In this episode Carlos rides shotgun and the two hosts cover:
Froggy Hates Snow – Review Crimson Desert John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Q Collection Guardians of the Galaxy Luna Abyss Bubsy 4D Mina the Hollower Wall World 2 007 Last Light
It’s Summer Game Fest, and the bonanza of announcements and trailers both big and small, but what better way to prepare for this than by playing games to kill the time between showcases?
I wrapped up my playthrough of 007 First Light at the start of the week, and carried on with a leisurely co-op playthrough of LEGO Batman, but joined that with a hands on preview for Virtue and a Sledgehammer (which you’ll get to read about soon), made a start on the elastic “point & click” shenanigans of Crushed in Time for a review, and I will very soon be able to tell you about an excellent game that I played a long, long time ago in a country not so far away.
And no, it wasn’t a Star Wars game. Why would you think that?
Speaking of secrets, Nic turned up first to tell us that he’s playing something embargoed, and unfortunately can’t say much more than that… so let’s keep on rolling with Aran, who wrapped up both Realm of Ink and Mina The Hollower for review – “Realm of Ink is a fun game similar to Hades but also does its own thing too. Mina The Hollower is a fun game but it could be a bit of a better experience.”
Jim wrapped up our 007 First Light review, and had a great time – “Super excited to see what comes next for IO Interactive and hopefully some of that Bond gameplay will bleed into their next Hitman title. I’ve also sailed my way to World Tier 3 in Skull & Bones which has become a daily play for me as I drop in for 15 to 20 minutes to complete a handful of contracts and bag more resources to upgrade my shiny new Galleon.”
It was Bond, Gamoc Bond elsewhere in the team, as Gamoc played the first few hours of the game. He’s also played more Crimson Desert and Grounded, but then returned to Watch Dogs Legion “of all things” after getting an urge from the hacking in 007.
Watch Dogs Legion players will have to stay in single player on PC for a while longer.
Ade’s is hot pursuit of getting good at Peni Parker in Marvel Rivals, and other than that has been hacking up the demonic hordes within Diablo 4.
Miguel had a bit of Ball x Pit and Holocure on the go thanks to his AYN Thor, making the most of his commutes in a busy week. Not so busy that he couldn’t finish off Saros, start on Screamer and continue with a bunch of Forza Horizon 6, though.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead was a decent movie tie-in, in Steve’s opinion, and he does know a thing or two about horror games. However, he also booted up God of War on his trusty old PS Vita after getting excited by the State of Play reveal, and has now started on both Kromlech, which is a Gothic-like game in Early Access, and the Gothic 1 Remake, which has just launched yesterday.
And we’ll round this week off with Tuffcub who returned to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for an hour of fun, whacking people with a mace. He also played some Silent Hill f, which reminded him of Metal Gear Solid 4, “just because when that came out people were aghast at long cutscenes, and you don’t get to play Silent Hill f for about the first 15 mins as it’s story cut scenes. Times have changed.”
Right, that’s what we’ve played, but how about you? Any announcements this past few days sending you back to the originals or earlier games?
This year is promising some great PlayStation 5 games – our Most Wanted Games of Early 2026 is easy proof of that. But we’re only just getting started. There’s so much more on the way, and with PS5 not only home to the biggest releases but also an exciting hotbed of super cool indie titles, it’s only fair to give you an enticing glimpse at why we’re so hyped for the coming months.
Coffee Talk Tokyo | May 21 | PS5
If you’ve ever wanted to safely talk to yokai about their lives (or afterlives) over a cup of joe, then pull up a seat at the Tokyo cafe Chorus Worldwide has set up. If you’re not familiar with the lovely Coffee Talk series, this iteration continues its calming narrative, where you prepare and serve drinks to supernatural customers seeking chilled conversation and warm contemplation.
Fishbowl | April TBD | PS5
As odd as its title might sound, Fishbowl carries a depth that’s already caught the eyes and tugged at the hearts of those who’ve played it. Exploring a journey of grief and self-discovery, the two-person studio of imissmyfriends promises a thoughtful and emotional visual novel. A coming-of-age tale set over a month, Fishbowl features sorting-and-matching puzzle gameplay elements, but, most importantly, it aims to teach players that taking things one day at a time is sometimes the only way to move forward.
Hela | TBD 2026 | PS5
It’s entirely possible that when you first heard the title of this 3D co-op adventure, images of Nordic fire and brimstone came to mind. But never fear, Hela is pretty much the opposite. In fact, the only Scandinavian landscapes that have inspired this wholesome journey are those that have you reaching for the Create button for a revisit. Windup’s beautiful-looking escapade of puzzles and teamwork – via either local split-screen or online if you want to bring a buddy – lets you become a sickly witch’s mousey familiar, brewing healing potions and helping the local village with acts of kindness.
Inkonbini: One Store. Many Stories | April TBD | PS5
Need space for a cosy gaming experience? Nagai Industries has you covered with this nostalgic slice-of-life narrative, where human connections created by everyday events are entirely the point. Inspired by early 1990s Japan, Inkobini sets you in a small-town convenience store where you not only go through the meditative routine of preparing the shop for customers, but also hear their tales and forge relationships. The branching narrative shapes your conversations as you help the neighbourhood grow and thrive.
Mina the Hollower | Spring 2026 | PS5, PS4
One of the most anticipated titles of 2026, Yacht Club Games’ action-adventure blends an 8-bit aesthetic with modern design sensibilities, a combination that helped Shovel Knight become such a beloved indie darling. Genius inventor Mina isn’t just a dab hand with weapons like her Nightstar whip and daggers, but can also use her hollowing ability to burrow underground – perfect for mixing up combat and traversal in the many dungeons of the cursed Tenebrous Isle. Fan favourite musicians Jake Kaufman (the Shantae series) and Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage/Shinobi series) are also along for the adventure’s infectiously slick soundtrack.
Mortal Shell II | TBD 2026 | PS5
Let’s step away from the cosy side for a spell, and get our hands a little dirty with the sequel to Cold Symmetry’s original action-RPG. While standalone from its predecessor, Mortal Shell II continues to deliver the unflinching fights, nightmarish enemies, and haunting open world that fans previously enjoyed. The corpses of departed warriors are yours to awaken and possess to utilize their many abilities. Finishers have been upgraded, and the stamina gauge has been removed to speed up combat. Oh, and there are firearms, too, so your bloody quest to reclaim the Undermether’s stolen eggs gives you a chance to introduce the likes of shotguns and rapid-fire crossbows to your foes.
Mouse P.I. For Hire | March 19 | PS5
Evoking the hand-drawn aesthetic of classic 1930s cartoons, Fumi Games’s first-person shooter blends detective noir storytelling with all-action blasting. If you like jazz, machine guns, grizzled narration, and oversized white gloves, then Mouseburg will be your home away from home. But be warned – just like the animation it apes, this is a game where almost anything can happen.
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse | March 5 | PS5, PS4
There’s something special about a game that knows how endearing it is, and this vibrant 2D search action roguelike truly owns its charm – or should that be ‘curse’? Simply put, you control a magical hat with the power to possess your foes and use their abilities to venture through ruins, botanical gardens, and more, to help rebuild your ruined village. And what’s better than one cursed hat? Well, bring three friends along for the multiplayer mode and find out.
Ontos | TBD 2026 | PS5
When Frictional Games announced it would be unleashing the spiritual successor to 2015 sci-fi horror Soma, any eager anticipation was rewarded with the first glimpses of Ontos. Swapping underwater chills for a desolate moon base, this disturbing narrative-driven adventure challenges you to scavenge materials, operate machinery, and make moral choices that could result in grave consequences as you delve deeper into the mystery of a failed mining colony.
Out of Words | TBD 2026 | PS5
Easily one of the most unique-looking games in this list due to its eye-catching stop-motion and handcrafted visuals, Out of Words lives up to its title with two protagonists without mouths. In a quest to restore their voices, you and a friend take control of Kurt and Karla in a co-op platform adventure packed with puzzles and environmental challenges, testing your communication and coordination. And beneath the giant fish, tense set pieces, and physics-defying traversals, beats a tender story of connection and love, too.
Over the Hill | TBD 2026 | PS5
It couldn’t have been easy to follow the stylish racing game art of rally, but developers Funselektor Labs and Strelka Games have made something decidedly different, albeit still on four wheels. Over the Hill focuses on exploration and discovery, with a deliberately paced drive through a wilderness of dynamic weather, day/night cycles, and terrain deformation. It’s not a race – it’s all about the journey, upgrading and customizing your vehicle, taking in the scenery, and even joining up to three friends to see what awaits past the sunset.
We might be buzzing to get our hands on these games (and many more, coming), but what about you? Which indie titles are you looking forward to playing in 2026?
Back in October, three weeks out from its release date, Yacht Club Games' first completely new game since the original Shovel Knight, Mina the Hollower, was indefinitely delayed. It still doesn't have a release date, and now in a new report and interview with the studio, it's sounding like the success of Mina is a "make-or-break" moment for Yacht Club Games.
