Category: Indie

Indie studios continue to blur genre lines and surprise with distinctive ideas, as seen in this latest trio of releases and previews. Bloodgrounds offers a visceral twist on tactical combat, combining the grit of gladiatorial arenas with the structure of a city management sim where every fighter’s life carries weight. Shroomtopia takes a gentler route, inviting players to restore balance to a colorful world through hex-based puzzles and creative level-building tools. Meanwhile, Science Skaters turns the human body into a vibrant playground, blending platforming action with accessible science-themed puzzles in classic Didactoons fashion. Together, they showcase how smaller teams continue to push creativity across genres – from strategic brutality to calming logic play and even edutainment adventure. Continue reading “Indie roundup: Bloodgrounds, Shroomtopia & Science Skaters”

Today we’re checking out a selection of recent ports that cover very different corners of the gaming spectrum. On PlayStation 5, The Cabin Factory and Bloodshed take opposite approaches to tension – one through eerie restraint and environmental unease, the other through relentless waves of retro-styled chaos. Hell is Other Demons sharpens its arcade precision for another round of punishing, rhythmically charged combat, while Reus 2 brings its intricate, slow-blooming god game systems to Xbox with mixed but ambitious results. Together they form a snapshot of how smaller developers continue to refine and reintroduce their work across consoles, highlighting both the strengths and quirks that define these distinct experiences. Continue reading “Port roundup: The Cabin Factory, Reus 2, Hell is Other Demons & Bloodshed”

From eerie VHS tapes to neon-lit shootouts, a few smaller titles have been making their way to PlayStation 5 – each with its own distinctive flavor. Whether it’s the uncanny children’s TV horror of Amanda the Adventurer 2, the haunting rural folklore of Water Delivery, the stylish but uneven gunplay of Murder Inc., or the frantic arcade chaos of RedEx, these ports showcase how indie developers continue to stretch old formulas in new directions. They range from story-driven psychological tension to raw, reflex-based action, offering a reminder that the best surprises often come from offbeat projects landing quietly between blockbuster releases. Continue reading “Port roundup: Amanda the Adventurer 2, Water Delivery, Murder Inc. & RedEx”

The world of budget and indie releases is full of short, focused experiments – some succeed through clever mechanics, others through charm or nostalgia. This latest batch of PlayStation 5 titles covers that entire spectrum, from circuit-building puzzles and physics-driven chaos to retro platforming and a resurrected handheld classic. Electronics Puzzle Lab 2 revisits its logic-based roots with minimal evolution, while Piggly Pagly Boom brings an unexpected dose of lighthearted destruction to the mix. Kotenok offers a quick but uneven climb through pixel-art challenges, and Scurge: Hive revives a forgotten gem with its infection-fueled tension intact. None of these games are aiming for blockbuster depth – but together, they highlight the creative range and mixed fortunes of the indie scene’s smaller, faster, and sometimes stranger offerings. Continue reading “Indie roundup: Electronics Puzzle Lab 2, Piggly Pagly Boom, Kotenok & Scurge: Hive”