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Indie developers Templo and Rewilder Announce Dark Comedic Rage-Platformer HellBound Inc. Release Date

 

Indie studios Templo and Rewilder have announced their debut collaboration Hellbound Inc., a darkly comedic rage-platformer set in a nightmarish corporate afterlife, will launch on Steam August 11th. While this marks their first release as a collective, the award-winning team brings extensive experience spanning games, design, and film.

Watch the official release date trailer here

About Hellbound Inc
 

In Hellbound Inc., you take on the role of an undead courier trapped in a fulfillment center recently acquired by Satan. Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy, the game takes players through eight infernal circles of corporate torment, from Limbo to Pride. Each reimagined as a dysfunctional department within a hellish organization. Each circle features its own distinct hub area, where players can interact with bizarre co-workers, and prepare for a series of deviously challenging puzzle-platforming levels. An original soundtrack, featuring a unique theme for each circle of Hell, brings every department to life. With tricky controls, escalating difficulty, and a focus on precision gameplay, Hellbound Inc. is designed to test players’ patience, skills and perfect timing.
 

“I’m excited for players to discover that moment when frustration turns into mastery. The first time you overcome an obstacle that seemed impossible is incredibly satisfying, and that’s really the emotional core of the game,” said Pradip Romay, Studio Lead.
 

Key Features:

  • Immortal gameplay – Precision platforming meets puzzle challenges – Every room is a finely tuned delivery puzzle that tests timing, problem-solving, and reflexes
  • Eight Circles of Hell to explore – Each with unique hazards and increasingly chaotic layouts
  • Over 45 handcrafted levels 
  • Instant respawns – Die, retry, and learn without breaking the flow
  • Hellish soundtrack – A relentless score to keep you marching through the flames

Hellbound Inc. will be available on Steam starting August 11, 2026.

You can wishlist the game now and follow development updates via Steam and social channels.
 

Key links:

Steam

Website

Media contact: gayle@templomedia.com
 

About Templo and Rewilder:
 

Hellbound Inc. is a collaboration between indie studio Templo (Mexico) and its U.S. sibling Rewilder. Led by Pradip Romay (Cannes Gold Lion winner), this collective brings together seasoned developers and award-winning creatives. The team includes games industry veterans Antonio “Fayer” Uribe (Arco & Pancito Merge) and Abe Morales (former Game Director at HyperBeard, solo dev of Doki Duck Farm and Frogue). This small crew keeps things lean and playful, building the kind of offbeat projects they’d actually want to play.

Indie Incremental Game Paper Shredder Secures 100,000 Steam Wishlists in Just 2 Days

Indie studio Embers today announced that its upcoming incremental game Paper Shredder has officially surpassed 100,000 Steam wishlists in just two days (48 hours) following its initial reveal. The milestone follows a viral surge of interest across social platforms and online gaming communities.

Watch the official announcement trailer here

Paper Shredder puts you into an entry-level corporate job with a simple premise: shred massive stacks of company documents to earn a $1,000,000 payout. What begins as a manual, sheet-by-sheet grind quickly scales into an operation of mass paper destruction. Players shred files, sweep up paper confetti, upgrade their workspace with heavy-duty machinery, and uncover secrets buried deep beneath the paper mountains.


 Key Features:

  • Shred, Sweep, Repeat – Experience the intense sensory pleasure of turning tower-high piles of rigid bureaucracy into weightless confetti. Shred documents and sweep up the mess to earn company merit points. Upgrade basic tools into heavy-duty setups, skyrocketing your processing speed and document destruction.
     
  • Mandated Morale Boosts – Never feel lonely on the clock! Your dedicated Happiness Manager is always watching, offering continuous highly mandatory psychological support and toxic positivity to keep your motivation at an optimized 100%.
     
  • Branching Career Paths – Dig through paper mountains to find more than just forgotten files. Rumor says past associates couldn’t bear the grind and shredded a path to freedom instead. Will you follow them?

Paper Shredder is currently in active development for PC via Steam. Public playtests and a playable Steam demo are planned ahead of release.

Key Information:

  • Steam Page
  • Genre: Simulation, Incremental
  • Release Date: TBD

Paper Shredder on social media
Discord | Instagram | TikTok | X | YouTube 

Embers on social media
Website | Instagram | TikTok | X | Youtube

About Embers:
Embers is a France-based, independent, self-publishing game studio committed to creating original, high-quality, and innovative experiences. Known for Strayed Lights, Murky Divers, and Storebound, the studio continues to push creative boundaries with upcoming projects, led by Paper Shredder. 

BONEREADER Releasing on PC August 6th

DANGEN Entertainment has announced that BONEREADER, the dark card game adventure with narrative elements, will launch for PC via Steam, GOG, and itch.io on August 6, 2026. Launching alongside the game is a companion 40+ page digital artbook featuring a complete compendium of BONEREADER‘s cards, dice, items, opponents, endings, and more.
 

Your soul is on the table. Roll the dice for a shot at rebirth in this otherworldly card game adventure. Build your deck, harness mystical dice, and battle spirits in a deadly game of chance through a psychedelic purgatory. Will you escape—or be damned for eternity?
 

BONEREADER – Trailer

About BONEREADER

Every soul in Purgatory plays by different rules. Every spirit has something to wager. Every roll could decide your fate.

BONEREADER is a dark card game adventure with narrative elements where you survive deadly games of chance against otherworldly spirits in pursuit of a second life. Build supernatural synergies between cards, mystical dice, and powerful items, overcome each opponent’s unique “house rule,” and uncover the truth behind your own execution.

Wander through a dreamlike afterlife where justice is uncertain, fate is measured in numbers, and redemption must be won—not given.

ROLL THE BONES
 

  • Build your collection of mystical cards and dice.
  • Roll the “bones” to play cards and score big.
  • Create powerful synergies between your cards, dice, and items.
  • Push your score ever higher in a deadly game of chance.
  • Every roll matters—greed can save you or damn you.

THE HOUSE HAS RULES
 

No two opponents play alike.

Every spirit twists the game with its own supernatural “house rule,” forcing you to adapt your strategy, rethink your deck, and gamble against impossible odds.
 

  • Challenge a host of mysterious otherworldly spirits.
  • Outsmart each opponent’s unique “house rule.”
  • Claim powerful new dice from defeated foes.
  • Use their own powers to tip the odds in your favor.
  • Speak with each spirit to uncover their stories—and your own.

ESCAPE FROM PURGATORY
 

Fried in the electric chair, your soul awakens in a place where the dead gamble for a second life. Certain you were betrayed, you died without peace.

Now, your only chance at rebirth is to defeat the spirits who stand before you, uncover the truth behind your death, and reclaim what was taken from you.

This grim afterlife doesn’t care whether you deserve redemption.

Take it anyway.

Digital Artbook Available at Launch
 

Launching alongside the game is the BONEREADER Digital Artbook, a companion volume spanning more than 40 pages of artwork and comments from the creators.

Journey deeper into BONEREADER‘s surreal afterlife with a complete showcase of the game’s cards, mystical dice, items, opponents, and more, accompanied by commentary from creators Yakov Butuzov and Daria Vodyanaya. Discover the artistic process and hidden details behind the world of BONEREADER in this extensive digital collection.

BONEREADER Digital Artbook on Steam

About Bonereaders (the developer)


Bonereaders is the studio behind BONEREADER. Having developed Loretta, Anoxia Station, and DOM RUSALOK, the duo enjoys crafting works that peel back the skin of reality. Led by Yakov Butuzov (writing, programming, and environmental art) and Daria Vodyanaya (character art, animation, and visual effects), the team aims to craft dark, story-driven games that have a lasting impact on players.

BONEREADER on Steam

Bonereaders Pages

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DANGEN Entertainment

Homepage

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Bluesky

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Steam Page

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DANGEN ENTERTAINMENT is an indie-focused publisher that specializes in localizing and releasing awesome games in multiple languages around the world. Our company mantra comes from the Japanese definition of the word “DANGEN,” which means “words of conviction.” We at DANGEN ENTERTAINMENT wear many hats, but our most important role is to help deliver a multitude of great games to as many gamers as possible.

Chinese Mythology-Inspired Action Roguelike ‘Reap and Rush’ Now Available on Steam with 20% Launch Discount

Assemble Entertainment, developer Beijing Pacifier Technology and publisher Mecrew Games are excited to announce that Reap and Rush is now available on Steam for €/$14.99 (£12.99) ​ with a 20% launch discount.

About The Game

Inspired by Chinese mythology, Reap and Rush is a fast-paced action roguelike where you step into the role of an underworld envoy. Armed with supernatural abilities, strange relics and adorable yet deadly companions, they must fight through endless hordes of Yaoguai and restore balance to a crumbling underworld. Fans of Magicraft will feel at home in Reap and Rush.

Watch the official release trailer here

Longer mortal lifespans have thrown the underworld into chaos. Reincarnation has stopped working, supernatural creatures are running wild and Zhong Kui, the guardian responsible for maintaining order, has disappeared. You must descend into the chaos and master the forces of the Five Elements to survive. By combining Fate Stones, Yin Spells and powerful paper crafts, you can create unique builds and discover new combat synergies with every run. Several underworld envoys are available to choose from, each offering distinct abilities and playstyles. You can also recruit supernatural companions, equip unusual relics and reshape your skill tree to turn your envoy into an unstoppable force on the battlefield.


An envoy’s duties extend beyond defeating monsters. Players will also encounter unusual situations throughout the realms, from feeding hungry Yaoguai and helping lost gods to dealing with fox spirits whose cultivation has gone wrong. Some problems can be solved through negotiation. Others require a more direct approach.

Key Features:
​

⚔️ Fast-Paced Combat: Tear through endless hordes of Yaoguai in chaotic action-roguelike battles

☯️ Five Elements: Combine elemental powers to trigger devastating attacks and synergies

🪨 Custom Builds: Mix Fate Stones, Yin Spells and paper crafts to shape every run

👻 Unique Envoys: Choose from underworld generals with distinct abilities and playstyles

🐾 Deadly Companions: Fight alongside adorable pets and equip supernatural relics

📜 Underworld Duties: Solve strange problems through combat, negotiation and bureaucracy

Reap and Rush is available now on Steam for €14.99 ​ with a 20% launch discount.


About Beijing Pacifier Technology

Beijing Pacifier Technology is an independent video game developer and publisher based in Beijing, China. The studio is best known for Reap and Rush (地府有点忙), an action roguelike inspired by Chinese mythology that combines fast-paced combat, dark humor and a chaotic journey through the underworld.


About Assemble Entertainment

Assemble Entertainment is an independent publisher based in Germany, best known for indie hits such as Sticky Business, Roadwarden, Decktamer, Paddle Paddle Paddle, Grind Survivors and the Endzone franchise. Since 2016, Assemble has released more than 50 games across different genres, including cozy, horror, strategy and roguelike and has established itself as a trusted partner for bringing original indie projects to market.


About Mecrew Games

Founded in Shanghai in 2017, Mecrew Games is an independent video game publisher focused on bringing creative games to audiences around the world. With extensive experience in the East Asian market, the company supports developers through publishing, localization, marketing, creator partnerships, funding and industry events.

Cozy Pixel Art Management and Decorating game Cast Isle Now Available for PC and Mac via Steam

Tiny Tail, a small two person indie team is excited to announce that after almost a year of development Cat Isle is launched on Steam for PC and Mac. With localization for Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Korean on launch.

Watch the release trailer here

Steam Page


About the Game 

Cat Isle is a cozy pixel art management game inspired by Japan’s famous cat islands and the warm, relaxing atmosphere of Studio Ghibli. It blends light management elements with a strong focus on atmosphere and player expression. While managing different types of shop supplies and understanding cat preferences is part of the experience, the game centers more on relaxing gameplay, fishing, interacting with cats, decorating buildings, and simply observing the world you create. Players can unlock decorations through a Gashapon machine and customize shops and surroundings to shape the island’s look. As you build and decorate, the island slowly transforms into a cozy space full of cute cats.

Features:

  • 4 levels with unique goals and themes
  • 100+ Decorations(hand drawn pixel art)
  • Sandbox mode
  • Custom Decorations
  • 17 unique buildings
  • 2-4 hours of gameplay

Game Title: Cat Isle

Developer: Tiny Tail (Domke Games & PixelDuckoo)

Release Date: 2026 July 20th

Genre: Cozy, Casual, Management, City Builder

Platforms: PC, Mac

Supported Languages: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean

Post-apocalyptic strategy game Fogpiercer Now Available on PC via Steam, GOG, the Microsoft Store, and PC Game Pass

Hooded Horse & Mad Cookies Studio have announced that their roguelite post-apocalyptic strategy game Fogpiercer has arrived on PC via Steam, GOG, and the Microsoft Store, as well as PC Game Pass.

Watch the official launch trailer here

Battle through a perilous winter wasteland in search of safety in a world where survival depends on careful optimization of train loadout and the deck of cards that come with it. Pick the right carriages, and utilize a multitude of action cards to shunt, harpoon, or otherwise blast enemies out of the way (and, with the right skills, into each other).

Players will endure a constant barrage from ravenous bandits as they speed through the branching map – delivering cargo, engaging with points of interest, or dealing with the competing factions across two biomes. Exploit each driver’s unique skills to bolster the train’s arsenal, whether that’s by rousing ghostly units, summoning epic environmental hazards, or literally manipulating time. 

The game is localized from English into German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.

Fogpiercer is available on PC via Steam, GOG, and the Microsoft Store for $19.99 / £17.99 / €19.99 / ¥1,980 & is also available on PC Game Pass.

About Hooded Horse™


Hooded Horse is a publisher of deep strategic and tactical games, including Manor Lords, Against the Storm, MENACE, Old World, Norland, Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, and 9 Kings. With people and partners around the world, our goal is to empower and support developers in doing what they do best: creating world-class experiences for their audiences.

You can find out more about us on our Steam publisher page or website, as well as our social channels: Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, YouTube, and Discord.


About Mad Cookies Studio™


Mad Cookies Studio is an independent company based in Slovakia. Founded in 2020 by four friends with a passion for games (and later, trains), their mission is to create experiences with mechanical depth. Their debut title was the trainless Cardbob, which released in 2023. They are currently working on roguelike deckbuilding game, Fogpiercer, which has trains.

You can find out more via the studio’s official website, as well as Twitter, and Discord.

Emberville Set for October 27th Launch in Steam Early Access

Indie dev Cygnus Cross has announced that Emberville will launch into Steam Early Access on October 27, inviting you to begin rebuilding a forgotten world where every expedition into the Vitromotus shapes the future of a thriving settlement. Accompanying today’s announcement is Emberville‘s biggest gameplay reveal yet.

The new gameplay trailer follows the player’s journey from awakening in the mysterious Vitromotus to transforming a forgotten estate into a thriving home. From dangerous expeditions and fast-paced combat to crafting, rebuilding, and discovering new companions, the trailer captures the satisfying rhythm at the heart of Emberville: venture out, return stronger, and slowly breathe life back into a world on the brink.

Release Date Announcement Trailer

New cinematic narration from acclaimed actress Jane Perry ties it all together, hinting at the mystery and emotion waiting beneath the surface. At the same time, an original score by Emberville composer Greg Dombrowski, founder of Secession Studios, brings weight and emotion to the journey.

Voice Cast Announcement Trailer

Already featuring the inimitable talents of Doug Cockle, Amelia Tyler, Alex Jordan, and Abubakar Salim, Emberville‘s ensemble grows even larger today with performers whose work spans some of the industry’s most celebrated games. Joining the adventure are acclaimed actors Matthew Mercer, Jennifer English, Ben Starr, Nick Apostolides, Jane Perry, Elias Toufexis, Anjali Bhimani, and Briana White, as well as beloved creator LilyPichu, internationally renowned DJ Dillon Francis, and many more.

Emberville’s newest cast members:

  • Matthew Mercer (Critical Role, Baldur’s Gate 3, Overwatch)
  • Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
  • Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
  • Nick Apostolides (Resident Evil 2 & 4, Dead Space)
  • Elias Toufexis (Deus Ex, Starfield)
  • Jane Perry (Baldur’s Gate 3, Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
  • LilyPichu (Content Creator & Voice Actor)
  • Briana White (Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy)
  • Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, Apex Legends)
  • Harry McEntire (Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Final Fantasy XVI)
  • Alex Ponton (Content Creator & Voice Actor)
  • David Menkin (Final Fantasy XVI, Dragon Quest)
  • Rich Keeble (Baldur’s Gate 3, Total War: Warhammer III)
  • Kirsty Rider (The Sandman, Sifu)
  • Dillon Francis (International DJ, Producer & Musician)
  • Cahla “Cahlaflour” Thorman (Content Creator & Voice Actor)
  • Michael Bryan
  • Lucy Elliott

And they join previously revealed cast members:

  • Alex Jordan (The Alters, Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077)
  • Doug Cockle (The Witcher 3, Alan Wake II, Baldur’s Gate 3)
  • Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed: Origins, House of the Dragon)
  • Amelia Tyler (Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, Diablo IV)

Emberville combines action RPG combat with meaningful long-term progression. Every expedition into the Vitromotus contributes toward rebuilding the town above, unlocking new NPCs, crafting opportunities, classes, and storylines. Whether mastering weapon skills, gathering rare materials, decorating your personal estate, or challenging powerful bosses, every activity contributes toward restoring life to a world left in ruins. 

Exclusive Features:

  • Unique Multi-layered Combat Mechanics: In addition to the traditional two-button combat system, Emberville features a weapon-bound combo system and class-related combat skills.
  • Dynamic UI: A User Interface mechanic that changes the HUD in accordance with the player’s needs, making it easier to deal with multiple features without preventing the player from making their own decisions or managing their inventory.
  • Inherited Skills: Combat skills are inherited from one leveled-up class to another, allowing the player to customize the active combat class.

Key Features:

  • Combat Mechanics: The combat is action-oriented, with a wide variety of weapons, skills, and abilities.
  • Multifaceted Game Progression: Progression is multifaceted, with players leveling up weapon and armor categories to unlock new classes, leveling up, learning crafting and gathering skills, rescuing NPCs to enhance and rebuild Emberville, and exploring the world to uncover hidden treasures and secrets.
  • Farming, Gathering, and Crafting: Emberville features farming, gathering, and crafting skills that can be used to grow crops, gather plants, wood, and minerals. Players can craft items, which can be improved by leveling up, learning skills, blueprints, and recipes.
  • Player Estate: Customizable player area with houses, buildings, and objects that can be custom-placed and used to improve skills, craft items, and as a chill spot.
  • Dynamic World Exploration: Emberville features a large world filled with distinct biomes, locations, encounters, enemies, events, and treasures. Its world-building systems use carefully created content, rules, and logic to produce varied adventures without sacrificing structure or purpose.

Emberville launches into Steam Early Access on October 27, 2026.

For more information:

Co-Op Horror Exploration Game Forest Escape: Last Train Now Available in Early Access

Developer FragLab and publisher Two Cakes Studio announce that co-op surreal horror exploration game Forest Escape: Last Train is out now in Steam Early Access with a 20% launch discount.

The team is entering Early Access with a clear purpose: to craft the best possible version of the game alongside its community. Player feedback has already shaped what Forest Escape: Last Train is today, from the playtest to the demo, and it will continue to drive every update, balance decision, and new content drop going forward.

What’s in Early Access?

Forest Escape: Last Train launches with a fully explorable world featuring 13 unique locations and mini-games: from a misty forest full of wandering teeth and cursed dolls to a carousel haunted by a giant clown, an eye the size of a building floating in a lake, a football pitch with a mechanical goalkeeper, and a maze you’ll want to escape almost as badly as the forest itself. Three different starting points ensure no two runs begin the same way, while Easy, Normal, and Hard difficulty settings mean the Warden’s unhinged world can break players of any experience level.

Key Features at Launch

  • 13 locations and mini-games across one world
  • 3 starting points – you don’t know where your race begins
  • 3 difficulty settings – Easy, Normal, Hard
  • In-game radio aboard the locomotive – original soundtracks playing while you try not to die
  • Unique skins hidden across locations – find them, collect them, survive long enough to wear them
  • 13 languages supported
  • Monsters that are equal parts terrifying and ridiculous – clowns, cursed dolls, floating eyes, wandering teeth, and things that defy description

Support the Journey

For those who want to go deeper, two optional packs are available at launch: the Original Soundtracks Pack ($2.99) featuring the full in-game radio music, and the Supporter Pack ($3.99) with exclusive cosmetic content for players who want to show their support for the development.

Watch the Forest Escape: Last Train – Official Trailer

For the latest updates, exclusive news, and community discussions, join the official Discord server

Steam Page


​Contact: v.shcherba@twocakesstudio.com (Interviews welcome!)

About the game

Forest Escape: Last Train is a co-op surreal horror game for 1-4 players. Explore bizarre nightmare locations, gather resources, solve the insane Warden’s twisted puzzles, and keep your locomotive running as you fight to escape his unhinged world.

You awaken not in a prison cell, but at an abandoned train station hidden deep within a misty forest. The fractured mind of a crazy Warden has transformed reality into a surreal nightmare. To escape, you must journey through this absurd and scary place. Venture through a labyrinth stalked by immortal killer clowns. Survive a block-built castle packed with deadly traps. Dance for your life in a haunted amusement park lost in the endless fog. Face cursed houses, watchful eyes that follow your every move, and colossal stone hands that can bring your train to a sudden halt, forcing you to solve new riddles before continuing your journey. Find your prison buddies or make a tough decision being a lonely wolf, start the train, hold on tight, and ride into the nightmare. The only way out… is forward.

Key Features:

  • TOGETHER OR SOLO ESCAPE
    Team up with up to 3 friends for a chaotic ride balanced between horror and absurd hilarity. Meet bizarre twig creatures. Dance in an abandoned theme park. Face the madness together or brave it alone – either way, expect screams, laughs, and chaos.
  • YOUR TRAIN, YOUR SANCTUARY
    Repair it. Fuel it. Protect it. Your locomotive is your only salvation in a world gone mad. Search for vital parts in deadly locations, upgrade your train, and piece together the Warden’s twisted story. It’s your lucky ticket to escape from the insanity.
  • SOLVE EERIE PUZZLES
    Nothing here follows logic. The railway paths stay locked until you solve the riddles. Figure out the Warden’s crazy thinking to move forward. Each puzzle reveals a piece of his broken mind.
  • MINE. GATHER. SURVIVE!
    Extract coal for fuel. Collect stones for defense. Trade for weapons and supplies. The longer you stay outside, the more danger you’re in. Grab what you need and get back to the train before something finds you.

About FragLab 
FragLab is a video game development studio based in Kyiv, Ukraine, founded in 2017 by industry veterans who previously worked on major FPS projects such as Warface, Crysis, and Battlefield. The team has already developed a next-gen AAA FPS shooter and is best known for Shatterline. FragLab combines deep technical experience with a collaborative creative approach to bring new gaming experiences to players worldwide. 

Website

About TwoCakesStudio
Two Cakes Studio is an indie video game development and publishing studio that creates a diverse range of creative and engaging video games across genres, from survival horror and action RPG to medieval colony sims and strategic turn-based titles. Two Cakes Studio is committed to delivering innovative gaming experiences and supporting games at every stage of the development lifecycle.

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Copyright © 2026 TwoCakesStudio, All rights reserved.

Closed Beta Registration Now Open for Vibrant Afro-Brazilian Mythology-based Roguelite Talaka

Publisher Acclaim and Brazilian indie studio Potato Kid today announced that registration is now open for the Talaka Closed Beta, giving players an opportunity for an early look at this fast-paced, combat-driven roguelite that brings Afro-Brazilian mythology to life in a vivid, hand-painted world. You can register for the Talaka Closed Beta now on the official PlayAcclaim Discord Server.

Players interested in participating in the Talaka closed beta can register from July 8th through July 16th. 

To register for the beta, PlayAcclaim Discord users should navigate to the #talaka-beta-request channel on the PlayAcclaim Discord server and send a message requesting access to the Closed Beta. Then, a member of the PlayAcclaim team will assign them a role in the Talaka Closed Beta Discord channel and grant them access to the game and provide further info when the beta begins on July 16.

The two-week Closed Beta runs from July 16th through July 30th, giving players access to Talaka’s first couple of worlds, where they’ll battle their way through corrupted spirits, twisted legends, and celestial beasts.

“We are so excited to get feedback from players in this beta. At Potato Kid, we strongly believe that as a studio the only way to accomplish our goal of delivering an outstanding game is by listening carefully to players during development,” said Paulo Luis Santos, studio head & founder of Potato Kid. “We have been deep down in development for quite some time, and it’s easy to get tunnel vision. We are confident  that fresh perspectives from gamers will go a long way in polishing and improving Talaka, making it the best it can be.”

“As Roguelite players ourselves, we know that balancing can make or break a game like this – and we are eager to get data and feedback to iterate on it and make the game feel fair in the early, mid and late stages.”

To celebrate the announcement, Acclaim and Potato Kid have shared a new trailer, offering a look at what players can expect as they take their first steps into Talaka’s vibrant, watercolor realm teeming with ancient gods, mighty monsters, and powerful magic.

Watch the Talaka Closed Beta Trailer Here 

Register for the Talaka Closed Beta Here

First revealed at last year’s PlayAcclaim Showcase, Talaka is a fast-paced, combat-driven roguelite that brings Afro-Brazilian mythology to life in a vivid, hand-painted world.

Players take on the role of a young warrior who once believed in the old legends — the stories of Orisha gods, mystical creatures, and ancient realms. But as time passed, the myths faded. Forgotten by the world, the legends have begun to unravel, twisting into chaos and breaking the harmony between worlds.

Now, players must journey across dreamlike landscapes, reconnect with divine forces, and uncover why the myths have gone rogue. With the Orisha by their side, they’ll fight to restore balance before the stories vanish forever.

Talaka will launch on Steam and modern platforms in early 2027. For more information, visit the game’s official website.

About Potato Kid:


Potato Kid is an independent Brazilian studio formed by three games industry veterans with over 30 combined years of experience. Guided by the principles of being small and efficient, playing smart with technology and market instinct, and staying true to what the team believes is meaningful to make, the studio operates on a lean, efficient model, creating unique, creative, and highly polished games shaped by direct player feedback and built to resonate with gamers. Its first title, Talaka, is an Action Roguelike set in Brazilian mythology, published by Acclaim, targeting a Q1 2027 release.

About Acclaim:

Originally founded in 1987, Acclaim established itself as a leading global developer, publisher, and mass marketer, bringing beloved franchises such as Mortal Kombat, Turok, and NBA Jam into homes worldwide. today, Acclaim carries its legacy forward with an unwavering commitment to supporting talented indie developers and delivering high-quality, premium indie games to a global audience. Acclaim’s modern revival stands as a testament to the strength and enduring appeal of its iconic brand.

Codename CURE II Set To Launch on Steam July 24th, Bringing a Day-One DLC Pack

Free-to-play cooperative first-person shooter Codename CURE II that drops five-player squads into the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, is set to launch on Steam July 24th, 2026. Developed by Raptor Byte and published by indie.io, it arrives alongside the Combat Specialist Pack, a $9.99 DLC discounted 20% at launch that adds new weapons, attachments, and military-inspired cosmetics for every class. Players curious to get a head start can already try the game’s core mechanics and co-op gameplay through the demo, currently live on Steam.

Codename CURE II places you in the boots of an elite military squad tasked with executing a dangerous plan to eliminate a zombie scourge. Assembling a team of up to five soldiers, you and your squad will tackle dynamic objective-based missions, fighting through hordes of infected with a dynamic gore system that reacts to every encounter, scavenging for resources to fuel your arsenals and adapting to the ever-changing threats of a post-apocalyptic world. Tactical coordination and resource management are key to survival against overwhelming odds in this class-based shooter, where even the AI enemies adapt to the gear your squad has unlocked.

The game also distinguishes itself with flexible playstyles and accessibility in mind. While built for online co-op, Codename CURE II supports offline play with AI bots, letting solo players experience the full campaign without needing a team. Adjustable difficulty settings and custom volume controls round out an experience designed to welcome players of different needs and preferences.

Key features:

  • Five-Player Co-operative Action: Assemble a squad of up to five friends or play offline with AI bots to tackle intense missions together.
  • Dynamic Objective Missions: Navigate procedurally generated scenarios where no two mission runs are ever the same, demanding fresh strategic thinking and teamwork every time.
  • Resource Scavenging: Search the environment for supplies to customize and upgrade weapons, ensuring your squad is ready for any encounter.
  • Class-Based Combat: Choose from five distinct player classes, each offering unique abilities to complement different tactical approaches.

Squads looking to gear up further can pick up the Combat Specialist Pack, launching alongside the base game at $9.99 with a 20% discount at launch. The pack adds new firearms, tactical attachments, and cosmetic gear, giving players new ways to customize their loadout from day one.

Codename CURE II follows the original Codename CURE, which reached over two million players on Steam. The sequel rebuilds that experience with modern tools and expanded systems, while keeping its focus on cooperative gameplay, replayability, and mission-driven action against the infected.

“In making Codename CURE II, we wanted to recapture what made the original so fun, but modernize and improve upon pretty much everything. From dynamic gore systems to additional enemy types, cool but limited features present in the first game, such as maps having pre-set branching paths, evolved here into a full procedural generation system where no two mission runs are ever the same. Each class now has a full selection of weapon and attachment options, more competent/believable AI systems which even utilise the gear you have unlocked when filling roles. After many years of development, we’re very excited to get this into the hands of gamers, both existing fans and new players alike,” said Raptor Byte. 

Codename CURE II launches free-to-play on Steam July 24, 2026.

ABOUT RAPTOR BYTE
Raptor Byte is a two-person independent studio made up of a UK-based programmer and a US-based 3D artist, specializing in free-to-play, class-based multiplayer shooters. Their debut title, the original Codename CURE, earned a Very Positive rating on Steam across more than 16,00 user reviews and accumulated over 2.5 million players. Codename CURE II is their most ambitious project to date. 

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