PIONER
Developer: GFA Games
Release date: To be announced
PIONER — is a first-person MMO shooter with survival elements, set in a post-apocalyptic alternative reality. Players will explore a large open world suffering from the aftermath of a man-made catastrophe, where the Soviet past is blended with science fiction. The main objective is completing story missions, participating in PvE and PvP activities, as well as interacting with factions that affect access to quests and rewards.
The project offers a large-scale map (over 50 km²), an advanced crafting system, extensive weapon customization, and survival simulation elements — from managing hunger to sleep. Special attention is paid to social mechanics: a clan system, cooperative raids, and player-to-player interactions. The “Shadow Lands” online mode features dedicated zones where high risk meets valuable rewards. A full release is expected in 2025; an exact date has not yet been announced. A demo version will be available from June 9 to 16, 2025, as part of Steam Next Fest.
Zarya
Developer: SBSR
Release date: to be announced
“Zarya” — is a story-driven rural driver simulator set in the post-Soviet countryside. Players take on the role of Vasily, a local resident making a living by delivering cargo, helping neighbors, and collecting old cars. The gameplay blends elements of leisurely driving along country roads, everyday chores, and rural leisure activities — from fishing to trips to the local market.
The game features a semi-open structure, emphasizing atmosphere, local flavor, and details instantly recognizable to players from the post-Soviet space: “Bukhankas”, Nivas, garage barbecues, and the eternal struggle with off-road terrain. The project is being developed by a team of three and has already garnered significant attention: as of March 2025, over 100,000 users have added it to their wishlists. The release date has not yet been announced, but interest in the project is steadily growing — including outside the CIS.
DREADMOOR
Developer: Dream Dock
Release date: to be announced
DREADMOOR — is an atmospheric first-person adventure combining elements of fishing, survival, and horror in a post-nuclear apocalypse world. Players take helm of a fishing vessel, explore flooded lands and ruined buildings, catch fish, trade, craft equipment, and defend against dangerous mutants.
The project is steeped in Lovecraftian themes and offers over 100 species of rare catch, including sea monsters that require an unconventional approach to hunt. Mechanics include crafting, inventory management, ship upgrades, and active engagements with enemies both on water and land. The developers emphasize that players will constantly have to balance exploration, defense, and trade — as even a routine catch in the hold can turn into a deadly threat.
The game evokes associations with Dredge, but relies on more hardcore gameplay, spectacular visuals, and pronounced horror elements that heighten the feeling of danger and dread of the unknown.
Almost My Floor: Duality
Developer: Potata Company
Release date: 2025
Where: Steam
Almost My Floor: Duality — is a horror adventure featuring stealth elements and branching narrative, unfolding in a terrifying world on the verge of reality and hallucination. The game combines a visual novel, interactive investigation, and action sequences where player choices directly affect the fates of several characters. Each has their own perspective on the events and unique abilities to confront the horrors of a provincial town in different ways.
The gameplay revolves around wandering through gloomy stairwells, tunnels, and courtyards, where the internal struggle with depression intertwines with external anomalies. The game touches upon themes of mental disorders, loneliness, and personal tragedy, referencing the events of the original Almost My Floor of 2021. The developers note that the locations and visuals are based on real-life references, which lends the project added visual authenticity. The full release is expected in 2025.
Brutal John 2
Developer: OldSchool Laws Team
Release date: July 22, 2025 (Early Access)
Brutal John 2 — is an old-school first-person shooter inspired by 1990s classics, focusing on violent gameplay, dynamic combat, and an absurd plot. Players are in for a post-ironic dystopia where crypto-mining technologies have taken over the planet, and only two can rise against the digital evil — Brutal John and his mercenary hound, Brutal Dog.
The game offers a campaign with alternating levels between the two protagonists, each featuring their own arsenal and playstyle. Brutal John 2 includes enemy dismemberment, boss fights, secret hunting, and levels set in the most unexpected locations — from casinos to wild caves. The visual style mimics retro graphics, and the soundtrack shifts dynamically depending on the situation, underscoring the pacing of the action. The project is being developed by a team that includes scene veterans who previously worked on Duke Nukem and Ion Fury. A free demo is available on Steam.
Glowing Lamps
Developer: Metsys Games
Release date: to be announced
Where: Steam
Glowing Lamps — is a pixel-art stealth action game with immersive sim elements, set in an alternate 1990s Russia. Players take on the role of engineer Anton, who finds himself entangled in political conspiracies and gang warfare in the gloomy town of N.
Gameplay is built around player freedom: you can sneak past guards, unleash chaos using the environment, or achieve objectives through dialogue, persuasion, and even games of backgammon.
The game offers a versatile system for interacting with the world — from eavesdropping on conversations and distracting guards with bottles to using electrical appliances as respawn points. All NPCs react to the player’s behavior: the consequences of violence, dialogue choices, and even reputation matter.
The world lives its own life and reacts to the hero’s actions: you can pickpocket a wallet, earn the respect of local gangs, or get caught up in street brawls. Glowing Lamps emphasizes deep simulation, dark satire, and black humor, blending agency with an atmosphere of paranoia and absurdity.
Curse of Pirates
Developer: Funky Parrot
Release date: coming soon
Curse of Pirates is a top-down action roguelike inspired by Vampire Survivors, but featuring a full-fledged pirate theme and campaign elements. The player takes on the role of a captain commanding a small vessel, fighting off hordes of enemies: from sea monsters to reanimated corpses and cursed gods. The game features endless waves of opponents, large-scale boss fights, and the ability to hire unique allies, each influencing battle tactics in their own way.
A key feature of the project is combining skills and crew to create hundreds of builds that radically alter the playstyle. Beyond arcade combat, players can find treasure maps and tweak arena parameters, impacting the flow of battles. Ship upgrades and interactions with diverse characters are designed to add depth and make each run distinct from the last.
Curse of Pirates is being developed by the Russian studio Funky Parrot, promising a vibrant seafaring experience with humor, dynamic gameplay, and a true pirate spirit.
Fevercide
Developer: Slava Gris
Release date: unannounced
Fevercide is a dark metroidvania crafted by a solo developer and inspired by the aesthetic of 1930s cartoons. Players take on the role of Sandra, a heroine with a troubled past embarking on a hellish journey through an alternate Russian Empire. Early 20th-century Saint Petersburg is surrounded here by Art Deco developments and populated by ghosts, demons, and painful memories. The narrative explores themes of personal trauma and redemption, blending horror with psychological drama.
In terms of gameplay, Fevercide offers three melee combat styles, four schools of magic, an upgrade system with over 150 items, and a fully featured map with note-taking capabilities. Exploring non-linear locations is enriched by quests, puzzles, and interactions with NPCs.
The project stands out with its hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation and a deeply detailed world where every aspect serves the author’s vision. Fevercide is being developed by independent artist and programmer Slava Gris.
Dust Front RTS
Developer: RtsDimon
Release date: unannounced
Dust Front RTS is a hardcore real-time strategy game featuring grand strategy elements and a non-linear campaign. Players are thrown onto a post-apocalyptic planet torn apart by wars, where the remnants of civilization battle for resources, influence, and survival. Classic RTS mechanics are augmented by deep planning elements, turn-based choices on a global map, and the ability to build armies from scratch — from tanks and aircraft to experimental weapons.
Missions are procedurally generated, and the gameplay demands thoughtful tactics, as enemies often outnumber and outgun the player technologically. The strategic map features events, trade, economic management, and garrison development, with veteran units carrying over between missions. The game features three factions, each with its own superweapon — from nuclear strikes to biological contagions and spatial weaponry. The project is being developed solo and has already drawn attention thanks to its gritty visuals and distinctly “industrial” atmosphere.
Machine Mind
Developer: Chudo-Yudo Games
Release date: 2025
Machine Mind is a post-apocalyptic action game with survival and RTS elements, where the player controls a consciousness trapped inside a mechanical body. Following the collapse of civilization and a viral catastrophe that plunged Earth into chaos, survival depends on effective machine management, base building, and automating processes across a ruined world.
Gameplay combines action and strategy: you explore the wastelands, upgrade rovers, build combat and support modules, expand your base, and fend off attacks by raiders and bosses. Vehicles can perform various tasks — from harvesting resources to guarding the perimeter. Construction happens in real time, and automation via AI bots allows for establishing complex production chains. The game offers a flexible progression system: machinery gradually turns into a mobile fortress, and eventually into a full-scale mobile outpost. It is being developed by a studio based in Yekaterinburg, with a release planned for 2025. A demo is available on Steam and VK Play.
Vaulted
Developer: Astrobionics
Release date: 2025
Where: Steam
Vaulted is a fast-paced top-down shooter with rogue-lite elements, set in a grim dieselpunk world. The player explores procedurally generated dungeons within an anomalous zone, where every mistake can prove fatal. Throughout the journey, players can opt for stealth, direct combat, or tactical use of the environment — including pitting enemies against each other and using skill cards.
The progression system centers around gathering resources, upgrading gear, and selecting weaponry. Dozens of active and passive abilities are available to mix and match into unique builds. Upon finishing the main campaign, an endless mode unlocks, catering to hardcore players. Vaulted emphasizes gameplay variety, fast-paced action, and the bleak ambiance of underground ruins. Developed by independent studio Astrobionics, it is slated for release in 2025.
Kanun 1919
Developer: Noxtell Games
Release date: 2026
Kanun 1919 is an atmospheric side-scrolling adventure set in an alternate early 20th century with a dieselpunk flair. The player takes on the role of a courier sent to the remote town of Turov to recover vital documents. However, upon arrival, it becomes clear that something has gone wrong in the town, and the locals are hiding something.
By exploring the streets, talking to residents, and fighting enemies, the player gradually uncovers the dark secrets of a provincial town on the verge of irreversible change. Kanun 1919 places a heavy focus on atmosphere: stylized visuals, oppressive architecture, echoes of the imperial era, and an unsettling unknown create a unique sense of an abandoned world. At the core of the gameplay are exploration, combat elements, and narrative dialogue. The project is slated for release in 2026. A demo is available on Steam and VK Play.
ONE WAY HOME
Developer: CYBERHEAD
Release date: coming soon
ONE WAY HOME is an atmospheric puzzle-platformer featuring a non-linear narrative, created in full 3D and inspired by titles like Limbo and Inside. The player steps into the shoes of 12-year-old Jimmy Taylor, who wakes up after an accident in a distorted version of his hometown. From then on, every step is a choice leading to one of four endings.
The gameplay is built around exploring unique routes, each unlocking new abilities, locations, and storyline branches. Players will have to solve puzzles, avoid encountering terrifying creatures, and collect fragments of the “chalk legend”—a stylized visual story that reveals the deeper meaning of what is happening. Throwing items is used as a mechanic to distract enemies and interact with the environment.
ONE WAY HOME relies on an unsettling atmosphere, gameplay variety, and an emotional story where fear and hope go hand in hand. The demo is available on Steam.
NightFall: Shade
Developer: Kirill Fatkin
Release date: coming soon
NightFall: Shade is a hardcore 2D action-RPG with survival elements and hand-drawn animation, inspired by Dark Souls and dark knightly legends. The player will take control of a nameless knight making his way through ruined lands, where every shadow can conceal death, and even the weakest enemy is capable of dealing a fatal blow.
The combat system is based on stances, precise parries, and hit zones. Armor vulnerabilities, bleeding, and injuries make each encounter an intense trial where the cost of a mistake is especially high.
Survival in NightFall: Shade demands constant attention: one must monitor nutrition, heal wounds, repair gear, and maintain the hero’s mental health. Rest is only possible in camps—here the player cooks food, crafts medicine, and performs treatment via minigames that depend on attentiveness and reaction time.
The world is open for exploration and offers multiple paths: from direct boss fights to hidden crawlspaces and alternate routes. The game’s visual style is completely hand-drawn, giving the project a unique atmosphere and a memorable artistic look.
Synchro
Developer: Komisoft
Release date: unannounced
Synchro is a turn-based role-playing game with an original combat system where all participants act simultaneously. The player assumes the role of a resistance leader in a cyberpunk metropolis of the future, where power has been seized by technocrats conducting brutal experiments on humans. To survive and defeat the corporate dictatorship, you will have to assemble a squad of fighters, expand an underground base, and wage a covert war for freedom.
Each character belongs to one of ten classes, possesses unique skills, and can be upgraded both physically and mentally. The headquarters expands as you progress—the player builds new sections, trains operatives, crafts modules, and helps heroes cope with psychological trauma.
Battles require precise calculation and the ability to anticipate enemy behavior—success depends not only on strength, but also on tactical thinking. The world of Synchro is open to exploration: side missions, lore fragments, and hidden locations reveal the dark secrets of the metropolis.
The game combines a cyberpunk atmosphere, survival elements, and a deep tactical system, offering a thoughtful and intense gaming experience.
Tales of Meadows
Developer: Qualestory Games
Release date: unannounced
Tales of Meadows is an action-adventure game from the Belarusian studio Qualestory Games, set in the 11th–13th centuries in the territory of ancient Turov. The protagonist—young warrior Filipp—returns home after long training, dreaming of joining the prince’s druzhina. But instead of peace, he finds a devastated principality: the inhabitants live in fear, and pagans who worship a forgotten deity and make bloody sacrifices roam the forests.
The game offers a linear story adventure lasting 4–5 hours with an emphasis on historical accuracy and the atmosphere of medieval Rus. The developers promise intuitive navigation without unnecessary interface elements, a dynamic combat system, and an authentic reconstruction of the city of Turov based on historical sources. Gameplay focuses on exploration, combat, and the gradual uncovering of the dark mystery shrouding the desolate land.
Silicone Heart
Developer: Garden of Dreams
Release date: unannounced
Silicone Heart is an adventure sandbox with survival, farming, and automation elements, set on a junkyard planet inhabited by broken and deranged robots. The player takes on the role of the sole human survivor of a space incident and must now establish daily life amidst scrap metal, advance technology, and unravel the mysteries of a vanished civilization.
The project combines mechanics of Stardew Valley, Factorio, and No Man’s Sky: resource gathering, tool crafting, plant cultivation, robot assembly and repair, building an automated farm, and exploring a procedurally generated world. Robots become assistants that can be upgraded, while interacting with local communities unlocks story quests.
In addition to crafting and exploration, the game features combat elements—the player will have to fend off hostile machines using customizable weaponry. Silicone Heart aims for a balance between coziness, automation, and solitude in a world where humans no longer exist. A demo is expected in the summer of 2025.
Tiny Shop: Make It Cozy
Developer: ScoreboardGames
Release date: Q1 2026
Tiny Shop: Make It Cozy is a cozy shop management simulator with elements of building, customization, and unhurried gameplay. The player becomes the owner of a small shop on a quiet street, designs the interior and storefront, arranges goods, sets prices, and builds warm relationships with customers. The game emphasizes a relaxing atmosphere, cozy aesthetics, and full creative control over the space.
During the day, you serve customers, observe their reactions, and shape the assortment while adapting to tastes and current trends. In the evening, you furnish the space, rearrange furniture, decorate displays, and plan further development.
The passage of time and shifting seasons, along with lively details—such as a cat on the windowsill or a mug of tea at the checkout counter—create a sense of a warm, living space. There are no harsh conditions or rush in the game: it is a meditative sandbox for those who want to create at their own pace a place they want to return to.
Kiosk on Lenin Street
Developer: perelesoq
Release date: 2025
“Kiosk on Lenin Street” is a pixel geek vendor simulator in the spirit of the 2000s, featuring management elements, role-playing choices, and a pinch of crime drama. The player will step into the shoes of a vendor at a kiosk selling everything that defined early 2000s culture: pirated discs, cigarettes, chips, anime, and contraband trinkets. The goal is simple yet touching—to earn enough money for a trip to Turkey for mom.
Gameplay revolves around the everyday concerns of a small entrepreneur: purchasing stock, arranging display cases, talking to customers, taking on side gigs “outside the law,” and self-care—from food and sleep to hygiene. The game offers a wide range of story branches: you can be an honest and polite trader, or dive into risky scams.
The developers from perelesoq studio, who previously released the dramatic Torn Away, rely on a nostalgic atmosphere, the recognizable daily life of post-Soviet Russia, and a lively system of micro-interactions with the environment.
ETERNAL EXILE: BENEATH THE DARKNESS
Developer: AMNESIA
Release date: August 20, 2025
Where: Steam
The game with the concise title ETERNAL EXILE: BENEATH THE DARKNESS is a dark fantasy first-person shooter featuring combat magic and a hardcore progression system. Players must fight their way through nightmare worlds populated by undead and twisted creatures of darkness. The arsenal includes swords, axes, bows, crossbows, destructive spells, and even a classic double-barreled shotgun in one hand—a direct nod to boomer shooters like Heretic, Hexen, and AMID Evil.
Each kill leaves behind a soul fragment necessary for empowering the hero. The game features traps, secrets, chests, and non-linear choices that affect the plot and the fate of the world. Visually, the project draws on dark gothic aesthetics: ruined temples, lost catacombs, and the atmosphere of bygone eras.
The campaign is designed for high-paced single-player playthroughs, where survival depends on accuracy, skill, and clever use of the environment.
Meatgrinder
Developer: Vampire Squid
Release date: April 13, 2023
Where: Steam
Meatgrinder is a whirlwind retro first-person shooter emphasizing speed, parkour, and survival on moving objects. Players will rush across the rooftops of trucks, trains, and even airplanes, shooting down enemies and keeping their heart rate at maximum—because any delay could cost their life. Inspired by the movie “Crank” starring Jason Statham and classic brutal shooters, the project offers fast-paced gameplay built on chaos and continuous movement.
A key feature is the dynamic environment: levels consist of chains of vehicles moving in real time. The hero’s health is directly tied to their pulse: the faster you move, the quicker you recover; slow down, and you start dying. The arsenal features five types of weapons, a two-chapter story mode, and an endless score-attack mode.
Despite its short length (around an hour and a half), Meatgrinder leaves a vivid aftertaste—a pure adrenaline rush. Reviews praise its frantic pacing and atmosphere, while criticizing the shooting mechanics and, in places, an artificially inflated sense of speed. At release, the game went mostly unnoticed, but it has every chance of finding a second life—thanks to you.
M.I.N.S.K.
Developer: sodesign
Release date: unannounced
M.I.N.S.K. is a dark third-person adventure horror game with survival elements set in a post-apocalyptic world engulfed by toxic fog. Cities are dead, survivors hide among ruins, and the player controls an explorer android created by a solitary engineer. Setting out on a perilous journey in search of resources and answers, the protagonist encounters another robot—awakening something greater within than just a survival instinct.
Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game has already caught attention with its visuals: the first trailer went viral on social media, and more than 60,000 users have added the project’s Steam page to their wishlists. The developer draws inspiration from an atmosphere of loneliness and fragile hope, aiming to create not merely a visual adventure, but an emotionally rich experience.
Horizontal and vertical level design, an expressive soundtrack, and a story about robots, love, and the fight for life promise an unusual blend of sci-fi and drama.
Banner of Victory
Developer: Peresvet
Release date: unannounced
“Banner of Victory” is a hybrid real-time strategy game where World War II battles unfold not only from a bird’s-eye view, but also straight from the trenches. At any moment, players can switch from commanding an entire platoon to directly controlling an individual soldier or tank from a third-person perspective. Capture control points, build fortifications, call in artillery and air support—and when the situation spirals out of control, pick up a sniper rifle and take matters into your own hands.
The primary focus is placed on 1941 and the events of the Eastern Front. Maps are inspired by real historical locations, and story missions are supplemented by “Frontline” and “Stealth” modes, where decisive action or covert operations are key. Every action—from planting a mine to firing a Maxim machine gun—can be performed either from the tactical map or in person. The game lets you experience war through the eyes of both a commander and a soldier at the same time.
Recon: 1944
Developer: Varangs
Release date: Q3 2026
A tactical isometric real-time strategy game with stealth elements and a story about the daily life of a Soviet reconnaissance team dropped behind enemy lines in the autumn of 1944. Led by Captain Mironov, the operatives carry out dangerous missions in East Prussia: gathering intelligence, staging sabotage operations, and surviving with minimal resources. Core gameplay revolves around stealth takedowns, action synchronization using tactical pause, close combat, and camouflage.
Each soldier is not just a unit, but a character with a unique backstory and motivation. From a hunter-sniper to an underground resistance fighter, from a Baltic marine to a young saboteur nicknamed Repey—everyone has distinct skills and style. Between missions, players allocate supplies, maintain communication with Headquarters, and discover more about the squad members’ personal stories.
Recon: 1944 is inspired by the Commandos series, but focuses on vivid storytelling, modern mechanics, and rich environments. The developers emphasize a serious approach to historical accuracy and keen attention to detail.
Studio Varyagi has opened sign-ups for the first playtest of Recon: 1944, which kicks off in the second half of June. A standalone demo will be released later—available on Steam and VK Play.
Dicewood
Developer: xk
Release date: 2026
Where: Steam
A fantasy horror deckbuilder with turn-based combat, where cute little animals are by no means heroes of a children's fairy tale, but participants in a desperate escape through a forest teeming with ancient horrors. In the world of Dicewood, even a cute bunny can become a deadly die if it rolls the right value.
Each animal in your pack is a die with its own unique effects. Combine characters, create synergies between their abilities, and try to survive in a forest where the hunter is not the only thing to fear. Cannibal tribes, twisted monsters, and the atmosphere of a Grimm Brothers-style forest nightmare won't let you let your guard down.
Every decision here is cast like a die: will your squad fall around the next bend or break through to the river and start a new life? Dicewood offers a fresh take on the roguelike deckbuilder genre, wrapping a forest fairy tale in a dark and unsettling shell. The demo is already available on Steam.
Lord Ambermaze
Developer: Potata Company
Release date: August 14, 2025
Lord Ambermaze is an adventure RPG featuring turn-based combat and an original time mechanic: time moves only when the hero moves. The main character named Zin ventures deep into the dungeons of Lord Ambermaze's castle, who stopped time for the sake of eternal rule. His goal is to restore the flow of events, rescue the princess, and defeat an army of enemies, including powerful bosses.
Each room is a tactical arena where any step could be your last. Victory requires not only the clever use of abilities, but also the ability to anticipate moves ahead: enemies obey the same rules of frozen time. The graphics are done in pixel art, and the gameplay relies on precise, well-thought-out actions.
Unlike similar projects like Arranger, where movement affects world navigation, here the idea of “time moves with the hero” is embedded into the very combat structure—turning each encounter into an individual logic puzzle. The demo is already available on Steam.
The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator
Developer: Who is Terry?
Release date: 2025
In this waiter simulator with action-puzzle elements, you will embark on a path of serving and enlightenment in the world of Japanese spirits. Having accidentally ended up in a restaurant for yokai, the protagonist takes up the tray against his will—yet it may become the key to returning home.
Players will have to balance between speed and precision: serve dishes on time, keep the tray balanced, and deal with the whims of otherworldly customers. Everything is served here—from ramen and sushi to fortune cookies, and the magical atmosphere of Japanese folklore in the spirit of Hayao Miyazaki turns an ordinary shift into a mystical adventure.
As the waiter's skills develop, new opportunities open up: more tips, more upgrades—and perhaps a chance to find the way back to the human world. But first—don't drop that tray. The demo is available on Steam and VK Play.
Eclipse 2: Invasion of Darkness
Developer: MadRock
Release date: to be announced
The sequel to the Russian action-RPG transports players to a grim post-apocalyptic world where humanity, with a level of development close to medieval times, faces a sudden alien invasion. The protagonist is an ordinary man who manages to escape from an enemy ship. His goal is to save his family and survive on an Earth engulfed in chaos.
The project combines an isometric camera, a story campaign, and a dynamic combat system based on active skills rather than gear progression. Battles require not only strength, but also a tactical approach—taking into account enemy characteristics and the environment. The game world is semi-open: zones are interconnected and become accessible as new abilities are acquired. At its core is a hybrid of metroidvania, slasher, and role-playing game, where strategy and reflexes are equally important.
The plot focuses on the themes of cultural clash and resistance: advanced alien technologies infiltrate archaic life, while deeper mysteries lurk behind the external conflict. Despite mixed reviews for the first installment, MadRock studio aims to deliver a more mature and technically polished product. The demo includes about four hours of content featuring quests, voice acting, and a progression system.
Critical Shift
Developer: Rhinotales
Release date: by the end of 2025
Antarctica, the top-secret ICE-1 facility, a distress signal, and fragments of frantic messages intertwining military experiments, anomalies, and fear of something beyond comprehension. Critical Shift is a hardcore turn-based tactics game with RPG and survival elements, where every step forward could be your last. The player will lead an elite squad and descend beneath the ice sheets to understand what exactly broke free—and how to stop it.
The game relies on a fair combat system that eliminates 99% miss chances, demanding careful positioning, sensible resource management, and adaptive tactics from the player. Underground, you'll encounter not only hostile factions, mutants, and hybrids, but also things that are hard to describe in words. Exploit enemy weaknesses, read classified documents, gather evidence, and decide who can be trusted.
The script for Critical Shift was written by Guiltythree, author of the popular web novel “Shadow Slave”, which in itself lends weight to the project. The atmosphere is dense and tense; the story promises drama, betrayal, moral choices, and horror elements. While the game does not have a release date yet, it already looks like one of the most intriguing tactical titles of next year—especially for those tired of toothless XCOM clones.
Melted Time
Developer: Shilenok
Release date: 2026
In this world, you are not a hero with a sword or magic powers. You are a candle. And you are melting. In real time. Every step, every action robs you of the most precious thing—the remnants of wax and a little hope that you'll make it in time. Melted Time is an atmospheric puzzle game with elements of dark humor, surrealism, and slight madness, where you need not so much to run as to think faster than the wax drips onto the floor.
Along the way, you will encounter strange creatures, veggie murders, bloody jam, and, of course, puzzles—the kind where you need to rewind time, push objects, seek non-linear solutions, and use every charred millimeter to survive. The world is absurdly beautiful and dangerous, like an undercooked pie with eyes.
The plot promises to be unpredictable: with twists, betrayals, and paradoxes, and most importantly—self-irony.
Displacement
Developer: Obelisk Studio
Release date: unannounced
Displacement is a first-person action horror game set on an isolated polar station. The player must survive as psychologist Arthur Bishop, who arrived at the facility on an inspection tour only to find himself at the epicenter of madness. The game world is built on full immersion: there is no HUD, and all perception relies on audio cues, visual details, and the protagonist’s reactions.
One of the key mechanics is a dynamic temperature system that affects both puzzles and combat encounters. Players can freeze or heat objects, using them as weapons or tools to solve challenges. Enemies are zealots from three cults, each demanding a distinct tactical approach and featuring unique bosses.
Over 20 types of melee weapons are promised, alongside an improvised finisher system and the character’s gradual evolution as he loses his sanity. The project was unexpectedly announced in April 2025, with Obelisk Studio publicly stating they are seeking investors to complete development.
The Scouring
Developer: Orc Group
Release date: TBA
The Scouring is a real-time strategy game with action-RPG elements inspired by genre classics. Players are invited to choose between humans or orcs, expand bases, manage resources, and engage in large-scale battles—both solo and in multiplayer with up to eight players. The standout feature is a unique mode where the player takes control of a hero with progression, equipment, and active abilities, while army management and the economy are handled by AI.
The game actively supports user-generated content via Steam Workshop: players can create and upload custom maps, game modes, and AI scripts. Available formats include team skirmishes, free-for-all battles, dungeon crawls, and boss fights.
Judging by early impressions, the project has resonated with audiences: the Steam demo holds roughly an 87% positive rating. Orc Group describes The Scouring as a “next-generation strategy game,” and in April 2025 reported surpassing 100,000 wishlists, drawing interest from both Russian and international players.
Of Ash and Steel
Developer: Fire & Frost
Release date: 2025
Of Ash and Steel is a third-person open-world role-playing game inspired by old-school classics. The protagonist is a cartographer named Tristan who arrives at the remote island of Gray Shaft. Here, every decision shapes the story, faction relations, and the fate of the realm itself. The game features no quest markers or hand-holding: quests do not guide you by the hand, and exploration hinges on attentiveness, intuition, and genuine curiosity.
The combat system offers multiple playstyles, from an agile swordsman to a heavy-armored knight. Players can join factions, master crafts, customize their own home, explore ancient ruins, and struggle for survival in a world where bandits roam by day and monsters hunt by night. The environment is dynamic: day-night cycles, weather, and player actions all affect unfolding events. The developers promise a return to “old-school” RPG roots—high difficulty, complete freedom, and a living, perilous world where any misstep can prove fatal.
Belarusians vs Demons
Developer: Electro Soul Games
Release date: Coming soon
Where: Steam
Belarusians vs Demons is a satirical action roguelike in the vein of Vampire Survivors, where players pick one of several heroes to fend off demon hordes using firearms, dashes to escape encirclement, and a random upgrade system. The arsenal includes airstrikes and other “grassroots” ways of dispatching evil spirits.
The game stands out with its grotesque humor, absurd visual style, and local memes. The trailer showcases six heroes, including characters named Vitalik and Misha. Bosses include the Patriarch, who peppers the map with suitcases, and the demoness Goddess, threatening to “destroy the clowns.” The voice acting was recorded by “professional programmers,” while the title itself parodies both genre tropes and cultural realities.
Broken Arrow
Developer: Steel Balalaika
Release date: June 19, 2025 (Early Access June 16)
Broken Arrow is a large-scale tactical RTS about modern warfare built around realism, deep customization, and strategic control. The game features two factions in the conflict—the United States and Russia, each with distinct branches: Marines, armored units, airborne troops, motorized infantry, and more. Engagements span land, air, and sea, featuring special operations forces, aviation, artillery, and cutting-edge armored vehicles.
Players have access to over 300 unit types and more than 1,500 customization options, ranging from auxiliary weaponry and armor packages to active protection systems. Maps are modeled after real-world locations and support urban combat, amphibious landings, and battles over key objectives. Custom scenarios and mods are supported through an integrated editor and Steam Workshop. As of early 2025, over 800,000 Steam users had wishlisted the game, firmly establishing it as one of the most anticipated titles of the year and the most anticipated wargame in particular.
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“NASHY IGRY 2025” proved once again that Russian-language gamedev has its own distinctive voice, style, and ambition. The featured projects include both debut efforts and titles from seasoned teams with global experience. Several are already amassing wishlists, picking up Steam reviews, and preparing to launch and captivate audiences worldwide in the coming months.
The fate of others lies entirely in your hands, dear friends. Independent developers need a voice, but above all, they need your support. Check out the game pages on Steam and VK Play and add the projects you like to your wishlist—this matters not only for platform algorithms, but also for securing investors.
While some studios experiment with mechanics, others tackle intricate story-driven RPGs, tactical wargames, and immersive adventures. What matters most is that projects are being made here and now, despite everything happening around them. And we will keep following them and highlighting the most intriguing ones.
Very soon, the expanded “NASHY IGRY 2025” showcase will air, where Vitaly Kazunov and Mikhail Shkredov will traditionally broadcast live playthroughs of projects that didn’t make the main lineup for one reason or another. Viewers can look forward to dozens more promising titles—tuning in is strongly recommended.
You can catch the stream via links on YouTube, VK Video, and Twitch, as well as right in the website’s embedded player—watch wherever it suits you best.
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