Captain Blood
Opening the selection is the return of a legend: Captain Blood — a long-awaited pirate action game from Russian developers Seawolf Studio and General Arcade that is finally coming out! The game invites you to dive into the atmosphere of naval adventures and battles in pursuit of gold and glory. The developers promise dynamic battles using swords, muskets, and even grenades, crafted in the spirit of the original God of War trilogy, as well as the ability to board enemy ships.
The project vanished into the depths of the gaming ocean after its cancellation in 2010, but in 2024 publisher SNEG decided to revive and refine the project using modern technologies. The full release is scheduled before the end of autumn 2024 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, and meanwhile you can check out the game's demo.
Image author: Seawolf Studio // General Arcade // SNEG Image source: Steam
KLET
A co-op horror from developers ln404 and Callback, known for the game “Kujlevka”. This time you will dive into the horrors of the Gigakhrushchevka — an endless, constantly changing building without laws or morals. Together with friends (or alone), you find yourself trapped inside a rusty elevator that is both your means of escape and a deadly threat.
The elevator must be constantly repaired, fed with biofuel, and upgraded by finding resources on the floors. Each level brings new anomalies, traps, and enemies. Also, don't forget about random events that can drastically change the rules of the game. The developers are preparing a real challenge for horror fans: an intricate plot and constantly changing floors where you never know what to expect around the next corner.
The game releases in Early Access on December 12, and in the meantime, you can try the demo, which recently received an update — 100 floors, new weapons, and enemies have been added.
Image author: Callback // ln404 Image source: Steam
The Stone of Madness
The Stone of Madness — is a real-time tactical RPG from the creators of Blasphemous, The Game Kitchen studio. The game takes you to the 18th century, to an isolated Spanish monastery that serves as both a mental asylum and an Inquisition prison.
Players will have to control five characters, managing not only their actions but also their mental state — since fears can lead to madness. At night, the monastery becomes even more dangerous: tightened security and various paranormal phenomena will require carefully planning every move.
To create the unique visual style, the developers drew inspiration from the works of Spanish artist Francisco Goya, famous for the painting “Saturn Devouring His Son”.
The game will be released on January 28, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch. Demo on Steam.
Image author: The Game Kitchen Image source: Gematsu
Hail to the Rainbow
An atmospheric adventure with horror elements created by solo developer Sergey Noskov takes players on a journey through the world of post-apocalyptic Russia in a post-Soviet cyberpunk aesthetic. The protagonist, a young man named Ignat, tries to survive in a grim world where dangers lurk around every corner.
Players will not only explore abandoned locations and solve technical puzzles, but also engage in battles with robots while delving into the protagonist's deep memories and inner turmoil. The gloomy visual atmosphere and soundtrack by Nobody's Nail Machine aim to immerse players in an atmosphere of hopelessness and tension. Some players are already calling the project “the Russian Pacific Drive”, highlighting similarities to the game by Ironwood Studios.
Demo of the game is available during the festival, and the full release is expected in the first quarter of 2025.
Image author: Sergey Noskov Image source: Steam
Mandragora
A side-scrolling action RPG with metroidvania and “soulslike” elements created by Primal Game Studio. The game immerses players in the dark world of Faelduum, where humanity is forced to hide behind walls from the onslaught of monsters and the devastating influence of Entropy.
Players must arm themselves with a witch lantern and embark on a dangerous journey to battle vicious enemies and deadly bosses, as well as uncover the secrets of a crumbling world. The combat system will demand not only good mechanical skills but also tactical thinking — enemies harshly punish mistakes. The character progression system and multiple classes allow you to tailor the hero to your playstyle.
The game promises a dark atmosphere and a non-linear narrative penned by Brian Mitsoda, the writer behind Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, along with an epic soundtrack by Christos Antoniou, one of the founders of the metal band Septicflesh. Early players compare the game to a side-scrolling No Rest For The Wicked and note that the combat system needs polishing.
Demo is already available, but the full release date has not yet been announced.
Image author: Primal Game Studio Image source: Steam
Is This Game Trying To Kill Me?
A gripping blend of horror and puzzle from indie studio Stately Snail, formed by two developers from Irkutsk. In it, you find yourself trapped in a cabin where a mysterious host offers to play a retro computer game. However, this game is directly tied to the real world: mistakes in virtual space can lead to death in reality.
The creators were inspired by the atmosphere of Inscryption and strive to offer an intriguing interaction between a 2D pixel game and 3D reality. While solving in-game puzzles, you will often have to step away from the monitor to find clues within the cabin's environment.
The game will be released on November 13, 2024, and in the meantime, you can check out the demo. In addition, the developers have already released a prequel (yes, for an unreleased game) — Is This Game Trying to Kill Me? Preface — which is also available for free.
Image author: Stately Snail Image source: Steam
Windblown
This is a new action roguelite from the developers of Dead Cells, Motion Twin studio, featuring lightning-fast combat and exploration of floating islands orbiting a gigantic Vortex. Players can absorb the powers of fallen foes, unlocking new weapons and abilities to help tackle increasingly challenging enemies and bosses. The game world is constantly shifting, and each run is full of danger and secrets. You can play Windblown solo or in co-op with up to three players. Intense battles and diverse combinations of weapons and skills await you.
Death is not the end, but an opportunity to hone your skills and tactics for the next run. A demo of the game is available on Steam, and Early Access kicks off as early as October 24, 2024.
Image author: Motion Twin Image source: Steam
Project Mist
Missed survival games? The new project from studio Chicken Launcher will transport players to a mysterious island inhabited by Lovecraftian monsters. There are neither hints nor objectives here — only you and your will to survive in this open world. The visual style and atmosphere of the island evoke Lovecraft’s works mixed with imagery from Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding.
Players will explore an enigmatic island, encounter gigantic creatures, build and defend their base by crafting traps and weapons, and upgrade their gear. Your primary weapon is the gravity gun, which will become the key to surviving in this perilous world.
A demo is already available on Steam, with the release scheduled for December 12, 2024.
Image author: Chicken Launcher Image source: Steam
Gedonia 2
A cooperative RPG from developer Oleg Kazakov, a sequel to the original Gedonia released in 2022. In the second installment, players can gather in groups of up to four and explore a vibrant open world, creating unique characters with diverse combinations of abilities and skills. Story choices and players’ actions will directly affect the surrounding world.
The developer promises an improved crafting system, a more complex character creation system, and diverse biomes to explore. As in the first game, players will not only fight enemies, but also unravel the mysteries of the world of Gedonia, build bases, and complete non-linear quests.
Gedonia 2 is scheduled for release in 2025, and meanwhile a demo and our review of the first game are available.
Image author: Kazakov Oleg Image source: Steam
Neon Blood
A pixel-art neo-noir RPG in a cyberpunk setting developed by ChaoticBrain Studios. In this adventure, you step into the shoes of detective Axel McCoin, who decides to fight social injustice in the megacity of Viridis. The city is divided into two worlds: the luxurious Bright City and the grim Blind City, between which a covert war for power, equality, and freedom is waged.
Gameplay blends elements of detective investigation and turn-based combat. Axel will not only untangle the city’s secrets, but will also become a key figure in a massive revolution against a corrupt system. A demo of the game is available as part of the festival.
The release is scheduled for November 26, 2024, on PS4/PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
Image author: ChaoticBrain Studios Image source: Steam
Forge of the Fae
An RPG from studio Datadyne featuring pixel art, inspired by classic JRPGs and Celtic folklore. The game is reminiscent in many ways of Canada’s Sea of Stars, but the developers offer their own take on the familiar formula.
Unlike typical JRPG-style games, the focus here is on a deep storyline driven by choices that alter the course of history, along with an innovative (according to the developers) crystal-based magic system. The protagonist Fiora, an inventor, embarks on a journey to uncover the mystery of disappearances in a world full of fae, magic, and peril.
A demo is already available, while the exact release date has yet to be announced.
Image author: Datadyne Image source: Steam
Chrono Sword
This is a dark isometric action RPG with “soulslike” elements and a time travel mechanic developed by 21cDucks. In this game, your actions in the past directly affect the future, and vice versa — time paradoxes can alter past events. You will explore a vast 3D world full of monsters, secrets, and formidable bosses, trying to unravel the mysteries behind this world’s ruin.
Players will be able to travel between two timelines to change the course of events and find answers leading to the truth. A challenging combat system, a wide variety of weapons, and free character customization allow each player to discover a unique playstyle.
Chrono Sword promises deep drama with unexpected twists and interactions with other time travelers. A demo is already available on Steam, while the game’s release date has not yet been announced.
Image author: 21cDucks Image source: PCGameSN
The Precinct
A police sandbox from Fallen Tree Games set in the city of Averno in 1983. You play as Nick Cordell Jr., a rookie cop striving to restore order in a crime-ridden city while simultaneously investigating the mysterious death of his father. The game offers immersion in the atmosphere of the '80s with car chases, procedurally generated crimes, and a dynamic world where every decision you make matters.
Players will patrol the streets, engage in shootouts and pursuits using a patrol car or helicopter, and deal with gang factions that control different parts of the city.
Thanks to a dynamic day-and-night cycle and shifting weather conditions, the world of Averno will constantly change, presenting new challenges for your character. People have already dubbed the game “GTA in reverse” or “GTA with cops.” A demo is already available on Steam, with the release expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Image author: Fallen Tree Games Ltd Image source: Steam
AI LIMIT
A post-apocalyptic action RPG from Sense Games. You will take control of Arrisa, an immortal “Blader” journeying through the ruins of humanity’s last city, Havenswell. The world is crumbling after the catastrophic collapse of an artificial ecosystem, and you must battle gigantic monsters and uncover the secrets behind civilization’s downfall.
The game combines intricate combat mechanics with “soulslike” elements and an anime art style. The combat system allows you to combine weapons, cast spells, and execute flashy combos.
A demo is available on Steam, with the game’s official release planned for 2024.
Image author: Sense Games Image source: Steam
Strinova
This is a tactical competitive third-person shooter with a distinctive anime style developed by studio iDreamSky. In the game, you can switch between 2D and 3D forms to gain new tactical opportunities on the battlefield. The game offers PvP battles across multi-level arenas and characters with unique abilities.
The release date has not yet been announced, but you can participate in closed playtesting. To do so, you need to download the demo on Steam and also register on the game’s official website. The playtest, like the festival, will run until October 21.
Image author: iDreamSky Image source: Steam
Beyond these games, hundreds of other amazing titles await you on Steam — from quirky to outright crazy, and every one of them is worth your attention. Don’t forget to add the games you like to your “wishlist” to support the developers! And if you’ve already found something special, feel free to share your discoveries on our social media — not just us, but other players too would love to know which demos impressed you.
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Cover author: Stately Snail // Sense Games // 21cDucks // Twin Motion