Author: Obsidian

Out of the Maw, Into the Fire When Tarsier Studios announced they were leaving the Little Nightmares franchise behind, there was a collective gasp in the horror community. They had defined a sub-genre—the “tiny child in a big, scary world” platformer. But their latest creation, REANIMAL, proves that they didn’t leave the genre because they were out of ideas; they left because they wanted to go darker, weirder, and louder than their previous IP allowed. Released on February 13, 2026, REANIMAL is a spiritual successor that shares DNA with its predecessors but mutates it into something far more visceral. It…

The Lamb Returns to the Fold Since its release, Cult of the Lamb has occupied a unique niche in the gaming landscape: a perfect fusion of Animal Crossing cuteness and The Binding of Isaac brutality. Over the years, developer Massive Monster has supported the game with generous free updates, expanding the endgame and fleshing out the combat. However, Woolhaven marks a significant shift. As the first paid DLC expansion (priced at $16.99), expectations were high. Could the team justify the price tag in a game that has given away so much for free? The answer is a resounding yes. Woolhaven…

The Dream of the Open Sky There is a specific fantasy that gamers have been chasing since the days of Skies of Arcadia or the ill-fated Worlds Adrift: the dream of building a flying fortress, gathering a crew of friends, and sailing into an endless horizon of clouds and adventure. Echoes of Elysium, the debut title from Loric Games, attempts to capture that lightning in a bottle. Launched into Steam Early Access on January 27, 2026, this co-op survival RPG pitches itself as a procedural clockwork sandbox where the sky is not the limit—it’s the playground. With a price tag…

Your Claim Has Been Denied (With a Rocket Launcher) The “Survivor-like” or “Bullet Heaven” genre has arguably become the most saturated segment of the Steam marketplace over the last few years. Since Vampire Survivors opened the floodgates, we have seen every variation imaginable: fantasy wizards, sci-fi mechs, and cute animals. To stand out in 2026, a game needs more than just thousands of enemies on screen; it needs a hook. Enter R.I.P. – Reincarnation Insurance Program. Developed by WarmCore Studio and published by 2P Games, this title pitches itself as the unholy lovechild of Diablo and Vampire Survivors. It promises…

Welcome to the Mental Hospital Sometimes, you just want to grab a few friends, hop on Discord, and play something stupid. S.E.M.I. – Side Effects May Include… aims to fill that exact niche. Released on January 23, 2026, after an Early Access period, this chaotic platformer tasks players with escaping a bizarre clinic by popping pills that grant random, often detrimental, superpowers. Developed by Two Horn Unicorn, the game embraces a “Fanboy and Chum Chum” aesthetic—derpy, colorful, and slightly unhinged. But is it a prescription for fun or just a bad trip? The answer depends largely on whether you have…

Lost in the Kingdom of the White Beast In the indie gaming landscape, the “metaphor for depression” subgenre has become as crowded as a subway car during rush hour. It takes a lot to stand out when every other platformer wants to explore the depths of the human mind. Yet, The Perfect Pencil, released on January 29, 2026, manages to carve out a distinct identity through sheer artistic charisma and a commitment to weirdness. Developed by Studio Cima, this hand-drawn action platformer throws players into the shoes of John, a protagonist with a camera for a head (figuratively speaking—he analyzes…