PAX East 2023
Games you'll want to slam that wish-list button for.
PAX is a video game convention that caters largely towards indie game and this year marked my 10th adventure. Every year I meet new devs, see new exciting games/returning ones with new content, and collect new pins (but were not here to talk about those shiny treasures)
I’ve gathered quite the list of games I think you should slam that wish list button for and pick up the ones that are available now. I know you’re excited so ill stop talking and get right to the games because I see those hands rubbing together in anticipation.
First up we have Fort Solis Q3 2023 TBA
Developer: Fallen Leaf, Black Drakkar Games
Publisher: Dear Villagers
Fort Solis is a single player third person thriller set over one long night on Mars. Engineer Jack Leary responds to a routine alarm where events unravel and escalate out of control in a way he could never have imagined.
Spiral TBA
Developer: Folklore Games
Publisher: Folklore Games
Spiral is a third-person narratively driven exploration game sharing a poetic vision of cognitive degeneration seen from the inside. It tells the story of Bernard, a man who wishes goodbye one last time to the memories that built him from his early childhood to who he is today.
I got the chance in the last wee hour of PAX to spot this game and chat briefly with the dev team and they are delightful people who genuinely love what they do. We joked around a bit as I asked for info on the game till eventually I was told you can PET THE DOG to which I replied “you should have just led with that and I’d buy 3 copies”
Wish list this and we can cry together when it comes out.
Felicity’s Door Releasing on Nintendo Switch TBA
Developer: Area35
Publisher: Area35
"Felicity's Door" is a rhythm game that takes you on a journey through the world of Tom and Felicity's dreams, filled with cute animations and original songs by popular artists working in the Japanese game, anime, and music industry.
When Tom and Felicity go to sleep, they have dreams that are filled with beautiful music.
What will they dream about tonight?
I got the change to play the short demo and I NEED more. For a long time rhythm games on switch have felt lacking and clunky, this game does not. It feels and plays just as you’d always hoped, natural. It comes with a cute story and your next favorite protagonist Mi-chan, or best bear boi. It features music from a star-studded cast like: Shinji Hosoe, DE DE MOUSE, Dylan Dunlap, and more!
Developer: Akabaka
Publisher: Dread XP
Put the 'love' in 'Lovecraftian horror!' Hide from cultists and survive dangerous rituals to find a way out of the Black Woods!
The second game of the Sucker for Love series. I played the first, loved it, and when I played the demo at PAX, loved it. A Date to Die For switches up from the first game where you had to win the God’s love to now the God is trying to win your love. How the turn tables. Deal with their crazy cultists on the search for your parents and help your eldritch hunni escape the nightmare with you because their sick of their cultists s***. 5 minutes into the demo and I was already laughing at the dialog.
But hey don’t take it from me, this video alone should make you want to play. If you start dancing you owe the dev a wish-list AS THE LEAST.
A Corgi’s Cozy Hike Q3 2023 TBA
Developer: Scalisco
Publisher: Scalisco
Em-bark on a therapeutic adventure around a peaceful island paradise. Climb mountains, soar the open sky, and sail the calming seas to discover treasures and cozy nap spots. Relax and savor this bite-sized, open-world experience while 10% of your purchase is donated to animal shelters.
doggo butts DOGGO. BUTTS. I didn’t get the chance to play this but I don’t need to to know I will cherish it forever. I bought their 100$ doggy bag that included all their merch and now I have many pins such shiny, literally 2 of them are sparkle dog butts, the team knew what they were doing and that’s why you owe them a wish-list button slam.
Did I mention purchase of the game donates to animal shelters?
Polterguys TBA
Developer: Madorium Ltd
Publisher: Madorium Ltd
You're an ectoey little creature that can possess ridiculous things. But, King Thing doesn't like that and sends his heavies to knock you out of the real-world. Solo or with a party, fight off Kings Thing's heavies in the ultimate escape to victory.
Literally just f*** over your friends in this four player co-op trying to escape from a demon. Or play alone I won’t judge, the internet is a scary place.
BLINNK and the Vacuum of Space VR Out now on steam
Developer: Changingday
Publisher: Changingday
Welcome to deep space station Norpopolis – where a batch of escaped critters are causing chaos! Grab your Vacuumizer 5000 and go undercover with BLINNK the robot to catch them all. VR for autism.
I had a long chat with one of the staff at the booth asking how the game caters towards people with autism. My son and I are both autistic and from what I was told a majority of the team are also autistic so the game was designed to be: easy to understand and follow, not over stimulate with colors and sounds, or other distractions. When I was there I saw young kids playing and adults so not only do I feel I’d like this game but also my 7 year old son can finally have a game that is catered towards his experience. If you know anything about autism you know many things in life are not designed for people like us, but this game is. Thank you Changingday <3
Strayed Lights April 25, 2023
Developer: Embers
Publisher: Embers
Explore a dark and oneiric world of rampant nature and corrupted cities. Embody a tiny being of light on its path towards awakening. Fight your inner demons and restore your balance.
Once again I didn’t have the time for the demo BUT I did chat with the devs and watched some others play. It does heavily remind me of Kena: Bridge of Spirits but way more aesthetic and ephemeral. Fight the bosses who you may think are evil but really are just other lost spirits crying for help.
Shumi Come Home Q2 2023 TBA
Developer: SomeHumbleOnion
Publisher: Mooneye Studios
Play as a tiny lil' mushroom who's lost in the forest and can't find its way home. Explore unique areas freely at your own pace, chat with friendly inhabitants, and take on different adventures to get back home!
I passed by this studios booth and all of the games were adorable and I need them, you do too, trust.
Lost Ember Out now
Developer: Mooneye Studios
Publisher: Mooneye Studios
Explore the remains of a fallen world from fascinating perspectives! Slip into the role of different animals to uncover the fate of an ancient world. Dive into deep waters, fly at lofty heights, dig underground as a mole or even climb steep cliffs with a mountain goat, there are lots of ways of getting around.
See? Another game from Mooneye Studios, I told you, they don’t miss. I am just learning of them and I’m in love.
Just check out this emotional trailer and tell me you didn’t cry, I know you’re lying. Also, DOGGO.
Goodbye Volcano High June 15th, 2023
Developer: KO_OP
Publisher: KO_OP
Goodbye Volcano High is a cinematic narrative adventure about love, change, and the end of an era. Guide Fang through their final year of high school as they try to make things right before time is up.
Staying on the topic of emotional damage we have a coming of age-end of an era rhythmic narrative LGBTQIA+ focused banger. Did I mention its hand-drawn? Because it is.
Cuisineer TBA
Developer: BattleBrew Productions
Publisher: XSEED Games
Explore the world of Cuisineer as you enter dungeons and defeat monsters to get vital ingredients to cook delicious food to serve at your restaurant in this super cute and tasty rogue-lite dungeon crawler!
Saw this game last year at PAX and grabbed merch even without playing. HYPED they found a publisher and XSEED at that.
Cooking, cute, cafe manager, FIGHT.
Pizza Possum TBA
Developer: Cosy Computer
Publisher: Raw Fury
Life is simple when you’re a possum. You love to steal food… all the food. And the world is your oyster. Except when you are hunted by guard dogs in an otherwise quiet and picturesque town. But that won’t stop you, so time for some arcade-style hide-and-seek action!
Literally just live your best life as your inner possum demands.
That about wraps it up from me.
I hope you found some more new games to play because that is my one true wish.
Until next year or, you know, when I find a new game and yeet it into the release calendar for you to pick up as well. You should totally be checking that out too!
Cheers gamers,
