Blissfully juxtaposed to the bombast of Summer Game Fest, this week's Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2023 delivered a smooth series of trailers and developer spotlights for games of all sizes. Release dates, updates, and announcements all made it into the mix, including the reveal of Annapurna’s first internally developed game: Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth. Exciting stuff, but for those who didn't catch it live, we've rounded up everything covered during the show. Get scrolling and start watching.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes looks unsettling and engaging
The Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2023 opened with a cryptic new trailer for upcoming puzzle game Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. It’s developed by Sayonara Wild Hearts developer Simogo and seems to involve solving puzzles within a labyrinth as part of a murder mystery. Sign us up!
Cocoon releases in September
From former Inside and Limbo developer Jeppe Carlsen, Cocoon is an insect-led puzzler that looks set to wrap our brains into tangled webs. Carrying orbs on your back will grant powers to solve certain puzzles, but each of those orbs is its own level you can jump inside to progress through as well. Its set to release on September 29 for PC, Switch, and Xbox.
Lushfoil Photography Sim will let you get snap-happy in gorgeous locales
Stylized photography games and virtual photography have both been on the rise in recent years, but Lushfoil Photography Sim looks to offer the most intimate connection to a digital camera yet. A photo-realistic photography sim, it’ll let you explore beautiful real-world spots like Fushimi Inari’s torii gates in Japan and the mountains of Lago di Braies in Italy. You’re equipped with a professional DSLR camera and all the accompanying settings to adjust and tinker with for the perfect shot. It looks like an experience made to soothe the soul, and promises to feature an “ambient, ethereal soundtrack” from artists across the globe.
Marumittu Games are a couple of developers from Kyoto, Japan
The Annapurna Interactive Showcase then paused the trailers for a charming developer spotlight looking at the developer duo of Marumittu Games in Kyoto. They’re currently developing a game codenamed Project D, to be published by Annapurna.
To A T had us giggling from the get go
Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi is back with a new and no less ridiculous game. To A T stars a child stuck in a permanent T-pose. They must navigate their life with the aid of a helpful dog. No, we didn’t just make that up. Don’t skip the trailer, which features a catchy song reminding our protagonist that, despite their troubles, they’re already the perfect shape.
Flock seems like a fantastic experience with friends
Next was a leisurely look at Flock, the next game from Hollow Ponds, developers of Wilmot’s Warehouse. It’s a game about gathering up lovely bird-like friends while you glide around pretty environments. Different environments and times of day will play host to different creatures, some of which have excellent names like Big Henry. As the trailer shows, it’s also got online multiplayer, letting you tour the sights and gather unusual pals into your flocks alongside friends.
Ghostbike is a lot less spooky than the name suggests
Cycle around cell-shaded environments in the latest game from Nidhogg developer Messhof. Explore and take on races against other ghosts to restore power to the last of the Ghost Bikes – magical couriers which can travel to the afterlife. Restore the spirit of biking when Ghostbike releases in 2024.
Glass Revolver starts all over again with We Kill Monsters
The show’s second developer spotlight looked at Glass Revolver and the development of We Kill Monsters. Originally designed in 2D, the game's solo developer scrapped it part way through to start again in 3D!
Mundaun has been updated for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
The hand-penciled horror mystery Mundaun is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. The expanded launch has seen the game updated with 4K/60fps support on current-gen platforms, bug fixes, and new language support.
Bounty Star details its post-post-apocalyptic desert of mechs
A traumatized soldier-turned-bounty-hunter mech pilot establishes a new life for herself following a disaster at the end of her military career. Hop in your mech to hunt down bounties in third-person action segments, then head home with scrap and rewards to tidy up your run-down workshop, upgrade your mech, and expand your business. All while getting to know the locals of this future-Western American desert and coming to terms with your past. It’s coming to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox in 2024.
Stray pads its way onto Xbox in August
Future-feline adventure Stray will finally come to Xbox on August 10. If the game hasn’t already convinced you of just how well the developers know cats, this amusing trailer certainly will.
Thirsty Suitors releases this November
Outer Loop’s comedic game of a complicated hometown return has finally confirmed a release date. You’ll be able to skate around town, let your parents down, and battle a suite of outrageous exes on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox when Thirsty Suitors releases on November 2.
Storyteller comes to Netflix alongside a free update
The miniature narrative puzzles of Storyteller will be coming to Netflix on September 26, but that’s not all! The launch coincides with a free update on all platforms which will add new scenarios and challenges to take on, including a mean-spirited devil eager to get up to no good in each panel.
Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth is an in-house Annapurna development
Fed up with purely publishing lovely games made by other lovely people, Annapurna Interactive is looking to make itself the lovely one by developing a game internally. It’s even got a lovely license to work with. Blade Runner 2033 Labyrinth is being directed by Chelsea Hash, game director of Solar Ash and technical artist on What Remains of Edith Finch. The trailer teases a former detective who need to return to the job, and promises to post the question “what does a Blade Runner do when there are no Replicants left to hunt?” No word on a release date yet, but we’re hopeful to hear more about the game before long.
Want to catch the full show as it happened? Here’s the entire Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2023:
