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  • Need a Chill Weekend? Play These 5 Amazing Indie Games

    Need a Chill Weekend? Play These 5 Amazing Indie Games

    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.

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    5 – Medieval Frontiers (Playtest)

    Price: Free (Playtest)

    Platform: Steam

    Developer: Active Fungus Studios

    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!

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    3 – Hotel Galactic

    Price: £29.50

    Platform: Steam

    Developer: Ancient Forge

    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.

    2 – Dead Metro (Free Demo)

    Price: Free (Only Demo Available)

    Platform: Steam

    Developer: Trust me bro Studio

    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!

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    1- Ground of Aces

    Price: £19.99

    Platform: Steam

    Developer: Blindflug Studios AG

    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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  • Dead Metro: Where Every Step Could Be Your Last

    Dead Metro: Where Every Step Could Be Your Last


    Genre: Adventure, Survivor Simulation

    Developer: Trust Me Bro Studio

    Released: Coming Soon

    Price: Free DemoAvailable on Steam

    https://store.steampowered.com/app/3134490/Dead_Metro/.

    Beneath the rusted metal and flickering lights of long-abandoned cities, small towns, and heavily invested zones, something stirs… and it’s not happy you’re here. Dead Metro, a free indie developed with raw tension and a grim atmosphere all around, throws you into a suffocating underground maze where survival hinges on every bullet and every step. It’s rough around the edges, but what it offers is a brutally effective taste of what’s to come, and trust me, the darkness doesn’t play fair.

    My First Impressions 💬

    Dead Metro wastes no time dropping you into a run-down underground world that feels both claustrophobic and alive with tension. Even in demo form, the game’s atmosphere feels well-realised, from flickering tunnel lights to the constant sense of danger just out of sight. It instantly gave me that grimy, post-collapse vibe reminiscent of Metro 2033, but stripped down in a way that focuses more on raw survival than heavy narrative. From the start, it’s clear this is a world where every corner could kill you, and that’s what makes it so gripping.

    Controls and Gameplay🕹️

    Based on gameplay, movement, and combat feels surprisingly tight for a game still in its demo phase. The weapon handling, especially with the shotgun and assault rifle, has a punchy, impactful weight to it. Enemy encounters are sharp and unforgiving, keeping you alert as you push through the darkness. Resource management is crucial; you’re constantly scavenging for ammo and supplies while trying not to get overwhelmed. There’s a simplicity to the core of loot, explore, survive and shoot, but it works well in this gritty setting. The pacing allows for both tense firefights and slower, ambient exploration.

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    Graphics📺

    Dead Metro thrives on its visual tone. While not hyper-detailed, the lighting, shadows, and grime-smeared textures all add up to a cruel, believable environment. What stands out most to me is the game’s commitment to mood: dim tunnel corridors, leaking pipes, and the occasional glowing emergency light that really sets the tone. Creature design, though limited, is effective and creepy, especially when backed by the game’s lighting and animation. Even in its current state, the game looks the part of a solid horror-survival experience.

    Performance🖱️

    For a demo, it runs very well. There are no aggravating frame drops or audio stutters, and loading is fast and stable between areas. Gunfire is synced with audio and visual effects, and transitions between exploration and combat are seamless. That said, a few moments showed rough animations and slightly stiff enemy AI, totally expected for an early build. These are areas that could easily see improvement in future updates.

    Summary📝

    To wrap things up, Dead Metro is shaping up to be a gritty, underground survival horror gem. It channels classic post-apocalyptic energy while keeping things intense. The moment-to-moment gameplay rewards patience and awareness, while the setting constantly puts you on edge. For a free demo, it delivers a lot, and if the full version expands on the mechanics, polish, and enemy variety, it should become a must-play for fans of claustrophobic horror.

    If you’re into harsh environments, jump-scares with bite, and eerie atmosphere soaked in rust and darkness, this is a game to keep your eye on.

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    Final Thoughts

    All in all, Dead Metro is a haunting and surprisingly immersive indie experience that proves you don’t need flashy graphics or a massive budget to leave a lasting impression. It’s a short but impactful ride through a nightmare-fueled subway, packed with atmosphere, tension, and just enough mystery to keep you hooked.

    Badge: One to Watch
    Summary: A gritty and atmospheric underground horror that punches above its weight and drags you along the rails of fear.

    Rating:
    Graphics: 3.5/5
    Gameplay: 4/5
    Atmosphere: 5/5
    Future Potential: 5/5
    Overall: 4 out of 5

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    One response to “Dead Metro: Where Every Step Could Be Your Last”

    1. SkullFireXO avatar
      SkullFireXO

      Solid Game by the looks of it, on the list, love a good survival game

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  • Battlefield 6 Reveal Trailer Delivers Spectacle – But Where’s The Gameplay?

    Battlefield 6 Reveal Trailer Delivers Spectacle – But Where’s The Gameplay?

    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?”

    1. Logan avatar
      Logan

      Great Read

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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  • 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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