The Maw: What’s New in PC Games This Week #38

This week in PC gaming, we’re diving into an enticing mix of releases, updates, and under-the-radar gems making waves on digital storefronts. Whether you’re into chilling horror, gripping story-driven adventures, or satisfying strategy sim games, there’s something for every type of gamer. In this 38th edition of “The Maw”, we’ll spotlight what’s capturing the attention of PC gamers and gaming press alike.

Big Releases This Week

September has been serving up exciting titles galore, and this week brings several standout entries that PC gamers should keep an eye on.

Witchfire (Early Access)

The much-anticipated Witchfire from The Astronauts, developers behind The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, has finally debuted in Early Access. This dark, atmospheric roguelite shooter was met with curiosity and cautious optimism—and for good reason. It combines satisfying gunplay with grim fairy tale aesthetics.

• Genre: Roguelite first-person shooter
• Platform: Epic Games Store (Early Access)
• USP: Gothic horror meets precision gun combat

While it’s in its early days, the foundation is strong, boasting weighty weapons, immersive visuals, and a soul-crushing soundtrack. Fans of games like DOOM Eternal but with a more methodical rhythm will find a lot to love here.

Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat 1 reboots the legendary fighting franchise once again, bringing new life and fatalities to series veterans and newcomers alike. Developed by NetherRealm Studios, this iteration introduces revamped mechanics and a new timeline narrative crafted by Fire God Liu Kang himself.

• Genre: Fighting
• Platform: Steam, Epic Games Store
• USP: Fresh timeline, crispy fights, and fusion cameo system

With its brutally gorgeous visuals and tight combat system, MK1 is already making a mark as one of the strongest fighting games of the year.

Hidden Gems & Indie Highlights

Fading Afternoon

This stylish brawler from developer Yeo channels the golden age of beat ‘em ups with unexpected narrative depth. Fading Afternoon puts players in the shoes of a middle-aged yakuza released from prison and confronting a world that has moved on.

• Genre: Narrative brawler
• Platform: Steam
• USP: Stylish visuals, moral complexity, varied gameplay rhythms

The game trades relentless action for moody introspection, with periodic street fights punctuated by melancholic moments and slow-paced sections. It’s not your typical beat ‘em up—and that’s exactly its strength.

Moonring (Free on Steam)

Moonring is a retro-inspired RPG created by Mike Bithell, best known for Thomas Was Alone and Volume. This title channels classic Ultima vibes and offers dozens of hours of content—entirely free.

• Genre: Classic-style RPG
• Platform: Steam (Free-to-play)
• USP: Deep mechanics and lore-rich open world

With its ASCII-style graphics, compelling lore, and surprisingly deep gameplay, Moonring is a love letter to early RPGs—while retaining modern usability and quality-of-life features. Though deceptive in appearance, it provides a full-scale adventure that easily rivals full-priced games.

Early Access & Experimental Titles

SHASHING!

A bouncy title with a bouncier name, SHASHING! is a wonderfully chaotic grappling hook platformer that lands smack dab in the silly-and-hyperactive category of games beloved by streamers and chaos-fiends.

• Genre: Physics-based platformer
• Platform: Steam (Early Access)
• USP: Grappling-driven movement and multiplayer mayhem

It’s still rough around the edges, but the core idea is promising; get from point A to B in the wackiest, most unstable manner possible. Think Getting Over It with more bounce and a multiplayer twist.

The Amazing Chicken Adventures

One part platformer, one part clucking chaos—The Amazing Chicken Adventures is an ambitious oddity. Here, you guide a chicken across stylishly minimalist levels filled with environmental puzzles, physics solutions, and delightful visual humor.

• Genre: Puzzle platformer
• Platform: Steam
• USP: Charming visuals, physics-driven antics, family-friendly fun

Great for casual players and kids alike, Chicken Adventures is a gentle reminder that not every game needs high stakes or grimdark storytelling to offer a good time.

This Week in Mods & Updates

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Preload and Hype

One of the most anticipated expansions of the year, Phantom Liberty for Cyberpunk 2077, is now open for preload. Players gearing up for its launch should also note that the much-hailed 2.0 patch is coming alongside it, bringing massive overhauls to the base game.

• New skill trees and perk systems
• Improved AI and vehicle mechanics
• New districts and missions

The buzz is real; CD Projekt Red is determined to rewrite the narrative around Cyberpunk 2077, and Phantom Liberty—with Idris Elba in a major role—is the cornerstone of that effort.

Lethal Company – Unofficial Co-op Mod

This week has also seen interest blooming around Lethal Company, a survival horror experience enhanced by the modding community. Thanks to an unofficial co-op mod, this indie horror game can now be experienced with up to four players, and the results are terrifyingly fun.

The mod isn’t officially supported, but it’s gaining traction online—reminding us of the role community modders continue to play in expanding and enhancing our favorite games.

Looking Ahead: Games to Keep an Eye On

Infinity Knights: Xross

This stylized JRPG-inspired tactical battler is shaping up to be something special. With flowing hand-drawn sprites and a turn-based combat system reminiscent of classics like Final Fantasy Tactics, its demo has whetted appetites ahead of a planned Q4 release.

Nocturnal Visitors (Itch.io)

If you’re a fan of short-form indie horror, Nocturnal Visitors just dropped a terrifying little gem on itch.io. It mixes lo-fi PS1-era visuals with unnerving audio and a story that’s over in 30 minutes—but will haunt you for hours afterward.

Perfect for Halloween warm-ups, this free download is worth the chills.

Final Thoughts

The 38th edition of “The Maw” proves that even the quieter weeks in PC gaming still have major surprises in store. With everything from roguelikes and retro RPGs to chicken-based puzzle platformers, September continues rolling like a gamer’s dream month. Don’t sleep on the indie hits—and make sure you’re locked and loaded for Phantom Liberty next week.

What did you play this week? Did any of these titles grab your eye, or are you stuck in the backlog vortex? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!