PAX East 2020 wrapped up a few days ago on the 1st of March in Boston. With the coronavirus / COVID-19 forcing the shut down of most of the upcoming game expos, as well as the withdrawal of some big-name publishers we’re thankful that this year’s expo was still a good one. PAX is a video and tabletop game expo that attracts both large and small indie developers. They currently have 5 shows during the year all over the US and Australia. For those of you that missed out this year or haven’t been keeping up, we have a roundup list of the best indie games that were showcased this year at PAX East 2020.
The Artful Escape by Beethoven & Dinosaur
The Artful Escape made our Best Indie Games of E3 2017 but it’s been fairly quiet since then. So we were glad to see more news of it popping up in recent months. The game is definitely more fleshed out here at PAX East 2020 than it was 3 years ago. But it still retains that dramatic visual style and dynamic style that made it so memorable. The Artful Escape is a 2D adventure platformer that stars Francis Vendetti. On the eve of his first performance, Francis battles with the legacy of a dead folk legend and the cosmic wanderings of his own imagination. A teenage guitar prodigy, he sets out on a psychedelic, multidimensional journey to inspire his stage persona.
The Artful Escape will be releasing sometime in 2020 on the Xbox One, PC and iOS. Wishlist it on Steam here.
The Falconeer by Tomas Sila
The Falconeer is an airborne ocean-world fantasy RPG set in The Great Ursee. In this realm, you’re an airborne warrior on top of your own armed aerial mount and together you’ll take to the skies to battle, explore and control the Ursee. The world of The Falconeer is a bleak and hauntingly beautiful open-world, filled with wondrous locations. There are warmongering rival factions vying for the mysterious secrets hidden at the Ursee’s unfathomable depths. The Falconeer engages in classic dogfighting mechanics but adds twists such as acrobatics and much more. You’ll be fighting other Falconeers, but also large lumbering airships, flying beetles, manta rays and of course the dragon-like weavers.
The Falconeer will be releasing sometime in 2020 on Xbox One and PC. Wishlist it on Steam here.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout by Mediatonic
A little late to the battle royale party, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout takes a different approach to determine the last man standing. The game is simple, shove a horde of colourful guys in a mad dash obstacle course until only one victor remains. Mayhem ensues as you battle through wild obstacles, shoving your way through a mass of online competitors in this fun brutal survival race. Fall Guys has an extremely simple premise saturated in chaotic energy. It’s going to be amazing to play, watch and stream. Keep an eye out on this one.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout will be releasing on the Summer of 2020 on the PlayStation 4 and PC. Wishlist it on Steam here.
Foregone by Big Blue Bubble
It’s really not an indie games list unless we have at least one action-platformer. I don’t know what it is about the genre that keeps fans coming back for more but when done well most become instant classics. Foregone doesn’t shy away from its notable influences such as Dead Cells but there are some notable differences. One being that stages are pre-made rather than procedurally generated and that you can grind for better loot by simply heading back to take on bosses again. Years after a devastating war, the city of Calagan is once again besieged by an all-corrupting force known as the Harrow. As the city’s strongest super-soldier, it’s up to you to investigate the Harrow’s origins and prevent its reanimated minions from destroying your home.
Foregone has no announced release date but they are currently out with Early Access on the Epic Games Store. Additional platforms for release include the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC – Steam.
Gamedec by Anshar Studios
The Cyberpunk resurgence is happening and I am here for it. Developed by another Polish studio, Gamedec is an isometric and adaptive RPG where players are in charge of investigating real problems in virtual worlds. As an RPG similar to games like Disco Elysium (one of our best games of 2019), players get to tailor their Gamedec’s attitude and personality through branching conversation options. The goal is to gather clues both through conversation as well as details found throughout the game world. From there hints and clues are collected in the Deduction tree, where evidence is compiled together to unlock the next chapter of the story. Players can choose whether they have enough clues to continue to the next chapter or need more context/evidence. It’s an interesting mechanic with a lot of customisable player experiences.
Ghostrunner will be releasing sometime in 2020 on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Wishlist it on Steam here.