Hello! I am Lee Hana from the SKOOTA editorial team. Have you all read the reports "The Story of My Soul Being Stuck in My Thighs (G-EIGHT Report)" and "Favorite Game Introductions (TpGS Report)" delivered by Mob-kun?
While he was enjoying the excitement of Taiwan, I was actually sweating a little bit.
This is because I landed in Taiwan with a "language ability: survival level" state, lacking confidence not only in Chinese but also in English.
The mysterious confidence of "Well, it will work out somehow!" began to waver the moment I stepped into the airport. However, a miracle happened here. Many Taiwanese gamers actually understood my clumsy Japanese! Perhaps due to the influence of anime and games, I was truly relieved to find an environment where I could communicate smoothly in simple Japanese.
That said, it is still a fact that directly asking deep questions to overseas creators is a high hurdle. Amidst this, the indie game area "Indie House" at this year's Taipei Game Show (hereafter, TpGS) featured an astonishing number of Korean indie games.
These are games from my home country that I rarely get to encounter at Japanese events. For me, who was a bit tired of the language barrier, it was one of the few precious places where I could have deep conversations directly with developers.
So, this time, let's set aside the highly anticipated title 'NAMMO' (which I will leave to Mob-kun's report) and focus on four works that can be said to represent "the untapped potential of Korean indie games." Let me introduce them to you.
🦀 Super King Crab Simulator: A Utopia of Destruction and Crabs for 235 Yen
First up is Super King Crab Simulator, created by Skago Games.
From the title alone, something is already happening, but the content is even more intense. Players take on the role of a giant snow crab, mercilessly destroying a peaceful coastal city to rescue their captured brethren, making for a truly outrageous action game concept.
At first glance, it may seem like a so-called "silly game" (in a complimentary way), and it is indeed that, but once you grab the controller, you will be surprised by how good it feels to play.
Destroying a city as a crab is an experience that's hard to imagine just by saying it, but if I had to compare it, it reminds me of the play style of older open-world games like the 'Prototype' series or the 'GTA' series.
In a sandbox-like space crowded with people and buildings, you dash around with the unique movements of a crab (which are surprisingly fast!) and crush every object in sight with your claws. Rather than feeling "new," there was a certain "comfort of home" in the primitive joy of destruction.
Quoted from the Steam page.
Another reason I wanted to report on this game is the remarkable attention to "detail" hidden within its simple low-polygon graphics.
This might be a point that only players from Korea, like myself, can appreciate... The design of the buildings on the map and the text on the signs are so "realistically Korean" that they make you laugh.
Deliberately left in Hangul without localization, the menus of restaurants, the huge business names, and above all, the outdoor units haphazardly placed behind shops and houses, along with the texture of the surrounding block walls. The scenery, which is subtly different from that of Japan or Taiwan, is recreated in exquisite detail, evoking a sense of familiarity that every Korean can relate to. The sense of guilt in destroying this "familiar town" as a crab was an experience that is hard to come by.
The developer's playful spirit shines through in various places. Catchphrases like "Destroy deliciously" and the level notation cleverly altered to "Kevel" in reference to King Crab are filled with little jokes that make you chuckle. These small discoveries accumulate, fostering a sense of attachment that goes beyond just being an action game.
And above all, I want to emphasize its cost performance. The price on Steam is just 235 yen (by Japanese standards). A straightforward story about destroying a city to save your fellow crabs, intuitive controls that anyone can enjoy right away, and a plethora of well-crafted little jokes. The fact that all of this is offered at this price is, in a sense, miraculous. It's not a case of "you get what you pay for." It's the best entertainment that fully responds to the light-hearted thought of, "I'm bored, so why not become a crab and destroy a city?"
If you're feeling a bit bored right now, I highly recommend you don this crab shell without hesitation.
🎒 Hagyo-gil: The Way Home - A Fear Named Nostalgia in a 2010s Classroom
It seems to have also won an award from INDIE WAVERMAKERS.
Next, I would like to introduce a survival horror game that stands in stark contrast to the cheerful crab world we just discussed, 'Hagyo-gil: The Way Home', developed by "Studio Unfinished Burnout."
The demo version I played at the venue was a short 10-minute experience, but its density made it feel like I had just watched a short film.
The story is quite simple. One day, the protagonist wakes up alone in a school classroom and attempts to escape by gathering clues to get outside. The abrupt introduction, with no explanation, can be disorienting, but as you progress through the exploration, you begin to notice unsettling discrepancies like old equipment and sealed entrances, leading you to instinctively understand, "Something is off about this school."
In the end, a "something" that resembles a schoolgirl in a uniform appears, and the player desperately tries to resist with a mop in hand... Yes, I couldn't win. I met a tragic game over while still gripping the mop (tears).
The setting of being "trapped in an unfamiliar place" is not uncommon in horror games. However, if this work possesses an overwhelming charm that sets it apart from others, it lies in its "insanely high level of spatial reproduction."
If the earlier mentioned Super King Club Simulator is a work that incorporates symbolic "Korean-ness" within its simple graphics, then School Path pursues an astonishing level of realism, seemingly trying to capture the air, humidity, and even the time of day within the game.
The setting is likely a middle school or high school in South Korea during the 2010s. The scenery overlaps perfectly with the time I spent as a student, and it is not just "real." The smell of the classroom air, the echo of footsteps in the hallway, the texture of the desks... despite being purely visual information, it evokes past memories and creates an illusion that stimulates the senses. It is rare to encounter such graphic expression within the framework of indie games, regardless of nationality.
While nostalgia can be a good memory, the true horror of this game lies in the gradual mixing of slightly alien noise into that "too familiar space." It feels as if you are walking through the introduction of a well-crafted horror movie. Unfortunately, it seems that it is not yet available on online stores like Steam, but I strongly hope that when it is released as a full version, everyone in Japan will have the chance to experience this "beautiful yet terrifying School Path."
🍽️ GLUTTONY: Appetite is Power! A Demonic "Full" Hack & Slash
The third game I would like to introduce is GLUTTONY, a rogue-like action game currently in development by Team FG.
True to its title meaning "gluttony," the concept of this game is very unique and instinctual. Players become the "Demon of Gluttony," defeating the "Food Devils" that plague hell and literally "devouring" them to grow stronger. Isn't that a rather appetizing (?) setting?
The basic system of the game is reminiscent of titles like Vampire Survivors and The Binding of Isaac, featuring an overhead hack & slash style. Players scatter hordes of enemies coming from all directions, clear stages, and unlock new abilities and items. If you enjoy this genre, you'll immediately recognize this familiar style.
However, what sets this game apart from existing titles is its "eating" system. In a typical hack & slash, the goal is to defeat enemies, but in this game, "defeating and eating the enemy" is a complete set. When players eat a targeted enemy (which takes the form of a food monster) after their health drops, not only do they recover health, but their "fullness" also increases.
And when this fullness reaches its maximum, the powerful special move "Belly Burst" is activated! During this time, players gain overwhelming power and enter a state of invincibility, tearing enemies apart and throwing them around. However, the delicious time doesn't last long. After a while, fullness resets to zero, and players return to a weak state... This cycle of "eating to grow stronger, rampaging, and then getting hungry again" is designed to be very fast-paced and addictive.
Quoted from the Steam page.
What surprised me at the venue was the volume of the demo. Despite being an event showcase, you could play as three different characters with unique abilities right from the start. I found myself wondering, "Is it really okay to let us play this much in a demo?" The playstyle changes drastically with each character, so it would take quite a bit of time to experience everything, but at the venue, I saw many determined players lining up again and again, captivated by the game's high difficulty and depth.
This could be interpreted as a reflection of the developers' confidence that "once you play it, you'll definitely get hooked." True to that confidence, the cartoonish and vibrant artwork, along with the refreshing and satisfying action, had a "flavor" that made it addictive once experienced.
It seems that GLUTTONY is set to begin early access on Steam this year. The demo is currently available on the Steam store page, so if you want to feel the excitement of Taipei, be sure to download it and experience the world of "gluttony."
🍳 Lone Chef: Seeking the Ultimate Flavor in a Pixelated Wilderness
Lastly, let me introduce Lone Chef, a Metroidvania-style action-adventure game.
In fact, this title had been on my wishlist since before I participated in TpGS. The trigger was a game screen I saw on Steam that was still in development. It showcased breathtakingly detailed and smooth pixel animations, along with a world that left a strong impression at first glance. The romantic setting of "embarking on an adventure to find the most delicious dish in the world" caught my attention.
If the three games I've introduced so far are works that focus on specific ideas or concepts, then Lone Chef is an ambitious project that reflects the developers' "obsession" with not compromising on any element that makes up the game.
Particularly, the "Metroidvania" genre presents a significant challenge for indie game developers. Exploring vast maps, intricately designed levels, unlocking abilities through items, and expanding the range of actions... The emergence of masterpieces like Hollow Knight has raised player expectations, making the challenge even steeper. It's not just about creating paths; embedding the "joy of exploration" into those paths requires an extraordinary amount of effort.
However, after playing the demo at the TpGS venue and later on Steam, I became convinced that this game has the potential to leap over that high hurdle.
The story begins with the protagonist, who dreams of becoming the best chef, setting up their own restaurant to serve delicious meals to people. However, the joy of completion is short-lived as a mysterious enemy attacks, mercilessly destroying the shop. Following the enemy's words, "Offer the most delicious food in the world," the protagonist embarks on a journey across vast grasslands.
What stands out is undoubtedly the quality. The beautiful graphics seen in the videos do not fade even when experienced in motion. The intricate character animations, the detailed backgrounds, and the BGM that colors the world. Even at the demo stage, the level of completion makes one question, "Is this really an indie game?"
Of course, being a demo, there are still some rough edges in the UI, but the charm packed into this adventure more than compensates for it. In a landscape where many Metroidvania titles falter during development, the fact that they reached the point of releasing a demo with such quality deserves applause.
If Mob mentioned 'NAMMO' as a game to watch in a previous report, I, Lee Hana, would confidently recommend 'Lone Chef.' I feel that its current level of attention is far too low compared to its quality. If this article piqued your interest even a little, I highly encourage you to try the demo available on Steam. It also supports Japanese, so you can dive into the world of gourmet food and adventure without worrying about language barriers.
"Good things are good!" The beloved straightforwardness of Taiwanese users
Having wrapped up the main game introduction, let me touch on the atmosphere of the venue one last time. What I found most interesting while exploring the Korean booths was the reactions of the Taiwanese users.
They are truly honest and passionate. Their interest in indie games is incredibly high, and they provide straightforward feedback on the games they play. If they think it's "good," they give a big thumbs up with a beaming smile, and if they think it's "close but not quite," they express their opinions right on the spot. There is no pretense or hesitation. What surprised me the most was their willingness to convey "their feelings" through gestures and expressions, even when there is a language barrier.
The Korean developers were not to be outdone. Many booths had Chinese-speaking interpreters present, and the developers themselves were eager to convey the charm of their games. The enthusiasm of Taiwanese users wanting to "know more" and the eagerness of Korean developers wanting to "share more" seemed to create a great synergy that filled the venue with energy.
Another strong impression I had during this coverage was the "global perspective" of Korean indie games.
Many of the games I encountered, despite being in pre-release or development stages, supported not only Korean, English, and Japanese but also Chinese, and even French and Spanish in some cases. While I believe the recent advancements in AI technology have reduced localization costs, I couldn't help but feel the determination of the developers who are "aiming for the world from the start."
The "heat" that transcends words felt in Taiwan. And the challenge of developers striving to deliver that heat to the world without losing any of it. TpGS was the perfect place to experience the current state and future of indie games firsthand.
I hope this report serves as a catalyst for you to discover your new "favorite game." Until we meet again at the next event! Goodbye (Tsai Jian)!