IndieRift Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on indieRift, Andy and Steve ask the question: is Hollow Knight: Silksong really coming out this year?  Plus, our Wishlist Round-Up is stacked with must-play titles like Silent Hill f (which Andy is OBSESSED with), Skate Story, and more. And don’t miss our indie steal of the week and a fresh Kickstarter you’ll want to throw all of your money at!  

8:04 ► Steve gushes about TMNT: Cowabunga Collection

🔥Indie Game Adventures:🔥

12:50 ► Monster Hunter Wilds Got Us...

📢 Upcoming Release Dates:📢 

16:44 ► I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream coming to PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch on March 27 https://indierift.com/i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream-coming-to-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-and-switch-on-march-27/  18:22 ► Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Launches May 28 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, & PC https://indierift.com/pipistrello-and-the-cursed-yoyo-launches-may-28-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-pc/ 

📰Indie News Report:📰

19:44 ► Terrifier: The Art-Cade Games Gets Collector’s Edition: https://gamerant.com/terrifier-artcade-game-physical-collectors-edition-announcement-contents/  24:04 ► I Hate This Place Is The First Game Under A New Bloober Team Label: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/i-hate-this-place-is-the-first-game-under-a-new-bloober-team-label/1100-6530253/  26:44 ► Project Prismatic Promises A High-Quality, Immersive Browser-Based FPS: https://bleedingcool.com/games/sci-fi-web-based-fps-project-prismatic-announced/  28:26 ► Hollow Knight: Silksong Release Date Leaked?!: https://gamerant.com/hollow-knight-silksong-release-date-leak-xbox-game-pass 

❤️ Wishlist Round-Up (Games That Caught Our Attention!):❤️

36:48 ►Silent Hill f: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2947440/SILENT_HILL_f/  Skate Story: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1263240/Skate_Story/  Sunderfolk: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2414270/Sunderfolk/  Void Martys: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470850/Void_Martyrs/ 

3:02 ► 🐤Indie Steal of the Week!:🐤 Metal Hellsinger: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1061910/Metal_Hellsinger/  

3:02 ► 💰Kickstarter of the Week: 💰 Monster Crown: Sin Eater Announced!!: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/monster-crown/monster-crown-sin-eater-monster-taming-rpg?ref=ksr_email_mktg_auto_user_watched_project_launched 

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift  Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift 

Steam Next Fest is here and WE LOVED! There way too many incredible indie games to play so Stephen and Andy run through a handful of their highlights. In indie news, Moonlighter 2 drops a fresh trailer and Terminator 2: Judgement Day a retro pixel art game adaptation?! What a time to be alive! All that and a whole lot more on this action-packed episode of the indieRift Podcast!

🔥Indie Game Adventures:🔥

3:02 ► Momodoro: Moonlit Farewell: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1747760/Momodora_Moonlit_Farewell/ 

📰Indie News Report:📰

6:04 ► New Moonlighter 2 Trailer Drops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY6hfRj9_zc  12:26 ► Samurai Pizza Cats: Blast From The Past! Announced For All Major Platforms https://www.nettosgameroom.com/2025/02/samurai-pizza-cats-blast-from-past.html?m=1  15:58 ► Terminator 2D: No Fate Announced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkMFYMG3QLw  19:10 ► The Callisto Protocol's Striking Distance Studios Lays Off "Most of the Developers" https://80.lv/articles/the-callisto-protocol-s-striking-distance-studios-lays-off-most-of-the-developers/ 

28:50 ►❤️STEAM NEXT FEST!! ❤️

KIBORG: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2556530/KIBORG_Demo/   Bugtopia: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3464890/Bugtopia_Demo/   KOIRA: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1626620/Koira/?curator_clanid=42495043\  Post Trauma: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1750030/Post_Trauma/  Rusty Rabbit: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2530560/Rusty_Rabbit/  Ruffy & the Riverside: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1002260/Ruffy_and_the_Riverside/?curator_clanid=42495043 

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift   Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift 

Matt brings No Man Sky back to the table. Steve played a cool demo for Clean Fall, and Andy of course plays spooky stuff that makes scary faces and stuff. PLUS Flintlock is a flop? Steam is working on a cool system to protect gamers from predatory season passes all while Stardew Valley will NEVER charge for DLC…all this and much more!

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift 

Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift

***

Indie Game Adventures:

• Undermine: https://store.steampowered.com/app/656350/UnderMine/

• Ziggurat: https://store.steampowered.com/app/308420/Ziggurat/

• No Man’s Sky Update: https://store.steampowered.com/app/275850/No_Mans_Sky/

• Fallen Leaf: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1459010/Fallen_Leaf/

• Veritus: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2513580/Veritus/
• Gravity Circuit: https://store.steampowered.com/app/858710/Gravity_Circuit/

Indie News Report:

• Flintlock Flops?: https://www.glitched.online/flintlock-the-siege-of-dawn-dev-a44-games-might-be-facing-layoffs/

• Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus Developer Faces Challenges After Humble Games Publishing Shuts Down https://x.com/SquidShock/status/1817973044826226968

• Stardew Valley Creator Will Never Charge For DLC/Updates https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-creator-will-never-charge-money-for-dlc-or-updates

• Hellogames Dev Culture seems rad

• https://x.com/Griff_/status/1818036046690443565?t=eMURyM25YDyD42R-obJFRQ

• Steam working on system to ensure devs keep their battle pass promises

• https://www.gamesradar.com/games/steam-insider-claims-valve-is-working-on-a-system-to-ensure-players-get-their-season-pass-content/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=gamesradar

DEMO DERBY: Game Demo Impressions:

• CleanFall: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3130820/CleanFall_Demo/
• Silkbub Test: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2468250/silkbulb_test/

Wishlist Round-Up (Games That Caught Our Attention!):

• Battle Train: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708950/Battle_Train/

• BLIGHTWRECK: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2332060/BLIGHTWRECK/

• Karate Survivor: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3027930/Karate_Survivor/

• KLETKA: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3065470/KLETKA_Demo/ 

• NIGHTMARE OPERATOR: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2957360/NIGHTMARE_OPERATOR/
• Project Longtail: https://longtailgame.com/

Indie Steal of the Week!:

• Patch Quest: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1347970/Patch_Quest/ $1.49!!

One of our most anticipated games is now out and we have…thoughts. Also - Nitro Kid takes Matt by surprise and Andy dives DEEP into Conscript. In news - Devolver announces a new Kung Fu Rogue-like, Splitgate 2 is announced, and more! 

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift 

Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift

Indie Game Adventures:

• Nitro Kid: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1709050/Nitro_Kid/
• Cataclismo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1422440/Cataclismo/
• The First Descendent: https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/2074920/
• Gestalt: Steam & Cinder: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1231990/Gestalt_Steam__Cinder/
• CONSCRIPT: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1286990/CONSCRIPT/

Indie News Report:

• Devolver Announces Forestrike, A Kung Fu Roguelike
• Pacific Drive Sells Over 600K Copies!
• Splitgate 2 Announced!
• Humble Games Announces 'Restructuring of Operations' Amid Layoffs

DEMO DERBY: Game Demo Impressions:

• NO-SKIN: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3011030/NOSKIN/

• Spotless: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638610/Spotless/ $6.99
• Veritus: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2513580/Veritus/ $9.99

Kickstarter of the Week:

• Sunset Hills: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cottongame/sunset-hills-a-wholesome-hand-drawn-puzzle-adventure

Steve, Matt and Andy dove into some older indies, new gems, and of course sifted through some demos to see if anything is worth your time. Matt’s new obsession combines brick breakers with shootemups, Steve revisits a revamped Fabledom, and Andy strolls down nostalgia lane with Prison City. PLUS! Hypercharge sells over 100k on Xbox, and what exactly is plagiarism, anyway? 

Consider Supporting us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift 

Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift

Show Notes: 

Indie Game Adventures:

• Against Great Darkness: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2302150/Against_Great_Darkness/
• Fabledom: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1651560/Fabledom/
• Prison City: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2179860/Prison_City/
• Emberward: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2459550/Emberward/
• Super Anthony’s Joltzi: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2560390/SuperAnthonys_Joltzsi/
• Selaco: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1592280/Selaco/

Indie News Report:

• Hypercharge: Unboxed Sells Over 100K Copies on Xbox: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2024/06/28/hypercharge-unboxed-sells-100000-copies/
• Dev Apologizes For Stepping Over The Line With Taking Inspiration https://www.gamesradar.com/games/simulation/indie-game-dev-known-as-asset-jesus-has-their-the-sims-style-cozy-game-copied-by-another-developer-please-dont-just-copy-my-game/ https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/1dtmwkq/rant_popular_asset_creator_kenneynl_uses_his_100k/

DEMO DERBY: Game Demo Impressions:

• Ammosum: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2659600/Ammossum/
• Mouthwashing: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2475490/Mouthwashing/

Wishlist Round-Up (Games That Caught Our Attention!)

• EVOTINCTION: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2005090/EVOTINCTION/

• Lost in The Roots: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2872240/Lost_in_the_Roots/

• Project Dosa: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950710/Project_DOSA/
• Worship: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1548180/Worship/

Indie Steal of the Week! SUMMER SALE!!

• Against Great Darkness: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2302150/Against_Great_Darkness/

• Cookie Cutter: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1924430/Cookie_Cutter/

• Into the Necrovale: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1717090/Into_the_Necrovale/

• Sprawl: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1549690/SPRAWL/

Kickstarter of the Week

• Lone Fungus 2 Kickstarter Update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/620777061/lone-fungus-2/posts/4138088

Steam Next Fest hit us between the eyes with some truly stellar updates and demos. We took a deep dive into the demos to pick out some of our highlights including Wizard of Legend 2, Demon School, Ova Magika and so much more! Plus Steve returns with some more Blockbuster Inc thoughts, Matt talks Wizard of Legend 2, and Andy brings the goods on Bloodless. Also - friend of indieRift, Zoroarts (Makis), is making an indie mascot cart racer and a PR firm breaks down influencer rates and why it doesn't benefit game developers!

Consider Supporting us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift 

Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift ***

Indie News Report: Friend of indieRift - Zoroarts is making an indie cart racer and the roster is filling! https://x.com/Zoroarts/status/1801193586173596037 

PR Firm Breaks down Influencer Rates and cost effectiveness https://x.com/pr_pirate/status/1801508101377388951 

Sad News from Galvanic Games - dev of Wizard with a Gun https://x.com/galvanicgames/status/1801685792416498112 

Shovel Knight News https://x.com/YachtClubGames/status/1801699225014780290 

https://x.com/YachtClubGames/status/1801705411550318652 

Steam Next Fest Highlights:

Demon School: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/Demonschool/ Aloft: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1660080/Aloft/ Drill Core: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2821800/Drill_Core/ 

Pinball Spire: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2601940/Pinball_Spire/ 

Wizard of Legend 2: https://shorturl.at/6HFIb

Akimbot: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1843540/Akimbot/ Spilled!: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240080/Spilled/ 

Die in the Dungeon: https://shorturl.at/WG8Tz

Dungeon Clawler: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2356780/Dungeon_Clawler/ 

Dawnfolk: https://shorturl.at/XVSvX

Bloodless: https://shorturl.at/W97Me

CATO: https://shorturl.at/vyv2T

Crypt Custodian: https://shorturl.at/h6oE8

Massacre at The Mirage: https://shorturl.at/08nrs

Dice Fold: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2693930/Dice__Fold/ 

Ova Magica: https://shorturl.at/4UFpe - OUT ON EARLY ACCESS July 23rd

• Lone Fungus 2 again!!

You can write to us by joining our patreon at patreon.com/indierift and joining at any tier. That will get you into our discord, where you can write in our mailbag channel. 

Sunny Rads Asks: 

Were there any games of note you didn’t get to that you intend to keep an eye on?

Farmer pete

Was Kristala included at all in the next fest? I got the notice recently that it is available in early access now. Have you dove into that at all yet to see how it is?

BuzzKillington Asks:

The Rogue Prince of Persia came out recently in early access (new game from the Dead Cells devs), What would be your pitch for a Triple A IP to be made by an indie dev? So like which IP, what dev would you choose for this project.....I'll go weird with this one, an Annapurna game in the Star Fox Universe, it would be like an artsy side story mission where you play as the different characters just off doing some regular random tasks for people and building your team’s relationship up before the next mainline adventure happens. Colton

Do you see peripheral based rhythm making a come back if there was an indie passion project? I just miss DDR

Steve takes a stroll down memory lane with a NEW movie making sim, Blockbuster Inc, to rekindle The Movies feelings of 2005. Andy compiled a MASSIVE list of MUST HAVES from Summer Games Fest, Future of Play, The Devolver Digital, and more! Matt dives back into a favorite, Patch Quest (which you should be playing, by the way).

Consider Supporting us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift 

Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift

***

Indie Game Adventures:

• Big Boy Boxing (DEMO): https://shorturl.at/1xPhz
• Blockbuster Inc.: https://shorturl.at/Z75uT
• Patch Quest: https://shorturl.at/JgUfc ALSO STEAL OF THE WEEK!
• Kistune Tails (DEMO): https://shorturl.at/d0lNb

Indie News Report:

(some of) The BEST Indie Game Announcements/Reveals during all the showcase CHAOS!

Chicken Horror Corner - Horror Games for the Chicken Enthusiast:

• Chicken Feet: https://shorturl.at/VwNVj 
• Saborus: https://shorturl.at/4ia2y

Summer Games Fest:

• Alan Wake 2 DLC: Night Springs - This looks BONKERS!
• CUFFBUST - From the creator of ChooChoo Charles! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2592220/CUFFBUST/
• Cairn - The Game Bakers be COOKIN’ - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1588550/Cairn/
• Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind - It’s MORPHIN’ TIME! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2816870/Mighty_Morphin_Power_Rangers_Ritas_Rewind/
• The Thing: Remastered - Nightdive Studios does it AGAIN! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2958970/The_Thing_Remastered/
• Wanderstop - A narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea from the creator of the Stanley Parable - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299460/Wanderstop/ Summer Games Fest - FRESH Looks!
• Enotoria: The Last Song: https://shorturl.at/71P2l
• Hyper Light Breaker: https://shorturl.at/JRDPb

Future of Play 2024 REVEALS!:

• All Systems Dance FRIENDS OF THE SHOW-  MIGHTY YELL! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2110000/All_Systems_Dance/ 
• Yooka-Replaylee: https://shorturl.at/ADtyn Devolver Digital 2024:
• Cult of the Lamb: Unholy Alliance - OUT ON August 12th!
• Tenjutsu - PIXEL ART ROGUELITE SIFU FROM THE DEAD CELLS GUY + FORMER GUEST! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1363940/Tenjutsu/ Future Games Show:
• Bogdan’s Cross: MEDIEVAL BEAR WANTS TO BE A KNIGHT! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2503230/Bogdans_Cross/ 
• DREDGE: The Iron Rig DLC: MORE FROM FRIENDS OF THE SHOW! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2561450/DREDGE__The_Iron_Rig/
• Hell of  an Office: Awesome FPP(First-Person Platformer) - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1640890/Hell_of_an_Office/
• SacriFire: Part Pixel, Part 3D Action RPG! - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/ 

The boys take a swim in the cozy end of indie gaming with a special Cozy Corner. Is GamePass ACTUALLY bad for indie game developers? Plus some more previews and reviews!

Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift 

indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift

What's new on indieRift? - DevDive: Constance

Indie Game Adventures:

Hive Jump 2: Survivors https://store.steampowered.com/app/2545740/Hive_Jump_2_Survivors/

Riftstrider (Demo) - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2853060/Riftstrider/ 

Veil of Shadows (Demo) - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2613120/Veil_of_Shadows/ 

Stellar Blade: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10006891

Lake Haven: Chrysalis: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1696960/Lake_Haven__Chrysalis/

Indie News Report

• It's Official: Game Pass SUCKS

• Quirky Indie Game Pitches! https://x.com/tribandtweets/status/1795453648836722818 

• No Man’s SkUPDATE

Wishlist Round-Up (Games That Caught Our Attention!)

• Constance: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2313700/Constance/
• Seed of Life: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1964530/Seed_of_Life/

Cozy Corner (Wishlist of Cozy Games for Cozy Gamers)

• Camper Van: Make it Home: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2843190/Camper_Van_Make_it_Home/

• Teatopia: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1879250/Teatopia/

• Coffee Caravan: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2649080/Coffee_Caravan/
• Nanomon: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1498060/Nanomon_Virtual_Pet/ 

Indie Steal of the Week!

Florence - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102130/Florence/ 

Kickstarter of the Week

• Lone Fungus 2

Andy is back and he has a spicy take on the Triple A games industry. Matt and Steve follow up on last week’s wishlist roundup with some demo thoughts and so much more!

Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift  indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift

What's new on indieRift? https://indierift.com/why-isnt-there-more-of-this-crow-country-the-undeniable-magic-of-playstation-one-horror-games/

 Indie Game Adventures #davethediver  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO-Glf3RE8I&ab_channel=PlayStation #HiveJump2 Preliminary Thoughts #voin  Demo - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2464530/VOIN/  #GestaltSteamandCinder Demo - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1231990/Gestalt_Steam__Cinder/ #crowcountry  - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1996010/Crow_Country/

Indie News Report So, This Is Pretty Neat: Indie Games & Non-Game Inspirations - https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-dont-mean-to-shock-you-but-twitter-is-doing-a-cool-thing-as-indie-devs-share-their-non-game-inspirations System Shock Launches on Consoles - https://youtu.be/zuLRFl7HaEg?si=DdmIyXz4pmyWpaNY

Wishlist Round-Up (Games That Caught Our Attention!) Second Sun: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2085620/Second_Sun/  Heartworm: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/Heartworm/ Samurai Unicorn: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2494020/Samurai_Unicorn/ Voidwrought:  https://store.steampowered.com/app/2014550/Voidwrought/ SYNERGY!

Indie Steal of the Week!  Extremely Powerful Capybaras: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2089980/Extremely_Powerful_Capybaras/ 

Kickstarter of the Week Lady Death Demonicron -https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artofplaygames/lady-death-demonicron-new-retro-beat-em-up-video-game?ref=discovery_category

One of our most anticipated games gets a slight delay. Plus our thoughts on Animal Well, Nordic Ashes, Cryptmaster, and more! 

Join our Patreon @ www.patreon.com/indieRIFT 

indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift ***Show Notes***

Indie Game Adventures:

• Animal Well(Quick Thoughts): https://store.steampowered.com/app/813230/ANIMAL_WELL/ 
• Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2068280/Nordic_Ashes_Survivors_of_Ragnarok/
• Cryptmaster: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1885110/Cryptmaster/

Wishlist Round-Up:

• Tavern Talk (Submitted by MissEnvy) https://store.steampowered.com/app/2076140/?snr=1_5_9__205
• Hive Jump Surv ivors
• Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge
• Into the Restless Ruins
• VOIN: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2464530/VOIN/
• Riftstrider: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2853060/Riftstrider/