What Hidden Gems Did I Discover at gamescom 2025?

Indie games are like dessert. You don't go looking for them, but they become the highlight.

It's probably not big news anymore that last week saw the successful conclusion, I'd even say, of another edition of the biggest event dedicated predominantly to video games, but of course also to other related areas. Yes, exactly, I'm referring to gamescom!!!

I went with the idea that I would find refuge in renowned and famous games, belonging to triple-A game factories. However, life, as it is, hidden, sometimes even perfidious, taught me a lesson, a very good one I think, reorienting me towards more indie games. Here I found the quality of renowned games, but at the same time a pleasant and warm feeling of a small family that welcomes you into its bosom without subjecting you to thorough scrutiny.

Without boring you further with unnecessary ramblings about the current that the gaming world seems to be feeling in the shift of power from AAA to indie developers and smaller studios. So, here are the gems I discovered in the seven hours I wandered through the halls and corridors of the event.

RAEV: Kingdom on the Distant Shores

When I arrived at the RAEV: Kingdom on the Distant Shores stand at gamescom, I felt like I was entering a mini-fairytale world. Instead of giant robots or stadium-sized explosions, I was greeted by the adorable Raevins, anthropomorphic foxes who seemed more organised than I am when packing my bag.

The demo quickly showed that the game isn't just a simple city-builder. There are no strict grids, but total freedom of construction. In a few minutes, I went from a cute little village to a fortress placed in a completely different biome, with its own resources and challenges. Raevins aren't lifeless pawns, but characters with personalities and aspirations, whom you can transform into explorers, leaders, or heroes.

I also discovered the more intense side: village defence, armed caravans, and mysterious ruins with rare resources. Everything forms a surprisingly well-integrated mix of survival, expansion, and adventure.

But I’d better let the guys from Ravine Games, Pasquale and Francesco, talk about their masterpiece:

“The project is to make a game where you are the king and you develop your kingdom from scratch. So, you start with a few citizens gathered around a campfire, and then you expand your city.”
— Pasquale Franzese, CTO at Ravine Games

“There are over 500 regions. So, if you are one of those players who want to see the Holy Roman Empire stretched across the entire continent, you will need a few hundred hours of gameplay. There will also be other kingdoms, as well as global dangers, monsters and much more.”
— Francesco Abbonizio, Creative & Art Director at Ravine Games

In short, RAEV made me feel like an urban planner with too much imagination and too few nights' sleep. And if all the promises come true, it could be one of the most memorable kingdom-builders of the year.

RAEV: Kingdom on the Distant Shores is scheduled for release in 2026, debuting on PC via Steam.

Pizza Bandit

In my gamer's journey at gamescom, among other things, a title that already sounded like an absurd dream caught my attention: Pizza Bandit. When I saw it described as a combination of Gears of War and Overcooked, I instantly smiled, but surprisingly, the idea actually works.

The game entered Early Access on 25 August 2025, launching simultaneously on Steam and the Epic Games Store. In this game, you play as Malik, a former mercenary who, feature after feature, wants to fulfil his dream of opening the best pizzeria in the galaxy. In the middle of a bounty hunting mission, you find yourself preparing sushi, steak or pizza... while dodging bullets and travelling through several chaotic historical eras.

The experience can also be played co-op, in a group of up to four players, where if friendly fire isn't active, you'll be ready to laugh nervously when your friends ruin your pizza with a friendly bullet. Between missions, you can customise your pizzeria with neon decorations, kitchen equipment and toppings to your taste, all with a stylish and absurdly amusing design.

"Pizza Bandit is the combination of cooking and shooting, so we call it a cooker-shooter. [...] After launch, we'll be preparing three content packs: a new teleportation station, [...] a series of wacky weapons, [...] and an endless level."
— Hugyu Bak, Game Director at Jofsoft

It's a fast, ridiculous and yet creative game, with excellent ingredients, a lunatic combination of action, baking and strategy. If you want something unusual, chaotic and memorable, Pizza Bandit is truly the showstopper for co-op nights.

Becoming Pablo

Next, running around the gamescom halls like a dizzy fly, I stumbled upon a title that promises to turn your bizarre dreams into a tactical-strategic game: Becoming Pablo. It’s an unusual mix of grand strategy, tower defence, and tycoon elements, all set in a world where cartels are kings and decisions can either propel you… or bring you down. Set between the 70s and 90s, the game throws you into a life-or-death struggle for supremacy in the underground drug world.

Starting as an aspiring cartel leader, you choose between diverse regions – Colombia, North Korea, or Nigeria – and then begin to build your empire step by step. You lay the foundations of your business, manage production, supplies, and eliminate rivals, either through diplomacy or force, all while also having a tower defence-style defensive aspect. Every decision, be it logistical, political, or strategic, can change the fate of your empire.

The game is currently in pre-Alpha, so it’s clearly a work in progress, yet the portrayal of a rising cartel leader is carefully outlined: rivalries, alliances, and questionable moral choices at every turn. And, let’s be serious, who wouldn’t want a game where the “police vs cartel” combo includes bribes, weapons, and meticulous planning?

“We’re making a grand strategy game with city-building and RTS elements, so if you like Civilization or Total War… here you basically control your own drug cartel. […] We even had people sending us death threats on Twitter because of the connections to Pablo Escobar’s story. Things like that are usually a good form of marketing for our team.”
— Jay Basani, CEO & Creative Director at Tentworks Interactive

If you want a dirty strategic experience with great potential for drama and intrigue, Becoming Pablo seems to promise the perfect game to add to your strategy library. We’re awaiting the “Coming Soon” release with popcorn and suspense.

Pao Pao

Among the stands in Hall 10 at gamescom, I discovered Pao Pao and it instantly hooked me. The game, created by ArtDock, puts you in the paws of a furry chef – cat, fox or raccoon – with a pan in hand and plenty of culinary enthusiasm. The free demo on Steam has garnered very good reviews and promises a lot of cooperative fun.

The gameplay is chaotic and amusing. You and up to three friends manage a small restaurant, fish for ingredients and fulfil orders, trying not to turn the restaurant into total chaos. You can expand the kitchen with greenhouses, aquariums and other areas, while the semi-open city offers mini-games and quests that keep the adventure alive.

Pao Pao was declared the most notable title at ChinaJoy 2025 and won the grand prize at Nordic Game in Sweden, a sign that it's appreciated internationally.

“Pao Pao, in many Asian languages, means bubbles. So something cute, something light as air, something warm, a game that both children and adults can play. […] Phonetically, it connects very well to the animal world, to different cats, dogs and so on. The meaning is broader, because we want to appeal to all audiences.”
— Dmitry Komarov, Marketing Lead at ArtDock

The full release is scheduled for Q4 2025. If you like cosy games, full of organised chaos and adorable characters, Pao Pao promises to steal your heart and bring hours of fun.

Akiiwan: Survival

Akiiwan: Survival literally appeared in front of me, in the person of Jeremy, and I was pleasantly surprised. This indie game from Little Buffalo Studios invites you on a relaxing survival adventure, where the fire speaks to you and shares 10,000 years of ancestral teachings.

In an open world, without loading screens, you explore astonishingly handcrafted biomes that change with each new moon.

The game focuses on crafting, hunting, and resource management to prepare you for the approaching winter.

“We’re making a relaxing, yet very complex, survival crafting game, inspired by the Great Lakes region of Canada, with all its plants, animals, and natural elements. […] At some point, this ‘what if’ idea emerged. People have always sat around fires, haven’t they? So, what if the fire listened? It would be like a grandfather or grandmother who knows everything there is to know about survival.”
— Jeremy Nelson, Founder and Lead Game Designer at Little Buffalo Studios

Akiiwan: Survival is in active development and will be released soon on Steam. If you're looking for a peaceful survival experience, with a captivating story and a fire that knows more than you'd think, this game is worth adding to your wishlist.

Our Eyes See No Evil

Even though I'm not a fan of the horror genre, in a dark corner of the indie hall at gamescom, I found a first-person horror game developed by COG Studios Inc., which uses webcam eye-tracking technology to detect when the player keeps their eyes open or closed. So, by closing your eyes, you can avoid the horror, but also remain vulnerable to the unknown.

In a suffocating world, your home becomes haunted by a mysterious clown doll. Your refuge gradually corrupts, and you must choose: confront the horror or close your eyes to protect yourself.

The game promises an immersive experience, combining reality with virtual horror. For an optimal experience, using a webcam and headphones is recommended.

“The concept of the game is a first-person survival horror where you are trapped in a house with a scary clown doll. […] The really interesting part is that we have real-time eye tracking technology, using a webcam, and the game knows if your eyes are open or closed. When you close them, you use that to protect yourself […], and the sound environment in the game becomes more intense. Basically, you start looking for the sources of the sounds and everything culminates in confronting the monster you have to defeat.”
— Dave Goel, Producer, Programmer & Audio Designer at COG Studios Inc.

Although the release date has not yet been announced, the game is already available on Steam to be added to your wishlist. If you're looking for an innovative and interactive horror experience, Our Eyes See No Evil could be the perfect game for you.

The Adventures of Bryan Scott

Near the end of my visit, unexpectedly, I admit, I stumbled upon Tom Stossno and his The Adventures of Bryan Scott. Almost instantly, I felt like a detective eager for adventure and guaranteed laughs. The game is a classic 2D point-and-click, developed by Radio Silence Studios, where every dialogue and puzzle can either brighten your day or completely mess up your plans.

Bryan Scott leads a quiet life until he receives a mysterious package from North Africa. Inside, he finds a treasure hunter's journal and a clue about the legend of the Queen of Sheba's treasure. Suddenly, the mundane becomes an adventure, and every step can be a combo of laughs and "oh no, what do I do now?".

The hand-drawn graphics, retro atmosphere, and challenging puzzles make the game both nostalgic and modern fun. You'll navigate through humorous dialogues and situations where secondary characters seem to have their own comical agenda.

"The Adventures of Bryan Scott is a classic 2D point and click adventure, and I'm a big fan of the Broken Sword series, which is one of the main reasons I started the project. [...] Currently, I'm still in the development phase. I recently ran an Indiegogo campaign for the German voice acting. [...] Initially, I planned to release the game at the end of this year, but unfortunately, this won't be possible, as the second crowdfunding campaign was so time-consuming that the game will most likely be released in mid-to-late next year. I hope."
— Tom Stossno, Creative Lead/Music at Radio Silence Studios

The launch was scheduled for December 2025 on PC via Steam, and available languages include English, French, German, and many others. Regrettably, however, from the interview snippet reproduced above, we learn that the game will most likely reach us sometime towards the end of 2026. Even so, if you enjoy classic adventures with a dash of absurdity and comedy, Bryan Scott is the companion for a relaxing afternoon.

Casebook 1899 – The Leipzig Murders

If you like adventure games with a retro atmosphere and captivating stories, Casebook 1899 – The Leipzig Murders might be to your taste. Released on 4 September 2025 by Homo Narrans Studio, the game puts you in the shoes of detective Joseph Kreiser, who investigates four murder cases in Leipzig, Germany, at the end of the 19th century – at least, that's what Gregor, the man behind this game, told me during our brief meeting in gamescom's Hall 10.

With a 2D pixel art graphic style and a story inspired by thorough historical research, the game offers an immersive experience. You'll explore detailed scenes, interrogate suspects, and solve puzzles to uncover the truth behind the crimes.

The dialogues are fully voiced in German, and subtitles are available in English, German, and Italian. Your choices influence the outcome of each case, offering high replayability.

“[Casebook 1899 – The Leipzig Murders] is finished. It’s made in pixel art. The graphics are inspired by Fate of Atlantis, Indiana Jones, LucasArts, but also by Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Serrated Scalpel. It looks very similar. Many people say Lamplight City when they see the game, which is not wrong at all, and in fact, it’s a great honour when I hear that. It’s an investigation game. […] There’s an inventory, but it’s less about item puzzles and more about analysing crime scenes, interrogating suspects and witnesses.”
— Gregor Müller, Developer at Homo Narrans Studio

If you’re looking for a classic adventure game with a captivating story and historical atmosphere, Casebook 1899 – The Leipzig Murders is worth adding to your wishlist.

Lana: Queen of Ancient Egypt

If you've ever dreamed of being a royal cat who does more than just sleep on the rug, Lana: Queen of Ancient Egypt awaits you. Developed by Fade Realms (Davide Avetta and Enrico Francesio), the game puts you in the paws of Lana, a brave feline embarking on an adventure through ancient Egypt, full of mysterious temples, golden deserts, and puzzles that'll make your brain cells work overtime.

The gameplay combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic combat with enemies who aren't always friendly. But don't worry, Lana isn't just cute; she also has divine powers: you can save imprisoned deities and use their magic to improve your abilities. Every nook and cranny of the temples hides secrets that will make you giggle or gasp, and the subtle royal cat humour makes the adventure both relaxing and captivating at the same time.

“We made this first game called Lana, Queen of Ancient Egypt and we are presenting it here, at gamescom, for the first time. We have the demo available on Steam right now. You can play it, you can try it for free and you can enjoy it. […] Our game will be released this winter in early access on Steam. If this gamescom edition goes well, meaning if a lot of people wishlist the game and give us positive feedback, it could be a huge boost for our product. And if everything goes as it should, we can make another game, a sequel or even a different type of game.”
— Davide Avetta, CTO & Co-Founder FADE REALMS

The launch is scheduled for December 2025 on PC via Steam, with English interface and audio. If you want an adventure full of colour, magic, and a cat who knows how to steal your heart with a perfect purr, Lana: Queen of Ancient Egypt is the game you need to follow.

BONUS: What I would have liked to see…

I have to say, with a somewhat bitter taste, that I was extremely sorry not to see more Romanian developers. Somehow, I think we have plenty of games in our Mioritic lands, and quite a few very interesting ones at that.

The studio CowardlyKnights comes to mind particularly, with their Cartier 06, a horror game set in Galați, which was released via Steam on 2 December last year, or even the recently announced Order of Wallachia, a new project from the same studio, which takes us to the lands of Țara Bârsei, more precisely to Kronstadt. Yes, I'm talking about Brașov, but I just wanted it to sound a bit mysterious, you know, more 'boo-boo'. I had a longer discussion with one of the studio's two representatives, which materialised into a dedicated GRIND article about Cartier 06. Mentions, I believe, also deserve Arcadian Days (Immersiv Games), the Vlad Voievod Dracula series (Tiberius), the games made by Street Art Studios or Geamana Village (Chainwolf Studio), all titles with a strong Mioritic substratum, creations of skilled Romanian developers.

Also, I would have liked better coverage at gamescom for those smaller games, the ones that grandma or grandpa play, even the Pope, on the border between gaming and crosswords. A nice example that comes to mind, speaking of relaxing games, without huge stakes, but which still make you think, is OctoMaze, a game with origins in Ukraine that somehow brings us closer to the classic range of games from the '70s or '80s, of course with a modern vibe, adapted to the 21st century.

THE END

Well, here we are, about 3000 words later, and a few indie games down, eyes wide from all that reading – if you've stuck with it, and your soul and mind aren't already busy calculating the budget needed for so many game purchases. The good news is that only a few of these titles will hit eager players' PCs this year, with the rest planned for the years to come.

Beyond that, I think it's time to thank all the developers and prominent representatives of the various studios creating solid 7s, and also my wife who assisted me with recording the numerous dialogues during our gamescom journey.

The guys at GRIND were extremely open to both publishing this article and, especially, to an online discussion about what a first visit to gamescom meant to me. While I give them my final thanks, I also invite you, the audience, to take a look at GRIND podcast number 41 for a more in-depth version of the subject at hand.