Game Maker's Toolkit on Substack

Game Maker's Toolkit on Substack

GMTK Digest (May 2025)

We're doomed...

May 30, 2025
∙ Paid

Hello GMTK fans! Thanks for your support this month.

Things have been a bit wild for me - I've been to Spain, released a demo, and... well, there's plenty of stuff I can't talk about yet until various NDAs wear off. But amongst it all... here's what's been happening in the world of games.

Sorry, I've still not been able to play much myself! (Other than hundreds of rounds of Word Play) Hopefully when things calm down...

New Releases

Played: StarVaders

It came out right at the very end of April, but I'm counting it! This is a very enjoyable deck-building roguelike - with hints of Slay the Spire, but with a smart grid-based layout that leads to all sorts of new strategies and synergies.

In each encounter you've got to stop enemies from marching towards the bottom of the screen, and so have to use various attack and move cards to stop them in their tracks. There are endless cards - and each one can be upgraded, powered-up, or used in creative ways. There's also a smart heat meter where you can squeeze just a little more out of a turn - but at your peril.

It's already become the hot new game for those still not sick of deck-builders. I've very much enjoyed my time with it so far. Reminds me of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes...

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