Spring Showcase – 5 Bangers from the Future Games Show 
 

Greetings fellow Aliens! In case you missed it, the Spring Showcase of the Future Games Show recently happened and wow! What a lineup of games for all of us to experience! Despite the incessant waves of AAA release hate, there are some incredible games that we can direct some positive energy towards and really appreciate!  

I watched the show and further perused through the Steam Lists and found 5 games that really stood out to me! No particular order here and there are a ton of other games so making this list wasn’t that easy!  

Spring has sprung, the allergies are rising, and it’s time to game, friends! Let’s jump in!  
 

REANIMAL  

I know just above I said there was no order to this list, but I would be lying to say that this trailer didn’t instantly grab me, and I said, “YUP”. 

I'm a big fan of Tarsier Studios and their work on Little Nightmares I & II! REANIMAL is no different here with an incredible, surreal, story-driven puzzle-platformer like they are known for! Though, this one seems darker? Set in a bizarre and unsettling world, the game follows a mysterious protagonist navigating through a haunting landscape filled with animal-like creatures and fragmented memories. Players will uncover the dark, underlying story by solving puzzles and piecing together clues scattered throughout the environment. 

The game's distinct art style, with its eerie yet beautiful hand-crafted visuals, mirrors the unsettling atmosphere. Much like the Little Nightmares titles, REANIMAL leans into psychological horror, using minimal dialogue and immersive world-building to convey its narrative. Players can expect thought-provoking themes, challenging puzzles, and moments of tense exploration as they unravel the secrets of the protagonist's fractured reality. 
 

Painkiller  

Painkiller is an upcoming reimagining of the classic first-person shooter franchise, set to be released in 2025. Developed by Anshar Studios and published by 3D Realms, we're clearly looking at the fast-paced gameplay players remember featuring fresh, modern graphics!  

In 2025’s Painkiller, players are going to find themselves battling through Purgatory, confronting relentless demonic hordes and titanic terrors across richly detailed gothic environments. The game introduces cooperative play for up to three players, allowing friends to team up against the forces of darkness. Additionally, it offers full offline support, ensuring that the intense action is accessible even without an internet connection!  

If you are into quick run-and-gun gameplay, or perhaps already of fan of the fan of the franchise, definitely add this one to your list to check out on release!  
 

Mudborne: Frog Management Sim

This is Mudborne, a frog management sim?! Yeah, you read that right! Perhaps this one pulls at me because I caught a frog the other day and released it in my swamp – I hope that frog is doing okay.  

Ahem, anyways, Mudborne is a casual nature simulation game where you explore, breed, and manage frogs to restore lost populations. Awakened from hibernation, you find your pond abandoned and must navigate genetic paths to unlock connections between the waking and dreaming worlds. The game emphasizes discovery and breeding new frog species while offering a blend of immersive gameplay and resource management. It combines education and fun with a colorful, pixel-art style.  

This one was released about a week ago and is currently on sale until April 3rd! Go check it out! 
 

I Hate This Place 

I Hate This Place looks like it’s going to be a very interesting one. The comic book art-style “sound effects” grabbed me aside from the fact that it has a survival-horror tag on the Steam Page – I'm a sucker for those! The isometric perspective, at least for me, adds an interesting dynamic to gameplay that feels fluid and fresh, and I am down for it.  

In this one, players are looking to navigate a bizarre and unpredictable world. As Elena, you unravel reality-bending forces that threaten everything you know. The game blends survival mechanics, stealth, and crafting, set in a twisted, psychedelic environment. Players will explore a surreal, darkly humorous world while facing supernatural threats. If that itches the good brain spots, definitely check this one out!  
 

Lost Rift 

How could I make a list of Future Games Fest without including at least one (or technically two) survival crafting title(s)!? Sign me all the way up for Lost Rift! This is a first-person survival shooter with a mix of base-building, PvE co-op, and PvPvE extraction gameplay. Set on a mysterious archipelago, players can explore solo or team up with up to five others! 

The game focuses on high-stakes survival, crafting, and teamwork. Players must manage resources, build bases, and engage in thrilling PvP and PvE combat. The game is still currently in development, but promises an immersive open-world experience blending adventure and survival. I for one, am excited to see how People Can Fly bring this one to the map and execute. We have seen some recent titles not do very well in this “extraction gameplay” space, here’s to hoping they pull this one off! 

There it is team! 5 bangers from the Spring Show of Future Games Fest! A ton of games were shown but I can’t grab them all! I would love to see what some of your favorites were! Which ones are you super excited for? Are any of these on your list as well? Let’s chat in the comments!