SXSW Sydney Games Gift Guide

We spoke with the Games team, and they’ve crafted a list of fantastic tabletop and indie games that make perfect holiday gifts. Check them out below for this holiday season.
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INDIE GAMES

Nine Sols

Embark on a stunning action-platformer set in an East Asian fantasy world. Featuring deep, stylish, combat inspired by Sekiro and gorgeous hand drawn visuals, Nine Sols is one of the year’s best metroidvanias and winner of the SXSW Sydney 2023 Discovery Award. Better yet, it just launched on Nintendo Switch, making it a great choice for the gift giving season and gaming on the go.

@redcandlegames

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WHAT THE CAR?

How much comedy mileage can you get out of a car with legs? Featured in the SXSW Sydney 2024 Games Festival Showcase, WHAT THE CAR? is a silly platformer about getting to the finish line in absurd ways. Racing through each level, you’ll do everything but actually drive a car. Whether rolling, inflating or spinning, the joy of WHAT THE CAR? lies in the surprise and the unexpected, perfect for seasoned pros and casual gamers alike.

@tribandtweets

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DREDGE

Black Salt Games continues to deliver hours of eerie gameplay with recent DREDGE DLC ‘The Iron Rig’. Expanding on the map, narrative and sinister undertones, ‘The Iron Rig’ delves into new lore as you assist the Ironhaven Corporation investigate disturbances stirring in the deep. Winner of SXSW Sydney 2023 Game of the Year, DREDGE stays true to its mission to reel in our attention and keep us hooked. 

@BlackSaltGames

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Death of the Reprobate

Explore a world built from the luscious landscapes, turbulent townscapes and preposterous portraits of real Renaissance painting. Using the familiar faces from iconic artworks, developer Joe Richardson has created an absurdist comedy full of highbrow buffoonery. Nominated for the SXSW Sydney 2024 Discovery Award for its blend of dark comedy, game design and rich storytelling, Death of the Reprobate is a brilliant single-player point & click to play in front of an audience. Death of the Reprobate released on Steam on 8 November.

@JoeMcRichardson

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Go-Go Town 

Go-Go Town is a delightful city builder by Queensland developers Prideful Sloth. As mayor, every decision you make shapes the vibrant and bustling community. Convert tourists to townies, build their homes and give them purpose - all while terraforming your town to suit their needs. This charming life-sim is bursting with character and creativity and provides a cosy backdrop for endless adventures and imagination. 

@GoGoTownGame

@PridefulSloth

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American Arcadia

American Arcadia is a gripping narrative adventure game that seamlessly blends cinematic puzzles with 2.5D platformer and first-person gameplay. Set in a 1970s retro-futuristic dystopia, the story follows Trevor, an ordinary citizen of Arcadia, unknowingly part of the world’s most popular reality TV show. When his luck runs out, you must escape to the real world with guidance from a mysterious voice from withinside the sinister corporation. With its unique blend of gameplay styles and narrative rich story, distinct visual style and compelling characters, American Arcadia is an unforgettable journey you don't want to miss. 

@AmericanArcadia

@OutBlueGames

@RawFury

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Grunn 

You have been hired as a gardener in the idyllic Dutch countryside with plenty to do before the weekend is over. Except, your tools are missing, the owner isn't around, ominous Polaroids are scattered throughout the grounds and it always feels like someone is watching you. With the clock ticking down ever faster, you must complete the gardening tasks as you begin to unravel the mysteries of this small town. With multiple endings and pathways to success, Grunn offers hours of gameplay to discover every possible outcome and escape the garden. 

@TomBoogaart

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Rise of the Golden Idol

The sequel to 2022’s The Case of the Golden Idol, Color Grey Games’ latest release sets the standard for detective games. Explore point-and-click crime scenes to collect clues and learn the truth behind accidents, prison breaks, and murderous conspiracies, all centered around a mysterious ancient relic. The no-time-limit puzzle-based gameplay makes Rise of the Golden Idol a great solo experience, but even better if you’ve got a partner along for the ride.

@ColorGray7

Marrying Mr. Darcy 

You are 20, unwed and becoming a burden on your family, it's time to find a suitor. Dive into Austen’s world of Pride and Prejudice in Marrying Mr. Darcy where, as the young ladies of countryside England, you must secure a husband. Collect Character Cards to buff your stats and attract suitors, wield Cunning Cards to make your rivals undesirable brides. Then roll for your chance to match with anyone other than Mr Collins.

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Fight With Spirit

Storybrewers Roleplaying strikes again with their new tabletop RPG Fight with Spirit. This sports drama RPG pushes the boundaries of traditional fantasy settings,offering fast paced matches and intense tournaments. Build your team with compelling characters and battle your way through a sports tournament while developing your characters’ relationships, hopes and passions. Storybrewers creates an immersive setting so you can unleash your epic story. 

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The Many Pieces of Mr Coo*

Of course the SXSW Sydney Game of the Year had to make the list. The most sumptuous point-and-click we’ve ever seen, The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo blends hand-drawn animation, rotoscoping and photography with hilarious puzzles into a singular experience. A little bit Fantasia and a little bit Monkey Island, there’s nothing quite like Mr. Coo.

@mistercoo_game

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No Case Should Remain Unsolved*

A South Korean, text-based mystery, No Case Should Remain Unsolved is the second unique detective game on the list. Trawling through old record and logs, get to the bottom of a cold case 12 years after your retirement from the force. Filled with fantastic writing and genuinely satisfying eureka moments, it’s a deeply satisfying experience.

@indie_somi

TABLETOP GAMES
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Arcs: Conflict & Collapse in the Reach

If you’re in the mood to sit down for something heavier and don’t mind half an hour of rules, the sci-fi strategy game Arcs is the latest title from Cole Wehrle of Root fame. Much like the tactical woodland brilliance of his previous game, Arcs blends a gorgeous hand-drawn art style with incredibly tight strategic gameplay based on winning hands of cards.

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Sea Salt and Paper

A turn in Sea Salt and Paper is as simple as draw a card, play a card. Using beautiful origami art and a nautical theme, it’s all about pushing your luck and scoring as many points as possible each round. It’s incredibly easy to pick up, genius game design, and it fits in your pocket. What’s not to love?

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Wavelength

As you enter the holiday season, argue about the things that really matter with the people you love. Wavelength is a party game where two teams compete to read each other’s minds. Each round, one player is given a pair of opposite words, for example “Round - Pointy”. A dial will show a position somewhere between those two extremes, and that  player provides a clue so their team can guess exactly where the bullseye sits on the spectrum. But the real fun comes in the post-game discussion, when you argue about how round or pointy a “porcupine” really is. No, of course I’m not still mad about it.

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