The fifth edition of the Indie Underground column once again brings a brief overview of independent games that stand out with interesting ideas, new updates, or specific release dates. This time, the focus is on relaxed hidden-object adventures, delivery rallies, slow train rides through Belgium, decopunk noir RPGs, and atmospheric puzzle adventures without violence.
The indie scene this week particularly showcases how broad a space smaller studios can cover. Lost and Found Co. expands with its first major content update, Easy Delivery Co. gets a completely new gameplay mode, Bon Voyage attempts to combine idle structure with a historical train journey, Aether & Iron continues to gather attention from the RPG audience, while Helix: Descent N Ascent brings a black-and-white world of puzzles and exploration.
Lost and Found Co.
Bit Egg Inc. has released the first major content update for Lost and Found Co., a hidden-object adventure that received very positive reactions from players and critics right after its release. The game achieved a Metacritic score of 90, has 97 percent positive user reviews on Steam, and currently sits above 300,000 wishlists, with over 100,000 new wishlists after launch.
The new update brings two additional adventures. Master of Findjutsu takes players into a ninja-themed episode where young students search for a missing master, while My Summer Memories 2 brings a nostalgic rural scene where Ducky discovers little magic hidden in everyday chores at grandma's house. Along with new scenes, Japanese and German localization have been introduced, and additional languages are already in development.
The update also includes new items in Kit’s Shop and a range of gameplay quality improvements based on community feedback. Lost and Found Co. remains envisioned as a relaxing, hand-drawn hidden object game, emphasizing a calm pace, charming illustrations, and a sense of small discoveries. In celebration of the Steam Summer Sale, the game is available at its largest discount to date of 20 percent.
Easy Delivery Co.
Easy Delivery Co. will soon receive a free update called EasyCo EasyRally. The update is set to release on July 6, 2026, and brings a new gameplay mode described as an alternative, reimagined version of the existing game. The update also includes new music by Sohaoying.
Easy Delivery Co. is already available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, iOS, and Android. The base game relies on deliveries, driving, and a quirky little world that seems simple at first glance but has enough room for charm, replayability, and its own rhythm. EasyCo EasyRally thus serves as an interesting way to offer existing players a different perspective on the same idea.
This update fits particularly well with Indie Underground as it does not attempt to be a classic large DLC but rather a free expansion that gives the game a new angle. If the base Easy Delivery Co. was based on relaxed deliveries and everyday movement through a small world, EasyCo EasyRally could further emphasize driving, pace, and a more arcade-like feel.
Bon Voyage
The Belgian indie studio ZAMARKAND has introduced its first game on Steam, Bon Voyage. It is an idle game where the player leads a steam train through 19th century Belgium, chooses routes, and tries to provide the best service to passengers. The game is designed as a peaceful desktop companion title, where active gameplay occurs at stations, while during the journey the player can do something else.
Author Farhat Fazeli explains that the initial idea arose from the feeling that people have less and less time for games as they age. Work, parenthood, and obligations often leave little free space, so Bon Voyage slows down the pace and tries to enable gameplay that does not demand constant attention. Instead of constantly pulling the player back to the screen, the game allows them to return during short breaks and continue the journey.
Bon Voyage stands out with its watercolor aesthetic, side view of landscapes, and emphasis on the atmosphere of travel. Train enthusiasts will be able to build their own historically convincing steam train, while other players can simply enjoy a peaceful ride and discover Belgian history. A demo is planned around Gamescom 2026, while the full release is scheduled for spring 2027.
Aether & Iron
Seismic Squirrel has announced that Aether & Iron has been nominated for the TooManyGames Indie Game Showcase Awards 2026. The game is nominated in the best RPG category, placing it among the highlighted indie titles of this year's showcase. TooManyGames has announced nominations in several categories, and Aether & Iron is in the RPG category alongside Legends of Dragaea: Idle Dungeons, The Dark West, and DDoD.
Aether & Iron is a decopunk noir RPG available on Steam for Windows and MacOS. The game features full English voice acting, and text localization is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Polish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese. Players can purchase it on Steam, and a demo version is also available.
The studio continues to upgrade the game after its release. Among the recent additions is the Roadside Garage feature, while additional content is already in development. The nomination itself will not necessarily change the game's status overnight, but it serves as a good reminder that Aether & Iron belongs to that part of the indie scene that relies on world, atmosphere, and RPG structure, rather than just one easily explainable mechanic.
Helix: Descent N Ascent
The Belgian indie studio Badass Mongoose has announced that Helix: Descent N Ascent will be released on July 23, 2026, for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. It is an atmospheric puzzle adventure that relies on exploration, puzzles, and gradually discovering new abilities, without violence as the main driver of gameplay.
The visual identity of the game uses a monochromatic style inspired by black-and-white indie comics from the eighties, nineties manga, and Franco-Belgian comics from the seventies. The music is composed by Jim Guthrie, known for his work on games like Sword & Sworcery, Nobody Saves the World, and Below, which further emphasizes the artistic direction of the game.
Helix: Descent N Ascent will focus on combining new abilities and interaction with the environment. As the player progresses, they will unlock the tools needed to solve increasingly complex obstacles and discover new parts of the world. According to what has been shown so far, this will not be an adventure that tries to impress with size, but with atmosphere, rhythm, and a clear visual identity.
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