Indie Highlight
Dec 21, 2020
Time to boot up Stardew Valley for a full replay when update 1.5 hits and brings new farm types and some cool advanced options.
Every time Eric (ConcernedApe) makes an announcement about the new update, it is practically groundbreaking. Just when you think 1.5 couldn’t get any better, along comes a new Beach Farm type and some advanced options to change carious aspects of the game. Just these two additions alone will be enough for a replay, not to mention the already-announced split-screen co-op and even some new fruits.
Straight from the source.
This announcement came in the same form as the previous announcements; a Tweet, wherein ConcernedApe announces the aforementioned changes, and even throws in a visual guide to give a better understanding of how the new additions will look, and where they will come into play. In the comments section, Eric goes into more detail about these options as some fans of the game ask questions. (you can see the fruits of those conversations below)
There is even a little blurb to let us know just how the new Beach Farm will effect the growth of our new zone. The blurb reads
“Good foraging and fishing, and tons of open space. Sometimes, supply crates wash up on shore. However, sprinklers don’t work in the sandy soil.”
Eric also goes on to mention that the new advanced options will be available “Only when making a new farm. these options (with one exception) can’t be changed once you’ve started the game”.
A few other notes worth mentioning about the update…
“any crop can be planted in the sand”
“grass grows in the sand”
The beach farm will fit into the map as “An inlet from the west…”
There will be some normal soil on the Beach Farm, but not a lot.
One of the advanced options can be used to achieve the following effect,
“Right now in Stardew Valley, there’s a bundle that requires red cabbage, which can’t be obtained in year 1 except by random chance at the traveling merchant, which might not happen. Selecting “guaranteed y1 completable” ensures that red cabbage seed will show up in y1″
About remixed bundles,
“It’s a randomized mixture of some brand new bundles and also old bundles, but sometimes the old ones have variations, for example they might require different crops or fish. If you choose “normal” then it’s just the classic Stardew Valley set of bundles”.Stardew Valley 1.5 Release Date
Stardew Valley update 1.5 is now available on PC and will shortly follow on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
More info
For more information about the Stardew Valley 1.5 update, you can check out my coverage here.
For more great updates on the games we love, check out what’s new Ooblets.
- Dec 15, 2020
A surprise release for Calico was announced during Nintendos Indie Showcase today.
Calico is a magical, relaxed and family-friendly simulation game where you are given an opportunity to run their very own cat cafe. The community has been waiting for this game for some time. After a successful Kickstarter the game is now finally releasing on Nintendo Switch today!
Calico combines the magic of cats and running a cat cafe
Calico came about due to the game developer’s obsession with cats, magical girls and fluffy animals. However, wanting to create a game that would appeal to everyone, she also included creatures such as lizards, birds, deer, raccoons, dogs, turtles, red pandas, foxes, etc.
The developer behind this cat-tastic game always wanted to publish a title that would make players feel ‘soft, happy, cuddly and cozy’. If that wasn’t wholesome enough, she has said in an interview that she just wanted to create a game where the only goal is to have the best time possible.
There is more than just a Cat Cafe
However, simply running the cat cafe is not the only things that players can do. The game also incorporates enjoyable aspects from other popular gaming franchises such as Animal Crossing.
Similarities between Calico and Animal Crossing include the simulation aspects of both games, and the ability to place furniture and decorations in your buildings. A perk about Calico however, is that the animals will not leave, the shop never closes, and crops never die.
Calico Announcement Trailer
You can watch the Calico announcement from Today’s Indie Showcase below. If you can’t wait to get started on building your very own Cat Cafe you can grab the game from the Nintendo eShop today for $11.99.
- Dec 14, 2020
Nintendo has just announced that there will be a new Indie World Showcase going live tomorrow, December 15th.
Seeing as how we got an in depth look at Summer in Mara in one of the more recent Indie World Showcase’s, I have high hopes that this new airing will bring news of even more absolutely wonderful Indies coming to the Nintendo Switch.
The Switch already has a pretty expansive list of great indie games to peruse, from epic life sims like Stardew Valley, down to quirky party games like Moving Out. Hopefully, we finally get some solid release dates for games like Snacko or Mineko’s Night Market.
Snacko Nintendo’s Announcement Tweet
Watch the Showcase here!
Tune in here to watch the Indie World Showcase when it happens.
- Dec 12, 2020
The developer of Snacko has released a short video showcasing what winter will be like in the game.
So many different games do their darnedest to make sure that this time of year is a special one, no matter how you choose to celebrate. Especially if your idea of celebration is booting up your favorite cute game to check out what’s in store for the holiday season. Well, the developers of Snacko have given us a sneak peak at what to expect from the cold times in their game, and just how cute a kitty farming in winter can really be.
About Snacko
In Snacko, you play as a cat named Momo, who alongside another cat character named Miman, are based on the indie devs own cats. With a variety of features including farming, fishing, decorating, and exploring, the aim of the game is to recruit animal friends and rebuild an abandoned island where cats (naturally) rule the world! It is a super cute indie game that has been in development for some time now, but that intends to release on Steam when it’s ready.
Snacko Sneak Peak
More info
For more information on Snacko, you can check out my coverage here.
For more adorable life-sim games coming to the Nintendo Switch, check out the latest news from Little Witch in the Woods.
- Dec 12, 2020
The most recent demo video for Little Witch in the Woods shows just how adorable the game really is.
At the recent Busan Indie Connect Festival, the developers of Little Witch in the Woods released a demo of their game. The demo gave players a chance to get an in-depth look at everything we can expect from this absolutely adorable upcoming life-sim indie game. The wonderful folks over at Wholesome Games actually put together a lengthy video of their experience with the demo, and the game looks totally cute and amazing.
About Little Witch in the Woods
Little Witch in the Woods is a fantasy role playing game where you get to live the life of a witch. The ability to use magic always adds such a special component to any game, especially adorable sim-life games like this one.
You play as Ellie, a little witch that has just come to a new town, and you are set to be a part of a “witch’s house”. Only, when you arrive, it appears that the town is near empty, and the witch’s house is in disrepair. Learn everything to need to be a proper witch and restore your school to its former glory.
Little Witch in the Woods Gameplay
More info
For more information on Little Witch in the Woods, you can check out my interview with the developers here.
For more great life sim indie games coming to the Nintendo Switch, check out my coverage of Witchbrook.
- Nov 23, 2020
Become a young activist and save an island and its wildlife in this adorable exploration and adventure game.
Alba A Wildlife Adventure puts you in the role of Alba who is on her way to visit her grandparents located on a beautiful mediterranean island. Ready to spend a beautiful summer on the island with her family, she notices an animal in danger which sparks her motivation to help the islands wildlife.
Set on a goregeus island that is yours to explore you will meet the friendly local villagers that may need your help in getting some tasks done. However, you made it your goal to improve the island life, safe the animals and make sure that the island remains a paradise.
There are dozens oof animals roaming around the island find all the species and log them in your wildlife adventure book. Some of these animals may need your help and you quickly realize that you can’t do the job alone.
As you make friends with the town folks you can recruit people and convince them to chip in and help bring the island back to its former glory.
Alba A Wildlife Adventure Release Date
The indie game is still in development and is set to release on December 11th, you can follow the developer on Twitter and you may already wishlist the game on steam. Watch the adorable trailer below.
- Nov 15, 2020
Cook, craft, decorate, farm, fly and fight in this out-of-this-world restaurant management game.
With so many cooking games out there, it is a wonder how anyone might be able to spice up the genre. We need a developer that can add a little flavor to this class of games that has become quite bland and overstuffed. Well, it certainly seems that the team at Blue Goo Games is aiming to do just that with their upcoming kitchen management game that takes place outside of our own world.
What is Space Chef?
The developers of Space Chef describe their game as “a delicious mix of base management and top-down action.” The primary goal of the game is to search the galaxy for all the right supplies and ingredients to get back the epic restaurant that you once owned and managed. You will get to create and customize your very own chef, through whom you will enjoy this adventure.
To get your restaurant back into full swing, there are many different facets of the industry that you are going to need to perfect. First, and most importantly, you must legitimize your business in the eyes of the law. This means permits, licenses, safety codes and possibly the recovery of an ancient sacred artifact. You know, the usual stuff.
Things start coming together!
Next, you will need to create a pretty sweet menu; one that will keep customers happy, and keep them guessing about what exactly it is they are eating. To do this, you will also need all the proper tools you would find in any professional kitchen; grills, worktables, stand mixers, sassy serving robots.
After you have the back of your place totally stoked out, its time to focus on the front, where the money givers sit. Decorate your dinner to the nines and watch as your customers sit and stare in awe of your establishment as they stuff their silly faces. After all is said and done, you will need to impress some hard-nosed judges to get that elusive five star restaurant and live the rest of your days in culinary bliss.
Space Chef Trailer
More info
For more information on Space Chef, you can check out the games official page on Steam. (don’t forget to wishlist while there)
For more great games about farming, check out my coverage of Lonefarm.
- Nov 12, 2020
Design, decorate, manage and build your very own train station in this adorable indie game.
Overcrowd: A Commute ‘Em Up is a different game. If you have played and enjoyed games like Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo in which you manage and build your own amusement park, or Zoo – you will most likely be intrigued by this new indie game.
Overcrowd: A Commute ‘Em Up takes you back to the 90s where you are tasked to build a tran station from the ground up. Starting with only a few bucks in your pocket you will need to decide what to build first. Add a couple restrooms, stores and decor to get your train station going.
Build a huge train station up to four levels deep
Even though you start out with just a small station the game will eventually become very crowded. You can build up to four levels deep connecting each level with escalators, elevators and of course traditional stairs. Once your train station becomes this big it will become increasingly more difficult to manage the large crowds you are attracting.
To manage the many people wanting to take the train every day it will also be your job to hire staff to keep the place clean and organized. Kiosks need to be staffed, restrooms need to be cleaned so make sure you hire the right people for the right job.
Overcrowd: A Commute ‘Em Up Release Date
The game is currently available on Steam, if you are still on the fence, make sure you take a peak at the trailer below!
