TECHMASH

Author: Team Techmash!

  • Get Ready for Pure Nintendo Chaos: Pictonico! Is Bringing WarioWare Energy to Your Camera Roll

    Get Ready for Pure Nintendo Chaos: Pictonico! Is Bringing WarioWare Energy to Your Camera Roll

    Nintendo has just dropped a massive surprise for mobile gamers, and it is beautifully, delightfully bonkers.

    Co-developed with Intelligent Systems—the brilliant minds behind the iconic WarioWare series—Nintendo has officially announced Pictonico!, a brand-new party game coming straight to your iOS and Android devices.

    If you miss the nostalgic, quirky fun of the Nintendo 3DS era (looking at you, Face Raiders), this one is going to be right up your alley. The game officially launches on May 28, and trust us, you’ll want to pre-register for this one.

    Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming mobile madness.

    Your Photos, But Make It a Video Game

    The core premise of Pictonico! is beautifully simple: it takes your photos and turns them into fast-paced, surreal micro-games.

    You can use existing pictures from your device’s photo library or snap new ones directly through the app. From there, Pictonico! manipulates the images to put you, your friends, your family, or even your pets right into the centre of the action.

    Official Description: “Lick lollipops, summon genies, defend against zombies, and more, all featuring the faces of your family and friends.”

    Want to see your boss strut down a Hollywood red carpet? Done. Want to go skydiving with your grandma? You can do that too. The game features around 80 comically chaotic minigames that require lightning-fast reflexes on your touchscreen, with gameplay lasting only a few frantic seconds per round.

    Features & Game Modes

    • Stage Progression Mode: Work your way through increasingly bizarre levels.
    • Score Attack: Challenge yourself to see how many micro-games you can survive in a row.
    • Sudden Death / Danger Zone: Extreme speed and zero room for error.
    • Content Sharing: You can save the hilarious outcomes of your games as photos or videos to share straight to your social feeds.

    Price and Privacy: How It Works

    Nintendo is launching Pictonico! as a free-to-start title. You can download the app and play a handful of sample minigames entirely for free to get a taste of the chaos.

    If you want to unlock the full suite of 80+ games, you can purchase two separate content packs via one-time in-app purchases (listed at £7.99 / $7.99 for Volume 1 and £5.99 / $5.99 for Volume 2).

    For those worried about privacy, Nintendo has confirmed that all photo processing is done entirely on-device. Your photos are not sent to Nintendo’s servers, meaning your embarrassing high-school throwbacks and goofy selfies stay safely on your phone. Furthermore, the game doesn’t require a constant internet connection to play—you’ll only need to be online for the initial setup and purchasing new volumes.

    Launching May 28: Pre-Register Today!

    Pictonico! is shaping up to be the ultimate pass-and-play party game for the summer. It officially lands on the App Store and Google Play on Thursday, May 28.

    Don’t want to miss out on the second it drops? Head over to your device’s app store or the official Nintendo website to pre-register today so it automatically downloads to your phone or tablet on launch day.

    Are you ready to turn your camera roll into pure Nintendo chaos? Let us know who the first victim of your minigames will be in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://pictonico.nintendo.com/en-gb/index.html

    #Nintendo #Pictonico #MobileGames #photos #camera #techmash #n5dave #videogames #gamingnews #gaming #gamers #games

  • Set Sail! Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean Launches Today on PC

    Set Sail! Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean Launches Today on PC

    Dust off your tricorn hat and ready the cannons—it’s time to return to the golden age of buccaneering.

    Belgian indie studio Fishing Cactus (alongside publisher Microids) has officially launched Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean on PC. If that name triggers a wave of nostalgia, it’s for good reason: this is a modernised, ground-up reimagining of the classic 1999 strategy hit Corsairs: Conquest at Sea.

    The game is available right now across all major PC storefronts: Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.

    Check out what to expect before you command your fleet.

    A Modern Spin on Classic Maritime Strategy

    Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean isn’t an action-heavy, third-person hack-and-slash. Instead, it drops you right into the tactical and management-heavy macro layer of high-seas warfare. You’ll navigate treacherous waters, manage trade routes, build up ports, and scale your fleet from a single vessel to a terrifying maritime empire.

    You can align yourself with one of five distinct European powers vying for dominance in the New World:

    • England
    • France
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Denmark

    Each faction brings its own campaign storyline, political ambitions, and unique faction ships into the mix.

    Key Gameplay Features

    • Deep Tactical Naval Combat: Command up to 12 distinct ship types. Success depends entirely on wind positioning, ship stats, and selecting the right ammunition (with three distinct ammo types to shred sails or tear through hulls).
    • Revamped Boarding Mode: Instead of simply sending enemy ships to Davey Jones’ locker, you can engage in close-quarters crew battles to capture vessels. This high-risk mode introduces three specific soldier classes—Tanks, Gunners, and Agile fighters—and for the first time, your Captain joins the fray directly.
    • Progression & Trading: Domination isn’t just won with gunpowder. You’ll need to establish profitable trade routes, hunt for resources, complete quests, and reinvest your gold into upgrading your ships, ports, and buildings.
    • Brand New Skirmish & Multiplayer Modes: Want a break from the campaign? Jump into the new Skirmish mode against the AI, or test your tactical mettle online in 4-player multiplayer, complete with an Elo-based competitive ranking system.

    Where to Buy

    If you’re ready to trade your landlubber status for a life of piracy, Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean is out now. You can grab your copy via the links below:

    • Steam * GOG
    • Epic Games Store

    TechMash Verdict: For fans who have been missing old-school, tactical naval strategy games like Sid Meier’s Pirates! or the original Corsairs, Fishing Cactus looks to have built a deep, modernized tribute that’s well worth a look this week.

    Are you planning to sail under the pirate flag or fight for the crown? Let us know your faction of choice in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2397510

    #FishingCactus #Corsairs #BattleoftheCaribbean #PC #Steam #pirates #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames #games #gaming #gamers

  • Pitch Chaos and Couch Commo: ‘Big Bad Soccer’ Officially Launches on Steam

    Pitch Chaos and Couch Commo: ‘Big Bad Soccer’ Officially Launches on Steam

    If you’re tired of the hyper-realistic, overly complex simulation of modern football games that require a degree in sports science just to pull off a basic pass, independent developer Superstar Games has officially delivered your remedy.

    Following up on their initial announcement, the chaotic, fast-paced arcade football title Big Bad Soccer has officially kicked off its full release and is available right now on Steam!

    To celebrate the launch, the game is currently available with a 10% introductory discount until May 25, making it the perfect time to grab a few controllers and rally your mates.

    Pure Physics, Zero Microtransactions

    Big Bad Soccer completely ditches offside traps, complex management menus, and pay-to-win mechanics. Instead, it leans heavily into pure, unadulterated couch multiplayer mayhem.

    The objective is delightfully simple: get a massive, physics-driven football into the back of your opponent’s net by any means necessary—including kicking, punching, and aggressively redirecting the ball.

    What truly sets the gameplay apart is the Superstar Games signature momentum mechanic:

    • The Super Hit System: Land two clean hits on the ball in a row, and you’ll charge up a devastatingly powerful Super Hit.
    • The Mid-Play Steal: Be careful—if you lose control, your opponent can instantly steal your charge mid-play, completely swinging the momentum and keeping you on the edge of your seat.

    “Big Bad Soccer delivers fast, energetic football matches without the slow pacing and complexity often found in traditional sports games. Mastery comes from understanding the physics—not memorizing systems.”

    Game Modes to Sink Your Studs Into

    Whether you want to climb the ranks solo or host a chaotic game night, the full release has a mode for everyone:

    • Campaign Mode: Face off against a gauntlet of increasingly clever AI opponents. There are no stat upgrades or level-ups here; progress relies entirely on your own skill and positioning.
    • Local Party (1v1 & 2v2): Built specifically for classic couch competition, supporting multiple controllers or a mix of keyboard and gamepads.
    • Practice Mode: A completely pressure-free environment with no timers or opponents, letting you master the ball physics at your own pace.

    Key Features At A Glance

    FeatureDescription
    The Pitch VarietyCompete across five unique pitches, each offering a distinct visual style and atmosphere.
    Character CustomizationCreate your own custom player avatar to star in match intros. (Cosmetic only, keeping the playing field level!)
    Subtle Auto-AssistA minor magnet effect helps beginners reliably connect with the ball, while precise timing separates the pros.
    Lightweight InstallAt just under 700 MB of storage space, it’s a quick install that won’t hog your hard drive.

    Get in on the Action

    If you’re looking for a high-energy, laugh-out-loud alternative to typical sports simulators, Big Bad Soccer is a breath of fresh air. It is the ultimate palate cleanser for the football season.

    Head over to the Big Bad Soccer Steam Store Page to check out the official trailer, download the free demo, or grab the full game while the 10% launch discount is active!

    Are you ready to trade the tactics board for pure arcade chaos? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be grabbing this for your next game night!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3200940

    #SuperstarGames #BigBadSoccer #Steam #arcade #football #soccer #techmash #n5dave #videogames #gamingnews #gamers #games #gaming

  • Hook, Line, and Sinker: Post-Apocalyptic Fishing Adventure DREADMOOR Drops First Public Playtest for Steam Ocean Fest!

    Hook, Line, and Sinker: Post-Apocalyptic Fishing Adventure DREADMOOR Drops First Public Playtest for Steam Ocean Fest!

    Move over, cosy fishing simulators—there is something deeply unsettling lurking in the water, and we are absolutely here for it.

    DREADMOOR, the highly anticipated dark, first-person fishing adventure from developer Dream Dock and publisher Digital Vortex Entertainment, has officially hit a massive milestone, sailing past 200,000 Steam wishlists. To celebrate, the team is throwing open the gates to the Submerged Lands by participating in Steam Ocean Fest.

    What does that mean for you? The game’s first-ever public playtest is live right now on PC via Steam! If you want to experience the terrifying side of the tide, you’ll want to jump in quickly.

    Reel for Your Life in a Drowned World

    If your immediate thought upon hearing “horror fishing” is Dredge, you’re on the right track—but DREADMOOR steers the genre into much darker, more visceral territory. Rather than managing a boat from a distant overhead camera, you are dropped directly into a gritty, tactile first-person perspective.

    Set in an early 20th-century bayou devastated by a catastrophic plague and nuclear ruin, you play as a lone survivor piloting a battered fishing trawler through a flooded, rotting world. Here, fishing isn’t a relaxing side-quest or a meditative pastime; it is a desperate, heart-pounding struggle for survival.

    Check out the core gameplay loop you’ll be navigating:

    • Fish What Lurks Below: Cast your line into murky, irradiated waters to catch rare, heavily mutated species. But keep an eye on your haul—these hyper-aggressive sea creatures won’t hesitate to devour each other right inside your boat’s hold.
    • Scavenge & Craft: The waters are littered with more than just monsters. You’ll need to salvage scrap metal and forgotten blueprints from sunken ruins to craft reinforced harpoons, specialised bait, and vital medicines.
    • Upgrade Your Vessel: Trade your terrifying catches to cryptic local merchants (including a duo running a bait shop perched on the back of a literal giant crab) to upgrade your hull, fuel up, and prepare for worse threats.
    • Real-Time Combat: The nightmare doesn’t stop at the shoreline. Twisted aberrations will actively attack you both on the water and on foot, turning routine resource runs into frantic fights for your life.

    What’s Included in the Steam Playtest?

    The exclusive limited preview gives players a hearty taste of the atmospheric tension Dream Dock has been brewing. The playtest introduces several brand-new features never shown to the public before, including:

    • Dynamic Day/Night Cycle: Exploring under the sun is tense enough, but when darkness falls, horrific tentacle attacks rise from the depths to hunt your boat.
    • Tactile Environmental Puzzles: Tune radios to the correct frequencies, use lockpicks to breach restricted areas, refuel generators, and solve water-flow puzzles to survive.
    • The Mastery System: Unlock new crafting recipes as you adapt to the harsh environment.
    DREADMOOR PC System Requirements (Recommended)
--------------------------------------------------
OS:         Windows 10 or higher
Processor:  Intel i7 8700 or higher
Memory:     16 GB RAM
Graphics:   Nvidia RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
Storage:    60 GB available space
DirectX:    Version 11

    Cast Off Before It’s Too Late

    DREADMOOR is currently slated for a full release in Q4 2026, which makes this surprise public playtest the perfect opportunity to see if you have the stomach for the mutated deep.

    The Steam Ocean Fest playtest is live starting today, but it won’t stay afloat forever. Head over to the DREADMOOR Steam Page, hit “Request Access” for the playtest, and see if you can survive what’s waiting beneath the waves.

    Are you brave enough to take the helm, or are you staying firmly on dry land? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3629430

    #DREADMOOR #fishingadventure #postapocalypticworld #DreamDock #DigitalVortexEntertainment #SteamOceanFest #publicplaytest #Steam #PC #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames

  • The End of the World is on the Line: Schrödinger’s Call Rings Up Nintendo Switch and PC This May

    The End of the World is on the Line: Schrödinger’s Call Rings Up Nintendo Switch and PC This May

    If you are a fan of beautifully illustrated, emotionally heavy narrative adventures like Spiritfarer or What Remains of Edith Finch, you will want to mark your calendar for May 28th, 2026.

    Publisher Shueisha Games, alongside indie developer Acrobatic Chirimenjako, has officially announced that their highly anticipated visual novel, Schrödinger’s Call, is launching digitally on both Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

    To sweeten the announcement, a brand-new Chapter 1 preview trailer has been dropped, offering a deeper look at the game’s hauntingly beautiful world.

    “When the world ends, who is the last person you want to speak to?”

    That is the central, heartbreaking question behind Schrödinger’s Call.

    The narrative unfolds in the final 21 nanoseconds before a rogue moon crashes into the Earth, ending all life. In this fleeting moment between existence and oblivion, a young girl named Mary awakens in a strange, unfamiliar room. She has absolutely no memory of who she is or how she got there.

    Guided by a mysterious, talking cat named Hamlet, Mary discovers she has a singular, crucial purpose: she is the world’s last listener.

    Using an old, antique telephone, Mary answers calls from strangers caught on the brink of death. As players guide Mary through these conversations, they will hear intimate stories of love, grief, solace, and the final regrets of a dying world—all while slowly piecing together the mystery of Mary’s own identity.

    Check out the features to expect:

    • A Storybook Aesthetic: Features a gorgeous, warm, hand-drawn art style that feels like flipping through a theatrical picture book.
    • Deep Emotional Stakes: A narrative that focuses heavily on the beauty and pain of human connection, making every dialogue choice feel heavy.
    • A Celebrated Pedigree: Developed by a passionate three-person team, the game already won the prestigious Grand Prize at the Shueisha Game Creators CAMP GAME BBQ Vol. 1.

    Play the Demo Now (and Try Chapter 3 Early!)

    You don’t actually have to wait until May 28th to get a taste of this emotional journey. A free Chapter 1 Demo is currently live on Steam, where it has already secured an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating from players. Best of all, any progress you make in the demo will seamlessly carry over to the full game at launch.

    For those lucky enough to be attending the BitSummit PUNCH indie game festival in Kyoto, Japan, later this month (May 22nd–24th), Shueisha Games will have a major presence. Visitors to booth 3F-A05 can play an exclusive, world-first build of Chapter 3 and witness a special live comedic stage performance by the game’s Japanese promotional voice actors, Kana Ichinose (Mary) and Rei Sakuma (Hamlet).

    How to Prepare for Launch

    Schrödinger’s Call will retail for $17.99 (regional UK pricing to be finalised) and will support English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese language options.

    The Nintendo Switch eShop page is officially live, so you can head over and wishlist it right now alongside the Steam store page.

    Are you ready to pick up the phone at the end of the world? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be playing Schrödinger’s Call on Switch or PC this month!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2090390

    #ShueishaGames #SchrodingersCall #NintendoSwitch #PC #Steam #BitSummitPUNCH #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames #games #gaming #gamers

  • EDEN95 Announced: A Narrative Survivorlike Set Inside a Retro Windows 95 Desktop

    EDEN95 Announced: A Narrative Survivorlike Set Inside a Retro Windows 95 Desktop

    If you miss the days of dial-up tones, chunky beige monitors, and the satisfying crunch of a spinning floppy drive, then your inner ’90s tech geek is about to be very happy. Independent developer snakeCase inc. has just officially pulled back the curtain on EDEN95, a highly unique narrative “survivor-like” bullet hell that plays out entirely inside a simulated Windows 95 desktop environment.

    Part nostalgic operating system simulator, part high-octane roguelite, and part corporate conspiracy thriller, EDEN95 looks like a beautifully weird addition to the retro-gaming landscape.

    Check out the breakdown of what to expect below.

    The Story: A High-Stakes Deal from 1995

    The year is 1995. You receive a mysterious message from an enigmatic entity known as the Eden Group. They claim you are the best in the world at what you do, and they have a proposition: complete their highly secretive video game, and they will give you enough money to save your dying father’s life.

    With the stakes that high, you don’t ask questions. You boot up the PC, the fans spin up, and you’re dropped right into a simulated retro OS interface. As the “operator,” you will have to tab between game windows, upgrade menus, and quest assignments. But as you progress, you’ll start to uncover the dark truth behind the Eden Group. Will you blindly follow orders, or deviate from the script?

    ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?  Eden_Group_OS [v1.0.95]                               - ?
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?  > Booting EDEN95.EXE...                                 ?
?  > Warning: Weapon systems tied directly to locomotion.   ?
?  > Good luck, Operator. Your father is counting on you.  ?
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    The Twist: Your Gun is Your Engine

    If you’ve played Vampire Survivors or any of its spiritual successors, you know the drill: move around and dodge hordes of enemies while auto-firing. However, EDEN95 flips the script with one massive, chaotic twist: you have no movement keys.

    Recoil-Based Movement: Your mech cannot move on its own. Instead, every single shot you fire propels your mech in the exact opposite direction.

    In this game, mastering your weapon is quite literally mastering your movement. You’ll have to constantly balance shooting at a threat with where that shot will physically throw you on the screen. It turns the bullet-hell genre into a deeply tactical dance of momentum.

    Build Your Own Magazine

    Adding to the complexity is a deep Magazine Buildcrafting system. Rather than just picking random passive upgrades, you act as the architect of your own ammunition loop.

    • Sequential Firing: Bullets fire in a strict sequence out of your magazine.
    • Custom Loadouts: You choose the specific bullet type for each slot.
    • Modifiers: You can apply unique modifiers to individual magazine slots, changing how specific bullets behave in the queue.

    Planning your firing lineup is just as vital as your aim. Between rounds, you’ll use traditional roguelite progression to upgrade your mech mid-run for immediate survival, alongside purchasing permanent upgrades using your earnings between attempts.

    Meet the Developers

    EDEN95 is the debut title from snakeCase inc., a tiny two-person independent studio based in Sweden. They are aiming to create games with incredibly distinct mechanical identities paired with rich, unfolding narratives—and a simulated Windows 95 interface wrapped around a physics-based bullet hell certainly fits that bill.

    System Requirements & Release

    Because it’s styled like a 1995 operating system, it won’t take a beast of a modern rig to run it. The PC requirements are incredibly modest:

    SpecificationMinimum Requirement
    OSWindows 10
    ProcessorDual-core 2.0 GHz
    Memory2 GB RAM
    GraphicsIntegrated Graphics (DX10+)
    Storage200 MB available space

    While the official release date is still To Be Announced, the game’s official Steam page is officially live. You can head over right now to check out the reveal trailer and add EDEN95 to your Steam Wishlist.

    Are you ready to dig into the nostalgia of the ’95 desktop, or does the thought of recoil-only movement give you pre-millennium anxiety? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4597210

    #EDEN95 #NarrativeSurvivorlike #Windows95Desktop #techmash #n5dave #steam #computers #gamingnews #videogames #games #gamers #gaming #snakeCase

  • MicroProse Announces Battlespace Command: A Massive, Full-Spectrum Modern Warfare RTS

    MicroProse Announces Battlespace Command: A Massive, Full-Spectrum Modern Warfare RTS

    MicroProse is officially continuing its legendary streak of delivering hardcore, high-fidelity military strategy. The iconic publisher has announced the signing of Battlespace Command, a massive-scale real-time strategy and warfare simulation game developed by Wirraway Software.

    Dropping alongside a brand-new announcement trailer, Battlespace Command promises to deliver the full spectrum of modern combat across land, air, and sea—all on an unprecedented, true-to-life scale.

    Check out what we know so far about this incredibly ambitious upcoming PC title.

    True Combined Arms: No Abstractions, No Off-Map Hand-Waving

    For years, many RTS games have had to compromise on scale. If you wanted to call in an airstrike or artillery barrage, it usually meant clicking a cooldown button to watch magic missiles rain from off-screen. Battlespace Command is throwing that playbook out the window.

    In this sandbox, every single asset exists physically on the battlefield. If you want to launch a cruise missile strike, order close air support, or fire an artillery battery, you will be commanding the literal units executing those orders from their actual, real-time positions.

    The game spans everything from squad-level infantry engagements to guiding massive aircraft carriers across the ocean. Players will manage an insane roster of over 250 unit types representing more than 50 modern nations.

                               THE MODERN BATTLESPACE
                                     ?
         ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
         ?                           ?                           ?
     LAND DOMAIN                 AIR DOMAIN                  SEA DOMAIN
 ??????????????????         ??????????????????         ??????????????????
 • Infantry Squads          • Fighter Jets             • Aircraft Carriers
 • Main Battle Tanks        • Strategic Bombers        • Guided Destroyers
 • Artillery Batteries      • Attack Helicopters       • Stealth Submarines
 • Mobile SAM Sites         • Recon & Strike Drones    • Amphibious Assets

    Massive Scope and Realistic Sensors

    Built utilising real-world geographic data, the battlefields in Battlespace Command are staggeringly huge, spanning up to 6,250,000 square kilometres. Because everything is kept to real-world proportions, engagement ranges, unit movement speeds, and operational pacing are grounded in actual military reality.

    Winning isn’t just about who clicks the fastest; it’s about information dominance. The game features a deeply sophisticated, physics-based simulation of:

    • Radar and sensor coverage
    • Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)
    • Jamming and electronic warfare
    • Communication network links

    If your communications are jammed or your radar network is blindsided, your units will be fighting blind.

    Dual Perspectives: Operational Command Meets 3D Visuals

    One of the coolest features highlighted by Wirraway Software is the dual-perspective system.

    Players can seamlessly and fluidly switch between a clean, high-level tactical command map—perfect for drawing up grand strategies, setting Rules of Engagement (ROE), and directing multi-domain manoeuvres—and a fully simulated, highly detailed 3D battlefield view to watch the cinematic chaos of war unfold in real time.

    Key Feature Highlight: The game features fully destructible environments and enterable buildings, meaning urban combat will be just as grueling and tactical as large-scale naval clashes.

    Built as a Long-Term Wargaming Platform

    MicroProse and Wirraway are clearly building Battlespace Command with longevity in mind. The game will launch with a powerful in-game mission editor and scenario creator, allowing players to script complex custom operations with full control over AI behaviour.

    Furthermore, the developers have promised extensive modding support right out of the gate—allowing the community to tweak core simulation parameters, build custom maps, and add new units—alongside planned Steam Workshop integration for easy sharing.

    Availability

    Battlespace Command is being developed for PC (Windows 10/11). While MicroProse has yet to lock down an official release date, the game’s official Steam store page is now live, meaning you can head over right now to check out the trailer and add it to your wishlist.

    Are you ready for a return to ultra-realistic, grand-scale modern wargaming? Let us know your thoughts on Battlespace Command in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4413130

    #MicroProse #BattlespaceCommand #RTS #ModernWarfare #StrategyGames #techmash #n5dave #videogames #games #gaming #gamers #gamingnews

  • The Depth of Horror: ‘The Last Caretaker’ Drops Massive ‘Below Us’ Content Update 4

    The Depth of Horror: ‘The Last Caretaker’ Drops Massive ‘Below Us’ Content Update 4

    If you’ve been brave enough to brave the eerie corridors of The Last Caretaker in Steam Early Access, it’s time to steel your nerves once again. Indie developer Channel37 has proudly announced the arrival of Content Update 4: Below Us, and it promises to drag players into a whole new depth of terror.

    Known for its suffocating atmosphere and tense gameplay, The Last Caretaker has been quietly building a dedicated fanbase of horror purists. With Below Us, the stakes—and the floor levels—are dropping significantly.

    Here is everything you need to know about what’s lurking in the dark.

    Descending into the Deep

    As the title implies, Below Us shifts the focus of the game downward. Players will unlock access to entirely new subterranean levels of the facility, featuring claustrophobic maintenance tunnels, forgotten sub-basements, and decayed infrastructure.

    Channel37 has teased that these new areas aren’t just aesthetic changes; they introduce entirely new gameplay mechanics, including:

    • Vertical Threat Dynamics: Hazards and entities can now stalk you from above and below, utilising grates and elevator shafts.
    • Environmental Hazards: Manage failing structural integrity and flooded sectors that slow your movement when you can least afford it.
    • Expanded Lore: Discover forgotten logs that piece together exactly why this facility was abandoned—and what was left behind to rot.

    New Tools, New Terrors

    You won’t be heading into the depths completely empty-handed. Content Update 4 introduces a revamped inventory mechanic and a couple of new defensive tools to help you buy a few precious seconds of life. However, in true The Last Caretaker fashion, resources remain brutally scarce.

    Of course, a horror update wouldn’t be complete without something new chasing you. Without spoiling the surprise, Channel37 has hinted at a new entity lurking in the sub-levels that reacts heavily to sound. Step lightly.

    Developer Note: “With ‘Below Us,’ we really wanted to lean into the feeling of isolation. The further down you go, the farther away help feels. We’ve listened closely to our Early Access community, and this update brings a lot of the environmental storytelling and tension they’ve been asking for.”

    Available Now on Steam

    The Last Caretaker is continuing its strong march through Steam Early Access, and Content Update 4 is a testament to Channel37’s commitment to shaping the game alongside its community.

    If you already own the game, the update should be downloading automatically as we speak. If you haven’t jumped in yet, there’s never been a better (or creepier) time to test your survival instincts.

    Are you ready to find out what’s waiting below? Head over to Steam, update your game, and remember to check your corners.

    For the latest indie horror updates and tech news, keep your eyes locked on TechMash.co.uk.

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/1783560

    #Channel37 #ContentUpdate #BelowUs #TheLastCaretaker #EarlyAccess #Steam #scifi #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames #games #gamers #gaming

  • Dragon Loop: Gorgeous Time-Loop Metroidvania Gets Nintendo Switch Physical Release This June

    Dragon Loop: Gorgeous Time-Loop Metroidvania Gets Nintendo Switch Physical Release This June

    Indie game publishers Leoful and developer Happy Player have announced that the hand-drawn, time-bending Metroidvania Dragon Loop is officially locking in a physical release for the Nintendo Switch.

    Physical game collectors and handheld adventurers can get their hands on a boxed copy starting June 11, 2026.

    If you’ve been looking for a fresh, gorgeous side-scroller to add to your physical Switch library, this one deserves a spot on your radar. Catch the newly released physical edition trailer below to see it in action:

    Escaping the 5-Day Loop

    In Dragon Loop, you step into the shoes of Xi, a young girl trapped in a strict five-day time loop. Alongside her reliable companion Ouro, Xi must navigate a vast, beautifully hand-drawn world to recover her lost memories and break the cycle before disaster strikes.

    Unlike traditional roguelikes, where a reset means losing everything, Dragon Loop treats time as a strategic resource. You map out your journeys using an in-game Time Map, opening up new worldlines to see how events and landscapes subtly alter depending on the day.

    Key Gameplay Features:

    • Turn Bosses into Summonable Spirits: Defeating the game’s unique bosses allows you to turn them into valuable allies. You can summon Explosive Spirits for raw firepower or Persistent Spirits to aid you over time, both of which can be upgraded.
    • Multipurpose Metroidvania Tools: Hidden throughout the world are rare Pearls that unlock unique traversal tools—such as magnetic boxes, spiky pufferfish, and a vacuuming whale spirit. Each tool pulls double duty in both exploration and combat.
    • Fast-Paced, No-Contact-Damage Combat: The combat relies heavily on speed and synchronisation between Xi and Ouro. An integrated “X-Rating” system rewards smooth play by boosting your combat power, and crucially, there is no contact damage from enemies, encouraging aggressive, fluid positioning.

    Retail & Pre-Order Details

    Pre-orders for the physical edition are going live at online and brick-and-mortar retailers, with initial availability confirmed across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and wider Southeast Asian markets, alongside global import availability for international collectors.

    The physical cartridge will feature robust language support, including English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, and Spanish.

    Media & Creator Opportunities

    Leoful has indicated they are actively looking to connect with the global gaming community ahead of the launch. The publisher is open to inquiries regarding review keys, developer interviews, and coverage opportunities from media outlets and content creators worldwide.

    If you are a writer, streamer, or content creator looking to cover the launch of Dragon Loop

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2059210

    #Leoful #NintendoSwitch #DragonLoop #timeloop #metroidvania #techmash #n5dave #videogames #gamingnews #games #gamers #gaming

  • Chaotic Ragdoll Physics Meet Intense Time-Attacks: Wilgold’s Playground Drops a Steam Demo

    Chaotic Ragdoll Physics Meet Intense Time-Attacks: Wilgold’s Playground Drops a Steam Demo

    If your idea of a good time involves throwing a physics-defying character down a giant slide, crashing spectacularly into obstacles, and shaving milliseconds off your lap times, then we have some excellent news for you.

    Solo developer Wilgold Entertainment has officially released a playable Steam demo for Wilgold’s Playground, a third-person ragdoll physics platformer that prioritises high-octane speed, chaotic crashes, and precision movement.

    Welcome to the Playground

    In Wilgold’s Playground, players take control of Ray, a young boy trapped in a bizarre, mysterious world orchestrated by the “Eternal Emperor.” To escape and find his way home, Ray must compete in a series of gruelling, physics-based time-attack challenges.

    Unlike traditional, rigid platformers, this game is built entirely around momentum and ragdoll physics. Players can slide or grip onto virtually any surface, but with limited air and ground control, every run promises to be beautifully chaotic. The character dynamically reacts to both the environment and your controller inputs, making every crash look as hilarious as it feels frustrating.

    Key Features to Expect:

    • Physics-Driven Platforming: A movement system entirely focused on maintaining speed, execution of slides, and handling spectacular crashes.
    • Time-Attack Formats: Push your limits across levels, trying to secure coveted bronze, silver, and gold medals.
    • Progressive Mechanics: While early stages focus on mastering tight slides, later parts of the game introduce larger traversal challenges, no-gravity powers, and reality-bending portals.
    • A Solo Passion Project: Handcrafted entirely by a lone developer, offering over 26 unique challenges across 5 distinct environments in the final release.

    What’s Inside the Steam Demo?

    The newly released demo is designed to give players a taste of both the narrative hook and the punishing late-game skill ceilings.

    The Contestant Experience Program includes:

    • The First Level: A proper introduction to the game’s mechanics and the beginning of Ray’s journey.
    • Challenge 8: A medium-difficulty trial that skips the pleasantries and throws you straight into the deep end. This level forces you to use advanced paths and mechanics, requiring your full attention to complete the 3 mandatory laps needed to get scored by the Emperor.

    The Verdict: Flow-State vs. Pure Frustration

    What makes Wilgold’s Playground particularly intriguing is its dual nature. The main story mode aims to get players into a rhythmic, meditative “state of flow” as you learn the tracks and master the perfect slide. However, for the true masochists, the standalone Challenge Mode promises handcrafted levels where “failure will be the norm” and reaching the finish line at all is a massive achievement.

    Wilgold’s Playground is slated for a full release later in 2026. If you want to test your reflexes (and patience), the playable demo is available to download right now on Steam.

    Are you ready to please the Emperor, or are you just going to spend an hour watching Ray bounce down a hill? Let us know your best lap times in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://wilgold.com

    #WilgoldsPlayground #Ragdoll #physicsplatformer #techmash #n5dave #timeattackplatformer #PC #Steam #WilgoldEntertainment #games #gaming #gamers #gamingnews #videogames

  • Next-Gen Hex Tactics: ‘Heroes of Magic and Steel’ Striking Steam on May 28th

    Next-Gen Hex Tactics: ‘Heroes of Magic and Steel’ Striking Steam on May 28th

    Tactical strategy fans, clear your schedules for late May. If you’ve been searching for a game that tests your brain power rather than your button-mashing reflexes, Gaister Studios is about to deliver exactly what you need.

    Mark your calendars for May 28, 2026, because Heroes of Magic and Steel is officially launching on Steam, bringing an incredibly clever blend of turn-based hex-grid combat, deep team building, and permanent card-driven commitments.

    Strategy Without the Safety Nets

    While deckbuilding games have experienced a massive boom over the last few years, Heroes of Magic and Steel isn’t content with just following the crowd. According to Game Designer Lucas Gamarra, the team wanted to build something where raw strategy dictates victory, rather than just waiting on a lucky draw.

    The game’s core mode features a massive twist that completely changes the deckbuilding meta: there is no card recycling during a run. > “In the core mode, every card you play is a concrete commitment. Once a card is played, it stays out until the end of your run.”

    This creates an intense, long-term resource management puzzle. You aren’t just trying to win the skirmish right in front of you; you have to plan how your deck will survive the entire journey. For casual players or those looking for a faster pace, a standard mode featuring traditional card cycling is also available.

    The Core Pillars of Gameplay

    Heroes of Magic and Steel requires you to think like a tabletop general. A typical run demands mastery over three major elements:

    • Hex-Grid Positioning: Battles take place on a dynamic hexagonal grid where every single tile matters. You’ll need to read the terrain, manage sightlines, and avoid positioning mistakes that clever enemy factions will ruthlessly exploit.
    • Three-Hero Team Synergies: You don’t just control a single protagonist. Instead, you build a squad of three distinct heroes per run. Success comes from combining their individual card pools to cover weaknesses, set up devastating combos, and create massive battlefield advantages.
    • Adaptive Faction Meta: Every enemy group forces you to change your playstyle. Some factions will try to overwhelm your squad with pure numbers, others will target your deck size directly to starve your options, and some require immense patience to crack.

    From Board Game Roots to Comic-Book Stylised Glory

    What makes this project even more fascinating is its developmental journey. Heroes of Magic and Steel was originally envisioned as a static tabletop board game featuring miniatures. However, as Gaister Studios expanded, they realised the visual potential was much bigger.

    The final game features a gorgeous, hand-drawn comic book art style. The game’s entire lore and narrative unfold through beautiful, stylised comic panels between battles. With every successful run you complete, you’ll unlock more of the story, giving lore-hunters a great incentive to keep experimenting with different hero combinations.

    How to Play

    Heroes of Magic and Steel launches on PC via Steam on May 28, 2026. Future console versions are also planned down the line for Nintendo Switch (and its successor), Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 4/5.

    If you want to test your tactical mettle before the full release, there is currently a highly rated free demo available right now on Steam to give you a taste of the hex-grid gauntlet ahead.

    Are you planning on picking this up on launch day? What hero combinations are you looking forward to building? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3226660

    #NuntiusGames #GaisterStudios #HeroesofMagicandSteel #Steam #tacticalcombat #hexagonalgrid #deckbuilding #strategic #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #gamingnews

  • Think Big, Play Small: Smalland: Survive the Wilds Lands on Nintendo Switch 2!

    Think Big, Play Small: Smalland: Survive the Wilds Lands on Nintendo Switch 2!

    If you’ve ever looked at a blade of grass and wondered what it would be like to fight a ladybird for territory, your time has officially come. Today, publisher Maximum Entertainment and developer Merge Games have officially dropped Smalland: Survive the Wilds onto the Nintendo Switch 2.

    The multiplayer open-world survival adventure is officially making the leap to Nintendo’s next-gen hybrid console, promising gorgeous pocket-sized chaos on a grand scale.

    A Massive Adventure on a Tiny Scale

    For the uninitiated, Smalland shrinks you down to the size of a pebble, casting you as one of the ‘Smallfolk’—a tiny civilisation attempting to conquer a massive, hostile wilderness left behind by the “giants.”

    What used to be a harmless puddle is now a vast lake. A simple crack in the pavement becomes a cavernous ravine. And the local wildlife? Let’s just say ants, beetles, and scorpions are no longer things you can simply step on—they are deadly predators viewing you as their next mid-day snack.

    Key Features Landing on Switch 2:

    • Epic Mounts: Why walk when you can ride? Tame and command an array of insects and creatures. You can leap across fields on the back of a grasshopper, zip through the air on a damselfly, or scurry over obstacles with a spider.
    • Customisable Crafting: Scavenge for resources to craft powerful, element-resistant armour sets that grant unique abilities (like wings for gliding!).
    • Base Building in the Canopy: Claim your very own “Great Tree” to design and build a sprawling encampment that actually follows you from world to world.
    • 10-Player Multiplayer: Survival is better with friends. Team up with up to 9 other players online to build settlements, hunt bosses, and uncover ancient lore hidden across the map.

    Packed with All Post-Launch Updates

    Maximum Entertainment hasn’t held back for the Switch 2 release. The game launches digitally on the eShop for £34.99 / $34.99 and features Version 1.0.0 parity.

    This means Switch 2 players get instant access to all the post-launch updates that rolled out on other platforms, including the introduction of guilds, stables, and the treacherous “Underlands” expansion right out of the gate.

    Taking advantage of the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware, players can expect beautiful 4K docked rendering and a beautifully smooth performance as they explore the dense forests and hazardous swamps of the Land of the Small.

    Are you ready to take your place at the bottom of the food chain and fight your way to the top? Head over to the Nintendo eShop today and start your miniature odyssey.

    For more of the latest gaming news, tech reviews, and console updates, keep your eyes locked on TechMash.co.uk.

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/768200

    #MaximumEntertainment #MergeGames #SmallandSurvivetheWilds #NintendoSwitch #Smalland #survival #shooter #techmash #n5dave #gamingnews #videogames #games #gaming #gamers