No doubt about it now; change is in the air, and fall is in full force. Time to head inside, pull up a seat by the fireplace, and get wrapped up in a few indie tales. As we step into November, it’s not just the leftover Halloween candy we can’t wait to get our hands on. Recent news from one of the scene’s biggest developers has us feeling warm down to our toes, indies are getting a new stage, and on top of it all, we’re positively rolling in game releases.
Raking Up The Big News
Fall is all about transformation, but who would have known Stardew Valley developer Eric Barone AKA ConcernedApe, would get so into the spirit when dropping the first real details of his follow-up title? And that’s not all. Thunderful Games is putting on its debut digital showcase, and Mark Hamill is hosting!
ConcernedApe’s Haunted Chocolatier
Taking the vibe of his well-known work and pouring it into a new mold, Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley, revealed his next project – and it’s filled with chocolate, ghosts, and combat. “You can rest assured that I’m not ‘copying and pasting’ Stardew’s combat,” says Barone in a recent blog post. “On the contrary, almost everything in Haunted Chocolatier, including the combat, is completely coded (and drawn) from scratch.” The game is in early development and has no release date.
Thunderful World
On November 10, the developer and publisher Thunderful, which has worked on titles like Lost in Random, will be holding its first indie game showcase with Star Wars actor Mark Hamill serving as the host. The virtual curtain goes up at 11 AM PT, and while we expect The Gunk to make an appearance, Thunderful promises “world premiere game reveals” as well.
Getting Lost In A Corn Maze Of Releases
Don’t worry – though there may be a ton of games coming in this first half of November, the list below can help you get through the labyrinth.
Blaseball: Short Circuits
PC
The bizarre baseball simulation, Blaseball, has been on Siesta since the summer. However, developers The Game Band have brought it back in a temporary, truncated form called Short Circuits. Starting today and running until November 14, Blaseball: Short Circuits features the game’s original 24 teams with new rosters playing in wildly different games over a series of mini-seasons.
Unpacking
Xbox One, Switch, PC
This is an excellent title for those that just want to relax and make the world a little more orderly. Unpacking is a puzzle game hitting November 2 that tasks you with removing your possessions from a box and placing them in satisfactory places around a new environment. The result, coupled with environmental storytelling, is surprisingly meditative and compelling.
Tunche
Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Coming November 2, Tunche is a beat ’em up with up to four-player couch co-op and gorgeous, hand-drawn visuals. You choose one of five players and set off on a 2D, side-scrolling adventure through the Amazon, which will never be the same twice. However, there are a surprising number of things to fight in this stunning rainforest, so watch your step.
Demon Turf
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Demon Turf bills itself as “The 3D platformer with attitude.” Playing as Beebz – a demon who is considered young despite her being 1,000 years old – you’ll fight your way through the unique-looking Demon World in an attempt to wrestle the title of head honcho from the Demon King. Demon Turf is set to release on November 4.
The Binding Of Isaac: Repentance
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Switch, PC
Already out for PC, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is making its console debut on November 4. It will come to PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox Series X this week, with the Xbox One release following shortly. The last expansion for Edmund McMillen’s hit roguelike will add new story elements, enemies, locations, and more. In a recent social media post, the developer hinted that upcoming retail releases would include a few "special goodies."
To The Rescue!
PC
Who’s ready to save some adorable dogs? When To The Rescue! Comes to PC on November 2, you’ll get a chance to run a shelter for a pack of delightful pooches. Try to find them the perfect forever home by tending to each dog’s needs, upgrading the building for more space, and matching them with the right owner. Purchasing the game comes with its own perks, as the developer has promised 20 percent of the sales profit will go to real-life animal shelters. To The Rescue! is also coming to Switch next year.
Where Cards Fall
Switch, PC
Managing to land two games on this list, The Game Band’s puzzle-laden Where Cards Fall will no longer be an Apple Arcade-exclusive title on November 4. Hitting Switch and PC this week, the whimsical title is all about stacking cards, using your imagination, and reflecting on memories. With an undeniably dreamy art style and pensive story, it’s hard to tell which of The Band Game’s titles will demand more attention this fall.
Let’s Build A Zoo
PC
Get ready to manage hundreds of monkeys and build up that concession stand because on November 5, Let’s Build A Zoo is coming to PC. A mix between management sim and mad scientist dream, this endearing-looking title gives you the option to build up your animal empire. You can populate your zoo the normal way, by breeding, or you can give DNA splicing a whirl. Whatever keeps those visitors coming through the gates!
Airborne Kingdom
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC