10 of the Best from 900+ Games in Charity Bundle for Ukraine!

itch.io Ukraine Charity Game Bundle

“If you believe in a cause, be willing to stand up for that cause with a million people or by yourself.” – Otis S. Johnson

What is the Bundle for Ukraine?

Following the various attacks on Ukraine, itch.io has worked with over 700 creators around the globe to curate a ‘bundle for Ukraine’ of nearly 1000 games designed to raise money to help Ukrainians survive the ordeal and thrive after the war ends. Of the 991 games, over 600 have never been in a major bundle meaning there will be lots of fresh content. In fact, a number of developers signed up to itch.io specifically to contribute their games to this bundle! Additionally, unlike previous offerings, this bundle contains no free content and is made up entirely of paid products with a total RRP of $6,539.00!

Funds raised by the bundle for Ukraine will be divided between two charities, International Medical Corps who are providing medical assistance in the region, and Voices of Children who help children cope with the horrors of war and adjust to the aftermath. At the time of writing the bundle has already raised $2,441,239.66 and the bundle’s goal has already been increased multiple times as it keeps being surpassed!

Though extra donations are welcome, the bundle for Ukraine is available for a minimum cost of $10.00 and can be found here!

Top Picks from the Bundle for Ukraine

Homunculus Hotel

Homunculus Hotel - Key Art

Developer: Team SoleTude
Released: 3rd March 2022
Price: £3.99
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Available on: Steamitch.io
Engine: Ren’Py

Homunculus Hotel is a visual novel set in a mysterious hotel that shows its guests surreal but poignant dreams. It is comprised of six stories, as told by different guests to the protagonist Isabelle who spends her days listening to their experiences.

Celeste – Full review available here!

Celest Featured Image

Developer: Matt Makes Games
Released: January 2018
Price: $19.99
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Available on: Steamitch.ioeShopPSNMicrosoftEpic
Engine: XNA

Celeste is a 2D platformer by Matt-Makes-Games (developer of Towerfall) and a reimagined version of the original PICO-8 game of the same name, centred around climbing the mysterious Celeste Mountain. Taking control of Madeline (whom you can rename), you help her overcome the various dangers of the Mountain.

Shut in – Full review available here!

Shut In - Key Art

Developer: Cael O’Sullivan
Released: 30th October 2020
Price: £3.99
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Available on: Steam, itch.io
Engine: RPGMaker

SHUT IN is a short, dark comedy and psychological horror game made by solo developer Cael O’Sullivan and published by Hidden Track, creators of How to Win. It attempts to explore themes of depression, agoraphobia and isolation by trapping the player within a twisted version of their own house whilst being unhelpfully berated by a sarcastic, disembodied narrator.

A Short Hike – Full review available here!

Short Hike - Featured Image

Developer: adamgryu
Released: 30 July 2019
Price: $7.99
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, Switch
Available on: GOGitch.ioSteamEpiceShop
Engine: Unity

A Short Hike is a casual, easygoing 3D platformer by developer adamgryu. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, Claire has gone camping with her Aunt May at the foot of a tall mountain on an island. Although the two birds are enjoying their visit, Claire runs into a problem: the only place with cellphone reception is Hawk Peak!

Don’t Escape: 4 Days to Die – Full review available here!

Don't Escape: 4 Days to Survive - Key Art

Developer: Scriptwelder
Released: March 2019
Price: £10.99
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Available on: SteamGOGitch.ioKartridge
Engine: Unity

Don’t Escape: 4 Days to Survive (formerly 4 Days in a Wasteland)is a point-and-click adventure and survival game in which players take on the role of David whose prophetic dreams of forewarning allow him to navigate (and hopefully survive) the post-apocalyptic world in which the game is set.

Old Man’s Journey – Full review available here!

Old Man's Journey - Key Art

Developer: Broken Rules
Released: May 2017
Price: £4.59 – £8.99
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Switch, Xbox One, PS4, Android, iOS
Available on: Direct DRM-FreeSteamHumbleitch.ioNintendoMicrosoftPlayStation StoreGoogle PlayApp Store
Engine: Unity

Old Man’s Journey is a quaint but emotional puzzle game about the soul-searching adventure of an elderly bearded gentleman. Players must literally shape the various whimsical landscapes to create a path for the wandering OAP as he progresses on his purposeful and pensive expedition.

Super Hexagon – Review available here!

Super Hexagon Featured Image

Developer: Terry Cavanagh
Released: January 2010
Price: $3.00 – $5.00
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS
Available on: GOGHumbleSteamitch.io, Google PlayAmazon AppstoreApple Appstore
Engine: Custom

Super Hexagon is a brutal arcade game in which you keep a tiny triangle floating ahead of the revolving hexagon from being crushed by the oncoming walls. If you can somehow beat all the game’s six difficulties in one attempt, it will only take you around 6 minutes to complete, but completing Super Hexagon typically takes hours or even whole days.

Hidden Folks

Hidden Folks

Developer: Adriaan de Jongh
Release Date: February 2017
Price: £5.99
Platforms: Windows
Available on: Steamitch.io
Engine: Unity

Hidden Folks is a fun, point-and-click, hidden object game. It features a cute, hand-drawn art-style as well as additionally cute ‘mouth-originated sound effects’. The game has a number of levels, each with a different theme and interactive scenery.

Ynglet – Demo review available here!

Ynglet

Developer: NifflasTriple Topping
Release Date: 5th June 2021
Price: £5.79
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Available on: Steamitch.io
Engine: Unity

Ynglet, developed by Nifflas, is a meditative floating platformer, without platforms. Instead, players bounce, float and dash between delightfully doodled bubbles ‘like a space dolphin‘!

Backbone – Demo review available here!

Backbone - Key Art

Developer: Eggnut
Releases: 8th June 2021
Price: £19.99
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Available on: Steam, itch.io
Engine: Unreal

Backbone is a noir detective adventure in which the player takes on the role of Howard Lotor, a raccoon and private eye. Inspired by classic RPGs, Howard must sneak through diverse districts of a now walled-off dystopian Vancouver, sniff out clues, interrogate witnesses, and choose which leads to follow.

Honourable Mentions

A Sketchbook About Her Sun – Full review available here!

A Sketchbook about Her Sun - Featured Image

Developer: Team SolEtude
Released: 11th June 2021
Price: £3.99
Platforms: Windows
Available on: Steam, itch.io
Engine: Unity

A Sketchbook About Her Sun is a new, experimental interactive fiction divided into 11 segments, each one corresponding to a song from Red Ribbon’s new album, Planet X. Players take on the role of Lucia, confused about her feelings for someone and fleeing her home city on a journey of self-discovery!

The Curse of the Crescent Isle DX – Full review available here!

Curse of the Crescent Isle DX Featured Image

Developer: Taraxippus Games
Released: August 2015
Price: $1.99
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac
Available on: itch.ioHumbleSteam
Engine: XNA

The Curse of the Crescent Isle DX is a platformer by Taraxippus Games, where you must save your daughter and spouse from a vengeful warlock! The game takes heavy inspiration from retro games such as Super Mario Bros 2 (USA), Duck Tales, and Metal Storm.

Golf Peaks – Full review available here!

Golf Peaks Featured Image

Developer: Afterburn Games
Released: November 2018
Price: $4.99 ($2.99 on mobile)
Engine: Unity

Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch
Available on: Google PlayApple Appstoreitch.ioSteameShop

Golf Peaks is a card-based puzzle game by Polish studio Afterburn, in which you play the famed sport in a very unconventional way – you lead the ball to the hole using cards! While the core element of overcoming the terrain is still prevalent, Golf Peaks doesn’t include a scoring system but forces you to use your brain to figure out how to finish the level before you run out of cards.

A Morticians Tale – Review available here!

GDC Relief Fun Bundle - A Mortician's Tale

Developer: Laundry Bear Games
Released: March 2017
Regular Price: $8.99 or more
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Details at: itch.io
Engine: Unity

A Mortician’s Tale is a story-driven death positive experience in which the player takes on the role of a recent funeral direction graduate Charlie as she learns the ropes of the business and industry. Tasks include preparing the bodies of the deceased (via embalming or cremation), attending their funerals and listening to their loved ones’ stories, as well as interacting with her coworkers, clients, and bosses.

Speed Dating for Ghosts – Review available here!

Speed Dating for Ghosts - Key Art

Developer: Copychaser Games
Released: February 2018
Price: £2.99 – £5.89
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Switch, iOS
Available on: Steamitch.ioNintendoApp Store
Engine: Unity

Speed Dating for Ghosts is a wholesome horror game about finding companionship and closure in the afterlife. The player can meet up to 12 different spirits, potentially learning about their lives, deaths and even helping them find peace – if things go well, that is.

Bundle for Ukraine Summary

The games listed here are the personal top picks of the Indie Hive team and represent such a small section of the vast array of titles on offer in this bundle. This is a great opportunity to fill your game library with some fantastic indie games whilst making a valuable contribution to a truly worthwhile cause and I highly recommend this bundle!

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