Zachary Holmes


128 games reviewed
80.1 average score
80 median score
100.0% of games recommended
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8 / 10.0 - The Knightling
Sep 14, 2025

The Knightling is a delightful surprise in 2025’s action-adventure lineup. It’s not perfect—bugs, difficulty spikes, and limited side content keep it from true greatness—but it more than makes up for those flaws with heart, creativity, and sheer charm. Sliding through Clesseia on a shield, uncovering whimsical details, and gradually growing from trainee to hero is an adventure worth taking. For fans of Zelda-inspired worlds, indie action games, or simply anyone craving a fresh spin on the classic knight’s tale, The Knightling delivers a fun, heartfelt, and memorable journey.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Katanaut
Sep 10, 2025

Katanaut is one of the most exciting indie roguelites of 2025. It blends the rewarding progression of Dead Cells, the atmospheric dread of Dead Space, and the precision combat of a Souls-like into a package that feels fresh and addictive. It isn’t perfect—combat can feel awkward at first, and some systems could use fine-tuning—but these flaws are minor compared to the sheer fun of diving into the station’s haunted corridors run after run. Whether you’re slashing through abominations with a katana, unlocking bizarre new upgrades, or just petting the cat before another doomed attempt, Katanaut delivers a memorable experience. For roguelite fans, sci-fi horror lovers, or anyone craving a game with style, substance, and plenty of replayability, Katanaut is absolutely worth the plunge.

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Sep 9, 2025

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite: A fiery, fun, and authentic-enough simulator that shines brightest when played with friends. With updates and mod support, it has the potential to become the definitive firefighting game.

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7 / 10.0 - NBA 2K26
Sep 8, 2025

NBA 2K26 is both an improvement and a letdown depending on your expectations. On the one hand, the gameplay is smoother, offense feels fantastic, and ProPLAY™ continues to make animations eerily realistic. On the other, defense is lackluster, microtransactions remain pervasive, and the PC experience is held back by poor anti-cheat and a small community. If you’re a hardcore basketball fan who enjoys grinding MyCAREER or collecting in MyTEAM, you’ll find hours of entertainment here. If you’re new or casual, be prepared for a steep learning curve—and possibly a steep cost if you want to compete at higher levels. It’s not the slam dunk fans have been begging for, but it’s at least a smooth layup that gets the job done.

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Sep 7, 2025

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek isn’t a perfect game. It’s short, simple, and clearly aimed at a younger demographic rather than hardcore horror fans. But what it does well—capturing the spooky but fun tone of R.L. Stine’s novels—it does very well. For longtime fans, the Easter eggs and references make it a treat. For younger players, it’s a safe and accessible introduction to the horror genre. For everyone else, it’s a fun, atmospheric diversion that would feel more justified at half the price. If you grew up with Goosebumps and want to relive those nostalgic chills—or if you’re looking for a spooky adventure to share with younger gamers—this is worth a playthrough. Just don’t expect it to keep you up at night… unless you were already afraid of the basement.

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Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids isn’t a massive, sprawling epic—it’s a mid-sized game with a clever hook. The fusion of action and RTS works, the humor lands more often than not, and the comic-book world is a joy to explore. But the short campaign and lack of multiplayer bots keep it from truly shining as a long-term staple. If you’re looking for something fresh, colorful, and co-op friendly, this is easy to recommend—especially if you have a buddy for couch co-op. If you’re buying solely for PvP, though, you may want to wait for updates or a larger player base.

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Aug 31, 2025

Fate/hollow ataraxia REMASTERED is not just a companion piece to Fate/stay night—it’s a masterclass in balancing tone, character, and mystery. Its slice-of-life warmth enhances the franchise’s mythos, while its looping tragedy digs deeper into the themes of fate, justice, and the burden of memory. Yes, the new soundtrack may lack some of the raw strangeness of the original. Yes, the structure can feel repetitive at times. But taken as a whole, this remaster delivers one of TYPE-MOON’s most poignant, playful, and powerful works to a wider audience than ever before. If you’ve completed all three routes of Fate/stay night, this is essential. If not—finish them first. Then return to Fuyuki, step into the loop, and relive four days of destiny that will linger with you long after they end.

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8 / 10.0 - Wildgate
Aug 22, 2025

Wildgate isn’t just another shooter—it’s a bold experiment that succeeds more often than it fails. By merging tactical ship management with fast-paced FPS action, Moonshot Games has created a truly unique multiplayer experience that scratches the itch for both Sea of Thieves-style crew chaos and extraction shooter tension. Yes, the $30 price tag is steep, the balance needs tweaking, and the community size raises eyebrows. But when you’re in the middle of a storm, dodging enemy fire while a crewmate boards a rival ship to steal their Artifact, none of that matters. Few games deliver such adrenaline-pumping, cinematic matches. For those willing to invest the time—and ideally bring a squad along—Wildgate is one of the most exciting multiplayer experiments of 2025. It’s a flawed gem, but a gem nonetheless.

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9 / 10.0 - OFF
Aug 15, 2025

OFF (2025) is both a faithful restoration and a bold reinterpretation of a game that changed indie RPGs forever. It preserves the unsettling surrealism that made the original iconic, while modernizing its systems and presentation for today’s players. Yes, the soundtrack debate will rage on. And yes, some purists may insist the original remains untouchable. But judged as a standalone experience, this remake is one of the most compelling and strange RPGs you can play today. If you’ve never purified the Zones before—now’s the time.

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7.5 / 10.0 - World War Z
Aug 14, 2025

World War Z VR delivers what it promises — a faithful yet reimagined take on the franchise’s signature horde battles, optimized for VR’s unique strengths. The swarm tech is breathtaking in a headset, weapon handling feels great, and the performance is rock solid even in the most chaotic moments. It’s not perfect. The AI squadmates are lackluster, environmental interactivity is minimal, and the loop can get repetitive after a few missions. But if you want a focused, adrenaline-pumping VR shooter that shows off what the medium can do, this is an easy recommendation.

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9 / 10.0 - Abyssus
Aug 12, 2025

Abyssus is a confident, stylish roguelite shooter that nails the fundamentals—tight combat, meaningful progression, and a unique setting. While there’s room for more content and polish, the core experience is already highly addictive, whether you’re diving alone or with a squad of friends. If you enjoy FPS roguelites and want something with personality, atmosphere, and mechanical depth, this is a must-play. And with more content promised post-launch, Abyssus has all the makings of a long-term favorite in the co-op shooter space.

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9 / 10.0 - Luto
Aug 3, 2025

Luto is a rare kind of horror game. It doesn’t rely on cheap tricks. It doesn’t shower you with jump scares or gore. Instead, it quietly burrows into your psyche and stays there. For fans of psychological horror, narrative exploration, or games that explore grief and trauma with artistic depth, Luto is a must-play. It’s challenging, both intellectually and emotionally, but it’s also rewarding. This is indie horror with a soul.

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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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