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CRITICAL REFLEX TIME Reveals Free Games, New Demos and Console Release Plans
CRITICAL REFLEX TIME returned on October 20, 2026 with new games, playable demos and console announcements. Leading the lineup were the free Steam release of Cucina Stellata, the reveals of amFM and KEYKRUNCHER, and new demos for Pipes.exe, Drowned Lake and Tiny Chills – Not From Ear. The Grobnopolis | Last Days demo, featured below, was also part of the recap.
A Free Serving of Horror
Cucina Stellata is available free on Steam. Designed for a single sitting, the Italian-cooking horror game turns its culinary premise into an unsettling experience.
Newly announced amFM is a psychological RPG about shifting dimensions, entering minds and building machines while investigating a civilization-ending rainfall. KEYKRUNCHER takes a stranger approach to treatment: eating keyboards under escalating assessment targets while something waits outside. Both are headed to PC and Xbox Series X|S, and KEYKRUNCHER has a Steam demo.
New Demos to Try
Pipes.exe: co-op horror with Twitch integration that lets viewers add words to an in-game profanity filter.
Drowned Lake: found-footage survival horror investigating a missing amateur documentarian.
Grobnopolis | Last Days: two chapters as an apartment-block caretaker watching an oppressive world deteriorate.
Inkblood: three occult mysteries in its Steam Next Fest demo.
Console Dates and New Platforms
Mouthwashing reaches Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on October 29, with Xbox Game Pass included in the announcement. No, I’m not a Human is planned for Xbox, Game Pass, PS5 and Switch in 2027.
Arctic Eggs is out on Xbox Series X|S, with PS5 and Switch versions coming later. Buckshot Roulette is heading to PS5, PS4 and Switch (get it for $1.59 on PC for a limited time), while Inkblood adds Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and Switch to its PC plans for 2027.
Being and Becoming now targets 2027 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PS5 and Switch. Altered Alma adds Switch to its console plans, and SATED is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC alongside its PC release. SATED’s first demo is still described as coming soon, with Steam playtest sign-ups available.
More from the Showcase
TANUKI: Pon’s Summer revealed crossover hats inspired by Hollow Knight: Silksong, Shovel Knight and PEAK. The showcase also revisited the Militsioner demo. Explore the lineup through the official CRITICAL REFLEX website.
I was only going to start out playing End of Abyss for about... 30 or 40 minutes.
That was the plan, but... things change. I had seen part of the trailer... in passing (I was on the go), so I couldn't give it my full attention at the time. Still, something about it hung around in the back of my mind. I knew I had to eventually give this thing a whirl... for you, but it also piqued my interest.
I jumped in trying to keep my eye on the clock, but... it's easy to get locked in on this game! It feels like Reanimal meets Resident Evil. Before long... I was chillin' on full lean in my chair with the headset on and the controller in my hand in full mission mode.
Next thing I know... I was about an hour and 15 minutes in (after wonder what time it was), looking at the clock and realizing I really didn't want to put the controller down I had to find a save point. End of Abyss is quite the interesting game... as seen in this first 30 minutes of gameplay!
A Bad Day at Work for Cel
You play as Cel, a young combat technician sent into a mysterious underground compound as part of an investigation into some... very strange disturbances. Needless to say, things aren't exactly operating according to the employee handbook down there. Could you imagine this being your assignment (IRL)?
The facility is broken, abandoned in places and filled with evidence that something went horribly wrong. As Cel moves deeper into it, she has to piece together what happened while dealing with creatures that make it pretty clear that whatever occurred down there did not leave everybody... normal.
The Environment Does a Lot of the Talking
One of the first things that pulled me into End of Abyss was its atmosphere.
The environment sets the tone before the game even has to throw something at you. Dim industrial areas, abandoned equipment, strange organic "corruption" and bodies plastered into different areas all help create this constant feeling that you're somewhere you probably shouldn't be. The Reanimal vibes crept in before my first encounter.
The semi-top-down presentation also gives the game its own flavor. I think fans of action-adventure games, survival horror and twin-stick shooters could all find something to latch onto here. There are obvious reasons someone who enjoys Resident Evil or Silent Hill might be interested, but mechanically this isn't simply trying to imitate either one.
There's much more of a move, aim, create space and react style to the combat.
You Better Get Your Dodge Game Together
The controls felt smooth during my time with the game, and I'm going to give you some advice early:
Get your running and dodging skills up. You are going to need them.
Cel isn't built around standing still and trading shots with everything that comes wandering around a corner. When enemies start closing the distance or trying to cut off escape points, positioning becomes extremely important. Being able to dodge out of danger, reposition and then fire back made the combat feel good to me almost immediately.
The twin-stick-style aiming is also why I think traditional twin-stick shooter fans should give End of Abyss a serious look even if horror normally isn't their first choice. The combination is beautiful in battle... so get ready, stay ready, so you don't have to... get ready, when all hell breaks loose.
There is a starting Pulse Gun with unlimited ammunition (I'm grateful for this), while the larger arsenal expands as you explore. Other weapons use limited ammunition, so there's a survival-horror resource-management element involved rather than the game simply giving you an arsenal and telling you to go nuts (sorry Bullet Heaven fans).
Weapons can also be upgraded at workbenches using resources collected during the game. Those upgrades aren't limited to simply making a number bigger, either. Weapons can gain increased damage and additional firing functionality as they're improved, giving you another reason to explore instead of simply sprinting toward the next objective.
Personally?
I'd love a co-op mode. (One can have a blue light on their helmet, and the other one can have a green light on theirs.)
The movement and twin-stick combat already made me imagine running through some of these areas with another player watching the opposite side of the room. So that's officially on my personal wish list.
By the way, Reanimal continue to come to mind... but there's a reason behind it. While Reanimal was developed directly by Tarsier Studios, End of Abyss was made by a brand-new studio (Section 9 Interactive) that actually consists of three prominent members from that studio. Three prominent members, Mattias and Marcus Ottvall, and Gustaf Heinerwall. They represent the former lead programmer, art, and game directors for the Little Nightmares franchise too. So never count yourself out, if a door is closed... develop one.
Your Suit Matters Too
The weapon progression isn't operating by itself. Cel's suit has its own upgrade system through Suit Power and equipable Suit Mods.
Exploration can uncover items that increase the amount of Suit Power available, which in turn determines how many mods you can equip. Those mods can provide useful bonuses such as increased health, additional carrying capacity and protection against environmental hazards.
That makes the suit less of a cosmetic piece of sci-fi equipment and more of something you actually need to think about as you move through different sections of the facility.
I like systems like this because it gives exploration a purpose. Finding another pathway isn't just about saying, "Hey, I filled in another piece of the map." There could be something sitting back there that makes Cel better equipped for whatever nightmare is waiting around the next corner.
The Scanner also plays into that exploration loop by helping identify objects, pathways and other useful information throughout the facility. With branching routes and areas that can become accessible after gaining new equipment and abilities, there's a bit of that "remember that place I couldn't reach earlier?" factor working in the background. So don't forget to get your scan on.
Audio: I Could Hear Trouble Before I Could See It
Audio deserves a special mention because of the way I played.
There were moments when I could prepare for something happening in the environment because I heard it before I actually saw it coming from a certain direction. At times it was on a higher level... but I heard it coming from a certain direction.
In a game built around dark environments, limited visibility and... the possibility of something unpleasant being nearby, that kind of positional awareness adds another layer to the experience. Rather than the audio simply accompanying what I could already see on the screen, I was actively listening to the environment.
That's exactly the kind of game where a good audio setup earns its keep, so don't sleep on it.
The Price Lands In... That Sweet Spot
Now we get to something that's very important around here, the price.End of Abyss is $29.99!
That lands perfectly in the sweet spot as a practical addition to the long suggested SDGT Gaming Budget strategy. Have enough room for one AAA game, one AA game and one... indie game rather than blowing the entire household budget on three expensive AAA releases. It gives you three or more titles and gives you variety.
Based on what I've played so far, End of Abyss is looking mighty comfortable sitting in that AA slot.
And you don't necessarily have to take my word for it before spending anything. There's a free demo available on the Epic Games Store, so give that a whirl first and see how you feel.
End of Abyss is also rated T for Teen for Blood and Violence, so parents who have teenagers interested in horror games may want to give this one a look as well.
If something like Resident Evil is a little too much for you, I think End of Abyss may be a more digestible doorway into this kind of creepy experience (without doing too much). Don't misunderstand me — it can still get tense, and those creatures aren't exactly coming over to borrow some sugar — but the perspective, action-oriented controls and presentation may make it easier for some players to handle.
Overall
The eerie atmosphere grabbed me, the combat felt smooth, dodging and positioning kept me engaged, exploration gave me reasons to keep poking around, and the audio presentation worked especially well with my headphone and spatial-audio setup.
I've thoroughly enjoyed myself with End of Abyss so far.
This is a hands-on more so than a review but my thumbs remain... upright.
So... yeah, give this one a whirl and watch yourself.
End of Abyss is developed by Section 9 Interactive and published by Epic Games Publishing. It launched October 1, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
TINYBUILD DEBUTS TRAILERS FROM 16 GAMES AT BIGGEST TINYBUILD CONNECT SHOWCASE YET
KINGMAKERS REVEALS 10 MINUTES OF GAMEPLAY IN NEW DEEP DIVE VIDEO
tinyBuild celebrates 15 years as a publisher with new games, news for hotly anticipated titles and updates to fan-favorite franchises
SEATTLE -- SEPT. 14, 2026 -- During today’s tinyBuild Connect showcase, tinyBuild debuted new trailers and announcements for 16 titles in its catalog, headlined by a 10-minute deep dive video for Kingmakers, plus the reveals of the new horror title Road to Jukai and roguelite autobattler kingdom builder with claws The Crab is Walking. Other major updates included a brand-new demo for the most inaccurate medieval cemetery simulator, Graveyard Keeper 2, a new story trailer for the upcoming handyman simulator The Lift, a look at the future of SAND: Raiders of Sophieand more.
Kingmakers Gameplay Deep Dive
tinyBuild gave the closest look yet at Kingmakers, the game that sets out to answer one of life's greatest questions: What would happen if you brought a modern arsenal to a medieval battlefield? Travel back to 1403 to help Owain Glyndŵ transform a Welsh rebellion into an empire. This gameplay deep dive includes a look at the title's third-person combat, story, and RTS mechanics, playable solo or in co-op for up to four players. Jump into massive third-person combat scenarios where you (and your arsenal of guns, vehicles and air support from the future) are the deciding factor for battles. Take control of massive armies as you siege castles, build up outposts and defend your own territory in RTS-style combat. Kingmakers is launching into Steam Early Access soon, and players can sign up for the upcoming playtest on Steam now.
Continue reading below for a rundown on everything featured in the showcase, including new demos and trailers for games like Probably Stolen and Hull Rupture as well as newly announced console ports for games like Hozy, Ferociousand Of Ash and Steel. You can also check out the tinyBuild Connect Media Guide for a full breakdown of each announcement, as well as a complete archive of the show and a playlist with all the videos shown on YouTube.
Highlights from tinyBuild Connect 2026
New Game!tinyBuild announced The Crab is Walking, a roguelite kingdom builder and autobattler set atop giant crustaceans from the makers of The King is Watching.Merge buildings, unlock upgrades, and reshape your settlement as you traverse a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
New Game!Playable! tinyBuild revealed a new publishing deal for Road to Jukai, previously known as Silent Road, a psychological night-shift taxi driving horror game set in Japan and coming in 2027. Try out the game in the new playtest, available now on Steam!
The King is Watching revealed a new update adding Steam Deck optimization to the roguelite kingdom building strategy game, available now. Check out the trailer!
The nostalgic electronics repair game ReStory is celebrating 500k copies sold with a new accolades trailer announcing upcoming content, including a new device and a new customer in a free update coming September 21.
Playable! Dinosaur survival FPSFerocious launched on XBOX Series X|S and PlayStation 5!
Get a new look at supernatural handyman simulator The Lift with the premiere of a brand-new story trailer, taking a deeper look at The Institute and offering more cryptic clues for the game's storyline. The Lift is launching in 2027 on Steam, PS5, and XBOX Series X|S.
Playable! tinyBuild announced that the acclaimed home renovation game Hozy is coming to XBOX Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch later this year. The free "Hideaways" DLC, featuring three new levels, is also available now on Steam!
Badass Open-world survival game Trainfort got a new trailer revealing a new upcoming playtest. Players can sign up for it now on Steam.
Playable! tinyBuild announced a new anniversary update for the strategic planet-mining game Drill Core, adding quality-of-life improvements and more, now on Steam, XBOX Series X|S, and PS5.
SAND: Raiders of Sophie celebrated its successful launch on Steam Early Access earlier this year with a new accolades trailer and announced a major new content update dropping later this month.
Playable! Two new restaurants and Trial by Fryer, a new team-based PvP mode, have been added to the co-op cooking horror game Happy’s Humble Burger Cult, available now on Steam! Face off against the enemy team in a surreal cooking show, sabotage their kitchen, fight for ingredients, and become the best team of chefs in Trial by Fryer.
Playable! A November 4 launch date was announcedfor Hull Rupture, the base management tower defense roguelike from Konfa Games. Try out the updated demo now on Steam!
Playable! A new trailer dropped for the cyberpunk shop simulator Probably Stolen, revealing an October 28 launch date and brand-new demo, playable now on Steam!
Of Ash and Steel, the open-world RPG inspired by the classics of the genre, is coming to XBOX Series X|S and PlayStation 5 soon. A new expansion - "Shattered Faith" - is also in development, bringing true magic to the Kingdom of the Seven.
Playable! tinyBuild released a brand-new demo on PC and consoles for the accurately inaccurate cemetery simulator Graveyard Keeper 2, launching September 22 on PC and consoles! Play the demo now with all progress carrying over to the game at launch!
For the latest from tinyBuild, visit www.tinybuild.com, and game on!
September 2025 has signed off, but that doesn't mean it didn't leave behind games that are worth playing! These games range from long-anticipated sequels to bold indie experiments, and we wanted to make sure you didn't miss them. So here’s a curated look at the September 2025 releases.
The wait is finally over. Team Cherry’s long-anticipated sequel landed with a thunderclap, and it’s every bit the Metroidvania masterpiece fans hoped for. Hornet’s journey through Pharloom expands the formula with fluid combat, layered quests, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.
Konami’s boldest Silent Hill entry in years takes the series to 1960s Japan, blending psychological horror with folklore-inspired visuals. It’s unsettling, cerebral, and deeply atmospheric.
The looter-shooter returns with a new vault-hunting crew and a fresh world, Kairos, under the thumb of The Timekeeper. Gearbox promised a more balanced tone, and it shows—humor is still there, but the story finally takes itself seriously. Sign me up for over the top humor.
Techland takes the zombie apocalypse to rural farmland and swampy thickets. The open-world traversal remains a highlight, and the new “beast” mutations add fresh tension.
Square Enix’s enhanced edition of the tactical classic closes out the month with a bang. Updated visuals, rebalanced mechanics, and Switch 2 optimization make this a strategy lover’s dream.
September 2025 came in with enough to deliver exploration, skin crawling survival, explosive co-op action, and metroidvania action locked in with great storytelling. This lineup covers all bases!
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