Palworld dev endorses Combolands as potential 2026 indie standout

John Buckley, head of publishing at Pocketpair, has thrown his support behind Combolands, a miniature citybuilding roguelike developed by two-person studio Crux Games. Posting on Twitter, Buckley wrote: "100% Combolands. I strongly recommend you guys check it out on Steam, even if you think you won't like it. I haven't played a game more addictive since Balatro. Perhaps the best indie of the year in my opinion! Simply a 10/10!"

Combolands tasks players with placing buildings to unlock synergies and cascading combos, gradually building a thriving settlement. The game blends roguelike, deckbuilder, and citybuilding mechanics into what Crux Games describes as "strategic depth and a 'number-go-up' rush in satisfying 30 minute bursts." Players unlock new guilds with distinct advantages and disadvantages as they progress.

The endorsement carries weight given Pocketpair's recent success with Palworld's 1.0 launch. Combolands has resonated strongly with players, holding a 97% positive review rating on Steam and earning the "Overwhelmingly Positive" designation. Buckley's recommendation specifically appeals to players skeptical of roguelikes and deckbuilders, suggesting the game's appeal extends beyond genre enthusiasts. Crux Games operates as a two-person independent team, a sharp contrast to Pocketpair's roughly 100 employees.