Identifying what piques my interest in a potential game purchase is often challenging. While I enjoy titles from major brands, there are instances when a game, whether discovered through word of mouth, featured in a Steam Next Fest, or highlighted during a presentation, evokes a curious reaction from me. That reaction—an audible “huh” —signals that the game has grabbed my attention, prompting me to add it to my Steam wishlist and check in on its development over time.
While many upcoming releases from prominent developers are self-evident in their appeal, smaller independent titles often possess a unique quality. This special essence makes them stand out as they venture into experimental realms. It is vital to support and champion these innovative concepts to foster broader artistic growth within the gaming industry.
Though I can’t predict the reception of the games highlighted below upon their release, they each exhibit a hint of that intriguing uniqueness, suggesting they may be worth taking a gamble on.
10 OFF
Swing The Bat
Diving into the depths of indie game social media and forums often unveils familiar visuals. Years ago, while exploring RPG Maker games, I frequently stumbled upon the iconic imagery of a baseball player and a peculiar cat. Initially, I dismissed them as just popular OCs, but they represent the protagonists of OFF.
This RPG Maker title debuted in 2008 from a small Belgian team and bears resemblance to Undertale—a deeply personal, avant-garde experience enriched with surreal artistry. The game revolves around “the Batter, ” who embarks on a quest to purify the world using his bat as a tool for cleansing.
Despite being almost two decades old, OFF is finally making its official debut on Steam and Switch on August 15, 2025. I’m curious to see how it will be received by contemporary audiences.
9 Shuten Order
Kodaka Can’t Stop Cooking
I’m thrilled to see The Hundred Line perform well for TooKyo Games and creator Kazutaka Kodaka, ensuring the continuation of his bizarre narratives. The announcement of Shuten Order shortly after Hundred Line’s release came as a delightful surprise.
This intriguing title follows Rei, a protagonist resurrected with a four-day countdown to uncover his murderer within the government. Players will need to select a suspect and navigate different gameplay mechanics associated with each of the five characters, resulting in varied stories and challenges.
One route features a top-down action-puzzler experience, while another offers a visual novel format. With diverse gameplay options launching on September 5, 2025, Kodaka seems intent on exploring every potential facet of visual novel gameplay.
8 Showa American Story
Weebs Shall Inherit The Earth
As a passionate enthusiast of retro pop culture, encompassing both American and international influences, I find a particular affection for Showa-era Japan—especially its tokusatsu television shows like Kamen Rider. The upcoming Showa American Story seemingly reflects this unique interest along with the nostalgia for 1980s memorabilia.
This delightfully bizarre title unfolds in a world where Japan has purchased America, only to see apocalyptic events lead to a monstrous, zombie-ridden wasteland. Players assume the role of Chouko, who navigates the remnants of “Showa America, ” engaging in combat with undead foes and encountering eccentric survivors.
Moreover, players get to customize an RV, decorating it with retro memorabilia, including that nostalgic water toy you might remember. The energy of Showa American Story resonates with the vibe of Deadly Premonition, and although the overall cohesion of the project remains uncertain until its Q4 2025 release, it promises to be an eye-catching spectacle.
7 Skate Story
A Man Of Glass In A World Of Spikes
Reflecting on my brief fling with skateboarding as a kid—one that ended on my first fall—I’ve come to appreciate the genre through games. The concept of a skateboarding game where failing is not an option feels immediately appealing, thus making me eager for Skate Story, which lacks a formal release date beyond a 2025 window.
In this game, you play as a glass demon skating through an underworld, aiming to consume the moon to achieve freedom. The game’s format appears to be reminiscent of a pseudo-open world, with a critical path of tricks and ramps to master, alongside upgrades and side activities. It may just fulfill my dreams of the ultimate skateboarding game.
6 Mindwave
Invader Zim Meets WarioWare
| Developer | HoloHammer |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action |
| Platform | PC |
A notable trend is the emergence of indie games that embody an “I’ll do it myself” spirit—where traditional publishers fail to meet fan expectations, independent creators step in to fulfill that niche.Mindwave exemplifies this ethos, offering a unique spin on early WarioWare titles intertwined with the charm of Invader Zim.
The game centers around competitors scaling a towering corporate structure, engaging in a battle of minds and memories. This gameplay manifests in a series of microgames extracted from the competitors’ consciousness. Players must navigate pop-up obstacles while indulging in quirky dialogues with the characters. Although no release date is confirmed, the team continues to provide updates through both Steam and Kickstarter.
5 Truth Scrapper
Like Memento, But Cuter
Whenever an indie game’s narrative prowess leaves me emotionally shattered, I instinctively gravitate towards the creator’s future projects. One such creator is insertdisc5, known for their exceptional title In Stars and Time, and I find myself eagerly anticipating Truth Scrapper since its announcement.
This visual novel mystery game places players in the role of investigator Sosotte, who must unravel the enigma behind a mind-eating sinkhole. Each day, Sosotte’s memories diminish, and the only means of preserving them is through a scrapbook, requiring players to prioritize details that influence the narrative’s direction.
With confidence in insertdisc5’s storytelling abilities, I eagerly await their exploration of this gripping mechanic. While a release window is yet to be announced, the development updates are consistently promising.
4 Dead As Disco
Maniac, Maniac On The Floor
Despite being too young to recall the disco era, I find disco music captivating, especially when featured in action-packed sequences. If you share this sentiment, you might relish Dead As Disco, a rhythm-driven character-action game reminiscent of Hi-Fi Rush but with a heavier emphasis on aligning moves with the beat.
Players can strengthen their attacks by timing their actions to the disco rhythms, building up to elaborate combos through precise synchronization. The game introduces an Arkham-style counter mechanism to maintain the pace. While no release date is confirmed, it made a strong impression at the June 2025 Steam Next Fest, promising both a story mode and a custom mode where players can battle with their own music.
3 Big Walk
Diet Friendslop
I must admit, the “friendslop” genre isn’t my favorite. While many games lean heavily into jump scares or half-baked ideas, I ponder if an innovative take might shift my perspective—perhaps something more lighthearted, like Big Walk, slated for a 2026 release.
Described as a “cooperative online walker-talker, ” Big Walk invites players to traverse a vast outdoor world with friends. Rather than focusing on horror elements or competitive vibes, it’s a space designed purely for conversation and exploration, perfect for streamers hosting guests.
Beyond exploration, players can tackle puzzles and challenges collaboratively, akin to games like We Were Here or The Talos Principle. The puzzles encourage low-stakes teamwork, allowing players to relax and connect while enjoying each other’s company.
2 Dispatch
Thank You For Holding
The trope of jaded, weary superheroes is prevalent in recent narratives, often resulting in redundancy. A fresh approach emerges in Dispatch, focusing not on the heroes themselves but on those who manage them.
Set to launch in 2025, Dispatch combines narrative adventure with strategic management mechanics, following the journey of Robert Robertson, a former hero turned dispatch agent. Players will need to assess incoming crime reports and assign the right superhero to each situation, impacting the unfolding storyline based on their decisions.
This promising title boasts a creative team comprised of talented writers from renowned projects like Telltale’s Tales from the Borderlands and The Wolf Among Us, ensuring a rich narrative experience.
1 Grave Seasons
Mysteries Make Life Interesting
While the wave of self-described “cozy farming games” provided a delightful revival in the 2010s, the genre has become oversaturated with titles that often feel indistinguishable. For a farming game to capture interest today, it needs to introduce an unexpected element—perhaps a supernatural serial killer mystery.
Grave Seasons offers a unique blend of simulation and mystery gameplay. Players will tend to their crops, craft items, and engage with the community during the day, but as night falls, they are thrust into a hunt for a killer lurking in the shadows. Players must navigate relationships with the townsfolk to gain intel while crafting items that may play a crucial role in their survival.
The game’s intrigue is heightened by the possibility of romance with the townspeople, including the option to connect with the killer, should you be into that. While a release date is yet to be set, its presence at Summer Games Fest bodes well for its anticipation.
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