Hands On: 10 of Our Indie Favourites from EGX Rezzed 2017

The breadth of experiences available to play at this year's EGX Rezzed was frankly staggering. We couldn't move for the number of games on display, and we often found ourselves unsure where to turn next. We managed to play dozens of titles of all shapes and sizes nonetheless, and there were countless fresh ideas and oodles of creativity pouring from every screen.

We enjoyed so many games at the show, in fact, that there simply isn't enough time to highlight everything individually. Instead, we thought we'd quickly talk you through some more of our favourites from the show floor.

More from EGX Rezzed 2017

• Hands On: Spending Some Time with RiME on PS4
• Hands On: Wandering Through the Chilling Halls of The Town of Light
• Hands On: Knights and Bikes Promises an Adorable Adventure
• Hands On: Formula Fusion Is a Frenetic and Fun Futuristic Racer
• Hands On: The Occupation Offers an Intriguing Political Playground
• Hands On: Battalion 1944 Turns Back the Clock on Multiplayer Shooters

Aaero

Aaero is a rhythm action game with a unique concoction. It features Rez-like, to-the-beat shooting, tunnel segments which ask you to trace a ribbon of light in time with the music, then throws in some obstacles to dodge for good measure. Its intense gameplay is deceptively difficult, but it feels great to play. The soundtrack is fully licensed, too, featuring artists such as Flux Pavilion, Katy B, and Noisia. The best part? It's out this week.

Brawlout

Think Super Smash Bros, but with an all original cast of fighters. That's essentially what you're getting with Brawlout, and while the appeal of pitting Pikachu against Cloud Strife is missing, what isn't is the quick, easy to grasp, ring-out combat. The scrappy gameplay is tight as a drum, which more than makes up for a somewhat bland art style. It should make for an entertaining competitive multiplayer when it releases on PS4 later this year.

Forgotton Anne

This gorgeous hand-drawn 2D adventure game tells the story of Anne and her master Bonku as they fight their way through the Forgotten Lands to return to the human world. It seamlessly transitions from cutscene to gameplay, which is a mix of platforming, light puzzles, and narrative-driven segments. The Ghibli-esque story and wonderful presentation left us anxious to play more – we won't be forgetting this one.

Full Throttle Remastered

Double Fine's latest point-'n'-click revival project is just around the corner, following in the footsteps of Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle. The gameplay is precisely as you'd expect, the trademark humour is present and correct, and the redrawn artwork is typically top notch. One tidbit we particularly liked was that the demo we played is actually a remastered version of a demo released on a disc attached to a magazine back in the 90s. 'A' for effort, Double Fine.

Gang Beasts

Gang Beasts feels like it's been in development for eons. We've seen and played enough of it to know that its hilarious, bouncy multiplayer brawling is the epitome of dumb fun, but this latest build certainly felt like a step up in quality. The performance was flawless, and it seems that the game is finally on the home stretch. Speaking to the devs, they're beginning to approach platform holders for certification, which should hopefully mean a release on the PS4 in the next few months.

GNOG

Tucked away in the Leftfield Collection was GNOG, a bizarre puzzle game with a unique feel. The puzzles themselves are monster heads that you must fully explore to uncover their secrets. You need to pull levers, toggle switches, and inspect every nook and cranny in order to solve each head. It's joyfully simple and unlike anything else on the horizon. As an added bonus, there's also PlayStation VR support for those who want to get in for a closer look.

Q.U.B.E. 2

This sequel to the Portal-esque puzzler is very much a case of more of the same, but that's no problem when we're talking about one of the better titles of this ilk. Q.U.B.E 2 once again revolves around the manipulation of various coloured blocks to solve mysterious chambers, all while a sci-fi story unfolds in the background. The rules are easy to understand, but the puzzles put up a strong challenge. We're definitely interested in playing more to see how Toxic Games evolves the established formula.

Serial Cleaner

This is a macabre stealth action game in which your objective is to clean up crime scenes by disposing bodies, removing incriminating evidence, and clearing blood stains. The stealth component comes from the police officers patrolling the levels. It takes inspiration from the 1970s for its lovely art style and its level design (they're based on real murder scenes), and its instant restarts make for a compelling game of cat and mouse as you avoid the coppers. One to keep an eye on.

SteamWorld Dig 2

Although it's only confirmed for Nintendo Switch, we were informed that there'll be other platform announcements prior to release. Previous SteamWorld titles have made their way to PlayStation, so it's fairly safe to assume it's heading to PS4. As for the game itself, it's pretty similar to its forebear: an explorative mine-em-up with a Metroidvania structure. However, they're saying that this is a bigger, broader game in every sense, so fans who wanted a longer SteamWorld Dig should be in for a treat.

The Adventure Pals

The Adventure Pals is a cutesy platformer with RPG elements that can be played alone or in co-op. It isn't doing anything particularly big or clever, but its fun gameplay and Saturday morning cartoon sense of humour (a giraffe in your backpack uses its tongue as a propellor, affording you a glide ability) won us over. You play as a kid with a taste for adventure who goes on an epic quest to save his grandfather. While it may be a little too silly for some, we think this could be a surprisingly complex and entertaining adventure.

Do any of the above games tickle your fancy? Did you attend EGX Rezzed – and what were your favourites? Develop your thoughts independently in the comments section below.