Asura, Crawl, Mr. Shifty & More New Indie Releases

ss_3298b415436946603cb2f20e5954c88b1942f

Pictured above: Aaero

I'm back with another batch of indie releases that came out while our site was down. All these games are several weeks old, but most have remained obscure enough that they probably slipped by unnoticed. I can't guarantee that these games are any good, just that they stood out from all the other new releases on Steam. Be sure to read user reviews for more information about each title.
 

Mr. Shifty
Team Shifty
$14.99

ss_7a188399c2c98379e755da71a119da391fbc0

Published by tinyBuild, Mr. Shifty is a new top-down action game that blends stealth with lightning-fast, one-hit kill combat. Think of it as a faster version of Hotline Miami, with far greater numbers of enemies onscreen at once. Luckily, you have the ability to teleport short distances, allowing you to phase through walls, obstructions, and even bullets. You can also find Mr. Shifty on the Humble Store, PS4, Xbox One, and the Switch. 
 

Gloom
Hunchback Studio
$9.99

ss_92b92082c3e2cf6851ae620cd4c5bbf9be488

The appropriately titled Gloom is a 2D action roguelite set in a Lovecraftian dream world. Explore procedurally generated levels full of eldritch monsters as you try to deliver yourself from this nightmare by finding the lost pages of an arcane text. Combat has the usual Soulsian inspirations that you'd expect from the art style, with a heavy emphasis on perfectly timed blocks and counterattacks.
 

Crawl
Powerhoof
$14.99

ss_a2d2dcf1fb032a59bef4aafe531293b215679

Crawl has finally escaped its lengthy stay in Early Access. This pixilated dungeon crawler is focused on its asymmetrical local multiplayer, though you can play alone as well. One player is an adventurer trying to amass enough experience and loot to kill the final boss and escape the dungeon, while the other three are specters that can possess monsters and traps in the dungeon. Whoever slays the hero takes his place, and the cycle continues until one player comes out on top. Crawl is also on the Humble Store, GOG, PS4, and Xbox One.
 

Man O' War: Corsair
Evil Twin Artworks
$29.99

ss_72594e070a0e29cc28d8efd8d49bf0de07226

Another game that recently exited Early Access is Man O' War: Corsair, a PC adaptation of the naval combat miniatures game set in the old Warhammer Fantasy universe. Sail the deadly seas of the Old World as a trader or pirate, amassing wealth and slowly building your fleet. Engage in ship-to-ship combat and board enemy vessels to slaughter the crew and steal everything you can find. The game is apparently still in rough shape, so it might be worth holding off on buying it right away. You can find Corsair on the Humble Store and GOG as well.
 

Shock Tactics
Point Blank Games
$19.99

ss_88d3e7693713856b113c587903b35c35590d4

Shock Tactics is another game that has received mixed reviews so far, but might be worth keeping an eye on. It's more or less a budget, indie interpretation of XCOM, but this time around you are the colonizer. Lead a team of pioneers scouring the hostile world of Hephӕst for ancient alien artifacts. Establish outposts to exploit the planet's resources, and engage in turn-based tactical combat against aliens, pirates, and other rival factions looking to excavate Hephӕst's secrets.
 

Flinthook
Tribute Games Inc.
$14.99

ss_4290f845f64425840abbbec02284f28b3760a

Flinthook is a 2D platformer with roguelite elements focused on fast-paced hookshot combat. Use your hookshot to move between golden rings in each level, dodging enemies and returning fire with your pistol. Activate slowmo powers to give you an edge in battle and pull off more accurate shots. Each level is generated by combining hundreds of handmade rooms, each of which is populated by randomized waves of enemies. Also on the Humble Store, Xbox One, and PS4.
 

Asura
Ogre Head Studio
$9.99

ss_4183d8ad15a78b669404e5a03364a7d6ce921

Asura is a top-down action roguelite inspired by Indian mythology. Embark on a quest for vengeance against the God-King Hasirama by fighting your way through all five fortresses of the Daeva empire. As with most roguelites, death is permanent and your loot drops and skills will vary each playthrough. Even the skill tree is rerolled each time. You can also find Asura on GOG and the Humble Store.
 

Krosmaga
Ankama Studio
Free-to-play

ss_63419c207ef011ac7800919a6240ab4b2092d

Ankama is the latest company to try and capitalize on the digital card game craze with Krosmaga. Krosmaga uses the lore and characters from Ankama's popular Dofus and Wakfu franchises to create a digital card game that is less Hearthstone and more Scrolls. You'll deploy your creatures into lanes, with the goal of destroying structures at the end of each one. Krosmaga requires the use of an Ankama account to play, which allows you to transfer your progress between PC and mobile.
 

Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom
Enigami
$29.99

ss_75ab7917a9c84a2cb92633a06ad2d5dc25709

After a moderately successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2014, the colorful action RPG Shiness has finally released. You play as Chado and his four companions in their highflying voyage across the floating Celestial Islands. The game blends traditional fighting mechanics with magical attacks in real-time combat. Each of the five playable characters have unique skills that are useful both in and out of combat, and swapping between them at the right time is a key gameplay mechanic. Shiness is also on the Humble Store, PS4, and Xbox One.     
 

The Signal From Tolva
Big Robot Ltd
$19.99

ss_8699eb57871c2911313cfcec011ab697472da

Finally we have The Signal From Tolva, the latest first-person action game from the developers of Sir, You Are Being Hunted. In the far future, robotic factions of scavengers fight over the ruins of an ancient civilization. After discovering a mysterious signal from the highlands of Tolva, you set out on a journey to investigate the ruins and uncover the signal's source. Recruit allies and fight skirmishes with rival factions trying to reach the signal before you do. Salvage and repair advanced weapons from long dead civilizations to give you the upper hand in the war for Tolva. The Signal From Tolva can also be purchased from GOG and the Humble Store.
 

Not enough games for you? Here are a few other titles you may like:
 

  • Spark the Electric Jester, a 16-bit platformer that takes some obvious inspiration from a certain series about a blue hedgehog.
  • Cosmic Star Heroine, a new old school-inspired RPG from the developers of Cthulhu Saves the World.
  • The Wild Eternal, a first-person exploration game set in the wilderness of the 17th century Himalayan Mountains.
  • The Sexy Brutale, a murder mystery puzzle game where everything happens in a continuous 12 hour time loop.
  • Odyssey, an educational science puzzle game where you play as a girl and her family trapped on a tropical island.
  • Aaero, a rhythm shooter similar to everyone's favorite cult hit, Rez.

 

That's all for now. I'll be back later with more new indie release highlights.