Slime Heroes Release Window Announced! Boss Battles & Couch Co-op in Updated Demo at Steam Next Fest

Text: Slime Heroes | Image: Two adorable slimes, an orange one wearing a witches hat looking scared, and a brave blue slime with a sword held up in triumph, are surrounded by enemies in a land tainted by a mysterious corruption.

Are you ready to save the world from a mysterious corruption during Steam Next Fest? If so, then check out the updated demo for the upcoming 3D-action-adventure and approachable “souls-lite” Slime Heroes, live now on Steam from October 14 through 21! 

And to add to the exciting news, we’re thrilled to reveal that Slime Heroes is coming to PC and Xbox in Q1 2025!

Check out the trailer below!

The updated demo showcases some new things to check out, including a first look at couch co-op play and challenging boss, the Corrupted Silva (but don’t worry — accessibility features available in the demo will help you tackle this beast at your level, regardless of ability!)

Check out the Slime Heroes demo on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1511880/Slime_Heroes 

During the demo, you’ll get a look at the first area of the game, get a chance to collect several skills that you can combine to create entirely new skills, and get some cool hats with bonus buffs! You’ll get a chance to explore the region and uncover a puzzle room, fend off corrupted enemies and save the hapless wigals, try your hand at a mini-boss, and then test your skills against the powerful boss, the Corrupted Silva! 

About Slime Heroes

In Slime Heroes, journey through a whimsical world entrusted to an unlikely hero, a slime, tasked to save it from a mysterious corruption. Explore the expansive 3D world — alone or with a friend — and encounter ferocious enemies, challenging but approachable puzzles, and uncover forgotten treasures. Gain magical gems throughout the world and dynamically combine them to create unique and powerful magical skills that can take down even the most corrupt minions and bosses. Discover a touching story of overcoming expectations, friendship, and forgiveness as you progress because even slimes can be heroes! 

Key Features of Slime Heroes include:

• Gain Abilities and Change Them Up On the Fly: Collect and consume an arsenal of gems obtained from defeating enemies, and dynamically combine skills to craft unique attacks that suit your playstyle at any time.
  

• Play Alone or With a Friend: Venture off solo or jump into a friend’s game at any time for a fun couch and online co-op adventure. With a shared loot system, you’ll both be able to create complimentary abilities to take on the fiercest corrupted enemies.
  

• Travel Across an Expansive World: Explore six distinct regions in a vibrant, vast open world and meet the gods that rule over each region. Discover secret passageways, hidden areas and unique puzzle dungeons each with their own challenges to overcome.
  

• Make Your Slime Your Own: Give your slime some personality as you customize their face and colours to your liking. Find hats throughout the map that not only give your slime that little extra pizazz but also provide helpful stat buffs, keeping you fashionable and ready for battle.

Slime Heroes will be available on PC via Steam, and on Xbox Series S|X in Q1 of 2025.

To keep up to date with Slime Heroes follow Pancake Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, by joining the official Discord, and by visiting the official website.

For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.

Pulse-Pounding Co-Op Multiplayer Roguelike - Kernel Hearts - Revealed by Whitethorn Games and EPHEMERA

Text: Kernel Hearts | Image: Four brave women with pink, red, brown, and blond hair race across an expansive desert, under a pink sky, streaked with clouds. An ominous demonic being with white feathered wings rises in the distance.

If the only way to bring a world back from the edge of the apocalypse was to destroy its god, would you have the power to do it? Today, Whitethorn Games — publisher of inclusive, accessible, approachable games — and developer EPHEMERA are thrilled to introduce a brand-new title — the action-packed multiplayer roguelike Kernel Hearts. Combining challenging hack-’n-slash gameplay, role-playing, and roguelike elements with stunning anime aesthetics, you will battle your way up a deadly celestial tower, building your arsenal of skills with each mortal demise to eradicate monstrous angelic enemies and dethrone a god to save the world.

Watch the Kernel Hearts announcement trailer:

As a member of M.A.H.O.U Unit — an elite fighting force of super-powered android magical girls — you and up to three allies are tasked with one thing: destroy a god to save the world from the brink of extinction. Starting from the base of the mythical Tower of Babel, you’ll fight your way through an array of powerful enemies from all sides, as you climb each level, gaining crucial skills and magical powers to help you surmount its pinnacle — and the new threats each floor brings with it. Defeat is no excuse; only the most resolute soldiers will reach the heavenly heights in order to dethrone their god — are you up for the task?

Key Features of Kernel Hearts include:

• Ascend to the Ultimate Being of Destruction: In every run, hunt for temporary skills that enhance your attacks, spells, and movement, empowering you to unleash devastating strikes and combos. Use these abilities to conquer the relentless enemies on each floor and exterminate the fearsome boss guardians that rule each domain.
  

• The End is Just the Beginning: Facing enemies of biblical proportions requires persistence and grit, but a sudden demise isn’t the end. After each run, your unit returns to the lab, where you can use the rewards from previous missions to unlock and equip up to 256KB of skill chips. Customize your unit with these chips to match your unique playstyle.
  

• Magical Transformations: The curse of the Tower is ever-present, and spending too much time in one area draws out even more powerful enemies. Harness the Tower’s energy to dispel the curses, briefly transform into your ultimate magical form and unleash annihilating attacks on any foes standing in your way.
  

• Squad Up: Play alone or with up to three friends, honing and synergizing your skills to become the ultimate fighting force to get you to the top.

• Friends in High Places: Each celestial domain hosts unique allies to help you on your journey. Befriend them to deepen your bond and maybe find love along the way!

Kernel Hearts will be available on PC via Steam. Accessibility features for the game will be announced in the coming months.

Key art, logos, screenshots, and a downloadable announcement trailer can be found in the press kit.

To keep up to date with the latest news about Kernel Hearts, follow the game on Twitter and YouTube, visit the game’s official website, and follow the studio on Twitter and their official website.

For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.

About EPHEMERA

Based in Argentina, the team of talented new and veteran developers joined together to create video games that leave a lasting impact on players. Since its formation in 2022, the diverse team of creators aims to tell rich and engaging stories through a South American lens.

EPHEMERA is working on its first title as a studio, Kernel Hearts — an action-packed co-op multiplayer roguelike that draws heavily on the team's specialization in deep-rooted anime aesthetics. To learn more about the studio, visit https://ephemeragames.com.

Paint the Town all the Colors of the Rainbow in Spray Paint Simulator

Exercise Your Creativity in a New Title That Merges Creativity with an Approachable, Relaxing Gameplay Experience

Text: Spray Paint Simulator | Image: A dilapidated fence gets a bright, fresh coat of spray paint on a beautiful sunny day.

Today, Whitethorn Games, along with developers North Star Video Games, is delighted to announce the studio’s first major title, Spray Paint Simulator, which merges creativity, ease of play, and a relaxing gameplay experience. Pick up your spray tool, paint, masking tools, and scaffolding, and let your imagination soar and the paint fly as you give a fresh coat of paint to rooms, buildings, and so much more! There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents waiting to happen. There’s no pressure, no rush — just you and your creativity — the world is your canvas. Happy painting, friends!

Watch the Spray Paint Simulator Reveal Trailer on YouTube:

The town of Splatterville is in dire need of a makeover, and they need you to help them! Spray Paint Simulator is a relaxing and totally satisfying painting simulator that invites you to start your own painting business, starting from the ground up! Embark on a whimsical adventure in Story Mode as you meet with an eclectic group of clients, each in dire need of your painting expertise. Take on each job right from the start by prepping your space to ensure you deliver the best results, selecting the right colors for the task, and unleashing your creativity as you paint to perfection and keep your customers happy! Upgrade your tools, vehicles, and equipment, and use an assortment of ladders and scaffolding to help you get to those hard-to-reach spots. Fill the world with rainbow hues, painting everything from rooms and homes, to cars and bridges, and even giant robots! Unlock Free Spray mode to make the entire town your canvas and unlock the unlimited potential of your creative freedom!

Wishlist Spray Paint Simulator on Steam!

Key Features of Spray Paint Simulator include:

• Tap into your inner Bob Ross in this easy, relaxing gameplay experience without time limits or complex gameplay mechanics. Gain access to an assortment of colors to paint; the final result is up to your artistic eye.

• Grow your business and keep your clients happy in Story Mode by meeting the “unique” community of Splatterville, taking on tasks, and working to become the top painter in town!

• Unlock Free Spray Mode, giving you access to the entire town to let your creativity run wild.

• Get the full painting experience starting with prep work, such as fixing and removing objects, masking the area, selecting your paint, and painting each object to meet your customer’s expectations.

• Manage your consumables, tools, and equipment by acquiring new items to suit each task, including spray tools, battery power, vehicles, paints, scaffolding, and more, and upgrade them to make your jobs run smoothly.

Spray Paint Simulator will be available on PC via Steam in 2025.

Accessibility features for Spray Paint Simulator will be announced in the coming months.

To keep up to date with the latest news about Spray Paint Simulator, follow North Star Video Games on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and visit the official website.

For the latest from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Discord server, and visit the official website.

Celebrate 8 Years of Inclusive Gaming With Whitethorn During Their First Steam Publisher Event!

Text: Whitethorn Games 8-Year Anniversary Steam Publisher Sale, Sept 23-Oct 7 | Image: A green hued winter evening in a paper-cut-out forest. An aroura hangs peacefully in the sky, and snowflakes with shining images of Whitethorn games fall.

Break out the party hats and streamers — Whitethorn’s birthday is just around the corner, and we want to invite you to our party!  From September 23 through October 8, we’re celebrating eight years of sharing inclusive, accessible, easy-going games from incredible indie developers with our very first Steam Publisher Sale!

During the event, you’ll be able to check out demos for upcoming games Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island and Slime Heroes. You’ll also find demos for recent releases Botany Manor and Magical Delicacy, alongside Whitethorn classics, including AGROUND, APICO, Evan’s Remains, Lake, Princess Farmer, RE:CALL, and The Forest Cathedral. 

All of our available titles will be on sale for their deepest discount on Steam yet! Build your collection of easy-going games by picking up some of our biggest hits and gems you might have missed for up to 85% off!

Throughout the event, visit our Twitch, YouTube, and the event page on Steam to catch gameplay from many of our titles, developer interviews, and some very special announcements!

Keep an eye out for more news throughout September by following Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitch, join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.

Botany Manor Soundtrack Now Available on Steam!

Text| Botany Manor | Image: It’s a beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies. A stunning English manor home with a beautifully curated garden full of colorful bushes, cultivated hedges, and a tranquil fountain centerpiece stretches in front of the viewer.

We're thrilled to share that you'll be able to listen to the melodic music from the popular plant-puzzle game Botany Manor, as the official Botany Manor soundtrack is now available on Steam!

Composed by the talented Thomas Williams (Assemble With Care; Ordia), the soundtrack will be available on Steam for $5.99 USD, and as part of the Botany Manor Soundtrack Bundle, which includes both the soundtrack and base game at a 10% discount.

Check out Botany Manor and the Botany Manor Soundtrack on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1425350/Botany_Manor

About Botany Manor

The enduring estate of Botany Manor is home to retired botanist Arabella Greene. After a long career, she has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten plants that require some research to help them live again. Play as Arabella and explore the stunning historic manor and its grounds to look for clues in her notes, books, posters, and items scattered around the residence to determine the correct set of circumstances to help the flora flourish. Unlock new seed varieties and plant them. Interactable items around the property that can be turned and flipped will provide information to help you solve each gardening puzzle, grow the plants and discover their mysterious qualities.

Key Features of Botany Manor include:

• Explore the peaceful grounds and many calming rooms of the beautifully rendered, historically accurate 19th-century manor.

• Pick up, flip, turn, and rotate the many items found around the estate to piece together the clues to solve each plant-based puzzle.

• Learn about Arabella’s life and career, and the challenges she faced as a woman scientist during the 19th century as you explore.

• Fall in love with the calming soundtrack that perfectly compliments the environment and flowers you bring to full bloom.

Botany Manor is now available on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X, for $24.99 USD and Xbox Game Pass. The Botany Manor soundtrack and Botany Manor Soundtrack Bundle will be available on Steam on August 15.

Botany Manor is available in the following languages on all platforms: English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

Accessibility features for Botany Manor can be found on the official accessibility features page.

To keep your botanical research up to date, be sure to follow Botany Manor on TikTok,  Twitter and Instagram, and visit the official website. Follow Balloon Studios on Twitter and the official website.

Keep up to date with Whitethorn Games on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch, join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.