Design the ultimate destination for travelers with an all-new set of creative tools
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – August 26, 2025 –Mini Motorways, the award-winning minimalist strategy traffic management sim with over nine million players from developer Dinosaur Polo Club, redefines city planning with today’s free launch of the highly requested Creative Mode on Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, and PC and Mac via Steam.
Become an asphalt artist and completely redesign the Mini Motorways maps you know and love, changing building placements, colors, and destinations! Bring your vision of an ideal city to life with ultimate creative control to reroute, recolor, and rebuild cities to accommodate each city’s denizens however you see fit. Craft creative cul-de-sacs, master the flow of traffic, and pave the way to a better world.
Creative Mode joins the pre-existing Classic, Endless, and Expert Modes to provide four established gameplay experiences for mini motorists of all kinds. Change the palette of your neighborhoods, reposition houses, and tunnel through the heart of the mountains themselves to bring about a more efficient way of living, where citygoers benefit from your creative choices. Transform a bustling metropolis into a spacious grid of roadways that pays respect to nature’s rippling rivers and towering trees, or concoct a concrete jungle and lay convenient roadwork over every inch of unpaved, open spaces.
This exciting new game mode draws inspiration from its predecessor, the award-winning Mini Metro, and has been highly requested since Mini Motorways launched in 2019. Offering a whole new definition of ‘zen’ loved by Mini enthusiasts, Creative Mode gives players a brand new identity to inspire future generations of city planners; create your perfectly organized city or let loose and design an absolute monstrosity — the choice is yours!
“We know our players are stoked for this one” said Casey Lusas-Quaid, Dinosaur Polo Club’s Community Manager. “As Mini Motorways grows and matures, we’re happy to be able to give players a much-requested creative gameplay experience. Our community helped get us to where we are now, and we can’t wait to see what you whip up with these new tools.”
Dinosaur Polo Club is an independent game development studio based in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand. Founded in 2013 by brothers Peter and Robert Curry, the studio first made waves with their award-winning and BAFTA-nominated debut Mini Metro. Created in collaboration with Disasterpeace and Jamie Churchman, Mini Metro explores relaxed and minimalist subway design. The second game developed by Dinosaur Polo Club introduces a brand new type of city management with colorful road-building and resource management found in Mini Motorways. Combined, Mini Metro and Mini Motorways make up two parts of an expanding Mini Collection.
With an inclusive and supportive culture that believes in giving back to its creative community, the studio has grown and is now home to over 30 Dinos as it works on new titles with relatable simplicity.
Command your fleet in VR from the bridge of your flagship
Los Angeles, CA. 26 August 2025 | SpaceOwl Games is proud to announce the action-packed sequel to their 2022 real-time strategy space game,BattleGroupVR. Engage in tactical fleet combat designed for a fully 3D space battlefield in BattleGroupVR2; demo available on Steam and Meta Quest September 12. Maneuver your forces, coordinate fleet formations, and execute precise attacks against intelligent enemies. Every battle is a test of strategy and skill.
Lead Your Own Fearless Fleet
BattleGroupVR2 is a virtual reality, real-time space strategy game where you explore the galaxy and lead a fleet of powerful warships from the bridge of your flagship. As Commander, you’re tasked with the responsibility of training your captains, overseeing resources, and ensuring each ship is fit for purpose.
Grow your fleet and oversee ship upgrades as you prepare for intense and immersive space battles. Players don’t just command from above; you lead your fleet firsthand, making tactical decisions in the heat of battle. Choose your path across multiple distinct game modes, each offering unique challenges and opportunities to expand your power among the stars.
Gather Resources and Hunt Pillaging Pirates
Command a variety of starships, from nimble Corvettes to devastating Battleships. Equip them with a full arsenal of powerful weapons, shields, and support systems to match your playstyle. Recruit skilled captains, who each bring their own tactical expertise, to turn the tide of battle.
Skillfully manage resources to accelerate your rise to power: Mine asteroids, trade valuable commodities, and hunt down space pirates to forge your reputation as you grow your fleet.
Navigators And Warlords Welcome
Whether you’re enjoying the scenic, immersive views as a navigator, or raging intensive battles in Conquest Mode, Players can choose their own unique pace and experience in BattlegroupVR2. Open World mode allows players to explore the procedurally generated galaxy. Combat Gauntlet is a relentless test of endurance and strategy where players can grow their fleet and pierce deeper into the ‘gauntlet’: a series of combat missions that will test your skill as a fleet commander. The rewards will grow the deeper you get, but so will the challenges. Players who choose Conquest Mode can expand their territory, fortify key sectors, and battle online against rival players’ fleets in a game of galactic domination. Form your own factions and carve out your slice of the empire. Your fleet fights even when offline, so every choice you make shapes the battlefield.
Gameplay Features:
Real Time Strategy – Position ships to exploit weakness in enemy shield arcs, target subsystems to disable opponents, and use special weapons to cripple your adversaries.
Variety of Spaceships – Captain starships of all shapes and sizes, ranging from speedy corvettes to huge battleships with a full arsenal of weapons and equipment to kit out each vessel.
Open World Adventure – Cruise through a huge galaxy on a mission to discover the truth of your father’s fall from grace. Take up contracts, trade valuable commodities, recruit captains, and grow your fleet to restore your family’s honor.
Multiple Game Modes – Combat Gauntlet, Online Multiplayer and Co-op, and Asynchronous Multiplayer.
You can play the demo for BattlegroupVR2 on September 12th. Wishlist on Steam and Meta Quest to stay up to date with release dates, developer updates, and more! Join the Discord community to communicate with fellow space captains.
About SpaceOwl Games
SpaceOwl Games is a one-person indie studio dedicated to creating the kind of games its founder loves to play. As a lifelong sci-fi fan raised on Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate, and The Expanse, I bring a passion for massive starships, explosive battles, and epic space combat into every project. My goal is to craft immersive, action-packed experiences full of big ships that go boom – games built by a fan, for fans of the genres.
Play the latest demo at gamescom at the Marvelous Europe booth in Hall 7 or head to the Indie Arena Booth in Hall 10.2
Marvelous Europe and XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, alongside Little Chicken, today revealed a new trailer for the highly anticipated supernatural life sim, Moonlight Peaks, coming to Windows PC via Steam in 2026.
Revealed during gamescom, the latest Moonlight Peaks trailer explores the supernatural eponymous town and its charming locals. Sneak a peek at the newly revealed areas, characters and the fun festivals taking place in town, or plan your next embroidery, flower arranging, and spellcasting sessions alongside cute farm familiars in your beautifully decorated gothic home.
Additionally, gamescom attendees will have the opportunity to experience a new hands-on demo, featuring new characters and locations, for Moonlight Peaksat the Marvelous Europe booth, A-051 in Hall 7 as well as the Indie Arena Booth in Hall 10.2 between August 20-24 at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany.
Experience life as a vampire in the magical town of Moonlight Peaks! In this heartwarming life-sim, you set out to prove to your skeptical father, Count Dracula, that a life of compassion is possible – even for the undead. Make friends with the local werewolves, witches and mermaids, and find your eternal love in the supernatural dating scene. Unlock ancient powers, brew potions and cast spells as you embrace the immortal life of a vampire. Unravel the mysteries of the seven families and step out of the shadow of your father, as you create your own legacy!
KEY FEATURES
Live the vampire life in the magical town of Moonlight Peaks
Master the art of potions and spells
Manage your supernatural farm
Make friends with the local werewolves, witches, and mermaids, and find your eternal love in the supernatural dating scene
More to come!
Developed by Little Chicken and published in Europe and Australia by Marvelous Europe, Moonlight Peaks is currently in development for Windows PC via Steam. The game will be published in the Americas by XSEED Games.
About Marvelous Europe
Marvelous Europe is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Marvelous Inc., developer of beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory games. Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe’s varied portfolio includes both third-party titles such as Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, Leximan, Cuisineer and Moonlight Peaks in addition to select Marvelous Inc. content.
Revealed in the Xbox @ gamescom broadcast, the roguelite re-invention has also announced its soundtrack, featuring music from the legendary TECHNOuchi (Dark Souls, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake), is coming to digital and physical.
Cologne, Germany – August 21st, 2025 – Publisher CULT Games and developer White Owls Inc are thrilled to announce HOTEL BARCELONA – the surreal, bloodsoaked sidescrolling roguelite from iconic Japanese creators SUDA51 (No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw) and SWERY (Deadly Premonition) – launches September 26th.
Watch the NEW TRAILER, revealed in the Xbox @ gamescom broadcast:
Part action, part roguelite, all fever dream. Wake up in a twisted hotel taken over by serial killers and become Justine, a fresh-faced federal marshal with a primeval monster possessing her brain. With trippy anime-style visuals designed by the artists behind genre-defying Japanese hits like Chainsaw Man, Persona, and Final Fantasy VII Remake, try to escape this luxury getaway turned psychedelic nightmare and defeat the hotel’s bloodthirsty new management – tough as nails brutes, psychopaths, and criminals from all over America. Suffice to say, you won’t be alive by checkout.
Lucky for you, in this re-invented roguelite, death isn’t the end – it’s just the start. Exact vengeance on gnarly opponents with the Slasher Phantoms, an army of spirits who mimic your actions from previous runs. Build out an arsenal to die for as you trade your experiences throughout the hotel for game-changing upgrades and almost 100 lethal weapons to unlock. All set? Now it’s time for a killing spree! Keep up the carnage without breaking a sweat and be rewarded with the full force of Dr. Carnival, the ancient evil festering in your mind. Just don’t let that almighty power go to your head…
Rocking out to the music in the trailer? The soundtrack for HOTEL BARCELONA, including the song No Way Out, is coming to digital and physical! Featuring all-original music by the legendary Yuji “TECHNOuchi” Takenouchi (Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake), among other incredible artists, the release is proudly being organised by Kid Katana Records – a label who’ve worked on acclaimed video game soundtracks like Lost Records: Bloom & Rage and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge.
HOTEL BARCELONA slaughters its way onto Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on September 26th. Wishlist the game on Steam now!
About White Owls Inc
Founded in November 2016, White Owls is an independent game development studio led by SWERY. The core team consists of original members who previously worked on Deadly Premonition and D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die. Since its founding, White Owls has established itself as a standout indie developer representing Japan.
Since the release of its debut title, The MISSING, in 2018, White Owls has continued to create unique games, including Deadly Premonition 2, The Good Life, and Death Game Hotel. These titles have received numerous awards and recognition worldwide.
About CULT Games
CULT Games is an ambitious independent games label for ambitious independent game developers, working with world class development studios to publish extraordinary games with a community‑focused approach. Led by a team with decades of experience driving commercial and critical success in games and entertainment, the sometimes zealous, always hardworking, London‑HQ’d collective began launching games in 2024.
About Kid Katana Records
Kid Katana Records specializes in video game music, connecting exceptional artists with fans through premium physical and digital releases. Collaborating with the finest publishers and IP owners (SEGA, Nickelodeon/Paramount, KOEI TECMO, DON’T NOD, Dotemu, Quantic Dream, SNK…) the label pushes the boundaries of video game music. Its catalog includes the acclaimed soundtracks for Streets of Rage 4, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge, Jusant, V Rising, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, and Rematch.
Edmonton, Canada, August 26th, 2025 – Caldera Interactive has unveiled an all new gameplay trailer for its cozy farming sim / tower defense hybrid The Rabbit Haul, coming to PC and Switch in 2026. As a fleet-footed rabbit, you must nurture your garden by day, then defend it from mischievous raccoons by night.
Those heading to PAX West will get to play The Rabbit Haul for themselves, with Caldera Interactive CEO & Co-Founder Isael Huard, and Co-Founder & Technical Director Mickael Zerihoun in attendance. Visitors can earn prizes by participating in the Indie Stamp Rally or join the #SproutSquad to snag adorable sprout hair clips. So if you’re going to be attending, hop to it at Booth #652!
The Rabbit Haul has recently hit its Alpha milestone, adding many long awaited features! Players can now help rebuild their town after it’s been ravaged by the Trash Panda Posse, encouraging friendly animals to return to their nests. NPCs will also give quests to the player, offering them rewards and upgrades along the way. Finally, the team has added roguelite elements in the forms of cards that players choose when they level up, ensuring that each run is as unique and personalized as possible!
The Rabbit Haul places players in the role of a cute cottontail trying to rebuild their hometown after it’s been ravaged by greedy raccoon gang the Trash Panda Posse. During the day, you must tend to your crops, replenish your food reserves and economy, water your farm, add harvested produce to your haul, and grow defensive tower plants that will help thwart off invaders. Be strategic in your placement, as an ideal garden will make use of synergies created between harmonious plants.
When you choose to switch over into nighttime, you must defend your haul against the assailing Trash Panda Posse. They’ll grow stronger with each wave, with different enemy types attempting to spoil your riches, so you must upgrade your weapons and defenses to ensure you can survive the night!
No two playthroughs are ever the same, as The Rabbit Haul features a sprawling, randomly generated world full of quests and treasures. Explore the overworld to discover unique items and allies that will help rebuild your town and reinforce your defenses even further. Between runs, you can upgrade your towers, unlock new merchants, and prepare yourself for your next adventure. With an array of unique weapons, upgrade paths, powerful towers and crops to unlock, The Rabbit Haul offers countless playstyles to master!
“Over the last couple of years we’ve been squirreling away developing The Rabbit Haul and we’re so excited to show off the fruits of our labor,” said Titus Lo, game designer at Caldera Interactive. “We know there’s been an appetite for its unique blend of cozy farming sim and tense tower defense since we won the GDC 2024 Pitch competition for it, so we’re eagerly awaiting showing off the new and improved Alpha to PAX attendees!”
About Caldera Interactive
Caldera Interactive was created in 2018 when Jeff Cho sought out fellow University of Alberta graduates, Isael Huard, Mickael Zerihoun and Titus Lo, to found a part-time game studio together. All individuals on the team were hand-picked for their passion and care for the gaming industry, as well as their diverse skill sets that complement each other’s. Caldera Interactive was officially incorporated in 2019 and Isael, Mickael and Titus started full-time operations of the studio in 2022. Since then, the team has worked on multiple prototypes that received over $1,500,000 CAD from the Canada Media Fund and other funding bodies. The team also won the GDC Pitch competition in 2024 for their game, The Rabbit Haul, set to release in 2026. Making its home in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Caldera prides itself on being a diverse and bilingual (English/French) studio that makes fun games with a great team.
Test your swordsmanship at Booth #634 in the Arch Building, Level 4!
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – August 26th, 2025 – Solo developer ALX Theory LLC is excited to announce that his game, Swordai, will be showcased at PAX West 2025, this August 29th – September 1st, 2025. Visitors can try out the extraction slasher and complete challenges for a reward! Prospective swordsmen can also partake in Playtest 7 to take on the tower from September 3rd to September 8th.
Begin Your Climb
Swordai is a challenging extraction dungeon crawler where players battle through a tower filled with traps, treasure, and treachery. A directional melee combat system is merged with traditional extraction mechanics, putting you on a timer to claim what is yours and make it out alive through pure skill. Stave off the impending “final fury” debuff that will end your run by progressing further through the tower. Clash with monsters, bosses, and other competing swordsmen, all the while finding loot unique to each region. The clock is ticking, so forge ahead and find white portals to escape with your loot with seconds to spare or press your luck in a red portal, launching you further into the tower. Band together or slay those who stand in your way, and pray you escape with your hard-earned loot.
Challenge Swordai at PAX West
Swordai will be demoing in the Arch Building, Level 4, at Booth #634 during PAX West. Practice your mechanics in the Kata of Beginnings, a choreographed sword routine, or test your fighting ability in the Arena against increasingly difficult NPC foes. Visit the booth to receive a sword charm or knight helmet for stopping by, or complete additional tasks and challenges for a Swordai keychain or even a digital key to the game when it releases! Supplies are limited!
Join Playtest 7
After a successful Playtest 6 in July, ALX Theory will be running Playtest 7 soon after PAX West completes. Starting September 3rd 1pm PT til September 8th, players will have an opportunity to challenge the tower and other players. A 2v2 tournament will also be held the weekend before on August 30th. Join Discord for more information on the playtest and tournament! Your feedback is valuable to the development of this game.
Don’t miss out the chance to try Swordai in person during PAX West at Booth #634 and register through Steam for Playtest 7.
About ALX Theory
ALX Theory LLC is a one-man operation by Alex Sutherland, a solo developer from Las Vegas, Nevada. Combining two of his favorite genres, melee slashers, and dungeon crawlers, Alex is making the game he’s always wanted to play with Swordai– and he can’t wait to share it with the world.
New DLC pack arrives alongside a free game update including new wolf fur variations.
STOCKHOLM – 26 August, 2025 – Avalanche Studios Group has released the Pump, Flip and Fire pack, featuring three new, versatile rifles for theHunter: Call of the Wild for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store. The Pump, Flip and Fire pack is available on all platforms for £4.29 / €4.99 / $4.99.
Alongside the new rifles, a free game update will include two new rare fur types for the Grey Wolf and 14 new Mule Deer antlers, as well as all existing deer antlers being optimized with remastered textures.
The Pump, Flip and Fire Pack features:
A new lever action rifle – the Anatha Action .22 Magnum. with its sleek and modern finish and tubular magazine, is a tactile new take on the popular classic lever-action rifle. Designed with .22 magnum chambering, its speedy and reliable reload capability will have players leveling up their small game hunting in no time.
A new pump action rifle – the Frost .257 is the perfect example of high-powered, smooth functionality. With its rapid reload magazine chambering in .257 ammunition, it presents a unique loadout option for hunters looking to switch things up. It’s also a complementary choice when hunting medium-sized game.
A folding shotgun – the Giddings SSC .410 Coyote can go from folded to fireable in seconds. This backpack-friendly Giddings is a versatile and lightweight addition, ensuring players are ready to react when the hunting opportunity strikes. As well as birdshot, the .410 chambering now includes buckshot and slugs, designed for efficient takedown of small to medium game.
New ammo types for each of the new guns – the .22 Magnum hollow point and jacketed hollow point; the .257 soft point and polymer tip; as well as the .410 buckshot and .410 slug.
The latest free update includes:
Two new rare furs for the Grey Wolf variations – Melanistic Charcoal and Acromelanistic.
Melanistic Charcoal includes high melanin levels while retaining some grey highlights.
Acromelanistic fur possesses extremity-specific pigmentation due to an increase of melanin for a unique fur type.
14 new Mule Deer antlers, distributed across all levels. All existing Mule Deer antlers were optimized and their textures remastered.
theHunter: Call of the Wild is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store. For more information, visit the game’s website.
About theHunter: Call of the Wild
theHunter: Call of the Wild offers the most immersive hunting experience ever created. Players can immerse themselves in the atmospheric single-player campaign, or share the ultimate hunting experience with friends. Since its release in 2017, theHunter: Call of the Wild has grown to feature an incredibly diverse animal species roster across multiple unique reserves, and continues to actively engage millions of players. theHunter: Call of the Wild is available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Store (including PC Game Pass), Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
About Expansive Worlds
Expansive Worlds is a creative division within Avalanche Studios Group and a leading developer and publisher of outdoor games. Since 2007, Expansive Worlds has been devoted to delivering highly immersive outdoor gaming experiences for millions of players. It is best known for the long-standing and successful theHunter franchise, as well as the open-world fishing game Call of the Wild: The Angler. Expansive Worlds develops games using the proprietary Apex engine, enabling vast open worlds with endless creative possibilities.
About Avalanche Studios Group
Avalanche Studios Group is a leading interactive entertainment company offering a wide range of games and live services from creative divisions Avalanche Studios, Expansive Worlds, and Systemic Reaction. Its portfolio includes the Just Cause franchise, theHunter: Call of the Wild, Generation Zero, Rage 2 and Call of the Wild: The Angler. Founded in 2003, Avalanche Studios Group draws from nearly two decades of open-world experience. All its games are developed using the proprietary Apex engine, enabling vast and dynamic worlds, full of emergent gameplay and endless creative possibilities.
It’s a bit hard to imagine that one of the first times that Shantae was released was nearly enough to put the entire franchise to bed. In fact, it did for eight years before reviving with Risky’s Revenge, leaving the actual second game in the series Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution to sit unfinished somewhere on a hard-drive collecting dust for over two decades after being seen as too “high risk” due to the status of the GBA and market at the time. Now here in 2025, twenty three years after it was initially started to be developed first the title arrived as a proper GBA game partnered through Limited Run Games and now on consoles with an enhanced version, bringing Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution to anyone who wants to sample this game nearly lost to time. But the question is, does this half-genie have it in her to bring this decidedly retro platformer to life for modern audiences?
Story
One day Shantae wakes up and realizes she is incredibly late to the showing of Scuttle Town’s new defense system and rushes out to meet her friends Sky and Bolo who are working on a large fan that could deflect the nefarious pirate Risky Boots’ consistent attacks on the town. After a brief back-and-forth about how late Shantae is and how her new friend Rottytops can certainly help with the fan service, none other than Risky Boots herself shows up to taunt the half-genie into pursuing her into a battle that eventually leads to a mysterious cavern that snakes its way through the entirety of Sequin Land alongside massive pillars holding the land up. Unfortunately for them, Risky Boots has already learned of this strange phenomenon and crafted a disastrous tool to take advantage of it.
Dubbing it the Tremor Engine, Risky can use it whenever she wishes to alter the very surface of Sequin Land to rotate towns that were previously protected into defenseless targets for her crew. Shantae turns to her uncle Mimic to devise a way to stop Risky’s creation and ensuing rampage and that is where she learns of her major goal throughout the game, finding and locating the long separated Relic Hunter’s guild members who, together with Mimic, can devise a solution. Unfortunately for Shantae, Risky has already employed three powerful demons known as the Muck Lords to capture and hold these brilliant minds prisoner, leaving it up to Shantae to save each of them through increasingly different and difficult ways.
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution may not have the most complicated storyline, as it is as straightforward as they come, it is also incredibly funny. Where some other right might pull off some type of dramatic twist of a character reveal, Shantae Advance pulls off a comedic reveal instead, flipping expectations entirely when it comes to how characters are introduced and how Shantae handles things, usually with her own sense of upbeat charm or occasionally letting out a burst of anger when pushed too far.
Whether it is the system itself guilt-tripping her for taking a ball from a baby, the fact that the shop keeper was probably eaten by Rottytops and has taken over shop duties instead, or the constant fourth-wall breaking and referential humor there are plenty of jokes to be had throughout the game. While we won’t spoil some of the best jokes here, this may be some of the wittiest writing the series has had, perhaps thanks to its wealth of backlog to pull from, or simply because of its straightforward and hilarious nature, some of which can even be a little dark despite their colorful telling.
Gameplay
For the most part Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution plays similar to how fans of the game might expect from the series’ history Scuttle Town serves as the game’s main hub where Shantae will often return to gain her new mission after rescuing a Relic Hunter as well as the primary shop location, save room, and even hot spring to restore health and magic. Players will use any maps they acquire and give them to Sky who will then fly them to the location, with each map also saying how many “Secret Squids” are within a location. Some of these maps are simple towns with NPCs that Shantae can interact with and give items to in some cases, especially the various rare game seeking wolves, but the largest maps are full scale locations featuring side-dungeons and tombs where players not only must track down the missing Relic Hunters but obtain new powers and transformations for Shantae as well.
The platforming and combat remain as tight feeling as ever, with Shantae able to use her pony-tail to whip enemies with increased damage and speed the more shampoo players buy or utilize spells to dish out damage in a variety of other ways while depleting her magic gauge. Enemies themselves generally drop gems (currency), healing hearts, or magic pots allowing for players to zip through areas once they’ve got the hang of enemy attack types, especially once more of Shantae’s transformation abilities are unlocked. As players defeat tombs and solve puzzles within grander dungeons, Shantae will be rewarded with a wish charm that, when dropped into a usually nearby fountain, will unlock a new transformation.
These transformations are performed by dancing (which can also pull in enemy drops) and either pressing a face button or directional input depending on the form needed such as monkey that has higher jumping and the ability to climb walls, a crab that can sink and navigate into the deeper water, an elephant that can smash through certain blocks, and eventually more advanced forms such as a spider that can climb webbing, a mermaid that almost entirely negates the point of the crab form (which becomes quite useless minus one puzzle mechanic) and finally an end-game level harpy transformation that makes navigating levels a breeze.
The major gimmick this time around for Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution happens to be the fact that there are various devices placed in most towns and, most importantly, in the major levels themselves. These devices trigger Risky’s Tremor Engine and in towns they happen to be plot based but in the exploration areas they happen to play into actually navigating the world and solving puzzles here and there as they rotate the entire background of the level, making previously unreachable platforms or locations now reachable. Players will also find various locations where they can transfer from the foreground to the background areas, with these also shifting locations, and enemies will spawn on both areas, though only a few have the ability to swap between the front and back.
Exploration and puzzle solving are fairly straightforward but very satisfying. While there is no map system the game’s locations and dungeons aren’t overly large to the point that players will get easily lost and even tracking down an old dungeon or area that they couldn’t previously access because they were lacking Shantae’s Harpy form or even the ability to attack while in her Mermaid form, is fairly simple though makes for a nice challenge for those looking to complete the game with every secret squid available. The bosses themselves are also fairly unique, though the tomb boss being only slightly modified is a bit lacking. Otherwise the actual main bosses players battle against all have a unique gimmick of their own that players will need to figure out to best defeat them, keeping them on their toes even with as fully upgraded Shantae players can have to that point. It is nice to note that those who want to ease the game up a bit can always purchase extra healing items and MP refilling items from Rottytops in a dungeon, making the title still accessible even if the usual “save room run” to retry a boss fight is generally only a room or two.
Outside of the main story mode there is also a multiplayer option available for those who want to try it out called Battle Mode. This mode is rather basic and is unfortunately only available on couch co-op, meaning that players must play with an extra controller and there is surprisingly no option to add bots as opponents. The Battle Mode allows players to fight one another in a strange little box that auto-rotates with spikes and boxes as environmental damage while they can also attack one another until there is only one player standing. This mode is incredibly basic and feels like a rather strange addition, especially with no bot option available.
Audio & Visuals
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution actually offers two modes of play, depending on how “authentic” fans may want it to feel. There is either the “Classic” mode that will keep the game matching the same GBA aesthetics all around that was released earlier this year with some rough but still adequate looking sprites and character portraits with some rough edges but the main draw here happens to be the Story Mode. The Story Mode features the HD character portraits and CG scenes that appear from time to time and look absolutely stunning and brightly colored. It is worth noting that the game still retains its pixel-art aesthetic even in Story Mode, only the pixels are presented as crisply as possible. Enemy variety is also nicely spaced out depending on location minus a few re-colored foes. It is also worth noting that it is great to see Shantae leaning into the fan-service elements where it can, especially to make a joke. One of these even happens during a boss fight where players have a chance of making Rottytops pop out of a cake wearing a bunnygirl outfit and toss a healing heart to Shantae and give her a boost. That and the variety of “deluxe edition” costumes should players buy the fancier version of the game providing various boons as well as an unlockable bikini should players find all of the lost squids.
There is minimal voice work throughout the game minus a few little chirps here and there but that doesn’t mean that this game fails to impress. The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal with there being a great number of tracks available and mixed throughout the game depending on which location layers are traveling through, if they are fighting a boss, or even simply exploring a town. These songs are quite impressive and are a real standout when exploring the game, especially when cleaning up collectables that can finally be reached in previous locations with Shantae’s final few transformations.
Overall
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is the best type of revival that fans could hope for. While its story may not be the most serious, it features all of the same charming and incredibly humorous cast and writing that the series is known for alongside bright and colorful visuals that are present both in the retro styling of the GBA, if players choose, and gorgeous character portraits. Featuring impressive platforming, enjoyable puzzles, and light metroidvania aspects there might be some transformations that may not feel the most useful after a while but this is one that fans will have a blast with.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
SEATTLE — August 25 2025 — Following the successful deployment of last year’s Glitchwalkers expansion, System Era Softworks are excited to reveal ASTRONEER: Megatech, a second paid DLC launching this November on PC, Switch, PS4 and Xbox Series S|X.
In the ASTRONEER: Megatech DLC, players will unlock the ability to build massive Megastructure projects set to test their Basebuilding skills to the max using new and existing technology.
Each Megastructure will have its own unique identity and gameplay, unlocking new possibilities and rewards. Harness the power of Megatech to take Basebuilding and Automation to a whole new level!
This DLC will be fully compatible with existing saves, and builds off of any progress you’ve already made in game, so feel free to start fresh, or load up your existing saves and start building!
In addition, ASTRONEER: Megatech will be released alongside a free update for all players. The free update will include new items and the ability to create a Megastructure that will allow automated interplanetary transportation. That means you will be able to move resources and technology between planets!
Stay tuned for more information, including the impending release date, by following System Era at the links below, and wishlist ASTRONEER Megatech today!
Where Hilarious Bounty Hunting and Panic-Fueled Cooking Collide!
(Seoul, South Korea) – August 25, 2025 – The kitchen is open, and it’s extremely flammable! Indie studio JofSoft has officially launched Pizza Bandit into Early Access on Steam and Epic Games Store: a chaotic third-person co-op shooter where hilarious bounty hunting and panic-fueled cooking collide across space and time – think Gears of War meets Overcooked!
In Pizza Bandit, players become a time-traveling ex-mercenary, Malik, with an oddly specific dream–opening the galaxy’s greatest pizza joint. To fund that dream, players will travel across eras, take down dangerous targets, and cook under literal fire. From flipping dough in a warzone to serving up kills with style, every mission is a multitasking meltdown!
“We wanted to blend arcade-style combat with the absurd pressure of a cooking show in total crisis,” says Hugo Pak, Game Director at JofSoft.“It’s fast, ridiculous, and surprisingly strategic– just like trying to open a restaurant during an alien invasion!”
Early Access Features Include:
1–4 Player Online Co-op: Roll solo or team up with friends. Mission difficulty scales, but so does the chaos.
Cooking Under Fire: Slice, assemble, and plate meals mid-battle while dodging bullets and managing enemy waves.
Bounty Missions Through Time: Travel through chaotic timelines filled with distinct enemies, hazards, and bonus objectives.
Fully Customizable Loadouts: Choose your weapons, cutlery, and character skills to suit every mission– and every mess.
Pizzeria Customization: Spend your hard-earned bounty cash to deck out your dream restaurant with neon, décor, and appliances.
Stylish Character Customization: Streetwear, glowing accessories, wild hair– dress like a culinary warlord.
A New Voice Cast: The game’s voice-over was directed by industry veteran Chris Borders (VO Director for the Gears series).
Intro Cinematics and Achievements: Discover Malik’s backstory through new cinematics and unlock in-game and Steam achievements.
Pizza Bandit launches into Early Access with a full core loop, online matchmaking, and a healthy dose of fire-based panic. The team at JofSoft plans to add new missions, enemies (including beefier armored variations and new monsters), recipes, cosmetics, and restaurant content throughout development, with player feedback helping shape the roadmap.
Pizza Bandit is available now on Steam Early Access with a 10% launch-week discount available for a limited time, ending September 5th, 2025.
About JofSoft
JofSoft is a Seoul-based indie studio formed by six veteran developers who left the world of AAA and mobile MMOs to build the kind of games they actually want to play – player-first, genre-mashing, and full of joyfully unhinged ideas. Pizza Bandit is their second PC title and their fourth title overall. For more information, visit https://www.jofsoft.com/.
