TECHMASH

Tag: #ValkyrieInitiative

  • Alternate-History Soviet Madness: Hardcore Retro FPS ‘HMUR’ Locks In September Steam Demo!

    Alternate-History Soviet Madness: Hardcore Retro FPS ‘HMUR’ Locks In September Steam Demo!

    Boomer shooter fans, it is time to stretch those trigger fingers. Publisher Valkyrie Initiative and solo developer FoxusSexus have officially announced that the highly anticipated demo for HMUR is dropping on Steam this September 2026.

    If your idea of a good time involves lightning-fast movement, pulse-pounding electronic beats, and zero room for error, this is one indie title you need to put on your radar immediately.

    Brutal Combat Meets Soviet Sci-Fi

    Developed entirely by a lone dev, HMUR is a high-speed retro first-person shooter that feels like a beautiful, chaotic love child of Hotline Miami, Dusk, and the retro-futuristic Soviet aesthetic of Atomic Heart.

    Set in an alternate-1990s USSR, you step into the boots of Sergei—a humble utility worker trapped inside a classified facility in the city of Mirnogorsk after a catastrophic disaster. Instead of fixing pipes, you’ll be blasting your way through relentless hordes of enemies.

    The catch? One hit can mean instant death. HMUR features high-stakes, one-life gameplay where speed and absolute precision are your only mechanics for survival. Stop moving for even a second, and it’s back to the checkpoint.

    Check Out the Fresh Gameplay and New Visual Style

    The announcement comes right alongside a brand-new trailer, giving players a look at fresh, meatier gameplay footage and an updated visual style. FoxusSexus has been hard at work polishing the environmental details, and the new gritty, psychedelic look pairs perfectly with the game’s non-linear level design.

    Here is what you can look forward to when the demo drops:

    • Frantic ’90s Gunplay: Pure, unadulterated retro FPS action where momentum is everything.
    • Branching Levels: Hit a brick wall on one path? Take a different route through the facility.
    • High Stakes: Limited resources and fragile health mean every single bullet counts.
    • A Killer Soundtrack: Blast enemies to an original blend of techno, hard bass, and breakcore.

    Following its selection as one of the top 50 finalists at The Indie Premier 2026, HMUR is shaping up to be one of the most exciting solo-developed projects of the year.

    How to Play

    The HMUR demo will be publicly available on Steam in September 2026. In the meantime, you can head over to the official Steam page right now to check out the new trailer, look at the upgraded graphics, and add it to your wishlist so you don’t miss the launch.

    Are you ready to survive the madness? Let us know in the comments if you’ll be downloading the demo this autumn!

    Find out more here

    #HMUR #RetroFPS #BoomerShooter #IndieGames #ValkyrieInitiative #SoloDev #SteamDemo #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Valkyrie Initiative and 70`Strike Check-In: Welcome to the Inferno Hotel

    Valkyrie Initiative and 70`Strike Check-In: Welcome to the Inferno Hotel

    Retro-gaming fans, it’s time to pack your bags for the afterlife. Publisher Valkyrie Initiative and solo developer 70`Strike (the creative mind behind Skelethrone) have officially pulled back the curtain on Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel, a fast-paced 2D platformer that’s looking to inject some serious 16-bit attitude into the modern era.

    If you’ve ever felt like your morning commute was hellish, spare a thought for Mr K. He’s an ordinary office clerk who finds himself in the ultimate HR nightmare: a fatal accident sends him straight to Hell. However, in this universe, the underworld isn’t just fire and brimstone—it’s a chaotic, sprawling hotel where every floor has its own set of lethal rules.

    What to Expect Behind the Lobby Doors

    Inspired by the “weird energy” of ’90s classics like Earthworm Jim, Boogerman, and Sonic the Hedgehog, Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel aims for a balance of high-speed precision and satirical humour.

    • Handcrafted Chaos: Explore 9 floors and over 40 levels of the Inferno Hotel, ranging from fiery industrial zones to parks populated by homeless souls.
    • Grotesque Combat: Face off against bizarre enemies and bosses using Mr K’s signature weapon (and the game’s namesake)—the kettlebell.
    • Retro Vibes, Modern Polish: The game features hand-drawn pixel art, frame-by-frame animation, and an eclectic soundtrack blending jazz, ’80s disco, and blues.

    “After working on the dark and demanding world of Skelethrone, I wanted to create something lighter, stranger, and more playful,” says developer Ksayfar (Dmitriy Bukhtatov). “It’s my love letter to the ’90s… filtered through a bizarre vision of Hell inspired by The Divine Comedy.”

    Join the Playtest

    Think you have what it takes to get an S Rank in the underworld? Valkyrie Initiative has opened Steam Playtest sign-ups today.

    Players who dive in early and complete the challenges can earn exclusive launch rewards, including:

    1. Golden Kettlebell Skin (Requires completing levels with an S Rank)
    2. Smelly Kettlebell Skin
    3. Stylish Yellow Shirt for Mr K

    Platforms & Availability

    While a firm release date is still under wraps (TBA), the game is confirmed for a massive multi-platform launch:

    • PC (Steam & GOG)
    • PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
    • Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
    • Nintendo Switch

    Keep your eyes on the Official Steam Page to wishlist the game and keep up with the latest developer updates.

    Are you ready to check in, or will you be checking out early? Let us know your thoughts on this retro revival in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4032020

    #ValkyrieInitiative #70Strike #KettlebellInfernoHotel #IGN #Playtest #PC #Steam #GOG #PlayStation #Xbox #NintendoSwitch #games #gaming #gamers

  • Caribbean Legend: Age of Pirates launches out now on Steam

    Caribbean Legend: Age of Pirates launches out now on Steam

    Set sail and ready the cannons! If you’ve been looking for a reason to return to the Golden Age of Piracy, today is your lucky day. Caribbean Legend: Age of Pirates has officially launched on Steam, bringing a cult-classic sandbox back to life for a new generation of privateers.

    Developed by the ReCon Team and published by BlackMark Studio and Valkyrie Initiative, this title is more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a standalone remaster of the legendary Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships, rebuilt on the modern Caribbean Legend engine.

    A Classic Reborn

    For veteran fans of the Sea Dogs lineage, this is the definitive way to play. The remaster bridges the gap between mid-2000s depth and 2026 standards. You can expect:

    Modernised Controls: No more wrestling with clunky legacy inputs.

    Refined UI: A cleaner, more intuitive interface for managing your fleet.

    Quality-of-Life Upgrades: Stability fixes (including support for modern AMD GPUs), Steam Workshop integration, and Steam Cloud support.

    Key Features at Launch

    Ultimate Sandbox: Unlike story-heavy RPGs, this version focuses on “freeplay.” There are no forced timers—just you, your ship, and the open sea.

    Deep Character Customisation: Play as the iconic Peter Blood or create your own captain, with a female protagonist option now fully integrated.

    Massive Content: Explore dozens of islands, engage in tactical naval combat, and conquer colonial settlements across 60+ hours of gameplay.

    Steam Workshop: Day-one modding support is live, allowing the community to expand the horizon even further.

    Price and Availability

    Caribbean Legend: Age of Pirates is available right now on Steam for $19.99. If you act fast, you can grab the launch discount of 10%, bringing the price down to $17.99 for a limited time.

    For those who want to truly rule the waves, there is also a Supporter Pack DLC available. This includes:

    The exclusive “Maledictio Liberatoris” sword.

    “ReConstruction” Rum (a one-time use item that boosts all skills by +5).

    A personal Snow-White Parrot to keep you company in the captain’s cabin.

    Pro Tip: If you already own the original Caribbean Legend, keep an eye out for the “Chief’s Musket” reward—a special collaboration item for loyal captains of the franchise.

    Final Verdict

    Whether you’re a hardened veteran of City of Abandoned Ships or a newcomer looking for a pirate sim with more teeth than your average “AAA” title, Age of Pirates offers a level of freedom rarely seen in the genre. It’s time to weigh anchor!

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/YkMj6

    #BlackMarkStudio #ValkyrieInitiative #ReConTeam #CaribbeanLegend #AgeofPirates #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames