While the main Summer Game Fest showcase delivered blockbuster announcements including the follow-up to Shift Up’s Stellar Blade, Day of the Devs 2026 once again stole the spotlight for players looking for creativity, experimentation, and fresh ideas. Curated from over 1,700 submissions, this year’s lineup showcased some of the most exciting indie projects currently in development.
Here are eight standout indie games that deserve a spot on your wishlist.
Tenebris Somnia
Survival horror fans should keep a close eye on Tenebris Somnia, a nightmare-fueled adventure that blends retro pixel-art gameplay with unsettling live-action sequences. The game follows Julia as she navigates a terrifying mystery filled with puzzles and monstrous threats. Its unique mix of FMV storytelling and classic horror aesthetics makes it one of the most memorable reveals from the showcase.
33 Immortals
Developer Thunder Lotus is taking multiplayer roguelikes to a massive scale with 33 Immortals. Up to 33 players battle together against divine forces in chaotic co-op runs, creating a social experience unlike anything else shown at the event. After years of anticipation, this upcoming indie game is finally set to launch this June.
Threads of Time
Inspired by classic JRPGs such as Chrono Trigger, Threads of Time combines gorgeous pixel art, turn-based combat, and time-traveling adventures. Players will recruit heroes from different eras and journey across history aboard a flying vessel, making it one of the most promising RPGs in the indie scene.
Into the Unwell
With its vibrant rubber-hose cartoon aesthetic and cooperative roguelike action, Into the Unwell immediately stood out during the presentation. Players can team up with friends to tackle bizarre challenges in a world that feels inspired by classic animated shorts while delivering modern roguelite gameplay.
Screenbound
One of the most inventive concepts at Day of the Devs, Screenbound seamlessly blends 2D and 3D gameplay. Players navigate a 3D world while simultaneously interacting with a retro handheld console displaying a 2D version of the adventure. The result is a clever puzzle-platformer that feels like a love letter to gaming history.
Apple Crumble
From the creators of Duck Detective comes Apple Crumble, a mystery thriller with a delightfully twisted premise: someone in your family is trying to murder your grandmother during her 84th birthday celebration. Inspired by classic whodunits, the game mixes humor, intrigue, and family drama into a compelling detective experience.
Shot One Fighters
What happens when you combine a fighting game with a roguelike? Shot One Fighters has the answer. Players build and evolve their movesets through successive runs, earning new combos and abilities instead of traditional stat upgrades. It was one of the showcase’s biggest surprises and could become a breakout hit for fighting game fans.
Slap Out of It!
Sometimes the simplest idea is the most entertaining. Slap Out of It! is a first-person comedy puzzle game where solving problems often involves using your floppy arms to slap objects, activate mechanisms, and create chaos. Its absurd humor and physics-based interactions made it one of the showcase’s most memorable crowd-pleasers.
Respect each other, speak your mind, and focus on ideas, not individuals.