4 Hidden Gems From SGF: Zelda-likes to Murder Gardens

While Summer Game Fest dazzled audiences with blockbuster premieres, it also offered a platform for indie developers to showcase their hidden gems.

During the festival’s Play Days, VGC immersed itself in titles such as Control Resonant, Alien Isolation 2, Stranger Than Heaven, and a host of other intriguing releases. The team also had the privilege of speaking with the creators behind Final Fantasy 7: Revelation and the legendary director Fumito Ueda—renowned for Shadow of the Colossus and Ico—to discuss his latest venture, Gen Atlas.

“Forever Ago isn’t the typical showcase‑ready title for a crowded event like this. While journalists scramble to their next appointments, it’s easy to overlook a narrative‑heavy adventure. Yet this game captured my attention and left me emotionally invested, to the point where I’d have missed my next meeting in tears.”

The title follows Alfie as he revisits the places that he and his late wife once explored together. Through a series of flashbacks and subtle interactions with objects scattered across each setting, the game delivers an exceptionally heartfelt experience. Alfie can also snap photos with a vintage camera, though this feature serves purely as a visual treat rather than a core gameplay mechanic.

In the demo, Alfie wanders into a rural gas station that he, his wife, and a close friend frequented during their youth. Now, in the later years of his life, the station is tended by a young, somewhat erratic teenager. Their brief exchange showcases the game’s strong writing and compelling performances, hinting at the depth of character that the full title promises.

The game’s opening sequence has been compared to the feel of Disney Pixar’s Up, with its poignant blend of nostalgia and melancholy. While the emotional intensity may not suit every player, the demo and the recently released trailer have left me eager to dive deeper into the story, even if the ultimate conclusion is likely to be a tear‑jerking finale.

D‑topia emerged as the most delightfully eccentric title I encountered at this year’s showcase. The premise is simple yet unsettling: you play as a factory worker in a sterile, immaculate plant that feels both alien and eerily familiar. Each day follows a repetitive cycle—wake, work, return to bed—yet the environment’s otherworldly vibe keeps the experience intriguing and thought-provoking.

In the latest mobile title, players are thrust into a series of logic puzzles that grow progressively more intricate. Each challenge requires you to slide blocks so that the numbers align correctly, demanding quick thinking and precision. While the gameplay feels like a casual brain‑teaser—solvable in mere seconds for those who spot the pattern—it often keeps you on your toes, forcing you to pause and strategise.

Beyond the puzzles, the game’s setting, D‑topia, offers a surprisingly quirky narrative backdrop. I met a handful of its characters, each more eccentric than the last, turning what could have been a simple snack‑time pastime into a truly immersive experience. During a routine visit to the in‑game shop, I discovered that one of the kiosks had malfunctioned, prompting me to power down the entire shop to troubleshoot.

That unexpected shutdown revealed a hidden layer of the Apple‑store‑inspired world, hinting at a deeper mystery that extends well beyond the puzzles. Amid the chaos, a talking mouse added an extra touch of whimsy, underscoring the game’s commitment to blending charm with intrigue.

Meanwhile, a fresh demo of Demi and the Fractured Dream offers a glimpse into a third‑person action adventure heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda. In the short showcase, I faced a handful of enemies, mastering the game’s responsive dodge system, and observed how it weaves puzzles into its combat‑driven narrative.

The character design exudes a charming aesthetic, and the brief playtime offered an engaging atmosphere, though it may not feel groundbreaking. However, the game excels in combat balance; even when facing the first miniboss, adhering to the established mechanics for smaller foes allowed me to prevail.

Based on the demo, the landscape is crowded with titles such as Demi and the Fractured Dream, yet this title’s blend of satisfying combat and straightforward puzzles positions it well to attract players.

Although the narrative remained largely unexplored, the character concepts and evident nods to recent Zelda games sparked my curiosity to delve deeper into the world.

Grave Seasons fuses a charming farming simulator with a murder‑mystery horror twist. It appears crafted to appeal to the streaming community that fueled Stardew Valley’s rise. Yet, after just 30 minutes of gameplay, I was struck by how distinct it feels, standing out in a saturated market.