Hinterland has officially announced Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2, a sequel to its snowy survival game, set to enter early access on Steam in 2026. The game expands on its predecessor by introducing urban environments alongside the wilderness, and features both solo and co-op gameplay. Players can customize their survivors, face new challenges like aurora storms and radioactive Blackfrost, and choose between Permadeath and a new Permalife mode. The game will be developed iteratively with community feedback, though some fans may be wary due to delays in completing the original game's story mode.
Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen is set to begin its early access head start for VIP and Champion backers today, December 12th, at 3:00 p.m. EST, although the timing may change. The MMORPG's developers, Visionary Realms, have also announced a delay in the distribution of buddy keys due to unspecified technical issues, with no clear timeline for resolution.
Path of Exile 2, recently released in Early Access, has already implemented significant nerfs to some overpowered skills, such as Supercharged Slam and Magnetic Salvo, to address balance issues. The developers, Grinding Gear Games, are actively adjusting the game to ensure fair play, despite some players calling for additional changes to early bosses and game mechanics. The game, which is currently available for $30 but will be free-to-play at full launch, has seen a massive player turnout, with server management being a priority to handle the influx.
The install size for the upcoming game "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" has potentially leaked, with a Twitter user revealing a hefty 131.69 GB for a reviewer-only build. The game, which emphasizes puzzles and stealth over combat, is set to launch in early access next week. It features classic Indiana Jones elements like ancient puzzles and traps, with a focus on using the character's intellect rather than brute force. The game is highly anticipated and could be a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Kotaku highlights 20 indie games to add to your wishlist, showcasing a diverse range of genres and styles. These games, selected from over 400 submissions, include titles like "HELLBREAK," a first-person shooter with a demonic twist, and "After Light Fades," a sokoban puzzle game exploring themes of grief. Other notable mentions are "Iron Village," a nostalgic city-builder, and "Dawn of Defense," a roguelite tower defense game. The article encourages supporting indie developers by wishlisting their games on platforms like Steam.
Sons of the Forest has released Patch 3, bringing new features such as rideable E.U.C. 'Knight V', nightvision goggles, and buildable spring traps. Improvements include better navigation areas, improved enemy base attack logic, and better lighting in the morgue. The update also includes various fixes and balance changes. Sons of the Forest is available on Windows Early Access.
Shadows Of Doubt, an open world detective sim with procedurally generated everything, including the city, citizens, and serial killer case, is set to release in early access on April 24th. The game features immersive sim-type sandbox gameplay where players must investigate a serial killer case using detective gadgets and clues. The early access release will include progression systems, bigger cities, and new content updates. The solo developer, ColePowered Games, chose early access to allow for post-release content and bug fixes without the pressure of a final release.
