18 Indie Games To Be Excited About During October 2024
Spooky season has arrived, and with it a bunch of horror indie games that’ll be sure to have you peering through your fingers. Similarly, we also have a handful of titles that’ll have your hands again on your face, but this time in tears — what a delightful month we have ahead of us. Seriously though, October is coming out the gate swinging with some of my most anticipated games of the year, and is also just chock-full of goodies for everyone.
Last month I feel like there were almost more indie games to play than there were days in the month. We got to cover the frost-smitten city sim Frostpunk 2, the page-turning adventure The Plucky Squire, the not-so-hollow cyberpunk horror Hollowbody, as well as a boatload more that you can check out on the reviews tab.
With that said, as we look ahead, checking our corners and shining our torches — there are some devilish delights on their way. If a Lovecraftian city sim sounds like your type of unimaginable horrors or you want a cooking game more colourful than your veg drawer, then we have got something for you. So without further ado, here are 18 indie games to be excited about during October 2024:
Mouthwashing by Wrong Organ – 26th September 2024
One that slipped by me last month but fits right in with this list of indie games is Mouthwashing. No, we’re not talking about a vital and overlooked process of brushing one’s teeth, but rather the retro-inspired space horror by Wrong Organ. In Mouthwashing, we meet five members of a stranded spacecraft known as The Tulpar as it gets lost in the vapid space and perpetual sunset.
After a botched attempt at killing themself, Captain Curly is left maimed and in the care of the rest of the surviving crew remembers; but what happens when your captain fails to jump ship, leaving you in the throws of a doomed spacecraft? It’s a bleak premise and one that offers a lot of psychological horrors to contend with, as you go through all the nasty moments of survival. It’s a first-person narrative horror that begs you to not drink the mouthwash. The game is out now for PC.
KILL KNIGHT by PlaySide – 2nd October 2024
Kill Knight is described as an ultra-responsive arcade-inspired isometric action shooter. When I saw the trailer at one of this Summer’s showcases, it immediately brought me back to just how good of a time I had with Ruiner — an equally as red-looking game as this entry. Much like a Heinz can, Kill Knight says exactly what it is on the tin. You’re a knight betrayed and left to the eldritch abyss, making your mission to kill your way through hordes of hellish monsters and eliminate THE LAST ANGEL.
Kill Knight’s fast-paced top-down combat looks to be blistering as you take on five floors, all of which embrace a lo-fi brutalism aesthetic. The more precise and aggressive you are at netting more kills means more room for upgrading your damage and speed in the process. The game looks to be no frills in the best way possible and I can’t wait to dive into the abyssal bullet hell. Kill Knight will release on PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox Series X|S & One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Parcel Corps by Billy Goat Entertainment – 3rd October 2024
Initially shown off at last year’s Summer Game Fest, during the PC Gaming Show, Parcel Corps is pedalling to deliver us an extreme postal service very soon. Think of Parcel Corps as Jet Set Radio Future meets Totally Reliable Delivery Service, as the game is described as a high-octane thrill ride with whacky characters, and it looks to be a total blast. This trailer shows off some of the technical side of the gameplay, mainly the manoeuvrability that’ll task you to master the skillset of the bike.
The game takes place in New Island as three competing postal services aim to be the best in the city. You pick between one of the three, set up your ride and pursue your deliveries in style. Featuring an exciting free-flowing level design across nine regions – all of which are satirising the gig economy, media influencers and more. Not to mention a totalitarian government to overthrow in the process. Parcel Corps will release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PlayStation 5.
Grunn by Sokpop Collective – 4th October 2024
Grunn is a first-person gardening game that doesn’t have ominous vibes, like, at all. You’re hired for the weekend to do maintenance work on someone’s garden whilst they’re out of town. Some of the tools are missing, however, so you may find other items that’ll do the job, or the reserved locals may have some info to help.
Grunn is lo-fi, minimal and is more than it appears, making that mystery even more alluring. Outside of that, I don’t have too much to go off as the Steam page is equally as cagey. There are multiple endings, scenic Dutch views and supposedly satisfying gardening and nothing else… unless? No, surely not. Grunn will release on PC.
Phoenix Springs by Calligram Studio – 7th October 2024
Delayed into this month for further polish; it’s given me a great excuse to put Phoenix Springs back on the list and copy and paste what I said before about it. Phoenix Springs’s art direction immediately caught my eye when I originally saw it during the Future of Play Direct. It felt like a Ladybird book’s artwork had leapt out of the pages and inhabited an illusive neo-noir world.
The game is a point-and-click mysterious adventure that sees you playing as reporter Iris Dormer reconnecting with her estranged brother. This reconnection brings her to Phoenix Springs, a desert oasis with a community equally as enigmatic as its setting. Investigating the ruins, talking to the locals and uncovering mysteries will connect the place, the myth and herself. Phoenix Springs will release on PC.
Necro Story by Rablo Games – 7th October 2024
In Necro Story, you play as a mischievous Necromancer who uses his powers of the undead to monster collect and send forth into battle, in true RPG fashion. Think of the game as a light-hearted post-mortem Pokémon where you capture monsters, train them, equip powerful gear and ultimately evolve them into undead nightmares for strategic battle.
Followed by the ghost of a cheeky white mage who guides you on your anti-hero’s journey, you’ll traverse the afterlife and back to stop the world from impending doom. With over 20 magical spells to master across 5 schools of discipline; all of them have their own skill trees for you to utilise your playstyle. Necro Story will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Last Time I Saw You by Maboroshi Artworks – 10th October 2024
From the key art alone it made me think of the films by Makoto Shinkai. Some of the recent releases being Suzume, Weathering With You and most famously Your Name. Befitting, as Last Time I Saw You is a coming-of-age narrative adventure set in ’80s Japan. The story follows Ayumi, a teenager taking his first steps into adulthood where he’ll face family issues, first loves, as well as a curse that’s haunting his hometown — standard teenage shenanigans.
As you explore the 2D hand-drawn and traditionally animated environments, you’ll come across an exciting cast of characters, living and dead. The game promises to have some light action elements, environmental puzzles and collectibles to coincide with the cosy nature of its narrative. Last Time I Saw You will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Neva by Nomada Studio – 15th October 2024
After the sumptuously designed Gris in 2018, I was eagerly anticipating what Nomada Studio would get up to next. Thankfully, we got the announcement of Neva during a PlayStation Showcase early in 2023 and now it’s almost here. It was a given that Neva was going to look absolutely gorgeous, but Nomada Studio doesn’t just make pretty games, but very thought provoking narratives too.
The story follows Alba, bound to a young wolf cub after a traumatic encounter with dark forces. During their perilous journey together, they witness the dying world around them, as they learn to work together over time. Creating a bond and learning each other’s abilities unlock as the pair try to build a new home together. Neva will release on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
Drova – Forsaken Kin by Just2D – 15th October 2024
Drova – Forsaken Kin is a pixel art action-RPG that uses Celtic mythology to inspire the game’s narrative. When a society discovers that restless spirits are at odds in the land you inhabit, you’re left with a choice of who to side with to work together and shape your environments. You start with nothing to your name but through intense combat, meeting teachers and uncovering mysteries, you’ll only grow stronger.
Your choices will come with narrative and gameplay consequences. Choose to harness the power of the spirits and expect some resistance, upset others in your town and betrayal may just be lurking around the corner. The only thing standing between you and death is your fighting skills as you discover new weapons and unlock new combos, as well as mastering new abilities to create your own playstyle. Drova – Forsaken Kin will release on PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Worshippers of Cthulhu by Crazy Goat Games – 21st October 2024
As I scoured the internet to find upcoming indie games, there was only one thing I thought when I saw Worshippers of Cthulhu: this is a Miles AF game. If you ever thought city building sims didn’t have enough cults, sacrifices and eldritch horrors — much like Miles does — then this is the game for you. You lead the Cult of Cthulhu as you decide the fate of your followers, perform rituals and blur the line between sanity and madness in the process.
Much like the people under the eldritch spell, the game frames your actions not of destruction but cosmic rebirth. A little bit delusional but isn’t all Lovecraftian stuff drenched in that? Your overall goal is to build a city and society strong enough to awaken the ancient Cthulhu. This is through rigorous ceremonies and conquering the non-believers. Will you answer the call? Worshippers of Cthulhu will release on PC.
Fear The Spotlight by Cozy Game Pals – 22nd October 2024
The trailer for Fear The Spotlight was an absolute standout during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live. There was a sizzle reel showing off a few horror titles being released under the Blumhouse Games publishing arm, and Fear The Spotlight is the first out the gates. It’s a PSX-era horror adventure that follows Vivian and Amy, as they try to survive a séance gone wrong.
Taking place in the pair’s high school after hours, you’ll be traipsing around the atmospheric halls whilst solving tactile puzzles. The school has a dark mysterious history, bringing forth a lot of the horrors it faced to the two amateur mediums. You’ll play as the two characters from the third person perspective, facing their own tribulations in the narrative, all the whilst avoiding the spotlight at at all costs. Fear The Spotlight will release on PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Wilmot Works It Out by Hollow Ponds – 23rd October 2024
The second to release from Hollow Ponds and Richard Hogg this year; Wilmot Works It Out definitely has the look of their previous game, Flock, but swaps the open-world flying for household puzzle-solving. You play as the titular Wilmot, whose method of unwinding is to sort puzzle pieces into pictures, and then hanging them on the walls of his house.
With over 60 puzzles to complete, you’ll slowly garner new rooms to place your pictures, as well as customisation items to decorate them. A far cry from the other indie games on this list, but we all need to relax like Wilmot, right? Wilmot Works It Out will release on PC.
Cabernet by Party For Introverts – 24th October 2024
Cabernet is a narrative RPG set in a 19th century Eastern European inspired world. You play as Liza, a recently turned vampire who’s wrestling between retaining her humanity or succumbing to her hunger. Told through the backdrop of political intrigue, class conflict and decadent corruption, Liza will engage with her new nocturnal society and choose her next target based on their traits.
Do some deserve it more than others? That is up to you. By harnessing knowledge about the people around you, you’ll be able to decipher the safest course of action for your human feast. Not to mention you can fly around the 2D landscape in bat form! Cabarnet will release on PC.
Voidwrought by Powersnake – 24th October 2024
If building up cities based on cosmic horrors wasn’t your style from our earlier entry, maybe tearing some down might be for you. Voidwrought is an action platformer set in a hand-drawn world of cosmic horrors. As the Red Star ushers in a new age, a Simulacrum is tasked to collect Ichor, the blood of the Gods. You’ll get this from destroying the monstrosities that live to horde it and doing so will unlock new abilities and relics to help your gruesome quest.
Promising sharp controls with varied combat encounters of over 90 enemies and 10 bosses to slay, you’ll explore the star-scorched surface full of secrets. With over 30 relics and souls, from new spectral weapons to passive buffs, you’ll be able to engage your way through the unforgiving depths. Voidwrought will release on Nintendo Switch and PC.
The Fear Business by Tomás Esconjaureguy – 28th October 2024
The Fear Business is a found footage survival horror with a PSX-era art style. You play as Sarah, a journalist in the wake of major layoffs of her industry. After a spell of disappearances and rumours floating round, you go to investigate whether the stories of a satanic cult are true, despite everyone else fearing their life and job to do so. After embroiling herself too deeply in the mystery, Sarah quickly realises that her decision to chase the perfect shot may be the end of her life.
You’ll be exploring a Victorian manor full of secrets, items and puzzles for you to solve. You won’t be alone, however, as the brutal Goat Face also lurks the halls of the house. There’s also a dastardly mechanic where blowing out candles in the house saves your progress, but permanently makes everywhere darker. And here I was thinking being a journalist was hard enough. The Fear Business will release on PC.
Night of the Consumers by GERMFOOD – 28th October 2024
There’s nothing more synonymous with retail than horror. However, Night of the Consumers looks to dial that horror up to 11 by meeting obscene customer demands, cleaning up their sick, stocking the shelves correctly and overall maintaining the standards of the store. Does it sounds like hell to you? Then welcome to retail!
The game is played from the first-person perspective, where you’ll be dashing across the aisles with an anxiety-inducing manager breathing down your neck. As the game ramps up, you’ll be taking unexpected measures to ensure you get the job done on time, with only a limited amount of respite in the staff bathroom. Are you ready to return to retail? Night of the Consumers will release on PC.
Fruitbus by KrillBite Studio – 28th October 2024
Well this, alongside Wilmot Works It Out, are the complete antithesis of what October has in store for indie games. Fruitbus looks to be an absolute delight, where you start your own food truck to feed animals called tummies! Source fresh ingredients, create your own menu and cook homegrown meals for the masses along your journey.
Explore the open world of the Gustum archipelago, learn the customs from the locals and find secret ingredients to spark inspiration. You’ll be able to customise your food truck, apply music and special decals to attract new customers and entertain returning ones, in what looks to be a very charming cooking adventure. Fruitbus will release on PC, with a later date for console.
Post Trauma by RED SOUL GAMES – 29th October 2024
We had our first glimpse at Post Trauma at the 2022 Game Awards and we were immediately arrested by the creepy visuals, the civilian-like quality of the protagonist and the chilling gameplay. Post Trauma follows Roman, a train conductor, who’s found himself trapped in a horrifying nightmare beyond reality. And it’s not London Euston on Christmas Eve. Roman must traipse through the horrors of his own fears and imagination to get back to his family, though it’s not all made up, as danger lurks in the darkest corners that threaten his life.
The developers at Red Soul Games have taken great inspiration from the classics in survival horror that we’ve seen over the past decades. Silent Hill is an apt comparison, but it’s fair to say how The Evil Within the game also looks. Post Trauma will feature fixed-camera angles, brutal and methodical combat, as well as an entrancing soundtrack to offer unimaginable horrors. Post Trauma will release on PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.
A perfect blend of sadistic and sad this month, very fitting for October, right? Not to mention some of those charming outliers that defy being spooky. Let us know what indie games you’re excited to pick up from this list. Always worth mentioning that every game’s date is subject to change, and as always you can reach out to us at hello@fingerguns.net, or on our socials if you have indies to showcase for November. Until next month!
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