PAX East 2025: Highlights from the Gaming Expo
PAX East made a grand return too Boston this year, showcasing nearly three hundred exhibitors over four exciting days. With attendance surpassing 100,000, the event was filled with games to try, new friends to meet, and impressive cosplays to admire. Our team explored several upcoming titles that gamers should keep an eye on. From a role-playing game set in a digital afterlife to an adventurous roguelite about trains, here are some standout games we experienced at PAX East.
Exciting New adventures
Fresh Tracks
one of the most talked-about games was fresh Tracks by Buffalo Buffalo. At first glance, it appears as a rhythm-based skiing roguelite. However, it quickly reveals itself as much more than that. Set against stunning Nordic landscapes, players ski and wield swords while trying to defeat Mar, the Queen of Terror. The gameplay involves moving and slashing in time with original music tracks—an experience both beautiful and challenging. As you progress through multiple runs like an expert Guitar Hero player mastering patterns adds depth and excitement. This game combines mythological storytelling with captivating visuals and sounds reminiscent of Hades and Sayonara Wild Hearts—definitely one for my Steam Wishlist.
battle Train
Next up is Battle Train from Nerd Ninjas and Terrible Posture Games—a turn-based deck builder where players create their ultimate train while competing on a game show for supremacy as the Supreme Conductor. Jessica Woodard from Terrible Posture Games described it perfectly: “Have you ever wanted to take a super-powered steam train packed with explosives and run it into something?” Each run requires careful resource management for card usage while strategically placing tracks for destruction against opponents—all while navigating unique cards specific to each map.
Tunnels
For those who enjoy horror experiences (even if I usually shy away), tunnels offers an immersive VR adventure through dark caves filled with monsters that I couldn’t resist trying out. The demo started simply enough but quickly escalated into tense moments where I had to evade terrifying creatures using only my flashlight for protection in claustrophobic spaces—a true test of nerves! Players can look forward to both single-player story mode and multiplayer options when Tunnels launches exclusively on Meta Quest 2 & 3 on May 15th.
Let Them Trade
If city-building is more your style, Let Them Trade by Byterockers delivers cozy gameplay wrapped in charm! this delightful title allows players to develop towns within their kingdom using hexagonal tiles featuring adorable woodcraft aesthetics—all set atop what looks like a kitchen table! You can either micromanage or let cities thrive independently; either way brings joy as you watch little units transport goods between towns!
VILE: Exhumed
VILE: exhumed aims high by tackling serious themes surrounding women’s struggles today through its gripping narrative developed by Final girl Games—players must uncover what happened involving female actress’ disappearance via dark corners online interacting with unsavory characters along the way! After experiencing just one demo session left me feeling unsettled yet intrigued; this game seeks not only entertainment but also understanding arduous issues many face daily.
Pigface
From developer titolovesyou comes Pigface—a gritty homage reminiscent of PS2-era gaming experiences parents warned us about! You awaken trapped inside an abandoned warehouse under threat from deadly foes guided by Jigsaw-like voice commands demanding compliance or else face dire consequences… Your mission? Eliminate incoming threats using any weapons available—from guns down hammers—to survive!
nocturne
Pracy Studio’s Nocturne stood out visually among other titles at PAX East thanks largely due its stunning pixel art inspired heavily influenced by classic rpgs such SNES era graphics combined engaging storyline revolving around uploaded consciousnesses seeking lost loved ones amidst AI corruption challenges ahead making every moment feel meaningful throughout gameplay sessions!
the Lacerator
Games From The Abyss presents The Lacerator—a thrilling blend between humor horror genres where adult film star protagonist navigates treacherous environments filled traps enemies waiting strike unexpectedly during exploration leading towards unexpected outcomes creating unique twists along journey keeping players engaged throughout entire experience!
heartworm
Heartworm draws inspiration directly from PS2 horror classics utilizing fixed camera angles effectively enhancing atmosphere tension felt during encounters static monsters requiring creative solutions combatting them utilizing film cameras capturing images instead traditional weaponry adding fresh twist familiar mechanics seen elsewhere within genre landscape overall providing memorable moments throughout playthroughs enjoyed immensely!
Honorable Mentions
Devolver showcased several fun titles including Botsu—a hilarious robot sports party game—and Mycopunk which features fungus planet assaults.
Tanuki: Pon's Summer offers cute delivery challenges combining elements Paperboy Tony Hawk style!
Be My Horde lets players control sassy necromancer battling living raising dead create unstoppable army!
Shadow Labyrinth impressively reimagines Pac-Man spinoff delivering darker tones.
Fatal Run 2089 merges Burnout Twisted Metal vibes creating exhilarating racing experience worth checking out too!
With so many exciting new releases coming soon there’s plenty reason get hyped about future gaming adventures ahead!
