Forget swords and spells-what if the strongest weapon against an evil dungeon boss was collective bargaining? That’s the irresistible premise behind Hoard’s LLC: Limited Labyrinth Corporation, a witty, story-driven puzzle game from the new indie studio Cephalopod Ink. Players step into the hooves of Barry, a mild-mannered minotaur with a knack for organizing both paperwork and monsters, as he navigates the corporate mazes deep beneath ground. Following a well-received first-look demo at PAX East, Hoard’s LLC sets its sights on a full launch in August 2025 for PC, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cephalopod Ink |
| Release Date | August 2025 |
| Genres | Puzzle, Visual Novel, Cozy, Story-Driven |
| Platforms | PC, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck |
Hoard’s LLC stands out with its unusual blend of genres: cozy puzzle mechanics, visual novel storytelling, and a satirical take on workplace culture-except this office is an actual labyrinth, and your coworkers are a motley crew of exploited monsters. The core gameplay involves solving visual puzzles and organizing the dungeon’s quirky inhabitants, all while helping Barry rally them against the draconian dungeon boss in favor of unionization. It’s a clever twist on classic dungeon tropes, swapping out combat for collaboration.
The team behind Cephalopod Ink, founded in early 2025, brings over a decade of experience in both game studios and tech companies. Their firsthand knowledge of corporate highs (and lows) inspires the game’s humor, from labyrinthine HR policies to delightfully groan-worthy puns. “We wanted to show both the challenges of workplace exploitation and the power of solidarity,” the developers share, channeling their real-world frustrations into lighthearted, relatable gags.
If you missed the PAX East demo, you can still catch the quirky spirit of Hoard’s LLC in its official trailer:
What sets Hoard’s LLC apart from other cozy games is its focus on collective action—not just cute vibes. Recent hits like Spiritfarer and Unpacking have explored emotional storytelling through gentle gameplay, but Hoard’s LLC threads social commentary directly into its puzzles. This approach could resonate with players looking for games that are both chill and meaningful, especially as labor themes become more prominent in indie gaming.
The game is available to wishlist now on Steam, with controller and mouse/keyboard support ready out of the gate. While we’ve only glimpsed Barry’s adventure so far, the combination of workplace satire, cozy visuals, and clever puzzles could make Hoard’s LLC a breakout for Cephalopod Ink’s debut.
Will Barry and his dungeon-mates succeed in forging a monster union, or is the corporate labyrinth too twisty to escape? We’ll be watching closely as Hoard’s LLC prepares to launch this August—because sometimes the real treasure at the end of a dungeon is solidarity.
TL;DR: Hoard’s LLC: Limited Labyrinth Corporation blends cozy puzzles with visual novel storytelling and a sharp sense of workplace humor, casting you as a minotaur organizer rallying monsters to unionize. Look for its full release on PC, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck in August 2025.
Source: Cephalopod Ink via GamesPress