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  • Gifts for Girls: 25+ Trendy Holiday Gift Ideas to Add to Your 2025 Wish List

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    This post will show you trendy gift ideas for girls in 2025, with options for every budget.

    2025 trendy gifts for girls

    *It’s tiiimeeee* (Mariah Carey voice) — our holiday gift guide for girls is here!

    Are you stumped on what to ask for for the holidays? Or are you looking for cool gift ideas for girls in your life that they’ll actually love? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!

    I’ve compiled the ultimate list of trendy gifts for girls at every price point, featuring some of the hottest products of 2025.

    With gift ideas under $50, under $100, under $200, plus some big-ticket items, you’ll be able to put together the best wish list ever—or give a gift that is sure to be appreciated and used. 

    Now, let’s get to gifting!

    Gifts Under $50

    Summer Fridays The Lip Butter Balm Minis

    Who doesn’t love the Lip Butter Balm by Summer Fridays?! This award-winning lip treatment is a fan favorite, with hydrating ingredients, delicious scents, and flattering glossy hues that make lips look and feel their best.

    This set features four flavors: Vanilla Beige, a sheer beige with a hint of vanilla sweetness; Pink Guava, a sheer bright pink with a hint of sweet guava flavor; Cherry, a sheer red lip balm with a hint of cherry sweetness; and Sweet Mint, a sheer clear with a hint of sweet mint flavor.

    Not only does the set give you an opportunity to sample a variety of the Lip Butter Balms, but the mini sizes make these ideal for tossing in your bags or pockets, so that you can always keep your lips hydrated while on the go.

    Rhode Snap-On Lip Case

    Hailey Bieber’s Rhode keeps serving up the ultimate must-haves in skincare, makeup, and phone accessories, and the brand’s latest launch is no different: the snap-on lip case, an innovative way to keep your lip product handy at all times.

    Its compact, lightweight design effortlessly snaps on and off, and it works with all MagSafe-compatible iPhone models and cases, making it that much more versatile.

    Get bonus gifting points by including one of Rhode’s Peptide Lip Nourishing Glaze ($20), which will fit perfectly in the holder.

    Personalized Toiletry Bag

    How adorable is this personalized toiletry bag? Everyone could use a cute toiletry bag to store their beauty or skincare products in (especially since these can get dirty or worn down over time—if you’ve ever had a makeup product open in your cosmetics bag before, you get it!).

    This one features a stylish waffle weave fabrication with the option to add a cute, colorful icon above the personalized name, with designs like cowboy boots, cherries, a taxi cab, and more.

    Best of all, the bag has a vinyl-lined interior, making it durable, easy to clean, and perfect for carrying makeup, toiletries, or travel essentials.

    If you’re giving it as a gift and have a bit more budget to spend, consider putting some makeup or skincare products inside, too!

    Vinyl Record

    If you’re a music lover who owns a record player, you will probably enjoy receiving some new tunes to spin or gift to someone else who does. 

    Considering Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has been one of 2025’s most popular albums, it’s a solid choice for a Swiftie—especially the “Sweat and Vanilla Perfume” version that comes on an orange glitter vinyl.

    Stanley Tumbler Cup

    The ultimate way to stay hydratedStanley tumbler cups are pretty much everyone’s favorite for keeping drinks cold for 9 hours and iced for 40 hours, with so many colors and sizes to choose from. 

    The cup comes with a reusable straw and features a narrow base so that it fits in most car cup holders (which is key for being able to use it on the go). You’ll feel more motivated than ever to stay hydrated throughout your day by carrying this cup around!

    Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

    Lululemon ivory belt bagLululemon ivory belt bag

    The bag that does it all! There’s a reason why Lululemon’s Everywhere belt bag has become such a staple—it’s so convenient and sleek.

    With water-repellent fabric, pockets to organize your items, and the ability to wear it both cross-body and around your waist, this popular belt bag (which is available in 15+ colors) is guaranteed to become your go-to.

    Disposable 35mm Camera

    There’s something to be said about physical photographs—cell phone snaps are great, but printed photos allow you to hold onto memories instead of scrolling past them.

    That’s why this disposable camera is perfect for your friend group’s resident paparazzo or anyone who loves the Y2K aesthetic and wants to channel the nostalgia of the 2000s. It is pre-loaded with film and features funky pre-exposed patterns, putting a Y2K filter on your photos (no editing app needed).

    After finishing the roll of film, send it off to be developed and enjoy physical photographs that you can decorate your room with, put in a scrapbook or photo album, or sharing with your pals IRL.

    Classic Cozzzy Faux Fur Slipper Clog

    crocs cozzzy slipperscrocs cozzzy slippers

    Crocs, but make them winter-ready. Get cozy this holiday season with some Crocs Classic Cozzzzy Faux Fur Slipper Clogs, which put a soft, warm spin on the classic Crocs we all know (and love).

    Covered in fuzzy, high-pile fleece and with a soft, squishy footbed, these slippers are great for lounging around at home or in a college dorm room, keeping feet warm and toasty.

    Alo Half-Crew Socks

    Socks are usually a generic, slightly boring gift to receive from family members—unless they’re from Alo!

    Alo’s branded half-crew socks are some of the trendiest socks out there, so they’re going to be well-received. These cushioned socks come in a ton of color combinations, and look so cute with athletic and athleisure outfits, making them a great stocking stuffer.

    Gifts Under $100

    Revolve 12-Day Beauty Advent Calendar

    revolve 12 day advent calendarrevolve 12 day advent calendar

    Why give one gift when you can give twelve for under $100?

    I love the idea of a beauty advent calendar, which is not only so fun—in this case, you get to open a gift for 12 days in a row—but it gives you a chance to try a bunch of best-selling beauty products that are worth a combined value of $327.

    With brands like Kosas, Summer Fridays, Benefit, and more, you’re sure to discover fresh new favorites in this diverse selection of mini beauty and skincare products.

    Reversible Fleece Hooded Teddy Jacket

    How cozy does this hooded fleece teddy jacket look?!

    Available in four neutral hues that are all reversible, it features a hood with adorable teddy ears and an oversized silhouette with front patch pockets that can be worn indoors as a robe or outside as a jacket.

    The reversible design means you’ll get two looks in one, and its piled fleece is plush and warm, making this an ultra-cozy gift.

    LABUBU Plush Hanging Toy

    One of the hottest accessories of the year was not a bag, or a necklace, or sunglasses—it was Labubu, a collectible plush toy that can be used as a bag charm and turned into a status symbol after selling out everywhere.

    Celebs like Rihanna and Dua Lipa have even been spotted using Labubus as bag charms, adding a playful element to their ensembles.

    If you want to get in on the trend, or have a friend who is Labubu-obsessed, this Labubu x Pronounce Wings of Fortune vinyl plush hanging card is an adorable option, complete with a fashionable gold outfit that will look oh-so-cute hanging from a handbag or backpack.

    Rhode Blush + Lip Trio

    Give the girlies what they want this holiday season: Rhode products! This trio includes a Rhode Pocket Blush, Peptide Lip Shape, and Peptide Lip Tint, with four shade options to choose from.

    These full-sized products will help you achieve the natural, flushed makeup look that Hailey Bieber is known for, giving you contoured, glossy lips and rosy cheeks in a flash.

    COACH Plaza 18 Leather Shoulder Bag

    Every girl needs a go-to black shoulder bag in her accessories collection, and this Coach Plaza 18 shoulder bag, made from natural grain leather, is a stylish option.

    It is the perfect size to stash your necessities in, and can also be carried as a clutch thanks to its convertible strap, giving you two ways to wear it!

    Available in four classic hues, it’s a little taste of luxury.

    Instant Photo Printer

    Bring your favorite memories to life with this instant photo printer that allows you to print photos directly from your iOS or Android devices using Bluetooth connectivity.

    It is portable, rechargeable, and uses zero ink technology to eliminate the need for costly film and printer cartridges, making the process a breeze.

    The 2″ x 3″ photos it prints will be just the right size for decorating your room or locker with, sticking in a journal or scrapbook, or of course, framing.

    Perfume Sampler Set with Redeemable Voucher

    Do you have a signature scent? Perfumes can be pricey, so the holidays may be a good opportunity to ask for your most-loved fragrance.

    But if you’re still searching for a signature scent or you enjoy trying out new perfumes, this perfume sampler set is the way to go. It comes with 20 sample-sized fragrances ranging from warm florals to sweet vanilla scents, allowing you to try out many options.

    Best of all, once you’ve found your favorite scent, you can take the included redeemable voucher to a Sephora store (or use it online) for a full-sized bottle of the perfume of your choice at no extra cost.

    Gifts Under $200

    Ugg Classic Ultra Mini Platform Boots

    ‘Tis the season for warm and cozy footwear, and it doesn’t get more classic than a pair of sheepskin-lined Ugg boots. These are the ultimate “throw on and go” shoes that are just as great for lounging around as they are for wearing to class in the winter.

    If you don’t already have a pair, or if your pair is looking worn down, Christmas is the perfect time to ask for a new pair of Uggs! The Classic Ultra Mini Platform Boots are short enough to wear with baggy jeans, in addition to sweatpants and leggings, while giving you a boost in height.

    Kindle E-Book Reader

    Kindle e readerKindle e reader

    If you (or your gift recipient) are a book lover, an E-book reader is the perfect way to read on the go. This Kindle has the lightest and most compact design yet, offering a glare-free display with up to six weeks of battery life. Plus, how cute is its matcha green color?

    You’ll be able to store thousands of books with its 16 GB storage capacity, which is particularly ideal if you read while traveling or commuting and don’t want to lug heavy books around with you.

    If you prefer to read physical books, you can always ask or give these for the holidays, as well! Cozy season is the perfect time to start a new read.

    Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool And Air Glosser

    Give the gift of at-home blowouts with Shark’s Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool and Air Glosser.

    Suitable for all hair types including curly and coily textures, this tool quickly dries and smooths hair for a bouncy DIY blowout. Its innovative technology helps protect your hair from heat damage by self-regulating its temperature, and it works on both wet and dry hair, giving you professional results at home in a flash.

    Hatch Alarm Clock

    Hatch Alarm ClockHatch Alarm Clock

    While receiving an alarm clock may not seem like an exciting or desirable gift, people who own Hatch alarm clocks would beg to differ!

    This innovative alarm clock does more than just wake you up; it wakes you up gently with a sunrise that supports your circadian rhythm and helps you sleep deeply with soothing sounds, including white noise.

    This will make getting up for 8 AM classes much more bearable and help you wind down after a stressful day of exams—plus, it looks cute on your nightstand.

    Alo Crewneck Pullover

    If Alo’s socks are the stocking stuffer, consider making the brand’s Accolade Crewneck Pullover the main event! This branded sweatshirt is hugely popular, with a cozy fit and signature chrome Alo logo on the front. Available in a bunch of different colors, it’s going to make laid-back outfits feel more elevated and on-trend, while keeping you comfy.

    P.S. — you can make it a set with its coordinating sweatpants.

    BÉIS Weekender Bag

    Beis weekender bagBeis weekender bag

    Owning good luggage is something that becomes important when you’re in college, especially if the school you attend is out of state and you find yourself traveling back and forth for breaks, holidays, etc.

    BÉIS, actress Shay Mitchell’s travel gear brand, is a fan favorite that is known for both fashion-forward luggage designs combined with functional features. The brand’s Weekender Bag is particularly popular, with its stylish yet practical design featuring a separate bottom compartment, trolley pass-through, organizational pockets, and a roomy interior that fits a surprising amount of stuff.

    It comes in a bunch of colors and is perfect for staying the night at your friend’s place, on a weekend trip, or being used as your personal item when traveling via plane.

    Also be sure to check out BÉIS suitcases, which would also make for amazing gifts come holiday time.

    Big Ticket Items

    Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera

    Perfect for aspiring vloggers, photographers, or anyone looking to take their social media content to the next level, the Sony ZV-1F camera is made with content creators in mind.

    The camera features an ultra-wide angle lens to capture everything in the frame, along with 10 creative presets to instantly filter your images and videos, an easy-to-use bokeh button, Clear Voice technology to ensure that your voice sounds crisp, and even a “Product Showcase” setting that will automatically focus on products you hold up to the camera.

    This means your hauls, makeup tutorials, and product reviews are going to look and sound professional, while allowing your creativity to flourish.

    Apple AirPods Max

    Apple’s Airpods Max are practically a fashion accessory with their chunky over-the-ear design and standout color options that make them look just as good as they sound. 

    These headphones are high-tech, tracking your head movements to ensure you get the best possible listening experience and easily syncing with your other Apple devices, plus they offer noise cancelation so that you can really immerse yourself in the music or podcasts you’re listening to.

    Apple iPad Air

    The holidays are a good time to splurge on tech, and Apple’s iPad Air is totally going to upgrade your life. Perfect for studying, working, streaming, creating, or gaming, this lightweight tablet has tons of capabilities, offering writing and drawing tools with a host of other functions.

    It’s so lightweight you’ll barely notice it in your backpack, yet powerful enough to handle just about anything, making it the ultimate student companion.

    Dyson Airwrap i.d.™ Multi-Styler and Dryer

    IMO, Dyson’s Airwrap Multi-Styler and Hair Dryer is one of the best inventions to come out in recent years, completely revolutionizing the hair drying and styling process.

    Not only can it dry your hair in record time (which is major for girls with thick and/or long hair), but it styles your hair without heat damage thanks to its smart sensors that ensure the temperature will not overheat. 

    The device comes with various attachments that give you multiple ways to style your hair, from blowing it out straight to curling it, making this a worthy investment that you’ll be able to use for years to come.

    What do you think of our 2025 gift guide for girls?

    Which gift idea is your favorite? What gifts are you adding to your holiday wish list? Leave a comment and let us know!

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    Demi – University of Maryland

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  • Towerborne Dev Diary #2

    Towerborne Dev Diary #2

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    The post Towerborne Developer Diary: Fights, Friends and Fat Loot appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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    Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

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  • 12 Extraordinary Games You’ll Want On Your Wishlist Straight Away

    12 Extraordinary Games You’ll Want On Your Wishlist Straight Away

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    Incredible scenes of a ship flying through asteroids in Falling Frontier.

    Screenshot: Stutter Fox Studios

    It’s Black Friday, the day on which the entirety of planet Earth entirely takes leaves of its senses and spends all its money on stuff it doesn’t need for 5 percent less than it would have cost yesterday. Planet Earth this year has bought itself an entirely new moon, even though the old one’s fine, just because this one has Bluetooth. So let’s distract ourselves from all that by discovering 12 amazing new games.

    As is ever the case with Indiegeddon, I am not vouching for these games, as I’ve not played any of them. Instead, I just think they look interesting, exciting, frightening, or so damned weird I couldn’t not write about them. Most of them aren’t out yet, but the most useful thing you can do for the developers is give them a wishlist on Steam: it makes a big difference.

    Read More: 10 Incredible Games You Should Be Wishlisting Right This Minute

    There’s bound to be at least one game here that has you checking its release date and wishing it were sooner, unless you’re that one person in the greys who feels the need to tell the whole universe that he actually thinks they all look terrible. We feel sorry for you, that one person. Just pity, really. For everyone else, woo-hoo, let’s get going!

    Stuffer Fox

    Falling Frontier

    Every time I see a space-based RTS that looks as cool as Falling Frontier, I think, “This will be the one! This will be the game where I conquer my fear of menus!” And then I fail. But maybe it will be this one, because damn, it looks brilliant. Four years in the making already, by only one human, this looks like it came from a team of 100 at Paradox. Just watch those spaceships asplode! It’s all about taking over a procedurally generated star system, with intel and logic as its primary factors. But then you can also design your ships, raid enemies, and do all that amazing space-strat stuff I wish I’d grown a brain for.

    Developer: Stutter Fox Studios

    Release Date: 2023

    Wishlist here

    Marijenburg

    Bill

    You, a squirrel called Bill who’s great at crafting, stumble upon an alien baby in your garden who needs your help! It’s a tale as old as time itself. The result, Bill, is a simulation game in which you must craft, farm and organize everything the baby alien needs to survive. And it’s all to explore the concepts of recycling. Which is the weirdest elevator pitch, and yet looks like it could be adorable.

    Developer: Marijenburg

    Release Date: TBA (demo in Feb 2023)

    Wishlist here

    Rarebyte

    We Are Screwed

    Get your head around this one: A 1 to 4-player couch co-op game about attempting to maintain a spaceship in calamitous circumstances, but also in splitscreen where you see both the inside and outside of your ship at the same time. Yikes. People will be able to take on different roles on the ship, from captain to janitor, as everything goes wrong on board while trying to defend yourself from enemies. It’s all about chaos and multitasking, or as I prefer to describe it, failing as a team.

    Developer: Rarebyte

    Release Date: 2023

    Wishlist here

    Something Classic Games

    Quartet

    Quartet looks like an incredibly faithful classic-style JRPG, but with a new twist on its turn-based battle system. Indeed, there are eight characters in that thumbnail above, but you battle with four at a time, able to tag characters in and out as appropriate. It’s also a quartet of stories, four to choose from, played in any order you wish, and of course in an Octotraveller way, they intertwine as you play through them all. It’s an ambitious project for a five-person indie team, but it sure looks like they’re doing it.

    Developer: Something Classic Games

    Release Date: 2023

    Wishlist here

    Two And A Half Studios

    Dreambound

    That man has a very tiny head. That said, this is Dreambound, a visual novel that’s just had a successful Kickstarter (raising over $30,000), affording everyone the opportunity to watch handsome young men stare wistfully at one another. It’s booooy looooove. As well as that, there are also mysterious deaths, dreams that invade reality, and demons from the past to deal with, for main character Noah, in what’s already looking like a very pleasingly drawn and written adventure.

    Developer: Two And A Half Studios

    Release Date: Early 2024

    Wishlist here

    Lofty Sky Entertainment

    Sky Of Tides

    Coo, look at this! It looks like that all-too-rarely explored sweet spot between point-and-click adventure and RPG. Sky Of Tides is a sci-fi story in a civilization on the brink of war, telling the personal tale of Rin, searching for her missing father, and, you know, saving the planet Numen. (NUMEN!) It promises that your decisions will determine your character, as you explore the isometric world, and honestly, I want to be playing it already.

    Developer: Lofty Sky Entertainment

    Release Date: Q2 2023

    Wishlist here

    Pavonis Interactive

    Terra Invicta

    Elsewhere in space… Terra Invicta is another super-deep space sim, this one immediately reminding me of Stellaris, but with a far more specific focus: Earth. This is from a group of modders, best known for XCOM: Long War. The success of that mod sent them pro, and Terra Invicta is their first commercial game, a geopolitical space exploration sim, where you’re preventing (or even aiding) an alien invasion of our home planet. The game’s been out in early access for a couple of months, and is proving very popular with Steam reviewers, thanks to its complexity and scale.

    Developer: Pavonis Interactive

    Release Date: Out now (early access)

    Buy it here

    seudo nimm

    The Blocks Shoot At You

    An Arkanoid-like, but the blocks you hit shoot back at you! How is this not already a thing. (I think you’ll find, actually, that there was an example of this on the Amiga Rupture 3400 in Germany, in the parallel dimension of Raaaaaaa – That Guy.) The Blocks Shoot At You looks like such an obvious idea, but I’ve never seen it before: Bullet Hell Breakout. This looks like it could be my new obsession, at which I am endlessly terrible.

    Developer: seudo nimm

    Release Date: TBA

    Wishlist here

    Amon26

    Phobolis: Bare Your Teeth

    I love it when I can’t quite tell if it’s a video-nasty trailer or a retro FPS trailer. That’s a whole scene right now. Phobolis fits right in, its scratchy trailer at first looking like a ruined VHS video that will curse your grandchildren, then cutting to a grimy, old-school shooter. You can pick up the alpha test build of the game via Itch for a buck, or wait until the year after next when they plan to release.

    Developer: Amon26

    Release Date: Early 2024

    Buy the alpha build here

    Recombobulator Games

    Space Boat

    Call me a sucker, but I can’t resist a game about a space cat detective who investigates a crime on an interstellar cruise ship populated by sentient carpets. As Domino, said detective cat, you explore the ship in third-person, attempting to catch a jewel thief. It’s presented so superbly down-to-earth, given the ridiculous premise, as you’ll see in that full half hour of the game in the video above.

    Developer: Recombobulator Games

    Release Date: TBA

    Demo and wishlist here

    Robot Cat

    Zero Division

    I can’t write one of these without including a card game—there are laws. Zero Division is a cyberpunk approach, that promises to mix Magic: The Gathering with Slay The Spire. You pick three characters from a selection of nine, each of which has their own deck of 40 cards. And set deck sizes mean no deck thinning! Woo! What grabs me is the combination of cards and epic 3D monsters and robots flinging their arms and weapons around on the other side of the board. There’s a demo due in spring ‘23, and I’m definitely going to be playing it.

    Developer: Robot Cat Limited

    Release Date: Winter 2023

    Wishlist here

    Sam Atlas

    Extreme Evolution: Drive to Divinity

    Always finish on an existential non-linear psychedelic platformer, that’s what my grandmother taught me. Not one to refuse sage advice, here’s Extreme Evolution: Drive to Divinity by Sam Atlas, creator of the 2022 IGF Nuovo nomination, Space Hole 2020. Extreme Evolution looks just so spectacularly fucked up, like if David Lynch had made The Lawnmower Man, and I think I’m going to be dreaming this brief trailer for the rest of my life. Oh god that spider virus thing.

    Developer: Sam Atlas

    Release Date: 2023

    Wishlist here

     

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    John Walker

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  • 10 Incredible Games You Should Be Wishlisting Right This Minute

    10 Incredible Games You Should Be Wishlisting Right This Minute

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    Heart Of Muriet's beautiful gloaming skies.

    Screenshot: Microtale

    As the rest of Team Kotaku are off chasing turkeys through their local Macy’s (I’ve done more research about what a Thanksgiving is this year), once more I have the keys to the site, have locked everyone out, and then immediately lost those keys. While I’m stuck here, I figure I should tell you about some awesome-looking indie games that are coming soon.

    Look, it could be worse. I was trying to work out some sort of feedline for the phrase, “May Seize Day Per Raid.” [Ghost of Ari sweeps through Kotaku HQ’s dusty halls] A better use of all our time would be if I let you know about a whole bunch of ace-looking indie games that you’d be in danger of not hearing about otherwise. Let’s get them on wishlists, push up their YouTube views, and then tell all the other kids about them at recess.

    As always, I am not personally vouching for these games. These are randomly selected from a vast pile of emails that I’ve received following a clarion call, and unless I say so, I haven’t played them. It’s all about grabbing the opportunity to use this huge platform to highlight the sorts of games the gaming media usually ignores. So let’s get going!

    Microtale

    Heart Of Muriet

    See, this is what it’s all about. House Of Muriet is a voxel-based RTS, which entirely eschews micromanagement in favor of strategic play. It’s about wizards, building settlements, researching magical abilities, and making stuff explode. Also, OMG, watch that trailer. Normally when I read “voxel” I worry, but not this time. It looks like someone made a stop-motion film in Minecraft, and the result is absolutely spellbinding.

    Developer: Microtale

    Release: Aug 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Espiocracy

    Espiocracy

    A Cold War-era spy sim, that lets you pick a nation’s intelligence agency, and then play as them from 1946 to 2020, across a world map. The video above is an absolutely incredible example of how to present a game that’s otherwise primarily a picture of a map, making it look thrilling. With 74 playable countries, and the claim that it’ll let you rewrite history Paradox-style, this is enormously ambitious.

    Developer: Ex Vivo Studios

    Release: TBA

    Wishlist here

    MythicOwl

    Harmony’s Odyssey

    Released last month, I’m most annoyed with myself for still not having made time for Harmony’s Odyssey. Just based on colorfulness alone, it qualifies for anyone’s attention. It’s a gorgeous-looking action-adventure, packed with puzzles where you rearrange reality in a series of dioramas. I’m so glad MythicOwl emailed, because it’s the reminder I needed to finally get on and play this.

    Developer: MythicOwl

    Release: Out now

    Buy here

    Jupiter Moons

    Jupiter Moons: Mecha

    No, you can’t move for “roguelike deckbuilders” right now, so it’s something that Jupiter Moons caught my eye, and for a second time! We’ll be a mecha pilot, fighting off pirates and bandits from the moon colonies of Jupiter, but because it’s now, we’re using cards to do it. This is a case of the trailer really selling it within a crowded market, that combination of intricate build-outs for your mecha, and then the fast pace of action, despite being done by flinging cards around the screen. Also, I really like the look of the art. And it was already wishlisted.

    Developer: RockAndBushes

    Release: 2023

    Wishlist here

    AuntyGames

    Gourdlets

    You can immediately see why Wholesome Games recently got excited about Gourdlets. It’s a city-building sandbox, except, it really means it. So many city-building games that say “sandbox” just mean, “you can put the buildings where you want, while ticking off this list of objectives.” Not this: there are apparently no goals, no objectives, just the pleasure of building a cute little city, and then watching the gourdlet vege-people move in, and interact with what you’ve created. Which sounds just so very lovely.

    Developer: AuntyGames

    Release: 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Luis G. Bento

    CORPUS EDAX

    I will be honest: When I read Luis G. Bento’s blurb for the apparently yelled CORPUS EDAX (which I think is Latin for Body Eater…), claiming he was making an immersive sim in the vein of Deus Ex and Fallout, my out loud response was, “No you’re not.” Because a person can’t do that. And then I watched the trailer, and…blimey. He might be. Now, that footage above is described as “pre-pre-alpha,” and it’s not just you, it has no sound, but come on! It looks impressive, right? Also, you’ll note there are no guns in this “retro-futuristic” (no) RPG, where instead you fight only using objects you find lying around. Like in real life.

    Developer: Luis G. Bento

    Release: September 2023

    Wishlist here

    STARS IN THE TRASH – Announce Trailer

    Stars In The Trash

    If you’re of a certain age (it’s called: Old) you’ll remember the heyday of 2D Disney platformers. There was Aladdin, The Lion King, and er that’s it. But both were adored, combining a half-decent platform game with Disney’s animation style. That’s what developer Valhalla Cats aims to do with Stars In The Trash. You can see in the footage that it looks lovely, if more ‘80s Euro-animation than Disney. I really don’t like that title, but the game itself looks like it could be lovely.

    Developer: Valhalla Cats

    Release: Q4 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Duppy Detective Tashia – Announcement Trailer

    Duppy Detective Tashia

    Developer Spritewrench has two projects on the go, the first for next year being the brilliantly named On the Peril of Parrots. It looks to be an intriguing puzzle game, where the trailer’s familiar-looking puzzle type then rather surprised me with the menu option to “Destroy all humans.” But grabbing me further is 2024’s Duppy Detective Tashia, a Caribbean-set detective game in which you’re helping the titular Tashia to find her stolen phone and, well, shadow. It’s based the region’s folklore, where “duppy” is a form of ghost, sometimes a malevolent spirit, and the basis for many an excellent tale.

    Developer: Spritewrench

    Release: 2024

    Wishlist here

    GROSS Trailer

    GROSS

    Another bellowed game name, although this time a word that requires it. This is a tower defence (remember them?) with FPS elements! Goodness me, there was a time in the last decade where I wrote, “a tower defence with XXX elements” so many times, but it was never “FPS.” The trailer is bloody brilliant, and makes the whole thing look spectacularly bonkers, even if I’m most confused about how the genres overlap. We’ll find out in a couple of months!

    Developer: Hangry Owl Games

    Release: Jan 11, 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Chicken Journey – Trailer

    Chicken Journey

    You could argue I randomly picked this game because it’s called Chicken Journey, and on most other days you’d be right. But after watching the footage, I discovered a pixel platformer that reminded me of when I was a boy, and sprites clung to vines properly. The whole thing looks adorable, with a bunch of puzzle solving and amiable chatting, and really looks like a thing I wish I were playing right now.

    Developer: Loonyware

    Release: March 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

     

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    John Walker

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