Harry Glynn Jones's Reviews
Maya’s journey through the House of Wisdom is a thoughtful and heartfelt story of grief and how we carry it through life, and simultaneously an incredibly entertaining and engaging puzzle-platformer. Despite some technical issues and a few quality-of-life/design discrepancies, the game’s beautiful narrative, art direction, music, and gameplay all work in harmony to create a fulfilling experience. A beautiful celebration of Islamic culture and history, as well as those who are no longer with us, The House of Hikmah teaches us not to let ourselves get lost in the shadows of grief, but to persevere, to lean on others, and maybe even learn to appreciate that weight in our hearts.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance may not be the triumphant return that long-time fans have hoped for, but it is a confident step toward bringing the series back into the spotlight. Its moody pixel art, stellar voice performances, and thunderous industrial-orchestral soundtrack capture the gothic soul of Nosgoth remarkably well, even in a new 2D form. While the straightforward combat and brief runtime keep it from reaching the heights of the series’ best entries, the game still delivers an entertaining slice of dark fantasy that respects the lore and legacy that came before it.
At its best, Chico’s Rebound captures the addictive satisfaction that made block-breaker games a classic arcade staple. The clever stage design, creative boss fights, and charming pixel presentation make every successful run feel rewarding, even when luck occasionally plays a role. However, the repetitive tower exploration and occasionally demanding score requirements can slow the momentum and turn triumph into frustration. Despite these bumps, the core gameplay remains engaging enough to carry the experience, making Chico’s Rebound a fun, if slightly uneven, climb up the Celestial Tower.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is both a time capsule and a restoration project. Its new camera option and visual overhaul breathe fresh life into one of the series’ most ambitious entries, while its narrative remains as compelling and operatic as ever. But beneath the polish lies the unmistakable rigidity of early-2000s design; backtracking-heavy levels, archaic combat quirks, and the occasional technical stumble. For returning fans, this is easily the definitive way to experience Kain and Raziel’s intertwined fate. For newcomers who are willing to wade into the deep lore, it’s a fascinating, if sometimes stubborn, relic of a different era. Imperfect, dramatic, and unapologetically gothic, Defiance still has fangs, even if they’re a little worn.
Despite some technical issues, I had a great time with Demon Tides, from my first double jump to my last spin rush. The beautiful world and fun character designs, the amount of customisation to both move set and character appearance, as well as the bumping soundtrack, mostly made up for any frustrations and metaphorical skinned knees I went through. I have no doubt speedrunners and platformer fans, far more skilled than I, will find no end of fun in Ragnar’s Rock, and will be competing for top spots on the game’s leaderboards for years to come.
Just like with my kids' elaborate games and worlds they think up, it may not all make sense, but it didn't stop me from having a great time. Under the Island is a fun and often wacky adventure game that wears its heart on its sleeve and does right by its inspirations. It's a game that begs to be explored from top to bottom, with the intent of giving the player something to find or do at nearly every turn. I loved my time on Seashell Island, and I think that plenty of other people will too.
REANIMAL feels like the work of a studio unshackled. While based on the foundations originally designed and created by Tarsier Studios, the team has built on them with confidence and creative conviction. This is a game that understands what made the studio’s earlier work resonate, while refusing to be defined by it. Through its confident mechanical evolution, grounded and oppressive world design, and a thematic focus that’s as unsettling as it is confrontational, REANIMAL establishes its own identity; one that’s harsher, more ambitious, and more emotionally affecting than anything Tarsier has made before.
In much the same way FEZ once did, Cassette Boy reminded me that perspective is not just a mechanical trick, but a way of thinking. By asking the player to actively look at the world differently, to question what exists, what doesn’t, and why, it creates moments of quiet wonder that feel increasingly rare in modern games. Cassette Boy may present itself as small, nostalgic, and unassuming, but beneath that familiar surface lies a game deeply interested in curiosity, perception, and the joy of discovery. Cassette Boy isn’t just about how changing our perspective can be important; it can also be incredibly rewarding.
ROUTINE is an excellent, immersive horror experience that revels in building and maintaining tension, forcing the player to rely on their own wits to progress and survive. While some may be put off by the game’s slower, more methodical pace or its lack of handholding, those willing to meet it on its own terms will find a deeply unsettling and meticulously crafted experience.
There’s something special about GIGASWORD. Beneath its technical flaws and occasional frustrations lies a game built with real care, a throwback that manages to feel both familiar and fresh. It’s rough around the edges, certainly, but every pixel and puzzle carries the mark of a creator swinging for something big. I genuinely enjoyed my time with it, even when its issues got in the way, and I hope future updates can smooth out the experience so more players can appreciate what’s here. Like its protagonist burdened by his colossal blade, GIGASWORD stumbles under its own weight, but still manages to stand tall in the end.
Winter Burrow is made up of many well-crafted parts that never quite knit together into something greater. Its charming world, heartfelt characters, and exquisite art direction create a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s easy to sink into — but its survival systems and narrative pacing rarely meet the same level of polish. For those seeking a gentle, low-stress adventure to unwind with, Winter Burrow will feel like a comforting cup of tea. For others hoping for a more engaging or cohesive experience, it might leave them out in the cold.
Spooky Express isn’t just a puzzle game that has a lick of Halloween paint thrown over it; it intertwines the game’s mechanics and theming to create a fun, approachable, and cleverly designed series of puzzles that will have fans shrieking with delight.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a genuinely solid and charming isometric dungeon-crawler that makes good use of all of the Nickelodeon IPs jammed into it, bolstered by great art direction and an excellent voice cast featuring many of the original voice actors. However, the game’s attempts to appeal to multiple audiences put it at a disadvantage.
Few games commit to an idea as boldly as Wander Stars, and its anime-inspired episodic structure is a triumph in style and ambition. Yet, the weight of overlapping systems and limited difficulty options makes it harder to love than it should be. A lighter touch on restrictions or a greater spread between difficulty levels could open the door for more players to enjoy what Paper Castle Games has built. For now, it remains a dazzling but demanding journey; rewarding for some, frustrating for others.
Henry Halfhead is a brief, joyful experience that highlights the significance of play. It is a game that invites you to have fun, try stuff out, see what you can do, build, and achieve, without the pressure to be the best or improve some skill set. The wacky premise, unique gameplay, and focus on creativity and discovery amount to the perfect environment for players to find their own fun.
Hirogami is a solid, polished 3D platformer that offers a good amount of replayability. Its art direction and sound design go to great lengths to build an Origami world, while its narrative falls a bit flat and doesn’t do anything interesting with the game’s themes. Basic combat is improved with Hiro’s different animal forms, while I found the puzzles and traversal satisfying from the start. The game’s camera does its best to be a constant nuisance, but even the bizarre angles and perspectives couldn’t ruin a good time. A bit frayed at the edges and with a few extra creases, Hirogami is a fun adventure that is worth your time and paper.
Like the Calicorns, Herdling is a bit slow to start, but it gathers momentum throughout until the game reaches its top speed in its final chapters, delivering a satisfying ending that neatly punctuates Herdling’s themes of reconnecting with history, culture, and the world around us.
With Öoo, Nama Takahashi has made another charming and creative puzzle game that I found immensely enjoyable, with just the right amount of challenge from start to finish. It is another great example of his design ethos on mechanics and their implementation, where the joy and satisfaction of successfully applying the knowledge you have learned is your reward.
The Drifter is a fantastic supernatural thriller and point-and-click investigation game rolled into one, staying true to the staples of the genre while updating certain elements for a current-day audience. The team at Powrhoof has fashioned a gritty, intriguing tale that keeps you guessing without feeling lost, enticing you with breadcrumbs stuck in the muck collecting in the corners of Mawson. For those who love to solve problems with their logic and wits, and slowly unravel a mystery like none other in point-and-click games, The Dirfter is a must-play.
While I may have been let down by the isolated nature of Lost In Random: The Eternal Die’s design, with its single-note narrative and detachment from its predecessor, I was happy to be back in the wonderfully weird world of Random, with its charming cast and bizarre rules. I thoroughly enjoyed its fun, easy-to-pick-up combat, progression systems that offer variety and strategy, challenging boss fights, and delighted in the superb voice acting and singular art direction. I may not be a gambling man, but if you like a good roguelite, Lost In Random: The Eternal Die is a sure bet for a great time.