Tag: #IndieGames

From Punk Riffs to Retro Pixels: Jeff Rosenstock Guitarist Mike Huguenor Announces Debut Game Boy & PC Game!
If you’ve listened to any of Jeff Rosenstock’s anthemic tracks, or spun records from indie-punk staples like Hard Girls and Shinobu, you already know Mike Huguenor. Celebrated for his razor-sharp riffsmanship and iconic guitar tone, Huguenor has spent years pushing the boundaries of what six strings can do.

Now, he’s pushing a few different buttons.

In an awesome twist for both music fans and retro gamers, Huguenor has officially announced his debut video game: Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game!

Scheduled to drop on August 20, the game serves as a playable, retro side-scrolling companion to his critically acclaimed 2025 sophomore solo album of the same name, arriving just in time to celebrate the record’s one-year anniversary.

Here is everything you need to know about this incredibly unique DIY project.

A Playable Love Letter to Indie Rock & Retro Gaming

Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game is a 10-level side-scrolling adventure where each stage corresponds to a track from the original album. The game follows a musician protagonist on a quest to put on an unforgettable performance, and the levels lean heavily into the chaotic, unpredictable energy of life on the road.

Players will face obstacles that range from the painfully relatable to the completely absurd:
- The Mundane: Dealing with gear mishaps, like a guitar breaking right during equipment load-in.
- The Supernatural: Fending off a ravenous horde of killer zombies using nothing but the sheer power of rock and roll.
- The Finale: A climactic rhythm-game showdown where you finally take the stage for the ultimate gig.
Huguenor, a self-taught programmer who hadn’t touched coding since messing around with HTML in the year 2000, built the game entirely by hand. He treated the development process with the exact same DIY punk ethos that defines his music career—balancing the coding desk while touring with Jeff Rosenstock and writing his upcoming literary debut, Elvis is Dead, I’m Still Alive: The Story of Asian Man Records.

“I find the element of surprise to be really important in art,” Huguenor shared, explaining that the game’s unpredictable detours mirror the real-life problem-solving of a touring musician. He views the medium as “another format for narrative… like sliding another frame into a projector.”

Expect plenty of nostalgic nods throughout the levels, with gameplay and visual design drawing inspiration from classics like Castlevania, EarthBound, old-school skateboarding games, and Frogger.

Real physical Game Boy Cartridges?!

For the ultimate collectors, this isn’t just a digital download. While the game will be readily available for PC players on Steam and itch.io, Huguenor is also releasing hand-assembled, limited-edition physical Game Boy cartridges!

The rollout follows his newly founded imprint, Infinite Baffle Records, which recently launched a full 8-bit recreation of the album (Surfing the Web With the Alien: 8-Bit) to perfectly score your retro playthrough.

Mark Your Calendars

Whether you’re a devout fan of the San Jose punk scene, a lover of instrumental post-punk, or a retro gaming enthusiast looking to dust off your old handheld, this is a crossover you won’t want to miss.

Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game launches on August 20. Head over to infinitebaffle.net to learn more, and get ready to shred your way through the apocalypse!

Find out more here

#MikeHuguenor #JeffRosenstock #SurfingTheWebWithTheAlien #RetroGaming #GameBoy #IndieGames #PunkRock #DIYGaming #SteamGames #ItchIo #InfiniteBaffle #TechMash
17th July 2026
Shape the Future: Indie Gem ‘Emberville’ Ignites Steam Early Access This October!

Gaming community, get your gathering gear and crafting tools ready! Independent developer Cygnus Cross has officially dropped a massive announcement: the highly anticipated survival-settlement builder Emberville is officially launching into Steam Early Access on October 27!

Alongside the release date, Cygnus Cross treated fans to Emberville’s biggest gameplay reveal yet, giving us a deep dive into the beautiful, treacherous, and ever-shifting world we are about to inherit.

Rebuild a Forgotten World

In Emberville, players are tasked with a monumental mission: breathing life back into a forgotten realm. You’ll step up as the leader of a struggling settlement, guiding your people from the brink of collapse to a thriving, self-sustaining society. But this isn’t your average city-builder. The survival of your home relies entirely on your willingness to brave the unknown.

Brave the Vitromotus

At the heart of Emberville‘s unique gameplay loop is the Vitromotus—a mysterious, volatile anomaly that lies just beyond the safety of your borders. To secure the rare resources, forgotten technologies, and vital materials needed to upgrade your town, you must send brave expeditions directly into this shifting wilderness.

Here’s the catch: every single expedition into the Vitromotus shapes the future. The choices you make, the dangers you overcome, and the relics you bring back will directly dictate how your settlement evolves. No two runs are identical, ensuring that your strategy must constantly adapt to the unpredictable environment.

The Big Gameplay Reveal

Today’s new footage showcases exactly what players can expect come October. The trailers highlight a stunning blend of atmospheric exploration, intricate base management, and high-stakes survival. We got a closer look at the settlement upgrade paths, resource-management mechanics, and a glimpse of the environmental hazards lurking within the Vitromotus itself.

Cygnus Cross is clearly prioritising depth, player agency, and a striking artistic direction that makes the post-apocalyptic fantasy world feel both haunting and inviting.

Why Early Access?

Launching on Steam Early Access on October 27 allows Cygnus Cross to work hand-in-hand with the community. By jumping in early, players will have the unique opportunity to provide feedback, suggest features, and help sculpt Emberville into its final, polished form.

Mark your calendars for October 27 and head over to Steam to wishlist Emberville today! Will you have what it takes to tame the Vitromotus and rebuild a world worth saving?

Find out more here

#Emberville #IndieDev #SteamEarlyAccess #CygnusCross #GamingNews #PCGaming #SurvivalGame #CityBuilder #IndieGames

17th July 2026
Set Sail Into the Abyss: Steampunk Tactical Roguelite ‘Dead Weight’ Launches on Steam!
Attention, tactical RPG fans and sky-faring pirates! After three long years of passionate development, indie developer Klukva Games (alongside publisher Spaghetti Cat) has officially launched their highly anticipated tactical roguelite, Dead Weight, on Steam!

The game officially set sail on July 16th, 2026, at 18:00 CEST for $12.99 (with a special limited-time launch discount!).

If you love the tight, cerebral positioning of Into the Breach and the deep character customisation of Final Fantasy Tactics, this is one indie gem you cannot afford to miss.

What is Dead Weight?

Dead Weight is a gorgeous, pixel-art tactical roguelite set in a fractured, Lovecraftian steampunk world. You take on the role of a sky pirate, commanding a flying airship to explore uncharted floating islands, hunt for valuable loot, and face off against rising, terrifying Ancient Gods.

The game has been highly anticipated by the indie community, securing a spot in Steam’s top 400 most-wishlisted upcoming games with over 150,000 wishlists ahead of launch. Early Steam reviews are already sitting at a stellar “Very Positive” rating!

Key Features That Make Every Run Unique:
- Brain-Teasing Grid Combat: Much like Into the Breach, the battlefields in Dead Weight are tiny. This means every single step and positioning decision matters. You’ll need to use the environment to your advantage, pushing enemies off ledges, triggering hazards, and tricking monsters into attacking one another.
- Choose Your Pirate: Play as one of four unique playable sky pirates, each with distinct skills and playstyles.
- Deep Build Variety: With dozens of weapons, armour pieces, and a massive skill tree, you can craft highly customised character builds and upgrade your flying pirate ship to tackle whatever the heavens throw at you.
- A Fractured World to Explore: Sail across three diverse regions, visiting dangerous floating islands while fighting off rival pirates, robots, goblins, and massive eldritch horrors.
The Verdict

For just $12.99, Dead Weight offers a mechanically rich, highly replayable, and visually striking strategy experience. Its blend of high-stakes roguelite loops, gorgeous pixel art, and intense tactical combat makes it the perfect next addition to your Steam library.

Are you ready to defy the Ancient Gods and claim the skies?

Head over to the Steam Page and grab Dead Weight today!

Find out more here

#DeadWeight #KlukvaGames #IndieGames #SteamReleases #TacticalRPG #Roguelite #Steampunk #PixelArt #GamingNews #IntoTheBreach
17th July 2026
Prepare for Launch! High-Octane Space-Cat Shooter ‘Astro Burn’ Exits Early Access on July 30th
Indie game fans and cat lovers, assemble! The wait is nearly over. London-based developer Beyond The Pixels and publisher Pixel Doors have officially locked in July 30, 2026, as the official 1.0 launch date for Astro Burn on both Steam and GOG.

After months of collaborative fine-tuning during its highly active Early Access cycle, this colourful, retro-inspired “cute-’em-up” is finally ready to show off its ultimate, feature-packed definitive edition.

Here is everything you need to know about this adorable yet delightfully chaotic space adventure!

What is Astro Burn?

If you ever wondered what happens when you cross classic side-scrolling shooters like Parodius and Pop’n Twinbee with modern bullet-hell intensity and a genetically enhanced cat, you get Astro Burn.

The game follows Astro, a sassy space cat who was lured into experimental alien technology upgrades with the promise of delicious fish treats. Stranded far from home, Astro (alongside her chatty robotic companion AL) must blast through waves of absurd, screen-filling creature overlords to find a way back.

A Community-Crafted Masterpiece

The journey to the 1.0 launch has been nothing short of spectacular. Thanks to an incredibly passionate community, the game’s recent Kickstarter campaign blew past its goals, landing at over 150% funded.

Because of this massive support, physical media collectors can look forward to a premium retro physical release (courtesy of 33 Games), complete with custom USB cartridges, cassette tape soundtracks, and exclusive lore-filled trading cards.

Director HaZ Dulull and the development team have worked hand-in-hand with players—gathering feedback from Discord, Steam reviews, TwitchCon, and IGN Live—to elevate Astro Burn from a passion project into a highly polished, modern-retro masterpiece.

What’s New in Version 1.0?

The 1.0 update is absolutely packed with content, adjustments, and some of the most delightfully unhinged features we’ve seen in an indie game:
- The Epic Conclusion: Guide Astro through Levels 8 and 9 to finally experience the end of her narrative campaign.
- Couch Co-op & Competitive Play: Take on the alien hordes with a friend in local co-op across seven distinct levels.
- Weaponised Snacks & Kitten Rescues: Standard bullets have been swapped out for delicious flying treats so you can defeat giant bosses (like PooBear on the Party Bus) with food! Plus, rescue lost kittens mid-run to trigger custom animations and score massive bonus points.
- “Cat TV” & ASMR Modes: In one of the most unique additions yet, real-life cats can watch three specialised “Cat TV” channels on-screen. Meanwhile, humans can wind down between chaotic bullet-hell runs with a relaxing “ASMR Mode” featuring ambient ocean waves and cat purrs.
- Speedrunner Paradise: Master the game with new high-risk “Speed Zones” (including a Turbo setting) and test out upgraded weapon spreads.
- Steam Deck Verified: The game is fully optimised for on-the-go play on the Steam Deck and Valve’s Steam Machine, featuring highly readable custom fonts and localisation across eight new languages (including Japanese, French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese).
- “Meowcromatic” Mode: Originally designed as an accessibility color-blind option, this highly requested community favourite turns the game into a gorgeous monochrome homage to Mad Max: Fury Road – Black & Chrome Edition.
Get Ready for Lift-off!

Mark your calendars for July 30th! Whether you want to climb the leaderboards, save adorable kittens, or just let your real-life pet enjoy some Cat TV while you dodge neon lasers, Astro Burn promises an unforgettable, action-packed retro experience.

Head over to Steam and GOG to wishlist the game today!

Find out more here

#AstroBurn #BeyondThePixels #PixelDoors #IndieGames #CuteEmUp #SpaceCat #RetroGaming #SteamGames #GOG #GamingNews
16th July 2026
Fast Food, Faster Racers: Wabisabi SushiDerby Launches on Switch and PC for Less Than a Salmon Roll!
If you have ever stared at a conveyor-belt sushi platter and thought, “I bet that piece of tuna nigiri could run a sub-ten-second sprint,” we have some brilliant news for you.

Japanese publishing giant Kodansha Ltd. has officially launched Wabisabi SushiDerby today! Released under their esteemed Kodansha Game Lab indie game division and developed by the talented folks at ITAMAE Studio, this incredibly charming, wonderfully bizarre title is ready to take the gaming world by storm.

Even better? It is available right now on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam for just $4.99 (that is literally less than a high-street Salmon Roll!).

The Ultimate Sushi Training Simulation (Yes, Really!)

In Wabisabi SushiDerby, you step into the flour-dusted shoes of an apprentice sushi chef. But you won’t just be prepping ingredients for hungry customers. Instead, your goal is to craft, customise, and train the ultimate sushi athletes to compete in high-stakes derby races.

Your ultimate destination? Winning the highly coveted “S1” Galaxy Cup to prove you are the finest sushi master in the universe.

Here is what you can look forward to on your journey:
- Mould Your Champions: Choose from over 20 different toppings—from classic salmon to squid—each boasting unique stats, abilities and hilarious skills (like blinding opponents with squid ink or leaving sticky goo on the track).
- A Crucial Training Regimen: Personalise your training sessions using cards that buff your racer’s acceleration, top speed and stamina. But be warned—sushi has a short shelf life! You only have a few in-game days to train your star athlete before it is time to retire them and roll a fresh competitor.
- Dodge the Chopsticks! During the frantic races, you can’t just sit back. You must actively cheer on your sushi to give them explosive speed boosts. This is especially vital when giant, hungry customer chopsticks swoop down from the sky to snatch your racer off the track. If they get eaten, they are gone!
- Sweet Indie Charm: With an adorable aesthetic and a lighthearted sense of humour, it’s no surprise the game bagged the prestigious “Kids Award” at BitSummit.
A Bite-Sized Bargain

Wabisabi SushiDerby is the perfect gaming comfort food. It combines the strategic depth of a light management simulator with the pure, chaotic joy of a casual racer.

With its incredibly low price point of just $4.99, there is absolutely no reason not to dive in. Whether you are playing on the go with your Nintendo Switch or cosyed up at your PC, this is one delicious indie gem you do not want to miss.

Head over to the Steam Store or Nintendo eShop today, prep your rice, and we will see you at the starting line!

Find out more here

#WabisabiSushiDerby #KodanshaGameLab #IndieGames #NintendoSwitch #SteamGames #PCGaming #GamingNews #TechMash
16th July 2026
Dynamic Witch Trials Powered by Offline AI: ‘Hex Judge’ Launches on Steam Today!
If you’ve ever wanted to step into the shoes of a medieval inquisitor, grill suspicious villagers, and decide who will face condemnation before the sun sets, your time has come. Indie developer CheetahTownGames has officially launched its highly anticipated narrative investigation game, Hex Judge, on Steam today, July 16, 2026!

Priced at an accessible $5.99 USD, this indie title brings a groundbreaking technological twist to the dark, tense world of medieval witch trials.

The Ultimate Offline AI Interrogation Experience

At first glance, Hex Judge looks like a beautiful love letter to 1980s retro PC games, complete with atmospheric pixel art and a moody, suspenseful tone. But under the hood lies a highly modern feature that sets it apart from traditional point-and-click detective games.

Instead of navigating static, pre-written dialogue trees, Hex Judge utilises a local Large Language Model (LLM) packaged directly within the game.

What does this mean for players?
- Fully Offline Play: You don’t need an internet connection or external AI subscriptions to play. The AI processing runs entirely locally on your PC.
- Dynamic Conversations: The suspects respond organically based on how you phrase your questions, their unique personalities, their hidden secrets, and the rumours spreading through the village.
- Spot the Lies: You must carefully compare testimonies, seek out contradictions, and observe shiftiness to build cases against the villagers.
High Replayability and Endless Mystery

No two trials in Hex Judge are ever the same. Each playthrough randomly selects six suspects from a pool of over 30 unique villagers.

The game also features a fully-fledged Villager Editor. If you want to customise your experience, you can edit the names, portraits, ages, and core personalities of the suspects. The built-in AI dynamically adapts to your custom creations, generating brand-new relationship dynamics and procedural, AI-generated epilogues based on your verdicts.

With multiple endings to uncover, every choice you make will shape the ultimate fate of the village.

Launch Details
- Title: Hex Judge
- Developer/Publisher: CheetahTownGames
- Release Date: July 16, 2026
- Platform: Steam (Windows PC)
- Price: $5.99 USD / ¥790 JPY / ¥26 CNY
- Languages Supported: Launches with support for 8 languages, including English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, and Italian.
Whether you are a fan of deductive reasoning games like Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, or simply curious about how local AI is changing the landscape of indie gaming, Hex Judge is a unique experience you won’t want to miss.

Head over to the Hex Judge Steam Page to grab your copy today and start interrogating!

Find out more here

#HexJudge #CheetahTownGames #IndieGames #SteamRelease #AIGaming #DetectiveGames #RetroGaming #GamingNews #PCGaming #IndieDev
16th July 2026
Build a Black-Market Empire: ARMS DEALER Playtest Signups Are Now Live!
War is business, and business is booming.

If you are a fan of deep, systems-driven strategy simulations, you’ll want to pay close attention. Italian independent developer Koro Pixel Studio (renowned for the psychological horror visual novel Loop//Error) and South Korean publisher Dark Product have officially opened playtest signups for their upcoming title, ARMS DEALER.

With a brand-new trailer showing off its high-stakes gameplay, this is your chance to get on the ground floor of a truly unique strategy game before it hits the market.

Check out the playtest trailer below to see AK-47 trading in action, and read on to find out how you can build your own underground empire.

What is ARMS DEALER?

Forget commanding divisions on the front lines or executing tactical manoeuvres in the mud. In ARMS DEALER, you do not fight the battles—you supply the people who do.

You begin your journey in a highly precarious position: carrying massive debt to people you should never have borrowed from in the first place. Your goal? Climb the ladder of the international black market, transition from small-scale trade to massive military hardware, and build enough wealth and influence that you become absolutely untouchable.

This is a cold, calculated economic simulation. As the developers put it: “There are no heroes. There are no good outcomes. There are only margins.”

Key Features of the Simulation:
- Deep Black Market Economy: Master the art of buying low and selling high. Exploit real-time global instability, watch market fluctuations, and profit off international conflicts.
- Scale Your Operation: Start small with individual transactions, eventually scaling up to massive, container-level international shipments.
- Underworld Negotiations: Rub shoulders with a cast of dangerous characters, including street gangs, rogue militias, corrupt government officials, and shady financiers.
- High-Risk Weapons Progression: Progress from simple handguns and rifles to armoured military vehicles, heavy tactical equipment, and eventually high-risk, unconventional weapons programs (biological, chemical, and nuclear technologies).
- Aggressive Debt Management: Utilise loan sharks to aggressively secure capital and grow fast—if you can survive long enough to pay them back.
- Permadeath Campaigns: Every decision carries weight. One intercepted shipment, one unpaid loan, or one bad deal can end your entire empire overnight.
What Kind of Dealer Will You Be?

The game is built to support multiple strategic playstyles:
1. The Opportunist: Fast-moving and alert. You strike quickly during sudden market chaos, secure your profit margins, and get out before the authorities or rival gangs even know you were there.
2. The Financier: Patient and analytical. You play the long game, using aggressive debt and clever financing options to your advantage to build a massive, logistically sound network.
3. The High-Roller: The daredevil who bypasses minor trades entirely, constantly hunting for the single massive contract that could make—or immediately break—your career.
How to Join the Playtest

Playtest signups officially opened on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Because this is an early look at the game’s complex trading mechanics, places are strictly limited and are expected to fill up incredibly fast.

If you want to secure your spot, head over to the official Steam page, request access, and add the game to your wishlist:

Sign up for the ARMS DEALER Playtest on Steam

Will you survive the cutthroat world of the international black market, or will you end up at the bottom of the ocean? There’s only one way to find out.

Find out more here

#IndieGames #ArmsDealer #KoroPixelStudio #DarkProduct #StrategyGames #SteamPlaytest #PCGaming #SimulationGames #GamingNews
16th July 2026
Unleash Sci-Fi Mayhem: Angel Guardian’s First Public Demo Hits Steam Cyberpunk Fest This August!
Sci-fi side-scrolling action-shooter fans, mark your calendars! Developer and publisher Corgee Inc. has officially announced that the very first public demo for Angel Guardian is coming to Steam this summer.

From August 3rd through August 10th, players can jump into the neon-lit, high-stakes action as part of Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest.

If you are a fan of fast-paced combat, 90s anime aesthetics, and futuristic side-scrolling action, this is one playtest you won’t want to miss. Here is everything you need to know about Angel Guardian and what to expect from the upcoming demo.

What is Angel Guardian?

Set aboard the crippled space station kingdom of Alterra, Angel Guardian is a sci-fi side-scrolling action shooter built around fast-paced combat, smart movement, and constant pressure. Following a sudden and devastating attack, the space station’s defensive systems turn hostile. Survival isn’t just a goal—it’s an absolute fight to take control back.

You play as Kita, an elite warrior guardian sent to extract and protect the young prince Eiji amidst the chaos. Unlike typical, frustrating escort missions, Eiji isn’t just a liability—as your journey unfolds, he fights right alongside you, unlocking powerful abilities and awakening his potential as the kingdom’s rightful heir.

Key Gameplay Features to Look Forward To:
- Dynamic Combat & Movement: Tight, responsive shooting designed to keep you on your toes.
- Arsenal of Destruction: Collect and upgrade 8 distinct, double-upgradeable rifles, alongside a close-quarters sword for slicing through hostile defences.
- Stealth & Hacking: Avoid direct combat with stealth mechanics or hack into the station’s network to disable security systems and unlock hidden areas.
- Chaotic Twitch Chat Integration: In a brilliant twist of interactivity, Angel Guardian features a built-in Twitch mode. Streamers can link their game directly to Twitch, letting their viewers spawn enemies, drop crucial ammo, or trigger Eiji’s superpowers in real-time.
Play the Demo at Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest!

Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest is the perfect backdrop for Angel Guardian‘s highly anticipated public debut. The week-long celebration of all things high-tech and low-life kicks off on August 3rd, and the Angel Guardian demo will be fully playable until August 10th.

Whether you want to test your reflexes against the game’s brutal bosses, experiment with the different upgradeable rifles, or stream it to your community to let them cause absolute chaos in your run, this demo is your first real taste of Alterra.

Wishlist Now on Steam

Can’t wait to jump into the boots of Kita? Head over to the official Angel Guardian Steam Page right now to add the game to your wishlist, keep up with developer updates, and ensure you’re the first to know when the demo goes live on August 3rd!

Are you ready to rescue the prince and survive Alterra? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Find out more here

#AngelGuardian #CorgeeInc #IndieGames #SteamCyberpunkFest #SciFiShooter #GamingNews #SteamDemo #SideScroller #TwitchIntegration #PCGaming
16th July 2026
Unleash the Knights! Tides of Annihilation is Heading to Gamescom 2026 with a Playable Demo
Get ready to pack your bags and head to Cologne, because one of the most intriguing action-adventure titles of the year is officially going hands-on.

Eclipse Glow Games has announced that its highly anticipated single-player, action-adventure game, Tides of Annihilation, will be publicly playable for the very first time at Gamescom 2026 next month!

If you are attending the massive gaming expo in Germany from August 26 to August 30, 2026, this is one booth you absolutely cannot afford to skip.

What is Tides of Annihilation?

For the uninitiated, Tides of Annihilation is the stunning debut title from Chengdu-based developer Eclipse Glow Games. Built on the powerhouse Unreal Engine 5, the game blends a unique Arthurian legend-inspired theme with a dark, beautifully stylised aesthetic that incorporates a classic East Asian ink wash style.

The Premise:
- The Setting: A once-vibrant, modern-day London that has been torn apart and distorted by an eerie, otherworldly invasion.
- The Protagonist: You play as Gwendolyn, the lone survivor of this cataclysm, on a desperate quest to save her family and piece her fractured world back together.
- The Twist: Gwendolyn isn’t fighting alone. She has the unique ability to summon and command the spectral forms of the legendary Knights of the Round Table (like Sir Lamorak) to fight by her side.
High-Octane, Spectral Combat

The standout feature of Tides of Annihilation is its combat loop. Players can build and customise their own “Order of Knights,” setting up custom configurations of spectral allies to swap between on the fly during fast-paced combos.

If previous trailers are anything to go by, we can expect:
- Dynamic Tag-Team Combat: Swap between knights mid-combo and even fight simultaneously across different dimensions (like the mind-bending Mirror Space Folded Realm).
- Massive Boss Battles: Take on colossal, towering knights roaming Greater London, scaling their massive forms to bring them down.
- Deep Customisation: Tailor your experience with extensive skill trees, equipment choices, and visual customisations (including hair, makeup, and clothing).
Why You Need to Play It at Gamescom

While we’ve seen some tantalising gameplay footage during Xbox and PlayStation showcases over the past year, getting actual hands-on time is the ultimate test. Eclipse Glow Games has spent years researching and consulting with experts—even visiting London historic sites like Westminster Abbey and the British Museum—to ensure the game’s atmosphere perfectly captures a shattered, mythical Britain.

Now, European gamers will finally get to feel how those fluid, weapon-swapping combos handle in real-time.
Event Details:
- Where: Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany (Gamescom 2026)
- When: August 26 – August 30, 2026
- Who: Open to all public ticket holders!
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Eclipse Glow Games’ booth location as we get closer to the event. We’ll see you on the show floor!

Find out more here

#Gamescom2026 #TidesOfAnnihilation #EclipseGlowGames #ActionAdventure #GamingNews #UnrealEngine5 #KingArthur #IndieGames
16th July 2026
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
14th July 2026
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
14th July 2026
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
14th July 2026