Sometimes, it's nice to be proven wrong, and with Nobody Wants To Die—a game that I seriously wondered might just be another case of overhyped fluff—Polish developer Critical Hit Games shows that "what you see is what you get" still exists. Stunning graphics, a strong dose of futuristic noir ambiance, and a gritty detective story make Nobody Wants To Die a game worth dying for, though you'll need to overlook a few criticisms to fully enjoy it. But if you’re not deterred by some audio issues and potential graphical glitches, Nobody Wants To Die is definitely a game worth checking out.
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The incredibly atmospheric CONSCRIPT once again demonstrates that even small teams with limited budgets can come up with surprisingly strong passion projects. If you’re looking for a WW1 game that immerses you in a fitting sense of despair, then CONSCRIPT comes highly recommended, unless the mention of Resident Evil-like gameplay triggers spontaneous feelings of desertion. The frequent backtracking, minimal inventory, sparse management, and occasionally awkward controls are things you'll have to accept, along with the digital footprints left in your ankles.
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Shift 87 is a solid observation game in the vein of The Exit 8, but it thankfully takes a slightly different approach to avoid being a direct copy of the quirky Japanese metro walking sim. By incorporating multiple environments, Shift 87 attempts to break the inevitable repetitive nature of its obvious inspiration, though it doesn’t fully succeed. Nonetheless, Shift 87 is an excellent game for those who enjoy testing their cognitive skills, though I believe spotting the anomalies doesn’t require a great deal of brainpower, with a few exceptions. Ultimately, the price will also determine whether you want to spend an additional two hours in the Pixelsplits REVEIL universe, something that has yet to be disclosed. Let’s hope that the price tag doesn’t contain any anomalies at launch.
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For those who enjoy seemingly pointless wandering and endlessly searching for something that helps, Myst developer Cyan's Riven remake in 2024 is worth a look. Fans of the original from 1997 will be treated to a stunning and familiar surreal world, once again filled with obscure puzzles that, unfortunately, cannot be solved by digging into your traumatic core memories from back then. Myst and Riven enthusiasts will definitely have their work cut out for them, especially if they're used to solutions being within easy reach and the game almost pointing them out with fluorescent arrows. While I thoroughly enjoyed the new Riven, I anticipate that different groups will have varying grievances. Newcomers will likely struggle with the lack of a helpful hand, veterans will miss the FMV characters, and VR players will need an excellent memory. Riven is no easy feat—it's just a bit odd, but still quite enjoyable.
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The Chinese Room has repeatedly proven itself as masters of the walking sim genre, and with Still Wakes The Deep, it delivers another magnum opus. If you can look past the fact that walking sims are generally quite "boor-ing," you can prepare for several hours of Glaswegian-flavored, The Thing-like scenes on a crumbling drilling platform in the North Sea. Pro tip: sip on a strong Lagavulin while playing Still Wakes The Deep to enhance the atmosphere. Not only will you better understand the accent over time, but with a bit of luck, your glass will be empty by the time the credits roll.
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Although Taiwanese Red Candle Games is new to the Metroidvania and Soulslike genres, it certainly doesn't act like a fish out of water. Nine Sols is a true pleasure to play and presents a genuine challenge from start to finish. Nine Sols is as difficult as it is beautiful, without ever giving the impression that it is impossible to complete. Those who take the time to master Yi's skills, learn to recognize patterns, and work on perfect timing will be treated by Red Candle Games to a stunningly hand-drawn Taopunk epic about revenge and betrayal.
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Autopsy Simulator tries to present a compelling and suspenseful story about the personal loss of a troubled forensic pathologist, but unfortunately, Woodland Games cuts itself quite badly with this one. The developer attempts to balance psychological horror with a somewhat realistic autopsy simulation, but fails to convincingly present either. The unpredictable, pill-popping protagonist swings mentally from one extreme to another while ticking off the standard checklist with each corpse, as Autopsy Simulator firmly takes control and leaves no room for personal initiative. Ultimately, Autopsy Simulator is a particularly linear experience filled with repetitive fetch quests and minigames that are neither challenging, engaging, nor frightening. This is a shame because there was potential for something really enjoyable here. However, when the game requires you to go through everything on autopilot and draws attention to its shortcomings—such as technical flaws—you’ll soon find yourself hanging up your scalpel, apron, and surgical gloves.
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After just under four hours, INDIKA has left me with more questions than answers. The very unorthodox walking sim from Odd Meter is one that we could easily place in the same category as Death Stranding, where some will want to figure out where the haziness leads, while others won't even bother. The game will especially appeal to an audience that encourages a 'free spirit' and will likely cause aversion among more devout Christians—that much is certain. Although the conclusion of this surreal experience left me somewhat disappointed, a voice in my head also tells me that Odd Meter is trying to convey something here. Hopefully, it's not the devil playing tricks.
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With Phantom Fury, Slipgate Ironworks leaves the 90s boomer shooter era behind and dives straight into another subgenre: Half-Likes. Those who aren't interested in exploring and figuring out which items are useful and which are not will quickly become frustrated with this Ion Fury sequel. Gamers who can't handle clumsily constructed levels or questionable A.I. should also wisely avoid Phantom Fury. However, if you can overlook these issues and are simply looking for an over-the-top boomer shooter that delivers a decent blast and doesn’t take itself too seriously, you might still find some enjoyment in Phantom Fury. Just don’t set the bar too high and be prepared to overlook a lot of imperfections.
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REVEIL by Pixelsplit is a daring, surreal experience that impresses with its bold twists, but may leave some questioning its replay value once the mystery is unraveled.
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"Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League surprisingly entertained me more than expected, though it took a few hours to get there. Once Task Force X gains momentum, the gameplay becomes quite enjoyable. However, the game lacks memorable missions, and aside from boss fights, it risks becoming repetitive. While the solid script, character development, and groundbreaking graphics are redeeming factors, Rocksteady should consider refreshing the monotonous mission structure with post-launch content to maintain interest in this live-service game."
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