In this sequel, you’ll also design your own peaceful island and create a colorful home for the Gourdlet characters. However, this is all upgraded by multiplayer, where players can visit friends’ islands, build side-by-side, and chat.

The game adds a new fishing mechanic, letting you cast lines to catch various fish. You can then spend your earnings on cute accessories, buildings, and decorations, personalizing your island until it feels like home. While Gourdlets Together is a standalone game, it builds on the success of Gourdlets, which has a “Very Positive” 93% rating on Steam from 1,579 reviews.

The post Cozy Multiplayer Sequel Gourdlets Together Launches in 2025 first appeared on IndieGames.

In Heidi’s Legacy, you play as Adèle, a young woman leaving city life for the peaceful Swiss Alps, seeking a simpler purpose. Each day starts with morning light and your goats, ready for your care. You’ll guide them through meadows, and in return, their milk and wool become resources for crafting goods like cheese, wool clothing, herbal remedies, and wooden carvings.

These creations can be traded or shared with villagers, strengthening your bonds and helping rebuild their homes and lives. Every choice shapes your relationships and the village’s future, with branching dialogue. Additionally, you’ll forage for herbs and mushrooms and fish in calm waters. As you aid the village, new abilities unlock, making it easier to climb rugged cliffs or leap across gaps, opening up hidden areas.

The post Heidi’s Legacy: Mountains Calling Lets You Live in the Swiss Alps and Tend to Goats first appeared on IndieGames.

Thinky Games, which started as a Discord community back in 2018 by Alan Hazelden of Draknek & Friends, is a place for fans of puzzles, logic, and strategy. Since launching their website in 2022, they’ve been on a mission to spotlight games that prioritize brainpower over quick reflexes, ranging from detective mysteries to Sokoban-style challenges.

The Thinky Direct event will bring together big names like Akupara Games, and Wholesome Games, alongside various indie titles to show off what’s coming next. Last year’s event impressed over 300,000 viewers with reveals like City of Voices, a deduction-driven puzzle mystery, and Parallel Experiment, which actually launched on June 5, 2024. This time around, expect fresh trailers for titles such as Spooky Express or Draknek’s spooky train-routing puzzler.

On the other side, The Cerebral Puzzle Showcase offers discounts on hundreds of games and demos for upcoming titles. Last year it featured games like Blue Prince and Animal Well. The 2025 lineup promises even more, with teasers for games like Kiko’s Apple Adventure, a cozy bear-led quest, and Trails, a sand-ship routing puzzle.

The post Thinky Direct 2025 To Showcase Puzzle Games Next Week first appeared on IndieGames.

Pixelshire

Release Date: May 8, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: Cozy RPG

Pixelshire takes you to the vast continent of Arcadia, where you can explore enchanted landscapes, uncover hidden treasures, fish, mine precious ores, and shape the world to your liking. The terraforming mechanic allows you to create unique settlements, with every detail customizable, from the layout of fields and houses to decorations and pathways.

Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall

Release Date: May 8, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: Management RPG

In this altered reality, where monsters are omnipresent, enemies more challenging, and allies on edge, your royal duty is inevitable and must continue. You must restore the trust of your people, protect your family and survive the coming winter. Dive into a world steeped in Slavic folklore, where enchanting characters will greet you with challenges or humorous moments, and consider the intentions of your allies and decide whether you will fulfill their wishes.

The Precinct

Release Date: May 13, 2025

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Genre: Sandbox Shooter

In The Precinct, you take on the role of rookie officer Nick Cordell Jr. set in 1980s America. The game challenges you to navigate a city plagued by warring gangs, urban decay, and police corruption as you strive to restore order. Patrol the city, handle a variety of procedurally-generated crimes, from minor offenses like parking violations to major incidents like bank heists, all in an effort to keep the citizens safe.

Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade

Release Date: May 14, 2025

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

Genre: Action Rougelike

The game combines Japanese-inspired art with Roguelite mechanics. You will explore a vibrant world influenced by traditional Japanese culture while engaging in challenging battles that require skill, strategy, and adaptability. Throughout your journey, you’ll have the opportunity to gather various types of upgrade items. Beyond weapon components, you’ll also come across ingredients for gourmet recipes.

House of Legacy

Release Date: May 15, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: Action Rougelike

In House of Legacy we found ourselves at the helm of our surviving kin. Since rebel forces breached the city walls, we decide to embark on an arduous journey to seek refuge. After arriving in a county seat untarnished by chaos, it’s time to use tactical skills to ignite the flames of a nascent dynasty. Your choices will fashion a new empire from the very stones of your vision.

Blacksmith Master

Release Date: May 15, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: Simulator

You’ll start as a small, humble workshop that can grow into a bustling forge, producing swords, armor, kitchenware, and jewelry. Every item begins as raw material, such as ore mined from quarries or wood from forests. Resource management is key to keeping production running, and your decisions, whether to invest in worker camps or expand your workshop, will directly impact your business’s success.

9 Kings

Release Date: May 19, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: Roguelike kingdom builder

Build your city into the most powerful of all kingdoms through endless combinations of buildings, units, spells, and positioning. Take advantage of chaotic combos and powerful perks to break the game and become overpowered. Grow your kingdom in strategic ways, prepare for dozens of unique events, and show the world your kingdom can outlast all others.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master

Release Date: May 21, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: Racing / Open-world

Of course, no racing game is complete without beautiful and fast cars. In JDM: Japanese Drift Master, you’ll have access to fully licensed models from renowned Japanese manufacturers like Nissan, Mazda, and Subaru, with more to be announced in the future. Every car can be upgraded both mechanically and visually, and each will handle differently on the road. You’ll feel its weight when taking sharp turns or braking at high speeds, adding to the realistic driving experience.

Monster Train 2

Release Date: May 21, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: Deck-builder

Monster Train 2 builds on the foundation of its predecessor while adding a wealth of new content. The game’s vertical three-floor battle system returns, but now you must adapt to new environments and challenges beyond the Gates of Heaven. The game introduces five all-new playable Clans, each with unique strategic advantages and battle styles. With hundreds of new and familiar cards, including Room Cards, Equipment Cards, and fan-favorite Neutral Cards, players can experiment with countless synergies to build unstoppable decks.

City Tales – Medieval Era

Release Date: May 22, 2025

Platforms: PC

Genre: City-builder

This medieval city-building simulator features a complex economic system with an impressive 50 different resources and over 60 building types. Thanks to its advanced 3D procedural engine, every structure in the game takes on a unique appearance, creating a vibrant and dynamic world that evolves organically based on player decisions.

Cattle Country

Release Date: May 27, 2025

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

Genre: Simulator

Cattle Country blends wholesome slice-of-life gameplay with action-adventure elements, offering a vibrant take on the Wild West. You step into the boots of a pioneer building a new life in the fictional Hill Valley, where daily tasks include farming, mining, fishing, and crafting. From tending cattle to constructing a homestead, the game captures the hard work and rewards of frontier living under the vast blue skies.

Nice Day for Fishing

Release Date: May 29, 2025

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

Genre: Fishing RPG

Engage in fearless fishing battles to fulfil quests, increase your strength and unlock spells to use against your aquatic adversaries. Equip the right bait for your catch, and time your attacks perfectly to ensure flawless victory. Be wary of the boss fish looming in the deep, who will truly test your skills.

The post Top 12 Indie Games Releasing in May first appeared on IndieGames.

Wholesome Direct 2025 promises to feature over 70 indie games, including exclusive trailers, new reveals, and surprise launches. The event will be streamed live on Wholesome Games’ YouTube and Twitch channels, continuing its tradition of highlighting “wholesome” and uplifting games that contrast with the blockbuster-heavy lineup of Summer Game Fest.

Wholesome Games was founded by Matthew Taylor, growing into a community of nearly 500,000 followers across platforms since the first Wholesome Direct in 2020, which was created in response to the cancellation of various gaming events during the pandemic. Holding the event in June aligns it with Summer Game Fest, with partners like IGN and Guerrilla Collective helping to expand its reach. 

Additionally, for the first time in the showcase’s history, open applications for guest hosts have been announced. Developers can also submit their projects for consideration through a submission form on the Wholesome Games website.

The post Wholesome Direct 2025 to Showcase a Large Number of Games in June first appeared on IndieGames.

The game combines roguelike elements with deck-building mechanics. You will explore procedurally generated maps, battle enemies using strategic card play, and face off against challenging final bosses. What sets Nif Nif apart is its focus on inclusivity and accessibility. Inspired by the game director’s autistic son, Nif Nif is designed to be neurodivergent-friendly, offering a welcoming and supportive environment for players of all abilities.

Nif Nif also includes a gardening and cooking mini-game, where you can collect seeds, plant them, and cook delicious soups that provide power-ups for your adventures. This mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy, as you must decide which soups to bring on each journey to maximize their chances of success.

Starting today, a new demo for Nif Nif is available on Steam, giving players a chance to explore its whimsical world. You can read our preview of the game here. We also had the opportunity to interview Masha Mallet, the game’s director, check out the full interview here to learn more about the development process and vision behind the game.

The post Wholesome Roguelike Deck Builder Nif Nif Arrives This April first appeared on IndieGames.

In Henry Halfhead, you control Henry, a character who is literally just half a head but possesses the unique ability to take over any object within reach. The game is set in Henry’s everyday life, which becomes a playground filled with puzzles, surprises, and humor. You will discover the unique abilities of each object, solve challenges creatively, and uncover hidden content.

Interact with over 200 special objects, each with its own abilities. Use these objects creatively to solve puzzles and unlock new things. As you play, Henry’s home will become a bigger, while friendly narrator guides you through the story, adding humor and personality to Henry’s character. You can also play with a friend anytime with local multiplayer. And, you can customize Henry’s appearance by collecting and switching between different hats.

Since its initial announcement in 2023, the Henry Halfhead team has been crafting a unique and playful experience. Showcased at events like Summer Game Fest and Wholesome Direct, the game has gained attention for its charming premise and imaginative gameplay.

The post Weird relaxing adventure game Henry Halfhead is coming out in 2025 first appeared on IndieGames.

The studio Alblune consists of only two members, Alex and Luka, who plan to release their new game next year. This intriguing puzzle game, which combines logic puzzles and home decoration, and offers a customizable rodent as a pet, was first showcased at the Summer Wholesome Direct 2024. One of the game’s most notable features is the rodent, which lives in your home and actively participates in solving puzzles.

Additionally, you can ask your pet for help using the Logic Assist Mode option, which further enhances the gaming experience. The game features hundreds of puzzles, and each successfully solved puzzle rewards you with pieces of furniture or costumes, which you can then use to decorate your home. Your pet will also interact with all the furniture you place, adding an extra level of interactivity to the game.

More details about Squeakross: Home Squeak Home will be revealed later, including the story of Nini, a mouse addicted to nonograms and the game's mascot. You can find this game on Steam.

Could you please introduce yourselves and share how you met for those who may not be familiar with your studio?

We are a small studio called Alblune, located in Canada. Our studio is composed of two people: Luka and Alex. We have known each other for more than 12 years and have been working in the gaming industry for around 10 years. We have always dreamed of making our own games, but since it is challenging to juggle between a game-dev day job and an indie-dev job, we never found the time to take this step. We are so glad that our first game, The Spirit and the Mouse, gathered interest from publishers. It allowed us to move toward our dream!

Can you walk us through the creative process behind Squeakross: Home Squeak Home? What inspired the combination of puzzle solving and house decorating?

Alex: After we released The Spirit and the Mouse, we wanted to work on a shorter project. I thought about making a nonogram game because I love those games, but they always feel very clinical visually, you know? The plan was to create a The Spirit and the Mouse-themed nonogram, but it shifted toward something else when Luka joined in, and we brainstormed about it together.

Luka: I love nonogram puzzle games as well! However, I always feel they’re not motivating me to complete all the puzzles. I wish there was a reward at the end of each puzzle to encourage me to play more consistently! One of my favorite aspects of gaming is decorating, and I thought it would be a neat combination: Using furniture and decor to create visual-based puzzles! That’s how the idea was born!

How did the development of this game differ from your previous title, The Spirit and the Mouse?

Luka: It was a very unique experience! For The Spirit and the Mouse, we had to create a large environment with level designs, animate various characters, write dialogues and produce cinematics. The game focused heavily on visuals, so we had to create a lot of content to add even just one quest to the game.

Alex: Since Squeakross is a puzzle game, a significant portion involves UI and menus. It has a larger interface compared to The Spirit and the Mouse. There are several screens where the control scheme changes completely, such as the puzzle game phase, housing editor and various customization screens. However, we still aim to inject as much charm as possible, even into the menus!

Puzzle games like nonograms are quite popular. What makes Squeakross: Home Squeak Home stand out from other puzzle games on the market?

Luka: I believe what sets us apart is the combination of house decor and puzzles. Allowing the player a little space to relax and decorate is something I haven’t seen in other puzzle games.

The fact that you have a home to customize gives you another goal besides finishing puzzles!

We’re also working hard to make it beginner-friendly. Advanced players can still have a challenging experience because I realized my friends, who never tried nonograms before, were intimidated by the difficulty of those games. We aim to make ours approachable with good tutorials and a welcoming environment!

The game features a Logic Assist Mode for puzzles. Could you elaborate on how this mode works and what inspired its inclusion?

Alex: We haven’t shown that mode to the public yet, so this is some early info for you! When players use the Logic Assist Mode, they have to select a row or column, and they’ll be able to see what kind of logical solutions there are. We think this is a super helpful tool for anyone who feels stuck on a puzzle and fails to see the next step they can properly take. It’s not giving away the puzzle, it is just a tool to help you better visualize solutions to solve!

Luka: I want to add that everyone is welcome to use the tool! Sometimes, I make more mistakes when I’m tired, but I still want to play the game. Those kinds of in-game abilities make it easier to modify my playstyle depending on how I feel.

You’ve emphasized accessibility features and tutorials. Can you share more details about the specific accessibility options in the game?

Luka: At the moment, this is not an exhaustive list. We are still working on the game and will make adjustments alongside development when we get more feedback about the game. For now, we have features like highlighting mistakes, incorrect moves and displaying logically solvable hint lines. Also, the hint numbers on the side are designed with readability and colorblindness in mind. There is an in-game manual so players can revisit the tutorials from the main menu at any time.

Alex: During gameplay, we have two additional options to Logic Assist: One is an automatic case-solving button, and the other one is a show mistakes button. Unlike other nonogram games, the cells with mistakes remain visible even after you move your cursor. In theory, you could abuse this system and bypass all solving. We won’t judge!

What can you tell us about the visual design of Squeakross: Home Squeak Home? How did you approach creating a cozy yet puzzle-focused atmosphere?

Luka: Our main inspiration has been Wii games! I love the bright, bubbly design of the UI. Many apps and websites have a dark mode by default nowadays, so I wanted Squeakross to be colorful! The game is not very serious. You have small rodents walking around in a small home, and the puzzle menu is a furniture catalog! We used a grid-like pattern for many backgrounds, similar to a nonogram grid.

The rodent’s costumes are a fun touch! How many customization options can players expect for their pets, and do any of them impact gameplay in meaningful ways?

Alex: Thank you! Players will be able to customize their rodents using the Rodent Character Editor. There are many possibilities! Rodent costumes are divided into three categories: hats, nose and neck accessories, offering a lot of different combinations to make your rodent look super cute!

Luka: The costumes do not impact the gameplay but will brighten your mood. Seeing a cute little rodent walking in human-like costumes makes me happy!

How much freedom will players have in decorating their in-game home? Are there specific themes or styles they can explore?

Luka: Players will have access to a variety of rooms to decorate. We are also designing furniture sets similar to those in Animal Crossing games. You can look forward to matching sets of wallpaper, flooring and furniture items that can be combined to create your ideal rodent residence. Your rodent friend will also be able to interact with the furniture you place in your home, allowing you to sit back and watch them in action. It’s very entertaining!

The game’s mascot, Nini, sounds like an intriguing character. Can you tell us more about her role in the game’s story and how she fits into the puzzle theme?

Luka: I believe it’s important to give your game a personality. While brainstorming about why a player would get a home in a nonogram game, we came up with the idea that the house was part of a program called “Home Squeak Home,” where you purchase a house and receive a catalog of nonograms to solve to obtain furniture. We created Nini to be the CEO of the Home Squeak Home company!

She is addicted to nonogram puzzles and wants everyone to enjoy them. She is giving out nonogram catalogs to anyone who buys a home through her company, promising free furniture for each solved nonogram! Her brother, Nono, is the one building all those furnishings. She also serves as a guide through tutorials and will keep in touch with you through in-game emails during the game!

Do you have plans to release Squeakross: Home Squeak Home on platforms beyond Steam, such as consoles or mobile?

Alex: Nothing we can announce yet, but we would certainly love to bring the game to more platforms in the future.

How significant was Wholesome Direct to you, and what was the overall reception?

Alex: The Wholesome Direct was an amazing boost for our Steam page. People seemed delighted about the game, and we received such a positive reaction from players!

Initially, we thought we would be the only ones interested in this game. However, we’ve received enthusiastic feedback on our social media, with many people exclaiming, “THIS GAME WAS MADE FOR ME!” It’s great to see that it resonates with so many people. We’ve also had many individuals express interest in trying nonograms for the first time because this game features rodents.

Luka: Yes, I feel that’s why we’re emphasizing beginner tutorials and accessible options. Some people said they would try Squeakross simply because it features rodents, even though they knew nothing about nonograms before. I don’t want to let them down!

The post Squeakross: Home Squeak Home – Luka & Alex first appeared on IndieGames.

This puzzle game is known for its unique "find the difference" approach with stunning 3D dioramas. You can explore beautifully handcrafted scenes from any angle, immersing yourself in what the developers describe as a "relaxing, photorealistic experience." Additionally, you'll explore miniature worlds, discover hidden collectible items, and enjoy peaceful gameplay without time limits or penalties.

In addition to its visually appealing design, Tiny Lands 2 offers a range of features that enhance the gaming experience. The game includes a local co-op mode for joint play, as well as a hint system to assist you in solving more challenging puzzles.

The post The puzzle adventure Tiny Lands 2 is coming to PC and Nintendo Switch next year first appeared on IndieGames.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center

Urban Myth Dissolution Center, developed by Hakababunko, is a single-player psycho-detective mystery adventure coming soon to Steam and Nintendo Switch. Players will step into the shoes of Azami Fukurai, a unique detective with the ability to see human thoughts and the memories of places through her glasses. Fukurai, along with her colleagues Jasmine and Ayumu Meguriya, must navigate cursed relics, dimensional anomalies, and otherworldly creatures to solve mysteries and unravel the paranormal activities surrounding each case.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center can be found on Steam.

OPUS: Prism Peak

The fourth entry in the award-winning OPUS series, OPUS: Prism Peak, is a single-player narrative adventure from developer SIGONO. The game combines exploration with themes of love, soul, and self-fulfillment, featuring a distinctive east-meets-west storytelling and art style. Players will take on the role of a photographer who, after encountering life’s hardships, stumbles into an ethereal realm. To escape, the photographer must confront past elements and make peace with them through photography. The pictures taken during the journey gradually reveal the protagonist’s past and facilitate a nostalgic rediscovery of their life.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center can be found on Steam.

The post Shueisha Games unveils Urban Myth Dissolution Center and OPUS: Prism Peak at major summer showcases first appeared on IndieGames.