Techmash

Tag: #Kwalee

  • Back into the Cyber-Meatgrinder: SPRAWL Zero Announced

    Back into the Cyber-Meatgrinder: SPRAWL Zero Announced

    If you played 2023’s SPRAWL, you likely still have the rhythm of shotgun blasts and wall-runs hardwired into your muscle memory. It was a love letter to the “boomer shooter” renaissance, mixing Quake-like movement with a gritty, Ghost in the Shell aesthetic.

    Now, developers Maeth and publishers New Blood Interactive (the masters of the retro-FPS) are taking us back to where the decay started. SPRAWL Zero has been officially revealed as a prequel, promising to turn the intensity up to eleven.

    What is SPRAWL Zero?

    While the original game saw Seven navigating the vertical labyrinth of a dystopian megacity, SPRAWL Zero strips things down to their most volatile elements. As a prequel, it explores the initial collapse and the rise of the militarised police state that defined the first game.

    Key Features to Watch For:

    The “Zero” Movement System: The original was famous for its “ICARUS” cybernetic kit. In Zero, expect a more raw, experimental version of that mobility. It’s faster, more punishing, and demands even more precision.

    Tactical Bullet-Time: The focus remains on “The Flow.” By chaining kills and performing high-speed manoeuvres, you’ll earn the ability to slow down time, turning a chaotic room of corporate enforcers into a choreographed ballet of lead.

    A Grittier Prequel Story: We’re moving away from the “fallen god” vibes and into the street-level desperation of a city eating itself alive.

    Visual Evolution: While it retains the signature brutalist architecture and low-poly grit, the lighting and particle effects have seen a massive upgrade. It’s “retro-plus” in the best way possible.

    Why Should You Care?

    The FPS market is crowded, but SPRAWL carved out a niche by being genuinely difficult and rewardingly stylish. It wasn’t just about clicking on heads; it was about using the environment as a weapon.

    “SPRAWL Zero feels like a natural evolution of the ‘movement shooter’ subgenre. It’s less about survival and more about total atmospheric dominance.”

    If you missed the first title, Zero looks like the perfect entry point. If you’re a veteran, it’s a chance to see how the city became the nightmare we know and love.

    Release Intel

    While a concrete release date is still shrouded in neon-lit fog, the game is already climbing the most-anticipated lists on Steam. Expect high-octane gameplay trailers to drop soon.

    Stay tuned to TechMash for more updates on SPRAWL Zero and all things cyberpunk gaming.

    Find out more here – https://www.kwalee.com

    #Kwalee #Maeth #SPRAWLZero #cyberpunkshooter #SPRAWL #games #gaming #gamers #platformgames #gameplay #demogames #videogames #arcadegames

  • Clock In, Lock Up: The ‘Shift at Midnight’ Expanded Demo is Here

    Clock In, Lock Up: The ‘Shift at Midnight’ Expanded Demo is Here

    The graveyard shift at a rural 90s gas station is already a vibe, but in Shift at Midnight, it’s a death sentence if you aren’t paying attention. Developed by Bun Muen and published by Kwalee, this co-op detective horror title has just dropped an expanded demo for Steam Next Fest (February 2026), and it is packed with more than just stale coffee and lottery tickets.

    Whether you’re a returning “employee” or a fresh recruit, the updated demo introduces significant systems that transform the game from a simple “spot the monster” simulator into a deep, tense management-horror hybrid.

    What’s New on the Menu?

    The update isn’t just a polish; it’s a full-scale expansion of your “job responsibilities.” Here are the biggest shifts in gameplay:

    • Expanded Jurisdiction: You are no longer tethered to the cash register. You’re now required to head out to the pumps to fill gas tanks and search vehicles. But be careful—the driver might be watching you as closely as you’re watching them.
    • The “Vitals” System: Management has finally implemented a Health System. If you make a mistake and let a doppelganger slip through, you’ll need to keep that red bar full to survive the ensuing chaos.
    • Inventory & Shop: You finally have pockets! A new Inventory System allows you to carry tools and items, while a randomised in-game shop at your computer terminal lets you buy upgrades to survive the later hours.
    • The Infestation: Reaching Night 3 now introduces a new hurdle: rats. While they might seem like a standard sanitation issue, they’re a sign that the store’s atmosphere is decaying alongside your sanity.
    • Save File Support: You no longer have to restart your entire shift from scratch. The new “Shift Memory” system lets you save your progress as you survive the night.

    Detective Work 101: Don’t Let Them Leave

    The core loop remains as addictive and stressful as ever. You and up to two friends must interrogate customers using a maximum of five questions. You’ll cross-reference their IDs with the computer database and look for “un-human” behaviours.

    Pro-Tip: If you suspect a customer is a doppelganger, you are authorized to “execute on-site.” Just make sure you’re right, and for heaven’s sake, clean up the blood before the next customer pulls up.

    If a creature manages to leave the store, the game shifts from a detective sim to a survival horror nightmare. You’ll need to barricade doors, set traps, and hide in the shadows until the sun comes up.

    Customization and Community

    To keep morale high (or at least pretend to), the update adds hats and store decorations. You can now customise your character and the gas station to your liking. Additionally, the game now features full localisation in 10 languages and support for Ultrawide monitors, making those creepy 90s aesthetics even more immersive.

    How to Play

    The expanded demo is available now on Steam for the duration of Next Fest. With the full game slated for a Q2 2026 release, this is the perfect time to grab a few friends, hop on proximity chat, and see if you have what it takes to survive until dawn.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/LIZOx

    #Kwalee #BunMuen #ShiftatMidnight #SteamNextFest #gasstation #nightshift #customers #shop #games #gaming #gamers #gameplay #videogames

  • If you thought the original GRIME was a fever dream, buckle up

    If you thought the original GRIME was a fever dream, buckle up

    Developer Clover Bite is back with GRIME II, and it looks even more beautifully bizarre than its predecessor. With a demo recently released (November 2025) and a full launch on the horizon, the buzz in the Soulslike-Metroidvania community is reaching a fever pitch.

    Here is everything you need to know about the sequel that turns “stealing your enemy’s look” into a deadly art form.

    1. You Are the “Formless”

    In the first game, you were a black-hole-headed titan. In GRIME II, you play as a Formless—an art mimic capable of absorbing creatures and manifesting their shapes.

    The core loop has evolved:

    • Absorb & Summon: Instead of just gaining passive traits, you now launch tendrils made of hands to absorb foes.
    • Mold System: Once absorbed, you can summon “molds” of these enemies to perform special attacks, fire projectiles, or act as summons to assist you in combat.

    2. Combat: More Than Just a Parry

    While the first game was legendary (and sometimes notorious) for its strict parry-centric combat, GRIME II feels more fluid and experimental.

    • Environmental Combat: The world isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a weapon. You can use the environment to crush, impale, or stun enemies—but be careful, as the “lived-in” world is just as happy to use those hazards against you.
    • Wards & Stuns: A new “Ward” system has been introduced. Breaking an enemy’s Mold Ward stuns them, opening a window to grasp and absorb their form.
    • Customisation: The sequel places a massive emphasis on playstyle. Between weapon abilities and the variety of mould summons, you can build a character that ranges from a heavy bruiser to a master of ranged summon tactics.

    3. A World Made of… Art?

    The setting of GRIME II is distinct from the rocky, anatomical landscapes of the first game. This is a world obsessed with art.

    Expect to explore surreal regions where civilisations are built out of painted nails, giant ceramic vases, and jars. It’s a “lived-in” world where the NPCs are often friendly (or at least talkative), offering a deeper narrative layer than the cryptic whispers of the original.

    Comparison: GRIME vs. GRIME II

    FeatureGRIME (2021)GRIME II (2025/2026)
    ProtagonistThe Vessel (Black Hole head)The Formless (Art Mimic)
    Main MechanicParrying to absorb traitsGrasping to create Mold summons
    Death PenaltyLost Ardor (stat bonus)No “corpse run” for currency (Streamlined)
    Combat StyleDefensive / ReactiveProactive / Environmental

    4. Release Date and Demo

    As of late 2025, a playable demo is currently available on Steam, which has received “Very Positive” reviews. While the developers initially aimed for a 2025 launch, some industry whispers suggest a Q1 2026 window for the full release to ensure the game is as polished as a porcelain vase.

    Pro Tip: If you’re trying the demo, don’t ignore the Dash-Jump movement tech. The developers have given players more mobility right out of the gate this time!

    Final Thoughts

    GRIME II isn’t just a “more of the same” sequel. It’s a mechanical shift that favours creativity and environmental awareness over the pure “parry-or-die” rhythm of the first. If you love Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, or the original GRIME, this needs to be at the top of your wishlist.

    GRIME II – https://www.kwalee.com

    #GRIMEII #Kwalee #CloverBite #metroidvania #gameplay #demogame #games #gaming #gamers #videogames

  • New trailer for the Call of the Elder Gods

    New trailer for the Call of the Elder Gods

    There is a new trailer for the Call of the Elder Gods, a Lovecraftian game with narrative, puzzle and adventure elements. This is the sequel to the popular and successful Call of the Sea. In this game, players are on the search for lost loved ones, but instead come across a mysterious island where time and space travel are possible. Call of the Elder Gods will be coming to PC, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch soon.

    To find out more about the Call of the Elder Gods game, go to the official game website here https://www.kwalee.com/ or go to the games page on Steam here https://shorturl.at/FTTrP

    #CalloftheElderGods #games #gaming #newgames #PC #Lovecraftian #Narrative #Puzzle #Adventure #Kwalee #OutoftheBlue #Steam #PlayStation #Xbox #NintendoSwitch

  • New trailer and demo for Hark the Ghoul

    New trailer and demo for Hark the Ghoul

    This is the trailer for the Hark the Ghoul game, where players enter a weird-looking dungeon-type place where all sorts of nasties seem to be surviving each with their own agenda and reasons for being there. The players will need to fight their way through, while at the same time discovering secrets along the way. The Hark the Ghoul game trailer and playable demo are available right now.

    To find out more about the Hark the Ghoul game, go to the official game website here https://www.kwalee.com/ or go to the games page on Steam here https://bit.ly/harktheghoul

    #HarktheGhoul #Kwalee #DeepDenizens #CeruleanSluice #games #gaming #newgames #gamedemo #gametrailer #fps #retrogames #classicgames #weapons #fighting #battles

  • Robobeat free update available now

    Robobeat free update available now

    If there is one thing that is cool in gaming it has to be something that is free and in the Robobeat game there is a free update coming that will be adding the cheats menu, which sounds pretty brilliant but it would appear that some players may have already been able to access this. There is also the virus room where players are able to choose a serious weapon that can take out the enemy, however, there is a price to pay as now your enemies are able to kill you with a single shot! The Robobeat free update is available right now.

    To find out more about the Robobeat game go to the official game website here https://www.robobeatgame.com/ or go to the games page on Steam here https://shorturl.at/PlXvM

    #Robobeat #Kwalee #Inzanity #bountyhunter #music #games #gaming #freeupdate #roguelite #rhythmshooter #virusroom #cheatsmenu #update #strategy #indiegames

  • Voidwrought Cosmic Horror Action Platformer launching next month

    Voidwrought Cosmic Horror Action Platformer launching next month

    Coming soon is the cosmic horror action platformer Voidwrought this game has the look of a retro arcade game that will blow your mind, each level has its challenges and then there are bosses to get past too. The game is centred around the first civilisations and the gods, so you are getting a picture on how complex this game is going to be and why not isnt that how we want games to be? The Voidwrought game will be launching at the end of October for PC and Nintendo Switch.

    Find out more about the Voidwrought game here on the games page on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2014550/Voidwrought/ or on the official game website here https://www.kwalee.com/blog/gaming/voidwrought-cosmic-horror-game

    #Voidwrought #PC #NintendoSwitch #Steam #Kwalee #PowerSnake #2DActionPlatformer #RetroGames #ClassicGames #CosmicHorror #NewGames #Games #Gaming