No matter what time of year it is, gaming is always in season. Even so, it’s during the seasonal period that we see a surge of deals and indie games pop up like flowers. Sometimes said games are related to the season in which they’re appearing and other times the themes are completely random. However, it’s from this well of randomness that we tend to get some of the best and most unforgettable games. It’s hard to tell which games you’ll enjoy most without playing them and the demo can only tell you so much. Still, as we dive into the unknown, we trust our gut feeling.
Upcoming Indie Games in August 2021
Dodgeball Academia
There’s no shortage of sports games in the world, but there are only so many that transform sports in creative ways. These games add wild elements and other aspects to make the sports more chaotic and colorful. Supergiant tried to do this with Pyre and Pocket Trap will try to do this with Dodgeball Academia. It’s a sports RPG where you’ll control a plucky team of aspiring dodgeball stars on their rise to the top. Make use of their stats and special techniques to knock out the competition!
Dodgeball Academia will release for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on August 5.
Mech Armada
Robots are cool and giant robots are even cooler. The coolest is watching giant robots fight other giant things such as monsters, aliens, or other robots. The devs at Lincode games have opted for the second option in their upcoming title Mech Armada. In this game, a post-apocalyptic Earth is being swarmed by an alien menace known as the Swarm. Since humanity stands no chance against these monsters, their best line of defense is to use giants robots against them. Build, mod, and form your mech squadron to tactically annihilate the icky alien threat.
Mech Armada will release for PC on August 10.
Button City
As can be expected, gaming involves a lot of button pressing. Even in VR games, it’s tricky to escape the need for buttons but it’s impossible in the world of Button City. The folks of Subliminal have created a game that places you in a cartoony realm filled with cute critters. You play as a fox as he explores the stacked homes, talks with friends, and plays games. It’s up to this plucky group of animals to band together and save their local arcade. They do this by going around and playing a variety of different games. From racing to rhythm, flex your skills in this casual adventure.
Button City will release for PC, PS4/5, Switch, and Xbox One/Series X|S on August 11.
SkateBIRD
Despite our technological achievements, many of us are still envious of birds. The way they’re able to take off at a moment’s notice and explore the skies freely is something that will always be out of our reach. However, Glass Bottom Games seem to think that birds may be envious of one of our activities: skateboarding. In their indie game SkateBIRD, you take control of a radical bird trying to rip and shred through skateparks made of whatever they can get their hands on. It’s a weird, silly, and gnarly take on a sport where you try to get as high as you can.
SkateBIRD will release on PC, Switch, and Xbox One on August 12.
Greak: Memories Of Azur
The idea that no one wins alone is most prominent in fantasy adventure stories. So many of them tell tales of a legendary band of adventurers who set out to save the world. All great teams are made up of different members who bring something unique to the table. In Greak: Memories Of Azur by Navegante Entertainment, you have a colorful team of three. The trio is made up of the siblings Greak, Adara, and Raydel who are trying to escape a monstrous invasion. With a combination of agility, strength, and magic, you can guide these siblings through a beautifully drawn epic journey.
Greak: Memories of Azur will release for PC, Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 17.
Hoa
With so many of us living in cities and sprawling urban environments, it’s easy to feel cut off from nature. It’s not every day that we can just pick up and wander into the wilderness to see what we can find. As a result, we rely a lot on folks like the developers at Skrollcat Studio who give us opportunities to explore nature from home. Their adventure is called Hoa, which follows a character of the same name as she roams the natural world. With hand-drawn art, a lovely soundtrack, and a beautiful atmosphere, this game is the embodiment of taking the scenic route.
Hoa will release for PC, Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S on August 24.
ProtoCorgi
Corgis are arguably one of the cutest creatures to ever walk the Earth, and all we need is for that to be scientifically proven. Sadly, there has yet to exist an accepted unit of measurement for cuteness but that doesn’t mean scientists won’t try other things. Kemono Games have explored the idea of a scientist who creates a Corgi robot in the upcoming game ProtoCorgi. In the weird future, aliens invade Earth and kidnap said scientist. As her most beloved creation, a Cute Cybernetic Corgi named Bullet, you must rescue her and maybe take down the alien invasion while you’re out there. It’s an arcade-style shoot ‘em up with colorful pixel art and weird designs that’ll make you smile.
ProtoCorgi will release for PC and Switch on August 26.
The Big Con
There’s something about comic book art that makes it so distinct and vibrant. Whether it’s the edges, the shading, color choices, or something else, this style stands out to us. There have been many amazing films, shows, and games that have used it to an incredible degree. Those over at the Mighty Yell are attempting to do the same with The Big Con. This game will take you back to American in the ‘90s where denim and ripped clothes were everywhere. You play as Ali, a teenager of the decade trying to survive the only way she knows how: Mastering the art of the con. Make use of her skills and curiosity as you explore this vibrant part of the country while wearing disguises, picking pockets, and swindling people. It’s bright, funny, and lighthearted with a bit of an edge, just like people in the 90s tried to be.
The Big Con will release for PC and Xbox One on August 31.
As you can see, there are tons of indie games to look forward to in August 2021! If any of the titles from our list stood out to you, be sure to check them out. When you do, be sure to let us know on Twitter!
