And finally, after waiting for the event I was most excited about at Gamescom 2025, the Awesome Indies, I’m ready to show you everything we turn-based strategy and RPG fans can take home from one of the most important gaming events of the year.
Not an overwhelming showcase, but definitely not one to dismiss either, thanks in part to Awesome Indies adding a few new trailers. Here’s a recap of the main highlights so you don’t miss anything.
NORSE: Oath of Blood
- Developer: Arctic Hazard
- Release date: 2025 TBA
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
Tripwire Presents and Arctic Hazard opened with a new look at NORSE: Oath of Blood, the Viking-age tactical RPG that combines turn-based combat with a narrative rooted in myth and history.
The latest trailer emphasized the game’s atmospheric setting and confirmed the inclusion of an original soundtrack by dark neo-folk band Galdorcræft, whose blend of traditional and modern instruments aims to capture the brutality and spirituality of the era.
Scheduled for release in 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the title is already available to wishlist on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Lost Hellden
- Developer: Artisan Studios
- Release date: 2026
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Page
Another notable appearance came from Lost Hellden, a classically inspired JRPG by Artisan Studios.
A new gameplay trailer highlighted the hand-painted world of Era and the phased battle system that balances real-time and turn-based elements. The game follows twins Cyphel and Leht, whose destinies are tied to the Seven Deadly Sins in a society bound by strict religious law.
Visual design is led by Takeshi Oga, known for Gravity Rush and Siren, while the soundtrack comes from Hitoshi Sakimoto, the composer behind Final Fantasy XII and Valkyria Chronicles. The trailer focused on party customization and story depth, reinforcing its position as one of the more ambitious projects on the horizon. Here you find my “everything you need to know about” article if you want more details on the game.
The Killing Stone
- Developer: Question
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
The Future Games Show also brought new announcements. The Killing Stone introduced itself as a folk-horror card battler with a strong narrative foundation. From the developers of The Magic Circle and The Blackout Club, the game places players in the role of Maven, a practitioner of the dark arts navigating a cursed 17th-century Arctic mansion.
Gameplay alternates between exploration and ritualistic card duels against demonic forces, where souls are bartered and the Devil’s game becomes the central challenge. Voice acting includes contributions from Critical Role cast members, adding weight to its eerie setting. The game is confirmed for PC and can already be wishlisted on Steam.
Serial World
- Developer: Serial Project
- Release date: 2026
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Page
Another debut was Serial World, revealed as a roguelite deckbuilder that merges dungeon exploration with creature collection. Players follow Milo, a boy whose expeditions through looping dungeons are supported by Anima, companions that evolve mid-battle and expand tactical possibilities.
Each run reshapes his hometown of Bricktown, creating a cycle of mystery and discovery. With its bright aesthetic and mechanical depth, the game drew comparisons to Pokémon while carving its own space through deck-based strategy.
Scheduled for release in 2026 on PC and consoles, it will be published internationally by Kakehashi Games.
Triangle Strategy
- Developer: Square Enix & Artdink
- Release date: Now Available
- Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox
Square Enix and Artdink surprised with the shadow-drop release of Triangle Strategy on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S during the event. Originally launched on Switch in 2022 and later on PC and VR platforms, the tactical RPG is now available on new hardware with Play Anywhere support on Xbox.
The launch price of $41.99 runs until early September, after which the game will be sold at $59.99. Triangle Strategy retains its HD-2D visuals, conviction-driven branching narrative, and terrain-focused combat, offering new players a chance to experience its layered story of conflict in Norzelia.
Galaxy Tactics
- Developer: Ablaze Interactive
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Indie studio Ablaze Interactive presented Galaxy Tactics, a project built in Godot that has already been tested in community demos. The game offers tactical battles with destructible terrain, environmental hazards, and a cast of Rangers whose abilities define player strategies.
With online and offline play, ranked matches, and tournaments, the title aims to provide both casual and competitive modes in Worms style.
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II
- Developer: Bulwark Studios
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
Bulwark Studios and Kasedo Games expanded on Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II with a new gameplay video.
The sequel adds dual campaigns, allowing players to take command of either the Adeptus Mechanicus or the Necrons in separate storylines. Each faction comes with its own units, weapons, and strategies, set across varied environments designed to expand on the first game’s tactical depth.
Attendees at Gamescom could play through the prologue on the show floor, offering an early look at both sides of the conflict. The game is planned for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release date: September 30, 2025
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Page
Perhaps the most anticipated turn-based news came from Square Enix, which showcased Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles with a new gameplay trailer. The remaster launches on September 30 for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The release includes enhanced visuals, a streamlined user interface, full voice acting, and a new lore system called State of the Realm, inspired by Final Fantasy XVI’s Active Time Lore, which provides accessible context between battles.
Players can choose between a classic mode that preserves the 1997 experience and an enhanced version that modernizes quality-of-life features.
Developers confirmed that content added in the PSP release War of the Lions will not be included, preserving the original design. Nintendo Switch owners will also receive a free upgrade to the Switch 2 version.
Eclipse Breaker
- Developer: Lunar Workshop, Jorge Rodriguez
- Release date: 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
We also watched the gameplay trailer for Eclipse Breaker, a roguelike action RPG that stood out for its hybrid approach to combat. Players control Ember, a warrior who vanished decades earlier in her struggle against the sun goddess Solara.
Each run through the Divine Realm combines procedurally generated biomes with combat that blends real-time defense mechanics and queued attacks inspired by Active Time Battle systems.
Companion Spirits and constellation-based upgrades provide additional depth, allowing experimentation with builds across runs. A playable demo has been available on Steam since April, with full release expected later in 2025.
Esoteric Ebb
- Developer: Christoffer Bodegård
- Release date: 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
At Gamescom 2025 Awesome Indies, Esoteric Ebb issued a refreshed trailer spotlighting its turn-based CRPG roots and narrative depth. Players, as the Cleric, explore Norvik through open-ended quests, dice-based combat, and branching dialogues set against an Arcanepunk backdrop.
A limited-time demo is now live on Steam, and while the full release remains undated, the game has already captured attention for its inventive blend of tabletop and RPG elements.
Arcane Eats
- Developer: Wonderbelly Games
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
The whimsical Arcane Eats premiered at June’s PC Gaming Show show off also during the Awesome Indies, brimming with color and creativity. It marries deck-building mechanics with cooking simulation in a fairyland kitchen where magic reigns supreme.
Though not exclusively featured at Gamescom, its recent reveal adds a flavorful twist to the genre’s expanding scope.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
- Developer: Unfrozen
- Release date: 2025 TBA
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era gained renewed visibility with a new trailer introducing the Schism Faction. It’s for sure one of the most anticipated strategy games for me, and here you can find more details about it.
The game blends classic turn-based strategy with role-playing elements and includes multiplayer, co-op, and a map editor. Early Access is set for summer 2025 on PC.
There are still a few days left before Gamescom 2025 wraps up, so I’ll probably update this list or make a separate one at the end if needed. Let me know what you think. Ciao
