Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
Latest coverage
Vampire Survivors Gets New Turbo Wildcard DLC Vampire Crawlers on PS5
The indie hit Vampire Survivors has released its latest DLC, Vampire Crawlers, for PlayStation 5. This new content, also referred to as 'Turbo Wildcard,' adds new variables to the game's core loop, following the developer Poncle's strategy of releasing small, focused additions. The release continues to show developer commitment and offers PlayStation 5 players a fresh reason to dive back into the addictive gameplay.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 198 - ShantyTown
This week's ShackStream Indie-licious episode features a preview of the indie game ShantyTown. The game focuses on building a vertical sprawl using makeshift urban living elements.
Games Inbox: Did you know GTA 6 was made in the UK?
This article discusses the UK's role in game development, highlighting that Grand Theft Auto 6 is being made in Scotland by Rockstar Games. It also touches on reader opinions regarding Nintendo's lack of Star Fox announcements, the potential for a Starwing remake, and the perceived decline of UK-based game developers. Other topics include the leak status of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, the technical capabilities of the PS5 Pro, and the development of games like Pragmata and Fallout: New Vegas.
GTA 6 Trailer: Animal Spotters Go Wild Over Every Frame... | TAG
This article rounds up several gaming news items, including detailed fan analysis of the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer's wildlife, a surprise sale on Nintendo Switch games at Costco, and Microsoft's ongoing decisions regarding Xbox Game Pass content. It also covers updates for Arc Raiders, a BAFTA controversy involving the indie game The Quiet Things, a new Minecraft mod for building vehicles, a Nintendo pop-up store in London, and various announcements from Hollywood's E3 week, alongside a Pokémon event guide and award winners from the BAFTA Games Awards.
Windrose Breaks 1 Million Sales in Just 6 Days, Stunning PC Gaming Community
The indie game Windrose has achieved over 1 million copies sold in just six days following its launch on PC. This rapid sales success is considered extraordinary within the competitive PC gaming market, highlighting the potential for breakout hits. The achievement provides significant financial and creative validation for the developers.
Solo Developer Kamil Releases The Lone Sword After Years of Work
Solo developer Kamil has released his passion project, The Lone Sword, on Steam after years of dedicated work. The game was built from a single core mechanic, with Kamil teaching himself level design, art, and music production to bring his vision to life. The article highlights the challenges and triumphs of solo development and encourages support for indie creators.
Narin: The Orange Room Review - A Promising Indie Horror That Struggles With Silent Hill Influences
Narin: The Orange Room is a debut indie horror puzzle game from Thai studio Red Sensation Games that features a strong atmosphere and visual identity. While it presents interesting ideas and a compelling premise, the game struggles with narrative cohesion, pacing issues in its puzzles, and localization problems, ultimately making for an uneven but promising experience.
IGF-Honored Chess Dungeon Crawler Below the Crown Hits 1.0
Below the Crown, an IGF-honored chess-inspired RPG from Misfits Attic, has officially launched its 1.0 version after a period in Early Access. The update introduces new modes like Wizard Queen, a new boss fight against the Emperor, multiple endings, and crucially, Steam Deck support, Steam Cloud Saves, and Achievement integration. This release marks a significant milestone for the indie studio, which has now shipped three games and is actively seeking Steam reviews to boost visibility.
Top Hat Studios Reveals Standout Games Lineup at Spring Showcase 2026
Top Hat Studios showcased a diverse lineup of upcoming indie games during their Spring Showcase 2026. The event featured new trailers, publishing announcements, and demo drops for titles such as the horror action game METAMORPHOSIS, the first-person action-adventure HALLOW BLADE, and the parkour game MOTORSLICE, which is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Family on May 5, 2026. Other revealed games include the aerial roguelike DELIVERY MUST COMPLETE, the 3D adventure Twinkle's Galactic Tour, the horror RPG The Backworld with a new demo, the metroidvania Well Dweller with an upcoming demo, and the survival horror BECROWNED.
Top Hat Studios Presents: Spring Showcase 2026 Highlights Multiple Indie Releases
Top Hat Studios held its Spring Showcase 2026, revealing new trailers, publishing deals, and release dates for several indie titles. The showcase featured games like the horror title METAMORPHOSIS, the dark fantasy action-adventure HALLOW BLADE, and the parkour game MOTORSLICE, which is set for a May 5 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Other announcements included the aerial roguelike DELIVERY MUST COMPLETE, the musical platformer Twinkle’s Galactic Tour, the horror RPG The Backworld, the Metroidvania Well Dweller, and the survival horror BECROWNED.
Top Hat Studios Reveals Indie Lineup at Spring Showcase 2026
Top Hat Studios showcased its upcoming indie game lineup at the Spring Showcase 2026, revealing new titles like Metamorphosis and Hallow Blade, alongside release updates and demos for others. The showcase featured a variety of genres including horror, action, and platforming, highlighting the studio's growing portfolio of distinct indie projects.
Issues and Activism
BAFTA has described its last-minute decision to remove an indie game trailer from the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards as a "compliance decision." The organization did not provide further details on the specific compliance issue that led to the trailer's removal.
Award-Winning Visual Novel “and Roger” Tugs Heartstrings on Switch 2, iOS, Android June 17
The emotional visual novel "and Roger" will launch on Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, and Android on June 17, 2026, with 20 new languages being added across all platforms including PC. Developed by TearyHand Studio and published by Kodansha, the game has received multiple awards since its 2025 release for its touching narrative about love and the human condition.
CoD Launches Are Gone, But Game Pass Should Ditch All The Other Games You've Heard Of, Too
Microsoft has removed day-one access to Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, leading to speculation about a new, cheaper tier focused on curated AA and indie games. The author argues that a more focused Game Pass library could help smaller titles gain attention and provide better value than a vast collection of AAA games.
Announcing Manafinder II: A turn-based RPG set in a world that no longer welcomes you
Wolfsden LLC announced Manafinder II, a turn-based fantasy RPG set to release on PC via Steam in 2027. Players will control Rey, the last human survivor, in a world filled with ruins and dangerous creatures. The game emphasizes party roles, weapon selection, and elemental affinities, and is a sequel to the 2022 title Manafinder.
"BitSummit PUNCH" Official Supporting Streamers Announced!
BitSummit PUNCH has announced its official supporting streamers and creators, including notable figures like FB777 and eoheoh from MSS Project. The event will feature live-streamed programs such as "Creators Talk" and "PUNCH PLAY LIVE," showcasing indie game development stories and gameplay. The BitSummit Game Jam 2026, with the theme "Punch: Break Through," will also introduce an XR category for submissions.
Four Cozy Indie Games Launch This Week Across PC and Consoles
Four new indie games, Tiny Bakery, Kiln, Flock Around, and Vending Machine Co, are releasing this week across PC and consoles, offering a variety of relaxed gameplay experiences. This surge in cozy game releases highlights the growing market and publisher interest in the genre, with developers exploring diverse themes beyond traditional farming simulations.
Pyre Deserves More Love: Supergiant’s Underrated 2017 Masterpiece
A Reddit discussion highlights Pyre, Supergiant Games' 2017 title, as an overlooked masterpiece that blends sports, RPG, and visual novel elements. Despite its unique approach and strong narrative, Pyre did not achieve the same success as Supergiant's later game, Hades, potentially due to its less accessible structure and timing.
Sherman’s Quest Scores Free Steam Launch After Development Marathon
Sherman's Quest has officially launched for free on Steam after a lengthy development period. The indie team behind the game is employing a free-to-play strategy to remove barriers to entry and build an audience. They have also implemented robust bug reporting systems and are focused on community support for long-term success.
Evening Interviews
Interabang is bringing back Jay and Silent Bob in the upcoming game 'Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch', featured on Xbox Wire. The Official Xbox Podcast also highlighted 'Kiln: The Pottery Brawler', a game focused on creation and destruction.