Sam Ito
Sam writes about small studios and the games they ship against the odds, and turns the hardest parts of them into guides that get to the point.
Out Now
Hillthorn Launches on PC, Switch and Mobile With a Wordless Card-Based Mystery
Fool Moon and Finnegan Motors dialogue-free investigation game sends players into a secluded mountain village to find a missing child, out now on four platforms.
Guide
A Beginner's Guide to Warhammer Survivors' Champions, Weapons, and Evolutions
Warhammer Survivors launched today on PC and consoles. Here is how its champions, weapon evolutions, and Extremis Bosses actually work in your first runs.
Out Today
Warhammer Survivors Launches Today, Built on the Engine Behind Vampire Survivors
Auroch Digital's grim bullet-heaven spin-off launches today across six platforms, built with Vampire Survivors creator poncle and stuffed with 40-plus champions.
Early Access
DREADMOOR's Lovecraftian Fishing Horror Casts Off Into Steam Early Access Today
Dream Dock's dark first-person fishing adventure DREADMOOR enters Steam Early Access today, sending players hunting mutated fish through a flooded, radioactive world.
Guide
A Beginner's Guide to CRYMELIGHT's Poker Hands and Wonder Dimension
CRYMELIGHT is now live on PS5 and Switch 2 while its Steam release awaits review. Here's how its poker-hand combat and Wonder Dimension systems work.
Steam Delay
CRYMELIGHT Launches on PS5 and Switch 2, But a Steam Review Delay Strands PC Players
FURYU's dark Alice in Wonderland roguelike CRYMELIGHT launched on PS5 and Switch 2 on schedule, but a stalled Steam review has delayed the PC version.
Guide
How to Survive the Centipede Boss in Grounded 2's Rot and Ruin Update
Grounded 2's Rot and Ruin update adds the Woodpile area, returning Termites and the community-requested Centipede boss. Here is how to prepare.
Early Access
How to Master Windblown's Attack Previews and Shop Overhaul Before 1.0
Windblown's 0.9999999 Update is Motion Twin's last Early Access patch before 1.0 — here's how to use its new attack previews, shop types and teleporters.
Launch
Rogue Duck's Replay Value Turns Running a Used Game Shop Into a Sim
Rogue Duck Interactive's new job sim puts you behind the counter of a 2000s second-hand game store, haggling over cartridges and growing a retro empire.
Day One
Solo Developer's SpellChain Tops 2,000 Sales in Its First 24 Hours on Steam
Big Wiz Games' solo-made spellcrafting RPG SpellChain launched November 5 and topped 2,000 sales in a day, with two bug-fix patches already live.
Early Access
How to Get Ready for Stormforge's November 10 Early Access Launch
Roboto Games' storm-chasing survival game Stormforge leaves its free demo behind for Steam Early Access on November 10. Here's what to know first.
Solo Launch
Faraway, Steph Thirion's Decade-Long Solo Project, Launches Today on Five Platforms
Annapurna Interactive ships solo developer Steph Thirion's Faraway today on PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch and Switch 2, a decade after its first reveal.
Day One
How to Keep Your Constellations From Breaking in Faraway, Out Today
Faraway, Steph Thirion's solo-built one-button constellation game, launches today on five platforms. Here's how its scoring, controls and settings actually work.
Indie Spotlight
Cozy Game Restoration, a Solo Developer's Cartridge-Cleaning Sim, Launches Today
Melbourne solo developer Adam Stormhardt's Parasol Corp ships Cozy Game Restoration today, a cartridge-cleaning sim that drew 400,000 Steam wishlists.
Skill Unlocks
How to Unlock All Six New Alternate Skills in Risk of Rain 2's Hallowed Concepts
Hallowed Concepts quietly added a new alternate skill for six original Risk of Rain 2 survivors. Here is the exact challenge that unlocks each one.
Sales Surge
Probably Stolen Sells 500,000 Copies on Steam in Its First 48 Hours
Questing Goose Studio's cyberpunk pawnshop sim passed 500,000 copies within 48 hours of its October 28 Steam launch, becoming tinyBuild's biggest release yet.
Early Access
How to Switch Slay the Spire 2 to Its Beta Branch Before November 12
Mega Crit's latest Neowsletter sets November 12 for a big beta patch. Here's how to opt into Slay the Spire 2's beta branch now and what you'll find waiting there.
Free Update
World of Horror's Free 1.2 Update Makes Shiokawa 20% More Horrible
panstasz's free 1.2 update makes World of Horror roughly 20% bigger, adding two new Old Gods, three characters and a long-promised Scenario Mode.
Deluxe Upgrade
How to Unlock Dispatch's New Commentary Tracks and Storyboard Mode
AdHoc Studio's one-year Dispatch update adds 16+ hours of cast and crew commentary plus a full storyboard mode. Here is exactly how to turn both on.
Out Now
Hokko Spaces Launches, Letting a Tiny London Studio Build on Hokko Life's Cosy World
Wonderscope Games, the tiny London studio behind Hokko Life, has launched Hokko Spaces, a diorama-building sandbox set in the same cosy world, on Steam and Switch.
Getting Started
How to Get Started in Hokko Spaces and Unlock Your First Residents
Hokko Spaces launched October 29 on Steam and Switch. Here's how its diorama tools, weather controls and resident unlock goals actually work.
Launch Day
Tall Story Games Launches Heir of the Dog, a Jekyll-and-Hyde Comedy Adventure
The two-person UK studio behind Lucy Dreaming ships Heir of the Dog, a Victorian horror-comedy, on Steam and GOG after a Kickstarter-funded sequel to a 2020 game jam.
Mod Support
How to Install and Use Mods in Abiotic Factor After Community Update #5
Abiotic Factor's Community Update #5 adds an official Mod Browser, a standalone Mod Editor and mod.io integration. Here's how to install and share mods.
Day One
How to Get Sword of the Sea Running on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S
Sword of the Sea reaches Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S today. Here is how to clear storage, set comfort options, and start carving the Hoversword like a pro.
Reveal
Shark Jump Reveals Winds of Viridia, a Grapple-and-Glide Adventure for Switch 2
Shark Jump's debut action-adventure sends players into a valley ruled by a towering tree, with a demo live now and a 2027 launch on Switch 2 and PC.
Full Release
Witchy Cottage-Builder REKA Launches Into 1.0, Concluding Reka's Story
Emberstorm Entertainment's Slavic folklore builder leaves two years of Early Access behind with new clay walls, a rotation compass and Reka's final chapter.
Getting Started
How to Get Started in Curse of Resthaven's Six-Day Time Loop
Hilltop Studios' gothic roguelite launched today with a six-day time loop, card-based expeditions and dockside trading. Here is how to get going.
Early Access
Hinterland Launches The Long Dark: Iron Road, a Train-Powered Survival Expansion
Hinterland's new Iron Road DLC sends The Long Dark into Early Access on a volcanic island built around restoring a century-old survival train.
Launch Week
How to Get Ready for Into the Crypt's October 29 Steam Launch
Megaglope Studios launches first-person deckbuilder Into the Crypt on Steam October 29, with three classes, online co-op, and a free demo to try first.
Early Access
Northgard Battlegrounds Launches on Steam Early Access With Three Viking Clans
Funday Games and Shiro Games send Northgard's Vikings into asynchronous PvP today, trading city-building strategy for a fast-paced auto-battler in early access.
Launch Prep
How to Get The Wolf Among Us Remastered Ready for Its October 29 Launch
Telltale's noir thriller returns October 29 with a Noir Mode toggle, five bonus-content extras and platform-specific launch discounts to check first.
1.0 Launch
How to Get Ready for SULFUR's Jump to 1.0 and All Consoles on October 28
SULFUR leaves Early Access on October 28 with a finished story, 54 enchantments and a day-one launch on six consoles. Here's what to know first.
Out Now
Fangtopia Launches Today on PC, PS5 and Switch 2 With a Ghoulish Second Mode
Absolutely Games' cosy hex-tile builder Fangtopia launches today on PC, PS5 and Switch 2, pairing a quick-start mode with a tougher Ghoulish mode for returning players.
Early Access
How to Get Ready for Emberville's October 27 Steam Early Access Launch
Cygnus Cross's dungeon-crawling town builder enters Steam Early Access October 27, with a full class system, crafting, farming and an A-list voice cast.
Update Guide
How to Get Hell Is Us Ready for Its Physical Switch 2 Launch and GOG Debut
Hell Is Us's free Update 1.8 added 10 new Hollow Walkers in October. Here is what to know before its physical Switch 2 launch and DRM-free GOG debut.
Milestone
Haunted Paws Hits 1 Million Wishlists With a Free Next Fest Demo Update
Lithuanian studio LazyFlock celebrates 1,000,000 Steam wishlists for Haunted Paws with a free Steam Next Fest demo update adding seven new dog breeds.
Launch Day
Off By One Games' Raccoon Co-Op Trash Day Launches With Six Zones of Wagon Chaos
Off By One Games, founded by former Rocket League developers, launches raccoon co-op Trash Day with five new zones, a licensed soundtrack and six-player online chaos.
DLC Guide
How to Get Cairn Ready for Its Free Deep Water DLC on October 29
Cairn's free On the Trail: Deep Water DLC lands October 29 with three new areas, a limited energy meter and playable Marco — here is how to get set up.
Console Guide
How to Get PEAK Set Up and Climbing on PS5, Xbox Series and Switch 2
PEAK's co-op climbing game lands on PS5, Xbox Series and Switch 2 today with full crossplay. Here's how to set up lobbies, controls and more before your first climb.
Launch Day
ALYSSA, Broken Arrow Games' Masked-Captor Horror Adventure, Launches on Steam Today
Solo Polish developer Marcin Krwawnik's psychological horror adventure ALYSSA leaves its demo behind and launches on Steam today, trapping a girl with three captors.
Free DLC
The Game Bakers Locks In October 29 for Cairn's Free Deep Water DLC
The Game Bakers' free On the Trail: Deep Water DLC adds three climbing areas, a playable Marco, and a Free Roam mode to Cairn on October 29.
Early Access
How to Get Started in Cutout Village, Steam's New Papercraft Village Builder
Cutout Village launched into Steam Early Access today. Here's how its cut, fold, and glue building system works, and how to unlock your first structures.
Launch Guide
How to Get Ready for Mycopunk's 1.0 Launch on PC, Steam Deck and PS5
Mycopunk leaves Early Access today with a new character, weapon and grenade on PC and PS5 — here's what changed, what it needs to run, and where Steam Deck stands.
Engine Switch
RimWorld Trades Unity for Ludeon's Own Waylith Engine in Update 1.7
Ludeon Studios has rebuilt RimWorld on its own Waylith engine, replacing Unity in update 1.7 with faster loading and a tease of a second game.
Settings Guide
How to Get Forever Ago Running Its Best on PC, Steam Deck and Handhelds
Third Shift's road trip adventure is Steam Deck Verified out of the box. Here's how to dial in graphics, saves, accessibility and camera prompts before you drive.
Full Release
Two-Person Studio Clumsy Bear Takes Hungry Horrors to 1.0 on Steam
Clumsy Bear Studio's folklore cooking deckbuilder left Steam Early Access on October 13, adding a new Megaliths biome, four Horrors and the campaign's ending.
Launch
Balancing Monkey Games Launches Beyond These Stars, a Space-Whale City Builder
New Zealand studio Balancing Monkey Games ships Beyond These Stars, a city-building strategy game set on the back of a living, traveling space whale.
Mount Guide
How to Get Core Keeper's New Mounts, Hookshot and Moss Biome Before the Sale Ends
Core Keeper's Riders of the Underground update added saddled mounts, a Hookshot and a hidden Moss biome. Here's how to get into it all before the sale ends October 22.
Survival Guide
How to Survive No Such Place: Gunsmith Builds, Safe House Tips Explained
ChillyRoom's new top-down extraction shooter left Early Access October 13. Here is how its Gunsmith crafting, Safe House upgrades and squad runs work.
Out Now
Tenebris Somnia Launches, Splicing Retro Pixel Horror With Live-Action Cutscenes
Saibot Studios and New Blood Interactive splice retro survival horror with live-action cutscenes from an award-winning Argentine crew, out now on PC and consoles.
Early Access
Crit Team and ChillyRoom Bring Extraction Shooter No Such Place to Steam Early Access
ChillyRoom and Crit Team's top-down extraction shooter No Such Place left its demo behind for Steam Early Access on October 14, with a risky weapon-crafting system.
Launch Prep
How to Get Stupid Never Dies Ready on PC and PS5 Before Its October 21 Launch
GPTRACK50's zombie action RPG launches October 21 on PC and PS5. Here's how to check your specs, try the free demo and pick the right edition.
Early Access
4Divinity's Realm of Taiwu Enters Early Access as a Scroll of Taiwu Spin-Off
Leap Studio's officially licensed spin-off sends wuxia survivors after ten divine swords in a fractured timeline where the original Scroll of Taiwu hero never arrived.
Get Ready
How to Get Enshrouded Ready for Its 1.0 Launch on PC, Steam Deck and PS5
Enshrouded leaves Early Access today with a finished map and a level-50 cap. Here's how to check your specs, protect your save and dial in settings first.
Playtest
Solo Studio TIDERAFT Opens NARON's Public Steam Playtest Through October 18
Hamburg one-person studio TIDERAFT, maker of Rift Miner, opens a public Steam Playtest for its co-op mining roguelite NARON through October 18.
Get Ready
How to Get No Man's Sky Ready on iPhone and iPad Before October 28
No Man's Sky lands on iPhone and iPad October 28 with a free trial and a $19.99 unlock. Here's how to check compatibility, pre-order and set up controls.
Early Access
Nowhere Studios' Good Heavens! Enters Early Access October 14 After a Rating Delay
After a Steam rating dispute pushed its launch back nearly a month, Nowhere Studios' co-op crafting RPG Good Heavens! finally enters Early Access on October 14.
Beta Branch
How to Join Gargadusa's Tower's Beta Branch and Master Its New Factions System
Gargadusa's Tower just rebuilt its faction letters into a message-hub Wire on Beta. Here's how to opt in and avoid auto-declining valuable offers.
Countdown
Funselektor's Over the Hill Drives Onto Steam October 14 With Four-Player Co-Op
Funselektor's cosy off-roader Over the Hill launches on Steam October 14, bringing four-player co-op exploration and golden-age 4x4s to PC first.
New Players
How to Pick Your First Class in Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor on PS5 and Switch
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor has landed on PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Here is how new miners should pick a class and survive their first few dives into Hoxxes.