Another year, another amazing leap for the indie community. Here are the top games that really stood out to me this year – games that I would play for hours that whipped by like minutes.
NorthGard
Those who are looking for different scenery in their tactical games may want to try Northgard. Northgard is a king when it comes to strategy games, and I believe will stand the test of time. Using clans and various win conditions, players will be able to switch up their tired strategy and try a new one to keep the game feeling fresh.
I found that Northgard helps players that don’t want to be dragged, kicking and screaming, through dull tutorials. It’s easy to grasp, and the campaign helps players adapt to the ever-changing maps when certain resources may be limited.
What I find really helpful, even when you lose a match, is Northgard’s summary of events from each player’s standpoint. At the end of a match, you can see where each player started and how they expanded, what they prioritized, and who they went after. Understanding your opponent is key, and the way Northgard illustrates this is so simple for new players to understand and gain valuable knowledge.
I recommend Northgard in a heartbeat to those who want a new strategy game. It’s even more fun with friends, since there is multiplayer available (but that’s where your skills will really be tested against the best of the best). All in all, Northgard is a great strategy game that makes you want to strive for that hard-earned victory screen.
Northgard is available on the Humble Store and Steam.
Moonlighter
Selling your spoils from a dungeon to an NPC is pretty lame. Sometimes you want to just scream, “Excuse me? I beat the 8-headed-7-toed-slightly-unbalanced iguana for that nail clipping! 5 Gold is ridiculous!” Well, what if you could set those prices of your hard earned (and scar-earned) rewards? And get filthy rich off it too?
Moonlighter gives a satisfying feeling to players as they set up shop to sell these dangerously-acquired valuables. Players will be chomping at the bit to eviscerate their enemies and scoop up literally anything they drop (at least for the first part of the game). As you move up in the world and conquer dungeons, you’ll find yourself weighing options and wishing you had another bag to carry your spoils. Or you may be shuffling your items around to not have your valuables ruined by curses on other items you want to take. It’s intense. Not to mention you’re doing this while in a dungeon riddled with monsters that home in on you like moths to a lamp.
I love Moonlighter because I love to collect rare items and watch as NPCs flock to my wares. When the shopkeeper life is getting dull, I close up and rush back into the depths to pump my adrenaline back up. Defeating a boss is so satisfying, especially when it has you on the run for about 50% of the fight.
If you want to just get back to selling and upgrading your weapons, you have that option. If you are curious and start to peruse your items to see just WHAT you’re picking up, you may find some interesting clues to the story and narrative background as well. I’ll admit I didn’t know a fair chunk of the story until about 70% through the game and I checked an item’s description. Safe to say, I started plunging into every description soon afterwards.
Moonlighter struck a perfect balance of a management-type game and action. It’s definitely hard to put down once you’ve started.
Moonlighter is available on the Humble Store, Steam, PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.
Overcooked 2
How can I say I love party games and not mention this gigantic gold skillet? Overcooked is back with a brand new game, story, and a kitchen full of fun. If you have frequent guests over and need a new light-hearted (and chaotic) game to play, it might just be your next favorite.
Overcooked 2 does a lot of things well, but couch co-op is by far one of the best. In the current state of gaming, couch co-op is becoming a bit rarer, yet players still have a need for it. Overcooked 2 fills that hole in your heart (or stomach) by letting you buddy up with up to four players and work together (or against) to get the highest score. Now, if you aren’t excited at the thought of screwing over your friend’s perfectly seared filet mignon and watching them crumble in anguish, then you’re a liar.
For those who ARE friendly, you can work together to make sure you have a successful service, and maybe that gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling… But I’m definitely more on the competitive side, and Overcooked 2 caters to both sides.
Feeling drained by constant social interaction? Try playing solo for a bit and see if you can keep up with the rush without friends holding your inner Chef down. Still, I find Overcooked 2 is better with friends, purely for the absolute chaos that comes with having too many cooks in the kitchen.
Overcooked 2 is available on the Humble Store, Steam, PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.
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