Indie World: game highlights
Coffee Talk Tokyo
(Toge Productions, Chorus Worldwide)I am so happy that Fahmi's legacy is being carried on with the Coffee Talk series. The third instalment, Coffee Talk Tokyo, brings the late-night brews and chats to the backstreets of Tokyo. As a barista in a world where humans and fantastical creatures live together, listen to your customers' stories of love, loss, joy, and sadness — all while brewing up the perfect drink for them at the time. Coffee Talk Tokyo will be released in 2025.
PowerWash Simulator — paid DLC: Shrek Special Pack
(FuturLab, Square Enix Collective)PowerWash Simulator is the game that keeps on giving! Its DLC is top-notch, whether free or paid. Past DLC includes collaborations with franchises such as Tomb Raider, Warhammer 40K, and Final Fantasy VII. The cartoonish ones, such as Alice's Adventures (this DLC had no collaboration) or SpongeBob SquarePants, appeal to me due to the bright colours and familiarity with the characters. PowerWash Simulator's Shrek Special Pack is paid DLC featuring levels from the world of Shrek. There are five levels, including Shrek's Swamp and the Dragon's Lair. A Knight outfit will also be part of the pack. The Shrek Special Pack will be released this fall.
Date Everything!
(Sassy Chap Games, Team17)Date Everything! is developed by video game voice actors, but it is different from anything they've worked on before. In this world, everyday objects can become romantic possibilities. Put on some fancy "Dateviator" glasses to start chatting up inanimate objects around your home. There are 100 fully-voiced dateables, and the branching dialogue allows each to have three different relationship resolutions (Love, Friend, or Hate). The dateables also have their own theme songs and music. Romance Cabrizzio the cabinet, become friends with Shelley the shelf, or come to despise Doug. You can even date the air or the game itself! Date Everything! will be released on October 24.
Indie World: full list of featured games
- Balatro — free update: Friends of Jimbo (launching today)
- Neva (launching on October 15)
- Moth Kubit (launching in spring 2025)
- Coffee Talk Tokyo (launching in 2025)
- Sea of Stars — free DLC: Throes of the Watchmaker DLC (launching in spring 2025)
- PowerWash Simulator — paid DLC: Shrek Special Pack (launching this fall)
- Morsels (launching in February 2025)
- Date Everything! (launching on October 24)
- Peglin (timed console release, launching today)
- Wobbly Life (launching this December)
- Pico Park 2 (timed console exclusive, launching today)
- Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX (launching in 2025)
- Europa (launching on October 11)
- Cuisineer (launching on January 28, 2025)
- On Your Tail (launching on November 21)
- Metal Slug Tactics (launching this fall)
- The Plucky Squire (launching on September 17)
- Pizza Tower (launching today)
Partner Showcase: game highlights
Tetris Forever
(Digital Eclipse)Tetris Forever takes 40 years of Tetris history and puts it into one neat package. The interactive documentary features over 15 classic titles, including the 1988 Famicom version of Tetris, Tetris 2 +BomBliss, Tetris Battle Gaiden, and more. A brand new game, Tetris Time Warm, has you jumping between gameplay styles from across the series. Included with the game is over an hour of new footage about the game's history and key players. Tetris Forever will be released later this year. In addition, the NES version of Tetris will be added to Nintendo Switch Online and a new event will launch for Tetris 99 this winter.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land
(Gust, Koei Tecmo)I had to highlight Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land, even though there's nothing to know that isn't in this trailer. It is an "alchemy JRPG" that centres around the theme of memory. Yumia is an alchemist, and she has to confront her past, her memories, and the art of alchemy itself. She may have doubts, but she will keep progressing along the path she most believes in. Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land will be released in early 2025.
MySims: Cozy Bundle
(Electronic Arts)Two titles from The Sims' spinoff series are making a comeback in My Sims: Cozy Bundle. Both MySims and MySims Kingdom launched for DS and Wii in the late '00s, and this bundle is being dubbed a "retro re-release." In MySims, Mayor Rosalyn needs your help restoring her town by rebuilding and beautifying the area, all to attract new residents. Start with your own house and expand from there! In MySims Kingdom, King Roland needs your help making his kingdom thrive. You will travel to playfully-themed islands, meet unique characters, and solve puzzles. Collect Mana to craft items, furniture, and house parts. In both games, the characters are funny and friendly. Some will remain close, and others you will meet while exploring. Help them, give them gifts, and become best buds while they inspire your creativity. MySims: Cozy Bundle will be released on November 19.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
(Marvelous)Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is described as a "bold reimagining" of the beloved franchise. For the first time in series history, this action RPG/life simulation game takes place in the east. Earlier this year, Marvelous teased fans with a trailer about Guardians of Azuma's protagonists, Sabaru and Kaguya, who use the power of dance to interact with the world. There are also non-combat tools, series staple weapons, and new weapon types. Today, we learned more about the narrative in an official announcement trailer. Due to the effects of the Celestial Collapse and runes no longer holding power, the eastern region of Azuma is a mere shadow of its prosperous past. The gods of nature have become weakened by corruptive forces and have retreated from the world; this is why the mountains are crumbling and the fields are withering. You'll choose from one of two protagonists (whose fates are tied together) and become an Earth Dancer. As an Earth Dancer, you channel the spiritual powers of nature through dance. You can make crops grow faster with the sacred drum or summon rain with the sacred parasol. Each village is inspired by Japanese culture and has a seasonal theme. Venture through enchanted lands but beware: monsters may lay in wait. Deepen your relationships with community members to find friendship or romance. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be released in spring 2025.
Yakuza Kiwami
(Ryu Ga Gotoku, Sega)The Yakuza series is coming to Nintendo Switch for the first time with Yakuza Kiwami. This epic beat 'em up game that started the series follows the rise of the legendary Kazuma Kiryu as he takes the fall for a murder he didn't commit before leaving prison a decade later when Yakuza clans are on the brink of war. Yakuza Kiwami is set in the red-light district of modern-day Japan and features fighting, romance, and side experiences. Yakuza Kiwami will be released on October 24.
Partner Showcase: full list of featured games
- Tetris Forever (launching later this year)
- Star Overdrive (timed exclusive, launching in 2025)
- Goat Simulator 3 (digital version launching today, physical version launching this November)
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st (launching in 2025)
- Star Wars: Hunters — Season 3 (launching on September 26)
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy (launching this November)
- Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition (launching on September 26)
- Disney Dreamlight Valley — new in-game event (beginning on September 4)
- Spongebob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game (launching on October 4)
- Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer (launching on December 5)
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (launching in 2025)
- Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (digital version launching on September 12, physical version launching on November 22)
- Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land (launching in early 2025)
- Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars (launching on March 6, 2025)
March 6, 2025 - Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (launching on November 14)
- Castlevania Dominus Collection (launching today)
- Sid Meier's Civilization VII (launching on February 11)
- Tales of Graces f Remaster (launching on January 17, 2025)
- MySims: Cozy Bundle (launching on November 19)
- Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 (launching this holiday season)
- Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach — Ruin DLC (launching this holiday season)
- Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (launching on September 24)
- Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game (launching this holiday season)
- Just Dance 2025 Edition (launching on October 15)
- Funko Fusion (launching this holiday season)
- EA Sports FC 25 (launching on September 27)
- Lego Horizon Adventures (launching this holiday season)
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (launching in spring 2025)
- Yakuza Kiwami (launching on October 24)
Watch the showcases
