Darkest Dungeon DLC, a BioShock-style shooter with clowns and other new indie games worth checking out

Red Hook Studios, now part of Behaviour Interactive, released “The Fire’s Edge” for its 2016 roguelike Darkest Dungeon. Priced at $7, the pack introduces two new heroes—the Runaway and the Duelist—borrowed from Darkest Dungeon II, each occupying a single roster slot and bringing unique abilities like the Runaway’s burn attack. The update also adds fresh trinkets, three districts, and town events, plus modest damage buffs. Red Hook timed the DLC to coincide with a limited‑time $3.74 discount on the base game on Steam (through September 1) and a similar sale on PS4 (through August 27), nudging new and lapsed players toward the expansion.

Atmos Games, publishing through 3D Realms, launched Twisted Tower on Steam as a $15 horror first‑person shooter set in a 1950s abandoned theme park. The game leans heavily on BioShock aesthetics—vending‑machine upgrades, atmospheric set‑pieces—and replaces sci‑fi powers with toy‑themed weapons, including a bubble‑gum chain gun and a “fartin’ shotgun.” With a 10 % discount through September 1, the title aims to capture fans craving a narrative‑driven shooter after the long BioShock hiatus. Both releases sit among a broader indie surge that mixes nostalgic callbacks (Darkest Dungeon’s sequel heroes, BioShock‑style design) with experimental mechanics, as seen in early‑access RPG Lantern of the Laughless Saint and sensory‑overload dropper Sensory Overload. This wave underscores how small studios are leveraging established IPs and quirky concepts to stand out before the Gamescom announcement flood.

The DLC could rejuvenate Darkest Dungeon’s community, giving the original game fresh content without forcing players onto the newer sequel, and the steep discount may boost the franchise’s install base ahead of the next major showcase. Twisted Tower’s success hinges on delivering enough originality to avoid being dismissed as a mere BioShock clone; its quirky weaponry may win over novelty seekers but could limit longevity. Meanwhile, the reported Sony delisting of indie titles like STONKS‑9800 hints at distribution volatility that could affect future indie releases on consoles. Watch sales spikes during the promotional windows, player reception to the new heroes’ balance, and whether Twisted Tower’s retro