Overall, The Gardens Between is not particularly complex or subtle with the linear-nature of its puzzle-solving and familiar story, but the level of creativity and depth the game reaches with its uncomplicated parts is not to be understated.
While I can appreciate the game's own attempt at experimentation with its indefinite gameplay, tabletop format, and fragmented story, I could not find much enjoyment in constantly wondering what I was doing and asking myself why I was still playing.
Alongside from its setting, Pillars of Eternity II improves in almost every way upon the already celebrated Pillars I, from the obvious, such as improved graphics and increased voiceovers, to the details, like better stealth mechanics and a new day-night system.
Ittle Dew 2+ is a perfect fit for the portable Switch, and a supplement if you've been missing a top-down Zelda title on it. It has its own brand of humor and is chock-full of creativity with its visuals, dialogue, and puzzles, but can be found lacking with regard to its repetitive, unrewarding combat.
The game is centered around exploration and discovery as Auk transforms into a bird to soar over floating islands and illuminates sleeping temples with her lantern.
Pitched as a "narrative investigation", you click through the various apps and read the messages that Laura has stored on her phone to put together a rather unsettling story.
It would have been so easy to fall into cliché with the uncomplicated characters of Last Day of June, but the writing here speaks of the keen awareness the developers have towards the themes of the game.
After a bumpy start with its combat, Pyre lives up to its predecessors with its rich lore, stunning art design, and interactive narrative. With the choices that you carry out altering the story, Pyre's diverse cast of characters in such an imaginative world makes it one to return to after you beat it, possibly again and again.
Mages of Mystralia not only encourages you to mix and match to your heart's content but requires you to do so.
It is a welcome step back from the previous 3DS Fire Emblem games as it focuses on a tighter narrative while providing us with a glimpse towards the future as Shadows of Valentia ventures into new territory with its explorable areas and fresh gameplay mechanics.
The limited HUD and outstanding sound design of Day of Infamy do wonders for immersion as it is just you down there, in the mud, holding onto your gun and scanning the terrain for the enemy.
ION LANDS delivers a game of components that, while sparse on their own, combine to make an enjoyable experience.
Tyranny is an absolute must for players who loved Pillars of Eternity and seek a rich, engaging tale of how people act in difficult circumstances.
Scéal’s story is a small one, which allows it to be emotional, yet subtle as it handles the themes of a young girl’s life and death.
While Mark McMorris Infinite Air roughly gets the basics down of what comprises a snowboarding simulator, it fails to provide anything unique or captivating to make it this generation’s “must have” snowboarding simulator.
Civilization VI brings the franchise to an unbelievable level of polish and streamlined complexity.
Tempest is an open world action RPG that had a lot of promise but in reality, it is like a ship lost at sea.
Seasons After Fall is not a complex or difficult game, but it wasn’t meant to be one.
Despite how peculiar it all may seem, all of the elements of Soft Body come together and make perfect sense while you are playing it. I would recommend Soft Body to players looking for a light challenge and something to take their mind off of other things; you do not need to look any further than this odd and special game.
Accurate in its execution and complex in its politics, 1979 Revolution may have its flaws, but its faults do not overshadow its success of a nuanced portrayal of a history and its people.