Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is a heartfelt adventure that understands the magic of its storybook world. Jansson’s childhood series is rendered with such love and care that I quickly fell in love with the Moominverse. Hyper Games has very clearly treated the source material with great care and respect, creating an experience that feels made for longtime fans while also remaining warm and welcoming to newcomers. While the gameplay can feel repetitive at times and the firewood grind did sour my experience, it was still good to explore the snow-covered Moominvalley as the adorable Moomintroll to experience a winter that would send any Australian into shock.
Lost and Found Co. displays exactly what makes hidden-object games compelling. What starts as almost overwhelming density slowly, almost meditatively, becomes parsable with a bit of effort. Though the hints and juju points can cause frustration, Bit Egg Inc.’s passion still manages to shine through in every space you explore. There’s just so much care in the chaos and clutter. Even when finishing levels, I found myself lingering and still finding details I’d missed. Combined with an endearing story and a fun decorating system to spend many hours in, it all comes together in a great experience that’s hard not to enjoy.
The Lonesome Guild is one of those games that completely sneaks up on you. It’s a heartfelt journey wrapped in charming art and great writing. Even when combat drags and abilities feel underdeveloped, its sincere core shines through, doing well to make up for its shortcomings.
1000 Deaths feels like it's a crazy fever dream I had in the early 2000s after falling asleep in front of the TV. I mean this in the best way possible. Filled with fun levels, genuine heart and a killer, crazy aesthetic, if you're looking for a colourful experience reminiscent of classic 3D platformers, this is for you.