Indies lead the charge at Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #2
Discover all the indie games pitched at our most recent digital Big Indie Pitch
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.
Understandably, 2020 is proving to be a challenging year for all in the industry. As such, we felt it was important to continue to highlight all of the indie talents in any way we can and took the Big Indie Pitch digital, with our most recent digital pitches taking place during our Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #2 conference.
Once again, this meant 15 of the strongest new and upcoming indie developers around taking to the digital stage to pitch their latest creations in a speed pitching extravaganza. As always the quality was extremely high, meaning the battle for the top was as strong as ever. Nevertheless, we had to crown a top three, and India-based Xigma Games’ follow up to their original hit, The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores crowned the winner.
Of course, The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores, 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 The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores but also our runners-up and honourable mention from The Digital Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects #2 sponsored by our season sponsors, Kwalee, alongside TastyPill.
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1st Place - The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores by Xigma Games
The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores is the sequel to the award-winning The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands. In this sequel, players will have to build, craft, and explore in order to help their settlement to both thrive and ultimately survive.
Of course, in the process of achieving this, you'll be given full control of your settlement, including the ability to design the city to your preferences, manage resource chains, send your workers out on jobs and create industries, along with sailing out for new shores to trade with other settlements and explore uncharted territory. Finally, there will also be the opportunity to uncover the secrets of a long lost civilisation.
On top of the engrossing gameplay, the game looks absolutely stunning, whilst also being accessible and easy to understand. As such, this makes it an easy jump-in game for beginners to the strategy genre, whilst also welcoming veterans with open arms. All in all, The Bonfire 2 is a strategy game all about survival and prosperity through achievement. In many ways, it's also a game about the strength of humanity.
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2nd Place - Super Nova Boy by Waken Games
Super Nova Boy is a bright, colourful, and inviting maze runner. One in which players step into the shoes of the titular character Super Nova Boy as he navigates an alien planet in a quest to rescue the ancient Elemental beings and stop the evil black hole, Collossavoid, from devouring the universe.
Gameplay takes the form of fast and frantic 2D puzzle action. One that blends maze running, with collecting and puzzle-solving. It's a unique mix and one that hides a deep and complex amount of gameplay that is both inviting and challenging at the same time. Of course, on top of this, the game also features power-ups, boss battles, and an inviting cute and polished presentation.
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3rd Place - Ready Set Goat by Subpixel
In Subpixel players will be challenged with taking down wave after wave of dastardly enemies known as Creeps. You see, this is because these Creeps are causing all manner of trouble in the serene mountain wilderness that is also the home to the mountain goat and its peaceful existence. So, what else is there left to do than to send them back to where they came from.
To achieve this, Ready Set Goat utilises a one-button gameplay mechanic that is both a homage to the game's retro game roots whilst also being a mechanic that optimises a mobile-centric audience. Of course though, as with any good mobile game, our heroic goat's task isn't going to be as simple as it seems thanks to challenging gameplay and the increasingly complex enemies faced.
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Panik Flip by Panik
Mixing simplicity with complexity is often a very hard task, however it’s one that this developer is looking to achieve through Panik Flip! As such players can expect to find simple and functional design aesthetics inspired by the likes of Kami2 or Dots, mixed with a variety of gameplay mechanics all revolved around the concept of flipping colours. It also looks absolutely stunning too.
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Super Grumz by Picnic Game Labs
Super Grumz is a gorgeous and minimal survival game in which you have to tap and hold to stop a ball from moving, using a simple mechanic to avoid a bunch of obstacles. Occasionally, this mechanic will get turned on its head, and you'll have to hold to make the ball move. It's tough and reminiscent of patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time.
The gameplay itself also requires you to constantly be on the move, something which instantly ups the challenge both physically and mentally. Nevertheless, you will be able to utilise a range of power-ups in order to help you survive and score big!
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Darkarta: A Broken Heart's Quest by Tuttifrutti Interactive
Darkarta: A Broken Heart's Quest is a haunting narrative adventure that explores themes including motherhood, true love and the nature of humanity. It also delves into topics such as racism, and doesn’t shy away from making the player think as they journey deeper into the story.
Within the game players take on the role of Mary. Someone who never knew the story of her dark past, yet is somehow surrounded by strange curses that date back to her days growing up in an orphanage. From here Mary must enter an enchanted 'Netherworld', a place where her destiny has seemingly been foretold.
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Drift Champions by Holy Cow Productions
Inspired by some of the classic top-down racers, Drift Champions is a game that looks to blend the old and the new in order to create a retro racer that’s filled with both style and substance. Throughout the game, players will be able to drift and race their way around a plethora of psychedelic courses, all whilst making use of a variety of diverse vehicles.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a retro racer without some simple to pick up and play controls, alongside an addictive soundtrack. So, if you’ve been looking for something that invokes the racers of the 16-bit days on mobile, then Drift Champions is definitely a game to keep an eye on.
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FingerJump by Puzzles & Games
FingerJump is a casual game all about having the best dexterity in your fingers. Up to 5 players can take part all from the one screen, and winning is as simple as making sure that you don’t touch the circling line that is trying to catch you out. Of course, there are special powers and other tactics that can be used to trick and distract your opponents. So even those of us who aren’t the fastest will have the opportunity to win using their smarts.
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LIFE ON A BALL by qixen-p design
In the words of developer qixen-p design “this is a game about balancing on a ball and reaching for the stars”. That might sound slightly abstract and crazy, but that’s actually the exact vibe the developer is going for here.
Seemingly taking inspiration from the likes of Katamari Damacy, in this game players must physically rotate their phone in order to control the ball and explore the stylish and gloriously presented world. What’s more, in doing so, Life On A Ball promises to tell a deep story about how people focus on their career and other goals at the expense of everyday life that is right in front of them.
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Smash Ball by Game Pill
Smash Ball is the image of what a futuristic high tech sport could be, as this high-speed hybrid blends air hockey inspired arcade action with mecha robots to create an all-out war. From rockets to sticky bombs, and even as far as literally destroying your opponent mecha limb from mecha limb, anything goes in the robotic quest to reign supreme.
Of course, given that you’ll be utilising robots, there are a plethora of upgrades planned, alongside a range of different gameplay modes and competitions. So for players looking for a robotic infused, Rocket League crossed with Pong blend of competitive action, then Smash Ball is currently in development and one to keep a watch for.
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Mask of Lords by Game Workstore
Created with strategists in mind, Mask of Lords is a turn-based PvP game designed to have deep and highly adaptable gameplay. Within the game, players take on the role of a newcomer Lorn within the city of Cryova, a place where the darkness rules over the daylight.
If that setting wasn’t bad enough, you’ll find yourself in grave danger. A danger that not even your money can save you from. So, instead of utilising your enormous wealth, you’ll instead have to make use your smarts in order to create your very own mask and build a crack shot mercenary team before taking on those who want to take you, dead or alive.
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Color Bouncer by RH Game Studios
Color Bouncer works on a simple yet highly intuitive premise. Namely, match the colour of your ball to the ever-changing walls you’re trapped within, all whilst trying to score as many points as possible. It sounds simple but just wait until the speed and intensity reach their maximum level!
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Stickporter by Orkitec
Portal proved categorically that teleporting from one location to another is insanely fun and has a multitude of uses. So, what better mechanic to bring to puzzle platforming that being able to jump from one location to another seamlessly?
Well if you agree, then Stickporter might just be the game for you. In this unique puzzle platformer, you’ll take control of the stick man hero as they utilise a special teleportation gun in order to take down obstacles, reach undisclosed locations, modify the environment, and hopefully reach the exit safely. From top to bottom it’s a game designed to change the way you approach platforming action.
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Lemix by Canvas Games
Lemix is a real-time multiplayer game in which players must manipulate anagrams in order to locate as many words as possible. Battles take place in either a PvP environment or a cooperative one for those who prefer to work together.
Discovering as many words as possible isn’t your only aim though. You’ll also be able to level up in order to acquire power up granting pets, whilst also being able to compete in seasonal leaderboards.
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Space Moles by Masquerade Media
Ever had the desire to hit the carnival when you’re sitting at home? Well if so, Smash Moles is a game trying to bring a little piece of the carnival directly to you. Which piece you ask, well, in this case, it’s the classic whack-a-mole, adapted for a space theme in which players can catapult the moles deep into the cosmos whilst utilising bonus items and clever tactics to clear each of the ever more difficult stages.
