TECHMASH

Tag: #Techmash

  • Cats, Mechs, and Mayhem: Tech Titans Join Forces for ‘Cats in the Shell’

    Cats, Mechs, and Mayhem: Tech Titans Join Forces for ‘Cats in the Shell’

    When veterans from China’s biggest rival gaming giants—Tencent and NetEase—leave their corporate strongholds to team up, the industry takes notice. But no one quite predicted what their newly minted collective, Raven Studio, would build as their debut project.

    Alongside global publisher Infini Fun, Raven Studio has officially pulled back the curtain on Cats in the Shell, a frantic, highly strategic mech-building roguelike auto battler coming to PC via Steam Early Access in Q4 2026.

    If you’ve ever wanted to pilot a towering, steel-clad instrument of absolute destruction as a whiskered feline, your highly specific dream is finally coming true.

    The Birth of Raven Studio

    Raven Studio isn’t just another indie outfit. Founded by a powerhouse collective of industry veterans pulling experience from Tencent, NetEase, and SNK, the studio was built with a specific mandate: break away from predictable, formulaic corporate production and prioritize pure, experimental gameplay.

    By partnering with Infini Fun, a global multi-platform publisher established in 2024, the developers have been given the runway to bring one of their wildest ideas to life.

    “Cats in the Shell’s detail-oriented, satisfying mech building and roguelike randomness will keep you on your toes. More than 1,000 modules provide near-infinite choices in exhilarating combat instances.” — Alex Dong, Director of Raven Studio

    Tactical Customisation Meets Feline Fury

    At its core, Cats in the Shell is all about build-crafting. The loop is a satisfying blend of deep mechanical tinkering and roguelike unpredictability.

    1. Six Mech Archetypes & Whiskered Helmsmen

    Players can choose from six distinct mech types, each serving as a blank metal canvas. However, a giant war machine is only as good as its pilot. You’ll recruit a variety of feline fighters, each sporting exclusive active abilities and unique strategic focuses that heavily alter how your machine behaves on the battlefield.

    2. Over 1,000 Component Modules

    As you progress through runs and navigate random in-game events, you will collect weapons, armor, and specialized component parts. With over 1,000 modules available, the sheer depth of theory-crafting is massive.

    3. Inventory Management & Synergy Slots

    You can allocate modules into five core slots. However, inventory space is strictly limited. The strategy lies in managing your tight inventory, arranging parts in a precise order, and unlocking hidden synergies that trigger explosive chain reactions.

    Automated Chaos and Global PvP

    Once your feline pilot is buckled in and your mech is armed to the teeth, it’s time to step onto the battlefield. Cats in the Shell splits its action across two main fronts:

    • The Story Campaign: Battle through four distinct futuristic biomes, adapting your loadout to handle environmental hazards and squaring off against towering, screen-filling bosses.
    • Asynchronous PvP: Want to test your build against the world? Take your machine into an asynchronous PvP gauntlet. You will fight AI-controlled versions of mechs meticulously assembled by actual players worldwide. The ultimate goal? Survived the gauntlet to secure 10 cumulative victories.

    Because it’s an auto battler, your job is done once the countdown hits zero. You get to sit back and watch your engineering masterclass—or catastrophic design flaws—play out in real-time automated clashes of steel, lasers, and flying fur.

    Launch Details & Public Playtest

    Cats in the Shell is slated to hit Steam Early Access in Q4 2026. Raven Studio is already aiming for a massive global audience right out of the gate, promising localization support for 11 languages, including English, German, French, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

    Can’t wait until Q4? You don’t have to. To celebrate the announcement, Raven Studio and Infini Fun have launched a seven-day public playtest right now on Steam. Head over to their store page, request access, and start building your ultimate mechanical kitty today.

    What do you think of this unexpected gaming crossover? Let us know your thoughts on Raven Studio’s debut in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #CatsInTheShell #RavenStudio #InfiniFun #SteamEarlyAccess #PCGaming #MechGames #AutoBattler #Roguelike #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Torchlight: Infinite SS13 ‘Afterlight’ Season Locked for July 16 Launch – New Hero Revealed!

    Torchlight: Infinite SS13 ‘Afterlight’ Season Locked for July 16 Launch – New Hero Revealed!

    Attention all Hunters! If you’ve been looking for your next massive ARGB fix, XD Games has dropped a bombshell. The developers have officially announced that the next highly anticipated season of Torchlight: Infinite — SS13 Afterlight — will launch worldwide on 16 July. Get ready to reset your builds, rethink your strategy, and dive into a brand-new wave of endless loot farming.

    Step Into the Light: What We Know So Far

    While XD Games is keeping the full patch notes close to their chest, they’ve already given players plenty of reasons to get excited.

    • The Arrival of a New Hero: Say hello to Tide Whisper Selina, a water-dwelling magic wielder who is set to completely shift the current combat meta. While her full kit is still under wraps, early teasers suggest she will blend fluid mobility with devastating magical area-of-effect damage.
    • New Ways to Play: Season 13 is officially introducing dedicated Solo Self-Found (SSF) and Hardcore modes. Whether you prefer the ultimate self-reliant grind or the high-stakes thrill of permadeath, SS13 has you covered.

    Mark Your Calendars: Key Dates for SS13

    You won’t have to wait until launch day to see everything XD Games has planned. The lead-up to the Afterlight season is packed with community events and streams:

    EventDate / TimeWhere to Watch / Attend
    Season Preview Livestream11 July @ 6:00pm BSTYouTube & Twitch
    TorchCon 2026 (Shanghai)11 JulyWest Bund Art Center
    Torchlight Gathering (Los Angeles)11 July @ 3:00pm PDTPasadena, CA (First-ever NA community meetup)
    SS13 Afterlight Global Launch17 July @ 3:00am BST (16 July, 7pm PDT)PC, iOS, & Android

    Note for UK Players: Because of the global timezone synchronization, the servers will technically open for UK and European players in the early hours of Friday, 17 July. Plan your sleep schedules accordingly!

    Final Thoughts: The Summer ARPG Race is On

    With Torchlight: Infinite offering a completely free-to-play, zero-stamina, infinite-loot ecosystem, the Afterlight season lands at the perfect time to capture the summer gaming crowd. Keep your eyes peeled on the official Torchlight channels next week for the full gameplay deep dive.

    Are you planning to main the new hero Selina, or are you jumping straight into the new Hardcore mode? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #TorchlightInfinite #SS13Afterlight #XGames #ARPG #GamingNews #PCGaming #MobileGaming #TideWhisperSelina #TorchCon2026 #TechMash #Gaming

  • Tanks, Strategy, and Anime: Panzer Knights: Commander’s Edition Deploys to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This August!

    Tanks, Strategy, and Anime: Panzer Knights: Commander’s Edition Deploys to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This August!

    Commanders, prepare for deployment! If you love the tactical tension of realistic World War II tank combat but also have a soft spot for distinct anime aesthetics, your ultimate dream game is finally rolling onto current-gen consoles.

    Publisher PQube and developer Joy Brick have officially announced that Panzer Knights: Commander’s Edition will launch digitally on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on 13 August 2026. Even better news for physical collectors: a physical PS5 edition will also be hitting shelves in Europe alongside the digital launch!

    To celebrate the release date announcement, the team dropped an explosive new Gameplay Overview Trailer, giving us a deep dive into the high-stakes tactical combat and crew management that await players on the front lines.

    What is Panzer Knights: Commander’s Edition?

    Originally capturing the hearts of PC strategy fans, Panzer Knights drops you straight into the commander’s hatch of a German armoured platoon during some of WWII’s most pivotal campaigns. You’ll fight your way across Europe—from the initial invasion of Poland right through to the brutal, unforgiving battles of the Eastern Front.

    But don’t let the gorgeous, stylised anime character art fool you; this is a deeply mechanical third-person tank sim where every single shell counts.

    Key Features to Get Excited For:

    • The Ultimate Console Package: The Commander’s Edition is the definitive version of the game, bundling the core campaign with three major bonus content packs right out of the gate.
    • Massive Historical Roster: Command classic armour ranging from the nimble Panzer III to the legendary Tiger I. Plus, the included bonus packs grant immediate access to iconic beasts like the American M4-748 Sherman and M26 Pershing, the British Churchill VII, and the terrifying super-heavy Panzer VIII Maus.
    • Build Your Elite Crew: Recruit, manage, and level up a crew from 30 unique, anime-inspired recruits. Each crew member brings specialised skills, backstories, and Japanese-voiced dialogue to add plenty of personality and tactical depth to your metal behemoth.
    • True Tactical Combat: Victory requires more than just pointing and shooting. You’ll need to utilise the terrain for cover, load specialised ammunition on the fly, manage your tank’s vital systems, deploy smoke screens, and call in strategic air support.

    Current-Gen Performance

    Joy Brick is making sure this console debut does justice to the hardware. Panzer Knights: Commander’s Edition is targeting a razor-sharp 4K resolution at a smooth 60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The fully destructible environments, detailed tank models, and explosive particle effects are going to look better than ever before.

    Whether you’re a hardcore military history buff or a fan of action-packed vehicular combat, this unique crossover is shaping up to be a standout summer release.

    Mark your calendars for 13 August 2026, get your garage ready, and prepare to lead your platoon to victory!

    Find out more here

    #PanzerKnights #PQube #JoyBrick #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #GamingNews #TankSim #AnimeGaming #TechMash

  • Don’t Touch That Dial: Tequila Works Veterans Reveal Spooky New Title ‘Tuned In’

    Don’t Touch That Dial: Tequila Works Veterans Reveal Spooky New Title ‘Tuned In’

    The indie gaming landscape just got a major jolt of adrenaline. Vercors Games, a newly formed boutique studio based in Madrid, has officially broken cover to announce its debut title: Tuned In.

    If the studio’s name doesn’t ring a bell yet, the pedigree behind it certainly will. Vercors Games features a powerhouse core team composed of senior staff from Tequila Works—the brilliant minds responsible for atmospheric hits like RIME, GYLT, and Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story. If that wasn’t enough star power, they’ve also recruited seasoned industry talent from Airship Syndicate and Blizzard Entertainment.

    With a pedigree like that, expectations were always going to be high, and their first teaser does not disappoint.

    A Shifting Anthology of Nightmares

    Vercors Games dropped the curtain on Tuned In via a mysterious, deeply unsettling short video hosted on their newly launched Kickstarter pre-campaign page. Check out the teaser below:

    The premise is pure, unfiltered psychological dread. In Tuned In, players find themselves trapped by a dark, malevolent entity inside a cursed television broadcast. To survive, you must navigate a sinister lineup of puzzles, endure shifting layers of horror, and make impossible, branching choices.

    The core gameplay centres around a fascinatingly tactile mechanic: mastering the controls of an old-school cathode-ray tube (CRT) television to alter the broadcast. As you play, the boundaries of reality and the television signal begin to warp and bleed into one another. You’ll manipulate the dials to encounter, embody, and attempt to save different survivors across an interconnected narrative.

    From Gritty Slashers to Folk Horror

    Rather than sticking to a single flavour of fear, Vercors Games is building Tuned In as an ever-shifting anthology. Each chapter draws from a completely different horror sub-genre, giving every segment a distinct visual and atmospheric identity.

    The studio has promised everything from the gritty, heavy-ink shadows reminiscent of classic 80s slasher films to the muted, grainy, slow-burn textures of atmospheric folk horror. The entire experience is bound together by a gorgeous, hand-drawn graphic novel art style.

    Want to Play It Early?

    While the full game is slated for a 2027 release on Steam and Steam Deck, you won’t have to wait that long to get a taste of the nightmare.

    Vercors Games has announced that anyone who signs up early on their [Kickstarter Pre-Campaign Page] will receive exclusive, free access to a playable prologue of the game, which is set to drop very shortly.

    Between the pedigree of the developers and the brilliant, retro-tv framing device, Tuned In is instantly rocketing to the top of our “ones to watch” list. Head over to their Kickstarter page to secure your prologue access before the broadcast goes live!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #TunedIn #VercorsGames #IndieDev #HorrorGames #TequilaWorks #SteamDeck #Kickstarter #GamingCommunity #TechMash

  • Overclock Your Instincts: Why Techno: 2Kill is the Next Essential Hardcore Roguelike

    Overclock Your Instincts: Why Techno: 2Kill is the Next Essential Hardcore Roguelike

    If you live for the rush of adrenaline-fueled bullet hells, tight movement mechanics, and high-stakes decision-making, it’s time to clear your schedule. The indie team at ReBels’ Project has officially dropped Techno: 2Kill onto the scene—and it’s a beautifully brutal love letter to fans of pure, unadulterated speed and challenge.

    Set in a dystopian future where a rogue, next-generation AI has decided to “save” humanity by forcibly converting every living thing into soulless synthetic copies, you are mankind’s glitch in the system. Cybernetically enhanced but still retaining your mind and sanity, your body is turned into the ultimate superweapon. Your mission? Blast your way through Earth, purge the ruins of the Moon, and take the fight directly to the AI’s core.

    Here is a breakdown of why this lightning-fast roguelike shooter deserves a spot at the top of your playlist.

    1. Speed Is Life, Standing Still Is Death

    Techno: 2Kill is fundamentally built around momentum. This isn’t a cover shooter where you can peek from corners; it’s an aggressive ballet of destruction. The game arms you with fluid movement mechanics like wall-running, grapple-hooking onto enemies, dodging bullet swarms, and warping through tactical portals.

    To survive the relentless synthetic onslaught, you have to lean directly into the chaos. The game features a brutal health-regen mechanic: the only way to stay alive is to execute cinematic finishers, tearing your robotic foes into metallic pulp and severing heads to replenish your life bar.

    2. A Massive, Unpredictable Combat Arsenal

    Whether your playstyle leans toward long-range precision or up-close-and-personal carnage, the combat depth here is immense. The ReBels’ Project has packed the game with an eclectic and deeply developed arsenal, including:

    • Standard-issue heavy-hitters like machine guns, shotguns, and sniper rifles.
    • Sci-fi powerhouses like electric cannons and devastating bazookas.
    • Brutal melee options for close encounters, ranging from heavy axes to swift rapiers.

    3. Infinite Replayability and Personalised Playstyles

    True to its roguelike nature, no two runs in Techno: 2Kill play out the same way. The progression and upgrade systems offer immense flexibility:

    • Rotating Augments: Every shop encounter shakes up your strategy with completely randomised augment selections.
    • Weapon Skill Trees: Each weapon features its own distinct set of skills to unlock and master.
    • Wild Synergies: The game encourages players to experiment, allowing you to forge unexpectedly broken, overpowered builds that suit your personal playstyle perfectly.

    Beyond the main path, the game keeps things fresh with a quirky contract system. You’ll find yourself taking on odd jobs for remaining human survivors—extracting cargo from toxic wastelands, infiltrating space stations built inside the fossilised ribs of cosmic beasts, and even competing in a futuristic cyber-knight tournament (yes, complete with dragon slaying).

    The Verdict: Are You Ready for the Challenge?

    With over 80 distinct levels, terrifyingly complex boss battles that demand pixel-perfect execution, and a soundtrack built to keep your heart racing, Techno: 2Kill delivers exactly what hardcore shooter fans crave. It’s tough, it’s fair, and above all, it’s incredibly fast.

    Techno: 2Kill is available now on PC. Lock, load, and go teach that rogue AI a lesson.

    Find out more here

    #Techno2Kill #ReBelsProject #RoguelikeShooter #IndieGames #PCGaming #HardcoreGaming #ActionFPS #GamingNews #TechMash

  • From Canvas to Cannon Fire: How Tactical Boar Reworked the Montenotte Map for Veterans: Napoleonic Wars

    From Canvas to Cannon Fire: How Tactical Boar Reworked the Montenotte Map for Veterans: Napoleonic Wars

    If you are a fan of historical strategy, you’ve likely been keeping a close eye on Veterans: Napoleonic Wars. Developed by indie studio Tactical Boar, this highly anticipated single-player real-time tactics game tosses out base-building and economy management to focus entirely on what matters: formations, troop morale, and the deafening roar of black powder artillery.

    In their latest developer update (Dev Blog #5), the team pulled back the curtain to give players a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how they construct their historical battlefields. Specifically, they detailed the massive design overhaul of Montenotte—one of the very first maps players will encounter in the game.

    Here is how Tactical Boar is reshaping the map to ensure your first taste of 19th-century command feels completely authentic, punishing, and tactically brilliant.

    The Problem with the First Draft

    Montenotte was originally built very early in the game’s development loop, before many core gameplay mechanics (like the fortification system) were even fully integrated.

    After initial playtesting, the feedback from the community was loud and clear: the map felt too cramped. Players found themselves squeezed tight between steep mountain passes with virtually zero room to manoeuvre or pull off authentic flanking tactics. Worse yet, Austrian reinforcements in the second phase were spawning far too close to the action, allowing aggressive players to simply rush cavalry and end the battle before the tactical chess match could even begin.

    Tactical Boar took that feedback to heart and went back to the digital drawing board.

    What’s Changing: Space, Strategy, and Sabres

    The reworked Montenotte map isn’t just a visual upgrade—it completely alters how the battle plays out. The level designers focused on three major pillars for the redesign:

    1. Room to Breathe (and Flank)

    The team has significantly expanded the boundaries of the battlefield. By widening the distances between major points of interest, commanders finally have the breathing room required to plan complex manoeuvres, deploy lines, columns, or squares, and actually commit to a long-term strategy rather than engaging in an immediate meat-grinder.

    2. Reinforcements as a Calculated Risk

    To fix the “cavalry rush” meta, reinforcement positions have been pulled back drastically. Now, bringing fresh battalions into the fray is a conscious tactical choice that requires careful timing and positioning, rather than a frantic, automated scramble.

    3. A Redoubt Worth Fighting For

    In earlier builds, the battlefield’s redoubt felt like little more than background decoration. Following the update, it has been transformed into a vital historical objective. If you want to secure the map, you’ll have to fight hard to capture, fortify, and hold this defensive position.

    Sharp, Honest Combat Mechanics

    This map overhaul coincides with a few massive structural upgrades to how Veterans: Napoleonic Wars handles engagement. The developers are moving away from arcade-like “snapping” mechanics. Units will no longer act like magnets pulling face-to-face from their centre points; instead, they lock onto frontal contact zones exactly where they overlap.

    Combined with a revamped “Fallback” command—which requires genuine tactical withdrawal rather than acting as a quick-dodge exploit—the battle for Montenotte promises to be a gripping, honest simulation of historical warfare.

    As a crucial early-game mission, Montenotte is designed to set the tone for the entire campaign. Thanks to Tactical Boar’s commitment to community feedback, it looks like that first impression is going to be incredibly strong.

    Veterans: Napoleonic Wars is currently in development for PC via Steam. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming demos and playtests!

    Find out more here

    #VeteransNapoleonicWars #TacticalBoar #IndieDev #PCGaming #StrategyGames #RTS #Gamedev #NapoleonicWars #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Beyond the Walls: Attack on Titan 3 Officially Announced for Next-Gen Consoles and Switch 2 This Winter!

    Beyond the Walls: Attack on Titan 3 Officially Announced for Next-Gen Consoles and Switch 2 This Winter!

    Get your Omni-Directional Mobility (ODM) gear ready, Scouts! KOEI TECMO America and developer Omega Force have officially blown the doors off the gaming world by announcing Attack on Titan 3. The long-awaited next instalment in the hit action franchise is slated for a worldwide release this winter.

    In what is shaping up to be the ultimate culmination of the series, players will get to experience the entire gripping saga from its Survey Corps beginnings all the way to its dramatic, earth-shattering conclusion.

    Next-Gen Combat and a Global Launch

    Built to take full advantage of current hardware, Attack on Titan 3 is dropping on a stellar lineup of platforms. Whether you’re a console enthusiast, a PC purist, or looking to hunt Titans on the go, they’ve got you covered. The game will release globally on:

    • PlayStation®5
    • Xbox Series X|S
    • Nintendo Switch™ 2
    • PC Windows (via Steam®)

    Yes, you read that right—the Survey Corps is officially landing on Nintendo’s highly anticipated next-generation hardware!

    What We Know So Far: Gameplay & Features

    Omega Force is promising the most refined, fluid, and high-flying ODM combat the franchise has ever seen. The stakes have never been higher, and the Titans are smarter, more aggressive, and equipped with terrifying new behaviours that will push your survival instincts to the limit.

    Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:

    • The Clash of the Nine Titans: For the first time in the core story progression of the game series, players will square off against—and potentially control—the catastrophic power of the Nine Titans.
    • Exterior Scouting Missions: Venture outside the safety of the walls! This new mode allows you to freely explore Titan territory, construct tactical supply bases, and reclaim humanity’s domain.
    • Resource Management: Survival requires ruthlessness. You’ll need to manage your gas and blades strictly while keeping your squad’s morale high during high-stakes expeditions.
    • Casual Mode: New to the series? A newly implemented Casual Mode will allow newcomers to swing right into the action without being overwhelmed by the steep learning curve of advanced aerial combat.
    • Anime Royalty Collaboration: To make things even sweeter, the game’s opening animation movie is being produced by MAPPA (the studio behind Attack on Titan: The Final Season), with legendary action animator Arifumi Imai returning to direct.

    Note: The MAPPA opening animation will be added to the game via a free post-launch update shortly after release.

    Prepare for the Final Showdown

    With a release window set for this winter (which pins its launch somewhere between December and February), the countdown to humanity’s final stand has officially begun. The game will feature original Japanese voice acting with localised text options in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

    Keep your eyes locked onto TechMash for more updates, gameplay deep-dives, and an official release date as it drops!

    Are you ready to dedicate your heart once more? Let us know which platform you’ll be playing on in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #AttackOnTitan3 #AoT3Game #KoeiTecmo #OmegaForce #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #NintendoSwitch2 #Steam #GamingNews #AnimeGaming #TechMash

  • Katana Steel Meets Urban Noir: Legion of Judgment: Fallen Angel Drops Global Alpha Demo on Steam

    Katana Steel Meets Urban Noir: Legion of Judgment: Fallen Angel Drops Global Alpha Demo on Steam

    Indie action fans, it’s time to wake up and clear your schedules. If you’ve been craving a game that fuses the moody atmosphere of a classic graphic novel with tight, heavy-hitting combat, look no further. Theremin Interactive has officially unleashed the global Alpha Demo for their highly anticipated title, Legion of Judgment: Fallen Angel, over on Steam.

    Billed as a 2.5D noir action-Metroidvania RPG, this title is building a wildly original universe that feels fresh, gritty, and unashamedly stylish.

    The Premise: Amnesia, Business Suits, and Werewolves

    In Legion of Judgment, you aren’t just exploring another generic fantasy dungeon. Instead, you step into the polished shoes of a katana-wielding, amnesiac businessman who possesses terrifying supernatural powers.

    The world has been quietly overtaken by a sinister werewolf guild. To survive and fight back, you have to lead a double life:

    • By Day: Play the role of a regular hotel CEO, managing and restoring a rundown establishment that secretly serves as the hideout for the Legion of Judgment.
    • By Night: Wage a brutal, lone-wolf war against the werewolf conspiracy, infiltrating realistic urban backdrops to harvest gear, earn income, and rebuild your legion.

    The catch? You’ve lost your memories and your powers. To get them back, you’ll have to literally delve inside your own head to explore a non-linear “Memory Palace.”

    What to Expect in the Alpha Demo

    Theremin Interactive has rolled out this initial Alpha Demo with a very specific goal: perfecting the core combat framework.

    The free demo offers about 20 minutes of breathless, non-stop side-scrolling action. While the full version will heavily feature the deeper RPG mechanics like the Memory Palace and the Hotel Management systems, the developer has intentionally stripped those back for the Alpha to ensure players can give focused, unfiltered feedback on the game’s core mechanics.

    Here is what you get to test out right now:

    • Belt-Scroller Meets Metroidvania: Experience a satisfying blend of classic beat-’em-up combat and tight 2.5D side-scrolling.
    • Deep Action Linkages: Put your reflexes to the test using advanced combat systems like animation cancelling, parrying, and spectacular swordplay against enemies armed with automatic weapons.
    • Play Your Way: Dive headfirst into a loud, chaotic brawl, or slip through the shadows as a silent assassin.

    Download and Wishlist Now

    The development team is actively looking for global player feedback to polish the final experience, making this the perfect time to get hands-on and help shape an ambitious indie title.

    The Legion of Judgment: Fallen Angel Alpha Demo is available to download for free right now on Steam. Head over, slice up some bad guys, and don’t forget to hit that wishlist button to support the developers!

    Find out more here

    #LegionOfJudgment #FallenAngel #IndieGames #Metroidvania #ActionRPG #SteamDemo #PCGaming #NoirGaming #ThereminInteractive #TechMash

  • Reclaim the Skies: Ace Combat 8 Takes Us on an Epic Journey Through Strangereal History

    Reclaim the Skies: Ace Combat 8 Takes Us on an Epic Journey Through Strangereal History

    Bandai Namco is gearing up to celebrate three decades of high-flying, adrenaline-pumping aerial warfare, and they are doing it in absolute style. Ahead of the highly anticipated launch of ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE this autumn, a brand-new trailer has just dropped, and it is a massive love letter to the franchise’s deep lore.

    Check out the official ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE | Strangereal Evolution Episode 3 trailer below, which chronicles the entire, winding history of the iconic fictional universe:

    Watch the Strangereal Evolution Episode 3 Trailer

    Decades of Conflict, One Connected World

    For the uninitiated, the Ace Combat series doesn’t take place on our Earth. Instead, it is set in Strangereal—a beautifully realised alternate world with its own distinct continents, geopolitics, and a history marred by massive, continent-spanning wars and terrifying superweapons.

    The Strangereal Evolution Episode 3 video serves as the ultimate retrospective. It meticulously traces the timeline from the very first ACE COMBAT games all the way up to the events of ACE COMBAT 7: Skies Unknown, walking fans down memory lane to look at the conflicts, the pilots, and the political shifts that have defined the skies.

    More than just a nostalgia trip, however, this episode bridges the gap between the past and the future, perfectly setting the stage for the narrative tapestry of ACE COMBAT 8.

    What Awaits Us in Wings of Theve?

    Set in the year 2029—ten years after the Lighthouse War of Ace Combat 7—the next chapter takes us back to the continent of Usea. The Federation of Central Usea (FCU) has fallen under a surprise attack by the Republic of Sotoa. With the nation invaded and the military shattered, hope rests on the shoulders of a silent protagonist stationed aboard the ageing aircraft carrier, FCU Endurance.

    After your flight leader Jan “Rex” Cope, is killed in action, you must assume his call sign—“Wings of Theve”—a name heavily embellished on social media as wartime propaganda to boost morale. It’s up to you to lead Joker Flight, live up to the legendary moniker, and reclaim your homeland.

    Key Features to Expect:

    • Next-Gen Visuals: Built on Unreal Engine 5, featuring a new “Cloudly” system that renders dynamic, reactive weather environments (watch out for lightning and wind!).
    • Tactical Depth: Dogfights are more interactive than ever; you can now track visual indicators like contrails and engine smoke, and assign strategic roles to your squadron.
    • Immersive Storytelling: Cinematic cutscenes are told entirely from a first-person perspective to put you directly in the cockpit.

    Clear Your Runway for October

    Mark your calendars, aces! ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is officially taking flight on October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

    If you are a long-time fan, pre-ordering the game right now won’t just net you bonus aircraft—it also comes with a digital copy of the absolute classic, ACE COMBAT Zero: The Belkan War (2006).

    Are you ready to take to the skies and carry the mantle of the Wings of Theve? What’s your favourite moment from Strangereal history? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #AceCombat8 #WingsOfTheve #Strangereal #BandaiNamco #FlightSim #GamingNews #TechMash #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #Steam

  • Level Up Your Oche: Darts VR2: Bullseye Drops Massive XP System Update on Meta Quest

    Level Up Your Oche: Darts VR2: Bullseye Drops Massive XP System Update on Meta Quest

    Darts isn’t just a game of skill; it requires dedication and patience. And that’s exactly what the brand-new XP System Update delivers to Darts VR2: Bullseye fans today on Meta Quest.

    Developed by the VR pioneers at Gamitronics and brought to us by XR specialists Evolution Publishing, this massive progression update transforms how you step up to the dartboard. Whether you are a casual player or a VR darts purist, your time at the line is about to get a whole lot more rewarding.

    Reward Your Dedication: The 25-Level Progression Journey

    Gamitronics and Evolution Publishing have been listening closely to player feedback. The community wanted a deeper, more rewarding gameplay loop—and the dev team delivered.

    The centrepiece of today’s update is a fully realised 25-level progression system. Moving forward, every single throw matters. You’ll earn XP across the board whether you are flying solo, taking on a friend in competitive multiplayer, or trying out the game’s wilder arcade modes. Hit a single number? You get a steady trickle of XP. Nail a perfect 180? Watch your experience bar skyrocket.

    As you rise through the ranks to become a true Darts VR2: Bullseye master, you’ll unlock a massive haul of new content:

    • Customisation Overhaul: Quirky new dart designs, fresh avatars, and cosmetic player titles to flex your status.
    • Immersive Upgrades: Brand-new visual FX, custom voice packs, and striking new dartboard designs.
    • Prestige Achievements: Ultimate badges of honour that will require true skill, focus, and that signature darts patience to unlock.

    “We’ve been listening to player feedback and requests, asking for a more rewarding experience. That naturally led us to develop the XP progression system, unlocking new features and rewards the more you play. It’s an exciting addition that we can’t wait for players to enjoy. And this is just the start!” — Kevin Joyce, CEO of Evolution Publishing

    Play Your Way: From 501 to Zombie Waves

    If you haven’t jumped into Darts VR2: Bullseye yet, there has never been a better time. Building on nearly a decade of experience since Gamitronics’ original 2017 PCVR hit, this sequel features heavily overhauled, physics-based throwing mechanics that make every wrist flick and release angle feel beautifully true to life.

    But it’s not all serious pub tournaments. The beauty of Darts VR2 lies in its variety. You can grind your way through the 25 new XP levels by playing:

    • Traditional Formats: Master classic 501, Cricket variants, and Around the World.
    • Arcade Mayhem: Fight off literal waves of the undead with explosive projectiles in Zombie Mode, or test your focus under pressure in the high-speed Killstreak rhythm challenges.

    Out Now on Meta Quest (with More Platforms to Follow!)

    The XP System Update is live today for all Meta Quest users (supporting Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest 3S) where the game is currently available in Early Access for £12.99 / $14.99.

    If you are playing on PlayStation VR2 or PCVR via Steam, don’t worry—Gamitronics has confirmed that this progression update is coming to your headsets very soon!

    Are you ready to claim your title as the ultimate virtual darts master? Step up to the oche, aim for that triple 20, and start levelling up today.

    Find out more here

    #TechMash #DartsVR2 #MetaQuest #Gamitronics #EvolutionPublishing #VRGaming #VirtualReality #VRCompanion #GamingUpdate #DartsVR

  • Build Your Ultimate Fighter: ‘Poly Fighter’ Hits the Montreal Comic Con Indie Zone This Weekend

    Build Your Ultimate Fighter: ‘Poly Fighter’ Hits the Montreal Comic Con Indie Zone This Weekend

    Get ready to step into the digital ring, Montreal! Local developer HeartLoop Games has officially announced that its highly anticipated debut title, Poly Fighter, will be fully playable at Montreal Comic Con 2026.

    Taking place from July 3–5 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the massive pop-culture celebration is playing host to some of the brightest minds in independent game development—and Poly Fighter is stepping up as a certified heavyweight in this year’s Indie Zone lineup.

    What is Poly Fighter?

    If you haven’t been keeping an eye on this one via Steam, Poly Fighter is a brilliant, single-player roguelike fighting game that completely flips the genre script.

    Instead of picking a veteran warrior who already knows every combo in the book, you start from the absolute bottom. Every time you defeat an opponent in tense, retro-arcade 1v1 duels, you get the chance to learn, adapt, and literally steal or upgrade moves to build your fighter’s style from scratch.

    Whether you want to construct a zoning tactician, a grappling powerhouse, or an aggressive rushdown menace, the game lets you build the ultimate, custom-tailored (and beautifully broken) fighter.

    Why We’re Hyped: It offers a pure, expressive arcade experience built entirely for solo play. No ranked online ladder anxiety, no toxic lobbies—just deep, rewarding systems that appeal to casual players and fighting game veterans alike. Plus, the low-poly 90s aesthetic and snappy animations look absolutely gorgeous in motion.

    Go Check Out HeartLoop Games

    What makes this showcase even sweeter is that HeartLoop Games is a homegrown Montreal studio, founded by a group of industry veterans dedicated to iterative, player-first game design.

    If you are attending the convention this weekend to catch the celebrity panels, the legendary Masquerade cosplay contest, or the comic book guest stars, make sure you take a detour to Floor 2’s gaming area. Head straight over to the Indie Zone, get your hands on the Poly Fighter demo, and meet the incredibly talented local team behind it. Who knows, you might even find your new favourite character (we’re looking at you, Muscle Horse).

    Montreal Comic Con runs from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, 2026. If you can’t make it out to the Palais des congrès this weekend, you can still download the free demo and wishlist the game right now on Steam ahead of its late 2026 launch.

    Find out more here

    #PolyFighter #HeartLoopGames #MontrealComicCon #MTLComicCon #IndieGames #GameDev #FightingGames #FGC #Roguelike #TechMash

  • Build, Explore, Survive: Solo-Dev Gem ‘Settler’s Domain’ Brings Strategic Pixel Art Goodness to Steam

    Build, Explore, Survive: Solo-Dev Gem ‘Settler’s Domain’ Brings Strategic Pixel Art Goodness to Steam

    If there is one thing we love here at TechMash, it’s the sheer magic of indie games—especially those crafted by a lone developer pouring their heart, soul, and coding hours into something special. Enter rick, a solo developer who has spent the last two years building a gorgeous, thoughtful colony sim that strategy fans will definitely want to keep on their radar.

    Say hello to Settler’s Domain.

    Combining charming pixel graphics with deep, thoughtful, and rewarding strategic gameplay, Settler’s Domain tasks you with establishing and expanding a thriving colony in beautiful but unforgiving unknown lands.

    What is Settler’s Domain All About?

    At its core, Settler’s Domain is a strategy game about survival, exploration, and expansion. You begin with minimal resources and the ultimate goal of keeping your settlers alive while transforming a tiny camp into a bustling domain.

    But it’s not just a peaceful city builder—the world is alive, procedural, and full of both opportunity and danger.

    Key Features to Get Excited About

    • Deep Resource Management: Managing your ever-growing population is a delicate balancing act. More settlers mean more productivity, but they also bring a higher demand for housing, medicine, and food. Balancing your supplies—especially when the harsh winter hits and crops stop growing—is vital.
    • A Massive Tech Tree: With over 80 unique structures to build, you can research and unlock everything from basic tents to advanced medicine huts, quarries, and even a “jammery” to keep your colony thriving.
    • Exploration and Dynamic Diplomacy: You aren’t alone in these lands. As you clear away the unknown on the procedural map, you’ll encounter neighbouring settlements. It is entirely up to you how to handle them. Will you engage in peaceful diplomacy and forge trade agreements? Or will you choose hostility and annex them by force?

    Why Solo-Dev Projects Hit Different

    There is a distinct passion that shines through in solo-developed projects like this. Rick’s art style takes clear inspiration from classic GBA-era visuals, giving it an instantly nostalgic, cosy aesthetic that perfectly contrasts the intense, punishing tactical choices you have to make to survive. It’s got the micro-management charm of Banished blended seamlessly with the macro-exploration elements of classic 4X games.

    Release Date Update: After nearly two years of hard work, rick has officially announced that Settler’s Domain is launching on Steam on August 25, 2026.

    If you love city builders, colony sims, or classic RTS games, you can head over to Steam right now to try out the demo and add it to your wishlist. Supporting solo developers is what keeps the gaming industry fresh, and Settler’s Domain looks like it’s going to be an absolute gem.

    Are you going to build a peaceful trading empire or conquer the map? Let us know your strategy in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #IndieGames #SettlersDomain #StrategyGames #TechMash #GamingNews #SoloDev #PixelArt #CityBuilder #SteamGames #ColonySim

  • Get Ready to Turn Up the HEAT: World of Tanks: HEAT Season 1 “Lost Eden” Has Officially Arrived!

    Get Ready to Turn Up the HEAT: World of Tanks: HEAT Season 1 “Lost Eden” Has Officially Arrived!

    Wargaming is officially taking its tactical vehicle combat to the next level. If you thought the initial release of World of Tanks: HEAT was intense, get ready to crank things up a notch. Wargaming has officially launched Season 1, titled “Lost Eden,” dropping a massive payload of fresh content for its free-to-play tactical vehicle shooter across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    Whether you’re a tactical mastermind or a frontline brawler, Season 1 brings a brand-new flavour of psychological warfare to the armoured battlefield. Here is a breakdown of everything rolling out of the garage.

    Meet Flair: The New Agent of Deception

    The headline of Season 1 is the introduction of Flair, a new Marksman-class Agent who wins battles by controlling information rather than just exchanging fire. She specialises in stealth, misdirection, and keeping the enemy guessing.

    • Passive Ability (Signature Masking): Keeps her completely hidden from enemy targeting and lock-on systems when her vehicle energy is high.
    • Ultimate Ability (Echo Proxy): Deploys a fully controllable duplicate vehicle. It’s the ultimate tool for setting up devastating ambushes, baiting out enemy cooldowns, and safely repositioning across the map.

    Two New Deception-Based Tanks

    Agent Flair doesn’t come empty-handed. Season 1 introduces two unique, experimental vehicles that double down on her stealthy playstyle—and the best part? Both can be earned for free through the Battle Pass track.

    • Leopard 2FK (ATGM Launcher): This beast fires steered anti-tank guided missiles, allowing you to hit enemies hiding behind partial cover. Even better, its Feign Death ability lets you disguise your tank as a piece of smoking battlefield wreckage while you continue to move. Combine that with Electro-Optical Jammers to ruin enemy targeting accuracy, and you have a ghost on the battlefield.
    • Leopard 2KST (Autoloader): Engineered for burst damage and escape, this tank features a 3-shell autoloader magazine. It utilises Active Camo to enter a completely cloaked state (though it emits a distinct electronic hum) and can drop an EMP Trap to slow down and damage pursuing enemies.

    New Map: New Eden

    The fight moves to a stunning and tactically diverse new biome: the New Eden Agricultural Complex. Set in a sprawling, deep desert, the map centres around the ruins of a forgotten megaproject.

    Tactically, it’s a playground for all playstyles. Giant, shattered biodomes and abandoned research facilities offer heavy cover and tight chokepoints for Assault and Defender roles, while the vast desert perimeter provides wide-open sightlines perfect for Marksmen looking to punish reckless positioning.

    The Season 1 Battle Pass: Your Rewards, Your Way

    Running from July 1 to September 2, the Season 1 Battle Pass features a single progression track where everyone can earn rewards just by playing matches and completing missions.

    However, Wargaming is shaking up the formula by introducing an optional Premium Battle Pass for 1000 HEAT-Coins. Rather than gating exclusive power behind a paywall, the Premium Pass grants total freedom: it allows you to unlock the rewards in any order you want. If there’s a specific skin or blueprint you want at the end of the track, you can grab it immediately once you have the points!

    What’s Next? Wargaming has also teased a dedicated Quality-of-Life update scheduled for mid-July, which will include a highly requested community feature: the ability to test drive any vehicle before you commit to buying it.

    Are You Ready to Roll Out?

    World of Tanks: HEAT has successfully bridged the gap between classic hero-shooters and gritty armoured warfare, and Lost Eden proves that Wargaming is committed to keeping the meta fresh, fast, and tactical.

    Season 1 is officially live right now. Log in, unlock Flair, master the New Eden sands, and let us know in the comments what you think of the new Premium Battle Pass system!

    Find out more here

    #WorldOfTanksHEAT #Wargaming #LostEden #FreeToPlay #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #PCGaming #TankShooter #TechMash #Gaming

  • Punching the Clock in Paradise: Satirical Dystopian Sim ‘Dystopicon’ Hits Steam This July!

    Punching the Clock in Paradise: Satirical Dystopian Sim ‘Dystopicon’ Hits Steam This July!

    If you’ve ever looked at your daily 9-to-5 grind and thought, “Well, at least I’m not trapped in a neon-soaked, corporate-mandated, soul-crushing dystopia,” a new indie game is about to challenge that comfort level.

    The Spanish independent studio Palitroque has officially announced that their highly anticipated satirical dystopian time-management life-sim, Dystopicon, is locking in its arrival date. Mark your calendars: you can officially clock into the corporate machine on Steam this July 27.

    Punch In, Survive, Repeat

    In Dystopicon, players are thrown into a beautifully grim world where time is your most precious resource and survival is a daily balancing act. Part life-simulator, part hectic time-management strategy, the game leans heavily into dark humor and satire to explore the absurdities of extreme bureaucratic societies.

    Whether you are managing your dwindling funds, navigating bizarre corporate mandates, or just trying to keep your character fed and sane, Dystopicon promises a frantic, funny, and thought-provoking experience.

    Check out the official teaser to get a glimpse of the corporate madness waiting for you:

    Launch Details & Early Bird Discount

    Palitroque is making it easy to join the workforce on day one. Dystopicon will launch at a base price of 7.99 USD, but early adopters can grab a promotion right out of the gate. The studio is offering a 15% discount during the first two weeks of launch, making it the perfect time to add it to your library.

    • Release Date: July 27
    • Platform: PC (Steam)
    • Price: $7.99 USD (15% off for the first two weeks)

    Wishlist it now to ensure you don’t miss the shift!

    Find out more here

    #Dystopicon #IndieGames #Palitroque #SteamGames #GamingNews #PCGaming #DystopianSim #TechMash