Underkeep – Demo Impressions

A new turn-based blobber in 2026? Please wake me, because I must be dreaming. As it seems, I’m not, and Underkeep is real. Now, this demo was a pure treat, as it’s a blobber without the dancing hell gameplay of Legend of Grimrock, being turn-based with combat more akin to the Wizardry series (but on a grid).

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Stellar Tactics – Nearing Release

Wow. Stellar Tactics, an early access game I bought way back in 2019 is finally hitting 1.0, with a preliminary release date in March. I honestly thought it was going to end up as abandonware, but I’m happy to be wrong about this. I did try it, and I remember feeling charmed, since I enjoyed the turn-based combat and the genre: sci-fi RPG. What’s not to like?

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ATOM RPG 2 [Trailer]

The Atom Team, the developers behind the recently released RPG Swordhaven sure is a busy bunch! Now they are working on ATOM RPG 2, with an announcement teaser already completed. I know very little about the game, but curiously, I think it might go from a top-down perspective to either third or first-person going by a random video teased on X (twitter)—both of which you can watch there after the jump. Make sure to check them out and don’t forget to add ATOM RPG 2 to your Steam wishlist. A hardworking team like this deserves the recognition.

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Streets of Fortuna [Trailer]

Now, Streets of Fortuna is an interesting one. It’s a sandbox RPG set in ancient times that is heavily based on systems (and the interaction of them) much like Rimworld and Dwarf Fortress—to simulate life in a city. The main difference here, though, is that you play as a single character instead of a whole colony. A fascinating spin is that the madman Tarn who created Dwarf Fortress has an advisory role on the system design, which tells me a lot about the project. 

This game could turn out to be a complete dud, but from the information provided in the trailer and their Steam page, it looks to hold promise for something unique. However, my main issue is this: it needs to be difficult, much like real life, to actually feel rewarding. It would suck if you could become rich fast by stealing things for example, if it doesn’t come with heavy repercussions. But that’s for the future to tell. Make sure to request access to the playtest on Steam if you are curious. Trailer and dev comment after the jump!

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Knights of the Chalice – Fireball, My Only Friend [Field Report]

Welcome to this report on Knights of the Chalice. This is not a true review, since I’m far from the ending, as the game seemingly looks to be huge, with plenty of monsters and evildoers needing vanquishing. Treat this more as an ongoing field report in appreciation of what this title offers. The way I’m playing it, it fits better as an audiobook companion (don’t judge me!) than a full RPG experience that requires your complete attention—even if it does need it for success in the hairiest situations. 

You see, this is a Dungeons and Dragons fighting simulator where the story only serves to take you from one challenging battle to the next. Knowledge of the DnD 3.5 ruleset is mandatory, or the orcs will make sheesh kebab out of your heroic group of adventurers before you even have time to unsheathe your sword.

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