Every so often, I check my Steam wishlists to get excited about the future. It never fails to remind me just how many indie games we have to look forward to; from high-intensity dogfighters, to a Mario Party-esque game where failure means death.
.45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND
“.45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND” is an upcoming game that just oozes style. By the same studio that made “VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action” (These guys know how to name their games). “.45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND” is an action RPG with what seems to be a big emphasis on story. You play as Reila Mikazuchi, a “killing machine emerging from depression looking to rebuild her life doing what she knows best.” Ooh, getting John Wick vibes.
“.45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND” is slated as TBA on Steam.
DELIVERY MUST COMPLETE
What if “Ace Combat” was somehow even more cracked out? “DELIVERY MUST COMPLETE” asks that question, and decides the answer is to add a parry to your jet. This game looks insane. It’s a roguelike dogfighting game where you are up against jets, blimps, or dragons. It looks like the developer (one guy, by the way) is really giving this thing his all. It looks like a dream come true for gamers everywhere. And that music… chefs kiss.
“DELIVERY MUST COMPLETE” is slated as TBA on Steam.
ABYSS X ZERO
“ABYSS X ZERO” is an insane looking 3D platforming, hack-and-slash metroidvania where you play as two characters fated to battle one another. The trailer for this game is packed full of mechanics, which include driving a motorcycle, grappling up a massive boss, and melee combat. I even saw on one of the developers’ X accounts that there is a character customizer. All of this is topped off with a lovely low-poly anime look. I think this game could be fantastic if they pull it off.
“ABYSS X ZERO” is slated as Coming Soon on Steam.
Sword Hero
“Sword Hero” is the indie eurojank passion project of a single developer. It looks to be an open-world, highly interactive role-playing game with clunky, physical combat. The trailer shows a little of what this could look like, as the protagonist loses a hand, steals money for a prosthetic, and ventures out into the world of dragons and tech. A demo on Steam showcases the combat system, where you can cast spells, swing various weapons, or use a bow to defeat bandits and monsters. The scope of the game is insane to me; it looks to be bigger and deeper than many AAA games, with the team of a single former chef who taught himself how to code.
“Sword Hero’s” release date is TBA, but you can play the demo now on Steam.
Prove You’re Human
From the developers of “1000 X Resist,” my personal GOTY of 2024, comes “Prove You’re Human.” I really can’t know what this indie game will entail, but the description of the game says, “An AI dares to dream she is human. You’ve been hired to put her in her place.” It looks weird as hell, but I know this game is going to be crushing.
“Prove You’re Human” is slated as TBA on Steam.
Machine Party
“Machine Party” is the next indie game by the developer of “Buckshot Roulette,” the viral game where you play Russian roulette with a creepy looking entity.This time, you are playing party games with your friends! Except losing the games means a violent, bloody death. The minigames that have been showcased look like a blast, from an obstacle course where one friend tries to snipe the others, an “Overcooked” parody with explosives, and one where you… eat peas for your life? Sounds like a good time to me.
“Machine Party” is slated to release Q3 2026 on Steam.
Also check out Ella’s: Unpacking “Unpacking”!
