The Insider Gaming Showcase held on May 28, 2026, continued to confirm how broad, diverse, and ready to experiment the indie scene is with familiar genres. In the third part of the overview, we present another ten games that stood out with new trailers, unusual ideas, or clear genre identities. This time, there are a shooter against possessed plush toys, a cosy post-apocalyptic management game, a roguelite inspired by MMO raids, a tactical multiplayer survival shooter, a platform fighter with a co-op roguelite mode, an ambitious RTS, a narrative adventure inspired by Icelandic folklore, and tactical survival in a submerged world of Norse mythology.
GRIMPS
GRIMPS is a first-person shooter where players fight against possessed plush monsters that have taken over the world. Instead of a classic arsenal, the game relies on completely wacky weapons, allowing players to shoot from a shark, use a boxing glove that fires toy trains, or blast enemies into buttons, fabric, and stuffing. The tone of the game leans towards absurd humor and chaotic action, with comparisons to the High On Life franchise. A standout feature is the pigeon companion, which is not just a comedic addition but also brings special combat abilities. The game is developed by WATT Studio, and a demo is available on Steam.
Rusthaven
Rusthaven is a single-player cosy management game set in a post-apocalyptic world, but without the dark tone typically associated with such environments. Players control a charming robot traveling across a devastated planet in a solarpunk airship, collecting waste, rescuing other robots, and gradually restoring the world. There is no combat, enemies, or classic tension; instead, the emphasis is on exploration, repairing, fishing, cooking, growing plants, decorating a home in the air, and bringing nature back to the abandoned world. It is developed by the Australian studio Chaos Theory Games, known for the games Crab God and Aether & Iron.
Don’t Lose Aggro
Don’t Lose Aggro is a single-player action roguelite inspired by MMO raids, but with one very clear focus: playing the role of a tank. Instead of everything revolving around dealing damage, the game requires arena control, positioning, drawing enemy attention, and protecting companions. Players can build different types of tanks, from those that block attacks to those that evade hits, provoke enemies, or kite them around the arena. Companions bring important abilities, but they need to be kept alive, while progression is based on talents and play styles. Early access began in April, and three phases of new content are planned before version 1.0.
Terminal War
Terminal War is a team-based multiplayer survival shooter that emphasizes clans, cooperation, scarce resources, and smart equipment management. Insider Gaming compares it to the spirit of the TLOU Factions mode, primarily due to the brutal combat, the importance of teamwork, and the tension around every bullet. Players can approach situations quietly and tactically or aggressively, but ammunition and supplies are not infinite, so every decision has consequences. Loadouts are minimalist, melee combat feels particularly important, and the studio Albatross Interactive describes the game as a grounded, mature multiplayer experience with a simple foundation that is hard to master.
Combo Devils
Combo Devils is a platform fighter that attempts to combine traditional fighting games and platform fighters. At first glance, it may remind you of Super Smash Bros., but it relies on solid combo action, fast 1v1 PvP battles, and characters with different play styles. Interestingly, the game doesn't just stick to the competitive mode but also includes a separate co-op roguelite beat ‘em up for up to four players, with handcrafted boss battles. There are also more relaxed party modes like High Gravity and Ice Mode, which change the rules and introduce additional chaos. The game is developed by a smaller team with experience on projects like God of War, BioShock, and Hades II.
Brave New Wonders
Brave New Wonders is a post-apocalyptic factory automation strategy from the studio City From Naught. Players command intelligent automatons that can interpret text commands, explore ruins, fight enemies, expand production facilities, and automate production lines. The world is divided into islands that you traverse with a large airship, and each session should offer a different path through exploration, salvaging, and developing your own story. The studio particularly highlights the feedback system in early access but also notes that the art, music, sound, story, and performances were not produced using AI.
Hope in the City
Hope in the City is a nonlinear narrative mystery game from Lofty Sky Games, the team behind the sci-fi fantasy adventure Sky of Tides. The main character, Hope Song, explores the city in search of her missing parents, and the game relies on gathering clues, recording observations, and connecting information through sketches in her notebook. A unique feature is the thought-based mechanic, where observations turn into insights and breakthroughs that unlock new parts of the investigation. Visually, the game uses a blocky, atmospheric style that further emphasizes the feeling of unease and the secrets hidden beneath the calm surface of the city.
ZeroSpace
ZeroSpace is a cinematic sci-fi RTS that combines classic base building and army management with narrative RPG elements. The campaign includes decisions, crew relationships, alliances with factions, loyalty missions, and branching storylines, while the persistent Galactic War co-op mode allows players to participate in a larger seasonal conflict on a galactic map. Additionally, ZeroSpace offers a competitive Skirmish mode, four main factions, seven mercenary factions, over 14 specialists, and more than 150 units and buildings. The game is developed by Starlance Studios, and early access on Steam is planned for the third quarter of 2026.
Island of Winds
Island of Winds is a single-player narrative adventure set in Iceland in the 17th century. Players take on the role of Brynhildur, who embarks on a quest to find her lost mentor through a semi-open world filled with shores, icy paths, lagoons, and mountainous regions. At the heart of the game are Icelandic nature, folklore, and history, and the gameplay combines exploration, magic, and environmental puzzles. During the journey, players encounter mythical and magical beings inspired by Icelandic folklore, and the story addresses themes of self-doubt, violence, regret, and empathy. The game is developed by the Icelandic studio Parity Games.
Waters of Ragnarök
Waters of Ragnarök is a tactical survival game set in a world after Ragnarök, inspired by Norse mythology. Players command a ship made from the bones of dead gods and sail through the submerged remnants of the Nine Worlds in an attempt to lead their people to Gimli and restore civilization. The game combines exploration of the supernatural ocean, crew survival, resource management, and tactical combat. Notably, it features systems of morality, hunger, injuries, and permanent death of crew members, as well as the ability to collect rare materials from fallen giants Jötunn. The project is being developed by the Icelandic studio Polar Region Games, with Waters of Ragnarök being their debut title within the broader world of Ashes of Yggdrasil.
