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The best indie games rocking the show floor at Bitsummit Let’s Go 2023Smooth deckbuilders, bittersweet coming-of-age and psychedelic rhythm on show in Kyoto
Smooth deckbuilders, bittersweet coming-of-age and psychedelic rhythm on show in Kyoto
Image credit:Don Yasa Crew/Koeda/Critical Reflex
Image credit:Don Yasa Crew/Koeda/Critical Reflex
Japan’s biggest yearly indie games event returned to a blisteringly hot Kyoto last weekend, just in time for the world-famousGion Matsuritaking place in the city that same weekend. Bitsummit Let’s Go was the name given to the 11th incarnation of the event, expanding to three days for the very first time - also featuring over 100 games, the largest showcase yet. With so many games on show it’s hard to narrow them all down. Keeping with the event’s spirit of showcasing independent talent and undiscovered gems, I’ve chosen to pick out some of the smaller games peppering the show floor and highlight just a few favourites.
I featured titles like the fascinating psychological visual novelMindhacklast year(now available on early access) as well asKitsune: The Journey Of Adashino, and in their return to the event under the watchful eye of publisher room6, both look more polished and just as intriguing. Seeing friends play in-person experiences like Make Friends that I had the chance to tryat Tokyo Game Dungeonwas similarly joyous, and other unique titles like the mixed-reality obstacle course ofLaser Danceand the 1-bit story-driven adventure ofFrom_.similarly impressed. Read on, then, for a clutch of different titles to keep an eye on.
Sonokuni
【OLD】SONOKUNI - Official Trailer | BitSummit 2023Sonokuni’s extremely colourful trailer for Bitsummit 2023Watch on YouTube
【OLD】SONOKUNI - Official Trailer | BitSummit 2023
Sonokuni just about balances the line between garish and engrossing, at times clashing with itself while at others creating audiovisual constellations of contrasting ideals. Mixed in is a rather interesting time-bending risk-reward combat system where players must slow time while attacking and reflecting hoards of enemy attacks.
Tokyo Stories
Tokyo Stories [1st Promotion]A first trailer from about a year ago, bringing some rainy feelingsWatch on YouTube
Tokyo Stories [1st Promotion]
Of all the games featured at this year’s Bitsummit, Tokyo Stories is one of the more mysterious. What we have suggests a fascinating adventure that embodies the mysterious, lonely vibes of a midnight under Tokyo’s neon lights, filtered through a lens of broken promises, unfulfilled nostalgia and the PS1’s blocky pixel aesthetic.
This was actually Tokyo Stories' second year at Bitsummit, after a brief teaser offered in 2022. The game centers on a young girl piecing together the disappearance of another girl she befriended one night in an arcade, meeting stragglers and strangers who similarly wander the Tokyo streets in the doldrums of regret and desire. It shows potential to be something special provided the team can follow through with capturing the unique urban sprawl of a moonlit Tokyo, but they have the experience to pull this off: director Yuki Ikeda, a 20 year veteran, worked on the unique PS3-exclusive Rain that was praised for its moody atmosphere.
Fishbowl
Fishbowl Teaser TrailerFishbowl was teased at Wholesome Direct last monthWatch on YouTube
Fishbowl Teaser Trailer
When 21-year-old Alo moves to a new city for a job as a video editor, she’s dealing with unpacking her life into a new home while attempting to move on from the tragic loss of her grandmother from an illness in hospital. The focus is on self-care, so you can connect with friends, but on video calls, and unpack boxes into your new life (thinkUnpackingor the inventory management ofResident Evil), uncovering memories both joyous and painful. Amidst all that is a talking toy fish, a once-forgotten gift from your now-departed grandmother who acts like support in this uneasy grieving process.
Saxena and Gupte emphasised the game’s focus on capturing the connections we form, and nurturing those even at a distance. Especially as first-time devs, this is visually-complex yet effortlessly engaging, and handles difficult subject matter with taste. Hopefully the full game delivers beyond its positive first impression.
Everdeep Aurora
Everdeep Aurora | Wholesome Direct 2023 TrailerEverdeep Aurora’s trailer from the Wholesome DirectWatch on YouTube
Everdeep Aurora | Wholesome Direct 2023 Trailer
With each character having their own quests, you always have to plan your journey and memorise the ever-expanding map, especially when you have a limited-use drill to make it from place to place. It’s the endless charm of these oddball meetings that help even the darkest corners feel alive. It’s only a wonder what else can be expanded upon this highly-polished base between now and the game’s eventual (and as-yet unscheduled) release.
Anthem9
ANTHEM#9_trailer_20230702Anthem9 is taking inspiration from the music and style of PersonaWatch on YouTube
ANTHEM#9_trailer_20230702
Battles are turn-based affairs using a pool of gems provided at the start of each round complete recipes, which correspond to certain attacks. Maybe one move requires a blue, red and green gem, used in that order to execute that attack. You can repeat attacks as many times as you like each turn, and, crucially, can share gems to maximise resources and deal extra damage - maybe even doing enough to cancel one of your opponent’s next attacks.
Freaked Fleapit
Freaked Fleapit - Official TrailerFreaked Fleapit’s official trailer from a year agoWatch on YouTube
Freaked Fleapit - Official Trailer
Perhaps not the game you want the pearl-clutching old lady on the bus to see you jamming with on your Steam Deck, Freaked Fleapit is split distinctly between its journey into hell and its more slice-of-life elements. In the former the game’s toe-tapping soundtrack elevates the high-detail sprite work to create a pumping dungeon crawler, with hints of Binding Of Isaac in its unlockable abilities.
Adding its own unique twist to this is your upgradable tie, which essentially acts as a dodge and new form of movement in the game’s current state, and will eventually have new poewrs. Each room is locked with your tie stuck in the entrance, and at a push of a button the ever-extending tie snaking around the room will yank you back a few squares as a pseudo-dodge roll, adding depth to your movement strategy. It’s also an idea ripe for further expansion - what if you can get tangled in your own tie, and need to consider this while moving through larger spaces later in the game?
When you return from your underground excursions, you have time to chat to the eclectic crew in the hell equivalent of a dorm room, complete with sleeping animal girls, a functioning bar, and more. You’ll be able to get gifts and go on dates with characters here, adding tasks for your time in the fiery pits and a reprieve from the action in equal measure. There’s still a lot of dev time between now and release, but it’s impressive how refined Freaked Fleapit is at this early stage, with personality oozing from every line of dialogue.
Bitsummit had wonders in every corner, and it was near-impossible to explore entirely, even with three full days to wander round. Nor is there space or time to talk everything I did see. Trust me, I’d love to talk more about the window cleaning life simulatorSky The Scrapper, the cute horrorVampire Survivors-esqueParry Nightmare, the flashy artwork and swordfighting action ofTokyo Underground Killer, and so many other games.
