strong, and Carl Weathers.”
It’s extraordinary seeing another indie game coming out with a star studded voice cast after last months Twelve Minutes. The Artful Escape is a musical action adventure through a psychedelic world on the run from legacy. Having two Aussie indie games coming out in the same month as well is surely a treat. What has me most excited for this one is the music and how that will add to the experience of the visuals in the game. I’m one who often connects to music through visual expression and a game with a good soundtrack is all the more memorable. Hope you’re prepared to make your own escape into this one!
The Rewinder
Developer: MistyMountainStudio
Release Date: September 10th
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
“The Rewinder is an adventure puzzle game, based on Chinese mythology. You play as Qi Yun, the last known Rewinder, who can communicate with spirits and explore other people’s memories to alter the past.”
The Rewinder looks impressive from what we’ve seen so far. This one’s perfect for those after a beautifully crafted puzzle game based on Chinese mythology. The pixel art in this game is so detailed which really adds to the atmosphere as well. The story of the game follows Qi Yun, a rewinder that can alter peoples memories and persuade them to change history as it is written. There’s also a mystery to pick apart as you realise the powers of the rewinder. It’s lovely seeing this one releasing after Checkpoint Gaming last laid eyes on it at Pax Aus 2019.
Eastward
Developer: Pixpill
Release Date: September 16th
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Genre: RPG Adventure
“Welcome to the charming world of Eastward – population declining! Journey through a society on the brink of collapse. Discover delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people! Wield a trusty frying pan and mystic powers on an adventure into the unknown…”
I’m incredibly taken by this one already. The softened art style lends itself to a vintage look with expertly crafted scenes. Eastward is an indie game about the world on the brink of collapse. With the population in decline after a toxic evil invades destroying and devouring the land in front of it you take to the rails. John and Sam are on a journey out of harm’s way that will take them through lively towns, shady forests and desolate outposts. As far as role-playing games go this one looks like it’s a perfect escape for those looking for a new obsession. I’m pretty keen to explore this one and see what secrets are awaiting the player.
Toem
Developer: Something We Made
Release Date: September 17th
Platforms: PC
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
“Set off on a delightful expedition and use your photographic eye to uncover the mysteries of the magical TOEM in this hand-drawn adventure game. Chat with quirky characters, solve their problems by snapping neat photos, and make your way through a relaxing landscape!”
Jump into this hand-drawn adventure! Toem: A Photo Adventure game that asks players to take photos and solve mysteries. The black and white style shows so much depth in the scenes we’ve seen so far. I love that players are able to take control of the camera too and adjust settings as one sees fit. I reckon for those in lockdown this is going to provide a neat little escape. There are many quirky characters in Toem just waiting to meet you as well!
Sable
Developer: Shedworks
Release Date: September 23rd
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Adventure
““Embark on a unique and unforgettable journey and guide Sable through her Gliding; a rite of passage that will take her across vast deserts and mesmerizing landscapes, capped by the remains of spaceships and ancient wonders.”
I was able to play a demo of this one a few months back and I was instantly obsessed with the game’s aesthetic and gameplay. Sable is a journey across the deserts in a rite of passage that will leave players just as obsessed as me. It also features a completely original soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast that really complements the visuals of the game. Definitely pick this one up if you love exploring and existing in detailed game worlds. Sable will take you by the hand and show you the beauty in that which is desolate.
Bonfire Peaks
Developer: Corey Martin
Release Date: September 30th
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
“Set your belongings on fire on a beautiful voxel art puzzle island. Navigate expertly designed puzzles in a breathtakingly lovely voxel-based world. Filler content has been burned away to create a perfectly fine-tuned experience, filled with richly rewarding challenges and surprising new mechanics that’ll keep sparking your interest right through to the end.”
Prepare to spark a fire in this one. Bonfire Peaks is a voxel art puzzle game that challenges players with expertly crafted movement puzzles centering around the ideas of closure. This one asks players to burn their belongings in order to move on. I’m excited for this one because I love a puzzle game with meaning throughout and this looks like an excellent indie game. I’d suggest grabbing this one if you’re a fan of puzzle games that involved forethought in movement and execution.
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.
