Players take control of Dodo, a lovable duck determined to rescue his chicken family after they are whisked away by a mysterious alien beam. Armed with nothing but determination and the magical cap belonging to Capie the Capybara, Dodo embarks on a journey through strange worlds where reality itself can be bent.

One of the game’s standout mechanics allows players to instantly switch between side-scrolling 2D gameplay and a fully explorable 3D perspective. Flipping between viewpoints reveals hidden pathways, secret platforms, collectibles, and puzzle solutions that would otherwise remain out of sight, adding a unique twist to traditional platforming.

Dodo’s adventure also features a wide range of movement abilities beyond simply waddling. Players can glide across dangerous gaps, swim through water, float over hazards, and creatively navigate environmental puzzles while exploring a collection of quirky alien planets. Along the way, players can gather stardust to purchase new hats from Capie, uncover hidden areas, and capture plenty of charming photo opportunities.

Adding to the game’s playful personality is a dedicated quack button, allowing players to let out a cheerful quack whenever the mood strikes—whether it’s to startle nearby aliens or simply enjoy a lighthearted moment during the adventure.

Inspired by themes from The Ugly Duckling, Dodo Duckie blends humor, exploration, and heartfelt storytelling into a family-friendly experience filled with colorful environments and memorable characters.

Dodo Duckie is available now on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Xbox Series X|S. To celebrate launch, the PC version is available at a 20% discount for a limited time, with PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 releases scheduled for later in 2026.

Animated by artists who previously worked on Cuphead, Croak pairs expressive, frame-by-frame animation with fast-paced, momentum-driven platforming. The result is a vibrant world that blends playful charm with demanding precision.

A Frog Prince With a Serious Leap

Players step into the webbed feet of an unexpectedly agile frog prince, armed with little more than royal determination—and a remarkably versatile tongue. Movement is the heart of Croak. Using tongue-based grappling mechanics, players can bounce, swing, and launch themselves through environments with pinball-like momentum. Every jump and grapple feels deliberate, rewarding skillful timing and mastery.

The demo focuses on the game’s first major region, a sprawling swamp overtaken by the Witch’s eerie carnival. Across five levels—including a Ferris Wheel challenge and a chaotic Beaver boss fight—players will experience precision platforming, hidden secrets, dynamic puzzles, and tightly designed encounters. A hidden high-difficulty stage can also be unlocked for those looking to push their skills further.4

A World of Whimsy and Challenge

The Feast Fair is only the beginning. The full game promises more than 1,000 rooms spread across diverse biomes, from snowy peaks to shadowy underground areas. Each region introduces its own environmental mechanics, mini-games, and eccentric characters, all brought to life with fluid, hand-drawn animation inspired by classic artistry.

Boss fights lean into the game’s playful absurdity. Expect over-the-top encounters like a BMX-riding beaver or an illusionist bat, each demanding clever use of tongue-grappling movement to dodge, reposition, and “boop” your way to victory.

Designed for Replayability

Beyond its main levels and cinematic boss encounters, Croak will feature unlockable high-difficulty stages built for players chasing mastery. Achievements reward exploration, coin collecting, and speed-based strategies, encouraging repeat runs and optimization. The demo alone offers 11 Gold Medals to earn, giving completionists plenty to chew on.

With its striking animation, inventive movement mechanics, and a demo packed with content, Croak is shaping up to be a platformer worth keeping an eye on. Players can jump into the demo now and explore the first region ahead of the game’s full release.

The current playtest offers a substantial introduction to Being and Becoming, allowing players to explore multiple interconnected locations, experiment with several weapons and abilities, meet a range of NPCs, and take on two major boss encounters, as well as a variety of enemies. It’s an early but meaningful slice of the experience, designed to showcase the game’s core mechanics and tone ahead of its full release.

Set within the surreal and unsettling Collective Dream, Being and Becoming casts players as a would-be martyr pulled from a watery grave and thrust into a prophecy-bound world ruled by an oppressive force known as The Word. As you descend deeper into the Dream, you’ll confront corrupted beings, uncover the remnants of those who came before, and acquire new weapons and abilities passed down by fallen dreamers. While the world is visually striking, danger lurks beneath its beauty, with increasingly treacherous challenges awaiting those who press forward.

Gameplay centers on classic metroidvania progression, encouraging exploration, backtracking, and mastery of new abilities. Combat places a strong emphasis on experimentation, allowing players to assemble a diverse arsenal and weave together intricate attack combinations. Each weapon is tied to noble spirits trapped under the influence of The Word, reinforcing the game’s themes through both mechanics and storytelling.

Visually, Being and Becoming stands out with its meticulously crafted pixel-art aesthetic. Environments range from serene and dreamlike to grotesque and unsettling, each with its own visual identity and gameplay nuances. Boss encounters are a particular highlight, featuring distinctive personalities, dozens of bespoke animations, and environmental interactions that elevate them beyond simple combat challenges.

The experience is further enhanced by fully voiced characters and an atmospheric original soundtrack. The game’s OST dynamically responds to gameplay, while its voice-acted cast brings both charm and menace to the Dream’s inhabitants, deepening immersion throughout the journey.

The Being and Becoming playtest is available now on Steam. Players interested in atmospheric metroidvanias with strong visual identity and narrative focus can wishlist the game ahead of its planned 2026 launch. For more on the publisher and its upcoming projects, visit CRITICAL REFLEX’s official website.

Developed by Alevgor and published by Alawar, Haunted Lands is a retro-inspired action platformer that blends fast-paced combat with exploration and character-driven gameplay. Players venture into desecrated burial grounds where ancient crypts, forgotten tombs, and relentless enemies stand between them and restoring balance to the land.

One of the demo’s highlights is its variety of playable classes, each offering a distinct approach to combat. Players can choose from six characters across three archetypes. The Beast classes are built for aggressive, close-quarters combat, perfect for players who want to tear through enemies head-on. The Gunner classes cater to those who prefer keeping their distance, delivering destruction from afar with precision firepower. Meanwhile, the Mage classes offer a more tactical playstyle, combining offensive spells with healing and support abilities to survive the onslaught.

As you push deeper into the Haunted Lands, the challenge ramps up. Enemy types become more dangerous, elite variants test your reflexes, and towering bosses await those brave enough to press forward. Exploration plays a major role, with sprawling burial grounds packed with hidden secrets, optional objectives, and powerful artifacts waiting to be discovered.

Artifacts are a key part of progression, allowing players to dramatically enhance their character’s offensive and defensive capabilities. Some artifacts can even transform how a class plays entirely, encouraging experimentation and replayability as you hunt down the most powerful combinations.

Key Features

• Retro Action Platforming: Fast, brutal combat inspired by classic action platformers

• Six Playable Characters: Two Gunners, two Beasts, and two Mages, each with unique strengths

• Explore the Burial Grounds: Crypts, tombs, elite enemies, and challenging boss encounters

• Artifact-Based Progression: Collect powerful items that reshape abilities and playstyles

• High Difficulty Ceiling: Optional objectives and hidden secrets for players seeking a true challenge

The Haunted Lands demo is available now on Steam, offering a taste of its punishing combat and eerie atmosphere. The full game is slated to launch on PC via Steam in 2026, so if the demo sinks its claws into you, be sure to wishlist the game to stay updated on its journey toward release.

Step into the role of Ayana, the last descendant of a forgotten race, as she navigates a universe where light means danger and shadows are your greatest weapon. Combine high-tech gadgets with mystical shadow abilities to uncover the truth behind a dying world ruled by the energy corporation known as Helios.

A Collector’s Edition Dripping with Style

For those looking to dive deep into the darkness, the Ereban: Shadow Legacy Collector’s Edition for PlayStation 5 is packed with exclusive goodies, including:

• A physical copy of the game on PS5

• The digital original soundtrack

• Three art postcards featuring stunning in-game artwork

• Two embroidered iron-on patches (Helios and Forgotten Sun)

• A keychain of Ayana’s mask

• All tucked inside a premium collector’s box

Light, Darkness, and Choice

Ereban: Shadow Legacy delivers fast-paced stealth-action fused with deep sci-fi storytelling. Master the Shadow Merge ability to slip through walls, ambush enemies, and move unseen through light-drenched industrial cities and the ruins of ancient civilizations. Choose how you face your enemies—sneak, strike, or consume—and shape Ayana’s fate in a world where morality fades like the light.

The Standard and Collector’s Editions for PS5 are available for pre-order now at local retailers. Digital editions for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S can also be added to your wishlist today.

Prepare to fade into the dark when Ereban: Shadow Legacy launches in 2026—and decide for yourself what your legacy will be.

Born from a scientific experiment gone surprisingly right, Gooey isn’t just sticky — he’s got the skills to back it up. Players will test their reflexes across 50 challenging lab-inspired levels, mastering every leap, swing, and squish.

Key Features

• Stretch & Swing: Use Gooey’s elastic arm to grapple platforms and launch across deadly gaps.

• Fluid Traversal: Squish through pipes and chain momentum into stylish traversal combos.

• Level Editor: Create, share, and attempt community-made challenges from across the globe.

With its mix of tight platforming, creative mechanics, and a playful sense of experimentation, Gooey is shaping up to be one of the stickiest highlights of next year.

In Crude Oil, you take control of a sentient puddle of petroleum, splatting off walls, rolling through barrels, and skating across surfaces with platforming skills straight out of a cartoon fever dream. Along the way you’ll grow, shrink, collect oil droplets, try on power-up hats, and even drive a forklift — because of course a puddle of oil should know how to operate heavy machinery.

Key Features

• Blobby platforming with Mario-like bounce and stretch moves

• Puzzle-solving that requires both brains and blob physics

• Physical altercations with robots (yes, blobs can throw down)

• Time-slowing mechanics for dramatic escapes

• Grow and shrink as you gain or lose droplets

• Power-up hats that give you new abilities and style points

• Forklift driving (it’s more fun than it sounds)

• A conspiracy to unravel lurking behind all the goop

• Original soundtrack by Body Meat

About the Developer

Peter Nichols is an experimental solo developer based in Los Angeles. Before creating Crude Oil, they spent time living off-grid in the Mojave Desert — a fitting backdrop for conjuring a game about survival, absurdity, and petroleum paranoia. Nichols is also a member of the New Museum’s art & tech incubator, NEW INC.

If you’ve ever dreamed of breaking free from corporate pipelines as a mischievous oil blob in a hat, Crude Oil might just be your next quirky indie obsession.

After a successful Early Access run, Drill Core has officially entered full release with a major update that’s set to change how you mine, manage, and make bank at Drill Core Inc. Leading the charge? A brand-new workforce of insectoid allies known as Swarmids—because nothing says “peak efficiency” like letting alien bugs handle the dirty work.

Double the Workforce, Double the Chaos

With their Queen leading the swarm, Swarmids arrive with a vengeance—boosting productivity, enhancing base defense, and exterminating hostile planetary wildlife with brutal precision. You can even build a Swarmid Watchtower to unleash sky-borne terror on anything foolish enough to fly by.

Tactical Upgrades and Smarter Systems

Version 1.0 isn’t just about bugs. New branching upgrade paths allow for deeper customization of your turret defenses, giving you more control over your construction strategies and battle plans. The update also introduces a streamlined ore-gathering system, making research and expansion feel tighter and more rewarding.

Looking for a tougher challenge? Ten new qualification challenges put your strategic brain to the test, while difficulty modifiers like tech bans will push even the most seasoned miners to get creative with their loadouts.

A New Era for Drill Core

“The Early Access chapter may be over, but Drill Core is just getting started,” said Konstantin Burov, Head of Hungry Couch Games. “This 1.0 release not only adds exciting new content, but also pushes players to reimagine their strategies and explore new depths.”

Drill Core 1.0 is available now on PC via Steam for $19.99 USD, with full localization across 11 languages including English, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and more.

Suit up, boot up, and get drilling—because in the core, time is ore.

Follow the dev team over at Hungry Couch and wishlist the game on Steam to stay updated on post-launch content and community events.

Set in a dazzling near-future where gravity’s more of a suggestion and fashion is everything, JETRUNNER drops players into the world’s most dangerous and electrifying sport. Combining fluid first-person parkour, speedrun-tier level design, and fast-paced FPS mechanics, the game is built for players who live for momentum and precision.

Full Game Access for Press & Creators – August 18

Developers have confirmed that press and content creators will receive full access to the game starting August 18, giving early access to the complete experience ahead of its global release.

A New Gameplay Trailer & Voice Cast Reveal

A brand-new gameplay trailer is out now, spotlighting the game’s star runner, Nina, as she slides, swings, shoots, and slams through intense jetrunning courses. Every twist and flip is punctuated by high-energy commentary from Mick Acaster, voiced by none other than Matthew Mercer (Critical Role, Overwatch), bringing arena-level hype to every match.

And he’s not the only big name in the booth:

• Matthew Mercer as Mick Acaster, legendary jetrunning commentator

• Alejandro Saab (Genshin Impact, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) as Jacque, Nina’s loyal childhood friend

• Sara Secora (Lifeline, Welcome to the Game) as Nina, the rising star of the circuit

This isn’t just a race—it’s a story-driven sprint toward stardom, betrayal, and self-discovery… at 200 mph.

JETRUNNER hits PC on September 4, 2025, bringing high-speed parkour, precision shooting, and sleek style to the forefront. Whether you’re in it for the leaderboard or the lore, this is a race worth suiting up for.

You play as Klaus Lee, a jetpack-wearing, explosion-loving stuntman with a side gig saving the world. Your mission? Survive and conquer more than 100 handcrafted levels loaded with traps, secrets, and over-the-top challenges. Between temple ruins and dynamite-fueled jumps, it’s a full-throttle ride through pure pixel mayhem.

And when you’ve conquered the chaos? The game includes a powerful level editor so you can build your own stages, fill them with absurd hazards, and unleash them on the world.

What’s in the Thunderballs Toolbox:

• Over 100 fast-paced levels packed with danger, secrets, and style

• Slow-motion mechanics and plenty of dynamite for creative problem-solving

• A full-featured level editor to design and share your own challenges

• Retro pixel visuals that channel peak 80s action movie vibes

• An unapologetically wild tone packed with stunts, explosions, and moustaches

If you’ve got a soft spot for pixel-perfect platformers, ‘80s tropes, or just blowing stuff up in style, Klaus Lee – Thunderballs should be on your radar.

Now available on all major platforms. Jetpack up and dive into the madness.