Who knew being an egg could be so tough? Certainly not me, and Egging On proves it. You’re tiny, delicate, and a single misstep can spell doom. Thankfully, the game offers a bit of mercy; you won’t crack from just any tiny fall, which prevents it from being utterly infuriating. I dove into the Steam Next Fest demo’s first level, and let’s just say the Hen House was a brutal introduction to the game’s difficulty.

What a fantastic introduction to the game

Egging On nails its physics, truly mimicking a real egg. You’ll roll, and that roll isn’t just for show; it’s a dynamic force that can send you tumbling off platforms, cause unpredictable movements, or even trick you into a misstep. Yet, this very same rolling motion is your key to incredible jumps if you jump from its tip, propelling you to much higher places. It’s not a simple hop, though, mastering this mechanic requires strategic movement and precise timing.

The game clearly encourages speedrunning, even offering shortcut platforms for those daring jumps. However, there’s a significant risk of plummeting straight back to the start. Thankfully, the game addresses this by letting you choose your preferred playstyle: you can toggle checkpoints on or off. I highly recommend keeping them on. The moment I realized I was heading back to the beginning after a fall, I rage quit. Seriously, who wants to climb all the way back up?

Developers weren’t joking when they described Egging On as “hard to master but cute to play.” This paradox perfectly described the experience. Visually, the game is stunning, boasting amazing graphics, details, and top-notch perspective. The lighting is good too, and you can even adjust your FOV by zooming out with the mouse, making it accessible. Yet, beneath this charming exterior lies a deeply frustrating challenge.

Speedrunners have something to look forward to

One element truly stood out – the voice acting. A charming and silly narrator accompanies you on your climb through the house, a fantastic addition that really ugraded the experience. Beyond the frustrating “Hen House” area, there’s also a playground tutorial zone, perfect for honing your skills and mastering the unique physics. The main level itself was packed with various skins, Easter eggs, and hidden spots, ensuring there was always plenty to discover while moving.

What genre is this? Definitely a precision platformer, but it also dips into a subtle psychological horror. This isn’t about jump scares; it’s a game that relentlessly challenges your skill, precision, and mental fortitude, pushing your patience to its limits. Prepare to rage. Honestly, who knew letting out that frustration could feel so good?

It was a blast while it lasted, frustrating, yes, but undeniably fun. If this sounds like your kind of challenge, you’re definitely in for an experience. The Steam Next Fest offers a perfect opportunity to try out this title now before its full release in August. And hey, if you’re a speedrunner looking for your next big challenge, you’ve found it.

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In Egging On, you play as a determined egg on a mission to escape. Starting in a chaotic hen-house, you’ll navigate tricky environments like busy shops and industrial conveyor belts, where any mistake means you’re scrambled. The game’s precision-based mechanics demand careful timing for every leap or roll.

The demo will feature the hen-house and a new Playground tutorial, helping you learn the controls while keeping the challenge high. Speedrunners can chase best times with an in-game timer, and over 15 secret shells, like a jet-powered rocket egg, add fun collectibles.

We also had the chance to interview the developers last year, who revealed they “wanted to make something that’s difficult but fun,” and Egging On delivers exactly that.

The post A Fragile Egg’s Daring Climb, Egging On Coming to Steam Next Fest first appeared on IndieGames.

The new trailer, revealed during the recent Triple-i Initiative Showcase, confirmed that the DLC will introduce brand-new characters, levels, story content, and additional gameplay mechanics, all while maintaining the game’s signature intense pacing and brutally stylish combat. The protagonist continues his bloody odyssey through a neon-drenched noir world.

Katana ZERO is already acclaimed for its unique blend of precise platforming sequences and tactical, lethal combat. Players must rely on quick reflexes, time manipulation, and creative tactics to survive in a world where every move can mean the difference between life and death.

While a specific release date hasn’t been confirmed yet, Devolver suggests that the DLC is in its final stages of development. The original game is available on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, while the PlayStation 4 version remains in the pipeline following ESRB certification in 2021.

The post Long-Awaited DLC for Cult Platformer Katana ZERO Is Finally Coming, Though No Release Date Yet first appeared on IndieGames.

Echoes of Eldoria is an ambitious debut from Summit Studios, combining the punishing precision of Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy with the vertical challenge of Jump King. This 2D puzzle platformer casts you as a young wizard whose powers have been stolen by the dragon Eldaria. To reclaim your magical abilities, you’ll ascend through a whimsical, nature-rich world, solving environmental puzzles and mastering tight, responsive controls. With its charming aesthetic, clever speedrunning elements, and bite-sized gameplay sessions, Echoes of Eldoria is a labor of love, perfect for players who enjoy experimentation and a satisfying challenge.

Precision Meets Puzzles in a Vertical Quest

The core of Echoes of Eldoria is its vertical platforming loop: climb, leap, and puzzle your way up cliffs, waterfalls, and desert ruins to catch Eldaria. You start powerless, relying on basic jumps and a companion flame, Echo, who offers cryptic hints when you’re stuck. As you progress through multiple distinct levels, such as Sylvano Mountain Base, Faelyn Falls, or Reisa Sands, you reclaim abilities that transform the challenge.

For example, the Fleetfoot Amulet grants quick dashes to cross gaps or scale slopes, while a magical vine spell latches onto designated targets, letting you swing to new heights or activate distant switches. The ice beam freezes moving objects, creating temporary platforms, and the gravity-flipping boots allow you to walk on ceilings or undersides near specific zones. Each mechanic is carefully designed, seamlessly integrating with the game’s puzzles. You start with nothing, gradually unlocking these abilities as you progress, culminating in later stages that demand skillful combinations of all your powers.

However, some mechanics feel slightly unpolished, like the vines, which can be unpredictable and require overly precise positioning. Each stage is a continuous ascent with no checkpoints, pushing you to master every move or tumble back to the start. While the Jump King-style challenge tests reflexes and patience, clever puzzles like aligning boxes or timing swings add a Zelda-esque layer of strategy. That said, the game avoids excessive frustration: falling doesn’t punish as harshly as similar titles. Quick respawns and minimal progress loss keep the focus on skillful play rather than rage-inducing repetition.

Personally, I didn’t find Echoes of Eldoria overly difficult, partly because the level design or maps are quite small. Most players will likely finish in under three hours, though some clever “aha!” moments might slow you down as you piece together solutions without handholding. My biggest gripe is the lack of a full map view. Beyond the initial glance at the start, there’s no way to check your overall progress, a missed opportunity for speedrunners and players trying to optimize routes or uncover hidden movement tech.

Cute Meets Challenging

Visually, Echoes of Eldoria evokes the charm of a cozy indie game with its vibrant 2D art style. Crisp, cartoonish environments, from lush forests to misty waterfalls and sunbaked ruins, pop with warmth and personality. The wizard’s small but expressive sprite comes alive through subtle details, like his robe billowing during swings or gravity flips. While spell effects like vines and ice beams stand out against the muted backdrops, the animation feels somewhat limited overall; jumps lack weight, and many actions could benefit from more fluid motion.

At just under 5€ (currently discounted), Echoes of Eldoria offers solid value, though I can’t help but wish for more modes or additional content. While not the most detailed game in its genre, it delivers satisfying gameplay flow that makes it perfect as a “precision platformer for beginners”, an accessible entry point for players new to these kind of platformers.

Priced at 6.89€, it’s an absolute steal for fans of skill-based challenges or those who enjoy supporting indie passion projects. That said, its limited polish, and relatively short length might deter more casual players. What you’re really buying here is potential, a promising first glimpse at what this talented team could create with more resources. Consider this your invitation to a trial by fire (or rather, trial by vine and ice beam).

Review copy provided by the publisher

3.8

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Ambidextro is a daring new game from Majorariatto, the Spanish indie studio behind Majotori and pureya – so expect something wild. Dubbed “a multiplayer game for one player,” it forces you to control two characters at once, one with each hand, across 100 tough, single-screen levels. With its retro dark fantasy style and dungeon synth soundtrack, this precision platformer isn’t just a game, it’s a brain-twisting coordination challenge unlike anything else.

Dual Control, Singular Pain

The setup sounds simple: a witch kidnaps the prince and princess, forcing you, the royal wizard, to split into two halves to rescue them. Now you control both at once: Left (yellow robe) with WASD and Right (purple robe) with arrow keys. Each level is a single-screen obstacle course of spikes, traps, and tricky jumps. Your mission is to guide both wizards to the exit before time runs out (20 seconds by default, or adjustable to 30).

The early levels are simple, jump Left over a pit, hop Right onto a ledge, but the challenge ramps up fast. By level 10, you’re dodging moving platforms with one wizard while nailing trampoline jumps with the other. Soon, you’ll face quantum platforms (solid or not at random), vanishing blocks, and leaps where both wizards must land in perfect sync or it’s game over. Tight controls demand pixel-perfect timing, making this a precision platformer at its finest. Quick restarts keep the pace, and after too many fails, the game offers to skip the level.

The game gets hard fast. At first, you learn to move each hand separately. But the real challenge is thinking about two paths, two dangers, and two timers at the same time. Winning feels amazing, finally beating a level after 20 tries is a great feeling. But losing hurts, especially when one small mistake, like bouncing wrong on a trampoline, kills both characters.

100 Levels of Skill-Breaking Tension

After playing a while, your shoulders might ache and your brain feel tired – that’s how intense it is. You can make it easier with settings like more time or different controls, but this isn’t a relaxed game. It’s made to test your skills, and it loves being tough. Progression is linear through 100 levels and there are no shortcuts. You can also earn achievements for finishing all levels or beating time limits. Right now, there’s no way to make or share custom levels, but the main game offers plenty of tough, rewarding challenges on its own.

Ambidextro leans hard into its retro aesthetic. The crisp 2D pixel art is evocative, yellow and purple wizards stand out against dark, medieval backdrops of stone and shadow. It’s minimalist yet effective, channeling NES-era charm with modern polish. Animations are smooth, prioritizing precision over flash. The soundtrack is a dungeon synth standout, with synthy chords and eerie melodies that amplify tension without overwhelming the gameplay. True to its retro ethos, there’s no voice acting.

However, the difficulty spikes can feel brutal and unforgiving, often catching you off guard. Short play sessions are ideal, but marathon runs can be mentally and physically exhausting. Surprisingly, this game might just work in multiplayer. Yes, it’s designed as a single-player experience, but grab a friend, and you can tackle it together. Coordination makes some sections far easier and faster than going solo.

You shouldn’t sleep on this game

Ambidextro is a niche platformer that doesn’t just test your reflexes, it rewires your brain. At $7.99, it’s a razor-sharp brutal ride, though its “torture museum” vibe won’t win over casual players. But for fans of precision platformers, or anyone hungry for a truly unique challenge, it’s a must-play game, cementing Majorariatto’s talent for crafting clever indies.

Review copy provided by the publisher

4.2

The post Ambidextro - Brain-Splitting Platformer first appeared on IndieGames.

In Shotgun Cop Man, you take on the role of a relentless cop on a mission to arrest Satan himself. Armed with an arsenal of powerful weapons, you’ll blast your way through the twisted corners of hell, using your guns not just to fight but also to propel yourself through the air. This innovative mechanic turns every shot into a tool for movement, allowing you to dodge enemies, scale walls, and leap across impossible gaps.

The game features a handcrafted campaign with over 150 levels, filled with hordes of irritable demons, devious traps, and thrilling challenges. You can also test your skills in No Damage, Speedrun, and Kill All challenges, or dive into user-generated levels to keep the infernal fun alive.

The post Devolver Digital Announces Shotgun Cop Man, a Precision Platformer Coming to PC and Switch This Year first appeared on IndieGames.

In the realm of Symphonia, music is more than just sound; it’s the very essence of life and energy. However, since the founders of this world and their orchestra vanished, Symphonia has been slowly falling silent, its inhabitants divided and without direction. The story centers around Philemon, a mysterious violinist with the power to change everything.

The violin and bow serve as both musical instruments and tools for traversal, enabling you to propel yourself through the game’s beautifully crafted landscapes. By solving intricate platforming challenges, you re-activate the machinery that once powered Symphonia with music, bringing life back to its various regions. In your travels, your will encounter prodigious musicians who may join the orchestra and help restore harmony.

Composer Olivier Esman has created an original soundtrack for Symphonia, with live recordings performed by the Scoring Orchestra Paris. The soundtrack, inspired by the Romantic musical period, features pieces that highlight each family of instruments, strings, brass, and woodwinds through in-game concerts.

The post Musical Platformer Symphonia Set to Launch on All Major Platforms In December first appeared on IndieGames.

In Lovish players guide Sir Solomon through a series of bite-sized rooms, as he attempts to free Princess Tsuna, the woman he loves, from the grasp of the evil Devil Lord. Slice up monsters, collect items and get ready for event scene full of surprises every time you exit the room. Anything could happen – from finding a suspicious item to a random RPG fight, and even the destruction of the whole world!

Prepare for over 50 unique levels to play through, each with multiple objectives. Collect a variety of items to upgrade Solomon’s abilities, or expand the game in many unexpected ways. Enjoy beautiful pixel art and discover hidden secrets with the help of randomized events. So please, be a good friend, and help Solomon rescue the princess.

The post Action-adventure game Lovish is coming to PC in 2025 first appeared on IndieGames.

Inspired by a game jam prototype, Ascending Inferno evolved into a precision platformer that mixes soccer mechanics with a journey through hellish landscapes. You’ll dribble, kick, and headbutt Vincent’s soul across nine layers of Hell, each one presenting its own devilish obstacles. The game’s handcrafted levels combine pixel and voxel art, offering a visually stunning but unforgiving environment. A single mistake could send you tumbling back down to the depths, forcing you to start again.

With speedrunning in mind, Ascending Inferno offers challenges for both casual and hardcore players. Whether you prefer exploring secret rooms or racing against the clock, the game is designed to test both skill and patience. Along the way, you’ll unlock cosmetics for Dani and Vincent, adding a fun layer of customization to your journey.

The post Platformer Game Ascending Inferno Takes You to Hell and Back first appeared on IndieGames.

This is the one and only Tofu action game created by a real Tofu Meister. Cotton, silk, and koya – those are three types of tofu to choose from, made in 3D using the latest technology. In their endless journey they gradually soften, crumble, stew, and acquire bittern to become TOFU. Enjoy a game experience as simple as to-fu, with one-button operation for quick play.

Squish and spring in any direction to attack enemies, clear massive gaps, and solve puzzles across different maps where the threat of being cooked, eaten, and crumbled into oblivion looms around every corner. Learn The Strongest TOFU’s unique jiggle physics with an easy-to-learn, difficult-to-master control scheme and satisfying feedback with every jump. But remember: tofu is delicate, and falling from great heights can cause a cataclysmic crumbling.

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