Brrrr! Winter is here, and it’s the season to cuddle up with your controller or keyboard and get into some July 2025 indies! Here are some standouts that will keep you warm this month.
Kaizen: A Factory Story
Developer: Coincidence
Release Date: July 15th
Platforms: PC
Kaizen is an open-ended puzzle automation game from the original Zachtronics team, set in 1980s Japan. Design, build, and optimize production lines to create iconic products, like calculators, camcorders, and arcade machines.
This looks super fun in a “I’ve accomplished the thing” kind of way. I’m intrigued by the atmosphere this game will produce, especially with it being set in Japan in the 80s, a time when Japan’s manufacturing industry was booming. The aesthetic to this is super satisfying as well and reminds me of the graphics from a pinball game I used to play as a kid on my Dad’s 1990 Macintosh Classic.
Arashi Gaiden
Developer: Statera Studio, Wired Dreams Studio
Release Date: July 15th
Platforms: PC
Arashi Gaiden is a turn-based action game with frenetic dash and slash combat. Use your blades, shurikens, teleports and chains to quickly cut through enemies and face powerful Bosses with unique mechanics that redefine what a turn-based game is.
This looks like a fun-filled ride with lots of fast-paced action! I love how they have mixed in some turn-based combat along with the frantic hack n’ slash, as variety in gameplay is always nice.
Becoming Saint
Developer: Open Lab Games
Release Date: July 16th
Platforms: PC
Choose your doctrine and preach across medieval Italy in this real-time strategy roguelike. Gather your diverse cast of followers, venture out to convince and convert new believers, conquer towns, and strive to become a saint in your lifetime—or die trying.
Recruiting cult members in medieval Italy? Hell yeah! Also, your death isn’t the end of your run with the game saying it will provide players a way to learn from their mistakes. You’ll be reincarnated, and new challenges will be presented to you. Your ‘saint’ might also go down in history if you play your cards right.
The Drifter
Developer: Powerhoof, Dave Lloyd
Release Date: July 18th
Platforms: PC
A Pulp Adventure Thriller – A murdered drifter awakens. Alive again, seconds before his death. Hunted and haunted, help him untangle a mad web of conspiracy in this fast-paced point ‘n click thrill-ride.
Myself and probably 99% of the Checkpoint crew are super excited for this thriller that may just be up there with the best Aussie games released in 2025. I’ve played the demo, which is up now on Steam, and it’s drenched in gritty Australiana, a riveting narrative and characters that you just know are hiding a bunch of secrets…. So don’t sleep on The Drifter if you want time with a super intriguing point and click adventure!
The King is Watching
Developer: Hypnohead
Release Date: July 21st
Platforms: PC
The King is Watching is a roguelite kingdom builder. Rule by the power of your royal gaze! Decide between producing resources, training armies, or balancing both, while adapting to unique events every run
You play as the watchful eye of the King in this base-building fantasy. You get to decide exactly what kind of kingdom you want to create, depending on where your ‘eyes’ will be focused. A really neat twist on the town-building genre!
Misc. A Tiny Tale
Developer: Tinyware Games
Release Date: July 22nd
Platforms: PC
Meet Buddy and Bag Boy – two tiny robots with big hearts and an even bigger mission: spreading joy! After a mysterious explosion rains golden cogs and trash from the sky, it’s their job to collect, clean, and help each village while uncovering the secret behind the blast.
Misc. A Tiny Tale is extra special because it has been made by an Aussie studio. I’ve played the demo for this, and it is super chill and outrageously cute and wholesome! Exploration is key as you travel around a bunch of different towns to clean up the mess that humans made before they left the world forever.
BRUTAL JOHN 2
Developer: OldSchool Laws Team
Release Date: July 22nd
Platforms: PC
Join BRUTAL JOHN and BRUTAL DOG in a ultraviolent old-school FPS set in a world overrun by crypto-mining technologies, where it’s up to you to destroy them and reclaim control. Prepare for an adrenaline ride that pays homage to the best shooters of the ’90s.
BRUTAL JOHN 2 is for those who love their battles to be violent, who love some political/social satire (the whole crypto-mining trope) and their game graphics to look like their straight out of the 90s. BRUTAL JOHN 2 is a homage to 90s FPS, and therefore the vibe is fun, gory and littered with action Metalhead aesthetics.
Eat the Rich
Developer: Maccima Games
Release Date: July 23rd
Platforms: PC
Become a billionaire, form alliances and betray your friends all at once in EAT THE RICH! In this social deception party game for 6-10 players, play mini-games, vote out the competition, and conspire to get ahead, all in a bid for fame and fortune!
In a world that makes billionaires battle for their lives (could we call this a Utopian society…?), you and 6-10 of your mates get to play as these rich folk until there is only 1 of you left standing. It won’t be a ‘kind’ trip to the top, however, with the game encouraging players to form alliances, betray their friends and manipulate the competition to become the ultimate billionaire!
Hell Clock
Developer: Rogue Snail
Release Date: July 23rd
Platforms: PC
Forge powerful builds with endless loot in this relentless combination of Roguelike and ARPG. Blast through dungeons and unleash inhuman powers in a dark fantasy twist on Brazil’s War of Canudos.
This is giving me massive Curse of the Dead Gods vibes, and I’m not unhappy about it! A big difference with this dungeon crawler is its setting – the action takes place in the historical time period of the War of Canudos in Brazil, 1896, with the main protagonist as a warrior searching for the soul of their fallen mentor. Super fast paced, expect time warps and watch your powers grow as you get closer to capturing the soul of your mentor.
Sunset High
Developer: Turnip Games
Release Date: July 24th
Platforms: PC
Your crush is missing. They texted you last night. And now you’re reliving the same day over and over. Welcome to Sunset High — where drama, dilemmas, and time loops collide in this narrative-driven, 2D adventure.
Love the vibes of this 2-D choose-your-own-adventure indie! I’ve always loved the high school setting as it opens up so many opportunities to explore what it means to be a teenager and the many tropes that go along with it, especially in popular culture. Sunset High mixes all these elements and spices it up with some mystery and Life Is Strange-esque abilities that will let you rewind your choices if you don’t like the outcome. So, lots to get excited about for this one!
That’s it for our 10 July 2025 indies, folks! Hope these games keep you extra warm this winter, and see you for another 10 in August!
About the Author
Lisa Pollifroni
she/her
PS5/PC gamer with a passion for RPGs . Other obsessions include eating/making good food, reading, Queer history/theory and puppies, especially her own - a Beagle Staffy x rescue named Boo.
