Palworld dev says 2026's best indie could be this Overwhelmingly Positive Steam citybuilder

gamesradar.com Sep 25, 2026

Palworld dev says 2026’s best indie could be this Overwhelmingly Positive Steam citybuilder

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Pocketpair publishing head John Buckley praised “100% Combolands,” a two‑person indie from Crux Games, as the year’s best indie, urging Steam users to try it despite its low profile. The game blends city‑building, roguelike, and deck‑builder mechanics, letting players place structures to trigger cascading combos, unlock guilds, and grow a micro‑metropolis in 30‑minute sessions. Buckley compared its addictiveness to the card game Balatro, and Steam data shows a 97 % positive rating, earning an “Overwhelmingly Positive” badge. While Pocketpair’s Palworld dominates mainstream indie headlines, Buckley’s endorsement highlights Combolands’ strategic depth and rapid‑play loop, drawing attention to the viability of ultra‑small teams competing with larger studios.

💡 Why It Matters

· A two‑person studio achieving “Overwhelmingly Positive” status demonstrates that tightly designed, short‑burst experiences can rival bigger indie releases, reshaping expectations for what small teams can accomplish on Steam.

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