Square Glade Games Presents 'Outbound' Fully Funded on Kickstarter Set for 2026 Release!

Description

#Outbound @SquareGlade is an open-world exploration game set in a utopian near future. Start with an empty camper van and turn it into the home of your dreams - alone or together with your friends. Build and explore at your own pace. Scavenge materials, craft, and build in and on top of your vehicle with modular parts. Advance in technology and efficiently use energy to power your home. Adjust your playstyle to adapt to new landscapes and changing environmental conditions.

https://youtu.be/fPzn25oTw2c

Features

Source Energy - Power your electric camper van with energy from the sun, wind, or water.

Build - Build your moving base with a modular building system. Customize your vehicle with paint, decorations, and furniture to create your own perfect cozy place.

Craft - Craft workstations and tools from resources provided by Mother Nature. Research advanced technology to refine and combine them into new materials.

Grow - Create gardens to nurture delicate and delicious plants and mushrooms. Eat them raw or cook delicious meals to refill your needs.

Play together - Explore a colorful open world with a variety of biomes, resources, and secrets, together with your friends. Play Outbound alone or with up to 4 players cooperatively.

Game Information

Title	Outbound
Developer	Square Glade Games
Publisher	Square Glade Games
Genre	Cozy Open World Crafting-Exploration Game
Platforms	Windows, Xbox S/X, other consoles
Stores	Steam, Xbox
Alpha launch	April 2025
Planned Release	H1 2026

Road Map

About the Developer

Square Glade Games is a small independent game studio co-founded by two developers: Tobi and Marc. The team is based in the Netherlands.

Tobi started the journey of developing his first commercial game, Above Snakes in 2021 as a solo project. Marc joined the team in 2022 and, together, they formed Square Glade Games. Above Snakes is their debut title and it sold more than 60.000 copies within six months.

After Above Snakes has been released, the studio has been building various game prototypes. One of those prototypes was Outbound, which has been further developed by the team for a couple of months. The game was revealed to the public in February 2024. Square Glade Games ran another successful Kickstarter campaign for Outbound in 2024 which raised over 250.000€. Outbound is under the top 50 most-wishlisted games on Steam and is set to come out in the first half of 2026.

For more information you can contact them via their official website, X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and join their Discord. Don't forget to wishlist it on Steam!

 

Article by: Valerie

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Open-World Detective Thriller Receiving a Free Remaster for Existing Owners

31 March 2025 - Kyiv, Ukraine | Today, Frogwares as part of their Kickstarter campaign for The Sinking City 2 has revealed the official remaster of original game, The Sinking City, their Lovecraftian-inspired open-world detective thriller.

THE SINKING CITY 2 KICKSTARTER ONGOING AND SMASHING IT

Frogwares is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for The Sinking City 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the original game. The team’s initial funding goal of 100,000 EUR was reached in less than two hours, and the campaign is now 400% above its target. 

Now, with the final days of the campaign, they are looking to meet some of their remaining stretch goals. 

Kickstarter Page:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frogwares/the-sinking-city-2

THE SINKING CITY REMASTER

Originally released in June 2019 and developed on Unreal Engine 4, the upcoming remaster is being built in Unreal Engine 5 and promises an upgraded visual experience alongside some requested quality-of-life features. The core additions to the remaster include:

• Game fully relit in Unreal Engine 5
• Enhanced locations with additional levels of detail and objects
• 4K textures and improved reflections
• Addition of a Photo Mode
• Support for DLSS, FSR and TSR upscaling

A series of screenshots showing the game now running on Unreal 5 have been released alongside some comparison images from the original. Official gameplay will be shown off soon.

The remaster will be available for free to all existing owners of The Sinking City on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms.

A series of screenshots showing the game now running on Unreal 5 have been released alongside some comparison images from the original. Official gameplay will be shown off soon as well as news on the official release date. 

LEND YOUR VOICE TO THE OLD GODS

Frogwares has also launched an initiative that gives anyone the chance to have their voice included in The Sinking City 2, along with their name in the credits. Their voice will be part of a choir chanting praises to one of the Eldritch gods of time, Yog-Sothoth, featured in the game.

To participate, simply submit a voice recording of yourself saying “YES” in any way you choose - a whisper, growl, shout, or anything else - fill out a quick form, and submit your file here: https://tally.so/r/wQOPMY.

100 randomly selected entries will be picked, and one lucky random submission will also win a free copy of The Sinking City 2 Collector's Edition, which is normally only available in a limited amount to Kickstarter backers.

Article by: Susan N.

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Decorate Competitive Venues with Style in Sports Renovations Today!

Montpellier, France – March 27, 2025. Polish indie developer Goat Gamez and French independent publisher Dear Villagers are excited to announce that Sports: Renovations is available now on Steam at a price of $24,99 with a launch discount of 20% during the first 2 weeks. Players can now get their hands on this relaxing simulator and put their renovation skills and gear to the test as they tidy, clean, repaint and repair old sports venues to ultimately save their local basketball club, which they have to restore completely in Sports: Renovations. 

Players will rebuild the glory of old gyms, courts, and pitches, access to a wide range of tools and equipment, and upgrade them during their journey across venues filled with memories and souvenirs tied to the glory of former champions or full of hopes for future generations of athletes, in a wholesome storyline. 

Along with the Goat Gamez team, Dear Villagers has also made the decision to delay the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Sports: Renovations at a later date in order to make sure players can play to the best version possible on consoles. They will let players know about the new release date for the console versions when they are confident that the game can be experienced with the same level of enjoyment as on PC.

MAIN FEATURES

• Renovate dilapidated sports facilities;
• Immerse yourself in a wholesome storyline and complete side quests;
• Buy new tools and upgrade the equipment you already own;
• Earn money for your renovation jobs and use it to expand your base of operations – each room unlocked will add some perks;
• Buy cosmetic items you can place around your office;
• Collect memorabilia in your Trophy Showcase and discover the history of sports.

Use the money you earn to upgrade your equipment and expand your headquarters – each unlocked room comes with its own perks, advantages and sometimes with a little side quest.

Along with the hard work they will perform, players will have to put on their interior designer hat as they will buy and place items around several work sites and their own base of operation: a derelict basketball court in their hometown. Collect trash, clean up the dirt from walls and floors, give the place a fresh coat of paint, fix broken fixtures, furnish and decorate the place. Remember to take a photo before and after to prove how good a job you did!

About Goat Gamez

Goat Gamez SA is a video game developer and producer founded by Movie Games and Robert Lewandowski. The company focuses on creating sports-themed games, which it approaches in an unconventional way: Goat Gamez games focus on sports emotions shown from an unusual perspective, including from behind the scenes.

About Dear Villagers

Based in the South of France, in sunny Montpellier, we are a boutique publishing label composed of a team of twenty people. Open-minded and versatile, Dear Villagers offers handcrafted marketing and production guidance. Our mission: We tell memorable stories through memorable games. We love pixels, but we believe in people.

Article by: Susan N.

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Mech-Themed Tactical Roguelike StarVaders Coming to Steam April 30th!

MONTREAL, Quebec – March. 27, 2025 – Independent developer Pengonauts and publisher Joystick Ventures are proud to announce that, after more than 3 years in development and having garnered more than 55.000 wishlists, the mech-themed tactical roguelike deckbuilder StarVaders will launch this April 30 on Steam at a price of US$ 24.99, with a 10% off during the first 2 weeks after release.. StarVaders brings a card game where you pilot a mech to protect the future of humanity from alien invaders using tactical grid-based combat. Easy-to-learn but hard to master, by combining the spatial intuitiveness of grid-based tactics with the deep synergies and theorycrafting of deckbuilding games, StarVaders aims to present a uniquely elegant experience to both casual players and dedicated fans of the genre.

“It's always great watching someone play the game and discover a new combo I didn't even realize and then pretend it was all planned. I’m looking forward to seeing what players come up with when they put their hands on the release version and see all the cool stuff we added.” -  Eddie Cai a.k.a. axolotl, Lead Designer.

In StarVaders, the world depends on your deckbuilding and tactical skills, select your favorite among 10 pilots and jump into one of the 3 unique mechs available to fight alien invaders. Strategize, prepare crazy combos, and even use the rewind time feature with the chrono tokens to reverse the key mistakes, and keep your mission on track.

Main Features:

• 3 Mechs with completely distinct mechanics;
• 10 Pilots with unique playstyles and their own stories;
• 268 Cards to craft your deck with;
• 153 Artifacts that change the rules of the game;
• 10 Packs that are randomly added to the card pool to keep runs fresh;
• 9 Bosses that will test your limits;
• 50 Invaders each with their own abilities;
• Story Campaign & Secret Finale;
• Ascending Difficulties each with new gameplay mechanics;
• Challenge Run & Daily Run game modes.

Each mech and its dedicated pilots offer unique synergies that modify the gameplay. Command the Gunner Mecha’s board-clearing firepower with Roxy, Noel, or Zeke, take control of the ninja-like Stinger Mecha with pilots Shun, Hali or Kaia, or unleash the spell-wielding powers of the Keeper controlled by Iris, Xenn, Garu or Sura. Enhance your mech's power with over 400 unlockable cards, artifacts, and upgrades, forming fresh strategies on the fly to face new alien enemies and monstrous bosses.

For more intercepted transmissions about StarVaders, check out Pengonauts’s official website and follow @starvaders_game on X and on BlueSky, also follow the publisher @JoystickVenture on social media.

About Pengonauts

Pengonauts (formerly StarVaders Studio) is a Montreal-based three-person team delivering unique, fun, and memorable titles to share with the gaming community. StarVaders is their first commercial title and passion project. Find more about Pengonauts at https://pengonauts.com

About Joystick Ventures

Joystick Ventures is a California-based investing and publishing company whose main goal is to encourage indie developers to stay honest and promote experimentation to push the limits of game design across all genres, styles, and geographies. They are most known for their 2022 release, Lost in Play, which has sold more than 200,000 copies.

Article by: Susan N.

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Indie Comics Inspired Game 'Wednesdays' Available on PC, Mac, and itch

Paris, March 26th 2025 | ARTE, The Pixel Hunt and Pierre Corbinais announce that Wednesdays, a real-life game combining storytelling and management, is now available on PC and Mac via Steam and itch.io. The demo is available for free here.

In the form of an interactive visual novel strip and a memory trail supported by a bright narrative, Wednesdays aims to encourage players to question and understand for themselves the complexity of the subject and the situation of victims of sexual violence.

Through the fragmented memories of a victim, Tim, this real-life game combines storytelling and the management of a theme park to raise awareness and help make amends with kindness and optimism.

A fragmented, choral narrative

Players take on the role of the victim's family and friends through 17 vignettes, as they delve into fragmented memories and unravel memories. Florent Maurin, President of The Pixel Hunt, explains:

“Each memory is an opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of someone close to you: a friend, a girlfriend, a schoolteacher... We're not playing Tim or his abuser, but the people 'around' him, of which we're all a part.”

 

A journey between comics and video games

Wednesdays features two graphic styles that are deliberately poles apart, yet share the same clean lines.

Memories come to life thanks to comics writer Exaheva (Mekka Nikki, Still Heroes): “Having already experimented a lot with interactive comics, I was able to think about a hybrid form between what I'd done previously and a more classic visual novel. The art direction had to evoke an intimate comic strip, both through the colors, but also through the framing approach, adapted according to the vignette. I tried to have a similar approach to my work in comics, with different staging for each memory.”

 

Nico Nowak (There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension) designed the theme park, the gateway to Tim's memories: “The theme park acts as a link between the various scenes and stages of the story. Within this universe, the game exists, and the character played it as a child. It had to be realistic and familiar, like a real game from the 90s, but also consistent with the vignettes created by Exaheva. I therefore chose to work with two dominant colors, as in the rest of the game. This imaginary park is very nostalgic, both within the story and for the player”, she says.

“The hardest part is not to speak up. It’s being heard.”

Beyond its clever gameplay and original art direction, Wednesdays is also a game that has given many of its developers the opportunity to make their voices heard, not only as video game artists and creators, but also as victims for some of them. Pierre Corbinais, the author, adds: “I don't have many answers to give on the subject of child sexual abuse, but I hope I succeed in raising a lot of questions.”

Wednesdays is available on PC/Mac via Steam and itch.io. The Itch.io version includes an exclusive artbook based on the game's artistic creation process.

Not recommended for players under 18, the game contains no scenes of sexual assault, and content warnings are available for each memory you explore, and each can be viewed in summary form.

 

MAIN FEATURES OF THE GAME:

• The player discovers the intimate story of Tim and those around him. Through 17 narrative vignettes, he embodies some fifteen characters from different eras and family backgrounds including his mother, his father, his grandmother, his grandfather, his teacher, his childhood friends, his high school sweetheart, his ex-girlfriend…
• With its handmade visuals and indie-comics-inspired style, Wednesdays leads players to question the consequences of domestic sexual violence and sexual abuse in an authentic, enlightening story.
• The player manages his theme park to unlock more than 17 memories. In these colorful pixel-art sequences, the player can take a break to relax between vignettes and step back from the story of the characters and the bonds that unite them.
• Wednesdays is designed to be accessible: the game requires no special skills or knowledge of video games. Customizable accessibility settings (visuals and controls) allow all types of players.

© ARTE France, The Pixel Hunt, Pierre Corbinais, 2025

About ARTE

European public cultural media, ARTE’s mission is to bring Europeans closer together through culture. Its rich and diverse editorial line-up (cinema, series, documentaries, news, digital creation and video games, podcasts...) contributes to nurturing a democratic space and a European vision. For more than ten years, ARTE has been co-producing and publishing independent video games such as Type:Rider, Homo Machina, Vectronom, Inua, Bury Me My Love, 30 Birds and Looking for Fael, which have won awards at some of the biggest international festivals. More information on the official website, the X page and the Bluesky of Arte Interactive.  

About The Pixel Hunt

The Pixel Hunt is a studio that designs and produces reality-inspired games, pieces at the intersection between journalism, documentary and video games. Their productions aim to be as distinctive in their artistic direction as they are in their storytelling. For further information: https://www.thepixelhunt.com/fr/.

About Pierre Corbinais

Author and former journalist, Pierre Corbinais is renowned for his work on numerous video games. In addition to his work with The Pixel Hunt, Pierre Corbinais is known as the narrative designer of Haven (The Game Bakers) and the translator of the French version of Road 96 (Digixart). Through Wednesdays, he lends his delicate writing to this tale, to raise the subject of incest and intra-family sexual abuse in an authentic way. For further information: https://pierrecorbinais.com/fr/.  

About Exaheva

Exaheva, a comic book artist, illustrates the narrative vignettes in Wednesdays. Her style, which is somewhere between comics and manga, gives an authentic and delicate treatment of the still-too-taboo subject of sexual abuse against and between minors. For further information: https://linktr.ee/exaheva 

About Nico Nowak

Talented pixel-artist, Nico Nowak deploys her unique know-how in Wednesdays by creating the visuals of Orco Park. After working on successful projects such as There is no Game: Wrong Dimension, Nico applies her artistic flair to help make Wednesdays a game of hope.

Article by: Susan N.

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Star Overdrive Releases on Nintendo Switch April 10th!

Montpellier, France – March 27, 2025. Italian Independent developer Caracal Games and publisher Dear Villagers are proud to reveal their last gameplay teaser before the full release of Star Overdrive (trailer, store, press kit), exclusively on Nintendo Switch, this April 10th, to celebrate their participation in today’s Nintendo Direct. In celebration for being part of this event, the Caracal Games team wants to share a few words:

“As lifelong fans of Nintendo, we are thrilled to have had the chance to collaborate with them to bring our game to their platform, it's a dream come true!” said Tommaso Bonanni, CEO of Caracal Games.

“We can't thank them enough for their continued support and the opportunity to share our passion with fellow Nintendo players!”

Alongside the gameplay teasers, the Caracal Games team also recorded a demo walkthrough video, to share insights and stories about the development behind Star Overdrive as they showcase the first hours of the game.

Watch Tommaso Bonanni, CEO of Caracal Games and Diego Ricchiuti, Game Designer, play the Star Overdrive demo here.

Players will have the opportunity to discover the first hour of content in Star Overdrive, during which they will get a glimpse of the story and be challenged by puzzles and combat while free-riding on their hoverboard in the tutorial zone of a vast alien world.

Players can already pre-purchase the game to enjoy pre-order only content at launch, on April 10th, 2025, as well as a 10% discount, the full price of the game will be $34,99, and the Deluxe Edition at $39,99 which includes 3 styles, 1 design and 50 dyes for the Hoverboard, as well as the digital Original Soundtrack and the digital Manga written and drawn by the Caracal Games team, narrating a prequel story to the Star Overdrive main story.

KEY FEATURES

• Hoverboard Navigation and Racing: Speed through vast landscapes, perform incredible tricks, and gain the edge in intense combat.
• Emergent Physics-Based Gameplay: Unleash and combine powers to battle enemies, bend the laws of physics, and solve intricate puzzles.
• Mysterious and Diverse Alien World: Journey through four uniquely distinct biomes, each brimming with challenges and secrets to uncover.
• Epic Battles Against Creatures of All Sizes: Engage with unique creatures, from small-scale rivals to towering bosses, each requiring strategy and skill to overcome.

Follow Star Overdrive on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/star_overdrive/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@star_overdrive
• https://x.com/star_overdrive
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560770525416
• https://www.youtube.com/@star_overdrive
• Website: https://staroverdrive.com/

Follow Caracal Games on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/star_overdrive_dev/
• https://bsky.app/profile/caracalgames.bsky.social
• https://x.com/CaracalGames

About Caracal Games

Caracal Games is an independent game development studio based in Rome, Italy, recognized for its dedication to crafting unique and engaging experiences. The studio began as a small three-person team and steadily grew to a family of ten through the development of titles like Downward in 2017 and OkunoKA in 2018, which laid the foundation for future projects. In 2023, they continued to push boundaries with 2021: Moon Escape, bringing a fresh perspective to retro gaming. The team also collaborates with major publishers, optimizing and porting titles such as Martha is Dead and Blanc for the Nintendo Switch. Awarded the IVGA Best Italian Indie Studio in 2017, Caracal continues to evolve, driven by seasoned developers from both AA and AAA backgrounds.

About Dear Villagers

Based in the South of France, in sunny Montpellier, we are a boutique publishing label composed of a team of twenty people. Open-minded and versatile, Dear Villagers offers handcrafted marketing and production guidance. Our mission: We tell memorable stories through memorable games. We love pixels, but we believe in people.

Article by: Susan N.

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Memorable Music in Gaming #63

Today’s theme is rather unique. We’ll be looking at five famous tracks that sample “Is That the Door?” by Zero-G Ltd, from their album “Cuckooland - Ghost in the Machine”.

(Note: I’ve already talked about “Radio” (one of the two most well-known examples) from Half-Life 2 in MM #57. Be sure to read that, too.)

Sampling is when a musician lifts a segment from another song and works it into their own composition, either untouched or heavily altered. Companies like Zero-G Ltd specialize in sound libraries—pre-recorded sound effects and music loops that anyone can use.

Max Payne | PC | Max’s Nightmare

The original two Max Payne games were something else, weren’t they? Easily the best IP to emerge in The Matrix's immediate aftermath, the first Max Payne is unmatched in its gritty realism, heavy cynicism, and top-tier production.

The nightmare section? Just that—an absolute nightmare. It’s one of the most cerebrally depressing and nerve-wracking sequences ever put into a video game. The repetitive, thumping notes in the background do nothing to ease the discomfort of this sequence.

Max Payne - Max's Nightmare

Lands of Lore III | PC | Die Unterwelt

I’ve played quite a few Westwood Studios games—Blade Runner and C&C: Tiberian Sun immediately come to mind. I’m not too familiar with their Lands of Lore series, but one thing’s for sure: their soundtrack is fire.

Die Unterwelt (German: "The Underworld") is a fantastic fusion of sci-fi and high-fantasy soundscapes. Think DOOM meets Lord of the Rings, and you’re on the right track.

Lands of Lore 3 Soundtrack - Die Unterwelt

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories | PSP | Ice

What happens when an already foreboding piece of music lands in the majestic hands of Akira Yamaoka? You get an absolute masterpiece, that’s what.

You know the phrase, "If you’re going through hell, keep going"? I imagine this is what plays at the end of that ordeal.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories [Music] - Ice

Vanishing Point | PS1 | Peregone

Oh, I’m no stranger to racing games surprising you with their music. I learned it a long time ago when I heard Joyrider by Jug, which I’ve talked about all the way back in MM #27.

Frankly, this one’s a personal favorite. I love how it shifts from a haunting melody to a full-blown club rave beat. Whoever thought this transition was fitting for a racing game must’ve been in… an interesting state of mind, to say the least.

Vanishing Point (2001) Soundtrack #4 - Peregone

Postal | PC | Central Park

I have no plans to ever play any of the Postal games. There are some pieces of media I can live without, thank you very much.

That said, Central Park is perhaps the most well-known example of this sample in gaming circles, so it would’ve been remiss of me not to include it here.

POSTAL Redux OST - Central Park

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Path of Fury Episode 1: Tetsuo's Tower Implements bHaptics Support to the Game!

March 26, 2025 | Independent developer Leonard Menchiari, Director of Trek to Yomi, and publisher Abonico Game Works are happy to announce that their on-rails VR Kung-fu arcade thriller Path of Fury: Episode I - Tetsuo’s Tower is implementing full bHaptics support for their Vest, Arms and Visor devices. These haptic devices enhance VR experiences by giving users a physical feeling of their surroundings. The suit is equipped with vibro-tactile motors, which deliver tactile feedback, allowing users to engage with the virtual world on a deeper level.

"The implementation of the bHaptics feature really does add a lot, we collaborated directly with the bHaptics team to ensure that the effects were a perfect blend between realistic and satisfyingly responsive, and I think it turned out great." - Leonard Menchiari (Game Director)

Additionally there are 2 new competitive challenges that the Path of Fury community can join. The first one is based on who gets the highest kill count in any of the the arena endless stages of the game, it offers 350 USD in prizes and ends on April 20 (registration form), and also another competition called Project Zenith in partnership with the VR short video sharing platform Rival, with 2500 USD in prizes and ends on April 27.

Path of Fury: Episode I - Tetsuo's Tower is available at a price of 8.99 EUR | 9.99 USD on the Meta Quest Store and it is supported by Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro devices.

Step into the fight of your life.   

Immerse yourself in a gritty VR experience where your fists are your only weapons, and your will to survive is your greatest ally. Inspired by the legendary Kowloon Walled City and 90s Kung Fu action movies, this towering dystopia is packed with fast-paced martial arts combat, environmental storytelling, and the relentless challenge of ascending Tetsuo’s fortress-like tower.

David vs. Goliath

You’re the underdog with nothing left to lose, taking on a corrupt system built to crush the weak. Every level you climb brings new enemies, faster moves, and a chance to master the martial arts principles of precision, speed, and resilience. Path of Fury is more than a game—it's a training ground for courage and determination.

Why Play Path of Fury?

Wing Chun-Inspired Combat: Fight like a true martial artist, honing skills that can even apply to the real world.

Intense VR Immersion: Feel every hit, block, and dodge in a world that pulls you in and won’t let go.

A Tower to Conquer: Each level tells a story, packed with challenges that push your mind and reflexes to the edge.

GAME FEATURES

• Experience the essence of Kung Fu. The goal is to deliver the most powerful strikes and achieve quicker knockouts with the least effort possible, players will feel the progression after playing more and more sessions.
• Linear experience but feels different each time. With a strong backstory, the game is designed to be very straightforward and to still surprise the player with new details and progression elements each time they play.
• Essential training tool component. Patience pays off. Every enemy has a weakness that can be exploited, so the more you practice, the faster you’ll beat them.
• The combat is in the sweet spot between authenticity and accessibility, designed with everyone in mind, with a focus on striking, while rewarding resistance precision and speed instead, just like in Kung-Fu.

The Lore Behind Path of Fury - Meet Tetsuo

Tetsuo is the man governing this quarter. Here, the outskirts are where he gets the money, mainly from the nightclubs, where he sells the products he bakes to feed the city. The streets outside the tower are pure chaos: gangs fighting for territory, thugs scraping by, and a police force too corrupt or powerless to restore order. Under the tower is where people live, underground, where Yakuza members keep peace and order among the addicts and gang members. Inside the tower is where the products are made, so that the higher floors can enjoy their parties and have fun while at the very top Tetsuo's men train all day and night to become the most powerful martial artists in the world, placed there to protect him from anyone who wants to tear his empire down. Here is where Tetsuo resides, watching over the world he's built, safe from anything that could get in his way. Until now, perhaps.

Useful Links:

• Meta Quest Store page
• Official website
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• Tiktok
• Instagram
• Official Discord Server

About Leonard Menchiari

Leonard Menchiari, is a game developer who started his career in 2010 in the audiovisual production field with short films like Half Life’s Singularity Collapse, he worked with Valve in 2011-2012. He directed the real world events based crowd-control tactical game RIOT Civil Unrest in 2016, then the platformer adventure The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] in 2019, and the cinematic Samurai combat-centered adventure Trek to Yomi in 2022.

About Abonico Game Works 

ABONICO GAME WORKS is a new independent game publisher founded by the marketing and business consultant Jesús Fabre in 2024, with a particular focus in small to medium-sized, arcade and retro-inspired games. We are committed to delivering the old good fun experiences to PC, consoles, and VR platforms. We have a team of experienced senior professionals that really care about the games we publish.

Article by: Susan N.

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50 Great Videogame Covers / Box Art - Gaming Thoughts

Long ago, in the distant pre-Covid age of 2016, I wrote an article on my Top 10 Beautiful Video Game Covers. In it, I rambled about how beauty is in the eye of the beholder—one person’s masterpiece might be another’s head-scratcher.

This time around I increased the number to 50 and set a few ground rules for myself. I deliberately excluded the usual suspects—WipeOut, Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Okami—as well as some heavy-hitting franchises like Final Fantasy & Metal Gear Solid. As stunning as their covers are, they’ve been discussed to death. I have nothing original to add, nor do I wish to churn out yet another list identical to a dozen others on the Internet.

Instead, I want to highlight some lesser-known gems—often regional variants that, for whatever reason, didn’t get much attention. This is an unranked list based on personal taste, so let’s keep it civil in the comments.

All images courtesy of MobyGames.com

Resident Evil / Biohazard

Platform: PS1 // Region: NTSC

Resident Evil cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

If Resident Evil sounds better, Biohazard looks better. Any cover using the latter name instantly becomes my favorite.

This cover works because it’s deceptively simple yet deeply intriguing. The way the drop of blood actually interacts with the eye is a subtle but effective touch—making it very clear that this game is not a safe space.

Resident Evil 4

Platform: PC // Region: PAL

https://www.mobygames.com/game/16373/resident-evil-4/cover/group-31702/cover-85381/ 

https://www.mobygames.com/game/52872/resident-evil-4/cover/group-20236/cover-49347/ 

The Resident Evil series has a long history of varied covers—I’m still finding alternate versions of older titles even in 2025.

The NTSC covers of RE4? They’re… fine. Leon S. Kennedy in a mid-action pose. Nothing original.

But the PAL covers? That’s where it gets interesting. I call these the “forest” and “woods” variants.

The Woods cover is starkly violent—the infamous Chainsaw Man is front and center, ominous and unrelenting. The Forest cover is more subdued, but the ominous red/black combo still oozes tension.

Both are perfect for a series inspired by B-movies and 50s/60s zombie flicks. They capture a vintage horror aesthetic that I love.

Ultima: Blackgate

Platform: DOS // Region: NTSC

Ultima VII: The Black Gate cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

This may look like a joke entry, but I assure you—it’s not.

Most Ultima games have solid covers (The False Prophet, Serpent Isle, Labyrinth of Worlds), but Black Gate? It’s next-level.

Why? Raw, unapologetic confidence. By this point, Ultima was already one of the biggest names in gaming. They didn’t need flashy art.

If Metallica and The Beatles could pull off a minimalist album cover, why couldn’t a video game?

Another World

Platform: // Region: PAL

https://www.mobygames.com/game/564/out-of-this-world/cover/group-15249/cover-136753/ 

Almost every variant of this cover features a different logo typography, but this particular one feels much more complete to me. Its logo is as alien-esque as the wonderful painting itself.

One thing I've observed—but never received any confirmation for—is that Lester’s open-armed stance and the light in the distance seem to mirror each other. Is there any significance to that?

Gran Turismo

Platform: PS1 // Region: NTSC & PAL

Gran Turismo cover or packaging material - MobyGames

https://www.mobygames.com/game/3909/gran-turismo/cover/group-25405/cover-65056/ 

One of the rare instances where I prefer the NTSC cover over the PAL one.

The NTSC cover is confident, mysterious, and subtly hints at the unconventional direction the series takes. Remember, this is a racing franchise that chooses jazz and lounge music when others go for electronic and rock.

The PAL cover is equally fantastic—a close-up of a tire with the logo embedded into it. A simple but powerful way of saying: This game does one thing better than anyone else—and we take pride in it.

Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec

Platform: PS2 // Region: PAL

Gran Turismo 3: A-spec cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Gran Turismo 3: A-spec cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

I’m torn on this one.

The NTSC cover is stunning—the cool blue tint and the way they turn the logo into a car badge is such a clean touch. It gives off a calm, inviting vibe.

The PAL cover, though? Entirely different story. It’s sharp, high-contrast, and features a car’s headlight bathed in sporty red. This one doesn’t say Sunday driving simulator.

Both are great, but if I had to pick one? The red version takes it.

Gran Turismo 4

Platform: PS2 // Region: Worldwide

Gran Turismo 4 cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

There are two types of people in this world:

1. Those who immediately recognize the beauty of a Ford GT40 and smile at this cover.

2. Those who learned to appreciate the beauty of the Ford GT40 because of this cover.

Either way, this is a sleek, perfect composition. I wish more racing games had this level of confidence in their cover art.

Madworld

Platform: Wii // Region: Worldwide

MadWorld cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Do you know why I love PlatinumGames? Because they unapologetically prioritize style over substance, and I adore them for it.

Honestly, they might be the only game company I’d seriously love to work for.

I was going to write about No More Heroes, but that game already gets plenty of attention. So I swapped it out for MadWorld—which, if you’re into highly stylized aesthetics like Sin City or Hellboy, is an absolute banger of a cover.

Cannon Fodder

Platform: Amiga // Region: PAL

Cannon Fodder cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

This one is iconic, so I won’t elaborate much.

However, I do remember reading a comment—years ago—about how the cover contains a series of cleverly hidden middle fingers. Maybe it was just self-imposed pareidolia, but a friend swore he spotted a few. I, too, vaguely made out at least one.

But looking at it now? I was grossly mistaken. Either the comment was about another game, or my brain was playing tricks on me.

Ecco the Dolphin

Platform: Genesis & Mega Drive // Region: PAL & NTSC

https://www.mobygames.com/game/6677/ecco-the-dolphin/cover/group-12449/cover-30671/ 

Ecco the Dolphin cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Movies aren’t the only medium where every frame can be a painting—video games qualify too. The original Ecco the Dolphin certainly does. Its audio-visual fidelity is quintessential seapunk.

The Sega Genesis cover is the closest I’ve come to experiencing the Mandela effect. Thanks to its airbrush style and grid paper pattern, I was convinced I had seen this artwork on a coil notebook as a kid.

It wasn’t until my early 20s, when I got into vaporwave, that I learned Ecco was a video game series—and that maybe, just maybe, I had never actually seen this art on a notebook at all.

The Mega Drive cover? Just as picturesque.

God Hand

Platform: PS2 // Region: NTSC

God Hand cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

For the longest time, I only knew about the NA cover, which features a heavily tattooed arm punching another tattooed person. I assumed this was the definitive cover for the game.

Then I saw the Japanese cover. Stylish, aggressive, and bursting with kinetic energy. Are we seeing the punch being charged up? Or is it already mid-air? No matter how you interpret it, this visual perfectly matches the game’s equally absurd title.

Grand Theft Auto

Platform: PC // Region: PAL

Grand Theft Auto cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Show of hands—how many of you knew about this? Long before Grand Theft Auto adopted its iconic disjointed panel design, the original game did something quite similar.

The NTSC cover, featuring a fisheye photograph of Trump Tower, is serviceable, but the PAL cover just nails the tone. The use of real photos combined with a vintage two-tone treatment makes it feel almost like a documentary. Even the title—written in full with ellipses and quotation marks—adds to the effect.

If you hear John Larroquette's Texas Chainsaw Massacre narration in your head while reading it, the cover has done its job.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Platform: NES // Region: NTSC

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Before Zelda covers became gorgeous, somewhere around the mid-’90s, Nintendo had a habit of giving its older titles the beige treatment.

I think this color is underrated. When used right, it’s warm, inviting—have you ever wondered why your favorite mocha café feels so cozy?

Here, the ruby-adorned Magical Sword set against a beige background gives it an aura of quiet dignity.

Perfect Dark

Platform: N64 // Region: NTSC

https://ia802804.us.archive.org/21/items/PerfectDark.cover/Perfect%20Dark.cover.jpg 

The North American box art is iconic—a close-up of Joanna Dark, her face shrouded in dramatic lighting, setting the perfect action-espionage tone. It does its job well.

For years, I had no idea a Japan-exclusive version existed. This one is completely different—moody, subdued, with Joanna Dark reclining on a sofa. The cool composition and red color palette give it an entirely different, neo-noir energy. Love it.

Test Drive

Platform: DOS // Region: Worldwide

Test Drive cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Ask any gearhead—seeing a lineup of legendary supercars is always a beautiful sight. Stack them vertically, bathe them in a striking red negative, and suddenly, you have something worthy of framing on your wall.

From top to bottom:

1987 Lamborghini Countach

1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo

1987 Chevrolet Corvette C4

1987 Porsche 911 Turbo

1987 Ferrari Testarossa

The Duel: Test Drive II

Platform: DOS // Region: NTSC

The Duel: Test Drive II cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

By its very nature, racing is a duel between opponents. So it only makes sense that racing games should depict two or more cars in aggressive competition—usually from a low angle or head-on perspective.

The Duel takes a different approach, showing an aerial view of a blazing Ferrari F40 and a Porsche 959. Instant classic.

Test Drive III: The Passion

Platform: DOS // Region: Worldwide

Test Drive III: The Passion cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

The third and final of the truly great Test Drive covers.

Anyone who understands marketing knows that the best way to convey the passion for driving isn’t through the machine—it’s through the human element.

This cover gets it. The sunset color grading. The effortless swagger of the driver. The sense of speed.

Even the light script typography convinces you it’s finally time to get a convertible and let ‘er rip.

Daikatana

Platform: PC // Region: Worldwide

https://www.mobygames.com/game/1678/john-romeros-daikatana/cover/group-19313/cover-46975/ 

When Marvin Gaye sang about “death, taxes, and trouble” being life’s only certainties, he clearly forgot to consult a graphic designer. There are actually two more: red/black and yellow/black color combos. Even the most basic designer can use these to turn something ordinary into something striking.

I love how this cover neatly arranges its text in a bento-box layout. It’s structured, clean, and visually engaging.

SSX On Tour

Platform: PS2 // Region: Worldwide

SSX on Tour cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Unlike the other entries, this one goes for a doodle-heavy, hand-drawn aesthetic.

Honestly? Smart move. Slam books and personalized Hi5 / MySpace pages were still a thing back then, so this fit right in.

Out of all the covers in this list, this one brings the most nostalgia. You were good, EA Sports Big. You will be missed.

Driver

Platform: PS1 // Region: PAL

Driver cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Driver was too ahead of its time. It was also too difficult—both for its time and any time.

The art direction still holds up today. It carries a distinct flavor of ‘90s edginess and soul of ‘60s and ‘70s car movies. If you’ve seen the likes of Bullitt and French Connection, you know what I’m talking about.

This cover is minimal and timeless—the kind of design that only works for something generically titled.

The Dig

Platform: DOS // Region: Worldwide

The Dig cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

The Dig often gets overshadowed when discussing LucasArts adventure games, which is unfair. It’s a visually stunning experience with a heavy emphasis on exploration and mystery—three elements the cover art captures perfectly.

Future Wars: Adventures in Time

Platform: DOS // Region: PAL

Future Wars: Adventures in Time cover or packaging material - MobyGames

Instantly striking. The dripping paint acting as a portal to outer space is peak aesthetic. This cover satisfies me to no end. The uncommon low-angle perspective and beautiful airbrush style really make it a lovely piece of art.

Myst

Platform: PC // Region: Worldwide

Myst cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

At once nostalgic and worthy of framing on your wall. The cover depicts an isometric bird’s-eye view of the Myst island—including a full look at the infuriating Channelwood Age tree.

I swear, if I’d properly examined the cover before my first playthrough, I wouldn’t have wasted 30 minutes trying to find it.

Heiankyo Alien

Platform: Game Boy // Region: NTSC

Heiankyo Alien cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

As far as Game Boy covers go, this one stands out—once you get past the initial confusion of realizing it’s a negative image of some alien-thing with arms sprouting from its forehead.

I just like it, okay?

American McGee’s Alice

Platform: PC // Region: Worldwide

American McGee's Alice cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Both Alice and its sequel, Madness Returns, are some of the most stylish and artistically chef’s kiss PC games ever made.

Game covers featuring in-game models tend to age poorly due to evolving technology. Yet, despite releasing in 2000, this cover still holds up. Why? Because brilliant art direction is timeless.

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2

Platform: PS2 // Region: NTSC

https://www.mobygames.com/game/5594/dave-mirra-freestyle-bmx-2/cover/group-1299/cover-174173/ 

Understated and clean. Unlike most extreme sports covers, which tend to be loud and aggressive, this one is refined. The ramp-style line art and list of tricks suggest an actual design philosophy rather than just throwing in a chaotic collage of “cool” things.

Limbo

Platform: PC // Region: Worldwide

Limbo cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Limbo’s art style—both in-game and on the cover—is deeply rooted in German Expressionism.

Even the jagged typography is a nod to the movement, bringing to mind Fritz Lang’s films—specifically M and Metropolis.

Ikaruga

Platform: Dreamcast // Region: NTSC

Ikaruga cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Ikaruga was developed as a spiritual successor to Radiant Silvergun—by then, a giant in the shmup genre. Naturally, it had a lot to live up to.

Like many titles on this list, Ikaruga has several regional cover variants, each adorned with distinct artwork by the incredibly talented Yasushi Suzuki.

Out of all of them, the NTSC Dreamcast cover is my personal favorite. Its dramatic, desaturated composition and warm color palette give it a feel of power.

Karous

Platform: Dreamcast // Region: NTSC

Karous cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Why do falling feathers - or wings for that matter - make for dreamlike, pretty imagery? SimAnt did it. Sine Mora does it, too. What gives?

Sine Mora

Platform: PC // Region: Worldwide

https://www.mobygames.com/game/94106/sine-mora-ex/cover/group-302188/cover-748312/ 

This one’s got it all: a serious-sounding Latin phrase, blood brush splatter, and falling feathers. One look at it, and you just know you’re in for a no-nonsense, stiff-upper-lip experience.

R-Type Final

Platform: PS2 // Region: PAL

R-Type Final cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Vehicle line-ups will never not be cool.

Not the biggest fan of the logo, but seeing some of the major R-Type ships lined up on a reflective floor against a stark white background? That does something nice to the good ol’ monkey brain.

Beneath a Steel Sky

Platform: DOS // Region: PAL

Beneath a Steel Sky cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Another example of stark confidence in design.

It’s simply the game’s logo set against a black background—but when the logo is this good, that’s all you need.

I gave it an equally minimalist animation, which was actually praised by Mr. Cecil himself.

Quarantine

Platform: DOS // Region: Worldwide

Quarantine cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

A perfect marriage of copywriting and design. This cover is a case study in why, when discussing video games as an art form, the cover art should be included in that discussion.

I even had a go at animating the cover.

Jet Grind Radio

Platform: Dreamcast // Region: NTSC

https://www.mobygames.com/game/4126/jet-grind-radio/cover/group-2652/cover-7146/ 

A good part of me wishes the Dreamcast had won the early-2000s console wars—because then, we’d see more covers like this.

Endearing. Pleasing. Full of life. A perfect encapsulation of Jet Grind Radio’s attitude, energy, and rebellion.

Hired Guns

Platform: DOS // Region: Worldwide

Hired Guns cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

How many game covers do you know that feature a first-person perspective?

This composition immediately pulls you in. Despite featuring four characters in-frame, it never feels cluttered—and the art style? Fantastic.

Silent Hill

Platform: PS1 // Region: NTSC

https://www.mobygames.com/game/3564/silent-hill/cover/group-299926/cover-743695/ 

The best Silent Hill cover ever.

It’s clearly a close-up of a bathroom tile wall—a supposedly safe and sterile space. But the smeared blood suggests that not even that is safe anymore.

Silent Hill 2

Platform: PS2 // Region: NTSC

Silent Hill 2 cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

This cover gives me the same sinister energy as The Red Ceiling, a famous William Eggleston photograph.

There’s something inexplicably terrifying about it—like some horror lurks just beyond the frame.

Patapon

Platform: PSP // Region: Worldwide

https://www.mobygames.com/game/33072/patapon/cover/group-49689/cover-133889/ 

Patapon 2 cover or packaging material - MobyGames

Patapon 3 cover or packaging material - MobyGames  

We’ve all collectively forgotten about Patapon, haven’t we?

It’s been ages since I’ve heard anyone gush about this series, so maybe showcasing all three excellent covers in this article can help make up for that.

Scurge: Hive

Platform: GBA // Region: NTSC

Scurge: Hive cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

The Game Boy Advance library never disappoints. This game is among the best on the handheld. The yellow/black color scheme is used to great effect here—it’s a fantastic cover.

Tactics Ogre

Platform: SNES // Region: NTSC

https://www.mobygames.com/game/8367/tactics-ogre/cover/group-22052/cover-54873/ 

Everything about this cover is majestic—the art style, the characters’ battle-ready composure, their costumes, the giant flag in the background, and that gold-plated logo at the bottom.

It’s no secret that Japanese cover art can be stunning, but this one takes the cake.

The Guardian Legend

Platform: SNES // Region: NTSC

The Guardian Legend cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

If Sarah Kerrigan from StarCraft got the Hajime Sorayama treatment, I imagine the result would look something like this.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Platform: PC // Region: NTSC

Need for Speed: Most Wanted cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

I’ve already written my thoughts on this cover in a previous article - Top 10 Beautiful Video Game Covers.

BioForge

Platform: DOS // Region: Worldwide

BioForge cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

I’ve already written my thoughts on this cover in a previous article - Top 10 Beautiful Video Game Covers.

Wasteland

Platform: DOS // Region: Worldwide

Wasteland cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

I’ve already written my thoughts on this cover in a previous article - Top 10 Beautiful Video Game Covers.

Unrest

Platform: PC // Region: Worldwide

https://www.mobygames.com/game/74307/unrest/cover/group-116957/cover-309637/ 

I’ve already written about this game - more specifically the logo - on my Top Video Game Logos Part 2.

Dune II: Battle for Arrakis

Platform: Amiga // Region: PAL

Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Foreboding. Very few covers grab your attention and curiosity as quickly as this one.

Elemental Gimmick Gear

Platform: Dreamcast // Region: NTSC

https://s.pacn.ws/1/p/u/elemental-gimmick-gear-e-g-g-15165.4.jpg?v=rt1iqh 

If you told me this was a panel from Berserk, I’d believe you.

Resistance 3

Platform: PS3 // Region: Worldwide

Resistance 3 cover or packaging material - MobyGames 

Instantly iconic. Nothing more to be said.

Snatcher

Platform: SP1 & MSX & Sega CD // Region: NTSC

Snatcher cover or packaging material - MobyGames

Snatcher cover or packaging material - MobyGames

Snatcher cover or packaging material - MobyGames

Even though this list is unranked, I saved my favorite two for last. These six covers are, to me, where flawless art direction and composition peaked. If anyone were to ask me now about my favorite cover of all time, I’d collectively rank these at the top spot.

Long before Kojima-san reinvented gaming with Metal Gear Solid, he made the equally cinematic and superb Snatcher. Basically a playable adult anime, Snatcher wears its inspirations on its trench-coat sleeves—namely Blade Runner.

MSX Cover: Pure neo-noir perfection. The golden glow on the lightly embossed logo looks like it was photographed inside Tyrell’s building during Blade Runner’s iconic sunset sequence.

PS1 Cover: A stunning watercolor-esque illustration. I love the blend of hard outlines and soft colors, not to mention the cinematic allusion to the poster of The Driver (1978, Walter Hill). Stylish and timeless.

Mega CD Cover: A bold cyberpunk statement. The artwork feels like a 007 gun barrel sequence, reimagined with a futuristic, neon-drenched aesthetic.

NiGHTS into Dreams...

Platform: Saturn // Region: Worldwide

NiGHTS into Dreams... cover or packaging material - MobyGames

https://www.mobygames.com/game/7437/nights-into-dreams/cover/group-7454/cover-169236/

https://www.mobygames.com/game/7437/nights-into-dreams/cover/group-35450/cover-96557/

Here we are—the final entry. These three NiGHTS into Dreams... covers are simply unmatched in their dreamlike quality.

For a game with such a surreal title, the artwork had to match its energy. Fortunately, the long-box covers deliver:

PAL Cover: NiGHTS strikes a Pied Piper-like pose against a starry, celestial backdrop.

NTSC Cover: A more futuristic take, with NiGHTS gliding through a sleek, airbrushed cityscape.

This is where the concept of dreamwave—a microgenre that embraces nostalgic, floaty subconscious imagery—comes into play. A joint album by vaporwave artists Luxury Elite and Saint Pepsi perfectly embodies this aesthetic, blending hazy synths with visuals reminiscent of Mac Tonight, McDonald’s surreal 80s/90s mascot.

Whenever I see these covers, my brain immediately starts playing Saint Pepsi’s Private Caller. Had it been up to me, NiGHTS—not Mac Tonight—would be the official mascot of dreamwave.

Then there’s the square jewel case cover, which takes a completely different approach. Instead of dreamy surrealism, it leans into pure 90s graphic design: bright colors, meticulously arranged elements, a clean layout—even the text aligns perfectly with the perspective of the key visual.

These covers hit all the right notes.

 

Article by: Hamza

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