Indie game roundup: NBA the run, solarpunk and other new releases to watch

At a glance:

• New streetball title NBA the Run launches on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for $30
• Solarpunk, a renewable‑energy crafting adventure, lands on multiple platforms and Game Pass for $23
• Upcoming releases include Marsupilami 2, Don't Fret and Virtue and a Sledgehammer with demos now available

New indie game releases

The indie scene is buzzing between Summer Game Fest and the upcoming Steam Next Fest, and several fresh titles are already playable. Play by Play Studios’ NBA The Run brings a 3v3 arcade streetball experience to Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S at $30. The game is a spiritual successor to the classic NBA The Street, featuring more than 30 real NBA stars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić and Kevin Durant. Unlike the simulation‑heavy NBA 2K franchise, NBA The Run leans into fast‑paced, over‑the‑top action reminiscent of NBA Jam, making it a perfect pick‑up for basketball fans waiting for the Knicks‑Spurs showdown.

Cyberwave’s Solarpunk arrives on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $23 and also available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The two‑person studio frames the game as a relaxing, cooperative crafting adventure set on floating islands linked by airships. Players build renewable‑energy devices—solar panels, wind turbines and hydro generators—to power farms and homes, then automate those systems. The title has already generated strong interest, with over 500 000 demo downloads during a previous Steam Next Fest and more than a million wishlists.

Draw Me A Pixel’s Crushed in Time is a point‑and‑click adventure spin‑off from There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension, currently on Steam for $25 (20 % off until June 24). The game follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson as they chase a missing NPC through a malleable timeline, using click‑and‑drag mechanics to tug objects and reshape environments. A Switch and mobile version are slated for later this year, expanding its reach beyond PC.

Hatchery Games presents Voidling Bound, a creature‑taming third‑person shooter priced at $25 (10 % off until June 23) on Steam and Epic Games Store, with console ports coming later. The studio, which includes former Skylanders developers, lets players breed, nurture and evolve critters via skill trees, then command those creatures in combat. The hybrid of taming and shooter gameplay aims to refresh the genre.

Thunder Lotus’s 33 Immortals is back on Steam for $10 until June 17, also on sale on Epic Games Store and Xbox, and accessible via Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass. The full version adds three new worlds, expanded customization, and a final boss to cap off runs. As a co‑op action roguelite, it supports up to 33 players teaming up to clear enemy hordes, with miniboss rooms that reward coordinated emote calls and upgrades.

Upcoming indie games to watch

Several announced projects are set to launch later in 2024 and early 2025. Marsupilami 2: Salsa Palombia from Ocellus Studio (publisher Microids) will hit Steam, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on September 3 for $30, with a demo already live. The sequel builds on the 2D platforming charm of its predecessor, echoing classic Donkey Kong Country vibes.

Scary Kid Studios’ Don’t Fret, published by Digital Pajamas, drops on Steam (PC), Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 on October 1 for an undisclosed price. The first‑person horror title casts the player as a sentient guitar trapped in a haunted music school, forced to collect talent canisters and solve instrument‑based puzzles while avoiding noise‑attracted monsters.

Wrong Organ returns with Carcass Clad, a co‑op tank‑survival game for two or three players on Steam (release date TBA). Players assume distinct roles—commander, driver, gunner—and must manage fuel, ammo and mysterious threats while navigating a war‑torn city.

Devolver Digital’s Virtue and a Sledgehammer, co‑developed by Deconstructeam and Selkie Harbour, is slated for a 2026 release with a demo already available on Steam. The narrative exploration game lets players smash android‑ghosts of digitized neighbours with a sledgehammer, uncovering memories of a haunted hometown. Devolver has hinted at a launch coinciding with the much‑anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.

Community bundles and sales

Indie fans can also support charitable causes through recent bundles. Inkle’s Humble Bundle collection offers seven games plus the Heaven’s Vault novelisation for $9 (or $20+ for the full set), with proceeds aiding Breakthrough T1D, a type‑1 diabetes research charity. Meanwhile, Necrosoft Games’ Brandon Sheffield is preparing an Itch.io bundle for July, directing proceeds to a hardship fund for laid‑off game‑industry workers.

Steam is running themed sales as the World Cup heats up. The Football Fiesta 2026 event runs until June 25, discounting titles like Rematch (50 % off at $15) and Despelote (half price at $7.50). Additionally, the Steam Bullet Fest—focused on bullet‑hell and “bullet‑heaven” titles—ends on Monday, featuring deals on games such as Ball x Pit.

Spotlight on innovative mechanics

One of the most intriguing announcements from Summer Game Fest is Slot Machine Gun by Lakeview Games. The upcoming Steam title turns each reload into a slot‑machine spin that randomizes weapons and effects. Players can influence the pool of possible outcomes, adding a strategic layer to the chaotic gunplay. The game is expected to launch next year.

Where to find more coverage

For a deeper dive into Summer Game Fest highlights, including hands‑on impressions and preview videos, readers can check the site’s dedicated recap page. It aggregates coverage of all the major announcements, from indie gems to blockbuster reveals, ensuring you won’t miss any of the buzz.