It’s no surprise we’re seeing indie collectives prop up as the AAA games industry slowly burns all around us. First Break Labs announced in 2024 that they’d be empowering indie developers and spoke about the virtues of indies. Announcing they’d provide resources to indies and bring their games to a more global audience, First Break Labs has released two games so far under their banner. Today, they dropped a sizzle reel of games they plan on helping release in 2025, and the games look pretty good. Let’s take a look at what’s coming this year from First Break Labs.

At only a minute long, First Break Labs managed to show off five games. The games are a mix of genres and the individual trailers evoke different emotions for me, but most importantly, I think they all look pretty good. A big positive of these publishing houses taking an interest in indies is that we’re starting to see even more indies on consoles. If you think consoles get a lot of indies compared to Steam, you’re sorely mistaken. As someone who primarily games on his PlayStation, even a lot of the good indies still only make it as far as the Nintendo Switch. It’s nice to see most of these games coming to multiple platforms.

Warside

Warside popped up on my radar during my normal indie scrolling, looking for intriguing indies that might spark interest in our community of readers. Looking like a modern version of Advance Wars, LAVABIRD has managed to create a unique experience that both looks reminiscent of its inspiration and remains its own thing. Impressively, LAVABIRD boasts both a story campaign, multiplayer support, and a built-in map editor. I think these things are crucial to any turn-based tactics game with even a hint of Advance Wars on the modern indie scene, to see them ready to go before launch is a strong sign of a competent developer.

Warside launches on Steam on April 14th, 2025. If you’re interested, Warside has a demo available on their Steam page. LAVABIRD is aiming for a console release in Q3 of 2025.

Warside Key Features

• Intuitive turn-based gameplay with a familiar feel for fans of the classics.
• 14 playable Commanders, each with unique passive skills and Battle Powers.
• Control 30+ unit types. Simultaneously battle over land, air, and sea with ground forces, aircraft, and naval units.
• Faction unique units with mechanics specific to each faction.
• Single-player campaign with over 30 missions.
• Forest, desert and snow environments, plus the toxic wastelands.
• Challenge friends and foes with multiplayer battles. Local and internet play are supported.
• Design your own maps with the built-in mission editor for both single and multiplayer.

Particle Hearts

Particle Hearts has the player exploring a world made entirely of particles. “Solve puzzles, avoid detection, and uncover the role you play in this sinister and beautiful land.” The big bad in the trailer looks really cool. Underwater Fire manages to pair a novel adventure game with some fascinating creature design with an extremely unique art style. I’m concerned my aging eyes might have trouble playing Particle Hearts, but of the gameplay I’ve seen, it kind of comes together. I hope my peepers can adjust quickly because Particle Hearts looks novel and fun.

Particle Hearts is aiming for a Fall 2025 release on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. You can currently wishlist Particle Hearts on Steam.

Particle Hearts Key Features

• Gain multiple abilities that allow you to manipulate the particles around you.
• Use your abilities to solve puzzles, evade enemies, and gain access to hidden areas.
• Freely explore open environments any way you’d like.
• Experience a story where the line between friend and foe is often blurred. Meet various creatures that help you unravel your purpose in this land.

ILA: A Frosty Glide

Another Kickstarter success story, ILA: A Frosty Glide is pitched as a “cozy witch’s skatebroom adventure.” Originally only asking for €8000, developers Magic Rain Studios managed to raise 329% of their initial goal at a whopping €26,421. ILA is a young witch-in-training and she needs to search a small open world for her lost kitty, Coco. The Spanish devs wanted to create a smaller, cozier open world game and will have players use their trusty skatebroom to find secret places, collectibles, and improve their magic.

Though the Steam page doesn’t have a release date on it, First Break Labs and Magic Rain Studios are aiming for a Fall 2025 release date on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. You can currently add ILA: A Frosty Glide to your wishlist on Steam.

ILA: A Frosty Glide Key Features

• Glide around. Soar through snowy mountains and enchanted forests, feel the wind as you cross stunning landscapes.
• Discover secret places.
• Collect special items and coins to personalize ILA’s outfit with stylish hats, capes, and skatebrooms to reflect your unique style.
• Enjoy the captivating original soundtrack composed by Joaquim Scandurra (Sku), which builds and grows with you as you approach the summit.

Baseless

Propulsion is the only way to move out in space, and in Baseless, that means shooting. Shoot to blast from planet to planet as gravity determines where you’ll end up. And as you bounce around, make sure you’re shooting and blasting away your enemies in this challenging planet-jumping shooter. Developers Fermenter Games want players to fire powerful weapons, adopt cute friends, and discover a galaxy worth fighting for. Looking straight up like a bullet hell in space with gravity blasting mechanics in a 2D space environment, Baseless looks pretty cool.

No official release date for Baseless but they’re aiming for a Fall 2025 release date on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. You can currently wishlist Baseless on Steam.

Baseless Key Features

• Baseless is a challenging planet-jumping shooter.
• Shooting = Movement!
• Fight through many vibrant zones.
• Gain new powers to add to your arsenal of destruction.

Cthulhu’s Reach: Devil Reef

Currently in Early Access, Cthulhu’s Reach: Devil Reef is an action roguelike top-down shooter with a gritty 90’s pixely art style in a Lovecraftian universe. The Fine Arc, developers of Cthulhu’s Reach: Devil Reef, expect players to plunge into a nightmarish world filled with ancient horrors and eldritch abominations. Surprisingly, Cthulhu’s Reach: Devil Reef is a co-op game, meaning you can dungeon crawl by yourself or with up to 3 friends. Along with exploring the dungeon and its horrors players will also get the chance to find arcane scrolls, incantations, unlock weapons, and upgrade them.

Though the game is playable and available for Early Access on Steam, The Fine Arc and First Break Labs are aiming for a Winter 2026 release date. I imagine being included on this list is meant to generate EA revenue to continue development. Let’s hope they get it. Cthulhu’s Reach: Devil Reef is available for Early Access for $9.99 and wishlist on PC via Steam.

Cthulhu’s Reach: Devil Reef Key Features

• Isometric action roguelike gameplay
• Up to 4 player online co-op multiplayer
• Unlock weapons and upgrades to progress further
• Atmospheric soundtrack and effects
• Wide range of Incantations boosts and give you new abilities
• Generative dungeons – Three Acts with unique bosses will be added during early access
• Map Editor for custom player created maps – Will be added during early access

Hopefully, a few of these games are your jam and we look forward to what First Break Labs has in store for us in the future.