Who said indie games can’t have blockbuster energy? The second-ever Triple-i Initiative showcase just wrapped, and once again it proved that creativity isn’t limited by budget. Between surprise reveals, long-awaited updates, and a generous helping of weird (in the best way), the event overflowed with stuff worth keeping an eye on.
Best games from Triple-i Initiative showcase
From sci-fi roguelikes to football brawlers and post-apocalyptic survival sims on trains (yes, really), there was plenty to chew on, here are 10 standouts we can’t stop thinking about!
1. The Alters – Cloning has never been this existential
From the minds behind This War of Mine and Frostpunk, The Alters finally has a release date—June 13. The survival-strategy hybrid stars Jan, a man trying to escape a deadly planet with the help of… alternate versions of himself. Think base-building meets therapy session, as each clone is shaped by different life choices. It’s haunting, intriguing, and promises a sci-fi spin on self-discovery.
2. Frostrail – Snowpiercer meets Barotrauma
Imagine chugging across a frozen hellscape in a train that’s half fortress, half home. That’s Frostrail, a survival shooter from Barotrauma devs Fakefish and Shiro Games. It’s got co-op, train upgrades, dungeon diving, and ominous Lovecraftian energy. Coming to Steam Early Access next year, and it already looks brutally beautiful.
3. Katana Zero – DLC (Finally)
Remember that free Katana Zero DLC announced in 2019? It’s still happening—and it’s almost here. Askiisoft confirmed it’s nearing completion, and from the teaser, it’s looking slick. With new levels, characters, and lore, it’s basically half a new game. If you loved the original’s razor-sharp gameplay and synth-drenched vibes, this is reason enough to dust off your sword.
4. Void/Breaker – Stylish roguelike shooter chaos
Solo-dev Stubby Games is cooking something wild with Void/Breaker, a fast-paced FPS roguelike full of neon bullets, gun mods, and AI-controlled murderbots. It hits that Ultrakill x Returnal sweet spot and features environmental destruction and “infinite” gun permutations. Bonus: there’s a public playtest running until April 24.
5. Rematch – A football game… from the Sifu devs?
Yeah, we’re still processing this one too. Sloclap (Sifu) is pivoting hard with Rematch, a 5v5 multiplayer football game where fast-paced matches play out in third-person. It feels more like Rocket League meets melee brawling than traditional footy, which honestly sounds like a chaotic good time. It launches June 19 with a closed beta already open.
6. Neverway – Cosy sim turned cosmic horror
From the artist behind Celeste comes this curveball of a game: a life sim RPG where you start a new farm life… and then become the immortal herald of a dead god. Neverway blends slice-of-life and eldritch horror in a way that sounds deeply unhinged—in a good way. No release date yet, but the Disasterpeace soundtrack alone is enough to warrant attention.
7. SpeedRunners 2 – The chaotic platformer is back
Eight-player races, a new 3D look, and superhero antics return in SpeedRunners 2. It ditches the pixel art for polygons, but keeps the cutthroat footracing energy that made the first game so beloved. Whether you’re here to troll your friends or climb the online ladders, it’s shaping up to be a chaotic party game staple when it lands on Steam this year (consoles in 2026).
8. Outbound – Zen road trip, apocalypse style
Imagine cruising through the wilderness in a scrappy camper van you’ve turned into a mobile greenhouse/home/laboratory. Outbound is part survival game, part chill nature journey, and all vibes. You grow crops, harness wind and solar power, and customize your ride—all while soaking in the scenery. Closed alpha starts April 14, and honestly, sign us up.
9. Tears of Metal – Scottish medieval co-op mayhem
This hack-and-slash roguelike from Paper Cult (Bloodroots) throws you and your clan into a chaotic mess of steel and fire. Tears of Metal combines heavy melee combat with roguelike progression and a strong art direction, all set against the backdrop of a mysterious meteor crash. Open beta is live now, so you can see for yourself how satisfying it is to axe your way through corrupted hordes.
10. Duskfade – A 3D platformer for the PS2 kids (but prettier)
Duskfade wears its love for classic platformers on its sleeve. If Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, or Sly Cooper were your jam, this is your next fix. It features slick movement, combat, puzzles, and a dreamy clockpunk aesthetic. Coming in 2026, which is a long wait—but good things take time, right?
The event is slowly becoming a vital pipeline for ambitious indies that don’t quite fit the usual mold. Whether you’re into roguelikes, narrative experiments, or just want to shoot weird stuff in space, there’s something here that’ll probably land on your wishlist. Or three.
Featured image credit: Triple-i Initiative
