On game nights, more of often than not, my 6-year old would be focused on what her Baby Peach is doing on race course in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or she would be announcing to her blind older sister on what kind of power-up the latter had picked up. She wouldn’t have time to notice what I’m doing on the race course.

So while she has been winning races in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on her own, she has done so without utilizing a key aspect of the game: drifting. I decided to show her how to do so this morning, and she immediately noted the amount of gains she stands to achieve in a race once she’s able to drift. But I doubt that she’ll get enough time to practice considering that Red Dead Redemption has been taking up my time on the Switch :P.

The game’s one heck of a western and a time sink, and I would say one of the main reasons why coverage has been slack on the blog for the past few weeks. In any case, it has been a very busy week for indie game releases, so check them out over here:

  • Hakuna
  • Realm of Ink
  • Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic
  • Preserve
  • The Zebra-Man!

Haikuna

Haikuna is one of several indie puzzle games to have their announcement this week. In this case, the game by indie game developer and publisher Gamiri, is now available via Steam for the PC. Haikuna is a fun word-search game set inside the classic fiction of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Don Quixote.

Players are challenged to teleport around these stories to find the words to haiku written during the Nanboku-chō, Edo, Genroku, and Meji periods of Japan. Haikuna is out now on Steam, check it out over here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2493430/Haikuna/

Realm of Ink

Developers Leap Studio and Maple Leaf Studio have produced about a visually-impressive action roguelite, Realm of Ink, beautifully brought to life with a a distinctive mix of 2.5D Chinese-style ink painting and modern art direction, along with a rich combat system using multiple playable characters.

The demo for the game is now out on Steam, and this week, the developers have shared their first developer walkthrough of their pride and joy. Check it out over here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2597080/Realm_of_Ink/

Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic

Belgian indie studio Rogueside has brought over its highly-acclaimed hit hidden-object adventure game, Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic (previously on the PC), over to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S and the PlayStation 5.

Players will immerse themselves in beautifully illustrated, hand-drawn worlds inspired by myths, legends, and folklore from across the globe. Each environment boasts its own unique charm and mysteries waiting to be unraveled.

New to the game is the reality-shift feature, adding an extra dimension for players to scour through. Shift from Day to Night, Summer to Winter, … and see how the change of scenery impacts the levels and which secrets they hide. Check out the PC version of the game over here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2304640/Hidden_Through_Time_2_Myths__Magic/

Preserve

Indie developer Bitmap Galaxy and publisher Grindstone’s upcoming PC game, Preserve kinda reminds me of the casual building game, Islanders. The new puzzle nature-building game that takes players on a journey into a harmonious ecosystem. The objective is to foster and sustain a thriving and diverse biome, where each component coexists in symbiotic harmony.

By utilizing strategic thinking and a keen eye for balance, players are granted the power to position a wide array of plants and animals, curating an environment that caters to their preferences and aspirations. Preserve is slated to launch in the summer of 2024. You can wishlist the game on Steam right now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2109270/Preserve/

The Zebra-Man!

Saved the craziest one for last. Developed by Thunder Zebra and Lokaweed, the hyper-charged top-down pixel art action game The Zebra-Man! will be unleashed for PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in early 2024.

Inspired by classic Grindhouse films, The Zebra-Man! takes top-down pixel art gaming to a whole new level. Players strike, destroy and immerse themselves in a vengeful bloodbath as they face impossible situations, unravel temporal paradoxes and annihilate all enemies in their path with limitless brutality.

The Zebra-Man! is packed full of puzzles, fist fights and violence everywhere with an unmistakable visual style and groundbreaking soundtrack. You can wishlist the game on Steam over here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2055360/The_ZebraMan/