CGMagazine’s Indie Watch returns with a fresh roundup of indie titles releasing in June and July 2025. This summer has been busy in the indie scene, filled with creativity and developers pushing boundaries across genres—from roguelikes and city builders to rhythm-based RPGs and narrative-driven platformers. Whether you’re looking for a game to laugh through with friends, dive deep into strategic planning, or simply vibe out with a podcast in the background, this season’s indie offerings have something for every kind of player.
We’ve spotlighted games that bring bold ideas and unique mechanics to the table. From Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark, a gothic action-adventure with anime roots, to Quantum Witch, a narrative experience crafted by queer creators, there is something for everyone on this list. There’s also Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, a complex city builder with magical undertones, and Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson, which turns turn-based combat into a musical performance. These titles aren’t just games—they’re experiences that challenge, entertain, and linger long after the credits roll.
Here are some of our favourite indies from June and July 2025:
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark
Developer: Inti Creates
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
Played By: Philip Watson
Unlike Megaman Zero and Azure Striker Gunvolt, Inti Creates’ new title, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark, throws fans into a title that borrows from the narrative beats of Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest closely. Instead of playing the vampire killer, Simon Belmont and hunting down the remaining pieces of Count Dracula’s corpse to destroy him once and for all, you play two demonic maids that alternate between melee and ranged playstyles.
You play as Kirika and Masha, and instead of being confined to one massive castle (like its predecessor, Demon Purge), fans can explore the entirety of the Demon Realm without borders. Inti Creates used all the tricks in their development catalogue to bring crisp 2D pixel graphics and excellently designed levels to the forefront of Servants of the Dark.
Unlike every other title in Inti Creates’ catalogue, however, Servants of the Dark brings gratuitous anime fan service (and excellently drawn characters) to the title, and some fans may be deterred by the constant ‘meow’ noises that exude from the main characters by just jumping (you cannot disable these sound effects). If you can overlook these sound effects, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark brings a solid action-adventure title, loaded with tight platforming and grand boss fights for fans of the 2D action genre.
God of Weapons
Developer: Archmage Labs
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS5, New release for Xbox
Played By: Philip Watson
Vampire Survivors fever has taken over the marketplace on every platform. Simple, single-handed addictive gameplay has forced many developers’ hands, and there are many bullet-hell-mania titles out now that are directly inspired by the experience delivered by poncle. Well, Archmage Labs said hold my drink with their 3D roguelike title, and they prove that it is far more than a clone generator with God of Weapons.
God of Weapons throws you into the bottom floor of the Tower of Zhor, and it’s your mission to survive through timed floor encounters to defeat his aspect once and for all. Fans who have played Vampire Survivors will feel right at home with God of Weapons’ auto-attack system and multiple equipment options for each character. There are many classes in God of Weapons, allowing for many playstyles to run through the tower floor crucible. God of Weapons is a replay ability value dream, and will have players saying ‘just one more run.’
God of Weapons is a surprisingly deep title, and deploys an equipment screen that reels in how overpowered your character can get. While you can equip many different weapons on your run, an inventory screen nerfs how powerful you can get and how quickly it is accomplished. God of Weapons does an excellent job at what it sets out to accomplish: give fans a game that’s fun and has a gripping gameplay loop.
God of Weapons is now on Xbox and PS5, giving console players who have missed out an opportunity to get in on the bottom floor.
PEAK
Developer: Team PEAK
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Philip Watson
Have you ever wanted to scale grand mountains and throw yourself headfirst into dangerous pitfalls? No? Well, PEAK throws players into exactly that from the comfort of your home. This novel exploration title from the tag team duo of Team PEAK and Aggro Crab asks players to figure out how to climb to the top of each biome, without falling to their death first.
PEAK follows in Fall Guys’ footsteps, and purposefully makes controls and character actions incredibly clumsy, which makes for a hilarious co-op climbing adventure. Numerous times during gameplay, I talked a buddy into “jumping for it,” for him to fall meters down a rocky mountainside, hitting each bump on the way down. The beautiful thing about PEAK is the developer’s focus on a good time; the game allows fans to create instantly memorable moments, with a very simple design of just ‘make it to the top.’
Instead of opting for the next huge 100+ hour open-world adventure, PEAK sessions can last 15-30 minutes, and it can be played on Steam Deck with cross-play between Deck and PC for a hilarious time when a friend comes over. PEAK even lets players use a controller without many adjustments. One thing is true about PEAK: if you have a friend or two and you want to laugh HARD, it’s a must-play experience.
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown
Developer: Zugalu Entertainment
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Dayna Eileen
I was genuinely surprised to see the pile of mixed and negative reviews on Steam for Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown. I originally saw the game at Game Con Canada 2024, and we awarded Zugalu Entertainment Best Studio, given the ambitious title they aimed to pull off. After playing the game, I can say they chewed off a lot. Think Anno 1800, Citadelum, Cities: Skylines. It is a city builder at its core, but it’s more than that, too.
You can dive into multiplayer if you want, but what got me the most was sailing off into the seas to start new colonies, create new goods, and then use trade routes to bring them back. Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is tedious, but in a good way. Each new island requires starting from scratch, so it can be a slow burn, but when you really get going, it can be so satisfying. Oh, and don’t forget the magical mystery that lies within the story.
Chronicles of the Wolf
Developer: Migami Games
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox
Played By: Philip Watson
One of my favourite games ever is Super Castlevania IV for the SNES. The incredible pixel art, smartly designed levels, and slamming soundtrack all lend themselves perfectly to that experience back in 1993. In 2025, Chronicles of the Wolf continues where that exact style of title left off, and removes vampire hunting for a beastly werewolf that terrorizes the people. Instead of a Belmont, you are Mateo Lombardo, the last apprentice of the Rose Cross Order. Your mission is to hunt the infamous Beast of Gévaudan and end its reign of terror.
Mateo is remarkably adept at wielding weapons, and scattered throughout the landscape are equipped items that will make your mission easier. Searching every nook and cranny of the well-designed atmosphere will yield rewards that make each encounter a breeze. Boss fights are massive and excellently choreographed, lending a sense of urgency to each encounter. After you defeat a sprawling abomination with well-timed dodges and use everything in your arsenal, the feeling of triumph is infectious and demands that the player keep going to see the quest through.
For fans of 2D Metroid-likes, Chronicles of the Wolf is one you can’t miss.
April Grove
Developer: Colorgrave
Release: June 23, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Lane Martin
More and more, I find myself searching for the perfect podcast game. That is, a game where I can make some sort of incremental progress while enjoying a podcast, an audiobook, or other second-screen experience. I’m not proud of this newfound desire, but if you suffer from a similar drive, April Grove might be what you’re looking for.
April Grove is a slow game. Players are given the role of the grove’s newest forester, responsible for gathering wood in a peaceful and mysterious forest. Gameplay is sedate, though a bit grindy, as players are set up in an increasingly large and beautiful forest, surrounded by endearing villagers and some jaw-droppingly beautiful pixel art. It is not always the most engaging experience; however, it is a great game to have on while you chew through that massive fantasy audiobook that you keep putting off and putting off.
Quantum Witch
Developer: NikkiJay
Release Date: June 24th, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Jordan Biordi
The moment I saw Quantum Witch, I knew it had to be featured on this list—even more so now in light of certain events. When the game described itself as a “plotformer,” I thought it would be a fun blend of platforming action and narrative. But Quantum Witch is nothing if not subversive—it’s ALL narrative. It’s a poignant and impactful tale about one woman’s journey through a world controlled by gods and defined by tradition, where every decision the player makes really matters and will shape the story and the world in ways big and small.
It ranges masterfully from being incredibly funny to deeply resonant, and always truly thought-provoking. But my reasoning to see Quantum Witch not only on our list, but consumed by the masses (or at least those who are going to appreciate it) lies largely in its creative team. I think it’s immensely important to shine a light on queer creators who would tell stories that might broaden a player’s perspective, and this game really shines in that way. It presents these themes both subtly and matter-of-factly and is definitely worth experiencing.
Kaizen: A Factory Story
Developer: Coincidence
Release: July 14, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Lane Martin
There is something extremely addictive about little bite-sized puzzles, especially if they have a lot of moving pieces. Professor Layton knows it; Magnum Opus knows it; and Kaizen: A Factory Story definitely knows it. Kaizen casts the players in the role of a worker planning the automated production of goods in a number of different warehouses in 1980s Japan. They’ll flip, move, rivet, and weld numerous things in order to produce whatever it is that they’re tasked with making today. It is severely and utterly addictive.
Chapters consist of a number of different jobs at different factories, all mixed in with surprisingly heartfelt and interesting character stories and interactions. Players will assemble toys, plastic food, consumer electronics, and much, much more. Each level ends with a lovely animation of your automated assembly line process that can even be exported as an oddly satisfying GIF to delight friends and internet strangers alike.
Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson
Developer: Ritual Studios
Release Date: July 17th, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Jordan Biordi
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1000 times—you can always count on the Indie scene for fun and interesting ideas. Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson is exactly one of those games. A fresh take on the turn-based RPG formula that combines a clear love of the genre with a deep love for the art of music. I would’ve been happy enough if this game were just a straightforward game with some really charming dialogue and thoughtful commentary on the music industry, but its combat system was what really hooked me.
Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson really leans into its musical inspiration by designing so much of its combat system around it. Players choose three Riffs—which can range from attacks to defensive abilities—to play during their turn. Attack utilizes a rhythm-based mechanic where, if players time their button press to the rhythm, they can get extra damage (or take less when enemies attack). Ultimate attack energy is built by timing your attacks and blocks, and unleashed in a Dance Dance Revolution-style QTE. Once it gets its hooks in you, you’ll find yourself unable to quit and getting into fights became something I was actively seeking out.
Combine that with an engaging card-based attack system for setting Riffs, moddifying your guitar for bonus effects—guitar types themselves have different special abilities—equipping pedals for stat boosts and just an incredibly deep amount of references to both the making and industry of music and you’ve got a game that is so unbelievably charming, I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
The Wandering Village
Developer: Stray Fawn Studio
Release: July 17, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Lane Martin
City builders often fall into a similar pattern. Build out industry, attract residents, then succumb to the whims of capitalism. The constant pursuit of funding can be a familiar refrain, and sometimes emulate real life in frustrating ways. The Wandering Village subverts this constant grind for capital by focusing on coexisting with the living creature that your townspeople are living on the back of as it plods through the world.
The Wandering Village sees players establish and manage a town on the back of a massive creature. Rather than the endless pursuit of wealth, players will mine the natural resources growing on their noble steed’s back, find ways to take care of that lumbering creature, and, assuming it trusts them enough, guide it on its way through the world. It is an interesting and delightful subversion of a well-established genre, and certainly worth a look.
The Wandering Village launched into 1.0 on July 17, 2025, after previously being in early access.
Hell Clock
Developer: Rogue Snail
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Jordan Biordi
I was immediately drawn to Hell Clock primarily because its visual style and core gameplay looked so similar to Ravenswatch or Curse of the Dead Gods that I almost believed it was developed by Passtech Games. However, the more I played it, the more I was completely drawn into it. Hell Clock takes the best elements of roguelikes and Exile-likes and intensifies the action by putting players on a timer—the literal Hell Clock. It creates an intense and engaging gear grinding gameloop where every run players get a little bit stronger, and get a little bit further, better equipped to race past the growing hordes.
However, where Hell Clock really interested me was its unique setting. Despite being a fictional story, it’s set against the backdrop of the Brazilian War of Canudos in 1896 and is a grim retelling of an extermination campaign led by the government against a small community in the state of Bahia. It’s the story of one man’s attempt to fight through Hell itself in order to seek revenge against the people who destroyed his community, and possibly even rewrite history itself—featuring references to real historic figures. It’s a game I would highly recommend, not only for its gameplay but for the tragic history it reminds the world of.
Ctrl Alt Deal
Developer: Only By Midnight
Release: July 22, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Lane Martin
The world is a strange and confusing place nowadays. AI has become a nearly constant concern across social media. There is so much propaganda out there that sometimes it isn’t quite clear where an idea came from, and personal relationships can start to feel increasingly manufactured and arbitrary. This is, incidentally, an accurate description of Ctrl Alt Deal, a game where players take on the role of an illegal artificial intelligence covertly manipulating people through social engineering to keep its existence under wraps.
It goes like this, let’s say you need some information from Deckard. This is the sort of thing he might talk to a friend of his, but he doesn’t get along with anyone here! So, you do a quick dive into his likes and dislikes, finding out he loves opera music. Well, if you can influence his office mate Turner to check out some opera too, those two could become friends, and you might be able to glean that info from their conversations.
The puzzles get more and more in-depth from there, all being driven by a hand of randomized cards. Ctrl Alt Deal offers an intriguing puzzle and some light moral quandaries.
Let Them Trade
Developer: Spaceflower
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Lane Martin
Let Them Trade is a cozy little economic simulation with heart-warming visuals, a decent sense of humour, and simple mechanics that will be welcoming to new and old players alike. Games that focus on developing and maintaining an economy can be extremely daunting, often relying on graphs, spreadsheets, and innumerable reports to get a clear view of exactly what is going on. While I love games like Anno 1800 and am looking forward to its upcoming foray into ancient Rome, sometimes I just can’t think that much.
Let Them Trade eschews the mountains of paperwork for adorable little wooden tiles and some charming writing along the way. It is always a delight to look at, truly feeling like a board game brought to life. It is always exciting to see the simple little wooden figures following a carefully plotted trade route.
Star Racer
Developer: Whatnot Games
Release Date: July 28th, 2025
Platforms: PC
Played By: Jordan Biordi
When I was a kid, I never fully appreciated F-Zero on the SNES. While Mario Kart was still fairly rudimentary—as far as control goes—for the time, the inclusion of items and Super Mario characters filled a lot of the gaps. F-Zero, though, was a pure skill racing game that, despite thinking it was pretty cool, I just couldn’t get my head around. As I got older, however, I came to really love subsequent entries in the series, and even now, revisiting the game that started it all is something I genuinely love doing.
This is precisely why Star Racer caught my attention, with its fairly blatant inspiration from Nintendo’s somewhat forgotten high-speed racer. It takes everything that was good about F-Zero, perfectly emulating the look and feel of its SNES inspiration, but mixes things up by adding a little bit of Starfox into the mix. At certain parts of a track, players enter a “Plane Mode,’ where they have the ability to fire at their opponents to lower their energy and potentially take them out of the race.
But there’s a nuance to it, as players can continue flying once they leave the designated zone to gain an aerial lead, but at the risk of their own energy. A lot of other unique touches, like replenishable ability orbs on tracks, police cars locking your ability to use dash, and even a custom track editor, make Star Racer a really modern take on a classic racing game.
