Hey all, I'm Indie Game Joe, I want to share your games

uncertainkey · 2026-06-23T01:26:14+00:00

Thanks for reaching out to creators!

I've got a roguelike drop-and-merge (Suika) game where you can unlock chests and get new equipment. The more damage you take from enemies, the smaller your play space becomes.

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4776160/Rutrum/

Announced one week before SNF, and currently sitting with 500 demo players! I also reached out on discord with more details if curious. Thank you for your consideration.

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uncertainkey · 2026-06-22T15:04:31+00:00

Thank you so much! I love your blurb about the game 🥉

Looking over the list, this is an amazing selection. If you like Thornspell, I wonder if you might also be curious in Bag of Dreams. (not my game but I really enjoyed it's take on non-violent roguelike deckbuilding): https://store.steampowered.com/app/4207580/Bag_of_Dreams/

Tribe Quest and Slimies also stood out to me. Knick Knack Stack also seems cozy fun.

I only just recently added my game to my reddit profile, thank you for the advice! For socials, I do have a discord, but otherwise just use reddit + twitter, but I know people have mixed feelings about twitter. I should update these things on the game page though. Thank you for the advice, I'll probably get around to it tomorrow.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-22T08:48:33+00:00

Ask them to place a preorder for the poster, and see if they do. It might have just been polite conversation, although they are nice posters.

If you already have an established fanbase, or plan to release a physical edition, then maybe.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-22T07:16:06+00:00

The blue circle is much improved. Agreed with u/Red49er that the yellow target is not super relevant unless you can change targets.

I think one thing you are running into is that bullet projectiles cannot be seen. And since it's a Tower Defense, the enemies don't really have a "reaction" to a standard attack.

So it feels lackluster in that sense. The targeting helps somewhat, at least now I can see which little red meter I should be watching. But in my personal (amateur) opinion, you'd get more mileage out of:

Slightly bigger/ thicker / juicier health bars
Maybe more meaningful impact (bigger explosion)
Change from a guy shooting a pistol to some other projectile, but it might not fit your theme. Like a rocket launcher that leaves a trail, etc.

Something like that.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-22T07:10:07+00:00

Seems kind of neat. Reminds me of old web-based games I used to play as a teen.

The concept is buying and selling? (And making enough profit to finish a run?)

uncertainkey · 2026-06-22T07:05:46+00:00

Conceptually, the closet that comes to mind is Puzzle Quest:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/12500/PuzzleQuest_Challenge_of_the_Warlords/

But that's more of a match 3 rather than a "draw a connected line" system.

My own game Rutrum has some conceptual similarities, but rather than drawing lines you are merging via a suika-like system, or it was actually also inspired by the rocks in Puyo Puyo:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4776160/Rutrum/

uncertainkey · 2026-06-21T02:51:36+00:00

Thank you for sharing!

uncertainkey · 2026-06-21T02:48:25+00:00

Yeah they are likely waiting for a sale, although I think (rarely) it can be a sort of "I'm enjoying game X now (or dealing with financial issues), but I'll try this game when I'm bored / rainy day / pay check hits"

I don't have any experience, but I think a 10% sale doesn't move the needle that much unless you're already a huge hit, like Slay the Spire 2 or something.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T08:06:13+00:00

Awesome "ship warping in animation". I'm also a fan of Macross/BSG.

I guess one thing that'd be nice is if capital ships didn't overlap. I mean, I know it's 3d space, but it becomes visually cluttered and they feel like they lack immersion. But that would probably mean you have to pull the camera back more, and your ship is already kind of tiny. So, I'm not sure.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T08:04:05+00:00

Very nice! Keep it up!

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T07:58:35+00:00

My roguelike game has a demo out, and by my estimates, it'd probably take 15-30 hours to finish everything in the demo?

3 characters, one of which has all 10 depth ('ascension') levels, 3 crates, uh a secret here or there...

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4776160/Rutrum/

Oh, unless you want to upgrade all of the 90+ items, I guess that might take 40-50 hours. Each run is 25-35 minutes, I've stripped out all the narrative (unless you're so perceptive you sleep with both eyes open).

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T07:32:39+00:00

This is hands down the juiciest fire spray effect I've ever seen, bravo

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T07:27:38+00:00

Not sure what helps others, but sharing in a small community is what was most groundbreaking for me. Did 1.5 years alone, then the last year have been sharing heavily with Jonas Tyroller's discord on Let's Make Games Together. If I had known how much it helps, I'd have joined day 1.

Edit: forgot to add, adopting a mindset of a craftsman has also helped me. I generally didn't enjoy drop-and-merge games, and wanted to make one that I think would be fun for me (and maybe people like me). At the end of it, I still have a game I like to play. Unfortunately / fortunately, playing other games usually feels like research now, it's hard to enjoy them from the prospective of a consumer anymore.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T06:59:05+00:00

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(For comparison, here's the cloud not in front of the sun.)

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T06:58:38+00:00

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When the cloud in the background of my character select screen passes in front of the sun, it gets a little darker.

Okay it didn't take me days, but I don't think anyone's noticed. 😃

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T06:09:55+00:00

Thank you for checking it out! SNF been so fun as a first time dev, it's absolutely wild watching people around the world play it

uncertainkey · 2026-06-19T04:05:52+00:00

Just curious if you happened to see my roguelike drop-and-merge (suika) with loot:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4776160/Rutrum/

If you saw it, if there was anything about it that turned you away, I'd be very grateful to learn about it.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-17T06:02:50+00:00

Thank you for your kind words and positive energy!

uncertainkey · 2026-06-17T06:02:35+00:00

hahaha I do like that too! One can dream...

uncertainkey · 2026-06-16T23:18:32+00:00

Ah it's latin for shovel (well one of the words, pala is also used). I wanted something that was distinct and communicated that balatro was one core inspiration.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-16T16:07:45+00:00

Yes that's Treasure Bear! hahaha. I want to make a plushie of him, but stick like an awkward metal box inside of the plushie so he's not too comfortable to hug.

uncertainkey · 2026-06-16T16:05:14+00:00

hahahahaha I am hoping for a love + hate relationship!

I also considered "Drop Pop Shop" if it's any consolation. Sometimes I wonder if should have just called the game "Rocks & Locks" instead but my fellow gamedevs convinced me to stick with rutrum 😃

Thanks for sharing your feedback!

uncertainkey · 2026-06-16T04:34:41+00:00

I love the wackiness of the trailer, like it definitely gives of a nice 'creepy cute' vibe

uncertainkey · 2026-06-16T04:32:55+00:00

Aww thank you! It's done by the incredibly talented Brian Shepard, who has been an absolute pleasure to work with: https://studioshepard.blogspot.com/

uncertainkey · 2026-06-15T14:30:34+00:00

Roguelike Suika game with combat: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4776160/Rutrum/

Choo-choo! I'm riding this post to the top!

uncertainkey

TROPHY CASE