PAX West 2024 was packed with excitement for us. At the show, we were able to play a range of titles from across the budget landscape. However, a number of upcoming games, particularly in the indie department, truly stood out. I was fortunate enough to experience ten of these indie gems firsthand. Here’s a rundown of my impressions, their mechanics, and what makes them unique in today’s gaming landscape.
10. Witch of Oblivion
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: Early Access 2025
My time with Witch of Oblivion was short but packed with intense Souls-like combat, where I found myself constantly on edge. As Lyva, the Witch of Oblivion, I had to juggle between ranged fire magic and up-close melee combat, giving the game a dynamic feel that will likely evolve further in the full release. The procedural nature of the forest added a level of unpredictability to exploration, keeping me on my toes as new paths opened up.
What intrigued me the most was the crafting system, which promises a lot of depth through Lyva’s Cauldron of Chaos. While I didn’t get a chance to dive too deep into it during the demo, the idea of customizing gear and creating unique builds certainly adds another layer of strategy. I’m curious to see how the rogue-lite elements affect the game’s longevity and whether the story’s multiple endings will offer meaningful variety.
9. HARUKA: Beyond the Stars
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: 2026
HARUKA: Beyond the Stars felt like a vibrant blend of anime visuals and RPG mechanics. In my brief session, I got a taste of the space exploration aspect, controlling the protagonist Yuuki as he journeyed across planets with his mysterious companion, Miiya. The 3D anime art style immediately stood out, making each scene feel like an episode of a high-quality anime.
The combat was fast-paced, requiring quick thinking to switch between Yuuki and Miiya to tackle various enemies. Although I only scratched the surface of its story, the episodic structure and manga-style cutscenes were intriguing. I’m looking forward to seeing how the full narrative unfolds, especially with the promise of planet-hopping adventures and boss battles at the end of each episode.
8. Love Eternal
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: 2025
Love Eternal took me by surprise with its challenging platforming mechanics and haunting atmosphere. The demo had me running and jumping through tight obstacle courses, but what really stood out was the gravity-reversing mechanic that adds a unique twist to traditional platforming. As Maya, I found myself constantly needing to adapt to the shifting environment while avoiding spikes, lasers, and traps. The game’s precision controls gave a satisfying sense of mastery over the obstacles, making each cleared screen feel rewarding.
The hand-drawn pixel art was mesmerizing, with each screen meticulously crafted to bring the realm of the selfish god to life. Accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful score, Love Eternal weaves its psychological horror narrative into platforming in a way that I didn’t expect. While I only got a brief look at the story during the demo, it left me intrigued to see how Maya’s journey will unfold and whether she can escape the mind of this forsaken deity.
7. Homura Hime
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: 2025
The action in Homura Hime was intense from the moment I jumped in. As the Flame Princess Homura, I was thrown into a fast-paced combo-heavy battle against demonic enemies. The demo gave me a solid feel for the combo system, and while I only encountered a few enemies, the bullet-hell-style attacks were visually stunning and added a level of difficulty that will likely challenge players in the full game.
The demo’s short length left me curious about how the story will unfold, especially given the game’s narrative premise of purging archdemons. The demo highlighted the potential for varied combat strategies, especially with unlockable weapons and equipment tied to defeating demon bosses. I’ll be interested to see how the character development and world-building play out as the game progresses.
6. Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: February 2025
In my demo of Urban Myth Dissolution Center, I played as Azami, solving urban myths through investigative gameplay that mixed social media sleuthing with puzzle-solving. The psychedelic pixel art immediately caught my attention, making each urban myth feel surreal and unsettling. The episodic structure promises unique mysteries to solve, but I only got through the first one, leaving me eager to see how the others will be structured.
I didn’t dive too deeply into the psychic abilities of Azami’s mentor, Ayumu, but from what I saw, these powers will likely play a crucial role in uncovering each case’s deeper layers. While the demo was brief, I’m excited to see how the narrative develops, especially as more complex urban legends are introduced.
5. Herdling
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: TBA
Herdling provided a relaxing yet emotionally engaging experience. Guiding a herd of Calicorns through a picturesque mountain range felt simple at first, but the environmental puzzles and challenges quickly ramped up. Although I only saw a snippet of what’s to come, the wordless storytelling struck a chord, creating an emotional bond with the herd that I didn’t expect in such a short demo.
The game’s unique setting, combined with the herding mechanics, promises an emotional journey. I’m looking forward to seeing how the full game balances these peaceful moments with the more intense stampede sequences teased during the demo. There’s a sense that Herdling will be as much about survival as it is about companionship.
4. AWAKEN – Astral Blade
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Steam
Release Date: TBA
My short demo of Awaken – Astral Blade left me impressed with its fluid combat and dark fairy tale narrative. Playing as Tania, a bionic girl tasked with battling mutated creatures, the combat felt responsive, with combos and parries that rewarded precise timing. The demo teased a few boss encounters, and the fast-paced action had me eager to learn more about the different combat skills and story paths available in the full game.
The story’s branching paths and the promise of multiple endings are particularly appealing, though I didn’t get enough time to explore the narrative choices fully. Nevertheless, the fast-paced combat and mysterious world-building set the stage for a game that will likely offer plenty of replayability.
3. Ruffy and the Riverside
Platforms: PS5, Xbox One, Series X|S, Switch, Steam
Release Date: TBA
Ruffy and the Riverside charmed me with its unique SWAP mechanic. During the demo, I had fun experimenting with the Copy and Paste feature, which allowed me to change the world’s textures to solve puzzles. The open-world setting felt expansive, and while I only got a taste of what’s to come, the creativity behind using this tool was undeniable.
The lighthearted tone and whimsical characters make Ruffy stand out from other action-adventure games. I’m eager to see how the SWAP mechanic evolves in more complex puzzles and how it shapes the open-world exploration in the final release.
2. SacriFire
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: TBA
SacriFire was an interesting mix of old-school RPG charm and modern-day mechanics. The combat system combines real-time and turn-based elements, creating a unique and fluid battle experience. I didn’t get too far into the narrative, but the demo hinted at some deeper moral choices and a cast of characters that will likely offer plenty of surprises.
The hybrid pixel art and 3D graphics worked well together, giving the game a distinct visual identity. With its compelling combat and promise of a morally complex story, SacriFire is definitely one to keep an eye on, especially for fans of classic RPGs.
1. Everdeep Aurora
Platforms: Steam
Release Date: TBA
My brief experience with Everdeep Aurora left me wanting more. Playing as Shell, a young feline searching for her mother in an underground world, I was drawn into the game’s atmospheric pixel art and soothing soundtrack. The platforming felt smooth, and the narrative exploration had just enough mystery to keep me engaged.
While I didn’t get too deep into the puzzles or side quests, the game’s unique characters and hidden secrets promise a rewarding exploration. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into this world when the full game is released, especially to uncover more of the game’s emotional and narrative layers.
While my time with these games was short, each demo offered something unique and intriguing. From action-packed combat systems to emotionally charged narratives, PAX West 2024 introduced a variety of experiences that will be worth following as they move toward their full releases. Keep an eye on these titles—they each have the potential to make a significant impact on their respective genres.
