Survivor Mercs: Squad Up, Extract, and Survive the Bullet Storm

The extraction shooter space is back with more 2D 3D action! Survivor Mercs, developed under Snail Games USA’s Wandering Wizard label, is carving out its place on Steam and is now gearing up for a full launch (it's also headed to Xbox in due time).

At its core, Survivor Mercs blends the chaos of bullet-heaven survival with the tactical tension of an extraction shooter. You’re not just a lone survivor dodging waves—you’re a cloned commander leading a squad of mercenaries against M.E.G.A. Corp’s relentless robot army. Every run is a gamble: mow down enemies, secure loot, and decide whether to extract safely or risk it all for bigger rewards. After that L, you'll wish you went back to the base in some cases.

One thing I’ve got to give credit to is discounting games during early access. Survivor Mercs is doing exactly that during the No Time To Loot festival.

Players get in at a lower cost, while developers receive the financial backing they need to keep development rolling. It’s a win-win. Supporters feel rewarded for taking the early plunge, and devs get the momentum to keep refining their vision. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen it happen, but every time it does, I can’t help but applaud. 

More studios should take note. It’s a simple but powerful gesture that builds goodwill and community trust—two things money can’t buy.

 Festival Celebration & Community Perks 

In celebration of the No Time To Loot festival, the team at Snail Games USA hooked me up with three codes to share (big thanks to Monty for that!). Whether you’re one of the lucky ones to snag a code or not, here’s the real kicker:

You can grab Survivor Mercs for less than $5 during the festival window. That’s pocket change for a game that’s already showing strong legs in early access and only getting sharper with each update. That said, it's time for another dose of Watch & Nab!

 Survivor Mercs 

• Clone Commanders – Each run starts with a randomized commander, complete with unique traits that change your approach.

• Squad-Based Action – Build a team of mercs with diverse skills and synergies. This isn’t just about dodging bullets—it’s about commanding a unit.

• Active Twin-Stick Gameplay – Unlike auto-shooters, Survivor Mercs keeps you in control with dashes, aimed fire, and tactical decision-making.

• Bunker HQ Progression – Invest your loot into upgrades, new mercs, and gear to strengthen your squad for future runs. Build and add to your strategy.

• Couch Co-op – Bring friends into the chaos, with one player leading as commander and others controlling mercs in the squad. Simple enough to pick up and play by anyone.

With its simple yet fast-paced action, roguelite depth, and squad-driven twist on the bullet-heaven formula, Survivor Mercs is shaping up to be a standout in the genre for 2D 3D options. The fact that it’s launching with a community-first mindset—discounting during early access and celebrating with events like No Time To Loot—only makes me root for it more.

So whether you’re diving in with a free code or picking it up for less than five bucks, now’s the perfect time to squad up, extract, and survive the storm. The bosses are waiting.

 + Sophi 

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No Console... No PC... No Problem! Game for $39.99

Artifact Seeker: Legend of Aurorium — The Indie Roguelike That Refused to Die

In a genre packed with roguelikes and bullet heaven chaos, Artifact Seeker: Legend of Aurorium didn’t just show up... it represented well. With its fluid combat, myth-laced lore, and a visual style that screams “just one more run,” this indie title quickly carved out a space for itself among fans of Vampire Survivors and Soulstone Survivors (which are enjoyable titles in the genre). But just when things were heating up, the game disappeared from Steam without warning.

So what in the heck happened, you ask? The publisher messed around and found out!

Developed by Lynkpin Game, Artifact Seeker was one of over 50 indie games caught in the crossfire when publisher BD Games was banned from Steam in 2024 (is BD short for "Bad Day"? Might as well be!). No forewarning, no messaging... just wiped from the storefront, which is jacked up. For small teams like Lynkpin, this kind of setback can be fatal. But instead of folding for something that was out of their hands, the developers made it clear that... they weren’t done.

So, after going public with the situation and opening dialogue through their Discord and community pages, the devs took the reins. They worked behind the scenes to regain control of the IP and relaunch the game under their own name. The result? Artifact Seeker: Legend of Aurorium... the same brutal-yet-satisfying core gameplay with a renewed spark and more polish than ever before. Check it out:

Set in the mythic world of Aurorium, the game pits you against waves of corrupted enemies, as you collect relics and build synergies to survive. Each run tests your reflexes and decision-making, whether you’re powering up your battle doll Ceratil or dodging projectiles as Suraz, the Artifact Collector. With a branching world map, unlockable heroes, and meta-progression baked into every loop, it’s got the depth hardcore fans crave without the fluff.

The comeback edition brought more than just a new subtitle. We're talking new characters, tighter UI, expanded synergy systems, and quality-of-life features like enhanced controller support (which I played with). But beyond gameplay updates, the core of this article is to really highlight the how this indie team adapted to the situation... and now they're coming from a position of ownership. All thanks to their resilience, and community support. Lynkpin Game didn’t just patch their way back into relevance... they rebuilt the game’s future on their own terms. Publishers have to understand that they're being trusted to steer the ship to the best of their ability... not move in ways that will affect their crew by sinking it.

Artifact Seeker: Legend of Aurorium isn’t just another roguelike... it’s a reminder that Indie Devs may be safer without a publisher. So may this motivate the Indie Devs fighting to survive setbacks, publisher drama, and storefront potential takedowns. If you missed Artifact Seeker the first time around, now’s your chance to jump in.

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Take control with the AJAZZ AKP153 Studio Controller

Reality Break: A New Dimension in Space ARPG

First and foremost, we want to give a huge shout out to Craig and the rest of the team at The Indie Bros for providing us with a game code for Reality Break. Also, shout out to Element Games for crossing the finish line to release this ARPG. Now, let's dive into the universe of Reality Break!

Rewrite the Universe in Reality Break

Prepare to embark on a mind-bending adventure with Reality Break, where your choices shape the fabric of the universe. This fast-paced ARPG Loot Collection Roguelite lets you break reality, rewrite your fate, and wield extraordinary powers to stop sinister forces from altering existence itself. The game delivers an electrifying experience as you discover the origin of your new abilities, bending and breaking the very rules of spacetime.

Reality Break isn't just about defeating enemies; it's about mastering the manipulation of reality to gain the upper hand. You will encounter a diverse array of challenges that test your strategic thinking and adaptability. Each playthrough offers a unique experience, ensuring that no two journeys are the same.

Mark Your Calendars

Reality Break is set to release on February 10 on Steam. Whether you're a seasoned ARPG player or new to the genre, this game promises to deliver a captivating and immersive experience that will keep you coming back for more. Don't miss your chance to explore the vast possibilities and uncover the secrets of the universe in Reality Break. Here's a small dose by way of the first 30!

Coming to Steam & GOG!

Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to dive into a world where reality is yours to shape!

 + Sophi 

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