Nintendo Indie World Showcase drops a bunch of games out now

The Nintendo Indie World Showcase overnight has come with some surprises, as several games that previously didn’t even have release dates have been released, much to the excitement of indie lovers everywhere. We thought we’d break down the new Switch games for you here so you can get stuck in to some indie goodness to cure your mid-week isolation blues.

And yes, all of these games are available now on Nintendo Switch (and maybe some other platforms too).

Spiritfarer

This is the one the Checkpoint team is most hyped about, partly because we’ve checked it out during the Steam Summer Game Fest a couple of times. Spiritfarer is a cozy management game about dying. While this may sound sad, it’s actually more beautiful; you play as Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased – a Spiritfarer. You build a boat to explore the world, then befriend and care for spirits before finally releasing them into the afterlife. Farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, and craft your way across mystical seas in this adorable game that’s almost too cute for words, but with some touching messaging about life and death.

Even more exciting, Spiritfarer is available now across all platforms, and has been added to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC. So, get on it!

Raji: An Ancient Epic

Now this is one that’s pretty cool too, another highlight from the Indie World Showcase. Raji: An Ancient Epic is an action adventure game set in Ancient India. Raji, a young girl is chosen by the gods, to stand against the demonic invasion of the human realm, her destiny to rescue her younger brother and face the demon lord Mahabalasura. It’s the first game I can think of that really focuses on Indian mythology, featuring Indian characters and voices.

I had the chance to play this one on Xbox One during their recent demo event a few weeks back, and quickly fell in love with the themes and gorgeous art-style. It’s a timed exclusive on Switch, so you can expect to pick this one up on other platforms later on.

Takeshi and Hiroshi

Combining the two worlds of puppet animation and roleplaying game, Takeshi and Hiroshi tells the story of two brothers and their daily life. With a claymation feel to the cut-scenes in particular, the story puts players in the role of game designer Takeshi, creating a game to entertain his brother Hiroshi.

It looks to be an adorable mix of a few genres, and certainly another unique release for the Switch.

Manifold Garden

Manifold Garden is a minimalist art-style but very gorgeous first-person puzzle video game developed by American artist William Chyr. It was released on Windows, and iOS back in October 2019, but is now available on Switch and PlayStation 4. You have to navigate an abstract series of structures that appear to repeat into infinity, while solving a progression of puzzles.

William Chyr says “The world repeats infinitely in every direction, so falling from the bottom floor of a skyscraper has you landing on its roof. You travel down and land above, so to speak. You can change the direction of gravity to solve puzzles, walk through hallways that bend space and connect to different worlds, and grow trees to restore life to the world.”

Evergate

Evergate is a four-year passion project for Stone Lantern Games, and at first glance with the art style and platforming gameplay it looks to take cues from other indie darling Ori and the Blind Forest. But Evergate brings some other cool elements to the table, as you bounce through areas, and dimensions, on a quest to save the afterlife, discovering your character’s memories as you go.

It was also revealed that the game will be coming to PC via Steam later this year.

A Short Hike

You may have heard of A Short Hike, as it was available for free on Epic Games Store for a period of time earlier this year. This short exploration-based adventure has a lot of fans after its initial PC release last year, and after quick watch of the trailer, you can see why. Follow the marked trails or explore the backcountry as you make your way to the summit. Along the way, meet other hikers, discover hidden treasures, and take in the world around you.

There were other announcements at the Indie World Showcase when it comes to other games releasing later this year and beyond. Check out the full presentation here.