Palworld Publisher Crowns 2026's Best Indie: A 2-Person Steam Hit

What if the best indie game of 2026 wasn't made by a studio of 100 people, but by a team of just two? That's exactly what John Buckley, head of publishing at Palworld developer Pocketpair, is claiming about a tiny Steam citybuilder called Combolands.

Buckley didn't hold back on Twitter. "100% Combolands. I strongly recommend you guys check it out on Steam, even if you think you won't like it," he wrote. "I haven't played a game more addictive since Balatro. Perhaps the best indie of the year in my opinion! Simply a 10/10!" That's high praise from someone whose own company just launched Palworld's triumphant 1.0 this year.

So what is Combolands? Its Steam page describes it as "a mini citybuilding roguelike" where you "place buildings, stack combos, and master deep strategy in short bursts to create a tiny thriving metropolis!" The gameplay loop has you placing buildings to unlock new synergies and cascading combos, unlocking guilds with distinct advantages and disadvantages, and hopefully turning your fledgling settlement into a bustling economy.

Indie developer Crux Games, which consists of just two people, says the mash-up of roguelike and deckbuilder conventions delivers "strategic depth and a 'number-go-up' rush in satisfying 30 minute bursts." And players seem to agree. As of writing, 97% of Combolands reviews on Steam are positive, earning it the coveted 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating.

Now, it's worth noting that framing Combolands as a direct Palworld competitor isn't exactly fair. Crux Games is a two-person team, while Pocketpair is an established developer and publisher with around 100 employees according to Street Insider. But that's kind of the point: it's always great to see independent developers supporting each other, especially when the recommendation comes from someone with Buckley's platform.

Even more interesting? Buckley's pitch specifically targets genre skeptics. He says to check it out "even if you think you won't like it." That line resonates if you're someone who's generally allergic to roguelikes and deckbuilders. His emphatic recommendation makes a strong case for giving Combolands a shot, even if it's not normally your thing.

With a 97% positive rating and a passionate endorsement from a major industry figure, Combolands is quickly becoming one of 2026's word-of-mouth indie darlings. If you're looking for a new obsession that respects your time with 30-minute bursts of strategic citybuilding, this might be it.

Will you be checking out Combolands on Steam? Let us know in the comments!