Becca Smith
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is a great sequel that fans of the first will be super excited about. Its characters are hilarious and charming, making for a great time from start to finish. While the simplistic gameplay can get pretty repetitive at times, it’s a fantastic roguelite that doesn’t overstay its welcome and is brilliantly ridiculous.
Sucker for Love: Date to Die For isn’t exactly what the average player will expect when picking it up. It’s genuinely creepy at times which is great for horror fans, but doesn’t actually feature that much dating (or any dating to be honest) for something that claims to be a dating sim. Still, it’s fun, absolutely reminiscent of 90’s anime, and definitely has replay value for those who like collecting all the endings in visual novels. Now go kiss that goat mommy!
Indika feels like a challenge to get through. With its main mechanic being its puzzles that break the game quite often, it might prove difficult for casual players to complete. But, if you’re looking for a game that you’ll want to tell your friends about as soon as the credits roll, this will be the perfect title for you. It’s unique, strange, funny, and unlike anything I’ve played before. If you can make it through, it’s worth the short, one time journey.
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is a cute, simplistic game that allows players to relax, unwind and hang out with some lovely frogs. While gameplay does get repetitive after a while, for those that are looking for something chill, it’s a good time for a few hours. You might not find yourself trying to collect every frog or bothering with some of the more confusing elements of the game, but overall it’s a lovely little title with loads of adorable hoppy lads.
It’s difficult for roguelike deck builders to stand out in a genre with powerhouses like Slay the Spire and Dicey Dungeons. Dice & Fold is a really entertaining addition and one that I find myself continuously wanting to go back to. The Developers clearly listen to their players and are updating and fixing the game constantly and if things continue the way they’re going, with a few balance fixes, this title could stand proudly at the top of the genre.
Été, while slow moving at the start, is a wonderfully relaxing, cozy game perfect for someone looking to take their time with a new game. As you begin to unlock more and more stamps and colors, creating paintings is a joy as is exploring Montréal and meeting its residents. Decorating your home however you like is fun and satisfying as you use your hard earned money to purchase new things. If the Impossible team has more projects in mind for the future, I’ll be the first in line to play them.
Wild Bastards is a unique spin on the roguelike genre. Each character brings their own personality and fun to the game and the gameplay itself is incredibly addicting, refreshing and smooth. Fans of the roguelike genre as well as those that enjoy games like Borderlands or Overwatch, are sure to enjoy the fun times that Wild Bastards has to offer.
Caravan SandWitch is a short exploration game, but one that does a lot in its five to six hour playtime. It quickly introduces the characters and the world so that you’re able to focus on the task at hand and you’re not stuck trying to interpret what’s going on. With brilliant, inclusive characters, a truly intriguing story and fun gameplay, it’s well worth diving into this adventure, especially because you can finish it in only just a couple of sittings.
Reviver has a lovely story and unique mechanics that make it well worth a one-time play through. If you’re a fan of puzzle games, there are plenty of puzzles to solve here, but if you’re looking for something simple and calming, it might not be quite as relaxing as you think. There are also some minor issues with the game’s language - some English translations are a little off - but that is a very small detail that can be ironed out with a patch or two.
Asya’s story is inspired by the diaries of real children affected by the war and that is why we, as people whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents have lived through it too, should continue to tell stories like this. No matter how painful they may be and no matter how long ago it was. And putting those stories into a format like Torn Away, one that forces the player to experience each and every excruciating or playful moment, is truly amazing. It gives us a close up look and reminds us of just how lucky we are to be here today. Play it - you won’t regret it.
Pacific Drive is definitely not for the casual player. Gameplay can be very unforgiving but the more you uncover, the easier it becomes. For the player that sticks with it, it will soon become impossible to put down. From the extensive amount of vehicle customization options to the massive and unique open world, Pacific Drive is an experience players won't want to miss out on.
Crypt Custodian is one of the very first metroidvania games I absolutely could not put down. I normally struggle to stay interested in games like it, but nearly everything about Kyle Thompson’s newest title is inviting, fun, and brilliantly addictive. Add to it a massive map to explore and characters to fall in love with and you’d be missing out on not giving it a try as soon as you can.
Mouthwashing is everything that you want from a horror game, especially for those of us who get such a nostalgic kick from the game design. The story is impossible to walk away from and equally impossible to forget about. It is scary and unsettling without having to rely on cheap jump scares or overly gorey elements. It’s a must-play and then a must-replay, period.
I’m sad to admit it, but Dead by Daylight on Nintendo Switch is a huge let-down. I love the game, and while I was excited to get to play it on a handheld format, its lagginess, framerate issues and massive graphical downgrade mean that I just can’t recommend it on Switch
If you’re a die-hard fan of the franchise, you might get a few nostalgic kicks out of Friday the 13th: The Game. But if you’re simply looking for a horror-themed multiplayer, this doesn’t hold a candle to Dead by Daylight
It's easy to see that the creators put real thought into the world that your build your hive in
What The Descendant did well in episode one and two is what it continues to do well in episode three – its storytelling
The lack of a story, other than the farmer being sick, really had me wondering what the point was
Though it’s not a bad game, Forgotten Fields is hampered by more than a handful of technical issues. Prepare to glitch through furniture and objects as you try and make your way around this otherwise beautiful world. It’s a shame, because there are more than a few truly lovely moments, and you’ll likely find yourself relating to the game’s cast of characters. Perhaps wait until its bugs have been addressed, because there’s a good story to be experienced here.
If What Comes After can help those dealing with mental health struggles, then that’s a wonderful thing. But it doesn’t cover these topics delicately; its messages aren’t hidden anywhere, they’re in-your-face, front and centre. However, it’s all the other issues What Comes After tries to deal with – deforestation, animal abuse and more – that ruin the experience. As important as all of those issues are, What Comes After doesn’t give enough time for them to have any real purpose or meaning. Had it been more focused, it could have had much more impact.