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Tag: #playtest

  • Strategy is Better Together: TINY METAL 2 Opens Month-Long Steam Playtest

    Strategy is Better Together: TINY METAL 2 Opens Month-Long Steam Playtest

    The fog of war is lifting, and it’s time to report for duty. AREA 35 has officially announced that TINY METAL 2, the highly anticipated third instalment in their hit tactical wargame series, will host a limited, month-long Playtest from April 2 to April 29, 2026, on Steam.

    After a long hiatus since 2019’s Full Metal Rumble, fans of the Advance Wars-inspired franchise finally have a chance to get their hands on the next evolution of grid-based combat. This isn’t just a quick weekend demo; it’s a deep-dive opportunity for the community to help shape the balance, pacing, and mechanics of a title currently slated for a Spring 2027 full release.

    What’s New on the Battlefield?

    While the series has always excelled at “toy soldier” land and air combat, TINY METAL 2 is expanding the theatre of war in a massive way.

    1. Naval Warfare Debuts
      For the first time in the series, players can take to the high seas. The Playtest will showcase a robust naval system featuring battleships, destroyers, and stealthy submarines. Whether you’re protecting a transport or launching a surprise underwater strike, the maritime layer adds a completely new dimension to your strategic planning.
    2. Focus Fire: Strength in Numbers
      Strategy is no longer just about which unit hits first. The new Focus Fire mechanic allows multiple allied units to coordinate and combine their attacks into a single, devastating simultaneous assault. This mechanic rewards clever positioning and unit synergy, allowing even smaller squads to take down heavy-duty threats if timed correctly.
    3. Cooperative Command
      True to its “Strategy is Better Together” tagline, the game has been built from the ground up for local and online co-op. Every map in the campaign and many in the skirmish mode allow for shared resources and joint tactical decisions. In the Playtest, you can team up with friends for large-scale combined-arms battles for up to four players.

    How to Join the Playtest

    Spaces for the limited Playtest are expected to fill up quickly. Here is how you can secure your spot:

    Platform: Steam (PC)

    Registration: Head to the official TINY METAL 2 Steam Store Page and look for the “Join the TINY METAL 2 Playtest” button to request access.

    Dates: April 2, 2026 – April 29, 2026.

    Pro Tip: AREA 35 is looking for active feedback. Players who participate are encouraged to report bugs and balance issues via the official Steam community forums or Discord to help fine-tune the 15+ commanders and 100+ maps expected in the final game.

    Beyond the Playtest: PAX East and More

    If you happen to be in Boston this week, you don’t even have to wait until April. AREA 35 is showcasing TINY METAL 2 at PAX East (Booth #15043), marking its first-ever playable debut in North America. Visitors can also check out the studio’s other projects, including the music-rhythm game Felicity’s Door and a mysterious new multiplayer arcade project codenamed PROJECT BLITZ.

    Whether you’re a veteran of the Artemisian Army or a newcomer to the genre, this April is your chance to prove your tactical mettle.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/JI05S

    #AREA35 #TINYMETAL2 #wargame #Playtest #Steam #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames

  • All Aboard! The Forest Escape: Last Train Playtest is LIVE

    All Aboard! The Forest Escape: Last Train Playtest is LIVE

    The survival horror genre is heading to the tracks. Frag Lab LLC has officially opened the gates to its mysterious, nightmare-fueled woods with the Forest Escape: Last Train Public Playtest, launched on February 13, 2026.

    Blending the tension of Escape the Backrooms with the locomotive-management of Choo-Choo Charles, this indie title is quickly becoming a “must-watch” for co-op fans.

    What is Forest Escape: Last Train?

    In Forest Escape: Last Train, you and up to three friends play as prison escapees trapped in a surreal, misty forest. However, this isn’t a natural landscape—it is a physical manifestation of a “crazy Warden’s” fractured mind.

    Your only hope for survival is a rickety locomotive. You must maintain it, fuel it, and drive it through a series of increasingly twisted environments while being hunted by “twig creatures” and other surreal horrors.

    Core Gameplay Pillars:

    • The Locomotive Sanctuary: Your train is your mobile base. You must gather resources like coal for fuel and stone for defense. Upgrading the train is vital to surviving the deeper, more dangerous parts of the forest.
    • Surreal Puzzle Solving: The Warden’s madness translates into “eerie puzzles.” Progressing down the tracks often requires solving riddles that defy standard logic.
    • Gather & Survive: Stepping off the train is a calculated risk. Players must mine materials and trade for weapons while keeping an eye on the clock—the longer you stay outside, the higher the danger.

    Playtest Details: How to Join

    The playtest is currently live on Steam and serves as a major stress test before the planned Q2 2026 release.

    FeatureDetails
    PlatformPC (Steam)
    Playtest TypeLimited Public (Request access via Steam Page)
    Player Count1–4 Player Co-op
    StatusActive (Launched Feb 13, 2026)

    How to get in: Visit the official Steam store page for Forest Escape: Last Train and look for the “Join the Forest Escape: Last Train Playtest” button to request access. The developers have indicated that they are regularly adding new players to monitor server stability.

    Early Impressions: “Friendslop” and Fear

    The developers at Frag Lab use the term “Friendslop” to describe the game’s unique vibe—a mix of high-intensity horror and the chaotic, often hilarious “slop” that happens when friends try to coordinate under pressure.

    Early feedback highlights the “abandoned theme park” level and the unsettling design of the Warden’s minions. While the game is an indie production, the atmosphere and narrative depth (exploring a broken mind) provide a fresh take on the “escape” subgenre of horror.

    “It’s like Escape the Backrooms meets peak horror on a train. We aren’t trying to be a AAA title; we’re focused on the fun of co-op chaos.” — Frag Lab Dev Team

    Find out more here;

    Website – https://ForestEscapeLastTrain.com/

    Steam – https://shorturl.at/mwJE6

    #ForestEscape #LastTrain #ForestEscapeLastTrain #Playtest #GameTrailer #FragLab #TwoCakesStudio #gaming #gamers #indiegame #friendslop #games #coopgaming #videogames

  • Getting in early on the Scrap Daddies beta is a great move

    Getting in early on the Scrap Daddies beta is a great move

    The Scrap Daddies Free Beta is officially kicking off! Join the 1–6 player slapstick chaos as we raid underwater bases, dodge toxic slime, and try not to lose our loot to the deep.

    Closed Beta: Jan 9 – Jan 11 (Sign up now!) Open Beta: Jan 15 – Jan 18 (Open to all!)

    Hit “Request Access” on Steam to secure your spot in New Tortuga. Who’s joining my dive team?

    You and the squad are trying to extract from an underwater base while everything is literally on fire and melting.

    Scrap Daddies is taking the “looter” genre to ridiculous new depths. Dive into the free beta this month and experience:

    • 6-Player Raids: More friends = more chaos.
    • The Ripsaw: Turn the environment into cold, hard scrap.
    • The Survival Scramble: Grab the power cells and get out before the clock—or the base—stops you.

    How to play: Go to the Scrap Daddies Steam page. Click “Request Access” for the Playtest. Check your email for the invite!

    Who are you bringing down with you? Tag your most chaotic teammate below.

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

    #OtherOcean #ScrapDaddiesGame #Playtest #Games #Gamers #NewGame #GamingBeta #SteamGames #UnderwaterAdventure #videogames

  • Unfurling the Magic: A Deep Dive into Knitewings

    Unfurling the Magic: A Deep Dive into Knitewings

    The gaming world is vast and ever-expanding, but every so often, a title emerges that truly captures the imagination, weaving itself into the fabric of our gaming memories. Today, we’re going to talk about one such gem: Knitewings.

    From its enchanting visuals to its surprisingly deep lore, Knitewings has been quietly building a devoted fanbase, and it’s not hard to see why. Let’s unfurl its magic together.

    A World Woven with Wonder

    The first thing that strikes you about Knitewings is its undeniable aesthetic. Imagine a world crafted from threads of moonlight and stardust, where landscapes are intricate tapestries and creatures seem to have sprung from a fantastical loom.

    This unique visual style isn’t just a gimmick; it’s intrinsically linked to the game’s narrative and mechanics. You play as a “Kniteweaver,” a guardian capable of mending the tears in this woven world, literally patching up the fabric of reality with your abilities.

    Gameplay: More Than Just Pretty Pictures

    While the visuals draw you in, the gameplay is what keeps you hooked. Knitewings masterfully blends elements of exploration, puzzle-solving, and a surprisingly engaging combat system. Your primary tool is your “Needle of Fate,” which can be imbued with different colored threads, each granting unique abilities.

    • Exploration: The world of Aerthos (as it’s called) is a joy to explore. Hidden pathways, secret glades, and towering, knitted mountains beckon the curious. Discovering a new thread colour or an ancient pattern feels genuinely rewarding.
    • Puzzles: Many challenges revolve around using the correct thread combination to activate ancient looms, repair broken bridges, or unravel tangled magical knots. These puzzles are clever and often require a bit of creative thinking.
    • Combat: Combat is surprisingly fluid and tactical. Enemies, often corrupted “Snarls” or “Fraybeasts,” have weaknesses to specific thread types. You’ll need to strategically switch between your threads to exploit these vulnerabilities, dodging and weaving (pun intended!) your way to victory.

    The Heart of the Story

    At its core, Knitewings tells a tale of creation, decay, and the enduring power of artistry. The world is slowly unraveling, threatened by a mysterious force known as the “Great Untangler.” As a Kniteweaver, you embark on a quest to gather the lost “Songs of Creation” – powerful ancient patterns that can mend the world and restore balance.

    Along the way, you’ll encounter a cast of memorable characters, from wise elder Kniteweavers to mischievous “Threadlings” who offer hints and humour. The narrative is rich with metaphor, exploring themes of preservation, legacy, and the interconnectedness of all things.

    Why You Should Play Knitewings

    Knitewings is more than just a game; it’s an experience. It’s a game that encourages you to slow down, appreciate its beauty, and engage with its thoughtful design. If you’re looking for something that offers:

    • A truly unique and breathtaking art style.
    • Engaging gameplay that blends exploration, puzzles, and tactical combat.
    • A captivating story with surprising depth.

    Then you owe it to yourself to dive into the magical world of Knitewings. It’s a journey that will mend your spirit and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the art of creation.

    Have you played Knitewings? What were your favorite parts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

    Knitewings – https://www.s2powered.com/knitewings/

    #Knitewings #S2Engine #Fabio #anime #shooter #roguelite #valve #steamdeck #gametrailer #demogame #playtest #games #gaming #gamers #videogames