Spring has sprung! I think, actually the weather here kinda sucks. But all the more reason to stay inside and play a bunch of cool indie games that would never have been greenlit by a giant publisher. Let your dollars actually contribute to a developer’s well-being by checking out these bomb indie titles, wishlisting, and maybe even purchasing on release. We’ve got more indie games this month than ever before, which is why the list is going up a wee bit late.
Nevertheless, this month is a weird one. We’ve got game genres running the gamut this month, and they’re all a little tilted. Games with strong narratives, games with intricate and heavy gameplay elements, lighthearted games, and a surprising amount of horror for May. I guess the theme this month is just a whole lotta fun lookin’ indies that could really use a good home and some love. 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.
despelote
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch | Release Date: May 1st
despelote is a slice-of-life adventure about kicking soccer balls at people from the perspective of an eight-year-old boy named Julian. It has a dreamy visual aesthetic that contrasts with the black and white characters, which makes the visuals pop out. The imagery and audio were all recorded on location in Ecuador, creating a sense of time as you see the city change as the country comes closer to qualifying for the World Cup. The soccer physics is also noteworthy, as you can dribble, pass, and shoot around town and kick it to townspeople to learn more through conversations. It’s also a short romp, about two hours.
Despelote releases May 1, 2025 on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 &5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Shotgun Cop Man
Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch | Release Date: May 1st
Have you ever thought to yourself, with all the things that are going on in the world, “What if we just arrested Satan?” Then you’re on the same page as the eponymous Shotgun Cop Man. Shotgun Cop Man is brought to us by the creator of My Friend Pedro and channels the same Adult Swim energy with a strange premise and very violent means to bring Satan to justice. Shotgun Cop Man is a game where everything can be solved by a bullet, whether that’s eliminating a foe or using the recoil from your weapon to dash across the screen, get a bit more air, or avoid a projectile in this precision platforming game. Even when you brave the over 150 levels and bring Satan to justice, you can look forward to user-generated levels and other modes like No Damage, Speedrun, and Kill All challenges. If you’re itching to go to Hell, a demo is available for both Switch and Steam.
Shotgun Cop Man brings serves a warrant on PC and Switch on May 1, 2025.
Sub-Verge
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 1st
Remember all the fun we used to have with submersibles? Going down and visiting the remains of the Titanic was so novel for a time. Now, ugh, we’ve gotta deal with underwater dwelling renegades. Of course, that pales in comparison to the water slowly leaking into your submersible. As the renegades surround you, it might be time to switch sides from surface-dweller to underwater renegade. But you’d better decide quickly, the Krake is on the move, and if it gets here before you make a decision, it’ll make one for you. Learn about the subsurface renegades and choose your allegiance or suffer the wrath of the Krake in Sub-Verge when it comes to PC via Steam and Itch.io on May 1st. If you’d like more context on the world and characters of Sub-Verge, a 74-page PDF book titled Subtle Mind – A Sub-Verge prequel, will be available as DLC on May 1st when the game releases. You can currently wishlist the game on Steam.
The Horror at Highrook
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 1st
We’re getting a lot of narrative fun this month. The Horror at Highrook is a narrative card crafting RPG with a strong occult theme. Highrook itself is home to the Ackeron family, who, after rumors of occult activity, have vanished. The city council is looking for a couple of occult investigators to take a look and figure out what happened to the Ackerons. Play as a group of investigators sent by each of the city’s elite guilds to investigate The Horror at Highrook. Will you be able to figure out what’s going on in this haunted mansion and what happened to the Ackeron family, or is death in the cards? The Horror at Highrook will be available for PC via Steam on May 1st. You can currently wishlist The Horror at Highrook on Stea,m and if you can’t wait to try it out, a demo is currently available on the Steam page.
Sipssassin
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 2nd
Video games have allowed you to play various roles society deems unnatural or even cruel since their inception. What kind of well-respected person plays table tennis anyway? One of those roles is the very necessary but oft-underappreciated assassin. What if instead of murder, you were tasked to steal people’s drinks, and drink them? Sipssassin aims to answer that question that’s plagued mankind for centuries. Fight the Drinkceptionists by using your Sipssassination skills to steal and drink everyone’s drinks and save humanity from complete drinkception. Sipssassin is a bit of a sandbox game with 4 different game types that have you unlocking new characters, finding hidden secrets, and searching for the legendary drinks. Hydrate in the face of drinkception when Sipssassin comes out on May 2nd on PC via Steam. Sipssassin is available for wishlist on the Steam page.
Drop Duchy
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 5th
How would you feel if we just added a little fantasy RPG city building into your Tetris roguelite? As a treat. Would that be okay? The first time I saw the trailer for Drop Duchy, my heart sank. I just knew this game was going to consume me for days. Sure enough, after booting up the demo, my fears were confirmed. Pulling down tiles to make your enemy’s armies less effective while stacking tiles that’ll make your army more effective is the precise type of randomized min/maxing that sets my brain ablaze. And our own Tom Ravencroft loved it. Let the blocks craft your realm when Drop Duchy releases on May 5th on PC via Steam. As I mentioned earlier, if you simply cannot wait for the game to release, there’s a demo available on the Steam page, and it’s also available for wishlist.
Unblock
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 6th
Devon, like so many other game developers of their time, was tricked by an evil magician and trapped in a world made entirely of clay. It’s a story as old as time, and frankly, I’m a little tired of it. Still, if this is your first jaunt in the world of game developers vs. evil magicians, Unblock might be a fun experience. Pitched as a “pseudo-isometric” platformer, travel through a series of handcrafted levels that include puzzles and secrets, and watch this world come to life. In the first game they’ve ever managed to publish, 906 Games wants you to know that the game offers over 40 different skin,s including some loosely inspired by classic video game characters. Unblock releases on May 6th on PC via Steam. Unblock is available for wishlist on the Steam page.
Deck of Haunts
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 7th
Developers Mantis want to offer you a very rare opportunity. Perhaps you’d like to be reborn as a haunted house? In this deckbuilding roguelite, build out and become your haunted house. Inviting you to become the villain, craft your deck by unlocking and collecting new cards, create new rooms to scare off pesky visitors, and keep them away from the room you hold most dear. Your heart room. Drive humans mad by playing haunt cards directly on them, and follow up by harvesting their essence to grow your haunted mansion. Become a haunted house, destroyer of sanity when Deck of Haunts releases on PC via Steam on May 7th. If you simply cannot wait for the game to release, there’s a demo available on the Steam page, and it’s also available for wishlist.
Ithya: Magic Studies
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 7th
I almost didn’t add Ithya: Magic Studies to this list, but I was so enchanted by the art style and all it has to offe,r it felt wrong not to include it. Ithya: Magic Studies is a background/productivity app where you’ll be helping Ithya, a wandering mage, continue her studies of magic in a new city. The city of Oltak is old and full of secrets, a perfect place for a wandering mage to study, practice, and hone her craft. Creating a perfect ambience to create an environment of co-labor between you and Ithya. Choose your time of day, personalize Ithya’s room, and use productivity tools to help accomplish your own goals while indie composers treat you to a lovely soundtrack. Study with your buddy Ithya on May 7th when Ithya: Magic Studies releases on PC via Steam. If you’re at all interested in this game, you can wishlist it on the Steam page.
Creature Keeper
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 8th
Another Kickstarter success story rolls out in May with Creature Keeper. Twisting the creature collecting genre a bit, Creature Keeper offers creature collecting in the Action RPG genre, offering the ability to assemble your dream team of creatures and fight with them in a real-time battle system. Along with real-time combat, Creature Keeper leans into offering players customizable creatures, allowing you to give your creatures skill gems, perks, and weapons to change their play style. Also, lots of hats to dress them up. Grow a garden to feed your creatures and bond with them, fill out your bestiary for additional perks as well. Fervir Games cannot wait to send you on an epic journey with your creatures when Creature Keeper releases on May 8th on PC via Steam. If you simply cannot wait, an older demo is available on PC via Itch.io and, of course, you can wishlist the game on its Steam page.
Spirit of the North 2
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S | Release Date: May 8th
As a follow-up to the acclaimed third-person adventure game Spirit of the North, Spirit of the North 2 offers a similar but grander experience. Looking straight-up gorgeous right now, Spirit of the North 2 has you taking the role of an isolated fox and their raven companion. Together, their goal is to restore the lost guardians and return home. This gorgeous and no doubt captivating adventure features a vast open world, a customizable protagonist, and a brand new adventure in a similar world to the first game, influenced heavily by the landscapes of Iceland. Restore the lost guardians with the help of a raven as a cute fox when Spirit of the North 2 releases on May 8th on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. If you’d like to wishlist the game, the links in the previous sentence will take you to the various storefronts to do so.
Tower Dominion
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 8th
I love a good tower defense. Tower Dominion by Parallel 45 Games is a roguelike tower defense with a focus on building out your lanes and playing with factions and heroes. Three factions boasting ten unique heroes each give a little added flavor to your standard tower defense. Waves come and go, and each time they’ll bring new rewards and upgrades to your towers and paths. Including an endless ‘frontier mode,’ Tower Dominion is sure to scratch that tower defense itch when it releases on May 8th on PC via Steam. If you simply cannot wait to play the game, a demo is available on the Steam page, along with the ability to wishlist the game.
Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 8th
I had the pleasure of playing Yes, Your Grace a few years back, and it was a pretty thrilling experience. Brave At Night has come a long way as a developer since then, and the sequel to the kingdom management RPG looks stunning as a result. As unrest makes its way through the peaks and valleys of your kingdom, sit on your throne and tend to those most in need. With limited supplies, placate your constituents all while dealing with troubles on the home front. Your family needs you, too, your grace. Manage your kingdom, your family, and do everything in your power to prevent your kingdom from being overrun when Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall releases on PC via Steam on May 8th. Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall is available for wishlist on the Steam page.
Labyrinth of the Demon King
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch | Release Date: May 13th
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Kingsfield game, and few games invoke that first-person style of claustrophobia and horror together. That ever-growing sense of dread as the walls close in around you. Over the past decade, we’ve been dealing with lots of weaponless horror, relying on a sense of helplessness to outsmart and outmaneuver those seeking to do us harm. Labyrinth of the Demon King brings back a semblance of power in an overbearing, feudal dungeon world. Explore a labyrinthine dungeon, prove yourself in combat, and track down the demon king that killed your lore on May 13th when Labyrinth of the Demon King releases on PC via Steam & GOG.com, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. If you simply cannot wait to play the game, a demo is available on the Steam page, and wishlisting options are available via the links in the prior sentence.
Neon Hearts City
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 13th
It seems like we’re having a real point-and-click interactive fiction revival, especially this year. Neon Hearts City has the player taking on the role of a private investigator tracking down a missing person in this grungy, cyberpunk city. Our private dick, Elijah Crow’s investigation takes a violent turn when one of his leads goes cold. Androids, mysterious towns, and thought prisons await you when Neon Hearts City releases on May 13th on PC via Steam, GOG.com, and itch.io. If you simply cannot wait to play the game, a demo is available on the Steam page. Neon Hearts City is available for wishlist on all referenced platforms.
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch | Release Date: May 15th
Yasha: Legend of the Demon Blade has you fight, of course, demons. This stylish Japanese-style action RPG features three playable characters (Shigure, Sara, and Taketora) with different combat styles, weapons based on their personalities. The story centers around the King of Demons, the “Nine-Tailed Fox,” who invades the human world and shatters the peace between humans and demons. The battle, loot, and upgrade roguelite sounds promising and coupled with punishing difficulty, it seems certain there will be a lot of replayability.
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade launches May 15, 2025, for PC, Switch, PlayStation platforms, and Xbox Series X|S
Into the Restless Ruins
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch | Release Date: May 15th
A roguelike deckbuilder. Your cards? Rooms. Corridors. Grow your ruins and explore them to find relics, kill enemies to harvest their glimmer. With enough glimmer, the Maiden’s power grows, and she grants you new cards. Find the seal and use it to break away blockers to expand the ruins and unlock new cards. Into the Restless Ruins had me say, multiple times regrettably, “I have to put this down.” Traversing your own ruins requires the use of a torch that quickly dwindles in power as you explore. Place things like campfires to restore torch usage, armories to increase your damage output, and more to power up before facing hordes of enemies and powerful bosses. Into the Restless Ruins releases on May 15th on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. If you simply can’t wait to play the game, a demo is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Wishlisting is available on PC via Steam and on the Nintendo eShop.
Virtue’s Heaven
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 20th
All you really need to know about Virtue’s Heaven is what’s in the Steam description.
The world ends tomorrow, your friends are imprisoned, and those responsible for both have stolen the future. The time for deliberation is over. It is time to be reckless, irresponsible, and beautiful.
Virtue’s Heaven is a metroidvania that has you start out with all the gadgets and power-ups you need to traverse the environment and complete your quest. With an aggressive move set that sets up fast-paced combat, Virtue’s Heaven is a pixelated dream. The end of the world is here, and the only one who can save your friends is you. Hug ‘em up when Virtue’s Heaven releases on May 20th for PC via Steam. If you simply cannot wait to play the game, a demo is available on the Steam page. Virtue’s Heaven is also available for wishlisting.
Monster Train 2
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Release Date: May 21st
Excitedly, the follow-up to a game that I’ve lost countless hours to is releasing this month. Monster Train 2 is another roguelike deckbuilder. You’ve got a three-tiered train, and the evil titans, who have taken control of heaven, are knocking down your train door. Protect your core by spawning monsters, traps, and casting spells to stop the titans and their awful cadre of heavenly monstrosities. Monster Train 2 features new clans and enemies, new card types, and a new endless mode that’s sure to let in those good brain feelings when you’re on a killer run. Ride the monster-filled rails when Monster Train 2 releases on May 21st on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. If you simply cannot wait to play it, a demo is available on the Steam page. Monster Train 2 can be wishlisted on the storefront links provided.
Lynked: Banner of the Spark
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S | Release Date: May 22nd
Lynked: Banner of the Spark has been in early access on Steam for the better part of six months now, and the 1.0 release is finally on the horizon. This colorful action RPG has you battle waves of enemies in solo and co-op gameplay to save your robot buds. Bring them back home and help create a thriving burg featuring a whole life-sim portion of the game. Fish, collect little guys, harvest, and craft in your own lil’ town full of robots. With lots of different classes, weapon variations, and gameplay styles, this action RPG will be a blast for both you and your friends when it releases on May 22nd for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. If you absolutely cannot wait to play Lynked: Banner of the Spark, it’s currently in Early Access on Steam. Wishlisting is available on the storefronts with the links previously provided.
Quartermain and the Cult of Cthulhu
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 22nd
I vaguely remember a point in time where killing nazis, robots, and cultists was more of a far-off fantasy and less of a sad reality we might find ourselves in again one day. But, well, here we are! Our heroic protagonist with the wonderful name of Aloysius Quartermain must sneak a 12,000 year old Artefact out of nazi Germany. Throwing in the term Boomer Shooter just to upset my editor. Quartermain and the Cult of Cthulhu promises big guns, massive levels, a train level, and the ability to punch nazis in the face. I’m sold! Quartermain and the Cult of Cthulhu releases on PC via Steam on May 22nd. If you simply cannot wait to play the game, a demo is available on the game’s Steam page. The game is also available for wishlist.
Astrumis – Survive Together
Platforms: PC | Release Date: May 26th
This is such a fun and cool idea. Astrumis – Survive Together is a co-op horror game where one player controls a survivor in a derelict spaceship and the other is back at mission control. To make matters a little spooky, there’s a monster on the ship that can’t be seen by the naked eye. The survivor must navigate the ship, solve puzzles, and survive against the monster. As mission control, identify the monster, solve your own puzzles, and help the survivor… survive. Astrumis promises lots of co-op challenges that simply cannot be completed alone and cites A Way Out and Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes as its primary inspiration. Astrumis – Survive Together releases on PC via Steam on May 26th. If you simply cannot wait to jump in and scare yourself stupid, a demohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWQBOjLaQr0 is currently available on the Steam page. The game is also available for wishlist.
To a T
Platforms: PC and Xbox Series X|S | Release Date: May 28th
QWOP, Goat Simulator, Octodad: all games about trying to live your best life, and now to a T joins their ranks. As with these other games, you’re put into the shoes of a (mostly) well-meaning being, and this time, your particular affliction is that you are a completely normal teen with a completely normal and cute dog. Did I mention you’re forever stuck in a T-pose? From the mind of Keita Takahashi of Katamari Damacy fame, this episodic narrative game takes place over a period of days. While every teen thinks their life is hard, Teen’s mysterious new ability and an unidentified anomalous phenomena surrounded by light falling from the sky make Teen’s wonder years a bit more eventful. uvula LLC promises a number of minigames, after all, even petting a dog or drinking water is different in a T-pose. Teen can be styled as you like with clothing shops aplenty. There is a free mode if you finish the narrative filled with coins to collect, shops to visit, and interesting characters to talk to.To a T meanders in on May 28th for PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Welp, just like last month, my regards to your wallet. If any of these games even seemed interesting to you, make sure to add them to your wishlist. Wishlists show interest on Steam’s dumbass algorithm and pop these games into people’s feeds. You could also share the article, now there’s a thought! From becoming a haunted house to being stuck in a T-pose, indie gaming is no doubt where fresh and new ideas are executed. Instead of waiting four years for your favorite franchise to dump out a new title, check out some games where your purchase actually makes a difference.
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!
