19 new thinky releases from August 2023

Joseph Mansfield, 2 September 2023

Wow, August was a busy month for thinky game releases! Not only do we have the 9 games that launched as part of the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase, but 10 other fascinating games also released throughout the month.

We have a new Commandos-style real-time tactics game involving ghost ship pirates, a platformer about editing movie action sequences, a puzzle game that's like Baba Is You but with MATH, and plenty more delightful surprises. We've even got a physical puzzle book in the mix in case you want a break from the screen! Check them all out below.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

Developed by Mimimi Games

Welcome to the Lost Caribbean! In this stealth strategy game, join a ghost ship with a living soul and assemble a cursed pirate crew. Embrace magical powers to defy the menacing army of the Inquisition, who stands between you and the mysterious treasure of the legendary Captain Mordechai.

Neon Noodles

Developed by Vivid Helix

In a future where food is the ultimate symbol of status, you are a recipe programming technician for a ruthless aristocracy. Create, test and optimize your culinary machines in this deliciously dark zach-like!

It's a Wrap!

Developed by Chanko Studios

It's a Wrap! is a challenging puzzle game about making movies in 1980s Hollywood. Figure out the perfect timing of props, actors, and special effects as the Director. Then jump into the scene as the movie's star in a traditional 2D platformer.

Golden Record Retriever (Early Access)

Developed by Hoochoo Game Studios

⟪Golden Record Retriever⟫ is a rogue-like DICE building game in which a golden retriever kidnapped by aliens grows into a space hero by retrieving the golden records that have become a "space headache.”

Abdec

Developed by Letibus Design

Abdec is a forgotten textbook about the writing system of the weird and elusive "Abb" creatures. Their typography resembles devilishly difficult packing puzzles. Due to a fire accident that burnt important pages in the book - the last remaining Abdec book in the world, which was also scanned for this reissue - players need to figure out how the Abdec writing system works completely on their own.

ART IS RIFLE (Early Access)

Developed by Code Psyche Production

Unleashing the Chaos in Shooter Puzzle Genre!

Paquerette Down the Bunburrows

Developed by Bunstack

The buns... you HAVE to capture them!! Think outside the bunburrow or get outsmarted by bunnies in this cute pathfinding-based puzzle game!

Nova: Cloudwalker's Tale

Developed by Racoon & Sheep

Nova: Cloudwalker's Tale is a charming puzzle game about moving clouds and walking on them to gather the lost star shards across the skies.

A Slug's Dream

Developed by Marcos Donnantuoni

Take on the role of a famished slug and wiggle your way through a series of challenging yet accessible puzzles. Push, rotate and warp anything that stands between you and those yummy flowers!

Vae Victis

Developed by Nick Rizzo

Vae Victis is a ruthless minimalistic turn-based strategy game. Engage in intense multiplayer battles with friends or fight through an expansive campaign. With unique units, factions, and abilities you will have to be cunning with your tactical decisions to claim victory!

Betty & Earl

Developed by Giant Light Studios

Betty & Earl is a relaxing and thoughtful puzzle game where you control everything at the same time in order to reunite the two main characters. The world is connected, and whenever you move, everything follows. Find a way to reconnect Betty & Earl in a world that constantly gets in the way.

Block Buster Billy

Developed by Bigosaur

An alien family had a picnic on Billy's island. They had to leave in a hurry, causing Junior to forget his cubes. Can you help Billy figure out the mind-boggling alien puzzles?

Word Factori

Developed by Star Garden Games

Word Factori is a word-building game where your only resource is the letter "i". Build a chain of factories to bend, rotate, reflect, and merge "i" into more complex letters. Discover secret letter recipes, unlock hidden word art, and optimize your factory chains for high scores.

Golden Idol Mysteries: The Lemurian Vampire

Developed by Color Gray Games

Follow the perilous journey of the Lemurian delegation to Monkey Paw Island in their search for riches and the truth about the legendary fountain of youth. Will their greed and curiosity be rewarded or does a dark fate await them?

Unravel the truth of an ancient civilisation, lost in time through three brand new scenarios, filled with death, deceit, and ancient rituals.

The Lemonade

Developed by Riccardo Caprari

As a scrawny goblin, find lemons in a cave to enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. Sokoban-style.

Sushi For Robots

Developed by Ludipe

These robots are obsessed with sushi and you’re the one serving it to them.

SokoSolitaire

Developed by Daisy Games

SokoSolitaire is a card-pushing puzzle game inspired by Sokoban and Solitaire. You'll find yourself pushing, stacking or flipping cards and more across 60 different handcrafted levels.

Million Monster Militia (Early Access)

Developed by Dejobaan Games and Space Capsule Games

ROGUELIKE MILITIA RECRUITMENT SIM ⚪ Assemble a rag-tag army. ⚪ Liberate America from big boss demons. ⚪ Create game-breaking synergies!

Aggregator Elevator System

Developed by Eternal Monke Games

Challenge your logic and strategy in new ways in this deductive tile-placement puzzle game. Master a rich system of logical rules where you must arrange blocks within a grid to make all the numbers add up correctly. AGGREGATE!