Ten highlights from the Top Hat Studios indie games showcase

Today, the small yet renowned indie game publisher Top Hat Studios presented a preview event for more than twenty forthcoming independent video games. This studio is recognized for publishing exceptional indie titles such as Crypt Custodian from last year, along with Frogun and Ova Magica. Spanning approximately thirty minutes, the exhibition showcased an eclectic mix of games, ranging from metroidvania-style adventures, retro pixel-art RPGs, and even a handful of survival horror titles.

Ten highlights from Top Hat Studios Showcase, indie games to look forward to

While this article provides insights into some captivating indie games from the showcase, it’s important to note that it doesn’t delve into every single game. If you’re eager to explore more about intriguing upcoming indie games, I strongly suggest checking out the full showcase for a comprehensive view. The games discussed here are just a few that particularly caught my eye; there might be others that align better with your interests. Some of these games are brand new announcements, while others are offering updates like release dates.

If any of these games catch your eye, consider adding them to your Steam wishlist. This step is both effortless and cost-free in helping the developer, while Steam will keep you updated with alerts when the game becomes playable, officially launches, or experiences a price drop.

Labyrinth Of The Demon King

Among the highly anticipated games showcased is J. R. Hudepohl’s debut title, Labyrinth Of The Demon King. This is a survival horror game with dungeon crawling elements. A recently released one-minute trailer offers a glimpse into the first-person combat, ominous and grim settings, and the menacing creatures lurking in the shadows. Your task is to hunt down the demon who betrayed your lord and eliminate it.

Today’s showcase unveiled some exciting news: the release date for “Labyrinth Of The Demon King” is set for May 13th, and it won’t be exclusive to Steam! This spine-chilling, grim adventure game will also debut on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. If you’re eager to dive in, a free demo for “Labyrinth Of The Demon King” is already available on Steam!

Bombshell Blitz

Bombshell Blitz is a rogue-lite twin-stick shooter game, developed by Art of Sully, a studio founded by Brendan Sullivan, who previously worked as a Senior Tech Artist at Mojang (the creators of Minecraft). This game features a lowpoly design style that’s evident in its character designs, which are blocky but still possess a lot of charm and individuality.

In Bombshell Blitz, you’ll be in command of a tank in a bird’s-eye view. Your mission is to conquer each level and eliminate groups of adversarial vehicles by employing different tactics. This action takes place within the combat training exercises at the Bombshell Military Academy. Interestingly, this game will also feature dating sim elements, so it’s essential to impress your superiors with top scores! We haven’t had any details about its release date yet, but you can add Bombshell Blitz to your wishlist on Steam!

Motorslice

As a diehard fan, I can hardly contain my excitement as I delve into the colossal industrial labyrinth of Motorslice! This exhilarating parkour action-adventure has been making waves across social media for the past year, captivating gamers worldwide. And now, the wait is finally over! Top Hat Studios has officially taken the helm as its publisher, promising a smoother journey ahead. I can hardly wait to see what this collaboration brings!

In this game, you’ll use your chainsaw to battle an array of construction machinery, ranging from tiny adversaries to colossal machines. The trailer evokes memories of games like Shadow of the Colossus, where players must scale enormous foes to defeat them. As for Motorslice, a release date hasn’t been set yet, but it’s anticipated to launch somewhere between late 2025 and early 2026.

Unannounced Game by Kyle Thompson

You might be familiar with the work of independent game developer Kyle Thompson. Last year, one of his creations, “Crypt Custodian,” stood out as an exceptional indie Metroidvania title. Prior to that, Thompson was responsible for developing games like “Islets” and “Sheepo.” Today, not only do we have the exciting news that “Crypt Custodian” will be releasing a physical edition on August 29th, but we also caught a sneak peek at his upcoming project.

As a fervent fan, I’m thrilled to share my take on the intriguing teaser I recently witnessed: The video commences with an ominous blood-red moon and a humble cabin bathed in crimson light. A subsequent frame unveils a forest landscape reminiscent of stages from classic Metroidvania games, hinting at the genre we might be diving into soon. To add to the mystery, the final image is a hand adorned with golden jewelry and sporting claws of scarlet hue, reaching upwards. Patience is key as we await further revelations this coming summer.

ZWAARD

Among the games displayed today, just a few managed to truly catch me off guard. I was already familiar with either the game or its developer for many of these titles up until now. However, ZWAARD, an isometric action-adventure game focusing on crafting the ultimate sword in a post-apocalyptic setting by Beleef Studios, came as a pleasant surprise to me.

The colorful and dynamic pixel-based landscapes immediately drew me in, while the soothing piano melodies evoked feelings of a world I long to delve into and discover. However, a game about forging the perfect sword wouldn’t be complete without taking it for a spin now and then. With colossal bosses, brain-teasing puzzles, and a science fiction narrative that appears to run much deeper than anticipated, I am utterly captivated. As of now, ZWAARD doesn’t have a specific release date but has a 2025 window; thus, it will be on my wishlist for future updates.

Windswept

The game, “Windswept,” is an enchanting 2D precision platformer created by WeatherFell, featuring Marbles the duck and Checkers the turtle. From its Steam page, I learned that it’s perfectly acceptable to incorporate emojis into a Steam description. I had previously heard about this game due to the developer’s frequent sharing of impressive gameplay clips on social media platforms. At first glance, Windswept appears to be a charming animal-themed game; however, based on what I’ve seen so far, I can sense that the platforming challenges it presents will have me finding creative ways to express my frustration (in a good way) as I toss controllers around.

From the glimpse I’ve gotten in this trailer, it seems like Windswept is shaping up to be an extraordinary adventure! The interaction and ingenuity shown by the two main characters in navigating their world really caught my eye. The scenery looks breathtakingly beautiful, teeming with adorable creatures that we can even ride on – dogs, chameleons, perhaps more! These rides could potentially unlock new abilities, making the gameplay even more exciting.

The storyline also promises intriguing elements like battling bosses, such as a pirate ship run by mice, bee knights defending a hive, and a mustachioed octopus to conquer. While we don’t have an exact launch date yet for Windswept, the trailer hints at a Summer 2025 release – something I’m genuinely looking forward to!

EbiTapes

Delve into the handcrafted universe of EbiTapes, developed by creators Marton Kiss and Lilla Turi. The game’s unique paper cutout design, reminiscent of stop-motion animation, captivates the eye. As Ebi, you’ll gather sounds from this world and compose melodies for performances at concerts attended by other residents. Your mission is to save the Annual City Festival from the Shushinator, a formidable foe.

Apart from finding EbiTapes intriguing as it appears to be an enchanting adventure game, I’m captivated by its innovative gameplay feature. The latest trailer provides glimpses of the unique sounds Ebi has captured, such as “cave resonances” and “snores.” It seems that EbiTapes could offer a blend of humor and awe-inspiring moments, mirroring the random sounds we encounter daily in our lives. If players begin to share their compositions, it could make this game even more engaging. Currently, there’s no confirmed release date for EbiTapes, but its Steam page still indicates 2025 as the targeted launch year.

Elementallis

During today’s presentation, Elementallis seemed to strongly evoke a serious, traditional Legend of Zelda atmosphere. Created by developer Iván Ruiz Lozano, Elementallis is an RPG with a top-down perspective that allows the player to wield a sword and harness the powers of several elements in order to battle enemies and solve puzzles within a “pre-apocalypse” setting. The trailer demonstrates the player utilizing a wheel to activate different elemental abilities for both combat and exploration purposes.

Discovering innovative solutions such as generating a pool of water for an electric shock or encouraging plant growth to form a ladder, intrigues me about the gameplay experience. Yet, it’s not just creativity that sets this apart; the game description mentioning a “pre-apocalyptic world” within Elementallis, along with a quest to rejuvenate the elements, hints at a compelling narrative as well. The anticipated release of Elementallis is slated for later this year.

SONZAI

Sonzai, a creation from 2 Odd Diodes, blends social simulation, RPG, and 2D action games into one hand-drawn adventure set in the contemporary town of Kumotoshi. Navigate through its streets, take the subway, and even attend classes, but this isn’t your average town. It’s enveloped by mystical fantasy elements, populated with engaging characters, and inhabited by creatures to battle.

The trailer for SONZAI doesn’t reveal much of its storyline, yet the game seems intriguing enough just by exploring its enchanting hand-drawn world, engaging in combat, and conversing with diverse characters. It’s possible to find this game enticing based on these elements alone. As of now, there isn’t a specific release date for SONZAI, but it’s exciting to learn that it will be available across various platforms such as Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Under the Island

Journey through a 1990s-themed fantasy realm titled Under the Island, a captivating 2D top-down pixel-art RPG by Slime King Games. The game’s heroine, Nia, wields her hockey stick as an improvised sword to combat an assortment of imaginatively designed monsters residing on Seashell Island. Venture into dungeons and tackle a variety of puzzles using a range of tools, such as a horn for managing flocks of sheep or a less refined but effective explosive device that can be utilized to trap enemies.

In the game titled “Under the Island“, you find yourself on a puzzling island, where you gradually familiarize yourself with the locals. However, things take an unexpected turn when you learn that this very island is about to disappear beneath the waves of the ocean. To aid in its rescue, you’ll work alongside diverse characters, including humans, a canine companion, and an enigmatic figure resembling an onion gentleman. Unfortunately, a release date for “Under the Island” was not disclosed during today’s presentation, so we must patiently add it to our wishlist and wait for further updates about this captivating title. When it becomes available, “Under the Island” is slated to debut on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC systems.

Conclusion

Each year, it can be tough to choose from the numerous intriguing indie games on the horizon. Among them, Crypt Custodian, a game I adored in 2024, was one of my personal favorites. As such, I’m eagerly anticipating Kyle Thompson’s next project as it could be the standout for me. Nevertheless, I’m equally thrilled about ZWAARD, Motorslice, and Windswept. The indie gaming scene is brimming with promising titles. Kudos to Top Hat Studios for organizing this live stream and supporting numerous independent developers in creating and distributing their games.

2025-04-22 22:03