Indie Spotlight: December 2021

The GameGrin Indie Spotlight aims to give attention to videogames that the independent scene has offered us over the past month. Whether it be due to quality, success, or creativeness, these are the independent games that stood out to us over the month of December.

Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue

14th December 2021

I always enjoy some water physics in videogames, but when you add in a hose that acts like a jetpack you’ve won me over. It’s a roguelike, which I’m not always a fan of, but you don’t lose progress when you fail a level which is ideal for me. Our reviewer seemed to like it, too.

Platforms: Windows
Play if you enjoy: Super Mario Sunshine, playing with fire

Fights in Tight Spaces

2nd December 2021

I’d be the first to say that games that use cards as a mechanic don’t usually appeal to me, but this is in no way a card game. Pick cards from a selection to pull off sweet fighting moves like an acrobatic version of that elevator fight in Captain America: The Winter Soldier — and why not?

Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox X|S
Play if you enjoy: Fae Tactics, awesome fight scenes

Heavenly Bodies

7th December 2021

You may have realised by now that I like physics in games. Well, Heavenly Bodies sees you floating around in space in the 1970s trying to repair things, while controlling each limb independently. That’s the epitome of physics in games!

Platforms: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows
Play if you enjoy: Manual Samuel, flailing around

The Gunk

16th December 2021

I’m a fan of the Steamworld Dig games, so of course I was intrigued by the concept of vacuuming up the titular gunk in early trailers. Having played and finished The Gunk, I can confirm that it was well worth a playthrough, and there are even some reasons to return to it.

Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox X|S
Play if you enjoy: Journey to the Savage Planet, vacuuming

Dungeon Munchies

15th December 2021

As well as physics, I love a good gimmick, and boy does this have one. You’re running around a dungeon killing monsters so that you can cook them — eating those dishes bestows you with powers and weapons to kill other monsters! It’s just nice to see a metroidvania that isn’t afraid to tread new ground, although it’s curious how it was released on Switch while the PC version is still in Early Access.

Platforms: PC, Switch
Play if you enjoy: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, cooking shows

LawnMower City

14th December 2021

Sometimes it’s nice to just sit down and relax with a game, cut the grass, avoid cars and tanks… Well that’s exactly what we have here! Simple premise and controls, no complicated story to follow, just you and some mowing.

Platforms: Windows
Play if you enjoy: House Flipper Garden DLC, mowing the lawn

That’s just some of the amazing indie titles released in December, and hopefully there’s something that caught your eye.