Nine games exhibited at Tribeca Festival warrant your attention
Hunt down the next indie gem at Tribeca Fest
Got your eye on the next big indie game? Keep Tribeca Fest on your radar. A few years ago, this film festival expanded its modern, multimedia approach to include video games as official selections. Since then, it has featured a who's who of indie games that went on to become critical darlings. Titles like Blue Prince, Immortality, Despelote, and Chants of Sennaar solidified their place as top-reviewed games of the 2020s here at Digital Trends. This year's show promises more of the same.
Nine upcoming games were in competition at the festival this year, and all of them are primed to make a splash. With a love for all things indie, Digital Trends attended this year's Tribeca Fest and checked out what this year's show had to offer. From a stylish beat-em-up to a 90s coming-of-age tale soundtracked by Devo, these nine games are on our must-play list.
Absolum
Publishers Dotemu are becoming a household name in the retro beat-em-up scene with hits like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. Now, they're trying something new with Absolum. Created in part by the team behind the excellent Streets of Rage 4, this game combines the timeless appeal of a 2D brawler with modern roguelike elements. The result is a pretty promising mix of precise 2D action, multi-path runs that hide hidden quests, and gorgeous art that brings a playable cartoon to life. It could very well be the genre's next big moment, so keep your eye on it.
Cairn
We've been seeing a trend of rock climbing games lately. First was Jusant, then Surmount, and now The Game Bakers are jumping in with Cairn. This free climbing simulation is a bit different, though, as players aren't just grabbing handholds. They control all four limbs, planting their feet to steady themselves and reaching with each hand. The demo I played highlighted tense, rewarding climbing gameplay where I had to choose my moves carefully. It took a few deaths, but reaching the top was worth it.
Death Howl
Death Howl is a tactics game that stands out for its dark Scandinavian folklore setting and unique gameplay. You embark on a quest to find your child, meandering through eerie forests and engaging in strategic battles. The game sees you playing cards to attack and move during battle. When you win, you can collect creature parts to craft even more powerful cards. It's a tough nut to crack, but it's the atmospheric storytelling that makes Death Howl shine.
Dispatch
You might have already forgotten about Dispatch - I did when I sat down to play it. It was first revealed at The Game Awards via an Aaron Paul cameo. Upon getting my hands on it, I won't forget it anytime soon. This narrative adventure follows a retired superhero who has to work at a job center dispatching superheroes. The game's humor is on point, and the choice-driven cutscenes are genuinely funny. Aside from the camaraderie with your coworkers, you'll manage a call center app to send out heroes on missions. It's a strategy game masquerading as a narrative adventure, and I can't wait to see where the story takes us.
Mio: Memories in Orbit
Don't let Hollow Knight: Silksong's hype distract you from Mio: Memories in Orbit. This stylish indie game boasts beautifully drawn environments reminiscent of a sketchbook. The Metroidvania offers deep exploration, tough combat, and a perk system to customize your playstyle. You'll bring your A-game to master this challenging game.
Mixtape
Beethoven and Dinosaur put the rock in The Artful Escape - and they're dialing it up to eleven with Mixtape. This 90s coming-of-age slacker comedy follows a group of skaters trying to break free. The demo I tried included unpredictable minigames that had me dodging police, playing French kissing mini-games, and more. It's hilarious, sincere, and authentically soundtracked by the best jams of the 90s.
Possessor(s)
Possessor(s) is the latest game from Heart Machine, the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter, and its art style mirrors their signature look. This 2D Metroidvania contains all of the team's trademarks, from the unique art to a world that begs to be explored. The gameplay mechanics might be familiar, but its eerie story sets it apart.
Sleep Awake
Sleep Awake from Blumhouse Games left a lasting impression during this year's Tribeca Fest. The immersive horror game sees players navigating depraved death cults and otherworldly forces in their quest for a cure. If that's not chilling enough, the game applies unsettling live-action cutscenes to the first-person adventure. The result is a disturbing, edge-of-the-seat experience.
Take Us North
Take Us North is an essentialsurvival game that gives a real-world perspective on migrating across the Mexico-US border. You play a coyote helping migrants cross the harsh desert, managing resources carefully to avoid immigration agents, rattlesnakes, and other threats. While focusing on gameplay, the game also offers poignant insights into the struggles of migrants. Take Us North is currently funding on Kickstarter, and your support will help bring this important game to life.
The indie game Absolum, developed by Dotemu, combines the timeless appeal of a 2D brawler with modern roguelike elements, positioning it as a possible game-changer in the genre. Social-media enthusiasts can keep track of its development for potential updates.
Cairn, a free climbing simulation from The Game Bakers, introduces a unique control system where players control all four limbs, offering a fresh take on rock climbing games. Look out for more information on its release and gameplay features.
The tactics game Death Howl is built around dark Scandinavian folklore and unique card-based gameplay. Technology enthusiasts may appreciate its strategic battles and atmospheric storytelling.
Dispatch, a narrative adventure about a retired superhero, offers laugh-out-loud humor and choice-driven cutscenes. Sports fans might find amusement in the camaraderie between coworkers, playing as a job center dispatcher for superheroes.
