HONORABLE MENTIONS
MAGFest was full of all kinds of great indies. Here are some we thought we’d mention addition to the games we were able to fully cover.
QUARTET by SOMETHING CLASSIC GAMES
Four stories. Eight heroes. One destiny. We had to check out this fast-paced RPG by Something Classic Games while we were at MAGFest. The gorgeous pixel art and classic RPG style combat are what made us stop at this booth. Quartet begins with four different stories that come together in a captivating journey of eight heroes. This game also hosts a plethora of abilities and weapons to choose from as you explore cursed marshes and a dark underworld. If you are a fan of turn-based RPGs then we recommend keeping an eye on Quartet this year.
Release Date: December 2023
Consoles: PC, consoles TBA
SKATE STORY by SAM ENG
This gorgeous game has to be on your radar if you’re into skating games. Skate Story has a poetic aesthetic with mysterious, and heart-wrenchingly honest dialogue. You play as a character wandering through a dark and dream-like wasteland on a skateboard. When you fall it looks like a botched skating video you’d see in the early 2000’s but far more beautiful. The rumble features and music are spot on and: you will almost feel yourself hit the ground and shatter like the glass you’re made of. Needless to say, this game is immersive. Although the gameplay feels slippery and a bit difficult; our Ravens enjoyed the demo of this up-and-coming indie.
Release Date: 2023
Consoles: PC
UNWOUND by WIRESCRIBE GAMES
How could we not mention this delightful little game? Seriously, this game is so freaking cute. Unwound is a story of an adorable ball of yarn rolling along a journey through the afterlife. This game is full of eccentric characters who are lost, just like you. If you are a collector of little wonders, you will love the character customization in this game. In Unwound, you can turn random objects you find along your journey into limbs, faces, and even little hats! This darling adventure isn’t just all fun and games, though, it has a captivating story about finding yourself in limbo and facing the choice of either staying in the world you find yourself in or looking for an escape.
Release Date: TBA
Consoles: PC, consoles TBA
CHECK X MATE by SLICED KIWI
Check x Mate is just what you need if you are a fan of chess but haven’t been able to get a handle on the complexities of the game yet. We first saw this game at Otakon and decided to follow up again at MAGFest. Check x Mate has story elements that make it a unique way to learn the game of chess: the chess pieces are people, each with their own story and abilities. Every level you have only one move and you must choose the best move — if you don’t the game restarts. Check x Mate is a part of a showcase of indies by SwampGoblin, a community of developers in the greater DC metro area.
Release Date: TBA
Consoles: PC