Microsoft kicked off the first day of the Tokyo Game Show with a presentation that included the news of Scarlet Nexus hitting Xbox Game Pass today and the expansion of Xbox cloud gaming to other regions. While those are big announcements, the publisher also sprinkled looks at upcoming indie titles in the works. If you’re someone who is always on the hunt for games off the beaten path, here’s a look at some upcoming lesser-known games slated to hit the console in the coming year.
Lapin
Lapin is an adorable platformer about five abandoned rabbits searching for a new home. You’ll explore a city park alongside your friends while preserving memories of your journey by filling a scrapbook. With a lovely 2D art direction and pleasant soundtrack, Lapin seems impossible not to gush over. The game comes courtesy of Seoul developer Studio Doodal and launches May 31 on Xbox and Steam.
Unsouled
If you love hardcore 2D action games, Unsouled looks to check the right boxes. As a fallen prince, you slice apart all manner of foes in an adventure developer Megusta Games says is inspired by Onimusha 2. Despite boasting interactive environments, the team says Unsouled firmly commits to delivering stylish action – there are no puzzles or major forms of exploration. When your action looks as satisfying as Unsouled’s, why focus on anything else? The game is coming to Xbox and PC sometime later this year though you can try it out via a Steam demo right now.
Eternal Return
This intriguing blend of battle royale and MOBAs throws up to 18 players on a remote island battle it out to be the last one standing. Eternal Return heavily focuses on survival elements by tasking players with tracking opponents, hunting wildlife, and crafting gear and traps. Weapons range from swords, guns, and shurikens as well as vehicles like motorcycles, all of which grant buffs to your character. Eternal Returns looks bonkers and is currently free to play in Steam Early Access. It’s making its way to Xbox but no release window was given.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising serves as a prequel to the Suikoden-inspired Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, which launches in 2023. Rising is a 2D side-scroller as opposed to a JRPG, and also features a town-building mechanic. Today’s gameplay trailer was narrated in untranslated Japanese, but the gist is that you’re a canine-like warrior slashing your way through a storybook world using a very large sword. Those interested in Hundred Heroes will want to keep an eye on Rising, as it features backstory and plot details that resurface in the larger Hundred Heroes. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising launches sometime in 2022 for Xbox consoles and PC.
Re:Legend
Enjoy Pokemon and farming sims? Re:Legend gives you both. You’ve been stranded on a desert island and have lost your memories. Thankfully, you still know how to grow food, which is what you’ll be doing along with plenty of monster catching. When you’re not taming and training wild critters (which can evolve into new forms), you’ll cultivate fields, catch fish, cut trees, craft items, and befriend villagers. There’s also plenty of combat as you and your monsters work together to battle foes. Re:Legend can be played alone or with friends in multiplayer and is currently playable in Steam Early Access. There’s no release window on when Re:Legend comes to Xbox, but 505 Games promises more information during its TGS presentation on October 1.
Looking for more upcoming indies to keep an eye on? Check out our list of exciting indie titles to arrive <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/09/20/fall-for-indies-kena-bridge-of-…; target=”_blank”>during the month of September.
Source: Game Informer Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2021 Indie Round-Up