Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2023 Round Up
Game announcements, updates and everything in between were shown at the Annapurna Interactive Showcase. As an exciting publisher with an eagle eye on some of the most unique titles, a showcase from Annapurna was bound to present some sights for sore eyes, and sights they are. If you happened to miss the live stream, here’s everything we were treated to.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Update
The first announcement for the Annapurna Interactive Showcase is another trailer for Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. Developed by the Sayonara Wild Hearts team Simogo. The game looks like a complete departure from their last title in 2019. Yet, it also looks to be an equally enthralling puzzler with a surreal and nightmarish tone. From the Steam Page: “The stage is set. Imagine an old baroque manor, perhaps a hotel or a museum, somewhere in central Europe. A woman wanders in search of answers.” Not much else to divulge in outside of the trailer, but the cel-shaded almost Saturnalia look will be sure to pique the interests of some of us here at Finger Guns. You can Wishlist the game on it’s Steam Page.
Cocoon Gets A Release Date
Selected as the Most Anticipated Indie Game at Summer Game Fest, Cocoon finally gets a date. The sci-fi adventure puzzler is led by Jeppe Carlsen, the lead designer behind Limbo and Inside. Cocoon hatches on consoles and PC on September 29th 2023 and we can’t wait to get our hands on it. We have more details on the game from our Day of the Devs Showcase round up, or you can watch the trailer right here. You can also Wishlist the game on it’s Steam Page.
Lushfoil Photography Sim Announced
Developed using Unreal Engine 5, you too can soon be an Instagram virtuoso in Lushfoil Photography Sim. The game is described as a tranquil exploration experience with realistic camera features and true-to-life recreations of gorgeous landscapes. Also included is a licensed soundtrack from artists all over the world as you peacefully take pictures. The solo developer from Perth, Australia wanted to create an experience similar to their love of hiking and photography and to attempt to capture those experiences. You can Wishlist Lushfoil Photography Sim on it’s Steam Page.
New Studio in Collaboration with Annapurna Interactive
From Kyoto, Japan, Maumittu Games is a two-person team who met at another game company and decided to go for it on their own. The developer discusses their influence on their game that’s set in what they described as “a future that could really happen”. The place is called Rakuen (paradise) where problems faced in the game can be relatable to people now. This is the first of a couple of developer features from the showcase and we’re intrigued with what Maumittu Games will be coming out with.
To A T Announced
Developed by Uvula and Keita Takahashi, creator of Katamari Damacy. To A T is a coming-of-age story about a T-posing teenager. The game is described as a 3D narrative adventure that really boasts that unique style from Uvula games. With a strong focus on the narrative, you’ll explore the world, play minigames and fully customise your character. The episodic story takes place across multiple days as the teen tries to fit in and find themself. You can Wishlist To A T on the game’s Steam Page.
Flock New Details
The developers behind I Am Dead, Hollowponds and Richard Hogg are back with co-op herding game Flock. You assume the role of a flying shepherd as you collect and herd weird and wonderful flying creatures. The game has a delightful low-poly yet vibrant art style that presents a wonderfully peaceful world to explore. With a cutesy collectathon of course comes the super rare creatures to discover and add to your flock. No release date yet, but you can Wishlist the game on it’s Steam Page.
Ghost Bike Game Reveal
From the creators of the cult hit Nidhogg, comes Ghost Bike. Announced for consoles and PC, the game sees you going for the ride of your afterlife in a semi-open world adventure racer. During your travels, you’ll be saving the lost souls of the Wheel World and repairing your GhostBike. With an incredible cel-shaded art style and music from independent record label Italians Do It Better (Chromatics, Desire- though not confirmed to be in the game), Ghost Bike looks to take cues from many aspects of bike culture.
We Kill Monsters Developer Update
There’s no separate video to this but I’ve timestamped and linked the showcase as this is well worth watching. I’ve been following Glass Revolver on Twitter for a while now because We Kill Monsters is shaping up to be something quite special. In the developer deep dive we learn how they’ve taken the game completely out of 2D, deleting it and starting again in 3D as the vision for the game is bold. We Kill Monsters has a low-poly like art style but in beautifully diverse environments as it looks to be part survival sim, part monster hunting game. It’s always cool to get the inside knowledge behind indie developers and find out more from the process, and the Annapurna Interactive Showcase always impresses. You can Wishlist We Kill Monsters on it’s Steam Page.
Mundaun Platform Update
The brooding and atmospheric horror adventure that is Mundaun is finally coming to current consoles. The game has been met with widespread critical acclaim, citing its sumptuous hand-pencilled art style and intense plot as stand-outs for the game. Mundaun is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and if you have a copy of the PS4 version you’ll get a free upgrade. The 4K supported upgrade is out right now for you to jump in and be spooked.
Bounty Star Game Update
The over-the-shoulder 3D adventure that sees you fighting in mechs. You play as Clementine McKinney, an ex-soldier and expert mech pilot riddled with guilt, and is now on the path of good in the Red Expanse, a post-post-apocalyptic America. Founder and Director of Dinogod Ben Ruiz talks in more detail about the game during the showcase. Describing the customisation of your mech and upgradable homebase aspects of the game as you take on bounties. Again no release date, but you can Wishlist the game on it’s Steam Page.
Stray Platform Update
As the first day one PS Plus Extra title, Stray was released with tremendous success. The award-winning game is now coming to Xbox on August 11th 2023. The cyberpunk cat adventure was a favourite amongst the team at Finger Guns, even exceeding Miles’ expectations, so we’re glad that more people get to play this short but sweet story on more platforms.
Thirsty Suitors Gets A Release Date
Thirsty Suitors, the dating-sim platformer where your combat is conversation gets a release date. We first caught this at the 2021 Game Awards hosted by Geoff Keighley, so we’ve been eagerly anticipating this game for a while. Cooking, skating and turn-based combat are at the forefront of this stylish adventure. Encounter multiple situations where you harness the unique mood system to take advantage of during combat. You play as Jala as she learns to heal the wounds of her past and tries to love again. You can Wishlist the game on it’s Steam Page.
Storyteller Update Details
After a decade of development, Storyteller was released on Steam and Switch on March 23rd this year. However, you’ll now be able to play it on iOS and Android in September on Netflix. Storyteller is a puzzle game that shines a light on the often whacky writing process of games. You’ll be in control of story blocks on a page as you decide the fates of Medieval characters through their narrative arcs. It has a great book like aesthetic and to now have it coming on Netflix is exciting for everyone. If you can’t wait though, you can already play it on PC via Steam.
Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth Revealed
The last announcement for the Annapurna Interactive Showcase, and the first game to be internally developed. Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth is directed by Chelsea Hash (Solar Ash, What Remains of Edith Finch), as well as other members of the dev team behind Solar Ash. Details on the gameplay is unknown, yet the last title was a point-and-click adventure so we’ll see. The narration sounded like Sam Rockwell – though not confirmed – but the footage we saw sets an awesome tone, looking closer to the Villeneuve film, Blade Runner 2049. The only concrete details are that it’s set in a dystopian Los Angeles during a blackout. However, this is one we’ll be keeping a close eye on.
That is everything from the Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2023 and what a great collection of games. If you want to watch the whole showcase for yourself, you can below.
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