You know what the best part of making Happy Bastards is? Other people toiling away on it while I’m going to PAX East 2025! That’s right, my little scrubs! I appreciate all the hard work you have to do while I spread the gospel of Kev. That’s Me! I’m checking out the latest strategy-type games (annnnnd some other stuff I just wanna play) on display at the show…for competitive research. Yes, COMPETITIVE RESEARCH, Mattieu!

So, while I’m walkin’ around PAX East 2025, I’m taking notes on the games that are inspiring ME to want to play more. So take a look, and feel free to tell me how right I am about these games.

Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch

It’s a ROGUELIKE! I like rogues—so you’ve got my attention, sir. And, yes, I realize that I can only make that joke once. Lost Eidolons was already an inspired-looking strategy game in the vein of Fire Emblem, but the standalone Veil of the Witch takes those tactics, then sprinkles in shifting paths, chance events…and lots of mayhem waiting in the wings. It’s already in Early Access, so grab the demo and give it a shot. Hell, you can’t argue with “free.”

Net.Attack

A Roguelike shooter? (well, can’t make THAT joke again.) I’m not ashamed to admit that this is too high-tech for me. Literally. It all takes place on circuit boards and looks like you might actually learn something. I mean check out this line from the game’s description: “You create your own abilities using programming. Dive into the node-based coding system, designed for both newcomers and coding enthusiasts.” WHATEVER, NERD! Still, it actually looks like a whole different kinda way to set up your own attacks and play a top-down shooter-type thing.

Solnox – Grimoire of Seasons

Now HERE’s a deck-building strategy game I can get behind. It looks like a bloody tactical version of Othello (how’s that for a deep cut?) where you’re building up your supernatural army to control the battlefield—and the seasons. You play as a “Warden of Change,” which sounds like an awesome name for a band of minstrels, but what do I know? Anyhow, the game’s not due out until 2026, but they do have an awesome demo you can check out right now!

Ctrl. Alt. Deal.

“This place is awful,” says the game’s little AI hero, SCOUT. You see, THIS is the kind of energy I can get behind! It feels totally trapped in this soulless internet-prison it was created to serve for some corporation. The only way out? Sneakiness and diplomacy or, as I like to call it, embracing your inner, “Kev.” Work all the angles and try to convince the humans to help you escape without letting the corporation learn that you’ve become self-aware. This is yet another game coming out soon and there’s a demo you can download right now. Do it. Why? ‘Cause I said so! 

Mordfield Command

While the Clever Plays crew loves taking inspiration from lots of places, like Battle Brothers, there’s something cool about what Mordfield Command’s doing here, mixing 4X strategy with wave-based defense and tactical turn-based combat. The whole point of the game, fighting off a homicidal AI network, seems a bit serious. Maybe the AI’s just misunderstood (I can relate to that) and only wants to mildly zap humans to use as batteries or something. Find out for yourself as the game’s listed as “coming soon!” 

Goblintown: Really Hard Driving Game

I had to list this game simply because they are shoutin’ truth in the game’s title! I mean, c’mon! They are just daring you to try playing it and keeping your clunker on the road for as long as possible. You’re behind the wheel of a…lemme make sure I’m reading this correctly…”a grumpl fart-boosted burger truck.” Do I really need to say anymore? FINE. OK, I love the looks of this game and it’s out now in Early Access. Check out the demo and try not to die! 

Monster Train 2

If you’re not familiar with the original Monster Train game, it’s you on the train from hell — I’m talking literally here — and you have to stack the deck against the forces of heaven. That’s my oh-so-clever way of saying that this is another awesome deck-building game. The sequel’s promising a whole lot more of what I love: THINGS TO FIGHT…and ways to fight them! The twist is that Titans have been taking over and now you’re stuck partnering up with all those annoying goody-goody angelic idiots. This should get interesting. The demo is out now, but the game launches in a couple weeks!

Were you at PAX East? See any games not listed here that I need to check out? Let me know! If you haven’t already joined my DISCORD tell me there. More important question if you were at PAX East: HOW COME YOU DIDN’T SAY, “HI!!” TO ME?!?!