Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe

shorturl.atSoap The ShibaOn a chilly day a brave little pup ventured out of her yard. She ran off to play in the forest. What kind of lessons will she learn? Can she make it back home?

10 Aug

Just a note for folks who stumble upon my little slice of the internet here: I love getting emails about the game you're working on. It makes my day. HOWEVER, as part of my process, I do a couple things to decide if it's a good use of my limited time. I research the game, mechanics, etc 🧵

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe reposted

Allen🔪🔪🔪

@kasphomet.bsky.social

If you're looking for something slightly spooky to read to your kiddo this fall, I have a recommendation! 🎃

Allen🔪🔪🔪@kasphomet.bsky.social

Soap The Shiba is out now! shorturl.at/CGVSd

The Emberville decision was the right one. I played the Next Fest demo, and while I had a fun time with it (mostly), there were certainly aspects that need some more attention, even before an Early Access period goes live.

Delaying a launch at the last minute isn't something any dev wants. They're doing it for us, the players, and hopefully the team isn't discouraged by this loud minority who seems to be taking the delay as a personal affront

Hilltop Studio's Curse of Resthaven is a rich, layered experience, and its timing couldn't be better. It's the best mix of tricks and treats this Halloween season. @playhilltop.bsky.social @digitalbandidos.bsky.social (Code provided) www.the-indie-game-cafe.com/resthaven-re...

21h

Walter Koenig was one of the greats. So sad to see so many of the original Star Trek cast gone 😞

We LIIIIIIIIIVE! 😎🤘

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe@the-indie-game-cafe.com

After I get the kiddo to school tomorrow, the majority of the stream is going to be dedicated to Neuron Activation from DR Studio and @prettysoongames.bsky.social! The full game drops on the 28th. I'm wiping my old save and we're starting new! twitch.tv/theindiegame...

I normally don't vibe with turn based games, but man, I loved checking out this one. (The story has a really fun hook! Go check it out)

Hunt for the Lost Folktales | 💫Demo on Steam!@thelostfolktale.bsky.social

🕯️Tale of the Ghastly Furball🕯️ 🐈‍⬛Cat Sith, the taker of lost souls... Where do they keep them, no one knows! ⚔️In battle, cough up a hairball... 👻Out pops a soul, ready to brawl! #IndieGame #Turnbased #WeirdTober #WeirdDaysDarkTales

(8:45 AM or so, Central time. May the caffeine flow directly into my bloodstream 🤣 )

I am slowly but surely editing my backlog of Twitch VODs for YouTube 🤣

Seeing something cool, and then seeing this just makes me want to throw hands. You wrote a mystery/detective game? AWESOME. Can't draw? Hey we all have our talents. Make it in Twine. Or ink. I have a short story that I've been storyboarding for a game, but I'm not going to ask AI to animate it.👇

I'm going to use Twine or ink. (I've been playing around in both when I have the time.) It's my goal for 2027 to actually have part of it playable. Right now I've been learning about how to do something like a dice roll, because I have this fun DnD inspired bit I want in there. :)

store.steampowered.comThe Doll Shop on SteamThe Doll Shop is a hand-drawn narrative game – part romance, part horror – set in the Japanese countryside. Play as a young dollmaker who reunites with his childhood friend in an eerie snowbound villa...

The art in this is so good. I played the demo on stream, realized the full game was out and bought it immediately. @ateliersento.com store.steampowered.com/app/3851680/...

The Indie Game Art Gallery@indiegameart.bsky.social

The Doll Shop (Atelier Sentô, 2026)

...SOOOOOOON! 😎

Your girl is taking part in this one! 🥳 Cooking up my list right now of wonderfully weird, warm, and dark.

weirddaysevent.bsky.social@weirddaysevent.bsky.social

📖✨ Open your spellbooks and fire up your cauldrons! 🎃 #Spookyseason is coming! The #weirddays #Steam Festival is about to open its gates! Get ready to discover over 80 wonderfully weird indie games, inviting you to dive into a unique Warm & Dark universe! #WeirdDaysDarkTales #FollowFriday 👇

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe reposted

Kenney

@kenney.nl

14 Sept

I feel it's important to share this again. The internet is so hostile toward creators nowadays. I've seen people have their work stolen, and no longer feel comfortable sharing their creations. We can do better. Let's be supportive to the people that make this a better place! 💞

I came to Mass Effect late in the series (It was @chrislaffen.bsky.social's enthusiasm for it that made me pick it up), but it didn't take long to realize how special it was. I played KOTOR for the first time when I was in college (during a blizzard, lol), and nearly failed an Econ test

because it consumed me so much 🤣 I REGRET NOTHING. And man, I loved flying around in Anthem. I didn't have the time to commit to an online game (clingy newborns will do that do you haha), but my poster signed by the dev team is one of my favorite possessions. #MassEffectLives #BiowareLives

AND WISHLIST YOUR FAVES.

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe@the-indie-game-cafe.com

Need some more help finding some not-slop during Steam Next Fest? Here are some other games taking part that I've already played, and you should too. Another thread of goodness:

Need some more help finding some not-slop during Steam Next Fest? Here are some other games taking part that I've already played, and you should too. Another thread of goodness:

store.steampowered.comCurse of Resthaven on SteamIn this single-player narrative roguelite, govern a cursed island as you investigate your niece’s mysterious disappearance. Interrogate, trade, upgrade, and embark upon card-based expeditions to…

Curse of Resthaven. I have SO MUCH to say about this game, but you can read that next week. Also, I think I may have passed out when I realized they quoted me on their Steam page. @playhilltop.bsky.social store.steampowered.com/app/3796150/...

If this helped you out, make sure to go follow all the fine folks above, and maybe consider a repost to help others out too :)

Need some more help finding some not-slop during Steam Next Fest? Here are some other games taking part that I've already played, and you should too. Another thread of goodness:

store.steampowered.comProbably Stolen Demo on SteamProbably Stolen is a cyberpunk shopkeeping simulator set in a dystopian space station. Craft, trade, and smuggle goods of questionable origin, navigate faction loyalties, and stop rampant AI by…

I streamed the demo for Probably Stolen not too long ago, and found myself all kinds of wrapped up in it. It made me think about The Expanse, which is never a bad thing. The full game comes out on the 28th, too! @tinybuildgames.bsky.social store.steampowered.com/app/4349200/

store.steampowered.comHillthorn Demo on SteamA disappearance in a secluded mountain. A village hiding its secrets. A detective running out of time. Hillthorn's investigation system encourages you to use logic and imagination. Combine actions,…

Hillthorn. Hillthorn has the sauce. Play Hillthorn. @hillthorngame.bsky.social store.steampowered.com/app/3615330/...

Need some more help finding some not-slop during Steam Next Fest? Here are some other games taking part that I've already played, and you should too. Another thread of goodness:

store.steampowered.comBroken Shell on SteamBroken Shell is a short, hand-drawn puzzle adventure about two hermit crabs searching for a place to call home. Explore a vibrant underwater world, solve gentle puzzles, and experience a heartfelt…

Broken Shell. The art is so wonderful and like I've said before, I will go to the ends of the earth for Mr. and Mrs. Hermit. @foggystudio.bsky.social store.steampowered.com/app/3018500/...

I've written about SOMBRAS: negative frames quite recently, but play that one too. www.the-indie-game-cafe.com/sombras-demo/ store.steampowered.com/app/4553370/...

Need some more help finding some not-slop during Steam Next Fest? Here are some other games taking part that I've already played, and you should too. Another thread of goodness:

store.steampowered.comThe Journey Home on SteamSome answers can only be found by going within. In a world beyond the boundaries of time and space, your journey awaits. A stress-free atmospheric side-scrolling adventure.

The Journey Home. It's stunningly beautiful, and I know it's going to pull at the emotions just from the demo alone. store.steampowered.com/app/2600820/...

store.steampowered.comBeyond The Plastic Wall Demo on SteamSet off on an adventure set in a sprawling world that blends satisfying, mechanical puzzles with a rich narrative. Explore a stunning pixel-art world, repair intricate machines & meet unforgettable…

Beyond the Plastic Wall. If I had an award for Best Demo Bones, I'd give it to them. It's a gorgeous game, but expect some bugs. (It's not releasing in full till next year.) @augusthakansson.bsky.social store.steampowered.com/app/4716990/

Need some more help finding some not-slop during Steam Next Fest? Here are some other games taking part that I've already played, and you should too. Another thread of goodness:

store.steampowered.comMR. RECORDS Demo on SteamMeet George, an old dreamer with an extraordinary gift that lets him transcend through music. After a lifetime of standing still, he breaks free from routine and opens the store he always wished…

MR. RECORDS. I'd hang with George in real life if I could. His bowties are snazzy and his pup is adorable. (And the game is also VERY GOOD.) @mrrecords.bsky.social store.steampowered.com/app/4869950/...

So here was my Day One of Steam Next Fest! A thread, if you'll indulge me. (This week is kind of absurd IRL, so I'm not sure how much more I'm going to get to check out 😭 )

store.steampowered.comThe Brilliant Detective Milo on SteamA narrative-driven cat detective game set some time during the 20th century in a city rattled by the resurgence of mysterious murders. As head detective of the Mew York Police Department, it is your…

The Brilliant Detective Milo. It was cute, and I enjoyed the cat puns, but maybe a little too easy? It seems like the demo laid the groundwork for an interesting twist though? (At least to me. Maybe.) store.steampowered.com/app/3151680

store.steampowered.comROCKBEASTS Demo on SteamA darkly funny narrative RPG where you manage a 90s grunge band from garage obscurity to stadium glory. Book gigs, wrangle egos and navigate a cutthroat music industry. Every choice shapes your…

ROCKBEASTS. Thanks for making it so the less rhythmically inclined among us can enjoy this one too @rockbeasts.bsky.social. It's almost like reuniting with Fang and the gang from GVH. store.steampowered.com/app/4182460

So here was my Day One of Steam Next Fest! A thread, if you'll indulge me. (This week is kind of absurd IRL, so I'm not sure how much more I'm going to get to check out 😭 )

store.steampowered.comAbort Sequence on SteamScour your desk, find the right pages and decipher their content to find the defusal codes in this fast-paced puzzle experience! Beat multiple difficulties, optimize your solving strategies and find…

Abort Sequence. Think single player Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, but with my worst nightmares. A MESSY DESK. And my inability to let a puzzle go UNTIL I SOLVE IT. @spacepigeonproject.bsky.social store.steampowered.com/app/5048190

The Emberville Demo is available!

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe reposted

Hilltop Studios

@playhilltop.bsky.social

Well, this is a pretty auspicious start to Next Fest! We are #5 on @polygon.com’s list of “The 10 best Steam Next Fest demos to play right now” There are SO MANY games, and Next Fest is its own ocean of them. Being on Polygon's radar makes me feel like we're cutting through the noise!

We be Next Fest-ing in something like 45 minutes! twitch.tv/theindiegamecafe

I'm 12 to 14 hours deep in a game I'm reviewing that drops next week, BUT I made it my goal to get a post out about SOMBRAS: negative frames @maboroshi-artworks.bsky.social, which, after one run with the demo, became one of my most anticipated of what's left of 2026. 🔗 👇

Two ways for you to read! www.the-indie-game-cafe.com/sombras-demo/ player.gg/curators/the...

After the Maddie Dahlien news this pic almost gave me a heart attack.

The Women's Game@womensgamemib.bsky.social

Maddie Mercado nets her TENTH goal of the season for the Reign 🌟

For those about to embark on Steam Next Fest: I salute you. Blessed be the demos and may the wishlists open. 🤣

Well, that’s not good for the Reign. Also, the ACL injuries this year have been INSANE.

Taylor Vincent@tayvincent6.bsky.social

Seattle Reign FC today announced that forward Maddie Dahlien has been placed on the season-ending injury (SEI) list after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament while attending training camp with the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team.

I've said it before, but if you're a fan of unravelling mysteries in your video games, GOOD LORD WE EATING WELL.

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe@the-indie-game-cafe.com

Me right now about a certain game coming out:

youtu.beSOMBRAS Proves Less is More | SOMBRAS: negative frames Demo | Twitch VODYouTube video by The Indie Game Cafe

In fact, I will go on. Here's my VOD of SOMBRAS: negative frames youtu.be/ZFd5aHNPM5o

And here's Apple Crumble. I use Benoit Blanc here in the highest sense of admiration. youtu.be/qATsh46-05w

I've said it before, but if you're a fan of unravelling mysteries in your video games, GOOD LORD WE EATING WELL.

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe@the-indie-game-cafe.com

Me right now about a certain game coming out:

And there's a game for every flavor of mystery lover either already out or incoming: TR-49 Confidential Killings Galley House OPUS: Prism Peak The Ratline Call of the Elder Gods Allogloom Apple Crumble Curse of Resthaven SOMBRAS Mini Murder Mysteries Hillthorn Hope in the City I could go on.

Also, playing a game coming out here soon and I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT.

crowbar.diyGrand Theft Autumn | Nov. 2026 — crowbar.

GUYS. If you're going to make Penguin Colony so sound damn good you've got to find a way to clone me, okay?

Amanda @ The Indie Game Cafe reposted

crowbar.

@crowbar.diy

Last call, y’all! Indies that fit the following criteria are encouraged to submit for consideration. 🍁 2026 indie launches (Jan 1st - Dec 31st) 🍁 Significant content updates in 2026 🍁 Indies targeting Q1 2027 Devs + publishers: Whatever you’ve been cooking lately, we’d love to hear about it!

It's been a day already. Playing some demos before I go play and write about {EMBARGOED} twitch.tv/theindiegamecafe