Fresh from the Steam release of their perspective-shifting shmup Ether Vapor, Japanese indie studio Edelweiss have something else for us. A playable demo of their soon-to-be-localized magical brawler Fairy Bloom Freesia. Probably closer in Smash Bros’ in style than a traditional fighting game, the story-focused demo pits you against wave after wave of expendable enemies, gaining experience points which can be spent on new moves and stat upgrades for the protagonist, Freesia.
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).
