February indie games: dwarves in space dungeons, a fighting metroidvania, “Pyaterochka” simulator, hellish “Civilization”

Cool indie games came out in February. A little over a month has passed since their release, yet they have already garnered tens of thousands of positive reviews. Players fell in love with them primarily for their gameplay and originality, which are so lacking in many modern top games. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor probably needs no introduction, but if you missed it, make sure to check it out. Besides this sudden hit, players were captivated by BlazBlue Entropy Effect with its unusual mix of genres, Supermarket Simulator with the chance to relax at work, and Secrets of Grindea with nostalgia for the 90s. And those aren't all the February releases.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

Vampire Survivors breathed new life into the roguelike genre. The new formula of fun discovered by the game’s creator turned out, on the one hand, to be surprisingly simple, and on the other — showed a direction where there is still plenty of room to evolve. The developers of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor do not blindly copy game mechanics, but expand upon the original’s ideas, skillfully blending them with those implemented in the original co-op space dwarf “simulator” Deep Rock Galactic.

The player-controlled dwarf still scours the depths of distant planets, mining precious ores and fending off aliens of varying degrees of monstrosity. As you progress through the levels, you upgrade the dwarf’s equipment and weapons, but the aliens don’t lag behind either, boosting their own strength. So, surviving isn’t always guaranteed.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor stands out not only for its gameplay innovations, but it also looks great: all thanks to the original Deep Rock Galactic’s design. A successful franchise, solid gameplay with interesting innovations — and, as a result, success among Steam gamers, despite the “Early Access” tag. If you are interested in the game, check out the detailed review by Dmitry Krivov before purchasing.

• Compatibility: Windows, Proton on SteamDeck (works out of the box)
• Russian language: interface
• Reviews: Very Positive (84% of 16,684)
• Steam price: 385 ₽

BlazBlue Entropy Effect

BlazBlue Entropy Effect combines what seems incompatible at first glance — it is a roguelike, a fighting game, a story-driven adventure, and a metroidvania (a platformer with puzzles in the style of Castlevania and Metroid), styled in anime aesthetics. However, this unusual gaming cocktail hit the spot for many players. The BlazBlue series consists of 2D fighting games for PC and consoles. The first game in the series was released in 2009. In addition to games in this universe, manga, light novels, and an anime series have been released. Outside Japan, the series is not very well known, especially in Russia, but BlazBlue Entropy Effect has a chance to change that.

Each run is an immersion into virtual reality. Players can choose one of 10 characters for a run, some of whom may be familiar from previous franchise entries. Each fighter feels distinct and possesses unique skills. Just like in fighting games. But Entropy Effect is also a roguelike, so heroes have a set of upgrades with leveling tiers that affect combat style as you progress, along with elemental damage modifiers. In addition to traditional story runs, players have access to various challenges, boss runs, a metroidvania mode, and PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) battles.

BlazBlue Entropy Effect is gorgeously drawn, animated, and voiced. Perhaps its only significant drawback is the lack of a Russian localization, as well as many others. So you will have to choose between Chinese, Japanese, and English.

• Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Proton on SteamDeck (works perfectly after tweaks)
• Russian language: none
• Reviews: Very Positive (92% of 12,986)
• Steam price: 710 ₽ (a 20% discount applies at the time of publication)

Balatro

Balatro is another unusual hit of the Steam spring season. Neither pixel graphics nor relatively modest visual presentation hindered the popularity of this pixel roguelike. It’s all about the exceptionally addictive gameplay. Unlike many other card roguelikes styled after collectible card games, it has no plot, characters, lore, or progression. Instead, it offers engaging and extraordinarily addictive gameplay that is closer to puzzles.

The developer took a standard deck of cards, poker hands, and invented their own set of rules. Don’t mind the 18+ age rating. Balatro is not a gambling game in the sense casinos and poker rooms define it. There are no bets or real-money gambling; instead, you get an opportunity to give your intellect a proper workout.

• Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Proton on SteamDeck (works out of the box), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S
• Russian language: interface, subtitles (beta)
• Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (97% of 17,318)
• Steam price: 610 ₽

Supermarket Simulator

Turkish studio Nikta Games conquers Steam with its new project Supermarket Simulator. In it, you run a virtual store and lead it to prosperity. You will set prices for goods, work the register, hire and fire staff, unload and stock shelves, and combat shoplifting. Just like in real-life chain supermarkets like Magnit and Pyaterochka. So, by walking in the shoes of a supermarket manager, you might look at your local grocery store clerks in a whole new light.

The game doesn’t set complicated tasks; Nikta Games specializes in hyper-casual games, and that’s what players love. Performing simple routine tasks allows you to unwind and take a break from real work. The project is currently in Early Access, but it is already fully playable.

• Compatibility: Windows, Proton on SteamDeck (works out of the box)
• Russian language: interface
• Reviews: Very Positive (94% of 11,301)
• Steam price: 490 ₽

Secrets of Grindea

13 years of development and Early Access evolution. Today, some players recall buying the early version back in the 2010s, when it was more of a demo or a statement of intent, crafted by students on sheer enthusiasm. If you are one of them, perhaps it is time to finally play the game you bought over a decade ago — version 1.0 has been released.

Secrets of Grindea is an action RPG with four-player co-op. The developers promise a journey through fantastical lands, battles against a wide variety of enemies and bosses, and a story about Truth, Friendship, and the search for the World’s Rarest Treasure. Besides adventuring across a vast world, additional activities are available: home decoration, fishing, crafting, and mini-games.

Pixel art is not just a stylistic choice, but also a tribute of respect and love for classic 90s console games. This approach is somewhat similar to Sea of Stars developers (read the review by Maxim Ivanov), but they feel and play differently. So don’t assume that if you liked Sea of Stars, you will definitely enjoy Secrets of Grindea too. That said, a vast number of players genuinely loved it.

• Compatibility: Windows, Proton on SteamDeck (works out of the box)
• Russian language: unofficial translation via Steam Workshop
• Reviews: Very Positive (89% of 5,693)
• Steam price: 349 ₽

Solium Infernum (Throne of Hell)

Many players call Solium Infernum “Hellish Civilization,” comparing it to Sid Meier’s legendary series. The comparison is flattering, of course, but misleading. Despite outward similarities, Solium Infernum isn’t quite as deep, although there are certain parallels, and the barrier to entry can hardly be called low.

Eight Archfiends of Hell have clashed in a fight for the Throne of Hell. The claimants differ in personality and traits, which determine their style in the struggle for power. Intrigue, sabotage, rumors, and gossip are business as usual in Hell. The craftiest and most hardened Archfiend will win the support of the Demonic Conclave and take the reins of Hell. But nothing stops you from casting all Conclave rules to the winds and seizing power by brute force, provided there’s anything left of Hell by the time you win. Between these extremes lies ample room for maneuvering, political intrigue, and sorcery. You won’t be bored.

Solium Infernum is a stylish game with rich lore, which is rather uncommon for strategy games. So reading is just as engaging as playing. Several modes add variety to the gameplay, including a multiplayer mode supporting up to 6 players per session.

• Compatibility: Windows, Proton on SteamDeck (works perfectly after tweaks)
• Russian language: interface, subtitles
• Reviews: Very Positive (88% of 676)
• Steam price: 1,300 ₽

Boxes: Lost Fragments

The experimental puzzle game The Room, released in 2012 by the small British developer Fireproof Studios, sold millions of copies and was named the best British game of that year (read the review of The Room series). In it, players had to unlock a puzzle box packed with intricate mechanisms, searching for keys and clues. The second and third installments resembled classic puzzle-focused quests enriched with a mystic story. They were successful too, though not quite like the first. In the fourth game, Old Sins, the developers skillfully blended both approaches, making it arguably the best in the series.

Boxes: Lost Fragments almost literally echoes the first The Room — unfortunately, not the fourth. Visually, the game looks a bit richer than the original, but that’s not what matters most in this genre. The puzzles themselves are far more important than the visual dressing. Judging by player reviews, the developers produced an interesting and captivating game, though it didn’t surpass the original. However, it is available in the Russian Steam segment and is quite affordable. A mobile release is also planned for the future.

• Compatibility: Windows, Proton on SteamDeck (works perfectly after tweaks)
• Russian language: interface, subtitles
• Reviews: Very Positive (89% of 642)
• Steam price: 550 ₽ (a 10% discount applies at the time of publication)

Smalland: Survive the Wilds

Smalland: Survive the Wilds has left Early Access, and if surviving in a land of giants appeals to you — welcome! This isn’t the only game with such a setting. Perhaps the most famous counterpart is Grounded. However, it is unavailable in the Russian Steam segment, unlike Smalland.

Smalland doesn’t offer anything fundamentally new to the survival genre. Among the interesting innovations are changing seasons, which affect gameplay. Otherwise, it’s the same old resource gathering, crafting, base building, and open-world exploration. Adventuring with friends is more fun, as the core principle of this genre — “make your own fun” — applies here as well.

• Compatibility: Windows, Proton on SteamDeck (works out of the box)
• Russian language: interface
• Reviews: Very Positive (85% of 5,131)
• Steam price: 1,200 ₽

Craftomation 101: Programming & Craft

“You have landed on a frozen planet accompanied by a robot. Gather resources to unlock new ones.” Just another survival game? Not quite. Craftomation 101 is an educational sandbox where you can learn algorithms and basic programming concepts in a light, playful way. The local robots’ artificial intelligence isn’t particularly brilliant — not even compared to Alisa — so you’ll have to teach them how to work.

You won’t have to write countless lines of code in some cryptic, unfamiliar programming language. Simply connect action cards in the right order to teach the robot whatever profession you need.

The project was developed by the Russian studio Luden.io, which specializes in educational games. Craftomation 101 is suitable for both the youngest players eager to grasp fundamental programming skills and adults. The game has launched in Early Access, with a full release scheduled for next year.

• Compatibility: Windows, Mac, SteamOS
• Russian language: interface
• Reviews: Very Positive (86% of 190)
• Steam price: 385 ₽