TECHMASH

Tag: #NoovolaPublishing

  • The Light Must Never Go Out: ShoreTiles Announced for 2026

    The Light Must Never Go Out: ShoreTiles Announced for 2026

    If you enjoy the methodical satisfaction of tile-placement but occasionally feel like your city-builders lack a sense of impending doom, keep your eyes on ShoreTiles.

    VOXEL Studios and Noovola Publishing have officially pulled back the curtain on their latest project: an atmospheric, “gloomy” tile-placement strategy game set to haunt Steam for PC in 2026. Following their successful collaboration on The Bench, the duo is leaning into a darker, more tactical experience that blends calm construction with a desperate fight for survival.

    Build by Day, Survive by Night

    In ShoreTiles, you are tasked with expanding a solitary island settlement centred around a fragile, glowing lighthouse. The catch? The lighthouse is the only thing keeping the encroaching darkness at bay.

    The gameplay loop is divided into two distinct phases:

    • The Golden Hour: Use a randomised deck of tiles to expand your territory. You’ll need to connect matching terrain types and position buildings—like settlements, farms, and military camps—to optimise your economy and reach.
    • The Deep Night: When the sun sets, the “unseen threat” emerges. Twisted, silent creatures rise from the depths, drawn to the light. Your survival depends entirely on how well you placed your military tiles and fortified your walls during the day.

    High Stakes and Permanent Choices

    Unlike many modern builders that offer a “cosy” escape, ShoreTiles is built on the weight of permanence. There is no undo button. Every tile you lay is a permanent part of your island’s history, meaning a single lapse in judgment during the peaceful daylight hours could lead to total collapse once the fog rolls in.

    “With ShoreTiles, we wanted to create something that feels calm and welcoming at first glance, but slowly reveals a constant sense of pressure,” says Daniele Amabili, Game Designer at VOXEL Studios.

    Key Features at a Glance

    FeatureDescription
    Procedural IslandsNo two runs are the same; every deck and island layout is unique.
    Strategic CombosConnect specific tiles to trigger bonuses and bolster your defense.
    Progress MapDiscover relics, gold chests, and new building types left by those who came before.
    Atmospheric DesignA 1960s-inspired coastal aesthetic that balances beauty with dread.

    Coming to Steam in 2026

    While we have a bit of a wait before we can start placing tiles, the haunting teaser trailer (which recently debuted on IGN and YouTube) suggests a game that is as much about the “vibe” as it is about the math.

    If you’re a fan of Dorfromantik but wish it had a bit more Lovecraftian horror and defensive strategy, this is definitely one for the wishlist.

    Check out ShoreTiles on Steam to stay updated on the 2026 launch.

    Does the idea of a “non-cosy” city builder stress you out, or are you ready to defend the lighthouse?

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4268460

    #VOXELStudios #NoovolaPublishing #ShoreTiles #strategy #Steam #PC #videogames #gamers #gaming

  • More Than Just a Seat: Why You Need to Try ‘The Bench’ Game

    More Than Just a Seat: Why You Need to Try ‘The Bench’ Game

    Have you ever wondered what the life of that seemingly placid old man on the park bench is really like? Developer Voxel Studios and publisher Noovola have peeled back the curtain on this charming, often chaotic, life in their delightful new adventure-puzzle game, The Bench.

    Released on PC, this isn’t your average cosy simulator. While it promises relaxation, it delivers a surprising amount of mischievous fun, clever puzzles, and a whole lot of feathered friends.

    The Pensioner Life, Elevated

    In The Bench, you step into the comfy slippers of a spirited senior who has, shall we say, retired from the retirement home. Armed with a trusty walking stick, a notebook for doodles, and an endless supply of bread, your park bench is your command centre.

    The core gameplay revolves around exploring a vibrant, stylised world and solving puzzles. But here’s the twist: you’re mostly bench-bound. Your solution to most problems? Pigeons.

    Pigeons: Your Feathery Minions

    These aren’t just background fluff. Pigeons are your eyes, your hands, and your very own customisable, feathered army.

    • Command and Conquer: Throw bread to summon your loyal flock, then command them to perform tasks. Need a key from a snoozing guard? Send a pigeon. Need to retrieve a hidden object? Send a pigeon. They can even carry bricks, scissors, and yes, electricity!
    • Customisation: You can dress up and name your pigeon pals, truly making them your best friends and partners in crime.

    The whole setup is part adventure, part hidden-object game, and part elaborate prank simulator. You’ll be using your avian aides to tease park-goers, disrupt picnics, and generally create harmless chaos as you work through a larger, mysterious storyline hinted at by the return of past “agent” memories.

    More to Do Than Just Sit

    While sitting is central, boredom is not on the agenda. The game is packed with activities:

    • Puzzles & Minigames: Beyond the pigeon-based objectives, you can dive into mini-games like solving newspaper puzzles, playing chess, or engaging in a spot of fishing.
    • Creative Fun: Use your in-game notebook to doodle what you see, or enjoy classic pencil-and-paper games like Connect the Dots and Tic-Tac-Toe.
    • Collectables: Work on filling your stamp collection like a true pensioner—a great motivator for exploring every corner of the park.

    A Wholesome Blend of Chaos and Cosiness

    What makes The Bench truly stand out is its unique tone. It strikes a perfect balance between being a relaxing, charming experience and a game that lets you embrace your inner mischief-maker. The colourful, cartoon graphics add to the lighthearted feel, ensuring that your antics are always fun and never mean-spirited.

    For streamers, there’s even a fun layer of Twitch integration, allowing viewers to spawn raccoons, NPCs, or even more pigeons to influence the gameplay live, adding an extra unpredictable layer of fun.

    The Bench is a fresh and engaging take on the puzzle-adventure genre. If you’re looking for a game that offers a cosy vibe, unique mechanics, and the chance to finally command a pigeon army, take a load off and enjoy the view. Your perfect seat in the park is waiting.

    ‘The Bench’ is out now on PC via Steam.

    The Bench https://www.voxel.it/en

    #TheBench #spy #park #pcgames #steam #puzzle #adventure #VOXELStudios #NoovolaPublishing #parkbench #secretagent #games #gamers #gaming