Summer Games Fest 2022 keeps chugging along with Guerrilla Collective’s showcase of indie games returning once again. Simply called “GC3,” the third annual event showcase announced and revealed more than 40 games during its 90-minute runtime. From games that’ll raise your heartbeat to games that’ll warm your soul, we picked 10 games that we thought stole the show on first look.
1. The Fridge is Red
PS1-inspired indie horror games are hot right now. Published by Tinybuild, The Fridge is Red is a collection of experimental first-person horror games that take inspiration from SCP and The Twilight Zone. Accompanying the absolutely wild trailer is a free demo that is out on Steam right now.
2. WrestleQuest
For those who have been craving their own choose-your-adventure wrestling anime videogame — then oh boy do I have a game for you. WrestleQuest is an upcoming pro wrestling role-playing adventure game featuring quests that take inspiration from WWE legends like “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and The Road Warriors. Players can expect to grapple up with this one later in 2022.
3. Signalis
Developer rose-engine has announced a release date for Signalis. An atmospheric isometric survival game set on an off-world facility, Signalis looks like a marriage between Silent Hill and Resident Evil all wrapped together with a spooky retro art style. You’ll be able to grab this on PS4 and Steam on Oct. 27.
4. Boundary
If you’re looking for an indie space action game without the bleak survival horror elements, check out Boundary. Developer Surgical Scalpels’ multiplayer tactical shooter offers zero-gravity dogfights with a stunning graphical polish. Although Boundary was announced about a year ago, players will be able to enjoy it soon with the announcement of a playable beta ready for this summer.
5. South of the Circle
South of the Circle is an interesting narrative adventure from developers State of Play, which explores the relationship between two Cambridge academics out in the deep arctic. It’s already out for iOS devices but will be released on consoles and PCs soon.
6. Arkanoid: Eternal Battle
During GC3 there was a segment dedicated to revivals of classic arcade games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. While that was fun and nostalgic, the real standout was Arkanoid: Eternal Battle, a new version of the timeless brick-breaking game now with a versus mode and 25-player battle royale. Was that last addition necessary? No. It is, however, greatly appreciated.
7. Greedventory
Developer Black Tower Basement seems to have crafted a wonderfully dark and comic fantasy world with Greedventory, a pixel-art narrative RPG that tasks the hero with looting and fighting to their hearts’ content.
8. Ugly
A new puzzle platformer from Graffiti Games, Ugly stars a tormented nobleman confronting the traumas of his past. A dark platformer that looks to take inspiration from games like Braid, Ugly should be added to your wishlist expeditiously.
9. Witch Strandings
Coming to a forest near you, Witch Strandings is a top-down open-world game developed by Strange Scaffold. So far, everything about the game is shrouded in mystery, including its announcement, which shows a player getting sucked into the game. Despite not a lot of information to go on, Strange Scaffold promises that Witch Strandings will have meaningful player choices and permadeath. It arrives on Steam on July 7.
10. Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography
Last but not least in this round-up is Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography. Finally, gamers can learn a new language in a fun, creative experience that doesn’t involve a giant green bird breathing down your neck. All bird jokes aside, Shashingo, is an edutainment game that uses virtual photography to teach players the Japanese language and reveal more about the in-game world around them.