Heistfest

Heistfest is developed by the Tunisian indie studio Amilcar Technologies and published by indie.io. The game was released on 21 October 2025 in early access, and it is currently available exclusively on PC. As an indie title, it represents a bold entry from a smaller studio into the action-racing genre, combining heist themes with high-speed arcade driving.

The game features a top-down perspective and places players in the role of Public Enemy #1, tasked with conducting high-stakes bank robberies. The core gameplay revolves around planning and executing heists, then escaping through destructible city environments. Players must outrun escalating police forces that include cars, spike traps, helicopters, and even tanks, creating intense chase sequences. The game’s visual style is distinctive, with hand-drawn cityscapes and a retro black-and-white aesthetic that emphasizes its arcade roots.

Heistfest also includes various gameplay elements designed to enhance chaos and replayability. Players can use power-ups, environmental objects, and strategic shortcuts to evade capture. Each city offers unique layouts, hazards, and opportunities for creative escapes. The driving mechanics are arcade-focused, prioritizing fun and excitement over strict realism, and the destructible environments encourage players to experiment with different escape routes and approaches.

Promotion for the game began with its inclusion in Steam Next Fest, where a free demo allowed players to try the core heist-and-escape gameplay. Marketing emphasized the fast-paced, chaotic nature of the game, highlighting destructible cityscapes, escalating police threats, and the freedom for players to create mayhem during their getaways. The visual style and energetic gameplay were also central talking points in trailers and social media campaigns, helping to attract attention to this indie title from a small studio.

Reception has been generally positive, though tempered by its early access status. Players and reviewers have praised the game’s concept, style, and adrenaline-fueled gameplay, but some have noted that polish and additional features are still needed. Community feedback has been constructive, focusing on improvements to controls, AI behavior, and content depth. Overall, Heistfest has been well received as a promising indie action-racer that combines arcade thrills with creative heist gameplay.