Casey Scheld's Reviews
Accel's flight mechanics hit all the right notes for an arcade title, but it proves to be far too short for the long term. Those looking for a brief respite between longer titles can have fun here, but don't be surprised if you're done sooner rather than later.
Though it aims to provide a casual ice skating experience, Pirouette fails to captivate all those who attempt it. A distinct lack of effort went into this title, and the awkward controls will turn players off long before players see everything this game has to offer.
Gunkid 99 is a fast, frantic arena shooter with an interesting hook. Putting the focus on the weapons rather than the enemies is an interesting proposition, and its tight platforming mechanics seal the deal.
Those looking for a challenging rhythm game in Pride Run best keep on marching, but RTS fans may get a kick out of its unique management mechanics. Those that can deal with some frustration can experience what is quite possibly the most unique game of the year.
The Grandmaster is overly simplistic by design, but this clicker proves to be too repetitive for its own good. It serves as a serviceable time waster, but it lacks the staying power to keep people coming back.
Skyrift's defensive style of play provides fast-paced arcade action, albeit with a few quirks. It's not the deepest game around, but those looking for a different kind of bullet hell could do far worse than this title.
The idea of dating the figurehead of KFC is a novel one, but I Love You, Colonel Sanders! is a joke with no punchline. Dipping into the absurd is fine, but the lack of follow-through makes this visual novel drier than the fast food chain's biscuits.
A very select few might appreciate the back to basics platforming found in Speedrun Squad, but most people will be turned off by its simplicity and lack of effort put in its design.
Lyser takes a simple concept and adds a refreshing level of complexity to it. Though it takes a while for things to get going, this puzzle game is an entertaining, if short, way to tax your mind.
Coffee addicts might dig Cafe Crush's setting, but most visual novel fans will be turned off by its poor voice acting and uninspired dialog.
Kid's Safety With George Blessure had the bare minimum of effort put into its design. Its incredibly short runtime is already far too long for what it sets out to do.
River City Girls gives the beat-em-up genre a new lease on life with its solid combat, stellar spritework, and sprawling world. Those that can stomach some backtracking will find an adventure worthy of biffing a few baddies over.
Though Who Are You, Mr. Cooper? channels the spirit of the choose-your-own-adventure books from long ago, the end result is less than stellar. Its heavy reliance on luck and rote repetition lead to a somewhat rough execution.
Despite looking the part, Run Roll Rumble commits a number of cardinal sins that DQ it from making any sort of impact in the platform fighter space.
ERI might look like a simple platformer, but its genius lies in its simplicity. Finding the perfect trajectory is more fun than you'd expect it to be, and even though it's a short title, it is still worth a go for fans of the genre.
Where's Baby and its tug-of-war concept has merit, but this battle proves to be a little too one-sided. It just isn't fun cleaning up the mess of the critters, and the lack of balance ultimately takes away from the game.
BATTLLOON has got a great premise and even greater aesthetics, but its paltry list of options prevent it from really standing out.
GUIDE conveys the feeling of anxiety quite well, but it does so at the expense of gameplay. Those looking for a new take on this feeling may appreciate this title, but note that it comes with a dose of frustration as well.
Though Himno prides itself on its relaxed atmosphere, its lack of direction paired with its procedurally generated worlds fail to leave a lasting impression. As a result, it is only worth it for the most diehard of platforming fans.
Foreign Frugglers is a barebones package that just can't dethrone Space Invaders. The gameplay is inoffensive, but what is present here is nothing too out of the ordinary.