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Image credit: Wellness Mechanism/Kodansha
Em Stonham
andSam Smith
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Indie Live Expo showcase events always present a buffet of incredible indie titles, and the November 2025 Winter showcase was no exception, featuring everything from bone-chilling horror to magical platformers.
To help you keep an eye out for the best upcoming games and demos, you’ll find The Escapist’s round-up of the best Indie Live Expo titles from the November 29 showcase, including a variety of genres and developers.
The Escapist recaps The Indie Live Expo Winter showcase took place on November 29, 2025, streaming in multiple languages across official Twitch and YouTube channels. During the event, a wide variety of new releases, upcoming titles, and demos were revealed, encompassing every genre from psychological horror to cozy games. Horror fans will want to keep an eye out for both DOSMIC and Dead Format; the former is an atmospheric horror-puzzler, seemingly akin to Little Nightmares, while Dead Format is a found-footage psychological horror. On the topic of psychological horror, Children’s Garden looks like it could be one of the most unnerving horror-puzzlers being released in 2026. It looks at a “reincarnation ethics program.” Wabisabi SushiDerby is one to watch for fans of cute, pixel art titles – it promises a light-hearted, chaotic sushi-racing experience. R.I.P. – Reincarnation Insurance Program appears to be a standout in the admittedly busy genre of action roguelites, offering physics-driven, zombie-eviscerating action and a futuristic art style. DOSMIC
DOSMIC looks atmospheric and intense. Image credit: Black Cheeze
Several demos were shown off in the Indie Live Expo stream, and one that stood out immediately was DOSMIC. Developed and published by Black Cheeze, this cosmic horror puzzler looks dreamy, unnerving, and frightening, all at the same time.
The gameplay blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and stealth, tasking the player with hiding from enemies; as the Steam page notes, “If they see you, you die.” The world of DOSMIC is packed with gargantuan foes and unknowable threats, called Transcendants, each with a horrifically memorable design.
Wabisabi SushiDerby
Wabisabi SushiDerby looks equal parts chaotic and cute. Image credit: ITAMAE STUDIO/Kodansha
Changing tone completely, an upcoming title that looks adorable is Wabisabi SushiDerby. As you might be able to guess from the name, it’s a sushi-racing game, with pixelated pieces of sushi running away from hungry customers trying to snack on them.
It’s slightly morbid if you think about it, but still, the game looks incredibly cute and engaging. A specific Wabisabi SushiDerby release date has not been confirmed yet, but the game is set to release in spring of 2026, according to the showcase.
Children’s Garden
Children’s Garden looks like an incredibly surreal title. Image credit: Wellness Mechanism/Kodansha
Hopping back to the horror genre, one of the most seemingly intense games from Indie Live Expo looks quite cute on its surface. Developed by Wellness Mechanism and published by Kodansha, this psychological puzzle experience is set to release in spring 2026, although further details have not been confirmed yet.
In Children’s Garden, the player stumbles across a mysterious tool that has a connection to the afterlife, taking them down the path of a “reincarnation ethics program”. The game appears to have both heavy and cosmic themes, with folkloric inspirations being referenced on its Steam page.
Dead Format
Dead Format should be a great addition to the found footage niche. Image credit: Katanalevy/Oro Interactive
Horror fans had lots to get excited about with this Winter showcase, with Dead Format being another highlight. Focusing on a mysterious VHS format and “video ghastlies”, it’s an upcoming psychological horror from Katanalevy and Oro Interactive.
One of the best things about the snippet shown of Dead Format is how atmospheric it looks. A good psychological horror should be almost unbearably tense, making players scared to keep progressing, and Dead Format looks like it’ll achieve this with ease. The Dead Format release day is December 10, 2025.
R.I.P. – Reincarnation Insurance Program
R.I.P. should offer plenty for bullet hell lovers. Image credit: WarmCore Studio/2P Games
There hasn’t been a shortage of roguelikes and roguelites in recent years, no matter whether you’re looking at more casual experiences like dice roguelikes or more action-heavy, bullet hell styled games. If you’re a fan of the latter, R.I.P. – Reincarnation Insurance Program could be just your style.
It’s a top-down shooter that blends elements of action roguelites and bullet hells, with fast-paced, gory sequences to blaze through and mountains of loot to pick at. It’s not got an official release date or window yet, but should be making its way into early access soon, according to the showcase.
Indie Live Expo’s November showcase was packed to the brim with exciting new releases and demos, covering everything from gory, intense horror to colorful co-op experiences. No matter your favorite genre, there’ll likely be a 2026 title that appeals to you – the release calendar ahead is looking stacked so far.
Ask The Escapist When was the Indie Live Expo event?Indie Live Expo took place on November 29, 2025.
Where can you watch Indie Live Expo events?Indie Live Expos are streamed via the event’s official Twitch and YouTube channels. The events are showcased in multiple languages.
When is Dead Format coming out?Dead Format will be released on December 10, 2025.
When is DOSMIC coming out?The DOSMIC release window is March 2026. A detailed release date is currently unknown.
References Download DOSMIC: Demo (Steam) Planned Release Date: 2026 (Steam) INDIE Live Expo EN on Twitch (Twitch) INDIE Live Expo on YouTube (YouTube) The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy