[Apologies for the late upload! Time got away from us this week!}

Andy is on vacay BUT MATT IS BACK!! From brewing beer in Ale Abbey to blasting aliens in Star Fire: Eternal Cycle, the week's Indie Game Adventures has got it all! In the Indie News Report: Side Table Edition, the boys tackle wild headlines like the Mythic Games IP sell-off, a shocking recall from Devir, and Kickstarter madness with Riftblade smashing its goal in just 29 minutes!

We close things out our usually STACKED Wishlist Round-Up featuring Folly of the Wizards, Keys of Fury, Cozy Island, and Goblin Cleanup. All that, plus tangents, hot takes, and the usual chaos, only on The indieRift Podcast!

0:00: Intro

🔥 Indie Game Adventures:🔥

3:55: Ale Abby: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2789460/Ale_Abbey__Monastery_Brewery_Tycoon/ 10:00: Star Fire: Eternal Cycle: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3067890/Star_Fire_Eternal_Cycle/ 18:45: Deep Rock Galactic Survivor - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2321470/Deep_Rock_Galactic_Survivor/ ←*****Also the indie steal of the week*** OG price 29.99/Sale Price 9.89 Dice With Death - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3435260/Dice_With_Death/ 21:32: No Man’s Sky - Voyagers update. https://store.steampowered.com/app/275850/No_Mans_Sky/

📰 Indie News Report: 📰 SIDE TABLE EDITION!

Mythic Games IP Sell-off: https://www.wargamer.com/board-games/cmon-sells-mythic-ip 38:40 Devir Recalls Game Because HOLY SHIT: https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/08/08/devir-to-recall-all-copies-of-new-release-ace-of-spades-after-backlash-over-slavery-depictions-in-artwork-apologises-for-causing-harm/ 45:15 Riftblade Funded in 29 MINUTES!: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thegambitfoundry/riftblade InvincibleRPG coming to Kickstarter: https://mailchi.mp/frialigan/invincible-rpg-kickstarter-sept-23?e=93d1881783

🚧THE WISHLISHT ROUND-UP!: 🚧

50:25: Folly of The Wizards: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2452320/Folly_Of_The_Wizards/ 53:00: Keys of Fury: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1546690/Keys_of_Fury/ 52:00: Cozy Island: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2918500/Cozy_Island/ 56:12: Goblin Cleanup: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2748340/Goblin_Cleanup/

💰Kickstarter of the Week!: 💰 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thegambitfoundry/riftblade

The boys are back, and this week we’re talking about all the standout indies you need to know about!

The Dark Queen of Mortholme flips the script by putting you in the role of the final boss, giving the classic fantasy tale a wicked twist, while Quartet channels pure SNES energy with an ensemble-driven RPG adventure. In the Indie News Report, we cover big beats like DUCKSIDE hitting consoles, Hell is Us finally out, and upcoming early access launches for SWAPMEAT and Long Drive North. And yes… the Hollow Knight: Silksong drama continues — with debates over its $20 price tag, difficulty discourse, and even pirates begging others not to pirate it.

We close things out with a Wishlist Round-Up full of fresh discoveries like Breaking News, Dancing with Ghosts, and Vitrified. All that, plus tangents, hot takes, and the usual chaos, only on the indieRift Podcast!

0:00: Intro

🔥 Indie Game Adventures:🔥

7:00: The Dark Queen of Mortholme: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3587610/The_Dark_Queen_of_Mortholme/ 12:40: Quartet: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/Quartet/

📰 Indie News Report: 📰

16:20: DUCKSIDE Out On Consoles: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2682580/DUCKSIDE 20:20: Hell is Us OUT NOW! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1620730/Hell_is_Us/ 23:20: SWAPMEAT Early Access Release Date, 10/2025: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2790700/SWAPMEAT/ 26:16: Long Drive North Early Access Release Date, 11/2025: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3179350/Long_Drive_North_CoOp_RV_Simulator/

Indie Developers Are Worried Silksong's $20 Price Tag: https://www.ign.com/articles/indie-developers-are-worried-silksongs-20-price-tag-will-make-it-harder-to-price-their-games “Criticism Isn’t Hate”: http://ign.com/articles/criticism-isnt-hate-hollow-knight-silksong-sparks-debate-about-difficulty-runbacks-and-the-dreaded-git-gud-comments Pirates Are Urging Others Not To Pirate Silksong: https://www.eurogamer.net/hollow-knight-silksong-is-so-popular-even-pirates-are-urging-others-not-to-pirate-the-game Play Acclaim Showcase Announced: https://www.gematsu.com/event/play-acclaim-september-10-2025

🚧THE WISHLISHT ROUND-UP!: 🚧

1:02:10: Breaking News: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3541940/Breaking_News/ 1:05:10: Dancing with Ghosts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1352700/Dancing_with_Ghosts/ 1:07:28: Football Story: https://store.steampowered.com/app/757550/Football_Story/ 1:08:50: LIFTED: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2184020/LIFTED/ 1:10:50: Plushes: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3297800/Plushes/ 1:13:24: Vitrified: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2571610/Vitrified/

The boys are back, and this week it’s less about what’s coming out, and more about what’s not! Because the unstoppable force that is Hollow Knight: Silksong has officially set a release date (September 4th) and the indie world is SCRAMBLING to get out of its way. We’re talking delays, reshuffles, and developers openly admitting they don’t want to compete with the bug-god of metroidvanias.

But it’s not all delays! There are plenty of fresh drops and surprises! Heartworm keeps the PS1-horror revival alive, Sword of the Sea surfaces via PlayStation, and Quartet scratches that retro JRPG itch.

All that, plus tangents, theories, and the usual chaos ONLY on The indieRift Podcast!

🔥 Indie Game Adventures:🔥

4:10: Heartworm: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/Heartworm/ 6:50: Sword of the Sea: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2453160/Sword_of_the_Sea/ SAVED BY PLAYSTATION! https://x.com/Genki_JPN/status/1957732818043433175

📰 Indie News Report: 📰

14:38: QUARTET IS OUT!: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/Quartet/ 16:20: ROUTINE IS ALIVE AGAIN, AGAIN - RELEASE WINDOW ANNOUNCED LATE 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKGLF7MpxbU 19:44: DEMONSCHOOL (AND OTHERS) DELAY RELEASE DUE TO SILKSONG: DEMONSCHOOL - https://www.polygon.com/demonschool-delay-release-date-hollow-knight-silksong/ OTHERS - https://aftermath.site/silksong-indie-delays 37:35: AAA IS OBSESSED WITH INDIES: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/baldurs-gate-3-dev-says-aaa-is-perversely-fascinated-by-indie-games-because-those-devs-still-understand-how-to-make-good-ideas-that-arent-reliant-on-data/ 44:42: TTRPG CREATOR GOES MISSING!: https://aftermath.site/grimwild-backerkit-ttrpg-rpg-designer-missing

49: 28: DEMO DIRBY!

Order Automatica: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2105840/Order_Automatica/ Pax Autocratica: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1067360/Pax_Autocratica/

57: 18: 🚧THE WISHLISHT ROUND-UP!: 🚧

Bleaklight Falls: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2820610/Bleaklight_Falls/ CloverPit https://store.steampowered.com/app/3314790/CloverPit/ FANTASY MAIDEN WARS: DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER https://store.steampowered.com/app/3575980/Fantasy_Maiden_Wars__DREAM_OF_THE_STRAY_DREAMER/ Stomp & The Sword of Miracles https://store.steampowered.com/app/2837590/Stomp_and_the_Sword_of_Miracles/ This Game Did Not Delete Itself: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3929130/This_Game_Did_Not_Delete_Itself/ UNSENT: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3621930/Unsent/

The boys are back, and this week we’re talking all about the Indie World Showcase! Nintendo blessed us with a staggering, mind-blowing, world-changing… 15 minutes on indie game goodness (Truly, how do they do it?) In that quarter-hour of pixel-packed glory, we got release dates for some of our most anticipated titles — like Demonschool, coming September 3rd — and fresh reveals, including Well Dweller, a slick new Metroidvania from Kyle Thompson, the creator of Crypt Custodian. We also dive into some incredible wishlist-worthy finds like Ghost Easter a black-and-white hack-and-slash with a killer visual style and Star Fire: Eternal Cycle, a love letter to classic arcade side-scrollers!

All that, plus a few surprises, tangents, and the usual chaos, only on The indieRift Podcast!

🔥 Indie Game Adventures:🔥 11:00: Atomic Owl: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2228490/Atomic_Owl/

📰 Indie News Report: 📰 Indie World Highlights! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTv0HmKoUqw

20:05: Go-Go Town Comes To Switch 2026 https://store.steampowered.com/app/2195120/GoGo_Town/ 22:56: UFO 50 OUT NOW! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1147860/UFO_50/ 25:42: Demonschool RELEASE DATE CONFIRMED! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/Demonschool/

29:18: Herdling: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3047750/Herdling/ 30:50: Neveraway: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2318330/Neverway/ 34:55: Well Dweller: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3699590/Well_Dweller/

🚧THE WISHLISHT ROUND-UP!: 🚧 39:00: Ghost Eater: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2708620/GHOST_EATER/ 42:50: Star Fire: Eternal Cycle: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3067890/Star_Fire_Eternal_Cycle/ 45:50: The Knightling: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1471650/The_Knightling/ 48:10: Deadzone: Rogue: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3228590/Deadzone_Rogue/

💰Kickstarter of the Week: 💰 50:16: Paws & Leaves: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/grownarts/paws-and-leaves-a-last-tale

This week’s big headline is a legendary one. John Romero, the mind behind DOOM, says indie games aren’t just shaping the industry… they’re the future of game development. Andy & Steve break down what that means for devs, players, and the next wave of creativity.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the show without some killer game spotlights, so we’re diving into the mysteries of Death Stranding 2, the musical mayhem of Fretless, and a cursed doll Kickstarter you definitely shouldn’t trust...but should probably give all your money to. All this and so much more on The indieRift Podcast!

🔥 Indie Game Adventures:🔥 5:50: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdzIwQhYABQ&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD 15:28: Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429050/Fretless__The_Wrath_of_Riffson/

📰 Indie News Report: 📰 20:00: HELLRAISER: Revival Announced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_4kAp6gsZE 22:50: Are Indies the 'Future' of Gaming? John Romero Thinks So… https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/john-romero-says-indies-are-the-future-of-game-development-these-people-are-the-ones-that-make-triple-a-studios-go-wait-a-minute-we-need-to-start-doing-this/

🚧THE WISHLISHT ROUND-UP!: 🚧 39:44: The Backworld: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1871640/The_Backworld/ 42:00: Jelly Troops: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3084910/Jelly_Troops/ 44:24: Mandated Fate: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3599830/Mandated_Fate/

💰Kickstarter of the Week: 💰 47:48: Baptiste: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/firenut-games/baptiste-haunted-mansion-terror-with-a-cursed-doll-awaits https://store.steampowered.com/app/2922250/Baptiste/

Steam Next Fest came and went, but we’re still deep in the demo trenches... and loving it! This week, Andy & Steve highlight 8 AWESOME indie games you need to have on your radar. From the atmospheric mystery of Hell is Us to the quirky charm of My Little Puppy and the 'good bad' energy of PIGFACE, there’s a little something here for everyone.

#indiegame #indiegaming #steam

We also break down some of the biggest headlines from Summer Games Fest and the Xbox Showcase—including Silksong’s long-awaited (very brief) showing, Super Meat Boy 3D, and Mina the Hollower’s official release date. Oh, and Scott Pilgrim is back! All this and so much more on The indieRift Podcast!

🔥 Indie Game Adventures:🔥

9:00 ► Netherworld Covenant: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2735580/Netherworld_Covenant/

📰 Indie News Report: Summer Games Fest + Xbox Showcase Highlights: 📰

15:00 ►Silksong SHOWED UP… yay. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1030300/Hollow_Knight_Silksong/ 16:34 ►3D MEAT BOY! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3288210/Super_Meat_Boy_3D/ 18:44 ►Mina the Hollower RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED, 10/31 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/ 20:20 ►SCOTT PILGRIM EX, BABY! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2640950/Scott_Pilgrim_EX/

🚧STEAM NEXT FEST IMPRESSIONS: 🚧

23:30 ►Hell is Us: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1620730/Hell_is_Us/ 28:00 ►My Little Puppy https://store.steampowered.com/app/2102040/My_Little_Puppy/ 33:50 ►Ratatan: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfestmostplayed 38:18 ►Moonlighter 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/2350790/Moonlighter_2_The_Endle ss_Vault/ 42:40 ►NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound https://store.steampowered.com/app/2542120/NINJA_GAIDEN_Ragebound 47:15 ►PIGFACE https://store.steampowered.com/app/3341650/PIGFACE/

💰Kickstarter of the Week: 💰 51:00 ►BIG HOPS! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chriswade/big-hops

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/indierift Check us out everywhere at these indieRift Links!: https://linktr.ee/indieRift

PAX East 2025 is over and it was AWESOME! From the Best Boomer Shooter to the Best Horror Game, and the Most Surprising Title, Andy & Steve have handpicked the best of the best. While PAX East was a bit on the smaller side this year, there was still plenty to love.

Plus, stick around for a special rant/story time at the end where Andy share's exactly how not to run a game demo at a convention.

See you again at PAX West!

❤️ PAX EAST 2025 BEST OF GAMES! ❤️

10:42 ► BEST SHOOTER - Pizza Bandit: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/ 13:34 ► BEST RETRO GAME - Everdeep Aurora: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2251400/Everdeep_Aurora/ 16:10 ► BEST BEAT-EM UP - Fighter's Forge: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2853810/Fighters_Forge/ 19:32 ► BEST SURPRISE - Don't Wake The Beast: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3258580/Dont_Wake_the_Beast/ 23:10 ► BEST HORROR - I Hate This Place: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604490/I_Hate_This_Place/ 27:16 ► Love Eternal: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/ 31:30 ► BEST INDIE GAME - Constance: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2313700/Constance/ 36:36 ► BEST RPG - Fretless: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429050/Fretless__The_Wrath_of_Riffson/ 39:46 ► BEST PIXEL ART - Nocturne: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1374860/Nocturne/ 44:38 ► BEST SOLO DEV - Gigasword: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1885930/GIGASWORD/ 48:1o ► Voidsayer: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2754370/Voidsayer/ 51:00 ► GUG: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2824790/GUG/ 1:00:40 ► LUSTRA: Lachea's Tale: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3301430/LUSTRA_Lacheas_Tale/ 1:06:16 ► BEST BOOMER SHOOTER, BEST HUMANS - CYBRLICH and the Death Cult of Labor: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3336070/CYBRLICH_and_the_Death_Cult_of_Labor/ 1:11:28 ► STORY TIME - Crimson Desert: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3321460/Crimson_Desert/