iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 27/09/2026

Movement, racing, dungeon crawling, roguelite combat and progression. These games rewarded me for experimenting instead of playing the obvious way. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/x08k4breOOk #gaming #indiegames @racejam.bsky.social @firstbreaklabs.bsky.social @whitethorngames.bsky.social

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These Games Changed How I Played

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 24/09/2026

The soulslike combat in this game made me re-think my typical approach. The way parries, stagger, and Ave & Lune’s abilities feed into each other made every encounter feel different. ⚔️ Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/eROVofioRbE #gaming #indiegames #soulslike

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 17/09/2026

This twin-stick shooter had me second guessing my skills from the jump… then one build experiment changed everything. Runs got very different after that. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/eROVofioRbE #gaming #indiegames #roguelike @slugdisco.bsky.social

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 10/09/2026

I was trying to control every shot in this pinball game. And then my build got so strong that I kinda stopped caring where the ball went. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/eROVofioRbE #gaming #indiegames #roguelike @kennymakesgames.bsky.social

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 03/09/2026

Some pretty dope demos out today 👀

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 03/09/2026

At first, I was just picking upgrades and surviving the swarm. Then I realized I was approaching the whole game wrong. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/eROVofioRbE #gaming #indiegames #bulletheaven @awesomegamesstudio.com

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 30/08/2026

No worries, really enjoyed my time with it. Wish you lots of success!

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 30/08/2026

The best part of these games wasn't obvious at first. A shooter with ridiculous buildcrafting. A pinball roguelike that lets you break the game. A Survivorslike built around squad synergies. And a surprisingly approachable soulslike. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/eROVofioRbE #gaming #indiegames

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These Games Hid Their Best Ideas

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 01/08/2026

An indie action adventure RPG game with surprising gameplay mechanics that just keep expanding. #gaming #indiegames #fadingecho @fadingechogame.bsky.social

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 31/07/2026

Finally got around to playing Saros. Love how it feels very connected to Returnal but still manages to do its own thing.

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 30/07/2026

No doubt. It’s a lot better than getting thrown into tutorial hell for the first 30 mins, that’s for sure.

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 30/07/2026

This indie action adventure RPG never really stopped adding new things to figure out. Every time I thought I had the gameplay down, it gave me something new to play with. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/qvY3egLxPQ8 #gaming #indiegames #fadingecho @fadingechogame.bsky.social

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Fading Echo Is More Than Its Combat

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 25/07/2026

I thought this roguelite was going to feel completely different than it did. One mechanic changed the way I approached every fight. 🎮 #gaming #indiegames #roguelike

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 23/07/2026

This roguelite turns a 30-second timer into one of the most interesting gameplay mechanics I've seen. Fast combat, crazy builds, and a loop that kept pulling me back in. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/v0PHZIjv6Yc #gaming #indiegames #roguelite

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Ascend to Zero Turns a Countdown Into Its Best Mechanic

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 18/07/2026

I love when a roguelike shooter makes me unlearn everything I expect from the genre. #gaming #indiegames #roguelike @sidralgames.bsky.social @selectaplay.bsky.social

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 16/07/2026

I’ve played plenty of twin-stick shooters, but this one changed how I approached combat. Managing ship resources creates a tense roguelike experience that locks you in. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/6PTm4HcJ3bY #gaming #indiegames #roguelike @sidralgames.bsky.social @selectaplay.bsky.social

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Hyperwired Breaks the First Rule of Twin-Stick Shooters

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 11/07/2026

One minute I'm planning. The next I'm scrambling to hold everything together. 👀 A creative hybrid of top-down shooter and tower defense. #gaming #indiegames #towerdefense @chowbie.bsky.social

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 09/07/2026

This indie game never stops progressing. Just when I'd get comfy, a new upgrade changed how I approached the next mission. One of the most engaging top-down shooter + tower defense hybrids I've played. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/JSR-KwAISGs #gaming #indiegames #tacticalshooter @chowbie.bsky.social

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This Shooter Turns Strategy Into Action (Antivirus Girl)

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 04/07/2026

I appreciate when an indie game makes me rethink how I play. This FPS did it almost immediately. #gaming #indiegames #fps @wakuwakugames.com

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 02/07/2026

This indie FPS breaks one of the biggest shooter conventions... and it completely changes how you play. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/EKbTk6S4re8 #gaming #indiegames #fps @wakuwakugames.com

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This FPS Had Me Panicking at Times (The Last Salvage Squad)

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 27/06/2026

Imagine stealing abilities instead of loot. This roguelite takes build crafting somewhere I wasn't expecting. #gaming #indiegames #swapmeat @onemoregame.com

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 26/06/2026

One of my favorites to come out this year. They just updated with new content too! I broke down the mechanics and systems that make it one of the most unique hack & slash shooters I’ve come across. 📺 youtu.be/uQojjvV2xzo #gaming #romeoisadeadman

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Grotesque, Hilarious, Deep. This Game Does Everything… (Romeo is a Dead Man)

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 26/06/2026

There’s an interesting fascination with game devs and the DVD screensaver logo. There have been 3 games released in the past few months with this theme. Nostalgia or just love of the format? 🤔 I’m genuinely curious. #gamedev #indiegames

051

Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 25/06/2026

Love that they're still updating this gem! Covered it around when it launched and still play it to this day. Great game. 📺 youtu.be/uQojjvV2xzo

youtu.be

Grotesque, Hilarious, Deep. This Game Does Everything… (Romeo is a Dead Man)

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 25/06/2026

This roguelite third-person shooter lets you build your character with parts ripped straight off your enemies. It’s a lot deeper than it sounds. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/KM-TwiX-Jz8 #gaming #indiegames #swapmeat @onemoregame.com

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The Weirder My Build Got, the More Fun Swapmeat Became

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 25/06/2026

Great to see Takao still providing updates to the game. I covered Drive Crazy a few months back, and it’s definitely worth checking out. 📺 youtu.be/2vBRFM6m6Ys

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DriveCrazy: A Destructive Kei Truck Arcade Racing Game

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 25/06/2026

Great to see you're still updating the game! Some nice QOL improvements in 2.0. Thanks! I did a breakdown of the game, totally recommend it 👍 youtu.be/Oer9kvWBbAQ

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This Metroidvania Has One Wild Mechanic (Damon and Baby)

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 20/06/2026

Going into this I thought the game was gonna be like that blocky crafting game. It kinda felt that way at first, then totally switched up. #gaming #indiegames #roguelike @runehaven.bsky.social

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 18/06/2026

It looks familiar at first… a voxelized world, survival, exploration. But the moment runes show up, it turns into something way more interesting than I expected. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/Xl864yn8o4g #gaming #indiegames #roguelike @runehaven.bsky.social

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I Thought Runehaven Felt Like Minecraft Until It Didn’t

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 13/06/2026

Button mashing got me through the first few fights. This roguelite had other plans. #gaming #roguelike #roguelite @arcsystemworks.com @arcsystemworks.fr

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 11/06/2026

Went in expecting another familiar roguelite. Left surprised at how much the systems actually connect and evolve once you get deeper in. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/F8_SErbdfMM #gaming #roguelike #roguelite @arcsystemworks.com @arcsystemworks.fr

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The Beat Em Up Roguelite Nobody Told Me About (River City Saga: Journey to the West)

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 06/06/2026

Wow. Definitely some fire coming out of Summer Game Fest.

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 05/06/2026

I'm noticing people mention Destiny as well. Aesthetically, there are some similarities, but mechanically, it's so different. I'll check out Vultures, sounds interesting!

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 04/06/2026

It took a risk with the bullet hell angle but actually pulled it off!

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 04/06/2026

This might be one of the strangest genre combinations I've played recently. It actually works. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/JccVedVE6SA #gaming #fps #bullethell @lunaabyssgame.bsky.social @kwaleegaming.bsky.social

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Luna Abyss Changed My Idea of FPS Games

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 04/06/2026

My body is ready for Shaddai Survivors.

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 31/05/2026

This does look fun. So many games I don’t even know exist and I play a lot of them!

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 31/05/2026

Appreciate the recs! Definitely need to find more games that play off this mechanic.

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 30/05/2026

Sounds like it’s perfect for Steam Deck or Switch.

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 30/05/2026

I did not expect this mechanic to be the thing that hooked me. Now I want more. 👀 #gaming #indiegames #shmup #bullethell

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 28/05/2026

I played a bullet hell that somehow convinced me getting closer to death was the correct strategy. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/VybdT2WuDwY #gaming #indiegames #shmup #bullethell

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This Bullet Hell Punished Me for Playing Safe (Shikhondo: Blue Pieta)

YouTube video by Backlog Approved

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 24/05/2026

Sometimes you just want a game that lets you shut your brain off. This absolutely delivered. #gaming #indiegames #hackandslash

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 21/05/2026

This game skips the story setup and just throws you straight into massacring entire hordes for loot and busted builds. Honestly, it’s way more fun than it has any right to be. Full breakdown 📺 youtu.be/sjo8qSXVedo #gaming #indiegames #hackandslash

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I Was Surprised This Indie Hack & Slash Got This Wild (The Awakener: Battle Tendency)

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Backlog Approved @backlogapproved.com · 21/05/2026

Thanks for putting this on my radar!

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