KIBORG: Arena has fun combat, a great setting, and a wealth of incredibly satisfying head-bashing and cool cybernetic upgrades. A free prologue to the upcoming KIBORG: Arena serves as a promising taste of what’s to come.
Deathbound is a unique entry into the Soulslike genre, with a cool, grim setting and unique ideas that set it apart from other titles. Ambitious as it may be, its character writing leaves something to be desired, and aspects of the mechanical design keep Deathbound from its full potential.
Knock on the Coffin Lid is a new favorite of mine. With strong roguelike deckbuilding mechanics, a great setting, and phenomenal art, I’m willing to say Knock on the Coffin Lid will be a new favorite of yours, too.
Creatures of Ava surprised me with a vast and beautiful world, an exciting take on pacifism, and great characters. A game about exploration, conservation, and wonder, you’re sure to enjoy your visit to Ava. Remember to take lots of pictures.
Closer The Distance is a game that will make you feel. It reminds you of some of life’s saddest moments and grief, as well as about healing and the depth that a community can have. It may be rough going down like bitter medicine, but you’ll feel better in the end.
Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss tasks you with solving an incredibly engaging mystery in an incredibly unique and terrifying deep sea setting. A fantastic story and heartwrenching ghosts await you in this thalassophobic thriller.
Minds Beneath Us is an excellent visual novel, telling a heart-wrenching story with a ton of unique sci-fi concepts. Fans of visual novels and great stories are in for a treat with this dystopian treat.
7 Days to Die is an incredibly unique title with a core gameplay loop that is unbelievably addicting. While there are certainly dated aspects of the game, 7 Days to Die is fun and worth giving a try, and should surely inspire a genre of its own.
The Star Named EOS challenges you to sit back and stare at the stars. With creative puzzles, gorgeous artwork, and an incredible, heart-wrenching story, The Star Named EOS serves to remind you that everything shines, even when you close your eyes.
CONSCRIPT is incredibly atmospheric, with great ideas and loving homages to the survival game genre. While the tension wasn’t quite there for me, I’m sure others will find it in this otherwise incredible game.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an incredibly unique title, with a remarkably interesting world and great twists on classic gameplay to keep you captivated as you gun down (or chop apart) the undead horde.
SCHiM is a relaxing and artistic little game. With a clever take on platform puzzles, a cute little shadow frog, and a surprisingly heart-wrenching story, this charming title is sure to find a cozy spot in the pond you call your Steam library.
Kaku Ancient Seal feels nostalgic for PS2 area adventure games featuring fantastic world-building and strong action-adventure mechanics. The game will take you in, invest you in its diverse and interesting world, and provide satisfying ways to grow your strength as you balance the elements and save the world from destruction.
Grimy, gross, and utterly silly with a healthy dose of fast-paced and fun gameplay to boot, Anger Foot is sure to kick your ass and steal your attention, as if it was a muppet in a ski mask mugging you in a back alley.
Shadow of the Erdtree is more of everything you love about Elden Ring, expanding on the award-winning game with a bigger arsenal, tougher enemies, a brand-new story, and even more beautiful landscapes.
With its lonely, other-worldly setting, interesting sci-fi and fantastical elements, and puzzling puzzles, the remake Riven is a game that feels incredibly faithful to the era in which it was created and should be a fantastic title for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
The coziest of cozy visual novels, Tavern Talk is sure to win you over. With a huge cast of delightful and interesting characters and intriguing fantasy stories, no cozy afternoon can be complete without serving these adventurers their drinks.
Still Wakes The Deep stands out as a triumph in horror games, blending thrilling gameplay with a unique, inspired, and haunting atmosphere, with a compelling story and characters to boot. It’s a must-play for horror enthusiasts and anyone looking for a game that pushes the boundaries of the genre. Still Wakes The Deep is not just a highlight of the year; it might very well be a benchmark for future horror games.
Nine Sols feels like a love letter to Sekiro and the Metroidvania genre as a whole. Though slow at times, the game’s focus on storytelling pairs well with its great visuals, presenting a narrative experience paired with some challenging but fair gameplay.
RIPOUT is a horror extraction shooter based enjoyed with friends. With a terrifying setting, a great aesthetic, deeply replayable levels, and living guns, RIPOUT is something you and your buddies will surely bond over… as you’re bonded into one giant flesh colossus.