Jinx's Most Anticipated Indie Games of 2018!

Sometimes I do a list of my "most anticipated" games of the year. This time as I put the list together I realized that 90% of it was indie stuff. So I figured… let's just go with that theme! I'm sure there are some great games I'm missing, but here are my most anticipated indie games of 2018. I hope this turns people on to some games they haven't heard of, and I hope you'll share with me what I missed!


Iconoclasts

(PC, PS4, Vita)
January 23rd, 2018
I can't believe this is finally coming out! I've kinda half-followed konjak online for a while, mostly because I love his art style (the rounded features on characters etc). This has that, gorgeous pixel art, complex metroidvania goodness, and based on the trailer some incredible music as well. Probably my most anticipated game of 2018 and I only have to wait a week for it!
Official Site - Steam - Trailer


Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

(PC, PS4, One, Switch, Vita)
March 2018
After Might No. 9 disappointed everyone, people have been wary of these "spiritual successor" games. I have a good feeling about Castlvania-like Bloodstained, though. As long as it plays decently I think I'll enjoy it, as I am in love with stained glass art style. I'm hoping the final version goes with the "inky" shader they demoed, or gives you that option.
Kickstarter


Battle Princess Madelyn

(PC, PS4, One, Switch, Wii U, Vita)
Q1 2018
Like Ghouls 'n Ghosts? So did the developer's daughter, enough that she wanted to be in it! The GnG influence is clear here, but the game has plenty of originality as well. Hopefully it's not as difficult as GnG, I don't have as much patience as I did in 1989 (GnG is the reason I bought my Genesis, I just had to have it!).
Official Site - Steam


Dead Cells

(PC first, then PS4, One, Switch)
Early 2018 (now in Early Access)
I have so many hours in this game – over 70 – that sometimes I forget it's not really out yet. I almost forgot to put it on this list! If a combination of rogue-lite Rogue Legacy and 2D souls-like combat sounds appealing you probably need this game in your life. It's already excellent with a ton of content.
Official Site - Steam


Cryamore

(PC, PS4, One, Wii U)
2018
I backed this one a few years ago when the Kickstarter crazy was big. Cryamore takes inspiration from Zelda and Secret of Mana in a steampunk-like world. Really cute character art, hope this one turns out well.
Kickstarter


CrossCode

(PC)
Early 2018 (now in Early Access)
A sci-fi mix of Zelda and RPG with SNES-style graphics. It's been in early access since 2015 and has great reviews already. If you want to try it there is a demo on the Steam store page.
Official Site - Steam


Chasm

(PC, PS4)
2018?
This game aims to create something that sounds contradictory - a procedurally generated metroidvania. Metroidvanias rely on meticulously planned level design, so this seems like a hard thing to pull off. But the game looks great, and if the randomized stuff doesn't work out hopefully they'll just give us a good non-procedural game.
Official Site - Steam


Death's Gambit

(PC, PS4)
2018
An action-rpg described by some as a "2D Dark Souls". I've never actually played Dark Souls, but Death's Gambit looks pretty great, with cool animation and crazy boss fights.
Official Site - Steam


Secrets of Grindea

(PC)
2018? (now in Early Access)
Grindea's art style is reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past, and it pokes some fun at your classic Zelda games. But from there it diverges considerably, with four player co-op, loot, character customization (cosmetic and ability), fishing, and pets.
Official Site - Steam


Indivisible

(PC, PS4, One, Switch)
2018
A new game from the developer of Skullgirls! It's an odd mix of platformer and turn-based RPG. I'm not quite sold on that concept, but I love the developer and feedback about the game is hugely positive.
Official Site


A.N.N.E.

(PC)
2018?
Another game I backed a few years ago, really hoping they manage to release this year. It's a mix of metroidvania platformer and classic shmup. Really dig the neat art style.
Official Site


Ghost Song

(PC first, consoles tba)
2018?
The most Metroid-like metroidvania I've seen since Axiom Verge. I'm a little on the fence about the art style, but if the gameplay delivers I'm in. Another game that's taking way longer than planned, though :/
Official Site - Steam


Tangledeep

(PC, Switch)
February 1st, 2018 (now in Early Access)
A clever little turn-based dungeon crawler in the vein of games like Sproggiwood and Quest of Dungeons. It's a lot deeper than either of those games, though, with a lot of different RPG elements, skills to learn, classes, etc. Also, I totally did not forget to put this game on the list then go back and add it later. Nope, did not happen.
Official Site - Steam

That's my list for this year! Was there anything here new to you? Anything awesome that I missed? Let me know in the comments!

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