Peggy

Laysara: Summit Kingdom – A lofty city builder in the Himalayas I love a great city builder, especially one that provides a unique location or mechanic. There are a lot of city builders out there, so if I’m going to invest dozens of hours into a new one, I am looking for a hook to keep me from looking for the next one or going back to something tried and true. The Polish Studio, Quite Okay Games, released Laysara: Summit Kingdom in early access in April 2024. That’s right, almost 2 years ago. It’s recently launched fully and is now also available on consoles.

Laysara: Summit Kingdom – A lofty city builder in the Himalayas

I love a great city builder, especially one that provides a unique location or mechanic. There are a lot of city builders out there, so if I’m going to invest dozens of hours into a new one, I am looking for a hook to keep me from…

"I'm so dumb" , "I know nothing about wrestling"...pure gold. Come hang out this week

Evil Dead The Musical: The Gloriously Gory Show That Will Leave You Drenched in Pure Joy — Pario Magazine Evil Dead The Musical is loud, messy, self-aware carnage, and the Splatter Zone might be the most fun you can have in the theatre while covered in fake blood.

Evil Dead The Musical is loud, messy, self-aware carnage, & the Splatter Zone might be the most fun you can have in the theatre.

Oh, and don’t wear white because you'll leave covered in fake blood 🪓🩸

www.pariomagazine.com.au/all-articles/evil-dead-the-musical

Steam Next Fest – Games that made me Feel After playing Looking Up last week (you can read my review of the demo HERE), and thinking a lot about my dad, I thought about other demos I played during Steam Next Fest that hit me in the feelings and thought I’d share a few with you. These cover a lot of ground - friendships, family, love, loss, grief, even a bit of mystery but all left me caught up in my feelings and memories, and I can’t wait for the full games to release to finish the journeys.

Steam Next Fest – Games that made me Feel

After playing Looking Up last week (you can read my review of the demo HERE), and thinking a lot about my dad, I thought about other demos I played during Steam Next Fest that hit me in the feelings and thought I’d share a few with you. These cover a lot…

Steam Next Fest – Hellbound Inc From Hellbound Inc.’s Steam page: HELLBOUND INC is a rage-inducing platformer where you jump & carry packages to deliver against time, demons and HR. Play as an undead courier trapped in a fulfillment center recently purchased by Satan himself. GENRE: Action, Adventure, Indie DEVELOPER: Templo, Rewilder PUBLISHER: Templo, Rewilder RELEASE DATE: Coming soon I’ll be honest, when I see a game described as a rage-inducing platformer, my immediate instinct is to give it a pass. But, when someone tells you it’s a must-play, the graphics grab your attention, and the devs are excited and super nice, I had to say ‘the hell with it’, and dive into Hellbound Inc.

Steam Next Fest – Hellbound Inc

From Hellbound Inc.’s Steam page: HELLBOUND INC is a rage-inducing platformer where you jump & carry packages to deliver against time, demons and HR. Play as an undead courier trapped in a fulfillment center recently purchased by Satan himself. GENRE: Action,…

It's Wednesday, and you know what that means... @opheliapayne.bsky.social & @jamie.pariomagazine.com.au returned to our #AEWDynamite Watch Parties last week. Plus, Jamie tortured Peggy about the Winter Olympics.

Join us again LIVE tomorrow, where I certainly won't do that again 🏒

See you Wednesday for #AEWDynamite

Steam Next Fest – Teeto From Teeto’s Steam page: Explore a world of mayhem and Michaels! Join Teeto the blob and Nory the bunny in this 3D adventure platformer to stop the shadow corruption from spreading. Absorb wild powers, help eccentric characters, and save the world - one Michael at a time! GENRE: Adventure, Casual, Indie DEVELOPER: Eat Pant Games PUBLISHER: Super Rare Originals RELEASE DATE: Coming soon I won’t lie, I played Teeto before Steam Next Fest even started, then played it again with the Steam Next Fest new demo, and then again with the updated demo, and again… you get the picture.

Steam Next Fest – Teeto

From Teeto’s Steam page: Explore a world of mayhem and Michaels! Join Teeto the blob and Nory the bunny in this 3D adventure platformer to stop the shadow corruption from spreading. Absorb wild powers, help eccentric characters, and save the world - one Michael at a time!…

Steam Next Fest – Looking Up From the Looking Up Steam page: Looking Up captures an emotional story between Emilia and her dad. Explore and experience her discovery of flight by solving puzzles which include butterflies, mythical creatures, and birds! Grow up with Emilia and reach the skies! GENRE: Casual, Indie DEVELOPER: BlueRoof Games PUBLISHER: BlueRoof Games RELEASE DATE: Coming soon I always go into Steam Next Fest with an open mind for what I’ll get from the short demos I play, and this time I went in also determined to play as many games as possible.

Steam Next Fest – Looking Up

From the Looking Up Steam page: Looking Up captures an emotional story between Emilia and her dad. Explore and experience her discovery of flight by solving puzzles which include butterflies, mythical creatures, and birds! Grow up with Emilia and reach the skies!…

Steam Next Fest – Outbound From Outbound’s Steam Page: Explore a colourful world and build your own cozy home on wheels. Craft workstations, and source energy from the sun, wind, or water. Upgrade and customize your vehicle, grow crops, and live sustainably off grid with up to 4 players. RELEASE DATE: Q2 2026 DEVELOPER: Square Glade Games PUBLISHER: Square Glade Games One of my most anticipated demos of Steam Next Fest, and it did not disappoint. This open-world exploration game starts with you being able to customize your van’s colours (style available in the full game) and your character’s appearance.

Steam Next Fest – Outbound

From Outbound’s Steam Page: Explore a colourful world and build your own cozy home on wheels. Craft workstations, and source energy from the sun, wind, or water. Upgrade and customize your vehicle, grow crops, and live sustainably off grid with up to 4 players. RELEASE…

Steam Next Fest – Neko Michi From Neko Michi’s Steam page: Build and manage a cozy Meiji-era street for cats. customize buildings, balance tradition and modernity, and create a peaceful cat community. RELEASE DATE: Coming soon DEVELOPER: Eternal Dream, Eggtato PUBLISHER: Eternal Dream, Eggtato Cute cats, Japanese inspired environment and town building mechanics…you KNOW Neko Michi caught my eye when I first saw it. The entire concept of this game is to create a bustling street of cat-run shops, services, and homes to make visiting cats happy and, ultimately, make money and revitalize the town. You are given a checklist of tasks to complete to finish each level.

Steam Next Fest – Neko Michi

From Neko Michi’s Steam page: Build and manage a cozy Meiji-era street for cats. customize buildings, balance tradition and modernity, and create a peaceful cat community. RELEASE DATE: Coming soon DEVELOPER: Eternal Dream, Eggtato PUBLISHER: Eternal Dream, Eggtato…

Steam Next Fest – Barkour RELEASE DATE: 2026 DEVELOPER: VARSAV Game Studios PUBLISHER: VARSAV Game Studios Barkour is a demo that’s been on my radar for a while. It’s a fast-paced stealth action platformer where you play as Special Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R, who also happens to be a good boy. Smart, brave and unstoppable. Starting the demo in an alley, you are afraid as you are approached by what can only be described as a RoboDog. He convinces you to join him in training. Once you awake you have an implant that allows you to understand everything around you and allows you to communicate and understand English.

Steam Next Fest – Barkour

RELEASE DATE: 2026 DEVELOPER: VARSAV Game Studios PUBLISHER: VARSAV Game Studios Barkour is a demo that’s been on my radar for a while. It’s a fast-paced stealth action platformer where you play as Special Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R, who also happens to be a good boy. Smart,…

Steam Next Fest – Idle Games The first Steam Next Fest of 2026 is here, running from February 23 to March 2, and it looks like there are close to 4000 demos available. I have played a lot of the selections and have chosen to showcase some of my favourites. The easiest way for me to do this is to break them up into sections/genres and highlight a handful in each category. What you’ll find here is a combination of descriptions from the game's official Steam pages and some notes based on my first impressions.  I hope you take some time to try out some of the demos provided and Wishlist your favourites, provide reviews and feedback.  

Steam Next Fest – Idle Games

The first Steam Next Fest of 2026 is here, running from February 23 to March 2, and it looks like there are close to 4000 demos available. I have played a lot of the selections and have chosen to showcase some of my favourites. The easiest way for me to do this is to…

COMING TO PARIO THIS WEEK!

• Monday: Kyle Fletcher Interview
• Wednesday: Black Hawk Down 25 Yrs Later
• Thursday 12pm: #AEWDynamite Watch Party with @opheliapayne.bsky.social
• Thursday 8:30pm: Wrestle Radio Australia reviewing MCW Anniversary
• Friday: Evil Dead The Musical Review

Chowdown Kitty – Take a Meow-ment and feed some feline friends Chowdown Kitty, developed by Lunar Peace and published by indie.io, is a Match 3 puzzle game where your goal is to simply find treats and feed adorable kitty friends. If you’ve ever played a game like this, like Candy Crush or Bejewelled Blitz, for example, you know it’s an easy type of gameplay that allows you to pop in and out as you have the time or inclination to do so.  The difference here is that the items you are matching are cat treats of a variety of shapes, each level (and cat) have their preferred treats as well, and you will get additional scoring for matching these treat choices.

Chowdown Kitty – Take a Meow-ment and feed some feline friends

Chowdown Kitty, developed by Lunar Peace and published by indie.io, is a Match 3 puzzle game where your goal is to simply find treats and feed adorable kitty friends. If you’ve ever played a game like this, like Candy Crush or…

Fate’s Theater – The battle between Fortune and Misfortune is in your hands Totally Normal Creature brings this micro-tale game to life. I’d say it’s a fairytale (only because a fairy tells the story), but it’s much deeper and sometimes darker than I could have imagined. Fortune and Misfortune both vie to twist mortal lives into branching stories. The game is written is delightful rhyming couplets and has moments of levity and darkness that I wasn’t prepared for. You choose who to play as, the computer plays your opponent. First one of you is designated to start by applying a bane or boon to up to 3 of you (or your opponents) mortal cards.

Fate’s Theater – The battle between Fortune and Misfortune is in your hands

Totally Normal Creature brings this micro-tale game to life. I’d say it’s a fairytale (only because a fairy tells the story), but it’s much deeper and sometimes darker than I could have imagined. Fortune and Misfortune…

Roll Or Die – How Long Can You Survive? Roll or Die is a minimalist, physics-based arcade game where you must maneuver a rolling ball through a crumbling environment and through obstacles across three modes: Time Attack, Endless Runner, and Obstacle Course. Speed, precision and momentum are the name of the game, both a necessity and a curse. It’s definitely a game where you can drop in and play a few rounds, but it's also addictive with a ‘just one more run’ mentality. Time Attack places you in the center of a zone where your only obstacle is to stay alive as long as possible.

Roll Or Die – How Long Can You Survive?

Roll or Die is a minimalist, physics-based arcade game where you must maneuver a rolling ball through a crumbling environment and through obstacles across three modes: Time Attack, Endless Runner, and Obstacle Course. Speed, precision and momentum are the…

BUS: Bro U Survived (Prologue) Ride through the apocalypse with your friends on a school bus in BUS: Bro U Survived. Herbarium Games brings you this co-op story-driven adventure, and I was excited to dive into the Prologue recently. Playable with 1-4 players, you will fight zombies, gather resources, solve puzzles and help other survivors while you try to uncover the truth behind the current fate of Fang Island. Starting off at the menu, there is a little bit of character customization. A decent variety of options to give your character a little bit of personality and flair.

BUS: Bro U Survived (Prologue)

Ride through the apocalypse with your friends on a school bus in BUS: Bro U Survived. Herbarium Games brings you this co-op story-driven adventure, and I was excited to dive into the Prologue recently. Playable with 1-4 players, you will fight zombies, gather…

Nova Antarctica Review – A warm spark in a cold, cold world Nova Antarctica, by RexLabo and PARCO GAMES, is an indie gem that places you in the winter wonderlands of Antarctica in a distant future Earth that has long faded into desolation. The South Pole remains a beacon of hope, and a signal under the ice hints of possible resources still there. A 3D, third-person experience with 360 camera control and stamina-based movement, this story-based survival game was nothing like I expected when I first saw the trailer. Somehow, it was both more basic and deeper at the same time. You are an unnamed person of small stature (are you a child?); your past is a mystery.

Nova Antarctica Review – A warm spark in a cold, cold world

Nova Antarctica, by RexLabo and PARCO GAMES, is an indie gem that places you in the winter wonderlands of Antarctica in a distant future Earth that has long faded into desolation. The South Pole remains a beacon of hope, and a signal…

Roll Or Die – How Long Can You Survive? Roll or Die is a minimalist, physics-based arcade game where you must maneuver a rolling ball through a crumbling environment and through obstacles across three modes: Time Attack, Endless Runner, and Obstacle Course. Speed, precision and momentum are the name of the game, both a necessity and a curse. It’s definitely a game where you can drop in and play a few rounds, but it's also addictive with a ‘just one more run’ mentality. Time Attack places you in the center of a zone where your only obstacle is to stay alive as long as possible.

Roll Or Die – How Long Can You Survive?

Roll or Die is a minimalist, physics-based arcade game where you must maneuver a rolling ball through a crumbling environment and through obstacles across three modes: Time Attack, Endless Runner, and Obstacle Course. Speed, precision and momentum are the…

Nova Antarctica Review – A warm spark in a cold, cold world Nova Antarctica, by RexLabo and PARCO GAMES, is an indie gem that places you in the winter wonderlands of Antarctica in a distant future Earth that has long faded into desolation. The South Pole remains a beacon of hope, and a signal under the ice hints of possible resources still there. A 3D, third-person experience with 360 camera control and stamina-based movement, this story-based survival game was nothing like I expected when I first saw the trailer. Somehow, it was both more basic and deeper at the same time. You are an unnamed person of small stature (are you a child?); your past is a mystery.

Nova Antarctica Review – A warm spark in a cold, cold world

Nova Antarctica, by RexLabo and PARCO GAMES, is an indie gem that places you in the winter wonderlands of Antarctica in a distant future Earth that has long faded into desolation. The South Pole remains a beacon of hope, and a signal…

BUS: Bro U Survived (Prologue) Ride through the apocalypse with your friends on a school bus in BUS: Bro U Survived. Herbarium Games brings you this co-op story-driven adventure, and I was excited to dive into the Prologue recently. Playable with 1-4 players, you will fight zombies, gather resources, solve puzzles and help other survivors while you try to uncover the truth behind the current fate of Fang Island. Starting off at the menu, there is a little bit of character customization. A decent variety of options to give your character a little bit of personality and flair.

BUS: Bro U Survived (Prologue)

Ride through the apocalypse with your friends on a school bus in BUS: Bro U Survived. Herbarium Games brings you this co-op story-driven adventure, and I was excited to dive into the Prologue recently. Playable with 1-4 players, you will fight zombies, gather…

Absolutely. Really looking forward to it

Prelude to Steam Next Fest – February 2026 Mark your calendars, Indie Game fans. The first Steam Next Fest of 2026 is on the horizon, and I can’t wait! Running from February 23rd through March 2nd, you’ll be able to check out hundreds of demos, watch live streams and even participate in some Q&As with the devs of these recently released and upcoming indie games. All the demos are free, and you may find a rare gem or even a new genre of game for yourself. Remember to wishlist these games, join the communities and provide feedback once you play the demos.

Prelude to Steam Next Fest – February 2026

Mark your calendars, Indie Game fans. The first Steam Next Fest of 2026 is on the horizon, and I can’t wait! Running from February 23rd through March 2nd, you’ll be able to check out hundreds of demos, watch live streams and even participate in some Q&As…

Prelude to Steam Next Fest – February 2026 Mark your calendars, Indie Game fans. The first Steam Next Fest of 2026 is on the horizon, and I can’t wait! Running from February 23rd through March 2nd, you’ll be able to check out hundreds of demos, watch live streams and even participate in some Q&As with the devs of these recently released and upcoming indie games. All the demos are free, and you may find a rare gem or even a new genre of game for yourself. Remember to wishlist these games, join the communities and provide feedback once you play the demos.

Prelude to Steam Next Fest – February 2026

Mark your calendars, Indie Game fans. The first Steam Next Fest of 2026 is on the horizon, and I can’t wait! Running from February 23rd through March 2nd, you’ll be able to check out hundreds of demos, watch live streams and even participate in some Q&As…

STEAM NEXT FEST is coming soon and I want to play as many games as possible. I managed 30 in 3 days last year, I'm confident in my ability.

If your game is participating, share it with me and I'll add it to my list.

#indiegame #gamedev #steamnextfest

Checkmate in the Wild West – Chess Adventure Checkmate in the Wild West – Chess Adventure is a game that hadn’t been on my radar, and honestly, something I likely wouldn’t have sought out as someone who isn’t very good at chess. But sometimes life gives you a chance to branch out and try something new, and you just say yes. So, saddle up for a Wild West chess adventure where you cross paths with bandits, sheriffs and hustlers. Solve puzzles, challenge characters, buy power-ups and determine your destiny in a game where your choices matter. You can play a simple mode and learn more about chess.

Checkmate in the Wild West – Chess Adventure

Checkmate in the Wild West – Chess Adventure is a game that hadn’t been on my radar, and honestly, something I likely wouldn’t have sought out as someone who isn’t very good at chess. But sometimes life gives you a chance to branch out and try something…

Herdling Review – Haven’t you herd? Herdling is magical Urban fantasy is a unique genre in gaming. It blends elements of folklore and fairytales in a more modern setting. Herdling is a brand-new adventure from Okomotive, who are known for creating the acclaimed atmospheric FAR games, and Panic, publishers of the beautiful Firewatch game. Herdling also does something even more unusual in gaming; it combines urban fantasy with cozy elements of light socialization and animal care. Waking up under a bridge, you make your way out into the city. Nothing is really explained, but it’s clear that some life-altering event had taken place.

Herdling Review – Haven’t you herd? Herdling is magical

Urban fantasy is a unique genre in gaming. It blends elements of folklore and fairytales in a more modern setting. Herdling is a brand-new adventure from Okomotive, who are known for creating the acclaimed atmospheric FAR games, and Panic,…

Running Fable Petite Party – Couch Co-op Chaos Running Fable Petite Party is a colourful, wild and unpredictable spin-off from Running Fable. Brought to you by Seashell Studio, you can battle your way through 16 competitive mini-games and try to dominate the tabletop party board. Every round gives you an opportunity to taunt your friends, steal victory and cause mayhem. This is a party game meant to be played on one screen with your friends, though, locally, up to 4 players. There is no online gameplay with friends, unfortunately.  You can choose to play the mini games solo as well, though, just not the board game mode. 

Running Fable Petite Party – Couch Co-op Chaos

Running Fable Petite Party is a colourful, wild and unpredictable spin-off from Running Fable. Brought to you by Seashell Studio, you can battle your way through 16 competitive mini-games and try to dominate the tabletop party board. Every round gives…

Ultimate Grandma Simulator – Someone’s Had A Fall… I love a great sim game, and there aren’t many that I won’t at least take a closer look at when I see them pop up on my social feeds or in one of the stores. Ultimate Grandma Simulator looked and sounded just quirky enough to check out. Being an ‘older’ gamer, I often joke about feeling like a grandma in the gaming sphere, and I thought this game, by developers Circo and PlumPointTwo, would be a bit of a laugh. While I did, indeed, have a lot of emotions while playing this, laughter was barely present, unless in frustration.

Ultimate Grandma Simulator – Someone’s Had A Fall…

I love a great sim game, and there aren’t many that I won’t at least take a closer look at when I see them pop up on my social feeds or in one of the stores. Ultimate Grandma Simulator looked and sounded just quirky enough to check out. Being an…