InsideXO

Tag: indie-games

  • Building the Dream: Talking Hotel Galactic with Ancient Forge

    Building the Dream: Talking Hotel Galactic with Ancient Forge

    Release Date: July 24th 2025

    Genre: Casual, Simulation, Early access

    Developers: Ancient Forge

    Download Here

    Cosy gamers, it’s time to take Note. Hotel Galactic very well could just be the next big thing in relaxing, creative simulation games. Developed by the talented team at Ancient Forge, this upcoming title combines charming Studio Ghibli-inspired visuals, hotel management gameplay, and a truly whimsical world that feels alive with personality.

    I’ve been keeping a close eye on this one for a while. And I’m convinced it could be something genuinely special. The blend of creativity, relaxing simulation mechanics, and imaginative world-building is exactly what the cosy indie scene thrives on.

    I had the chance to talk with the developers themselves about the game, their inspirations, and what players can expect when they finally check into their very own interstellar getaway. Here’s how it went!

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    The Interview!

    Hotel Galactic feels like this perfect mix of cosy management and whimsical, almost storybook charm. What was the original spark that started the whole idea?

    We just love Studio Ghibli and this aesthetic. And because we are known from our other well-received management game The Tenants, we feel that doing what we can best, with what we love the most, is what we should do 🙂

    The art style is so distinctive, it feels painterly and alive. What made you choose this specific look?

    As I mentioned – we love classic anime pictures. Our artists did an amazing job, and combined the rules redefining anime drawing style with their own detail-oriented, yet cute artstyle.

    If you had to describe Hotel Galactic in only three words, without using “hotel,” “management,” or “cosy”, what would you pick?

    “Spirited Away Game” speaking to anime fans, or “Run Your Inn” for tavern simulator lovers 🙂

    What’s been the biggest “pivot” or surprise during development?

    First game public showcase definitely! When we saw for the first time how people on gamescom are playing the game, we were in some kind of a shock. Based on the feedback and observing how people played, we reworked many mechanics to adjust them to the people’s playstyle.

    Has anything turned out completely different from what you first planned?

    Maybe not completely different, but for example we changed the laundry system. At the beginning, our testers had to click on laundry and drying machines every time they had a dirty sheet, now based on the feedback we added more automation to this process.

    What’s one small detail in the game that players might overlook, but you’re personally really proud of?

    We have plenty. First of all, all the artistic and animation details. You can spend literally hours just looking for some cute details. Same for the music and audio implementation.

    And the frogs, frogs are everything.

    Which hotel worker would each of your team members be? Any reason for the choice? I think I would be Sparn!

    Our team is quite diverse, but for sure we have some grumpy Maklo’s in here – me myself! 😀

    The game already has a lot of buzz. How much has community feedback shaped development so far?

    A lot! We announced the game in June next year, and since August we have already started playtesting with people. Without their feedback, our demo will never hit over 2k reviews with over 96% positives!

    If time and budget were unlimited, what’s a dream feature or expansion you’d love to add to the hotel in the future?

    We are releasing a game in the Early Access model. Everything we have planned for the full release will be available to watch on our release roadmap. 🙂 And we will continue to implement players feedback to every game aspect. This is how we worked over The Tenants, and what works for our game the best.

    But if the time and resources are unlimited? We always dreamed about the HG inspired anime. Netflix! If you are interested, we are too! 🙂

    What indie games are YOU excited about this year? We love seeing Devs show love for other indies!

    For sure Tale of the Shire and Grounded 2, big releases for our type of games. But also we are waiting for our friends from Tiny Bookshop and Voyagers of Nera.

    Questions from the InsideXO Community: Every dev has a great bug story. What’s the funniest or weirdest thing you’ve seen happen in Hotel Galactic during testing?

    Character animations issues are the cutest ones! We always have a lot of fun with them. And for some reason, our guests sometimes decide to levitate next to the dining table!

    A lot of comparisons are made to Spirited Away, and studio Ghibli, but is there anywhere else you got inspiration from that the media may have overlooked so far?

    The Spirited Away vibe is of course visible in the game, but we also used inspiration from our game The Tenants, and other great classics like Spiritfarer, RimWorld, Oxygen not Included etc.

    Thanks so much for taking the time to answer! Our community is going to love reading this, and we can’t wait to check in at the hotel ourselves. Is there anything you’d like to say directly to future players before we wrap up?

    We just hope you will be proud of us and find great joy while playing this game we made with such passion. We will be hearing you all the time, and if you want to share anything with us, feel free to let us know! You can find us on our Discord, SM channels and Steam forum. This journey is just starting for all of us. 🙂

    Frogs, laundry automation, and levitating guests? We’re in!

    With this exciting release date just a couple of days away, make sure you’re ready to check in.

    it’s clear Ancient Forge has something special here. There’s an attention to detail that makes the hotel feel like a living, breathing world rather than just a series of menus. The hand-painted art, the promise of player creativity in customizing your hotel, and that chill-but-engaging gameplay loop all scream cozy gaming perfection.

    If you loved games like Spiritfarer or Stardew Valley, keep Hotel Galactic on your radar – it might just scratch that same itch while offering something fresh.

    When Can You Play It?

    July 24th is when the game Drops, so add it to your wishlist, and count down the hours until it releases!

    https://store.steampowered.com/app/2183670/Hotel_Galactic/

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    Let us know any thoughts you have on the game in the comments, or by joining the XO Community discord!

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  • Ground of Aces Early Impressions – The WWII Strategy Taking Flight

    Ground of Aces Early Impressions – The WWII Strategy Taking Flight

    Inside Pick (Editor’s Choice)

    Release Date: July 10th 2025

    Developer: Blindflug Studios AG

    Genre:  Simulation, Strategy, Early Access

    Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2308690/Ground_of_Aces/

    Every so often, a game comes along that surprises you in the best way, and for us, that’s Ground of Aces. Developed by Blindflug Studios AG, this WWII airbase management game is already shaping up to be something special. After several hours building our base, we walked away genuinely impressed, not just by the attention to detail, but by how immersive the world feels to us

    If you’re a fan of management sims, history, or just a lover of new, unique games, we highly recommend reading ahead to find out if Ground of Aces is for you!

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    The Basics – What Is Ground of Aces?

    Set during the early years of WWII, Ground of Aces puts you in charge of an airbase, where you must:


    ✅ Build and optimise your base layout.
    ✅ Manage resources, aircraft repairs, and pilot morale.
    ✅ Strategically deploy your planes for missions while keeping your crew alive.

    There’s a clear inspiration from colony management games, but with a strong focus on WWII-era aviation details, which is a unique and creative combination that we think really needed to be explored

    The art style pops immediately, with bright, bold colours and incredibly well-designed aircraft models that look fantastic even zoomed out. I can’t stress this point enough; the team has done an excellent job with these designs.

    What’s Working So Far?

    1. The Aircraft Are Stunning

    Each plane feels incredibly well-crafted, and aviation fans will have a a seriously great time spotting historical details. Managing their upkeep feels meaningful. Every time you send a plane out, you can really feel the tension of whether it’ll return intact.

    2. Building Feels Strategic (and Personal)

    Unlike some base builders where you can just throw buildings down randomly, here, the layout matters, the choices you make at the beginning have longer effects on your gameplay, and it’s crucial to use some planning to ensure your base is optimal.

    It also gives your base character, after a few hours, your airfield feels like your airfield, the decoration you can add is charming, and has a genuine effect on your crew’s attitude.

    3. The Crew Stories Add Humanity

    Pilots and crew have individual personalities and needs, which makes every loss sting. One of my saddest moments was when my first pilot passed away during an attack on my base. I felt the loss heavy in my heart; he had won so many missions for me, and it’s these moments that draw you into the game, and keep you returning for more.

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    Things to keep in mind (It’s Early Access, After All)


    The Learning curve can feel steep

    It’s not a huge surprise to learn that the game has many mechanics, balancing different resources, design choices, keeping your people happy and completing missions, whilst incredibly fun, it is a lot to wrap your head around. It doesn’t hold your hand for long, but the sense of satisfaction when you figure it out is highly rewarding.

    Limited Mission Variety… For Now

    Early missions can feel limited, but the roadmap promises more diverse objectives, which could expand on this so quickly and easily.

    The roadmap suggests a lot of content planned, which only makes things that extra bit exciting!

    Should You Jump In Now?

    Ground of Aces isn’t just a promising game; it’s already a fantastic experience for strategy and history fans, even at this early stage. The mix of management, unique personality, and love for aviation history makes it feel unique, and we truly can’t wait to see how it grows.

    If you’re even a little curious about WWII strategy or base-building games, we highly recommend jumping in, and when you do, you should check out their official Discord for more details on what’s yet to come, and leave any suggestions for the team!

    Spitfire
    RIP My favourite Pilot 😦
    My storage room

    Have You Tried It Yet?

    We’d love to hear what you think. Drop your thoughts in the comments or join the XO Discord to chat with us about your own airbase stories!

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  • The Horrors Which Lie Below in – The Bunker, Including Developer Insights

    The Horrors Which Lie Below in – The Bunker, Including Developer Insights

    Genre: Psychological Horror, Survival, Exploration, Action

    Developer: Cyber752

    Released: 11th April 2025

    Price: £2.99

    Available on Steam

    https://store.steampowered.com/app/3487660/The_Bunker/

    The Bunker, while maybe not discovered by many, has the potential to reach players beyond comprehension. For those of you who love that zero to one hundred real quick feeling, this is the one for you. I was fortunate enough to get in touch with the developer of The Bunker, but we will go over that later. First, we will read about my thoughts and time in the game.

    My First Impressions 🧠

    From the moment I stepped into The Bunker, it was clear this wasn’t your average indie horror experience. The game wastes no time pulling you into its dim, atmospheric world, one that feels simultaneously stripped back and deeply immersive. The VHS filter immediately gave me the impression I wasn’t just playing a game, I was living a horror movie. And that’s exactly what I was hoping for. There’s a quiet, creeping dread built into every corner of this game, and its simplicity only enhances it.

    Controls and Gameplay 🎮

    The control scheme in The Bunker is minimalistic by design, just a handful of key binds and mouse movement, but that’s what makes it shine. Everything responds smoothly, without any clunky inputs or interruptions to flow. The gameplay loop, while basic on paper, becomes something much more potent thanks to the environment and audio design. You’re not burdened with overly complex mechanics or systems. Instead, you’re free to focus on exploration, the tension of the unknown, and piecing together the story through small but impactful discoveries

    Graphics 📽️

    The retro aesthetic combined with VHS distortion is hands-down one of the game’s biggest strengths. Visually, it captures the eerie, lo-fi look that feels like something disturbing you found on an old tape buried in a basement. It’s raw, gritty, and immersive in the best ways. The bunker’s environment is stripped of unnecessary detail, and that restraint is exactly what makes it work; it gives you a sense of place and purpose without overwhelming the eye. It’s a focused, intentional design that serves the mood above all else

    Performance ⚙️

    Despite the heavy atmospheric effects, The Bunker runs incredibly well. The game’s optimisation matches its visual simplicity, no hitches, no crashes, no frame drops to break immersion. Every moment, from your slow, deliberate movement to the intense final chase sequence, feels well-paced and technically solid. It’s clear the Dev focused on making sure players could fully sink into the horror without being distracted by technical issues.

    Summary 📓

    The Bunker is a short play, an hour, maybe a little more, but that’s all it needs to leave an impression. It delivers a punchy, unnerving story that’s easy to follow, but laced with real emotion. One particular moment involving two skeletons and a tragic note genuinely lingered with me after finishing. The audio design is intense, the world is atmospheric, and the simplicity is used to full effect. This isn’t just another indie horror; it’s a love letter to analogue fear and raw storytelling.

    If you’re after a chilling, one-sit horror experience that will make you jump, think, and feel, The Bunker is absolutely worth crawling into.

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    But Wait, There’s More…

    What’s Next for The Bunker? That is a great question. With the eerie legacy of The Bunker still fresh in players’ minds, developer Cyber752 is already deep into planning its chilling sequel. While the original cast of characters won’t return, The Bunker II will introduce a new lineup of survivors navigating the horrors of a new facility.

    Gameplay is set to expand in major ways, including a new co-op system where players must work alongside NPCs to solve puzzles and progress. A battery-powered mechanic is also being introduced, requiring players to manage resources to unlock and power up key areas, adding a new layer of strategy and tension.

    Perhaps most excitingly, Cyber752 has made it clear that community feedback plays a vital role in shaping the sequel. Through the game’s official Discord server (Cyber Nightmares) and Steam discussions, the team is actively listening to fans to build a more engaging, immersive, and terrifying experience.

    The next chapter of The Bunker promises to go bigger, deeper, and darker, and if the first game is any indication, we’re in for something special.

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    Developer Interview 🎙️

    Q: What inspired the decision to use live-action footage, and how did it enhance the storytelling experience?

    A: I enjoy watching YouTube videos of people exploring abandoned places like old bunkers and haunted locations. The atmosphere in those videos is tense and eerie, and it often feels like something is watching you. That feeling really inspired me.

    Q: The character we control, his/her journey is both physical and psychological. How did you approach including his/her mental state and its evolution throughout the storyline?

    A: Her name hasn’t been revealed yet, but she’s going through an extremely tough emotional journey. She was just camping with her friends when a nuclear war broke out, killing everyone she knew, including her family and the friends she was just with. This leaves her feeling incredibly vulnerable. Only four hours after the incident, we hear her crying, already broken and driven by anger. From that moment, she begins to gather the strength to survive and find a way out of the bunker.

    Q: We don’t see many underground bunker settings in games these days. How was the construction of the bunker space itself approached? Was there any inspiration from real-life locations or movies?

    A: Yes, before writing the story for The Bunker, I was very interested in nuclear events. I did a lot of research on Chernobyl and even watched HBO’s miniseries. With the world today still facing so many conflicts, I felt the need to create a game that captures the fear of nuclear warfare and also honors those who have been affected by it.

    Q: Has the feedback you’ve received from the community influenced any future changes/updates we can expect?

    A: Absolutely, I take player feedback very seriously. In the 1.1.0 update for The Bunker, I added a basic inventory system and an auto-save feature based on suggestions from players. It’s important for me to listen and improve the experience for everyone.

    Q: Looking back on the development process, what is the biggest lesson you learned when creating a game for others to experience?

    A: Playtesting, without a doubt, has been one of the most important lessons I’ve learned while making all of my games. Testing with actual players, especially those who are not friends or close connections, gives the most honest and valuable feedback. That raw input, driven purely by gameplay experience, helps me improve more than anything else.

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    Wrap up

    All in all, I think we can all agree that The Bunker is a game you should have in your library as soon as possible. The developer truly cares about the player base and their voices, not leaving any stone of feedback unturned.

    The Bunker is affordable, which makes it one of its top attributes. Despite only having a free demo at the moment, we can be sure the wait for the full release will be worth the while. The Bunker is more than ready to reach its full player potential, and we here at InsideXO are all for it.

    Badge: Worth Your Playthrough
    Summary: Fun yet terrifying horror survival that puts a lot of horror movies to shame.

    Rating: Graphics: 3/5
    Gameplay: 4/5
    Atmosphere: 5/5
    Future Potential: 5/5
    Overall: 4 out of 5

    ChatGPT Image Jul 15, 2025, 11_54_25 PM

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  • 5 Indie Gems That Should Be on Your Radar in July 2025

    5 Indie Gems That Should Be on Your Radar in July 2025

    From cosy hotels to saving the world on two wheels, July is packed with indie gems that we feel deserve your attention. At InsideXO, we’re always watching what’s unique, fun, and flying under the mainstream radar. 

    We ranked these based on community buzz, innovation, visual flair, and sheer excitement in our Discord channels, so without further delay…

    Here are five titles that we think are about to blow up – and why they should be on your wishlist!

    (more…)