One of the most interesting aspects of Gamescom is that you don’t only look at major AAA projects. Across the exhibition grounds, especially at indie booths, you can find projects with fascinating ideas that might otherwise be overlooked among the big-budget games.
This year was full of such games for me as well. During Gamescom 2026 week, I had the opportunity to try numerous indie projects across various genres. Some drew me in from the first few minutes, while others had interesting ideas but failed to fully meet my expectations while playing.
Below, I’ve dedicated a separate section to each of these games. :)
Dreamhealer
Dream Healer was one of the most interesting projects I encountered at Gamescom. Developed by Chile-based Niebla Games, the game combines a roguelite structure with turn-based puzzle mechanics. Niebla Games is an independent Chilean studio known for projects inspired by Latin American culture and mythology. Maureen Berho serves as the studio’s CEO and producer.
In the game, we control a young healer named Curandera and attempt to cure people’s psychological traumas, fears, and emotional problems by entering their dream worlds. This idea alone sets the game apart from standard roguelite projects.
Dream Healer’s greatest strength is how well its mechanics complement its themes. Combat isn’t simply about hitting enemies. Your actions affect the structure of the surrounding environment, so you need to think ahead about the consequences of every move.
During Gamescom, we also had the opportunity to speak with Niebla Games representative Maureen Berho. Discussing the game and the studio’s approach with her further increased my interest in the project. It is particularly noteworthy that Maureen is both the head of Niebla Games and one of the people actively involved in the development of the Latin American game industry.
For me, Dream Healer was more than just an “interesting indie game.” It is one of the projects whose world, themes, and mechanics complement one another, and which I hope receives more attention in the future. Unfortunately, the game does not have a Steam page yet. Therefore, I’m happy to share the link to the studio’s official website.
Website: https://nieblagames.com/
Souls of Bombarika
Souls of Bombarika is built around an interesting puzzle concept. Developed by Street Lamp Games and published by 1312 Interactive, the game has us control a spirit and change the behavior of objects around us by “possessing” them in order to save people.
The key point here is that we do not directly control people. We change the course of events by interacting with furniture, household items, and other objects.
But for me, the game’s biggest problem was the controls rather than the puzzles themselves. I spent more time getting used to the controls and understanding how the game worked than understanding the mechanics, which initially seemed interesting.
Its different approach may appeal to puzzle game fans, but my personal impression was that the game did not surprise me as much as I expected with its challenging puzzles. The greatest difficulty was not in the puzzles themselves, but in getting used to the control system.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4442160/Souls_of_Bombarika/
ZHEN: Shattered Legacy
ZHEN: Shattered Legacy is one of the more challenging games on the list. It is being developed by Ghost Machine Games and published by Soft Source. The game combines East Asian aesthetics, a Kung Fu theme, and Souls-like elements with a twin-stick brawler system.
The game’s most distinctive mechanic is its attack system. We are normally used to moving with the left analog stick while attacks are performed with buttons. In ZHEN, however, things work completely differently: the left analog stick is used for movement, while attacks are performed by moving the right analog stick toward the enemy.
This system felt strange to me at first, too. Since our hands are accustomed to classic controls, attacking with the right analog stick feels somewhat unnatural. But after playing for a while, you realize that this choice was not made simply for the sake of being unusual.
The game is not easy. Precision, timing, and rhythm are genuinely important here. As a result, ZHEN was not a game where I could simply “jump in, kill a few enemies, and leave.” It requires some patience, but once you master its mechanics, it delivers an interesting experience.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3755890/ZHEN_Shattered_Legacy/
Hope in the City
Hope in the City is one of the projects that wants to stand apart from classic detective games. It is being developed by Toronto-based Lofty Sky Entertainment. The studio’s previous projects include GDC Pitch winner Sky of Tides and Annie Award nominee Eternal Spring.
In the game, we investigate the mysterious disappearance of 17-year-old artist Hope Song’s parents. Our main weapon here is neither a firearm nor classic detective equipment. Hope uses her artistic abilities to connect clues through sketches.
What interested me most was how the game combines investigation with drawing mechanics. Instead of simply collecting clues, you are required to observe and connect them and create your own theories. According to the official description, the game uses a nonlinear narrative structure and a special “thought-web” system that turns observations into theories.
This was one of the projects I played at a slower pace at Gamescom, but one in which I saw considerable story potential.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3610790/Hope_in_the_City/
Pecking Order
Developed by Talent Digital, Pecking Order is a physics-based party game for up to 16 players. Its central idea is absurd enough to be entertaining: worms run from birds, while birds hunt them. If a bird eats you, you switch to the bird’s side.
This system is the game’s most interesting aspect, because the concept of teams is not fixed. You may be running alongside a friend at one point, only to switch to the opposing side a few seconds later.
Pecking Order is not a game for those looking for a serious and deep story. Its goal is the chaos that emerges when playing with friends. When the physics system, team switching, and 16-player multiplayer structure work properly, this is where the game’s real strength emerges.
Gamescom once again showed why games like this are important: sometimes a good party game does not need complex mechanics—well-constructed chaos is enough.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3530640/Pecking_Order/
Summit Smash
Summit Smash was one of my favorite surprises at Gamescom. Developed by Cosy Den, the game has us play not as a hero, but directly as a mountain. Our goal is to stop climbers attempting to reach the summit.
Creating avalanches, changing the shape of the terrain, using weather conditions, and triggering various disasters at the right time form the core mechanics.
The team behind the game is at least as interesting as the game itself. Czech-based Cosy Den stands out as a small game company founded by two partners. I particularly enjoyed seeing such a small team produce gameplay this polished and fluid.
Summit Smash’s greatest strength is precisely its fluidity. You understand what the game wants you to do from the first few minutes, and the mechanics build naturally on one another. For me, it was one of the projects where I spent much more time than expected after saying, “I’ll just play for a bit.”
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4274970/Summit_Smash/
SunderBound
If you asked me which game I liked most during this Gamescom week, SunderBound would be at the top of my answer.
Developed by Kipi Interactive, the game combines a two-player co-op top-down shooter with a roguelite system. It takes place in the enormous, crumbling Haven tower, ruled by a tyrant known as The Minister.
But what made SunderBound special for me was not just its genre combination. The game feels complete.
When playing many indie demos at Gamescom, you often get the feeling that “this game is still in development.” With SunderBound, I felt the opposite. The weapons, enemies, level design, co-op mechanics, and overall gameplay loop already seemed to fit together.
When playing together with another person, simply shooting at the same enemy is not enough. You need to use class abilities, cover, and positioning correctly. It is also possible to use an AI companion when playing alone.
For me, SunderBound was one of the most—truly one of the most—wonderful games I played during Gamescom week this year.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1477750/SunderBound/
Pale Tide
Pale Tide is a zombie survival-extraction game developed by an independent studio called Aberratic. We enter infected areas to collect resources and attempt to return to a hidden bunker together with our loyal dog.
One of the game’s interesting aspects is its dog mechanic. The dog is not merely a decorative companion; it carries the items you collect and genuinely helps you survive.
For me, the most interesting aspect of Pale Tide was the small size of the team behind it. The fact that a team with only about three months of development time was able to prepare such a functional and entertaining demo for Gamescom week is impressive in itself.
Of course, there are still missing and underdeveloped areas in the game. But considering the three-month development period, the result is quite promising.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4683590/Pale_Tide/
Rain98
Rain98 has a completely different atmosphere. Developed by C#4R4CT3R, it is presented as a lo-fi psychological thriller and romantic adventure set in Tokyo in 1998.
We enter the story of two young people living under an endless rain. Together with a mysterious girl named Reina Amehara, we attempt to perform a strange ritual.
Rain98’s greatest strength is its atmosphere. Old phone booths, arcades, neon lights, rainy streets, and lo-fi music reinforce the game’s feeling of 1990s Tokyo.
Here, atmosphere and story take precedence over gameplay. The game’s psychological approach, which forces us to ask “what is happening?”, is intriguing. The blending of reality and illusion adds another layer of mystery to the project.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3498720/Rain98/
Grim Trials
Grim Trials was no longer a project arriving at Gamescom merely as a demo. Developed by Glory Jam, the game officially launched in August and is published by Soft Source.
To be honest, I did not particularly enjoy the previous version of the game when I played it earlier. Therefore, when it appeared before me again at Gamescom, I did not approach it with high expectations.
But the changes I saw this time somewhat changed my opinion.
A heavy-metal atmosphere, roguelite structure, equipment crafting system, and Avelin’s transformation into a Reaper after her death form the foundation of the game.
I still cannot say that every aspect of the game suits my tastes. However, I viewed the changes shown at Gamescom and the game’s journey since its previous version positively. Compared with my earlier impression, it felt to be in a much better state.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2621930/Grim_Trials/
Spook-A-Boo
Spook-A-Boo is being developed by Wala Interactive and published by Soft Source. It is a physics-based co-op ghost-hunting game for 1-4 players.
Our main objective is to find, scan, hook, and trap ghosts in various areas. The entire system is built around teamwork.
What makes Spook-A-Boo interesting is that it does not use the classic “kill the ghost” approach. You must first find the ghost, understand its behavior, and then trap it as a team.
The physics-based mechanics also strengthen the game’s chaotic side. For me, it was one of the games that showed its potential particularly when played with friends. This is not a serious horror game, but rather a project designed for laughing with friends and screaming at one another.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3154150/SpookABoo/
Karma Exorcist
Karma Exorcist is a 2D Metroidvania developed by Cyclos Studio and published by Infini Fun. The game draws inspiration from Chinese mythology and beliefs about the afterlife.
What attracted me most was the game’s art direction. Its hand-drawn visual style, dark afterlife setting, and influences from Eastern art give the game a distinctive appearance.
On the gameplay side, a 360-degree chain hook, quick dodges, and aerial combos stand out. In other words, the game is not content with merely looking beautiful; its movement system is also quite dynamic.
For me, Karma Exorcist’s main strength is this balance: it is visually memorable while also offering something distinctive mechanically.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4184170/Karma_Exorcist/
Cats in the Shell
Cats in the Shell is also part of Infini Fun’s catalog, but it is a completely different project from Karma Exorcist. Developed by Raven Studio, the game belongs to the mech-building roguelike auto-battler genre.
Here, we recruit cat pilots, assemble robots from different parts, and watch them automatically fight one another. Module and equipment combinations form the core strategic aspect of the game.
Although interesting in concept, it did not capture my attention as much as Karma Exorcist. In particular, I did not get the same first impression from Cats in the Shell, either visually or atmospherically, that Karma Exorcist gave me.
Nevertheless, it is a project with potential for those who enjoy mech-building and auto-battler mechanics.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4688400/Cats_In_The_Shell/
Kitten Space Agency
As the name suggests, here we go into space with cats. Developed by RocketWerkz, Kitten Space Agency is a space simulation based on real rocket physics and orbital mechanics. RocketWerkz is known for survival and simulation games such as ICARUS and Stationeers.
The game’s greatest strength is the experience behind it. RocketWerkz is already a studio proven in building complex simulation systems, and that approach is evident in Kitten Space Agency as well.
Here, it is possible to build rockets, learn orbital mechanics, and embark on various space missions.
For me, the game felt like a project with a fairly serious engineering simulation behind its “cute cats” concept. In other words, appearances can be deceiving: this is not a simple space game.
Do you know what the most interesting thing about the game is? THE GAME IS FREE :) Despite not being P2W. The team has a different manifesto behind it. They believe games should be free. You can learn more from the link below. :)
Website: https://ahwoo.com/app/100000/kitten-space-agency
Ghost Haunting
Ghost Haunting is being developed by Three Headed Monkey Studios and published by Daedalic Entertainment. The game is clearly a love letter to the classic point-and-click adventures of the 1990s.
Eight-year-old Gigi learns that her grandfather was actually a famous ghost hunter and attempts to bring her grandmother back from the world of the dead together with a pumpkin demon named Baron Butternut.
The classic point-and-click formula is supplemented with modern quality-of-life features: there is a hint system, fast travel, and a hotspot system that highlights interactive objects.
The game’s most enjoyable aspect is that it does not take itself too seriously. Although it touches on themes such as death, family, and growing up, it does so through humor and retro visuals.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3594530/Ghost_Haunting/?l=german
Hordeguard: Winds of the North
Hordeguard: Winds of the North is being developed by Black Deer Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Black Deer Games is an independent studio based in Prešov, Slovakia, founded in 2015 by solo developer Peter Jurkovský. 3D artist Dávid Jankes later joined the team.
In Hordeguard, we defend our village as a Viking hero, gather resources, build defenses, and fight against waves of enemies.
The game’s interesting aspect is its combination of tower defense and action-RPG elements. We do not simply stand back and wait for the towers to kill the enemies; we also join the battle with our own hero.
For me, the game’s main strength is precisely how these two systems complement each other. Planning a strategy and seeing the results of that strategy directly in combat feels satisfying.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3618000/Hordeguard_Winds_of_the_North/
Elysium
Elysium is one of the most special projects on the list because it was created by a young team from Turkey. It is being developed by Artifika Games, whose team is based at ODTÜ Teknokent. The studio’s team includes founder and Unity developer Serkan Yıldırım, art director Derin İnceler, and other young developers and artists.
Elysium is an open-world sci-fi survival-craft game. In a world filled with the ruins of an ancient civilization, mutated creatures, and corrupted machines, we gather resources, build a base, craft items, and explore the world. The game also offers solo and 1–4-player co-op support.
Despite being a young team, the result they have produced is quite interesting. Of course, the game still has areas that need development, but the Elysium I saw at Gamescom was one of the projects that made me say, “There is potential here.”
The fact that a local team has taken on a survival game of this scale is particularly commendable.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2354810/Elysium/
Chop Chop Together
Chop Chop Together is a Turkish-made co-op party game developed by Dango Dynamics. In this project, which supports 1–4 players, the goal is to complete various tasks, but the process is designed to be as chaotic as possible.
This is one of those games whose fun really comes out when played with friends. On one hand, you try to complete the task; on the other, events on the map and your teammates can turn everything upside down. For me, this is Chop Chop Together’s main strength: when playing with friends, it can easily create moments where you say, “How did this even happen?”
In other words, the main goal here is not to play perfectly. The main goal is to experience chaos together with friends.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3065360/Chop_Chop_Together/
City Bus Simulator 2026
City Bus Simulator 2026 is a different kind of example. At first glance, it may look like a large simulation project, but it has a rather interesting development story behind it.
The project was developed in approximately six months by just two young developers within the team known for various simulation games such as Kodobur Games.
In the game, we drive a bus, transport passengers, follow routes, and travel around the city. Realistic traffic, weather conditions, and a day-night cycle also reinforce the simulation aspect.
However, the game’s shortcomings are clearly noticeable. Some systems require more polish, and in its current state, you can feel that this project was developed by two young developers over six months.
Nevertheless, I think it is an interesting project. The development story itself is noteworthy in addition to the result.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2860240/City_Bus_Simulator_2026/
Dungeon Renovation Simulator
Dungeon Renovation Simulator was also developed by Kodobur Games. The game is built around a very simple but rather funny question:
Who cleans up after heroes enter a dungeon and kill the monsters?
The answer: a goblin.
In the game, we enter dungeons destroyed by adventurers, clean bloodstains, collect bones and trash, tidy the area, and get everything ready before the next group of heroes arrives. On Steam, the game is also presented as a physics-based dungeon-cleaning simulator.
That is actually the game’s best aspect. It takes the question “What happens after the battle?”—something nobody thinks about in classic fantasy games—and turns it into an entire game.
Its humorous approach and absurd premise make the game memorable.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2222020/Dungeon_Renovation_Simulator/
Frostliner
Frostliner was one of the surprises of Gamescom 2026 for me.
Developed by GaneDev Studio, the project is set in a dystopian future where the world has been plunged into an endless winter as a result of a shattered moon and subsequent wars. Here, we manage a gigantic train carrying the last humans and turn it into both a living space and a moving city.
The atmosphere was the first thing that caught my attention. It creates a cold, hopeless, yet intriguing world where fans of works such as Frostpunk and Snowpiercer will feel at home.
But for me, the main surprise was the building system. I really enjoyed developing the interior of the train, building new residential and production areas, managing resources, and connecting all of this to the train’s movement.
Frostliner was one of the games I played at Gamescom and thought about much more than expected. Sometimes, games that are not found at the biggest booths become the ones you remember most after leaving the exhibition. For me, Frostliner was one of those projects.
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3681260/Frostliner/
It is impossible to put all the games I played at Gamescom 2026 on the same scale. Some are already very well-formed, some are still in the early stages of development, and in some cases, the idea is more interesting than the game itself.
But for me, the most important aspect of this list is precisely its variety.
SunderBound remained one of the strongest experiences of the week. Dream Healer stood out with its themes and mechanics. Summit Smash turned out to be unexpectedly fluid and entertaining. Frostliner surprised me with its atmosphere.
On the other hand, games such as Souls of Bombarika and ZHEN: Shattered Legacy showed me that a good idea and good controls are not the same thing. A game may have interesting mechanics, but how those mechanics are presented to the player is just as important as the mechanics themselves.
Another thing I particularly enjoyed was seeing Turkish and other small indie teams increasingly appearing with more ambitious projects. Although games such as Elysium, Chop Chop Together, City Bus Simulator 2026, and Dungeon Renovation Simulator are at different stages, they all show what their respective teams are trying to achieve.
What more can be said? Hopefully, one day studios from Azerbaijan will be here as well.
Gamescom once again proved to me that you do not always need to look at the biggest booth to find a good game. Sometimes, a game created by a two- or three-person team at a small indie booth in the corner of the exhibition can stay with you more than all the AAA projects in front of you.
