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When “Halo Infinite” is finally released, rest assured that will be all anyone talks about in the video game world. But for now, there are plenty of games from smaller developers that deserve some play-throughs and will surely hold the attention of gamers in the meantime.
1. “Sky: Children Of The Light” (2021)
From the developers who brought you “Journey,” “Sky: Children Of The Light” offers a beautiful experience reminiscent of “Zelda: Breath Of The Wild.” With stunning audio and detailed scenery, it’s hard not to get caught up in just enjoying your in-game surroundings. Aside from being a visual and audio piece of art, “Sky: Children Of The Light” is a game full of whimsy with no “enemy” in sight.
The main objective of the game is to return fallen stars back to the heavens and bring light to the valley. While doing so, players get to complete puzzles and mysteries, explore the gorgeous terrain, and create bonds with fellow players. There will be no fighting bad guys or extinguishing a dark entity; this video game is simply about enjoying the journey. One of the things that makes this game so unique is its multiplayer system.
Not only does the system allow you to play with your friends online and locally, but it allows you to interact with and accompany random players in real-time in order to make friendships and even help each other complete quests. Whether you’re playing cooperatively with other players or waving them off while playing more solo, “Sky: Children Of The Light” is a heartwarming title that allows each player to take away their own meaning. “Sky: Children Of The Light” is available on mobile devices and Nintendo Switch.
2. “Song of Horror: Complete Edition” (2021)
What seems to be an homage to classic horror games like “Silent Hill” or “Resident Evil” “Song Of Horror” is a horrifying story-driven playthrough. The fixed-angle camera is nostalgic while creating that feeling of constantly being watched, a feeling not so far from the truth.
Throughout the game, the player cycles through a Rolodex of characters whose stories span five episodes. A survival video game in its truest form, the player cannot fight the enemy. While avoiding “The Presence” and attempting to shake the curse that has plagued them with this entity, their only line of defense is to run and hide. “The Presence” is unstoppable, and if the player cannot stave it off and a character dies, they are gone for good thanks to the game’s permadeath setting. However, if the player dies as Daniel (the main character and detective), the episode is restarted, and they must try again. Players must use stealth, puzzle-solving skills, and gut instincts to make it out alive, as “The Presence” is an AI that adjusts to how each player behaves throughout the story. A game full of unnerving atmospheres and endless jump scares, “Song Of Horror: Complete Edition” is currently available on Steam, PS4, and Xbox One.
3. “Sun Haven” (2021)
A cross between “Animal Crossing” and “Stardew Valley,” “Sun Haven” is a farming RPG with a fantastical twist. While farming lies at the heart of this video game, each player gets to decide what profession their character specializes in, ranging from miners to mages.
The main questline is to protect the player’s new home by advancing the town through farming, mining, fishing, and cooking while exploring their own powers and relationships with other characters. While saving the town is the endgame for everyone, “Sun Haven” focuses on how each player goes about doing so, either by combat or peaceful resolution. Each player gets to decide whether they battle their way through each boss or make peace by negotiating treaties. If that’s not enough to entice gamers, there are plenty of creatures (real and mythical) to pet throughout the game, which is an incentive in itself. Once just an idea on Kickstarter, “Sun Haven” is now a fully realized world of magic and myth waiting to be discovered. The game is available on Steam.
4. “Flicker Of Hope” (2020)
For fans of the “Little Nightmares” series, “Flicker Of Hope” offers the same kind of oddly-cute survival horror game experiences. Previously known as “Wick,” the game follows an anthropomorphic candle named Jean Wick (a punny nod to John Wick.)
Pattering through the ruins of a dark cathedral, it is the player’s job to literally and metaphorically bring light back to the church by relighting all the candles. But of course, every video game comes with its challenges. While the player tries to relight the candles, there is an enemy lurking in the dark corners of the cathedral trying to stop them. With nothing but their own flame, a douter to conceal it, and a few fallen chairs for cover, the player must stay out of the reaches of this mutated growling creature. The candle is cute, but when the creature attacks in an otherwise quiet setting, those jump scares can be truly terrifying. While “Flicker Of Hope” is not a long game by any means, it provides a world and unspoken story that is hard not to get sucked into. Gamers can test their stealth skills with “Flicker Of Hope,” available on Steam.
5. “Death’s Door” (2021)
In this game, even crows have a job to clock in to. “Death’s Door” is set in a world where nothing dies naturally, so a network of crows is in charge of reaping souls and keeping order.
The player is tasked with going into the outside world and reaping the soul of a very stubborn monster, but on their way there, they encounter countless unruly souls in need of reaping. During this journey, players may find out more about their own mortality and the meaning behind their day-to-day job of soul reaping. The quick combat and creatively designed enemies and bosses make this game not only challenging but really entertaining. Casting spells, using ranged weapons, and melee attacks combine to create a diverse fighting system. “Death’s Door” is full of strangely unique characters and cute creatures with their own silly personalities. While the name seems daunting, “Death’s Door” is a quite lighthearted game with plenty of challenges to keep any gamer busy. “Death’s Door” is available for Xbox Series S/X and on Steam.
A Watched Pot Never Boils
It’s hard not to google “{insert cool game} release date” over and over again in hopes that somehow the date has been moved forward in some miraculous gift to gamers. But instead of watching the clock and moping about, why not play something from a smaller developer you may have never heard of? There are a plethora of indie video games out there waiting to be played, and as the gaming industry is becoming vaster, it’s clear that great games can exist outside of big-name developers. So give these games a try and keep your mind and thumbs occupied while you wait.