Language is the dress of thought
- Samuel Johnson
Tim is a gamer and freelance journalist.
Also, a father, husband, loves Asian food, K-Drama, Anime, SciFi books, Comics, Manga, and Metal Music.
ASKA is a third-person “survival tribe builder” in which you establish, manage, and defend a Viking settlement that evolves into a self-sustaining society. Developed by Bucharest-based Sand Sailor Studio (creators of Black The Fall) and published by Thunderful, the game blends colony-sim management with open-world survival and co-op adventuring. You can play solo or with up to three friends (four players total), sharing a base and responsibilities while contending with hunger, weather, and supernatural threats.
Above Snakes is a new isometric world-building and survival game, developed by Square Glade Games and published by RedDeer.Games. Released on September 4, 2025, the game is now available on consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S).
Dungeon Stalkers is a free‑to‑play third‑person PvEvP dungeon‑crawler developed and published by ONEUNIVERSE Co., Ltd., scheduled to launch in Early Access via Steam on August 13, 2025. Originally developed by Studio HG, the entire team has since been rebranded under ONEUNIVERSE, ensuring continuity in vision and execution.
The game marries classical dungeon exploration with extraction‑style gameplay: players dive into procedurally shifting dungeons, gather loot, fight monsters and rival players, and attempt to extract safely before time runs out, all while adapting to dynamically changing dungeon conditions.
On May 29, 2025, FusionPlay GmbH launched Epic NPC Man: Nice Day for Fishing, an indie action-RPG blending fast-paced fishing combat with charming pixel art, published by Team17 on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
Set in the comedic Epic NPC Man universe-co-created by Viva La Dirt League- this standalone title centers on Baelin, an NPC fisherman who transforms into a bona fide adventurer when a magical threat endangers Honeywood.
Deathless. The Hero Quest, formerly known as Deathless. Tales of Old Rus, is a masterfully crafted roguelike deckbuilding adventure from 1C Game Studios (1CGS). Melding intense card-based combat, folklore-rich narrative, and turn-based strategy, this title transports players into Belosvet—a vibrant, Slavic myth–inspired realm. Released in December 2024, the game’s 1.1 update rebrands it and introduces polished mechanics, cinematic storytelling, and exciting new content.
Grifford Academy is a story-driven, turn-based RPG blending teenage drama with fantasy adventure. It launched into Early Access on June 25, 2025, with the full 1.0 release planned for 2026.
The game is set in Caldria, a mystical realm inside a magical book, where three high school students—Erika, Viva, and Cap—must navigate friendships, internal growth, and perilous combat to rescue a missing classmate.
Etheria: Restart, developed by XD Entertainment (XD Inc.), is a futuristic, turn-based strategy RPG transporting players into the remnants of civilization preserved inside a virtual world. Released globally on June 5, 2025, it’s available on iOS, Android, and PC via dedicated client and Steam wishlist.
Mirage 7 is an upcoming third-person action-adventure game developed by Drakkar Dev and published by Blowfish Studios. Set in a richly imagined world that fuses elements of Arabian Nights with science fiction.
The game follows the journey of Nadira and her pet lizard, Jiji, as they traverse a perilous desert landscape in search of a way to bring Nadira’s sister back to life. With its unique narrative, atmospheric environments, and engaging gameplay mechanics, Mirage 7 promises to deliver an unforgettable gaming experience.
A Tale of Love, Loss, and Discovery
At the heart of Mirage 7 lies a poignant story of familial love and the lengths one will go to for those they hold dear. Nadira’s quest to resurrect her sister leads her through the treacherous sands of a desert steeped in myth and mystery.
Mirage 7. Pic Blowfish Studios
Legends speak of the oasis of Jala and the Moon Palace, where the enigmatic Princess Taishma resides—the only one who can grant Nadira’s deepest wish. As Nadira delves deeper into this world, she uncovers secrets that challenge her understanding of reality and her place within it.
A World Where Fantasy Meets Science Fiction
The game’s setting is a masterful blend of fantastical and sci-fi elements. The arid desert, reminiscent of Middle Eastern landscapes, is punctuated by remnants of advanced technology and hidden military installations.
Mirage 7. Pic Blowfish Studios
This juxtaposition creates a unique atmosphere where ancient myths coexist with futuristic anomalies, offering players a rich tapestry of lore and intrigue to explore.
Exploration and Environmental Puzzles
Players will navigate diverse environments, from sun-scorched dunes to subterranean ruins. The game emphasizes exploration, rewarding curiosity with hidden secrets and lore. Environmental puzzles are integral to progression, requiring players to interact with the surroundings, manipulate objects, and utilize both Nadira’s and Jiji’s abilities to overcome obstacles.
Combat and Crafting
Combat in Mirage 7 combines melee and ranged elements. Nadira wields a dagger for close encounters and a slingshot for distant threats. Players will face a variety of adversaries, including giant insects and spectral entities.
Mirage 7. Pic Blowfish Studios
Defeating these foes often requires strategic use of the environment and crafted tools. Collectible items scattered throughout the world can be combined to create weapons and gadgets, adding depth to the combat and exploration mechanics.
The Bond Between Nadira and Jiji
Jiji, Nadira’s loyal lizard companion, is more than just a sidekick. Each character possesses unique abilities that complement the other’s, allowing for dynamic gameplay.
Mirage 7. Pic Blowfish Studios
Jiji can access areas Nadira cannot, retrieve items, and assist in solving puzzles. This partnership encourages players to think creatively and utilize both characters effectively to navigate challenges.
Interactions with NPCs
Throughout her journey, Nadira encounters a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own motives and stories. Notably, the Vizier, voiced by Andy Mack, presents a complex figure whose trustworthiness is questionable.
Mirage 7. Pic Blowfish Studios
Players’ choices in interactions can influence relationships and potentially alter the course of the narrative, adding layers of depth and replayability.
Visual and Audio Design
Mirage 7 boasts a distinctive art style that captures the essence of its dual inspirations. The visual design combines the ornate aesthetics of Arabian folklore with the sleekness of sci-fi technology, creating environments that are both familiar and otherworldly. The soundtrack and sound design further immerse players, with music and effects that underscore the game’s emotional and atmospheric tones.
Platform Availability and System Requirements
The game is slated for release on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.
Mirage 7. Pic Blowfish Studios
This wide availability ensures that a broad audience can experience Nadira’s journey. System requirements for PC players are designed to be accessible, with minimum specifications accommodating a range of hardware configurations.
My thoughts
Mirage 7 stands out as a compelling fusion of narrative depth, engaging gameplay, and a richly crafted world. Drakkar Dev and Blowfish Studios have created an experience that invites players to explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition within a setting that seamlessly blends fantasy and science fiction. With its anticipated release, Mirage 7 is poised to captivate players seeking an adventure that challenges both the heart and the mind.
La Quimera is the debut title from Reburn, a Ukrainian game development studio formerly known as 4A Games Ukraine- the team behind the acclaimed Metro series. This narrative-driven first-person shooter (FPS) marks a significant departure from the post-apocalyptic themes of their previous work, venturing into a high-tech dystopian future set in Latin America.
Released in early access on May 7, 2025, La Quimera is Reburn’s first original video game IP and introduces players to a world where advanced technology, political fragmentation, and mystical elements intertwine.
Too Kyo Games, the studio behind narrative-heavy cult hits like Danganronpa, is back with a brand-new vision—The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy. Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, this game marks a bold and emotional departure that still carries the team’s unmistakable DNA: psychological drama, high stakes, and characters that stay with you long after the credits roll.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
Plot: 100 Days to the End
The premise is simple, but potent: You are Yuki, an ordinary high school student suddenly drafted into the mysterious Last Defense Academy. Your mission? Survive 100 days and defend the school from waves of monstrous invaders while uncovering the truth about your strange new reality. The “hundred line” isn’t just a countdown—it’s a ticking time bomb of emotional and strategic pressure.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
The narrative blends sci-fi dystopia, school-life simulation, and mystery in equal measure. While comparisons to Danganronpa are inevitable, The Hundred Line shifts away from murder mysteries and toward existential reflection and camaraderie under pressure. It’s more Neon Genesis Evangelion than Battle Royale—and it works.
Gameplay: Strategy Meets Storytelling
Gameplay is divided between visual novel segments and strategic tower-defense-like battle phases. During the school day, you’ll form bonds with fellow students, uncover hidden lore, and make critical choices that affect the unfolding story. At night, it’s war: real-time defense missions that demand smart resource use, positioning, and sometimes sacrifices.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
This hybrid approach keeps things fresh and intense. The choices you make during the day directly influence your effectiveness in battle—friendships can unlock powerful support skills or dramatically shift the odds. Each day is a step forward, a piece of the puzzle, and a risk.
Art & Sound: Stylish as Ever
Koichi Yotsui’s art direction (known for Moonlight Syndrome and other titles) gives the game a distinct and eerie atmosphere. Characters are expressive, the monsters are unsettling, and the environment—though largely limited to the academy—manages to feel claustrophobically vast in emotional scope. The haunting soundtrack adds weight to every interaction, and voice acting (in both Japanese and English) hits the emotional beats convincingly.
Pic: Too Kyo Games
Themes: Hope in Isolation
What truly sets The Hundred Line apart is its emotional core. The game asks big questions: What would you sacrifice to save others? Who are you without the world you once knew? How do you stay human in inhuman circumstances? These themes aren’t just window dressing—they’re interwoven into the gameplay and character arcs, making each in-game day feel like a chapter in a psychological novel.
My thoughts: A Unique Vision, Worth the Time
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is not for everyone—it’s heavy, complex, and sometimes overwhelming. But for players who love narrative-rich experiences with experimental gameplay and high emotional stakes, it’s one of the most ambitious and rewarding titles on the Switch this year.
