Our Top Picks from the 2024 Summer Games Showcases

The 2024 summer games showcases have been dubbed the "Year of the Indie" by numerous outlets, and for good reason. The array of titles on display across various events, including Guerrilla Collective, Wholesome Direct, and Day of the Devs, was truly impressive, with many indie games showcasing innovative ideas, unique storytelling, and a sense of fun that is often lacking in AAA titles. As in previous years, the GamesIndustry.biz team has selected a few standout titles that they believe deserve more attention. With hundreds of games on display, it can be difficult for some titles to get the recognition they deserve, but the team is excited to share their picks from the summer games showcases. One of the team members had the opportunity to attend the showcases in person and play some of the games, including Fear the Spotlight by Cozy Game Pals. This game has a unique retro aesthetic, but its gameplay is thoroughly modern. The demo follows two friends as they sneak into a school to conduct a séance, but things quickly take a turn for the worse. The sound design is particularly noteworthy, creating a tense atmosphere that draws the player in. Another game that caught the team's attention is Harmonium: The Musical, a sign-language puzzle game for mobile devices. This game is not only accessible and educational but also fun, with a series of fantastical challenges that require the player to convey or receive information without sound. The game is inspired by the communication challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing people, and it is clear that a lot of love and care has gone into its development. The team also had the chance to play Neoludic Games' Tiny Bookshop, which has been on their radar since last year. This game is a joy to play, with gorgeous art, lovely writing, and management aspects that are more advanced than expected. The task of recommending real-life books to customers is a fun and challenging one, and the team can't wait to see the game's full release in 2025. In addition to these games, the team has also highlighted a few new titles that caught their attention, including While Waiting, Winter Burrow, and Wanderstop. These games offer a range of unique experiences, from a game that requires the player to wait to win to a cosy take on the survival crafting genre. The team is excited to see how these games develop and can't wait to play them in the future. Other notable mentions include Beethoven and Dinosaur's Mixtape, a game that combines nostalgic music with skateboarding and a unique animation style; Nomada Studio's Neva, a side-scroller with a gorgeous art style and a compelling narrative; and Beyondthosehill's Albert Wilde: Quantum PI, a game that encapsulates the film noir aesthetic and features an anthropomorphic cat as the main character. The team also had the chance to play Crescent Moon Games' Screenbound, a first-person puzzle platformer that requires the player to navigate a 3D environment while also exploring a 2D version of the surroundings on a Game Boy-like device. This game is a genius concept that challenges the player to think differently about their environment, and the team is excited to see how it develops. Finally, the team wants to give a shout out to Magic Rain Studios' Ila: A Frosty Glide, a game that follows a young girl as she explores her island home on a skate broom. This game has a delightful atmosphere and a unique gameplay mechanic, and the team is excited to see more of it in the future.