I am still catching up on indies from last year, but the releases are already starting! Are you hyped and nervous at the same time? I sure am! This week was super colourful for me. From platformer over puzzle game to surreal exploration. This is exactly why I love and appreciate the indie scene so much! Let’s get started~
Big Hops || 12/01/26
I’ve played the demo last year and was very enchanted by it. I am sadly not the biggest platformer guy, but I find them fascinating. Also, Spyro is one of my favourite games ever. Big Hops has been a blast so far. It balances smaller level section and bigger spaces for exploration, very well. All of that is wrapped in a charming aesthetic. There are a handful of moments that can be challenging for a loser like me, but generally the difficulty is fair. You take the role of a frog that dreams from adventures but feels a huge responsibility to stay with his family. One thing or another lead to throwing him into his primary desire and the goal is to find a way back. We explore mines, sewers, huge sand deserts and more; a vast world that’s bigger than our Frog buddy ever imagined. How will he feel during this forced adventure? Will he find a way back, and will he still be able to stay away from his dream? Take a big hop and find out!
ENA: Dream BBQ || 27/03/25
This is a game for freaks like me (and it’s free!). It’s like Yume Nikki or LSD: Dream Simulator with the narrative element of Hylics or OFF. You navigate surreal places, in pursue to eradicate the smoke and drain down your boss? It drives a thin line between randomness and meaning. It will depend on the player. If you don’t wanna question what you see, you will have a beautiful and mesmerizing experience. If you want to speculate and think through different theories, there is a lot of material for you. Unlike Yume Nikki, the characters talk and just like it Yume Nikki it all seems chaotic. Sometimes the living can be pet, sometimes all you need is a head but always, engaging with everything will lead to results; good or bad does not exist at a Barbecue.
Trimjob || 24/10/26
You control a pair of trimmers and your job is simple, you trim the grass. When it comes to puzzle games, the simpler the concept the tougher the challenge. You will, without a doubt, be able to complete every level but does it feel satisfying that it took you 4 actions when it’s definitely possible to finish it one? Take the trimmers and your mini golf skills (yeah, it’s basically golf but cooler), and test how many levels you can finish in one shot. The game is also super cheap and perfect if you got only 5 minutes to spare.
Baba is you || 13/03/19
Trimjob got me into the mood for puzzle games (and Fangamer got a Baba is you blanket that I low-key want). Baba is you is a classic at this point that shows how much you can do with a simple idea. You navigate a puzzle that defines elements like a programming code. Sometimes, Baba is you; and you can quickly reach the goal. Sometimes you are the wall, or the rock; and sometimes you are just an idiot. The presentation is charming, and the game is never punishing. You can quickly reset the level when you realise you are on the wrong path. Baba is cute, Baba is you, Baba deserves your playthrough.
Quick Shoutout (not played yet)
Kero Kero Cowboy || 30/12/25
Technically it came out at the very end of 2025, but that doesn’t matter. It’s a platformer that doesn’t take long to get you started. You are a frog, you can jump, and you want to reach the end of the level. It had a GBA vibe and is well executed according to reviews. You also were a cowboy hat and a gun. Doesn’t get much cooler than that.
Craftlings || 15/01/26
Once you look at Craftlings you will quickly grasp the core idea. You start out small, gather resources to build more and improve your skills to gather even more resources; thus the cycle repeats. First you need simple tools to manage yourself and with given time a lot of it will work through automation. Looking at your progress after a couple of hours will surely give you a dopamine kick.
