Phew, what a January am I proper? When you’re not snowed in, you’re listening to about it. And as masked, armed males knock down our doorways and arrest our neighbors, sweeping them off to black websites, we’re reminded that the surface is horrible. Keep indoors, play video video games.
That is form of a packed month for indie releases. We’ve a fairly broad spectrum of video games popping out, and this is among the extra platform-diverse indie write-ups I’ve performed. Giving folks the power to decide on the place they play video games? That’s an excellent factor!
Do not forget that these builders are vying for a spot on an overcrowded market and will actually use any eyes on their video games. Share the article; you by no means know who’s going to search out one thing that they actually love. I hope you benefit from the choice we’ve this month.
Kissed By A Star
Platforms: PC | Launch Date: 2/2/2026 | Steam Retailer Web page
I had the good pleasure of interviewing zDS for RPGfan a while in the past throughout early improvement of Kissed By A Star. Within the interview, zDS talks about his RPG initiatives and the way Kissed By A Star is the large sport he’s at all times dreamed of.
Altering factors of view, an enormous solid of characters, turn-based fight with a full get together, Kissed By A Star is an formidable venture. The solar has gone out, and civilization has reached a brand new age, and an previous evil has emerged. There’s a particular place in my coronary heart for RPGMaker video games, and we’ve two coming this month.
Kissed By A Star is releasing on February 2nd, 2026, on PC through Steam. If in any respect fascinated by what zDS is making an attempt to do, make sure that so as to add the sport to your wishlist or try considered one of his different video games on Steam.
Tearscape
Platforms: PC | Launch Date: 2/2/2026 | Steam Retailer Web page
The place tears outstream the rain, the world weeps and calls it stability. You have been cast to hunt, and thus, the hunt begins. Modeled after Darkish Souls, this 2D action-adventure takes place in a gothic world filled with baddies, puzzles, and a mandate.
The world is huge and mimics the artwork model of a Recreation Boy Coloration sport. The motion is stilted and weapons assault with intention, following a set path each time. Although the Soulslike origins are evident, the graphics and gameplay actually remind me of The Legend of Zelda, particularly the dungeons.
Tearscape releases on February 2nd, 2026, on PC through Steam. A demo is out there in the event you’d prefer to attempt before you purchase. When you’re within the sport, please add Tearscape to your wishlist.
Lovish
Platforms: PC, Swap, PlayStation, and Xbox | Launch Date: February fifth | Steam Retailer Web page
Sir Solomon is solely in Princess Tsuna’s love. She’s fascinated by one factor: being free. Additionally, she is likely to be fascinated by considered one of Sir Solomon’s associates? Regardless of the motive, Sir Solomon is the protagonist of this 2D motion platformer that’s targeted on single-screen rooms.
The only-room platformer idea has a very nice really feel; the ceilings aren’t too low, and also you at all times soar just a little increased than you anticipate. A lot of acquainted hazards too, like breakaway blocks, spike traps, transferring platforms, enemies, and many others… and there are secrets and techniques as well. I positively loved my time with Lovish.
Lovish releases on February fifth, 2026, on the Nintendo Swap, PlayStation 5, Xbox Sequence X|S, and PC through Steam. Throw them a wishlist in the event you’re , and in the event you merely can’t wait, a demo is out there on the sport’s Steam web page.
Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass: Console Enhanced Model
Platforms: Swap, PlayStation, and Xbox Sequence X|S | Launch Date: February fifth
Setting out on an journey to avoid wasting his household, Jimmy invitations you to affix him in his personal goals. In an RPGMaker sport clearly taking thematic cues from video games like Earthbound and Yume Nikke, Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a turn-based SNES-style RPG that’s truly been round since 2018.
Jimmy has a killer 16-bit artwork model, an incredible solid of characters, enjoyable and witty writing, and a protagonist who can tackle all kinds of kinds. What does Jimmy’s creativeness have in retailer for the participant, and what of the enigmatic pulsating mass? May there be extra to this colourful turn-based RPG than meets the attention?
Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is already out on Steam however is releasing on February fifth, 2026, on Nintendo Swap, PlayStation 4 & 5, and Xbox Sequence X|S. Thanks to Electrical Airship for offering a PlayStation key forward of launch.
Battle for Asciion
Platforms: PC | Launch Date: February fifth | Steam Retailer Web page
It’s been a really very long time since I’ve performed an ASCII sport. These have been extra fashionable when the one avenue for cell gaming was a TI-86 calculator. Relevo has created a complete side-scrolling shoot-’em-up sport utilizing ASCII textual content.
Not solely does the sport look unbelievable because of the timeless nature of the ASCII characters, but it surely’s additionally quick and responsive with controller assist and appropriate with the Steam Deck. Perhaps my favourite half is that you just’ll be capable to take screenshots as .txt recordsdata.
Battle for Asciion releases on February fifth, 2026, on PC through Steam. No demo is out there, however in the event you like what Relevo is promoting, you may wish to add Asciion to your wishlist.
Useless Pets: A Punk Rock Slice of Life Sim
Platforms: PC | Launch Date: February sixth | Steam Retailer Web page
Gordy is making an attempt to reside her greatest punk rock life. She’s acquired all of it! She works as a waitress at a burger joint, steals albums in her free time, and, when she will get them collectively, rocks exhausting in her punk band.
I’m actually glad rhythm video games are making a comeback by the use of narrative adventures. Each genres are actually coming collectively, and nothing is extra coming-of-age than music. Useless Pets has a fairly stable two-note rhythm construction, a enjoyable diner mini-game to generate profits, and a few fairly sick narrative hooks. And the scribbled facet comics are fairly humorous.
Useless Pets: A Punk Rock Slice of Life Sim releases on February sixth for PC through Steam. When you’re punk rock sufficient to suppose one thing like that is cool, make sure that so as to add it to your wishlist. Gotta have it sooner? The primary two episodes can be found as a demo on the sport’s Steam web page.
Fragrance Atelier
Platforms: PC | Launch Date: February seventh | Steam Retailer Web page
Fragrance Atelier is each cozy and difficult for a job simulator. You promote perfumes on the entrance of your store, providing suggestions primarily based on delicate scent notes, and infrequently scaring off skunks in a trench coat. After the doorways are closed, you retreat to your backyard to reap the herbs and fruit which have grown all through the day.
A lot of these video games could be written off as having little substance, however what I performed was enjoyable and gratifying. Making my very own perfumes, designing labels and bottles, and rising totally different herbs to make new scents is easy and cathartic. Fragrance Atelier looks as if it’ll be an excellent wind-down sport.
Fragrance Atelier releases on February seventh on PC through Steam. If being a perfumer is your dream, a demo is out there on the Steam web page, and it’s best to contemplate including the sport to your wishlist.
Relooted
Platforms: PC, Xbox Sequence X|S | Launch Date: February tenth | Steam Retailer Web page
Because of the Transatlantic Returns Treaty, repatriation of African artifacts has been taking place from museums all over the world. Sadly, not everybody is prepared to surrender these artifacts so simply. Fortunately, there’s a loophole that stops museums that maintain them from reporting them as stolen.
Construct a crew, arrange a plan, and pull off a heist in Relooted. As soon as the primary artifact is swiped, alarms start to blare, and you’ve got valuable seconds to seize the rest and vamoose. Be sure you arrange your crew in the proper spots; in any other case, you’ll get caught. Relooted is a dang enjoyable platforming puzzle runner.
Relooted releases on February tenth, 2026, on Xbox Sequence X|S and PC through Steam. A demo is out there for the heist sickos on the sport’s Steam web page, and if sticking it to these grasping museums is your factor, make sure that so as to add it to your wishlist.
Jam packed, proper? I do know I missed just a few, however I’m only one man; I can’t probably speak about EVERY indie that comes out. I’m doing my greatest, although. When you just like the write-up, let me know both through e-mail or Bluesky.
Don’t overlook to wishlist a sport in the event you’re , try the demo if one is out there, and speak about video games with your folks. I can solely attain so many individuals, and extra eyes on indies is normally an excellent factor.
After all, if there’s a sport developing you wish to see lined, be happy to e mail us at will@monstervine.com or ping our BlueSky account. You may as well e mail me or ping me on BlueSky. I really like listening to from devs. We’re at all times scoping out video games to cowl, so we respect the assistance. See you subsequent month!
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