TECHMASH

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  • 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

  • Get a Grip! Heave Ho 2 Swings Onto PC and Nintendo Consoles This July

    Get a Grip! Heave Ho 2 Swings Onto PC and Nintendo Consoles This July

    If you and your friends haven’t finished arguing over who ruined your last couch co-op session, it’s time to patch things up. Publisher Devolver Digital and developer Le Cartel are absolutely buoyant to announce that Heave Ho 2—the highly anticipated sequel to the smash-hit, physics-based party game—is bounding onto PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on July 16 for a wallet-friendly $9.99.

    More Hands, More Chaos, and Online Play!

    The original Heave Ho won our hearts by tasking up to four players with a simple, yet agonisingly funny goal: grab onto each other, stretch, swing, and absolutely do not fall to your death.

    Heave Ho 2 takes that brilliant, slapstick formula and cranks the dial to eleven. The headline feature this time around? Online multiplayer support. For the very first time, you’ll be able to take the absolute pandemonium of your living room couch and bring it online to test friendships across the globe.

    What’s New in Heave Ho 2?

    Le Cartel isn’t just serving up a re-skin. The sequel introduces a whole host of gravity-defying upgrades:

    • Eight Wild Themed Worlds: From the floaty mechanics of weightless space to absolute cookery chaos in the kitchen, each world introduces unique hazards.
    • Fresh Mechanics and Gadgets: Players can expect new scenarios that require pushing, pulling, shooting, and squeezing through fiendish obstacles.
    • Nintendo Switch GameShare Support: Switch 2 players can take advantage of local or online GameShare, meaning only one person needs to own the game to share the madness with up to three additional players.

    Try the PC Demo Right Now

    Can’t wait until July 16 to start dangling over a bottomless void? You’re in luck. A playable demo is live right now on Steam, giving you a taste of the precise timing and terrible teamwork that awaits.

    Whether you’re looking for the ultimate party night experience or just want a reason to scream at your friends via Discord, Heave Ho 2 is shaping up to be the summer’s essential multiplayer title. Grab your copy on PC or Nintendo consoles this July for just $9.99!

    Are you ready to lose your grip all over again? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #HeaveHo2 #DevolverDigital #LeCartel #IndieGames #NintendoSwitch #NintendoSwitch2 #SteamGames #PCGaming #CoOpGaming #PartyGames #GamingNews #TechMash

  • All Aboard the Nightmare: Co-Op Horror ‘Forest Escape: Last Train’ Drops Free Steam Demo!

    All Aboard the Nightmare: Co-Op Horror ‘Forest Escape: Last Train’ Drops Free Steam Demo!

    If you and your gaming squad have been looking for a fresh excuse to scream at each other in the dark, your next obsession just arrived.

    Developer FragLab and publisher Two Cakes Studio have officially unleashed the free playable demo for Forest Escape: Last Train. If you’ve spent any time lost in the eerie, yellow-walled liminal spaces of The Escape Backrooms, this upcoming 1–4 player co-op horror exploration game needs to be firmly on your radar.

    What is Forest Escape: Last Train?

    Imagine being stranded in an endless, shifting woodland where the trees feel alive, the atmosphere is suffocating, and your only hope of survival is a mysterious train.

    The demo offers a terrifying first taste of the game’s core mechanics. You can brave the woods entirely alone, or team up with up to three friends in online co-op. Your objective? Explore the haunting environment, solve environmental puzzles, manage your resources, and avoid whatever entities are hunting you down in the brush—all while trying to catch the last train out.

    Key Features to Expect in the Demo:

    • 1–4 Player Co-Op: Safety in numbers? Not necessarily. While having friends makes puzzle-solving easier, it also means more people to panic when things go sideways.
    • Liminal Horror Atmosphere: Heavily inspired by modern internet urban legends and The Backrooms aesthetic, the game trades endless office corridors for a deeply unsettling, infinite forest.
    • Proximity Voice Chat: (Highly recommended!) There is nothing quite like hearing your friend’s voice suddenly cut out mid-sentence as they are dragged into the shadows.
    • High Replayability: Shifting layouts and unpredictable AI mean that no two escape attempts feel exactly the same.

    Try It Yourself For Free

    The indie horror scene has been on an absolute tear lately, and Forest Escape: Last Train looks to be a brilliant, anxiety-inducing addition to the genre. FragLab has nailed the sense of dread, and Two Cakes Studio is making sure everyone can test their nerve early.

    The free demo is available to download right now on PC. Grab your flashlights, rally your bravest (or most easily scared) friends, and see if you can survive long enough to hear the whistle blow.

    Are you brave enough to venture into the woods alone, or are you dragging your co-op crew with you? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #ForestEscape #HorrorGames #IndieDev #CoOpGaming #PCGaming #SteamDemo #BackroomsInspired #FragLab #TwoCakesStudio

  • Leading from the Front: How Cyclops is Reshaping the Marvel Rivals Meta

    Leading from the Front: How Cyclops is Reshaping the Marvel Rivals Meta

    The wait is officially over. NetEase Games has deployed the highly anticipated Season 8.5 update, and with it, the X-Men’s iconic leader has finally entered the fray. Cyclops (Scott Summers) has joined the Marvel Rivals roster as the game’s 51st hero, stepping onto the battlefield as a lethal, mid-range Duelist.

    For a character known just as much for his tactical genius as his mutant gifts, his transition to a competitive hero-shooter needed to feel impactful. Fortunately, his kit delivers pure, unadulterated “punch-dimension” power that rewards geometry, precise aim, and disciplined positioning.

    If you’re ready to scream “To me, my X-Men!” down your mic, here is everything you need to know about mastering the fearless leader.

    The Geometry of Destruction: Cyclops’ Kit Breakdown

    Cyclops isn’t just a straightforward hitscan character; he is a master of sightline control. His abilities make him a nightmare for enemies trying to play defensively or hide behind cover.

    • Primary Fire (Optic Blast): A fast, high-precision hitscan burst of concussive force. At mid-range, this thing is devastating. If your mechanical skills are sharp, you can two-tap 300 HP squishies with well-placed headshots before they even know what hit them.
    • Secondary Fire (Concussive Beam): A continuous stream of optic energy that melts shields and multi-targets. It can refract directly between enemies standing in close proximity, making it a spectacular tool for punishing tightly grouped teams.
    • Ricochet Force (E): This is where the skill ceiling skyrockets. Cyclops fires a beam that bounces off the environment and walls. Did a low-health Strategist just duck around a corner to heal? Use the map’s geometry to bounce a laser right into their hiding spot.
    • Vertical Mobility (Optic Ascent / Propulsion Burst): By firing his optic blasts directly into the ground or at a close-range threat, Scott can use the pure kinetic recoil to launch himself high into the air or propel himself backwards into cover, slowing any enemies caught in the crossfire.
    • Ultimate (Ruby Rage): Scott removes his visor entirely, unleashing a massive, sweeping beam of raw kinetic energy. To make it even more terrifying, the blast leaves behind a trail of volatile energy that triggers a massive secondary explosion a moment later. Pair this with a teammate’s crowd-control ultimate, and you have a guaranteed team wipe.

    Iconic Synergies: The “Blast Slash” Team-Up

    You can’t talk about Cyclops without mentioning his fierce rivalry—and ultimate respect—for Wolverine. Season 8.5 introduces a brand-new Team-Up ability called Blast Slash, completely shaking up the X-Men meta.

    When Cyclops and Wolverine are on the same team, Cyclops can supercharge Logan’s adamantium claws with his optic blasts. This grants Wolverine a passive 5% damage boost and replaces his Vicious Rampage with Kinetic Claws, allowing the feral mutant to lunge forward in a terrifying, spinning tornado of laser-infused slashes.

    How to Play and Counter the X-Men Leader

    Cyclops excels at holding down choke points, punishing grouped enemies, and pressuring the enemy backline from a safe distance. He is a phenomenal counter to passive, shield-heavy team compositions because his ricochet shots allow him to completely bypass defensive barriers.

    However, he isn’t invincible. Cyclops relies heavily on his cooldowns to stay alive. If a highly mobile “dive” team—featuring heroes like Spider-Man or Black Panther—manages to bait out his Propulsion Burst, he becomes an incredibly easy target. He thrives best when backed up by defensive tanks like Doctor Strange or Magneto, who can buy him the time he needs to sit back and calculate his angles.

    Season 8.5 has completely shifted the power dynamics of the game, proving that a team is only as good as its leader. It’s time to log in, queue up, and show the opposition what happens when the visor comes off.

    Are you maining Cyclops in Season 8.5, or have you found the perfect strategy to shut him down? Let us know your favourite Team-Up combos in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #MarvelRivals #Cyclops #XMen #GamingNews #MarvelGames #ToMeMyXMen #Season85 #Techmash #PCGaming #DuelistMeta

  • God of War Pedigree Meets Retro Carnage: Gunstoppable Blasts Onto PC and Xbox This August!

    God of War Pedigree Meets Retro Carnage: Gunstoppable Blasts Onto PC and Xbox This August!

    If you’ve been craving an adrenaline-soaked, high-octane alternative to the standard crop of modern live-service shooters, CAGE Studios is cooking up exactly what you need.

    Gunstoppable, the highly anticipated momentum-based, fast-paced roguelite boomer shooter, has officially locked in its release date. Mark your calendars: the game is breaking out the big guns on PC via Steam and Xbox consoles on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

    The pedigree behind this absolute riot of a game? It’s led by a former God of War developer who is trading mythological hack-and-slash action for brutal, retro-inspired firearm ballet.

    Speed Equals Destruction: How It Plays

    In Gunstoppable, physics are your best friend—and your deadliest weapon. The team at CAGE Studios has built a movement philosophy where the speed limit is completely non-existent. The faster you move, the harder you hit. To survive the bullet-hell barrages waiting for you, you’ll need to master a fluid kinetic toolkit:

    • Slide & Wall-Run: Keep your momentum flowing across cyberpunk cityscapes and underwater prisons.
    • Grapple & Rail-Grind: Sling yourself into danger or escape tight corners in the blink of an eye.
    • Time-Bending Parries: Deflect incoming chaos and slow down time to shatter clusters of enemies at once.

    Every death makes you stronger, giving you the classic, addictive roguelite loop wrapped in a pristine 90s FPS aesthetic.

    Over-The-Top Customisation: “If It Sounds Broken, It Is”

    True to its boomer shooter roots, the arsenal in Gunstoppable leans heavily into pure, unadulterated absurdity. Players can dual-wield completely mismatched, game-breaking weapon combinations. Want to stack upgrades that turn a standard shotgun into a cascading flamethrower? Go for it. Want to turn literal bananas into tactical nukes? The developers actively encourage it.

    Topple Billionaires, Save the World

    You aren’t just blowing up rogue robots for the sake of it. You play as a finely tuned killing machine embarking on a capitalist-toppling quest to save your sister and take down evil, war-profiteering CEO billionaires.

    Because it’s a high-stakes, one-way revenge trip, your character decides to do what any reasonable hero would do in 2026: livestream the entire rampage to the world. As you pull off stylish takedowns against eccentric bosses (like “Johnny Jetpack” and literal fame-hungry nepo babies), your in-game view count skyrockets, inspiring citizens worldwide to rise up against their oppressors.

    Fun Fact: The voice cast features an extra layer of internet culture—viral “Okay Boomer” meme creator Neekolul joins the fully-voiced story campaign, bringing a wonderfully meta touch to a literal “boomer shooter.”

    PC & Xbox Launch Details

    Gunstoppable launches on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. PC players can already head over to Steam to add the game to their wishlists to prepare for launch discounts, while console players can get ready to rumble on Xbox Series X|S.

    The game is highly optimised, even boasting a “Potato Mode” in the graphics settings so you can chase triple-digit framerates regardless of your rig.

    Are you ready to turn the tables on the architects of endless brutality? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be wishlisting this one!

    Find out more here

    #Gunstoppable #BoomerShooter #FPS #IndieGames #GamingNews #Steam #Xbox #CAGEStudios #Roguelite #RetroGaming #TechMash

  • Rewrite History or Go Steampunk: Age After Age Public Demo Launches on Steam!

    Rewrite History or Go Steampunk: Age After Age Public Demo Launches on Steam!

    The city-building genre is experiencing a massive boom, but if you are tired of the same old “place a road, build a house, rinse and repeat” loop, it’s time to pay attention. Independent developer Farom Studio has just dropped the first public demo for their ambitious upcoming strategy title, Age After Age—and it is currently free to download on Steam.

    If you’ve been craving a strategy game that respects your intelligence, wraps itself in deep economic simulation, and lets you steer human history into wild alternative timelines, this might just be your next obsession.

    What is Age After Age?

    At its core, Age After Age is a massive, systems-driven city builder where you guide a fledgling colony from a humble dock into a thriving, global superpower. However, Farom Studio isn’t just giving us another historical simulation. The headline feature here is the Era Switching System.

    Instead of following a rigid, predictable timeline, your societal laws, political choices, and technological research dictate how your civilisation evolves. You can choose to progress down a traditional historical path, or completely derail the timeline to push your society into Steampunk industrialism, Gothic eras, or Utopian futures.

    Choosing a path doesn’t just change the skin of your buildings; it fundamentally alters:

    • Building Aesthetics: Watch your town transform visually based on your ideology.
    • Complex Production Chains: New eras bring entirely new resources and manufacturing lines.
    • Citizen Class Demands: Your population will demand different rights, goods, and infrastructure depending on the era.

    Logistics, Classes, and Global Dominance

    For the hardcore macro-management fans out there, Age After Age promises an incredibly deep layer of strategy:

    • Advanced Logistics: You won’t just be managing resource counts; you’ll be managing physical transport. Your empire relies heavily on optimising roads, cart routes, warehouses, harbours, and cross-island supply chains.
    • Interdependent Social Classes: Your city features three distinct citizen classes, each relying on the other. If you fail to balance workforce distribution or ignore the needs of the working class, your entire economy can collapse from the bottom up.
    • A Living Global Economy: You aren’t building in a vacuum. Spread across 12 handcrafted islands, you’ll interact with other AI settlements. You can choose to trade peacefully, enforce economic sanctions, enact naval blockades, or engage in profitable smuggling operations.

    What’s In the Demo?

    The newly released public Steam demo acts as a “vertical slice” of the game’s core systems. Farom Studio has dropped players into a story-driven, pre-made island scenario where a settlement is already suffering from severe economic and social strain.

    Your mission? Stabilise the city. You’ll need to repair broken supply chains, manage a delicate balance of power between science and religion, and make the critical decisions that will ultimately determine whether your society stays on a classic historical trajectory or pivots toward an alternative future.

    A Note from the Devs: In an era heavily dominated by automated assets, Farom Studio proudly highlights that Age After Age is being built entirely without AI-generated art or AI-written code. Backed by an experienced team of industry veterans, the studio is actively using this demo to gather player feedback, with hotfixes already rolling out and a highly requested Sandbox Mode currently in the works.

    Watch the Gameplay Trailer

    Want to see the gorgeous visual style and complex mechanics in action? Check out the official gameplay trailer below:

    How to Play

    The demo is free to play right now on Steam and will remain live as the team polishes the game ahead of its official launch, planned for Q4 2026 on PC (with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions slated for the future). The team is also gearing up for a massive showcase at Gamescom 2026 this August, promising a major update.

    Head over to Steam, test your logistical mettle, and let the developers know what you think!

    Download the Age After Age Demo on Steam

    #AgeAfterAge #FaromStudio #CityBuilder #StrategyGames #IndieDev #PCGaming #SteamDemo #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Time to Re-Enlist, Lord Captain: Why Rogue Trader’s ‘The Infinite Museion’ DLC Demands a New Playthrough

    Time to Re-Enlist, Lord Captain: Why Rogue Trader’s ‘The Infinite Museion’ DLC Demands a New Playthrough

    If you thought your duties as a Lord Captain of the Koronus Expanse were finished, think again. Owlcat Games has just dropped a massive reason to fire up the voidship engines and dive straight back into the grim darkness of the far future.

    The Infinite Museion, the third major story expansion for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, is officially available right now across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

    Whether you are looking to finish what you started or completely reshape your legacy with a brand-new character build, this DLC seamlessly injects a hoard of ancient secrets, cybernetic overhauls, and iconic lore directly into the main campaign. Here is why The Infinite Museion gives you the perfect excuse to launch another playthrough.

    1. You’re Entering the Vault of Trazyn the Infinite

    For lore enthusiasts, this is the big one. The expansion draws you into the legendary, galaxy-spanning vaults of Trazyn the Infinite, one of the Necron faction’s most cunning, charismatic, and diabolical figures. Trazyn doesn’t just want to fight you; he treats whole civilisations, historical events, and prominent figures as pieces for his ultimate museum collection.

    As you stumble upon hidden agendas across the Koronus Expanse starting in Act 2 (and rolling through Acts 4 and 5), you’ll find yourself playing a dangerous game of wits with an ancient alien collector. Will you bargain with him, try to outsmart him, or actively oppose his designs? Your choices will leave a permanent mark on your dynasty’s history.

    2. Flesh is Weak: The New Augmentation System

    If you’ve ever wanted to embrace the cold, logical purity of the Machine Spirit, your time has come. The DLC unlocks a brand-new medical compartment on your voidship: Sector Bionica.

    Managed by the eccentric Tech-Priests Genetor Ferrenc and Vivisector Martinax, this bay allows you to surgically replace normal human limbs, eyes, and organs with over 100 different bionic implants.

    • The Catch: Every mechanical upgrade increases your Ferrum Sanctum stat, making you a walking powerhouse of mechanical synergy but increasingly vulnerable to electricity and EMP damage.
    • The Strategy: High-tier augments offer game-changing active abilities balanced by tactical penalties, forcing you to completely rethink your character builds.

    Note: Choose your subjects wisely—your massive Space Marine companions, the proud Aeldari, and Lady Cassia will strictly refuse to let you touch them with a scalpel!

    3. Recruit an Eccentric New Companion

    What’s an Owlcat DLC without an incredible new companion to shake up group dynamics? Enter Eogunn Februs, a devout servant of the Omnissiah and a Tech-Priest Manipulus with a dark, shrouded past.

    As a battlefield asset, Eogunn is a premier support specialist capable of dishing out massive technological buffs and heavy-hitting mechanical abilities. Narratively, he brings immense tension to your retinue. The deeper you dig into his background, the more you’ll find yourself questioning where his true loyalties lie.

    4. Massive Perks for Heretic Playthroughs

    If you’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to stray from the Emperor’s light, this update heavily reworks and rewards Heretical paths. Alongside the DLC, Owlcat has rolled out a major free patch addressing mechanical overhauls—including a massive buff to the Heretic Astartes companion Uralon, making him the terrifying powerhouse he was always meant to be. Combined with new storyline consequences and dialogue choices, a chaotic Heretic run has never felt more satisfying.

    Ready to Claim Your Legacy?

    The Infinite Museion adds so many layers to the early-and mid-game campaign that continuing an old save simply won’t give you the full experience. From the restructured talent UI and reworked grenade mechanics to the sheer thrill of building a heavily augmented cyborg squad, the Koronus Expanse feels entirely refreshed.

    The galaxy’s greatest museum is open for business, Lord Captain. Will you be an exhibit, or the master of the vault?

    Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – The Infinite Museion is out now on Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    Find out more here

    #Warhammer40k #RogueTrader #OwlcatGames #TheInfiniteMuseion #CRPG #GamingNews #SciFiGaming #Xbox #PlayStation #PCGaming #TrazynTheInfinite #TechMash

  • Double the Tail-Wagging Action: Dog Man: Bark in Action Announced for This Autumn!

    Double the Tail-Wagging Action: Dog Man: Bark in Action Announced for This Autumn!

    Move over, bad guys! Everyone’s favourite half-man, half-dog, all-hero is ready to leap back onto our screens. Following the massive international success of Dog Man: Mission Impawsible, publisher Mindscape and developer Floor 84 Studio have officially announced they are teaming up once again.

    Get ready, because Dog Man: Bark in Action is officially launching this autumn! The best part? It’s dropping worldwide across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam), and Xbox Series X|S.

    If you thought the first game was a treat, this sequel is pulling out all the stops to kick things into high gear.

    The Plot: Defeating Dr. Scum’s Sinister Scheme

    The city is in absolute chaos once again. The villainous Dr. Scum has deployed mind-controlling “Hypno Screens” all over town, turning innocent townsfolk into his mindless minions. It’s up to Dog Man, the Supa Buddies, and a few familiar faces to bust up the screens, smash Dr. Scum’s plans, and rescue their friends.

    What’s New in Bark in Action?

    Floor 84 didn’t just recreate the first game—they’ve expanded the universe in nearly every direction. Here is what players can look forward to:

    • A Roster of 10 Playable Heroes: You aren’t just limited to shifting between Dog Man, Li’l Petey, and 80-HD this time. You can phone in massive backup from characters like Commander Cupcake and Chief!
    • 60 Action-Packed Levels: Spread across 6 brand-new worlds, you’ll get to explore iconic series locations like Cat Jail and Robo-Time Industries, alongside hidden Mystery Levels.
    • Couch Co-op Multiplayer (Finally!): For the first time ever in a Dog Man game, a second player can jump right into the action. It’s the ultimate family-friendly, couch co-op setup where teamwork unlocks special character abilities to crack puzzles and beat bosses.
    • Supa Gadgets & Outfits: Collect sprockets to unlock wild new gadgets and harvest yarn to craft exclusive outfits for the Scarlet Shredder and Cat Kid.

    “Our goal was to take what made the first game special and kick it into high gear, and I think we put together a very strong result.” — Matthew Vroman, Creative Director at Floor 84

    The Verdict: A Must-Play for All Ages

    With Dav Pilkey’s signature comic-book art style beautifully animated, punchy sound effects, and laugh-out-loud dialogue, Bark in Action is shaping up to be an absolute joy for long-time readers and platformer fans alike.

    Keep your eyes peeled on TechMash for an exact release date as we crawl closer to the autumn launch window!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #DogManBarkInAction #Mindscape #Floor84 #DogManGame #SupaBuddies #DavPilkey #CoOpGaming #NintendoSwitch #PS5 #Xbox #Steam #TechMash

  • Buggin’ Out! 90s Shmup Legend ‘Apidya Special’ Buzzes Onto Consoles and PC This August (Pre-Orders Open!)

    Buggin’ Out! 90s Shmup Legend ‘Apidya Special’ Buzzes Onto Consoles and PC This August (Pre-Orders Open!)

    Get your flight sticks and reflexes ready, retro fans, because one of the most unique shoot-’em-ups of the Amiga golden era is officially making a modern comeback!

    ININ Games has announced that pre-orders are now officially open for Apidya Special. Developed by Team Apidya, this modern revival of the beloved 1992 insectoid classic is set to swarm PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch on August 25, 2026.

    From Amiga Icon to Modern Marvel

    For the uninitiated, Apidya wasn’t your typical 90s sci-fi shooter. Instead of piloting a sleek starship through deep space to blast alien armadas, players were shrunk down and cast as Ikuro, a man transformed into a deadly honeybee on a fierce quest to save his bride from an evil sorcerer.

    You swapped lasers for stingers and fought through beautifully detailed, bio-organic worlds filled with hyper-aggressive wasps, giant spiders, and mutated pond life. It stood out for its incredible art style, tight mechanics, and a legendary, pumping chiptune soundtrack by Chris Huelsbeck.

    What to Expect in the ‘Special’ Edition

    While ININ Games is keeping some of the finest details under wraps, Apidya Special promises to bring the sting back with a host of modern upgrades:

    • Pixel-Perfect Enhancements: Beautifully preserved retro aesthetics optimised for modern 4K displays and handheld screens alike.
    • Quality-of-Life Features: Expect modern staples like rewind features, save states, and customizable controls to help you survive the brutal, old-school difficulty.
    • Cross-Platform Launch: Whether you prefer the portability of the Switch, the raw power of the PS5 and Xbox, or the classic feel of a PC setup, you won’t be left behind.

    Secure Your Nest: Pre-Order Details

    With the release date locked in for August 25, 2026, digital pre-orders are rolling out across the PlayStation Store, Xbox Game Store, Nintendo eShop, and Steam.

    If you’re a fan of classic Kaiko and Team17-era Amiga gems, or just a shmup enthusiast looking for a unique flavour of bullet-hell, this is one revival you don’t want to miss.

    Are you ready to buzz back into battle? Head over to your platform’s storefront to lock in your copy today!

    Find out more here

    #ApidyaSpecial #ININGames #RetroGaming #Shmup #AmigaClassic #GamingNews #IndieGames #NintendoSwitch #PS5 #Xbox #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Build Big, Fall Hard: Chaotic Co-Op Sim ‘Salvation Denied’ Drops Free Steam Demo Ahead of Steam Next Fest

    Build Big, Fall Hard: Chaotic Co-Op Sim ‘Salvation Denied’ Drops Free Steam Demo Ahead of Steam Next Fest

    If you and your gaming crew think your communication skills are rock solid, indie developer Firevolt and publisher Digital Vortex Entertainment are about to put that theory to the ultimate test.

    The duo has officially released a free playable demo for Salvation Denied on Steam. Even better? The game has already locked in a prime spot for the upcoming Steam Next Fest, kicking off on June 15.

    If you’ve been looking for the next great multiplayer game to test your friendships, this might just be it.

    What is Salvation Denied?

    Salvation Denied is a chaotic, physics-driven co-op construction simulator for 1–4 players. Working as a crew of mischievous little yellow construction robots on a hostile alien world, you are tasked with assembling massive experimental structures for a mysterious, fanatical employer. The catch? Only your employer knows what these structures are actually for, and the planet really, really wants to destroy them.

    Unlike traditional building games, where physics are mostly cosmetic, everything in Salvation Denied has actual weight and inertia. One poorly reinforced beam, an overloaded support, or a split-second bad decision can cause your entire multi-story masterpiece to come crashing down in spectacular fashion.

    Check out the gameplay breakdown below:

    FeatureWhat to Expect
    Player Count1–4 players (Solo or Online Co-op)
    CommunicationChaotic proximity voice chat for frantic coordination
    Tools & GadgetsGravity guns, foam guns, jetpacks, and massive construction vehicles
    The ThreatActive, real-time environmental disasters like meteor showers and acid rain

    Play Two Massive Missions in the Demo Right Now

    Following feedback from an open playtest earlier this year, Firevolt completely overhauled the game’s locations and character mechanics to deliver a robust slice of gameplay for the demo. Instead of just a basic tutorial, the Steam demo features two full missions to give you a true taste of the architectural anarchy:

    • Mission 1: “Signal to Orbit” – Your objective is simple on paper: build a base of any shape or size high enough so an antenna can catch a signal. Your real enemy? Trying not to get flattened by incoming meteor showers while you build.
    • Mission 2: “Shield Breaker” – A newly added mission that ups the ante. Teams must level support heights across a massive canyon, drive heavy damper cores to power a mega impulse cannon, and destroy three security towers to breach an energy barrier.

    To help you manage the madness, the demo lets you pilot heavy machinery like The Fatboy—an all-in-one bulldozer, shredder, and 3D printer that can recycle debris into useful building blocks (or accidentally tear your own base apart if you aren’t careful).

    “Every piece of feedback went straight into this demo… We reworked the characters, overhauled the locations, and added a whole new mission with a mega impulse cannon. At some point, we really had to stop and actually ship it.” > — Ajven Pabiarzhyn, Creative Director at Firevolt

    Steam Next Fest & Beyond

    The free demo is fully localised in 14 languages and is available to download right now on PC. You can jump in today to practice your engineering skills before the game takes centre stage at Steam Next Fest on Monday, June 15.

    While PC players get the first crack at the chaos, console players won’t be left out in the cold for too long. Salvation Denied is scheduled for a full release on PC in Fall 2026, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions locked in for 2027.

    Head over to Steam, grab your hard hat, fire up the proximity chat, and see how long your structures can hold!

    Find out more here

    #SalvationDenied #SteamNextFest #IndieGames #CoOpGaming #PCGaming #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Insert Coin: Retro Arcade Shop Simulator Demo Drops on PC!

    Insert Coin: Retro Arcade Shop Simulator Demo Drops on PC!

    Remember the neon glow, the cacophony of electronic beeps, and the distinct smell of carpet that hadn’t been vacuumed since 1994? If you spent your childhood hoarding quarters and chasing high scores, it’s time to relive the glory days—but this time, you’re the boss.

    A playable demo for Retro Arcade Shop Simulator officially landed on PC on June 11, giving tycoon and nostalgia fans a taste of what it takes to build a coin-operated empire.

    From Empty Floor to Neon Paradise

    Retro Arcade Shop Simulator isn’t just about playing games; it’s about the art of the hustle. The demo lets you step into the shoes of an arcade entrepreneur, transforming a stark, empty venue into the ultimate hangout spot.

    Here is a glimpse of what you can buy, place, and manage in the demo:

    • Classic Arcade Cabinets: Line the walls with retro fighters, pixelated platformers, and scrolling shooters.
    • Table Sports: Bring the competition with classic air hockey tables.
    • Skill Games: Test your customers’ aim with basketball shooting machines.
    • Immersive Chases: Install high-octane driving simulators to keep the adrenaline pumping.
    • The Crown Jewel: A fully working bowling area to maximise your shop’s footprint and revenue.

    Strategy Behind the Nostalgia

    It’s not all just neon lights and chiptunes. To keep the lights on, you’ll need to manage your layout for optimal foot traffic, keep your machines repaired, and balance the books. Do you invest early in a flashy driving simulator, or do you fill the floor with reliable retro cabinets to build up your bankroll? The choice is yours.

    TechMash Take: Tycoon simulators live and die by their atmosphere, and Retro Arcade Shop Simulator seems to nail the aesthetic perfectly. It’s a love letter to the 80s and 90s arcade culture wrapped in a modern management loop.

    Grab the Demo Today

    The demo is available now on PC. Fire up your Steam client, grab a snack, and get ready to build the arcade of your dreams. Just don’t forget to empty the coin hoppers!

    Find out more here

    Have you played the demo yet? What was your go-to game back in the arcade glory days? Let us know in the comments below!

    #RetroArcadeShopSimulator #ArcadeTycoon #PCGaming #GamingNews #RetroGaming #IndieGames #SimulationGames #TechMash

  • Clearing the Air: How PUBG’s New Interactive Smoke Feature Completely Changes the Battle Royale Strategy

    Clearing the Air: How PUBG’s New Interactive Smoke Feature Completely Changes the Battle Royale Strategy

    For years, the humble smoke grenade has been the ultimate unsung hero of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). Whether you needed to pull off a desperate revival in an open field, cover a risky bridge crossing, or loot a high-tier supply drop under the nose of an enemy squad, throwing down a wall of grey mist was your go-to safety blanket.

    But let’s be honest—traditional video game smoke has always been a bit static. Once that cloud bloomed, it sat there like an impenetrable, clipping brick wall until its timer ran out.

    Not anymore. PUBG is taking realism to a whole new level with its game-changing Interactive Smoke feature.

    The Evolution of the Screen: What is Interactive Smoke?

    The latest updates bring dynamic, responsive physics to PUBG’s environmental mechanics. Instead of acting as an unyielding visual barrier, smoke clouds now realistically interact with the physical chaos happening around them.

    Here is how the battlefield is shifting:

    • Bullet Trajectories: Firing a high-calibre weapon through a smoke cloud will now displace the mist. Bullets tear temporary physical pathways and viewing lines through the fog, meaning a spray-and-pray squad might accidentally give away their own positions—or expose yours.
    • Vehicle Disruption: Driving a vehicle directly through a smoke screen will part the cloud like Moses parting the Red Sea. The wake of a speeding UAZ or Dacia will leave a clear visual trail, momentarily exposing anyone hiding inside the mist.
    • Frag Grenade Shockwaves: Want to clear a smoke screen instantly? Toss a frag grenade into it. The resulting explosion creates a massive blast wave that temporarily disperses the smoke, blowing a giant hole in your enemy’s cover.

    Why This Reshapes Battle Royale Strategy

    This isn’t just a flashy graphical update to flex next-gen engine capabilities; it fundamentally alters high-stakes macro-strategy.

    Historically, smoke created a definitive “timeout” zone where players felt relatively safe to heal or reset. With interactive physics, that security blanket is gone. If an enemy team suspects you are reviving a teammate inside a smoke plume, they no longer have to guess your positioning. They can use vehicles to sweep the mist away or use heavy gunfire to carve out sightlines.

    It forces players to alternate between aggressive pushes and defensive adaptation far more fluidly, shifting the meta away from predictable “turtle” strategies in the final circles.

    TechMash Verdict: Interactive Smoke bridges the gap between pure shooter mechanics and ultra-realistic environmental simulation. It forces you to think twice before relying on a single piece of tactical gear.

    Are You Ready for the New Meta?

    PUBG continues to prove that the battle royale genre still has plenty of room for innovation. This feature adds a layer of spatial awareness and dynamic reactivity that rewards quick thinking and punishes lazy play.

    Next time you drop into Erangel or Miramar, don’t expect your smoke screen to do all the heavy lifting. Stay moving, watch your flanks, and remember: the fog is no longer your friend.

    What do you think of the new interactive smoke mechanics? Has it saved your squad or gotten you sent back to the lobby? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #PUBG #GamingNews #InteractiveSmoke #TechMash #BattleRoyale #PCGaming #Xbox #PlayStation #GamingCommunity #Esports #PUBGUpdate #TacticalGaming

  • The Fog Returns: For Honor Brings Back the Terrifying ‘Survivors of the Fog’ Dead by Daylight Crossover!

    The Fog Returns: For Honor Brings Back the Terrifying ‘Survivors of the Fog’ Dead by Daylight Crossover!

    If you thought the battlefields of Heathmoor were already stressful enough with light-spamming Orochis and unblockable heavy attacks, think again. Ubisoft has dropped a brand-new trailer confirming the return of one of the most unexpected, blood-pumping crossovers in the game’s history.

    Survivors of the Fog—the iconic Dead by Daylight collaboration—is officially back for a limited-time throwback run, and the trailer promises pure, unadulterated chaos.

    Check out the breakdown of what’s waiting for you in the mist from June 11th to July 2nd, 2026.

    Watch the Event Trailer

    The trailer sets a chilling mood: the familiar, eerie ambience of Dead by Daylight bleeds directly into For Honor’s Cinder Mill map. But instead of generators to repair while helpless, our battle-hardened Knights, Vikings, Samurai, and Outlaws are doing what they do best—fighting back. Well, trying to, anyway.

    The Trapper Hunts the Heroes

    For those who missed the event’s original debut, this isn’t your standard standard standard Dominion match.

    • The Mode: A frantic 4v4 PvP mode without the usual standard minions.
    • The Twist: Replacing the minion lane is The Trapper, Dead by Daylight’s signature poster-boy killer, controlled by a ruthless AI.
    • The Objective: Two teams compete for capture points while avoiding the Trapper’s bear traps and massive cleaver. He roams the map aggressively, attacking anyone in sight regardless of faction.

    Pro-Tip: If your team manages to take down the Trapper, you will earn a massive chunk of hard points to help push the enemy team into breaking—and the hero who lands the final blow gets a full health restore. But beware: he hits like a literal truck.

    Fresh Loot and Throwback Rewards

    It wouldn’t be a For Honor event without some incredible cosmetic drops. By playing during the event window, you can progress through a Free Event Pass to unlock:

    • Mask of Carnage (Elite Outfit)
    • Mask of the Oni (Mood FX)
    • Demonic Mask (Ornament)

    Even better, Ubisoft has updated the system so that daily orders in other game modes will also reward event pass points. So even if you need a break from the spooky atmosphere, you can still grind out that sweet, horror-themed loot.

    Perfectly Timed for Title Update 1

    The timing of this throwback event couldn’t be better. It perfectly complements the launch of the newest Sohei Hero Skin: The Oni’s Wrath. Stalking through the dark fog as a corrupted, demonic Samurai entity? Yes, please.

    Furthermore, this update brings a massive anti-gank rework with damage scaling adjustments, alongside balance reworks for Ocelotl, Jormungandr, Pirate, and Tiandi.

    Final Verdict: Face Your Fears

    Survivors of the Fog successfully blends the tension of a survival-horror game with the complex, mechanical combat of For Honor. Will you dominate the leaderboard, or will you end up caught in a bear trap while a Lawbringer top-heavies you into oblivion?

    Drop into the fog now—before the entity claims the Cinder Mill for good on July 2nd.

    Are you brave enough to take on the Trapper, or will you be sticking to Duels? Let us know your thoughts on the trailer in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #ForHonor #DeadByDaylight #SurvivorsOfTheFog #GamingNews #Ubisoft #HorrorGaming #TechMash #GamingCrossover #Sohei #Xbox #PlayStation #PCGaming

  • Lara Croft Goes Next-Gen Portable: Rise of the Tomb Raider Lands on Nintendo Switch 2!

    Lara Croft Goes Next-Gen Portable: Rise of the Tomb Raider Lands on Nintendo Switch 2!

    The rumours can finally be laid to rest. During the latest Nintendo Direct, Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics dropped an absolute bombshell that has handheld gaming enthusiasts buzzing: Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration is officially out now on the Nintendo Switch 2!

    To celebrate the surprise shadow-drop, Nintendo released a jaw-dropping “Out Now” launch trailer showcasing exactly what the new hardware can do. If you thought the original Switch pushed boundaries, the Switch 2 is showing off some serious graphical muscles with this one.

    Check out everything you need to know about Lara Croft’s latest—and most portable—next-gen expedition.

    Siberia Has Never Looked So Cold (Or So Good)

    Originally launched as part of Lara Croft’s acclaimed “Survivor Trilogy,” Rise of the Tomb Raider follows a more hardened Lara as she ventures into the unforgiving, frozen wilderness of Siberia. Her mission? To find the legendary lost city of Kitezh and uncover the Divine Source—an ancient artefact promising immortality—before a ruthless paramilitary organisation called Trinity can get their hands on it.

    What makes this release so special isn’t just the story; it’s the hardware running it. Early gameplay reviews and trailers reveal that the Switch 2 handles the game beautifully, delivering crisp resolutions, rich environmental textures, and stable frame rates that bring the snowy peaks and treacherous, physics-based puzzle tombs to life like never before on a handheld device.

    The Complete Experience: What’s Included?

    This isn’t just a base game port. The 20 Year Celebration edition is the definitive version of the game, completely packed to the brim with all previously released DLC and bonus content.

    Here is a quick look at the massive expansion package you’ll get right out of the box:

    Content TypeFeatures Included
    Story ExpansionsBaba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch & Cold Darkness Awakened
    Croft Manor ModesBlood Ties (Story) & Lara’s Nightmare (Zombie Combat)
    Gameplay ModesCo-op and Solo Endurance Mode, plus the brutal Extreme Survivor difficulty
    Cosmetics & Nostalgia5 Classic Lara skins, the reimagined Tomb Raider III Antarctica outfit, and 8 additional DLC outfits
    Gear & Extras7 DLC weapons and 35 gameplay expansion cards

    Launch Discounts and Legacy Perks

    If you want to grab it, Aspyr is sweetening the deal for early adopters and loyal fans alike. Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration is available on the Nintendo eShop for $29.99, but you can score a 10% launch discount if you buy it before June 23.

    Bonus for Tomb Raider Fans: Nintendo is also offering a whopping 20% loyalty discount if you already own Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, or Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered on your Nintendo account.

    The Verdict: A Must-Have for the Switch 2 Library

    Whether you are a returning adventurer wanting to experience one of Lara’s finest hours on a gorgeous new portable screen or a newcomer looking to test out what your new Switch 2 can do, this release is an absolute no-brainer. The blend of cinematic action, stellar environmental storytelling, and complex, rewarding puzzle tombs makes it a masterclass in the action-adventure genre.

    The “Out Now” trailer is live, the game is waiting in the eShop, and Siberia is calling. It’s time to go tomb raiding.

    Are you picking up Rise of the Tomb Raider on your Switch 2, or are you holding out for an entirely new entry in the series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #TombRaider #NintendoSwitch2 #LaraCroft #RiseOfTheTombRaider #GamingNews #NintendoDirect #HandheldGaming #Switch2 #TechMash