Annapurna Interactive held their first showcase of the year, so let’s dive into what they had to show off, and how we here at GCR feel about what we saw!
// Wheel World
Release Date:
2025
Platforms:
Steam | PS5 | Xbox Series X&S
Description:
Welcome to Wheel World, where the fate of the universe rests on your handlebars.
You are Kat, a young cyclist with one mission: save Wheel World from total collapse. Explore a stunning open world filled with impressive vistas, hidden secrets, and races that will test your skills. Customize your bike with an endless array of parts, from sleek speedsters to off-road beasts—there’s no limit to how you can ride. (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
 |
Excited about this one! I have it on my Fantasy Critic so it had better be good! |
LF |
 |
I like the style of the game, but I don’t think this is something I’ll play. It really does look beautiful, though, and if you’re looking for something cozy where you can just enjoy the world around you, this looks like the one to play. If you are interested in checking this one out, there is a demo available now on Steam! |
// Wanderstop
Release Date:
March 11, 2025
Platforms:
Steam | PS5 | Xbox Series X&S
Description:
Wanderstop is a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea. Playing as a fallen fighter named Alta, you’ll manage a tea shop within a magical forest and tend to the customers who pass through. But Alta does not want to be here. And if she gets her way, the tea shop will be nothing but a brief and painful memory.
Wanderstop is a tea shop management ritual. Grow and harvest the ingredients needed for tea, and then mix them together in an unusual tea-making contraption. Along the way, speak with the many travellers who pass through the shop, learn their stories and make tea that’s just right for them. (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
 |
This one gets the mind blown simply because of the talent behind it. I think it could reach new highs for the cozy game genre. |
LF |
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I’ll be checking the demo for this one in the Steam Next Fest! This one is right up my alley–narrative cozy game with a grabbing art style. Looking forward to checking this one out! |
// Skin Deep
Release Date:
April 30th, 2025
Platforms:
Steam
Description:
Skin Deep is an immersive first-person shooter. We got sneezing. We got things getting stuck in your feet. Stalk through a vast non-linear starship and sneak, subvert, and sabotage to survive in this stellar sandbox. You’re outnumbered, outgunned, and have no shoes. Welcome to Skin Deep! (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
|
This one looks funky, not sure if I’ll play it, but I’m glad they’re out here making weird stuff. |
LF |
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This one is not for me. |
// Untitled Geometric Interactive Game
Release Date:
TBD
Platforms:
TBD
Description:
An unannounced project was teased at the showcase from the creators of Coccon, Geometric Interactive. The only thing we know about it is what Geometric Interactive audio director and composer Jakob Schmid said during their very brief portion in the showcase: “We’re partnering with Annapurna Interactive to make a new game, which is unlike anything we’ve ever worked on before. This is all we have to say for now, but please stay tuned for more news down the line.”
Reactions:
2R |
 |
All they said was that they were working on a new game. Come on man, this doesn’t need to be here. |
LF |
|
There’s not really much to go on here for me to react to? I didn’t play Cocoon either, so I can’t say I’m excited about this announcement. Could have been an email. |
// Lushfoil Photography Sim
Release Date:
April 15, 2025
Platforms:
Steam | PS5 | Xbox Series X&S
Description:
Experience detailed, true-to-life recreations of beautiful and diverse locations around the world. Trek through and explore environments to capture stunning vistas and landscapes with your fully-featured in-game camera. Each environment is filled with objectives to reward players that have a good eye for angles and perspectives, and hidden secrets for those who are patient and observant.
The rich atmosphere of Lushfoil Photography Sim is enhanced by an ambient, ethereal soundtrack featuring licensed music from artists around the world. (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
|
Now we’re freaking talking! This looks so beautiful. Photo-mode the game. I’m all in on this one, can’t wait to simply get lost in the world and take some pics. |
LF |
|
Looks absolutely beautiful. A virtual photographer’s dream game. Not sure if it’s something I’d play, but you never know. I’ll keep an eye on it, at least! A demo is available now on Steam if you want to check it out! |
// Faraway
Release Date:
2025
Platforms:
Steam
Description:
“I am a shooting star! A spark meant to shine and vanish in a blink. But I will travel! I will mark my trail in every firmament. I will live to see the universe.” Faraway is an immersive, both challenging and chill, procedurally generated audiovisual experience about creating constellations. (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
|
It’s a bold move to compare yourself to Tetris. Don’t know if this one is for me. It was pretty, though! |
LF |
|
Not for me. |
// to a T
Release Date:
May 28, 2025
Platforms:
Steam | PS5 | Xbox Series X&S | Game Pass
Description:
to a T is a 3D narrative adventure game developed by Keita Takahashi and the uvula team, with a strong focus on character, interaction, story and exploration. Play as a teenager (Teen), with a unique posture just trying to live a normal life in a small coastal town. Explore the town along with the help of Teen’s loyal dog and loving mother. While going to school and contending with bullies, Teen discovers a new ability granted to them by their extraordinary posture, and they start to uncover more about their mysterious lineage. (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
|
I have no idea what the hell this was, but I’m so in. |
LF |
|
The art style for this one is really cute. You can talk to a giraffe! Although I think it’s hilarious all the human characters are T-posing. I’m not sure if I’ll play this one, but it’s got cozy vibes and looks a bit goofy (in a good way) at times. Since it will be releasing on Game Pass, I’ll probably give it a try since it costs me nothing but the subscription price to check it out. |
// Morsels
Release Date:
2025
Platforms:
Steam | PS5 | Nintendo Switch
Description:
Morsels is a fast-paced creature collecting roguelite with a rotating roster of characters to switch between at will. Overcome a clique of killer cats as you fight your way out of the sewers in this unique, action-packed journey. (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
|
This has been shown off a time or two already, and I think it looks solid. I may pick it up if it drops when I have some free time. |
LF |
|
I really like the art style for this one, but there wasn’t much for me to go on since it was mainly just the developer talking. |
// Sayonara Wild Hearts – PS5 Version
Release Date:
February 24, 2025
Platforms:
PS5
Description:
Sayonara Wild Hearts is a dreamy arcade game about riding motorcycles, skateboarding, dance battling, shooting lasers, wielding swords, and breaking hearts at 200 mph.
As the heart of a young woman breaks, the balance of the universe is disturbed. A diamond butterfly appears in her dreams and leads her through a highway in the sky, where she finds her other self: the masked biker called The Fool.
Journey through a custom-written pop soundtrack, chase scores, and set out to find the harmony of the universe, hidden away in the hearts of Little Death and her star-crossed allies: Dancing Devils, Howling Moons, Stereo Lovers and Hermit 64.
Let’s Pop! (Source: Steam)
Click here to view the trailer.
Reactions:
2R |
|
Could be a fun mix of endless running and rhythm game. I’m passively interested in trying this one out eventually. |
LF |
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Don’t think this one is for me. I like the art style and the music, but I’m not sure if it’s something I’d play. Maybe if I see it on sale or something. |
// Final Reactions
2R |
|
There were a lot of games here that I have an interest in, but most of them we already knew about. Lushfoil Photography Simulator and the T-Post game are the only two new things that really caught my eye. For half an hour of time, that’s a bit less than I might like. On games alone, this one might be a yawn from me. But, the developer interviews bump it up a notch to a like. |
LF |
|
Overall, wasn’t super impressed by this showcase. There were a few games I likely will play, but many I’m not interested in. I did appreciate the format at least. I like hearing from the developers themselves, learning a bit more (sometimes) how they came up with their games. Likewise, I agree with 2R, for the length of time this showcase was, it didn’t feel like there was all that much that justified having a showcase now. |
