{"id":69810,"date":"2026-07-19T00:32:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T16:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=69810"},"modified":"2026-07-19T00:32:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T16:32:01","slug":"ai-run-utopias-moss-in-2d-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=69810","title":{"rendered":"AI-Run &#8216;Utopias,&#8217; Moss In 2D And Other New Indie Games Worth Checking Out"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/img\/gallery\/ai-run-utopias-moss-in-2d-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out\/l-intro-1784318851.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"D-topia | Launch Trailer\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6DLOksB6Ayo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>D-topia<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Developer: Marumittu Games<br \/>Publisher: Annapurna Interactive<br \/>Platforms: Steam (Windows; Steam Deck Verified), Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X\/S<br \/>Price: $20, with a 10 percent launch discount<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>D-topia<\/em> is a sci-fi adventure set in The Utopia Project, in which artificial intelligence appears to have succeeded in fostering a perfect version of civilization (I have my doubts about that). As a maintenance worker, you&#8217;ll help out residents with their problems and fix mechanical foibles by solving puzzles. The game features a branching narrative that you shape with your decisions.There are companions to rescue as well.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I played a demo of <em>D-topia<\/em> last year and dug it. The clean, sanitized aesthetic reminds me a bit of <em>Mirror&#8217;s Edge<\/em> and I enjoyed the gentle, but mildly pointed, tone. I&#8217;d like to check out the full version at some point, even if the logic puzzles might leave me scratching my head.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Moss: The Forgotten Relic | Launch Gameplay Trailer | PS5 | NS | Xbox | Steam\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EMwWsAGASXE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Moss: The Forgotten Relic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Developers: Polyarc, Blackbird Interactive<br \/>Publisher: Polyarc<br \/>Platforms: Steam (Windows; Steam Deck Verified), Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X\/S<br \/>Price: $20, with a 10 percent discount on Steam until July 30<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>Moss<\/em> and its sequel are among the best-known virtual reality games, and now folks without a VR headset can play them. <em>Moss: The Forgotten Relic<\/em> combines both games and the <em>Twilight Garden<\/em> expansion into a single 2D adventure for PC and consoles.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The game follows the story of a mouse named Quill, who sets out &#8220;to save her world from arcane forces.&#8221; It features platforming, environmental puzzles and combat, the latter of which you&#8217;ll be able to skip if you prefer thanks to a new accessibility option. This version features fresh cutscenes and a revamped camera system, as well as upgraded visuals.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I haven&#8217;t ventured into the world of Moss just yet, even though the two games have been on my to-play list for a long time and I do have a PlayStation VR2 headset. I vastly prefer flatscreen gaming, so this 2D version might be a better fit for me.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ORPHEUS: TO HELL AND BACK Steam release trailer\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Tq61_Qx2mUw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Orpheus: To Hell and Back<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Developers: StudioLoading, Kibou Entertainment, Alunite<br \/>Publisher: Alunite<br \/>Platform: Steam (already available on <em>checks notes<\/em> Game Boy?)<br \/>Price: $3<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">You don&#8217;t see too many games being released as a physical Game Boy cartridge these days, though it does sometimes happen with Kickstarter projects (as is the case here). However, if you don&#8217;t have an Analogue Pocket or another device that can run such a cartridge, you can still check out <em>Orpheus: To Hell and Back<\/em> as it arrived on Steam this week.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Here, you play as Orpheus as he attempts to scour the depths of hell to &#8220;rescue his beloved Eurydice.&#8221; He&#8217;s equipped with a magical lyre that can control enemy movements, so you can lure them into traps or make them fall asleep.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This looks super charming! I also love when a game uses music as a weapon. I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if the developers took some inspiration from <em>The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time<\/em> here.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Teeto | Launch Trailer\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Yhpc-JUMpEw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Teeto<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Developer: Eat Pant Games<br \/>Publishers: Super Rare Originals, CouchPlay Interactive<br \/>Platforms: Steam (Windows; Steam Deck Verified), PS5, Switch, Switch 2<br \/>Price: $18, with a 20 percent launch discount<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I have made no secret of how much I appreciate a great video game name, and <em>Teeto<\/em> is one of those. It&#8217;s fun to say out loud. Try it. &#8220;<em>Teeto<\/em>!&#8221; It rolls right off the tongue. Developer Eat Pant Games has a great name as well.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>Teeto<\/em> is a 3D platformer that you can play solo or with a friend in co-op. One of the main tricks here is that you can absorb the traits of various objects, so you can take on the properties of a vine to swing across chasms, gain a flamethrower power or turn into a chair.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">You can customize the titular blob and Nory the bunny with a variety of looks. There&#8217;s a lucha libre get up that makes me want to try the game more than anything else I&#8217;ve seen so far. You&#8217;ll also be rescuing creatures called Michaels. I adore that.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Best of all, according to a press release, two of the developers from the family-run studio got engaged in-game. They have a daughter who voices several characters in <em>Teeto<\/em>. My heart is now full.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"GrappleBear LaunchTrailer\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3GwfiAJizvU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Grapple Bear<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Developers: HaviEgyJatek, ProkischDaniel<br \/>Publisher: HaviEgyJatek<br \/>Platform: Steam (Windows)<br \/>Price: $5, with a 10 percent discount until July 24<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I like <em>Grapple Dog<\/em> very much, and that was enough for an entirely separate game called <em>Grapple Bear<\/em> to catch my interest. You play as a mama bear who is looking for her cub. The only way you can move is with a grapple hook that tethers to specific points in the environments. Some of those move as well and you&#8217;ll often have to shift momentum quickly to survive.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The levels are very short. Many take just a few seconds to complete. Once you touch the level&#8217;s flag (i.e. the goal), you&#8217;ll still need to stay alive until it reaches the bottom of the flagpole.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This is billed as a competitive precision platformer. It has online leaderboards for each level. Along with 40-plus handcrafted levels, a new procedurally generated one becomes available each week, complete with its own leaderboard. The developers drew all of the visuals on paper before scanning and digitally coloring them. That helps <em>Grapple Bear<\/em> have a unique look.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I enjoyed what I&#8217;ve played of <em>Grapple Bear<\/em> so far, because I&#8217;m a sucker for grappling hooks and games that build movement around momentum. Once I finish the game, I can see myself going back to compete for faster times.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/2217879\/ai-run-utopias-moss-in-2d-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>D-topia Developer: Marumittu GamesPublisher: Annapurna InteractivePlatforms: Steam (Windows; Steam Deck Verified), Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X\/SPrice: $20, with a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":69816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[26766,9042,321,4706,26768,26767,78],"class_list":["post-69810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tech-gadgets-reviews","tag-airun","tag-checking","tag-games","tag-indie","tag-moss","tag-utopias","tag-worth","wpcat-32-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69810\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/69816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}