Hello, I'm Mob. I usually belong to an indie game label called SKOOTAGAMES and am developing as part of the Negolove team, even though I'm a beginner in Unity.
Typically, I'm just a person who makes games at the company and goes home, but it seems my last report was unexpectedly well-received, so I've been tasked with reporting on Tokyo Game Dungeon 7 this time as well.
Normally, I would make excuses like "this isn't really my job" and try to slack off... But I was quite happy that my last report got a good reception and was featured in various places.
So, this time, I would like to introduce several shocking works I've discovered, themed around "mind-blowing indie games," from my perspective once again.
Progress on Negolove?
...I'll save that for later.
Now, let's get started.
There's meaning in releasing: Job Hunting Sister Elise!
The first game I want to introduce is "Job Hunting Sister Elise!" This game truly exceeded expectations right from the start. When I arrived at the booth, the person in charge unexpectedly explained, "The demo only includes the novel part, and the interview part has bugs, so please let us know if you want to play it."
And right after starting the game, the protagonist Elise and the character Julia appear and apologize, saying, "I'm sorry for being late~~~," which was a shocking development.
When I actually played it, the demo was indeed just a short novel part to get to know the story. The interview part mentioned in the pamphlet was, as described, in a state that was hard to call complete.
However, the cuteness of the characters and the uniqueness of the world made me feel rather excited about
"What kind of game will it become when it's finished?"
There was an allure that expanded that expectation.
Also, this game reminded me of the "Negolove" I'm currently working on. I have experience presenting an unfinished game at an event, so I felt a sense of déjà vu, an indescribable similarity.
Perhaps because of that, I found courage in the opening statement, "There is meaning in releasing even if it's unfinished." It's a declaration unique to indie games, and it might be one of the correct answers in the process of creating something. I had a brief conversation with the creator, but I conveyed that I deeply resonated with the words "there is meaning in bringing it to the world."
I look forward to it becoming a wonderful game that surprises us someday. No, I believe it will.
Can you enjoy it even if you're not good with horror games?: Haunted Streamer
Next up is "Haunted Streamer." I heard the words "It's a horse game!" echoing from the center of the venue, and I found myself irresistibly drawn towards the booth. Sure enough, at the booth, a character wearing a horse mask greeted me.
But that's not all. This game features a rather outrageous premise where a streamer, desperate for money, goes live from a haunted house to earn super chats. Essentially, it's a rich 3D horror exploration game, but what's interesting is how it incorporates the element of "streaming."
One standout feature is the unique system where missions pop up from the chat flowing at the edge of the screen, with some tasks to follow and others to avoid… it left a strong impression.
The game is also well-crafted. The atmosphere of the map and the textures of the objects may initially seem like a typical horror escape game, but the previously mentioned "outrageous" elements intertwine to create a bizarre experience that is clearly scary yet makes you laugh.
What I found particularly amusing was that there is a boss battle at the end. I thought, "A boss battle in a horror game?" but perhaps that kind of idea is exactly what this game needs.
Behind its creation was the desire to "bring it closer to the actual streaming experience" and to ensure that "even those who are not good with horror can enjoy it."
Honestly, I think people who are not fond of horror games generally don't prefer haunted house exploration… but even someone like me, who isn't a big fan of horror, found it enjoyable and funny. I truly felt that they achieved a "scary yet entertaining" atmosphere. So, if you know someone who struggles with horror, I would recommend this game by saying, "I think even you can play it!"
I Want to Wander Like This Forever: Girls Maid Pudding
The third game is called "Girls Maid Pudding." Contrary to the cuteness suggested by the title, it has a unique atmosphere.
The story depicts two girls wandering through an abandoned city on a single motorcycle. According to the creators, it's a "Girls Talk Touring ADV."
Drawn in by the unique illustrations, I decided to give it a try, and it surprisingly conveyed a depth of world-building. What stood out the most was the sound design. Despite the dark atmosphere, the gentle BGM that plays throughout made me feel like, "I want to wander this world forever, listening to their conversations."
The gameplay itself is simple, with no particularly difficult aspects. Rather, it focuses on enjoying the conversations of the girls in an unrealistic world, making it a laid-back experience. One of the unique charms of this game is that you cannot skip conversations, and you must move a certain distance to progress to the next dialogue.
Amidst the simplicity typical of indie games, you can feel an extraordinary attention to sound and presentation... it was such a wonderful piece.
Both are undoubtedly anticipated titles: Skill Hockey & Do you like/?
In the fourth booth, I introduced two games. First up is "Skill Hockey."
This innovative game combines air hockey and fighting games, where you control the puck with the mouse while executing moves with the keyboard. There’s a limitation that you can’t use moves unless your opponent doesn’t have the ball, making it interesting to choose between quickly scoring or carefully aiming for a technique.
Then, I was even more surprised by a title called "Do you like/?," which is a murder mystery game currently in development for the Game Boy. It aims to achieve AI generation with a Wi-Fi compatible cartridge while fitting within the capacity that runs on the Game Boy... honestly, I was taken aback when I heard that.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to play it yet. It's currently in development through crowdfunding, and funding has already been completed, with a release planned soon. I feel a bit hesitant to introduce a game I haven't played, but I really wanted to convey the potential this game holds.
Opening up new possibilities for retro games while utilizing modern technology... that’s not something that can be done easily.
I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of reception it will receive upon release.
Everything is shrouded in mystery: Lace Story
Finally, I would like to introduce "Lace Story." Before starting the trial, the creator explained, "It's a novel-style game, and you can finish it once you understand the content to a certain extent." However, even after playing until the time limit, I couldn't fully grasp what this game was about.
But strangely enough, despite not being able to understand it, I couldn't help but be intrigued... it was a work with a mysterious charm.
What caught my eye first was the unique pixel art. It has a strange style that blends nostalgia and novelty, reminiscent of illustrations from epic fantasy novels of the 90s. The writing is also distinctive, with a somewhat translated, literary tone. It had a unique resonance that you don't often encounter in regular games.
In the 10 minutes of gameplay, I grasped the premise: "A mute girl named Love Catch lives with talking cats and dogs and is appointed as a hero to defeat the Demon King." Even though I understood the content to some extent, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen until time ran out.
My conversation with the creator also left a deep impression. It started with a story about being influenced by the 90s video game "Moon," and when I asked, "What do you usually do?" in awe of the game's strangeness, I received the surprising answer, "I don't do anything."
When I inquired about the artwork that piqued my interest, I learned that they finish line art created by AI with their own unique processing. That production method is truly one-of-a-kind for this game.
It's a strange charm filled with a sense of curiosity that I can't quite grasp. I am very happy to have encountered a work that makes me think, "I definitely want to buy and play this when it's released..." at this Game Dungeon event.
Reflecting on this Game Dungeon 7
This time, I introduced five games, each possessing a unique charm that is a bit different from "normal." From a sister's job hunting, a streamer in a horse mask, girls traveling on bikes, incidents woven by AI, to the mysterious story of shoelaces.
While the level of completion and volume varies, each game gives a definite sense of "something." That might be the unique encounters that only Tokyo Game Dungeon can offer.
Usually, I just make games casually and go home, but I am glad to have this opportunity again. Just knowing that there is a place where I can meet such unconventional games has been a significant gain for me.
If you enjoyed this report, I hope to bring you more wonderful encounters with great works at the next Tokyo Game Dungeon. But as it's about time, I would like to conclude here for today.
Progress on Negolove? …That will be for another time. Thank you for your hard work.