I’m not going to lie and say February was a great month; it kinda sucked! Just like the month before it, and the months in the foreseeable future. What can I say, I’m an optimist. But dealing with the inevitability of the universe is a full-time job, and a great way to decompress is playing video games.
Spring is about to, uh, sprung? Look, I’m sure it’ll get nicer outside, but why even worry? We’ve got games to play. TWO games are coming out this month based on coin-operated arcade machines that AREN’T video games. We even have a mystery puzzle game about catching Nazis.
I wish I could stop reminding folks that Steam is an overcrowded marketplace, yadda yadda, so make sure you wishlist any games you dug from Steam Next Fest. Anyway, here’s a fresh batch of indies I hope you enjoy.
Cupiclaw
Platforms: PC | Release Date: 3/5/2026
I was not expecting this game to be tough. Cupiclaw has a wild take on claw machines, and even though the objective is different, it still has quite the learning curve. The claw machine is pay-to-play, and if you don’t get enough prizes or too many negative prizes, you’re out of luck!
Each round lasts only 30 seconds, and you pull as many good prizes out of the pit as possible. Avoid the bad prizes, like bombs that can explode, removing prizes from the machine, or bugs that reduce the coin value of all prizes received. At the end of the round, you can choose to increase the value of current prizes or use tokens to remove bad prizes. Cupiclaw is fun!
Cupiclaw will release on March 5th, 2026, for PC via Steam. If you simply cannot wait to try this game out, it’s part of Steam’s Next Fest, and a demo is available on the Steam page. Add it to your wishlist if you’re interested.
Galactic Vault
Platforms: PC | Release Date: 3/10/2026
Galactic Vault is a roguelike first-person shooter with strong shooting and movement elements. The mission is simple: blast a hole in the side of the vault and waltz right in. Deal with many enemies in each room and be rewarded with upgrades that add a level of flair and style to your shooting and movement that make this shooter so fun.
I had a great time with a shotgun build that gave me a double tap (2 shots with 1 click) and bullets that would seek out enemies if they were close enough to where I shot. I had an air dodge and an underbarrel attachment that fired out a wave of bullets in all directions. Galactic Vault’s demo was a great time.
Galactic Vault will release on March 10th, 2026, for PC via Steam. A demo is available on the Steam page if you want to check it out before release. If it looks cool to you, make sure you add it to your wishlist.
Mr. Sleepy Man
Platforms: PC | Release Date: 3/10/2026
A little on the rough side, Mr. Sleepy Man had me take on the role I was born for! After throwing a memory card in your Lonely 64, a hand reaches out and pulls you into the screen. There, you learn that Mr. Sleepy Man has no pillows or blankets, so how can he sleep?!
Exploring Bedtime Town had me finding pillows, climbing towers, and stealing from local shops. Ya’know, just getting up to general mischief. Eventually, the whole town hated me. Swimming in a can of creamed corn, I managed to escape once from the evil clutches of the clock tower guard, but after stealing the key to his spotlight, I was thrown in jail.
Mr. Sleepy Man releases on March 10th, 2026, for PC via Steam. If you’re sleepy enough to check it out, a demo is available on the Steam page. Dig 3D platformers? Make sure to add it to your wishlist.
Collector’s Cove
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch | Release Date: 3/12/2026
Collector’s Cove is a beautiful farming sim that’s focused on exploration and adventure, but your farm comes with you. Set on a boat being tugged along by your sea-creature animal friend, you’re never far from home.
Your Uncle Jerry is around to guide you through the process of getting started, and with the help of your other various uncles, who all look suspiciously similar, you’ll be on your way to becoming a named-rank collector in no time! Fish, plant, mine, chop, and dig your way through ephemeral islands as you pass through Collector’s Cove.
Collector’s Cove is releasing on March 12th, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. A demo is available on the Steam page if you’d like to check it out, and don’t forget to wishlist it if it seems like your cup of tea. Don’t worry, your demo progress carries over to release.
Mythmatch
Platforms: PC | Release Date: 3/13/2026
Greek gods, have there ever been a more reprehensible bunch? Well, some are alright, I suppose. Artemis has finished her training alongside her twin brother Apollo, and Zeus believes his son is ready for godhood. Artemis can come too, I guess. Although she’s discovered something rather remarkable.
Artemis has the strange ability to slap 3 things together, and they become something brand new! Alas, there are no job openings for her in the sexist corporation that is Olympus. Along with matching, Artemis needs to complete tasks around the mortals to increase their belief in her to someday become the goddess of the hunt!
Mythmatch is releasing on March 13th, 2026, for PC via Steam. A demo, which I highly recommend, is available on the game’s Steam page. Make sure to add it to your wishlist if you’re interested in Mythmatch.
The Ratline
Platforms: PC | Release Date: 3/17/2026
It’s 1971, a Catholic bishop in Budapest has recently been murdered, and a reckoning approaches. Players take on the role of private dick Saul Perlman, who has been tasked with finding the identities of Nazi war criminals who have escaped justice through a network known as The Ratline.
I’m not great at these types of games, but The Ratline has a few niceties that helped with the escalating difficulty. The hint system is gradual, offering two hints before outright giving you the answer. Likewise, you’re told when you’ve uncovered all evidence, which prevents you from scouring your entire rolodex or the New York Public Library for information on war criminals.
The Ratline releases on March 17th, 2026, for PC via Steam. A demo is available on the game’s Steam Page, and if solving mysteries and hunting Nazis is your thing, you might want to put this one on your wishlist.
RUBATO
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch | Release Date: 3/20/2026
What a bizarre little platformer. RUBATO is a cool frog that works for ‘The Company,’ an organization far too large to know what’s going on within its own company. Rubato’s associate has destroyed all the planets in our solar system through a game of pool, and it’s up to Rubato to collect all the planet bits to restore the planets and balance to the galaxy.
Rubato uses his tongue to pull objects, swing from notches, and grab enemies. The 2D platformer has big levels with lots of stuff to collect and minigames. The racing minigame was probably the most fun I’ve had with a 2D racer. After I defeated the dumpling king, I was awarded a rocket launcher, and if you’re not convinced Rubato rules by now, I’m afraid you’re a lost cause.
RUBATO releases on March 20th, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. A demo is available on all three platforms on their respective game pages. If you think Rubato is cool (he is), why not give his game a wishlist?
Nova Roma
Platforms: PC | Release Date: 3/26/2026
Nova Roma is a city builder developed by the team behind Kingdoms & Castles. During the final days of Rome, a small band sails out in search of new lands. Find a place on an island to build your outpost and set up your new civilization.
Nova Roma has a unique tech tree that involves completing tasks to make and keep the gods happy. Don’t forget your citizens, though; keeping people happy is just as important. Set up jobs, farms, and tax offices, and start building your own new Rome.
Nova Roma releases on March 26th, 2026, on PC via Steam. If you’re into city builders, you’re going to want to wishlist this game and check out the demo. Lion Shield has a strong track record of ongoing support for its games.
RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike
Platforms: PC | Release Date: 3/31/2026
What, TWO coin-operated roguelikes in ONE month?! That’s right! Raccoin: Coin Pusher Roguelike is just that, a coin pusher arcade game setup with all the accouterments one would expect from a roguelike.
Your run can vary with all sorts of wacky coins, passive prizes you can equip, and don’t forget to upgrade your coin clip to hold even more special coins. Multiple characters, each with their own themed coin sets, allow for some pretty interesting run types. This is the most fun I’ve ever had with a coin pusher machine.
RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike releases on March 31st, 2026, on PC via Steam. A demo is available on the game’s Steam page, and if you dig raccoons shoving coins into redemption arcade cabinets, you might want to put this one on your wishlist.
If you read this far, thank you. This is a lot of work with very little payoff. If you enjoyed the article, please feel free to let me know on BlueSky or via e-mail. And I hope you found a couple of indies to support during these trying times.
Don’t forget to wishlist a game if you’re interested, check out the demo if one is available, and talk with your friends about games. I can only reach so many people, and more eyes on indies is usually a good thing.
Of course, if there’s a game coming up you want to see covered, feel free to email us at will@monstervine.com or ping our BlueSky account. You can also email me or ping me on BlueSky. I love hearing from devs. We’re always scoping out games to cover, so we appreciate the help. See you next month!
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