Indika: Everything We Know

Odd Meter, a former Russia-based independent studio that recently relocated to Kazakhstan due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, has miraculously returned to the center stage to formally announce Indika, a brand-new “mind-boggling” story-driven adventure game for consoles and PC.

Originally planned before the Russia-Ukraine war, the latest project was due to begin development with a headcount of 14 under its wing. However, due to the conflict between the two warring parties, the vast majority of the small studio eventually went on to relocate, thus leaving behind several of its remaining employees and assets. In light of this, the team has, in fact, found a way to carry out the final preparations for Indika’s global release, which is currently slated for early 2024.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right into the latest details. What is Indika, really — and when can we expect to see it arrive on consoles and PC? Well, here’s everything we know about the 11 bit studios-led IP at the time of writing.

What Is Indika?

To put you in the picture, Indika is a third-person adventure game—a satirical love letter, of sorts, that will pay homage to the likes of Dostoyevski and Bulhakov. Billed as a mixture of tragedy and comedy, the upcoming venture will take its players to an alternate version of 19th century Russia—a world in which wrongdoings and morals carry an even greater weight throughout the halls of a local convent.

In the words of Odd Meter: “Play a third-person, story-driven game set in alternative Russia of the late XIX century where religious visions clash with harsh reality. INDIKA tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual companion by her side, the devil himself.” Eerie stuff.

Story

Indika will transport its players to a parallel 19th century Russia—a period in which “religious visions clash with harsh reality.” In this unfathomable love letter that comprises tragedy and dark comedy, players will assume control of Indika, a nun who happens to find herself accompanied by none other than the devil itself—an Evil One who presents Indika with a series of unsolvable mysteries and questions about the meaning of life, and the authorities that pull the strings from behind the curtain.

“On the outside, Indika seems to be a typical nun attempting to adjust to a difficult and monotonous monastery life,” the description reads in part. “Humble and innocent in her appearance, do not be deceived as this young girl has also made a highly unlikely acquaintance—as she speaks with the devil himself.”

“Do our religious beliefs make us better people or are they simply there to help constrain us?” the elevator pitch elaborates. “Are those who exert control over our lives really the ones we should listen to? Indika will have to find answers to these and many more questions before she finishes her life-defining odyssey.”

Gameplay

Odd Meter has described the game as being a third-person adventure, and one that will mix the likes of basic platforming mechanics with a series of puzzles. To add, the game will also tap into some rather interesting and thought-provoking stories and morals—nodes that will contribute to the general flow of a rather unusual, albeit somewhat unique story-driven experience. And while we can’t say for certain what sorts of challenges our unlikely hero will face during her journey of self-discovery, it seems that there’ll be a lot of decision making to help shape the narrative.

According to the devs, Indika will feature a “dark sense of humor”—an element that will run alongside a rather disturbing yet equally as insightful message about religion and authority and “how much they constrain us.” And if you think that’s a lot to take on board, then wait until you get a load of the trailer.

Development

In light of the circumstances surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, developer Odd Meter has been able to successfully transfer its assets over to a new studio in Almaty, Kazakhstan. According to the team, a portion of the profits from the game’s release will be donated to the children and families affected by the Ukrainian war.

In case you missed it, 11 bit studios, a reputable publishing house that’s responsible for the likes of Frostpunk, This War of Mine, and Children of Morta, will be distributing the game at launch. You can follow the team’s progress over on its official site here. Alternatively, you can find a slew of additional details on 11 bit studios’ social handle here.

Trailer

Has Indika caught your eye? If so, then you’ll be glad to know that there is in fact a trailer to flesh out the aforementioned details. Interested? You can catch a minor glimpse of Odd Meter’s latest venture in the pre-launch trailer above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

At the time of writing, Indika is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store at some point in early 2024. Does this mean it won’t be heading to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or Switch? It certainly seems that way at the time of writing, at least. However, who’s to say it won’t happen at some point in the foreseeable future? Only time will tell on that one.

Interested in staying onboard with Indika as it moves closer towards its completion? If so, then be sure to check in with Odd Meter over on its official social handle for all the latest pre-release updates here. If anything changes ahead of its global debut, we’ll be sure to fill you in on all the key details right here on gaming.net.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Indika when it releases on consoles and PC? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.