Slay the Spire 2 suffered a severe review bomb on Steam, yet surprisingly, its sales remained largely unaffected. According to a Steam expert, "in any other case you would say this game is dead" based on the review bomb's severity. However, the game's sales tell a different story, highlighting the complex relationship between user reviews and purchasing decisions.
Valve has updated Steam with 17 new game tags, including "Bullet Heaven", a name for the frenetic, upgrade-focused genre popularized by Vampire Survivors. This move reflects industry trends and aims to improve game discovery. The update also removes 27 tags, streamlining the platform's categorization.
The "Bullet Heaven" genre, popularized by games like Vampire Survivors, now has a dedicated tag on Steam, validating its growing popularity. This addition is part of a broader update by Valve, introducing 17 new tags and removing 28 to enhance game discovery. The move aims to help players find games tailored to their interests and improve Steam's recommendation system.
Clockwork Ambrosia, a beautifully crafted metroidvania, has launched on Steam to little fanfare, sparking discussions on the genre's perceived decline in popularity. Despite its high quality, the game's release was overshadowed by other titles, echoing a broader trend where metroidvanias no longer dominate Steam's charts as they once did. With a unique blend of gun-centric combat, an extensive modding system, and consequential loot, Clockwork Ambrosia is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Author Matt Dinniman discusses his post-Dungeon Crawler Carl ambitions, hinting at an alien legal drama inspired by Quasar, a fan-favorite character. This new project could either introduce a fresh protagonist or spin off from Quasar's storyline. Dinniman's plans remain tentative, with the series' conclusion and TV adaptation on the horizon.
Humble's Indie Icons Showcase Bundle offers an unbeatable deal with 8 critically acclaimed indie games for just $10, all playable on PC and Steam Deck. This collection, valued over $100 at individual prices, supports The Electronic Frontier Foundation. From masterpieces like Celeste to hidden gems, this bundle is a must-grab for indie game enthusiasts.
Gamble With Your Friends, a unique blend of friendslop and gambling roguelike, has surpassed 1 million copies sold in just one week. This indie title from newcomer Team Gwyf, published by Tenstack, has tapped into the market's hunger for innovative, small-scale co-op games. Its success signals a growing trend of indie studios carving out market share with fresh ideas.
Bennett Foddy, creator of QWOP and Baby Steps, shares his PC gaming habits, from obsessing over "friendslop" games to refusing to uninstall Baldur's Gate 3 despite never finishing it. His gaming journey spans decades, from childhood encounters with the ZX Spectrum to current explorations of roguelikes like Brogue. Foddy's insights offer a glimpse into the mind of a gaming legend.
Paranormasight director Takanari Ishiyama attributes the success of his horror visual novel series to the rise of high-quality indie games, which draw attention to smaller-scale projects. The series, published by Square Enix, has garnered critical acclaim and positive Steam user ratings. This phenomenon highlights a shift in the gaming industry where indie titles pave the way for niche projects from larger publishers.
This week's PC releases blend music, philosophy, and action, with highlights including Wax Heads, where you manage a struggling record store, Dead as Disco, a rhythmic brawler, and U.V.S. Nirmana, a Buddhist spaceship engineering puzzler. From retro music to forest fire deathgames, there's something for every philosophical gamer. Explore the eclectic mix of new PC games.
