Among the many indie titles showcased at PLAY Expo Blackpool 2025, one game in particular stood out for its quirky concept and unmistakable retro flair — Overencumbered in Another World from Hawaiian Shirt Games, a small but talented indie dev team based in Manchester.
Described as an inventory management game, Overencumbered in Another World takes a playful approach to one of gaming’s most familiar frustrations — trying to carry too much stuff. With its pixel-perfect retro visuals (clearly inspired by a certain well-known RPG franchise), the game combines classic design sensibilities with a tongue-in-cheek premise that instantly appeals to nostalgic players.
I chatted with one of the team — appropriately dressed in a Hawaiian shirt — and was intrigued by their stand, which revolved around this game.
Despite its simplicity, Overencumbered in Another World feels like a love letter to the kind of lightweight management sims that could have comfortably launched on the Amiga, SNES, or early PC platforms. It’s designed to run on even the most basic Windows 10 systems, making it accessible to just about anyone.
Better still, you can try it right now and get a taste of its old-school charm before committing to the full experience.
Download the free demo of Overencumbered in Another World on Steam today, and see why this Manchester-made gem is delighting fans of retro-inspired management games everywhere. Note that while Steam Deck compatibility is officially labeled as “unknown” I was told it includes full Steam Deck support.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
