Stuart O'Donnell's Reviews
Forestrike is a gorgeous-looking game with an innovative two-part combat system, which adds a striking sense of freshness to its roguelite form. However, the cerebral combat can feel rather slow and constrictive at times, and the game’s meticulous, mechanical complexity and harsh punishment for small mistakes might be too much for some – myself included. But those with the skill, reflexes and patience to master the intricate combat might well be swept off their feet, in more ways than one.
This cosy crafting survival game has a charming storybook art style, but its gameplay and associated systems turn it into somewhat of a slog. The fiddly inventory management, the lack of a map, the painful combat, the repetition, the less than compelling characterisation, and the general grind of it all eventually wore me down over my 14-hour playtime. However, for those who love the world enough – and there’s certainly plenty to love – and who enjoy its mode of storytelling, these elements might be much easier to forgive. Unfortunately, this wasn’t quite the case for me, and I’ll content myself with the never ending toil of my own household drudgery back in the real world.
Time Flies is a playfully thought-provoking meditation upon death and the brevity of life, viewed through the (many) eyes of flies. The movement is unique, the art superb, and this game might just make you think twice about picking up that flyswatter.
Primal Planet is a pixel-perfect primaeval playground of adventure and exploration. If you don’t mind getting lost now and then, it’s an approachable metroidvania, with generous checkpoints, forgiving combat and no bosses. For some, its lack of handholding might be a barrier, but I was swept away by the vibrant world and the sweet story of community that holds together the people and wildlife of this primal planet. Just look out for those T-Rexes and UFOs.