7) Hollow Knight (Late 2017)
Team Cherry’s indie metroidvania was a bit of a critical darling when it released on PC last February. It’s a gorgeous, hand-drawn 2D action platformer with an amiable, wee paladin at the helm, which sees you embarking on an epic adventure taking on 30 unique bosses, a plethora of nasty insect monsters and a maze of dark and twisted caverns.
Don’t let the cute art-style fool you, though; this is one platformer that’ll undoubtedly test your reflexes and old-school muscle memory. Blend in some extraordinary magical powers, upgrades and the ability to barter with a selection of friendly beasties across your journey, and it becomes clear that this sweet, little “Nindy” is certainly worth keeping your eyes locked upon for when it releases later this year.
6) Dandara (Summer 2017)
Inspired by a historical Afro-Brazilian slave hero of the same name, Dandara is another metroidvania title that totally oozes slick, retro style and chic. This 2D pixel-art action platformer places you in the boots of the titular historical hero, and pits you against an army of evil machinations in a gravity-bending adventure that sees you ping-ponging from surface to surface like a demented pinball.
That latter point is a key component to its core gameplay as you ricochet around the environment and unlock new skills and open up new, unexplored areas. Campsites are scattered throughout the levels and are used as both a save-point and a means to purchase health potions and other support items. Raw Fury Games have even gone on record and name-dropped Dark Souls as a big influence on their upcoming title.
We cannot wait to get our hands on this promising, little gem.