Finji Returns With Usual June, Blending Spectral Crabs And Character-Driven Action
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Finji's upcoming game Usual June combines fast-paced, stylish combat with a coming-of-age Midwest narrative, talking ghosts, and deep character relationships.
Indie tastemaker Finji is back this fall with Usual June, a genre-bending adventure that mixes coming-of-age narrative exploration with fast-paced, Devil May Cry-style combat. Set in a fictional Midwest college town called Fen Harbor, the game follows a young woman whose birthday celebration takes a sharp turn when she stumbles upon talking ghosts, walking crabs, and an interdimensional vortex threatening her hometown. Polygon's recent preview highlights how the game uses its setting to explore real-world socioeconomic anxieties, grounding its supernatural elements in authentic twentysomething struggles and sharp, naturalistic dialogue.
Developer commentary reveals that the team spent years crafting Usual June to bridge the gap between heavy action and quiet character moments. Narrative consultant Cara Ellison and lead writer David Pinckney helped shape the game's balance, ensuring long stretches of dialogue and hangout sessions are just as vital to the experience as the combat arenas. Instead of traditional voice acting, Finji spent years developing a custom Vocaloid system using Detroit-based actors to create unique art-house gibberish for each character, adding a distinct layer of charm to the indie release.
On the gameplay front, the title features a low skill floor and a high skill ceiling, encouraging aggressive play through health regeneration after fights and rewarding well-timed dodges with super meter charges. The combat encounters are clearly signposted by green screens blocking entry, allowing players to plan their approach before diving into chaotic action sequences that feature a stylized, comic-book-inspired frame rate effect. Following a successful hands-on demo on portable hardware, the title is gearing up for its official release on Windows PC this October.
Finji has built a formidable reputation over the years by publishing and developing breakout hits like Tunic and Night in the Woods. Usual June looks poised to continue that legacy by offering a mechanically engaging adventure that refuses to choose between deep narrative storytelling and frantic action. If the studio nails the pacing across the entire campaign, it could easily become one of the standout indie hits of the season.
Tags: Indie Games, PC Gaming, Action Adventure, Steam Deck
Original article: Polygon