Past Amazon Sale Discounted Physical Indie Games Like Aragami and SteamWorld Collection

In November 2016, a sale on Amazon featured discounts on several physical editions of independent games for the PlayStation 4 and Wii U. The price reductions, some requiring an Amazon Prime membership, applied to recently released titles, offering an early chance to acquire them for less than their launch prices.

Stealth and Sci-Fi Action

The Collector’s Edition of Aragami for the PS4 was listed with a 33% discount for Amazon Prime members. Released just a month prior in October 2016, the game is a third-person stealth title from developer Lince Works. Players control an undead assassin with the power to manipulate shadows. The physical collector’s set from publisher Merge Games included the game disc, a digital copy of the soundtrack, and a digital art book.

Also part of the sale was Assault Suit Leynos, a PS4 remake of the Sega Genesis classic known as Target Earth in North America. This side-scrolling mech shooter from developer Dracue Software featured updated HD graphics and refined gameplay. The physical version, published by Rising Star Games, was available for 25% off its retail price for Prime members. The game had launched in September 2016.

RPGs and Puzzles

Earth’s Dawn, a 2D action RPG from developer OneorEight, saw a 33% price reduction. The game pits players against an alien invasion with a combat system that relies on crafting weapons and developing a custom skill tree. Its physical version had been released in North America on November 1, 2016, making the discount notably soon after its debut.

The most significant price cut was for Lumo, an isometric puzzle-platformer, which was 50% off for Prime subscribers. As a modern tribute to the isometric games of the 1980s, Lumo challenges players to navigate over 400 rooms filled with puzzles and secrets. The physical edition for PS4 was published by Rising Star Games and had been available since July 2016.

The SteamWorld Compilation

The Steamworld Collection was discounted by 33% on both PlayStation 4 and Wii U. This physical package from developer and publisher Image & Form bundled two distinct and critically acclaimed titles: SteamWorld Dig and SteamWorld Heist. SteamWorld Dig is a platformer focused on mining and exploration, while SteamWorld Heist is a turn-based 2D strategy shooter with tactical, skill-based combat.

This collection offered a comprehensive introduction to the series for newcomers. At the time of the sale, the PS4 version had been released in October 2016. The Wii U version was scheduled for release the following month, so the discount effectively served as a preorder deal for Nintendo’s console. The promotion was one of many that highlighted the growing trend of indie titles receiving physical releases during that console generation.