Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. Here, I bring you the best news you may have missed from last week. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!
Viva Piñata get the orchestra treatment in a new album by Materia Collective
Materia Collective has announced a new vinyl and digital album release, Rare Treats: Viva Piñata Revisited (Original Soundtrack). It includes iconic music composed, arranged, and produced by Grant Kirkhope (Banjo-Kazooie, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark). The album is available to purchase or stream through online services such as Apple Music. The 2xLP vinyl record will launch in Q3 2026 and is available for pre-order at the Materia Store.
This album is a newly crafted reorchestration of the Viva Piñata score, reimagined by Kirkhope himself. Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, this edition of the soundtrack elevates the whimsy, charm, and sweeping orchestral colour that made Viva Piñata unforgettable. The physical edition is pressed on 2xLP confetti vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket. The liner notes are by Justin Cook, the lead designer for the Viva Piñata series, and the album artwork is by Steve Mayles, one of the original artists for the game.
“Working on Viva Piñata was one of my favourite projects,” says Kirkhope in a press release. “It was the first time that I got to use [a] live orchestra, and I really didn’t know what to expect. I think I shed a tear after the first few notes of ‘Island Welcome’; it was fantastic to hear my music being played by real people, they bring it all to life in a way that only humans can. I’m so pleased to be able to bring this score back, recorded with the same orchestra in the same studio that I originally did it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have revisiting it.”
Obsidian Moon’s demo is playable during Steam Detective Fest
Lost Cabinet Games has announced that the first playable demo for noir detective simulator Obsidian Moon is available during Steam Detective Fest. The game is a text-based detective adventure. Players take on the role of a formerly respected homicide detective who is tasked with solving interconnected murders through logic, instinct, and the steady collapse of his own sanity. Every lead comes at a cost.
Here are the key features of the demo, via Lost Cabinet Games:
- An introductory tutorial case, plus the first original case of the game
- 30+ investigative solutions, depending on your choices and methods
- 20-45+ minutes of gameplay, based on player approach
- The (almost) complete gameplay feature set, including the atmospheric Noir Mode
- A first glimpse into Obsidian’s dark past and unsettling atmosphere
Developed and published by Lost Cabinet Games, Obsidian Moon will be released for PC via Steam later this year.
Ruin someone’s day in Pie in the Sky
Aussie-developed retro arcade adventure game Pie in the Sky has players becoming one of Australia’s most dangerous airborne threats, a creature whose heart is as black as its plumage: the magpie. They only have two goals in life: find enough food for their babies and terrorize humans in any way possible. The game’s release date has been announced for early February.
Be a menace across six levels, each inspired by iconic Australian locations that are filled with secrets, interactions, and humans just begging to be terrorized. Find collectibles, unleash mayhem, and steal food while your objectives get crazier and more challenging.
“As an Australian, I’ve always seen magpies swooping people (including my kids) and thought, ‘It would be fun playing as a magpie in a game and turning the tables,’” says Mark Smith, the game’s developer, in a press release. “That’s where the idea began, and before I knew it, I had a game on my hands that played like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater in the Sky, but instead of skate tricks, you swooped people, stole their food and flew through gaps to keep your combo going. I’m a solo developer from Perth, Australia, and I’m thrilled to share the terrifying reality of what Magpies are capable of with the rest of the world!”
Developed by Monster Shop Games and published by indie.io, Pie in the Sky will be released for PC via Steam on February 2.
Coffee Talk Tokyo is delayed
Originally scheduled to launch in March 2026, Coffee Talk Tokyo has now been delayed by over two months, until mid-May. The game brings us back to the Coffee Talk universe where human and supernatural beings cohabitate, but this time it is set in Tokyo rather than Seattle. Players become a barista, brewing drinks that warm the hearts of humans and non-humans alike. Each cup influences the tone of the conversation. There is a completely new cast of characters, each with stories, dreams, and struggles.
Here is what Toge Productions says about the delay:
“After careful consideration, Toge Productions and Chorus Worldwide decided to move the release date to May 21, 2026. This additional time will allow the team to further polish the experience and make sure everything feels just right when players finally step behind the counter in Tokyo. The team is working hard to ensure that Coffee Talk Tokyo delivers the cozy atmosphere, heartfelt conversations, and late-night vibes you’ve been waiting for. We can’t wait to share more updates as we get closer to launch.”
Developed by Toge Productions, and developed and published by Chorus Worldwide, Coffee Talk Tokyo will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series on May 21.
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