indie gaming Archives

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

The indie metroidvania that started it all just got a huge update on PC, adding co-op and mod support after 22 years

Cave Story, launched in 2004 by Daisuke Amaya, redefined the platformer genre and revitalized the metroidvania style with its engaging gameplay and storytelling. A significant update for Cave Story+ was recently released on Steam, aligning it with the Nintendo Switch version, nearly nine years after the Switch debut. Amaya's follow-up project, Kero Blaster, was released in 2015.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Graveyard Keeper’s mammoth success proves that giving games away for free on Steam works

tinyBuild offered Graveyard Keeper for free for a weekend, coinciding with the announcement of Graveyard Keeper 2. This led to an all-time peak of 46,305 concurrent players on April 12, up from 17,000 at launch. The game ranked 47th on Steam's most played chart and reached number 39 on one Sunday. The giveaway increased wishlists for the sequel to 450,000 and generated nearly 0,000 in revenue from DLC sales, with around 125,000 DLCs sold at a promotional price of .99 each. The base game is typically priced at .99.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Endix Announces Release on Official PC Platforms

ENDIX is an online-only exposition in the videogame industry that allows gamers to explore new and upcoming titles while connecting with developers. It prioritizes accessibility, enabling participation without the financial burdens of traditional expos. ENDIX is evolving into a premier multiplayer digital expo, allowing attendees to join from their preferred PC platforms. It will introduce dedicated store pages on Steam and the Epic Games Store for easier access and enhanced multiplayer elements. The next edition of ENDIX is scheduled for May 23, 2026, and will remain free to enter, featuring a lineup of exhibitions and titles.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Jazzy stealth-action game Thick as Thieves hits PC on May 20

OtherSide Entertainment has announced that their game, Thick as Thieves, will be released on Steam on May 20. The game is set in a fictional Scottish city named Kilcairn and features two distinct thieves, two maps, sixteen contracts, six unique pieces of gear, and multiple difficulty settings. Originally introduced as a PvPvE experience at The Game Awards in December 2024, it has shifted to focus on solo and two-player cooperative gameplay, with the announcement made on Steam on April 2, 2026. The game was initially planned for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, but the current focus is on the Steam release.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

I bought a PS5 on launch day but I won’t be buying a PS6, even though its exclusives aren’t coming to PC anymore

Jess Kinghorn, a hardware writer, has been exploring indie games like Sato Killing Time Chat.exe and D14L-ogue. She pre-ordered her PlayStation 5 in 2020 for £450, which has since increased to £570/€650 due to a memory supply crisis. Sony may delay the PS6's release until 2028 or 2029. Jess is reevaluating the costs of console gaming, noting that major game releases add to the financial burden. She feels disconnected from PlayStation-exclusive titles due to limited availability on PC and is fatigued by big-budget games. Jess prefers smaller games like Home Safety Hotline, Perfect Tides, and Ambrosia Sky: Act One, which are more affordable. While she enjoys some PS5 titles, she is cautious about future console investments. In contrast, she finds the anticipated Switch 2 appealing at £396, despite hardware issues like Joy-Con stick drift.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Steam Makes One of the Great Games of All Time Just $1.49

Super Meat Boy is available for [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: For a limited time, avid gamers can seize the opportunity to purchase one of the most iconic platformers of the past decade for a mere .49 on Steam. This remarkable offer, available until April 14, showcases a staggering 92% discount, making it the lowest price ever recorded for this title on the platform since its debut 16 years ago. The game in question, Super Meat Boy, is not only a nostalgic nod to the early 2010s but also an essential piece of gaming history. A Game That Defined an Era Released in 2010 by the innovative duo at Team Meat, led by Edmund McMillen, Super Meat Boy quickly became a landmark title in the indie gaming scene. Following the success of its predecessor, the 2008 flash game Meat Boy, this platformer made waves with its Xbox 360 exclusivity before making its way to PC shortly thereafter. Garnering a commendable score of 90 on Metacritic, it played a pivotal role in shaping the modern indie game landscape. While the franchise saw a sequel in 2020, Super Meat Boy Forever, it did not resonate as strongly with audiences. More recently, the release of Super Meat Boy 3D on March 31 has sparked renewed interest, although it too has faced mixed reviews. In contrast, McMillen's latest offering, Mewgenics, has been well-received, further showcasing his creative prowess. At just .49, Super Meat Boy provides exceptional value, with main gameplay lasting nearly 10 hours. For those who enjoy exploring every nook and cranny, the total playtime can extend to nearly 20 hours, while completionists may find themselves invested for close to 50 hours. With its Steam Deck verification, this classic is accessible to a broader audience, ensuring that both new players and long-time fans can enjoy its challenging yet rewarding gameplay." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].49 on Steam until April 14, featuring a 92% discount, the lowest price since its release 16 years ago. Released in 2010 by Team Meat, it received a score of 90 on Metacritic and significantly influenced the indie gaming scene. The game offers nearly 10 hours of main gameplay, up to 20 hours for exploration, and around 50 hours for completionists. It is verified for Steam Deck, making it accessible to a wider audience.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

If you’re sick of waiting for Ubisoft to make a new Splinter Cell, this newly announced indie stealth game might fill the Sam Fisher-shaped hole in your life

The Splinter Cell franchise has been silent for nearly thirteen years, with a remake of the original game reportedly in development, though it has faced significant changes, including the departure of its original director. Meanwhile, an indie stealth game called Lizard State has been announced, featuring unique gameplay elements such as "mimic cameras" that transform into spider-like devices and another gadget that can incapacitate guards. The game aims to provide a compelling stealth experience, with initial impressions raising some concerns about tactile engagement. A thrilling moment in the trailer showcases the protagonist executing a judo throw combined with a rifle maneuver. Details about the release date are not available, but players can request access to an upcoming playtest on the game's Steam page.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Were PC gamers right to take against Syndicate’s FPS reboot? Only one man with an ancient disc copy can find out

In the early 2010s, PC strategy and tactics enthusiasts expressed discontent as mainstream publishers, like EA and Take-Two, rebooted classic '90s franchises such as XCOM and Syndicate into first-person shooters, disappointing dedicated fans. These reboots were criticized for straying from the original gameplay experience, which allowed for exploration and strategy, and instead confined players to tight spaces with wave-spawning enemies. Despite the backlash against these reboots, it led to a resurgence of strategy games, exemplified by Mike Diskett's launch of Satellite Reign, a tactical successor to Syndicate that received critical acclaim three years later.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

This sweet new PC indie game is a Steam top seller, and a blast from the past — it’s a wonderful ’90s nostalgia trip, and on sale for launch too

Retro Rewind is a shop simulator game developed by Blood Pact Studios, an indie team from Canada, that invites players to manage a '90s video rental store. Launched on Valve's Steam platform, it quickly gained popularity, securing a spot on the Top Sellers chart and peaking at 4,505 concurrent players. The game has a "Very Positive" user review rating and features extensive customization options for the store. A free demo is available, and the game is currently offered at a launch discount of .92 until March 24, down from its standard price of .90.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Freak Steam game naming coincidence unintentionally results in some of the best indie marketing I’ve seen

Neon Polygons and Gamkat both released games titled "Piece by Piece," with Neon Polygons launching on March 13 and Gamkat on March 11. Dev Land Marketing's Gajda Andreea proposed a collaboration to combine both games into a "Piece by Piece Double Bundle," which is available on Steam for .57 / £15.60. This collaboration has gained significant attention, with a Reddit thread discussing it receiving over 2,000 upvotes, highlighting the effectiveness of adaptability and collaboration in marketing.