Heather Johnson Yu's Reviews
Believe it or not, I actually had to force myself to stop playing The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos to be able to sit down and write this review. It’s been a long time since I’ve found a great turn-based tactical game with unapologetically authentic writing that I seriously didn’t want to move onto other games. Even now I’m just quickly whipping up a conclusion so I can get right back into the fray! With cheeky writing and comfortable mechanics that will fit older gamers’ playstyles like a glove, The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos is a can’t-miss cantrip into Dungeons and Dragons territory that will surely please any nerd worth their salt.
In a sea of “Spiderman sims,” Yupitergrad is a must-have title for your VR library. Setting itself apart from the rest with an undeniable charm, woefully underutilized graphics, and a great sense of humor, Yupitergrad is definitely my top candidate for 2020’s hidden gem.
If you are a massive fan of platformers and want something different or if you like puzzle games and haven’t really found that platformer that works for you, I think Evergate might be up your alley.
I decided to review Home: A Quarantine Story because I was knowledgeable enough with the developer’s previous work to know I was going to get a good story; what I didn’t know was just how much it’d stick with me. A realistic narrative that builds a unique yet somehow familiar setting, Home: A Quarantine Story will softly resonate with anyone who can’t decide if their heart is with the home they’ve made for themselves or the home they grew up in.
There will be people who like The Suicide of Rachel Foster because they are able to sidestep away from the whole pedophilia aspect, which is only a possibility because the game itself tries to frame it differently. I can’t tell you how much I initially wanted to like The Suicide of Rachel Foster — I played it twice and watched several let’s plays to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. But the developer really needed to handle these topics better, or at least have one character that didn’t sympathize with the sex offender. Ethical issues aside, the environments were great, but everything else fell flat. There is no recommendation here, only concern.
Paradise Killer is an ingeniously aesthetic investigation game that absolutely belongs in your library; be sure to pick up this gem as soon as possible.
RPG Maker MV for the PS4 is about what you would expect — quite possibly the best program for non-programmers to make video games with but on a medium clearly not made for it.
I say this with a lot of respect for a shipped game — Gleamlight doesn’t feel finished. Had there been even the smallest amount of text or UI, I honestly feel like this would have been a more enjoyable experience despite the other issues; if anything, those issues were heightened simply due to the lack of critical components. I love what the developer had in terms of concept, but as far as execution goes, Gleamlight, unfortunately, fell flat. You can find far better 2D sidescrollers for less money; unless the developer makes some sorely-needed improvements, it’s probably best to let Gleamlight fall into darkness.
In some ways, No Straight Roads felt like the second coming of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. It had all the right ingredients to be the perfect blend of rhythm and action into one phenomenal package. And while it does plenty right, it’s a little too off-key where it counts. Some fine-tuning on the combat would certainly help sync the boss battles with the aesthetics and exploration aspects, as that mechanic carries way too much weight to ignore. Still, I can’t lie — I’ve absolutely fallen in love with No Straight Roads for what it does offer, which is an explosively intense experience that will punch your teeth right out of your face.
What initially sold me on INMOST was the notion that it was inspired by the considerably more light-hearted To The Moon; while I wasn’t expecting such a tragic tale about pain and suffering, the developers definitively recaptured what made their muse great. Realistic depth of characters, discussion of topics oft-overlooked yet extremely relatable, and a compelling narrative made for a captivating journey that will stick with me for a long time.
Spiritfarer has the body of a seafaring exploration game, the mind of a management sim, and the soul of an emotional journey depicting love, loss, and grief. With gorgeous visuals and a soundtrack to match, Spiritfarer is pleasing to the senses while providing a core loop that’s easy to get lost in.
Windbound strikes me as a victim of overachieving — it wants to do so much that it ends up tripping over its own feet. Is it a survival game? Yes. Is it an exploration game? Also yes. Is it a crafting game? Yes again. Is it a story-driven game? Yep. Does it do any of those things perfectly? No. You need to explore to move onto the next area, but you’re tethered in place because the survival mechanics are a little too overbearing. Topped off with a more nuanced story told through a repetitive loop, Windbound’s balance is less a scale and more a see-saw, swinging from one side to the other with the player clinging on for dear life. It’s still a solid experience and one that I would recommend, but carefully, and only to fans of the survival genre. If you’re looking for another Breath of the Wild or Wind Waker, breeze past this title.
If you took one look at the visuals and thought it might be your game, I have some intel for you: it is. Run — don’t walk — to the nearest virtual gaming platform to pick up your copy of Over The Alps today.
Frostpunk: On The Edge may be a little short and the morality choices unbothered by consequences, but the message of hope rang loud and clear from the developers. A fantastic expansion that players can one-shot within a single sitting if they play their cards right, Frostpunk: On The Edge offers an uplifting conclusion to the groundbreaking society survival simulator.
Road to Guangdong is a brilliant narrative about the importance of communicating with one’s family wrapped up in a road trip simulator.
If you love love and if you love evil, then Lovingly Evil is pretty obviously going to be your game. Learn more about how to become the perfect evil villain while scoping out the bad babes begging to be pursued, all while reading charming writing set against colorful environments and catchy music. It may not be love at first sight for some of you, but it will certainly leave a lasting — perhaps dastardly — impression on you.
Love spiders or hate them, Kill It With Fire is bound to please even the most terrified arachnophobe. With a literal arsenal at your disposal and a clear objective, Kill It With Fire is a cathartic experience that is perfect for streaming or just unwinding after a long day. Whether you be a casual player or hardcore perfectionist, this game has something for everyone, building upon concepts taught in levels prior until complete mastery of the extermination arts.
Despite any hangups mentioned, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town aimed for a Monkey Island-shaped moon and landed among the stars in the immediate vicinity. In terms of puzzles, the Bone Town level is bar none one of the best point-and-click designs I’ve played in modern memory, and the storyline is straight outta pirate-filled nostalgia. It’s held back by some design choices and perhaps the length, but the game itself is certainly a solid experience to be proud of.
Despite any hangups I experienced during my time with Aeolis Tournament, I will say it accomplished all its goals. It’s accessible — I can see kids as young as four getting the swing of this. It’s replayable — quick burst rounds give off that “one more go” gameplay. It features a focus on multiplayer — as there is no mode available with fewer than two characters on the field, you’ll always be playing against someone, even if it’s the AI.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout was the surprise hit that no one — especially not the developers — saw coming in terms of its resounding popularity and success. A slightly bumpy launch will not knock this game down, however, as the dev team is working day and night to get it back up and working to its full potential. If you want to play a quick round (or 10) of addicting eye candy that’s fun for all ages, be sure to pick up Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout as soon as possible.