LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
Teeny Tiny Town is a beautiful game that is surprisingly addictive. It’s well made, offers lots of different themes, and is the favourite game I have played in the merging genre.
Fruitbus is a lot of fun. It has fun characters, great animations, funny moments, and an overall heartwarming tale. The first two islands, which I have traipsed from one end to the other, are filled with characters, interesting things, and weird new fruit salad combinations. If you like simulation titles with heart, I cannot recommend Fruitbus enough. It’s got a few bugs, but it seems like the developers are really on point with trying to make the game as good as it can be. It’s fun; the gameplay does get a little repetitive after a while, but overall, Fruitbus is the most I’ve ever had with a blender and a bunch of veggies.
Ys X: Nordics is yet another fantastic entry in the long-running Ys series and a welcome addition to any Switch library. The story, while occasionally slow, offers a solid narrative with enjoyable character development, particularly for Karja. However, it’s the fast-paced battles, seamless exploration, and the new ship mechanics that truly make this entry stand out. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer looking to dive into a new action RPG, Ys X: Nordics has something to offer. If you’re looking for an exciting adventure with engaging combat and exploration, don’t let this one pass you by.
Nikoderiko: The Magical World may feel very familiar to longtime fans of the platforming genre, but it offers a polished and enjoyable experience. The variety in platforming mechanics, along with engaging boss battles, make for a fun time. With difficulty options, the game is Z accessible to both experienced players and newcomers. And if you can bring a loved one along for local co-op, it only enhances the experience, much like the cheerful outlook of the game’s main characters.
Alchemist: The Potion Monger is a big game with an innovative potion-making system that is very challenging to figure out. It’s colorful, has decent sound design, has a lot of NPCs, and has a whole bunch of quests. The world is huge, and you have to fight stuff out in the wild with a combat system that doesn’t feel great. Overall, Alchemist: The Potion Monger is pretty fun. The world is huge but kind of empty. There is a lot that is good about it, but some things I think will not sit well with some people. However, I do think that Alchemist: The Potion Monger is worth the price. It’s cute, it’s colorful, it’s fun, it’s cozy, but it is a little bit of a pain to figure out. If you like sprawling games with a lot to do and fun little quests that are pretty chill, there are far worse games you could pick up than Alchemist: The Potion Monger.
Truly, I hadn’t expected to like Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town as much as I do. I was never a big fan of the little boy when my daughter wanted to watch the anime many years ago, so I was a bit sceptical. But I have really warmed up to him, even though he is still a strange little boy. The game is full of details, little adventures and bigger mysteries. Some of the interactions made me smile, and I was never left frustrated or in a rush. I took my time uncovering it all, and it was a grand journey. This is a serious contender for my Game of the Year 2024! Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is not for gamers who want to be bowled over by fast-paced action or striving for bigger and better goals. Instead, this is a game to curl up with on the couch and see Shin chan’s world with a kind of childlike wonder. If you want to know more about this game, don’t miss our interview with Akira Nagashima, the producer of the game.
The biggest surprise? I’m actually recommending a game about Smurfs. Whether you love or loathe the IP, there’s no denying The Smurfs – Dreams is a solid 3D platformer. While it borrows heavily from other games, there’s enough originality to make it worth checking out, especially for collectable platforming fans. The co-op mode adds to the appeal, making it a great option for playing with someone else. If you love platformers, I honestly recommend giving this a try, even if you’re not a Smurfs fan. I’m as surprised as anyone to say that! Still not convinced? Check out the free demo on the eShop.
Potionomics: Masterwork Edition combines creative mechanics with an engaging story. It’s a game that rewards thoughtful strategy, whether you’re perfecting a potion recipe, negotiating with a tough customer, or deciding which relationships to cultivate. The new features in the Masterwork Edition, like voice acting and Endless Mode, enhance an already great game, making this the definitive version.
The one downside I noticed while playing One S’more was not enough to keep me from falling in love with this weird little title. I love the little marshmallow man, I love the puzzles, the music, the look of the maps, the little train you get to ride back and forth between map sections, and the sound design. This game is so spot on for what it is trying to do, that I couldn’t give it anything but two thumbs up. If you enjoy these kinds of puzzle games and you like cute things, you have to get One S‘more. If the pun in the title doesn’t sell you after this review, I don’t know what will! Developers, you did an excellent job on this bug-free experience. I hope to see a lot more from you in the future!
I couldn’t get very far in Lunara: Planet IX. I have several hours in the game, and I haven’t really gotten anywhere. I was pretty disappointed with everything but the way it looks. It was so hard to get anywhere or do anything, and I couldn’t seem to get very far.
For me, Ahro resonates deeply. Perhaps that’s because of my personal connection to mental health, but I feel the developer accomplished exactly what they set out to do on what seems to be a modest budget. The gameplay won’t be for everyone; some will see it as repetitive and tedious. But if you take a step back, you may see more of the experience. Ahro is a game about facing the darkness head-on and finding a way to move forward, and it’s an experience that, for those willing to embrace its quiet beauty, can be profoundly moving.
Clutter Puzzle Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2 Collector’s Edition, is a breath of fresh air when it comes to the number of puzzles that are jampacked into this gem of a game. The ability to tailor various aspects of gameplay is also a welcome addition.
Despite its early bugs and minor frustrations, Amber Isle delivers a charming, cosy simulation with a lot of heart. It’s easy to get swept up running your prehistoric shop and watching the island come back to life with a cast of dinosaurs that are cute and full of character. Though it still has some rough edges, Amber Isle manages to offer an experience that improves the more time you spend with it. With recent and future patches to smooth out the bugs, it has the potential to be a go-to game for anyone looking for a relaxing yet engaging simulation.
The Seed: Unit 7 didn’t grow on me the same as other mini-farming games. Although there is diversity in activity, with livestock farming, fishing and exploration, the cost of these made it uneconomical to help reach the end goal quickly. However, I enjoyed the challenge of finding a way to escape The Seed: Unit 7.
Riddle Tower is a game that has a lot of potential but I’m just not sure in it’s current form whether it is the game for me. If you’re relatively good at abstract maths puzzles then you’ll most likely have a better time than me, but for the amount of these puzzles and the lack of more hints, I’m just not sure this is the game for me.
Amelia’s Garden is a lovely escape into a world of quiet creativity and relaxation. Its combination of puzzle-solving, gardening, and small social elements makes for a gentle experience that’s easy to love. With its nice setting, art, and intuitive gameplay, this is the perfect game for anyone looking to slow down and enjoy a peaceful moment amidst the chaos of everyday life.
8-Bit Adventures 2 is easily my favourite RPG surprise of the year. Going in, I expected another formulaic RPG Maker project, but instead, I was met with a heartfelt plot and deep, engaging gameplay. I absolutely recommend this game for fans of the genre, but even newcomers will find it welcoming while still offering a satisfying challenge. If you’re looking for your next long-term game project, look no further.
There is a lot of breadth to Mars Base, from crafting to fighting, fishing to farming, and with it, some fantastic mini-games. Unfortunately, there isn’t the same amount of depth to the game – conversations soon get repetitive, and there are limited quests. That said, I had a really enjoyable time building my Mars Base.
MonCon is a unique game in the RPG genre and one which I think a lot of other social anxiety sufferers will be able to identify with. Joey is a loveable character, and the “friends” he makes along the way after realising that they aren’t monsters are all unique. I love the gameplay and the illustration style. The only letdown for me is the rhythm dynamic of defeating monsters. A great mechanic in theory, but let down by the timing issue. I hope this can be addressed in future updates, as this was the only negative for me.
Touhou Genso Wanderer – FORESIGHT – is a lovely jump-in point for both the Touhou Project and the roguelike genre, both of which are great things for the long-term prosperity of any franchise. While it’s not as in-depth as other Mystery Dungeon games, and though its anime plot of mikos and mystics versus the world may be pretty alien to anyone unfamiliar with the home franchise, it does well with what it has and keeps its focus on those new arrivals who don’t know all the decades-long interactions between these characters. While the price point is, in my opinion, a little steep for what you’re getting in terms of complexity and potential gameplay hours, I will say that’s not unusual for Mystery Dungeon-style games, either. A sale price and some curiosity about the genre make it a must-buy; a regular price means doing some research and thinking if you’ll enjoy a gently-paced introduction to a world that rarely welcomes outsiders. On the whole, I’m charmed with this game. For veterans annoyed with its comparative simplicity, it’s also succeeded at the most important duty of all: it made me curious about other games in the franchise. Now, that’s how you win.