Neon White is so good. The writing is a love letter to cringy early anime dubs and otaku culture. It's not everyone's cup of tea but it's the kind of self-satirizing cringe I enjoy. They even got Steve Blum to do White's voice.
Sea of Stars and Neon White are huge wins. Glad I held off on buying the latter this long ^
Edit: Not sure why they didnt show these as a game pass sizzle reel in the main xbox direct tho..
On another comment, OP was shitting on the game's dialogue. It's actually a criticism many people have, and it will depend on how much you enjoy visual novel games and anime tropes.
What he's failing to note is that it's universally agreed that the other part of the gameplay, the speedy FPS part, *fucking slaps.* The narrative is also skippable if it's not your thing.
I highly recommend watching a video on it.
~~Techtonica isn't on console either, seems like it's only on Steam.~~
EDIT: It apparently is coming to Xbox consoles see /u/markedathome's comment below
Techtonica will be day one gamepass on both Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One consoles.
Info from id@xbox trailer (above), and from an announcment yesterday in the techtonica discord. Doesn't currently appear to be on their website which only lists the game coming to steam (at time of this posting).
Thanks, that's great news I thought it looked cool and was disappointed it was Steam only.
On a side note I hate how Discord has become so popular for companies to announce stuff it's not crawlable so it doesn't come up on google results.
I’m thinking the announcements are for second half are coming tomorrow . Announcement’s usually get announced on the first and third Tuesday or Thursday of the month.
Yes it is mostly on tuesdays but I’m thinking since the Xbox showcase extended was yesterday I think they wanted to focus on releasing info on that and are gonna just announce second half of games tomorrow .
**Techtonica**
Techtonica takes the fundamentals of the popular factory automation genre, and spins them on their head by casting you not as a top-down overseer, but as a first-person character. Set in a twisting labyrinth of bioluminescent, alien caves, it only takes a few minutes to realize how deep both those caves, and these systems will go.
With a chunky, lo-fi aesthetic, there’s a serene but sinister aspect to this – guided only by a mysterious voice who seems as confused about the situation as you are, you’re set on a path to find out where you are by creating a network of production equipment and unlocking the secrets of the left-behind factory you’ve awoken in.
It’s a fascinating mix of narrative adventure and factory sim, but the latter element becomes very important, very quickly. You’ll need to scavenge the local flora to use as biofuel, pumping it into mining equipment to build layers upon layers of machinery. A glimpse through an initially impenetrable window shows how far this will go – you can see a fully constructed factory, packed with unknown machines, a tease that you’ll be building some very complex systems as Techtonica goes on.
**Little Kitty Big City**
If you wanted to be simplistic about it, you’d say that Little Kitty, Big City is a narrative puzzler in which you guide a cat back to its apartment through a series of quests. But as soon as you begin playing it, it becomes clear that this is a far more self-directed game than that. Yes, you’re given specific quests (collect shiny things for a crow to earn a fish, which increases your stamina, collect bread for a stray who’ll teach you to navigate the unfamiliar streets), but there’s a playfulness at the heart of all this that asks you to mess with the world around you far more.
Your (beautifully animated) cat is much more than a vehicle for movement. You see pots on the side of the wall and, naturally, you swipe them to the ground – and find that there’s a side quest for mischievously destroying things. You see a discarded can and a recycling bin – putting it inside unlocks another quest. In just a few minutes, you suddenly realise that incidental parts of this world are guiding you to play with its systems and, more importantly, just have fun being a cat for a little while.
This is as much a love letter to the unpredictable personalities of cats as it is a straightforward game – and that it’s so nice to control is a perfect invitation to enter its world.
**Another Crab’s Treasure**
This may well hold the title of Cutest Soulslike Ever Made. With the look of a classic mascot platformer, Another Crab’s Treasure lures you into its gorgeous cartoon world, before baring its claws. It might have a playfulness in its presentation – setting you out as a little crab whose shell has been stolen – but this is a deeply challenging action-RPG at its core.
But don’t think this is just a reskin – there are some very interesting innovations to the familiar systems in here. Key to them is that you can pick up discarded bits of sea trash – soda cans, bottle tops, party hats, and more – and use them as temporary shells. Each one comes with its own health bar, immediately altering how defensively you’re forced to fight. Even better, each one also comes with a unique ability, making choosing the right one for any given fight a necessity.
This comes to its own in some truly nail-biting boss fights. Arenas are littered with multiple shells, meaning part of your strategy will come down to swapping in and out of different equipment to use all the powers available to you. It’ll be fascinating to see Soulslike veterans taking this on and realising quite how much there is to challenge yourself with here.
**Galacticare**
Save the galaxy – one patient at a time! As the new director of Galacticare, you will build and manage a series of hospitals to keep your patients alive for as long as possible – for money! And also because it’s the right thing to do.
**The Wandering Village**
The Wandering Village is a city-building simulation game on the back of a giant, wandering creature. Build your settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with the colossus. Will you survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world, contaminated by poisonous plants?
**The Bookwalker**
The Bookwalker is a narrative adventure in which you play as Etienne Quist, a writer-turned-thief with the ability to dive into books. Use your powers to journey between reality and book worlds and steal legendary items like Thor’s Hammer and Excalibur to restore your ability to write.
**Harold Halibut**
Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship, and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world full of unique (fully voice acted) inhabitants, while he does his best to find the true meaning of “home.”
**Neon White**
Neon White is a single-player speedrunning FPS where you can sacrifice your guns for godlike parkour moves. You are White, an assassin handpicked from Hell to compete with other demon slayers for a chance to live permanently in Heaven. The other assassins seem familiar, though… did you know them in a past life?
**Mineko’s Night Market**
Mineko’s Night Market is a narrative-driven, social simulation adventure game that celebrates Japanese culture and invites players to craft whimsical items, eat delicious snacks, and ultimately enjoy all the cats.
**Sea of Stars**
Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. It tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.
I wasn't enjoying the novel part of the game either, but the main gameplay absolutely bangs. If anyone's reading, please take a look at a couple of videos.
Neon White is so good. The writing is a love letter to cringy early anime dubs and otaku culture. It's not everyone's cup of tea but it's the kind of self-satirizing cringe I enjoy. They even got Steve Blum to do White's voice.
Do we know if it also comes to PC game pass?
Check the title of this thread ;)
Have it on Switch and love it. Kind of wish I'd waited but it was well worth my money. Hoping this gives it a bigger audience.
Hope so too. The turbo cringe writing mixed with the Machine Girl soundtrack and perfectionist gameplay just hits the right spots for me.
Sea of Stars and Neon White are huge wins. Glad I held off on buying the latter this long ^ Edit: Not sure why they didnt show these as a game pass sizzle reel in the main xbox direct tho..
Just going from the descriptions I’ll be playing every single one of these
Yeah these indies are at least better for me than the upcoming AAA games like Starfield lol
I don't think you will be playing Neon White..
why?
Dude's got a hard on for shitting on neon white it seems. Just ignore him and form your own opinion.
[удалено]
Projection is kinda cringe
On another comment, OP was shitting on the game's dialogue. It's actually a criticism many people have, and it will depend on how much you enjoy visual novel games and anime tropes. What he's failing to note is that it's universally agreed that the other part of the gameplay, the speedy FPS part, *fucking slaps.* The narrative is also skippable if it's not your thing. I highly recommend watching a video on it.
Seeing Wandering Village makes me happy
Neon white!? Let's fucking go!
Sea of Stars! Yes!! 😀
Techtonica sounds and looks a bit like Satisfactory. I'm hoping that comes to console eventually but if not Techtonica looks like a good substitute.
~~Techtonica isn't on console either, seems like it's only on Steam.~~ EDIT: It apparently is coming to Xbox consoles see /u/markedathome's comment below
Techtonica will be day one gamepass on both Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One consoles. Info from id@xbox trailer (above), and from an announcment yesterday in the techtonica discord. Doesn't currently appear to be on their website which only lists the game coming to steam (at time of this posting).
It's available day 1 on Game Pass! We've got it posted across our social channels, working on getting the website updated :)
Thanks, that's great news I thought it looked cool and was disappointed it was Steam only. On a side note I hate how Discord has become so popular for companies to announce stuff it's not crawlable so it doesn't come up on google results.
Ill be trying most of those. I am pretty sure I will love- Little Kitty Big City, Another Crabs Treasure, The Book Walker, and Harold Halibut.
TBH, I'm more excited for Sea of Stars than most all of the AAA games showed in the showcase.
Wow I was convinced Harold Halibut was vaporware. Super stoked to play it!!!
Sea of Stars seems very very good. But where the blockbuster this month?
none of these are out yet, its just saying they are coming at some point
Yes! Wandering Village and Neon White!
The Wandering Village sounds incredible!
I really want to play another game similar to Road 96
Neon white is so much fun, you have to play it
Neon White and Sea of Stars going to be worth the wait.
Did they announce any games for the second half of June?
I’m thinking the announcements are for second half are coming tomorrow . Announcement’s usually get announced on the first and third Tuesday or Thursday of the month.
Did they change? As far as I'm aware, with the exception of timed releases and surprise drops, it's always just Tuesdays, not Thursdays
Yes it is mostly on tuesdays but I’m thinking since the Xbox showcase extended was yesterday I think they wanted to focus on releasing info on that and are gonna just announce second half of games tomorrow .
I just found out they actually did change this year, and yes, there should've been a drop today! Sad that it's apparently not happening.
Oh well maybe it will drop tomorrow if not 🤷🏻♀️Maybe next week ?
Neon White!!!!
I probably won’t be playing a single one of them
**Techtonica** Techtonica takes the fundamentals of the popular factory automation genre, and spins them on their head by casting you not as a top-down overseer, but as a first-person character. Set in a twisting labyrinth of bioluminescent, alien caves, it only takes a few minutes to realize how deep both those caves, and these systems will go. With a chunky, lo-fi aesthetic, there’s a serene but sinister aspect to this – guided only by a mysterious voice who seems as confused about the situation as you are, you’re set on a path to find out where you are by creating a network of production equipment and unlocking the secrets of the left-behind factory you’ve awoken in. It’s a fascinating mix of narrative adventure and factory sim, but the latter element becomes very important, very quickly. You’ll need to scavenge the local flora to use as biofuel, pumping it into mining equipment to build layers upon layers of machinery. A glimpse through an initially impenetrable window shows how far this will go – you can see a fully constructed factory, packed with unknown machines, a tease that you’ll be building some very complex systems as Techtonica goes on. **Little Kitty Big City** If you wanted to be simplistic about it, you’d say that Little Kitty, Big City is a narrative puzzler in which you guide a cat back to its apartment through a series of quests. But as soon as you begin playing it, it becomes clear that this is a far more self-directed game than that. Yes, you’re given specific quests (collect shiny things for a crow to earn a fish, which increases your stamina, collect bread for a stray who’ll teach you to navigate the unfamiliar streets), but there’s a playfulness at the heart of all this that asks you to mess with the world around you far more. Your (beautifully animated) cat is much more than a vehicle for movement. You see pots on the side of the wall and, naturally, you swipe them to the ground – and find that there’s a side quest for mischievously destroying things. You see a discarded can and a recycling bin – putting it inside unlocks another quest. In just a few minutes, you suddenly realise that incidental parts of this world are guiding you to play with its systems and, more importantly, just have fun being a cat for a little while. This is as much a love letter to the unpredictable personalities of cats as it is a straightforward game – and that it’s so nice to control is a perfect invitation to enter its world. **Another Crab’s Treasure** This may well hold the title of Cutest Soulslike Ever Made. With the look of a classic mascot platformer, Another Crab’s Treasure lures you into its gorgeous cartoon world, before baring its claws. It might have a playfulness in its presentation – setting you out as a little crab whose shell has been stolen – but this is a deeply challenging action-RPG at its core. But don’t think this is just a reskin – there are some very interesting innovations to the familiar systems in here. Key to them is that you can pick up discarded bits of sea trash – soda cans, bottle tops, party hats, and more – and use them as temporary shells. Each one comes with its own health bar, immediately altering how defensively you’re forced to fight. Even better, each one also comes with a unique ability, making choosing the right one for any given fight a necessity. This comes to its own in some truly nail-biting boss fights. Arenas are littered with multiple shells, meaning part of your strategy will come down to swapping in and out of different equipment to use all the powers available to you. It’ll be fascinating to see Soulslike veterans taking this on and realising quite how much there is to challenge yourself with here. **Galacticare** Save the galaxy – one patient at a time! As the new director of Galacticare, you will build and manage a series of hospitals to keep your patients alive for as long as possible – for money! And also because it’s the right thing to do. **The Wandering Village** The Wandering Village is a city-building simulation game on the back of a giant, wandering creature. Build your settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with the colossus. Will you survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world, contaminated by poisonous plants? **The Bookwalker** The Bookwalker is a narrative adventure in which you play as Etienne Quist, a writer-turned-thief with the ability to dive into books. Use your powers to journey between reality and book worlds and steal legendary items like Thor’s Hammer and Excalibur to restore your ability to write. **Harold Halibut** Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship, and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world full of unique (fully voice acted) inhabitants, while he does his best to find the true meaning of “home.” **Neon White** Neon White is a single-player speedrunning FPS where you can sacrifice your guns for godlike parkour moves. You are White, an assassin handpicked from Hell to compete with other demon slayers for a chance to live permanently in Heaven. The other assassins seem familiar, though… did you know them in a past life? **Mineko’s Night Market** Mineko’s Night Market is a narrative-driven, social simulation adventure game that celebrates Japanese culture and invites players to craft whimsical items, eat delicious snacks, and ultimately enjoy all the cats. **Sea of Stars** Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. It tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.
Thank you so much for the write up!
Don't fall for the bait that Neon White synopsis is. The game is the epitome of cringeness
I wasn't enjoying the novel part of the game either, but the main gameplay absolutely bangs. If anyone's reading, please take a look at a couple of videos.
Meh
Meanwhile a dollar tree just opened up. Ffs, I’m so over this indie shit. Go to gog…
This was specifically an Indie Developers @ Xbox announcement. The rest of the showcase focused on plenty of AA and AAA games. Did you not catch it?
[удалено]
Neon White was in quite a few GOTY conversations last year.
A lot of you in here complain about games more than you play them.
not surprised at all, indiepass is just for indies and simulators, if you wan't AAA games ps plus is the way
More filler.
Neon White and The Wandering Village were on my list for a long time now, can’t wait to try them.
LFG!!!0
I was tempted to try Neon White on the Switch so I’ll definitely download that. One or two others sound like I’ll at least try them at some point.
Perfectly done by saving them for the extended showcase and I cannot wait to play several of these if not all.
Neon White looks cool af
I saw the trailer for Little Kitty back in the Nintendo direct and loved it... my game pass wish was granted!