We are here with a special one-month version of Indie Watch here at CGMagazine. May was packed full with great indies across various genres, and we found plenty to recommend just this month alone as we headed into Summer Game Fest Season.
Whether we were playing thrifty management sims like Thrifty Business, catching creatures in our off time in Kabuto Park or helping people give in to their caffeinated vices in Coffee Talk: Tokyo, there was an indie for everyone this month. We also found comfort in some heavily inspired indie games like Realm of Ink, and others that took a simple concept and made it satisfying to play like Handmancers.
Here are some of our favourite indies from May 2026 in Indie Watch: Must-See Indie Games!
Handmancers
Developer: 58BLADES
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Platforms: PC
Played by: Jordan Biordi
When I saw Handmancers, I was intrigued by the openness of its premise. A lot of indie games have battle mechanics that are essentially rock-paper-scissors—it’s part of the foundation of Fire Emblem, Monster Hunter Stories and even Pokémon to a certain degree. But I didn’t think a game would take the idea and run with it so literally, and it’s amazing just how well it works—Handmancers is essentially rock-paper-scissors, by way of a card-based RPG roguelike, and if that sounds ridiculous, I assure you it makes perfect sense when you play it.
Cards have both attack values and one of the three types, and as enemies attack, players must play a card that can beat either rock, paper or scissors. As they progress, they can earn upgrades to their cards that add status effects or bonuses, and enemies become even more complex in ways that really make the combat interesting and tense. For something so seemingly simple, it genuinely has a high degree of thought put into it, and is perfect in bite-sized experiences.
Wax Heads
Developer: Patattie Games
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S
Played by: Jordan Biordi
I didn’t really know much about Wax Heads before jumping into it, only that it had an interesting aesthetic and a pretty unique gameplay mechanic. We really should come up with a genre for these types of indie games—ones where the player sits behind a counter, listens to a character’s requests or woes and tries to pair them with a soothing solution. Coffee Talk does it with lattes, VA-11 Hall-A does it with booze, and Wax Heads does it with music.
Players work at a record store, searching the shelves for appropriate records based on subtle clues from potential customers. It takes a combination of observation to find the perfect record, as players can scan the front and back of a record sleeve as well as the art on the record itself. But it’s also about connection, as what customers want isn’t always what they say, and players will need to trust their gut to make the perfect recommendation. It’s sweet, engaging and insanely charming.
Wardrum
Developer: Mopeful Games
Release Date: May 7, 2026
Platforms: PC
Played by: Lane Martin
I tell myself that I like rhythm games, and I do, but I don’t think I’m ever very good at them. Which is a shame because Wardrum is right up my alley in some really fun and interesting ways. Essentially, this is a turn-based, tactical RPG, where everything is powered by a rhythm game. Players build out a team of tribal warriors who fight in an ongoing war for the rhythm mother. They proceed through Slay the Spire-style maps consisting of upgrades, events, battles, and bosses until they slip up and have to start the whole thing over again.
Wardrum has a great sense of humour, some cool tunes, and inventive mechanics. Players build out their war band from a pool of unique, upgradable warriors. As they gain experience in a run, they unlock new abilities, each of which requires some rhythm-based sequence for it to go off. Enemies can give characters status effects that wildly change a character’s button presses and timing. Consistent good performances increase the band’s flow, which can be spent in events and empower your band. There is, of course, a requisite meta currency for unlocking new characters and options. Perhaps one day I’ll grow up and be a rock star; until then I can practice my Wardrum.
Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite
Developer: Odd Dreams Digital
Release Date: May 8
Platforms: PC
Played By: Philip Watson
Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite is everything you could want in a lost Sunday, and I mean that. Let me explain. Everything is Crab inserts you behind the carapace and claws of the world’s mightiest mutant crab. In a presentation like Vampire Survivors, with each level after consuming the carcass of your adversaries, your small blue carapace grows into a mighty abomination that can mow down everything with force. You will mow down countless crabs and crab-likes. Everything is Crab, indeed.
This simple title has surprising heft to it, and you will have to focus to remain the apex predator. Each boss fight is designed well, and each mutation you obtain looks more ridiculous (and powerful) than the last, and your crab can don a six-pack like a world-class athlete. Everything is Crab. The Animal Evolution Roguelite is an excellently entertaining time, provided you have a few hours to burn.
Clockwork Ambrosia
Developer: Realmsoft
Release Date: May 12, 2026
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Played by: Lane Martin
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. So you’re a spunky, science-minded inventor lady, and it seems like your cool airship got knocked out of the sky by a big robot dragon, sending you down in a dangerous forest filled with nasty robots looking to do you harm. This is what happened to Iris at the start of Realmsoft’s 2D, exploration-focused Metroidvania, Clockwork Ambrosia, and she grabbed a gun and started tinkering.
For fans of the genre, Clockwork Ambrosia will have a very familiar feel. Essentially, we’re talking about something like the child of Hollow Knight and Mega Man. Basically, Iris has moves like an air dash or a wall jump, while toting around an extremely customizable set of guns. She can modify things like their shot types, what happens on a charged attack, and many, many more, leading to destructive rocket launchers, lithe little pistols, and everything in between.
Thrifty Business
Developer: Spellgarden Games
Release Date: May 18, 2026
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Played by: Lane Martin
Thrifty Business has gotten a hold of my brain, and it won’t let me free. This is a relaxing thrift shop management game with fun visuals, a chill vibe, and themes around community engagement and acceptance. Basically, players own a store; that store sells just about anything people are willing to sell to you in the first place. The culprits are what you would expect from a thrift shop: clothes, toys, decorations, that sort of thing.
The thing is, your stock often comes from regular customers with a few story hooks. So, one guy might have been really into baking but is losing interest, so he keeps unloading boxes and boxes of spatulas and muffin tins with you. Luckily, there’s another kid that comes in that is trying to learn how to cook, so they’ll buy all of that stuff happily.
Thrifty Business is all the best parts of working at a hip little vintage shop, without all the back pain, low paychecks, or card game scalpers. Players will even have the opportunity to host events like book clubs or date nights. Those events will bring in clientele looking for specific items, items that you yourself could sell them. With that, it goes from simple to addictive quickly, making a great indie game.
Coffee Talk: Tokyo
Developer: Chorus Worldwide
Release Date: May 21, 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, XBOX One, XBOX Series X|S
Played by: Jordan Biordi
If you’re at all familiar with the indie scene, then surely you know about Coffee Talk: Tokyo. What can be considered the spiritual successor to VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action, the game captivated audiences with its chill atmosphere and strong focus on characters and interpersonal stories. This third entry in the series maintains what makes these indie games so beloved—a focus on strong characterization and the ties that bind both human and spirit together.
At its core, Coffee Talk: Tokyo is a visual novel that offers a comforting ear to humans, magical creatures and Yokai alike. They all have their problems, and they all want drinks, and as a barista, sometimes what they want and what they need can be determined by the player. It’s a heartfelt and genuinely complex story that has a lot more to say than it lets on, and despite its somewhat simplistic gameplay, it does offer room for repeat playthroughs and experimentation.
Realm of Ink
Developer: Leap Studio
Release Date: May 26, 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S
Played by: Lane Martin
There was a very specific couple of years where I, and a lot of other folks, played way too much Hades. 2020 had a lot of weird stuff going on, but nearly every day after its release, I would sneak in a little half-hour Hades break. I’m willing to bet that Leap Studio, the developers behind Realm of Ink, have played a lot of it too.
If Greek mythology isn’t your bag, Realm of Ink has got your stylish action roguelike needs met. In a beautifully rendered world that takes heavy influence from classical Chinese ink wash art. The swordswoman, Red, does battle with the forces of her own narrative itself to gain control of her destiny. She is joined by an adorable ink pet that evolves and gains abilities based on the skills she herself takes.
It’s a game about crafting, with unlockable weapons and outfits, each with their own distinctive style of play. It can be a bit buggy, and the voice work is hit or miss, but it’s a fun, frantic experience with clever gameplay hooks and endearing characters.
Kabuto Park
Developer: Doot
Release Date: May 21, 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, XBOX One, XBOX Series X|S
Played by: Jordan Biordi
Kabuto Park was one of those indie games that came across my social media feeds with a simple enough CausticSlushie claiming “we made a cute game about catching bugs.” It looked cozy and uncomplicated, and like it was just meant for vibes. And while some of that is true, it’s a game that’s designed with such a satisfying loop that even with its simplicity, it becomes incredibly engaging.
Players go to areas in order to catch bugs (mostly beetles) through a pretty simple mini-game, and then can use them in little battles that combine very minor RPG elements with some card-based mechanics. It’s never too intense that you need to stress about it, and its laidback atmosphere and lighthearted charm make it approachable and perfectly digestible in short bursts—which was how it was meant to be played.
Map Map
Developer: Pipapo Games
Release Date: May 28, 2026
Platforms: PC
Played by: Lane Martin
I’m not going to lie, I was intimidated by Map Map when I first booted it up. It is entirely too cute while threatening me with rulers and protractors, plus a whole plethora of lovingly illustrated stickers. This is the sort of game that will trick me into doing math. Not only that, but I have a terrible habit of getting horrifically lost. With all that said, Map Map’s endearing style and relaxing gameplay pulled me in to do some cartographing.
Map Map casts players as an adorable child hopelessly devoted to map-making. They are soon employed by a group of child treasure hunters to hunt for lost riches. Players will count steps, doodle on maps, and dig up precious booty with a crew of endearing little hooligans. New levels lead to new islands, all needing to be explored and charted, with secret maps hidden throughout. Incidentally, all of the characters only say the word “Map,” over and over again while they talk like they are an obsessed Animal Crossing villager, and it’s very funny.
Echo Generation 2
Developer: Cococucumber
Release Date: May 27
Platforms: Steam, XBOX Series X|S
Played By: Philip Watson
Did you want to embark on a grandiose sci-fi adventure told through multiple points of view and uncover the mystery behind a universe-ending threat? If some of that appeals to you, or if you just like solid strategic deck-building turn-based action, Echo Generation 2 is exactly what the doctor ordered. The game tosses you into fights and teaches you as you go with deft pacing.
Echo Generation 2 puts you in control of a party of vagabonds ranging from a psychic child named Sister M (not unlike Stranger Things’ Eleven), a dad in a tie called Jack, a zombie mom, and more, and how they interact and the story enter twines is genuinely compelling. If you’re a turn-based addict, or you’re deck-building curious, Echo Generation 2 serves the best of both worlds and excels.
One Move Away
Developer: Ramage Games
Release Date: May 28, 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S
Played by: Jordan Biordi
They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and I would agree with that to a point. This was the first thing I thought when I started playing One Move Away, because this is the second game that I’ve played for this list that is essentially Unpacking. It’s certainly an interesting method for telling a story—showing brief snippets of a person’s life, as they literally pack it away onto a shelf—and it makes sense why creators would want to explore it.
One Move Away is a satisfying blend of visual storytelling and gameplay. It’s about as cozy as a cozy game can get, prompting players to fit a certain number of belongings into relatively small spaces in as efficient a way as possible. Players can get bonus points for completing extra challenges, and the use of pretty intuitive first-person controls gives the game a suite of organizational options that allow for a lot of creative thinking. If you’ve ever gotten a rush from neatly packing your life’s belongings into a moving van, then you’ll vibe with this game.
