Itch.io, the indie alternative to Steam, is generally good for hidden gems, low-poly horror, fan zines and, with some shameful interruptions, junk. It’s now home to a new type of independent music: pop-folk stars. Superstar singer Phoebe Bridgers has launched her own page on the gaming platform, kicking off with an infinite runner based on her latest single.
Lost Boys Game is a simple infinite runner. You ride a passenger princess, avoid goblins, jump obstacles, earn power-ups, collect “PB” coins and quickly pick up speed through fantasy lands before succumbing to a broken heart. You can submit your score to the leaderboard to see where you stand among the other sad knights. Sharing a name and chip-tune rendition with Bridgers’ new Judee Sill-like single “Lost Boys,” the little game seems to continue the journey from the RuneScape-inspired music video featuring SupermanThis is Skyler Gisondo. It’s not as good as, say, Canabalt or that Chrome dinosaur when your internet connection goes out, but for a first effort I gave it a spin or two.
“Lost Boys” is Bridgers’ first release since announcing a hiatus in 2023. The song belongs to the upcoming record Lost weekendwhich will be his first solo album in six years, having previously played in the supergroup Boygenius. Whether it contributed to the link game during said hiatus or plans to invest more in itch.io during the next one, it’s never too late to resume. RPG Creator. As long as you wait for a sale.
If you’re looking for an indie game from an indie musician with a little more depth, James Ferraro’s Troubled and Miserable Game Seed of Desolation has just entered early access on Steam. You can also wait and see if The Weeknd’s current fanboy phase will lead to anything beyond enviable selfies with Yoko Taro and Hidetaka Miyazaki.
