The Witch’s Bakery, Dungeon Hotpot and More – First Impressions
The Witch’s Bakery – Sunny Lab Games
The Witch’s Bakery is a cooking simulation adventure rpg indie game developed by Sunny Lab Games. The plot of the game is about a witch named Lunne, who moved to Paris and open’s up a barkery. Lunne is companied by a morphing familiar named Orio, who helps Lunne bake dough and helps around the bakery. The Witch’s Bakery allows players to interact with townsfolks and build relationship in the process. Players can learn to make pastries and exploring Paris in a whole new light.
Lunne can see people’s heart and go to palace to see what is troubling them. Her mission is to make people happy, while using magic to solve these issues. The Witch’s Bakery has some unique mechanics like Pac-Man like maze mini-game during time at the bakery. Invite people to join you at a cafe, movie and many other places in Paris. Has a special blend of cozy along with 2.5D graphics that pops out. The Witch’s Bakery released date is sometime in 2026. The game is available on Steam, PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.
Dungeon Hotpot – Renala Games
Dungeon Hotpot is another cozy cooking rpg simulation indie game developed by Renala Games. The game is about a cook, who setup a tavern in the lowest parts of a dungeon. These adventure got to this tavern after a long adventure and talk about their problems. In the story, the cook is about of a guild that hunts monsters but decide to open up a tavern. In Dungeon Hotpot, adventure will tell you what they want to order by conversations.
For example, Isolde want something relaxing, so you have to look at your recipe list to make certain food that adventures want. After, long day at the tavern, you receive your results and money to decorate it. Dungeon Hotspot is one of the most well-designed game with beautiful pixel art and atmosphere, making you feel like you’re there. Dungeon Hotspot has yet to be announced for release date but demo is available to try on Steam.
Gunny Ascend – Sunna Entertainment
Gunny Ascend is a rogue-like puzzle game developed by Sunna Entertainment and published by Outersloth. The game is about a tiny robot that solve puzzle to make it’s way to the top. The game is a very fast paced with in-depth pixel art and 30+ unique characters included Shovel Knight. Gunny also have online multiplayer and offline modes, there is 7 bosses in the game, along with story mode. After each level, players choose a powerups and items to help them through puzzles.
Gunny Ascend reminds you of bit of Tetris and Mr. Driller in some way. You also have to avoid bombs and enemies that hinder your progress along the way. Gunny is a fun arcade style that anybody can pick up and play. Speaking of that demo is available to play on Steam and release date is TBA right now.
Slayblade – Henry’s House
Slayblade is a casual rpg simulation game that developed by Henry’s House and Oscar Brittain. The plot is about unnamed protagonist that find out about his missing father and save the from a rich antagonist. The game is about customization your Slayblade (which is parody of Beyblade) with perks. You can earn money by battling other Slaybladers and get up to 60+ parts as well. Slayblade allows players to go to shops, mowing the lawn and Gachapon to get items.
During nighttime, you enter illegal battle with harzards and has ps1 aspects to the game using isometric graphics. Slayblade demo is available to try on Steam and release date has yet to me announced.
Memoirium – GoldenGratus Games
Memoirium is a soulslike action role playing indie game developed by GoldenGratus and published with Outersloth. The game is about unnamed main character that journeys in the Realm of Dreams. You fight off enemies and get loots as the game progresses. Memoirium has ps1 graphics aspects and your action like guarding, along with attacking consume stamina just like Dark Souls. The most unique thing is room design which you can customize with furniture and more.
There is also 14 equipment included masks, armor and other items. There is 67 lullabies which is like spells to bluff your character. Memoirium is a very dark game which many enemies will hinder your progress. The demo is available to play on Steam to try out.
Leafy Corner – Fireline Games
Leafy Corner is a cozy casual management indie game developed by Fireline Games. You play as a plant shop owner who sells flowers and other things for customers. In the game, you can customize your plant shop with floors, shelves and many other furniture. During, you time at the shop, you can tend to plant by watering them and putting them in different pots. There are 100+ plants in the game to choose from like Cat Grass and more. Fulfill any customer’s request or denied or wait for plant to grow before serving them.
Leafy Corner has mission objectives and rewards to claim by completing them. If your business is running well, shop reputation will increased and more customers will arrive along with expanding your shop. Leafy Corner allows players to discover planet and learn about them as well. The demo is available but released date is set for Q3 2026.
Charming Hill – Sopa Games
Charming Hill is a sandbox simulation panting game developed by Sopa games. The game is about painting a canvas with different styles with a unique touch. You can customize filters, put animals, houses and many more to tell your own story. There is different functions like zoom, taking picture and adding signature to your masterpiece. The soundtrack can leave players feeling like there are running in a meadow and feeling a weight lifted off your shoulders.
Note: This game doesn’t support AI-generated artwork but making your own masterpiece. Charming Hill will have your own Bob Ross and its very beginner-friendly as well. The demo is available on Steam and released date is TBA.
Kooeh: A Timeless Delight – Twilight Foundry Games
Kooeh: A Timeless Delight is a cooking cozy simulation indie game developed by Twilight Foundry Games. The plot is about a 20 year old white-collar work who is visiting his family and stumbles upon family recipe book. Unnamed protagonist is transported into another world and now runs a cafe. The game tackles Malysian gastronomical culture and food. During gameplay, each cooking method runs by quick time event along with others as well.
You can wish for ingredients and serve customers with Kuih Lapis along with others. Kooeh is a fun food management game with colorful characters and cartoonist graphics for younger audience. Kooeh: A Timeless Delight demo is available on Steam and released date is June 17, 2026.
Foodomina – Lumelli Studios
Foodomina is a turn-based role-playing indie game developed by Lumelli Studios. The plot of the game is about two space travelers named Tempera and Takoyaki, who is apart of a battle against Mold people. During the demo, Tempera and Takoyaki finds out about cure to save Moldians instead of killing them. These cures are Dairy, Protein, Fruit and many others based on Mold People preferences. Foodomina reminds me closely to Undertale but takes a different approach.
Tako and Tempera does have three options attack, act and Item. Depending on the choices, the combat enters bullet hell that players have to dodge. You can interact with enemies and use cure to based on their dialogue. Foodomina is a rich story with a lot of food puns and themes. Demo is available now on Stream and released date is TBA.
HellHeart Breaker – BattleBrew Productions
HellHeart Breaker is action dungeon-crawler rogue-like indie game developed by BattleBrew Productions. Players take control of Songbird, who loss his memories and ends of at a Bathhouse. In HellHeart Breaker, you can interact with six Scion clan and mastered 35 different weapons. In dungeons, you can earn weapons, augments and even fishing after a long battle. Also, you can select different routes to take before fighting different bosses along with complete quests as well.
Players can use world map to fast travel to different parts Aashraya and meeting different characters as along the way. Customize your outfit along with decoration your room between missions. There is primary weapon and secondary as well along with ultimate attack as well. Songbird does have defenses like dashing through enemies as well. Hellheart Breaker demo is available on Steam and released date is Q2 2027.
Scarlet Record: Mystery of Lost Curio – Crescent Sun
Scarlet Record: Mystery of Lost Curio is a turn-based tactical role-playing indie game developed by Crescent Sun. You play as a Wandering Scrivener named Ruby, who is on a journey to find lost relic at the Great Library. Ruby is join by Hydromancer named Beryl to fight against Jello. Ruby and Beryl journey through Pawmsmoor Hall to avoid miasma and find their way out. In Scarlet Record, the game plays similar to Fire Emblem.
Based on the character unit, there is certain movements and actions that makes. Beryl can shield after end of your turn and Ruby uses spells to debuff allies. Just like any rpg, you can customize your party with items, weapon and during start of combat. Scarlet Record has old school pixel that’s reminds you all Tales of Series along Valkyrie Profile. The demo is available now on Steam and released date is TBA.
The Telwynium – Powerhoof and Dave Lloyd
The Telwynium Book One is a point and click adventure indie game developed by Powerhoof. The plot revolves around a sheep shepard named Pander Calden, who travels with a Autumn-Aldor named Dwinn along with his friends Tani along with Wiltt after their village is attack by beings called Shadowfell. Pander meets other with different characters along his journey like Uplander Otarr Stronghorn. The Telwynium bring back Sierra-line era and reminds us just like King’s Quest. In the game, you can combine items, interact and dialogue line as well.
The Telwynium allow you to play as different protagonists and has rick sountrack by Brandon Blume. If you love 16 color with 4:3 filter along with 90s nostalgia. The Telwynium is right up your alley. The game is free to play and full released is in 2027.
Closing
Special thanks to Summer Game Fest for allowing me to try these games. My favorite is The Witch’s Bakery, Charming Hill and Gunny’s Ascend. Three of those game fell pleasant and very fun to play. Leafy’s Corner was my first simulation and highly enjoyed that one. Dungeon Hotspot deserves some praise as well for its gorgeous pixel art as well. There is 20 more indies to review and try out during month of June and July. What is your thoughts on these indies? Let me know down below and thank you for reading this blogpost. Tune into the next one from yours truly.
Anjim Plays is a award-winning streamer from Washington DC, who is a advocate of blerd and gaming culture. I am willing to help others and work with brands.
