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Tag: #demogames

  • Rolling Out: The WANDERBURG Playable Demo Is Live!

    Rolling Out: The WANDERBURG Playable Demo Is Live!

    The wait is over, and the wheels are turning! Today, February 23, 2026, developer Randwerk and publisher Sidekick Publishing have officially dropped the surprise playable demo for WANDERBURG as part of Steam Next Fest.

    If you’ve ever looked at a medieval castle and thought, “This would be much better if it had a giant engine, 12-foot wheels, and a hunger for villages,” then this is the game you’ve been waiting for.

    What is WANDERBURG?

    Described as “Howl’s Moving Castle meets Agar.io,” WANDERBURG is a minimalist open-world roguelike where you pilot a Castle on Wheels. In this bizarre ecosystem, castles are the apex predators. You aren’t just defending a fortress; you are the fortress, and you are hungry.

    Key Features of the Demo

    The demo offers a substantial look at the core gameplay loop that has already earned the game over 250,000 wishlists:

    • Consume and Grow: Roll over fleeing villages and smaller fortresses to fuel your expansion. As you defeat bosses, your castle physically grows from a small tower to a massive, multi-module war machine.
    • Modular Arsenal: Customise your build on the fly. You can staff your ramparts with Wizard Towers, mount heavy Cannons, deploy Explosive Mines, or even attach Giant Spider Legs for mobility.
    • Survivors-Like Progression: While you navigate an open world, the combat and upgrade system draws inspiration from “survivor-like” mechanics, offering satisfying power scaling within every run.
    • “Ready-for-Potato” Optimisation: The developers have ensured the game runs smoothly on almost any hardware, from high-end rigs to office laptops and handhelds.

    “Wanderburg is a minimalist open-world roguelike in an ecosystem of Castles on Wheels. Consume, grow bigger, upgrade your modules, and survive!” — Randwerk Development Team

    Why the Hype?

    WANDERBURG first turned heads at the 2025 PC Gaming Show, and a recent closed playtest saw a staggering 126,000 participants. The community feedback from that test has been baked into this new Demo build, which includes more content, refined vehicle handling, and improved balance.

    How to Play

    The demo is available right now on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest, which runs from February 23 to March 2.

    PlatformStatus
    PC (Steam)Demo Live Now
    Full ReleaseLate 2026
    Input SupportKeyboard, Mouse, Controller, Touch

    If you enjoy the demo, don’t forget to Wishlist the game—it’s the best way to support the three-person team at Randwerk as they roll toward the full 2026 launch!

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

    #SidekickPublishing #Randwerk #openworld #roguelike #WANDERBURG #playabledemo #SteamNextFest #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #gameplay #demogames

  • Dustwind: Resistance Canyon Cross DLC for PlayStation and Xbox

    Dustwind: Resistance Canyon Cross DLC for PlayStation and Xbox

    The wasteland just got a little more crowded—and a lot more dangerous. As of February 19, 2026, the Canyon Cross DLC for Dustwind: Resistance is officially available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S!

    After its initial debut on PC late last year, console players can finally dive back into the tactical, post-apocalyptic chaos of the Dustwind universe.

    What’s New in Canyon Cross?

    Defeating the Warlord was only the beginning. A ruthless new Raider General has set his sights on the settlement of Canyon Cross, and it’s up to Jake and his squad (including the ever-loyal Diesel) to keep the community from being wiped off the map.

    Key Features:

    • Five New Missions: Approximately 5 hours of fresh gameplay featuring new landscapes and tactical challenges.
    • The “Scraptrack”: A new armoured vehicle that lets you ride into action guns-blazing.
    • Elite Arsenal: Five new high-tier weapons to help you thin out the raider ranks.
    • Ancient Secrets: Explore a long-abandoned military bunker hidden beneath the canyon.
    • Orbital Support: Reawaken an ancient military satellite to rain fire on your enemies from above.

    Tactical Intel

    For those who prefer a specific playstyle, Canyon Cross continues the series’ tradition of flexible tactical gameplay. Whether you want to ghost through missions using stealth or use the “Real-Time with Pause” system to orchestrate a perfect, explosive ambush, the choice is yours.

    Pro-Tip: While you can launch the DLC independently from the main menu, it is highly recommended to finish the base campaign first, as the story in Canyon Cross serves as a direct continuation.

    Platform Availability:

    PlatformAvailability
    PlayStation 5Out Now (Feb 19, 2026)
    Xbox Series X|SOut Now (Feb 19, 2026)
    PC (Steam)Available (Released Nov 2025)

    Ready to defend the settlement? Grab your gear, call the squad, and head to the PlayStation or Xbox Store to pick up the DLC.

    Find out more here – https://www.dustwind.com/

    #DustwindResistance #CanyonCrossDLC #DustwindStudios #ZSoftware #PlayStation #Xbox #games #gaming #gamers #gameplay #videogames #scifi #demogames

  • The Truth is Landing: UFOPHILIA Touches Down on Xbox Play Anywhere February 25th

    The Truth is Landing: UFOPHILIA Touches Down on Xbox Play Anywhere February 25th

    If you’ve spent any time scouring the internet for grainy footage of “unidentified aerial phenomena” or debating the merits of the Roswell incident, your next obsession is about to land.

    UFOPHILIA, the atmospheric investigation horror game from solo developer K148 Game Studio and publisher JanduSoft, is officially making its way to the Xbox ecosystem on February 25, 2026. Even better? It’s launching as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, meaning you can hunt for extraterrestrials on your Xbox Series X|S and pick up right where you left off on your Windows PC.

    What is UFOPHILIA?

    Think Phasmophobia, but trade the ghosts for Greys. In UFOPHILIA, you aren’t a soldier; you’re an investigator obsessed with the unknown. Your weapon isn’t a rifle—it’s a camera and a suite of high-tech sensors.

    Your mission is simple (but terrifying):

    1. Investigate seven unique, eerie locations (from campsites to police stations).
    2. Identify which of the nine distinct alien types is haunting the area.
    3. Photograph the evidence before you become the subject of an abduction.

    Key Features to Watch For

    The game prides itself on psychological dread rather than just cheap jump scares. Here is what you can expect when you boot it up:

    • Dynamic Encounters: No two missions are the same. Spawn zones and alien behaviours are randomised, ensuring that the “safe” corner you found last time might be a hotspot in your next run.
    • The “Roswell” Kit: You’ll have access to EMF detectors, night vision, microwave meters, and heart rate sensors. Pro-tip: Certain tools have hidden synergies when used together.
    • Nine Unique Visitors: Not all aliens are hostile. Some are curious, some are playful (in a creepy way), and some are very much out for blood.
    • Progression System: Earn “Roswell Points” to unlock better gear and harder missions. Can you rise from a “Forum Conspiracy Theorist” to a “Roswell Agent”?

    “The truth is out there… but so are they. And they are watching you back.”

    Pre-Order and Launch Details

    For the early birds who want to secure their clearance level, pre-orders are live now on the Microsoft Store. JanduSoft is currently offering a launch discount, bringing the price down to a very accessible $9.99.

    By leveraging Xbox Play Anywhere, your progress, achievements, and purchases carry over seamlessly across the Microsoft ecosystem. Whether you’re playing on a high-end PC or lounging on the couch with your Xbox Series X, the hunt never has to stop.

    Mark your calendars for February 25. Just… maybe keep the lights on for this one.

    Find out more here – https://www.jandusoft.com/ufophilia/

    #UFOPHILIA #investigationhorror #K148GameStudio #JanduSoft #UFO #Xbox #aliens #scifi #invasion #games #gaming #gamers #gameplay #videogames #demogames

  • Shoot or dash VCTR – A kinetic arcade shooter

    Shoot or dash VCTR – A kinetic arcade shooter

    Solo indie developer Daniel Lowe, the mind behind the studio Enter Grip, has officially announced his next project: VCTR.

    Fresh off the heels of the momentum-based Parkour Legends and the eerie anomaly-detection game Highway 11, Lowe is pivoting to a genre that thrives on pure instinct: the minimalist arcade shooter.

    Here is everything we know about the upcoming title that promises to turn two simple buttons into a complex dance of survival.

    What is VCTR?

    At its core, VCTR is a kinetic, minimalist arcade shooter where “position and timing are everything.” While modern shooters often drown players in complex loadouts and convoluted HUDs, VCTR strips the experience back to its studs.

    The game is designed with a “less is more” philosophy—so much so that it is fully playable with just a mouse.

    The Core Loop: Shoot or Dash

    The gameplay revolves around two primary actions:

    • Shoot: Engage enemies from a distance.
    • Dash: Slam into enemies to destroy them or reposition quickly.

    The catch? Both actions require a cool-off period. As the screen fills with enemies, VCTR becomes a rhythmic management sim where you have to balance your offensive output with your defensive mobility.

    Key Features

    While the controls are simple, the depth comes from how you evolve your build throughout a run.

    • Impactful Upgrades: Forget +1% crit chance. Lowe has stated that VCTR focuses on meaningful changes. Each upgrade you unlock between waves provides significant shifts in how you play, allowing you to lean heavily into a “bullet-hell” shooting build or a high-velocity “dash-first” strategy.
    • XP Collection: Destroyed enemies drop experience orbs. Diving into the chaos to collect these orbs is the only way to power up, forcing a constant “risk vs. reward” decision-making process.
    • High-Octane Minimalism: The visual style is clean and geometric, ensuring that even when the screen is crawling with threats, the player can maintain perfect “game feel” and readability.

    Release Date and Demo

    If you’re itching to test your reflexes, you won’t have to wait long:

    • Demo: A playable demo is expected to drop on Steam within the next few weeks.
    • Full Launch: VCTR is currently slated for a Summer 2026 release.

    “I wanted to create an action-packed shooter with simple controls that’s fun to play with just a mouse.” — Daniel Lowe, Enter Grip

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/m9ANd

    #DanielLowe #EnterGrip #VCTR #arcade #shooter #games #gaming #gamers #gameplay #videogames #action #arcade #demogames

  • Reality is About to Fracture: Why You Need to Know About ONTOS

    Reality is About to Fracture: Why You Need to Know About ONTOS

    The creators of SOMA and Amnesia are back, and they’ve got their sights set on nothing less than the very nature of existence. Revealed at The Game Awards 2025, ONTOS is the next mind-bending sci-fi mystery thriller from the masters of existential dread, Frictional Games. Forget jump scares; prepare for a cerebral gut-punch that will leave you questioning everything.

    Here’s why ONTOS is shaping up to be one of the most essential games of 2026.

    🌙 A Labyrinth on the Moon: Welcome to Samsara

    ONTOS sets its stage in one of the most intriguing environments we’ve seen in years: Samsara, a massive, repurposed luxury hotel on the moon. Built atop the ruins of an old mining colony, Samsara is described as an interconnected labyrinth—a place where opulence meets decay, and science bleeds into faith.

    You play as Aditi Amani, an engineer drawn to the station by a cryptic message from her estranged father, a brilliant mind-turned-prophet. What starts as a search for family quickly spirals into a confrontation with “instabilities in reality” that plague the lunar hotel.

    Key Setting: The repurposing of Samsara means you’ll explore surreal spaces—labs set up in lavish casinos, experiments in emptied pools, and strange machinery built into ancient moon caves. Every corner is a narrative clue waiting to be discovered.

    🤔 The Core Question: What is Reality?

    Where Frictional Games’ previous sci-fi hit, SOMA, masterfully explored the nature of consciousness and identity, ONTOS aims to push the philosophical envelope further, tackling the very fabric of reality itself.

    The core gameplay revolves around unsettling, morally complex “Experiments.” These are not traditional puzzles; they are provocations that force Aditi—and the player—to face existential dilemmas.

    • Non-Linear Problem Solving: There is no single ‘correct’ solution. You must use your wits, scavenge materials, and interact with intricate, tactile machinery to proceed. Your actions and moral choices echo forward, shaping the narrative and its consequences.
    • A New Kind of Tension: Creative Director Thomas Grip has clarified that ONTOS is “not really a horror game in a traditional sense.” The tension is primarily cerebral and personal, focusing on the anxiety of making the “right” decision and the disturbing consequences when you get it wrong, rather than constant monster chases.

    ⭐ Star Power and Next-Gen Ambition

    ONTOS isn’t just a passion project; it’s a major production.

    • Stellan Skarsgård: The game features the acclaimed, Golden Globe-winning actor Stellan Skarsgård in its cast, lending a gravity and prestige to the narrative that few indie thrillers can match. His presence hints at the quality and depth of the game’s troubled and intriguing cast of characters.
    • HPL4 Engine: The game is being built on Frictional’s brand new, proprietary HPL4 engine. This allows for the vast, interconnected world of Samsara to feel truly seamless and densely detailed. The ambition is high: if you can see it from a window, you can go there.

    🗓️ Countdown to Existential Crisis

    ONTOS is developed by Frictional Games and published by Kepler Interactive, with a planned launch in 2026 for PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    If you are a fan of high-concept science fiction, games that challenge your morality, or the studio’s previous work on titles like SOMA, this is one trip to the moon you absolutely must book. It’s set to be a title that the gaming community will be debating for years.

    Are you ready to confront the ultimate truth?

    ONTOS – https://www.ontosgame.com/

    #ONTOS #KeplerInteractive #FrictionalGames #scifi #mystery #thriller #PC #PlayStation #Xbox #labyrinth #miningcolony #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #gametrailer #demogames

  • A Universe of Puzzles: Everything You Need to Know About Order of the Sinking Star

    A Universe of Puzzles: Everything You Need to Know About Order of the Sinking Star

    Get ready to stretch your mental muscles, puzzle fans! The long-awaited next game from legendary designer Jonathan Blow (creator of Braid and The Witness), Order of the Sinking Star, has been officially unveiled, and it promises to be a truly massive, mind-bending experience.

    If you thought The Witness was a challenge, think again. This ambitious new title is setting a new standard for the narrative puzzle adventure genre.

    🧩 The Premise: Four Worlds Collide

    Order of the Sinking Star is a top-down, narrative adventure that begins with Queen Effia, a deposed ruler who is suddenly transported to a magical, enigmatic new realm. What follows is an exploration of a sprawling, non-linear game world built around an unprecedented number of intricate, hand-crafted puzzles.

    • Four Distinct Realms: The game is structured around four initial worlds, each based on a different core puzzle mechanic (often likened to a sophisticated form of Sokoban or block-pushing puzzles):
      • The North: Features a party of heroes (a warrior, thief, and wizard) with complementary abilities for manipulating objects.
      • The East: Focuses on puzzles involving mirrors, reflections, and teleportation/duplication mechanics.
      • The South: Involves skipping stones across water to create new paths.
      • The West: Puts you in command of a mechanical suit with crystal-light-based powers.
    • The Supercollider Effect: The true genius and difficulty of the game emerge when these four worlds begin to collide! As you progress into the overworld’s diagonal areas, the mechanics and characters from different realms merge, creating puzzles that require an understanding of two, three, or even all four systems simultaneously.

    🦸 Unlikely Heroes and a Grand Mystery

    You won’t be solving this mystery alone. The game features multiple unique playable characters, each with their own captivating story and abilities, including Queen Effia, a thief, a warrior, a wizard, and even, hilariously, a talking boat.

    • Character-Specific Solutions: Each hero brings a different perspective and set of tools. For example, the thief can pull blocks, breaking the classic Sokoban rule, while the wizard can swap places with objects. Learning to utilise and switch between these abilities is key, particularly in the later-game cross-over puzzles.
    • Deciphering the Lore: The story unfolds gradually. Rather than relying on heavy exposition, the narrative is told through environmental storytelling, notes you collect, and small interactions between the characters as they meet and journey together. The ultimate goal is to piece together the secrets of this enigmatic realm and the true nature of the “Order of the Sinking Star.”

    🤯 A Scope Unlike Any Other

    The sheer scale of this project is what truly sets it apart.

    FeatureDetail
    Number of PuzzlesOver 1,000 hand-crafted, interconnected puzzles.
    Estimated Playtime250+ hours for a normal run, and potentially 500+ hours for completionists.
    ComplexityThe first phase (the four separate worlds) is reportedly only about 5% of the total gameplay.
    Quality-of-LifeIncludes a generous, unlimited undo feature, allowing you to rewind all your moves for effortless experimentation.

    Order of the Sinking Star is more than just a massive puzzle game; it’s a “game design supercollider,” pushing the boundaries of mechanical interaction and systemic complexity. It’s an adventure that rewards curiosity, persistence, and the pure joy of having that “Aha!” moment.

    This looks like a game that will dominate the conversation among puzzle enthusiasts for years to come.

    Order of the Sinking Star – https://bit.ly/m/SinkingStarGame

    #OrderoftheSinkingStar #ArcGames #Thekla #puzzle #combat #gameplay #gametrailer #demogames #heroes #battles #warfare #games #gaming #gamers #videogames