Five indie games that might have flown under your radar this week

by

Over the past week, several independent games have made successful debuts on Steam. You might not have noticed them amidst the bustle, but this month could see some of the year’s most significant titles emerge, such as Avowed, which was released this week (check out our review), and Monster Hunter Rise, due for release at the end of the month. If those games don’t appeal to you, there’s likely a smaller game that would suit your taste instead.

You might have missed some great indie games on Steam this week

Next week marks the commencement of the initial Steam Next Fests in 2025, a period when game developers unveil demos for their forthcoming titles to foster curiosity and anticipation. If you’re an enthusiast of independent games, be sure to keep this event on your agenda for next week. As we approach February 24th, Steam is expected to be flooded with numerous intriguing demos to experiment with. For the time being, however, here are some indie games that have already been released in full.

Dawnfolk

In its debut week, Dawnfolk, a creation by independent game designer Darenn Keller, has achieved significant milestones. Within just five days following its launch last Thursday, it managed to sell an impressive ten thousand copies. Moreover, it’s garnered 95% positive feedback from more than two hundred users on Steam. For a developer who ventured out from AAA development at Ubisoft to pursue his personal project, such success is the dream come true you aspire for.

In this innovative tile-based city-building game, players gradually enlarge their domain by illuminating areas shrouded in darkness with a minimalistic design aesthetic. Gather resources through easy-to-play mini-games, grapple with challenging decisions regarding disaster management, and delve into the enigma surrounding the monoliths that plunged the world into darkness. The demo for Dawnfolk is currently available on Steam. If it piques your interest, you can purchase it at a 15% discount for the next twenty hours, costing only $12.49.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Hailing from the creators of Life is Strange, Don’t Nod, comes the first instalment of their two-part narrative adventure game titled Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. To clarify, Bloom has been launched recently, while Rage will follow later this year on April 15th. This new release only just arrived yesterday, but given Don’t Nod’s reputation for creating standout games, it’s no wonder it’s generating some buzz. At the moment, it boasts a 90% positive rating on Steam from over three hundred and fifty players.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Unravel a 27-year Mystery!

Delve into the gripping narrative of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, tracing events from 1995 to 2022. Reexperience the tumultuous summer of ’95 alongside four teenage high-school companions, whose lives were irrevocably altered by an inexplicable event that they vowed never to discuss again – until now.

Establish friendships, perform in a punk band, and perhaps find love? Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is out now on Steam with a 10% discount, or you can grab it on consoles as well!

Urban Myth Dissolution Center

If you’re looking for another intriguing game that blends supernatural enigmas and brain-teasing puzzles, give Urban Myth Dissolution Center a try! Developed by Hakababunko, this game has been out for only a week yet boasts over a thousand reviews on Steam, with an impressive 89% of those reviews being positive. Better still, there’s a free demo available on Steam, so you can test it out before making a purchase.

In the role-playing game called the “Urban Legend Unraveling Hub,” you’re invited to join the team and tackle an assortment of puzzling cases. These range from cursed artifacts to mysterious dimensional distortions. This captivating game boasts a unique, primarily white and blue color scheme, with vibrant hues added for dramatic impact at key moments. As a player, you’ll delve into crime scenes, examine victims and suspects, and confront bizarre, terrifying, and inexplicable scenarios. The “Urban Legend Unraveling Hub” is currently available on Steam with a 10% discount for new players, and versions for consoles are also released.

Mind Over Magic

Developed by Sparkypants, the enchanting management sim game titled Mind Over Magic has captivated a substantial indie gaming community since its release just last Wednesday. So far, it boasts over 2,500 reviews on Steam, with an impressive 88% of those reviews being favorable. As I write this, there are even more players engrossed in the game, numbering over 2,600.

Players must construct and enhance their own haunted magical institution, situated above an underground labyrinth potentially housing the antidote. Encounter formidable artifacts, battle menacing creatures, and transform fledgling wizards into accomplished mages. In this game, equip essential items and potent relics as students venture into the subterranean dungeon in pursuit of lifting the curse. The title Mind Over Magic is now accessible on Steam. At present, there are no plans for a console launch, but it’s under consideration.

Ale Abbey

To wrap things up, let me introduce you to Ale Abbey, a game brought to us by Hammer & Ravens. Unlike the others on the list, it’s currently in Early Access. However, that didn’t hinder its impact after its release yesterday. With just seventy-one reviews at the moment, 92% of them are positive. What sets Ale Abbey apart is its distinct brewing mechanic.

In the game titled “Ale Abbey“, you’ll be overseeing a monastery that specializes in brewing ale. At first sight, it may appear straightforward and laid-back, but the catch lies in the fact that there are no set recipes to follow. The game is described on Steam as providing a platform for “real beer alchemists” to experiment. Will you concoct a delicious ale that leads to prosperity or will you end up brewing something unpalatable? The only way to find out is by giving it a try. Currently, “Ale Abbey” can be found in Early Access on Steam and comes with an initial discount of 10%.

These days, there’s no dearth of fantastic indie games, so if mainstream titles are starting to feel repetitive for you, perhaps some undiscovered gems from the independent scene have slipped past your notice. I hope you found something intriguing in this selection, but fear not if not; keep an eye out for more indie game spotlights in the near future!

Read More

2025-02-20 01:03