Zachary Holmes


116 games reviewed
79.9 average score
80 median score
100.0% of games recommended
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8 / 10.0 - Return to Ash
Aug 1, 2025

Return to Ash is a quiet triumph. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t demand much of your time. But it leaves a mark. Like waking from a vivid dream, you’ll carry bits of it with you. Maybe it’s a line of dialogue. Maybe it’s the moment you chose kindness. Maybe it’s just that soft feeling of being seen. Serenity Forge has delivered something beautifully self-contained. For anyone in need of a reflective, emotionally resonant visual novel, Return to Ash is worth the journey.

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9 / 10.0 - Heartworm
Jul 28, 2025

Heartworm is more than just a tribute—it’s an evolution. Equal parts chilling and contemplative, it knows when to whisper and when to scream. From the stunning environments to the rich audio and the elegant blending of old and new mechanics, every piece feels hand-placed with purpose. Vincent Adinolfi and the small team behind Heartworm have crafted something special—a horror experience with soul. It’s one of 2025’s finest indie titles and a must-play for anyone who ever felt their skin crawl in a PS1 hallway.

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7 / 10.0 - Killing Floor 3
Jul 24, 2025

Bloody Good With Room to Grow. Killing Floor 3 is not a finished masterpiece, but it is a promising evolution. It understands the heart of the series: frantic co-op action, over-the-top gore, and tactical survival. Yes, it needs more content. Yes, it needs more polish. But it’s clear that Tripwire is laying the groundwork for something that can eventually surpass its predecessors. If you’re a fan of the franchise or just love mowing down mutant horrors with friends, Killing Floor 3 is already a blast. Just know you’re buying into a game still finding its full form. But with time, this could become the definitive Killing Floor experience.

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8 / 10.0 - Sunset High
Jul 23, 2025

Sunset High is a bold, smart, and emotionally resonant game that takes narrative risks and mostly pulls them off. It might not be for everyone—especially those allergic to reading or narrative-heavy gameplay—but for fans of mystery, visual novels, or character-driven experiences, it's a must-play. With memorable characters, a compelling premise, and the kind of story that sticks with you, Sunset High deserves a spot on your indie must-play list.

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9 / 10.0 - Hell Clock
Jul 21, 2025

Hell Clock is for players who love a challenge, who don’t mind getting their builds broken and their egos bruised. It borrows the best parts of Diablo, PoE, Hades, and Binding of Isaac, yet still feels wholly original thanks to its bold cultural inspiration and smart mechanical design. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re someone who dreams in DPS numbers and lives for build theory, Hell Clock is absolutely worth it.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Kick'n Hell
Jul 20, 2025

Kick’n Hell is a tight, focused, and furious platformer that trades hand-holding for harsh lessons and big payoffs. With its unique kick-based locomotion, brutal difficulty, and beautifully crafted pixel hellscapes, it stands out as one of the more memorable indie releases this year. It might frustrate you. It might break you. But when you finally kick your way to the top and stare down Satan, it’ll all be worth it.

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8 / 10.0 - Neon Abyss 2
Jul 17, 2025

Whether you’re a solo runner stacking item combos or a four-person squad trying not to die in the same room, this sequel proves Veewo still knows how to blend absurdity and action into a satisfying loop.

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If you value strategic depth, classic RPG storytelling, and true-to-form D&D systems, this Enhanced Edition deserves a spot in your library. Just don’t expect a complete reinvention—this one’s for the adventurers who know what they’re getting into.

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7 / 10.0 - EDENS ZERO
Jul 15, 2025

EDENS ZERO isn't here to redefine the action RPG. It's a passion project, made for fans, by developers who clearly care about the source material. What it lacks in depth and budget, it makes up for with personality, charm, and sheer content density. It's cozy, nostalgic, and rewarding in the way only a certain kind of anime RPG can be.

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Jul 10, 2025

ISLANDERS: New Shores is a meditative puzzle disguised as a builder. It’s a game about placement, rhythm, and calm thinking. It’s relaxing, rewarding, and quietly brilliant. Whether you’re chasing a leaderboard run or crafting a sleepy island village in Sandbox mode, it offers just enough strategy to keep you engaged and just enough beauty to make you care. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t overwhelm. It invites you to stay a while — and maybe build something a little better each time.

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7.5 / 10.0 - EYES ON THE EXAM
Jul 8, 2025

EYES ON THE EXAM is a thrilling mix of panic-inducing exams and eerie mysteries. Stay focused, or face the consequences. A unique indie gem that'll keep you on edge.

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8 / 10.0 - Rematch
Jul 3, 2025

REMATCH is a messy, joyful, competitive football experience that manages to feel both nostalgic and fresh. It recaptures the spirit of pick-up football with friends while delivering a high-skill arcade sports game that rewards practice and coordination. It’s not perfect – there are bugs, balance quirks, and the lack of offline content is a sore point – but it's an undeniably fun and engaging game with strong foundations.

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7 / 10.0 - Empyreal
Jun 30, 2025

Empyreal offers a deep dive into a mysterious world with challenging gameplay and rich features. Dive in for a rewarding action RPG experience!

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Jun 29, 2025

Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC is fun, accessible, and charming in its presentation, but ultimately limited in scope. It looks the part, plays smoothly, and feels nostalgic, but it runs out of gas too quickly for serious racing fans.

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9.5 / 10.0 - Monster Train 2
Jun 27, 2025

Monster Train 2 is a masterclass in sequel design. It retains the soul of its predecessor while expanding on every front—mechanics, content, and accessibility. It’s chaotic, strategic, and endlessly replayable. One of the greatest roguelike deckbuilders of all time just got even better. And yeah, Lazarus League for life, bay bee.

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8 / 10.0 - Malys
Jun 27, 2025

Malys is a devilishly captivating blend of strategy and deckbuilding. Dive into the dark, twisted world, exorcise demons, and embrace the challenging rogue-lite experience.

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8 / 10.0 - Antro
Jun 27, 2025

An electrifying mix of rhythm, platforming, and rebellion. ANTRO's unique blend of music and action keeps the adrenaline pumping. Join the revolution!

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Jun 26, 2025

Ruffy and the Riverside doesn’t just ask you to beat the level. It asks you to imagine a better one. While a few mechanical hiccups hold it back from being perfect, the game more than makes up for it with innovation, heart, and sheer creative freedom.

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7.5 / 10.0 - H.A.D.E.S Zero
Jun 25, 2025

H.A.D.E.S Zero delivers intense survival horror vibes with its eerie atmosphere and challenging gameplay. Explore, strategize, and fight to survive against nightmarish biotech foes.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Dune: Awakening
Jun 25, 2025

Dune: Awakening delivers a unique survival MMO that captures the essence of the Dune universe while offering solid crafting, PvP, and social systems. Whether you want to build a desert empire, explore lore-rich ruins, or just glide over sand dunes with friends, there’s something here for every type of player. It still needs polish and more structured endgame content, but with active development and a committed community, the future looks bright. If you're a Dune fan or survival sandbox enthusiast, this one’s a must-play.

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