The core fun of Buckle Up! lies in competing with two to six players per lobby. Matches unfold on dynamic maps with rotating, objective-based mini-games, where the player with the most points wins. The game stands out for its weapon flexibility, you’ll find new weapons during play or choose from several available ones whenever you want, while also collecting their attachments. Plus, you can headbutt opponents to stun them for easier eliminations.

Buckle Up! also offers deep character customization with hats, masks, and various cosmetic items. Behind the game is Chunky Pixel Games, a small but passionate team from Rijeka. They created the game as a “love letter” to the party genre: “We wanted to make something that’s pure fun”, the studio duo told us in Opatija.

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In Jumping Jazz Cats, you and your friends become acrobatic cats, tearing through a mansion in six unique levels packed with chaotic objectives. You’ll play various mini-games which cleverly mix both teamwork and competition. Sometimes you’ll need to work together to clear a challenge, while other times you’re just racing to outscore everyone else. Adding to the fun are 10 original jazz tunes, the music’s choruses change up the gameplay.

Up to nine players can jump in online, and for those classic couch co-op sessions, you can have four cats playing at once on a local split-screen. If you’re flying solo, there’s a “Solo Trials” mode to help you sharpen your skills. You can mix and match levels, mini-games, and songs endlessly, making sure no two sessions ever feel the same.

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Which Way Up: Galaxy Games is a family-friendly party game built around a unique gravity-defying mechanic. Up to four players can compete locally (or online via Steam Remote Play Together) in 12 distinct mini-games, each leveraging physics-based challenges where you run on walls, orbit planets, and navigate shifting gravity fields. Controls are simple, move with the analog stick, jump with a button, and use a “Comet Push” to interact with opponents or propel yourself, making it accessible for all ages.

While the gameplay is simple and engaging, it’s clearly not designed for keyboard, a controller is highly recommended. Another key detail is that the current version of the game is split into singleplayer and multiplayer modes. The singleplayer experience features three distinct game modes. Nebula Nab tasks you with running across planets to collect and match shapes to their correct slots. Hole in One offers a space-themed twist on golf, complete with celestial obstacles. Finally, Comet Collect reinvents football in a cosmic setting, challenging you to score goals within designated zones.

Frustrating Fun in Space

But here’s my biggest gripe: it’s much harder than it looks. Some levels are significantly more difficult than they should be, making them frustrating – even for kids. Each mode includes six levels and 24 medals to collect. Progression requires a certain number of medals to unlock levels, but the game never explicitly tells you how many are needed. While you do get time to practice the mechanics and controls, the game never truly prepares you for the different modes. The tutorial simply explains movement and controls but doesn’t offer hands-on practice for actual gameplay challenges.

Timing is crucial, as your speed in solving levels determines the medals you earn. Unfortunately, medals don’t serve much purpose beyond unlocking levels, which feels like a missed opportunity. A customization system, allowing you to personalize characters with unique outfits and accessories, would have made the experience feel more personal and rewarding.

The gravity mechanic offers a fresh twist on platforming, imagine Mario Galaxy meets Mario Party, and stands out as one of the game’s most innovative features. That said, the gameplay occasionally lacks depth: mini-games are bite-sized and chaotic, but rarely evolve beyond their initial premise. Some modes, like the golf-inspired challenges, rely more on luck and unpredictable ball physics than actual skill. Another minor frustration is the slightly prolonged loading times between levels, an unnecessary pacing disruption for such quick-fire gameplay.

Stunning Art, Stumbling Depth

While the narrative serves as a functional backdrop, it’s ultimately forgettable. The wall-of-text delivery feels ill, and multiplayer bypasses the story entirely. That said, the lore itself has charm: before the universe existed, Celestial Space Sprites, cosmic embodiments of concepts like nature (Sprout), light (Prism), and the moon (Luna), created the Galaxy Games as a diversion while shaping life. Don’t expect branching narratives or deep plotlines here, though.

Where the game truly shines is its presentation. The vibrant 2D art style bursts with cosmic personality, featuring colorful planetoids, star-dusted arenas, and obstacles like jelly berries or baby dragon fireballs. The seven Space Sprites are visually distinct, with playful animations that pop against the dynamic backdrops. It’s a shame the gameplay doesn’t always match this level of creativity.

The absence of AI opponents in multiplayer limits the experience, solo or duo play feels incomplete, and online play requires workarounds like Steam Remote Play, which can come with lag. As mentioned, some mini-games also suffer from balance issues, and the game struggles to find its ideal audience, caught between being overly casual and lacking depth. That said, it’s worth considering if you have kids to play with or friends willing to try an unfinished game. More levels are planned for future updates, which could help flesh out the experience.

Review copy provided by the publisher

3.3

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In Nubs!, you have to keep Konzumos the Unentertained happy by helping funny characters called Nubs navigate dangerous arenas full of traps. The game is inspired by classic top-down RPGs and features fast-paced PvP battles with a funny twist. Made by the team behind Awesomenauts and Trifox, Nubs! combines party-style fun with roguelite elements, so every match feels different.

In the game, you can play online or with up to four friends, fighting for victory in arenas. The arenas have multiple levels, and you’ll need to avoid traps while using silly weapons to win. Each Nub has its own unique look and personality, equipped with funny power-ups to help you in battle.

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First unveiled at Gamescom in August, Jumping Jazz Cats brings players into a vibrant, retro-styled mansion with six unique levels to discover. You can test your skills in six cat-GIF-inspired mini-games and jam along to ten original jazz tracks that sync with gameplay. The soundtrack changes the way you experience each level, adding a playful rhythm that makes every match feel unique.

The release date is not yet known, but what we do know is that the game will be available for now on PC via Steam.

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In RoomBattle, players control robotic vacuum cleaners equipped with balloons and sharp objects, engaging in fast-paced combat to be the last vacuum standing. The game also includes a variety of fun mini-games, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The recently unveiled trailer offers a sneak peek into the gameplay, highlighting its lighthearted and energetic style that promotes friendly competition.

Customization is a key feature in RoomBattle. Players can personalize their vacuums with a wide range of options, from pirate-themed vacuums to unicorns. Every round takes place in a different room, each with unique mechanics, adding variety to the gameplay. Players can destroy and clean up the rooms, all while battling for victory.

The game, still in development, marks Dust Games’ first project, and they are part of the GameBCN incubation program. With a vertical slice completed as of August 2025, RoomBattle is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the party game genre. For those looking for a fun, engaging, and family-friendly game, RoomBattle is one to watch.

You can find RoomBattle at Steam.

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Your cellphone is your ultimate tool in the game because it has various apps that help you navigate the workplace. You can use it to stay in touch with your team, hack security cameras, and even see in the dark with night vision. While trying to escape, you’ll get texts from your significant other with objectives to complete, like beating the high score at the arcade.

You can play alone, with friends, or join an online game. Either work together to outsmart the security team and escape the office, or you can be the security guard trying to catch everyone. Additionally, there are ten different workplace settings, each with unique designs. The layouts change every time you play, so each mission feels new and challenging.

If you get caught, the game isn’t over. Your friends can help free you from jail, allowing you to continue the mission together. As you play and complete games, you can unlock more characters, apps, and customizations to enhance your gameplay. This game appears to be similar to Among Us, as both involve players collaborating to achieve objectives while simultaneously avoiding detection by a designated “guard” (impostor in Among Us).

The game will release in Early Access on Steam this September to involve players in its development. The full version of Security Control is planned for release in 2025, though this might change as the game expands. It will have more content, including new locations, apps, customizations, and in-game easter eggs.

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In Foxo, you are transported into a vibrant online world where you can explore various environments, customize your fox avatars, and participate in mini-games. The game is built on three core pillars: coziness, community, and creativity. You can decorate your personal spaces, design unique avatars, and interact with others in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You might notice some similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Stardew Valley, but Foxo aims to be a platform where everyone can enjoy playing games or simply chatting with each other.

This title started as a solo side project in 2018 and evolved into a full-fledged endeavor with the establishment of Glowfish Games in 2023. The development team, led by CEO Oscar Rickett, includes passionate developers dedicated to crafting a game that emphasizes fun, inclusivity, and creativity. Also, the game leverages Unreal Engine 5, promising high-quality visuals and an immersive experience, while multiplayer features allow you to connect and share experiences.

As the game prepares for its Early Access release in 2025, Glowfish Games is committed to regular updates, new features, and seasonal events to keep the game world vibrant and engaging. Unfortunately, there is no Steam page or trailer yet, but we can expect them soon.

The post Why Foxo Might Be Your Next Favorite Online Party Game first appeared on IndieGames.

• DEVELOPER: Free Lives
• PUBLISHER: Devolver Digital
• PLATFORMS: PC, Nintendo Switch
• GENRE: Sports
• RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 7,79€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Cricket Through the Ages is a short and fun multiplayer or singleplayer game, which allows you to relive the history of cricket and other sports "related" to it in a humorous way. The game is physics-based, where every part of your body or movements can be used in different ways, whether you're bouncing a ball off the floor or colliding with another player. Although the game is short, it has a charm that makes it fun, but it still feels like everything goes by quickly, which may leave you wondering if it's worth playing again or not.

At first, I wasn't sure exactly how this game works, but technically speaking, pressing any button on the keyboard makes your character move like a puppet which can result in some very funny and absurd situations. For example, if you press the buttons quickly, you can fly into the air or quickly collide with other players. However, the winner is determined through each round, that is, you have a different "weapon" at your disposal. Whether you're throwing rocks, venomous snakes or riding a horse, there are a number of ways you can win - the only question is where's the cricket? You might come across it at some point, so you'll be able to hit the ball with the bat and bounce it towards the other player where some cricket rules are actually seen. In other words, you mostly rely on throwing items. Hold them until they turn in the desired direction, then release the button to launch a ball or rock among other objects.

I would venture to say that the physics of this game are bad, maybe not bad as much as weird and simple and it gives you the feeling that you can eventually get better, but that will never happen. There is a certain level of control you can achieve, but it only works in certain situations. Unfortunately, a lot of this game feels like pure luck, whether you get a better start, a better weapon, or a faster character. So, it can be concluded that this is a fairly simple game that can provide fun and surprises with its events, but lacks a deeper gameplay experience or more complex tactical strategies that would encourage you to fully commit to understanding the game.

In the later stages of the game, the mechanics are expanded to a wide range of settings such as World War II and the Olympic Games, providing variations on the same basic mechanics, or as the game progresses, other rules are added. You compete in different Olympic disciplines such as fencing, high jumping and rock climbing. However, without the ability to really control your character's direction and momentum, these games quickly become a source of frustration. Moreover, everything takes place very dynamically and quickly and too chaotically, which will not suit some players. For example, in the World War II sections, you can choose which team to represent in each round. Regardless, the contest culminates in an encounter with the Queen of England, where you can join the knights or simply surrender.

Throughout the game, the narration follows players, guiding them through the comical highlights of cricket's pivotal history. Featuring vibrant and simple colors, straightforward models, and geometry, the game boasts an accessible design. While the aesthetics may not be overly striking, they contribute to the enjoyable gameplay experience. Additionally, the game has about six modes that can be completed relatively quickly. Cricket Through the Ages feels more like a game you'll occasionally play with friends, just enough to have fun and argue, as the game quickly loses any valuable content that would hold you for a long time.

Cricket Through the Ages is not meant to teach you how to play cricket or to get lost in it for hours and hours, but rather to explore its unusual premise, ironic presentation and the humor it carries with it. Although the controls are simple and the game is very short, it is still a solidly made title. It fits more into the category of party games, where you will occasionally play it with someone. Even so, there's no reason not to give this game a try and maybe change your mind about cricket. However, don't expect too much from this title.

Review copy provided by the publisher

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In Party Pirates, players take on the roles of pirates fighting for treasure and glory on the high seas. The game offers a variety of gameplay modes and challenges that will provide hours of exciting fun; from puzzles to exciting cannon shooting modes. Produced by Polish studio Simplicity Games, known for titles such as Czółko, Volleyball Challenge and Brain Show, Party Pirates marks a significant step forward in the studio's portfolio, taking their game development experience to a whole new level. 

Every role on board is crucial. If you don't patch the holes in time, your vessel will sink. And if you get tired of being a sailor, remember that the deck should always be nicely cleaned. When one of you fires, the other loads the cannons. When one of you is repairing the deck, the other is protecting them from enemies. Each ship has its ups and downs, but one thing is certain - only cooperation can bring you victory.

Party Pirates release date on Steam will be announced soon, where you can also try the demo version of this game.

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