Did you know you might not actually be controlling a car in Mario Kart? Indie dev Walaber explains why
Los Angeles, CA – April 27th, 2026 – With Parking Garage Rally Circuit’s European Tour DLC out today on Steam for $4.99 / €4.50 / £4.29, solo-dev Walaber has taken the opportunity to delve into the inner workings of some of the game’s inspirations. An explanation of why you might not actually be controlling a car in Mario Kart is just one subject he tackles in his deep dive into drifting. Walaber goes on to show how he implemented drifting and boost stacking in the confines of a car park in Parking Garage Rally Circuit, which adds 8 multistorey car parks inspired by real locations today with European Tour. A release date for the console versions of Parking Garage Rally Circuit and European Tour will be announced at a later date.
European Tour doubles the size of the original game, adding 8 multistorey car parks and a full new soundtrack from The Holophonics. Visit multistory car parks in Paris (Art Car Park), York (York Castle Car Park), Turin (Car Factory), Montpellier (Double Loop), Hamburg (Concert Hall), Copenhagen (Power Plant), Geneva (Parking Tour) and Naples (Cave Park) as you drift and boost your way to victory in the single-player mode, or against other players online. These locations are all inspired by real multistorey carparks, though the odd underwater tunnel or falling stalactites may suggest a touch of artistic liberty.
Designed to look, feel and sound like a lost Sega Saturn game that could have been released in 1998, Parking Garage Rally Circuit delivers delightfully fun racing that’s easy to pick up and play with its chainable Mario Kart-style boosts, but requires skill to master as you unlock new car classes and compete to top the leaderboards. Head online to create and join lobbies of up to 8 players and race on any track, with any car class, gaining points after each race. The game also features an arcade-style ‘Endurance’ mode where you keep doing laps until you run out of time and cheat codes to discover that unlock fun modifiers, as well as special cars and tracks.
The base version of Parking Garage Rally Circuit featuring 8 American car parks to race in is available now on Steam for $9.99 / €8.99 / £8.50. News of a console release date for Parking Garage Rally Circuit and European Tour is coming soon.
About Walaber A lifelong and constant creator, Tim found his calling in game development. Tim got his start in the games industry at Disney, creating the company’s biggest early App Store successes “JellyCar” and “Where’s My Water?”. Tim is now a full-time independent creator, releasing solo games under the name “Walaber” (Pro Gymnast Simulator, JellyCar), and is also half of the two-person game company “Toyful Games” (Very Very Valet).
Become PowerWash droid P0-W2 and clean up iconic locations, ships, and vehicles from the original Star Wars™ trilogy in a new DLC pack this summer.
Brighton, UK – April 27th, 2026 – Independent UK developer and publisher FuturLab, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, has announced that PowerWash Simulator 2 – Star Wars™ Pack is coming this summer for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. The game’s second DLC invites players to clean up in a galaxy far, far away… where they can access iconic Star Wars locations like never before.
Set during the events of the original Star Wars trilogy, players will take on the role of class five labor droid, P0-W2. Wielding an exclusive power washer designed specifically for the pack, they’ll visit six iconic locations from the Star Wars™ galaxy, spanning from Hoth, to Tatooine and more to be revealed.
So far, three jobs have been announced: the foundational Lars Homestead, the unmistakable X-wing and the formidable Super Star Destroyer Bridge.
“For generations, Star Wars has captivated audiences with its exciting and vibrant galaxy of memorable moments and characters,” says Kirsty Rigden, CEO of FuturLab. “So, it’s been a privilege for the FuturLab team to be able to take PowerWash Simulator 2 into a galaxy far, far away and shine the spotlight on the power washing adventures of P0-W2.”
Whether cleaning solo or with friends in co-op, the Star Wars Pack builds on PowerWash Simulator 2’s improved tools, enhanced visuals, and expanded multiplayer options, making every blast feel more rewarding than ever. Each job is packed with Star Wars easter eggs for fans to uncover as they blast away the dirt.
The Star Wars Pack will be available for PowerWash Simulator 2 in Summer 2026 on PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 for 7.99 GBP / 9.99 USD / 9.99 EUR
About PowerWash Simulator 2 PowerWash Simulator 2 builds upon the calming yet immersive first-person cleaning sim. With new tools, 38 jobs, a customisable home-base, split-screen and online co-op, and smarter quality of life systems that enhance the satisfying cleaning experience of turning grime, spotless.
The Star Wars Pack is available to wishlist on Steam, Xbox and Epic now!
About FuturLab An award-winning game studio based in Brighton, UK, we’ve developed and published standout titles on PC and console since 2003. Our best-known games include Velocity 2X, Tiny Trax, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind, and the global hit PowerWash Simulator. We believe healthy teams make better games, which is why we champion positive culture, creative freedom, and zero crunch.
Stepping back into the classic cartoon era of the 1930s with rubber hose animation style we land in the mousey shoes of Jack Pepper, a private investigator whose given a case that leads to a far darker underbelly of the city in this noir style shooter Mouse: P.I. for Hire from Fumi Games,
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire – Gameplay
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a stylish first-person shooter that blends classic 1930s rubber hose animation with fast-paced noir-inspired action. Players step into the paws of private investigator Jack Pepper, taking on dangerous cases across the crime-ridden streets of Mouseburg. What begins as a routine investigation quickly spirals into a larger conspiracy filled with corruption, gangsters, and explosive encounters. With hand-drawn black-and-white visuals and a lively jazz soundtrack, the game creates a unique world that feels like a playable cartoon.
Gameplay combines old-school shooter intensity with modern mechanics, giving players access to wild weapons, power-ups, and environmental traps to outsmart enemies. Blast through hordes of foes, uncover clues, and navigate varied missions packed with secrets, platforming, and cinematic set-pieces. With its creative art direction, satisfying gunplay, and memorable detective atmosphere, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire delivers one of the most original action experiences of the year.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Developer: Fumi Games Publisher: PlaySide Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Steam) Release Date: 17th April, 2026 Price: $29.99 USD
Friday Sundae’s musical, Lovecraftian renovation game shows off open-world renovation, night-time clue-hunting, supernatural secrets, and a 30 day time limit
Bristol, UK – 27 April 2026 – Friday Sundae has released a brand new trailer for There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, following its reveal during the ID@Xbox Indie Showcase presented by IGN.
The trailer showcases new gameplay features from the studio’s upcoming musical, Lovecraftian renovation game, including open-world restoration, night-time supernatural investigations, and hidden ghost stories. It also reveals the 30 in-game days and nights players have to restore the Grand Hotel, explore the surrounding village, and uncover the truth behind its increasingly strange history.
In There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, players take on the role of Chris David, an American who unexpectedly inherits a crumbling English seaside hotel. By day, Chris must renovate the Grand and help restore the surrounding village of Kingswood-on-Sea. By night, those same locations begin to reveal something stranger beneath the wallpaper, broken windows, and fading paint.
Check out the brand new gameplay trailer
The new trailer shows how players can roam beyond the hotel into a small open world, discovering broken-down shops and buildings in need of repair. These spaces can be renovated and decorated using the game’s renovation tools, including the sandblaster, paint sprayer and furniture cannon, with some restorations unlocking ghost stories, hidden memories, and secrets contained within the buildings themselves.
The trailer also offers a new look at the game’s night-time investigations. As the sun goes down, players use their talking power tools to search for clues, investigate eerie locations such as the village church, and begin to unravel the supernatural mystery at the heart of the game. Renovation tools take on a second life after dark, becoming part of the player’s ghost-hunting arsenal as the game shifts from cosy restoration to something far more supernatural.
The trailer also reveals more about the game’s 30 day and 30 night structure. Players must choose how to spend their limited time, balancing renovation, exploration, relationships, and investigation as the mystery tightens around the player, the Grand Hotel, and the townspeople who seem to know more than they are saying.
The trailer features “Skeletons in the Closet”, an original song performed by Marcia Richards of The Skints, who voices the character Lily in the game. The track is one of more than ten original songs featured in There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, where each key character has their own musical story waiting to be uncovered.
There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is a narrative-rich exploration game with renovation gameplay, supernatural mystery, musical storytelling, and a small open world set in a fading English seaside town. Players will renovate by day, hunt ghosts by night, and discover why everyone keeps insisting that there are no ghosts at the Grand.
About Friday Sundae Friday Sundae is an independent game studio based in the South West of England. Their small team is a mix of AAA veterans and talented newcomers. Led by husband-and-wife team Rachel and Anil Glendinning, There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is the studio’s debut title.
Battle your destiny and reclaim your fate. Step into the world of ancient mythology and relentless combat. Experience the acclaimed action roguelite at the Nuuvem booth this Gamescom!
April 27, 2026 – Publisher 4Divinity, a publisher of GCL Global Holdings [NASDAQ: GCL], and developer Leap Studio have announced that the highly anticipated fast-paced action roguelite Realm of Ink will be one of the attractions at gamescom Latam 2026. The title will be available for the public to try at the event in the Nuuvem booth – 1407, 1408, 1409, and 1410, in front of the Shadow Zone.
In Realm of Ink, players control Red, a fearless swordswoman. During a hunt for the enigmatic Fox Demon, she stumbles upon a devastating truth: her life is nothing more than a story on a page. Determined to escape her destiny, she must traverse stunning new realms and face countless enemies to break free from her fate, once and for all.
To help Red on her journey, players face agile and precise combat. Aesthetic visuals combine traditional Chinese art with a modern 2.5D perspective.
Currently, Realm of Ink is in Early Access on Steam, where it has garnered “Very Positive” reviews. The title has undergone constant updates, language localisation, balance adjustments, seasonal events, and community-driven improvements. Leap Studio maintains a strong dialogue with players, using this feedback to refine all game systems, from combat flow to progression. All these improvements will be present in the console versions and in the release of version 1.0 for PC.
Leap Studio is excited to reveal a special collaboration with developer 91Act, bringing Oread, the formidable Stage 4 boss from BlazBlue Entropy Effect, into Realm of Ink as a fully playable character.
Entering the Ink Realm in style, Oread arrives armed with a powerful new Ink Gem, two exclusive Ink Pet skins, and a set of devastating new perks designed to complement her unique combat prowess, giving players bold new ways to reshape their builds and dominate the battlefield. Players can harness Oread’s powers day one on launch
Players can add Realm of Ink to their wishlists on Xbox Series and PC via Steam, while the PlayStation 4 & 5 and Nintendo Switch versions will be available soon.
PC and Xbox fans can also experience the game’s universe through a free demo, available in their respective stores, which highlights the game’s striking visual style and the depth of this constantly evolving roguelite.
Realm of Ink will be released on May 26, 2026, with a simultaneous launch for PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC (version 1.0).
About 4Divinity
4Divinity is a digital and retail games publishing company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCL, focused on bringing exciting game content from around the world to Asia and introducing Asian content to a global market. Along with its sister company, Epicsoft Asia, 4Divinity is partnering with publishers and development studios to introduce brand-new IP to the region.
About GCL Global Holdings
GCL Global Holdings Ltd. (“GCL”) is a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (GCL together with its subsidiaries, the “GCL Group”). Through its operating subsidiaries, GCL Group unites people through its ecosystem of content and hardware in games and entertainment, enabling creators to deliver engaging experiences to gaming communities worldwide with a strategic focus on the rapidly expanding Asian gaming market. Drawing on a deep understanding of gaming trends and market dynamics, GCL Group leverages its diverse portfolio of digital and physical content as well as multimedia peripherals to bridge cultures and reach global audiences by introducing Asian-developed IP across consoles, PCs, and streaming platforms.
About Nuuvem
Nuuvem is the Official Game Store of Latin America and a key player in the game publishing landscape. Founded in 2011 by gamers passionate about providing exceptional experiences, Nuuvem stands out with titles such as Enigma of Fear, Songs for a Hero – Definitive Edition, Copycat, Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Asleep, and Bagdex. As a publisher and co-publisher, Nuuvem is dedicated to bringing Latin American talent to the world, offering regional expertise and strategic support. Its commitment is to ensure that games reach their full potential, connecting players to unforgettable stories in both local and global markets.
A world-premiere look at a bold new stage, featuring uncharted environments and formidable bosses, coming to PlayStation and Steam in 2026.
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo –27th April, 2026 – SHUEISHA GAMES Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “SHUEISHA GAMES”) today released a new trailer for Chronoscript: The Endless End, an exploration-based action-adventure game developed by DeskWorks Inc. The trailer debuts the “Age of Discovery” stage, offering a fresh look at new environments and boss enemies.
In Chronoscript: The Endless End, players take on the role of an editor trapped within a mysterious manuscript. To escape, they must unravel a thousand-year story that continues to write itself beyond its own ending, navigating seamlessly between pen-and-ink-illustrated 2D manuscript pages and a cluttered, manuscript-strewn 3D manor.
Players explore a world stitched together from thousands of hand-drawn pages, each forming a distinct environment. Along the way, they confront Cursed Remnants, figures who once shaped history but now return in distorted forms, while uncovering fragments of a story that spans centuries.
The interior of the writer’s mansion resembles a private museum, adorned with rooms themed around various “eras” of world history. The trailer revealed today showcases the “Age of Discovery” stage – a symbol of discovery and pioneering – and the fierce battles against the enemies lurking within. Chronoscript: The Endless End is available to wishlist on PlayStation and Steam ahead of its planned 2026 release. Updates will be shared via the official X account: https://x.com/Chronoscript_PR
Key Features:
Hard-hitting action: Rooted in the satisfying challenge of classic 2D action platformers, the game evolves as you play, unlocking dynamic ink-traversing moves, as well as unique abilities to be used in exploration and combat.
Enemies corrupted beyond recognition: Fight against many souls who left this world while they paved the way for disaster and are now resurrected. Vicious bosses block your path. Defeat them to reveal the grim tales that sealed their fates.
A Distinct Hand-Drawn World: The protagonist, enemies, backgrounds, and others are all drawn by hand in pen and ink. Each frame of animation breathes unsettling life into them.
Guest creators: Top-tier creators with a shared vision for “Chronoscript: The Endless End” have brought their talents in sound production and character design into the game, fully joining forces with the team.
About DeskWorks DeskWorks Inc. is a small development team specializing in unique art styles and gameplay experiences. With a deep love for and understanding of exploration-based 2D action-adventure games as players, they are bringing their best ideas to the genre as developers. DeskWorks Official Website: https://deskworks.jp/
The “PlayStation Family Mark” and “PlayStation” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Developer Storycrop and publisher Okasan’s Recipe have announced the official release of Voice of Belldona, a sci-fantasy roguelike deckbuilder, launching on PC via Steam on May 20th.
Blending strategic deckbuilding with a dark, cosmic atmosphere, Voice of Belldona challenges players to shape their builds through high-risk decisions and tactical combat. The full release features expanded content, refined gameplay systems, and deeper progression, further enhancing the game’s depth and replayability.
Players will be able to experience the complete version of the game starting May 20th.
When chaos knows no end, what kind of fate will you choose? In a world where the only constant is war, Voice of Belldona draws you into an endless cycle of conflict and survival.In an effort to overcome the turmoil, the people decide to create a little warrior. But this white-haired, god-like entity has a major case of social anxiety?! She turns the once apocalyptic, barren world into a new one filled with races and civilizations previously known only from mythology and fairy tales, and grants the mysterious power of The Source to its inhabitants, including humans.
Voice of Belldona takes place in this fantastic world created by Cheryl and tells the story of her adventures after being unexpectedly awakened again.
Key Features
Deep Deckbuilding System: Build powerful and diverse strategies with a vast pool of 120+ cards, enabling endless combinations and playstyles.
Training & Legendary Blessings: Customize your runs with permanent upgrades and powerful one-time blessings that shape your stats and combat approach.
High Build Variety: Discover over 50 unique blessings that unlock deep synergy, allowing each run to feel fresh and highly customizable.
Expansive World & Enemies: Explore multiple areas filled with challenging enemies, hidden stories, and evolving threats.
Rich Narrative Events: Encounter 40+ story-driven events that add unpredictability and emotional depth to every run.
Summon Unique Allies: Recruit distinct units with specialized combat roles, enabling strategic positioning and team-based gameplay.
“Wish” System: Unlock high-risk, high-reward mechanics that can dramatically alter the outcome of your run.
Advanced Challenge Modes: Test your mastery with harder modes featuring modifiers such as fixed decks and ambush encounters.
Voice of Belldona features roguelike deckbuilding where you build and evolve your deck each run through combat and choices, summon allies to shape your strategy, and control battlefield formations to maximize positioning and combos. With multiple playstyles between aggressive combat and summon-based control, dynamic synergies that grow over time, branching paths filled with events and risks, and procedurally varied encounters, every decision becomes a high-risk choice that can define or break your run as you adapt your strategy in real time.
Voice of Belldona will officially launch on PC via Steam on May 20th. Players will be able to experience the full game, including its complete content, refined systems, and expanded gameplay.
Storycrop is an indie developer focused on crafting immersive gameplay experiences that blend strategic depth with rich worldbuilding. With Voice of Belldona, the studio explores a dark sci-fantasy universe shaped by conflict, fate, and the consequences of power, delivering a roguelike deckbuilding experience driven by tactical decision-making and evolving player builds.
About Okasan’s Recipe
Okasan’s Recipe is an indie game publisher supporting unique narrative-driven projects from creators around the world. The team focuses on bringing distinctive stories, experimental ideas, and emotionally engaging games to a global audience.
EVANGELION Crossover Alliance Raid and Nintendo Switch 2 Version Revealed; Shadowbringers Expansion Added to Free Trial and More
SQUARE ENIX® today announced Evercold, the sixth expansion for the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, set to launch in January 2027.
Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida revealed the new expansion during his keynote address at FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim, with the Evercold teaser trailer kicking off the Godless Realms Saga story arc. The teaser offers a glimpse into the adventures that the Warrior of Light will experience on the Fourth.
Yoshida also revealed EVANGELION – Ghosts of Desire coming in Evercold. The exciting new alliance raid series is a crossover with the hugely popular Japanese anime, EVANGELION, and will be created in collaboration with khara, Inc., best known for its work on the EVANGELION series. Since EVANGELION’s first television broadcast in 1995, the anime’s mysterious and profound storyline, alongside its innovative and stylish visual expression, has had a profound influence on numerous creators around the world, with the iconic franchise later expanding its library with multiple animated films and a comic adaptation.
View the EVANGELION: Ghosts of Desire Teaser Trailer below.
During the keynote, Yoshida also announced an unprecedented battle system overhaul with Reborn and Evolved modes coming to the game with the launch of Evercold. Reborn Mode will be based on the current combat system and job mechanics, while Evolved Mode offers greater emphasis on job identity. Further details and live gameplay was showcased during the development panel of Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim Day 1 and is available to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/_aCGzxWczCM?si=GSbCNVp5-9ouAh3f&t=20678 (New jobs introduced in Evercold will only be playable using Evolved mode).
A comprehensive list of additional announcements from today’s keynote related to the upcoming expansion, Evercold, includes:
Two new jobs: tank and physical ranged DPS
Level cap increase from 100 to 110
New cities
Distinctive new areas
New gigantic constructs and other monstrous threats to overcome
New allies to encounter
New dungeons
New trials
A new raid series
A new Ultimate raid
PvP updates
Ongoing content updates, including new gear and crafting recipes, updates to the Duty Support System and more
The launch of Evercold and its subsequent patch series will also allow all FINAL FANTASY XIV players to enjoy various expanded updates to the game’s design, in addition to the battle system changes, such as:
Seasons: An overhaul to the way players earn rewards and improve their characters
Armoury Update: To better facilitate playing with multiple jobs
Expanded Character Customization: More ways to make your character stand out from the crowd
For more information and future updates on Evercold, please visit the teaser site at: https://sqex.to/LtSxV
Further information regarding the FINAL FANTASY XIV Patch 7.5x series was also outlined during the keynote, with details on the Dancing Mad (Ultimate) raid. The patch schedule leading to the release of 8.0 was also detailed, providing players with additional content to look forward to, including:
Patch 7.5 (releasing April 28) – New main scenario quests, new Trial, and Echoes of Vana’diel Part 3
Patch 7.51 (releasing June 2) – New Cosmic Exploration Star “Auxesia,” new Custom Deliveries: Tiisol Ja, and Dancing Mad (Ultimate)
Patch 7.55 (releasing July 28) – New updates to Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures quests, the debut of Occult Crescent: North Horn, and new Phantom Weapon quests
Patch 7.56 (releasing Sept. 8) – New main scenario quests and introduction of beastmaster
On April 28, the Free Trial for the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga will also be expanded to include the highly praised third expansion, Shadowbringers. With all content up to Patch 5.58 soon to be included with not only A Realm Reborn and the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions, there has never been a better time for newcomers to join over 30 million other registered accounts on their adventures. Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to four full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime. Learn more about the Free Trial: https://sqex.to/FFXIVFreeTrial
Finally, SQUARE ENIX President and CEO, Takashi Kiryu, took to the stage to close the keynote and announce the Nintendo Switch™ 2 version of FINAL FANTASY XIV. This version will be arriving in August 2026. We plan to have an early access period, to test server stability, then launch into official service. Adventurers from more platforms than ever before can join together to enjoy this vast world. More details can be found here: https://sqex.to/GBs8O
The keynote presentation (English language supported) can be viewed on YouTube via the Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim Day 1 live stream:
FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim continued through Saturday, April 25. Fans at home were able to enjoy the stage content live on Twitch and YouTube (Day 1 & Day 2), as well as purchase a range of new in-game items commemorating the event from the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Store. The commemorative items are also available at a discounted price until the launch of Patch 7.5 on Tuesday, April 28. Additionally, this year, both the piano and THE PRIMALS concerts were also available as a paid stream.
About EVANGELION
The television series NEON GENESIS EVANGELION became an immediate and widespread sensation upon its first broadcast in 1995.
In 2007, the series was relaunched as the Rebuild of EVANGELION film series. Conceived, written and directed by Hideaki Anno, EVANGELION: 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 were all hugely successful, captivating new fans and garnering much praise from a wide range of audiences.
The fourth and final film in the series, EVANGELION: 3.0 + 1.0, was released on March 8, 2021, after having been postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It recorded 6.73 million admissions, earning 10.2 billion yen at the box office.
On March 8, 2023, the long-awaited Blu-ray and DVD, EVANGELION: 3.0 + 1.11 THRICE UPON A TIME was released.
October 2025 marked 30 years since the television series debuted, and a celebratory event titled EVANGELION: 30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION was held in Yokohama Arena between February 21 and 23, 2026. Though such an anniversary event was a first for the series, it proved to be a resounding success, attracting a great many visitors from Japan and around the world.
About Square Enix Ltd. Ranked as the #1 Publisher of the Year in 2025 by Metacritic.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX and TAITO branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 207 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 95 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Almost everywhere someone looks these days, there is some type of AI integration or companion involved. Whether it happens to be a pre-installed AI assistant on a cell phone, something pre-installed on the computer, or even an Alexa, AI has continued to climb its way into our lives whether we hope for it or not. But what if things didn’t play out the way they did back during World War II, and what if instead of a complete fallout, the devastation led to a new breakthrough in human technological advancement? That is the type of story that Sad Cat Studios offers when it comes to REPLACED. With parts of humanity living what appears to be a care-free life, what happens when this technological advancement starts coming at the cost of everything else?
Story
Set in a dystopian alternate past where, rather than successfully deploy nuclear weapons on Japan, the United States nuked itself by accident, triggering massive fallout throughout most of the country. This resulted in the founding of the Phoenix Corporation to help raise the country from the ashes, and Phoenix City is the hub of where their greatest invention lies, an incredibly advanced AI called R.E.A.C.H. Set in 1984, players take on the role of Doctor Warren Marsh who helped create R.E.A.C.H. in order to save as many people as possible but, during a ’bout of overworking, somehow triggers an explosion that transfers the AI, now known as REACH, into Warren’s body.
In an attempt to seek help from the explosion, REACH tries to speak with first responders only to find them executing survivors and firing upon him, forcing him to flee into the outskirts of the city and end up thrown over the wall, surviving by sheer luck and finding himself fighting through a gang of crazed survivors before being saved by Tempest, one of the leaders of the local city where Disposals have come to try their best to survive together despite being seen as castaways, their organs harvested and their bodies tossed over the wall with little care if they survive or not. With REACH barely able to understand human emotion or even what drives these people, let alone how their situation came about since, at least according to its programming only volunteers can donate their organs. Despite this, REACH has one goal in mind, returning back to the lab where this all started and returning Warren’s body back to him and allowing REACH back into its artificial form.
REPLACED tells an engaging narrative because not only does it tell its own overarching storyline about trying to see the Disposals rise up against the people who made them outcasts in the first place but also tells the story of what it means to be human. This is done through watching REACH’s reactions and interactions with characters as he learns more about the world and the real situation of the people in it, not just what he was programmed to believe. Thankfully a fairly solid collection of side-characters and main characters alongside REACH play off of his unique approach to things, especially since REACH narrates to himself a lot, trying to “compute” the oddities of everything that he has seen compared to what he thought he knew. This is also helped out by a slew of collectables scattered throughout the game as well as background details while exploring. Most of these collectables provide extra backstory about the world itself or details about specific events that have happened and ironically certain historical moments, such as JFK and Nixon, remain true even in this altered history.
What is unfortunate however is the game’s pacing. While the story may start out fast paced and keep players guessing what will happen next, they will then be drawn into incredibly simple missions that offer very little plot progression beyond “building” REACH’s inevitable move into the city. These story sections drag heavily, especially regarding the side-quests which almost entirely involve simply walking from one character to another to complete them, but doing these also provides extra bonuses such as health boosts, energy charging, and more. It is also worth noting that far too many locations that players travel through, despite being gorgeous looking as we will go over later, feel far too padded out. Given REACH’s movement speed, holding right for nearly a minute to trigger the next scene without any other input is far from engaging, despite how interesting the story waiting on the other side might be.
Gameplay
REPLACED is best described as a 2.5D style platformer with the occasional fight mixed in and a puzzle here and there, though these puzzles are incredibly basic and even the combat itself leaves a bit to be desired. Despite Warren Marsh being, as far as players are shown, a scientist that spent all of his time at a desk or hooked up to a neuro-helmet, REACH is able to use his body to pull off some rather impressive moves both inside and outside of combat. REACH can easily jump from platform to platform, occasionally needing to catch and pull himself up or roll over an edge if timed incorrectly but the actual timing is usually quite tight in these platforming sequences. A jump slightly too early can lead to an instant death fall and, oddly enough, REACH cannot jump straight up and will bounce into a wall he should be able to climb up otherwise and need to jump at it from a slight distance.
Some more complex additions to platforming are added a little later on, such as having to use a pickaxe to notch into “damaged” looking concrete that the game has trouble registering correctly, adding various hazards such as steam, electricity, and even fire that will instantly kill REACH, and the aforementioned puzzle element that is basically the only real puzzle through the first three quarters of the game, moving boxes or “air blowing” platforms. Platforms that are blowing air can be used to “double jump” with REACH using his gun to shoot downwards and give himself a bit of extra boost to reach his target. Otherwise general climbing navigation is simply following the yellow painted handles and ledges.
The combat in REPLACED is a bit of a mixed bag as it does have some interesting ideas but doesn’t really evolve a lot along the way despite offering new “tools” as players progress. Whenever players enter a battle arena REACH will draw his baton/gun and partake in melee focused combat with waves of enemies that appear both in the background and plane that the player is on. This strange portrayal of characters makes for a mess of what actual enemies are fighting when, and can be incredibly annoying if players are aiming at an enemy that is in the backlines waiting for their turn. Either way, with the melee system enemies will flash with either red exclamation marks signifying that players will need to dodge the attack or a yellow exclamation mark meaning they can parry it and lay into the enemy instead.
Some enemies will have armor that will need to be ripped away using the pickaxe players obtain shortly into the game before they can be properly damaged. The firearm that players eventually obtain can only be fired once, initially, and is charged by being on the offensive and striking at foes, giving players a one-shot kill usually on most enemies when it is charged and ready to fire. Eventually the combat adds an Overdrive function to the firearm that accumulates over multiple fights and can be used to fire multiple rounds in a row when activated. Another defensive/offensive option eventually unlocked is the ability to reflect incoming enemy fire and hit another enemy with it instead by pressing a certain button the moment an enemy’s aiming line turns red. Unfortunately the timing for this seems rather off since, for as many times as it worked correctly, it also resulted in REACH catching a round to the face. Reflecting enough bullets will also charge a Shockwave ability that can take out numerous foes as well but is unlocked far too late into the game to feel meaningful.
The boss fights are generally fairly interesting as most bosses feature a unique feature that players will need to take on one way or another, be it their attack pattern varying, an extra modified feature that players will need to keep an eye on, or something else unique. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the final two bosses of the game. One simply involves a late introduced hacking mini-game and platforming and the final boss is a massive let down, making the entire final few confrontations feel lackluster compared to earlier encounters. It is also worth noting that stealth and chase sequences in REPLACED are terribly boring. Stealth involves simply avoiding red spotlights, usually through boxes or robots that move slower than the player does, and the chase sequences tend to be so tightly timed that players will need to be literally holding the run button during the loading screen to even have a chance of success, since the enemy will move before the player can and kill them if not.
It is also worth noting that once players complete REPLACED there is sadly no way to replay old chapters through Chapter Select or even a “new game plus” mode of sorts. This means that any collectables or optional objectives that players may have missed involving the game’s lore or side characters can only be found by starting a new run entirely from the beginning. Even attempting to reload a completed save will start players at the final platforming section of the final boss, giving players little replayability unless they want to run through the entire title again.
Audio & Visual
It must be said that Sad Cat Games has done something absolutely wonderful when it comes to REPLACED’s visuals. They have crafted a gorgeously dystopian world in the most unique way possible and nearly every location players explore shines as a result. While a few locations feel a bit repetitive, most are quite outstanding looking as players traverse through the cyberpunk dystopia. There are even a few moments where REACH himself will stop and admire the worldview. That being said, it is disappointing that the designs of enemies are rather generic and don’t lean into the whole body experiments as far as they could have outside of one instance, and even then it wasn’t even a visual element.
It is worth noting that there is no voice work of any kind in REPLACED. Even the audio diaries that players find are simply shown as text in the player’s collectables. The background music on the other hand is outstanding and it is a nice touch that players can collect the background music and listen to it on their handheld in the game, but it is rather unfortunate that they cannot play these tracks while platforming around, only in the menu itself.
Overall
REPLACED is a stunning looking game that takes 2.5D to the next level and that is something Sad Cat Games should truly feel proud of here. Combine that with a story that grows to be incredibly interesting over time and players will find themselves eager to see the end of REACH’s journey, even if it means they’ll have to deal with combat that grows repetitive, generic platforming, and annoying stealth sections along the way to see it through.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Solo developer SethMadDev and Ivy Juice Games are excited to announce that My Little Cafe Nightmare will leave Early Access on June 2nd, 2026.
Since its Early Access launch on October 29, 2025, My Little Cafe Nightmare has sold over 5,000 copies and gathered more than 12,000 wishlists. The game continues to gain traction, with near-daily streams and an active community. Thanks to its Twitch integration feature, viewers can even join the game as customers in the café.
The Release Date Announcement Trailer will premiere during the pre-show of the Wishlisted.gg Showcase. The trailer will become publicly available once the livestream has concluded. A VOD version will also be accessible starting April 24, 2026, following the end of the showcase, below.
About My Little Cafe Nightmare
My Little Cafe Nightmare is a dark yet cozy cafe simulator in which you brew otherworldly coffee for ghostly patrons. Upgrade your shop, manage supplies, and turn a haunted café into a sanctuary amidst nightmares.
Game Features and Highlights
Renovate and customize your cafe
Brew otherworldly coffee
Manage your logistics
Automate your workflows
Twitch integration that lets viewers join as customers
About Ivy Juice Games
Ivy Juice Games is a Berlin-based developer-publisher duo focused on creating small, unique games and supporting solo developers through publishing. Their debut title is SCHROTT, and My Little Cafe Nightmare marks their first published title.
About SethMadDev
SethMadDev is a solo developer based in Fulda, Germany. My Little Cafe Nightmare is his first commercial release.
