15 highlights from the 2025 Triple-i Initiative Showcase
The Triple-i Initiative did not disappoint in their second annual showcase of game announcements. The group, composed of well-known and acclaimed indie studios, held their inaugural showcase in 2024, bringing us announcements and world premieres for games like Slay the Spire II, Hyper Light Breaker, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder, Never Alone 2, and more. This year’s showcase featured a similarly stacked set of announcements. It was hard to narrow down this list, but here are the 15 games I was most excited to hear about in this year’s showcase.
1. Neverway
Developed by: Coldblood Inc.
You already had me at “from the pixel artist of Celeste” and “music by Disasterpiece.” But even without these huge names in indie gaming behind it, this game looks like it’ll stand up all on its own. The fusion of cute, cozy and utterly disturbing visuals has me extremely intrigued to learn what Neverway has in store for us.
Release Date: TBA
2. Endless Legend 2
Developed by: AMPLITUDE Studios
Now, I might be part of a very small constituency that’s hyped for Endless Legend 2. I just happen to have history with the original Endless Legend. I’ve actually only played it a handful of times, but it’s one of those games that I physically can’t play for less than 8 hours at a time. Sometimes you just want to spend a day hyperfocusing to the point that you need reminders to blink, and I’m sure Endless Legend 2 can facilitate that for me.
Release Date: TBA
3. Moonlighter 2
Developed by: Digital Sun
Every time we get new gameplay footage, I get more excited for this game. I have to confess that I never actually played Moonlighter, but it’s now on my list to play before its sequel releases. And I better get on that because it turns out Moonlighter 2 is coming sometime this summer!
Release Date: Summer 2025
4. OPUS Prism Peak
Developed by: SIGONO INC.
With Lushfoil Photography Sim out this month, I’ve got photography games at the front of my brain. OPUS Prism Peak looks like it will be putting players at the center of some truly gorgeous environments to capture on film. But it was the heartfelt dialogue between the two main characters that first struck me in this trailer. The announcement suggests we’re in for beautifully designed photography gameplay, wrapped in a touching story, and I can’t wait to see more.
Release Date: 2025
5. DRG Survivor Update
Developed by: Funday Games
I will admit, I am not a Deep Rock Galactic girly. But I AM a Vampire Survivors girly, and DRG Survivor might just pull me into this universe. The sheer volume of customization and loadout options that we see in this update announcement has me itching to check it out.
Release Date: Feb 14, 2024
6. The Alters
Developed by: 11 bit studios
The Alters looks like it’s going to mess with my mind in a big way and I’m here for it. I hope that the gameplay will be as smooth as the story promises to be mind-bending. After playing 1000xRESIST last year, we all must know by now that cloning yourself IS the solution to all your problems. What could go wrong?
Release Date: Jun 13, 2025
7. Over the Hill!
Developed by: Funselektor Labs Inc., Strelka Games
You’re playing as an off-road SUV driving through the wilderness and the vibes are excellent. That’s all I need to know about Over the Hill to get me very excited for this game. Oh, and it’s co-op.
Release Date: TBA
8. REMATCH
Developed by: Sloclap
Honestly, I just really want to see an indie game take on the FIFA/FC franchise and give EA a run for its money. Rematch looks like a hell of a lot of fun and between this announcement and Despelote coming out next month, I’m ready for the beautiful game to take over my PC.
Release Date: Jun 19, 2025
9. Vampire Survivors DLC & Updates
Developed by: poncle
As I mentioned above, I am indeed a Vampire Survivors girly, so my ears will always perk up at the news of more VS content! And while online co-op is still allegedly on the way, we did get the “coop” update which features, you guessed it, chickens! I guess I’ll take what I can get.
Release Date: Apr 10, 2025
10. Ikuma: The Frozen Compass
Developed by: Mooneye Studios
Mooneye Studios looks like it’s doubling down on our love for dogs, after releasing Farewell North in 2024. IKUMA will have us navigating through a brutal but breathtaking frozen wilderness with our dog (who can be controlled by a Player 2 in couch co-op mode). The trailer suggests there’s more danger than simply the harsh elements, though, and it left me wondering where this story will take us.
Release Date: 2026
11. Duskfade
Developed by: Weird Beluga
Players hungry for a good old 3D platforming action game, with vibes similar to Kingdom Hearts or Zelda, will probably perk their ears up at the Duskfade announcement. I’m personally ready to lose myself for a short while in a harrowing quest, filled with monsters and adventure. I hope that we get to learn a little bit more about the world and characters of the game this year, while we await its release in 2026.
Release Date: TBA
12. The Eternal Life of Goldman
Developed by: Weappy Studio
First and foremost, the art direction of The Eternal Life of Goldman looks absolutely impeccable. The hand-drawn classic animation art style is comforting, strange and delightful all at once. I also found the announcement video itself incredibly charming, featuring voiceovers from some of the game’s composers, including Yasunori Nishiki, Kevin Penkin, Mason Lieberman, and Pete Lepley. Hearing the team behind the game’s soundtrack speak about it with so much passion has me ready to dive in immediately.
Release Date: TBA
13. Into the Fire
Developed by: Starward Industries
If diving directly into a fiery inferno to rescue survivors from a devastating fire doesn’t sound stressful enough, what if there were also blazing apparitions flying around at you? Into the Fire looks like it’s going to be a lot to take in, but I’m intrigued!
Release Date: TBA
14. CloverPit
Developed by: Panik Arcade
CloverPit looks like what you’d get if Arctic Eggs had a baby with Balatro and then hired Inscryption as its nanny. I don’t know what is going on there, but it looks like it’s going to be a wild ride of gambling-fueled dopamine hits and bizarre worldbuilding. And that’s all I need to know to get hyped for it.
Release Date: 2025
15. VOID/BREAKER
Developed by: Stubby Games
I’ve been in a bit of an indie FPS era lately, and playing both classic and new games like SUPERHOT, Wild Bastards, and Sulfur has me fired back up for the genre. The trailer for Void Breaker is adrenaline packed, but also hints at a story with a lot more to uncover than we see on the surface.
Release Date: 2025
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No Small Games is an indie game recap and review podcast brought to you by hosts Kate and Emily! They became friends while streaming on Twitch and bonded over their love of indie video games. In each episode of No Small Games, the two will discuss an indie game they both played independently. They’ll compare their experiences: the good, the bad, their most memorable moments of their playthroughs.
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