LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
Cat Pipes is a cute and relaxing puzzle game that is perfect for those who want a relaxing puzzle experience that is simple but offers the perfect opportunity to while away a rainy afternoon. I highly recommend Cat Pipes to anyone looking for a fun and addictive puzzle game to pass the time!
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge blends its real-world science with a method of show-don’t tell that makes it less intimidating than Apico, a game which I adored and which also reminded me how much I’d forgotten from my science classes so many decades ago. It’s also committed to a soft, comfy aesthetic that, even if you’ve never looked at frogs as cute before, this game will teach you why so many people just love froggies. I think my only silly quibble is the lack of audible ‘ribbits;’ just give me a vague background cacophony of happy, croaky little noises. It’s possible it’s something I’ll find as I get even deeper into the game! But that’s so minor and specific to me and isn’t a real complaint at all. The prettiness of this game and its lack of interest in stressing you about time is going to make it a soothing experience for a lot of people. The only way in this game is forward, but at the pace you choose. Pick up and play, or hyper-focus on it; it’s all entirely up to you! The frogs will love you to bits no matter what.
Blockbuster Inc. is an incredible game that offers players the opportunity to create their own film studios and movies. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Thankfully, the game provides a helpful tutorial that guides players through each step, making it easier to navigate. The game has a comforting Sims vibe but with a greater focus and more streamlined experience, creating enjoyable and immersive gameplay for all. I loved my time with Blockbuster Inc., and I’m looking forward to seeing my studio develop over the next coming decades. Blockbuster Inc is available on Steam from June 6th, and you can buy it here
At its heart, Papercut Art Gallery is a standard puzzle game. What makes it unique is the art style of the puzzles themselves. It seems the developers have created genuine paper art and made it into puzzles rather than imitating the style with any picture. The game strongly reminds me of my favorite: the Glass Masquerade game series. If you liked those, you’ll like Papercut Art Gallery as well.
Farm Land is a fast-paced farming sim with a focus on making money to expand. It’s repetitive: sow, water, harvest, expand; however, it’s strangely addictive. It’s a great game to play on the go, and its bright colours make it a cheerful experience.
Trappist is playable as it is, and the developer is continuing to update the game and has plans for more colonisable planets and research. But I can’t help thinking that it should have been released on Early Access first while the dev improves the game through the EA phases. It has the promise of developing into a great game; Trappist has not quite reached that stage just yet, so I’d hold off on buying it for a while until it has had further development; instead, add it to your wishlist.
Would I recommend Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling? YES, most definitely. I enjoyed the game very much. Of course, the original game will always be the better one, but if you are in for a laugh and want more spicy and romantic scenes then I would recommend picking this up. At some moments there was some crazy stuff going on, but I didn’t mind it. I actually like that a game can stand out by adding loads of goofy elements. And it had a very decent play time as well, with a lot of content.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door overall story is fun and filled with plenty of characters and zany humour. Each chapter has its own story, making this one of Nintendo’s longest Mario adventures that feel fresh and never boring. The battles with the turn-based RPG system have aged well, staying simple enough for everyone of all ages in the family to enjoy. If you missed playing Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door when it first came out, you’re in for a treat with the Switch version. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a classic Mario RPG, and now it’s a must-buy for the Nintendo Switch.
Bang-On Balls: Chronicles was a very nice platforming surprise. With huge open levels filled with things to do and places to explore, it’s hard not to be impressed by the game’s presentation. Things are a little let down by the game’s shallow combat, but I can’t deny that I had a lot of fun playing through this game. Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is an ideal pick if you’re looking for an instant pick-up and play platforming experience just to get lost in for a few gaming sessions. Throw in the ability to play with friends and you also may have a game night game to enjoy too. Don’t let this one roll on by, take a look and if nothing else add it to your wishlist. For many players, video games are just about having fun, and Bang-on Balls certainly achieves that.
I really liked Goliath Depot. Although it’s a unique idea, it feels like it would be worthy of its very own oversized cabinet. It’s pick-up-and-play arcade goodness that’s appealing to retro fans and even those dipping into the genre for the first time. Ideal for the busy gamer with only a short amount of gaming time to spare. There are also plenty of reasons to play, whether it’s to unlock new abilities, attempt a high score or even enjoy the experience with a friend. It falls slightly short of not allowing the player to customize difficulty. But if you’re just looking to revisit the arcade days but with something different, then be sure to check out Goliath Depot.
There is no denying that Pine Hearts is a beautifully crafted narrative. There are plenty of tasks to keep any quest hunter happy, but don’t rely on the quest log to keep track. The characters are adorable, the graphics are fresh and colourful, and the music adds to the experience.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is one of the best kid-friendly games I’ve ever played. It seems like something that would be super fun to play with some older kids who are comfortable reading and with deduction. While I had some issues with the game, overall, it was such a fun experience. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami has good music, amazing voice acting, fun interactions, and just a good storyline and feel. I love this from my bill down to my webbed feet!
Paper Trail is an absolutely enchanting game that is bursting at the seams with charm and whimsy. While the concept may not be entirely new, the gameplay and delightful characters truly steal the show in Paper Trail. The innovative use of origami to manipulate the environment and unlock hidden pathways is simply genius. I have never experienced a game quite like Paper Trail, and I have a feeling that any future game attempting to emulate its unique mechanics will have an exceedingly tough act to follow. I am beyond impressed with this stellar gem of a game and cannot wait to see what other delightful surprises it has in store for me.
Coffee Caravan is a surprising riff on one of today’s most popular subgenres, and what’s more surprising is that it works pretty well, so long as what you want is a game that speed runs you through a sleek restaurant management sim with the promise of some useful goodies to unlock. I found the harder options to be pretty intimidating at first, but catching the rhythm of brewing, serving, cleaning, and then doing it again is a lot of fun in short bursts, and the lack of harsh consequences means you don’t feel burned for trying. That said, it really is a game best played in short sessions, and its quick run times make that easy and fun to do without risking burnout. The gradual recipe unlocks also adds variety without being overwhelming, and the result is a well-done, small-scale game that handles its strange little niche quite smoothly. Its minimalism and short-run flair mean it might not be for everyone. Still, for those looking for a quick visit to the land of Zen and the Art of Coffee, Coffee Caravan is a determined offering that stays grounded in the world of sims yet whimsical enough to throw that gentle rogue-lite style in the mix.
I keep vacillating between liking Little-Known Galaxy a lot and outright loving it, and it may be that I simply need more time to explore a couple more worlds. Perhaps that I want to is the answer I need. I have to say that, for me, it’s doing everything right in spinning the Stardew formula while giving you a freshened, lighter experience, and I’m hooked on the mystery of the relic. In terms of ease, it’s a great game for a beginner to try out the genre, letting you explore and figure things out instead of feeling like you need to hit the ground running in order to have an efficient first year. Overall, I truly dig this game, and the opportunity to review it kept me from trying to scratch my post-1.6 Valley itch with other games on my wish list that I might not have liked as much. A new theme, a new pace, and a charming little low-stakes universe just might be what Dr. McCoy ordered for you, too. Beam a copy down and explore a Little-Known Galaxy for yourself.
Overall, Bubble Dogs was kind of fun. It’s a simple game that feels familiar to play. As much as I love Suika-likes, I couldn’t love Bubble Dogs, which is so incredibly sad. Because a puppy-themed Suika game should have been right up my alley. I would prefer a slightly more expensive game with a lot more thought put into it.
Astro Pig is quite the delightful puzzler that will most certainly appeal to those looking for a chilled-out gaming experience. Puzzles are challenging but not frustrating. With its relaxing vibes and soundtrack, this seems an ideal pick-up if you only have a short amount of gaming time to spare. The additional mini-games and the ability to create your own music only add to the charm of the game. If you’re looking for your next feel-good experience to enjoy with a good drink, Astro Pig will take you to the stars for your next gaming session.
There may be someone out there for whom Balance will strike the right note. I can see, as if on a distant horizon, the goal the developer intends to show their players. But without a little more help in finding the zen of juggling numbers until they all ascend the board, I’m simply not motivated to ever try this again when I can instead move to Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons or one of the Picross S series games that I haven’t bought yet. It’s not pleasant to give a negative review to a fledgling developer who’s trying to bring something new to an audience that loves logic puzzles. Still, between the too-tight aesthetic, the tiny text, and the way I ended up fumbling grumpily with each board with no real encouragement, I can’t, in good faith, say I can recommend this game, even to other puzzle fans. But I also don’t think developer Wool Tyranny should give up or take my ranking too deeply to heart. It’s a good start when you know to offer a simple aesthetic to someone trying to figure out something new, and the music is very charming. Hopefully, they’ll try again down the line with something a little more polished and with a little more zest for player response. Until then, warm hugs, my apologies, and I’m very sorry that I need to say goodbye to Balance like this.
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is a gorgeous and fun addition to a great puzzle platformer game series. I highly recommend it if you are a fan of the original trilogy or are in the mood for a truly magical platforming adventure.
Baladins is a delightfully enjoyable game. Though I don’t think every gamer will enjoy all the backtracking and the rewinding of time, the storyline is fun. If you like turn-based roleplaying games that you can play with your friends, then give Baladins a try.