Indie Game Roundup: Palworld 1.0, Tiny Bookshop, and More
Welcome to our latest roundup of the latest indie games worth checking out. As we dive into the world of indie gaming, we’ve got some exciting new releases to share with you, along with a sneak peek at what’s coming up in the near future.
Source: engadget.com
Between playing Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced and trying to figure out whether the Steam Machine under my TV actually fits into my life, I’ve been dipping into a Papers, Please-inspired project called Permaban. This simulation game tasks you with moderating a forum in the mid-2000s, complete with a Windows XP-style UI that sets the scene perfectly. The game even includes a desktop music player called ‘Winump’ and a screensaver that kicks in after a period of inactivity.
As the moderator, you’ll have to review users’ posts to determine whether they comply with a set of ever-changing rules, all while dealing with distractions like pop-ups and ‘NSM Messenger’ pings. You’ll have to assess edge cases and determine the consequences for infractions, along with citing the specific rule you think a user broke when you issue a ban. Punish a user incorrectly, and your reputation takes a hit.
I’ve found Permaban to be an enjoyable, albeit mildly stressful, game so far. Developer UnrealByte has nailed the aesthetic and tone, and the writing is on point, from the forum posts you have to review to .txt files on the moderator’s computer, which include their passwords, instant messenger away messages, MySpace top-eight rankings, and band name ideas. You might even find some other classic Windows games tucked inside the My Documents folder.
Permaban is coming to Steam later this year, and you can play it via your browser on Itch right now, paying what you want.
New Indie Game Releases
Palworld 1.0
One of the biggest indie success stories of recent times is finally out of early access, nearly two and a half years later. The Palworld 1.0 update brings 72 additional creatures to the game, along with new areas, such as an archipelago of floating islands, and points of interest. The game also features a higher level cap for players, audio and visual upgrades, an overhauled story, and much more.
To give you a sense of just how enormous this update is, the patch notes are over 10,000 words long. Developer Pocketpair suggests that players should start from a fresh save to get the most out of the revamped experience.
Before the patch went live, Pocketpair urged players to delete files for any mods they installed as there was a risk of those causing significant issues with the install, leading to problems like corrupted save data and being blocked from making progress. The company also announced this week that Palworld now has more than 40 million players, many of whom I’m sure have been seeking an alternative to Pokémon.
Tiny Bookshop
Tiny Bookshop has been a hit on other platforms, selling more than 500,000 copies between its debut in August 2025 and the end of that year. Now, the cozy life sim game has landed on mobile.
As the title suggests, you manage a small bookshop on a trailer that you can tow to a number of scenic locations. You’ll stock the shelves and decorate the shop with items you collect. The decor seemingly affects your customers, to whom you’ll be able to recommend books. There are also secrets to discover in Tiny Bookshop, all of which seems quite lovely.
Backyard Baseball
Backyard Baseball is a new installment in the series, and I was eager to check it out after enjoying the demo. However, after playing a couple of games, I can see why the demo was limited to a home run derby mode. Outside of pitching and batting, the controls don’t feel responsive enough. Fielding doesn’t feel great, especially because the characters on defense move pretty darn slowly. The commentary quickly becomes repetitive too.
I do like some other aspects of Backyard Baseball, though. It’s just not quite where it needs to be yet. It looks charming as heck and a lot of the animations are fun. Some of the special pitching and batting abilities are a blast, even if it’s annoying to be on the receiving end. I enjoyed the light approach to team management, as you swap out pitchers when the starter gets tired. There are no microtransactions here. You’ll unlock more stadiums, characters, and collectibles through gameplay.
Hyperwired
Hyperwired is a 2D, twin-stick shooter with a neat twist. There’s a plug attached to your spaceship, which you insert into a socket to recharge your energy and manage resources. However, while you’re tethered to the socket, you can only move within the range of your cable, potentially leaving you vulnerable.
Because it’s 2026, every other game is a roguelite/roguelike, and that includes Hyperwired. The action takes place in a procedurally generated galaxy in which you have multiple ships with various abilities to choose from. There are dozens of upgrades and hundreds of bullets to collect, making for a thrilling experience.
