With SXSW Sydney set to kick off its second-ever iteration in October this year, and another 120 games from developers across Australia and the rest of the world to be featured in its Games Festival Showcase, the very first 10 titles to score a spot have been revealed.
As published on the SXSW Sydney website, it’s a line-up of some pretty top-notch upcoming or recently-released games including the very exciting Mystiques from Sydney studio Lemonade Games, the slick-looking Rose and Locket out of New Zealand’s Whistling Wizard and even the hugely-anticipated Hyper Light Breaker from Heart Machine in the US.
“We are so proud to announce these ten games as our first official selections for SXSW Sydney 2024,” says Luke Lancaster, Head of Games and Screen for SXSW in the announcement post.
SXSW Sydney is happening this October 14th-20th and tickets are available here at early bird prices until May 16th – just know before you click that this is an industry-facing event and so tickets aren’t at publicly-accessible prices but Games Festival wristbands will likely go on sale soon to provide more affordable access to just that component for anyone keen check out a whole heap of awesome games.
Check out the 10 games below (descriptions via SXSW). We’ve also dropped links to each game’s Steam page or official website, including some playable demos! Check out the Fruitbus demo, if you can, it’s delicious.
Blood Reaver (Hell Byte Games, Australia)
A dark fantasy, wave-based, first-person shooter where you play as ‘The Nameless Blood Reaver,’ a member of an ancient order. It is your duty to prevent demonic uprisings across the world while uncovering the cause of the unholy scourge. Use a combination of blood magic abilities and lethal weaponry to take on hordes of endless demons in a variety of locations spread throughout the world.
Curiosmos (Céline and the Darlings, Belgium)
Curiosmos is a cute and playful space adventure through the solar system and the wonders of the cosmos. Create your own friendly planets from stardust and give them gravity. Jump from orbit to the planet surface to play with the terrain and atmosphere to create different planetary circumstances. Curio your satellite companion will hand you missions and will give you rewards to play with in return. Encounter all sorts of fascinating phenomena and uncover the secrets of the universe!
Demon Spore (DinoBoss, UK)
Demon Spore is an intense action rogue-like inspired by 80s monster movies where you have to blast your way through tentacle hell as a failed lab experiment gives birth to a rapidly growing viral horror. Use the lab to your advantage and improvise a desperate escape plan before this deadly organism spreads out of control.
DICEOMANCER (Ultra Piggy Studio, China)
DICEOMANCER is a roguelike deck-building game. Despite aspiring to live a peaceful life, fate forced you to embark on an adventure. Make the most of your deck and dice in a world filled with swords, magic, and guns, all to restore the tranquility you once knew!
Wishlist and download the demo on Steam.
FRUITBUS (Krillbite Studio, Norway)
A journey of flavors and friendships awaits you in your cozy, customisable food truck! Forage for fresh ingredients to create your own menu, then feed tummies and souls with home-cooked meals. Fruitbus is a cute first-person culinary adventure, set in an open world where taste is everything. Change the world, one apple at a time!
Wishlist and download the demo on Steam.
Hyper Light Breaker (Heart Machine, USA)
Enter the Overgrowth, a new land in the world of Hyper Light. Play alone or with friends to explore massive biomes, defeat brutal monsters, create new builds, survive the mysterious Crowns and overthrow the almighty Abyss King in this adventure from the creators of Hyper Light Drifter.
Mystiques (Lemonade Games, Australia)
A haunted exploration game about four horrible women, Gem, Aspen, Winnie and Barb, who try to save a failing antique store by adopting a new business strategy: developing psychic powers.
Thank you for having us at Parallels, here's this pic.twitter.com/CyYIOOIoye
— Mystiques (@mystiquesgame) October 5, 2023
No Case Should Remain Unsolved (Somi, South Korea)
No Case Should Remain Unsolved is a detective game where players uncover and piece together memory fragments to solve a long-forgotten case. Follow former police detective Jeon Gyeong as she acquires clues and testimony relating to the case of a missing girl. But with each uncovered memory, only one thing becomes clear: everyone in Seowon’s vicinity was lying.
Rose and Locket (Whistling Wizard, New Zealand)
Rose, a former outlaw, travels through the spirit realm of the Underwest. Take up the once-forgotten skills of the gunslinger in this Action-Platformer adventure, and journey along the breathtaking landscapes on a quest to rescue your daughter’s spirit.
Wishlist and download the demo on Steam.
Window Garden (CLOVER-FI Games, Philippines)
Window Garden is a cozy game that allows you to create and decorate your own virtual indoor garden. With aesthetic cottagecore and wholesome gameplay, learn how to grow plants, succulents, fruits, and vegetables, mirroring realistic gardening experiences.Set the sleep timer and take in the peaceful decoration of your virtual garden while you listen to calming sounds for sleep, work, or study.
