Here we are at the very first Indie Showcase of 2025, the feature where I regularly compile all the overviews of new announcements or simply highlight titles recently introduced on the pages of Turn Based Lovers—or just games I’ve tried that left an impression on me, usually in batches of ten.
For this eighth episode, there are plenty of exciting, spicy projects that indie game enthusiasts are sure to enjoy. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Years of Division
- Developer: Cold Sap Games
- Release date: TBA
There are countless projects inspired by Fire Emblem, a series whose combat system has become iconic, alongside the focus on character relationships that many developers incorporate into their games. One of the latest titles I’ve come across is Years of Division, an SRPG developed by Cold Sap Games. It features a retro graphical style complemented by wonderfully polished combat transitions. Additionally, it promises deep character customization, making it a title worth keeping an eye on.
Train your fighters to master magic, melee, or a hybrid of both, and employ terrain manipulation and synergistic buffs to outmaneuver your enemies. Off the battlefield, the game deepens its charm with recruitable allies from diverse walks of life, relationship-building mechanics, and a story steeped in intrigue and betrayal. With its demo now available, Years of Division is a promising gem worth your attention.
Death Howl
- Developer: The Outer Zone
- Release date: TBA
I had the chance to try it out a few days ago, and you can also find my dedicated video on the game. That said, Death Howl is one of the most impressive indie projects to emerge in recent times. Am I exaggerating? If I focus solely on its graphics and audio design, I’m definitely not.
Death Howl, developed by The Outer Zone and published by 11 Bit Studios, immerses you in a hauntingly atmospheric journey through a mystical Mesolithic Europe, blending the cryptic storytelling of games like Dark Souls with the depth of turn-based tactical combat.
You play as Ro, a grieving mother, on a perilous, ritualistic quest into the spirit world to save her child, unraveling a tale of sacrifice and ancestral rites. Combat unfolds on a grid and features a distinctive card mechanic where actions, abilities, and crafted weapons are tied to your deck. With exploration tied to a sprawling, interconnected world and a demo available, Death Howl promises a compelling mix of narrative and strategy for fans of dark, atmospheric adventures. Can’t suggest this enough.
Prisma
- Developer: Dreams Uncorporated
- Release date: 2026
It was announced some time ago, but only recently have we learned more details about this promising JRPG from the developers of Cris Tales (another highly original title released a few years back), Dreams Uncorporated. The game is called Prisma, and as you might guess from the name, its mechanics revolve around cameras and their filters.
Set in Domacon, a magical world inspired by Latin American folklore, you’ll follow Alma, a journalist transported by a mystical Prism Shard. Her journey revolves around uncovering truths, forging bonds with alternate versions of herself, and outmaneuvering rival Almas competing for the same shards. The game’s world brims with vivid characters, from talking animals to folklore-inspired foes, and Alma’s camera becomes a pivotal tool, shaping interactions and revealing hidden truths.
Combat innovatively blends traditional turn-based mechanics with camera lenses that let you manipulate the battlefield, such as curving attacks with the Fish-Eye Lens or splitting strikes with the Shattered Lens. Each Alma brings distinct abilities, enhanced by collectible Prism Shards that unlock powerful combos and skills. Slated for a Kickstarter campaign in 2025 and a 2026 release on PC and consoles. You can’t miss this one, especially if you love JRPGs.
SOG: Vietnam
- Developer: PigeonMakesGames
- Release date: Q2 2025
Another highly recommended title is SOG: Vietnam, a roguelike developed by PigeonMakesGames which offers a gripping blend of traditional roguelike mechanics with the high-stakes tension of covert jungle warfare. You step into the boots of a MACV-SOG operative, navigating procedurally generated missions in the dense, trap-laden jungles of Vietnam. Every movement counts as you outmaneuver Viet Cong forces, earn the trust of wary locals, and balance stealth with action. The game’s intricate tile-based design challenges you to analyze every step, leveraging an arsenal that includes rifles, C4, and even Napalm while staying one step ahead of danger.
The dynamic mission objectives—ranging from recon to elimination tasks—keep each run fresh, while the meta-progression system ties it all together, letting you unlock perks for future operatives and offering a real sense of growth amid the permadeath stakes. SOG: Vietnam is a must-try. The demo is out now, with a full release slated for Q2 2025.
Wayward Shadows
- Developer: Turbulent Minds
- Release date: TBA
Everyone knows the adventures of the Winchester brothers battling supernatural forces, and if you’re a fan of those stories, there’s no good reason to miss out on Wayward Shadows. An RPG developed by Turbulent Minds that blends monster hunting with investigative gameplay, setting you on a cross-country journey through a procedurally generated America. Each case is a puzzle, requiring you to collect clues and use deduction to pinpoint the monster’s lair, ensuring that no two hunts are ever the same.
You’ll assemble and manage a team of hunters, each with unique abilities and equipment, as you solve gruesome murders and take down supernatural threats. Combat is hex-based and strategy-heavy, with the game emphasizing preparation and exploiting monster weaknesses.
Success earns you experience, gear, and legacy points, which can be used to unlock permanent upgrades across runs, adding depth and progression to its roguelite structure. As a big fan of the show Supernatural, I’m genuinely drawn to Wayward Shadows and really curious to see how its story generator works. Keep an eye out for its release on PC and consoles!
Sentinel Point Heroes
- Developer: Jellybane
- Release date: Mid-2025
From supernatural mysteries to superheroes is just a small step—after all, the protagonists of Sentinel Point Heroes are entirely original superheroes living on the island of Sentinel Point. Developed by Jellybane, a solo developer from New Zealand, this title introduces a unique twist to the genre by replacing traditional resource mechanics with time-based actions.
Players choose from four archetypes—Martial, Science, Magic, or Psionic—and can combine them for hybrid playstyles. Further customization comes from Aspects, which grant specialized traits such as shapeshifting or fame manipulation. The game also introduces sidekicks and “Resolve abilities,” providing instant tactical options during battles. Smaller deck sizes and extensive modding tools encourage creativity and experimentation, ensuring high replayability and personalized gameplay experiences. A demo is currently available on Steam, with the full release expected in mid-2025.
Graphite
- Developer: Estraiti
- Release date: TBA
Another title I personally tried is Graphite, an RPG with Roguelite progression. Its combat system revolves around manipulating and modifying the time bar to outmaneuver opponents, break their defenses, and adapt to their moves—a concept reminiscent of the excellent Star Renegades from a few years ago.
Graphite is developed by solo dev Estraiti and it invites you into a dual-realm adventure where whimsical pencil-drawn stick figures battle for survival across a fantastical world and a contemporary school setting. Players serve as champions of the Scribe, a deity tasked with assembling a party to confront the looming threat of Death. With diverse characters like the Knight, whose shield-based skills excel at exploiting the tactical Break system, or the Mage, balancing offensive and support magic, the game promises replayable depth.
I invite you to try its demo now and experience the first act of this promising adventure while a release date is yet to be announced.
Takara Cards
- Developer: Post Mortem Pixels
- Release date: January 17, 2025
Released just a few days ago, Takara Cards brought me back to my youth with its charming 80s-90s aesthetic, reminiscent of the days when cartoons like Mandrake and Mazinger were all the rage. Developed by Post Mortem Pixels and published by GrabTheGames, this Roguelite stands out with its unique setting: players hunt legendary Space Dragons while navigating a richly detailed galaxy.
Four customizable races—Dwarves, Humans, Orks, and Elves—each tied to unique ships as you build your deck from over 140 cards. Strategic combat revolves around combo chains, resource management, and clever synergy between cards and ship abilities, offering a dynamic battlefield experience.
The hand-painted art, reminiscent of 1980s classics, pairs seamlessly with voice-acted story moments and a Karma system that shapes your journey. In the coming days, our review will be published to evaluate the true potential of the title.
None Shall Intrude
- Developer: Aeterna Ludi
- Release date: January 20, 2025
You’re almost at the end of that incredibly tough dungeon, with only the final boss left to defeat—but what if the situation were flipped, and you became the final boss? That’s the core concept of None Shall Intrude, a Roguelite developed by Aeterna Ludi and published by GrabTheGames.
This roguelite deckbuilder challenges you to master tile-based combat enriched by elemental combos and dynamic boss mechanics. Each defeat fuels your rise to power as you unlock new cards, relics, and talents, tailoring your chaos-driven playstyle to suit your strategy. With 18 elemental interactions and a talent tree to experiment with, every run offers fresh possibilities.
The game takes you through diverse biomes—forests, mountains, and deserts—that add tactical depth to your conquest. The multi-phase boss system lets you wield up to 24 unique powers, ensuring battles are complex and exhilarating. Launching on January 20, 2025, None Shall Intrude invites you to embrace the role of ultimate adversary, crafting your personalized reign of destruction. Ready to conquer?
Bellfortis
- Developer: Rake in Grass
- Release date: January 29, 2025
And we wrap up with some solid strategy in Bellfortis. The project from the team at Rake in Grass offers a streamlined take on medieval grand strategy, capturing the thrill of kingdom-building without demanding hundreds of hours. Set in the early Middle Ages, this upcoming title combines turn-based map strategy with real-time combat, letting you expand your realm, forge alliances, and outwit rivals. Random events like plagues or raids keep you on your toes, and the distinct personalities of AI rulers ensure each campaign feels fresh and unpredictable.
In Bellfortis, every decision shapes your legacy. Build provinces to unlock powerful units, bolster your economy, or weather unexpected disasters. Dynamic events and clever mechanics, like flaming arrows and oil barrels in battle, add excitement while keeping the gameplay brisk and engaging. It’s perfect for fans of Total War or Crusader Kings seeking a more time-friendly experience. Bellfortis is set to launch in Early Access on January 29, 2025.
That’s all for this episode! Just a quick reminder to check out all our social channels—especially our recently launched Reddit community, which I’m still figuring out how to make the most of. See you on the next one. Ciao
