Weekly Notes (Jun 09 – Jun 15): Showdowns, Clones, and Controversies

Niklas Borglund

Author

2025-06-16

Hello everyone!

We’ve got a packed week: a PS5 port that people love on Steam, a Five Nights at Freddy's spinoff sparking debate, and a philosophical survival game full of clones. There’s also a controversial launch, a nostalgic WW2 throwback, and some Steam Next Fest demos that got picked up by my server.

Dune: Awakening technically launched this week - but since I already covered it in last week’s post, I won’t repeat myself. You can find that write-up HERE.

Stellar Blade™ by SHIFT UP Corporation

Largest audiences: ~46% Chinese(Simplified), ~27% English, ~8% Korean

Originally a PS5 exclusive, Stellar Blade just launched on Steam - and it's already at 94% Very Positive with over 20,000 reviews. Players praise its fluid combat, stunning visuals, and strong performance, with many calling it a showcase piece. The character design (especially EVE) is a frequent highlight.

Criticism is minor: some mention sluggish movement, technical issues, and mixed feelings about the puzzles.

Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic by Steel Wool Studios

Largest audiences: ~69% English, ~10% Russian

The newest Five Nights at Freddy's entry leans into stealth, atmosphere, and multiple endings - something that’s resonating with fans but dividing others.

Players appreciate the gameplay variety, visuals, and overall atmosphere. Bugs, glitches, and story complexity are common pain points, and some feel the price doesn’t match the content.

The Alters by 11 bit studios

Largest audiences: ~33% English, ~28% Chinese (Simplified), ~15% Russian

The Polish team behind Frostpunk and This War of Mine returns with something different - a sci-fi survival story about Jan Dolski crashing on an alien planet and cloning alternate versions of himself to stay alive.

Players are responding well to the story, gameplay concept and is generally very well received. The main complaints are about clunky controls, limited character customization, and bugs.

MindsEye by Build A Rocket Boy

Largest audiences: ~52% English, ~16% Chinese (Simplified), ~6% Portuguese (Brazil)

Single-player action-adventure thriller set in a dystopian desert city published by IO Interactive at a premium €59.99 price tag. At the time of writing, it’s sitting at a surprisingly low 38% positive rating. There’s been a lot of writing about the game - and the backlash. The co-CEO even suggested that the negative reviews were paid for - something their publisher seems to disagree about.

So what do the reviews say? A majority of reviews mention performance issues & bugs, which sadly seems to become more and more common with AAA releases. Among the positives we see that players like the engaging story, and it's potential if the technical issues get addressed.

Heroes of Valor by Fancy Cat Interactive

Largest audiences: ~64% English, ~11% German, ~5% Polish

Heroes of Valor is a Third-Person shooter in a cartoonish WWII setting released in Early Access. It highly reminds me of Battlefield Heroes, which is probably my favorite Battlefield game. As somewhat of a game soundtrack nerd, its theme song still lives rent free in my mind.

So thank you, Heroes of Valor - I’ll be whistling that all week now.

I'm not the only one making this connection. A big chunk of players feel nostalgic towards BF:Heroes when playing this game. They love the fun gameplay and its potential. They seem to have had some server issues, but the early reception is very positive.

⚔️ Early Access Graduates

• Backpack Battles - A PvP inventory management auto battler. Players love the Addictive, fun and relaxing gameplay - some critique gameplay balance issues, and lack of content.
• Gladiators: Survival in Rome - A F2P survival action RPG with city building. Mixed reception overall. Players like the graphics and addictiveness - and a big chunk of players really dislikes the pay to win mechanics and the energy system.
• Daisho: Survival of a Samurai - Made by same studio as the Gladiators: Survival in Rome just above. Seems like it's very similar, but a different setting. Similar criticisms and score.

Notable Mentions

Here are some games and demos that were on the top but didn't get its own section in the weekly notes.

• Ertugrul of Ulukayin - (Open World. Action-Adventure. Exploration)
• Big Winner - (Card Battler. Strategy RPG. Deckbuilding)
• School 666 - (Psychological Horror. Action-Adventure. Exploration)
• Kanade - (Visual Novel. Sci-fi. Drama)

EXTRA: Steam Next Fest Demos

My system picked up some of the Demos from Next fest. So I checked the steam store over which was marked popular - thought I'd list them here!

• Dispatch - (Choose Your Own Adventure. Point & Click. Strategy)
• Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream - (Action-Adventure, Story-Rich, Exploration)
• Wildgate - (Extraction Shooter, FPS, Space Sim)
• Jump Ship - (Action Roguelike, FPS, Sci-fi)
• Vindictus: Defying Fate - (Hack and Slash, Open World, Souls-like)
• Dead as Disco - (Character Action Game, Rhythm, Spectacle fighter)
• BALL x PIT - (Action Roguelike, Bullet Hell, Base Building)
• PIONER - (MMORPG, Open World, FPS)
• Backseat Drivers - (Psychological Horror, Racing, Simulation)
• Ratatan - (Rhythm, Roguelite, Traditional Roguelike)
• Neon Abyss 2 - (2D Platformer, Bullet Hell, Traditional Roguelike)
• Cast n Chill - (Creature Collector, Idler, Simulation)
• Town To City - (City Builder, Simulation, Strategy)

📊 Full List: Top Releases for June 09 - June 15 (2025)

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