Scramble Star Crossing, Sludgineers and More – First Imperssions
Sludgineers – Snickerdoodle Games and Funk Games
Sludgineers is a simulation indie game that’s developed by Snickerdoodle Games along with Funk Games handling the publishing. The game revolves around a group of cleaners going around countryside to get rid of pollution. Sludgineers makes players clean different parts of the region before battery runs out. Once your vacuum battery runs out of power, there are two options to retry or upgrade. Upgrades require money which you can find while vacuuming carts, house and more. Later on, you will need to upgrade for more tools like drills and refineries for waste.
There is missions and objectives to collect rewards. Sludgineers teach players to find off pollution and very easy for newcomers. Also, the game has cozy soundtrack and gorgerous pixel art. Sludgineers demo is available now on Steam but release date is August, 25, 2026.
Scramble Star Crossing – Dusk Sharp
Scramble Star Crossing is a tile-matching indie game developed by Dusk Sharp. The plot is about a protagonist named Alice, who wants to become Star Cleaner Champion. Scramble Star Crossing has different game modes such as story and multiplayer along with tutorial for beginners. The game of Scramble Star Crossing goal is very similar to Bubble Bobble and Magical Drop. Only exception is special moves that change the tides of the match. The game is very lighthearted and has minimal voice acting which is a great touch.
Scramble Star Crossing offers offline and online to play with friends or bot. The game is up to 4 players and crowned Star Clearing Champion. You can be the last person standing or tag team along with working together. There are 15 characters at launch with quirky personalities. Uncover the secrets of Annual Star Clearer’s competition to face against two-time winner Regis. Scramble Star Crossing demo is available now on Steam and release date is TBA.
Mirth Island – Clay Game Studio
Mirth Island is a cozy rhythm adventure indie game developed by Clay Game Studio. The plot is a duck named Dodo, who wants to become an entertainer. Dodo lives in a small island called Mirth and trying to rebuild a theater. He and his friends go around helping others along with recruiting them for Mirth Island Theater. Dodo can store items in his backpack, throw them and more. In Mirth Island, players can complete quests to get key items. There is rhythm mini games which you have to press corresponding buttons to match pattern.
Mirth Island is heavenly inspired by Animal Crossing and other rhythm games Hatsune Miku series. The demo is available now on Steam and look out for the release date.
Warding Witches – Sonorode and Headup
Warding Witches is a bullet-hell indie game developed by Sonorode along with Headup handling the publishing. The game creates classic arcade shoot’ em up with playable characters along with handcrafted pixel art. In Warding Witches, players can use shield but it consumes meter along with becoming vulnerable. There are two types of shots, normal and auto depending on your playstyle. Note: There is no bombing in this game, instead dodging enemy fire is your best bet.
Warding Witches does take inspiration from Touhou Project along with Deathsmiles. The game does have scoring system and extras about lore of the game. Warding Witches demo is available now on Steam and release date TBA.
Beatdown City Survivors – NuChallenger
Beatdown City Survivors is a sandbox survival indie game developed by NuChallenger. The plot of the game is about city overrun by zombies. There is a group of survivors fighting off the infected. The game has weapons or create your own depending on your playstyle. Beatdown City is a roguelike element as well as choosing your augments. There are playable characters to choose from with different styles. Sick of fighting alone, you can recruit survivors with their own abilities. Buy items to fend off zombies and complete objectives.
You can create your own build along with earning cash as well. Beatdown City Survivors has a soundtrack with underground artists. Along with fighting off bosses to survive another day, the demo is available now on Steam and to buy as well.
Oh!Ware – Chris Perry
Oh!Ware is a roguelike deckbuilding puzzle indie game developed by Chris Perry. The game is a reimagining of an ancient game of Mancala in African mythology. Also, this game takes inspiration from Monster Train and Slay the Spire. Oh!Ware gameplay is placing marbles in bowls and reducing enemies’ health to zero. Each marble gives you mana, damage and other effects. Each run is 30-40 minutes and select paths based on your preference. In your run, there will be enemies and bosses to face. When completing level, you will receive points and items.
Also, ancestral charms to enhance your power and battle through 3 biomes like The Jungle. There is a tutorial level for newcomers, if game deems challenging and feeling overwhelmed. Oh!Ware demo is available now on Steam and check out more release date.
The Rabbit Haul – Caldera Interactive
The Rabbit Haul is a roguelike simulation developed by Caldera Interactive. The pot is about Sprout the Rabbit, who wants to rebuild hometown after Trash Panda Posse destroyed it. In order to rebuild, Sprout must harvest food, get materials and help townfolks problems. While in the wilds, Sprout get plant seeds, set up defenses and find resources to plan for Trash Panda attack. Players will have to prepare before night of the Trash Panda Posse attach. Sprout is armed with weapons to defend itself from Trash Pandas.
After the night is over, Sprout must prepare again and it’s like Butterfly Effect. The Rabbit Haul reminds me of Cult of the Lamb with its artstyle. The Rabbit Haul offers Twitch Integration which allows viewers to pick your augment. Players can upgrade plants, tools and many more. The Rabbit Haul demo is available now on Steam and release date is TBA.
DekaDuck – Asteristic Game Studio and Glauco Silva
DekaDuck is a 2D platformer developed by Asteristic Game Studio and Glauco Silva has publishing rights. The plot is about half-duck half-robot named Deka, who is on the run from Intergalactic Police with his creator Dr. Less. After crashing into uncharted planet, Deka must work with criminal underworld as bounty hunter to take down targets, even means running into the cops. DekaDuck plays very similar to Capcom’s Mega Man but with a twisted. Deka can grab enemies just like Bandai Namco’s Klonoa and throw them across the screen.
Deka can shoot, rocket jump and dash between obstacles. The game allows players to journey through six planets and fight bosses along the way. Deka meets characters like Aiko (an Intergalactic Polic Captain) and many more in his journey. He can equip powerful weapons and new abilities along with soundtrack composed by Dominic Ninmark. DekaDuck demo is available now on Steam and released is unknown.
Hastilude Clash – Noah McElory
Hastilude Clash is a platform fighting game developed by Noah McElory. The goal of the game is reducing your opponent’s health to zero. You play as different knight classes like sword, spear and many more. Hastilude has a perfect parry system, which you can deflect projectiles and incoming strikes. Timing is precise went guarding against attack and there is a clashing mechanic in the game as well. Hastilude Clash offers offline 1-4 players along with adding bots to the game. The game is about reading your opponents movement and getting it grounded.
Hastilude Clash is very easy for beginners to pick up and play. The game’s demo is available now for Steam and release date is unknown. One more thing, you can play free-for-all or teams and if you like platform fighters like Super Smash Bros.
Road Defense Racing – Minicactus Games
Road Defense Racing is a vehicular combat racing indie game developed by Minicactus Games. The game offers weapons and upgrades to fit your vehicle needs. Just like a traditional racing game, you have to win 1st place but it’s very different in this game. Road Defense Racing is inspired by Twisted Metal, Carmageddon along with Rock N Roll Racing. During the race, there will be bystanders that will attack you and sometimes have to run them down. There are 30 tracks in the game that offers excitement to challenge your rivals.
Road Defense Racing has a slamming soundtrack along with bringing back 1990s retro artstyle that older generations will love. You can earn money to upgrade your armor, weapons and boost along with unlocking tracks as well. Road Defense Racing Demo is available on Steam and release is July 13, 200.
Retro Rail GO! – Barely Making Games
Retro Rail Go is train simulator indie game developed by Barely Making Games. The game is a tribute to 1990s Japanese train that offers nostalgic valve. Players can learn how to drive train and offer two types of modes. Casual is more relaxed, while Professional follows strict timetable schedule. The goal is to follow the signs like speed limit, honk your horn and speed down at your destination. Players can switch dashboards and interface style that suits their preferences. Retro Rail Go is a weather system like sunny and rain change visibility.
Barely Making Games
There is early access content as well for folks who are interested. If you want a cozy train experience, Retro Rail Go demo is available now on Steam. I don’t know about the release date yet.
Infectionous – Neromare and Nerco Studios
Infectionous is a top-down indie game developed by Neromare and Nero Studios does the publishing. The goal is to restore guests in your house from being inflected. Infectionous is self-examination that beginners will easily pick up and play. There are random generated gardens and cosmetics for your character. You will have to survive until nightfall and earn rewards. Infectionous offers trade-in skins from Steam Marketplace and drops as well. Note: They might have Twitch drops as well in the near future. Infectionous demo is available on Steam and released is TBA.
Closing
I want to thank Summer Game Fest 2026 along with Steam Next Fest 2026 for allowing me to play these demos. My favorite is Mirth Island and Scramble Star Crossing along with Road Defense Racing. It was great to play games featuring black developers during Juneteenth. There is many indies to try out in my Steam library. What are your thoughts on these games and make sure to support them as well. Let me know in the comments and thanks for reading this blogpost. See you in 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.
