I am so excited to bring you another series of indie titles released this month. It seems the theme this month is lil’ guys. Be they dogs, aliens, lil’ soldiers, Porbles, Tempopo, robots, monsters, thieves, we’ve got a whole bunch of lil’ guys for you to help on their adventures. Sci-fi also takes a bit of a front seat this month with many games falling squarely in the science-fiction genre.
My apologies to the console players, this list is mostly PC games, like always, but it is quite an interesting list. Most of them look like they’re ripe for gaming on the SteamDeck though, which you can always hook up to your television and use a controller anyway. These devs are hard at work bringing you incredible experiences from their perspective and a little support goes a long way. If you’re on the fence, make sure to wishlist, and I’ll keep bringing you indie coverage to help you decide. As always, numbers mean everything, make sure you’re sharing these games, putting them on your respective wishlists, and keeping an eye on Monstervine.com to learn more about your favorite games.
Koira
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 | Release Date: April 1st (PC), April 17th (PS5)
Does anyone else get the feeling from the trailer that they’re about to cry over a dog? Koira’s description is ‘Save a puppy and embark on a heartwarming, hand-drawn adventure together.” That just makes me feel like something’s going to go wrong. Escape hunters, solve puzzles, and make new friends in this gorgeous adventure game developed by Studio TOLIMA from Brussels. Pitched as a poetic adventure game, I’m really looking forward to making sure I keep this dog safe. I’m invested in the dog, please let the dog be okay. You too can ensure the dog’s safety when Koira releases on PC via Steam on April 1st, 2025, and PlayStation 5 on April 17th, 2025. You can wishlist Koira on Steam and PlayStation 5.
Elroy and the Aliens
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 2nd
Elroy and the Aliens sends you back in the past to 1993, where players will be following Elroy and Peggie in search of a long-lost father. Dealing with talking robots, ghosts from the past, and ancient alien technology, Elroy and the Aliens has the look of an old Lucasarts Point & Click adventure with a mysterious story, challenging puzzles, and multiple playable characters. You can play this gorgeous hand-drawn adventure when Elroy and the Aliens release on April 2nd on PC via Steam. You can currently wishlist Elroy and the Aliens on their Steam page, and if you just can’t wait to try it out, a demo is also available.
Portal Fantasy
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 3rd
How good are you at catching Porbles? Not very, I’d bet. That’s because Portal Fantasy, an indie online pixel-art monster collecting RPG, hasn’t been released yet. But soon you’ll be a master at catching and fusing Porbles, pitting them against each other, and exploring the beautiful kingdom of Valeria. As a new student at the Porble Academy, you get to choose from one of three Porbles to start your adventure. Charpup, Groobeet, and Axolil are all anxious to get started on a grand quest to save the kingdom and solve its mysteries when Portal Fantasy comes out on PC via Steam on April 3rd, 2025. You can currently wishlist Portal Fantasy by going to the Steam page.
Ekoh Beach
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 4th
Ya’know, Ekoh Beach hasn’t been the same since the Great Robot Rebellion. That’s probably because it was destroyed during the rebellion, and Ekoh Beach is in desperate need of a new town planner. Do you think you’re up to the task? Help rebuild the town by harvesting resources, crafting materials, and meeting the locals. After all, Ekoh Beach has been isolated for years and only you, our dear town planner, can restore it to its former glory in a way that only you see fit. Restore Ekoh Beach to its heyday and solve the mystery of quantum scientist Dr. Terra when Ekoh Beach releases on PC via Steam on April 4th, 2025. You can currently wishlist Ekoh Beach by going to the Steam page.
Monaco 2
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 10th
It’s been over 10 years since we last stepped foot in Monaco. Are you ready to get your crew back together for another heist? Return to Monaco in Monaco 2 to plan your operations and get out of dodge when things go haywire in this chaotic co-op heist game. Monaco is a city full of luxuries, money, and greed. Work together with your crew of four to rob the city blind, as long as you and your friends have what it takes. Assemble your team from a selection of eight playable characters and carefully plan a heist route with Blueprint Mode, allowing you to look at the level before you even start the mission. Updated 3D art, procedurally generated level design, and a structured campaign made to test your heist skills when Monaco 2 releases on PC via Steam on April 10th. You can currently wishlist Monaco 2 on Steam.
Promise Mascot Agency
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S | Release Date: April 10th
Pitched as an open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator, Promise Mascot Agency aims to prove that mascots are more than just symbols. From Kaizen Game Works, who kicked out critically acclaimed Paradise Killer in 2020 and turned us all into investigation freaks, Promise Mascot Agency sets us in a cursed Japanese town. There, we’ll make friends with mascots with fully formed personalities, dreams and fears, and breakdowns just like us. Send our mascots out to work and keep an eye on them while they work because you never know what these lil’ guys are going to get caught up into. Maybe they’ll get stuck in a door, no big deal. Or maybe they’ll start a kitchen fire, a bigger deal. Help Michi piece his ex-Yakuza life back together when Promise Mascot Agency releases on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on April 10th. If you can’t wait to play it, Promise Mascot Agency has a demo available on their Steam page.
Warside
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 14th
Warside came up just the other day in First Break Labs upcoming games of 2025. In the trailer we got to see the interesting new turn-based tactics wargame that LAVABIRD has been cooking up. With over 30 unit types, 14 playable commanders, a story campaign, multiplayer, and a built-in mission editor, Warside has everything you could want in a beautiful pixel-art environment. The studio based out of London invites you to design your own maps, challenge friends, and participate in an epic story mode campaign when Warside releases on PC via Steam on April 14th. If you can’t wait to play it, Warside has a demo available on the Steam page, as well as the ability to wishlist the game. A console release is planned for Q3 of 2025.
Bionic Bay
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 | Release Date: April 17th
Mureena and Psychoflow Studio invite you to explore the mysterious world of Bionic Bay. Working in tandem, the two studios have worked together to create a stunning biomechanical world filled with imaginative technology, deadly traps, and hidden secrets. Utilizing an innovative swap mechanic and a realistic physics system, Bionic Bay has created a 2D platformer built from the ground up for speedrunning. Participate in online leaderboards, competitive speedrunning against timed races and other players’ ghosts, and customize your scientist to your specifications. Bionic Bay offers all this and more when it releases on PC via Steam and PlayStation 5 on April 17th. A demo is currently available on Steam and is available to wishlist on both platforms.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch | Release Date: April 17th
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree just got a new trailer at the Future Game Show in March. Showing off the diverse playstyle, challenging foes, branching narrative, and immersive soundtrack makes Mandragora one of the best-looking Action RPGs to release in a while. A Kickstarter success story originally aiming for a 2023 release, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a long-anticipated metroidvania that boasts a 40+ hour story. Slay your way through the secrets of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree when it releases on April 17th, 2025, on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. If you simply cannot wait to try out Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, a demo is available on their Steam page or on Xbox. All available platforms offer the option for WIshlist currently except Nintendo eShop.
Tempopo
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 17th
In their first major release since Unpacking, Witch Beam wants to introduce you to the Tempopo! Cute and chaotic creatures that are in desperate need of guidance. Will you be the one to give it to them? Step into Hana’s fantasy world where her musical talents will be used to conduct the Tempopo to work together. Careful planning and precise execution will be required to experience all that this bright and joyful world has to offer. Each puzzle you solve will add another flower that sings its own tune to your melodic garden. Enjoy your own unique musical performances when Tempopo releases on PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on April 17th. You can currently wishlist Tempopo on both PC via Steam and Xbox.
Maliki: Poison of the Past
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch | Release Date: April 22nd
Maliki: Poison of the Past looks like a whopper of a game. In the future, humanity is almost extinct thanks to Poison, a plant monster that alters the space-time continuum. Take control of Maliki and a handful of survivors to wage war in turn-based battles where you can control time. And when you’re not fighting the good fight, take care of the homestead and the Thousand-Root Tree in the life-sim portion of the game. Based on the graphic novel and webcomic of the same name, Maliki: Poison of the Past looks like a beautiful RPG/life-sim with a fun story and some incredible set-pieces. Save humanity and time when Maliki: Poison of the Past releases on PC via Steam on March 11th. Maliki: Poison of the Past has a demo on its Steam page.
Old Skies
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 23rd
Point & Click Adventure heavyweights Wadjet Eye Games is releasing Old Skies this month. In this time travel adventure, spanning two hundred years has you play as Fia Quinn, a time agent for the ChronoZen agency. Your job? Keep a close watch on seven travelers who have a desire to sightsee in the past. Using time travel, solve temporal puzzles, visit seven eras of history, and possibly die only to try again in this beautiful point & click adventure. Wadjet Eye Games even boasts that the game is fully voiced, which is incredible for a game that’s going to be mostly talking. Time travel your way through history when Old Skies releases on April 23rd, 2025 on PC via Steam. If you just can’t wait to play it, Old Skies has a demo available on their Steam page.
BOKURA: planet
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 24th
Following up on their 2023 release, developer tokoronyori has another two-player puzzle adventure game, but this time it’s in space. BOKURA: planet looks to explore new possibilities in cooperative gaming. Requiring that both players be able to communicate to progress through the game, help your crew return safely to Earth. With the new push ability, players will be able to push their friends off cliffs or into danger, if they’re in each other’s way. Cooperation alone may not be enough to get these spacefaring adventurers home. Grab a friend and a microphone and blast off when BOKURA: planet releases on PC via Steam on April 24th, 2025. If you just can’t wait to play it, BOKURA: planet has a demo available on their Steam page.
Detective Dotson
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 24th
Dotson never asked for this. He always wanted to be an actor in Bollywood! Detective work was his father’s thing. But after his dad’s mysterious death, Dotson finds the role he was born to play. Pitched as a love letter to India, the team at Masala Games Private Limited wants to bring India into more video games, and they’re starting with their first title, Detective Dotson. Solve cases by finding clues, exploring the world, and fitting the clues logically to complete sentences. Go anywhere, talk to anyone, and interact with objects everywhere when Detective Dotson releases on PC via Steam on April 24th. If you just can’t wait to play it, Detective Dotson has a demo available on their Steam page.
Monster Prom 4: Monster Con
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 24th
I think the biggest misconception about monsters is that they’re not interested in finding love. Instead of accepting that lie, why don’t you head on down to Monster Con and navigate absurd and hilarious situations to find romance? Join in intimate conversations in this multiplayer narrative adventure and find true love with six sexy monsters. One of them is even a sexy clown! Tons of beautiful art, local AND online multiplayer, and a chance to build your OWN comic book. The latest entry in the Monster Prom series takes you to Monster Con when it releases on PC via Steam on April 24th. If you just can’t wait to play it, Monster Prom 4: Monster Con has a demo available on their Steam page.
Skin Deep
Platforms: PC | Release Date: April 30th
Blendo Games, the brilliant minds behind Quadrilateral Cowboy and Thirty Flights of Loving, have a new first-person immersive sim to dig into. Insurance companies in space want to keep valuables safe, so they do the only thing they can. Freeze you, stow you onto their cargo starships, and wait for the silent alarm to get triggered. That’s where you come in, unthaw, take a deep breath, and do everything in your power to make sure to keep those valuables safe. Skin Deep has sneezing, stuff getting stuck to your feet, and a vast, non-linear starship to sneak around. Show these space pirates what you’ve got when Skin Deep releases on PC via Steam on April 30th. If you just can’t wait to play it, Skin Deep has a demo available on their Steam page.
April is JAM PACKED with great-looking indies. My regards to your wallet, and free time. Please, make sure to wishlist any of these games that you are even the least bit interested in. Wishlists are the next best thing to buying the game. Indie gaming is where the best, brightest, and most interesting games are being released. It’s barely sustainable, but with your help, it could become a little better and maybe a little easier and safer for indie devs to keep trying new things. As always, if there’s a game coming up you want to see covered, feel free to email us at will@monstervine.com or ping our BlueSky account. We’re always scoping out games to cover so we appreciate the help. See you next month!
