Biznooz

Tag: #CityBuilder

  • Deep Dive: SmelJey Games Drops Massive Update for Into the Depths Demo

    Deep Dive: SmelJey Games Drops Massive Update for Into the Depths Demo

    The “subterranean-lite” genre just got a serious shot in the arm. SmelJey Games has officially released a major update to the demo for Into the Depths, their ambitious blend of roguelite deckbuilding and city management.

    If you haven’t been tracking this one, imagine the tight, hex-based district planning of Civilisation VI meeting the “one-more-run” addiction of a card-driven survival game—all set in a bioluminescent, claustrophobic underworld.

    What’s New in the Depths?

    This isn’t just a bug-fix patch; it’s a foundational overhaul. The updated demo, which offers roughly 60 to 120 minutes of gameplay, introduces several key features that move it closer to its planned Q2 2026 full release:

    Complete Visual Overhaul: The murky caverns have received a facelift with improved art assets and a more cohesive atmospheric aesthetic.

    The Perk System: A brand-new layer of strategy has been added, allowing players to further specialize their expeditions.

    Expanded Biomes: Players can now explore three unique biomes, each presenting its own environmental hazards and resource challenges (from barren upper levels to scorching magma caverns).

    Localisation: SmelJey is going global early, with the demo now supporting 11 languages, including Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

    Survival of the Strategist

    In Into the Depths, cards aren’t just for combat—they are your blueprints. Every turn, you draw tiles to expand your settlement, but there’s a catch: your settlers have to eat. The developer has emphasised that strategic resource management is the core loop here. If your food stores hit zero, your expedition collapses, and it’s back to the surface to spend your gathered minerals on permanent upgrades.

    “The bigger the settlement grows, the harder it is to keep it fed and alive,” says developer SmelJey. “Rations are often more valuable than gold in these deserted caverns.”

    The BizNooz Take

    The “roguelite city builder” space is becoming increasingly competitive, but Into the Depths stands out by leaning harder into the deckbuilding side than many of its peers. By stripping away the bloat of traditional RTS management and focusing on card synergies and procedural exploration, it offers a punchy, high-stakes experience that respects the player’s time.

    The demo is currently available on Steam, and with a full launch targeted for next year, now is the perfect time to see if you have the iron will to conquer the abyss.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/DBtzo

    #SmelJeyGames #roguelite #citybuilder #IntotheDepths #steam #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames

  • The Landlord’s Gambit: Meet RENTPOLY, the Roguelike Board Game Redefining “Property Management”

    The Landlord’s Gambit: Meet RENTPOLY, the Roguelike Board Game Redefining “Property Management”

    If you’ve ever played Monopoly and thought, “This is great, but I wish I could trigger a 5x multiplier on my Boardwalk hotel by drinking a soda and using a power tool,” then Sunpeak Games has a very specific, very addictive gift for you.

    Enter RENTPOLY, the newly announced indie title currently in development for a 2026 release. Coming off the success of their action-roguelike Spell Disk, the California-based team at Sunpeak Games is pivoting from wizardry to real estate—but keeping the “broken” synergies that make roguelikes so satisfying.

    The Pitch: Balatro Meets Monopoly

    The developer describes RENTPOLY as a roguelike city-builder board game. While the board might look familiar, the gameplay is anything but traditional. Instead of just hoping for a lucky roll, you are building a “money-printing machine” through layers of greedy synergies.

    As a renter-turned-dev, the creator wanted to explore the “other side” of the landlord-tenant relationship, fueled by a self-admitted Balatro addiction. The result? A game where you don’t just collect rent; you optimise it to absurd, billionaire-tier heights.

    Key Game Features

    Sunpeak Games isn’t holding back on the variety. The game is set to launch with a massive amount of “build” potential:

    • 130+ Properties: Diverse buildings to attract tenants and generate revenue.
    • 200+ Tools: These are your “relics” or “jokers”—items that create powerful, game-breaking synergies.
    • 30+ Foods & 10+ Drinks: Consumables that manipulate luck or permanently boost property values.
    • 10+ Playable Characters: Each likely bringing a unique spin to the market.
    • 5+ Unique Maps: Different cityscapes to conquer.

    Why You Should Care

    The “roguelike-ification” of classic genres is at an all-time high, but RENTPOLY stands out by tackling the board game format.

    “Every decision matters. Every build, purchase, demolition, and dice roll can completely reshape your run.” — Sunpeak Games

    Unlike the original Monopoly, which is often criticised for being decided by luck in the first twenty minutes, RENTPOLY emphasises player agency. You aren’t just at the mercy of the dice; you’re using tools and “drinks” to bend those dice to your will.

    How to Play It Right Now

    While the full release is slated for 2026, you don’t have to wait two years to see if you have what it takes to be a digital tycoon.

    As part of the recent Steam Board Game Fest, Sunpeak Games has opened up a public playtest. You can head over to the RentPoly Steam Page and request access to start building your empire today.

    Find out more here – https://sunpeakgames.com/

    #SunpeakGames #RentPoly #roguelike #citybuilder #tycoon #tools #food #drinks #business #games #gaming #gamers #videogames

  • Darfall RPG City Building Game

    Darfall RPG City Building Game

    This is Darfall a game where during the day you are a leader helping to build a community and help it to grow, while at night you are a hero defending the community from hordes of zombies, the worst enemy that anyone could ever have. Over time the community becomes a town and then a city, yet the threat from the zombies is unending and every night could be the last for you. Even with advances in science and technology the rise of the undead continues, the threat is always there and cannot be taken lightly at all.

    Find out more about the Darfall game here; https://www.darfall.com/ or on Steam here; https://store.steampowered.com/app/1961600/Darfall/

    #ParadoxInteractive #Paradox #ParadoxArc #NewGames #SquareNiteGames #Darfall #RPG #Zombies #CityBuilder #Civilisation #Survival #Community