Chris Lawn
@pressplaygaming.net
Freelance games writer. Bylines: Waypoint, GamesHub, Kotaku AU, Player 2. Beats: Indie games, RPGs. My little site: www.pressplaygaming.net
Pinned
Chris Lawn
@pressplaygaming.net
· Dec 27
Here's 842 Indie Games You Should Check Out - Or, Press Play Gaming's GOTY Coverage of 2025 — Press Play Gaming
A huge list of indie games from 2025 you should check out.
www.pressplaygaming.net
Bit late for the year, but have put something together for 2025's indie games. 842 of them, to be exact! Check out this list, I'm willing to bet there is at least 38 games on here you have not even heard of.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
Reposted by Chris Lawn
❄️ Update: The GAME NARRATIVE KALEIDOSCOPE ❄️ will be published soon - we just sent a proof to the authors.
400 pages - 100k+ words - 118 authors - including the writers from several well-beloved games and major franchises.
If you want to be notified when it releases, you can add your name below!
400 pages - 100k+ words - 118 authors - including the writers from several well-beloved games and major franchises.
If you want to be notified when it releases, you can add your name below!
Sign up for news about the Game Writing Kaleidoscope
In early 2026 we’ll be publishing The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope, a collection of over 100 short essays by game writers about writing.
Featuring some very famous names, some highly experienced free...
forms.gle
February 4, 2026 at 3:10 PM
❄️ Update: The GAME NARRATIVE KALEIDOSCOPE ❄️ will be published soon - we just sent a proof to the authors.
400 pages - 100k+ words - 118 authors - including the writers from several well-beloved games and major franchises.
If you want to be notified when it releases, you can add your name below!
400 pages - 100k+ words - 118 authors - including the writers from several well-beloved games and major franchises.
If you want to be notified when it releases, you can add your name below!
… Oh no my time
February 4, 2026 at 9:14 PM
… Oh no my time
So, just went through my wishlist to count - 57 games released in Jan 2026 that look quite cool. Think I’m going to need to start doing monthly roundups to keep up with these releases this year
February 4, 2026 at 3:52 AM
So, just went through my wishlist to count - 57 games released in Jan 2026 that look quite cool. Think I’m going to need to start doing monthly roundups to keep up with these releases this year
Great list of independent creators!
I have added the excellent-looking @jank.cool to the bsky independent games media starter pack!
(also @mothership.blog & @totalplaytime.com & @skyboxcritics.com )
Am I missing anyone? There have been a ton of launches lately, so I've probably missed a bunch - lmk below if so!!
go.bsky.app/HbzgMEX
(also @mothership.blog & @totalplaytime.com & @skyboxcritics.com )
Am I missing anyone? There have been a ton of launches lately, so I've probably missed a bunch - lmk below if so!!
go.bsky.app/HbzgMEX
January 27, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Great list of independent creators!
HANK: Drowning On Dry Land is like playing through an episode of a kids cartoon that has some neat ideas about Time in video games. Short and just a couple of dollars.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
Time Mechanics and HANK: Drowning On Dry Land — Press Play Gaming
A brief game exploring possibility spaces.
www.pressplaygaming.net
January 18, 2026 at 2:42 AM
HANK: Drowning On Dry Land is like playing through an episode of a kids cartoon that has some neat ideas about Time in video games. Short and just a couple of dollars.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
What’s the state of releases on the Nintendo eShop?
*checks store*
“Hentai Banana”
*turns Switch off*
*checks store*
“Hentai Banana”
*turns Switch off*
January 13, 2026 at 9:08 AM
What’s the state of releases on the Nintendo eShop?
*checks store*
“Hentai Banana”
*turns Switch off*
*checks store*
“Hentai Banana”
*turns Switch off*
Reposted by Chris Lawn
This week's indie releases are exploding out of the gate:
Jan 12 - Big Hops (@luckshotgames.com)
Jan 13 - Hank: Drowning On Dry Land (@mynextgames.com)
Jan 14 - Kejora (Berangin Creative)
Jan 15 - The Fortress (Baryonyx Games)
And more: theindieinformer.com/2026/01/12/2...
Jan 12 - Big Hops (@luckshotgames.com)
Jan 13 - Hank: Drowning On Dry Land (@mynextgames.com)
Jan 14 - Kejora (Berangin Creative)
Jan 15 - The Fortress (Baryonyx Games)
And more: theindieinformer.com/2026/01/12/2...
January 12, 2026 at 7:19 PM
This week's indie releases are exploding out of the gate:
Jan 12 - Big Hops (@luckshotgames.com)
Jan 13 - Hank: Drowning On Dry Land (@mynextgames.com)
Jan 14 - Kejora (Berangin Creative)
Jan 15 - The Fortress (Baryonyx Games)
And more: theindieinformer.com/2026/01/12/2...
Jan 12 - Big Hops (@luckshotgames.com)
Jan 13 - Hank: Drowning On Dry Land (@mynextgames.com)
Jan 14 - Kejora (Berangin Creative)
Jan 15 - The Fortress (Baryonyx Games)
And more: theindieinformer.com/2026/01/12/2...
Reposted by Chris Lawn
Bit late for the year, but have put something together for 2025's indie games. 842 of them, to be exact! Check out this list, I'm willing to bet there is at least 38 games on here you have not even heard of.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
Here's 842 Indie Games You Should Check Out - Or, Press Play Gaming's GOTY Coverage of 2025 — Press Play Gaming
A huge list of indie games from 2025 you should check out.
www.pressplaygaming.net
December 27, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Bit late for the year, but have put something together for 2025's indie games. 842 of them, to be exact! Check out this list, I'm willing to bet there is at least 38 games on here you have not even heard of.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
Bit late for the year, but have put something together for 2025's indie games. 842 of them, to be exact! Check out this list, I'm willing to bet there is at least 38 games on here you have not even heard of.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
Here's 842 Indie Games You Should Check Out - Or, Press Play Gaming's GOTY Coverage of 2025 — Press Play Gaming
A huge list of indie games from 2025 you should check out.
www.pressplaygaming.net
December 27, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Bit late for the year, but have put something together for 2025's indie games. 842 of them, to be exact! Check out this list, I'm willing to bet there is at least 38 games on here you have not even heard of.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
So this is kinda weird, but I just really wanted to write about Automaton Lung, a really cool 3D platformer from 2022 that you should definitely play. Really really cool thing.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/10/23/automaton-lung-or-dreamscapes-and-joy-in-3d-platforming
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/10/23/automaton-lung-or-dreamscapes-and-joy-in-3d-platforming
Automaton Lung, or Dreamscapes and Joy in 3D Platforming — Press Play Gaming
Dreamscapes and turn of the century platforming.
www.pressplaygaming.net
October 23, 2025 at 4:47 AM
So this is kinda weird, but I just really wanted to write about Automaton Lung, a really cool 3D platformer from 2022 that you should definitely play. Really really cool thing.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/10/23/automaton-lung-or-dreamscapes-and-joy-in-3d-platforming
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/10/23/automaton-lung-or-dreamscapes-and-joy-in-3d-platforming
Man, it's been a year.
I dipped my toe into a bit of writing for KAKU: Ancient Seal, which was in my GOTY coverage last year and releases on consoles today. It's alright! I feel like it hits at a specific niche which is under-served.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
I dipped my toe into a bit of writing for KAKU: Ancient Seal, which was in my GOTY coverage last year and releases on consoles today. It's alright! I feel like it hits at a specific niche which is under-served.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
KAKU: Ancient Seal is PS2 (Complimentary) — Press Play Gaming
Imagining a different trajectory for the 3D platformers of the PS2 era.
www.pressplaygaming.net
October 17, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Man, it's been a year.
I dipped my toe into a bit of writing for KAKU: Ancient Seal, which was in my GOTY coverage last year and releases on consoles today. It's alright! I feel like it hits at a specific niche which is under-served.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
I dipped my toe into a bit of writing for KAKU: Ancient Seal, which was in my GOTY coverage last year and releases on consoles today. It's alright! I feel like it hits at a specific niche which is under-served.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/202...
Reposted by Chris Lawn
Whoever you choose, it's a winner. We're still working our way to 100 new subscribers to unlock a Final Fantasy and politics issue for you folks. Lend us a hand by subscribing, sharing this post, or telling a friend: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
September 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Whoever you choose, it's a winner. We're still working our way to 100 new subscribers to unlock a Final Fantasy and politics issue for you folks. Lend us a hand by subscribing, sharing this post, or telling a friend: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Chris Lawn
Attention fellow AUSTRALIANS! 🇦🇺
We now have an official petition to parliament to STOP MASTERCARD and VISA from its campaign of censorship, restricting what legal products we can buy.
Please sign it now, and if you're not an Aussie, spread the word!
www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
We now have an official petition to parliament to STOP MASTERCARD and VISA from its campaign of censorship, restricting what legal products we can buy.
Please sign it now, and if you're not an Aussie, spread the word!
www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
September 6, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Attention fellow AUSTRALIANS! 🇦🇺
We now have an official petition to parliament to STOP MASTERCARD and VISA from its campaign of censorship, restricting what legal products we can buy.
Please sign it now, and if you're not an Aussie, spread the word!
www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
We now have an official petition to parliament to STOP MASTERCARD and VISA from its campaign of censorship, restricting what legal products we can buy.
Please sign it now, and if you're not an Aussie, spread the word!
www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
I recently checked out Artis Impact, a solo created RPG that does a lot with a little, and shines because of how it approaches things differently. Cool game.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/8/16/helping-the-community-is-the-point-in-artis-impact
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/8/16/helping-the-community-is-the-point-in-artis-impact
Helping the Community is the Point in Artis Impact — Press Play Gaming
Community is the thing that matters most both when the world thrives, and when the world dies.
www.pressplaygaming.net
August 16, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I recently checked out Artis Impact, a solo created RPG that does a lot with a little, and shines because of how it approaches things differently. Cool game.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/8/16/helping-the-community-is-the-point-in-artis-impact
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/8/16/helping-the-community-is-the-point-in-artis-impact
Ok I legit feel like this one is going to be one of those blow up indie daring games. Fast follow to A Game About Digging A Hole that has a great premise and great hooks.
store.steampowered.com/app/3692070/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3692070/...
One Man´s Trash on Steam
Vacuum your way through a massive junk pit in search of a lost hard drive worth millions. Suck, sell, upgrade, and uncover absurd items, pop culture relics, and unsettling secrets in this dangerously ...
store.steampowered.com
July 19, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Ok I legit feel like this one is going to be one of those blow up indie daring games. Fast follow to A Game About Digging A Hole that has a great premise and great hooks.
store.steampowered.com/app/3692070/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3692070/...
Cool ass game in the steam sale - Void Sails. Steam/Solarpunk, cosmic horror, ship sailing with some combat, narrative DnD sections. 4 hours ish. Only US$2 in the sale. Released 2 months ago at US$20. 100% worth it.
store.steampowered.com/app/3367690/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3367690/...
Save 80% on Void Sails on Steam
VOID SAILS is a single-player adventure where you captain a flying ship across uncharted space. Sail through mysterious worlds, battle powerful foes, and make story-defining choices. Uncover dark secr...
store.steampowered.com
July 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Cool ass game in the steam sale - Void Sails. Steam/Solarpunk, cosmic horror, ship sailing with some combat, narrative DnD sections. 4 hours ish. Only US$2 in the sale. Released 2 months ago at US$20. 100% worth it.
store.steampowered.com/app/3367690/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3367690/...
So, I've been gone a while.
I've been going through the hardest thing I've ever experienced.
Video games, as they do, have helped me through this. So, I have written about that here.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/6/18/clair-obscur-expedition-33-spiritfarer-and-saying-goodbye
I've been going through the hardest thing I've ever experienced.
Video games, as they do, have helped me through this. So, I have written about that here.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/6/18/clair-obscur-expedition-33-spiritfarer-and-saying-goodbye
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Spiritfarer and Saying Goodbye — Press Play Gaming
A personal essay on Spiritfarer, EOL care, Clare Obscur, and grief.
www.pressplaygaming.net
June 18, 2025 at 3:58 AM
So, I've been gone a while.
I've been going through the hardest thing I've ever experienced.
Video games, as they do, have helped me through this. So, I have written about that here.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/6/18/clair-obscur-expedition-33-spiritfarer-and-saying-goodbye
I've been going through the hardest thing I've ever experienced.
Video games, as they do, have helped me through this. So, I have written about that here.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/6/18/clair-obscur-expedition-33-spiritfarer-and-saying-goodbye
Reposted by Chris Lawn
This #TransDayofVisibility we’ve collated a definitive list of 90+ trans games throughout history.
Almost 100 games by trans developers and/or with trans representation.
Featuring games from:
@deconstructeam.bsky.social
@maddymakesgames.com
and many others 🏳️⚧️
checkpointgaming.net/features/202...
Almost 100 games by trans developers and/or with trans representation.
Featuring games from:
@deconstructeam.bsky.social
@maddymakesgames.com
and many others 🏳️⚧️
checkpointgaming.net/features/202...
A definitive list of 90+ trans games throughout history
This Trans Day of Visibility, we found it necessary to make a definitive list of 90+ trans games throughout history that are loud and proud.
checkpointgaming.net
March 30, 2025 at 9:12 PM
This #TransDayofVisibility we’ve collated a definitive list of 90+ trans games throughout history.
Almost 100 games by trans developers and/or with trans representation.
Featuring games from:
@deconstructeam.bsky.social
@maddymakesgames.com
and many others 🏳️⚧️
checkpointgaming.net/features/202...
Almost 100 games by trans developers and/or with trans representation.
Featuring games from:
@deconstructeam.bsky.social
@maddymakesgames.com
and many others 🏳️⚧️
checkpointgaming.net/features/202...
INDIKA is so fkn good, and the crickets on it speak volumes. An absolute must play for anyone that cares even the tiniest bit about the idea of games as an artistic medium and/or those that like to think about the idea of games communicating Ideas Through Mechanics
The reason I'm being weird about this is indika SHOULD be a "game industry" celebrated video game. It makes me as a game dev think about what the future of games could be. It's a marvel of scope/scale, interaction, and narrative between characters, but also dialog between the game and the player.
The (low) number of people in the game industry that have played INDIKA is very apparent in all the awards shows I have been to this year. What the heck y'all
March 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
INDIKA is so fkn good, and the crickets on it speak volumes. An absolute must play for anyone that cares even the tiniest bit about the idea of games as an artistic medium and/or those that like to think about the idea of games communicating Ideas Through Mechanics
Decided to jump in and take a look at Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone. It's WAY better than the mixed review rating on Steam would imply. It's a seriously solid open world RPG even in EA.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/3/15/chernobylite-2-exclusion-zone-has-that-spark-of-something-really-cool
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/3/15/chernobylite-2-exclusion-zone-has-that-spark-of-something-really-cool
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone Has That Spark of Something Really Cool — Press Play Gaming
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone should definitely be on your tablet radar.
www.pressplaygaming.net
March 15, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Decided to jump in and take a look at Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone. It's WAY better than the mixed review rating on Steam would imply. It's a seriously solid open world RPG even in EA.
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/3/15/chernobylite-2-exclusion-zone-has-that-spark-of-something-really-cool
www.pressplaygaming.net/articles/2025/3/15/chernobylite-2-exclusion-zone-has-that-spark-of-something-really-cool
I’ve decided I’m going to train my brain on every movie, tv show, book, video game, newspaper, article, online video and image so that I can be the smartest person alive, so really I should just get access to everything for free
(without ads of course, they will only taint the data)
(without ads of course, they will only taint the data)
Sam, in a world where it is not fair use for libraries to digitize the books, you shouldn't be able to train your pathetic little toys on them.
March 13, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I’ve decided I’m going to train my brain on every movie, tv show, book, video game, newspaper, article, online video and image so that I can be the smartest person alive, so really I should just get access to everything for free
(without ads of course, they will only taint the data)
(without ads of course, they will only taint the data)
Undertale for such a low price… I mean come on.
UNDERTALE is on sale for $1.
If you're a bluesky user who hasn't played this game - now is the best time to join the other 99% of people on this website and pick it up.
store.steampowered.com/app/391540/U...
If you're a bluesky user who hasn't played this game - now is the best time to join the other 99% of people on this website and pick it up.
store.steampowered.com/app/391540/U...
Save 90% on Undertale on Steam
UNDERTALE! The RPG game where you don't have to destroy anyone.
store.steampowered.com
March 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Undertale for such a low price… I mean come on.
Looking forward to this one! The Trese Bros are some of the most dedicated devs to their games - they’ve been putting out weekly patches for their other excellent game Star Traders for ~SEVEN YEARS~ in 1.0 onwards. The EA of Cyber Knights is already cooking HARD
📢📢📢 Our RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT trailer is live on YouTube!! We're only ~2 months away from the full launch of our squad-based strategy heist RPG!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cum... #Gaming
Check it out and please 👍 like it, share it, and comment on it to help us out. 🙏 #IndieDev #RPG #GamingNews
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cum... #Gaming
Check it out and please 👍 like it, share it, and comment on it to help us out. 🙏 #IndieDev #RPG #GamingNews
March 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Looking forward to this one! The Trese Bros are some of the most dedicated devs to their games - they’ve been putting out weekly patches for their other excellent game Star Traders for ~SEVEN YEARS~ in 1.0 onwards. The EA of Cyber Knights is already cooking HARD
Ok this is VERY cool
More Dungeons of Hinterberg you ask?
Play a new prequel story ✅
Play as Renaud? 🕶️ ✅
Free Update for everyone? ✅
Episode: Renaud launching March 13th! (Same time as our PlayStation launch!)
Play a new prequel story ✅
Play as Renaud? 🕶️ ✅
Free Update for everyone? ✅
Episode: Renaud launching March 13th! (Same time as our PlayStation launch!)
March 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Ok this is VERY cool