Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Choose Your Game!

Ceville (fixed)

We had an issue with half the keys last week, so we are giving subscribers a chance to get this game now.

Ceville is a quirky point-and-click adventure that turns the traditional fairy tale upside down, putting players in the shoes of a sarcastic, power-hungry tyrant who has been overthrown by his own people. Developed by Realmforge Studios, the game follows the disgraced ruler as he reluctantly becomes the kingdom's best hope against an even more dangerous villain threatening to seize power.

Set in the colorful fantasy world of Faeryanis, Ceville combines clever puzzles, eccentric characters, and plenty of irreverent humor reminiscent of classic adventures like Monkey Island. Players can control three distinct characters, each bringing unique personalities and abilities to puzzles that often require teamwork. With its witty dialogue, playful take on fantasy stereotypes, and entertaining storyline, Ceville offers a charming throwback to the golden age of point-and-click adventures.

-——OR-------

Starium

Starium is a sci-fi action RPG that combines open-world exploration, fast-paced bullet-hell combat, and deep character customization. Set in the collapsing Talara Galaxy, players must navigate a dangerous universe filled with hostile aliens, powerful enemies, and difficult choices that shape the storyline. With over 25 challenging boss battles, 35 weapons and spells, more than 60 legendary armor pieces, and three unique skill trees, Starium offers plenty of ways to develop your character and experiment with different combat styles. The game also features branching storylines, multiple endings, and a reputation system that lets players decide whether to become a hero, an outlaw, or something in between. Developed by The Free Company, Starium delivers a mix of intense action, RPG progression, and player-driven storytelling.

Super Meat Boy 3D: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Super Meat Boy 3D brings the notoriously challenging platforming series into a fully three-dimensional world, delivering fast-paced action, precise controls, and plenty of frustratingly fun obstacles. Players take control of Meat Boy, a small animated cube of meat on a mission to rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the villainous Dr. Fetus.

Along the way, they'll navigate dangerous environments filled with spinning saw blades, collapsing platforms, deadly traps, and other hazards that demand quick reflexes and perfect timing. The game features increasingly difficult levels, intense boss battles, hidden secrets, and challenging Dark World stages designed to push even experienced players to their limits. Developed by Sluggerfly and Team Meat, Super Meat Boy 3D combines the unforgiving difficulty and quirky humor of the original series with a new 3D perspective, making it an exciting challenge for fans of precision platformers.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'meat'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Yuha's Nightmares: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Yuha's Nightmares: Episode One – Catastrophe is a surreal psychological horror adventure that takes players deep into a haunting world inspired by the real dreams of developer Yuliya Kozhemyako. Players explore a series of unsettling 3D dreamscapes filled with strange glitches, disappearing staircases, distorted environments, and mysterious memories as they piece together Yuha's emotional story. The first episode features more than 20 unique dream levels, each offering different challenges, from escaping dangerous environments and collecting objects against the clock to solving unusual puzzles and uncovering hidden secrets.

A distinctive Wireframe World mechanic allows players to see through walls and explore the digital structures beneath the game's environments, revealing new perspectives and hidden details. With its experimental gameplay, atmospheric visuals, and themes of displacement, family, and personal identity, Yuha's Nightmares delivers an unconventional experience that blends exploration, storytelling, and psychological horror. Developed by Supr Experience, the game is scheduled for release on November 10, 2026.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'yuha'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

After The Wane: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

After the Wane is the new story-driven interactive graphic novel that blends romance, mystery, and supernatural intrigue into a deeply personal adventure where every decision matters. Players follow Lena, an aspiring dancer who moves to the capital to pursue her artistic dreams while uncovering the truth about why her mother abandoned her at birth. As she navigates the competitive world of professional dance, complicated relationships, and an increasingly mysterious voice inside her head, players must make choices that shape her personality, relationships, and ultimate destiny. The game features three distinct narrative paths, branching storylines, multiple endings, and romance options that encourage repeat playthroughs. With hundreds of hand-painted illustrations, beautifully animated dance sequences created through rotoscoping, and an orchestral soundtrack that dynamically responds to player decisions, After the Wane delivers an immersive storytelling experience. Developed by Nova-box, the creators of Along the Edge and Across the Grooves, the game is scheduled for release on November 10, 2026.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'wane'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Loftia [Steam]

A cozy, multiplayer world where you can build towards a brighter, more sustainable future!
$̶̶39.99 $24.89

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Batman - The Telltale Series [Steam]

Enter the fractured psyche of Bruce Wayne.
$̶̶14.99 $5.99

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GigaBash [Steam]

The ultimate Kaiju Fighting Game.
$̶̶24.99 $8.24

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Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School [Steam]

Class is (back) in session with Escape Academy 2.
$19.99 $16.99

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The Wolf Among Us Remastered [PS5]

A dark detective thriller where folklore is real, violence is chilling.
$24.99 $19.99

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SILENT HILL: Townfall [PS5]

Returning to an island town to ‘put things right’.
$49.99 $39.99

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Collection of Mana [Nintendo Switch]

The memorable adventure of Randi, Primm and Popoi.
$39.99 $1599

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DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined [Nintendo Switch]

Unravel the mysteries of the past.
$59.99 $38.99

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Featured Game Review: Mycelarium

Mycelarium takes a concept that sounds almost too simple to be entertaining and turns it into a surprisingly satisfying strategy experience. Developed by PLAN KAPKAN and released on November 3, 2026, this relaxing incremental simulation puts players in control of an expanding fungal network beneath a peaceful forest. Rather than building cities, fighting enemies, or managing armies, your objective is to grow an underground mushroom empire. Starting with a single mushroom, you'll gradually spread through the soil, collect resources, and unlock new abilities that allow your network to flourish. It's an unusual premise, but the combination of exploration, resource management, and steady progression makes Mycelarium an appealing choice for players who enjoy watching small beginnings turn into something much bigger.

Simple and Amazing

The gameplay revolves around expanding your mycelium network through a procedurally generated underground environment. Using a slingshot-style control system, players direct fungal growth toward valuable food deposits and water reservoirs while navigating obstacles like hard soil and stone. Every new branch requires resources, so deciding where to expand becomes an important part of the experience. As your network grows, you can purchase upgrades that improve growth range, water efficiency, soil penetration, and other abilities. Specialized mushroom mutations introduce additional possibilities, while wind-carried spores allow you to establish new growth points farther away. The automation mechanics are particularly appealing, gradually transforming a network that requires constant attention into a more efficient, self-sustaining system.

Lovely Visuals

One of Mycelarium's biggest strengths is its atmosphere. The charming pixel-art visuals create a peaceful forest environment where nature continues moving around your underground activities. Leaves fall, hedgehogs wander across the surface, and trees offer opportunities to gather additional nutrients. There's no traditional combat system or harsh failure mechanic forcing you to rush through objectives. Instead, the game encourages experimentation and exploration at your own pace.
This makes it particularly attractive to fans of idle games, cozy simulations, and casual strategy titles. The progression system also provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment, with each newly discovered resource pocket or unlocked mushroom variety offering another reason to continue expanding.

That said, Mycelarium isn't without shortcomings. Its deliberately relaxed approach means players looking for intense challenges or complex strategic decisions may find the experience a little too straightforward.

Complexity Issues

The basic gameplay loop of expanding, gathering resources, upgrading, and repeating can eventually become repetitive, particularly once automation takes over much of the resource production. Some early player feedback also points to limited late-game content, awkward navigation across increasingly large networks, and performance slowdowns as fungal colonies become more extensive. These issues may be frustrating for players hoping to spend dozens of hours building the ultimate underground ecosystem. However, for those approaching it as a smaller, more casual experience, the relatively simple mechanics are also part of its appeal.

Bottom Line

Overall, Mycelarium is a creative and enjoyable take on the incremental simulation genre, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional farming, city-building, and resource management games. Its greatest achievement is making the slow expansion of a mushroom colony feel rewarding through a combination of exploration, upgrades, and automation. While it may not provide the depth or long-term replayability of larger strategy titles, its peaceful presentation and accessible gameplay give it plenty of charm.

Players who enjoy relaxing progression games and watching interconnected systems gradually come to life will likely find something to appreciate here. Mycelarium proves that an entertaining strategy game doesn't need an elaborate storyline or constant action. Sometimes, growing a network of mushrooms beneath the forest floor is more than enough.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Ceville

Ceville is a quirky point-and-click adventure that turns the traditional fairy tale upside down, putting players in the shoes of a sarcastic, power-hungry tyrant who has been overthrown by his own people. Developed by Realmforge Studios, the game follows the disgraced ruler as he reluctantly becomes the kingdom's best hope against an even more dangerous villain threatening to seize power.

Set in the colorful fantasy world of Faeryanis, Ceville combines clever puzzles, eccentric characters, and plenty of irreverent humor reminiscent of classic adventures like Monkey Island. Players can control three distinct characters, each bringing unique personalities and abilities to puzzles that often require teamwork. With its witty dialogue, playful take on fantasy stereotypes, and entertaining storyline, Ceville offers a charming throwback to the golden age of point-and-click adventures.

IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator is an immersive first-person artillery simulation that puts players in control of a massive 5,000-ton war machine in a gritty dieselpunk world. Developed by Nick Nieuwoudt and Dominik Latos, the game takes place in an alternate-history version of 1920s Spain, where civil unrest and military conflict create a dangerous battlefield.
Rather than relying on traditional point-and-shoot mechanics, players must manually operate complex machinery, calculate firing trajectories, adjust elevation and ammunition charges, and interpret battlefield intelligence to deliver devastating artillery strikes. Every lever, dial, and decision matters as players balance orders from High Command with the consequences of their actions. Featuring an interactive tactical map, procedurally generated objectives, dozens of unlockable ammunition types, and a darkly atmospheric storyline, IRON NEST combines meticulous mechanical simulation with strategic decision-making to create a uniquely satisfying and intense warfare experience.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'iron'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Gobble Inn: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Gobble Inn is a cozy, food-filled roguelike adventure that combines underground exploration, creative crafting, and relaxed gameplay without the pressure of failure. Developed by Spilt Milk Studios, the game puts players in the role of Aunty Val, a familiar face from Trash Goblin, as she ventures into the mysterious Chasm to gather rare ingredients, unusual trinkets, and valuable resources for her bustling inn. Armed with powerful digging tools, players can break through underground environments, discover hidden treasures, and experiment with different combinations of food, equipment, and power-ups to create increasingly inventive builds. Between expeditions, players return to the inn to explore recipes and keep the pantry stocked for hungry customers. With its charming atmosphere, satisfying exploration mechanics, and emphasis on experimentation rather than punishment, Gobble Inn offers a refreshing twist on the traditional roguelike formula. Fans of games like Dave the Diver may find plenty to enjoy in this laid-back adventure, which swaps underwater fishing for underground treasure hunting and culinary discoveries.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'gobble'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Clogwork: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Clogwork is a clever factory automation and puzzle game that challenges players to design efficient production systems while keeping everything running smoothly. Developed by Odd Sprout Games, the game revolves around cutting, gluing, rotating, and transporting geometric shapes through increasingly complex networks of conveyor belts and machinery. Unlike traditional automation games, every object has a physical size, meaning poorly planned layouts can quickly result in frustrating traffic jams and production bottlenecks. Players can build and manage their factories in either 2D or 3D, seamlessly switching perspectives to troubleshoot problems and optimize their designs.
With customizable logic circuits, color and size filters, and a variety of creative solutions to each challenge, Clogwork rewards experimentation, strategic thinking, and careful planning. The game also features leaderboards, Steam Workshop support for community-created puzzles, and increasingly demanding objectives that test players' engineering skills. Combining the satisfying mechanics of factory-building games with intricate spatial puzzles, Clogwork offers an engaging experience for anyone who enjoys turning chaotic production lines into perfectly synchronized machines.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'clog'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

MY HERO ONE'S JUSTICE 2 [Steam]

The over-the-top follow-up to the smash hit 3D arena fighter.
$̶̶59.99 $14.99

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Rivals of Aether II [Steam]

The sequel to the hit indie fighting game, Rivals of Aether. 
$̶̶29.99 $14.99

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The Loopler [Steam]

A roguelite deckbuilder about a slot car driving in mesmerizing loops.
$̶̶9.99 $7.99

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Crimson Desert Enhanced: Charting the Unknown [Steam]

Join Kliff on his journey to rebuild the Greymane faction.
$27.99 $22.99

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EA SPORTS™ College Football 27 Deluxe Edition [PS5]

Step into the modern era of college football
$99.99 $64.99

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No Man's Sky [PS5]

A game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe.
$59.99 $23.99

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WWE 2K26 Standard Edition [Nintendo Switch]

Step into CM Punk’s 2K Showcase, dominate with 400+ Superstars and Legends.
$69.99 $27.99

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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered [Nintendo Switch]

Explore Cyrodiil like never before with stunning new visuals.
$69.99 $55.99

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Featured Game Review: Airport Contraband

Most people probably wouldn't consider working airport security their dream job, but Airport Contraband makes checking luggage and interrogating suspicious travelers surprisingly entertaining. Developed by DRAGO entertainment, the studio behind Gas Station Simulator, this first-person simulation game places players in the fictional country of Caldora, where they take on the role of a customs officer responsible for keeping illegal goods out of the airport. Of course, things aren't quite that straightforward. Between increasingly ridiculous regulations, questionable passengers, and opportunities to make some money on the side, the job quickly becomes more complicated than simply stamping passports and waving people through.

The Search

The core gameplay revolves around inspecting travelers, verifying documents, searching luggage, and deciding who deserves to pass through security. Players must carefully examine identification, look for inconsistencies, and use specialized equipment to uncover prohibited items. X-ray scanners, chemical tests, UV lights, and other investigative tools gradually expand the range of activities available. There's a satisfying detective element to the process, particularly when a seemingly ordinary suitcase turns out to contain something suspicious. The game also introduces more physical interactions, including searching cargo shipments, breaking open hidden compartments, and dealing with passengers who attempt to escape. These additional mechanics help distinguish Airport Contraband from simpler document-checking simulators by giving players more hands-on responsibilities.

Not Serious

One of the game's more interesting features is its morality system, which allows players to decide whether they want to be honest government employees or take advantage of their authority. Following procedures and confiscating illegal goods might be the responsible approach, but accepting bribes and cooperating with the local cartel can prove financially tempting.
These decisions create an entertaining conflict between maintaining the airport's reputation and pursuing personal profit. The fictional government's unpredictable rules add another layer of absurdity, with changing restrictions forcing players to constantly reconsider what is and isn't permitted. There's a darkly humorous quality to the setting, and the combination of bureaucratic nonsense and criminal opportunities gives the experience a personality beyond its routine inspection mechanics.

Rather than sticking to the traditional simulation formula, Airport Contraband introduces roguelite progression. Each customs officer essentially represents a separate run, and eventually losing a job means starting again with a new employee. Fortunately, certain upgrades carry over between attempts, allowing players to improve their capabilities and tackle increasingly difficult shifts. New gameplay systems are introduced through selectable paths, gradually increasing the complexity of daily operations. It's an unusual approach for this type of game, but one that gives the experience a stronger sense of progression and replayability. The potential downside is that players who prefer building a single, long-running career might find the forced restarts frustrating, particularly when mounting responsibilities make failure feel inevitable rather than the result of poor decisions.

Bottom Line

Despite its appealing premise, Airport Contraband isn't without potential frustrations. Repeatedly checking paperwork, opening luggage, and performing similar inspections can become monotonous, particularly for players who aren't naturally drawn to methodical simulation games. The increasing workload adds pressure, but it can also make some shifts feel more like a race against the clock than a careful investigation. Early player feedback has also highlighted minor bugs, interface inconsistencies, and questions about whether the roguelite structure truly benefits the experience. The developers released a hotfix on launch day, suggesting that some technical refinement is already underway. Even so, the game's combination of unpredictable situations, unusual contraband discoveries, and occasional confrontations gives it enough variety to keep its central premise interesting.

Ultimately, Airport Contraband offers an entertaining twist on the increasingly popular workplace simulation genre. Its blend of investigative mechanics, morally questionable decisions, and roguelite progression creates something more ambitious than a straightforward airport security simulator. While the repetitive nature of inspections and occasional frustration of starting over won't appeal to everyone, there's plenty here for players who enjoy discovering hidden details, managing growing responsibilities, and occasionally causing a little trouble. The game's greatest strength is its ability to turn an otherwise ordinary job into a series of increasingly absurd situations where every passenger could bring a new problem. For fans of games like Papers, Please and Contraband Police, Airport Contraband looks like a worthwhile addition to the genre, particularly for those who appreciate a little corruption mixed into their daily paperwork.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Nova Swarm

Nova Swarm is a fun fast-paced, retro-inspired arcade shooter that combines classic bullet-hell action with modern roguelite progression. Developed by Tiny Foundry, the game puts players in control of customizable spacecraft as they battle relentless enemy waves, dodge intricate projectile patterns, and take down massive bosses. With 30 unlockable ships, each offering unique weapons and handling characteristics, players can experiment with different playstyles while collecting upgrades that strengthen their firepower, defenses, and support abilities.

Boss victories introduce strategic choices that can dramatically change the course of a run, adding depth and replay-ability to the intense arcade combat. Multiple game modes, daily challenges, hidden discoveries, and online leaderboards give players plenty of reasons to return and improve their scores. Whether you're a longtime fan of classic space shooters or enjoy challenging, skill-based action games, Nova Swarm offers a colorful and addictive experience built around mastering enemy patterns and pushing your abilities further with every attempt.

Mycopunk: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Mycopunk is a chaotic, action-packed cooperative first-person shooter that combines fast-paced combat, outrageous weapon customization, and offbeat humor in a colorful sci-fi universe. Developed by Pigeons at Play and published by Devolver Digital, the game follows a ragtag crew of misfit robots hired by the mysterious SAXON corporation to investigate a planet overrun by a dangerous fungal infestation. Players can tackle missions solo or team up with up to three friends to battle swarms of mutated creatures, dismantle enemies piece by piece, and uncover the secrets behind the outbreak.

One of the game's standout features is its innovative grid-based upgrade system, which allows players to combine hundreds of modifications to create wildly unconventional weapons and character builds. Between missions, players can relax aboard an orbital dropship, interact with quirky characters, and prepare for their next dangerous assignment. With its distinctive visual style, satisfying gunplay, creative customization options, and emphasis on cooperative teamwork, Mycopunk delivers an entertaining and unpredictable experience for fans of sci-fi shooters and loot-driven action games.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'punk'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

MIO: Memories in Orbit: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a visually stunning, atmospheric Metroidvania that combines intricate exploration, challenging combat, and a mysterious sci-fi narrative. Developed by Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment, the game puts players in control of MIO, an agile robot who awakens aboard the Vessel, a massive spaceship drifting through space and slowly falling into ruin. As players explore its interconnected environments, they must uncover the secrets behind the ship's failing artificial intelligence, restore lost memories, and discover MIO's true purpose. Along the way, players unlock powerful movement abilities, including grappling hooks, gliding, and wall-clinging, which open new pathways and allow them to navigate increasingly complex areas.
Combat features more than 30 enemy types and 15 challenging bosses, with customizable abilities and modifiers that encourage experimentation with different fighting styles. The game's striking hand-drawn aesthetic, inspired by comics, paintings, and anime, is complemented by an atmospheric soundtrack blending lo-fi beats and choral melodies. With its rewarding exploration, precise platforming, and compelling sense of mystery, MIO: Memories in Orbit offers an immersive adventure for fans of beautifully crafted action-platformers.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'mio'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Rain World [Steam]

You are a nomadic slugcat, both predator and prey in a broken ecosystem.
$̶̶32.99 $11.12

Get Deal

Noita [Steam]

A magical action roguelite.
$̶̶19.99 $7.99

Get Deal

Automobilista 2 [Steam]

 An incredibly diverse collection of cars and tracks.
$̶̶39.99 $11.99

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Star Trek: Outposts Unknown [Steam]

Lead your crew across strange new worlds.
$32.99 $29.99

Get Deal

Enshrouded [PS5]

A solo and co-op survival action RPG
$39.99 $35.99

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Ready or Not: Digital Deluxe Edition [PS5]

An intense, tactical, first-person shooter.
$69.99 $48.99

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DELTARUNE [Nintendo Switch]

Dive into the parallel story to UNDERTALE! 
$24.99 $19.99

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™ [Nintendo Switch]

Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries.
$69.99 $55.99

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Featured Game Review: Frosthaven

Frosthaven brings one of the most ambitious tabletop strategy games to PC, delivering a massive fantasy adventure filled with tactical combat, difficult decisions, and extensive character customization. Developed by Snapshot Games and published by Arc Games, the game is based on the acclaimed board game created by Isaac Childres and serves as the spiritual successor to Gloomhaven. Set in a dangerous northern wilderness, players lead a group of mercenaries through hostile environments while attempting to establish and protect a struggling settlement. Following its Early Access debut in July 2025, Frosthaven officially launched its complete 1.0 version on October 15, 2026. The result is an incredibly detailed tactical RPG that rewards patience, experimentation, and careful planning, although its complexity may prove intimidating to newcomers.

A Unique Card Game

At the heart of Frosthaven is its challenging turn-based combat system, which relies on ability cards rather than traditional attacks and movement commands. Each character has a unique deck of cards, and players must carefully select combinations to determine their actions during battle. Positioning, initiative, resource management, and cooperation all play crucial roles in surviving encounters against increasingly dangerous enemies. Unlike many tactical RPGs where powerful abilities can be used repeatedly, Frosthaven forces players to think several turns ahead, as exhausting their available cards can leave characters unable to continue fighting. This creates an engaging balance between aggressive strategies and long-term survival. The combat can initially feel overwhelming, but once its systems begin to click, even seemingly impossible encounters become satisfying tactical puzzles.

Character variety is another major strength, with 17 playable classes available throughout the complete campaign. Players begin with six distinct classes, including the Banner Spear, Boneshaper, Drifter, Geminate, Blinkblade, and Deathwalker, each offering dramatically different abilities and approaches to combat. Some characters excel at supporting teammates, while others specialize in summoning creatures, manipulating positioning, or delivering devastating attacks under specific conditions. Building a balanced party becomes an important strategic consideration, particularly as the campaign introduces more challenging scenarios. Experimenting with different combinations of heroes adds considerable replayability, and unlocking new classes provides a strong incentive to continue exploring. The sheer number of abilities and interactions can make learning new characters time-consuming, but that depth is also one of the game's greatest attractions.

Deep Battlefield Mechanics

Beyond combat, Frosthaven introduces settlement management mechanics that help distinguish it from its predecessor. Between missions, players return to their outpost, where they can construct buildings, collect resources, unlock additional features, and prepare for the challenges ahead. The settlement gradually develops as the campaign progresses, creating a welcome sense of accomplishment outside the battlefield. The game's changing seasons and harsh northern setting also contribute to its atmosphere, reinforcing the feeling that survival involves more than simply defeating monsters. Managing the outpost adds another layer of decision-making, although players primarily interested in combat may occasionally find the additional responsibilities slow the overall pace. Nevertheless, these systems give the adventure a broader sense of purpose and make progression feel more meaningful.

Visually, Frosthaven does a respectable job of transforming a complex tabletop experience into an interactive three-dimensional world. Its environments range from frozen wildernesses to ominous dungeons, with detailed character models, colorful ability effects, and varied enemy designs helping bring encounters to life. The atmospheric presentation complements the dark fantasy setting, although the game rarely achieves the visual spectacle of larger-budget RPGs. More importantly, the interface must communicate an enormous amount of information, and this is where the adaptation occasionally struggles. Navigating complicated card abilities, interpreting status effects, and understanding certain enemy interactions can feel cumbersome, particularly for players unfamiliar with the original board game. While tutorials and interface improvements make the experience more approachable, there remains a significant learning curve that requires dedication.

A Few Rough Edges

Multiplayer is potentially one of Frosthaven's most enjoyable features, allowing groups of two to four players to tackle the campaign cooperatively online. Coordinating character abilities and discussing strategies with friends can make difficult encounters particularly rewarding, especially when a carefully planned combination of attacks turns a desperate situation into victory. Unfortunately, the game's full release has also been accompanied by reports of technical problems, including multiplayer synchronization issues, unexpected disconnections, crashes, and occasional gameplay bugs. These problems can be particularly frustrating during lengthy scenarios where substantial progress is at stake. Solo players generally have a more straightforward experience, but the inconsistent stability of cooperative sessions remains a significant concern. For a game that places such a strong emphasis on teamwork, reliable multiplayer functionality is especially important.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, Frosthaven is an exceptionally ambitious tactical RPG that offers an enormous amount of content and some of the most intricate strategic gameplay available in the genre. Its card-based battles, distinctive character classes, extensive campaign, and settlement development combine to create an experience with remarkable depth and long-term appeal. However, the same complexity that makes the game rewarding can also make it difficult to approach, while interface frustrations and technical problems prevent the digital adaptation from consistently reaching its full potential. Fans of the original board game and experienced tactical RPG players will find plenty to appreciate, particularly when playing solo or with a cooperative group unaffected by connectivity issues. Newcomers should expect a demanding learning experience rather than an accessible fantasy adventure. Despite its shortcomings, Frosthaven remains a compelling strategy game with enough meaningful decisions and challenging encounters to keep dedicated players engaged for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

20,000 Reward Credits at CheatHappens.com for ALL Subscribers

CheatHappens is giving ALL subscribers 20,000 Reward Credits on your CheatHappens.com account. This is available to every premium subscriber of Loot Happens who also has a CheatHappens.com account. You must be logged in to your CH account to claim.

Use this link to claim your credits.

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - West Hunt

West Hunt is a fun and suspenseful multiplayer social deduction game set in the Wild West, where deception, strategy, and quick thinking are the keys to victory. Players take on the role of either an outlaw, secretly completing mischievous missions while blending in with ordinary townsfolk, or a sheriff tasked with identifying and eliminating the criminal before it's too late. Outlaws can rob banks, poison water supplies, and bribe locals, while sheriffs must carefully investigate suspicious behavior without mistakenly targeting innocent villagers.

With randomly generated objectives, customizable characters, and support for up to eight players, every match offers a fresh combination of hilarious encounters and tense showdowns. Developed by NewGen and published by Wandering Wizard, West Hunt delivers an entertaining mix of stealth, detective work, and party-game chaos that's especially enjoyable with friends.

Over The Hill: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Over The Hill is a relaxing and beautifully crafted off-road driving adventure that invites players to explore breathtaking wilderness landscapes behind the wheel of classic 4x4 vehicles from the 1960s through the 1980s. Developed by Funselektor Labs, the creators of art of rally, the game emphasizes exploration and discovery rather than speed and competition. Players can venture out alone or team up with up to three friends to navigate rugged mountain trails, dense forests, winding rivers, and challenging terrain using tools like winches and wooden planks to overcome obstacles.
Along the way, they can discover hidden locations, photograph wildlife, customize their vehicles, and experience dynamic weather and day-night cycles that bring the environment to life. With its minimalist art style, peaceful atmosphere, and rewarding sense of adventure, over the hill offers a refreshing alternative to traditional racing games.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'hill'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Trash Day: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Trash Day is a hilarious and chaotic physics-based multiplayer adventure that puts players in the paws of mischievous raccoons on a mission to reach the legendary Raccoon Paradise. Developed and published by Off by One Games, the game challenges up to six players to escape Animal Control, steal a wagon, and work together to transport their precious collection of trash across six increasingly challenging environments. Along the way, players must navigate dangerous obstacles, including traffic, bear traps, rockslides, and rivers, using creative tools like bungee cords and wooden planks to keep their wagon moving.

Scavenging dumpsters, collecting valuable junk, and experimenting with unpredictable physics create plenty of opportunities for hilarious mishaps and teamwork. Players can also customize their raccoons with silly hats, climb around the environment, and interact with friends in amusing ways. Released on October 13, 2026, Trash Day combines colorful visuals, playful mechanics, and cooperative problem-solving into a lighthearted experience that's perfect for friends who enjoy unpredictable adventures and laugh-out-loud multiplayer moments.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'trash'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Volvy’s Adventure: Reslimed [Steam]

Reslimed is a spectacular remaster of the original. (pre-purchase)
$̶̶4.99 $3.79

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Foundation [Steam]

A grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game.
$̶̶34.99 $20.99

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Risk of Rain 2: Alloyed Collective [Steam]

(DLC) Lured, enslaved, and left to rust.
$̶̶14.99 $9.99

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Castlevania: Belmont's Curse [Steam]

Will Your Fate Bloom in Despair or Salvation Set 23 years after Castlevania Dracula's Curse
$29.99 $24.99

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007 First Light [PS5]

A thrilling espionage action-adventure game
$69.99 $48.99

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LEGO® Batman™: Legacy of the Dark Knight [PS5]

Rise as the Dark Knight and experience the essential Batman story.
$69.99 $48.99

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Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective [Nintendo Switch]

The classic puzzle-solving mystery adventure
$29.99 $9.99

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DREDGE: Complete Edition [Nintendo Switch]

Sell your catch, upgrade your boat, and dredge the depths
$26.99 $10.79

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Featured Game Review: Planet Zoo 2

Planet Zoo 2 builds upon the foundations of its predecessor, offering an ambitious wildlife management experience that combines creativity, conservation, and detailed simulation. Developed by Frontier Developments, the sequel expands the possibilities of zoo construction while introducing exciting new animal species and environments. From designing elaborate habitats to managing the daily operations of a thriving zoo, the game offers an impressive amount of freedom. However, while its beautiful presentation and expanded features make it an attractive sequel, some familiar frustrations prevent it from becoming the perfect zoo management experience.

The Animals Thrive

One of the game's greatest strengths is undoubtedly its animals. Planet Zoo 2 introduces fully aquatic creatures and flying birds, dramatically expanding the variety of habitats players can create. Watching sharks swim through carefully designed aquariums or birds glide around custom-built aviaries adds an entirely new dimension to zoo management. The attention to detail is remarkable, with realistic animations, natural behaviors, and expressive animal interactions making each species feel genuinely alive. Whether observing a lion resting in the shade or watching fish navigate an underwater environment, these small moments help create a convincing and immersive wildlife experience.

The construction system remains one of the game's biggest attractions, giving players an extensive collection of tools to design everything from simple animal enclosures to elaborate wildlife attractions. New scenery themes, improved terrain brushes, flexible customization options, and ready-made blueprints provide plenty of opportunities for creativity. Players who enjoy spending hours perfecting landscaping, pathways, and architectural details will find an enormous amount of content to explore. Unfortunately, the building tools can still feel unnecessarily complicated, especially when attempting precise adjustments. While the freedom is impressive, creating something relatively simple can sometimes require considerably more effort than expected.

Building is Key

Beyond traditional zoo management, Planet Zoo 2 introduces Wildlife Reserves, allowing players to participate in broader conservation projects and release animals into expansive natural ecosystems. This addition provides an interesting alternative to the conventional zoo-building formula and reinforces the game's educational and environmental themes. Career mode takes players through a series of conservation-focused challenges, while Franchise mode offers opportunities to develop interconnected zoos and trade animals. Sandbox mode remains particularly appealing for players who prefer unrestricted creativity. Although these modes provide variety, the conservation activities occasionally feel less engaging than the actual process of designing and operating a zoo.

Despite its many strengths, Planet Zoo 2 struggles with some of the same issues that affected the original game. Managing animal welfare, staffing, facilities, guest satisfaction, and habitat requirements can become exhausting when multiple problems demand attention simultaneously. The interface contains a tremendous amount of information, but navigating its numerous menus is not always intuitive. What begins as a relaxing creative experience can quickly become an exercise in repetitive micromanagement. The financial systems are relatively approachable, yet the constant adjustments required to maintain an efficient zoo sometimes interrupt the enjoyment of simply watching the animals and appreciating the environments players have created. These frustrations become especially noticeable during longer management sessions.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, Planet Zoo 2 is an impressive and visually captivating sequel that delivers some meaningful improvements without completely resolving the shortcomings of its predecessor. Its expanded animal roster, aquatic environments, flying species, and conservation features make it a compelling choice for wildlife enthusiasts and dedicated simulation fans. The sheer creative potential is enormous, and there is something genuinely rewarding about watching a carefully constructed zoo come to life. However, the demanding management systems and occasionally cumbersome construction tools may discourage players looking for a more casual experience. For those willing to invest the time and patience, Planet Zoo 2 offers a rich and rewarding simulation that celebrates the beauty and complexity of the animal kingdom.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers: Random

Another random drop! We're adding mystery to our premium subscribers' giveaway once again. This time, we have a group of random games, most of them are indie games with positive reviews and a fan base. But there are some big games in there too. By following the link below, you can claim one of the best free games we have in the database.

It can be anything, from a premium indie game, an old reboot, or an indie that just released this week. Tons of variety as always!

The Handler of Dragons: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

The Handler of Dragons is a fantasy action RPG where your choices shape your destiny in a world filled with dragons, magic, and dangerous creatures. Play as a warrior with the extraordinary ability to communicate with dragons, and decide whether to protect these powerful beasts or hunt them for their power. Battle orcs, trolls, skeletons, and towering giants while exploring diverse environments, mastering new skills, and unlocking magical abilities.
Build relationships with characters who can become valuable allies, and make decisions that influence your journey. With a mix of combat, exploration, humor, and choice-driven storytelling, every adventure brings you closer to discovering your true destiny.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'dragon'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is an action-packed 4v4 tag-team fighting game that brings legendary Marvel superheroes and villains together in explosive battles. Developed by Arc System Works in collaboration with PlayStation Studios and Marvel Games, the game features 20 iconic characters at launch, reimagined with stunning anime-inspired visuals.
Assemble your ultimate dream team, unleash devastating combos, and discover powerful character synergies as you battle across dynamic arenas inspired by famous Marvel locations. With accessible controls, deep combat mechanics, a single-player story mode, and competitive online multiplayer, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls delivers an exciting fighting experience for both newcomers and seasoned players.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'fight'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens tracks historical discounts right now on games and throughout the industry! Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Palworld [Steam]

Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures.
$̶̶29.99 $20.99

Get Deal

ARC Raiders [Steam]

A multiplayer extraction adventure.
$̶̶39.99 $19.99

Get Deal

Ori and the Will of the Wisps [Steam]

Embark on a new journey in a vast, exotic world.
$̶̶29.99 $2.99

Get Deal

It Takes Two [PS5]

Embark on the craziest journey of your life.
$39.99 $11.99

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Forza Horizon 5 Deluxe Edition [PS5]

Explore the vibrant open world landscapes
$79.99 $31.99

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The Good Old Days [Nintendo Switch]

A nostalgic metroidvania from the good old days back in 19XX
$29.99 $17.99

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Despera Drops [Nintendo Switch]

A romance visual novel game.
$49.99 $22.99

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Featured Game Review: Sovereign Tower

Sovereign Tower takes the familiar idea of ruling a fantasy kingdom and transforms it into a wonderfully unpredictable blend of RPG, management simulation, and interactive storytelling. Developed by Wild Wits Games and published by Curve Games, this charming indie title puts players on the throne of a magical tower, where running a kingdom is considerably more complicated than simply issuing orders. Instead of commanding armies across sprawling battlefields, you're dealing with eccentric knights, demanding citizens, political rivalries, and an endless stream of questionable decisions.
The result is an entertaining experience that combines humor, strategy, and meaningful player choices in a way that feels refreshingly different from traditional kingdom-management games.

Alot To Deal With

At the heart of Sovereign Tower is its engaging decision-making system. Each day brings a collection of requests from citizens, ranging from relatively ordinary disputes to bizarre supernatural problems. As ruler, you must determine which issues deserve attention, how to resolve them, and what consequences you're willing to accept. Your decisions influence relationships with different factions, including merchants, scholars, mystics, nobles, and common citizens. Keeping everyone happy is virtually impossible, which gives even seemingly insignificant choices a surprising amount of weight. This constant balancing act creates an enjoyable sense of responsibility without becoming overly complicated, making the management mechanics accessible while still offering plenty of strategic depth.

One of the game's strongest features is its colorful cast of knights, each bringing a distinct personality, abilities, and personal ambitions to your Round Table. Recruiting heroes is only the beginning, as assigning them to appropriate quests requires careful consideration of their individual strengths. Attributes such as strength, agility, charisma, magic, and wit determine how effectively they handle different situations.
However, these aren't simply interchangeable units with numerical statistics. Their personalities matter, and managing their egos, relationships, and occasional disagreements becomes a game of its own. Watching carefully planned missions produce unexpected outcomes adds an amusing element of uncertainty, while the character interactions give the kingdom a welcome sense of personality and life.

It's About Time

Perhaps the most intriguing mechanic is Sovereign Tower's approach to time manipulation. Hidden within the tower is a mysterious demon capable of turning back time, allowing players to revisit earlier decisions and explore alternative outcomes. Rather than functioning as a simple undo button, this mechanic becomes an important part of the overall storytelling experience. Information learned during one timeline can influence decisions in another, encouraging experimentation and rewarding curiosity. It's a clever way to approach branching narratives, particularly in a game where poor judgment can have lasting consequences. The ability to rewrite history also adds considerable replay value, giving players opportunities to uncover secrets, pursue different relationships, and discover how dramatically their kingdom might change under different leadership.

Visually, Sovereign Tower embraces a distinctive hand-drawn art style that perfectly complements its whimsical fantasy setting. The expressive character designs and richly illustrated environments create a storybook atmosphere, while the writing balances lighthearted comedy with moments of genuine intrigue.

Slower Pace

There's an undeniable charm to the presentation, especially when the game's absurd situations collide with the serious responsibilities of governing. That said, players expecting fast-paced combat or elaborate city-building systems may find the experience more restrained than anticipated. Much of the gameplay revolves around reading dialogue, considering options, and managing resources, meaning its slower, narrative-driven pacing won't appeal equally to everyone. Some of the management routines may also feel repetitive for players who prefer constant mechanical variety.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, Sovereign Tower succeeds by making the responsibilities of leadership feel entertaining, personal, and frequently hilarious. Its combination of memorable characters, consequential decisions, strategic quest assignments, and inventive time-travel mechanics creates an experience with an identity of its own. While its dialogue-heavy approach and relatively modest emphasis on direct action may limit its appeal among traditional RPG fans, those who enjoy choice-driven adventures and unconventional management games will find plenty to appreciate. With its delightful presentation, imaginative writing, and strong emphasis on experimentation, Sovereign Tower stands out as one of the more creative indie RPGs of 2026. It's a charming reminder that being a great ruler isn't necessarily about making the right decisions, but sometimes about discovering just how entertaining the wrong ones can be.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Seers Isle

Named Best Narrative at the Independent Games Festival! Seers Isle is a beautifully illustrated narrative adventure from Nova-box that blends the feel of an interactive graphic novel with meaningful player choice. Set on a mysterious island inspired by medieval northern Europe, the story follows a group of shaman apprentices as they search for their spirit guides and gradually uncover the secrets surrounding the island and a mysterious horned woman appearing in their dreams.
Choices influence the main character’s personality, relationships, and ultimately the direction of the story, with multiple paths and endings encouraging repeat playthroughs. Its hand-drawn European comic-book art style and adaptive soundtrack give the game a distinctive atmosphere, while its focus on characters, mystery, and branching storytelling makes it especially appealing to players who enjoy story-rich visual novels and choice-driven adventures.

Drop Command: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Drop Command is a large-scale mech combat and strategy game that blends hands-on action with the depth of building and commanding an interstellar empire. Players can personally pilot Mechs, tanks, infantry, aircraft, and other combat units, or step back to lead squads and entire battalions across an evolving battlefield. Its procedural campaign adds a strategic layer where decisions involving resources, manufacturing, diplomacy, and territorial control can shape future missions and the balance of power across the star cluster.
With destructible environments, customizable units and pilots, persistent consequences for mission successes and failures, and battles ranging from small skirmishes to massive combined-arms conflicts, Drop Command aims to capture the feel of classic ’90s mech warfare while giving players considerably more control over how their campaign unfolds.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'drop'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Paralives: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Paralives is a sandbox life simulation game centered on creating characters, building homes, and shaping the stories of the people who live in its open-world town. Players can design highly customizable “Parafolks,” develop their personalities, relationships, careers, skills, and families, while also taking advantage of flexible building tools that allow for features like curved walls, split-level floors, resizable furniture, and grid-free construction.
The town itself includes shops, parks, restaurants, museums, and other places to explore, while Steam Workshop support and in-game modding tools add even more room for creativity. Paralives is still expanding, with planned additions such as seasons, pets, vehicles, swimming, gardening, family trees, and town-creation tools, all intended to arrive through free updates.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'live'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

IGTAP: an Incremental Game That's Also a Platformer [Steam]

Amass an army of clones to follow your tightly-optimized path.
$̶̶9.99 $8.99

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Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 [Steam]

Work your way to a service empire.
$̶̶24.99 $2.99

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DARK SOULS™ III [Steam]

An ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. 
$̶̶59.99 $29.99

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Songs of Glimmerwick [Steam]

Become immersed in a musical woodland fantasy world.
$24.99 $22.99

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NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition [PS5]

The hustle doesn’t stop and the run never ends.
$99.99 $69.99

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Gang Beasts [PS5]

A silly multiplayer party game with surly gelatinous characters.
$19.99 $7.99

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PRAGMATA Deluxe Edition [Nintendo Switch]

A unique, sci-fi action-adventure game.
$69.99 $59.99

Get Deal

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy [Nintendo Switch]

Visit a certain location to challenge the Trial of the Sword
$29.99 $9.99

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Featured Game Review: Alchemy Factory

Transport Fever 3 takes the already addictive formula of building transportation networks and makes it feel much more like a full-scale management game. Instead of simply connecting cities, moving passengers, and figuring out which cargo routes generate the most money, you now have to think more carefully about how your decisions affect the world around you. Cities react to congestion, noise, pollution, travel times, and the quality of the services you provide, giving your transportation empire a much stronger sense of purpose. It is still unmistakably Transport Fever, but there is considerably more happening beneath the surface.

Amazing Landscape

The biggest improvement is how alive the map feels. Towns can grow from small settlements into major cities, industries expand as their supply chains improve, and your network gradually becomes something you genuinely have to manage rather than simply keep extending. The redesigned environments help tremendously as well. Mountains, forests, deserts, wetlands, coastlines, and other terrain can appear naturally within the same map, and the addition of a proper day-and-night system makes simply watching your network operate surprisingly enjoyable. Seeing trains, buses, trucks, ships, and aircraft moving through a city you helped develop remains one of the game's greatest pleasures.

Infrastructure building is also noticeably deeper. Roads offer greater control, intersections can be designed more deliberately, individual lanes matter more, and rail networks provide additional options such as line priorities.

It's Your Job

Trams have also become considerably more flexible, including dedicated infrastructure that can run above or below ground. These changes are particularly satisfying once your cities become crowded because fixing a badly designed junction or eliminating a railway bottleneck can become its own little engineering puzzle. It gives experienced players more control without completely abandoning the relatively approachable building style that made the previous games enjoyable.

Cargo management may be where Transport Fever 3 feels most like a genuine sequel rather than an expanded version of Transport Fever 2. Players now have considerably more involvement in the delivery chain, with warehousing, specialized loading facilities, industry boosters, and more complicated production requirements. A simple route that works beautifully early in the game can eventually become overwhelmed as a nearby city grows and starts demanding significantly more goods. That constantly creates new problems to solve, and optimizing an enormous network without completely rebuilding it can be extremely satisfying.

Bottom Line

There are some drawbacks. Transport Fever 3 can become complicated quickly once several systems begin interacting, and players who mainly want to casually build trains may find the additional management mechanics distracting. Thankfully, many of those systems can be adjusted or disabled, so the game can still function as a relaxed transportation sandbox if that is what you want. The interface has also been redesigned with accessibility in mind, although managing a massive network inevitably means dealing with a lot of information. As with most large simulation games, the experience also becomes considerably more.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Choose Your Game!

You Alone Can Defeat Evil

You Alone Can Defeat Evil is a challenging dark-fantasy action game built around an epic battle against the Great Demon. Players take on the role of a rogue sorcerer cast out from the Order of Eskilon, using forbidden magic, cursed tattoos, and fast, precision-based combat to survive an enemy designed to push their skills to the limit. Death is not simply a setback—instead, each defeat helps unlock new abilities, uncover hidden lore, and provide another opportunity to learn the demon’s attacks and refine your strategy. With an emphasis on persistence, mastery, and earning every bit of progress, You Alone Can Defeat Evil is designed for players who enjoy difficult boss fights and the satisfaction of finally overcoming a seemingly impossible challenge.

-——OR-------

Porcunipine

Porcunipine is a fast-paced couch multiplayer arena game where a group of balding, battle-hungry porcupines fight for survival using the one quill each of them has left. Players can fire their quill at opponents, but every shot leaves them temporarily unarmed until they retrieve it—and because quills ricochet off walls and obstacles, a poorly aimed attack can be just as dangerous to the shooter. With Arena and Last Man Standing modes, customizable matches, optional bots, and 30 arenas spread across five distinct stages, Porcunipine turns a simple mechanic into frantic, unpredictable multiplayer battles that are easy to pick up and especially suited to playing with friends.

Graveyard Keeper 2: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Graveyard Keeper 2 brings back the darkly comedic medieval management formula of the original while expanding it with town restoration, deeper automation, and large-scale battles against the undead. Now serving as the Grand Inquisitor, players manage and expand their graveyard, gather resources, build machinery, and put zombie workers to use automating production—all while rebuilding the surrounding town and finding increasingly questionable ways to turn its problems into profit.
The sequel also introduces combat-focused elements, allowing players to fortify the town, craft weapons and armor, train an undead army, and fight back against a zombie apocalypse. With its blend of simulation, crafting, RPG progression, morbid humor, and unconventional business management, Graveyard Keeper 2 offers a bigger and more chaotic take on the series’ distinctly twisted world.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'graveyard'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Docked: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Docked is a realistic port operations simulator that puts players behind the controls of massive industrial machinery as they work to rebuild Port Wake following a devastating hurricane. Players can operate ship-to-shore cranes, terminal tractors, reach stackers, straddle carriers, and other heavy equipment, taking on contracts that involve unloading ships, transporting cargo, stacking containers, and carefully maneuvering materials through busy dockyards.
The story-driven Campaign focuses on restoring the port, unlocking new machinery, expanding infrastructure, and keeping equipment maintained, while Free Play Mode removes mission restrictions and lets players manage cargo operations at their own pace.
With an emphasis on authentic scale, physics, and precise vehicle handling, Docked offers a hands-on simulation experience centered around the complex day-to-day work of running a major shipping terminal.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'docked'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Batman - The Telltale Series [Steam]

Enter the fractured psyche of Bruce Wayne
$̶̶14.99 $5.99

Get Deal

Well Dweller [Steam]

A dark fairy-tale metroidvania
$̶̶19.99 $16.99

Get Deal

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown [Steam]

Dash into a stylish and thrilling action-adventure platformer
$̶̶29.99 $8.99

Get Deal

Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Steam]

An Oni Gauntlet-wielding samurai makes a stand
$69.99 $57.60

Get Deal

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam [PS5]

Step into the explosive fury of war
$39.99 $35.99

Get Deal

Halo: Campaign Evolved [PS5]

A faithful yet modernized remake
$49.99 $39.99

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Pikmin™ 4 [Nintendo Switch]

Guide pint-sized creatures
$59.99 $41.99

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Kirby Fighters™ 2 [Nintendo Switch]

Choose from a cast of Kirby’s most iconic copy abilities
$19.99 $13.99

Get Deal

Featured Game Review: RuneScape: Dragonwilds

RuneScape: Dragonwilds takes the familiar world and flavor of RuneScape and successfully transforms it into an open-world survival crafting game. Set on the continent of Ashenfall, the game sends you into a colorful fantasy wilderness filled with dragons, monsters, ruins, resources, and plenty of reasons to wander off the path you intended to follow. You do not need to be a longtime RuneScape player to enjoy it, but fans will immediately recognize creatures, items, music, skills, and references from the series.

Rather than simply copying the MMO into a different format, Dragonwilds manages to feel like its own game while still maintaining a strong RuneScape identity.

The skill and progression systems are where Dragonwilds separates itself most from other survival games. Gathering wood, mining ore, cooking, crafting, fighting, and exploring all feed into skills that steadily unlock useful abilities and new ways to interact with the world. Magic is especially fun because it is incorporated into everyday survival rather than being limited to combat. Being able to magically chop down trees, blast apart ore deposits, teleport around the environment, or perform other exaggerated RuneScape-style tricks makes gathering resources considerably more entertaining than the repetitive harvesting found in many survival games. There is still plenty of grinding, but progression usually gives that grinding a purpose.

Base Building

Exploration, crafting, and base building form the core of the experience, and Dragonwilds does a good job of constantly giving you another objective to chase. New regions introduce stronger enemies, better resources, quests, vaults, and equipment upgrades, while the looming threat of dragons provides some direction beyond simply building a bigger house. The building system is approachable, and several quality-of-life features make managing a large collection of materials less frustrating than it can be in similar games.

Playing cooperatively is arguably where everything works best, since a group can divide gathering, construction, exploration, and combat duties, although the entire adventure can also be tackled alone.

Combat is enjoyable but remains one of the areas with the most room for improvement. There is a satisfying variety of melee weapons, ranged options, spells, and recognizable RuneScape equipment, and the larger encounters can be genuinely exciting. At the same time, stamina management, weapon durability, enemy aggression, and some occasionally stiff animations can make longer fights and dungeons feel more tedious than challenging. Solo players are likely to notice these limitations more than groups, particularly when gathering supplies and clearing difficult areas without anyone to share the workload. Even after reaching version 1.0, parts of the combat and progression still feel like systems Jagex intends to continue refining.

Bottom Line

Overall, RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a surprisingly strong combination of RuneScape RPG progression and modern survival crafting. It does not completely reinvent the genre, and players expecting the depth of the original MMO or the polish of the very best survival games may find some aspects of the current release unfinished or repetitive. What it does have is personality, satisfying progression, clever uses of magic, an appealing world, and a particularly enjoyable cooperative loop. RuneScape veterans will get the most from all the familiar details, but Dragonwilds is accessible enough that newcomers can enjoy it without knowing anything about Gielinor. For anyone who likes games such as Valheim or Enshrouded but wants a more distinctly fantasy-RPG approach to the formula, Dragonwilds is well worth exploring.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2024 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - North Hunt

North Hunt is a chaotic online social deduction game that puts a Viking-themed twist on the classic game of deception and suspicion. Supporting up to eight players, the game divides players into Chiefs trying to identify suspicious impostors and Thieves attempting to blend in with ordinary villagers by fishing, praying, chopping wood, and completing other seemingly innocent tasks.

Things quickly get unpredictable thanks to abilities like shapeshifting, mind control, invisibility, ghost transformations, and even shrinking into a tiny gnome, giving players plenty of ways to mislead their friends and escape detection. With customizable matches, multiple roles, progression and unlockables, bots for both teams, and a strong focus on multiplayer mind games, North Hunt is designed for groups that enjoy social deduction games where trust rarely lasts for long.

Ovur Cards: Free Box Giveaway and Discount For All!

Ovur is a fast growing trading card re-packer which emphasize a good experience every time.  The goal of Ovur is to provide people with packs that are actually fun to open, rather than re-packers trying to squeeze out profits and rip people off. They contain real officially licensed cards.

Especially for kids and those who are in it for the hobby. You can go on the website and select your favorite team or player and are guaranteed to get those selections. Or, give someone a 'god pack' of Pokémon cards. And most importantly... these provide real value for your money. 

Use promo code 'loot' in checkout for 25% off anything on their site for the next 7 days.

Only available in the U.S and Canada.

If you would like to be in the running for a free box giveaway, hit reply and just put 'ovur'. We will pick a winner and have them send over a box of your choosing within 48 hours. Only available in the U.S and Canada.

Woodoo: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Woodo is a cozy puzzle game built around the simple pleasure of assembling handcrafted wooden dioramas one piece at a time. Players rotate and explore charming 3D scenes to discover where each object belongs, gradually filling the world with color, playful animations, and small surprises as the story of Foxy and Ben the frog unfolds.

With its tactile toy-like presentation, gentle narration, adaptive hints, and relaxed pacing, the game is designed to evoke the carefree feeling of childhood while offering an accessible and satisfying puzzle experience. Developed by Tiny Monks Tales and published by Daedalic Entertainment, Woodo blends wholesome storytelling, nostalgia, and beautifully detailed environments into a laid-back experience for players looking to unwind.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'woodoo'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Funnel Runners: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Funnel Runners is a first-person co-op survival game that drops players into a city directly in the path of a devastating tornado. Playing solo or with up to seven friends, you’ll need to explore collapsing neighborhoods, scavenge fuel, tools, and vehicle parts, gather storm data, and repair your van before the increasingly powerful weather tears the environment apart.
Tornadoes and storms are randomized, buildings can be destroyed piece by piece, and each run mixes up the map, available items, hazards, and repair requirements, forcing players to adapt as conditions deteriorate. With realistic visuals, physics-driven destruction, useful gadgets, and an emphasis on teamwork under pressure, Funnel Runners turns storm chasing into a frantic race to complete the mission and escape alive.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'funnel'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

RimWorld [Steam]

A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller.
$̶̶34.99 $27.99

Get Deal

inZOI [Steam]

Customize characters and build houses.
$̶̶39.99 $31.99

Get Deal

The Sims™ 4 City Living [Steam]

Fulfill their dreams in the diverse city of San Myshuno
$̶̶39.99 $19.99

Get Deal

Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Steam]

He searches for his reason to fight.
$80.99 $58.30

Get Deal

Nioh 3 [PS5]

You will need to use both Samurai and Ninja combat styles
$68.99 $49.99

Get Deal

PRAGMATA [PS5]

Follow Hugh, a member of an ill-fated investigation team.
$59.99 $47.99

Get Deal

Animal Crossing™: New Horizons Bundle (Game + DLC) [Nintendo Switch]

Fans have heard right, update 3.0 is now live.
$84.99 $59.48

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The Legend of Zelda™: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass [Nintendo Switch]

Visit a certain location to challenge the Trial of the Sword
$19.99 $13.99

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Featured Game Review: Alchemy Factory

Alchemy Factory takes the familiar satisfaction of an automation game and wraps it in a charming medieval fantasy setting where conveyor belts, magical machinery, potion brewing, and shop management all work together. You begin on a relatively small scale, crafting basic goods and learning how the different production devices interact, but it does not take long before your modest workshop starts transforming into a sprawling network of machines, pipes, storage, and automated production lines. The alchemy theme gives the genre a refreshing personality, helping the game feel like more than another industrial factory simulator.

Production Chains

The strongest part of the experience is designing efficient production chains. Raw materials can be ground, extracted, distilled, smelted, and processed into increasingly valuable items, and figuring out how to move everything smoothly through your factory becomes an addictive puzzle. Conveyor belts and pipes make it possible to automate much of the repetitive work, while bottlenecks constantly encourage you to rethink layouts and improve efficiency. Watching a complicated production line finally operate correctly is extremely satisfying, especially once several different systems are working together at the same time.

There is also more variety here than simply building machines. Finished products such as potions, jewelry, and relics can be stocked in your shop and sold to customers, giving your factory a clear economic purpose rather than leaving automation as an end in itself. Commissions, reputation progression, and shop upgrades provide additional goals, while the later logistics systems let you expand well beyond the limitations of your original workshop. Version 1.0 also added systems such as wagon logistics, the Grand Portal, and revamped shopkeeping, making production, transportation, and selling feel considerably more connected.

Design & Share

The building tools are generally flexible enough to support both compact, efficient factories and elaborate multi-level creations. Being able to construct vertically opens up plenty of opportunities for clever layouts, although larger factories can inevitably become complicated once belts, machines, pipes, and storage begin overlapping. Steam Workshop blueprint support is particularly useful here, allowing players to download other people's designs or share their own. It is a smart addition for anyone who enjoys optimization but occasionally wants inspiration—or simply does not feel like engineering every production line from scratch.

Multiplayer is another welcome feature, especially because factory-building games naturally lend themselves to dividing jobs between several people. Alchemy Factory supports online and LAN co-op, and dedicated servers give groups the option of maintaining a persistent factory that everyone can continue developing over time. Playing alone remains perfectly viable, but having friends redesign production areas, handle the shop, or solve logistical problems can make the inevitable chaos of expansion considerably more entertaining.

Bottom Line

Alchemy Factory may borrow the core automation loop of other factory games, but its mixture of medieval fantasy, alchemy, shopkeeping, and cooperative building gives that formula an identity of its own. For players who enjoy turning small workshops into enormous self-sustaining production machines, there is a lot here to keep them experimenting long after the first potion leaves the assembly line.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Zombie Within

Zombie Within is a tense multiplayer social-deduction game that mixes horror, strategy, and deception in a survivor camp where one player may secretly be a Zombie Imposter. Up to six players can take on the role of Defenders, using scanners, traps, repairs, and specialized Hunter or Engineer abilities to identify and eliminate the hidden threat, while the Imposter sabotages generators, spreads infection, blends in with civilians, and eventually transforms into a powerful zombie.
With asymmetrical roles and randomly generated camp layouts that change generator locations and map flow, each match is designed to keep players suspicious of everyone around them while balancing teamwork with survival.

Wanderburg: The Endless Vault: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Wanderburg is a fast-paced medieval action roguelike that puts players in control of a massive castle on wheels, turning the traditional fortress concept into a roaming war machine. As you roll across the landscape, you can consume villages, defeat rival strongholds, and continuously expand your castle with new weapons, structures, and upgrades. Players can build a modular arsenal featuring cannons, magical towers, explosives, siege equipment, and other unusual combinations, with additional vehicles, artifacts, and captains unlocking between runs to create even more strategic possibilities.
Its mix of chaotic combat, constant progression, and highly customizable builds gives Wanderburg a distinctive “one more run” style of gameplay where your fortress can grow from a modest stronghold into an enormous mobile powerhouse.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'wander'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Voidling Bound: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Voidling Bound is an action-packed sci-fi third-person shooter that puts a fresh spin on the creature-collecting genre. Playing as a Space Wrangler, you hatch, raise, and directly control creatures known as Voidlings, evolving them through branching paths that can alter their appearance, elemental abilities, stats, and combat style. Battles combine shooting, melee attacks, dodging, blocking, parrying, and powerful ultimate abilities as you explore colorful planets overrun by corruption.
Along the way, you can rescue eggs, breed Voidlings, collect genes and mutated perks, and create increasingly specialized creatures for tougher missions and challenges. With its mix of fast combat, RPG progression, exploration, and deep creature customization, Voidling Bound offers a more hands-on and combat-focused take on monster taming.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'void'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Monster Hunter: World [Steam]

Welcome to a new world! 
$̶̶29.99 $7.79

Get Deal

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma [Steam]

Welcome to the eastern nation of Azuma!
$̶̶59.99 $32.49

Get Deal

Go-Go Town! [Steam]

Step into the role of a hands-on mayor.
$̶̶27.99 $22.49

Get Deal

WARDOGS [Steam]

Set in the derelict industrial mountains of Eastern Europe.
$46.99 $37.50

Get Deal

No Man's Sky [PS5]

A game about exploration and survival.
$59.99 $23.49

Get Deal

PRAGMATA [PS5]

Follow Hugh, a member of an ill-fated investigation team.
$59.99 $47.99

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Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled [Nintendo Switch]

Crash is back in the driver’s seat!
$39.99 $11.99

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Moonlight Peaks [Nintendo Switch]

Welcome to your new vampiric life.
$34.99 $29.74

Get Deal

Featured Game Review: Tiny Eden

Tiny Eden takes the familiar farming-sim formula and gives it a refreshing change of scenery, trading sprawling fields and rustic barns for a compact apartment high above a futuristic city. Developed by Bajka Games, the game puts you in the role of a botanist trying to rebuild a life—and a garden—in a world where bees have disappeared. Starting with just a few pots and a small balcony, you gradually transform your living space into a surprisingly impressive urban garden, eventually expanding into additional areas and even the rooftop. It is a clever premise that immediately helps Tiny Eden stand apart from the huge number of cozy farming games already available.

The heart of Tiny Eden is its simple but satisfying gardening loop. You plant seeds, monitor water, sunlight and temperature, harvest crops and use what you grow to complete orders or cook meals. Selling your produce and dishes provides the money needed to purchase new plants, equipment and decorations, creating a steady cycle of growing and improving. There are also plenty of opportunities to customize the apartment, which makes the progression feel more personal as the initially plain space slowly becomes filled with greenery. The mechanics are intentionally approachable, making this the kind of game that works especially well when you want something relaxing rather than demanding.

Unique Living

What makes the experience more interesting is that gardening requires a little more thought than simply watering a plant every morning. Different plants respond to temperature, sunlight and seasonal conditions, forcing you to consider where they should be placed inside your increasingly crowded home. Cooking, composting, decorating and fulfilling customer orders add more activities without overwhelming the basic gardening concept. The futuristic setting also creates an unusual contrast: outside is a dense, somewhat bleak city, while your apartment slowly turns into a colorful oasis. That combination gives Tiny Eden a distinctive atmosphere that is arguably one of its biggest strengths.

Tiny Eden does have some rough edges. Progression can be noticeably slow, particularly when waiting for plants to grow or working toward larger unlocks, and some of the repetitive tasks may eventually start to feel more like chores. There have also been reports of bugs and progression issues surrounding launch, including problems significant enough that the developers warned players not to continue using saves from the earlier demo.

It's Just So Cozy

These issues don't destroy what works about the game, but they can interrupt what is otherwise supposed to be an extremely laid-back experience. Players looking for constant objectives and rapid upgrades may find the deliberately slow pace frustrating.

Overall, Tiny Eden is an appealing addition to the cozy simulation genre because it understands that a farming game doesn't necessarily need a farm. Watching a tiny apartment gradually turn into a thriving ecosystem is rewarding, and the combination of gardening, cooking, decorating and light management gives players plenty to work toward without making the experience overly complicated. Its pacing and launch-day roughness keep it from feeling completely polished, but the underlying concept is strong and the core gameplay loop can be wonderfully relaxing.

Bottom Line

For fans of cozy games who enjoy the gradual progression and customization of titles like Animal Crossing but want something centered more heavily around plants and gardening, Tiny Eden is well worth checking out.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2024 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Premium Subscribers: CheatHappens.com - 10 Free Prize Wheel Spins

CheatHappens is giving premium subscribers 10 free Prize Wheel Spins which is a random chance at all kinds of good stuff from the site. This is available to every premium subscriber of Loot Happens who also has a CheatHappens account.

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Choose Your Game!

Iron Fisticle

Iron Fisticle is a fast-paced twin-stick arena shooter that brings the feel of classic arcade games into a more modern roguelike-inspired format. Developed by Confused Pelican, the game draws heavily from old-school titles like Gauntlet and Robotron, throwing players into randomly generated dungeons packed with enemies, weapons, power-ups, bonus stages, and challenging bosses. Persistent character upgrades give you a reason to keep pushing deeper after each defeat, while more than 150 collectible items help make individual runs feel different. There’s also simultaneous two-player local co-op, making it particularly well suited for players who miss the chaotic couch multiplayer experience of traditional arcade games.
With responsive combat, colorful pixel-art visuals, and an emphasis on quick reflexes and high-risk scoring, Iron Fisticle is a compact throwback that still adds enough progression and variety to feel more modern than the games that inspired it.

-——OR-------

XEL

We had a previous error with XEL a couple weeks ago, and it gave everyone the game Ultimate ADOM by mistake. Some of you received XEL directly by email however, in which case you will want to claim the first game.

XEL is a 3D sci-fi fantasy action-adventure that follows Reid, a young woman who becomes stranded in a mysterious world with no memory of her past. Armed with a sword, shield and an expanding collection of gadgets, players explore colorful environments, battle dangerous enemies, navigate challenging dungeons and solve puzzles involving time and space. With its Zelda-inspired gameplay, imaginative setting and story centered on uncovering Reid’s connection to XEL, the game offers a blend of exploration, combat and puzzle-solving.

Premium Subscribers: In-Game Loot for Arrow Solitaire: Crosswise!

Arrow Solitaire: Crosswise is a quiet logic puzzle for solitaire and
mahjong fans. Tap an arrow and it clears with its matching pair -
nothing falls, nothing spawns, the board only gets emptier. No timer,
no pressure. Free on Google Play, and you can also try it right in the
browser.

Your code unlocks a free premium coin pack in the Android app (normally
$4.99) - just redeem it in the Google Play Store.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault brings back the series’ clever mix of dungeon crawling and shop management, once again putting players in the role of Will as he balances life as an adventurer and merchant. Now stranded in the village of Tresna, Will explores unpredictable dimensions, battles enemies and bosses, collects valuable relics, and carefully organizes his backpack to make the most of each run. Back in town, those treasures become merchandise, with players setting prices, customizing their shop, reading customers, and reinvesting profits into better equipment and upgrades. The sequel expands the original formula with fully 3D environments, more dynamic combat, different weapon and armor combinations, item synergies, and the challenging Endless Vault, which offers increasingly difficult trials and valuable rewards. It’s a familiar risk-and-reward loop given a much larger, more polished makeover, blending action-RPG combat, roguelike progression, inventory management, and surprisingly addictive retail strategy.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'moon'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Project P.I.T.T: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Project P.I.T.T. is a bizarre first-person sandbox game that turns corporate productivity into physics-based chaos. As a new intern, your job starts simply enough: manufacture rubber ducks and throw them into a mysterious, ever-growing pit known as the Maw. Before long, you’re building elaborate production lines with magnets, fans, pistons, launchers, and other tools while unlocking increasingly strange products and automation systems. With its retro PSX-inspired visuals, dark humor, and satirical take on corporate life, Project P.I.T.T. offers a weirdly addictive mix of experimentation, optimization, and absurdity.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'project. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Big Ambitions [Steam]

A revolutionary role-playing business sim.
$̶̶25.99 $20.79

Get Deal

The Jackbox Party Pack 11 [Steam]

The Jackbox Party Pack 11 transports your game night with 5 new games!
$̶̶29.99 $22.49

Get Deal

Enshrouded [Steam]

The Legend is Back
$̶̶29.99 $22.49

Get Deal

Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Steam]

He searches for his reason to fight.
$81.99 $58.50

Get Deal

Ready or Not [PS5]

Become an elite SWAT commander
$49.99 $37.49

Get Deal

Crimson Desert Enhanced [PS5]

 Forge your path through battles and discovery.
$69.99 $55.99

Get Deal

Scott Pilgrim EX [Nintendo Switch]

Fighting ground and battle hub
$28.99 $23.19

Get Deal

Minecraft Dungeons [Nintendo Switch]

Discover a trove of powerful new weapons
$19.99 $9.99

Get Deal

Featured Game Review: Phantom Blade Zero

Phantom Blade Zero is shaping up to be one of the most visually striking action RPGs of 2026, combining the style and choreography of classic wuxia films with a darker fantasy world that feels distinctly its own. Players take control of Soul, a warrior framed for the murder of his master and left with only 66 days to live. It’s a strong premise, but what immediately stands out is the game’s atmosphere: rain-soaked villages, crumbling ruins, mechanical technology and traditional Chinese architecture combine to create the “kungfupunk” aesthetic developer S-GAME has been promoting.

Weapons

Combat appears to be the real star. Rather than relying entirely on the slower, more defensive style commonly associated with Souls-like games, Phantom Blade Zero emphasizes speed, flowing combos, counters, dodges and carefully timed deflections. More than 30 primary weapons and over 20 additional Phantom Edges are planned, giving players plenty of room to experiment with different fighting styles. The animations shown so far are particularly impressive, with fights often looking more like carefully choreographed martial-arts sequences than traditional videogame battles. S-GAME has even brought martial-arts performers and choreographers into the production, with Donnie Yen serving as a creative consultant.

Alternative Routes

There also appears to be considerably more happening outside of combat than the early trailers suggested. Phantom Blade Zero takes place in a dark semi-open world filled with hidden paths, mechanisms, side quests and secrets, rather than simply pushing players through a sequence of boss fights. That could give exploration some real purpose, particularly if discovering new areas consistently rewards players with weapons, story details or alternative routes. The combination of an intriguing conspiracy surrounding Soul, multiple characters within the Wulin and the unusual 66-day premise gives the story plenty of potential as well.

Of course, the biggest question is whether Phantom Blade Zero can maintain the incredible pace and presentation of its demonstrations across an entire game. Flashy trailers are one thing; making dozens of hours of combat remain responsive, varied and satisfying is considerably harder. Still, everything S-GAME has revealed so far suggests this could be much more than another Souls-inspired action RPG.

Bottom Line

The combat, exploration and wonderfully strange wuxia-meets-industrial-fantasy setting, Phantom Blade Zero has a legitimate chance to become one of 2026's standout action games.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2024 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers: Random

Another random drop! We're adding mystery to our premium subscribers' giveaway once again. This time, we have a group of random games, most of them are indie games with positive reviews and a fan base. But there are some big AAA games in there too. By following the link below, you can claim one of the best free games we have in the database.

It can be anything, from a premium indie game, an old reboot, or an indie that just released this week. Tons of variety as always!

Fell & Sell: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Fell & Sell blends fast-paced first-person dungeon crawling with the surprisingly addictive challenge of running your own fantasy shop. Instead of simply buying merchandise from adventurers, you venture into dangerous dungeons and unpredictable forests yourself, battling skeletons, goblins, and other creatures to collect valuable loot and crafting materials. The deeper you explore, the better the potential rewards—but dying means losing everything you haven’t safely banked. Back at your shop, you can craft weapons and armor, arrange furniture that provides combat and sales bonuses, set prices according to supply and demand, and reinvest your profits to expand your business.
With roguelike character builds, risk-versus-reward exploration, crafting, and detailed shop management all feeding into one another, Fell & Sell offers a fun cycle of fighting, looting, selling, and upgrading as you work your way from a modest roadside merchant to a fantasy retail powerhouse.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'fell'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Forza Horizon 6: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Forza Horizon 6 takes Playground Games’ open-world racing series to Japan, giving players a massive playground of dense city streets, winding mountain roads, rural landscapes, industrial districts, and the series’ largest city yet: Tokyo. Starting as a tourist, players work their way into the Horizon Festival, competing in races and challenges while building a collection from more than 550 real-world cars, including plenty of iconic JDM machines.
The game puts a strong emphasis on Japanese automotive culture with Touge battles, car meets, rare aftermarket vehicles, extensive customization, and homes with customizable garages for displaying your favorite rides. Beyond the solo campaign, players can explore and race cooperatively, compete in multiplayer events, create their own experiences with the expanded EventLab and Horizon CoLab tools, and even build freely within a customizable mountain-valley estate. With its combination of arcade-style racing, exploration, car collecting, customization, and an enormous recreation of Japan, Forza Horizon 6 is designed to be the biggest and most ambitious Horizon adventure yet.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put '6'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens tracks historical discounts right now on games and throughout the industry! Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

ARK: Survival Evolved [Steam]

Stranded on the shores of a mysterious island
$̶̶14.19 $9.89

Get Deal

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew [Steam]

Assemble your crew
$̶̶39.99 $9.99

Get Deal

Quasimorph [Steam]

Engage in unforgiving combat
$̶̶29.99 $5.38

Get Deal

007 First Light [PS5]

Take them down.
$69.99 $55.99

Get Deal

Crimson Desert Enhanced [PS5]

Lone survivor of a passenger jet crash
$69.99 $55.99

Get Deal

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition [Nintendo Switch]

You must own Skyrim Special Edition to access this content.
$59.99 $29.99

Get Deal

WWE 2K26 King of Kings Edition [Nintendo Switch]

Claim the throne with the King of Kings Edition Pack for WWE 2K26.
$94.99 $54.99

Get Deal

Featured Game Review: Aniimo

A Familiar Idea With Bigger Ambitions

At first glance, Aniimo is almost impossible to separate from comparisons to Pokémon, Genshin Impact, and the growing wave of open-world creature collectors, but Pawprint Studio has built something considerably more ambitious than a simple imitation. Set across the colorful continent of Idyll, the free-to-play RPG combines creature catching, exploration, real-time combat, multiplayer activities, puzzles, collecting, and even home building into one enormous adventure. Creatures appear according to environmental conditions, weather, special phenomena, and time of day, giving exploration an actual purpose beyond simply clearing icons from a map. The bright landscapes and appealing creature designs make a strong first impression, but it is the number of interconnected systems underneath that presentation that gives Aniimo the potential to stand apart.

Twining Is the Game Changer

The defining feature is undoubtedly Twining, which allows players to merge with creatures they have captured and directly take control of them. Instead of standing behind an Aniimo and issuing commands, you can become it, gaining access to its attacks, movement abilities, and unique skills. Switching forms can completely change how an encounter plays, while creatures capable of flying, swimming, climbing, or performing other specialized actions also open new ways to travel through the world.

Twining is used outside combat as well, allowing players to solve environmental puzzles, reach otherwise inaccessible locations, and even interact with certain creatures in ways a human Pathfinder cannot. It's a clever mechanic because the Aniimo you collect aren't merely additions to a roster—they gradually expand what your character is capable of doing.

Combat Has More Energy Than Expected

Creature-collecting RPGs aren't always known for fast combat, but Aniimo takes a much more active approach. Battles occur in real time, with dodging, positioning, cooldown-based abilities, elemental strengths and weaknesses, special attacks, and direct control while Twined. Your Aniimo can fight alongside your human character, or you can transform and handle the action yourself, which prevents battles from becoming a repetitive cycle of selecting commands from menus. Individual creatures have distinct abilities and roles, encouraging players to experiment rather than simply chase whichever Aniimo has the highest numbers. There are also competitive and cooperative elements, including online PvP, co-op and the three-player PvEvP Egg Heist mode, suggesting that building a strong collection should remain worthwhile well beyond the main story.

Idyll Rewards Curiosity

The open world may ultimately be just as important as the creatures themselves. Idyll is filled with hidden collectibles, caves, environmental challenges, races, puzzles and creatures that only emerge under particular circumstances. Different Aniimo provide traversal options such as gliding, diving and burrowing, making exploration feel connected to the collecting system rather than existing as a separate feature.

The world also includes the floating metropolis of Astra, which acts as a major social hub, while regional progression gives players reasons to continue exploring previously visited areas. It is a particularly good fit for players who enjoy wandering away from the main objective simply to see what is over the next hill, because finding something new can potentially mean discovering another creature, ability or route through the environment.

More Than Catching Monsters

Perhaps the biggest surprise is just how much Aniimo tries to offer away from battling. Players receive a personal RV and can eventually return to their Homeland, where crops can be planted, decorations placed and a personalized living space built alongside collected Aniimo. It creates a welcome change of pace from exploration and combat and gives the creatures another purpose beyond filling out a collection.

Combined with multiplayer interaction, evolving Aniimo, environmental puzzles and the enormous number of creatures and variants to hunt down, the game appears designed as something players can inhabit for months rather than simply finish. That breadth is exciting, although it also creates Aniimo's biggest challenge: with so many systems competing for attention, Pawprint will need to ensure none of them feels shallow or unnecessarily grindy.

A Creature Collector Worth Watching

Aniimo enters an increasingly crowded genre, but it has something many competitors lack: a gameplay mechanic that can genuinely define it. Twining fundamentally changes the relationship between player and creature, transforming collecting from a numbers game into a way of unlocking new combat styles, movement abilities and methods of interacting with the world. Its beautiful presentation, enormous environments and combination of action, exploration, multiplayer and cozy activities make it one of the more intriguing creature-collecting RPGs of 2026.

Bottom Line

The free-to-play structure and long-term progression will ultimately determine how welcoming the finished game feels, particularly once its monetization becomes part of the everyday experience. But based on what Pawprint Studio has shown through its recent builds, Aniimo has the ingredients to become much more than another Pokémon-inspired alternative—it has a legitimate chance to establish an identity of its own.

Aniimo is free to play. However, it is no longer scheduled to release topday. Pawprint announced yesterday that the global launch is September 16, 2026 for PC and consoles and September 23 for mobile

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2026 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

CheatHappens AurorAI 3.5 Release Announcement!

CheatHappens is excited to announce the new AurorAI 3.5 release! There are 116 new features and fixes in this version and everything has been driven by user feedback. To learn more about the release, you can see the video here. There is also a huge Tier 7 sale linked in the graphic below:

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers: Random

This week, we're adding mystery to our premium subscribers' giveaway. This time, we have a group of random games, most of them are indie games with positive reviews and a fan base. But there are some big AAA games in there too. By following the link below, you can claim one of the best free games we have in the database.

It can be anything, from a premium indie game, an old reboot, or an indie that just released this week. Tons of variety as always!

Asdivine Knot: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Asdivine Knot is a classic-style fantasy JRPG from Exe Create and KEMCO that combines traditional turn-based combat with a surprisingly deep set of modern systems. The story follows the young cleric Verselio, whose faith is shattered after discovering the truth behind the deity he once served, setting him on a journey filled with rebellion, betrayal, redemption, and unlikely allies. Battles revolve around a shared Nexus Gauge that forces players to think strategically about when and how to unleash powerful Nexus Skills, while exploration extends well beyond combat with equipment crafting, side quests, fishing, puzzle-filled dungeons, crew recruitment, and multiple endings. Players also gain access to the customizable airship Whirlwind, which serves as both transportation and a mobile base that can be expanded throughout the adventure. With colorful pixel-art visuals, an anime-inspired cast, and plenty of customization, Asdivine Knot looks designed to deliver the kind of lengthy, content-packed experience longtime JRPG fans will feel immediately at home with.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'knot'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Nimbit Frontier: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Nimbit Frontier is a cozy creature-collecting life simulation from developer Megasploot that combines nurturing and exploration with light roguelite action. Players hatch and raise unusual creatures called Nimbits, create customized habitats for them, and venture into the ever-changing Underwild to recover fragments, discover rare species, and uncover new secrets. Rather than centering the experience on creature battles, the game emphasizes caring for Nimbits and eventually releasing them into distant Sanctuaries as part of its conservation-focused theme. Along the way, players can upgrade their tools, assist local townsfolk, and experiment with habitats that influence how their Nimbits develop, giving the game a relaxing but progression-driven mix of collecting, discovery, and management.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'nimbit'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO is a fast-paced 3D fighting game that brings the over-the-top battles of the Dragon Ball anime to life with massive arenas, explosive attacks, and a huge roster of playable characters. Inspired by the classic Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series, the game lets players take control of fighters from across the franchise and unleash signature moves, transformations, and devastating energy attacks in highly cinematic battles. Players can experience famous moments from the story through Episode Battle, explore alternate outcomes based on their choices, or create their own dream matchups and scenarios using Custom Battle. With destructible environments, dramatic visual effects, and combat designed to capture the speed and scale of the anime, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO delivers a spectacle-heavy experience aimed at both longtime Dragon Ball fans and players looking for an accessible, action-packed fighting game.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'Z'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens tracks historical discounts right now on games and throughout the industry! Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs [Steam]

Run a quaint electronics repair shop
$̶̶25.17 $17.98

Get Deal

KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX [Steam]

Take up your Keyblade
$̶̶49.99 $14.99

Get Deal

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord [Steam]

Raise armies to lead into battle
$̶̶58.09 $15.70

Get Deal

UFC® 6 Ultimate Edition [PS5]

Take them down.
$99.99 $84.99

Get Deal

THE FOREST [PS5]

Lone survivor of a passenger jet crash
$19.99 $5.99

Get Deal

TMNT: Splintered Fate - Platinum Edition [Nintendo Switch]

Unleash the Turtles in a roguelike quest
$46.99 $13.99

Get Deal

Outer Wilds [Nintendo Switch]

Open world mystery about a solar system
$24.99 $12.49

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Featured Game Review: Aquapark Tycoon

Aquapark Tycoon takes the familiar formula of classic management games and gives it a refreshing aquatic spin. Developed and published by Boxelware, the game puts players in charge of designing, building, and operating a complete waterpark filled with pools, waterslides, saunas, facilities, and other attractions. Rather than simply placing a handful of predetermined rides, the game emphasizes creativity, giving you plenty of freedom to shape the park into something that feels uniquely yours. Whether you want an efficiently organized resort or an enormous collection of twisting slides and elaborate pools, the building tools make experimentation one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Plenty of Freedom to Get Creative

Construction is where Aquapark Tycoon really begins to stand out. Pools, slides, paths, and relaxation areas can be arranged into surprisingly elaborate layouts, allowing players to gradually turn an empty property into a believable vacation destination. The path-building system is particularly important because guests need to move naturally between attractions, shops, facilities, and recreational areas. Players have praised the game's building and path systems for feeling intuitive, which is especially valuable in a genre where construction tools can sometimes become more frustrating than enjoyable.
Watching a complicated waterslide or pool complex finally fill with visitors provides the kind of satisfaction that keeps sandbox management games entertaining for hours.

Management Beneath the Surface

There is more going on than simply making the park look impressive. Guests have needs that must be satisfied, forcing you to think about how attractions and services are positioned throughout the property.

Building an attractive pool area means little if visitors cannot conveniently reach the facilities they need or if the park's layout creates unnecessary problems. That balance between creativity and efficiency gives the game its tycoon identity. The management mechanics are approachable enough that newcomers should not feel overwhelmed, while still giving experienced simulation players reasons to optimize layouts and reconsider how different areas of their park operate.

Watching the Park Come Alive

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Aquapark Tycoon is seeing guests actually use what you have built. A waterpark is naturally more visually active than many other businesses represented in management games, and pools, slides, and crowded recreational spaces help make successful parks feel busy and energetic. Guest behavior and ride interactions also contribute to the impression that the park is functioning rather than simply serving as a decorative sandbox. Players have specifically highlighted the convincing guest behavior and enjoyable physics as strengths. When dozens of visitors are moving between pools, waiting for slides, and exploring different parts of your creation, there is a rewarding sense that your planning has produced a functioning destination.

A Few Rough Edges in the Pool

Like many simulation games built around player freedom, Aquapark Tycoon can occasionally feel less polished once a park becomes more complicated. Management tasks that are easy to handle with a small facility naturally become more demanding as the property expands, and players primarily interested in a highly detailed financial simulator may find themselves spending more time designing than analyzing spreadsheets. That said, the game clearly aims to blend accessible management with creative construction rather than overwhelm players with accounting systems.

A Refreshing Tycoon Experience

Ultimately, Aquapark Tycoon succeeds because the theme fits the tycoon formula extremely well. There is something inherently entertaining about starting with an undeveloped property and gradually transforming it into a sprawling resort packed with enormous slides, pools, saunas, and visitors. It offers enough management to make your decisions meaningful while keeping construction and creativity at the center of the experience. Fans of games such as Planet Coaster and other park-building simulations should feel immediately comfortable with the basic concept, while the waterpark setting gives the formula its own personality. It may not reinvent the management genre, but Aquapark Tycoon delivers an enjoyable combination of sandbox construction, optimization, and satisfying progression that makes building "just one more attraction" surprisingly difficult to resist.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

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Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Suicide Guy: Sleepin' Deeply

Suicide Guy: Sleepin’ Deeply is a first-person puzzle adventure that takes players through a collection of bizarre and imaginative dream worlds. Playing as a man trapped inside his own dreams, you must explore surreal environments, solve physics-based puzzles, interact with strange objects, and figure out how to escape each unusual scenario. The game builds on the offbeat humor and creative puzzle design of the original Suicide Guy, offering new levels filled with unexpected situations, colorful settings, and unconventional solutions. With its combination of exploration, comedy, platforming, and environmental puzzles, Sleepin’ Deeply provides a short but quirky experience for players who enjoy unusual indie games that encourage experimentation. We previously gave away the original game late last year, and this is considered the sequel.

Duskfade: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Duskfade is a colorful 3D action-platformer inspired by the classic games of the genre, combining fast-paced traversal, exploration, and hack-and-slash combat in a fantasy world where time has mysteriously stopped. Players take control of Zirian, a young hero accompanied by his mechanical cuckoo companion, as he sets out to rescue his sister from a mysterious Clock Tower that has plunged the land into an endless night. Along the way, players jump, swing, grapple, and battle through imaginative environments filled with secrets, unusual enemies, and challenging encounters. Developed by Weird Beluga and published by Fireshine Games, Duskfade mixes nostalgic platforming with fluid modern combat and a story centered on family, courage, and restoring hope to a world trapped in darkness.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'Dusk'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Wild Blue Skies: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Wild Blue Skies is a fast-paced on-rails aerial shooter that puts a modern spin on the arcade-style flight adventures of the 1990s. Players take control of pilot Bowie Stray and join the Blue Bombers on a mission to stop the forces of the villainous Grimclaw, soaring across oceans, deserts, caves, and other colorful environments while blasting through waves of enemies. The game combines accessible flight controls with high-speed combat, branching routes, challenging missions, and an emphasis on replayability and chasing higher scores. Developed by Chuhai Labs and VITEI BACKROOM, Wild Blue Skies delivers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic games like Star Fox while using modern visuals and gameplay design to make its energetic aerial battles approachable for a new generation of players.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'wild'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Two Point Museum [Steam]

Curate and manage incredible museums
$̶̶29.99 $20.09

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SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS [Steam]

Shadow the Hedgehog is back!
$̶̶49.99 $14.99

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Hell Let Loose: Vietnam [Steam]

Fight your way through
$̶̶46.99 $34.20

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Low-Budget Repairs [Steam]

Manage renovations in 90s apartment blocks!
$33.99 $13.99

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Gears of War: Reloaded [PS5]

Crush the Locust threat
$39.99 $19.99

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The Lord of the Rings: War in the North™ - Legacy Edition [PS5]

Step into a darker, grittier Middle-earth
$19.99 $17.99

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Space Crew: Legendary Edition [Nintendo Switch]

Time for your toughest mission yet! 
$15.99 $2.39

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Hotshot Racing [Nintendo Switch]

Blisteringly fast arcade-style racing game
$19.99 $2.99

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Featured Game Review: Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit

Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is a charming and relaxing life-sim that takes everything appealing about the original Cozy Grove and expands it into a warmer, more polished adventure. After a bus crash leaves your Spirit Scout stranded on a mysterious island, you begin meeting ghostly bears, each with their own personalities, problems, and forgotten histories. Helping these spirits recover their memories provides the heart of the game, giving even simple tasks a sense of purpose beyond collecting resources or checking items off a list.

Much of the gameplay revolves around exploring the island, completing quests, gathering materials, crafting items, and gradually improving your campsite. The routine is deliberately relaxed rather than demanding, making Camp Spirit particularly well suited for short daily play sessions.

Decorating and customizing the camp is especially satisfying because the island becomes noticeably more colorful and lively as you make progress. There is always something small to accomplish, but the game rarely makes you feel pressured to rush through it.

Cozy Visuals

The visual presentation continues to be one of the series' biggest strengths. Camp Spirit has an illustrated, storybook-like style packed with strange creatures, expressive characters, and an impressive amount of environmental detail. The ghost bears are easily the stars, with designs that manage to be cute, funny, and occasionally surprisingly emotional. The game's supernatural setting could have been gloomy, but instead it creates a comfortable atmosphere where ghosts and mysteries feel inviting rather than threatening.

Where Camp Spirit may divide players is its intentionally slow progression. Many objectives are built around gradually developing relationships and returning to the island over time rather than completing everything in a few long sessions. Players who enjoy constantly advancing or tackling difficult challenges may find the pace repetitive, particularly when gathering resources or performing familiar errands. For anyone looking for a game to unwind with, however, that slower structure becomes part of its appeal rather than a drawback.

Bottom Line

Overall, Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is an easy game to recommend to fans of cozy life sims, decorating games, and character-driven adventures. It doesn't rely on complicated mechanics or high-stakes challenges to keep you interested; instead, its appeal comes from discovering new stories, improving your campsite, and getting to know the unusual spirits inhabiting the island.

It is a gentle, attractive, and often surprisingly heartfelt sequel that understands exactly what makes a cozy game enjoyable, making it a great choice for anyone who wants something they can return to regularly and enjoy at their own pace.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2024 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Choose Your Game!

Lily in Puzzle World

Lily in Puzzle World is a charming 2D platformer that combines simple jumping mechanics with clever, single-screen puzzles. Players guide the cheerful Lily through a hand-drawn sketchbook world filled with hazards, switches and increasingly challenging obstacles, with the goal of reaching the exit door in each stage. Its colorful details, forgiving instant respawns and gradually increasing difficulty make it an enjoyable, accessible game for players who prefer relaxed puzzle-solving with a touch of platforming action.

-——OR-------

XEL

XEL is a 3D sci-fi fantasy action-adventure that follows Reid, a young woman who becomes stranded in a mysterious world with no memory of her past. Armed with a sword, shield and an expanding collection of gadgets, players explore colorful environments, battle dangerous enemies, navigate challenging dungeons and solve puzzles involving time and space. With its Zelda-inspired gameplay, imaginative setting and story centered on uncovering Reid’s connection to XEL, the game offers a blend of exploration, combat and puzzle-solving.

Corsair Cove: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Corsair Cove is a colorful pirate-themed city-building game in which players transform a small shanty settlement into a thriving criminal kingdom. By constructing buildings vertically along the cliffs of Skull Rock, managing resources and recruiting crews, players can expand their hideout while sending ships on treasure hunts, trading missions and battles against the Crown. Its lively presentation, unusual vertical-building mechanics and mix of colony management and high-seas adventure give the traditional city-builder formula a playful pirate twist.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'Argh'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

BeastFolk Barber: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Beastfolk Barber is a charming narrative-driven simulation where you run a small barbershop in a fantasy city populated by beastfolk, combining hairstyling with meaningful conversations and personal stories. As customers return, you learn about their relationships, workplace struggles, identities, and hopes, while your haircut choices influence their individual storylines, your earnings, and the direction of the larger plot. The story takes a supernatural turn when a demon offers to grant you one wish in exchange for the perfect haircut, sending you on a journey involving resource gathering, difficult decisions, and a mysterious mirror that previews hairstyles. With atmospheric pixel graphics, choice-based storytelling, and multiple possible outcomes, the game appears designed to offer a relaxing yet emotional experience where every haircut can reveal something deeper about the person sitting in the chair. We have one key for early access.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'beast'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

ARC Raiders: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

ARC Raiders is a third-person multiplayer extraction adventure set on a devastated future Earth dominated by deadly machines known as ARC. Playing alone or alongside a team, players leave the underground settlement of Speranza to explore the dangerous surface, battle mechanical enemies and rival Raiders, and gather valuable resources before attempting to escape safely. Recovered materials can be used to craft, repair and upgrade equipment, creating a tense cycle of preparation, exploration and survival in a beautifully atmospheric post-apocalyptic world.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'arc'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition [Steam]

Lots of new add-ons
$̶̶39.99 $9.99

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Ready or Not [Steam]

Become an elite SWAT commander
$̶̶49.99 $24.99

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Gothic 1 Remake [Steam]

The Legend is Back
$̶̶57.99 $30.17

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Fallout 76 [Steam]

Emerge into post-nuclear America
$39.99 $9.99

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Sea of Thieves: 2026 Premium Edition [PS5]

Plundering lost treasures, intense battles
$59.99 $20.99

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Borderlands 4 Deluxe Edition [PS5]

Mayhem-fueled looter shooter
$99.99 $49.99

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Street Fighter™ 6 [Nintendo Switch]

Fighting ground and battle hub
$39.99 $19.99

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Monster Hunter Rise [Nintendo Switch]

Rise to the challenge and join the hunt
$39.99 $7.99

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Featured Game Review: Kill The Shadow

Kill the Shadow is an ambitious detective RPG that blends supernatural mystery, role-playing choices, and noir-inspired storytelling into a distinctive experience. Players control Lucas, a former police officer investigating a series of strange cases throughout the divided Dark Tide City. Accompanying him is a mysterious creature known as the Shadow, which can examine memories and reconstruct the final moments of the dead. This ability gives each investigation an eerie atmosphere while creating some genuinely intriguing crime-scene puzzles.

Choose Your Path

The game’s greatest strength is the amount of freedom it gives players when approaching an investigation. Lucas can develop his Strength, Spirit, and Charm abilities, allowing him to persuade witnesses, bribe suspects, manipulate conversations, or resort to violence. Evidence must be gathered and connected through a deduction system, but the conclusions reached—and the methods used to reach them—can alter characters’ lives and eventually lead to different endings. This makes solving a case feel less like finding one predetermined answer and more like deciding what version of justice Lucas is willing to accept.

Visually, Kill the Shadow stands apart through its unusual combination of detailed 3D environments and expressive 2D pixel-art characters. Dark Tide City is filled with memorable locations, from rusting industrial ruins and muddy waterfront settlements to crowded neighborhoods illuminated by neon lights. The contrast between the retro characters and modern environments initially feels unusual, but it quickly becomes part of the game’s identity. A colorful supporting cast and frequent moments of dark humor also prevent the grim storyline from becoming relentlessly bleak.

Bottom Line

The dialogue-heavy structure and slower investigative pacing may not appeal to players looking for constant action, and some may find the large number of clues, characters, and branching decisions overwhelming. However, those who enjoy narrative RPGs, detective mysteries, and choice-driven adventures will find plenty to appreciate. With its compelling supernatural mechanic, stylish presentation, and willingness to let players solve problems through intelligence, charm, intimidation, or brute force, Kill the Shadow is a creative and atmospheric mystery that rewards curiosity and experimentation.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2024 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms

Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers - Epic Car Factory

Epic Car Factory is a fast-paced business simulation game that puts you in charge of your own automobile company. Players must develop and manufacture vehicles, hire and train employees, research new parts, market their creations, and respond to an ever-changing economy. With more than 70 types of cars to research, every decision can influence whether your company grows into an automotive powerhouse or struggles to stay profitable.

Mistfall Hunter - Deluxe Edition: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Mistfall Hunter – Deluxe Edition enhances the dark-fantasy extraction experience with a collection of exclusive cosmetic rewards and 2,500 Fate Coins for purchasing additional in-game cosmetics. The upgrade includes the Forsaken Skeleton outfit, Shipwreck Coast background, Web of Fate earrings, Justice standing pose, Pip’s Daily Life emotes, Dew avatar, and Light Feather avatar frame, giving players more ways to customize their Gyldhunter while battling monsters and rival players throughout the mist-covered world.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'mist'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Broken Reality 2000: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers

Broken Reality 2000 is a surreal single-player adventure that transports players into NATEM, an ethereal metaverse filled with colorful digital worlds, unusual characters and hidden secrets. Throughout the journey, players complete quests, solve creative puzzles, use new tools and tackle light platforming challenges while searching for someone special. With its distinctive vaporwave-inspired presentation and dreamlike atmosphere, the game offers a strange, humorous and visually memorable exploration of life inside a virtual universe.

If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'reality'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours

Historically Low Prices

This section of Loot Happens currently tracks historical discounts on games and throughout the industry. Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.

These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!

Beast of Reincarnation - Deluxe Edition [Steam]

What awaits at the end of Emma and Koo's journey?
$̶̶73.09 $56.37

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How Many Dudes? [Steam]

Roguelike dudebuilder
$̶̶14.99 $9.74

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Disney Dreamlight Valley [Steam]

A world filled with magic.
$̶̶39.99 $27.99

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Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty [Steam]

Expansion pack
$29.99 $17.99

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Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition [PS5]

Explore the vibrant open world landscapes of Mexico
$59.99 $29.99

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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 [PS5]

Be Greater. Together
$69.99 $29.39

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ExZeus: The Complete Collection [Nintendo Switch]

A rewarding action combat experience
$29.99 $4.99

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Onimusha: Warlords [Nintendo Switch]

Capcom’s riveting samurai adventure returns! 
$19.99 $9.99

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Featured Game Review: Halo: Campaign Evolved

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a visually impressive and respectfully modernized return to the adventure that introduced the world to Master Chief. The rebuilt environments, enhanced cinematics and updated character models give Alpha Halo a new sense of scale and detail without completely abandoning the mysterious atmosphere of the original game. Familiar locations feel more alive, while the remastered audio and refined controls help make the campaign accessible to a new generation of players.

The combat remains the game’s greatest strength. Covenant enemies are intelligent, unpredictable and genuinely enjoyable to fight, encouraging players to constantly switch weapons, use grenades and adapt to changing battlefield conditions. An expanded arsenal, vehicle hijacking and the ability to pilot previously unavailable vehicles provide additional tactical options, while optional Skulls make repeat playthroughs more challenging and entertaining.

Some Repeats

Not every part of the original campaign has aged equally well. Some indoor areas remain repetitive, and the later Flood-focused sections can feel overly long despite the improved navigation and modern presentation. The remake is also extremely faithful, which preserves the classic experience but occasionally makes it feel more like an elaborate restoration than a bold reinvention. Minor performance problems and cinematic stuttering may also affect certain systems, although the overall technical presentation is strong.

Bottom Line

The three new prequel missions featuring Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson are a welcome addition, even though they do not dramatically change the larger story. Combined with two-player split-screen on consoles, four-player online cooperative play and numerous gameplay modifiers, they give the package solid replay value. Halo: Campaign Evolved may not replace the distinctive simplicity of the 2001 original for longtime fans, but it is an exciting, polished and highly enjoyable way to experience one of gaming’s most influential campaigns.

Next Week

Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!

The Eighth Inc. c/o LootHappens.com
46 Plains Road
Essex, CT 06426

©2024 Loot Happens | hi@loothappens.com | Privacy Policy | Terms