Summer is heating up the gaming world, packed with big reveals and blockbuster titles. But beyond the major headlines and anticipated sequels, a treasure trove of exciting indie games and ‘AA’ gems are set to launch. These under-the-radar summer games offer fresh ideas, unique gameplay, and memorable experiences that are poised to surprise and delight players looking for something different. We’ve rounded up 11 titles across diverse genres that deserve a spot on your radar. Get ready to discover your next obsession!
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Intriguing Games to Watch For
From managing temperamental clones to biking to save the world, this list covers a wide spectrum of gaming experiences coming soon.
The Alters
Release date: June 13 (out now!)
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
How well do you think you would enjoy working with a few radically different versions of yourself? That’s the mind-bending question facing Jan Dolski in The Alters. As the sole survivor of a scientific expedition on a hostile planet, Jan discovers a way to bring alternate versions of himself to life – versions shaped by different choices he could have made. This sci-fi survival and base-building game challenges you to manage these ‘alters,’ each with their own personality and skills, to survive while confronting the complex paths life could have taken.
Promotional art for the sci-fi survival game The Alters, showing a lone astronaut.
BloodRush: Undying Wish
Release date: July 1
Where to play: Windows PC
Imagine the intense combat of Bloodborne mixed with the frantic, adrenaline-fueled pace of the movie Crank (stay with us here!). That’s the vibe of BloodRush: Undying Wish. This hack-‘n’-slash roguelike features a unique mechanic: your character is constantly losing blood during combat. The only way to survive and thrive is by killing enemies to replenish your blood supply. This pushes you into fast, aggressive gameplay, constantly dashing and attacking. It’s a fun, high-octane experience wrapped in gorgeous pixel art. A demo is available on Steam if you want a taste before its early access launch.
Wheel World
Release date: July 23
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
In Wheel World, you play as a cyclist tasked with a monumental mission: saving the world! But don’t worry, you’ll do it in style on a customizable bike (complete with optional ghost head accessories!). Pedal and race your way across a vibrant open world. Originally revealed as Ghost Bike with a more somber tone, the game was reimagined as Wheel World to focus on “the joy and freedom of living around bikes,” according to developer Messhof. Get ready for a feel-good adventure on two wheels.
Cyclists riding bikes through a vibrant, stylized world in the adventure game Wheel World.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Release date: July 31
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
It’s a significant year for the Ninja Gaiden series, with a remaster and a new mainline game announced. Bridging those releases is Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a side-scrolling action-platformer that pays homage to the franchise’s NES roots with a stunning pixel art aesthetic. Developed by the team behind the challenging Blasphemous games, expect intense combat and platforming precision. You can try the challenge for yourself with the Steam demo.
Pixel art screenshot from Ninja Gaiden Ragebound showing ninja characters fighting demons on a rooftop.
Panta Rhei
Release date: July 31
Where to play: Windows PC
Like the classic Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, manipulating time is key in Panta Rhei. This roguelike casts you as Phi, tasked with protecting the very flow of time. You’ll use time-bending abilities to solve environmental puzzles and get the upper hand in combat. The art style, with its striking orange and violet hues, reminds us of Annapurna’s excellent puzzle game Cocoon, setting a promising visual tone. Dive into its time-bending action with the demo on Steam.
Artis Impact
Release date: Aug. 7
Where to play: Windows PC
Follow Arkane and her AI buddy Bot on an adventure through a futuristic world. This world is overrun by hostile AI, but also somehow manages to have delicious potato croquettes! Artis Impact features fantastic pixel art and cool manga-style comic panels for cutscenes. The gameplay blends turn-based combat with everyday activities like cooking and earning passive income. It’s a post-apocalyptic setting, yes, but one that feels surprisingly cozy and full of character.
Screenshot from the cozy post-apocalyptic RPG Artis Impact showing a character buying food.
Tiny Bookshop
Release date: Aug. 7
Where to play: Windows PC
For book lovers and fans of relaxing games, Tiny Bookshop is a must-watch. Head to a charming coastal town to set up your own mobile bookstore. This is a quiet, cozy game, focusing on the simple pleasures of recommending books to customers and decorating your bookshop on wheels. You’ll keep your shelves full by browsing classified ads for used books, adding a touch of retro charm. If you enjoyed games like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley but prefer a literary twist, this might be your perfect summer escape. Read our initial impressions for more.
Screenshot from the relaxing simulation game Tiny Bookshop featuring a mobile bookstore and cafe.
Sword of the Sea
Release date: Aug. 19
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC
From Giant Squid, the studio known for the visually stunning Abzû and The Pathless, comes Sword of the Sea. True to form, it looks incredibly stylish. Your large, cool sword isn’t primarily for fighting, but for getting around! The movement is inspired by skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing, allowing you to ride waves of sand on your ‘Hoversword.’ Your journey is about restoring a lost ocean, and eventually, you’ll get to surf its waves. Cowabunga!
Character riding a large sword like a surfboard across sand dunes in the stylish game Sword of the Sea.
The Knightling
Release date: Aug. 28
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Swap your swords for a shield in The Knightling. The titular hero uses their shield not just for defense or Captain America-style throws, but also for traversing the world via some seriously cool shield surfing. The game has a vibrant visual style that feels like a modern take on classic PS2-era platformers, blending combat and acrobatic movement. If you’re ready for some high-speed traversal action, check out the demo on Steam ahead of its late August release.
The hero shield-surfing on water in the action-adventure game The Knightling.
Hirogami
Release date: Sept. 3
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC
Step into a world seemingly crafted entirely from delicate origami in Hirogami. This action-platformer tasks you with exploring this unique environment and battling digital creatures threatening it. The twist? Your character, Hiro, can fold himself into different animal transformations, like an armadillo or a frog, each with abilities needed to navigate the paper world and overcome obstacles. Experience Hiro’s unique powers yourself by trying the demo on Steam.
Screenshot from the origami-themed action platformer Hirogami showing a character in a folded paper environment.
Hell is Us
Release date: Sept. 4
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
While sporting a dark, atmospheric aesthetic reminiscent of Soulslike games, Hell is Us aims to be more approachable. Enemies you defeat stay dead, reducing some of the genre’s typical frustration, and there’s a greater emphasis on exploration over relentless combat. You play as Remi, searching for his parents in a war-torn country that has become home to mysterious, creepy entities. Wielding a large glowing sword, you’ll uncover secrets and face the strange threats within this haunting world. Get a glimpse of the atmosphere in our demo impressions.
Promotional art for the dark fantasy game Hell is Us featuring a character with a glowing sword.
From managing clones to shield-surfing and exploring origami worlds, this summer’s indie and AA lineup offers incredible variety and fresh ideas. These hidden gems prove you don’t need a massive budget to deliver exciting and memorable experiences. Whether you’re looking for intense action, cozy relaxation, or a truly unique story, there’s likely something on this list that will capture your interest. Dive into these upcoming releases and discover your next favorite game!
