My Most Anticipated 2026 Game Is This Chill Lanesplitting Indie
▼ Summary
– The author spends an inordinate amount of time playing “Forza Horizon” games, primarily for aimless, zen-like driving rather than completing objectives.
– The upcoming game “LANESPLIT” is described as a perfect match for this preference, being entirely built around a similar meditative, goal-free experience.
– “LANESPLIT” is a simple game where the core activity is weaving a motorcycle through traffic at high speeds.
– The game is a solo development project by FunkyMouse and is currently available as a free, playable demo on Steam ahead of its January release.
– While the demo is currently buggy and unpolished, as expected for early access, the developer is actively fixing issues, and the author already finds it ideal for casual, mindless play.
When you examine the total hours I’ve invested in video games, one series stands far above the rest. The “Forza Horizon” franchise has consumed more of my time than any other title, yet my approach is unconventional. I rarely participate in official races, seldom tackle the structured challenges, and once I’ve mastered the drift zones, I largely ignore the game’s objectives. My true enjoyment comes from a state of pure relaxation—drifting aimlessly, linking corners and manji drifts in a continuous, meditative flow. It appears a developer has finally crafted a two-wheeled experience that captures this exact feeling of zen, and it feels tailor-made for players like me. The upcoming game is called “LANESPLIT.”
Created by solo developer FunkyMouse, “LANESPLIT” represents the studio’s second project. Although its official launch is scheduled for January, a free playable demo is currently available on its Steam page. The premise is beautifully straightforward: navigate a motorcycle through dense traffic at high speed. That’s the entire core loop. In its current state, the demo exhibits the expected rough edges of an early access title—some bugs and a lack of polish are present. I encountered an issue myself and reported it on the developer’s Discord, only to discover a fix was already coded and awaiting the next patch. Despite these early imperfections, “LANESPLIT” is quickly becoming my go-to game for moments when I want to unwind and let my mind drift. The simple act of weaving through cars provides an immediate and satisfying sense of flow.
(Source: jalopnik)
