End of Ember

End of Ember is an indie twin-stick roguelite that skillfully blends cute, cartoon-style visuals with over-the-top gore, wrapped in deep upgrade systems and a wicked sense of humor. Created by Eliah Smith, Chad Habel, and Daniel McGuiness of Bad Plan Studios, the game offers a refreshing—if blood-soaked—take on the genre. While it's still in alpha, we got an exclusive early look during the Horror Game Awards Show.

Feels Familiar?

When you first see the game, you might be hit with a wave of déjà vu. The art style immediately drew comparisons to Rick and Morty from my community, and the gameplay vibe felt reminiscent of titles like The Binding of Isaac or Vampire Survivor*. If you’ve played games in this genre before, the core concept will feel familiar: pick your weapons, clear out waves of enemies, and solve challenges or puzzles in frantic, bullet-hell fashion.

Why Should You Wishlist It?

What truly sets End of Ember apart is its dark, twisted humor. I was intrigued when the developers invited me to try it out—and pleasantly surprised by just how funny and chaotic it was. Think the absurdity and plot twists of Rick and Morty or the oddball energy of classic Nickelodeon shows, but dropped into a hellish arcade shooter with straightforward mechanics and a story that doesn't need hand-holding. Yes, there are plenty of references and easter eggs (for example Alice Madness Returns, Rugrats), but the game never loses its own identity. It manages to be both familiar and refreshingly original.

When Can You Play It?

There’s no official release date just yet, but you can add End of Ember to your Steam wishlist here to stay in the loop on all updates and announcements. Don’t miss it—this one’s worth keeping an eye on.