Game Industry News

Prison adventure Back to the Dawn blends noir drama and Lovecraftian weirdness into one of the most entertaining indie RPGs of the year. It includes over one hundred quests and several endings. Prison life has never been this strange, strategic or hilarious.

When a kingdom’s peasants only work under the king’s direct gaze, every move counts. The King is Watching blends tower defense, auto-battler action and roguelike progression into one uniquely challenging package that will surprise even the most experienced armchair generals.

Descenders Next takes the extreme downhill biking concept of the original and swaps in mountain and snowboards for a roguelike ride across random trails. While the controls take some getting used to, overall, it’s a ride worth taking.

In a refreshing change from the usual action-packed Middle Earth fare, Tales of the Shire focuses on gardening, cooking and forging friendships. Cozy, charming and surprisingly deep, it’s the perfect title for anyone who’s ever dreamed of settling down in the Shire.

The 8BitDo Arcade Controller delivers an impressive, lever-free fighting game experience with clicky, low-profile buttons, great ergonomics and tons of customization. And unlike more expensive options, this one is less than $100, making it perfect for specialized gaming on a budget.

A fantasy MMO’s heroes of Azerim vanish, leaving one low-level NPC fisherman to deal with the monsters, world-ending quests and annoying story NPCs. It’s a ridiculous premise that somehow works for Nice Day for Fishing, sore thumbs and all.

Dragon Delves is a wonderfully crafted Dungeons and Dragons collection of ten adventures centered around iconic dragons with history, lore and unique challenges. Reviewer Colin Flanigan took it for a spin across taffy factories, astral gardens and more.

College football fanatic Neal Sayatovich dives into Maximum Football 2025, a surprisingly deep and completely free alternative to EA’s gridiron giant. With slick gameplay, a solid physics engine and smart team stand-ins, Maximum Football 2025 might just earn a spot in your starting sports lineup.

In Recycling Center Simulator, players haul junk, sort trash and slowly build a humming machine of industrial efficiency out of garbage. It might be a little bit bland for newcomers, but for those who enjoy sims, this is a clean hit. Who knew waste management could be so satisfying?

From survival mechanics to guild-run spice wars, Funcom’s Dune: Awakening is more than just another licensed MMO. It’s an ambitious reinvention of Arrakis that we think would have even made Frank Herbert proud.

Set sail and unwind on peaceful waters in Cast n Chill, a beautifully crafted, low-pressure fishing adventure that carves out a serene niche with its gorgeous world, 50 varieties of fish and stress-free gameplay. It’s a perfect catch for casual gamers.

Step into a shifting mansion filled with secrets, strategy and just enough chaos to keep you guessing. Blue Prince blends mystery, exploration and puzzle-solving into an endlessly replayable experience where the walls themselves conspire to make you earn your crown.

Fresh Look columnist Neal Sayatovich writes this week about his enjoyment of the unique turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has players leading an action-packed quest to try and save the people of Lumiere.

Synth Saturday is a column by Michael Blaker covering various fan fictions. This week he covers Chapters 81-85 of “Hard Enough-Pokemon SI” by Viva01.

GiN covered the Sekaicon 2025 inaugural show this year in all its glory. GiN reporter Neal Sayatovich snapped lots of photos at the event. Check them out.

What do busted freezers, Sonic the Hedgehog trading cards and retro Dreamcast adventures have in common? They all collide in this week’s Save State as Vincent Mahoney dives back into Sonic Adventure 2, a title that still delivers speed, style and chaos in 2025.

Gary assigns Mr. Turtle to be the podcast’s guest movie reviewer for a scary movie.

Trekker’s Delight discusses the first two episodes in the fifth and final season of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. has announced the launch of its collaboration with the football comic series Captain Tsubasa.