Several horror-themed farming simulation games were unveiled during the recent Triple-I Initiative showcase.
1. Grave Seasons: Set to release on August 14, 2026, this game involves players navigating rural life while investigating mysterious murders after escaping from prison. It includes romantic elements with the town's residents.
2. Neverway: Scheduled for release in October 2026, this 8-bit inspired game combines farming, crafting, romance, and fast-paced combat. A free prologue is available.
3. Graveyard Keeper 2: Set for release in 2026, this sequel involves managing a cemetery and introduces tower defense elements with an army of the undead.
4. Crop: Release date yet to be announced, this game features players abducted into farming under captors while uncovering secrets of a cult-like organization.
Grave Seasons and Neverway include romantic elements, while Grave Seasons and Crop delve deeper into horror themes.
PC gamers can access complimentary titles from the Epic Games Store every Thursday, with no fees or subscriptions required. This week's offerings include "Clone Drone in the Danger Zone," a beat 'em up game released in 2021, typically priced at .99, and "TOMAK: Save the Earth Regeneration," celebrating its 25th anniversary, usually priced at .99. "Clone Drone in the Danger Zone" features various modes, including Story Mode, Endless Mode, and multiplayer options, and has a 96% Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam. "TOMAK" involves nurturing a goddess to prevent Earth's destruction. The next batch of free games will be available on Thursday, April 9, at 11 a.m. ET / 4 p.m. BST.
Steam releases around a dozen new games daily. The following are details of some notable upcoming PC games:
- Stiff Neck
- Release Date: April 3
- Developer: 伤官制作组 Team Uranian
- Description: A life simulation game where players control Kazio, a Polish man adjusting to life after losing his job at a coal mine, now working at a convenience store and facing financial challenges.
- Wasteland Bites
- Release Date: April 4
- Developer: CosmicDev
- Description: A game where players operate a food truck in a post-apocalyptic world, cooking while defending against aliens and mutants.
- It Has My Face
- Release Date: April 4
- Developer: NightByte Games
- Description: A roguelike game where players navigate a world filled with doppelgangers, aiming to eliminate their lookalike before being found out, featuring both solo and multiplayer modes.
- Grime 2
- Release Date: April 1
- Developer: Clover Bite
- Description: A sequel to a combat-focused platformer where players can mold defeated enemies into attacks, featuring a parry-centric combat system and challenging boss battles.
The cozy gaming landscape for April features a variety of titles that encourage leisurely gameplay, including hidden object adventures, diorama builders, and emotionally resonant journeys. This month lacks traditional farm and life simulation games, inviting players to unwind without the pressure of deadlines. Notable game releases include:
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure: City Town - The second DLC introduces the USAHA*NA character.
- Castle Idler - An idle game where players strategize defenses against enemies, allowing for experimentation and idle gameplay.
- ShantyTown - A city-building game with a Tetris-like approach, set in a whimsical world.
- Outbound - A crafting simulation focused on building an off-the-grid base atop a camper van, emphasizing renewable energy.
Grinding for Pokemetal and Rare Pokemetal in Pokemon Pokopia was previously a tedious task, with players spending entire days for minimal returns. A new farming method shared by content creator Austin John Plays allows players to gather 1,200 units in just 90 minutes. Pokemetal is essential for late-game recipes, 3D printer projects, and Cloud Island constructions, but traditional gathering methods yielded low amounts. The Dragonite doll Dream Island is identified as the richest source of Pokemetal, with optimal mining occurring six blocks underground. Players can access this layer by starting from the beach near spawn, digging down, and using the Rollout ability to navigate through the ore-rich area. The community has reacted positively, with players expressing regret over previous inefficient methods. The Pokopia player base has demonstrated a strong understanding of game mechanics, leveraging knowledge from sandbox games like Minecraft to optimize gameplay without requiring developer intervention.
March has seen the release of several notable gaming titles including Slay the Spire 2, Crimson Desert, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Timberborn. The Steam Spring Sale offers discounts on a variety of PC games, running from March 19 to March 26. Featured titles in the sale include:
1. Dispatch: 20% off - .99 / £19.99
2. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: 50% off - .99 / £24.99
3. Routine: 20% off - .59 / £26.79
4. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader: 60% off - .19 / £17.19
5. Maze Mice: 50% off - .49 / £4.49
6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: 50% off - .49 / £12.49
7. Blue Prince: 34% off - .84 / £14.84
8. Dungeons of Hinterberg: 66% off - .45 / £6.45
9. Star Wars Jedi Survivor: 90% off - .99 / £5.99
10. Dread Delusion: 50% off - .74 / £7.74
Pokémon Pokopia features a storyline centered around Ditto, a Pokémon searching for its lost trainer in a desolate Kanto landscape. The game involves constructing habitats to attract various Pokémon, with gameplay lasting approximately 40 to 50 hours. Players engage in farming, mining, and running shops while interacting with Pokémon. The writing is sharp and filled with references to previous Pokémon games, appealing to both younger and nostalgic players. Technically, it runs at 60 frames per second on the Nintendo Switch 2, with a vibrant pop-art style and a nostalgic soundtrack featuring remixes of classic Kanto themes. The game includes major requests to guide players and introduces time-gated activities to encourage return play. It offers a multiplayer feature for up to four players, fostering community interaction.
Nivalis is a first-person sci-fi cyberpunk life simulation game developed by ION Lands. The Gameplay Showcase Trailer has been released, highlighting the immersive experience of exploring the neon-drenched streets of the city. Players can become entrepreneurs by building and managing businesses, forge relationships with a diverse cast of characters, and discover the unique aspects of the city. The game will be available on PC via Steam.
This week features a variety of new PC game releases, including:
- The Abbess' Garden: A life simulation game set in the 17th century where players restore a botanical sanctuary.
- Sad God: A game where players navigate a shaft filled with threats to reach the surface before lava engulfs them.
- The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world courier game set in 13th-century Mongolia, now in early access.
- Esoteric Ebb: A single-player CRPG where players investigate an explosion at a teashop during an election.
- Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered: A remaster of the classic title focusing on narrative and choice.
- Humanica: A city-building game where players can edit the landscape of their prehistoric city.
- Luxman Moonlit Market: A night market simulation game with a unique art style.
- Scott Pilgrim EX: A side-scrolling brawler based on the Canadian comic book series.
- Slay the Spire 2: The sequel to the roguelite deckbuilder, now in early access.
- Card Cultivation: A game combining elements of Cultist Simulator with Chinese mythology.
- Planet of Lana II: A puzzle-platformer where players save a cyborg world alongside a kid and their pet.
- Age of Barbarians Chronicles: An action game with a sword-and-sorcery theme.
- Here Comes The Swarm: An early access survival RTS where players fend off gigabeetles.
- Marathon: Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS set in a rich lore universe.
- Ratcheter DX: An adventure game challenging players to escape a sunken ice base.
- Mr. Peregrino: A game set in the 19th century where players manage food supplies while escorting pilgrims.
- Over The Top: WW1: A game where players experience the frontlines of World War I.
- Aethus: A game where players investigate a lost science expedition on a desert world.
- Post-Apocalyptic Technician: Players repair Stroggs as an underground technician.
- Frog Abundance: An exploration game centered around frogs in various time periods.
Team members at RPS express interest in different titles, with Ollie favoring Marathon, James interested in Planet of Lana, Mark leaning towards automotive adventures, and Julian considering writing about Slay the Spire 2.
