TECHMASH

Tag: #gamingnews

  • Risk Your Reality: Echoes of Aincrad Brings the Ultimate SAO Death Game to PS5, Xbox, and PC!

    Risk Your Reality: Echoes of Aincrad Brings the Ultimate SAO Death Game to PS5, Xbox, and PC!

    The moment Sword Art Online fans have been waiting for has officially arrived. Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe has officially launched Echoes of Aincrad, a brand-new Action JRPG that takes players right back to where it all began—the iconic, high-stakes floating castle of Aincrad.

    If you’ve ever watched the anime and thought, “I could survive that,” it’s time to prove it. The game is available right now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

    Check out what you need to know about this major new release below.

    Forge Your Own Legend (And Survive It)

    Unlike previous SAO titles where you step directly into the boots of Kirito, Echoes of Aincrad shifts the lens. You are the hero. The game leans heavily into its meta-narrative, allowing players to create and fully customise their own unique avatar trapped inside the ultimate VRMMORPG.

    When “Game Over” means dying in the real world, the stakes couldn’t be higher. You’ll start from the absolute bottom during the infamous beta test period, grinding, levelling up, and fighting your way through a beautifully dangerous world to escape.

    Key Gameplay Features:

    • Real-Time Action Combat: Engage in fast-paced, high-reflex combat encounters. You’ll need to adapt your equipment, weapons, and stats to match your specific playstyle—whether you favour raw speed, heavy strength, or tanky endurance.
    • Deep AI Partner Synergy: You won’t have to face the terrors of Aincrad alone. Players can team up with iconic characters from the Sword Art Online universe, syncing tactics and building powerful team dynamics to take down massive floor bosses.
    • An Expanding, Dangerous World: Explore vast environments, ranging from peaceful, serene plains to dark, trap-filled dungeons teeming with rare treasure and lethal enemies.

    Available Editions

    Bandai Namco has launched the game with a few different packages depending on how deep into the virtual world you want to dive:

    EditionWhat’s Included
    Standard EditionBase Game
    Deluxe EditionBase Game + Expansion DLC + Starter Pack + Early Unlock for Death Game Mode
    Ultimate EditionAll Deluxe Content + Digital Artbook & Soundtrack (“Unanswered//butterfly” App) + Exclusive Armor Packs

    Ready to Link Start?

    Echoes of Aincrad marks a tonal shift for the franchise, embracing a darker, more atmospheric approach that mirrors the underlying dread of the anime’s original “Death Game” arc. If you are looking for a gritty, grindy Action JRPG with deep progression and a heavy dose of nostalgia, Aincrad is calling.

    Will you conquer the floors and claim your freedom, or will you perish in the virtual wire? Grab your copy today on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Steam, and risk your reality!

    Find out more here

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

  • Step into the Dark: Ancient Witchcraft and Psychological Terror Await in ‘Escape From Umbra’

    Step into the Dark: Ancient Witchcraft and Psychological Terror Await in ‘Escape From Umbra’

    Indie horror fans, it is time to charge your batteries and prepare for a serious spike in your heart rate. Veteran independent studio WildSphere—the brilliant minds behind the terrifying Oxide Room 104—has officially unleashed its latest nightmare onto the world.

    Their highly anticipated survival horror and puzzle title, Escape From Umbra, is now available for purchase across all major console and PC digital platforms. If you have been looking for a horror game that prioritises thick, suffocating atmosphere and clever puzzle-solving over mindless jump scares, this is the one to put on your radar.

    The Nightmare of Umbra’s Domain

    Escape From Umbra drops you headfirst into a dark, psychological thriller inspired by ancient mountain witch legends. What was supposed to be a happy birthday getaway in a vacation home quickly devolves into a terrifying reality. You find yourself trapped in a labyrinthine, fog-drenched village inspired by the real-world mountain towns of Las Alpujarras, painstakingly brought to life in gorgeous, eerie detail via Unreal Engine 5.

    The catch? The village is ruled by a relentless witch named Umbra, who is actively hunting you down to consume your soul.

    True “Escape Room” Mechanics

    WildSphere is completely stripping away the traditional video game safety nets here. You won’t find floating backpacks, oversized HUDs, or artificial inventory screens. Escape From Umbra plays out like a literal 3D escape room.

    You must physically investigate the environment, manipulate objects in 3D space, and piece together how to use them to break out of each area. Your only guide is a cryptic journal filled with riddles and logic-based clues. You will have to rely entirely on your own wits to find a path to freedom.

    Friend or Foe? The Mechanics of the Dark

    Surviving the village requires masterfully balancing your very limited resources:

    • The Flashlight: Your beam illuminates the pitch-black streets and can unleash a powerful burst of energy to temporarily blind the spectres patrolling the town. However, light attracts unwanted attention, and your battery life is always ticking down.
    • The Shadow Creatures: The witch’s spectres are alert to the slightest hint of light. If you hear the roots of the village creaking, you need to kill your flashlight, break the line of sight, and hide immediately.
    • The Black Cats: In a world filled with shifting shadows and frozen magic mirrors, keep an eye out for enigmatic black cats. When you see them, trust them—they serve as your guide through the darkness.

    Next-Gen Immersion: If you are playing on the PlayStation 5, the game takes immersion to a whole new level. The flashlight mechanics utilize adaptive triggers for added realism, and there are no on-screen health or danger indicators. Instead, the controller’s haptic feedback transmits your character’s heartbeat directly to your hands—accelerating chaotically as your only radar when danger is closing in.

    Out Now on All Platforms

    Whether you prefer PC gaming or couch-crusading on consoles, WildSphere has you covered. Escape From Umbra has launched simultaneously on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and GOG.

    If you are still on the fence about whether you can handle the dark, a limited-time 10-15 minute playable demo is currently available on Steam and GOG so you can test your nerves before you buy.

    Do you have what it takes to decipher the clues, avoid the witch, and escape the shadows? Grab your copy today and find out.

    Find out more here

    #EscapeFromUmbra #WildSphere #IndieHorror #SurvivalHorror #PuzzleGames #GamingNews #TechMash #HorrorGaming

  • Consoles, Prepare for the Weird: Once Human Lands on PS5 & Xbox This August with a First-Person Twist!

    Consoles, Prepare for the Weird: Once Human Lands on PS5 & Xbox This August with a First-Person Twist!

    Attention, console Metas! If you’ve been watching PC players explore the wonderfully bizarre, Stardust-infected post-apocalypse from the sidelines, your patience is about to pay off.

    NetEase Games and Starry Studio have officially dropped the news we’ve all been waiting for: their hit open-world supernatural survival game, Once Human, is officially launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 25, 2026!

    Best of all? The developers aren’t just giving us a simple port—they’re dropping console players straight into the action with major day-one features. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming console launch.

    True Freedom: Cross-Play & Cross-Progression at Launch

    There is nothing worse than wanting to jump to a new platform but fearing the loss of hundreds of hours of grinding. Thankfully, Starry Studio has eliminated that headache.

    Right from the official August 25 launch, Once Human will feature full cross-play and cross-progression support. Whether you’re moving from PC to the comfort of your couch or trying to team up with friends across different platforms, your progress, Deviants, and base blueprints will seamlessly carry over.

    See the Apocalypse Through New Eyes: First-Person Mode

    If the eerie world of Nalcott wasn’t immersive enough in third-person, prepare to get up close and personal. The console launch will coincide with a brand-new First-Person Perspective (FPP) feature.

    Whether you’re clearing out terrifying anomalies in a tight corridor, aiming down the sights during intense boss fights, or just soaking in the gorgeous, mutated landscapes, switching to FPP promises to completely change how you experience the game’s survival mechanics and combat.

    Optimised for Current-Gen Power

    Starry Studio isn’t skimping on performance either. Console players will have the option to choose how they want to experience the apocalypse:

    • Quality Mode: Stargaze in stunning 4K visuals at a smooth 60 FPS.
    • Performance Mode: Prioritise ultra-fluid gameplay by targeting up to 120 FPS on compatible displays.

    Furthermore, PlayStation 5 players can look forward to custom DualSense integration, featuring bespoke haptic feedback that delivers distinct rumbles for massive monsters and precise trigger resistance during high-stakes gunfights.

    Get Ready for August 25

    Once Human will remain completely free-to-play when it hits consoles, though eager fans can already head to the PlayStation and Xbox storefronts to pre-order optional cosmetic starter packs to kick off their journey in style.

    Mark your calendars, call your squad, and get ready to turn the unknown into your ultimate power this August. The supernatural apocalypse is coming to the big screen!

    Will you be playing Once Human in first-person or third-person when it hits consoles? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #OnceHuman #NetEaseGames #StarryStudio #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #Xbox #GamingNews #SurvivalGames #CrossPlay #TechMash

  • Light Meets Shadow: Lumina Arrives in ARK: Dragontopia First Content Update!

    Light Meets Shadow: Lumina Arrives in ARK: Dragontopia First Content Update!

    Survivors, prepare to take your eyes off the ground and look to the skies. Studio Wildcard has officially launched the first major content update for ARK: Dragontopia, the massive, dragon-focused adventure expanding the horizons of ARK: Survival Ascended.

    Following the jaw-dropping shadowdrop of the Dragontopia DLC earlier this month, the skybound paradise is already growing. The headline of today’s drop? The arrival of Lumina, a radiant celestial dragon ready to bring a brilliant new force to the battle above the clouds.

    The Ultimate Sun-Sworn Counterpart

    If you’ve been ruling the skies with Umbra, the obsidian terror born of darkness, it’s time to meet his direct opposite. Lumina is a sun-sworn, light-bending apex predator designed to restore celestial balance.

    Here is what this radiant new tame brings to your draconic arsenal:

    • Light-Bending Traps: Scatter brilliant celestial traps in midair to blind, punish, and disrupt anyone bold enough to pursue you.
    • The Ultimate Sun-Flare: When pushed to her absolute limit, Lumina erupts into an unstoppable sun-flare state. This blazing transformation strips away enemy technological defences (yes, say goodbye to your precious TEK mechanics) while boosting her own speed and power.
    • Celestial Synergy: Lumina doesn’t just replace Umbra—she completes him. When united in battle alongside her shadow-forged kin, their combined synergy unlocks a devastating alliance of unmatched speed, fortified armour, and pure destruction.

    The Road to a Boundless Skyworld

    Today’s content update is just the beginning of a massive, multi-month roadmap Studio Wildcard has mapped out for the skies of Dragontopia:

    Release WindowWhat’s Coming to the Skies
    July (Out Now!)Lumina Awakens: Tame the sun-sworn celestial dragon, explore new skill tree synergies, and master light-based aerial combat.
    OctoberThe Sky-Behemoth Rises: A heavily armored juggernaut joins the fray. This massive beast can inhale resources, allies, and enemies alike, violently expelling them as weaponized payloads or anchoring itself as an immovable flying fortress.
    DecemberThe Map-Wide Skyworld: The expansion culminates in an endless, procedurally shattered map of floating landmasses, sky outposts, new vehicles, and the full mythical roster of legendary dragons.

    TechMash Verdict: Studio Wildcard is hitting its stride by leaning heavily into high-fantasy aerial mechanics. Between the midair mounts using the Drake Claw Grappler and the tactical depth of the new Dragon Skill Tree, Dragontopia is breathing entirely new life into ARK: Survival Ascended.

    Have you managed to tame Lumina yet, or are you still trying to perfect your midair grapples? Let us know your thoughts on the new update in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #ARK #ARKSurvivalAscended #ARKDragontopia #StudioWildcard #GamingNews #LuminaAwakens #DragonRider #SurvivalGames #TechMash

  • Meet the Minister of Flesh: Starfinder: Afterlight Drops Sinister New Villain Details at Tacticon!

    Meet the Minister of Flesh: Starfinder: Afterlight Drops Sinister New Villain Details at Tacticon!

    The Pact Worlds are about to get a lot more dangerous. At Tacticon, developer Epictellers Entertainment pulled back the curtain on Starfinder: Afterlight, giving fans a spine-chilling look at one of the game’s primary antagonists.

    If you thought exploring neon-lit space stations and undead worlds was going to be a walk in the park, think again. Say hello to Velkan Droth—though you’ll likely come to fear him by his much more sinister moniker: The Minister of Flesh.

    A Villain Born of Cosmic Horror

    Described by Epictellers’ CEO Ricard Pillosu as a twisted cross between the Joker and Ted Bundy, the Minister of Flesh is an Azrinaran Elf hailing from the notorious planet of Apostae. Voiced by the incredibly talented Christopher Tester (whom tactical RPG fans will immediately recognise as Heinrix from Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader), Velkan Droth serves as a key antagonist across the game’s first two acts.

    Droth isn’t just your run-of-the-mill space pirate or galactic warlord. He is a highly unpredictable, deeply charming, and completely sadistic hired gun. Driven by a traumatic past and guided by a mysterious voice only he can hear, he treats his assassinations not as mere jobs, but as elaborate, gruesome works of art.

    Worse yet? He has a deeply personal, unsettling obsession with one of your core companions, a Borai named Sterling.

    “We still have much to reveal about his past and true intentions, and we can’t wait to see our community dig into our very first villain.” > — Ricard Pillosu, CEO and Co-Founder of Epictellers Entertainment

    What is Starfinder: Afterlight?

    For the uninitiated, Starfinder: Afterlight is a highly anticipated, single-player party-based CRPG that brings Paizo’s beloved sci-fi fantasy universe to life using the Starfinder 2e ruleset.

    When your captain vanishes and the galaxy faces total annihilation, it’s up to you to assemble a crew of six unique companions—ranging from mystic prophets to android assassins—and navigate a massive 40-to-60-hour branching narrative where choices carry heavy consequences.

    Key Features to Get Excited For:

    • Tactical Turn-Based Combat: Utilise Paizo’s critically acclaimed three-action system with iconic classes like the Soldier, Operative, Mystic, and Solarian.
    • Deep Companionship: Forge bonds, navigate moral dilemmas, and even romance your crew.
    • A Galaxy of Variety: Battle through everything from Hellknights to holographic viruses across the star system.

    Demo and Early Access Timelines

    You won’t have to wait until the distant future to face the Minister of Flesh yourself. Epictellers Entertainment confirmed that a public demo is dropping this summer, allowing players to get their first hands-on experience with the tactical combat and encounter Velkan Droth ahead of schedule.

    Following the demo, Starfinder: Afterlight is officially tracking to launch into Steam Early Access later this year.

    Want to keep a close eye on how this stellar sci-fi RPG is shaping up? You can wishlist the game on Steam right now and dive deep into more details about the development here.

    #StarfinderAfterlight #CRPG #IndieGames #GamingNews #Tacticon #SciFiRPG #Epictellers #PCGaming

  • Sinner to Weapon: Meet Saro, the Inquisition’s New Sanctioned Psyker in Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy

    Sinner to Weapon: Meet Saro, the Inquisition’s New Sanctioned Psyker in Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy

    The Holy Inquisition of the Imperium has never been known for its mercy, but it certainly knows how to recycle a sinner.

    Owlcat Games has dropped a blazing new trailer for their highly anticipated grimdark cRPG, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy. The spotlight this time shines directly on Saro, a newly revealed companion who perfectly embodies the cold, pragmatic philosophy of the Inquisition: if you can be used as a weapon for the God-Emperor, your sins can wait.

    Check out the trailer drop and everything we know about this volatile new ally below.

    The Soul of a Sinner, the Might of a Pyromancer

    In the bleak universe of Warhammer 40,000, psykers are a walking existential threat. Intuned with the terrifying currents of the Warp, they can snap and unleash Chaos at any moment. Most are hunted down and executed. The “lucky” ones? They get broken, rebuilt, and turned into living weapons.

    That is exactly the hand Saro was dealt. After undergoing a brutal and harrowing sanctioning process, he now serves the Tyrantine Cabal of the Inquisition.

    “Even though he is now deemed a sinner who will never be granted the blessed light of the God-Emperor, his iron will and fervent belief in the Imperium have helped him survive countless battles as well as the lure of the warp.”

    High Risk, Blazing Rewards

    If you like your tactical combat with a side of extreme danger, Saro is going to be your go-to companion.

    • The Power: In combat, Saro unleashes devastating pyromancy abilities. He is capable of conjuring massive firestorms that can incinerate heretics, mutants, and xenos alike in a single turn.
    • The Catch: Wielding the Warp comes at a heavy cost. Lean too hard on Saro’s psychic abilities, and you will cause catastrophic disturbances in the Empyrean. This can trigger volatile warp phenomena or accidentally summon literal daemons straight into the middle of your battlefield.
    • The Weakness: While his supernatural knowledge is invaluable for the game’s detective investigations and his destructive output is massive, Saro is a classic glass cannon. He lacks physical strength, meaning you’ll need to use the game’s revamped cover system to keep him safe.

    Play the Closed Beta Today

    Saro is just one of the ten distinct companions players will be able to recruit into their Inquisitorial warbands.

    Want to test his pyromantic firestorms for yourself? The Closed Beta for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy is officially running right now. You can gain instant access to Act 1 of the beta by purchasing one of the Founder’s Packs directly from Owlcat Games’ official website.

    The full game is currently available to wishlist on Steam and is slated to launch on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    Find out more here

    #WH40K #DarkHeresy #OwlcatGames #Grimdark #cRPG #GamingNews #Warhammer40k #ClosedBeta #GamesWorkshop #Techmash

  • Get Ready to Form Geppy-X! Bliss Brain Drops Hype Countdown Trailer Ahead of Worldwide Launch

    Get Ready to Form Geppy-X! Bliss Brain Drops Hype Countdown Trailer Ahead of Worldwide Launch

    Mecha fans and retro gamers, synchronise your watches! Bliss Brain has officially kicked off the final week of anticipation by releasing a spectacular 7-day countdown trailer for 70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X.

    This cult-classic 1999 PlayStation treasure is finally breaking out of its Japan-exclusive vault. It is officially launching worldwide on July 16, 2026, bringing its high-flying, retro-infused side-scrolling shooter madness to every major modern platform.

    Check out everything you need to know about this fully remastered, playable anime broadcast before it drops.

    A Playable 70s Anime Experience Sourced From Master Tapes

    Geppy-X isn’t just a video game that takes style cues from old-school giant robots—it is structurally built like an authentic 1970s super robot television broadcast. When you play, you will experience the complete retro TV package: opening theme songs, commercial breaks, mid-episode eyecatches, and “next time on…” previews.

    Originally spanning a massive four discs back on the original PS1, this remastered edition from Bliss Brain and developer Implicit Conversions has been meticulously preserved.

    • Betacam Master Tape Audio & Video: Digitised directly from the original production tapes.
    • 24 Frames Per Second: The beautifully hand-drawn animations have been fully restored to their original broadcast fluidity.
    • Classic vs. Modern Toggle: In a massive win for video game preservation, you can seamlessly swap between the newly upscaled HD animation and the raw, untouched original movie versions.

    Three Forms, No Mercy: The Gameplay Breakdown

    At its core, Geppy-X is a fast-paced 2D arcade side-scrolling shoot-’em-up. To defend Earth from the invading Space Demon Empire, you will take control of three young pilots operating a transforming mecha. Success relies on switching between three distinct tactical forms in real-time:

    Mid-Season Evolution: True to the tropes of 70s anime, the machine will undergo a mid-game evolution into the devastating Geppy-XX, unlocking entirely new weapon sets!

    Modern Features Meet Legendary Voice Talent

    While the original arcade challenge remains intact, Bliss Brain has added essential modern quality-of-life upgrades to make piloting a breeze:

    • Rewind Function to fix minor slip-ups.
    • Quick Save and Rapid Fire options.
    • CRT Filters for that authentic, glowing cathode-ray tube nostalgia.

    To top it all off, the game features voice work from legendary late-90s voice actors (including Akira Kamiya and Sh? Hayami) and a roaring soundtrack with original recordings by classic anime theme artists like Hironobu Kageyama and Isao Sasaki.

    Launching Everywhere July 16!

    Whether you want to challenge the movie-style boss rush mode, unlock alternate timeline scenarios, or just blast through the campaign, the definitive version of 70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X lands on July 16, 2026.

    You can grab it next week on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, the Microsoft Store, and PC via Steam.

    Are you ready to defend Earth? Let us know in the comments below which Geppy form you’ll be maining!

    Find out more here

    #GeppyX #BlissBrain #RetroGaming #MechaAnime #SuperRobot #GamingNews #Shmup #PlayStation #NintendoSwitch #Xbox #Steam

  • Return to the Skies: Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Has Officially Launched!

    Return to the Skies: Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Has Officially Launched!

    Skyfarers, adjust your flight paths and prep your crews. Tokyo-based developer and publisher Cygames has officially dropped their highly anticipated action RPG expansion, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok.

    Led by President Koichi Watanabe, the brilliant minds at Cygames have expanded the Zegagrande Skydom with a massive drop of fresh endgame content, new bosses, and deep combat mechanics.

    The best news? It is available right now as of July 9, 2026.

    What’s New in Endless Ragnarok?

    If you thought you had mastered the skies in the base game, think again. Endless Ragnarok ups the ante with a terrifying new apocalyptic threat: the Ragnalia—powerful monsters heralding the end of times.

    Here is what you can look forward to diving into:

    • The Conflux: An all-new, unpredictable solo mode designed to test your absolute limits with shifting challenges.
    • Master Traits & Summons: Push your favourite characters past their previous level caps and utilise powerful new tactical summons to sway the tide of battle.
    • High-Tier Co-Op Quests: Grab your friends (or trust your AI companions) to take on brutal new endgame boss tiers.

    Where to Play: Next-Gen Portability Meets Full Crossplay

    Cygames is making sure no one gets left behind on the dock. Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok has launched across an impressive array of hardware:

    • Nintendo Switch™ 2 (Featuring exclusive local wireless communication for on-the-go party grinds!)
    • PlayStation®5 & PlayStation®4
    • PC via Steam®

    TechMash Verdict: Thanks to robust crossplay support right out of the gate, you can team up with up to four players online regardless of whether they are playing on PC, PlayStation, or Nintendo’s shiny new hardware.

    Whether you are a seasoned captain or a fresh recruit looking to pick up the Ultimate/Special editions, the skies have never looked more dangerous—or more inviting.

    Have you jumped into Endless Ragnarok yet? Which platform are you playing on? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #GranblueFantasy #RelinkEndlessRagnarok #Cygames #GamingNews #NintendoSwitch2 #PS5 #PS4 #Steam #JRPG #TechMash

  • Every Knight Needs a Sword: God of War Veterans Unveil ‘Swordcery’ This August!

    Every Knight Needs a Sword: God of War Veterans Unveil ‘Swordcery’ This August!

    Every knight needs a trusty blade. But what happens when your sword is made of literal lightning, ancient magic, or… something entirely unimaginable?

    Mark your calendars for August 11th, because the world of Armorial is opening its gates. Swordcery, the highly anticipated hack-and-slash roguelite ARPG, is officially slicing its way into Early Access!

    From the Minds Behind God of War (2018)

    If you’re wondering whether the combat is going to feel absolutely spectacular, you can rest easy. Temple Door Games was founded by two brilliant cinematic artists who helped bring Kratos’ legendary 2018 Norse journey to life. They are bringing that same epic, cinematic weight and fluid combat expertise straight into the indie scene.

    In Swordcery, you’ll explore the vibrant but dangerous world of Armorial, a realm overflowing with cosmic power and deadly enemies.

    “Wait… Can That Be a Sword?!”

    Swordcery isn’t your average dungeon crawler. This is a game that fundamentally asks one hilarious and awesome question: what exactly can’t be a sword? As you fight your way through ever-changing roguelite runs, you will collect the most dangerous, bizarre, and reality-bending blades in gaming history. From sleek, traditional steel to cosmic anomalies that defy the laws of physics, your arsenal will be as unpredictable as it is devastating.

    The Roguelite Twist: No two runs in Armorial are the same. You’ll have to adapt to the swords you find, master their unique magical properties, and hack your way through hordes of enemies to uncover the world’s secrets.

    What to Expect on August 11th:

    • Weighty, Cinematic Combat: Built by developers who know how to make every swing feel incredibly satisfying.
    • An Unimaginable Arsenal: Dozens of unique, reality-defying swords to collect, loot, and master.
    • Infinite Replayability: A true roguelite loop with shifting environments, scaling challenges, and deep ARPG progression.

    Whether you’re a die-hard fan of action RPGs or just want to see how far the definition of a “sword” can be pushed, Swordcery is shaping up to be August’s must-play indie title.

    Prepare your loadout, knights. Armorial is waiting.

    Find out more here

    #Swordcery #TempleDoorGames #IndieGames #GamingNews #GodOfWar #ARPG #Roguelite #HackAndSlash #PCGaming #EarlyAccess

  • Dynasty on Delay: Why The Guild – Europa 1410 Pushing Its Early Access to September is the Right Move

    Dynasty on Delay: Why The Guild – Europa 1410 Pushing Its Early Access to September is the Right Move

    If you were polishing your blacksmithing hammer or practising your medieval political bribes in anticipation of The Guild – Europa 1410 dropping into Early Access next week, you might want to put down the ledger. THQ Nordic and Ashborne Games have officially announced that they are moving the game’s Early Access launch from July 16 to September 2026.

    While a delay right before the finish line is always a bit of a bummer, this is one of those times when a step back is actually a massive leap forward for the final product.

    The Power of the Public Demo

    The decision comes directly on the heels of Steam Next Fest, where The Guild – Europa 1410 absolutely crushed it. Out of more than 4,000 playable titles, it ranked as the 25th most-played demo. Tens of thousands of strategy fans flooded the historical streets of Kuttenberg to build up early businesses, and more importantly, thousands left detailed, constructive feedback.

    Instead of ignoring that wave of data and pushing a flawed build into the wild, the dev team is listening. To ensure the Early Access experience is smooth, stable, and satisfying right out of the gate, they are using the extra two months to polish the core loop.

    A Good Business Needs Patience: Originally, the content coming in September was planned as the game’s first major post-launch update. Instead, that content—plus a few extra community-requested features—will now be baked directly into Day 1 of the Early Access launch.

    What’s Being Added to the September Build?

    The extra dev time isn’t just for bug squashing; it’s bringing immediate tangible upgrades to the launch build:

    • A Brand-New Tutorial Area: A dedicated city section designed to help new players learn the ropes of complex medieval economics.
    • UI Improvements: Streamlining menus and data tracking to make running your criminal or mercantile empire much smoother.
    • Enhanced Animations: Better visual representation of what your workers are actually doing throughout the day.
    • Expanded Language Support: Adding more text options right at launch.

    Is the Roadmap Still Safe?

    Naturally, fans might worry that pushing the initial launch date cascades into delaying the rest of the game’s features. Thankfully, Ashborne Games has confirmed that the overall roadmap remains unchanged.

    Major features like multiplayer functionality (supporting up to 12 players), additional maps, extra professions, and deeper political/dynastic mechanics are all still locked in for post-launch updates as the game marches toward its targeted Summer 2027 full release.

    If you’re eager to see what they are cooking up, you won’t have to wait until autumn. The developers plan to drop an updated version of the Steam demo relatively soon, giving players a sneak peek at some of these incoming UI and animation adjustments.

    It takes a lot of backbone to delay a game days before launch, but for a franchise as beloved and complex as The Guild, ensuring the economic foundation is rock-solid is just good business. Stay tuned to TechMash for more updates as we get closer to September!

    Find out more here

    #TheGuildEuropa1410 #MedievalStrategy #SteamNextFest #GamingNews #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Anchors Aweigh: Hooded Horse Reveals Sci-Fi Roguelite ‘Rogue Carrier’

    Anchors Aweigh: Hooded Horse Reveals Sci-Fi Roguelite ‘Rogue Carrier’

    Strategy fans, it is time to map out a whole new set of logistical nightmares, because the indie genre-masters at Hooded Horse have just dropped an announcement that will have city-builder and roguelite enthusiasts instantly hitting that Steam wishlist button.

    Partnering with developer Wild Fields, Hooded Horse has officially revealed Rogue Carrier—a unique blend of deep colony management and tense roguelite progression set across the infinite, hostile oceans of a sentient alien world.

    If you have ever wanted to captain the ultimate floating megastructure while the planet itself tries to drag you into the abyss, this one is for you.

    The Premise: Survival on a Sentient Sea

    In Rogue Carrier, an interstellar scientific expedition goes catastrophically wrong, leaving your crew stranded on an unknown planet known as Keeling-IV. With your mothership destroyed, your new home is The Behemoth—a colossal, ocean-faring science carrier that acts as the physical foundation for your mobile colony.

    Your goals haven’t changed: you still need to explore the surface and analyse local anomalies. However, the stakes have drastically shifted from scientific discovery to pure, unadulterated survival.

    Unlike your typical static city-builder, you will be plotting waypoints across an expansive oceanic landscape, deploying recon craft, and harvesting resources from scattered islands.

    Key Gameplay Features

    • Build Vertically on Limited Deck Space: Space on The Behemoth is a premium resource. You will have to manage Tetris-like placement of over 80 building options—including solar panels, factories, crew housing, and R&D labs—to create powerful layout synergies.
    • Balancing the Ship (Literally): Poor layout planning doesn’t just hurt your production lines; an imbalanced ship will capsize more easily when hit by the planet’s erratic weather.
    • The Planet Fights Back: The world you are exploiting is fully aware and highly reactive. As you extract resources and pollute the ecosystem, the planet escalates its counter-attacks, throwing everything from severe storms to massive aquatic leviathans at your hull.
    • Die, Learn, Repeat: The destruction of your ship is not the end. Following true roguelite fashion, failed runs trigger a persistent loop. You will carry accumulated data and unlockable technologies across parallel universes, exploring 50 distinct scenarios and five potential endings.

    “Will you embrace polluting the world and arming your ship to the teeth to escape quickly, or will you try to balance survival with the temperament of a living world?”

    Why Strategy Fans Should Care

    Hooded Horse has a stellar track record for publishing complex, deeply engaging strategy titles (think Against the Storm, Manor Lords, and Terra Invicta). Seeing them back in a game that merges the high-stakes layout planning of a colony sim with the emergent storytelling of a roguelite oceanic expedition is incredibly promising.

    Rogue Carrier is slated to bring its deep production chains, tense naval combat, and multiversal progression system to PC soon.

    What do you think of Rogue Carrier’s unique blend of seafaring and colony management? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #RogueCarrier #HoodedHorse #WildFields #StrategyGames #ColonySim #IndieGames #PCGaming #Roguelite #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Silent Shadows: Raw Fury and Fool Moon Announce Wordless, Card-Based Mystery Hillthorn

    Silent Shadows: Raw Fury and Fool Moon Announce Wordless, Card-Based Mystery Hillthorn

    Indie gaming powerhouse Raw Fury has officially teamed up with Montreal-based developer Fool Moon to unveil their latest project: Hillthorn. If you are a fan of atmospheric, mind-bending thrillers that trust your brain to do the heavy lifting, you’ll want to put this one on your radar immediately.

    Following in the eerie footsteps of Blue Prince and The Seance of Blake Manor, Hillthorn is a hauntingly dark, card-based investigation game where the ultimate challenge isn’t just solving the crime—it’s doing it without a single word spoken.

    The Setup: Silence on the Mountain

    The premise of Hillthorn drops you straight into an unsettling, isolated alpine nightmare. A child has gone missing along the treacherous, maze-like mountain trails of a secluded town. You play an outsider tasked with unravelling the truth, but there’s a massive catch: the tight-knit local community, known as “The Flock,” has absolutely no interest in talking to you.

    Instead of relying on heavy dialogue trees, text boxes, or voice-acted interrogations, the entire mystery unfolds through visual Clue cards.

    A World in Cards: Every unsettling detail, hidden motive, and environmental secret is physically represented as a card. Players must use pure logic and sharp intuition to Investigate, Explore, and—in some bizarre instances—”communicate” with these cards to piece together the narrative.

    Mechanics That Play with Time

    Finesse is key if you want to extract information from the highly suspicious locals, but you won’t have the luxury of taking your time. In Hillthorn, time is your most scarce resource.

    The clock actively ticks down with every action you take, forcing a stressful trade-off between being thorough and being fast. Interestingly, the developers have teased a mechanic that allows you to revisit untrodden paths, hinting at a loop structure where backtracking is possible—but it comes at a distinct, eerie cost.

    Why We’re Excited

    Raw Fury has a phenomenal track record for publishing games with distinct, unforgettable identities (Sable, Norco, Cassette Beasts), and Hillthorn fits perfectly into that curated lineup. Stripping away dialogue entirely places a massive emphasis on visual storytelling, environmental design, and player agency. It’s a bold mechanic that could make for one of the most uniquely immersive detective games in years.

    Watch the Announcement Trailer

    Check out the debut trailer below to get a first glimpse of the game’s striking, silent aesthetic:

    Hillthorn is coming to PC via Steam, and an updated demo is already live for players who want to start testing their detective skills right away. Head over to Steam to play the demo and add it to your wishlist today!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #IndieGames #Hillthorn #RawFury #FoolMoon #PCGaming #MysteryGames #CardGames #SteamDemo #TechMash

  • Tanks Can Fly Now: Indie Roguelite ‘DroneTanks’ Smash-Hits Its Way to Announcement

    Tanks Can Fly Now: Indie Roguelite ‘DroneTanks’ Smash-Hits Its Way to Announcement

    Forget everything you know about tank warfare. The days of crawling over muddy trenches at five miles per hour while squinting through a rigid iron cannon are officially over.

    Belgian indie developer Ludum Elite has officially pulled back the curtain on its debut PC project, DroneTanks, and it’s throwing the traditional military blueprint completely out the window. Instead of a sluggish war machine, this upcoming single-player roguelite puts you in the cockpit of a flying, superpowered, steel-plated hero that trades long-range sniper standoffs for devastating, up-close melee combat.

    If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to deliver a crushing hammer slam to an enemy scout drone from 50 feet in the air, this is the game for you.

    Heavy Armour Meets Superhero Agility

    At its core, DroneTanks reimagines the tank as an agile, mechanical superhero. Your flying tank moves with an aggressive, relentless pace, allowing you to soar through the skies, dodge incoming fire, and drop right into the middle of hostile robotic squads.

    Instead of just trading projectile fire, your primary tools of destruction include:

    • Devastating Uppercuts: Rocket-boost into oncoming aerial targets and launch them into orbit.
    • Crushing Hammer Slams: Bring the weight of a multi-ton flying tank directly down onto ground forces.

    The developers have paired this high-flying brawling with deep, real-time buildcrafting. During each run, you’ll unlock branching skill trees, buy shop upgrades, and mix-and-match powerful ability modules dropped by fallen enemies. Because you can combine these traits freely, Ludum Elite promises that you can craft absurdly overpowered, highly experimental “hero tank” builds, ensuring that no two runs ever play out the same way.

    The Mission: Step into the chassis of a mechanical hero on a rescue mission to save adorable, glowing “Gemlings” from the rogue security automation network originally built to protect them.

    Low-Poly Charm Meets Rhythm-Driven Chaos

    Visually, DroneTanks boasts a highly stylised, cartoonish low-poly aesthetic brought to life by expressive, punchy animations that give your armoured avenger a distinct personality.

    But don’t let the clean, vibrant art style fool you—the game features a brilliant, rhythm-driven twist during major encounters. The game’s audio engine is dynamically tethered to its boss fights. For instance, when facing down the notorious “Disco Boss,” the soundtrack directly dictates the enemy’s movement patterns and bullet-hell attacks. To survive, free the captured Gemlings, and win the day, you’ll have to time your dashes, uppercuts, and hammer drops perfectly to the beat.

    Playable This Summer!

    While DroneTanks is launching first as a feature-rich, high-replayability single-player roguelite, Ludum Elite has already noted that they have long-term plans to introduce a chaotic multiplayer mode later in development.

    Can’t wait to test out your aerial boxing skills? You won’t have to wait long. Ludum Elite has confirmed it will be debuting a fully playable build of DroneTanks at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne. Attendees will be able to check out the campaign tutorial, explore three distinct biomes, experiment with the skill tree, and go head-to-head with the rhythm-based final boss. Find them at the “Home of Indies” booth in Hall 10.2.

    Keep your eyes on TechMash for more updates as we get closer to the showcase, and get ready to wishlist it on Steam soon!

    Find out more here

    #DroneTanks #IndieGames #GamingNews #PCGaming #Roguelite #LudumElite #Gamescom2026 #TechMash

  • Ready to Ascend? Bonfire Studios Drops Arkheron Closed Beta This July!

    Ready to Ascend? Bonfire Studios Drops Arkheron Closed Beta This July!

    The wait is officially over for one of the most anticipated competitive action games of the year. Bonfire Studios—the heavy-hitting independent developer headed by former Blizzard Chief Creative Officer Rob Pardo—has announced that the Closed Beta for Arkheron will officially kick off on July 15, 2026.

    If you managed to get a taste of this fast-paced, isometric PvPvE brawler during Steam Next Fest back in February, you already know how chaotic and thrilling it is. For everyone else, get ready: you have exactly two weeks to jump into the Tower, test your builds, and experience a massive wave of post-playtest upgrades.

    What is Arkheron?

    If you haven’t been keeping tabs on it, Arkheron is a unique blend of team-based MOBA dynamics, battle royale tension, and action RPG mechanics. Teams of three fight their way up a surreal, shifting Tower constructed from fragmented memories.

    The big twist? There are no fixed heroes or classes. In Arkheron, your items are your heroes. You loot, combine, and adapt your abilities mid-match on the fly. What you carry defines your playstyle, allowing you to completely pivot your strategy to counter rival teams as you scale the floors.

    What’s New Since Steam Next Fest?

    Bonfire Studios hasn’t just been sitting on its hands since February. They’ve taken a ton of player data and community feedback to overhaul the core experience. Here is what to look out for in the Closed Beta:

    • Massive Performance Optimisation: The engineers went deep under the hood to parallelise GPU rendering simulation and rewrote the VFX system. Translation? Smoother framerates, zero stutter, and much better performance on your GPU.
    • Introducing “Spires” (3v3 Arena): A brand-new mode built around pure combat and build creativity. You’ll load into a ready room, select your gear, battle it out in a best-of-three, and see how high you can climb before your run resets.
    • Learning Spires: Totally new to the game? This onboarding mode lets you fight bots in a step-by-step introduction to the complex item system, giving you the space to learn without getting instantly obliterated by veterans.
    • Ascension Mode: The peak competitive, multi-team experience where 15 teams battle to ascend the Tower is back with upgraded pacing, better UI, and sharper gameplay clarity.

    How to Get Into the Beta

    The Closed Beta runs from July 15 to July 26, 2026.

    TechMash Tip: If you get an invite via Steam, check your library—the “Arkheron Playtest” will automatically convert to the “Arkheron Closed Beta.” Even better? Being invited automatically grants you three extra Steam friend invites so you can assemble your squad right away.

    Servers will be live 24/7 for the Spires mode, while the hardcore Ascension queue will be open during peak regional windows (7 PM – 11 PM BST for UK and European players) on select days.

    Head over to the Arkheron Steam Page right now to request access and secure your spot in the Tower.

    Find out more here

    #Arkheron #BonfireStudios #GamingNews #PCGaming #Xbox #ClosedBeta #PvP #IndieGames #SteamNextFest #TechMash #Gaming