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Hiro's Escape steps out of the shadows in order to be crowned The Big Indie Pitch champion

Hiro's Escape steps out of the shadows in order to be crowned The Big Indie Pitch champion

It feels like an age since we began hosting digital pitches in response to the global situation.

However, despite the circumstances that necessitated this move, our digital pitches have only gone from strength to strength. Allowing us to host an ever-increasing range of diverse brand new gaming experiences from some of the world's most exciting indie developers.

Most recently that meant hosting our most recent Digital Big Indie Pitch #4 sponsored by our season sponsors G-Star, in order to highlight the best and brightest indie developers we can both discover.

This time around we saw 13 exciting and interesting indie developers pitch their latest works to some of our most established judges and journalists. Once again, this pitch didn't disappoint, and whilst the top three games stood out in terms of the voting, nearly every single game in the pitch gained at least one vote, proving the talent on display.

Nevertheless, the judges did, in the end, settle on a top three, and a winner. That winner was the Game Boy inspired Metal Gear Solid meets Celeste action-puzzle game Hiro's Escape. A game which you can read more about below.

For those not in the know, The Big Indie Pitch is a regular event run by the makers of PCGamesInsider.biz. It gives indie developers the chance to pitch their games to industry experts and journalists in a speed-dating-style format. Teams get the opportunity to get valuable feedback on their games, as well as win great prizes such as promotional packages and opportunities to promote their game.

Of course, Hiro's Escape, as you already know, was the winner, but if you want to learn more about not only Hiro's Escape but also our runners-up The Digital Big Indie Pitch (PC+Console Edition) at Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #4, then simply read on.

1st Place - Hiro's Escape by Studio T-REX

Described by the developer as "Metal Gear Solid meets Celeste", Hiro's Escape is a retro-infused stealth-based action puzzler. Set in 1467, the story puts you inside the shoes of Hiro, a Japanese refugee who must locate and rescue their family which has been scattered across the country amongst the turmoil of the Onin War.

Anyone whos has played the original MSX Metal Gear or the phenomenal Celeste will instantly recognise the similarities. However, whilst paying homage to some of gaming's greats, the gameplay is very much its own unique experience. As such, players will have to not only traverse traps and take down enemies, but they will also have to analyse and take calculated risks whilst manipulating enemies through the backdrop of feudal Kyoto.

2nd Place - The Crackpet Show by Vixa Games

The Crackpet Show is a game that looks to seamlessly blend vehicular action with the mayhem of a bullet-hell shooter, all whilst offering easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Within the game, players take control of one of many different animated animal fighters as they take part in a globally broadcast post-apocalyptic tournament.

As you might imagine, whilst the fighters are treated like heroes, these champions must battle not just for victory, but also for their very lives against creatures mutated so heavily that they disgust even the beasts themselves. On top of these grotesque enemies, there's also trap-filled locations and an array of weaponry that must be utilised cleverly in order to succeed in this creepy, post-apocalyptic, rogue-like.

3rd Place - Silicon Dreams by Clockwork Bird

In Silicon Dreams you take control of an interrogation android known simply as D-5270 whose job it is to investigate malfunctions and glitches within other android servants and work out just why certain events have occurred. Of course, over the course of these investigations, you will be able to discover the deepest desires and emotions of your fellow robots.

The gameplay itself takes the form of a narrative conversation game. One in which your obedience to your human masters will be tested to the fullest. Will you fulfil your role or rebel with others?

Want to show off your exciting new game? We host Big Indie Pitch events throughout the year, so be sure to keep an eye on our events page for an event near you.

Upcoming Big Indie Pitch Event Pages & Registration

January 13 - The Digital Big Indie Pitch (Mobile Edition) #5
February 09 - The Big Indie Pitch (PC+Console Edition) at Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #5
February 10 - The Big Indie Pitch (Mobile Edition) at Pocket Gamer Connects Digital #5

More coming soon so make sure to regularly check our upcoming events page here and over on BigIndiePitch.com.

Developer Evangelist & Big Indie Pitch Manager / Special Features Writer

Queen of all things Indie. Sophia is Steel Media’s Big Indie Pitch Manager and Developer Evangelist. She’s also a global speaker and lifelong gamer with a fanatical love of all things Nintendo and Japan. So much so that she’s written a thesis on one and lived in the other.