Sam recently sat down with Katie Hallahan, a designer for Phoenix Online Studios. Phoenix Online Studios is the proud developer of the Silver Lining series, and the upcoming Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller.
These aren’t nostalgia grabs or gimmick-laden throwbacks. They each bring something genuinely fresh to the table, mechanics that feel baked into the exploration and combat, not just tacked on.
Play as Dik, a nimble acrobat exploring the depths of Hell to rescue his brother from the Devil’s hands. With no weapons to rely on, success hinges on mastery of physics-driven movement, and quick adaptation to deadly obstacles.
GDC 2025 has revealed the finalists for the 27th annual Independent Games Festival (IGF).
