Indie Game Round Up: Ninja Gaiden, Flies, And More

🎮 Indie Game Round Up: Ninja Gaiden, Flies, And More

Welcome to our latest recap of what's going on in the indie game space. A bunch of new games dropped this week that are more than worthy of your attention, including a modern take on an old-school Ninja Gaiden side-scroller and a joyful (perhaps even profound) puzzler about the life of a housefly. By far the biggest story in indie games over the last few weeks concerns payment processors pressuring the likes of Steam owner Valve and Itch to remove or de-index games that feature adult, NSFW and LGBTQIA+ themes. Under the guise of helping to protect women and children, an conservative activist group in Australia has taken credit for the delistings, as well as stricter rules regarding adult-themed games that Steam and Itch have implemented. But some affected developers suggest this is a smokescreen to push forward an agenda of anti-LGBTQIA+ censorship.

This week, Engadget senior editor Jess Conditt spoke with solo developer Cara Cadaver of Final Girl Games about the impact of the censorship campaign. Valve permanently banned Cadaver's new game, VILE: Exhumed, from Steam for allegedly depicting "sexual content with depictions of real people," though the developer says that assessment is inaccurate. While Cadaver and publisher DreadXP are working on alternative distribution for VILE: Exhumed, Steam is the go-to marketplace for many PC gamers and the ban cuts off what surely would have been a critical source of revenue for the game. For its part, Itch has started reindexing free adult-themed games on its platform. The company has relied on Stripe and Paypal for processing payments. It has suspended payments via Stripe for 18+ content and it’s talking to other potential payment partners "that are more willing to work with this kind of content."

In any case, payment processors should not be the arbiters of morality, and they certainly should not be helping activists restrict access to perfectly above-board works of art. One other piece of news that caught my eye this week is about a game jam that’s taking place this month. Participants will have just over three weeks to make games based on real-life investigative reporting. According to Global Game Jam, the teams will gain access to exclusive reporting on organized crime and corruption from around the world and be able to ask journalists behind those stories questions about their work. It’s a fascinating idea, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what the developers that get involved come up with.

🎮 New Releases

There are some fantastic new indie games to check out this week, so let's dive in!

✨ Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

If you’re a fan of classic action games, then look no further than Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. This beautiful 2D platformer takes inspiration from the iconic Ninja Gaiden series of old and delivers a truly thrilling experience. You’ll be slashing your way through hordes of enemies with lightning-fast combos, mastering challenging levels filled with traps and obstacles, and experiencing an epic story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a must-play for fans of classic action games!

🪰 House Flipper: 10 Years Later

In House Flipper: 10 Years Later, you take on the role of a house flipper, buying up rundown properties and renovating them into stunning homes. The game offers a surprisingly deep and engaging simulation of the home renovation process, from demolition to landscaping. You'll need to manage your budget carefully, choose the right materials, and design layouts that are both functional and stylish. It's a great way to satisfy your inner interior designer!

🤯 Other Notable Releases

• ✅ Wander Stars: A unique RPG with a battle system that revolves around combining words into devastating attacks. It's a fresh and innovative take on the genre, with beautiful visuals and an intriguing story.
• ✅ I Hate This Place: An isometric survival horror game with a comic book aesthetic. You'll need to scavenge for resources, craft weapons, and fight off hordes of terrifying creatures in this challenging and atmospheric experience.
• ✅ Star Renegades: A turn-based RPG with a retro sci-fi vibe. You'll lead a team of rebels against an oppressive empire, battling through strategic encounters and making choices that will shape the fate of the galaxy.

🤔 Thoughts?

So, there you have it! A round-up of some of the most exciting new indie games that you can check out this week. Which ones are you most interested in trying?