TECHMASH

Category: Gamers

  • MineGeon: Renegades Drops Massive Steam Next Fest Demo Update Ahead of July Launch

    MineGeon: Renegades Drops Massive Steam Next Fest Demo Update Ahead of July Launch

    Bullet-hell enthusiasts and co-op fans, it’s time to rally the squad. As part of the ongoing Steam Next Fest, indie developer Kickstone Studio has deployed a massive major content update for the MineGeon: Renegades demo.

    If you haven’t been tracking this one, MineGeon: Renegades is a high-octane, co-op sci-fi bullet-hell roguelite that challenges players to descend into the treacherous depths of the planet PAIMO. The mission? Fight off swarms of enemies, mine valuable resources, and make it out alive.

    With the full game locked in for a July 14 release, this expanded demo gives players a massive taste of the chaos to come. Here is a breakdown of what’s waiting for you in the new Steam Next Fest build.

    What’s New in the MineGeon: Renegades Demo?

    Kickstone Studio hasn’t just tweaked a few numbers; they’ve injected a wealth of new content that fundamentally expands how the game plays:

    • New Playable Class (Marshall): Joining the roster is Marshall, a heavy-duty Tank class built for high durability. If you prefer getting up close and personal, his ultimate ability unleashes devastating fist-to-fist combat to clear out crowded screens.
    • The Scavengers Mini-Boss Fights: Survival just got tougher. The update introduces three new mini-boss encounters featuring the Scavengers—hostile locals desperate to halt your descent.
    • Expanded Progression & Combat Synergy: The demo adds brand-new Gadgets, Ultimates, and Enhancements, giving players vastly more options to theorycraft chaotic, screen-clearing builds during a run.
    • Base Customisation (Ship Basement): Between intense expeditions, players can now unlock and access the basement of their spaceship, utilising a base-decoration system featuring props and themed objects.
    • A Brand-New Cooking System: Scavenge for ingredients during your runs to whip up meals back on the ship, providing crucial stat buffs for your next dive into PAIMO.

    Risk It All for Riches

    The core loop of MineGeon: Renegades revolves around greed and teamwork. You can brave the depths solo or team up with up to two friends. The deeper you go, the more valuable the minerals—but the more punishing the bullet hell becomes. Players must constantly balance the risk of pushing further for better loot versus banking their hard-earned materials safely back at the ship for permanent upgrades.

    The updated demo is available to play right now on Steam for the duration of Steam Next Fest. Grab your crew, test out Marshall’s fists of fury, and get a head start before the full launch on July 14.

    Are you diving into PAIMO this week? Let us know your favourite class build in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #MineGeonRenegades #SteamNextFest #IndieGames #PCGaming #CoOpGames #Roguelite #BulletHell #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Test Your Friendship in Retro-Futurism: We Were Here Tomorrow Drops Free Steam Next Fest Demo!

    Test Your Friendship in Retro-Futurism: We Were Here Tomorrow Drops Free Steam Next Fest Demo!

    Co-op fans, grab your walkie-talkies and find your most reliable gaming partner. Total Mayhem Games is back to test the absolute limits of your communication skills. The highly anticipated next entry in their critically acclaimed cooperative puzzle series, We Were Here Tomorrow, has officially dropped a playable demo on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest!

    If you and your player two are looking for your next obsession, the gates to the mystery are open right now.

    Welcome to the Norcek Facility

    Breaking away from the icy, medieval terrors of Castle Rock from the previous games, We We Here Tomorrow plunges players into a striking, retro-futuristic setting.

    In the Steam Next Fest demo, you and your partner wake up trapped in separate pods inside the enigmatic Norcek Facility. Surrounded by strange, unfamiliar machinery and high-tech puzzles, your only guide is a calm, confident, yet deeply mysterious voice pushing you through a series of assignments. Why are you here? What is the purpose of this facility? That is for you to find out.

    The Golden Rule: Just like its predecessors, communication is your ultimate lifeline. You are split up, meaning you each see completely different clues, rooms, and mechanics. With only a walkie-talkie connecting you, progress completely relies on how well you can describe what you see.

    What’s New in We Were Here Tomorrow?

    Total Mayhem Games is shaking up the formula while keeping the core teamwork mechanics that fans love. Here is what you can expect from the demo and the upcoming full release:

    • Distinct Character Abilities: For the first time, you aren’t just relying on your walkie-talkie. Both explorers are equipped with unique tools and distinct abilities that must be combined to bypass obstacles.
    • Asymmetrical Brain-Teasers: Success requires complete synergy. Because your screens show entirely different perspectives, you literally have to become each other’s eyes and ears.
    • A Narrative-Driven Mystery: The sci-fi, retro-future setting brings a fresh narrative depth to the franchise, trading dark fantasy for advanced, uncharted technology and hidden corporate secrets.

    Play the Demo Now, Full Launch Coming Later This Year!

    The We Were Here Tomorrow demo is available to play for free on Steam from June 15 to June 22 during Steam Next Fest. Total Mayhem Games has spent the last few weeks polishing the experience based on community feedback, making this the perfect time to dive in.

    Don’t worry if you aren’t a PC player—the full game will feature full cross-platform multiplayer when it launches. The full version of We Were Here Tomorrow is scheduled to launch later this year and is officially available to wishlist right now across Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    Go grab your partner, download the demo, and see if your friendship can survive the Norcek Facility!

    Find out more here

    #WeWereHereTomorrow #SteamNextFest #TotalMayhemGames #CoOpGaming #PuzzleGames #IndieGames #GamingNews #SteamDemos #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #TechMash

  • PUBG Update 42.1 Is Live: Dynamic Smoke, Blue Zone Speedrun, and the SLR Metagame Shift

    PUBG Update 42.1 Is Live: Dynamic Smoke, Blue Zone Speedrun, and the SLR Metagame Shift

    PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is throwing down one of its most disruptive patches in recent memory. Update 42.1 isn’t just about minor weapon tweaks or fresh skins—it directly attacks the core gameplay loops that players have relied on for years. From the way you use utility to how you rotate across the map, Krafton is forcing a massive evolution in player behaviour.

    If you’re loading into the battlegrounds this week, here is the breakdown of the major shifts arriving in Patch 42.1.

    1. Dynamic Smoke Physics: No More Magic Walls

    For years, smoke grenades in PUBG have acted as an impenetrable visual barrier. Throw a canister, wait a few seconds, and you have a reliable white wall to heal behind or cross an open field. Not anymore.

    Update 42.1 introduces Interactive Smoke. Frag grenades, vehicle explosions, and heavy gunfire will now physically displace and disperse smoke clouds in real-time.

    • The Tactical Shift: Throwing a frag into an enemy’s defensive smoke screen will now momentarily blast a hole right through it.
    • The Risk: If you are healing inside a smoke cloud, a well-placed enemy grenade won’t just damage you—it will strip away your cover, leaving you entirely exposed to line-of-sight gunfire.

    2. Blue Zone Rebalance: Say Goodbye to Downtime

    If you enjoy the slow, methodical “edge-of-the-zone” camping playstyle, it’s time to adapt. Krafton is rolling out a massive revamp to Blue Zone timings and pacing across major maps.

    The Goal: Reduce the mid-game “lull” where players spend ten minutes driving around looking for action.

    • Faster Phases: Mid-game circles will now shrink more quickly and travel faster, forcing squads into closer proximity much earlier in the match.
    • Smarter Shift Locations: The algorithm has been tweaked to minimise extreme, unplayable hard shifts that leave squads entirely stranded by RNG. Expect tighter, faster, and more aggressive rotations.

    3. Weapon Tuning: The SLR Reclaims the Throne

    The DMR meta is getting a significant shakeup. The SLR has received a targeted balance pass aimed at making it a premium choice for long-range precision taps.

    • Recoil Recovery: Recoil centring speed has been buffed, allowing for faster follow-up shots without losing your target tracking.
    • Damage Profile: Minor adjustments ensure that the SLR retains its terrifying stopping power over distance compared to its 5.56 counterparts.

    To offset this, minor stability tweaks have been applied to the Beryl M762 to keep the assault rifle category balanced, ensuring that players have to work a bit harder to laser opponents at mid-range.

    4. The Wildcard: AI Companion Testing (PC Arcade)

    For PC players running high-end rigs, Patch 42.1 introduces an experimental Ally Duo mode in Arcade Labs. This mode utilises localised hardware acceleration (including RTX-specific optimisations) to give you an intelligent AI teammate. Rather than acting like a mindless bot, this companion responds to pings, syncs up pushes, and acts as a genuine co-pilot for solo players looking for a duo experience.

    TechMash Verdict

    Update 42.1 proves that Krafton isn’t content letting PUBG coast on its legacy. By introducing interactive physics to smoke and speeding up the match pacing, they are forcing veterans to unlearn old habits. It makes the game faster, louder, and significantly less forgiving.

    Drop into the comments below: Are you a fan of the new fast-paced Blue Zones, or did you prefer the classic tactical crawl?

    Find out more here

    #PUBG #GamingNews #Battlegrounds #PatchReport42 #PCGaming #Xbox #PlayStation #TechMash #Esports #BattleRoyale

  • Overwatch Season 3: Neon Tokyo, J-Pop Collabs, and a Bike-Wielding New DPS Revealed in ‘Into the Tiger’s Den’ Trailer

    Overwatch Season 3: Neon Tokyo, J-Pop Collabs, and a Bike-Wielding New DPS Revealed in ‘Into the Tiger’s Den’ Trailer

    Blizzard has officially dropped the trailer for Overwatch Season 3: Into the Tiger’s Den, and it is safe to say they are pulling out all the stops for this massive cyberpunk-infused update. From a deadly new Omnic leader to a revolutionary new cosmetic tier, there is a lot to break down.

    If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the official trailer to get a taste of the Tokyo underworld aesthetic before diving into our full breakdown below.

    Meet Shion: The Hashimoto Clan’s Most Terrifying Elder

    The headline of Season 3 is undoubtedly Hero 52: Shion, a brand-new Damage hero who brings serious attitude and an aggressive kit to the roster. Shion is an Omnic leader within the notorious Hashimoto Clan, sporting a hyper-realistic human mask and a serious vendetta.

    Blizzard is rewriting the rules on how to enter a team fight with her unique kit:

    • Kira Pistols: Close-range, rapid-fire dual pistols.
    • Evade & Execution: A fast-paced dash that grants overhealth, paired with an X-shaped volley ability that shreds low-health targets.
    • Joyride: Yes, you read that right—Shion can literally mount a motorcycle mid-match. Not only does it offer incredible mobility, but you can also weaponise and launch the bike directly into unsuspecting enemies.

    New Map: Neon Junction

    Welcome to a futuristic, cyberpunk Tokyo. Neon Junction is the new Hybrid map arriving this season, heavily inspired by city pop music and Tokyo’s Akihabara district. The map features gorgeous neon streetwear fashion vibes, manga shops, a gachapon parlour, and a massive Hashimoto skyscraper.

    Sniper Beware: The map features a highly vertical overpass that is perfect for Widowmaker and Hanzo mains. However, there’s a catch: a train periodically barrels through the overpass, meaning if you camp too long, you’ll suffer an instant environmental elimination. Risk-reward gaming at its finest.

    Introducing ‘Ultra’ Skins & The YOASOBI Collaboration

    Blizzard is shaking up the cosmetic economy by introducing a brand-new tier above Legendary: Ultra Skins. These are heavily souped-up cosmetics featuring unique audio and visual effects. For example, Sierra is getting a cat-cafe-themed Ultra skin that features an actual interactive cat.

    On top of that, the battle pass will include the Mythic Ascendant Phoenix Illari skin and a Tokyo Rebel Hanzo Mythic weapon.

    J-Pop fans also have a massive crossover to look forward to later in the season. Overwatch is officially collaborating with the musical duo YOASOBI for a special mid-season event featuring unique cosmetics for Genji, Hanzo, and Kiriko, complete with an official anime music video (AMV) and song.

    New Events, Rank Resets, and Balance Sweeps

    Season 3 also introduces Anima Strike, a brand-new seasonal event with a structured style completely fresh to the game. Competitive players can also look forward to a complete rank reset to shake up the meta.

    Speaking of the meta, the patch notes are targeting some heavy-hitting balance changes. Notably, Jetpack Cat’s infamous synergy with Bastion and Cassidy is getting reined in with a heavy nerf to its Frenetic Flight fuel regeneration and Transport Shielding.

    When Can You Play?

    Overwatch Season 3: Into the Tiger’s Den is live now as of June 16, 2026. The patch sits at around 10 GB and is available for pre-load across all consoles, PC, and the Switch 2.

    Are you ready to risk the train tracks on Neon Junction, or will you be busy launching motorcycles at the enemy backline as Shion? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #Overwatch #IntoTheTigersDen #OverwatchSeason3 #GamingNews #Shion #NeonJunction #YOASOBI #TechMash

  • Link Start! Try the ‘Echoes of Aincrad’ Demo Trailer and Risk Your Reality

    Link Start! Try the ‘Echoes of Aincrad’ Demo Trailer and Risk Your Reality

    The wait is officially over for Sword Art Online fans. Bandai Namco has dropped the highly anticipated Demo Trailer for Echoes of Aincrad, giving us a thrilling look at the dark, stakes-heavy virtual world we’ve been waiting to dive into. Better yet? The playable demo is officially live right now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam!

    If you’ve always wanted to experience the harrowing “death game” of the original SAO arc without being forced to step into Kirito’s boots, this is your moment.

    Check out the breakdown of what the trailer reveals and why you need to download the demo immediately.

    Watch the Echoes of Aincrad Demo Trailer

    Forge Your Hero, Risk Your Reality

    The demo trailer pulls no punches, highlighting the high-stakes, Souls-lite survival mechanics that define the gameplay loop. Unlike previous entries in the franchise, Echoes of Aincrad places you at the centre of the story.

    Through an extensive avatar customisation system, you design your own original character, choose your weapon style, and set out to conquer the unforgiving floors of the floating castle.

    What’s Packed into the Playable Demo?

    Bandai Namco is giving players a massive chunk of gameplay to test out before the full launch. Here is what you can expect when you log in today:

    • The Beta Test Chapter: Play through the prologue and five full missions spanning the first two floors of Aincrad.
    • Full Arsenal Access: Test out all 6 core weapon types (including Swords, Rapiers, Daggers, Maces, Two-Handed Swords, and Two-Handed Axes) to see what fits your playstyle.
    • Progressive Caps: Character levels are capped at Level 15, and Weapon Proficiency is capped at Level 3 for the trial.
    • Seamless Save Data Carry-Over: Every bit of progress, gear, and experience you earn in the demo carries directly over to the retail version of the game.

    Note: Your avatar’s appearance is locked during the Beta Test chapter, and demo save data cannot be used to cheese the ultra-hard “Death Game Mode” in the final release.

    Combat & Visuals: A Breath of Fresh Air

    Early impressions of the demo indicate that developer Game Studio Inc. has opted for a much more grounded, tactical experience than the skill-spamming action of previous SAO titles.

    Combat relies heavily on stamina management, perfect parries, and strategic positioning. The game’s stunning environments capture the scale and melancholic beauty of the original anime’s first arc. Defeating the iconic Kobold boss at the end of the tutorial requires actual focus, proving that survival in this version of Aincrad won’t be handed to you on a silver platter.

    Release Date and Pre-Order Bonuses

    Echoes of Aincrad officially launches on July 10, 2026. If you like what you play in the demo, pre-orders are open now across all major platforms. Securing your copy early grants you the Proto-Elucidator Series Weapon Pack, giving you a classic aesthetic edge right from day one. Deluxe and Ultimate editions are also available, offering early unlocks for the brutal Death Game Mode and future story DLC.

    Are you ready to risk your reality? Go download the demo on Steam, Xbox, or PS5, and let us know your thoughts on the combat in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #EchoesOfAincrad #SwordArtOnline #SAO #BandaiNamco #GamingNews #JRPG #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #Steam #TechMash

  • Get Ready to Dilly-Dally: Big Walk Officially Confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 with New Release Date Trailer!

    Get Ready to Dilly-Dally: Big Walk Officially Confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 with New Release Date Trailer!

    The brilliant, chaotic minds behind the viral sensation Untitled Goose Game are back, and they’re trading in the pesky goose honks for something a little more cooperative. Melbourne-based developer House House, alongside publisher Panic, has dropped a brand-new release date trailer for their highly anticipated multiplayer adventure, Big Walk.

    Even better news for Nintendo fans? The game has been officially locked in for the Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s hitting the next-gen hybrid console on August 4, 2026!

    Check out everything we know so far about this gorgeous, communication-driven indie darling.

    What is Big Walk?

    If competitive, sweat-inducing multiplayer shooters have left you burnt out, Big Walk is the exact antidote you need. Described by the developers as a cooperative game about “teamwork and talking,” Big Walk drops you and a group of absurdly round, charming characters into a lush, wide-open island.

    The goal? There isn’t a massive rush. It’s a hand-crafted, 10-to-15-hour adventure meant to be played from start to finish with friends. You’ll tackle cerebral puzzles, figure out how to navigate the terrain, and—most importantly—just hang out.

    Watch the Release Date Trailer

    The new trailer highlights the absolute joy of doing a whole lot of nothing (and a whole lot of everything) with your mates. From navigating vibrant, mysterious structures to literally stealing your friend’s binoculars and kicking them into the ocean, the trailer perfectly captures House House’s signature brand of effortless charm and lighthearted mischief.

    Key Features We’re Excited For

    • Proximity Voice Chat is King: The game relies heavily on a brilliant in-game chat system. Voices fade across distances, echo down corridors, and muffle through walls. (They even recommend not being in the same physical room as your real-life friends to get the full experience!).
    • Hilarious Communication Tools: When voice chat cuts out or you find yourself separated, you can use binoculars, walkie-talkies, megaphones, laser pointers, whiteboards, or even a giant golden head to get your point across.
    • Flail Those Arms! If all else fails, you can wave, point, or flail your character’s arms around wildly to communicate.
    • Flexible Party Sizes & Crossplay: You can play as a focused duo or gather a massive crew of up to 12 players for absolute, beautiful chaos. Best of all, Big Walk supports full crossplay, meaning you can explore with friends on PC, Mac, and PS5 right from your Switch 2.

    A Perfect Match for the Nintendo Switch 2

    Big Walk is exactly the kind of game that showcases why we love Nintendo’s ecosystem. It thrives on community, accessible fun, and pure aesthetic joy. The fact that House House and Panic confirmed it as a cornerstone indie title for the Nintendo Switch 2 proves that the upcoming hardware is going to be a fantastic home for gorgeous, stylised indie worlds.

    Mark your calendars, round up your gaming crew, and prepare to get thoroughly lost when Big Walk launches on August 4, 2026.

    Are you excited to take a hike with your friends on the Switch 2? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #BigWalk #NintendoSwitch2 #Switch2 #HouseHouse #PanicGames #IndieGames #CoOpGaming #GamingNews #TechMash

  • The Division 2 Goes Radical: “Into the Dark” Trailer Teases Massive Dark Zone Overhaul and Lethal New PvE Modes!

    The Division 2 Goes Radical: “Into the Dark” Trailer Teases Massive Dark Zone Overhaul and Lethal New PvE Modes!

    Agents, it is time to recalibrate your builds and restock your ammo. Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment have officially dropped the launch trailer for The Division 2: Into the Dark (Year 8, Season 2), and it is completely flipping the script on how we look at Washington D.C.’s most dangerous sectors.

    With Black Tusk temporarily pushed back, a familiar enemy has stepped into the power vacuum with a terrifying upgrade. The Hyenas are back, and they are flooding the streets with a highly potent, pain-resistant formula of “Spice.”

    Check out the breakdown of what the brutal new launch trailer reveals, and why you’ll want to log back into the grid immediately.

    Watch the Official Launch Trailer

    Welcome to the Toxic Dark Zone (Yes, a PvE DZ!)

    For years, the Dark Zone has been a hotbed of high-stakes extraction tension and Rogue Agent betrayals. Into the Dark is shaking up that foundational formula by introducing rotating Dark Zone rulesets, headlined by the community’s long-requested feature: a dedicated PvE Dark Zone experience.

    Known as the Toxic Dark Zone, this seasonal variant deactivates Rogue protocols entirely. Player-versus-player damage is turned off, meaning up to 12 Agents can share the space and work together as a unified front.

    But don’t expect a walk in the park:

    • The Toxicity Mechanic: The entire zone is covered in a hazardous contamination that builds up debuffs the longer you stay inside.
    • Buffed Hyenas: You’ll face hyper-aggressive Hyena factions jacked up on Potent Spice, making them faster, tougher, and much harder to bring down.
    • The Objective: Infiltrate, survive the rising environmental toxicity, and secure Sample Canisters to disrupt the Hyena operation.

    For the purists, don’t worry—the Balanced Dark Zone (featuring high-level normalisation with SHD Watch/Expertise disabled for pure skill-based PvP) and the traditional Classic Dark Zone are rotating right alongside it.

    High-Tier Loot Updates & Exotic Economy Buffs

    If you love hunting for Exotics, Into the Dark is giving you plenty of reasons to grind. Massive is significantly buffing the economy and reward systems:

    • Exotic Component Drop Rates: Landmark chests in the PvP Dark Zones now boast a massive 40% drop chance for Exotic components (25% in the Toxic PvE DZ). Furthermore, Heroic Landmark bosses in PvP zones now feature a whopping 48% drop rate for Exotics.
    • New Weapons & Gear Sets: Keep an eye out for the new Ortiz: Reficere gear set (built heavily around rapid-application nanite healing) and two brand-new Exotics: the Caduceus Assault Rifle and the Underboss SMG.
    • Quality of Life Updates: Dark Zone spawn points now feature a brief invulnerability window to put a definitive end to toxic door-camping.

    Agent Note: Later this season, players can also look forward to a brand-new Incursion titled Steel Creek, plus two fresh Classified Assignments to expand the narrative.

    The Verdict

    The Division 2 continues to prove that it isn’t just surviving seven years in; it’s actively evolving. By introducing structural PvP overhauls alongside an unpredictable, highly contaminated PvE Dark Zone loop, Into the Dark gives both solo survivalists and hardcore PvP squads a fresh reason to brave the capital.

    The update is live right now. Grab your squad, watch your toxicity levels, and don’t let the Hyenas take the capital.

    Are you diving straight into the Toxic PvE Dark Zone, or testing your builds in the balanced PvP brackets? Let us know your thoughts on the new trailer in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #TheDivision2 #IntoTheDark #GamingNews #Ubisoft #DarkZone #TomClancy #CoOpShooter #TechMash #Gaming #VideoGames2026

  • Night Apes and Tactile Storms: Bootstrap Island Gets Massive 1.1.0 Update

    Night Apes and Tactile Storms: Bootstrap Island Gets Massive 1.1.0 Update

    If you’ve ever wanted to channel your inner Robinson Crusoe—but, you know, with the added terror of being hunted by 17th-century tropical beasts in virtual reality—then Maru VR has some brilliant news for you.

    The developers have officially dropped Major Update 1.1.0 for Bootstrap Island, their critically acclaimed PCVR survival adventure on Steam. This isn’t just a minor patch; it’s a massive overhaul designed to make your time stranded on the island both significantly more rewarding and remarkably terrifying.

    Here is everything you need to know about what’s waiting for you in the jungle.

    1. Progress Even When You Perish: The Cumulative Progression System

    Let’s be honest: survival games can be brutal, and losing a long run can feel soul-crushing. Maru VR is tackling that friction head-on. Update 1.1.0 introduces a Cumulative Progression System, meaning that unlocking new tools and items is now tied to your total survival time across all playthroughs.

    Every single day you manage to stay alive chips away at future unlocks. Even if your next run ends in disaster, your time wasn’t wasted—you’re still advancing your long-term progression, making the early game much more satisfying.

    2. A Simple Solution to Early-Game Inventory: The Crate

    Tired of juggling resources in your bare hands before you unlock a proper satchel? Enter The Crate.

    Players can now discover floating crates washed up around the island. You can fill these handy boxes with raw resources and supplies, carrying them by hand as a mobile storage unit. It’s a beautifully immersive, physical solution to early-game resource management.

    3. Beware the Dark: Terrifying “Night Apes” Have Arrived

    If you thought the island was safe once you got a campfire going, think again. The darkness just got a whole lot deadlier with the introduction of Night Apes. These aggressive, nocturnal predators emerge only after sunset, stalking the shadows and hunting down any castaways foolish enough to wander too far from the safety of the firelight.

    4. Feel the Storm with Full bHaptics Support

    For the ultimate immersion chasers, Bootstrap Island now officially supports bHaptics devices. If you own a wearable haptic vest, you will literally feel the impact of combat encounters, animal attacks, raging tropical storms, and literal lightning strikes rippling across your body.

    5. Quality of Life & Performance Boosts

    Alongside the headline features, Maru VR has packed in a ton of community-requested tweaks:

    • Faster Movement: Slightly increased walking and running speeds.
    • Better Combat: Tweaked animal behaviour, stabbing, and gutting mechanics.
    • Smoother Visuals: Landscape and foliage optimisations to keep your frame rates steady.
    • Easier Sparks: Reduced the frustrating amount of force needed to strike rocks together for fire.

    The Verdict

    Bootstrap Island already stood out as one of the most punishingly realistic VR survival games on the market. With Update 1.1.0, Maru VR has brilliantly balanced that hardcore realism with mechanics that respect the player’s time.

    Whether you’re a veteran castaway or have been waiting for a friendlier entry point into the jungle, there has never been a better time to test your instincts.

    Bootstrap Island is available now on Steam for PCVR, with a PlayStation VR2 release slated for later this year.

    Find out more here

    #BootstrapIsland #MaruVR #VRGaming #VirtualReality #PCVR #SteamGames #GamingNews #VRSurvival #TechMash

  • Next Stop, Terror: Why This Indie Train Simulator is a Ticket to Pure Horror

    Next Stop, Terror: Why This Indie Train Simulator is a Ticket to Pure Horror

    Imagine this: You’re working the night shift on a cross-country train. Your biggest worries should be restocking the stale chips, keeping the coffee hot, and dealing with the occasional rude commuter. You push your snack cart down the narrow aisle, asking for IDs and tickets.

    But as you look closer at the passenger in seat 4B, you notice something is off. Their blink is a fraction of a second too slow. Their skin looks a bit too much like latex under the flickering fluorescent lights.

    Welcome to Only Humans On Board, an upcoming indie simulation game that takes the mundane dread of retail and mixes it with skin-crawling cosmic horror.

    The Ultimate Customer Service Nightmare

    At its core, Only Humans On Board plays like a twisted love child of Papers, Please and Dead Space. Your day-to-day responsibilities look normal enough on paper:

    • Inventory Management: Buy your supplies, budget your earnings, and stock your cart with the snacks passengers crave.
    • Customer Service: Walk the aisles, serve refreshments, and keep the passengers happy.
    • Ticket & ID Verification: Scan identification cards and check tickets to ensure everyone belongs on the train.

    The catch? Some of your “customers” are only pretending to be human. They want your snacks, but they might want your flesh even more.

    Spot the Discrepancy, Stay Alive

    As a train vendor, your scanner and your sharp eye are your only weapons. You’ll need to cross-reference IDs, look for facial anomalies, and listen closely to how passengers speak.

    If you do your job right, you flag the impostor, call security, and survive to see the next station. But if you get complacent—if you skim an ID too quickly or ignore that weird, guttural click in a passenger’s voice just to hit your sales quota—your shift ends very, very differently. Let’s just say management won’t be accepting your resignation letter.

    Why We’re Hooked

    What makes Only Humans On Board look so promising is how it leverages psychological tension. It turns a claustrophobic, familiar setting—a train carriage—into a gauntlet of paranoia. Every passenger interaction becomes a high-stakes puzzle where a single customer service mistake is fatal.

    If you love tension-building detective games and don’t mind looking at a commuter train the same way again, this is definitely one to keep on your radar.

    What do you think? Could you spot a monster disguised as a tired businessman, or would you accidentally upsell a bag of peanuts to a shape-shifter? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #OnlyHumansOnBoard #IndieGames #GamingNews #HorrorGames #GamingCommunity #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Solo Dev Magic: Tactical PvP Card Battler ‘Astralight: Pilgrim’s Duel’ Hits Steam

    Solo Dev Magic: Tactical PvP Card Battler ‘Astralight: Pilgrim’s Duel’ Hits Steam

    The indie card game scene is about to get a lot more competitive, and this time, it’s coming from a solo powerhouse. Developer ShootingStar has officially opened the Steam page for Astralight: Pilgrim’s Duel, an upcoming free-to-play tactical PvP card battler that proves you don’t need a massive studio to build an ambitious, deeply strategic universe.

    If you are a fan of tight resource management, clever mind games, and deckbuilding, this is one indie title you need to add to your wishlist immediately.

    What is Astralight: Pilgrim’s Duel?

    At its core, Astralight: Pilgrim’s Duel is a turn-based 1v1 strategy game where board control and precise timing mean the difference between a glorious victory and a crushing defeat. Players choose a hero, manage a steadily growing mana pool, and fight to reduce the enemy hero’s health to zero.

    What sets it apart is the sheer variety of tools at your disposal across five major card types:

    • Characters: Your frontline fighters are tasked with attacking and defending the board.
    • Structures: Durable fortifications that shift the field’s geography and provide passive advantages.
    • Equipment: Direct stat-boosts and modifiers to empower your characters.
    • Spells: High-impact cards for instant damage, healing, or board clears.
    • Traps: Hidden, face-down cards that trigger on your opponent’s turn—perfect for baiting aggressive plays and completely reversing momentum.

    Build Your 30-Card Strategy

    The game skips over convoluted deck limitations in favour of a clean, hyper-focused rule: a legal deck consists of exactly 30 cards, with a maximum of 4 copies of any single card.

    When you first step into the world of Astralight, you’ll select one of three elemental starter paths—Fire, Water, or Forest—giving you a strong thematic foundation to experiment with. Combined with unique, mana-activated Hero Skills that can define your entire win condition, the tactical permutations are vast.

    A Massive Long-Term Vision

    While the game is launching as a tight, competitive 1v1 PvP battler, the developer has massive plans for the future. Astralight is designed to eventually evolve into a full online card RPG, with plans to introduce:

    • Co-op PvE roguelike expeditions
    • Auto expeditions and card trading systems
    • Shared social world features to connect the community

    Best of all? Every match you play—win or lose—rewards you with currency and crafting materials, keeping the free-to-play model firmly focused on progression and collection expansion rather than paywalls.

    Watchlist It Now!

    Astralight: Pilgrim’s Duel is listed as “Coming Soon,” and the Steam page is officially live for wishlists. Head over to Steam, check out the trailer, and support a solo indie developer trying to reshape the CCG landscape.

    Wishlist Astralight: Pilgrim’s Duel on Steam

    #TechMash #Astralight #IndieGames #CardBattler #PCGaming #SteamGames #FreeToPlay #CCG #SoloDev

  • Clock In, Grunts: ‘Goblin Company’ is Officially Out on Steam!

    Clock In, Grunts: ‘Goblin Company’ is Officially Out on Steam!

    Attention all prospective subterranean labourers! WHAAG MINING INC. has issued its final corporate update, and it’s time to pick up your shovels. Goblin Company, the chaotic co-op mining survival game from BitBorne Studio, has officially launched on Steam.

    If you’ve been coasting by on the free demo, we have some good news and some bad news. The bad news? The demo has officially closed its doors. The good news? The full, unhinged corporate mining experience is ready for you and your crew right now.

    The Corporate Hype is Real

    Management is thrilled to report that over 115,000 goblins wishlisted the game ahead of launch. That is a lot of expendable workforce ready to delve into the deep, dark, and dangerous caves for the glory of the company.

    To those who participated in the alpha and beta phases, WHAAG MINING INC. Management has released a brief, mandatory statement:

    “Thank you for your service. Now get back to work.”

    What to Expect on the Shift

    If you’re new to the team, Goblin Company blends the frantic resource-gathering of survival games with the absolute chaos of cooperative multiplayer. You and your friends will dig deep, fend off subterranean horrors, and try to make it out alive with enough loot to satisfy your corporate overlords.

    Grab your copy on Steam today and start your shift!

    Find out more here

    #GoblinCompany #BitBorneStudio #SteamGames #CoOpGaming #IndieDev #GamingNews #PCGaming #TechMash #WHAAGMining

  • Face the Cosmic Madness: The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu Demo Drops Today for Steam Next Fest!

    Face the Cosmic Madness: The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu Demo Drops Today for Steam Next Fest!

    The wait is officially over for horror fans looking to lose their minds—metaphorically and literally. NACON and ACE Team have announced that their highly anticipated cooperative horror game, The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu, is taking centre stage at Steam Next Fest from June 15 to June 22, 2026.

    Starting today, PC players can officially download a free playable demo and take their first terrifying steps into a cursed, 16th-century South American canopy. To celebrate the hands-on event, the developers have unleashed a chilling new trailer giving us a direct look at the game’s oppressive atmosphere, psychological tricks, and tense squad gameplay. Check it out below!

    Welcome to the Cursed Jungle

    Developed by the eccentric minds at ACE Team (Zeno Clash, The Eternal Cylinder), The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu moves away from typical Victorian gothic settings to plunge up to four players into a deeply hostile historical jungle.

    Your mission sounds simple on paper: set out from the safety of your galleon, take a rowboat to the mainland, complete high-stakes contracts, and recover legendary treasures. However, the supernatural forces dwelling within the jungle don’t just want to hunt you—they want to warp your mind.

    Key Gameplay Features to Expect in the Demo:

    • A Fragile Sanity System: As you venture deeper under the dense canopy, your sanity rapidly deteriorates. The game features highly individualised visual and auditory hallucinations. You might see the world drenched in blood, mistake deadly traps for mirages, or even see your teammates turn into monstrous entities.
    • Proximity Voice Chat is Mandatory: Clear communication is your literal lifeline. The game relies on spatial audio. If a player panics, wanders off, and loses vocal contact with the squad, isolation will accelerate their madness. Even worse? Succumb entirely, and you might turn into a hostile creature controlled by the jungle, tasked with hunting your former friends.
    • Trigger Discipline & Stealth: You are equipped with period-accurate gear like flintlock muskets, crossbows, and swords. Fire off a heavy musket, and the sheer noise risks awakening a reactive jungle that will aggressively hunt you down. Sometimes, running for your life back to the rowboat is the only real victory.

    “We always say it existed long before the players got there, and I think you feel that when you explore. There’s stuff here that has nothing to do with you, wonders that weren’t put there for you to find.” — Edmundo Bordeu, Art Director at ACE Team

    Play the Demo This Week, Launching This July!

    The Steam Next Fest demo serves as a massive open test following the game’s recent closed beta, offering a substantial chunk of gameplay to tackle with your friends.

    If you manage to survive the demo, you won’t have to wait long for the full expedition. The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu is scheduled to officially launch on July 15, 2026, coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross-platform support.

    Head over to Steam, grab your crew, download the demo, and see if you have what it takes to tame the jungle before it devours you.

    Find out more here

    #TheMound #OmenOfCthulhu #SteamNextFest #CoOpHorror #IndieGames #NACON #ACETeam #GamingNews #PCGaming #Lovecraftian

  • Craft on the Fly, Extract, Repeat: Expendabots Unveiled at Future Games Show!

    Craft on the Fly, Extract, Repeat: Expendabots Unveiled at Future Games Show!

    The Future Games Show: Summer Showcase just dropped a major bombshell for co-op horror fans. Independent developer Collision Games and acclaimed publisher Blue Brain Games (the masterminds behind The House of Da Vinci series) have officially pulled back the curtain on Expendabots—a frantic, 4-player co-op horror extraction game that promises to test your nerves and your teamwork.

    If you love high-stakes extraction loops, clunky robotic protagonists, and atmospheric dread, this is one title you need on your radar.

    Welcome to the Custody Zone

    In an alternate universe, the Custody Zone is a forbidden archipelago sealed off from civilisation. It’s a beautifully handcrafted, procedurally generated nightmare filled with abandoned facilities, unstable machinery, and technology that defies explanation.

    To salvage what’s left, the mega-corporation Nullshore Consortium sends in the Expendabots—disposable, clunky robotic units engineered to dive into the dark, scavenge for valuable relics, and get the heck out before the island is lost entirely.

    But you aren’t alone out there. The Zone’s ancient defence systems are still highly active, and the terrifying entities patrolling the halls react to both sight and sound.

    Check out the core features revealed at the showcase:

    • Frantic 1-4 Player Co-op: Team up with friends or go it alone on PC and Mac via Steam.
    • On-the-Fly 3D Printing: Each Expendabot carries a portable 3D printer on its back. Scavenge raw materials mid-run to fabricate vital survival gear, emergency power cells, or decoys to lure threats away.
    • Deadly Proximity Chat: Communication is key, but be careful—the enemy NPCs can hear you screaming over the proximity mic.
    • Heart-Pounding Respawn System: In Expendabots, you are replaceable, but the mission isn’t. If a teammate falls, you can physically harvest their “heart” and carry it to a massive 3D printer to spawn them into a shiny new chassis.
    • Procedural Peril: Featuring 5 distinct dungeon types, no two expeditions into the Custody Zone will ever lay out the same.

    High Stakes, No Refunds

    What sets Expendabots apart is its distinct blend of charmingly clunky robotic design with genuinely tense, atmospheric horror. The progression system revolves around upgrading your robotic limbs, unlocking new abilities and mechanics to survive deeper dives into the facilities.

    It’s all about the risk vs reward: do you stay a few minutes longer to loot one last room, or do you extract with your squad before the island collapses?

    Wishlist Now!

    Following its stellar world premiere, Expendabots is officially available to wishlist on Steam. If you are ready to assemble your squad of scrap-metal heroes, head over to their official page, check out the debut trailer, and prepare for a wild, chaotic extraction experience.

    What do you think of the Expendabots reveal? Let us know if your squad will be diving into the Custody Zone in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #Expendabots #CollisionGames #BlueBrainGames #FutureGamesShow #CoOpGames #HorrorGames #ExtractionShooter #IndieGames #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Crash the Yokai Party: Twilight Parade: Moonlit Mononoke Gets a Physical PS5 Release This July!

    Crash the Yokai Party: Twilight Parade: Moonlit Mononoke Gets a Physical PS5 Release This July!

    Physical game collectors and retro enthusiasts, clear some space on your shelves! Funbox Media Ltd has officially announced that they are bringing the vibrant, chaotic world of Twilight Parade: Moonlit Mononoke to the PlayStation 5 in a physical edition.

    Mark your calendars: this physical release is set to drop across Europe and the Americas on July 31, 2026.

    If you love nostalgic pixel art, chaotic bullet-hell action, and quirky Japanese folklore, this is one launch you won’t want to skip.

    What is Twilight Parade: Moonlit Mononoke?

    Originally released digitally by Eastasiasoft and developed by Super16bits, Twilight Parade: Moonlit Mononoke is a side-scrolling bullet-hell shoot-’em-up (SHMUP) that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

    The premise is simple but hilarious: Every year, the spirits and monsters of Japan take to the streets to celebrate the Hyakki Yagy? (the Night Parade of the Hundred Yokai). But this year? They intentionally didn’t invite the rowdy Oni twins. Naturally, the only logical response is to crash the party and completely ruin it!

    Key Features:

    • Playable Yokai Heroines: Take control of four beautiful pixel-art characters—including the sweet-loving Blue Oni Sister and the hot-headed Red Oni Sister—each featuring their own distinct companion assistant (and yes, beachwear variants!).
    • Retro Bullet-Hell Action: Battle your way through 5 chaotic, yokai-infested levels.
    • Massive Boss Fights: Face down giant, screen-filling bosses at the end of every stage.
    • Accessible Fun: With gorgeous 16-bit retro aesthetics and an infinite continue system, it’s a blast for hardcore arcade veterans and SHMUP newcomers alike.

    A Packed 3-in-1 Disc: The Bonus Games!

    Funbox Media Ltd isn’t just giving us a standard physical release; they are packing the disc with incredible value. To complement the main game, the physical edition includes two fantastic bonus games right on the disc:

    1. Tiny Pixels Vol. 1 – Ninpo Blast: A fast-paced, retro vertical shoot-’em-up where you’ll fight off swarms of mythical insect baddies using shurikens, bombs, and hoverbikes. It features permanent weapon upgrades and online leaderboards for the ultimate arcade chase.
    2. Overpowered 1 – Mars Infestation: Ready for a change of scenery? Jump into the year 2050 in this top-down, twin-stick sci-fi shooter. Exterminate aggressive alien threats on Mars using over-the-top firepower, fluid pixel art animations, and a pumping soundtrack.

    “This release celebrates not only a wonderful main title, but also includes two fantastic bonus games that showcase diverse gameplay styles. It’s a great value package and a must-have for collectors.” — Funbox Media Ltd

    Final Thoughts

    In a digital-first era, physical releases like this are a true love letter to collectors. By bundling a beautiful side-scrolling SHMUP with a vertical ninja-themed shooter and a twin-stick sci-fi survival game, Funbox Media is offering massive arcade variety in one single box.

    Keep your eyes peeled for pre-orders at your favourite retailers ahead of the July 31, 2026, launch date!

    Are you planning to add this to your PS5 physical collection? Which character are you choosing first? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #PS5 #PhysicalGames #TwilightParade #SHMUP #BulletHell #RetroGaming #FunboxMedia #IndieGames #Yokai #TechMash

  • Burn Rubber Early: Throttle Trace Drops a Surprise Playable Demo on Steam!

    Burn Rubber Early: Throttle Trace Drops a Surprise Playable Demo on Steam!

    The engines are roaring, the tyres are smoking, and the starting line is officially open. MicroProse and Unordered Games have just announced that a playable demo for their highly anticipated racer, Throttle Trace, is officially live on Steam for everyone to experience right now.

    If you’ve been itching for a racing game that perfectly balances high-octane speed with precision control, your weekend plans just sorted themselves out.

    What is Throttle Trace?

    For the uninitiated, Throttle Trace isn’t just another lap-around-the-track simulator. Developed by Unordered Games and published by the legendary strategy and simulation giants at MicroProse, this title aims to bring a fresh, adrenaline-fueled perspective to the racing genre.

    Think tight corners, heart-pounding drift mechanics, and tracks designed to test both your reflexes and your tactical racing lines. With MicroProse backing the project, you can bet there’s a deep appreciation for mechanical detail and satisfying gameplay loops underlying every single drift.

    What to Expect in the Steam Demo

    The developers aren’t just giving us a glorified benchmark test; this is a proper taste of the tarmac. By downloading the demo today, you’ll get to experience:

    • Responsive Handling: Get a feel for the game’s distinct physics engine.
    • Immersive Tracks: Tear through meticulously designed environments that demand your full attention.
    • A True Stress Test: Push your own limits (and your PC’s frame rates) before the full launch.

    How to Play: You don’t need a special beta key or a pre-order code. Simply head over to the Steam store, search for Throttle Trace, and hit the “Download Demo” button to get behind the wheel immediately.

    Why This Collaboration Matters

    MicroProse has been on an absolute tear lately, resurrecting the spirit of classic PC gaming while championing innovative indie talent. By partnering with Unordered Games for Throttle Trace, they are signalling a bold step into high-speed action. This demo is a statement of confidence—they want players to feel the weight of the cars and the rush of the race firsthand because they know the gameplay speaks for itself.

    Go grab your controller (or configure your wheel), head over to Steam, and lay down some rubber. Once you’ve set your best lap time, drop a comment below and let us know if Throttle Trace is living up to the hype!

    Find out more here

    #ThrottleTrace #MicroProse #UnorderedGames #SteamDemo #PCGaming #RacingGames #GamingNews #TechMash #IndieGames

  • Escape the Abyss: Dark Action-RPG ‘Lostbound’ Hits Steam Next Fest with a Brand-New Playable Demo

    Escape the Abyss: Dark Action-RPG ‘Lostbound’ Hits Steam Next Fest with a Brand-New Playable Demo

    The highly anticipated Steam Next Fest is officially here, running from June 15–22, and indie game fans have a major new title to add to their radar. Developer Tenkarider, alongside publisher Tambù Digital, has announced that their striking action-RPG roguelite, Lostbound, is participating in the event with a thrilling, freshly updated playable demo.

    If you are a fan of dark, tactical roguelites where every single decision dictates your survival, this is one demo you cannot afford to skip this week.

    Outrun the Hand, Manage Your Steps

    In Lostbound, the ground beneath your feet is your greatest asset—and your biggest liability. Set in a decaying world being aggressively consumed by a living entity of darkness known as The Hand, the game blends classic action-RPG combat with unpredictable roguelite mechanics.

    The core twist? Every movement leaves a permanent mark on the world map. Retrace your steps too frequently, and The Hand will physically erase the path behind you. As narrow corridors and safe routes vanish into the Abyss, your journey becomes a tense, calculated race against time and geography.

    What’s Inside the Steam Next Fest Demo?

    Tenkarider and Tambù Digital have loaded this updated demo with a substantial amount of content to give players a true taste of the abyss. Here is what you can expect when you download it this week:

    • The Opening Region: Take your first steps into a crumbling reality and experience the baseline tension of Lostbound’s exploration loop.
    • Two Distinct Modes: Choose between Adventure Mode or Campaign Mode, giving you different ways to tackle the story and its procedural elements.
    • Dungeon Diving: Risk entering dangerous, pitch-black dungeons to hunt for game-changing artefacts and weapon types before nightfall claims you.
    • Build Customisation: Experiment with diverse item synergies, multiple weapons, and permanent meta-progression upgrades fueled by gathering Dark Matter.

    Behind-the-Scenes Developer Broadcasts

    In addition to the hands-on demo, the development team will be hosting a special Steam Broadcast throughout the week. Players can tune in directly on the Steam page to watch live gameplay, gain insights into the dynamic procedural generation systems, and chat with the creators.

    Verdict: A Must-Play for Roguelite Fans

    Lostbound stands out in a crowded genre by making the map itself a predatory force. It demands smart resource management, flawless routing, and an appetite for risk.

    The Lostbound demo is available to download for free right now on Steam. Dive into the abyss, test your survival instincts, and don’t forget to hit that Wishlist button if you manage to escape The Hand!

    Interested? Check out the official trailer on the Lostbound Steam Page.

    #IndieGames #SteamNextFest #Lostbound #GamingNews #Roguelite #ActionRPG #Tenkarider #TambuDigital #PCGaming #TechMash