Looking for the perfect weekend game? Whether you’re after something relaxing, creative, or just a short escape, we’ve hand-picked five indie gems that are perfect for a short weekend play session. From charming management sims to quirky art experiments, there’s something here for everyone.
So This is a fairly New find on our table, but this first-person village builder has caught our attention, if you’ve enjoyed games like Medieval Dynasty, this follows in similar footsteps, the building looks like a lot more dynamic, and the graphics are gorgeous, even though its just a playtest, we think this would be an excellent addition to your weekend plans!
4 – A Little to the Left
Price: £12.99 (PC)
Platform: Steam, PS, Xbox, Switch, Android
Developer: Max Inferno
Now, hear us out, yes it’s a been out a while now, and it’s not exactly a ‘hidden gem’, however we can’t deny that this game is a genre masterpiece, providing hours of endless fun, and a daily quest to keep you coming back, the perfect puzzle game to keep your mind sharp, while enjoying some downtime this weekend!
If you’ve had a long week, and you want a magical escape from reality, why not check in and take control over your very own whimsical, Ghibli-inspired hotel retreat! Take care of your guests, and spend time unwinding in the gorgeous landscape and world of Hotel Galactic, just one day into its release, and the game provides a beautiful experience, and has lots of character and charm just waiting to jump out at you! Just stay aware that it is a brand new release, so as always, it’s possible to expect bugs and issues waiting to be patched.
Recently Featured in an article here, the Demo for Dead Metro feels great, for a demo it feels surprisingly well polished, and its a solid experience for Survival adventure fans, lose yourself in its expansive world, and try your best to survive as you sit on the edge of your sit, captivated by its amazing graphics, and terrifying experiences within, perfect for those wanting a more thrilling down-time this weekend!
This game has been featured a few times now, however with great reason, And with it just recently being released into Early Access, now is the perfect time to hop on, and experience the wonder of creating your very own, WWII Airbase, where you can manage your crew’s happiness, build defences, and send your realistic WWII Aircraft into missions, to unlock better and bigger Planes, this is the perfect game for anyone wanting to unwind and sink yourself into your own little unique world!
Whether you’ve got a full weekend to binge or just a few spare hours, these games are the perfect way to unwind. Have a favourite indie we missed? Tell us in the comments or drop your recommendations in the XO Discord!
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Earlier today, EA and Battlefield Studios dropped the long-awaited cinematic trailer for Battlefield 6 – and fans are buzzing. You can expect crumbling skyscrapers, intense ground-to-air combat, and a plot that hinges on a militarised private army known as Pax Armata. But even amid all the fireworks, action, and a lot of helicopter crashes, no actual gameplay made its debut. Here’s what you need to know.
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Back to Basics
Battlefield seems to have gone back to what it does best, action, in a way that we just dont get with the new Call of Duty games, and admittedly, some of the recent Battlefields, we see a presidential Address. attacks on landmarks and NATO involvement, international politics seem to play a big role in this game, something not unique to Battlefield, but definitely something we know they can do very well.
Campaign’s Bold Return
After skipping single-player in 2042, Battlefield 6 thankfully goes back in. We get a sneaky glimpse of a narrative revolving around Pax Armata’s global threat and NATO’s response, Something which we think will be very well received by fans of the Franchise who expressed strong feelings of being unfulfilled with 2042.
Spectacle Over Substance – for Now
Lets be Honest, its a good, fast paced, action full trailer, which is brilliant, its captured the attention of shooter fans all around, but there is one thing missing, a glimpse at the actual gameplay, we see nothing of what the game is actually to bring to the table in terms of mechanics, so hopefully we will find out more over the coming days/weeks, but hey, all that action may just suffice for now!
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What’s Next? Multiplayer Reveal on July 31
The trailer does push the hype, action factor to the max, but you’ll have to tune in on July 31 at 11:30 AM PDT / 2:30 PM ET, when the studios behind the franchise (DICE, Criterion, Motive, Ripple Effect) will officially showcase the multiplayer, and we hope maybe even a beta announcement!
Final Thoughts
The trailer was amazing, and as a long-term fan of the franchise who’s felt disappointed in recent years over missing parts of games, I hope they can pull this together to bring back that old school Battlefield 4 feeling, that we all love and miss, it is a big shame they’ve chosen to leave out gameplay footage, but I guess it just leaves more to the imagination for now, and if they can live up to the hype they’re creating, we could be seeing a special release, and maybe the next big game to tie everyone over until May 2026 with GTA VI!
If you have any thoughts you’d love to share with us, please leave a comment, or join our discord to keep on top of all News, and join the XO Community!
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One response to “Battlefield 6 Reveal Trailer Delivers Spectacle – But Where’s The Gameplay?”
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!
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 Acesisn’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!
SpitfireRIP 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 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
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