Remastered Eldritch terror, a fantasy life sim and other new indie games worth checking out

Engadget - May 17th, 2025
Open on Engadget

This week's indie game roundup highlights an exciting array of new releases and upcoming titles that cater to diverse gaming preferences. 'The Sinking City' receives a remastered edition on multiple platforms, offering improved graphics and features. 'Palia,' a fantasy adventure life sim, expands to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S with a free expansion. For those interested in a law-abiding alternative to 'Grand Theft Auto,' 'The Precinct' offers a thrilling sandbox experience as a rookie cop solving his father's murder. Meanwhile, 'Copycat,' a beloved cat-centric game, is set to reach console players soon.

Beyond individual game highlights, the roundup reflects the dynamic and creative spirit of the indie gaming community. Titles like 'Backrooms Level X' introduce players to intense horror experiences, while 'Islands & Trains' and 'Adrift' provide relaxing gameplay with unique aesthetics. The announcement of 'Splitgate 2' open beta and other demos, such as 'Flick Shot Rogues,' showcases the innovation and variety emerging from small development teams. This vibrant scene continues to attract gamers with its fresh ideas and engaging narratives.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides an engaging overview of the indie game scene, with a focus on recent and upcoming releases. It excels in timeliness and clarity, offering readers current information in an accessible format. However, it lacks transparency in source attribution and would benefit from clearer citations to enhance credibility. The coverage is balanced with a diverse range of game genres, though personal anecdotes occasionally skew the narrative. While the article is unlikely to impact broader public discourse, it effectively engages its target audience of gaming enthusiasts. Overall, it serves as an informative piece for those interested in indie games, with room for improvement in source transparency and factual verification.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story provides a generally accurate portrayal of the indie game scene, with specific details about game releases and features that align well with available sources. For instance, the description of 'The Sinking City Remastered' being available on multiple platforms and offering enhancements like 4K textures and a photo mode is supported by official announcements. However, some claims, such as the sales figures for 'Copycat' and the precise content of expansions for 'Palia,' are plausible but not independently verified in the text. Overall, the article presents a truthful account of the indie games mentioned, but certain details would benefit from additional source confirmation.

7
Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by covering a wide range of indie game genres, from horror to cozy simulations. This diversity helps mitigate potential bias towards any particular game type or developer. However, the narrative occasionally leans towards personal opinion, particularly in sections where the author's preferences are highlighted, such as their enjoyment of the 'DvD idle game.' While this adds a personal touch, it could be perceived as slightly skewing the balance towards games the author personally favors.

8
Clarity

The article is written in a clear and engaging manner, with a logical flow that guides readers through various game descriptions. The language is accessible and avoids technical jargon, making it suitable for a general audience interested in indie games. However, the inclusion of personal anecdotes, while engaging, occasionally detracts from the clarity of the factual content by introducing subjective elements.

6
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite sources, which affects the perceived reliability of the information presented. While the details about game releases and features generally align with known facts from official game developer announcements, the lack of direct attributions or references limits the ability to assess the credibility of the information fully. The article would benefit from clearer source attribution to enhance its authority and reliability.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of source disclosure and the basis for certain claims, such as sales figures and game content descriptions. The absence of a clear methodology or acknowledgment of potential conflicts of interest (e.g., partnerships with developers) makes it difficult for readers to assess the impartiality of the content. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the article's trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://frogwares.com/the-sinking-city-remastered-available-now-on-pc-ps5-and-xbox-series/
  2. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3319160/Eldritch_Evolution/
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldritch_Horror
  4. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frogwares/the-sinking-city-2/posts/4350079?reply=Q29tbWVudC00NDcxNjk5Ng%3D%3D
  5. https://frogwares.com