Melbourne-based indie game studio SporkTank has officially announced that their highly anticipated crossword puzzle adventure game “Rita” will be launching on Steam in Q1 2026, with a playable demo arriving on September 18, 2025. This charming title combines word-based puzzles with a heartfelt narrative about family bonds that spans generations.
In “Rita,” players take control of an intelligent little chicklet with exceptional puzzle-solving abilities. The game invites players to follow Rita’s journey through life as she solves word puzzles that transform the world around her, ultimately shaping her legacy across generations.
A Personal Journey Transformed into a Game
Solo developer Martin Stradling revealed that “Rita” began as a personal project in 2023, inspired by his relationship with his grandmother. What initially started as an exploration of novel puzzle mechanics evolved into something much more meaningful after the game’s debut at PAX Aus in October 2024.
“When I started Rita back in 2023, I intended it as an homage to my grandmother and the relationship we shared,” Stradling explained. “I didn’t think too much about making a story-rich game; I was focused on the novel puzzle mechanics. But after being part of the 2024 PAX Aus Indie Showcase and seeing players’ reactions, it was clear the grandparent/grandchild relationship resonated with them.”
The positive reception at PAX Aus, where “Rita” was featured in the Indie Showcase, encouraged Stradling to further develop the narrative aspects of the game. Players particularly appreciated the word-based puzzles and connected with the titular character, suggesting that the game had struck an emotional chord.
Gameplay Features That Set “Rita” Apart
At its core, “Rita” offers a variety of engaging word-based puzzles including traditional crosswords, word searches, rebus puzzles, anagrams, and more. As players guide Rita through these challenges, they’ll collect letters that help fill out newspaper pages, advancing her story and shaping her legacy.
The game begins in the picturesque town of Aspendale in 1933, creating a nostalgic backdrop for Rita’s adventures. While exploring this cozy world, players will encounter light platforming challenges, discover secrets, find collectibles, and interact with quirky characters that populate Rita’s universe.
What makes “Rita” particularly innovative is its light Metroidvania mechanics. As puzzles are solved, Rita’s solutions literally transform the environment in meaningful ways – ramps appear, bridges repair themselves, trains manifest, and palm trees grow, revealing new areas to explore. This mechanic creates a satisfying progression system that rewards players’ puzzle-solving prowess with expanded exploration opportunities.
A Multigenerational Story
One of the most compelling aspects of “Rita” is how it follows the protagonist through different stages of life. Players will guide Rita to grandparenthood and even meet her grandchicklet, experiencing the special bond they share. This multigenerational approach allows the game to explore themes of family, legacy, and the passage of time in a uniquely interactive way.
The game presents life lessons and memories as bite-sized puzzles in what the developers describe as a “quasi-out-of-this-world experience”. This suggests that “Rita” will blend reality with fantasy elements to create a memorable and emotionally resonant gaming experience.
A Cozy Aesthetic for Puzzle Enthusiasts
Visually and aurally, “Rita” embraces the increasingly popular “cozy game” aesthetic. With its warm art style and soothing soundtrack, the game offers a relaxing escape for puzzle lovers and those who appreciate heartwarming narratives. This approachable presentation makes the game accessible to a wide audience while maintaining depth through its puzzle mechanics.
SporkTank, the studio behind “Rita,” describes their philosophy as creating “games built on simple ideas that have depth and are designed to spark ‘a-ha!’ moments”. Their tagline – “Games To Get You Thinking” – perfectly encapsulates what “Rita” aims to deliver: an experience that challenges the mind while touching the heart.
Release Information
While “Rita” won’t be fully available until Q1 2026, eager players won’t have to wait long to get their first taste of the game. A demo is scheduled for release on September 18, 2025, just a week from today. This demo will likely give players a chance to experience the game’s unique puzzle mechanics and get a glimpse of Rita’s heartwarming story.
The full game will launch on PC via Steam in the first quarter of 2026. While no information about potential console releases has been shared, the game’s cozy aesthetic and accessible gameplay could make it a perfect fit for platforms like the Nintendo Switch or other consoles in the future.
A Thoughtful Addition to the Puzzle Game Genre
In a gaming landscape often dominated by high-octane action and competitive multiplayer experiences, “Rita” offers something refreshingly different. By combining word puzzles with a narrative that explores intergenerational relationships, SporkTank has created what appears to be a thoughtful, engaging experience that can appeal to both dedicated puzzle enthusiasts and casual players looking for a game with emotional depth.
For those interested in trying “Rita” for themselves, the demo will be available on Steam starting September 18, 2025, with the full release following in early 2026.
