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Hello Tokotoko’s relaxing idle experience charms its way to top at The Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #7

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Hello Tokotoko’s relaxing idle experience charms its way to top at The Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #7

Discover all the indie games pitched at our most recent digital Big Indie Pitch

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The mobile games industry has long been known for all of the unique and different independent games that can be found around every corner within the various app stores. From the likes of Florence, to former Big Indie Pitch winners like What The Golf!?, we’ve seen many go from breakout hit to stardom. Nevertheless, with the potential next big thing hidden behind every corner, it can sometimes be somewhat hard to discover that next indie gem.

Well, this problem is exactly why we set up our regular international competition for indie developers, The Big Indie Pitch, around 8 years ago. From San Francisco to Hong Kong and everywhere in between, we currently run around 20 of these global events a year in order to showcase all the amazing new indie games in development. Of course, there are prizes and international recognition, but the reward is the chance to show all of you readers some of the latest games in development.

It’s 2021, and whilst we’re still keeping socially distant, that doesn’t mean that The Big Indie Pitch can’t continue to highlight all of the amazing indie talent found all over the globe. 2020 saw us place the spotlight on so many amazing games, all of which were covered right here on Pocket Gamer, so whilst we obviously can’t wait to get back on the road, we were understandably excited to continue highlighting the best indie games in development through our next digital Big Indie Pitch.

Much like with our previous digital pitches, the demand for our next digital pitches was as high as ever, with 14 of the most exciting developers battling it out for the crown. Nevertheless, three games rose to the top, with French developer Kalank’s Hello Tokotoko being crowned the winner.

Of course, Hello Tokotoko, as you already know, was the winner, but we always award prizes for the top three. So read on to not only find out more about Hello Tokotoko, but also our runners-up from The Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #7 sponsored by Jam City and Unity.

Click Here To View The List »

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1st Place - Hello Tokotoko by Kalank

Hello Tokotoko is a relaxing AR idle game in which players must take care of Cozyworld. Cozyworld is a beautiful island where the cute Tokotokos come to rest, and of course, by taking care of this island, the number of these cute characters attracted to the island will only increase.

However, taking care of these creatures and their holiday island is only one part of the game. Alongside this, Oko the photographer will send you photos of what's happening while you're not there, and through these adorable photos you'\ll be able to earn rewards, learn more about the Tokotokos, and discover all the secrets of the Tokopedia.

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2nd Place - Lost Twins 2 by WRP Studios

In Lost Twins 2, players must utilise a mix of sliding and interactive puzzle elements in order to solve puzzles in this brand new take on an established and loved genre. What's more, complimenting this unique gameplay there is also an immersive story about the journey of Abi and Ben, two lost twins who must find their way home.

This might sound simple enough. However, as players will discover, it's only by utilising platforms, swapping tiles, overcoming obstacles, making friends, and even jumping through portals in order to clear a path, will players be able to safely guide Abi and Ben home.

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3rd Place - Sneacat by Mavis Games

Taking a leaf out of stealth classics like Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid, albeit with a much cuter appearance, Sneacat is all about not engaging in battle, but rather encourages players to learn their opponent's movements in order to outsmart them. It's not just about clever movements though, as you'll have an array of special skills and secret passageways at your disposal.

Of course, in taking on the role of the cute and cuddly sleuth, you're not just doing this for the challenge. No, your task is much more important, as the Kingdom you are infiltrating holds an assortment of kittens all stolen from their families by an army of devious slime warriors, and if that isn't motivation, then we don't know what is.

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4
OtherWordly by IDEA Games

In this space-themed world puzzler, players are challenged with matching the displayed core word with the orbiting words, all of which have obscured letters. This is achieved by tossing the core word across space towards the orbiting words, all whilst dealing with ever-changing obstacles and environments.

Now, this might sound easy enough, however, thanks to these obstacles and the word-based puzzle play, those who jump in will be treated to a thoroughly thought-provoking puzzler that truly grabbed the judges attention. That's not all though, as, on top of this, the game also delivers a peaceful meditative-like experience, whilst never under-delivering on the challenge, meaning the players can look forward to a game that both engages and relaxes.

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Unsteakables by Anteater Games

In Unsteakables you must use an array of wacky solutions in order to take down an approaching army of hungry meat-eating foes and help your lovable and cuddly friends avoid the dinner table. In order to achieve this, you’ll be able to equip the unlikely team of survivors with an arsenal of out of this world weaponry. Weaponry that should hopefully turn the tables in your favour and put your foes off their food for good.

From the ability to shoot Brussel sprouts and chilli powder, all the way to dodging UFOs, Unsteakables is a crazy mad-cap 2D bullet-hell shooter, one that hopes to inject a healthy dose of both challenge and fun into players who are looking for something a little different in their next game. So, if this sounds like something for you, then get ready to join Klaus in his trusty tractor as you take on crazy meat-eaters in haphazard flying machines, all whilst using an ever-evolving assortment of crazy upgradeable arsenal of weapons.

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Rob Riches by Megapop

Step into the shoes of Rob Riches, a fearless adventurer and skilled treasure hunter. As Rob Riches you’ll need to plan every step carefully as danger looks around every corner. From lost temples to ancient traps, and even never before solved puzzles, you’ll need to use all of your mental skills if Rob is to grab the riches and get out with his life.

Scheduled for release on both Mobile and PC this October, Rob Riches is a premium puzzle adventure for PC and mobile, that hopes to offer players a challenging, fun, and gorgeous looking puzzler that has gameplay in abundance. It was also one of our honourable mentions over on The PC and Console version of The Big Indie Pitch too.

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7
Chimera by Spellscaper

Chimera is a game that utilises the power of AI in order to spark the player's creative skills. As such, within Chimera, players will be able to create their very own adventure. One filled with millions of creatures and expansive environments that have never been seen before.

Thanks to the built-in AI capabilities, Chimera is a title that is designed to be manageable by just one person on their own, as it will aid the creator in generating monster descriptions, names, and attacks, and even their appearance amongst many other things. In many ways, Chimera is more of a creation tool, but one that hopes to allow for endless play opportunities.

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8
Broken by Akhil Nivarthi

Inspired by one of the all-time greats of mobile gaming in the form of Florence, Broken is a 2D interactive fiction game in which you step into the shoes of a month who has lost her child. Levels will be themed around the different emotions that the lead character is feeling, with each emotional experience leading you one step closer to the truth of what has happened.

Developed by a solo developer, Broken aims to connect the player to both the lead character and the story on an emotional level. As such, players can look forward to a deep and immersive experience that touches upon a range of feelings.

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9
Swap: A Word Game by Holy Cow Productions

Developed by former Big Indie Pitch finalist Holy Cow Productions, Swap is an innovative word puzzle game which hopes to offer players a seamless blend of tile matching and word based games. Experienced on the backdrop of a soothing and relaxing presentation, Swap challenges players with searching for potential words by swapping tiles on a dynamic grid.

Not only does Swap offer word game lovers a brand new experience, but it also offers a unique and never before seen take on the usual static word puzzle games. What’s more, with a variety of game modes, a range of power-ups, and of course, the dynamic grid, Holy Cow Productions hopes to offer up an abundance of content that should keep players going for a long time to come.

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Words with Cards by Forgotten Machine

Words with Cards may be a title that has only just begun production. However, it already has something interesting to offer, as this ia game that looks to cross the likes of Boggle with popular CCG card mechanics in order to offer a new kind of wordplay experience that has never been seen before.

Details are few and far between, but just knowing that you’ll be able to acquire new cards, play on a dynamic grid-based board, build your own deck, and even take part in PvP multiplayer was enough to make our judges want to find out more as development progresses.

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Dum Dum Dinos by Studio Singing Crows

In Dum Dum Dinos, players will follow Tyson the T-Rex, Carol the Triceratops, and Edwina the Ankylosaurus on a prehistoric and fantastical journey to save their somewhat unconventional world from a tyrannical cat society hell-bent on world domination

Within the game, players will be needed to make decisive choices, put together defences, lead their troops, and utilise powers in order to fight for their freedom and make their mysterious land a home once again.

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12
Numja by Made With Jam

Numja is a game all about completing the sequence by memorising the numbers. It’s being with a hypercasual audience in mind, so players can look forward to short and snappy gameplay sessions, alongside an equal amount of challenge and relaxation.

Development has only just begun, so keep an eye out to learn more on this intriguing title in the near future.

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Live the Appventure by Jara Ventures

In Live the Appventure players are able to dive into real-life adventures, as the game challenges players to hunt treasures and solve mysteries within real-life locations. First up will be London, with players moving around England’s capital in order to find triggers and hidden information within the bustling metropolis

Through this real-life exploration, players will be able to collect artefacts and clues, all of which will help solve puzzles that in turn reveal historical information featuring real events, characters and locations. All of which will not only allow players to learn and discover about the city but will also offer an interactive and entertaining experience at the same time.

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WordMe by WebWord

WordMe is a non-traditional edutainment memory game in which players must pair all kinds of different things, such as foreign words, photos from locations of historical importance, flags, and even maths puzzles. What’s more, with 14 difficulty levels ranging from 4 to 56 pairs alongside a range of gameplay and customisation options, WordMe is certainly not a game sparing in content.

Developed by two individuals, WebWord hopes to build a game that can help keep the mind active by helping to enhance verbal, visual, and associative memory, alongside concentration skills.

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Sophia Aubrey Drake
Sophia Aubrey Drake
A lifelong gamer with a fanatical love of all things Nintendo and Japan. So much so that she's written a thesis on one and lived in the other. She's also currently on a quest to catch every last Pokemon.