The Best Switch Indie Games in 2023 – SwitchArcade Special – TouchArcade

Hey, pals. It’s that point of the 12 months once more. Just about all of the video games which are coming in 2023 have come. We’ve been winding down the 12 months with a few of our prime picks on the Nintendo Swap this 12 months in varied classes, all main as much as our general prime ten video games of the 12 months on Friday. This time we opted to separate out the Greatest Indie Video games listing from the Greatest Hidden Gems, which you’d have seen yesterday from Mikhail. The reality of the matter is that not all indie video games are hidden, and never all hidden gems are indies. So right here we’re. An absolute ache to slim this listing down to only ten, and even with that effort I can’t say we’ve obtained them in any specific order right here. Right here they’re: TouchArcade’s Greatest Swap Indie Video games of 2023.

Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils ($15.00)

Some video games simply really feel good to play immediately, and you already know you’re in for a deal with when that occurs. Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils seems to be as humble as it might probably, however as quickly as you nimbly make your approach by way of the rigorously crafted phases, you’ll fall deeper and deeper in love with this charming platformer. It’s a kind of video games the place you instantly really feel highly effective however preserve discovering new methods to get the place you’re going even quicker and extra effectively. Excellent.

Astlibra Revision ($24.99)

I actually had no thought what I used to be in for with this recreation after I first began it, however I knew Mikhail had praised it fairly a bit after he performed it on one other platform. And sure, that is certainly fairly the specimen. It’s an action-RPG that goes on for a frankly absurd quantity of hours, however the time simply flies due to the stable mechanics and compelling character development. Should you’re searching for a recreation that can preserve you busy for a really very long time with out boring you, Astlibra Revision is a superb decide.

Cocoon ($24.99)

The most effective journey video games are sometimes those that preserve shocking you with novel puzzles to unravel and issues to beat, and Cocoon does a improbable job of that. Your world-hopping powers are used merely sufficient on the outset, however earlier than lengthy you’ll be untangling some absurd knots along with your increasing talent set. It’s all wrapped up in a beautiful presentation, which definitely doesn’t damage issues. You’re greatest off going into this one with out something spoiled, however in the event you take pleasure in journey video games or determining puzzles, you’ll probably have a blast with this.

Vampire Survivors ($4.99)

With the whole lot else happening and absolutely the tidal wave of imitators, it’s simple to overlook that Vampire Survivors solely hit Swap a number of months in the past. I’m positive many performed this recreation earlier than then, nevertheless it fits the Swap simply in addition to it does any platform. The method of merely attempting to outlive sufficient to unlock a few issues main into primarily changing into the story monsters inform their youngsters to scare them is among the extra satisfying loops in current gaming historical past. It appears like a steal to get a lot recreation for such an affordable worth, however there it’s.

DREDGE ($24.99)

Talking of video games with satisfying loops, right here’s DREDGE. On the floor, it’s a easy recreation the place you’re going out fishing to get some cash to repair your boat. That’s what you’ll be doing more often than not, in any case. Go catch some fish, promote them, purchase some upgrades, and so forth. This a part of the sport is definitely fairly pleasurable in and of itself. However as you play the sport, little mysterious parts begin piling up, making a slightly unsettling ambiance. What’s actually happening in these murky waters? The mix of the narrative parts and the straightforward but pleasurable fishing mechanics creates a potent mixture.

DRAINUS ($19.99)

Longtime readers will know that I really like RPGs so much, however the different style that has my coronary heart is none aside from the shoot-em-up. Whereas to the layperson they may all appear slightly just like each other, each has a personality all of its personal. DRAINUS is an extremely polished instance of the style that’s extra beginner-friendly than the common entry. You will have numerous instruments to maintain your self alive, and the longer you play the extra highly effective you’ll turn into. The taking pictures motion itself is snappy and enjoyable, and the boss battles are suitably epic. It’s a shooter I’d advocate even to somebody who doesn’t normally get into video games from this style, and that’s a rarer factor than you may count on.

Meg’s Monster ($14.99)

Meg’s Monster completely destroyed me. I had no thought what I used to be stepping into after I began enjoying the sport, however I had heard some buzz from Japanese gamers and thought the visuals seemed good. There are some gentle RPG mechanics in play right here, nevertheless it’s extra of an journey recreation with a heavy narrative focus. Just a little lady seems in a world of monsters, and it appears as if the world may finish if she cries. A monster named Roy finally ends up taking her in to attempt to assist her get house, and the journey is completely heart-wrenching. Meg’s Monster nonetheless lives rent-free in my head months after ending it, and I believe at this level it’s going to be setting down roots there.

The Making of Karateka ($19.99)

Digital Eclipse is owned by Atari now, so that is going to be the final time it will likely be eligible for an indie recreation award from us. What a solution to exit, although. Constructing on the extraordinarily well-executed Atari 50‘s foundations, that is an extremely deep dive right into a single recreation and the whole lot that went into its creation. There are a handful of variations of the sport in query that may be performed right here together with a number of different fine details, and so they’re pleasurable sufficient in their very own proper. However having such wealthy context offered for every of them makes it much more compelling to dig into these historic artifacts. It doesn’t matter in the event you like Karateka or not – this interactive documentary is equally fascinating for any scholar of gaming’s previous.

A Highland Tune ($17.99)

I believe a number of the most attention-grabbing tales are private ones, and A Highland Tune feels very private certainly. I do know it’s not a strict biography or something, however somebody who actually loves the place they’re from needed to have been concerned right here as a result of I can really feel the familiarity dripping from each wet rock and hill I stumbled over whereas enjoying this. What actually pushed this recreation excessive for me was in how open-ended it was. I used to be anticipating a reasonably simple journey with a great story, however as an alternative I obtained a decidedly non-linear journey with many good tales. Certain, the broad strokes are roughly the identical, however this recreation actually believes that the journey is its personal reward and hopes you agree. I do know I do.

Snakebird Full ($14.99)

Given that is TouchArcade, I’m positive most of our readers are very well-acquainted with the basic Snake recreation. It was a staple of Nokia cellphones however its roots return nearly to the very starting of our little passion. Placing a spin on it that really works isn’t the simplest factor to do, however that simply what Snakebird did by including some physics and numerous difficult puzzle-solving to the fundamental motion of consuming and getting greater. This Swap launch brings all of the Snakebird content material you would ask for, and it fits the platform very effectively certainly.

And that’s a wrap for our ten greatest Nintendo Swap indie video games for 2023. Are there any you’d like so as to add to this listing? What do you consider our picks? You understand what to do, my coolest of cats. Head to these feedback and say your peace. I’ll be again tomorrow with our Style Awards, after which once more on Friday with the full-on Better of 2023 Awards. Thanks for studying!