Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School – Demo Impressions

Stupid-smart puzzles. Genius, dumb fun. Clever all around.

Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School

Developer: Coin Crew Games

Release Date: To be announced

Class is (back) in session with Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School! Get a first look at next year’s curriculum with this new playable demo. Escape from a death-defying introductory puzzle course, kick it with new and familiar faces on campus, and enjoy a sneak peek at our brand new quest system!

There is something to be said for frantically zooming around a scene, on the clock, clicking on every little thing to help find your puzzle solutions and at least 50% of the time being provided with a pun instead. Whether the jokes land or not doesn’t matter, it is a delightful experience and surprisingly enough, the majority of them do.

Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School is the upcoming sequel of Escape Academy, where you are student at Escape Academy, learning to… well, escape. The pressure is high and the consequences for failure can be deadly, but that is just another day at the prestigious school. The entire premise and the writing alongside it are the dumbest of fun and I couldn’t have more affection for it. The sequel feels like an expansion of the formula of the first game in the most exciting way.

The writing is fun, the vibes are peak, and the gameplay is equally strong. There are themed escape rooms galore and the demo gave a wonderful and substantial taste of the variety ahead. Between main puzzles there are optional side puzzles, an abundance of your peers to chat to with the best – and worst – names, and an ever expanding environment to explore as you prove your capability by not dying in class.

I am usually allergic to rushing, in games and in real life, but in the case of Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School, I do recommend choosing the timed option, providing you are at least a semi seasoned escape roomist. The urgency adds a lot to the atmosphere of the game and so far I had enough time for every puzzle while also thoroughly exploring every nook and cranny of the room. You will never know whether a one liner will be worth the 10 seconds of your precious time until after you have read it, and that was a gamble that was always entertaining to take. If you prefer though, you can turn the clock off and take the game at your own pace.

Everything feels so serious and yet so light-hearted simultaneously. You will solve a puzzle so intelligently to be greeted by the dumbest joke. The puzzle itself may be a dumb joke. That is what sets this game above so many other puzzle games for me, and why I recommend it so highly. Despite the silliness, I even had to pull out a note book a couple of times! There are local and online co-op options available too.

Demo Length – 1-2 hours
At a glance
+ Engaging puzzles
+ Abundant jokes and amusing writing
+ An improvement of an already great game in the way that great sequels are
+ New open world providing more opportunities for laughs and brain scratchers
+ Substantial demo really shows what you are getting into
+ Snappy pacing
+ Difficulty options

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Indie Showcase – Summer Game Fest 2026

Here you can find all of my coverage of the Summer Game Fest 2026 season.

Check back often to see the latest posts!

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Noob’s Picks – Thinky Direct 2026

Thinky Direct features, as you may have guessed, games that make you think. Every variety of puzzle that you can imagine, and some that you can’t.

Considering I am so hit or miss with puzzle games – more of a reflection of my thinky abilities and perseverance than the games themselves – I am delighted to have a full, top 10 picks from the Thinky Direct 2026!

The games are in alphabetical order for convenience.

Deductopia

Developer: Nightwell Games

Release Date: Coming Soon

Explore the scenes, find clues, and sort out people, pets, and belongings in this cozy slice-of-life detective puzzle game. Fans of Duck Detective, Little Problems, and The Case of the Worst Day Ever will enjoy this new deduction game for all ages.

Wishlist Deductopia on Steam here. There is also currently a demo available and you can read my full demo impressions here!

Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School

Developer: Coin Crew Games

Release Date: To be announced

Class is (back) in session with Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School! Play in solo or co-op and explore an all-new campus, escape life-threatening puzzle rooms, and unravel a conspiracy as old as the school itself — all before the bell rings.

Wishlist Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School on Steam here. There is also a demo available, you can read my full demo impressions here!

From Ruins – A Detective Adventure

Developer: DigiTales Interactive

Release Date: 2027

A new-gen detective adventure combining deduction gameplay with a gripping story full of twists and turns. Gather clues, establish connections, and solve a series of increasingly challenging cases. Will you uncover the feud that began at the end of the world?

Wishlist From Ruins – A Detective Adventure on Steam here.

Funeral for the Sun

Developer: Nicolás Cid Delgado

Release Date: Coming soon

Search the ashes of an abandoned Latin American town and uncover 500 years of secrets. A non-linear mystery where you travel back in time and untangle the complex history of a community cursed by supernatural forces.

Wishlist Funeral for the Sun on Steam here. There is also a demo available, you can read my full impressions here!

The Granny Detective Society

Developer: Team Empreintes

Release Date: 2026

Play as Madeleine, a retired granny recruited by the Granny Detective Society (basically the FBI… but add dentures). Investigate your neighbors, figure out their names and professions, and uncover all their secrets in this no-murder detective game full of white hair and mugs of tea.

Wishlist The Granny Detective Society on Steam here. There is also currently a demo available!

Hello Again

Developer: Soup Island

Release Date: To be announced

Hello Again is a time-looping adventure about mystical ruins, ancient secrets, and goofy weirdos. Play as a hapless ferret shipwrecked on a strange island, stuck inside a strange time loop. Explore forgotten ruins. Befriend silly strangers. Solve time-bound puzzles. Repeat for the rest of eternity.

Wishlist Hello Again on Steam here.

The Land Forgotten

Developer: Daria

Release Date: To be announced

A hand-painted adventure puzzle game where language is magic. Explore a mysterious land, decipher ancient scripts, and solve language-based puzzles to uncover the secrets of a lost civilization.

Wishlist The Land Forgotten on Steam here.

Lock In

Developer: FLEB

Release Date: 2027

An escape-the-room puzzle game. Solve locks to unlock locks. Unlock locks to unlock more locks. Lock in.

Wishlist Lock In on Steam here.

Pikku Adventure

Developer: Pikku Studios

Release Date: Q4 2026

A challenging puzzle adventure about learning an alien language. Explore a strange world and meet its cute inhabitants. Decipher the language and earn their trust. With every word learned, you will uncover more secrets. Can you solve the mystery of this world and decide the fate of the Pikku?

Wishlist Pikku Adventure on Steam or play the demo here.

Servant of the Lake

Developer: Rusty Lake

Release Date: Aug 2026

Death isn’t the end – it’s your last chance. Solve haunting puzzles and make choices that matter as you guide Vale across the underworld. Will regret follow her into eternity?

Wishlist Servant of the Lake on Steam or play the demo here.

What a start to the Summer Game Fest 2026 season, we have had with the Six One Indie Showcase and now the Thinky Direct. I have played 5 demos from the former and now have 5 downloaded from the latter.

All of these games are featured as part of the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase, where there are sales, bundles and even more demos. If I get a chance I might do a further highlight post but for now… go and fill your wishlists!

Watch the full showcase here.


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Deep Pixel Melancholy – Demo Impressions

Not even dystopic, just real.

Deep Pixel Melancholy

Developer: ok/no

Release Date: Q3 2026

Deep Pixel Melancholy is a visual novel about being stuck in a time loop inside a far northern city. Unravel the mystery, and decide whether escaping is really worth it.

A unique Visual Novel demo that works on every level for me!

I realised as I was gathering my thoughts that I wanted to describe what I have played of Deep Pixel Melancholy as dystopic. When I pondered on that for only a few seconds, I realised that actually, there is nothing dystopic about it. The game is just portraying everyday life for millions of people on the planet. We go to the job that we don’t want to go to to pay the bills that we have to pay to survive, while worrying about losing the job that we don’t even want in the first place, because we need it to survive. Of course this isn’t the case for everyone in the world. If you don’t relate on some level then I am genuinely so happy for you, but it is undeniable that this is a universal experience across countries and continents for many, and a sad but real part of the human experience.

A concern that I often have trying games with these kind of themes and atmosphere is that there is a thin line between bleak, and straight up, for lack of a better term, misery porn. Sometimes this kind of fiction, depending on the way it is written, makes me want to put it down immediately and play something else. But Deep Pixel Melancholy so far runs the line perfectly. I related to my characters thoughts, feelings and actions without ever feeling irritated or ever getting that ‘too real’ feeling that makes me run away. 

The pacing and prose make the story easily digestible. I am grateful for the bite-size, snappy sentances when dealing not only with a heavy world but a heavy mind. The game is written with present tense narration, guiding you as the player on what to do next, which you do by clicking on the stylised scene that you are in. You can also explore the scenes via descriptions and observations that you hover over. Each day they build on another which is another way that the game immersed me quickly. It is a subtle but true fact that my thoughts, even on a particular object, change each day depending on all sorts of internal and external factors and I loved seeing that represented.

Deep Pixel Melancholy has a gorgeously cohesive style, it presents just enough of a mystery to get its hooks in, and it has a relatable realness that I couldn’t help but want to see more. An immediate wishlist for me!

Demo Length – <1 hour
At a glance
+ Bleak but not overwhelming
+ Intriguing mystery
+ Unique visuals
+ Interactions feel more diegetic than a standard VN

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Noob’s Picks – Six One Indie Showcase 2026

The summer showcases have begun, starting with the Six One Indie Showcase 2026. Six One Indie are moving to a yearly format for their showcases, and with the addition of Six One Demo Days, I am excited to be dipping my toe back into games coverage.

Mind you, it is only the very tip of my toe. But you know, sometimes that is all it takes to then somehow fall in headfirst. Watch this space! (but not too closely).

The showcase featured a lovely variety of indie games, which made me want to showcase my own list of the featured games that I will particularly be keeping an eye on. And what do you know, that contains a wonderful variety too!

The games are in alphabetical order for convenience.

Black Jacket

Developer: Mi’pu’mi Games GmbH

Release Date: 12 May 2026

Gamble your way out of hell in this blackjack-inspired rogue-lite deckbuilder. Play powerful card combos or cheat to outwit your opponents and earn your freedom. Win their Soul coins! Bribe the ferryman! And uncover the story of those who stand in your way.

Wishlist Black Jacket on Steam here. There is also currently a demo available here!

Deep Pixel Melancholy

Developer: ok/no

Release Date: Q3 2026

Deep Pixel Melancholy is a visual novel about being stuck in a time loop inside a far northern city. Unravel the mystery, and decide whether escaping is really worth it.

Wishlist Deep Pixel Melancholy on Steam here. There is also a demo available. Read about my demo impressions here!

Grave Seasons

Developer: Perfect Garbage

Release Date: 14 Aug 2026

Grave Seasons is a narrative farming sim with a terrifying twist – someone in the town is a supernatural serial killer. Farm, romance, and investigate your way through the unsettling town of Ashenridge.

Wishlist Grave Seasons on Steam here.

Kaiju Cleanup

Developer: Brightrock Games

Release Date: Coming soon

Relax and unwind by cleaning up the world’s biggest corpses either solo or co-op. In a Cleaning Sim like no other, your job is to slice up and tidy away Kaiju carcasses, leaving the city clean and serene. Until the next Kaiju attack, obviously.

Wishlist Kaiju Cleanup on Steam here.

Kaz

Developer: Kalinarm

Release Date: 2026

Dopamine-fueled minimalist grid-based game that pushes the boundaries of psychedelic visuals and fast reaction time. KAZ is an action roguelike arcade game where choice of items, buffs, and maluses allows you to unlock cool visuals and themes while showing everybody your skill on the leaderboards

Wishlist Kaz on Steam here. There is also currently a demo available!

Pirofauna

Developer: Petums

Release Date: To be announced

Become a tiny living flame, burn away ghosts, reignite homes, and earn the love of bugs that absolutely adore a little arson 🔥🐛 A short adventure game set in an atmospheric misty forest made entirely of paper.

Wishlist Pirofauna on Steam here.

Sloppy Forgeries

Developer: Playful Systems LLC

Release Date: 2026

Sloppy Forgeries is a fast-paced competitive painting game. Practice your skills by butchering iconic masterpieces in one of the few drawing games that measures accuracy pixel-by-pixel in real-time.

Wishlist Sloppy Forgeries on Steam here.

Sonnet

Developer: Antique Song

Release Date: 2026

Transport a magical flower across scenic lands, encounter strange travelers, and uncover the kingdom’s secrets in this sprawling medieval roadtrip.

Wishlist Sonnet on Steam here.

Treetopians

Developer: Aparato Games

Release Date: To be announced

Treetopians is a cozy colony simulator where players build vertical villages in the treetops and care for a growing community of villagers with unique needs and personalities.

Wishlist Treetopians on Steam or play the demo here.

Vale’s Echo

Developer: Hollow Beak Games

Release Date: To be announced

Death isn’t the end – it’s your last chance. Solve haunting puzzles and make choices that matter as you guide Vale across the underworld. Will regret follow her into eternity?

Wishlist Vale’s Echo on Steam or play the demo here.

Thinky Direct, Wholesome Direct, Summer Game Fest, Steam Next Fest, and – my own most anticipated event – The Story Rich Showcase are all on the horizon. I am going to be watching along and creating content as often as time, life and inspiration allows.

I am also going to be checking out the demos from some of the games listed above so keep an eye out on my Bluesky/Instagram for any highlights!

Watch the full showcase here.


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The Sea

Sword of the Sea.

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Guest Appearance – Tales from the Backlog – Backlog Resolutions 2026

I was invited back onto Tales from the Backlog, except this time, instead of relieving my backlog of a game we talked about the legendary Backlog Resolutions Challenge!

Within Dave’s discord server lies a channel. Within this channel lies a google sheet. Each year, everyone gathers to this google sheet to create a Backlog Resolutions list: A list of games that you already own, that you may keep overlooking, that you pledge to play sometime in the next year.

Of course it is not that serious, and in this episode we look back over the year, what we played, what we learned, how we did, and how we are going to approach our gaming next year.

Available on your platform of choice!

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Backlog Resolutions 2025 challenge, and I am looking forward to see where the lessons learned (or not learned) take me into 2026!

Thanks again Dave for having me on to talk about this really fun idea, that is growing into it a life of its own.

View the video version here!

This episode aired on 07/01/2026.

Guest Appearance – The Greatest Story Ever Played – Lil Gator Game

I once again joined Dan on his podcast The Greatest Story Ever Played, this time to talk about the cutest game in the word, Lil Gator Game!

Initially I wasn’t completely sold on Lil Gator Game. The cartoonish visuals, the characters being children, and the ‘cute’ vibes from the marketing materials were triggering my ‘I’m not sure’ senses. But I am so glad that I ignored those senses and just dove in. It is was a joy through and through and I feel that ‘A Short Hike’ ran so that Lil Gator Game could fly.

Available on your platform of choice!

This was my second appearance on The Greatest Story Ever Played after talking about The Quarry a few years ago!

Thanks again to Dan for having me back on, it was great fun to be able to gush about a game that deserves more credit.

The episode aired on 22/04/2025.

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10 games I must play from 2025

This is the list that I tend to feel most eager and excited to write, but I also find the most difficult, simply as I haven’t played the games to really be able to comment on them. All I have are vibes and the hype around them.

For these 10 games, the vibes and hype were so strong that they all shot straight into the highest ranks of my wishlist.

2027 is the year that I hope to be able to play more newer releases as they come. Until then, I will sleep soundly knowing that I have some phenomenal experiences awaiting when I get a chance to catch up.

Which games would you prioritise? Let me know!

This list is in release order, from the beginning of the year to the end!

The Roottrees are Dead

Developer: Evil Trout Inc.

Release Date: 15 January 2025

A genealogical mystery straight out of 1998. Scour the early Internet for clues, uncover hidden connections, and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation.

It has been a while since I’ve played detective game. The Roottrees are Dead is a game I have heard floating around as a recommendation for people who enjoyed Return of the Obra Dinn. Since Obra Dinn is my favourite game of all time, I feel like I need this one injected straight into my veins right now!

You can buy The Roottrees are Dead here.

Split Fiction

Developer: Hazelight Studios

Release Date: 6 March 2025

Embrace mind-blowing moments as you’re pulled deep into the many worlds of Split Fiction, a boundary-pushing co-op adventure.

Despite its intolerable characters, me and a good friend had a ton of fun streaming It Takes Two on Twitch. Based on that, I am absolutely certain Split Fiction will be worth playing. Whether or not the story will hit better for me remains to be seen but the sci-fi vs fantasy aspect is a neat idea that has me sold.

You can buy Split Fiction here.
You can view our full playthrough of It Takes Two here.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Developer: Sandfall Interactive

Release Date: 24 April 2025

Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics.

I mean.. I don’t know what there is to say. Clair Obscur..

I heard from a lot of folk that this game had them crying within the first 30 minutes with an incredible intro, and from then on I avoided hearing anything more like the plague. The hype came out of nowhere for me but the universal praise has got to mean something and I have got to know!

Thankfully, Clair Obscure this was one of my Christmas gifts, so it is on the cards for this year. I cannot wait to see what makes this game so special.

You can buy Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 here.

The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-

Developer: Too Kyo Games, Media.Vision Inc.

Release Date: 24 Apr 2025

Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi join forces for the first time to deliver the ULTIMATE adventure game! 15 students are tasked with defending a school from grotesque monsters for 100 days. Can they make it to the end? And will they survive long enough to uncover the truth?

From the makers of Danganronpa and Zero Escape? That is all I know, and that is all I need to know.

When I am in need of something wild, weird and unexpected, this is where I will turn.

You can buy The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- here.
You can watch my playthrough of Virtues Last Reward here.

Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall

Developer: Brave At Night

Release Date: 8 May 2025

Rule your crumbling kingdom as you try to satisfy the petty needs of your people in this cinematic kingdom management RPG. Balance your resources, collect taxes, hire agents and make difficult decisions to see your kingdom prosper or fail.

I enjoyed the original Yes, Your Grace immensely and bugs aside, I think it is an underrated gem of a game. I look forward to see where the story goes and how the mechanics are expanded on, or not. I also look forward to seeing whether I can even survive another season of being a ruler because after the last time, I am not even slightly confident that I can…

You can buy Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall here.
You can read my demo impressions of Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall here.

The Drifter

Developer: Powerhoof, Dave Lloyd

Release Date: 17 July 2025

A Pulp Adventure Thriller – A murdered drifter awakens. Alive again, seconds before his death. Hunted and haunted, help him untangle a mad web of conspiracy in this fast-paced point ‘n click thrill-ride.

The Drifter is a game that has been on my radar for YEARS and I am so glad to see that it has finally released to fantastic reviews. The demo was full of intrigue and the atmosphere promised a gritty good time.

You can buy The Drifter here.
You can read my demo impressions of The Drifter here.

Hades II

Developer: Supergiant Games

Release Date: 25 September 2025

Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.

Hades is a classic. I streamed up until my first win and the entire process was such an entertaining experience. It was sweaty, stressy, trolly, and I enjoyed every second of it. I haven’t heard much about Hades 2, but from the snippets I have picked up here and there, I have reason to believe I might enjoy this one even more.

You can buy Hades II here.
You can watch my journey through Hades here.

Little Nightmares III

Developer: Supermassive Games

Release Date: 9 October 2025

Little Nightmares III is an atmospheric adventure game in which you follow the journey of Low and Alone, two best friends in search of a way out of the Nowhere. In 2 players online cooperation or solo with an A.I., work together to solve puzzles and survive in this nightmarish world.

I loved Little Nightmares 1 & 2. I played both on stream which generally tends to dilute horror, but the second game in particular still made me regret every moment of my life that lead me to playing that game. In a loving way.

Little Nightmares 3 being co-op was like music to my ears, knowing that I never would have to go through an experience like that alone again. I also love Supermassive Games. This felt like an incredibly exciting match, until the game released to a reception that I would describe as underwhelm at best.

Still.. I would like to try it for myself and make my own judgement as a fan of the series.

You can buy Little Nightmares III here.
You can watch my playthroughs of Little Nightmares here and Little Nightmares 2 here.

PowerWash Simulator 2

Developer: FuturLab

Release Date: 23 October 2025

PowerWash Simulator is back, bubbling with fresh locations, soap-erior equipment and splashy features. Effortlessly transform soiled surroundings into clean, serene scenes, solo or with pals. Satisfaction is a spray away!

PowerWash Simulator 1 genuinely helped me through a difficult period of my life. I have talked before about the need for games that occupy your hands and half of your brain. This is the epitome of that kind of game for me, allowing consumption of podcasts, tv shows, movies, or in my case, an online learning course, while mindlessly cleaning on the side.

I am so glad that PowerWash Simulator 2 exists as I know there is sure to be another time where I need this kind of soothing, satisfying gameplay, and it will be there waiting.

You can buy PowerWash Simulator 2 here.
You can read my review of PowerWash Simulator here.

The Séance of Blake Manor

Developer: Spooky Doorway

Release Date: 27 October 2025

The Séance of Blake Manor is a supernatural detective mystery, set in 1897 Ireland, where you investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane in a remote hotel full of secrets and other-worldly occurrences.

The demo for The Séance of Blake Manor was fun, and got me intrigued in the full game. The positive reviews got me even more intrigued and confident that I will enjoy the journey of this game beyond what the demo showcased.

How long to beat has this one at 15-21 hours which is beefier than I ever expected and it is another one recommended to Obra Dinn fans. Sign me up!

You can buy The Séance of Blake Manor here.
You can watch my full experience with the demo here.

That is 10 games that I am desperate to play from 2025, but that isn’t even close to all of the game that I want to play from 2025. Here is a list of the rest of the games that I had to narrow this list down from.
Spoiler Alert: It was a good year for games.

  • Arc Raiders
  • Beyond R: Rule Ripper
  • Casebook 1899 – The Leipzig Murders
  • Citizen Sleeper 2
  • Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 1 Re-Raptored
  • Cabrinet
  • CloverPit
  • The Dark Queen of Mortholme
  • Dispatch
  • Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
  • Escape Simulator 2
  • Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer
  • Keeper
  • Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
  • No, I’m not a Human
  • Rue Valley
  • Strange Antiquities
  • Sword of the Sea 
  • Tales of the Shire 
  • Tiny Bookshop

That’s another year gone by and we can only imagine all that awaits us in 2026!

top 10 games i must play from other years

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