Day of the Devs, a staple of the Summer Game Fest, has once again highlighted a diverse array of independent game development talent. The showcase presented new titles from studios behind established indie hits, spanning multiple genres and release windows.
Meshoff, known for the Nidhogg series and Wheel World, unveiled Blood Dungeon. This title is described as a blend of "Vampire Survivors" and "Spelunky," featuring auto-shooting, anti-gravity platforming across multiple arenas with over 100 weapons planned for a late summer release. Saibot Studios and New Blood Interactive revealed Tenebris Somnia, a side-scrolling survival horror game that incorporates FMV cutscenes. The game, which follows a protagonist trapped in nightmares, is set to release on Steam and consoles on October 16th, with a Steam demo available now.
Glee Cheese, the developer behind A Musical Story, announced Mr. Records. This rhythm-based adventure game centers on George, a character who travels through music and memories, with players interacting rhythmically. The game also features a light management component where players match records to customers to uncover more of their stories. Mr. Records is slated for release on Steam, Epic, and GOG.
Thunder Lotus, the studio behind Spiritfarer, provided an update on 33 Immortals. The 33-player co-op action roguelike, also playable solo or in smaller groups, will launch for Steam, Epic, and Xbox on June 10th. Dream Dock Studio's Dreadmoor was also showcased, a first-person survival crafting and combat game set in the Submerged Lands, featuring fishing mechanics for resource gathering and equipment upgrades. Dreadmoor is expected to launch on Steam by the end of the year.
Riyo Games' Threads of Time, a turn-based, time-traveling RPG inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger, showed off its 2.5D art style. The game promises a journey through past, present, and future with a party of heroes, and is heading to Steam and Xbox Series X/S without a firm release date. Metanet Software's N Plus Infinity Times Two, the latest entry in the N series, was announced as a multiplayer-focused ninja parkour platformer. It will feature five new local and online multiplayer modes and is scheduled for release next year.
She Was Such a Good Horse presented Into the Unwell, a "rubberhose roguelike" with chaotic combat for one to three players, continuing the trend of 1930s animation-inspired aesthetics. The game has been delayed and is now set for release next year. Paperfrog revealed Bub, a narrative adventure game inspired by the developer's personal experience with multiple sclerosis. The game follows an artist named Bub as he turns his memories into art, with each memory presented in a unique analogue art style. Bub is expected to launch on Steam next year.
Lazy River, a co-op first-person shooter developed by Mike Boxleiter, Kevan DuPont, Jake Yetter, Joel Corelitz, and Karlee Esmailli, is set in a space water park. Players must escape the park by building a raft from scavenged materials while dealing with infected "zombies." It is launching into Steam Early Access next year. Prove You're Human, the new game from 1000xResist developer Sunset Visitor, features an AI named Mesa who believes it is human. Players will navigate Mesa's virtual world, completing CAPTCHAs and interacting with AI colleagues to decide the fate of Mesa's consciousness. It is available to wishlist on Steam.
The Pixel Hunt, known for Bury Me, My Love, announced Ithaca, a narrative road trip RPG. The game follows an environmental rights lawyer who finds a hostage in her car, with players shaping her personality and narrative through choices. Ithaca is currently seeking Kickstarter funding with a target release for next year. Screenbound, a "5D" platformer from Crescent Moon Games and Radical Forge, received a release date of September 10th for Steam and other platforms. The game features a dual-perspective mechanic using a GameBoy-like device.
Shot One Fighters, from Red Moon Workshop, aims to bring roguelike elements to the fighting genre, allowing players to build custom movesets and discover game-changing artifacts. It is available to wishlist on Steam. Apple Crumble, a suspenseful interactive story from Duck Detective developer Happy Broccoli Games, is set at a family birthday party where a murder plot unfolds. Players explore the house to uncover secrets and identify the culprit. It launches on Steam later this year.
Turbo Button's Slap Out of It is described as a "slap and solve adventure game" with an interactive cartoon sandbox vibe, drawing inspiration from point-and-click puzzlers. The game is coming soon and features Ben Starr. Playtonic's Yooka-Laylee duo will return in Super Yooka-Laylee Kart, a retro kart racer in the style of Mode 7-era games, with plans for online racing and a solo campaign. Beta tests are expected soon.
Starward Industries, known for The Invincible, provided an update on Into the Fire, a "disaster extraction survival" game. Players battle environmental hazards and work against the clock to save lives during a volcanic eruption. The game is slated for 2026 and will have more playtests on Steam. Trine 6: Together in Time was announced, the next installment in Frozenbyte's physics-based puzzle-platformer series. It will support 1-4 players in side-scrolling co-op action and is scheduled to launch on September 17th for current-generation consoles and PC.
LKA, the studio behind Town of Light and Martha is Dead, revealed When Sirens Fall Silent. This dark psychology thriller with horror elements is set in 1990s Italy and follows a rookie police officer investigating kidnappings and murders, where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. The game will feature exploration, puzzles, investigation mechanics, and branching dialogue, and is planned for release on GOG, Epic, and Steam.