As you might now, Gamer Social Club is moving up in the world! We’re Metacritic-certified. We’re making more of a presence at gaming conventions (see our coverage of GamesCom and PAX East 2025). And we’re gonna be back at the 2026 PAX East! Each year, PAX East highlights a select number of games to be featured in their “Rising Showcase”. 2026…is no different, as the announcement for the 2026 PAX East Rising Showcase went out February 26th.
Myself and the lovely Candy (one of the co-hosts of GSC’s GirlPod) will both be providing Media Coverage at PAX East this year. And you know we’ll be checking this showcase out! But what’s in store? Let’s dive into it!
Jigrift
- Developer: Empty Castle
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Genre(s): Aventure, Puzzle, 3D Platformer
In Jigrift, the world itself is a jigsaw puzzle that you’ll assemble as your explore your surroundings. The game itself follows Bert, who has dreamed of finding Jigrift – a lost island that’s home to a tribe of three-headed voodoo frogs who can move the land itself. You know – the usual. Upon arriving on Jigrift, the world is broken asunder and it’s up to Bert to fix it all!
GNAW
- Developer: Redstart Interactive
- Platform(s): Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, & PC (Steam)
- Genre: Metroidvania
GNAW is a Metroidvania…set in the world of dinosaurs. A niche that I didn’t know needed to be filled. As with any Metroidvania, you’ll explore, gain new powers, and then return to prior areas to explore some more! I’ll actually be checking this one out on the Thursday of PAX East, so I’ll be sure to drop my thoughts!
Fishbowl
- Developer: imissmyfriends.studio
- Platform(s): PlayStation & PC (Steam)
- Genre: Visual Novel RPG
Fishbowl actually saw some love at the Wholesome Direct 2025 and as a visual novel fan, you know that I’m looking forward to this one! That being said though – Fishbowl will be diving into some heavier topics like dreams, grief, and hope. So again – right up my alley of devastating myself with video games.
Throwback! Jai-Alai Heroes
- Developer: Astro Crow
- Platform: Arcade-Exclusive
- Genre: Casual Competitive Sports
An arcade-case style game – that’s actually a first that I have seen such a launch at PAX East. And a jai-alai game, no less? Seriously – I’m intrigued. Sadly though, the arcade is something of a dinosaur in the year 2026. Regardless, I’ll be sure and try to seek this one out!
ShantyTown
- Developer: Erik Rempen
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Genre: Casual Sim
ShantyTown is being pitched as a relaxing “diorama-building” game and finding “beauty in everyday chaos”. As someone who resides just outside of New York City, I get this. The game itself will focus on players filling every little nook and cranny with little details and designs to make their town their own!
Canvas City
- Developer: Disc 2 Games
- Platform(s): Switch & PC (Steam)
- Genre: Turn-based Tactics RPG
Rebellions…on rollerblades is what you can expect with Canvas City. The fans of turn-based tactic RPG’s might be in for a treat with this one, especially given the plethora of these games that are set in a more fantasy-based setting. I know that Candy will be sinking her teeth into this one – Fire Emblem is a mainstay for her.
HeartLinks: A Puzzle Called Love
- Developer: Flip Alive Games
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Genre: Anime Social-Sim x Puzzle Game
In HeartLinks: A Puzzle Called Love, players take on the role of Ai, a girl who has fallen so deeply in love that she feels like time itself has slowed to a crawl. And she’s not wrong – the emotions of those in this world will actually bend and distort the very fabric of reality. What does this lead to? A game that features time-manipulation and physics-based puzzles – perfect if you’re looking to itch that scritch.
Away From Home
- Developer: Cameron Smith-Randick
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Genre: Rhythm RPG
So fun fact – I actually tried out Away From Home at PAX East 2025. You take on the role of an entity that has entered the world of the game and controls the main character. Against their will. That being said – the game does not exist…without you. Now, where does the rhythm mechanic come in? Combat! I’ll be honest – I was not good at it 🙂
Mad MOJO
- Developer: Ceed Studio
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Genre(s): Card Battler, Psychological Horror, Deckbuilder, RPG
No joke – the pitch of Mad MOJO: “Think Inscryption meets Pokemon.” Players will seek to capture monsters with their “decks”. But I’m sure it must be deeper than that? Especially with a tag of Psychological Horror?
Super Blowfish Castle
- Developer: T-LANDER STUDIOS
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Genre: Puzzle Platformer
Super Blowfish Castle, if I’m being honest, looks like a Rube Goldberg-style game on steroids. For my older gamers – think the analog game Mousetrap. In Super Blowfish Castle, players will guide the little blowfish in question back to his castle in a boasted 100 levels of various difficulty.
Project Lexa
- Developer: Ward Games
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Genre: Puzzle
We sadly don’t seem to have a trailer/video regarding Project Lexa, but I’ll make do in the text! Project Lexa is a puzzle game with a focus on sci-fi language. After crashing on a strange planet, players will use their translator to decipher alien glyphs and determine…well…everything!
The Secret of Crystal Mountain
- Developer: Chris Rosenthal
- Platform(s): Switch & PC (Steam)
- Genre: Action-Adventure
The Secret of Crystal Mountain will have players travelling through a magical world as Maroon, a delivery cat, who needs to deliver a letter to the top of Crystal Mountain Isle. Crystal Mountain Isle, once a flourishing commercial hub, has fallen dormant and is now shrouded in mystery. Honest truth – it gives me Tunic vibes – but hopefully more forgiving.
And that’s the 2026 PAX East Rising Showcase! PAX East will be in Boston, MA from March 26th to the 29th. Be sure to stay connected with Gamer Social Club and our coverage of PAX East 2026 in late March/early April.
