Remember remember, oh no it’s November!
It looks like we are well and truly speed running 2021 at this point so it’s only fair that as another month rolls in, we are blessed with a new batch of indie game gems perfect for anyone! This November is coming in surprisingly strong, with some puzzle games and some base-building offerings that will allow you to build your own paradise. And be sure to check out Australian gem Unpacking that is getting some well-deserved praise for its release.
Let’s check out the indie games I’m most excited about this November!
Dogs Organized Neatly
Developer: DU&I
Release Date: November 1st
Platforms: PC
Genre: Puzzle
“A true friend leaves paw prints on your heart. And we have 30 friends just waiting for you to pet them! Our good boys and girls come in all shapes and sizes. However, they are way too energetic for us to handle alone so we need YOUR help to organize all these doggos! Just pick them up and place them on the grid over there. And don’t worry if you rotate them a bit, they may bark, but they never bite.”
Call it puppy love, but wow am I smitten with this simple little puzzler. Pooches to the walls, this will have you maneuvering cute doggos so they fit into shapes. While not practical in real life, this gem is a gorgeous little concept that oozes cute and wholesome. This one’s also a follow-up to the 2020 release Cats Organised Neatly so there’s a good stack of levels available if this is right up your alley!
Unpacking
Developer: Witch Beam
Release Date: November 2nd
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Simulation
“Unpacking is a zen game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.”
Having played the demo of this one, I’m quite excited to see its release. Moving is something everyone can relate to because many people have had to do it multiple times and it never becomes easier. Often it’s letting go of memories in one place while simultaneously moving what’s familiar to somewhere new. Unpacking is a story told through moving – packing and unpacking as the years go by. This is a game I know I’ll love because of how thoughtful and earnest it is as a concept. If this sounds like an experience you’ll enjoy, check out our review here!
To the Rescue
Developer: Little Rock Games
Release Date: November 2nd
Platforms: PC
Genre: Adventure
“To The Rescue! is a charming dog shelter simulator. Take care of unique dogs and find the right homes for as many of them as you can. Upgrade your shelter, control disease outbreaks, learn each dog’s preferences, and make tough decisions, all while helping support real-world animal shelters!”
Who hasn’t dreamt of starting their own dog shelter for the most loyal pets a person could have? To The Rescue is that dream brought to life in this tender new indie game! Care for new dogs daily, meeting all their needs as well as making choices that will allow you to keep the shelter’s doors open so you can continue helping dogs find their forever home. And the best part about this one is that 20% of the game’s profits will be supporting real dog shelters via the PetFinder Foundation. So consider throwing this one a bone! Read our review here!
Time Loader
Developer: Flazm
Release Date: November 3rd
Platforms: PC
Genre: Platformer
“Time Loader is a story-driven puzzle-platformer with tiny robots, alternate realities, nostalgic music, and primitive tech from the 90s!”
Grab the controls in this time travel game! Journey into the past in order to stop a tragic accident. Venture through the past while you test your skills against tricky physics-based puzzles using a collection of upgrades such as boosters, harpoons, screwdrivers, and many more. Time Loader also features a branching narrative that is affected by the choices you make in the past and could have drastic effects on the present day. Don’t miss this one!
Bloodshore
Developer: Wales Interactive
Release Date: October 4th
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Adventure
“All is not what it seems in this latest season of Kill/Stream, the hottest reality TV show on the planet. Can Nick uncover the truth about Bloodshore Island before his time runs out?”
Did someone say BATTLE ROYALE? Yup! Bloodshore is an interactive movie from the makers of The Complex and Late Shift. I have to admit I’m very into these games because they encourage active viewing but aren’t as involved as a more traditional game. And this one looks like it’s going to be a wild addition to the interactive films already on offer from Wales Interactive. Bloodshore is a Twilight Zone-esque tale with a blood backhand, as all is not as it seems on this reality show. Don’t forget the popcorn for this!
Tunche
Developer: LEAP Game Studios
Release Date: November 3rd
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Adventure
“Tunche is a charming hand-drawn action game with roguelike elements. Team up with your friends or play solo. Choose from 5 unique characters and restore peace in the Amazon rainforest!”
Tunche looks like one of those classic brawlers and rightfully so. Master all manner of play styles as you bash your way through 4 distinct worlds. While this isn’t usually a style of game I’d go for, the game’s visuals are drawing me in and the co-op side looks like a fun aspect for those looking for a game to play with someone else.
Demon Turf
Developer: Fabraz
Release Date: November 4th
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Adventure
“The 3D platformer with attitude! Join Beebz in her ambitious goal of taking over the Demon Turfs and becoming the Demon Queen herself! Jump, spin and punch your way across the turfs with unique mechanics like momentum-driven combat and self-placed checkpoints. Time to face the Demon King!”
Are you looking for a blended platformer with spunk and all the nerve you could ever want? Feast your eyes on Demon Turf, a uniquely aesthetic treat that will ask you to perform some tricky platforming feats across many of its crafted levels as you jump on demons and become the demon queen!
Breakwaters
Developer: Soaring Pixels Games
Release Date: November 11th (Early Access)
Platforms: PC
Genre: Adventure
“Adventure through an ever-changing oceanic world that evolves the way you interact with water. Swim, sail, and fly to find new islands with unique resources to build, craft, and survive. Join friends online and build a home to defend, or defeat massive Titans bringing calm to the waves.”
Castaway in this gorgeous procedurally-generated oasis – perfect for those after a getaway from the lockdown woes! But beware, the titians are on the horizon, ready to cause havoc in your paradise. This one gives me a RUST vibe though thankfully without the hardcore PVP element. This game ignites that similar joy that I get from No Man’s Sky as well. I love a game that doesn’t shy away from letting you explore its secrets!
Moncage
Developer: Optillusion
Release Date: November 16th
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
Genre: Puzzle
“Moncage is a unique puzzle adventure game where you explore a fascinating world trapped inside a mysterious cube. With each face displaying a unique scene, you’ll have to leverage the illusions and discover the hidden links to solve the puzzle.”
Perspective really is everything in this cubed puzzle game. Every surface is a new view and it’s going to require much thought to uncover the photos that will tell you the story behind the game. I’m keen on this one because of how crisp the game’s artwork looks which will only make the puzzles more satisfying to explore.
Len’s Island
Developer: Flow Studios
Release Date: November 27th (Early Access)
Platforms: PC
Genre: Adventure
“Build, fight, farm and explore. Experience your own path. Whether it’s building the home of your dreams, tending to your crops and watching the sun go down; or explore the mysteries of the Island and the darkness underneath, but you may want to take a sword with you.”
Another base-building game? Yup! Len’s Island is another coastal game that will have you building bases and tending to crops. Unlike Breakwaters, Len’s Island is set entirely at your own pace, allowing you to play your own way. The buildings in this one look really cool too, so go for this one if you’re looking for a less rustic paradise to call your own!
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.
