Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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Even after Palworld 1.0, Pocketpair lead says 2026's best indie could be this Overwhelmingly Positive Steam roguelike citybuilder: "I haven't played a game more addictive since Balatro"
Pocketpair's John Buckley highly recommends the indie citybuilder '100% Combolands,' calling it the best indie game of the year and more addictive than 'Balatro.' Developed by a two-person team, Crux Games, '100% Combolands' is a roguelike citybuilder praised for its strategic depth and satisfying gameplay loop, earning an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating on Steam.
This Cozy Dressmaking Game is Taking Over Steam's Top Sellers List
The indie game Dressmaker, which centers on running a boutique and designing dresses, has rapidly climbed Steam's Top 10 best-selling games list shortly after its release. The game has gained significant traction on the platform.
A fashion game where you're the ultimate Dressmaker has been "overrun" with love, earning 96% positive Steam reviews
The indie fashion game Dressmaker has achieved significant success, earning an 'overwhelmingly positive' 96% rating on Steam and recouping its development costs on its first day. Project lead Jonathan Hau-Yoon of Cozy Lives expressed relief and joy at the game's reception, which has been embraced by players and streamers alike. Future updates are planned, including transparent fabrics, an online challenge mode, controller support, and ports to mobile and Nintendo Switch.
After thinking he was "putting this game out to die," Steam rewards iconic indie dev with 98% Very Positive…
Indie developer Luke Muscat's new solo venture, Normal Golf Game, has achieved a 98% Very Positive rating on Steam shortly after its release. Muscat, known for his work on Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, discussed his intense work ethic and the anxiety surrounding the launch of his latest title.
Undead Labs confirms indie status, developer layoffs, and continued State of Decay 3 development
Undead Labs has officially separated from Microsoft and is now an independent, employee-owned studio. Development of State of Decay 3 continues, with the game slated for a 2027 release on Xbox, Game Pass, PlayStation 5, and PC. The transition to independence unfortunately involved an undisclosed number of layoffs.
Doggy Don’t Care Review – Destructive devilry from a dog
Doggy Don't Care is a charming indie sandbox game where players control Charlie, a dog tasked with causing destruction while his owner is away. The game features simple platforming, objective-based badge collecting, and humorous interactions, all presented with a colorful, low-budget art style. While it offers a satisfying, short, one-sitting experience and is well-polished, it doesn't introduce many groundbreaking mechanics to stand out in the crowded indie market.
Cairn and Furi creator’s games are all so different that ‘there’s a chance our next game is an MMO match-3 about friendship,’ jokes creative director, Emeric Thoa
The Game Bakers' creative director Emeric Thoa discusses the studio's philosophy of creating memorable and sometimes polarizing games, citing titles like Cairn, Furi, and Haven. He expresses a desire for their games to be loved passionately, even if by a smaller audience, and mentions the upcoming 'On the Trail' DLC for Cairn.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 213 - Normal Golf Game
Shacknews previews Normal Golf Game, a new title from Luke Muscat, designer of Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja. The game aims for a 'sadistically accurate recreation of the noble game of golf,' offering detailed control over swings, physics, and environmental factors.
Acclaimed PS5 Metroidvania Game Arrives Today on PlayStation Store, Has Free Demo
The acclaimed Metroidvania game Well Dweller is now available on the PlayStation Store for $19.99, with a 15% discount for PlayStation Plus subscribers until October 7, 2026. A free demo is also offered. Developed by Kyle Thompson and published by Top Hat Studios, the game is also available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox consoles, and PC, with Xbox Game Pass access.
New 96% "Overwhelmingly Positive" Steam hit and cozy dressmaking sim overtakes Diablo 4, Control Resonant, and…
The indie crafting game Dressmaker has achieved a 96% "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam shortly after its release, becoming a surprise hit. Developed by Cozy Lives, the game allows players to design and sew clothing, and has quickly climbed Steam's global top sellers list, surpassing titles like Diablo 4.
Escape From Tarkov dev wants to bet on 'risky' games with its new publishing arm
Battlestate Games, the developer behind Escape From Tarkov, has launched a new publishing arm called Battlestate Games Publishing. The venture aims to support "hardcore" and "risky" projects, particularly niche and indie titles, by leveraging their existing audience and experience. COO Nikita Buyanov stated the initiative is an experiment to create a centralized platform for such games, prioritizing interesting ideas over potential profits.
"There is no easy answer anymore, there's no kind of playbook" – Secret Mode is hedging its bets with two very different pillars
Independent UK publisher Secret Mode is experiencing significant growth by focusing on two distinct pillars: 'pure indie' titles and higher-budget games like Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The company, which recently separated from Sumo Digital and Tencent, is also exploring a 'caretaker development' model for existing titles and emphasizes the importance of discoverability in the current market.
My favorite Space Warlord Baby Trading Sim events
Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator is highlighted as a favorite game, praised for its unique 'line go up' mechanic involving buying and selling based on alien baby life events. The article finds humor in the deadpan presentation of both major and trivial life moments as financial tickers, comparing it to the absurd comedy of Tim Robinson's show.
PREVIEW Entropy
The preview discusses the game Entropy, noting its use of retro-style graphics, a common trend in the indie game space. It highlights that while retro aesthetics often focus on the 16-bit era, Entropy appears to be exploring this style.
With $3 million in Steam pre-orders, publisher says its horror-themed Stardew Valley-like "might be massive"
Publisher tinyBuild anticipates a massive launch for Graveyard Keeper 2, a horror-themed simulation game, with pre-orders on Steam grossing nearly $3 million. The sequel to the 2018 hit Graveyard Keeper has garnered over 1 million wishlists and a successful demo, with progress transferring to the full game launching September 22.
Escape from Tarkov dev Battlestate Games wants to publish the "risky" games that "we need right now"
Battlestate Games, the developer behind Escape from Tarkov, is venturing into game publishing with a focus on risky, niche, and hardcore FPS titles that larger publishers overlook. COO Nikita Buyanov expressed a desire to support indie developers and provide a platform for unique games, viewing it as an experiment rather than a traditional business venture. The company has already received over 100 pitches and is looking for projects that align with their ethos of pushing boundaries.
This week in PC games: Control: Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, and the history of Western philosophy as a pinball table
This week's PC game releases include "Control Resonant" and "Silent Hill: Townfall." Other notable titles are "Roadhouse Simulator," a pipe-wielding mobster game "Scirocco Thugs," and the pinball game "Fallosophy," which incorporates Western philosophy. The article also briefly mentions "Crusader Kings 3" and "Alien Breed: 35th Anniversary Collection."
Indie Dev Says “AI” Voice In His Game Was Actually His Wife
A player accused indie developer Refractive Entertainment of using AI for the voice of the sole character in their action-RPG Luminary. However, creative director Keith Kolod clarified that the voice was actually his wife, who was doing her first voice acting gig. Kolod expressed surprise at the automatic assumption of AI in indie games and highlighted his preference for human elements in development.
One Button Games 5-in-1 Vol. 9 Review | TheXboxHub
This review covers One Button Games 5-in-1 Vol. 9, a compilation featuring five distinct games developed by m1s3ry, all playable with a single button. While some entries like UNCTRL and REFLECTOR are deemed chaotic and disposable, others like BOTTOP and TEETER are praised for their clever design and fun factor. The collection is available on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.
Black Salt Games establishes indie studio Team Trifold under new Saltworks Entertainment label
Dredge developer Black Salt Games has launched a new studio, Team Trifold, and a white-label publisher, Saltworks Entertainment. Saltworks will provide services to Team Trifold, Disc 2 Games, and itself, aiming for studio independence and sustainability. Team Trifold's debut game, Nothing Lost, is a roguelike inspired by Shaman King, featuring death as a core progression mechanic.
