Autumn's arrival often signals a lull in major gaming news, but the recent Galaxies Showcase has delivered a compelling lineup of upcoming titles to generate excitement. Spanning nearly two hours, the showcase revealed numerous intriguing games, with several standing out for their unique premises and artistic styles.
Musical Mystery and Ghostbusting
Bristol developer Friday Sundae's "There are no Ghosts at the Grand" blends musical elements with home renovation and ghostbusting within a dilapidated hotel setting. Players have 30 days to renovate the hotel while uncovering its mysterious past, exploring the surrounding seaside town, and dealing with spectral encounters, all punctuated by musical numbers. A demo is available on Steam ahead of its December release.
Post-Apocalyptic Driving Adventure
"AfterZero: The Last Drive" by 3DClouds presents a driving game set in a perpetually frozen, post-industrial world. Players scavenge, repair, and upgrade their vehicle while navigating environmental challenges and uncovering a central mystery. Its aesthetic features a blocky, inky style, and the game is slated for a 2027 release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Gritty Starship Job Simulation
"Contact Protocol" offers a grim but captivating starship job simulation where players act as a security officer for a corporation. The game focuses on keeping a crew alive during a journey to Jupiter's moon, featuring a dirty, retro-futuristic aesthetic. A demo is available on Steam, with the full game expected next year.
Bizarre World-Bending Horror
AstroCat Studios' "Late Shift" is described as a short, found footage anomaly horror game told from the perspective of a missing cinema employee. The game presents players with a bizarre and disorienting world to navigate. A demo has been released, and the full game is "coming soon."
Unsettling Surveillance Horror
"Deperson," developed by Error Thing, is a self-reflective psychological horror adventure set in a nation consumed by surveillance and fear. The game features a striking, surreal hand-drawn animation style. Gameplay is described as a mix of point-and-click puzzling and action, with the developer noting it is "not a forgiving game." A demo is available on Steam, with the full release scheduled for next year.
True Crime-Styled Psychological Horror
LKA, known for "Martha is Dead" and "Town of Light," is developing "When Sirens Fall Silent." This psychological serial killer horror game adopts a mid-90s aesthetic, presenting its story through a mix of news reports, interviews, and media that evokes a true crime documentary. The game tackles themes of misogyny, trafficking, trauma, and redemption. It is expected next year.
Stunt Driving Spectacle
"Stuntman: Hollywood" received a new trailer featuring a Knight Rider crossover. The game tasks players with performing stunts in various licensed scenarios, including those from "Jurassic World" and "Miami Vice." While demanding quick reflexes, the game offers a ridiculous spectacle. It is one to keep an eye on.
Cozy Survival Sim
"Wild n Chill" offers a side-scrolling survival experience akin to the "Kingdom" series, focusing on building a solitary life in the wilderness with a companion dog. The game emphasizes a cozy and peaceful atmosphere as players chop trees, construct shelters, and explore. Developed by Wombat Brawler, it is coming soon to PC and consoles.
Musical Adventure with Level Editor
"Mr. Records," from Glee Cheese, the studio behind "A Musical Story," follows a protagonist who travels through music. Players interact rhythmically with vibrant worlds and manage a record store where completed levels become LPs. The game is set to launch in Q2 next year for PC and will feature a level editor. A Steam demo is also available.
Realistic Multiplayer Shooter Console Debut
"Squad," a realistic multiplayer shooter known for its class dependency and logistical planning, is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2027. The console version will include select maps from the PC version and support cross-play. An open PS5 Alpha Preview is available until October 25th.
Adorable Penguin Puzzler
"My Penguin Friend," a penguin puzzler developed by Good Gate Media, features a penguin navigating a tropical island, engaging in skateboarding, swimming, and exploring shipwrecks. The charming premise has garnered significant attention. The game is slated for release on Steam next year and is available to wishlist now.