2. SteamWorld Dig
Developer: Image & Form
Released: 3DS eShop (2013)
Nintendojo’s 2013 3DS eShop Game of the Year is also one of the best indie games on the 3DS eShop. Rusty, the game’s robotic hero, digs his way through a seemingly endless mine, fighting enemies, digging up treasure, and upgrading himself and his equipment. It’s enormously satisfying to keep going back to see how much further into the depths Rusty can go, and what secrets lie in wait. Image & Form rocked fans with this highly imaginative and engrossing game.
Indie games often show a sort of whimsy and heart that many big-budget titles sometimes don’t. SteamWorld is a great example of this; seriously, who thinks to do a Western/Robot/Metroidvania mashup other than an indie dev? It’s an odd mix, but one that truly thinks outside the box and brings something new to the table. Image & Form has since brought SteamWorld to multiple platforms, but it took a leap of faith with Nintendo, where the game made quite an impression. It’s a real stunner.
Couldn’t agree more with number 2. It’s great! Just started playing Guacamelee! Great stuff :)