Each year I make sure not to miss the Day of Dev's conference during Summer Game Fest, as it's full of unique indie titles willing and able to try something different. As a big fan of puzzle games, the reveal trailer for Snap and Grab sparked my imagination for what it could end up becoming.

First announced a decade ago, Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch is aptly releasing on April 20th - a traditional stage by stage beat em up with a hand drawn art style. Set in movie director and writer Kevin Smith's View Askewniverse, the game is a nostalgic return to the worlds many people watched growing up.

Since it's announcement back at the final E3 in 2021, Replaced has constantly been on media outlets' most anticipated lists year after year. Nearly five years later, and 2026 has seen numerous solid indie games release in similar genres. But none that share Replaced's unique pixelated look and slick action.

For the second week in a row, we have a fun, smaller scale turn-based RPG inspired by the JRPG classics. Dosa Divas continues independent studio Outerloop Games' South Asian inspirations that appear in every title, with another turn-based RPG after the enjoyable Thirsty Suitors. Both games focus on confronting the past and facing family and friends.

Having been raised on a stable diet of JRPGs from the 90s onwards, from Chrono Trigger, the mainline Final Fantasy series, Skies of Arcadia and countless more, I've always appreciated a long-form story where you get to know a cast of characters in an original, imaginative world. But over time, the genre has slowly transitioned to a prominent action or hybrid focus over turn-based combat. Although I've still enjoyed countless action JRPGs like Kingdom Hearts, I still keep an eye out for any new and interesting turn-based games - a genre that saw Clair Obscur Expedition 33 win many people's game of the year award last year.