The coming month has really caught the eye of indie developers – almost all the titles in April’s round-up have been created without the help of major publishers. Among the many entries on April’s release list are a co-op minivan road trip simulator, a new PS5 exclusive, a Disney-style boomer shooter, a sci-fi action game from Capcom, and a few others.
Darwin’s Paradox!
An octopus named Darwin finds himself in a world completely alien to him: a mysterious beam of light transports him from the depths of the ocean to the surface. Darwin ends up on a giant rubbish tip at the foot of an industrial complex, inhabited by strange creatures and machines of unknown purpose. To return home, the protagonist must use all his abilities — both mental and physical.
Darwin’s Paradox! is a platformer with stealth elements and plenty of puzzles. The game design is built around the biological characteristics of octopuses: Darwin can camouflage himself by changing color, swim swiftly in aquatic environments, and squeeze easily through narrow passages, whilst using his tentacles to interact with devices and mechanisms. Stealth plays a major role — the priority is to run and hide rather than fight.
Samson
Samson McCray returns to the town of Tindalston, where he spent his youth. Samson is in deep trouble: he owes a huge sum to some serious people, so he is forced to dive headfirst into the criminal underworld — the only place he can earn the money he needs. Time is against the hero: every day he has to choose which mission to undertake, and every day a new bill arrives that he’d better not miss paying. Samson’s sister is in the hands of the villains.
Samson is no professional fighter, but an ordinary man relying on strength and wits: during fights, he uses objects from his surroundings as makeshift weapons. He’ll also have to drive cars, and the vehicles are quite detailed: they consist of modules (wheels, engine, body) that affect handling and the damage sustained in collisions.
The developers assure us that Tindalston’s open world will react to the player’s actions: the police keep track of past misdeeds, and factions change their attitude depending on the decisions made when selecting missions. Players can also visit online casinos such as the flashy Richard Casino promo code, where choices made during games and interactions can influence relationships and story outcomes. That said, don’t assume the developers are aiming to rival GTA: this is a single-player, short (15–20 hours) adventure with a strong emphasis on the storyline.
The Occultist
The protagonist, paranormal investigator Alan Rebels, travels to the small island of Godstone to uncover the circumstances surrounding his father’s disappearance. His father was born on the island and had mentioned it on several occasions in the past, but for some reason preferred not to go into specifics. Godstone is an abandoned place with a grim history: until 1950, a cult operated there, conducting occult rituals and experiments, but shortly after the public found out about it, the island was deserted.
During his investigation, Alan will have to face hostile supernatural forces. He cannot confront them in open combat, so he will have to flee. Apart from stealth, the gameplay is built around solving puzzles and exploring locations — the hero is aided by a mystical pendulum that allows him to peer into the otherworld and alter its properties.
The developers emphasize spectacle: the game features solid first-person graphics, an atmospheric soundtrack, and the main character is voiced by Doug Cockle — the voice of Geralt from The Witcher trilogy.
DarkSwitch
The action in DarkSwitch unfolds in a magical world shrouded in a mysterious fog that poses a threat to people and distorts the environment. The few survivors, under your leadership, have settled on a giant tree standing around 200 meters tall. On its branches, the player must develop a vertical settlement, making the most of the limited space.
The gameplay combines building, resource management, and exploration elements. The city grows upwards along the trunk and branches, with ladders, lifts, and ziplines used to connect the different zones. As in any city-building game, you’ll need to manage resource gathering and processing, the mood of the inhabitants, and the settlement’s defenses. The main threat is the encroaching fog, which affects people’s behavior and conceals hostile creatures. Light sources and other special technologies are used for defense.
DarkSwitch features a story campaign lasting around 20 hours and a sandbox mode. It is said to include over 80 types of buildings, several tiers of technology, and a decision-making system that influences the story. The music was composed by Akira Yamaoka, known for the Silent Hill series.
REPLACED
The events of REPLACED unfold in an alternate history, decades after a nuclear disaster. The city of Phoenix City in the USA is under corporate control and mired in social decay. The player controls R.E.A.C.H. — an artificial intelligence transferred into a human body.
The project boasts a memorable visual style — 2.5D pixel art executed in the spirit of classic cyberpunk and neo-noir à la Blade Runner. According to the developers, they have paid great attention to building the narrative through camera work: every frame is set manually, and there are virtually no cuts — all to ensure the player is not jarred out of the atmosphere.
The gameplay is a classic platformer with an emphasis on hand-to-hand combat. In battle, you use light and heavy attacks, dodges, parries, and charge-up abilities. Enemies require different approaches, and the combat system encourages an aggressive style and precise timing. The game world includes side activities: conversations with characters, searching for hidden items, and exploring locations that may change over time. That said, don’t expect a massive adventure from REPLACED: the playtime is estimated at 8–12 hours.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire
Jack Pepper is a war veteran who has decided to become a detective and fight lawlessness and crime on the streets of a city mired in violence. It seems we have a classic 1930s American crime drama plot: gangsters, corrupt cops, endless rain on the streets, and a lone hero in a stylish suit, gun in hand, bringing justice to the masses. All of this is present in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire.
The visual style is also reminiscent of the 1930s, but in a completely different way — it’s cartoonish. The game resembles early Disney cartoons: black-and-white graphics, distinctive animation, and anthropomorphic mice in the lead roles. The plot isn’t too serious — first and foremost, it’s a satire of American society in the first half of the 20th century.
In terms of gameplay, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a mix of action and platforming. There are over 20 levels: city streets, a film studio and an opera house, swamps, and sewers. The protagonist’s arsenal includes both classic weapons of the noir era (revolvers, a Tommy gun, a Carcano rifle) and fantastical items such as a freeze gun. Troy Baker provides the voice of Jack Pepper.
OPUS: Prism Peak
Like Echo of Starsong, Prism Peak focuses on storytelling and exploration. The protagonist is a photographer who finds himself in a mysterious world known as the Twilight Lands. He meets a girl who has lost her memory, and now these two very different characters are trying to understand the nature of their surroundings and find a way back to reality.
Photography is the key mechanic: you must use an analog camera, selecting the composition, focus, exposure, and the moment to take the shot. The photos taken not only capture what is happening but also serve as a tool for interacting with the world, allowing you to find hidden details and progress through the story.
The game world is rendered in a magical realism style: visually, it resembles reality but is devoid of people — it is inhabited by spirits taking the form of animals, and the story unfolds through the environment, notes, and images.
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss
The plot of The Cosmic Abyss attempts to go beyond the usual stories about the Cthulhu mythos: it is set in the near future, in 2053. Corporations are beginning to explore the ocean depths due to a shortage of resources on the surface, but something far more terrifying than a lack of oxygen awaits the explorers at the bottom. Following the disappearance of staff at a mining station in the Pacific Ocean, the investigation is entrusted to Noah, an agent of Interpol’s special paranormal unit. His search leads him to R’lyeh — a sunken metropolis of colossal proportions, linked to Cthulhu.
The gameplay revolves around investigating and analyzing clues. You must explore the environment, collect documents, and cross-reference the data in a special menu. You are accompanied in your investigation by an AI companion, Ki, who helps analyze data and navigate the environment. The puzzles have a branching structure and allow for alternative routes.
Particular emphasis is placed on the protagonist’s mental state. As you progress, the ‘corruption’ level rises, reflecting the influence of supernatural forces and altering your perception of reality. All of this affects the plot. Direct confrontations with danger are kept to a minimum: Noah relies on stealth and flight.
Pragmata
In the near future, humanity is actively exploring space: in particular, a large research station is operating on the Moon, developing ‘lunar ore’ — a substance that allows anything to be synthesized. One day, contact with the station is lost, and the rescue team sent to help finds itself in trouble. We play as two characters simultaneously: Hugh — one of the astronauts who survived the crash — and Diana — an android in the form of a young girl. Together, they try to escape the base and figure out exactly what went wrong.
The gameplay is a blend of action and puzzle-solving. The key mechanic revolves around the characters’ interaction: Diana hacks enemies and systems, lowering their defenses, which allows Hugh to take them down. This process is implemented through mini-games right in the middle of battles, so the fights become not only a test of reaction time but also a test of wits.
Outbound
The action in Outbound unfolds in a utopian future. You’ll be driving an electric van that gradually transforms from an ordinary vehicle into a proper mobile home. The gameplay is based on a modular construction system: you can expand the vehicle, change the layout, and add furniture, decorations, and functional units, including power generators.
Exploration of the world takes place at a leisurely pace. Locations are divided into biomes with different resources and environmental conditions. You can roam wherever your eyes take you, or explore the world systematically: gathering materials, setting up production, unlocking new technologies, and optimizing energy consumption.
Special attention has been paid to automation and crafting systems. In addition to upgrading your van, additional activities are available: growing plants and mushrooms, cooking, and interacting with pets that can assist you on your journey.
Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth
Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth tells the story of Moomintroll, who wakes up from hibernation early and finds the world in an unfamiliar state — he has never seen Moominvalley in winter before. The hero sets off to explore the snow-covered world to find those who can help him drive away winter and restore Moominvalley to its usual summer appearance. The plot is inspired by the book The Magic Winter — one of Jansson’s key works, exploring the themes of loneliness and adapting to a new world.
The gameplay is straightforward — a meditative exploration of locations and the solving of simple puzzles. The main focus is on the narrative and atmosphere. According to the developers, Winter’s Warmth is not a direct sequel to Moominvalley Melody (which we previously awarded a “Commendable” rating) — it is more of a spiritual successor, and both games can be played in any order.
Aphelion
By 2060, Earth will have become uninhabitable. Humanity’s last hope is Persephone, a recently discovered planet on the edge of the Solar System. The European Space Agency (which was involved in the game’s development) sends a research mission to the planet, comprising two experienced astronauts who must determine whether the place is suitable for humans.
The mission does not go to plan: the ship crashes during landing, and now the crew must survive in the harsh alien environment whilst fending off an unidentified life form that is far from pleased to have guests.
The player controls both characters in turn. The agile Ariadne overcomes obstacles using whatever she can find, whilst Thomas, who was injured in the crash, relies on his observation skills and wits to solve puzzles. You won’t be able to engage in direct combat with the alien threat — there are no weapons in your inventory, so you’ll have to rely on stealth and quick thinking.
WILL: Follow The Light
The protagonist of WILL: Follow The Light is Will, a lighthouse keeper on a remote island. One day, his measured life takes a sharp turn: a message arrives from home stating that Will’s only son has gone missing. He must leave the lighthouse and set out in search of his child. The journey will take him across the vast ocean (Will travels by sailing yacht), as well as through deserted islands and snow-capped mountains, accessible only by dog sled.
The developers promise to tackle a range of difficult themes: father-son relationships, lost connections with family, and the burden of responsibility for the fates of loved ones. The gameplay is typical for this genre: a blend of walking simulator and puzzles that symbolize the protagonist’s emotional journey. For Will, the journey will be not only a physical trial but also an inner one.
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories
The game is set in 1990s Japan and centers on working in a ‘konbini’ — the name given to 24-hour shops selling everyday essentials. The main character is a young student who visits her aunt during the holidays to help her run the business.
You’ll be handling the daily routine of a shop assistant, including receiving and stocking goods, working at the till, managing the stockroom, and interacting with customers. Most of these tasks are presented as mini-games.
Particular attention is paid to customer behavior: each has their own habits, which the player gradually learns, affecting work efficiency and the progression of the story. At the same time, conversations with customers depend on your decisions — for example, dialogue choices can alter character arcs and unlock additional scenes. Don’t expect any major drama: the narrative unfolds through everyday situations, united by the themes of daily life and simple human stories.
Saros
The action in Saros unfolds on the planet Karkosa, shrouded in an Eclipse that drives all living things mad. The player controls a warrior named Arjun Devraj, who finds himself trapped in a cycle of constant death and resurrection. His mission is to uncover the secrets of Karkosa and break the vicious cycle.
Arjun is equipped with a high-tech suit and a whole arsenal of weapons and gear. Combat in Saros is dynamic and dance-like, with an emphasis on creating spectacular combos. The game features a transforming world after each death: locations are rearranged, revealing new paths and enemies. The character retains some of their progress through a system of permanent suit and ability upgrades. There is also a ‘second chance’ mechanic, allowing the player to revive once per run.
