TECHMASH

Tag: #IndieGames

  • Synchronise Your Jumps: ‘Brave Escape’ Brings Chaos and Co-op to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This July!

    Synchronise Your Jumps: ‘Brave Escape’ Brings Chaos and Co-op to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This July!

    Great news for co-op gaming fans! Independent developer Hit Start Studios has officially announced that its critically acclaimed, two-player co-op platformer Brave Escape is making the leap to next-gen consoles.

    Mark your calendars: the game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 24th, 2026.

    If you’ve been looking for the perfect game to test the strength of your friendships (or find out just how bad your coordination really is), this is the one.

    What is Brave Escape?

    Originally released on PC to a “Very Positive” reception on Steam, Brave Escape is a 2D pixel-art precision platformer built entirely around two-player teamwork. You and a partner control Colin and Floyd—an unlikely duo trying to outrun relentless hazards, navigate tricky traps, and conquer handcrafted, puzzle-filled levels.

    To make things interesting, both characters bring entirely different tools to the table:

    • Colin utilises a climbing rope and grapple hook to navigate steep vertical terrain.
    • Floyd features a boost mechanism and handles unique level-specific gadgets like the Wind Gun, Freeze Gun, and Flashlight.

    Success demands communication, split-second timing, and perfect synchronisation. Whether you are perfectly executing a complex jump or screaming in panic as a mistimed boost sends your friend flying into a pit of spikes, it’s couch co-op gaming at its absolute finest.

    What’s New for the Console Release?

    Hit Start Studios isn’t just porting the game over; they are delivering the ultimate version of the adventure right out of the gate.

    Here is what console players can look forward to on day one:

    • Cross-Platform Play: Fully supports cross-platform co-op multiplayer between PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No matter where your friends play, you can team up.
    • Packed with Content: Includes all major post-launch updates from the PC version, offering 45 additional levels and 70 bonus levels spread across 7 diverse, hazard-filled worlds.
    • Playable Your Way: Choose Standard/Casual Mode for a more approachable experience with more forgiving timings and fewer spikes, or tackle Brave Mode to push your platforming skills to their absolute limits.
    • Optimised Performance & Accessibility: Enjoy ultra-smooth gameplay with high-frame-rate options ($60\text{ fps}+$), alongside great accessibility features like character outlines and overlap transparency.

    “Cross-platform support was especially important for us because Brave Escape is all about playing together, regardless of platform.”

    — Steve Ciaramitaro, Game Designer at Hit Start Studios

    Get Ready to Escape!

    Whether you prefer playing local couch co-op or diving online, Brave Escape promises to be one of the summer’s most fun and chaotic cooperative experiences.

    You can already find the game on Steam, and it’s officially open for wishlisting on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store ahead of its July 24th launch. Gather a partner, stretch those thumbs, and prepare for a wild ride!

    Are you ready to test your friendship in Brave Escape? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #BraveEscape #HitStartStudios #CoopGaming #IndieGames #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #GamingNews #Platformer #Techmash

  • Grid-Based Tinkering: Thinky Roguelite Deckbuilder ‘Stones of Power’ Enters Closed Beta!

    Grid-Based Tinkering: Thinky Roguelite Deckbuilder ‘Stones of Power’ Enters Closed Beta!

    If you’ve ever stared at a merchant in Slay the Spire, absolute tears in your eyes because you have to fork over 100 gold just to remove a basic strike card, indie developer Pointless Games has some incredibly good news for you.

    Their highly anticipated “thinky” roguelite deckbuilder, Stones of Power, has officially entered its closed beta phase. Along with a brand-new gameplay trailer, this major milestone marks the first time players can get their hands on the game’s unique grid-based tactical mechanics.

    Here is why this is one indie strategy game you’ll want to keep on your radar.

    What is Stones of Power?

    At its core, Stones of Power is a deckbuilder, but instead of playing cards that immediately vanish into a discard pile, you are playing magical stones onto a grid-based board.

    • A Living Board: Unlike traditional card games where actions are played in isolation, the stones you place in Stones of Power remain on the board.
    • Tactical Grid Play: Success relies on pushing, pulling, and positioning your stones to create chain reactions, disrupt enemy plans, and outsmart your foes.
    • The “Trading” Economy: Instead of paying a premium to purge bad cards, players construct and refine their decks by trading stones. You buy, sell, and manage your coins to actively manipulate your build’s synergy between encounters.

    “I wanted to create a game where each turn incrementally evolved from something simple into something more complex. Every new stone the player places gives more possibilities to explore, rewarding careful planning, clever positioning, and creative thinking.” > — Mattias Selin, Creator of Stones of Power

    Why Strategy Fans Should Be Excited

    Stones of Power is designed specifically for players who love the “joy of tinkering.” Rather than leaving your fate entirely up to the RNG gods, the game heavily rewards clever positioning and calculated experimentation. Every run is a puzzle of your own making, where a single, well-placed stone can completely cascade into a game-breaking build.

    Developed on a custom Java engine (built on top of LibGDX) for PC and Linux, the game is shaping up to be a highly polished, deep, and satisfyingly cerebral experience.

    How to Get Involved

    With the closed beta officially underway, Pointless Games is looking for players to jump in, test their strategic limits, and provide feedback.

    If you want to secure your spot in the beta or simply keep up with development:

    • Head over to the Stones of Power Steam Page to add it to your wishlist.
    • Join the active community on the Pointless Games Discord to grab a beta key and share your wildest game-breaking synergies.

    Find out more here

    #StonesOfPower #PointlessGames #IndieGames #PCGaming #Roguelite #Deckbuilder #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Drops Today on PC and Consoles

    Trust No One: Jackbox-Style Party Game ‘Forest of Deceit’ Drops Today on PC and Consoles

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

    Today officially marks the launch of Forest of Deceit, a Jackbox-esque social deduction party game built for 4 to 8 players. Best of all? It’s dropping almost everywhere—hitting Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S right now.

    A Cursed Woods, A Looming Storm, and Total Betrayal

    The setup is brilliantly simple: you and your friends are lost in a dark, cursed forest with a massive storm brewing on the horizon. If you don’t gather resources and build a solid shelter in time, everyone perishes.

    The catch? The forest is actively driving some of your friends mad. A few players will secretly be designated as Traitors, tasked with sabotaging the shelter, stealing resources, and getting innocent players lost in the woods. Every round concludes with a tense, finger-pointing discussion where players vote to exile whoever they think is acting a bit too shady.

    No Extra Controllers? No Problem.

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

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

    Oh, and there is a massive cherry on top for sci-fi and fantasy fans: the entire game is narrated by the legendary Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor in Doctor Who and Radagast the Brown in The Hobbit trilogy), adding a delightfully eccentric atmosphere to your impending doom.

    Launch Details, Pricing, and Nintendo Switch Status

    Forest of Deceit is available today with the following launch details:

    • Platforms Available Now: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
    • Steam Pricing: £8.99 / €9.99 (plus a 10% launch discount if you grab it early!).
    • Console Pricing: Expected to be essentially at parity with the Steam price, with minor regional adjustments.
    • What about Nintendo Switch? Ghost Camp has officially announced that the Switch version is on the way and is expected to release later this month.

    Gather your group, boot up your mobile browsers, and prepare to find out which of your friends is an absolute snake.

    Find out more here

    #ForestOfDeceit #GhostCamp #SocialDeduction #PartyGames #IndieGames #GamingNews #JackboxStyle #SteamGames #PlayStation #Xbox #NintendoSwitch

  • Dust for Prints: Forensics: Crime Scene Detective Launches Today on PC and Consoles!

    Dust for Prints: Forensics: Crime Scene Detective Launches Today on PC and Consoles!

    Forget the dramatic high-speed chases, dramatic courtroom outbursts, and shouting “Enhance!” at a blurry monitor. Real detective work isn’t about Hollywood heroics; it’s about patience, precision, and the quiet science of uncovering the truth.

    If you have ever wanted to step past the yellow police tape and do some actual, methodical sleuthing, your time has come. Publisher Aerosoft, alongside developers Binary Impact and Alchemical Works, has officially launched Forensics: Crime Scene Detective today for PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S!

    Check out the official launch trailer and see what awaits you when the sirens fade.

    Science Over Shootouts

    Forensics: Crime Scene Detective puts you in the sterile, high-stakes shoes of a forensic specialist. Your job begins only after the initial chaos has cleared. Armed with an authentic toolkit, you will enter highly detailed crime scenes—ranging from messy apartments to dimly lit bars—to find the vital clues that others have missed.

    What makes this simulator stand out in a sea of detective games is its pedigree. The developers built the game in close collaboration with Germany’s State Criminal Police Office Rhineland-Palatinate (LKA RLP). This means instead of relying on hand-holding quest markers, you are expected to use real-world investigative logic to build your cases.

    From the Crime Scene to the Lab

    The gameplay is split into two distinct, highly detailed phases:

    • The Search: Scour the environment to locate and secure trace evidence. Dust wine glasses for fingerprints, locate hidden blood spatters using luminol, and recover deleted data from mobile devices.
    • The Laboratory: Once your evidence is bagged and tagged, the real puzzle-solving begins. Head to the lab to run DNA profiles, examine ballistic trajectories, and piece together the timeline of what actually happened.

    Warning: Your instincts actually matter here. If you misinterpret a lab result or miss a crucial fiber, you could easily incriminate an innocent suspect—or let a killer walk free.

    Key Features

    • Authentic CSI Toolkit: Utilise DNA swabs, luminol, ballistic tracking lasers, fingerprint powder, and high-tech digital analysis tools.
    • Real-World Pedigree: Developed alongside actual state police to ensure every procedure, tool, and method feels authentic.
    • Evidence-Driven Outcomes: There are no forced conclusions or script-guided victories. Your logic dictates whether a suspect is convicted, exonerated, or if the case goes cold.
    • Diverse Scenarios: Investigate whether incidents were murder, tragic accidents, self-defence, or carefully staged cover-ups.

    Grab Your Lab Coat

    Whether you are a seasoned true-crime podcast junkie or just looking for a cerebral, slow-burn puzzle game that respects your intelligence, Forensics: Crime Scene Detective is a refreshing take on the investigative genre.

    Grab your copy today on Steam, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S, and start turning traces into undeniable facts.

    Find out more here

    #ForensicsCrimeSceneDetective #Aerosoft #BinaryImpact #AlchemicalWorks #GamingNews #SimulationGames #IndieGames #Steam #PS5 #XboxSeriesX

  • When Star Fox Meets Armored Core: ‘Rogue Eclipse’ is the Space Roguelike We’ve Been Waiting For

    When Star Fox Meets Armored Core: ‘Rogue Eclipse’ is the Space Roguelike We’ve Been Waiting For

    If you’ve spent the last few years looking at your gaming library and thinking, “I really wish someone would mash up the tight, arcade spaceflight of Star Fox with the intense, heavy customisation of Armored Core,” then your very specific wish has just been granted.

    Meet Rogue Eclipse, an upcoming spacefighter roguelike developed by the UK-based micro-studio Huskrafts and published by Outersloth—the indie publishing label founded by the team behind Among Us.

    And the best news? It is officially blasting onto PC via Steam on August 7th, 2026!

    What is Rogue Eclipse?

    At its core, Rogue Eclipse is an edge-of-your-seat, arcade-style space shooter designed with a high-stakes roguelike loop. You play as a pilot on the absolute front lines of a war for humanity’s survival.

    The gameplay loop is simple to understand but incredibly tough to master: Try, die, upgrade, and try again. Here is what makes this indie gem stand out from the crowd:

    • Arabesque Futurism Aesthetic: Forget the sterile, cold grey metals of typical sci-fi. Rogue Eclipse features a stunning, vibrant art direction inspired by Middle Eastern and North African design elements.
    • High-Octane Combat: You aren’t just dogfighting in empty space. You’ll be weaving through massive, destructible environments and diving directly inside gargantuan enemy behemoths to blow them up from the inside out.
    • Deep Customisation: Much like the mech-building joy of Armored Core, you can continuously upgrade, tweak, and personalise your starfighter to suit your playstyle as your run progresses.

    “Indie developers got tired of waiting for a new Star Fox, so they’re making their own.” — The Verge

    Backed by Indie Royalty

    Behind this ambitious title is a fascinating partnership. The game is the debut title from Husban Siddiqi (aka Huskrafts), a highly talented solo developer and recipient of both an Epic MegaGrant and a Creative England New Ideas Fund.

    To help bring this vision to the finish line, Outersloth stepped in. Established by Innersloth to fund indie developers sustainably while allowing them to keep their creative freedom, the label’s backing is a massive seal of approval. If the minds behind Among Us are championing this, you know there’s something special under the hood.

    Play It Early!

    If you happen to be in London or heading to upcoming conventions, you might not have to wait until August 7th to test your piloting skills.

    • London Showcase: The game will be playable at the “For One Night Only” event in London on July 29th, 2026.
    • Wishlist Now: Head over to the Rogue Eclipse Steam Page to check out the brand-new release date trailer and add it to your wishlist.

    Get ready to strap in, pilots. Space combat is getting a massive upgrade this summer.

    Find out more here

    #RogueEclipse #IndieGames #Outersloth #Huskrafts #SpaceShooter #SteamGames #GamingNews #StarFox #ArmoredCore #TechMash

  • Angry Birds to Angry Battlers: Why Warena is Your Next PC Gaming Obsession

    Angry Birds to Angry Battlers: Why Warena is Your Next PC Gaming Obsession

    The tactical card battler genre is about to get a serious shake-up, and it’s arriving from a very unexpected, highly pedigree’d source.

    If you spent any part of the 2010s flinging furious fowls at green pigs, you’re already familiar with the work of Tuomas Erikoinen—the original artist behind the iconic Angry Birds characters. After conquering the mobile world and racking up over 50 million downloads across various projects, Erikoinen and his indie studio, Part Time Monkey, are trading mobile screens for PC monitors.

    Their latest creation? Warena, a real-time tactical card battler that launches on Steam today (July 14, 2026), and it looks set to steal your sleep.

    Real-Time Chaos: No Turns, No Waiting

    Forget everything you know about traditional card games where you politely wait for your opponent to figure out their move. Warena throws etiquette out the window in favour of simultaneous, real-time chaos.

    Both players act at the exact same time. Your objective is simple but intense: manage your mana pool, deploy troops, cast devastating spells, and push down lanes to tear down the enemy base before they do the same to yours. It’s a high-stakes tug-of-war where reading your opponent’s intent and timing your counters is everything.

    “I love short, round-based games like Rocket League where you always want to go for one more round,” says creator Tuomas Erikoinen. “I played a lot of Clash Royale and kept thinking: this would work on PC if you built it right. Warena is that game.”

    The Ultimate Hybrid: Clash Royale Meets Traditional RTS

    Warena beautifully bridges the gap between two distinct gaming worlds, offering a unique hybrid experience:

    • The Speed and Immediacy of Clash Royale: Matches are fast, punchy, and instantly engaging. It’s built for that “just one more game” loop that will have you looking at the clock, suddenly realising it’s 3 AM.
    • The Strategic Depth of a Classic RTS: Don’t let the quick match times fool you; there is serious tactical weight here. With mid-match deck evolution via “Runes” and unique “Hero Skills” chosen at the start of the game, the deck you finish with will look wildly different from the one you started with.

    Built for Pure Competition

    In a refreshing move for the modern gaming landscape, Warena is entirely built around skill. Every single card in the game is earned purely through play. There are no pay-to-win mechanics or hidden stat advantages here—just visible stats, clever strategies, and split-second decision-making.

    Whether you want to test your mettle against the AI in the single-player campaign or climb the competitive ladder in ranked 1v1 PvP, victory relies entirely on your brainpower and reflexes.

    If you’re looking for a competitive strategy fix that doesn’t require a hardcore, hundreds-of-hours time commitment to enjoy, Warena is calling your name. Head over to Steam, grab the deck, and prepare for battle.

    Find out more here

    #Warena #IndieGames #PCGaming #SteamNextFest #CardBattler #RTS #GamingNews #TechMash #PartTimeMonkey

  • Meet Bota: SQOOL’s New Desktop Companion “Sill Sticks” Drops on Steam Next Week!

    Meet Bota: SQOOL’s New Desktop Companion “Sill Sticks” Drops on Steam Next Week!

    If you ever feel a little lonely staring at your monitor all day, or if you just need a reminder that it’s completely okay to do absolutely nothing sometimes, SQOOL has some great news for you.

    SQOOL Co., Ltd.—the Tokyo-based powerhouse known for running video game news media and providing top-tier game marketing support—has officially announced the release date for its latest in-house project. Mark your calendars: Sill Sticks is coming to your PC desktop on July 20, 2026!

    What is Sill Sticks?

    Developed as the spiritual sister app to SQOOL’s popular cat desktop companion Sill Cats, Sill Sticks takes a much more laid-back approach to virtual companionship.

    Instead of an energetic feline jumping across your browser tabs, this app introduces you to Bota, a delightfully lazy stickman whose entire life mission is to loaf around your desktop at his own relaxed pace.

    Work hard, loaf harder. Bota won’t get in the way of your workflow or clutter your screen. He mostly keeps a low profile, occasionally muttering to himself or starting a casual, low-stakes conversation with you just to liven up your workday.

    Free-to-Play and Highly Customizable

    The core app will be completely free to download on Steam. However, if you want to spice up your desktop ecosystem or give Bota a bit more flair, SQOOL is dropping two day-one DLC packs alongside the main release:

    • The Partner Pack ($1.99 / ¥265): Adds a second companion character to hang out on your screen alongside Bota.
    • The Dress Up Pack ($0.99 / ¥160): Allows you to customise Bota’s body colours, give him various hats (like a wizard hat or crown), and change his speech bubble aesthetics.

    Launch Discount Alert! Both DLC packs will be available at a 10% discount for the first 14 days following the July 20 launch.

    SQOOL has also confirmed that, just like Sill Cats, Sill Sticks will receive regular post-launch updates to bring even more content, features, and idle animations to your screen over time. If you need a tiny, low-maintenance pixel buddy to keep you company during late-night gaming sessions or tedious spreadsheets, keep an eye on Steam next Monday!

    Ready to meet Bota? You can check out the official Sill Sticks trailer on YouTube and wishlist the app directly on its official Steam Page.

    Find out more here

    #TechNews #IndieGames #SillSticks #SteamGames #PCGaming #SQOOL #DesktopCompanion

  • Escape the Mansion from Your Couch: Dead Estate Slams Onto PS5 and Nintendo Switch

    Escape the Mansion from Your Couch: Dead Estate Slams Onto PS5 and Nintendo Switch

    If you’ve been itching for a gory, high-octane indie treat to play on the move or from the comfort of your living room, your prayers to the horror gods have officially been answered. Dead Estate, the cult-hit horror-themed action roguelike developed by Milkbar Lads and published by 2 Left Thumbs, has officially made its grand debut on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch!

    Originally launched on PC back in 2021 where it amassed a fiercely loyal, “Very Positive” following, this delightfully chunky, fast-paced top-down shooter is ready to tear up your console storage.

    What is Dead Estate?

    Imagine a love letter to classic 90s horror, smashed together with the tight, frenetic twin-stick shooting of Enter the Gungeon and wrapped in stunning, fluid pixel art. That is Dead Estate.

    Players are trapped in a massive, shifting, monster-filled mansion. Your only goal? Ascend the floors, hoard a ridiculous arsenal of weaponry, and try desperately not to get ripped to shreds by the local undead populace.

    But there’s a catch: if you take too long exploring a floor, you’ll be relentlessly hunted by Chunks—a massive, terrifying stalker enemy who gives off heavy Resident Evil Nemesis vibes. You can either run for your life or pump enough lead into him to force a temporary retreat and claim a hefty cash reward.

    Packed with the Definitive Content

    The best part about this console launch? Switch and PS5 players are getting the complete package right out of the gate. The ports include all five of the massive major content updates released during the game’s PC lifecycle, up to the definitive “Goodnight” update.

    Here is a quick look at what you’re getting yourself into:

    • 10 Playable Characters: From Jeff the default grunt to Cordelia the witch and Fuji the boxer, every character completely alters your playstyle, movement speed, and starting stats.
    • Insane Variety: Over 150 weapons and 300 passive items to create absolutely broken, god-tier synergies.
    • The “Assignment Anya” Campaign: A separate, survival-horror-inspired campaign that serves as a direct, brilliant nod to Resident Evil 4’s Assignment Ada.
    • Console-Specific Enhancements: Deeply polished NewGame+ modes, unlockable challenges, and full couch-to-toilet portability on the Nintendo Switch (with built-in compatibility for next-gen hardware down the line).

    The Verdict: A Must-Play for Roguelike Fans

    What makes Dead Estate special is how rewarding it feels. While it offers plenty of gruelling difficulty modifiers and “Blessing & Curse” runs for hardcore genre purists, it also allows casual players to stumble into incredibly fun, overpowered item combinations that let you utterly eviscerate late-game rooms.

    The isometric rooms are compact, forcing you into tense, close-quarters bullet hells. Combined with a killer, atmospheric synth soundtrack and unmatched character design, it’s the ultimate pick-up-and-play title for your console library.

    Dead Estate is available right now on the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop for $14.99 / £11.99. Go grab your weapon of choice, keep an eye out for Chunks, and see if you can survive the night!

    Find out more here

    #DeadEstate #IndieGames #PS5 #NintendoSwitch #Roguelike #HorrorGaming #GamingNews #TechMash #MilkbarLads #TwinStickShooter

  • Uncover the Truth: Acclaimed Indie Mystery ‘No Case Should Remain Unsolved’ Hits PS5 This August!

    Uncover the Truth: Acclaimed Indie Mystery ‘No Case Should Remain Unsolved’ Hits PS5 This August!

    Indie game aficionados and mystery buffs, it’s time to dust off your detective hats. PLAYISM has officially announced that No Case Should Remain Unsolved, the critically acclaimed text-based mystery adventure from leading South Korean indie developer Somi, is making its way to the PlayStation 5 on August 19, 2026!

    Already sporting an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam with thousands of glowing reviews, this innovative narrative puzzle is finally bringing its jumbled web of lies and memories to PlayStation players.

    The Mystery of the Seowon Disappearance

    If you haven’t yet experienced this narrative masterpiece on PC or Nintendo Switch, you’re in for an emotionally gripping ride.

    The story drops you into a cold case that has haunted retired Senior Inspector Jeon Gyeong for over a decade:

    “I remember how surprised I was when I first saw this case. Everyone involved was lying, for one reason or another.”

    On February 5, 2012, a little girl named Seowon vanished from a local playground. Despite a massive investigation, the case went completely cold. Twelve years later, a young police officer visits the retired Jeon Gyeong, pleading with her to reexamine the past.

    As the memories resurface, one devastating truth becomes absolutely clear: everyone connected to the case was lying.

    Unconventional Gameplay: A Jigsaw Puzzle of Human Memory

    No Case Should Remain Unsolved isn’t your standard point-and-click adventure. Instead, it plays out like a reading-comprehension jigsaw puzzle.

    • Piece Together the Truth: You are handed 54 jumbled conversation fragments stripped of timestamps, context, and speaker identities.
    • Follow the Keywords: By clicking on specific highlighted words, you stimulate Jeon Gyeong’s memories, uncovering new testimonies.
    • Spot the Contradictions: You must carefully analyse the tone, text, and logic of each statement to match it to the correct speaker and arrange it chronologically.
    • Two Hidden Truths: This tightly paced 2-to-3-hour experience features an incredibly atmospheric, evolving soundtrack by Seongyi Yi and leads to two distinct endings that will leave you absolutely floored.

    Exclusive Merchandise Dropping Same-Day!

    To make the August 19th launch even sweeter, PLAYISM has announced they will be dropping the first-ever official merchandise for the title on the same day via the PLAYISM Official Store.

    Whether you’re a returning detective looking to grab a physical keepsake or a newcomer ready to crack the case for the first time, mark your calendars for August 19, 2026. This is one investigation you won’t want to leave cold.

    Find out more here

    #NoCaseShouldRemainUnsolved #PLAYISM #Somi #PS5 #IndieGames #PS5Games #GamingNews #TechMash #DetectiveGames #CozyMystery

  • Double the Trouble: Circle Empires 2 Officially Exploits a Massive 24-Leader Roster!

    Double the Trouble: Circle Empires 2 Officially Exploits a Massive 24-Leader Roster!

    The circle just got a whole lot bigger, tacticians. If you thought conquering neighbouring circular battlefields in Circle Empires 2 was already a chaotic test of wits, Luminous and Iceberg Interactive just blew the doors wide open.

    In a massive milestone update, the fast-paced RTS has officially doubled its roster of playable leaders, skyrocketing the selection from the original 12 at launch to a staggering 24 unique leaders.

    Whether you’re a micro-managing economic mastermind or a player who just wants to watch the world burn under a hail of dragon fire, this update completely reshapes the battlefield.

    24 Leaders, Countless Ways to Conquer

    What makes this roster expansion so significant isn’t just the sheer number—it’s how wildly different each leader plays. We aren’t just talking about simple colour swaps or minor stat changes here. Every single one of the 24 leaders comes packing their own:

    • Distinct Units: From disciplined infantry to bizarre cosmic entities.
    • Exclusive Technologies: Game-changing upgrades tailored to specific strategies.
    • Unique Buildings: Custom infrastructure to optimise your resource engine or fortify your borders.
    • Specialised Playstyles: Entirely new mechanics that force you to rethink how you expand, attack, and defend.

    A Flavour for Every Strategy

    The diversity on display in this expanded roster is brilliantly unhinged. To give you a taste of how varied your next campaign is going to look, check out a few of the standout faces joining the fray:

    • Liam Laserfang (The Laser Faction): Perfect for players who love precision defence. Liam utilises Mirror Shields that can literally reflect incoming projectiles back at attackers, alongside the legendary Laser Cat whose eyes keep firing beams even after it falls. Plus, his faction features weapons that permanently slice away an enemy’s maximum health.
    • Byron the Burful (The Dragon Legions): If your answer to every problem is “more dragons,” Byron is your man. He can recruit classic, ghost, and rare dragons from the very beginning, backed by disciplined legionaries wielding massive tower shields.
    • Electra Eelshock: Ready to shock the system? Electra commands an electrifying army of eels and living lightning to shock and awe opponents out of their territories.
    • Woody (The Wooden Faction): For the unconventional player. Woody has zero natural workers. Instead, he uses stationary Trap Workers to siphon resources from adjacent tiles, while his weapon launchers hurl actual melee weapons (and sometimes fish) across the map.

    Why This Changes the Meta

    With the roster doubling in size, the combinatory chaos of Circle Empires 2 is reaching peak levels. The push-and-pull of expanding circle-by-circle feels entirely fresh when you have to account for 24 different potential setups. A strategy that easily steamrolled a goblin-hoarding Hammerfist might crumble entirely against the high-tech, maximum-health-shredding laser walls of Liam Laserfang.

    Luminous has also packaged this massive milestone with a suite of balance changes, fixes, and community-driven tweaks to ensure that even with 24 distinct factions running around, the competitive integrity remains intact.

    The circles are waiting. Which leader are you taking to victory first?

    Find out more here

    #CircleEmpires2 #IndieGames #RTS #GamingNews #StrategyGames #PCGaming #SteamUpdate #TechMash

  • From the Ring to the Roots: Pocket Bravery Devs Unveil ‘Garden Souls’

    From the Ring to the Roots: Pocket Bravery Devs Unveil ‘Garden Souls’

    If you like your roguelites with a heavy dose of fighting-game-level finesse, you’re going to want to put this on your radar immediately.

    Statera Studio, the brilliant Brazilian indie team that turned heads globally with their Game Awards-nominated fighting game Pocket Bravery, has officially unveiled their next big project. Stepping outside the traditional 2D brawler ring, they are bringing their signature combat expertise into the roguelite realm with Garden Souls—a fast-paced action roguelite that looks absolutely spectacular.

    Combat Meets Chaos: What is Garden Souls?

    Unlike traditional roguelites that heavily focus on passive stat stacking, Garden Souls puts pure, unadulterated combat depth right at the centre of the experience.

    Taking inspiration from heavyweights like Hades II, BlazBlue Entropy Effect, and Devil May Cry, the game blends a colourful fantasy world with explosive, high-speed action. Players take control of four resurrected Plant Princesses (Rose, Eris, Solaris, and Yuni), each featuring entirely distinct movesets, animations, and playstyles to stop a corruption spreading across the world.

    Key Features to Get Excited For:

    • Fighting Game Fundamentals: The game utilises an advanced combo cancel system. You can fluidly chain together ground and aerial attacks, dash-cancel, and launch enemies into walls to dictate the pace of the battle.
    • Deep Build Customisation: With six elemental affinities that fundamentally change your skills, dozens of unlockable abilities, and unique “Bombogs” (floral companions), no two runs will play the same.
    • Striker Summons: Borrowing a beloved mechanic from classic fighting games, you can summon powerful Strikers mid-battle to extend your combos or pull you out of a tight spot.
    • Permanent Progression: Procedurally generated biomes ensure high replayability, but a robust progression hub means you’ll return stronger after every run.

    Why This is a Big Deal

    Statera Studio has already proven they know exactly how to make combat feel incredibly responsive, punchy, and expressive with Pocket Bravery. Seeing them apply those strict arcade-fighter mechanics to a 2D hack-and-slash roguelite framework is incredibly exciting.

    It promises the perfect sweet spot for the genre: a title that offers massive mechanical depth and high-skill execution for veteran players, without sacrificing accessibility for newcomers who just want to slash through corrupted foliage.

    Garden Souls has officially been revealed with a brand-new trailer and is available to wishlist on Steam right now. Stay tuned to TechMash for more updates as development progresses!

    What do you think of the trailer? Are you ready to trade the fighting ring for the garden? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #GardenSouls #StateraStudio #PocketBravery #IndieGames #Roguelite #ActionGames #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Trust No One: North Hunt Version 1.0 Drops Today Alongside Steam Social Deduction Fest!

    Trust No One: North Hunt Version 1.0 Drops Today Alongside Steam Social Deduction Fest!

    The ultimate game of deception just got a massive upgrade. Independent Tunisian developer NewGen Studio has officially announced that North Hunt is leaving Early Access and launching its highly anticipated Version 1.0 today, July 13.

    Even better? The full launch perfectly aligns with the kickoff of the Steam Social Deduction Fest, making today the absolute best time to grab your friends, sharpen your lying skills, and dive headfirst into a living Viking village full of paranoia.

    What is North Hunt?

    If you haven’t yet experienced the chaos, North Hunt takes the core foundation of social deduction and turns it into a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek. Set in a vibrant Viking settlement, players are split into two teams: Thieves and Chiefs.

    • The Thieves: Your job is to blend seamlessly into the environment. You’ll mimic NPC bot routines—chopping wood, fishing, praying, and playing music—all while secretly completing objectives. One wrong move, and your cover is blown.
    • The Chiefs: Armed with observation skills and sheer intuition, you must examine the village for any “un-NPC-like” behaviour and eliminate the impostors hiding in plain sight.

    What’s New in the Version 1.0 Launch?

    NewGen Studio has poured community feedback into this build, making Version 1.0 the game’s biggest milestone yet. Here is what you can expect when you log in today:

    Two Brand-New Roles

    • The Gnome (Thief): Shrink down to a tiny size to pull off sneaky deceptions and escape tight situations in ways the Chiefs won’t expect.
    • The Glider (Chief): Take to the skies! Patrol the Viking village from a bird’s-eye view to track down suspicious player movements from above.

    AI Bots for Both Teams

    No full lobby? No problem. Version 1.0 introduces smart bots for both sides, ensuring you can play complete, chaotic matches even if you’re flying solo or playing with a smaller group.

    Expanded Progression & Cosmetics

    Show off your status with 10 new player levels and 10 exclusive Chief skins to unlock. There are also Twitch Drops active starting today, giving players a chance to snag two exclusive cosmetic skins just by watching their favourite streamers play.

    Quality of Life & Polish

    The update brings vastly improved in-room communication, UI polish, better matchmaking algorithms, and an official community wiki accessible right from the main menu.

    “By launching during Steam Social Deduction Fest, NewGen Studio hopes to introduce more players to a different take on social deduction, one where success isn’t about hiding in the shadows, but convincing everyone you’re simply another villager.”

    Join the Hunt Today

    Whether you want to ruin lifelong friendships or build new ones through masterclass bluffing, North Hunt Version 1.0 is officially live on Steam. Don’t miss out on the launch day hype and the festive discounts running during Steam’s Social Deduction Fest!

    Have you played North Hunt yet? Are you going to be gliding through the skies or shrinking down as a gnome today? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #NorthHunt #SocialDeduction #IndieGames #SteamFest #NewGenStudio #VikingGaming #PCGaming #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

  • 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