West of Loathing makes remarkable use of the space it inhabits. It just doesn't make navigating that space very fun at times. There is enough to this adventure to make it is easily recommendable to fans of CYOA style games, and those who enjoy tougher RPGs all around. For those who don't fall into those categories, there's nothing here that will likely entice you to stick around very long.
There doesn't seem to be anything that makes Energy Cycle feel like a necessary entry into the puzzle genre. Even for fans of the core mechanic, there are plenty of alternatives in existence that look and play a lot better. Energy Cycle is, in truth, less barebones and more chalk outline, and doesn't add much more to the mechanic than a shining example of how not to do it.
Sine Mora EX is a lot of fun, with the occasional eye roll-inducing moment. Perhaps it's the weird story, or the irritating environmental hazards, but something is ever so slightly off here. As a whole, though, this is one of the best shooters on the market. Everyone should pick it up, unless, of course, you're not "one-eyed-bison-with-no-legs-flying-a-killing-machine" enough for it.
It's Spring Again works wonderfully for what it is, but doesn't leave much reason to keep coming back after viewing it a few times, as it feels like a cute cardboard book from a thrift store. Children may find it wildly engrossing at first, but their elation will probably wear off as time goes on. Still, for an educational game, this is a nice treat for youngsters, especially those who aren't ready to start slaying dragons and saving kingdoms.
Catacombs 1: Demon War feels as dated as many of the games it is inspired by. It also feels unpolished, and as if many of the mechanics are just being tested out. This series could be the homage to early RPGs fans of the genre have been waiting for, though, and despite the low score, this should not be considered dead in the water.
The Town of Life gets credit for being willing to tackle a tough subject matter head on, and in such an honest way. It never concedes to being entertaining, so the player won't feel uncomfortable. It's a shame, then, that it's so difficult to follow the story and the few puzzles are so abstract. The real killing blows are the atrocious technical hiccups, though, and all of this mars a truly one-of-a-kind experience into a twisted shell of what it could have been.
Tokyo 42 is an engaging isometric game that is hurt tremendously by a mechanic that should have been a selling point. While the game plays fine, the need to constantly manage the camera ruins any sense of intensity that comes with a lot of the missions. Instead, it makes the player feel hopeless, as enemies barrel down on one side of them, and an unseeable escape remains hidden behind the gorgeous environment.
Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulator is a great little party game that also manages to hold the attention of players who may be by themselves. Unfortunately, as one of the game's trophies puts it very plainly, there's not enough to justify playing the game for extended periods of time. This is definitely best enjoyed in short bursts, otherwise it runs stale alarmingly quick.
Super Dungeon Bros functions, but gives way to repetitive dungeon layouts, poor enemy balancing, and less than interesting gameplay. Even with friends, it feels a bit watered down, like it wanted to meet the basic requirements of a dungeon crawler without upsetting any fans with risks. It's just too plain to be forgiven. In other words, sorry, bro, but this dungeon is a bit weak.
Embers of Mirrim came out of nowhere to be one of the best platformers in any console generation. It will give the player the sense they can do things they never thought possible, and the feeling of self-satisfaction upon beating that boss, finally crossing that tricky section, or reaching a new area is so profound here, it's stunning. Even if you aren't a fan of platformers, this one is a must-try.
While it's nice to see how far Suda 51 has come, only diehard adventure and Suda 51 fans will be able to appreciate this. The Silver Case hasn't aged well, and feels both clunky and underwhelming. This feels like a first attempt, and compared to many others, it's a novel one. Still, it's hard to appreciate the beauty of a mirror under all the dust, and The Silver Case is definitely a dusty one.
Revenant Saga is a good game, but that's about it. It makes such minor changes to the standard turn-based combat that they feel inconsequential. For diehard RPG fans, or even people looking for a game to satiate their love of the genre, this will do the trick just fine. However, they shouldn't expect to see too much they haven't already seen before.
Akiba's Beat really only works every so often, but fans of the genre will likely appreciate it on some level. While the dialogue is difficult to get engrossed in, and the combat feels unresponsive at times, there's still a cult classic buried in this little title. Not every game can be perfect, and that definitely applies to Akiba's Beat. Still, it's clear it will be perfect for many people out there, and that's what matters.
Pinstripe is genuinely creepy, and takes some chances other games simply won't in terms of its story. Unfortunately, there are minor issues riddling this bizarre take on Hell that anyone venturing in should definitely know about. Definitely pick it up, but remember, you're venturing into Hell. Things are going to be rough, even if they weren't always supposed to be.
Quiet, Please is a cute, smaller game, that nails the humorous aspects of point and click titles. However, the controls can be a bit too wonky, making actually playing the game harder than it needs to be. For fans of bite sized games, this one is definitely still worth a look.
Candy, Please! might have a lacklustre main mission, but as a whole feels much more guided than its predecessor. While its main objectives tend to feel hopeless at times, it's still nice to explore them. This is clearly the most well rounded part of this series, and it holds up remarkably well for how little there actually is.
Dragon Sinker might be one of KEMCO's best titles to date. With some 50 games already in their catalogue, Dragon Sinker stands out because it doesn't just settle for being like its influences. It finds incredibly clever ways to enhance the experience it has, and while much of what the player is doing is the same old song and dance, those little off beats more than make up for it.
Gnog is a basic clicking game with a great universe and some simple puzzles on the side. For a kid, this would be immensely rewarding. For puzzle fans, this won't even begin to feel rewarding. Perhaps with deeper puzzles, Gnog would feel a bit more enticing. Currently, though, it's just a lot of bells and whistles with little reward for the player's precious time.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is an orchestra for the sense, yet a bully to the mind. While it's a delight to look at and listen to, much of the gameplay feels like it should have been left in the path. Fortunately, clever boss fights that manage to fuse simplicity with depth save this from being an otherwise tiresome affair. If difficulty is a turn-off, though, steer clear. Other than that one could do a lot worse than this little game.
Birthdays the Beginning is highly recommendable as both edutainment and a god game. There are little issues that crop up that are annoying, but all in all, it's a great experience. There's a breadth of life to be created here, as long as you're going for what the game wants.