It’s no secret that the games industry is imploding. Major studios are constantly conducting mass layoffs, no matter how successful their games are. In an uncertain market, risk aversion has seeped down from AAA to indie publishers, making it difficult or even counterintuitive for small game studios to get funding.
Fortunately, wonderful games that break the mold are always going to get made, even if the odds are stacked against them. And a new showcase has emerged to spotlight unique titles you may not have heard about otherwise.
Computer Worlds is a new showcase celebrating the “best in games: the beautiful, the strange, and the distinctive.” The showcase is organized by independent game developers in collaboration with Noclip 2, Noclip’s secondary YouTube channel dedicated to indie game coverage.
The premier Computer Worlds showcase was hosted on Thursday. The showcase featured 15 new and upcoming game trailers, and a montage of 16 additional released games, many of which are currently on sale as part of their Steam event.
“These games are in an odd position right now. On the one hand, they might be the healthiest little corner of the medium, a space where passionate developers are making interesting work sustainably for enthusiastic, supportive audiences. On the other hand, these games are ill-suited to the machinery of the modern internet…Computer Worlds is our attempt to do something about this,” says Gil Lawson, game developer and creator of Computer Worlds.
Here is every game featured in the Computer Worlds showcase.
Ultimate Drummer (PC Demo)
Ultimate Drummer is an upcoming action-platformer where you play as a beefy drummer on a mission to find the gods of music and rock out with them. The demo is out now on Steam.
Queen’s Domain (PC Demo)
The upcoming Queen’s Domain is an action RPG where you traverse a mysterious, fantastical isle to find your missing father. Play the demo here.
Metamorphosis (PC Demo)
Metamorphosis is a 2D action-exploration game set in a dark and mysterious world. You play as a sinful nun on a quest for absolution. Request access to the demo here.
GoblinAmerica (PC Demo)
GoblinAmerica is a surreal 3D movement shooter “filled with lovely sights and horrible places.” The demo is out now.
Brush Burial: Bruiseland (PC Demo)
Brush Burial: Bruiseland is the third installment of the Brush Burial series. Like its predecessors, Bruiseland is a first-person immersive sim full of rich, grimy environments. Check out the demo here.
All Living Things (PC Demo)
All Living Things is a gorgeous clay stop-motion puzzle game about unraveling the secrets of the philosopher’s stone. Play the demo here.
Dread Delusion (PC)
The open-world RPG Dread Delusion is all about the strange, the magical, and the occult. It’s available now on Steam.
Loading… (PC Demo)
Loading… is an upcoming RPG about grief, coming of age, and video games. The demo is out now.
500 Caliber Contractz (PC Demo)
500 Caliber Contractz is a Y2K 3D platformer about a killer-for-hire. You can play the demo here.
Hyperbeat (PC)
Hyperbeat is a fast-paced, stylish rhythm game where you play as a (customizable!) knight “chasing their potential.” It’s available now on Steam.
Erulean Angel: Fantasy Commander (PC, Mac Demo)
The upcoming Erulean Angel: Fantasy Commander is a strategic autobattler set in a handcrafted world. The demo is out now.
Soul Injector Commando (Coming Soon)
Soul Injector Commando is an upcoming anti-capitalist movement shooter where you’re tasked with injecting billionaires with souls. You can wishlist it on Steam.
Titanium Court (PC, Mac Demo)
Titanium Court is an award-winning narrative puzzle game. You can play the demo here.
Vholume (PC Demo)
From one of the creators of Babbdi and Straftat, Vholume is an upcoming parkour adventure game set in a brutalist city. Play the demo on Steam.
World of Dogs (Coming Soon)
Last but not least, World of Dogs is a fast-paced first-person shooter “set in a city paid to bleed and built to fall.” You can wishlist it here.
Montage Games
You can find all of the games featured in the Computer Worlds showcase and more on the Computer Worlds Steam event page.