Critical Reflex
Critical Reflex business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
"I wish I had the formula" – 2Awesome Studio on navigating indie development while creating Altered Alma, its biggest project to date
Alexander Santiago, co-founder of 2Awesome Studio, discusses the challenges and strategies of indie game development while working on their largest project to date, Altered Alma. The studio navigates funding, market trends, and plans for future sequels, emphasizing a focused approach to game design.
Get Cracking! Arctic Eggs Brings Weird Cooking To Xbox
Arctic Eggs is a peculiar physics-driven cooking adventure available on Xbox Series X|S. Players take on the role of a disgraced Poultry Peddler tasked with feeding strange inhabitants by mastering the art of flipping eggs and other ingredients with realistic physics. The game blends quirky sci-fi storytelling and deadpan humor with challenging cooking mechanics.
Buckshot Roulette coming to Nintendo Switch
The horror game Buckshot Roulette, known for its "Russian roulette with shotguns" gameplay, is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Developed by Critical Reflex, the game features intense 15-20 minute rounds against "The Dealer" and a gritty underworld nightclub atmosphere. A release window for the Switch version has not yet been announced.
Arctic Eggs planned for Nintendo Switch release
Arctic Eggs, a physics-based cooking and adventure title originally launched in 2024, is now planned for a Nintendo Switch release. Publisher Critical Reflex has not yet shared a specific launch window for the platform. The game is developed by The Water Museum, Cockydoody, Abmarnie, and Cameron Ginex.
Horror thriller No I’m Not a Human heading to Nintendo Switch
Critical Reflex and Trioskaz announced that the horror thriller No I’m Not a Human will be released on Nintendo Switch in 2027. The game focuses on paranoia during the end of times, where players must decide whether to let strangers in during the apocalypse.
Mouthwashing shares Nintendo Switch release date, new trailer
Mouthwashing, a first-person horror game from Critical Reflex and Wrong Organ, will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 29, 2026. A physical release will also be available at a later date via Fangamer. The game follows the dying crew of a shipwrecked space freighter.
ID@XBOX x IGN Showcase Recap: All the News and Announcements
The ID@XBOX x IGN Showcase revealed numerous indie titles coming to Xbox and PC, with many also heading to Game Pass. Highlights include the reveals of A Game About Digging a Hole Together, Magenta Down, and Chronoscript: The Endless End, alongside updates on games from Critical Reflex like Arctic Eggs, Mouthwashing, and No, I’m Not a Human. Several titles will also support Xbox Play Anywhere.
Three CRITICAL REFLEX Hits Are Coming to XBOX, And One Arrives Today
CRITICAL REFLEX is bringing three acclaimed indie titles to Xbox platforms, with two launching just in time for Halloween. Arctic Eggs is available now on Xbox Series X|S, while the psychological horror hit Mouthwashing arrives on October 29th, day one with Xbox Game Pass. The paranoia horror game No, I'm Not a Human is slated for a 2027 release on Xbox and Game Pass.
Run, Hide, Lie: Militsioner Is Coming To Game Pass
The surreal first-person immersive sim Militsioner is coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2027, launching day one on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC. Developed by TALLBOYS and CRITICAL REFLEX, the game tasks players with escaping a city while avoiding a colossal policeman. Militsioner will feature player choice and a dynamic world that reacts to player actions.
Militsioner is a Stealth-Based Immersive Sim About Escaping From a Giant Policeman
Developer Tallboys and publisher Critical Reflex announced Militsioner, a stealth-based immersive sim where players must escape a giant policeman. The game, revealed during Gamescom 2026, will feature sneaking mechanics, an in-game economy, and a dialogue system. Militsioner is slated for release in 2027 on PC and Xbox Series X/S, and will be available on Game Pass day one.
Inner Pocket Publishing is "building a quiet corner for people who love thoughtful single-player games"
A new indie label, Inner Pocket Publishing, has been established by industry veterans from Critical Reflex, Gaijin Entertainment, and Nozomu Games. The company aims to focus on a curated selection of thoughtful single-player games, adopting a publisher-as-curator model rather than a generalist approach. Inner Pocket is self-funded and plans to invest up to $75,000 per project, seeking smaller games or those nearing completion.
Inner Pocket is a new indie publisher looking to champion 'curiosity games'
Veterans from Critical Reflex, Gaijin Entertainment, and Nozomu Games have launched Inner Pocket, a new indie publishing label focused on "curiosity games." The company will offer support services and last-mile investment, typically under $75,000, to developers. Inner Pocket aims to foster a community through Steam curation and engagement on platforms like YouTube and Discord, with Nozomu Games' "Burn With Me" being one of its debut titles.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses several recent gaming news items and industry reflections. It covers Brenda Romero's autofiction, The Guardian's summer game previews featuring Wrong Organ's Carcass Clad, differing opinions on Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation, and Sean Murray's perspective on No Man's Sky's decade-long development. Additionally, it investigates sexual harassment allegations against indie horror publishers like Critical Reflex and Black Lantern Collective, and touches on the worsening wildfire situation in France.
Three indie horror publishers faced sexual harassment claims – what comes next?
Three indie horror publishers, Critical Reflex, Dread XP, and Black Lantern Collective, are facing scrutiny following sexual harassment allegations made by former employees and developers. Former Critical Reflex community manager Evelina Zemljic accused CEO Rita Lebedeva and Ted Hentschke, now a co-founder of Black Lantern Collective and formerly of Dread XP, of mistreatment and harassment. While Hentschke and Critical Reflex deny the bulk of the allegations, both companies state they have implemented significant changes to their workplace policies and culture in response to the complaints.
BUCKSHOT ROULETTE OUT NOW ON XBOX CONSOLES & XBOX GAME PASS
Buckshot Roulette is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Xbox Game Pass. The critically acclaimed Russian Roulette-style shooter developed by Mike Klubnika and published by CRITICAL REFLEX features both single-player and multiplayer modes. It is priced at $2.99.
The Viral Horror Hit Has Finally Arrived – Buckshot Roulette Surprise-Drops On Xbox And Game Pass
The viral indie horror game Buckshot Roulette has surprise-launched on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and is available on Game Pass. The game, which simulates a deadly game of Russian Roulette with a shotgun, has gained significant popularity on PC for its tense atmosphere and simple premise. The Xbox version includes multiplayer and a 'Double or Nothing' mode.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 205 - Tanuki: Pon's Summer Steam Next Fest Demo
This article previews the demo for Tanuki: Pon's Summer, an indie game available during Steam Next Fest. Players control Pon, a tanuki who takes a job as a postal worker to fund the restoration of his shrine. The demo allows players to experience BMXing around town and the countryside to help NPCs.
Pipes.exe Announced
CRITICAL REFLEX and Moving Pieces have announced Pipes.exe, a co-op horror game that immerses players in the personal computing environment of the 1990s. The game aims to evoke nostalgia for the beige PC era.
SATED Announced
CRITICAL REFLEX has announced SATED, a new horror-themed game developed by Forest Reges. The title combines cooking and gambling roguelike elements and is slated for release on PC. Further details on its release window are expected soon.
90s screensavers-inspired co-op QA horror game Pipes.exe announced for PC
Pipes.exe, a cooperative horror game inspired by 90s screensavers, has been announced by publisher CRITICAL REFLEX and developer Moving Pieces Interactive for PC via Steam. Players will investigate software bugs, repair systems, and survive threats in a digital workspace, with a playtest available now. The game supports solo play or up to four players online with integrated voice chat.
