TECHMASH

Author: Team Techmash!

  • Alternate-History Soviet Madness: Hardcore Retro FPS ‘HMUR’ Locks In September Steam Demo!

    Alternate-History Soviet Madness: Hardcore Retro FPS ‘HMUR’ Locks In September Steam Demo!

    Boomer shooter fans, it is time to stretch those trigger fingers. Publisher Valkyrie Initiative and solo developer FoxusSexus have officially announced that the highly anticipated demo for HMUR is dropping on Steam this September 2026.

    If your idea of a good time involves lightning-fast movement, pulse-pounding electronic beats, and zero room for error, this is one indie title you need to put on your radar immediately.

    Brutal Combat Meets Soviet Sci-Fi

    Developed entirely by a lone dev, HMUR is a high-speed retro first-person shooter that feels like a beautiful, chaotic love child of Hotline Miami, Dusk, and the retro-futuristic Soviet aesthetic of Atomic Heart.

    Set in an alternate-1990s USSR, you step into the boots of Sergei—a humble utility worker trapped inside a classified facility in the city of Mirnogorsk after a catastrophic disaster. Instead of fixing pipes, you’ll be blasting your way through relentless hordes of enemies.

    The catch? One hit can mean instant death. HMUR features high-stakes, one-life gameplay where speed and absolute precision are your only mechanics for survival. Stop moving for even a second, and it’s back to the checkpoint.

    Check Out the Fresh Gameplay and New Visual Style

    The announcement comes right alongside a brand-new trailer, giving players a look at fresh, meatier gameplay footage and an updated visual style. FoxusSexus has been hard at work polishing the environmental details, and the new gritty, psychedelic look pairs perfectly with the game’s non-linear level design.

    Here is what you can look forward to when the demo drops:

    • Frantic ’90s Gunplay: Pure, unadulterated retro FPS action where momentum is everything.
    • Branching Levels: Hit a brick wall on one path? Take a different route through the facility.
    • High Stakes: Limited resources and fragile health mean every single bullet counts.
    • A Killer Soundtrack: Blast enemies to an original blend of techno, hard bass, and breakcore.

    Following its selection as one of the top 50 finalists at The Indie Premier 2026, HMUR is shaping up to be one of the most exciting solo-developed projects of the year.

    How to Play

    The HMUR demo will be publicly available on Steam in September 2026. In the meantime, you can head over to the official Steam page right now to check out the new trailer, look at the upgraded graphics, and add it to your wishlist so you don’t miss the launch.

    Are you ready to survive the madness? Let us know in the comments if you’ll be downloading the demo this autumn!

    Find out more here

    #HMUR #RetroFPS #BoomerShooter #IndieGames #ValkyrieInitiative #SoloDev #SteamDemo #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Bend Reality and Master the Elements: Fading Echo Splashes Onto PC This July!

    Bend Reality and Master the Elements: Fading Echo Splashes Onto PC This July!

    The indie RPG scene is about to get a massive jolt of adrenaline—and a lot of hydration. If you’ve been craving an adventure that rewards raw creativity over predictable button-mashing, your next obsession has an official arrival date.

    Independent publisher New Tales and debut developer Emeteria (a powerhouse studio formed by industry veterans) have officially announced that Fading Echo will launch on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

    Best of all? This highly anticipated elemental action-adventure RPG will be available for an incredibly wallet-friendly $19.99.

    Become One With the Flow

    In Fading Echo, you step into the fluid shoes of “One”, a young Legend gifted with the rare power of Æther. Your mission? Save a fracturing multiverse and a dying desertscape from the clutches of a reality-warping, malicious force known as the Paradox Corruption.

    What sets Fading Echo completely apart from the standard RPG crowd is its brilliant systemic gameplay. Water isn’t just an aesthetic here; it is your ultimate weapon and traversal tool. Players can dynamically shift between human form and a living fluid sphere to surf through pipes, slip through cracks, and crash down on enemies.

    You’ll need to master water across all three of its states—liquid, vapor, and ice—to solve mind-bending environmental puzzles and survive.

    Creative Combat is Survival: The world reacts dynamically to everything you do. You can mix your water abilities with environmental hazards like lava, toxic waste, and Paradox corruption to trigger massive, explosive chain reactions. If you can dream up an elemental interaction, physics will probably let you pull it off.

    A Star-Studded Cast Across Shifting Realities

    To survive the Paradox, you’ll have to cross into alternate, fractured versions of the same space where resources shift, hazards evolve, and the rules of engagement change entirely.

    While the battlefield is volatile, you won’t be entirely alone. The game features a beautifully realised narrative brought to life by an absolute powerhouse of an English voice cast. Narrative RPG fans will instantly recognise elite talents like:

    • Samantha Béart (as One)
    • Matthew Mercer (as the ruthless Paradox leader, Maddock)
    • Laura Bailey (as Vellum)
    • Liam O’Brien, Sam Riegel, and Jasmine Bhullar

    Pair that star power with a stunning, dynamic original soundtrack composed by Maxwell Sterling, and Fading Echo is shaping up to be an absolute feast for the senses.

    Lock In Your Calendar

    For just $19.99, Fading Echo is delivering AA-level ambition, premium voice acting, and innovative physics-based combat at an indie price point.

    Mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to grab it on Steam or Epic Games Store. (And if you’re a console player, don’t fret—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are confirmed to follow later this year!)

    Are you ready to bend reality? Let us know in the comments if you’ll be wishlisting Fading Echo ahead of its launch!

    Find out more here

    #FadingEcho #IndieGames #RPG #NewTales #EmeteriaStudio #PCGaming #Steam #EpicGamesStore #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Kill the Dealer: Bloodthief Dev Announces Grimdark Blackjack Roguelike ‘Blackout Jack’

    Kill the Dealer: Bloodthief Dev Announces Grimdark Blackjack Roguelike ‘Blackout Jack’

    If you spent 2025 pulling off high-speed, hyper-violent vampire parkour in the overwhelmingly positive boomer-slasher Bloodthief, solo developer Blargis is about to hand you a completely different kind of deck. But don’t expect a relaxing night at the casino.

    Blargis has officially pulled back the curtain on Blackout Jack, an upcoming story-driven, grimdark blackjack roguelike heading to PC via Steam. And if you’re eager to try your luck, you won’t have to wait long: the game’s first Steam playtest is officially launching on July 15.

    The House Always Wins… Until You Kill the Dealer

    Blackout Jack twists the familiar, high-stakes math of classic blackjack into a tense, tactical struggle for survival. Set in the rain-slicked, crooked alleys of a seedy medieval city, this isn’t just a game about beating the house—it’s a game where the house wants to take your literal mortality.

    The core loop places you at a table against a sinister, death-dealing dealer. Your ultimate, secret objective? Murder him. To do that, you’ll need to survive card rounds by building insane combos and powerful deck synergies. You aren’t just hitting or standing; you’ll be manipulating the odds using:

    • Card-altering elixirs and boons to bend the rules.
    • Life-paid chips and multipliers to maximise your damage.
    • Strange relics were purchased from the local hostess using blood gems.

    “I wanted to create an experience that blended a strong sense of mystery and narrative with the kind of gameplay where numbers keep going up and every run feels like it can spiral into something bigger.” — Developer Blargis

    Explore a City Built on Secrets

    What makes Blackout Jack particularly intriguing is that the game doesn’t end at the edge of the card table. When you step away from the dealer, you’ll be able to roam the grim midnight streets of the city.

    The urban underbelly is populated by unscrupulous characters, shady denizens, and fellow conspirators. By exploring, you can uncover hidden tools like lockpicks and poisons, pick up cryptic lore, and buy vital items to stack the deck in your favour for your next run.

    Naturally, death is a heavy feature in this grimdark world. But in true roguelike fashion, a gruesome game over isn’t the end. While death resets the night, you keep essential knowledge. Every failed run brings you one step closer to decoding the dark conspiracy binding the city together and permanently forcing the dealer to cash out.

    Join the Playtest on July 15

    If you love the psychological tension of Inscryption mixed with the addictive, rule-breaking card math of Balatro, Blackout Jack looks like it’s going to be a must-play.

    Head over to the official Blackout Jack Steam Page right now to hit that wishlist button, and keep your eyes peeled for the playtest drop on July 15!

    Find out more here

    #IndieGames #BlackoutJack #GamerNews #Roguelike #Deckbuilder #SteamGames #PCGaming #Grimdark #Bloodthief #Blargis

  • Hack, Slash, and Survive: Phantom Tower Hits Steam Early Access This July!

    Hack, Slash, and Survive: Phantom Tower Hits Steam Early Access This July!

    The wait is almost over for action RPG fans. After four long years of passionate development, Horien Studio has officially announced that their highly anticipated title, Phantom Tower, is launching into Steam Early Access on July 13th, 2026.

    If you’ve been craving a fresh, adrenaline-pumping challenge that tests your reflexes and tactical thinking, this is the title to watch.

    What is Phantom Tower?

    Phantom Tower is a fast-paced, roguelike action RPG that masterfully blends fluid, high-stakes hack-and-slash combat with the eerie, unpredictable nature of deep dungeon crawling.

    Players will find themselves scaling a shifting, perilous tower where no two runs are ever the same. Every floor throws new enemy types, environmental hazards, and brutal bosses at you, demanding split-second decisions and absolute mastery over your arsenal.

    Key Features to Get Hyped For:

    • Dynamic Combat: Chain together devastating combos, parry lethal attacks, and animation-cancel your way through hordes of enemies.
    • Deep Dungeon Crawling: Explore procedural layouts filled with hidden secrets, lore fragments, and game-changing loot.
    • Roguelike Replayability: Die, learn, upgrade, and repeat. Build synergies with unique perks and weapons to craft your ultimate playstyle.
    • 4 Years of Polish: Developed with love and meticulous attention to detail by Horien Studio to ensure the combat feels incredibly tight and responsive.

    Try the Demo Right Now! Can’t wait until July 13th? You don’t have to. Horien Studio has released a free playable demo on Steam right now. It gives you a taste of the first few floors, the core combat mechanics, and a sneak peek at the build variety.

    Why Early Access?

    Horien Studio is taking the Early Access route to collaborate directly with the community. Over the next phase of development, player feedback from the Steam community will actively shape balancing, new weapon types, additional tower floors, and endgame content.

    Mark your calendars for July 13th, head over to Steam, and wishlist Phantom Tower today to support an indie gem four years in the making.

    Find out more here

    #PhantomTower #HorienStudio #IndieDev #ActionRPG #Roguelike #HackAndSlash #SteamEarlyAccess #PCGaming #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Goats Speaking Latin? ‘Huntin’ Buddies’ Is Your Next Chaotic Co-Op Obsession

    Goats Speaking Latin? ‘Huntin’ Buddies’ Is Your Next Chaotic Co-Op Obsession

    If you and your friends thought meeting quotas in Lethal Company was stressful, wait until you’re tasked with hauling a massive, exploding deer carcass through a cursed forest.

    The team at Huntin’ Buddies Wildlife Management has officially announced that their upcoming 4-player co-op horror-comedy hunting game, Huntin’ Buddies, is officially locking in its Steam release date for July 24th, 2026.

    Pack your bags and grab your gear, because we are heading into a forbidden national park where the laws of nature have completely gone out the window.

    The Job: Meet the Quota, Don’t Die Trying

    The loop of Huntin’ Buddies sounds simple enough on paper:

    1. Accept your hunting contract via a pager.
    2. Head into the pitch-black national park at night.
    3. Hunt the assigned wildlife, grab the massive carcasses, and drag them back to the truck.
    4. Get paid and survive to see another day.

    Easy, right? Not exactly. The game features realistic, highly volatile carcass physics. You and your friends have to physically move the heavy bodies by hand back to extraction. Pull too hard or overstretch the carcass? It explodes. Add in limited ammo and one-shot kills, and every single bullet counts.

    “The Wildlife Has Been Behaving Strangely…”

    Here is the real catch: you aren’t just hunting normal game. The developers have issued a strict warning that the local ecosystem is deeply corrupted.

    We aren’t talking about standard rabies here. We are talking psychological horror. The deer have both eyes on the same side of their head, the goats are apparently speaking fluent Latin, and the longer you stay out past dark, the more the forest starts hunting you back. As the 15-night campaign progresses, each night gets increasingly cursed. Creepy anomalies, screaming rabbits, and things that definitely aren’t supposed to exist will begin stalking your squad. You either extract together with your quota met, or you become part of the park’s food chain.

    Wishlist and Play the Demo Now!

    Huntin’ Buddies features full drop-in multiplayer, shared contract progress, and proximity voice chat—perfect for hearing your friend scream as they get dragged into the brush by a creature.

    If you want a taste of the madness before the official July 24th launch, there is currently a three-night demo available right now on Steam to test your survival skills. Go grab your squad, throw it on your wishlist, and get ready for the most chaotic camping trip of the year.

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #HuntinBuddies #CoOpGames #IndieGames #SteamReleases2026 #SurvivalHorror #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Nautical Nightmares: Survival Horror ‘SENARA: The Sacrament’ Hits Steam This July

    Nautical Nightmares: Survival Horror ‘SENARA: The Sacrament’ Hits Steam This July

    Get ready to test your nerves and your survival instincts. Indie developer Influsion Inc. has officially announced that its highly anticipated first-person survival horror game, SENARA: The Sacrament, is launching on Steam on July 30th.

    If you think you’ve handled everything the horror genre has to throw at you, think again. SENARA is taking you out to open water, and there is nowhere to run.

    Welcome Aboard the Terror

    Set aboard a mysterious, derelict cruise liner teetering on the edge of ruin, SENARA: The Sacrament traps players in a claustrophobic, rust-eaten labyrinth. What was once a vessel of luxury has transformed into a floating purgatory.

    As you navigate the decaying corridors and flooded decks, you aren’t just searching for a means of escape—you are fighting to stay alive against unspeakable horrors lurking in the shadows. The game promises a tense, atmospheric experience where every creak of the ship’s hull could be your last warning.

    What to Expect:

    • Immersive First-Person Horror: Experience the terror up close with a deeply atmospheric POV that makes every corner feel dangerous.
    • A Haunting Setting: Explore a massive, decaying cruise liner filled with environmental storytelling and dark secrets.
    • Pure Survival: Resources are scarce, tension is high, and the entities hunting you aren’t showing any mercy.

    Watch the Release Date Trailer

    Want a taste of the dread awaiting you at sea? Catch a glimpse of its nautical nightmares in the official release date trailer below:

    Mark Your Calendars

    Will you uncover the dark truth behind the sacrament, or will you sink with the ship? Wishlist SENARA: The Sacrament on Steam now to ensure you’re ready to board on July 30th.

    Find out more here

    #IndieDev #GamingNews #SurvivalHorror #SENARATheSacrament #InflusionInc #SteamGames #PCGaming #HorrorGames #GamingCommunity

  • Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Brings Cursed Traitor Mayhem This July

    Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Brings Cursed Traitor Mayhem This July

    If you’ve ever watched The Traitors or stayed up late playing Werewolf and thought, “I could definitely trick my friends into a swift and sudden demise,” indie developer Ghost Camp has some fantastic news for you.

    Today, the studio officially announced that Forest of Deceit, a Jackbox-esque social deduction party game built for 4 to 8 players, is officially launching on July 13th. Best of all? It’s dropping everywhere—hitting Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

    Survival of the Fittest (and the Fakest)

    The premise of Forest of Deceit is brilliantly simple, yet custom-made for maximum friendship friction. You and your friends find yourselves stranded in a vast, sprawling forest. A lethal storm is brewing on the horizon, and if you can’t band together to construct a safe shelter in a matter of days, the entire group will perish.

    To survive, you’ll need to venture deep into the woods to gather crucial building resources. The catch? The forest itself is heavily cursed, and it has already driven some of your companions completely mad.

    If the Traitors successfully stall construction until the storm rolls in, they win. However, it wouldn’t be a true social deduction game without some heated finger-pointing. Every few days, the group will gather to discuss the recent chaos and vote out who they suspect is actively sabotaging the camp.

    No Controllers? No Problem.

    Borrowing the best page out of the Jackbox Party Pack playbook, Forest of Deceit eliminates the hassle of passing around multiple controllers. Only the host needs to own a copy of the game. Everyone else can jump right into the lobby using their own smartphones, tablets, or web browsers.

    This makes it an incredibly accessible casual party game, accommodating everyone from hardcore strategy enthusiasts to non-gamer family members. It also features fully customizable house rules, giving it endless replay value for local couch co-op sessions or remote Discord game nights via screen-share.

    Oh, and there’s a massive cherry on top for sci-fi and fantasy fans: the entire game is narrated by the legendary Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor in Doctor Who and Radagast the Brown in The Hobbit trilogy).

    Mark Your Calendars: Forest of Deceit releases on July 13th across PC and major consoles. Gather your group, boot up your browsers, and prepare to find out which of your friends is an absolute snake.

    What do you think?

    Are you ready to test your lying skills, or are you usually the first one voted out? Let us know down in the comments!

    Find out more here

    #ForestOfDeceit #GhostCamp #SocialDeduction #IndieGames #GamingNews #TheTraitors #PartyGames #JackboxStyle

  • Unmasking the Hype: Why Steam is Obsessed with Verho – Curse of Faces

    Unmasking the Hype: Why Steam is Obsessed with Verho – Curse of Faces

    If you are a fan of old-school dungeon crawlers, unforgiving atmosphere, and punishing combat, you’ve likely noticed a certain dark fantasy title dominating your Steam recommendations lately. Developed by Polish indie studio Kasur Games and brought to life by publisher CobraTekku Games, Verho – Curse of Faces has quietly become one of the most talked-about cult hits in the indie RPG space, earning a stellar “Very Positive” rating from players.

    Here is why this atmospheric gem is captivating gamers and why you need to step into the grim world of Yariv.

    The Ultimate Tribute to King’s Field and 92-Era Gaming

    For years, fans of FromSoftware’s precursor to Dark Souls—the legendary King’s Field series—have been starved for a true spiritual successor. Verho – Curse of Faces steps beautifully into that void.

    Rather than chasing modern photorealism, the developers deliberately embraced a low-poly, 32-bit aesthetic. With its raw textures and eerie, claustrophobic level design, the game perfectly captures the nostalgic, oppressive charm of the original PlayStation 1 era. It’s a love letter to the 90s that relies on atmospheric tension rather than cheap jump scares.

    A World Where Faces Equal Death

    The narrative hook of Verho is as compelling as it is bleak. The world of Yariv has been ravaged by the Curse of Faces, a catastrophic phenomenon where revealing one’s bare face results in instant death. To survive, humanity hides behind unique, crafted masks.

    Flex your Playstyle with Dynamic Masks

    In a brilliant gameplay twist, your masks aren’t just for survival—they dictate your entire build. Verho completely ditches rigid class restrictions in favour of total freedom:

    • The Melee Juggernaut: Don heavy armour masks to tank hits and deliver brutal, slow-swinging strikes.
    • The Agile Duelist: Swap to lightweight masks built for speed, parrying, and quick counter-attacks.
    • The Mighty Mage: Channel devastating elemental spells to keep the horrors of Yariv at a distance.

    Because you can switch up and specialise your character on the fly, the build variety gives the game massive replay value, something Steam reviewers have praised heavily.

    From PC Cult Hit to Consoles

    Having already taken Steam by storm with regular content expansions—including a massive New Game Plus update—the dark fantasy RPG is about to reach a whole new audience.

    Mark your calendars: Verho – Curse of Faces is officially coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on July 30, 2026.

    The console launch will land alongside a brand-new content update, meaning there has never been a better time to discover what lies beneath the mask. If you’ve been looking for a challenging, retro-fueled dark fantasy nightmare to lose yourself in, your quest ends in Yariv.

    Verho – Curse of Faces is available now on PC via Steam and GOG, with console versions launching later this month for £20.99 / $24.99.

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #IndieGames #RPG #DarkFantasy #VerhoCurseOfFaces #RetroGaming #SteamGames #TechMash

  • Step Behind the Lens: Psychological Horror ‘SOMBRAS: negative frames’ Announces Closed Playtest

    Step Behind the Lens: Psychological Horror ‘SOMBRAS: negative frames’ Announces Closed Playtest

    Get your cameras ready, horror fans. Developer Maboroshi Artworks and publisher Entalto Publishing have officially announced an exclusive Closed Playtest for their highly anticipated upcoming title, SOMBRAS: negative frames.

    If you miss the eerie vibe of classic psychological thrillers and have a soft spot for retro-inspired aesthetics, this is a development project you’ll want on your radar.

    A Nostalgic, Mechanics-Driven Nightmare

    SOMBRAS: negative frames is a first-person narrative adventure that seamlessly blends light horror elements with a unique, mechanics-driven photography system.

    Instead of relying on cheap jump scares, the game invites players to immerse themselves in a deeply atmospheric world where the camera lens is your primary tool for survival and discovery. You’ll be stepping into a nostalgic, stylised environment where developing the perfect shot is the only way to solve mind-bending puzzles and uncover the dark narrative lurking in the shadows.

    What to Expect from the Closed Playtest

    This exclusive playtest gives selected players a rare, early look at the game’s core mechanics and haunting atmosphere before the official launch. Participants will be able to:

    • Experience the Atmosphere: Get a first-hand taste of the game’s distinct visual style and tense, brooding audio design.
    • Master the Photography System: Test out the unique camera mechanics that drive both the story and the gameplay.
    • Solve Early Puzzles: Put your problem-solving skills to the test with an array of environmental puzzles designed to challenge your perception.
    • Provide Vital Feedback: Directly influence the final polish of the game by sharing your thoughts with the development team.

    Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a narrative adventure buff, or just love a good atmospheric thrill, this closed playtest is the perfect opportunity to see how Maboroshi Artworks is redefining indie psychological horror.

    How to Sign Up

    Spaces for the exclusive Closed Playtest are limited. Head over to the official Steam page or keep a close eye on Entalto Publishing’s social media channels to secure your spot and be among the very first to step into the negative frames.

    Find out more here

    #SombrasNegativeFrames #IndieHorror #GamingNews #MaboroshiArtworks #EntaltoPublishing #PCGaming #SteamPlaytest #HorrorGames #TechMash

  • Entering the Nightmare: Running With Scissors Reveals Terrifying “Dreamscape” in New Flesh & Wire Trailer

    Entering the Nightmare: Running With Scissors Reveals Terrifying “Dreamscape” in New Flesh & Wire Trailer

    The masters of psychological mayhem and unapologetic video game chaos are back, and they are taking us straight into a waking nightmare. Running With Scissors, the infamous developers behind the POSTAL series, just dropped an all-new teaser trailer for their upcoming horror FPS spinoff, Flesh & Wire.

    If you thought the franchise was only about dark satire and slapstick ultraviolence, think again. This latest look pushes players headfirst into the Dreamscape—a terrifying, surreal realm shaped by pure fear, anguish, and rage.

    Check out what’s waiting in the dark below.

    A Dark Return to POSTAL’s Primitive Roots

    While later entries in the POSTAL universe leaned heavily into chaotic comedy, Flesh & Wire is steering the ship right back to the pitch-black, psychological horror atmosphere of the 1997 original.

    For the first time in the franchise’s history, players will step into the shoes of a brand-new protagonist: Angel. A normal college student whose life is completely upended in a flash of horrific violence, Angel is on a blood-soaked quest for retribution against none other than the Postal Dude himself.

    But getting revenge isn’t going to be a straightforward shootout. Alongside her loyal Sphynx cat, Solomon, Angel must fight through real-world armies, law enforcement, and a sinister cult—all while battling her own inner demons.

    What is the Dreamscape Realm?

    The highlight of the new trailer is our first look at the Dreamscape, an otherworldly dimension where Angel’s trauma and memories manifest as grotesque monstrosities.

    Key Highlights from the Trailer:

    • The Deception Location: Players will explore warped versions of real-world areas, such as a Megachurch that transforms into a hellish landscape known as “Deception.”
    • The Heavy: The trailer teases massive, ungodly boss encounters. Among them is “The Heavy,” a terrifying entity festering with terror that lies dormant within the Dreamscape.
    • Surreal Arsenal: To fight back, Angel will utilise a mix of conventional firearms, improvised weaponry, and supernatural artefacts that harness the powers of the realm itself.

    “Angel’s story taps into the darkness that characterized the first game in the series, and today’s new trailer gives our community a first look at Angel’s feline companion, and the atrocities awaiting in Dreamscape.” — Vince Desi, Founder of Running With Scissors

    Release Date and Platforms

    The wait for vengeance won’t be over just yet, but the hype is officially building. Flesh & Wire is being built on Unreal Engine 5 and is slated for a 2027 release.

    It will be launching on the following platforms:

    • PC (via Steam, GOG, and the Steam Deck)
    • PlayStation 5 (featuring full DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback and trigger support)

    You can head over to Steam or the PlayStation Store right now to add it to your wishlist and keep up with development updates.

    Are you ready to face the Postal Dude from the perspective of his victims? Let us know your thoughts on this creepy new direction in the comments!

    Find out more here

    #FleshAndWire #RunningWithScissors #PostalSeries #HorrorGames #FPS #GamingNews #Dreamscape #PCGaming #PS5 #UnrealEngine5 #TechMash

  • Beyond Dragos: Why Vampires: Bloodlord Rising Needs a Character Creator

    Beyond Dragos: Why Vampires: Bloodlord Rising Needs a Character Creator

    The dark, gothic wilderness of Sangavia has been calling to us ever since Mehuman Games and Publisher Toplitz Productions dropped Vampires: Bloodlord Rising into Early Access. Blending intense open-world action-adventure, deep castle-building, and sinister survival mechanics, the game gives players the keys to their very own kingdom of the night.

    But as spectacular as it is to command thralls, build towering spires, and evade the Inquisition, the community has been united by one incredibly vocal, bloodthirsty demand: We need a character creator.

    The Problem with Being Pre-Set

    Right now, players stepping into the mist-shrouded lands of Sangavia are locked into playing Dragos—the predefined protagonist whose story anchors the game’s dark narrative.

    Don’t get us wrong; Dragos is a great vehicle for introducing us to this grim, Balkan-inspired world. His struggle between his fading humanity and his predatory instincts provides a fantastic narrative hook. However, Vampires: Bloodlord Rising is, at its core, a sandbox built on the foundation of ultimate player freedom.

    When a game lets you meticulously design every gothic arch of your castle and strategically micro-manage your loyal servants, being forced to look exactly like everyone else feels like a massive design bottleneck. The community doesn’t just want to watch Dragos’ story unfold; they want to project themselves (or their own terrifying alter-egos) onto the throne.

    Why a Character Creator is the Ultimate Game Changer

    Vampire folklore is entirely defined by style, allure, and distinct physical presence. By limiting players to a single pre-set model, a huge part of that power fantasy is left on the table. Here is why the community is so desperate for Mehuman Games to open up the coffin on customisation:

    • Co-op Identity Crisis: The game features excellent 4-player co-op multiplayer. But right now, venturing out into Sangavia with your friends results in a literal clone wars situation. A squad of identical Dragos lookalikes severely dampens the immersion of a dark vampire coven.
    • The Aristocrat vs. Hunter Dynamic: One of the coolest mechanics in Bloodlord Rising is the ability to swap between your Aristocrat form (to blend in with human villagers) and your Hunter form (for unleashing pure carnage). Imagine being able to customise both versions—designing a sleek, deceptive noble mask that gives way to a truly monstrous, terrifying beast when the fangs come out.
    • True Sandbox Roleplaying: Half the fun of an RPG-survival sandbox is crafting a backstory. Whether you want to play a centuries-old elegant countess or a rugged, battle-scarred nosferatu-style scavenger, your appearance dictates how you rule your dominion.

    Community Consensus: If it’s our empire, it should be our face on the throne.

    Listening to the Bloodline

    If Toplitz Productions’ track record with their community-driven Dynasty titles has taught us anything, it’s that they actually listen to player feedback. With Vampires: Bloodlord Rising still evolving in Early Access, the outcry for a robust character creator—complete with gender options, facial sliders, and distinct starting perks—is too loud to ignore.

    The foundation of a legendary dark fantasy game is already there. Giving players the tools to step out of Dragos’ shadow and craft their own unique nightmare is exactly what will elevate this title from a great vampire game to an absolute genre classic.

    Come on, Mehuman Games. Let us choose our own fangs.

    What do you think? Are you happy playing through Dragos’ story, or are you waiting to design your own creature of the night before building your castle empire? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #VampiresBloodlordRising #MehumanGames #ToplitzProductions #GamingNews #EarlyAccess #RPG #VampireGames #PCGaming #CharacterCreator #TechMash

  • The Nightlings Are Coming! Farever’s First Major Update Hits Steam Early Access on July 15

    The Nightlings Are Coming! Farever’s First Major Update Hits Steam Early Access on July 15

    Get ready, adventurers. If you thought the vast open world of Farever was already a beautiful, dangerous playground, things are about to get a whole lot darker.

    Shiro Games has just announced that the first major update for their hit online multiplayer action RPG is officially dropping on Wednesday, July 15. Titled ‘The Nightling Invasion,’ this massive content drop promises to push your survival and combat skills to their absolute limits on PC via Steam Early Access.

    Here is a breakdown of what you can expect when the shadows creep into Farever next week.

    Welcome to the Dark Side: What’s New?

    Shiro Games isn’t holding back for its first major milestone. ‘The Nightling Invasion’ is set to expand the game’s lore and mechanics significantly, giving both solo players and tight-knit guilds plenty of reasons to gear up.

    1. A Treacherous New Area to Explore

    Prepare to venture into a completely new, high-risk zone overrun by the mysterious Nightlings. Expect haunting vistas, unique environmental hazards, and a dense atmosphere where danger lurks behind every corner. Moving through this territory will require a mix of stealth, strategy, and brute force.

    2. All-New Gameplay Mechanics

    To survive the invasion, players will have access to freshly implemented mechanics designed to shake up the current meta. While Shiro Games is keeping some surprises close to its chest, players can look forward to new ways to interact with the environment, specialised combat tactics, and potentially new progression paths to help counter the darkness.

    3. Daunting Challenges & Boss Fights

    What’s an action RPG update without some epic loot and the terrifying bosses guarding it? ‘The Nightling Invasion’ introduces brutal new enemy variants and challenging public events that will force players to cooperate if they want to make it out alive.

    TechMash Verdict: Shiro Games has a stellar track record of listening to their community during Early Access phases. This first major update looks like a massive step forward in fleshing out Farever’s endgame content and keeping the world feeling alive, dynamic, and suitably punishing.

    How to Play

    Farever is currently available on PC via Steam Early Access. If you already own the game, the update will download automatically on Wednesday, July 15. If you haven’t jumped into this gorgeous fantasy world yet, now is the perfect time to grab your copy, rally your friends, and prepare for the storm.

    Are you ready to face the invasion, or will you let the darkness consume you? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #Farever #ShiroGames #SteamEarlyAccess #ActionRPG #PCGaming #TheNightlingInvasion #IndieGames #TechMash

  • Next-Gen Chicken Dinners: PUBG Unveils Game-Changing Console Experience Roadmap!

    Next-Gen Chicken Dinners: PUBG Unveils Game-Changing Console Experience Roadmap!

    If you’ve been dropping into Erangel or Miramar on Xbox or PlayStation lately, you already know that PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has entered a whole new era. Following the massive official transition to current-generation consoles late last year, Krafton has dropped a brand-new Console Experience Improvement Roadmap—and it’s safe to say console players are finally getting the VIP treatment they deserve.

    For years, the console community has dealt with hardware limitations that held back the game’s true potential. Not anymore. With the power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S fully unlocked, the developers are channelling that extra performance straight into gameplay, visual fidelity, and meta-shifting features.

    Here is everything you need to know about what’s coming to your console setup.

    Unlocking Peak Performance: Higher FPS & Smooth Matchmaking

    When the current-gen transition initially dropped, the focus was entirely on building a rock-solid, stable foundation. Now that the dust has settled, the developers are actively leveraging this hardware leap.

    • Higher FPS & Visual Polish: Expect optimised frame rates that make hot-dropping feel smoother than ever before.
    • Welcoming New Blood: A major pillar of this console roadmap is tailoring the onboarding experience for newcomers. By smoothing out performance and mechanics, Krafton aims to secure a steady stream of new players, keeping console matchmaking fast and healthy.

    Meta Rotations and Gunplay Evolution

    Tired of the exact same weapon meta ruling the battlegrounds for seasons on end? Krafton is completely changing how gunplay feels with intentional meta rotations.

    Rather than letting one or two guns dominate permanently, the team is treating the weapon ecosystem as a constantly shifting meta. This includes regular balance updates, fresh attachments like the Hybrid Scope and Tilted Grip, and the outright removal of underutilised weapons that no longer fit the ecosystem. If you’ve been relying on the same loadout for years, it’s time to start practising with new gear.

    Tactical Terrain & Interactive Environments

    The gameplay loops are getting a massive injection of strategy, highlighted by features that completely alter the map landscape:

    • Destructible Terrain: Say goodbye to losing a match just because the final circle forced you into an open field. With destructible terrain rolling out to classic maps like Erangel, you can literally dig or blast your own cover.
    • Interactive Smoke: Smoke grenades are no longer just static, opaque walls. They now behave as physical entities that sway dynamically with the wind and can be violently dispersed by explosions, adding an entirely new layer of tactical depth to firefights.
    • Stylised Executions: Looking to put a definitive, flashy end to an encounter? The roadmap introduces unique melee executions, giving underutilised weapons a brutal, high-impact purpose.

    The Verdict: This isn’t just a minor patch; it’s a fundamental rewrite of the PUBG console experience. By moving past old-gen hardware restrictions, console players are finally getting a version of the game built for the future.

    What feature are you most excited to try on your console? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #PUBG #ConsoleGaming #PUBGConsole #XboxSeriesX #PlayStation5 #GamingNews #BattleRoyale #TechMash

  • Wario, Puzzles, and Nostalgia: Nintendo Classics Drops Major July 2026 Update!

    Wario, Puzzles, and Nostalgia: Nintendo Classics Drops Major July 2026 Update!

    The summer heat isn’t the only thing sizzling this July. Nintendo has just dropped its latest bi-monthly Nintendo Classics update for Nintendo Switch Online (NSO), and if you are a fan of handheld retro goodness, you are in for an absolute treat.

    Whether you’re playing on your trusty original Switch or rocking the glorious new Nintendo Switch 2, this month’s drop leans heavily into Game Boy nostalgia, a massive win for Wario fans, and a double dose of puzzle addiction.

    Let’s break down everything that just landed on the service!

    Game Boy Library (Standard NSO Tier)

    For standard NSO subscribers, three distinct flavours of portable history have been added today. There is an absolute heavyweight headlining this trio:

    Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

    Forget being the side antagonist—1994 was the year Wario officially stole the spotlight. While technically a “threequel” to Super Mario Land, this game threw Mario to the wayside and established Wario as a greedy, shoulder-bashing antihero. You’ll explore Kitchen Island, hunt down hidden treasure chests, and use power-ups like the Jet Pot and Dragon Pot to secure enough gold to build a massive castle. Thanks to this update, the Switch ecosystem is officially the definitive home for Wario fans.

    The Sword of Hope II

    If you’re looking for a deep, retro RPG fix, Kemco’s 1992 classic is a fascinating addition. It’s a traditional, first-person dungeon-crawler RPG wrapped in an old-school adventure game format. It’s got a bit of that classic 90s jank, but it’s a stellar piece of history for true RPG completionists.

    Fortified Zone

    Ever wondered what The Legend of Zelda would look like if you swapped Link’s Master Sword for an assault rifle? Jaleco’s Fortified Zone is a top-down, action-packed shooter where you navigate a massive military complex, swap characters on the fly, and blast through waves of enemies. It’s snappy, tough, and oddly addictive.

    Game Boy Advance Library (NSO + Expansion Pack Tier)

    For those on the Expansion Pack tier, Nintendo has resurrected a legendary handheld double-feature that is bound to destroy your free time.

    Dr. Mario & Puzzle League

    Technically two incredible games in one cartridge, this GBA relic features gorgeous spritework and perfectly refined puzzle gameplay. On one hand, you get the vitamin-dropping, virus-busting chaos of Dr. Mario. On the other hand, you get the frantic, block-swapping intensity of Puzzle League (perfectly optimised for handheld play). Consider this a public health warning: your battery life will suffer because of this drop.

    (Bonus note: If you happen to be playing on a Japanese account, Nintendo swapped this double-pack out for AlphaDream’s cult-classic GBA RPG, Tomato Adventure—the literal predecessor to the Mario & Luigi series!)

    The Verdict: A Great Summer for Retro Heads

    Following the hype of Donkey Kong 64 hitting the N64 app recently, this handheld-focused July drop balances the library beautifully. While we are still patiently waiting for Nintendo to drop the next batch of GameCube titles for the Switch 2, filling out the Game Boy and GBA libraries with top-tier gems like Wario Land keeps the NSO value proposition incredibly high.

    The update is live right now. Update your apps, dust off your digital cartridges, and let us know in the comments which one you’re booting up first!

    Find out more here

    #Nintendo #NintendoSwitch #NintendoSwitch2 #RetroGaming #WarioLand #GameBoy #GBA #NintendoClassics #GamingNews #TechMash