Indie roundup: Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Routine, Sleep Awake and more

This week brought a packed slate of indie releases across PC and consoles — from a high‑profile Marvel beat‑’em‑up to long‑awaited survival horror and several smaller, surprising titles. Whether you like retro beat‑’em‑ups, liminal-space terror, or bizarre cozy‑horror hybrids, there’s likely something new to try.

Headliner: Marvel Cosmic Invasion (Tribute Games / Dotemu) launched on Steam, Switch, Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for $30 and is also on Game Pass. It’s a throwback side‑scrolling beat‑’em‑up with a roster of Marvel characters and tag‑style swaps — fun for co‑op and fans of 90s animated aesthetics.

Notable new releases

• Routine — A long‑teased survival horror out on Steam and Xbox (including Game Pass). It delivers liminal, retro‑futurist moon‑base dread with no HUD and an emphasis on immersion and exploration.
• Sleep Awake — A psychedelic first‑person horror from Eyes Out and Blumhouse Games about a city where people vanish if they fall asleep. Available on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for $30.
• Tingus Goose — A surreal “cozy body horror” idle game on Steam (launch sale price ~$5.94 until Dec 8). Expect weird visuals and odd mechanics.
• Effulgence RPG — A party RPG in 3D ASCII style, out now in early access on Steam for $10 with ongoing updates planned.
• Log Away — A relaxing cabin‑building cozy game on Steam (around $10) that’s soothing and pet‑friendly — ideal if you need a chill break from action titles.
• Simogo Legacy Collection — Reworks of the studio’s first seven titles (Year Walk, Device 6, etc.) bundled for $15 on Steam and Switch (with a discount until Dec 12).

Upcoming indies to watch

• Don’t Stop, Girlypop! — A movement‑focused arena shooter with a Y2K/hyperpop vibe; release date set for January 29 on Steam.
• Limbot — A physics party game where players control a cardboard robot’s limbs; targeting Steam and Xbox sometime between April–June next year.
• Zlin City: Arch Moderna — A diorama city builder inspired by 1930s–40s architecture, coming to Steam (no firm window yet).

Why this matters

Indie studios continue to explore niche aesthetics and experimental mechanics — from liminal horror to party‑centric physics chaos. Many of these titles offer focused, creative experiences at modest price points, and services like Game Pass help get them into more hands quickly.

Where to try them

Most games mentioned are available on Steam and major console stores; several are also on Game Pass. Check storefront pages for platform availability, sale prices and regional details.

Discussion: Which of these indies are you most excited to play — the retro Marvel brawler, atmospheric Routine, the psychedelic Sleep Awake, or something stranger like Tingus Goose? Share your pick and why.