Hitman on iOS, martial arts survival and different new indie video games price testing

Welcome to our newest recap of what is going on on within the indie recreation area. One very well-known indie discovered its option to iOS gadgets this week, although there are different new releases price highlighting and loads of different upcoming video games to inform you about.

First, although, there was a (paywalled) story in Game File this week that caught my eye. It’s about how Google’s AI Overviews function gives up false online game suggestions. That’s an issue the builders of a recreation referred to as Trash Goblin — a comfy shopkeeping recreation wherein you chip away at junk to unearth trinkets you possibly can restore and promote — have been coping with.

AI Overviews provided incorrect details about the sport to some gamers, in addition to the crew at Spilt Milk Studios once they examined the responses. For occasion, AI Overviews prompt {that a} participant might harm a trinket once they had been eradicating particles from it, which isn’t true. It additionally in some circumstances delivered the right info, however pointed the person to an incorrect supply. In addition, AI Overviews provided details about one other recreation solely. This is clearly not supreme for gamers or the workforce behind Trash Goblin.

We’ve seen many circumstances wherein AI Overviews get info blatantly unsuitable. Like different massive language fashions (LLMs), it guesses what the following phrase or phrases ought to be in its responses based mostly on its coaching knowledge. LLMs are about producing sequences of textual content; they don’t seem to be designed to ship details (one purpose why there is a disclaimer on AI Overviews that reads “AI responses might embrace errors”). They often just make stuff up.

If you’re looking for help with a game, you’re far better off finding a community of players you can chat to. You might be able to find a clear, helpful guide to the game in question on an actual video game website, written by a professional video game guide writer. If, that is, you can evade AI Overviews to get to those websites in the first place (thankfully, it’s easy to flip off AI Overviews on your Google searches).

New releases

IO Interactive is independent, which means Hitman World of Assassination fits within our remit here. This week, the bundle of three core Hitman games from the last decade arrived on iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as the iPhone 16 lineup) and iPad. Supported iPad models are iPad Pro and iPad Air (M1 chip or later), as well as the A17 Pro iPad mini.

Hitman World of Assassination is a sandbox stealth game in which you’re given a mission (usually taking out a target) and it’s up to you how to carry that out. Getting to know the layout of each level so you can plan your approach and escape is key. Understanding the route and actions of the NPCs will stand you in good stead too.

The iPhone and iPad versions have touch controls with context-sensitive buttons. You can, of course, opt to use a third-party controller instead. IOI says it tapped into Apple’s MetalFX tech to help ensure the iOS port looks good.

Hitman World of Assassination costs $70 on iOS. That’s pretty steep, however IOI says the sport gives over 100 hours of gameplay. Alternatively, you possibly can play the primary location free of charge, and purchase any of the 24 ranges individually for $3 every.

In addition, the game is coming to Apple Silicon Macs later this year. IOI will also bring the roguelite Freelancer mode to the iPhone and iPad versions down the line with a free update.

Another recreation landed on new platforms this week as Alawar’s Karate Survivor hit PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch for $6. As the title suggests, it is a survivor-style martial arts beat-’em-up.

You’ll be able to use the environment to your advantage by picking up items to use as melee or projectile weapons, kicking objects toward goons and swinging locker and microwave doors into bad guys’ mushes. You can unlock hundreds of different moves and there are permanent upgrades as well.

First-person action-adventure Davy x Jones has set sail in early entry on Steam. Until September 4, you possibly can snap it up for $6.66. After that point, it’ll value $10. However, the value will improve forward of the sport’s full launch on PC and consoles, which is slated for late 2026.

In this early version, you’ll have access to the main gameplay and combat systems (including legendary weapons), several islands, an array of enemies and some cinematic executions — hopefully involving a kraken. You’ll take command of a half-ship, half-whale vessel called Abby as you attempt to escape the underworld and seek revenge as the legendary pirate.

Regular readers of this roundup will know that I’m a sucker for a recreation with an amazing title. Prop Haunt, which riffs on the prop hunt modes in lots of different video games, is unquestionably a type of (as is one other one I’ll point out afterward).

This is a spooky 1 vs. 4 multiplayer horror title from Silent Forest Games that just hit Steam early access for $15. The ghost players possess objects and it’s up to the investigator to find and stop them. The ghosties can teleport, blend into their surroundings and so on, while the investigator has cameras and other gizmos at their disposal

Currently, there are four playable ghosts with different haunting styles, two maps and support for public and private lobbies. More maps, ghost powers, investigator tools and procedural prop generation are in the works.

Upcoming

Bye Sweet Carole had flown below my radar until the release date trailer popped up but, goodness, does it look gorgeous. The team at Little Sewing Machine took a hand-drawn approach to the art of this narrative-horror game, which mimics the look of classic animated films. Even the song in the trailer aligns with the type of showtune you’d hear in Disney movies.

You’ll take on the role of Lana Benton, a young girl who sets out to find out the truth about her best friend Carole’s disappearance from an orphanage. It sounds (and looks!) pretty promising. Publisher Maximum Entertainment is bringing Bye Sweet Carole to PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 9.

Rita is an interesting-looking puzzle game from SporkTank (aka solo developer Martin Stradling). You play as a chick that uses letters found in the environment to solve word puzzles, including crosswords, in order to progress. For instance, you might need to fill in a crossword answer for “stairs” in order to spawn a staircase (perhaps there’s a bit of a Baba is You influence here?). There are some platforming elements too.

You’ll comply with Rita all through her journey from exploring as a younger chick to changing into a grandparent. It all appears fairly beautiful. Rita is coming to Steam early next year. A demo will probably be accessible on September 18.

Co-op survival recreation Lost Skies is set to exit Steam early access on September 17. Set on an archipelago of sky islands, you can explore this world with up to five buddies and try to learn exactly what led to this fractured civilization. You have a grappling hook, wingsuits and gliders to help you traverse these landforms and a customizable and upgradeable skyship that you’ll use for both transportation and combat. Players can also create their own islands, which they can share with the community.

I never got around to checking out the demo for Lost Skies, even though I’ve had it installed on my PC for months. Still, this one from Bossa Studios and publisher Humble Games has me intrigued enough to perhaps try out the full game.

Another recreation I’ve had my eye on for a sizzling minute is Bloodthief, which can debut on Steam on September 22. This is a Ghostrunner-inspired medieval parkour-slasher recreation from first-time recreation creator Blargis (Jake Bedard), who has been sharing improvement updates on YouTube during the last couple of years.

In Bloodthief, you play as an agile vampire and use the blood of your enemies to enhance your speed, abilities and survival. For example, attacks help boost your momentum. I’m definitely looking forward to watching some speedruns of this because I’m fairly sure that, as with the Ghostrunner games, I’m going to be absolutely terrible at this.

While you’re waiting (im)patiently for the full release of Hades 2, you might like to check out a similar flavor of isometric roguelite action — albeit with the addition of co-op. In Sworn, you’ll set out to save Camelot from a corrupted Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with the help of up to three other players.

Sworn has been in early entry since final 12 months, and you will not have to attend for much longer for the total recreation. It’ll be accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Steam on September 25.

Let’s wrap things up for this week with another game that has a fantastic title. The Hero is too Powerful so let’s Pleeeease Settle this Peacefully! is the latest project from Night Stroll Studio (solo developer Trevor Thompson). It’s an RPG in the vein of early Zelda games in which you play as a hero who has exactly one attack.

However, you can level up this attack to the point that it’s obscenely powerful. There’s also the option of talking your way out of sticky situations. This comedy adventure, which has maybe my favorite title of any game this side of I’m Going to Die if I Don’t Eat Sushi!, is slated to hit Steam later this 12 months.