Hype - Playism is Debuting 6 Amazing Titles for Release in 2025

Playism is an independent publishing branch specializing in fascinating and unique games, many of which come from Japan and other territories. While normally they have a presence at PAX West, they made a return to PAX East for the first time in 10 years. The team brought 6 games with them for attendees to try out and play.

From mech combat to psychological mind diving to ocean exploration and even skateboarding knights. There was something for everyone to play and enjoy while at the event. Each game brought something new and exciting to the table, and some became my favorite games at the show. Here is a brief summary of everything I played at the Playism booth.

Glaciered

Planet Earth is a giant ball of water and ice deep in the future. Humans have mysteriously vanished. Nature has been left untamed. Now, strange creatures roam the seas in what is known as the Everwinter. Among these creatures is the Tuai, strange descendants of birds and dinosaurs that have evolved into an advanced society. When a malevolent force threatens the Everwinter, one Tuai and a mysterious voice will fight to save the Everwinter.

Glaciered is all about mystery and this ambitious future where nature takes over. When the team was developing the game, they felt prehistoric times and futuristic times were too often the setting of most video games. The team chose to have this adventure in a natural world 65 million years in the future, and a vibrant world that has been made in the absence of humans. Sea anemones that glow and are the size of cars. Corals as tall as buildings. Dinosaur-like fish the size of buses. Glaciered promises more natural abundance with bioluminescent vistas and various regions.

A vivid future

Glaciered is an action game. Awakening as an amnesiac Tuai, I swam around and got my bearings. The Tuai are incredibly neat in regards to game design as the Tuai looks like a cross between a penguin with the hip-action of a dolphin. I was able to explore and learn the controls before encountering the first combat sections.

Combat is organic. The Tuai has spikey growths on its wings. They can be used for light attacks or heavy attacks. Each attack generates heat and can provide further damage to an enemy. However, overheating can be a challenge. Alternatively, the Tuai can use the growths as arrows for range attacks. They regrow almost instantly. Fighting the first batch of enemies proved a little tougher than expected, but nonetheless thrilling. Players can also heal themselves with the power of the cells in their bodies with the push of a button.

My time with Glaciered was incredible and very impressionable. I simply haven't played a game like this, and I certainly did not see anything like it at the show. Its uniqueness, mystery, and gameplay all had me intrigued and engaged. What mysteries lie within the Everwinter remain to be seen, but I am absolutely sure they will be incredible to see.

Glaciered launches in Q3 2025

Mind Diver

Take it from the people at Stack Up Dot Org, the mind is a complex enigma of thoughts, emotions, logic, and feelings. It is the ultimate tool and the ultimate weapon. The more we learn about it, the more we learn about each other and ourselves. Sometimes, knowing too much can be dangerous. When a man goes mysteriously missing, it's a race against time to restore memories and discover the truth.

Mind Diver has players literally diving into the mind and memories of Lina Kukanova. Her memories are disintegrating, and her boyfriend, Sebastian, has gone missing. Using advanced technology, players are able to dive into Lina's Mind Ocean. Her mind is a sea filled with happenings and mysteries, and it's up to the Mind Diver to discover and connect memories.

A Sea of Thoughts

My time with Mind Diver was remarkable. The demo had me connect clues through swimming and searching the environment. The game impresses with a dynamic visual style that is 3D scanned, creating this washed-out and watery look that is incredibly profound. It feels like I am swimming in the fluid mind of a person as opposed to just an abstract image or a photorealistic depiction. In a way, I kind of felt like I was in Minority Report, if the tech was used to find memories as opposed to preventing murderers before they happened.

The gameplay was unique. I analyzed objects, listened to audio logs, and put literal pieces together. There was an intriguing story being developed involving Sebastian and Lina, and a scientist involved at a party. The mystery developed as I went into the club, discovering loud music and something sinister at play. The team pooled together their own emotions and grief and wove it into the game's narrative. I'm told it's a tale of grief, heartbreaking love, and truth, all of which will be shown soon when the game launches.

Mind Diver launches in 2025.

MotionRec

MotionRec is a mysterious bit-style game about a little robot in a black and white world ruled by machines. Upon awakening, the little bot gains hold of a cassette tape and gains the power to record movements. There is not much known about the story and world of MotionRec, but the simple visuals and color style keep things mysterious and interesting.

The big draw to MotionRec is the ability to record and playback movement. For example, there may be a ledge that's too high to reach. Players can go to an open area and record a jump. Then, approach the ledge, jump, then playback the previous jump to gain another jump to clear the ledge. This can be used in various ways in platforming, from ledges to chasms to other platforms.

Life in Motion

Playing MotionRec did take some getting used to. The game doesn't hold your hand, and you have to figure things out on your own. Once I got the hang of it, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the mechanic. I was able to playback all sorts of movements to clear various challenges and progress through the game. Accompanying this is a solid chiptune soundtrack as well that matches the mystery of the game.

My only gripe and hope is that there is some kind of a guide or hint system. Some challenges absolutely stumped me, and it took a long while to clear them. Hopefully, such a system can be implemented, as there is a very intriguing little game in MotionRec. The playback mechanic can put this futuristic platformer on par with Super Meat Boy and Celeste.

MotionRec launches in 2025.

Outrider Mako

Outrider Mako is a 2D top-down action game with Ghibli inspirations. Mako falls into the Mayol world and becomes an Outrider for a delivery business. The business serves clients, and those clients happen to be Gods. To return to her own world, Mako must deliver deliverables to the Gods. Between her and home are mononoke and engaged God clients.

I previously covered Outrider Mako when the demo was available at PAX West last year. Last year's demo introduced delivering the first package and the basics of combat. I came away greatly enjoying my time with the game and its unique mechanics. For this new demo, there are some new elements, namely, the combat.

United Parcel Service

There is more polish this time around and more focus on making engaging combat. The big draw to the action is the ability to use a pink goo called Nectar. This can slow down and stun enemies into submission, allowing Mako to make the final blow. I was also introduced to blessings, which give Mako an additional layer of protection.

What I was able to play was more or less the final version of the game. What separates Outrider Mako from the competition is its world, engaging action, and mysterious story. What kind of Gods exist in the Mayol world? Can Mako find her way home? What kind of packages are being delivered? We'll have to wait and see, but not very long.

Outrider Mako is out now on Steam.

Skateboard Knight

It's a knight, on a skateboard, with a big sword! Skateboard Knight is a quirky and silly autobattle game that was a delight to play with all of its quirkiness and silliness. You have to save the kingdom from fiendish and monstrous enemies. There are no armies to help you. Only you, your skateboard, and your sword, with the occasional magical power.

Skateboard Knight is an RPG-esque roguelite with autoshooter elements. Attacking and using magic powers are automatic. What is up to players is switching lanes. As combat takes place horizontally, players need to switch lanes and engage enemies while avoiding others. These enemies will stand in the way and even fight back. With every enemy downed, there are coins. These coins level up the Knight and unveil new abilities and attacks.

Skate or Die

My time with Skateboard Knight was delightful. While attacks were automatic, it was still engaging to dodge enemies, slay foes, and continuously level up. What begins as a basic melee attack with swords soon becomes a swipe of deadly ice crystals and fire. It's a solid loop where every run makes you stronger and more able to take on the more vicious foes. My run included a deadly plant monster and a sexy spider.

While simple, I can see an exciting loop for those who prefer auto-battling or simple games. The variety of enhancements leaves a constant sense of reward, and the rogue-like structure keeps that reward sensation going. Not every game needs incredibly sophisticated combat systems. Some just need to keep it simple and fun. Skateboard Knight is shaping up to be simple and fun, but a total delight for those who want to embrace its quirkiness.

Skateboard Knight's release is To Be Announced.

Break Arts III

Break Arts III is a high-speed mech combat game that is the sequel to Break Arts II. Originally a smartphone game, Break Arts II featured highly customizable high-speed mech combat racing that was unique and genre-defining for the time. Players could engage in battle races or no-weapons races, while customizing the mech of their dreams. Break Arts III looks to continue that trend with everything a third installment could want.

I originally played Break Arts III at the Playism booth at PAX West last year. The game was in a rough but playable state, but it showed promise. Now that the game is two months from release, I am pleased to say I played a near-final build, and it is shaping up to be an amazing mech speed combat game.

I played two modes. One was combat racing, and the other was combat. In the interest of time, I played with a preset machine. The controls felt great, and the high-speed engagements reminded me of the best high-speed action games like F-Zero and Armored Core. The game takes place in a cyberworld, with interesting tracks and visuals. Everything had a crystallized, pristine look that was a delight for the eyes.

Combat was simple. Equip your weapons and shoot at anything that moves. In Races, the idea is to get first place and destroy the competition. In Combat Mode, the rules are simple: fight. Both modes were exhilarating and a blast to play. The unique combinations of Mecha will undoubtedly make this game a go-to for fans of racing games, sci-fi, and Mechs. With new modes teased for the game's final launch, including co-op mode, there is plenty to look forward to in Break Arts III.

Break Arts III launches August 8th, 2025.