TECHMASH

Tag: #RetroGaming

  • Get Ready for ‘Arcadevania’: Naula Studio Reveals Neo Geo Action Platformer Necro Pop

    Get Ready for ‘Arcadevania’: Naula Studio Reveals Neo Geo Action Platformer Necro Pop

    Retro gaming fans and modern platforming aficionados, take note! Independent developer Naula Studio has officially announced Necro Pop, an exciting new title that bridges the nostalgic golden age of arcade hardware with modern gaming convenience.

    Described by the developers as an “Arcadevania,” Necro Pop seamlessly blends the pick-up-and-play, high-octane action of classic 16-bit arcade games with deep dungeon exploration, unlockable character abilities, and highly replayable challenges.

    The headline twist? Necro Pop has been built from the ground up specifically for SNK’s legendary Neo Geo MVS arcade board and AES home console. However, modern gamers won’t be left in the dark—the game is also slated for a digital release across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam in 2027.

    Step Into the Land of Ghostreach

    In Necro Pop, players take control of Poppi, a spirited ghost fighting to save her world. An insidious dark corruption called The Gloam has spread across the realm of Ghostreach, capturing friendly spirits along the way.

    Everything changes when Poppi stumbles upon an ancient amulet that bestows her with a corporeal form. Armed with newly acquired physical abilities and magic, Poppi embarks on an action-packed quest to beat back The Gloam, navigate treacherous dungeons, and rescue her spectral companions.

    What Exactly Is an “Arcadevania”?

    Unlike traditional Metroidvanias, which can sometimes emphasise slow pacing and complex backtracking, Naula Studio’s self-titled “Arcadevania” genre focuses on speed, fluidity, and player agency.

    Necro Pop boasts a variety of combat and traversal mechanics:

    • Dynamic Combat: Slice away with sword strikes, charge up powerful heavy attacks, or cast destructive spells like fireballs.
    • Creative Movement: Navigate environments in style—blow bubbles to reach higher ground, master pogo jumps on top of enemies, or combine movement skills on the fly.
    • Minions & Magic: Call upon mysterious helper minions to turn the tide of battle.
    • Secrets & Progression: Free trapped ghostly NPCs who will share forgotten lore, grant game-changing powers, or unlock secret areas throughout Ghostreach.

    Built for 16-Bit Royalty

    For hardware enthusiasts, Necro Pop is a love letter to original arcade technology. Developing directly on the classic Neo Geo MVS/AES architecture allows Naula Studio to push vibrant, cartoon-inspired pixel art that feels straight out of nineties arcade cabinets, while utilising full sprite capabilities to create fluid animations and expressive boss encounters.

    For retro collectors, physical Neo Geo cartridges are set to ship alongside the digital releases, bringing authentic cartridge-based gaming back to life.

    Play the Demo Now!

    Can’t wait until 2027 to try it out? You don’t have to! Naula Studio has released a free playable demo on Steam, allowing PC players to experience the entire third level of the game right now. Additionally, attendees at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show will get a hands-on chance to play the game on the show floor.

    Whether you’re a retro cartridge collector or a modern indie enthusiast, Necro Pop is shaping up to be a standout addition to the action-platformer scene.

    Find out more here

    #NecroPop #Arcadevania #NaulaStudio #NeoGeo #IndieGames #RetroGaming #GamingNews #Steam #NintendoSwitch #PlayStation #Xbox #PixelArt #techmash

  • Step Back to the ’90s: Wasdeq Games Releases Demo for Grid-Based Dungeon Crawler ‘Crawler 3D’ on PC

    Step Back to the ’90s: Wasdeq Games Releases Demo for Grid-Based Dungeon Crawler ‘Crawler 3D’ on PC

    Retro gaming fans and dungeon-crawling enthusiasts have a new reason to celebrate today. Sydney-based indie developer Wasdeq Games has officially launched the PC demo for their debut title, Crawler 3D—a turn-based, grid-based first-person dungeon crawler built in the classic tradition of old-school RPGs.

    If you grew up carefully mapping out corridors step-by-step or fighting off localised evil with a mix of magic and steel, Crawler 3D aims to deliver that exact nostalgia with a modern indie polish.

    Classic Grid-Step Mechanics Meet Modern RPG Systems

    At its core, Crawler 3D stays true to the golden era of dungeon crawlers. It offers deliberate, turn-based first-person movement and combat where strategy outweighs button-mashing. Set in a grim fantasy realm threatened by widespread corruption, players step into a solo journey to reclaim the lands from darkness.

    While the grid-based movement embraces classic retro aesthetics, the gameplay depth incorporates modern action-RPG elements:

    • Varied Environments: Your adventure expands beyond dark, claustrophobic corridors. The game features diverse hostile regions, including forests, sewers, deserts, deep mines, hidden caves, and a sprawling castle towering over the narrative.
    • Deep Progression & Skill Trees: Face off against distinct enemy types and brutal bosses while earning loot, upgrading your equipment, managing your inventory, and building out a flexible skill tree.
    • A Living Hub Town: Between intense dungeon runs, players can return to a full central town hub. Here, you can trade with vendors, visit the blacksmith for crafting, accept story-driven quests, and prepare for your next excursion using fast travel.
    • Exploration & Cartography: Navigate treacherous zones using a classic fog-of-war minimap, ensuring every secret room and hidden treasure is uncovered.

    Broad Accessibility and Full Release Date

    Wasdeq Games has prioritised player accessibility for their debut release. Crawler 3D features full support for keyboard, mouse, and controller inputs, allowing players to tackle the dungeon at their own pace. The title has also been localised into 17 languages at launch.

    Gamers interested in sampling the retro action don’t have to wait. The demo for Crawler 3D is available to download today on Steam, giving players a taste of the first level and core combat mechanics.

    Best of all, retro RPG fans won’t have to wait long for the complete experience—the full launch of Crawler 3D on PC is scheduled for September 29, 2026.

    Try the Demo Today

    Head over to Steam to add Crawler 3D to your wishlist and test your tactical skills in the demo today.

    Find out more here

    #Crawler3D #IndieGames #GamingNews #PCGaming #DungeonCrawler #RetroGaming #WasdeqGames #SteamDemo #RPG #TechMash

  • High-Speed Nostalgia: How A2K Is Reviving the Chaotic Glory of Classic Arena Shooters

    High-Speed Nostalgia: How A2K Is Reviving the Chaotic Glory of Classic Arena Shooters

    If you grew up during the golden age of PC gaming in the late ’90s and early 2000s, you likely remember two things with absolute clarity: the unmatched adrenaline rush of QUAKE and the frantic, ragdoll-heavy mayhem of the 2D side-scrolling classic Soldat.

    Now, upcoming indie arena shooter A2K is taking those legendary influences and fusing them into a modern, high-octane third-person experience. The result? An adrenaline-fueled battleground built entirely around speed, skill, and glorious momentum.

    Bringing 2D Chaos into a 3D World

    At its core, A2K heavily borrows its spirit from Soldat—a game famous for giving players jetpacks, heavy weaponry, and chaotic mobility in tight spaces—while drawing deep mechanical inspiration from classic arena shooters like QUAKE.

    Instead of keeping players grounded in tactical, slow-paced gunplay, A2K translates fast-paced 2D combat into a dynamic third-person perspective. The game replaces cover-based mechanics with fluid, physics-based traversal that rewards high skill ceilings and split-second reflexes.

    Movement is Your Ultimate Weapon

    What sets A2K apart from modern shooters is its relentless commitment to movement. The game arms players with a rich kit of mobility options designed to keep combat fast and unpredictable:

    • Jetpacks & Walljumps: Chain vertical boosts with wall bounces to gain high ground or escape lethal crossfire in an instant.
    • Sliding & Bunnyhopping: Preserve your velocity across the map using momentum-based movement mechanics straight out of classic arena games.
    • Rocket Jumps: Blast yourself across arenas using rocket launcher splash damage to catch opponents off guard from above.
    • Momentum-Based Physics: Speed isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a core mechanic. Carrying momentum into turns, jumps, and slides allows skilled players to outmanoeuvre entire lobbies.

    Pure, Unadulterated Chaos

    In an era dominated by battle royales and slow, hyper-tactical military shooters, A2K feels like a breath of fresh air—or perhaps a burst of jet fuel. It captures the chaotic essence of old-school LAN parties, where combat turns into a fast, explosive dance of rockets, high-flying acrobatics, and pure mechanical skill.

    Whether you’re a veteran gamer who spent hundreds of hours mastering bunnyhopping in QUAKE or a fan of fast-paced indie shooters, A2K is shaping up to be a must-watch title for anyone who misses the glory days of pure arena combat. Keep this one on your Steam wishlist!

    Find out more here

    #A2K #IndieGames #GamingNews #ArenaShooter #PCGaming #Quake #Soldat #RetroGaming #GamingCommunity #FPS

  • Hip-Hop Meets Yokai Magic: Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade Slashes onto Steam, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2!

    Hip-Hop Meets Yokai Magic: Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade Slashes onto Steam, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2!

    Retro gamers and Action RPG enthusiasts, get ready to drop the needle and draw your blades! Publisher Clear River Games—renowned for bringing classic and retro gems to modern platforms—has teamed up with legendary Japanese developer and publisher City Connection to officially announce Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade.

    Serving as a spiritual successor to Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle, this fresh entry infuses the long-running series with an intoxicating “Yokai × 90s Hip-Hop” fusion. Get ready to battle dancing spirits, rack up crazy combos, and save Princess Sakura in a vibrant, stylised world where traditional Japanese folklore meets 90s street culture and funky beats.

    Here is everything you need to know about this upcoming hack ‘n’ slash Action RPG!

    Groovy Beats & High-Octane Hack ‘n’ Slash Action

    The story begins with a classic setup—Princess Sakura has been kidnapped! However, this is no ordinary rescue mission; it’s a full-on yokai dance party. Led by the Yokai Supreme Commander, Nurari Pyoko, hordes of mythological creatures are ready to party… and fight.

    Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade pairs retro pixel-art characters with modern 3D environments, bringing fast-paced combat to life:

    • Fluid Combat & Aerial Moves: Leap across platforms and crush foes with nostalgic aerial stomps, execute multi-hit melee combos, or fire off unlimited ranged attacks.
    • Diverse Weaponry: A broad arsenal of unique ninja gear with distinct attack animations lets you customise your playstyle.
    • Rad Ninpo Ultimate Skills: Unleash nine ultimate skills, each featuring 5 deep upgrade tiers to decimate screen-clearing waves of enemies.
    • The Yokai Night Parade Special Rules: Step through glowing torii gates inside dungeons to enter special rulesets, fight boss yokai showing off unique dance moves, and score massive loot drops!

    Deep Customisation and Endgame Content

    The action doesn’t end when the battle stops. After taking down foes across factories, yokocho alleys, onsen, and snowy mountains, you’ll head back to JaJaMaru’s Room—your customizable home base.

    Here, you can:

    • Upgrade your stats and gear.
    • Decorate your room with furniture found during dungeon runs (which also grants passive stat boosts!).
    • Dive into an extensive in-game Encyclopedia and tackle challenging endgame dungeons.

    Release Platforms & Live Demo at Gamescom

    Whether you’re playing on PC or next-gen consoles, Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade will be hitting the following platforms:

    • PC (Steam)
    • PlayStation®5
    • Nintendo®Switch 2

    Gamers attending Gamescom can get hands-on experience right now by visiting the Clear River Games booth in Hall 10.2 to try out a playable demo! If you can’t make it to the show floor, don’t sweat it—you can officially wishlist the game on Steam today.

    What do you think, gamers?

    Are you ready to blend retro ninja action with 90s hip-hop flair on the Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #NinjaJaJaMaru #YokaiNightParade #ClearRiverGames #CityConnection #GamingNews #RetroGaming #ActionRPG #HackAndSlash #Switch2 #PS5 #SteamGames #Gamescom #IndieGames #TechMash

  • Be Kind, Rewind, and Build an Empire: Open-World Simulator Rewind 99 Hits 1.0!

    Be Kind, Rewind, and Build an Empire: Open-World Simulator Rewind 99 Hits 1.0!

    If you have ever felt a sudden wave of nostalgia for fluorescent lights, plastic VHS cases, and the warm hum of a tape rewinder, independent studio Gunmetal Games has just the game for you. The studio’s wildly creative open-world video store simulator, Rewind 99, is officially set to leave Early Access and release its long-awaited Version 1.0 on August 27 at 8 AM PT.

    To celebrate the full release, players can jump in right now for $11.99, or take advantage of a launch-week discount dropping the price by 30% to just $8.39.

    Here is why gamers, management sim fans, and nostalgic ’90s kids should have Rewind 99 on their radar.

    More Than Just a Register: A Sandbox RPG in Disguise

    At first glance, Rewind 99 casts you as a modest clerk running the last video rental store in Reshoot Springs—a low-poly, neon-soaked town set in 1999 that is slowly abandoning physical media.

    Your initial tasks sound like a standard cosy management sim:

    • Stock shelves with movies, snacks, and retro collectables.
    • Process rentals and manage customer lines.
    • Manually rewind tapes (because non-rewinders are the worst).
    • Hire employees and set store hours.

    However, calling Rewind 99 a simple store simulator does it a massive disservice. The shop is merely a front. Step outside the sliding glass doors, and you’ll find a sprawling, walkable open-world sandbox filled with quirky NPCs, deep progression systems, and a dark side hustle economy.

    From VHS Clerk to Rental Racketeer

    To survive the rise of corporate streaming giants and keep your shop afloat, you’ll need to step out from behind the counter and dive into side hustles. Rewind 99 leans heavily into sandbox absurdism, allowing players to build a true underground empire:

    • Run an Underground Fight Club: Earn extra cash on the side by organising bare-knuckle bouts.
    • Become a Movie Producer: Produce your own films and mix custom tapes to sell in your shop.
    • Enforce Late Fees—Violently: Send out repo men or personally collect overdue fees from delinquent customers.
    • Gamble and Hustle: Try your luck on lottery scratchers, set up claw machines, or make deals with illicit candy dealers.
    • Co-Op Chaos: Take on the town solo or team up with up to 4 players in online co-op to run the business together.

    What’s New in Version 1.0?

    Gunmetal Games listened closely to community feedback throughout Early Access, focusing Version 1.0 on deep mechanical polish and expanded content:

    • Rebuilt Employee AI: Staff are no longer liabilities. Overhauled pathing and behaviour mean your employees will actually restock, prioritise tasks, and keep the shop running smoothly.
    • Major Performance Overhaul: A comprehensive optimisation pass across the engine guarantees steady frame rates, even during long, asset-heavy gameplay sessions.
    • Expanded Map & Hidden Lore: Discover new secret locations across Reshoot Springs, alongside scattered lore fragments and artefacts that reveal what is really happening behind the scenes in town.
    • Quality of Life Enhancements: Enjoy fine-tuned customisation options, balanced progression systems, variable store hours, and overhauled pricing mechanics.

    Grab the Deal Before It Rewinds!

    Whether you want to build a cosy retro Blockbuster homage, produce B-tier indie films, or build a criminal syndicate disguised as a VHS shop, Rewind 99 offers one of the most uniquely entertaining simulator experiences of the year.

    Don’t wait—grab Rewind 99 during its launch week for just $8.39 (30% off) before it returns to its standard price of $11.99.

    Find out more here

    #Rewind99 #GunmetalGames #IndieGames #PCGaming #GamingNews #SimulatorGames #RetroGaming #Vaporwave #Steam #GamingDeals

  • 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Thunderbirds Are Go in Pixel Starships! Major Crossover Announced

    5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Thunderbirds Are Go in Pixel Starships! Major Crossover Announced

    Attention, starship captains! Stand by for action: game developer SavySoda has officially revealed an out-of-this-world collaboration bringing the legendary sci-fi classic Thunderbirds directly into the expansive, pixelated universe of Pixel Starships!

    Officially licensed by Zoo 55 (part of ITV Studios), this retro-meets-retro crossover event brings Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s beloved 1965 series straight into deep space. International Rescue is calling all pilots to step up, assemble their dream crew, and thwart another devious scheme hatched by the arch-villain, The Hood.

    Here is everything you need to know about this blockbuster event.

    Recruit the Legends of International Rescue – Whether you’re a lifelong fan of retro Supermarionation or a tactical captain looking for an edge in combat, this crossover delivers heavily on both nostalgia and strategy.

    Captains will be able to recruit iconic characters straight to their starships, including:

    Lady Penelope

    Brains

    Scott Tracy

    Virgil Tracy

    Alan Tracy

    …and even The Hood!

    A Game-Changing New Passive Ability- Navigating galactic combat is often a chaotic nightmare filled with raging fires, EMP attacks frying your systems, and toxic poison breaching your airlocks. The International Rescue team brings a massive tactical advantage to counter these hazards.

    When added to your crew, the Thunderbirds feature a game-changing passive ability: every single time they repair or attack, they instantly purge all negative status effects from your ship. With these heroes assigned to your rooms, status effects won’t stand a chance against your fleet.

    Experience Iconic Starships Like Never Before
    This event marks a major milestone for Pixel Starships, introducing the first-ever collaboration Starbase design.

    Thunderbird 5 Starbase: Command and customise the iconic high-orbit space station as your flagship central base.

    Thunderbird 2 Ship Hull: Unlock International Rescue’s signature heavy transport vehicle as an operational ship hull to navigate the cosmos.

    To top off the event, players can earn and equip exclusive gadgetry and rewards, including the Hover Pack, the Telecall Communicator Beacon, and the all-important Starpoint Percolator (because even space-faring captains need a quality caffeine fix).

    How and When to Play – The Pixel Starships x Thunderbirds crossover event kicks off on 23 August.

    Pixel Starships is free-to-play and available across PC (Steam), iOS, and Android. Jump into your command deck, recruit the Tracy family, and help International Rescue save the galaxy!

    Find out more here

    #PixelStarships #Thunderbirds #SavySoda #ThunderbirdsAreGo #IndieGames #SciFiGaming #MobileGaming #GamingNews #SteamGames #RetroGaming

  • Shift Your Signal: Mike Huguenor Drops Retro Side-Scroller Companion Game on Steam and Game Boy Cartridge!

    Shift Your Signal: Mike Huguenor Drops Retro Side-Scroller Companion Game on Steam and Game Boy Cartridge!

    Indie punk veteran Mike Huguenor—celebrated for his razor-sharp riffsmanship and signature guitar tone in Jeff Rosenstock’s band, Hard Girls, and Shinobu—has officially launched his debut project as an indie game developer: Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game.

    Released to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his acclaimed 2025 sophomore solo album of the same name, this retro side-scroller is out now on PC via Steam. In true DIY fashion, physical enthusiasts and retro collectors can also grab hand-assembled, limited-edition Game Boy cartridges to experience the game on classic hardware.

    From Chords to Code: A DIY Milestone

    Known for pushing the boundaries of instrumental guitar music, Huguenor took his creative vision a step further by coding, designing, and scoring the companion game himself. Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game channels the nostalgia of 8-bit and 16-bit handheld classics, translating the surreal, hyper-connected, and guitar-driven universe of his solo album into a playable adventure.

    Players navigate alien landscapes and digital battlegrounds, accompanied by a chiptune-infused reimagining of the album’s tracks.

    “I’ve always seen music and gaming through the same DIY lens,” Huguenor shared regarding the release. “Building this game was a way to expand the story of the record and give people a completely new way to interact with the music.”

    How to Play

    • PC / Steam: Available now for download on Steam, optimised for modern rigs while maintaining an authentic retro feel.
    • Physical Game Boy Cartridge: Limited-run physical cartridges are available via Huguenor’s official store. Each cartridge is hand-assembled, making it a rare collector’s item for both retro gaming aficionados and punk rock fans alike.

    Whether you’re a long-time fan of Huguenor’s virtuosic fretwork or a lover of retro side-scrollers, Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game offers a unique crossover between DIY indie rock and chip-era gaming nostalgia.

    Find out more here

    #MikeHuguenor #SurfingTheWebWithTheAlien #IndieGames #RetroGaming #GameBoy #SteamGames #DIYGaming #JeffRosenstock #Chiptune #TechMash

  • Signal Detected. Someone’s Listening: Cyberpunk RPG ‘Radiotext’ Hits Steam This September

    Signal Detected. Someone’s Listening: Cyberpunk RPG ‘Radiotext’ Hits Steam This September

    If you’re a fan of immersive retro interfaces, cypherpunk lore, and high-stakes narrative hacking, tune your dials. Indie developer and publisher Alp Arslan has officially announced that Radiotext, an upcoming cyberpunk hacking RPG built around a forgotten 1990s communication network, is scheduled to launch on September 30th.

    For players eager to jack into the matrix early, a free playable demo is available now on Steam.

    Decipher the Airwaves: What is Radiotext?

    Set in a near-future dystopian world dominated by corporate overlords, Radiotext plunges players into a covert underground resistance. When traditional digital communication is monitored and compromised, activists turn to a forgotten relic: a 1990s cryptographic software network that utilises radio waves to transmit data undetected.

    You step into this analogue-meets-cyberpunk world after being handed a mysterious USB drive. Plugging it in drops you straight into a dark, cryptographic radio net as a complete outsider. Your goal? Navigate terminal interfaces, decrypt frequencies, and piece together the mysteries hidden within the static.

    Key Features & Gameplay Highlights

    • Retro Terminal Aesthetics: Featuring an authentic terminal interface, custom typing mechanics, static audio design, and customizable UI settings (including colour nodes and contrast controls).
    • Deep Narrative & Dynamic Choices: Interact with over 12 complex, fully written characters—ranging from fellow activists and broken survivors to digital ghosts. Trust is scarce, and a mole may be hiding among the ranks.
    • Hidden Words & Branching Paths: Dialogue isn’t just about selecting pre-made answers; hidden keywords and secret input paths alter how conversations unfold and shape the overarching story.
    • Focused Experience with High Replayability: The main campaign offers a tight 3–4 hour narrative designed for impactful playthroughs, featuring multiple endings and interconnecting paths that encourage replayability.

    Try the Free Steam Demo Today

    If you want a taste of the analogue rebellion before the full release, the free Steam demo provides a 30 to 60-minute standalone look into the core mechanics and narrative branching. Early player feedback on Steam has already praised its atmospheric sound design, retro immersion, and clever mechanics.

    Mark your calendars for September 30th, head over to Steam to wishlist Radiotext, and test your cypherpunk instincts with the free demo today.

    Find out more here

    #Radiotext #Cyberpunk #IndieGames #Steam #GamingNews #CyberpunkRPG #RetroGaming #GamingCommunity #TechMash

  • Into the Abyss: ‘Entropy’ Delivers PS1-Style Tactical Grimness from the Creators of ‘Dread Delusion’

    Into the Abyss: ‘Entropy’ Delivers PS1-Style Tactical Grimness from the Creators of ‘Dread Delusion’

    Indie studio Lovely Hellplace (the creative minds behind the critically acclaimed open-world RPG Dread Delusion) and publisher DreadXP have unleashed their next dark, atmospheric project upon the gaming world: Entropy.

    Now available on PC via Steam Early Access for $11.99, Entropy trades the open-world exploration of King’s Field and Morrowind for a sinister, low-poly tactical RPG heavily inspired by classic console JRPGs of the PSX era.

    If you are a fan of old-school mechanics, retro aesthetics, and bleak, world-ending fantasy, here is everything you need to know about this brutal new adventure.

    A World Ending Not with a Bang, But a Whimper

    Unlike standard post-apocalyptic tales that feature grand cataclysms or nuclear fallouts, the world of Entropy is dying slowly. There was no single world-ending event—only the relentless, cruel march of time and an inexplicable, global infertility.

    Settlements in the barren moor of Draenog are squalid, medieval, and ruled by cruel tyrants. Outside these feeble safe havens, accursed creatures roam the desolate lands.

    Your journey doesn’t start with a legendary prophecy. You begin as part of a theatre troupe in the town of Draenog, performing a play when demons suddenly breach the city gates. Armed only with a wooden prop sword, you must gather your troupe, survive the immediate slaughter, and lead a desperate expedition into the depths of hell to halt the demonic incursion.

    Key Gameplay Features

    • Tactical Turn-Based Combat: Engage in tactical battles inspired by classic 90s JRPGs. Strategy is everything when fighting off demonic hordes.
    • Limb-Targeting & Dismemberment System: Tactical combat in Entropy lets you target enemy limbs directly. Severing limbs weakens foes and disables their deadlier attacks—though as the developers note, you can still run for your life if you have two legs and no arms!
    • Manage a Party of 6: Control up to six characters in battle. Assemble a diverse squad, level up stats, and unlock powerful perks.
    • Expendable Mercenaries: In a world where life is cheap, mercenaries are ready for hire. When party members inevitably fall in combat, hire fresh meat to fill the gaps in your ranks.
    • Nostalgic Low-Poly Visuals: Featuring a retro, 32-bit PS1 aesthetic, the low-poly graphics deliver a rich, eerie atmosphere that evokes classic late-90s RPG nostalgia.

    Early Access Roadmap

    Entropy launches into Steam Early Access with Act 1: The Gloaming Isles fully playable—representing roughly a quarter of the full experience. Act 1 features two main towns, three deep dungeons, and numerous side locations, quests, characters, armours, and spells.

    Developer Lovely Hellplace plans for the game to remain in Early Access for approximately one year, releasing major updates corresponding to Acts 2 and 3 as the game develops toward a full 1.0 release.

    How to Play

    Entropy is out now in Early Access on PC. You can jump in today, lead your troupe, and test your tactical grit against the end of the world.

    • Platform: PC (Steam)
    • Price: $11.99 (Steam Early Access)
    • Developer: Lovely Hellplace
    • Publisher: DreadXP

    Find out more here

    #Entropy #DreadDelusion #IndieGames #GamingNews #RPG #Steam #DreadXP #LowPoly #RetroGaming #TechMash

  • Prepare for Launch: Cold War Naval Strategy Hits the Stars in Deck & Conn!

    Prepare for Launch: Cold War Naval Strategy Hits the Stars in Deck & Conn!

    If you’re a fan of deep strategic gameplay, retro aesthetics, and tension-filled tactical sci-fi, get ready to set your coordinates. Deck & Conn, an ambitious single-player turn-based space tactics game published by the legendary MicroProse and developed by Funtime Electrics, is officially charting its course to PC via Steam on September 1, 2026.

    Blending the suspense of Cold War naval warfare with classic turn-based computer games, Deck & Conn promises an atmospheric, high-stakes campaign where every decision matters.

    Cold War Tension Meets Deep Space Tactics

    Set “fifteen minutes into the future of 1989,” Deck & Conn puts you directly into the captain’s chair of a nuclear-powered space corvette. Floating in the cold void of an endless, grimy sci-fi war, you aren’t piloting a slick, automated utopian vessel—you’re managing limited power, managing vital crew members, and balancing scarce resources against relentless hostility.

    Drawing inspiration from legendary early MicroProse simulators and the iconic 1971 Super Star Trek mainframe game, Deck & Conn crafts a deeply tactical experience centred around precision, resource control, and strategic positioning.

    Key Features to Keep on Your Radar

    • Take the Captain’s Chair: Command a retro-futuristic nuclear corvette across an endless sci-fi campaign inspired by classic Cold War naval doctrine.
    • Intricate System & Resource Management: Combat isn’t just about targeting lasers. You’ll need to balance reactor output, manage crew deployments, route power to essential systems, and patch up hull breaches under pressure.
    • Dynamic Campaign Structure: Undertake war patrols, respond to HQ directives, address emergency distress calls, and upgrade your ship with captured spoils.
    • To the Victor Go the Spoils: Choose whether to destroy hostile ships or board and capture them to harvest vital rewards and boost your ship’s reputation.
    • Charming Retro Pixel Art: Dive into detailed early-’90s-inspired visual design, bringing nostalgic tactical screens and detailed UI to life.
    • Custom Scenarios: In addition to the main dynamic campaign, stand-alone tactical missions let you hone your skills in tightly crafted combat setups.

    Why Strategy Fans Should Be Excited

    Deck & Conn captures the “gallows humour” and gritty realism of submarine and patrol boat games, seamlessly transferring those mechanics into a tile- and sector-based space combat environment. By prioritising system depth over twitch reflexes, it rewards calculated planning, careful navigation, and decisive risk management.

    Whether you’re carefully managing your power grid during an ambush or issuing orders to board a crippled enemy vessel, Deck & Conn delivers an authentic blend of nostalgic crunch and modern strategy design.

    Mark Your Calendars

    Ready to take command? Deck & Conn officially launches for PC via Steam on September 1, 2026. Head over to Steam today to add it to your wishlist and prepare your crew for the void!

    Find out more here

    #DeckAndConn #MicroProse #IndieGame #TurnBasedTactics #PCGaming #SteamGames #SciFiGaming #RetroGaming #StrategyGames #TechMash

  • Back from the Ashes: KKND and KKND2 Receive Modern Online Multiplayer in Huge 1.0 Update!

    Back from the Ashes: KKND and KKND2 Receive Modern Online Multiplayer in Huge 1.0 Update!

    Retro RTS fans, assemble! Grab your oil drums, fire up your land rovers, and polish off those giant mutative claws—one of the late ’90s most iconic, brutal real-time strategy franchises has just received a massive modern revival.

    Nearly 30 years after the original release, publisher Ziggurat Interactive, in collaboration with dedicated community modder Andre ‘IceReaper’ Mohren, has officially dropped the 1.0 Update for both Krush Kill ‘N Destroy Xtreme (1997) and Krush Kill ‘N Destroy 2: Krossfire (1998) on Steam.

    Whether you were team Survivors or team Evolved, you can now relive the golden age of strategy gaming with fully modernised online multiplayer, improved display settings, and quality-of-life updates!

    What’s New in the 1.0 Update?

    The headline addition is, of course, the modern online multiplayer functionality. No longer do you need to mess around with virtual LAN adapters, IPX protocols, or direct IP connections. You can now jump directly online via Steam, challenge your friends, and finally claim ultimate post-apocalyptic bragging rights.

    Here’s a quick rundown of everything packed into the 1.0 release:

    • Modern Online Multiplayer: Hop online with ease to battle over dwindling resources across an irradiated Earth.
    • Modern Display Support: Updated display resolution options and dedicated Windowed Mode support so the game looks and plays crisp on modern PC setups.
    • Enhanced Mod Support: Tighter mod integration makes custom maps and community tweaks easier to run than ever before.
    • Expanded Localisation: Greater language accessibility for strategy commanders around the globe.

    Welcome Back to the Wasteland

    If you missed out on the series back in the late 1990s, the KKND universe offers a gritty, fast-paced alternative to classics like Command & Conquer and StarCraft.

    Set on an irradiated, post-nuclear Earth, human survivors who hid underground (the Survivors) emerge to fight against the mutated humans left on the surface (the Evolved). KKND2: Krossfire upped the ante by introducing a third robotic faction—the Series 9 agricultural bots gone rogue.

    Across both games, you get access to over 50 unique air, land, and amphibious units, fighting tooth, claw, and heavy artillery across dozens of hand-crafted campaign missions where oil is the ultimate currency.

    Retro Discounts to Celebrate!

    To mark this momentous update, Ziggurat Interactive has launched a retro catalogue sale on Steam running from August 14 until August 28, discounting both KKND games by 60%.

    It’s the perfect time to grab both games for pennies, assemble a squad of friends, and take the fight online!

    Are you siding with the tech-heavy Survivors or the ferocious Evolved? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #KKND #KrushKillNDestroy #RTS #PCGaming #RetroGaming #ZigguratInteractive #GamingNews #SteamUpdates #StrategyGames #Multiplayer

  • Start Your Engines! Retro Combat Racer ‘Star Racer’ Hits Nintendo Switch This September

    Start Your Engines! Retro Combat Racer ‘Star Racer’ Hits Nintendo Switch This September

    Retro-racing fans, it’s time to buckle up! Whatnot Games and Crossbridge Games have officially announced that Star Racer, the high-octane, retro-inspired combat racer, is making its way to the Nintendo Switch on September 3, 2026.

    If you’ve been itching for a game that blends classic 90s sci-fi racing nostalgia with modern combat mechanics and customisation, pre-orders are live right now on the Nintendo eShop—so you can lock in your spot on the grid early.

    What is Star Racer?

    If you grew up loving fast-paced sci-fi racers like F-Zero or aerial combat classics like Star Fox, Star Racer is built right for your alley. Inspired by iconic 90s aesthetics and animation, this game combines blisteringly fast ground racing with gravity-defying aerial action.

    In Star Racer, speed alone won’t secure your spot on the podium. Players must balance weapon warfare, precision drifting, and strategic energy management. Every boost drains your energy reserves, which are also required for healing—meaning you’ll need split-second decision-making to survive rival attacks and hostile environments.

    Key Features to Look Out For

    • High-Octane Combat & Flight: Race on neon-drenched tracks, take off into the skies with aerial glides, and blast opponents with a devastating arsenal of weapons.
    • Dynamic Hazards: From icy straights and lava-covered roads to turrets and mines, no two circuits are completely safe.
    • Robust Track Editor: Want to test your friends? Use the in-game Track Editor with full online functionality to design, set hazards, and share your custom circuits with players worldwide.
    • Event Races: Adapt to wild, rotating scenarios like precision-based target trials and extreme hazard courses.
    • 4-Player Split-Screen Multiplayer: Grab up to three friends on the couch for old-school split-screen local multiplayer action.
    • An Epic OST Featuring Grant Kirkhope: The game boasts an energetic soundtrack with select tracks composed by gaming icon Grant Kirkhope (Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 007, Mario + Rabbids), alongside tunes from Mason Lieberman and Jules Conroy.

    Pre-Orders Are Live Now!

    Following its successful PC run, bringing Star Racer to Nintendo’s hybrid console is a perfect match for portable high-speed combat.

    Head over to the Nintendo eShop today to place your pre-order ahead of the official launch on September 3, 2026. Will you be grabbing your spot on the starting line? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #StarRacer #NintendoSwitch #WhatnotGames #CrossbridgeGames #RetroGaming #CombatRacer #FZero #IndieGames #GamingNews #TechMash