26
votes
Must have Switch indie titles?
Hey all! I got a switch early this year and I've been loving it so far. I've been browsing the store and there seems to be a ton of cool little indie titles. Any recommendations for some really fun ones?
I love strategy games and RPGs. I would also love any recommendations for games that my GF and I could play together as well.
Celeste. 100x Celeste. It's a single player platformer though, so not at all what you were asking :P
I'm open for pretty much any games at this point. I'm having a bit of game ADD and none of my current titles are quenching my gaming thirst. Thank you for the recommendation :) Celeste looks pretty cool.
Was about to come here to say this. This game is incredibly good.
You gotta get Overcooked. It’s one of the best couch co-op games ever. Endless hours spend with the bf getting three stars in all of the levels.
Overcooked is a great game. It's fun regardless of how good the people you are playing with are. Sometimes it's more fun when people aren't that great at it. So many laughs are had playing this game.
Oh yeah. It’s just as much fun watching half the kitchen burst in to flame while you’re desperately trying to find the fire extinguisher and get across some horrible thing (screw the floating ice levels) to address the problem. Meanwhile there’s meat to be chopped and pizza to take out of the oven and and and
9/10 of my games end in everyone yelling over each other and it's the funniest thing ever to me. I think the fire extinguisher hides when the fires start!
As soon as any fire happens I like to restart. The others? They want to continue. I'm that one person who grabs the only fire extinguisher and uses it while spinning around screaming expletives.
I love Overcooked.
This sounds so great lol This is going on my list for sure!
Soooo many people are telling me to get this. I think it's time. With the long weekend ahead I think it's gonna happen. Thank you!
Overcooked and Stardew Valley are perfect games to play “with your girlfriend”. Source: Playing both with my girlfriend.
I still need to get on the SDV multiplayer train. I really do think she will love playing together.
I don’t think multi play is out on Switch yet, though! We just hand each other the controller every other day or so! ;)
Ohhhh well dang. I do have it on PC too but I think I'd have to get a copy for her. I don't think it's split screen on PC is it?
Don’t think there’s split screen! (Would be cool but where would the UI even fit?)
There is indeed a split screen mod! Download SMAPI and search up Split Screen on Nexus mods :) You can also have her signed in on another computer via Offline Steam, and give her the invite code or LAN it up
Blossom Tales scratches that SNES Zelda itch.
This is an itch I didn't realize I had untill right now.
Darkest Dungeon is well suited for the Switch imho: by choosing the size of the missions, you can adapt to how much time you have in front of you if you're in public transport, in your bed, in the toilets ... :D And the gameplay being based on how you handle crap coming your way, you're pretty much guaranteed some level of discomfort, and some happy moments in all those sessions which makes it a really interesting solo game on the Switch imho.
For multiplayer, I cannot upvote Overcooked enough ;)
I don't even think Darkest Dungeon has been on my radar. I'm going to check it out.
I've heard good things about overcooked. I might have to pull the trigger on it this weekend.
This is probably going to be a pretty long list of games, but here you go:
I'm going to do singleplayer stuff first, then multiplayer. Here's the singleplayer games:
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a fantastic game. It's extremely casual and lighthearted, but there are some minor strategy elements towards it, mostly in terms of time management. Stardew Valley will also be receiving co-op multiplayer later this year which should allow you to get even more time out of it.
Steam World Dig 2
All the Steam World games are pretty great, but Steam World Dig 2 improves on everything that the original Dig created. The game itself is a relatively interesting 2D Platformer, and you can get quite a bit of time out of it.
Steam World Heist: Ultimate Edition
Steam World Heist takes the core concepts of dig but places them into a 2D strategy game. Imagine a 2D sidescrolling version of Xcom, and you'll have yourself Steam World Heist.
Golf Story
Golf Story is a lighthearted 2D Golf RPG. Does that sound weird? Yeah, it does. Golf Story is a pretty weird game. In addition to the main story, Golf Story also has a multiplayer mode. I've put it on the singleplayer list however since the multiplayer is pretty basic, and if you don't intend on playing the singleplayer, the game itself probably isn't worth picking up.
The Binding of Isaac
The Binding of Isaac is an extremely large top-down roguelike game. It features some minor RPG elements, and plays very similarly to the original Legend of Zelda. You can easily get hundreds of hours out of the game, if it's your kind of thing.
Axiom Verge
Axiom Verge is a metroidvania game very similar to games such as Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. While this game is clearly inspired by Metroid, there are some key differences. Firstly, the game has a slightly involved story with the main character even having a few lines of dialogue to himself. Secondly, the game has a large amount of varied weapons. If you thought Samus could use a few more guns in her arsenal, Axiom Verge is probably the game for you.
Multiplayer Games
Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is a combination of almost every great sidescrolling NES game. If you wanted to see what would happen if Mega Man, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Duck Tales, and Super Mario Bros. had a child, Shovel Knight would probably be that game. Featuring three (and soon to be four) vastly different campaigns this game gives you a large amount of content for its initial price. Shovel Knight also has a co-op multiplayer mode although I have not fully cleared all three campaigns with it. The co-op multiplayer does not feel forced in, however, and played perfectly naturally for the hour or so that I was able to give it a shot.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Lovers is a nice 2D sidescrolling action game. In it, you and up to three other people control a spaceship by running around its interior and controlling various machines. It's a frantic, fast paced, couch co-op game and a great deal of fun.
Snipperclips: Cut it out Together
Snipperclips is a great little puzzle game. In it, up to four players control weirdly shaped creatures that can rotate themselves around. In addition, you can stand inside of other players and press a button to remove the overlapping area from their body, allowing you to shape yourselves to complete a wide variety of puzzles. In addition to a few hours worth of 2-player puzzles, there are also puzzles for up to four players and a few competitive minigames ranging from a unique take on Pong to an interesting version of Basketball.
Fast RMX
Fast RMX is a fast-based racing game, and feels like a combination of F-Zero and Wipeout. It's not as easy to pick up as Mario Kart, but it has some unique ideas such as a boost mechanic and the ability to change your color between blue and orange at any time, making some parts of the track advantages and others hazardous. Fast RMX supports up to four player local multiplayer.
Cave Story+
Cave Story is one of those classic indie games. A short, 6 hour 2D sidescrolling action game with some minor Metroidvania elements, Cave Story+ introduces a co-op mode allowing you and one other person to clear the game together. The co-op works well and breathes life into this nearly 15-year-old game. The switch version comes with some other improvements such as upgraded graphics and lighting in comparison to older versions of the game, as well as a new (optional) rendition of the soundtrack.
Overcooked
Overcooked is a frantic, fast paced puzzle game about cooking food. While this concept may sound weird, and it is, the game has a great sense of humor. Be warned though that the game is quite difficult, and can lead to quite a few arguments as one simple mistake can lead to complete failure.
Enter the Gungeon
Enter the Gungeon is a Top-down roguelike very similar to The Binding of Isaac. Where Gungeon differs, however, is its co-op multiplayer and focus on (lots and lots of) guns. Gungeon's multiplayer is only unlocked after beating the game once so if you only want the game for couch co-op, there are other games that might be better.
In addition to these titles, here are a few games that will be launching on the Switch within the next few months:
Wargroove
Wargroove is a top down strategy RPG. Gameplay wise, it is very similar to Advance Wars. In addition to a singleplayer campaign, Wargroove will feature a level and campaign editor, allowing for potentially infinite amounts of content to be created. Wargroove will also feature local and online co-op.
Just Shapes and Beats
Shapes and Beats is a fast paced rhythm game and will feature local and online co-op. The game itself is designed to be extremely challenging and fast paced, but you can get quite a large amount of fun out of the game itself. I have played a demo of the game at conventions, and have enjoyed both times that I got to play through a beta of the game.
If you have any questions about any of these games, feel free to ask me about any of them and I'll expand further on my thoughts.
Holy cow! That list is insane! Thank for for taking the time to put this together. I personally can't wait for Wargroove! Advance Wars and Fire Emblem have been some of my favorite games in the Nintendo hendheld family so as soon as I saw that pop up it was an instant buy for me. Now if they would just hurry up! lol
Thanks again. I'll be browsing these and downloading any demos available.
Axiom Verge
Shovel Knight
Stardrew Valley
I have been eyeballing Shovel Knight for sure. Stardew is my jam but I haven't tried multiplayer yet.
Dude, Shovel Knight is about as good as it gets imo.
We'll then I guess it's time to do it! I think I'm going to pick this up this weekend.
If I'm not mistaken, the switch has lovers in a dangerous space time. It's great couch coop.
I have heard good things about this game but also heard it was better with the more people you have. Is it still good with only 2 people?
I only played a short while of the game but it was fantastic as 2 players.
It is great for two people (playing with my girlfriend), very much looking forward to trying out 4 players :D
Stardew is a given like others said. If you enjoy light sports games and RPGs, Golf Story is a great title as well.
Golf Story looks so weird to me but I do love me some golfing games.
Stardew is a go to of mine :)
Its a weird and an old one, but I'll throw out Cave Story. Its a classic and my favorite game of all time.
I think I might have this on PC that I got on a Steam sale. I might have to give it a go and if I like it I might have to snag it for the Switch for the portability aspect.
It's not strictly an indie game, but it checks most of the boxes you'd expect from an indie title: Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap - a remake of the Master System classic. It's an action platformer with some mild RPG elements and it's great fun on the Switch.
This one looks down my alley for sure. Platformers haven't been my thing for a long time, but games like Castle Crashers back in the day reminded me of my gaming roots.
I’m just now playing Wonder Boy 3 and it is a classic with all that that entails. The movement, timing, everything is as you would expect it if you played the original back in the days. But the visuals and sound (+ some little extras) just make it pop up more in the modern world.
I also very much enjoy switching between the modern and retro look and feel :)
Have you heard of West of Loathing? It's a comedy wild-west RPG made by the Kingdom of Loathing (KoL) creators. The art is really minimalist and stylized and the writing is top-tier. It's very similar to KoL in that it's got the same visual style, same turn-based combat, and same humor. I have never played a game that made me laugh as hard as this one. There are lots of puzzles and way too much content for one playthrough -- different companions and horses have their own quests, so you really can't see everything in one go. It's $11.00 on Steam and I think it's the same price on Switch.