Supermassive’s Directive 8020 and Battlestar Galactica roguelite lead new indie releases

Engadget has published a comprehensive roundup of new and upcoming independent video game releases, highlighting a significant week for the genre. The report details fresh indie titles available for immediate play, as well as news regarding future announcements ahead of major industry events such as Summer Game Fest and Day of the Devs.

Supermassive Games has released Directive 8020, the first entry in the second season of its Dark Pictures series. The survival horror title is set on a colony ship that crash-lands on a planet, featuring a narrative inspired by The Thing where an alien creature can morph into other lifeforms. Players control five main characters, including pilot Brianna Young, portrayed by Lashana Lynch, in a story driven by narrative decisions that determine character survival.

The game introduces a feature called Turning Points, allowing players to return to previous decisions to explore different outcomes in the branching narrative. Directive 8020 is available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S for $50, with online multiplayer to be added later.

Alt Shift has also released Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, a tactical roguelite strategy game set in the Battlestar Galactica universe. Players manage a fleet attempting to escape the destruction of the Twelve Colonies, handling resource management, disputes, and repairs while evading Cylon pursuit. The game is available on GOG and Steam, with a 20 percent discount until May 18.

Other newly released titles include The Caribou Trail, a World War I walking simulator from Unreliable Narrators and Gambit Digital, and Mazebound, a first-person survival horror maze game from Absam Studios. Upcoming announcements include Jonathan Blow’s puzzle game Order of The Sinking Star and the co-op brawler Flock Off.