Codi Spence
Horizon Chase Turbo is a fun and challenging racing game that harkens back to the old school arcade days. The collision system can be aggravating and dampen the fun as a result. The tracks aren't anything to rave about, but the environments have a bright, plucky charm to them. It has its share of flaws, but it is worth checking out if you need a quick racing fix.
Cast of the Seven Godsends is a nice homage back to 2D arcade platformers. The story isn't that interesting, but the simplistic gameplay makes up for that. The varying attacks and Godsend abilities are fun, but without them, things can get rough.
Super Hyperactive Ninja fits in the realm of Super Meat Boy-style platformers, but has its own touches added in. Having to keep an eye on the caffeine meter while balancing the use of Hyperactive mode forces you to think strategically. The challenging nature can be fun and frustrating, but it's worth the time.
Sega Genesis Classics boasts an amazing collection of 50 games, all of which will keep you busy and entertained for hours. Some of the games can be challenging to a fault, but that's just the way some old school games were made. The games hold true to their original forms and bring you a cartridge full of nostalgia that you can pop right into the console of your heart.
ICEY is a fun 2D side-scroller with fast fluid gameplay. The story isn't the most revolutionary, but the narrator makes it interesting. Disobeying the narrator and the resulting encounters are funny, clever, and easily worth the time. If nothing else, the 4th wall breaks make ICEY what it is.
One Strike lets you take control of six different warriors as you fight to determine who is the deadliest. The simplistic yet tense gameplay will keep you on your toes. The small roster and limited variety to the modes are fun in bursts, but not for extended periods of time. That being said, One Strike is a fun fighter to pick up and play at a low cost.
Hexologic is a charming number puzzle game that gets some influence from games like Sudoku. It's not very long or challenging, but it offers a casually relaxing sort of difficulty. The sights and sounds are clearly meant to invoke tranquility, which adds to the peaceful atmosphere and gameplay.
Paranautical Activity mixes rogue-lite level design, fps gameplay, and a blocky aesthetic to create an interesting experience. The combat can be fun, but encountering certain enemies can quickly turn that around. The weapon choices are cool to experiment with, but the slower characters may turn you away.
Mushroom Wars 2 is a challenging yet fun real-time strategy game that focuses on battles between mushroom people. The gameplay takes a minute to get used to, but once you get acclimated, you'll be killing it. Hero skills are a cool addition that can turn the tide of battle if used correctly. There are a ton of missions that will give you hours of playtime.
Yuso offers a charming puzzle game experience that can be enjoyed at home or on the go. There's a nice challenge to the levels without being irritating. The atmosphere of the world and levels create a peaceful space for players to enjoy for awhile. It isn't long, but it's definitely worth your time.
Shining Resonance Refrain is an entertaining adventure through a somewhat cliche story, but it contains its own unique aspects that keep you engaged. Combat is easy to learn, but there's a decent amount of depth to it. Dragonshift and B.A.N.D. sessions are wonderful combat mechanics that add more charm to the game. The relationship building and dating also adds a cute slice of life portion to the adventure.
Pato Box takes the Punch-Out!! fighting style and gives it a Madworld aesthetic, resulting in an unexpectedly wonderful combination. The 3D sections aren't the most exciting, but the boss fights more than make up for that. Pato Box offers an intense challenge that will put your gaming skills to the test, but also potentially frustrate you at the same time.
Titan Quest is an entertaining port that brings back a blast from the past. The gameplay is smooth, the controls are precise, and the skills are pretty cool as well. The texture loading issues and freezes that occasionally happen can be annoying, but they aren't game-breaking. Titan Quest can also be enjoyed solo or with friends.
Train Sim World is a relaxing game where you operate a variety of trains as you travel to specified destinations. There is a nice selection of trains, helpful tutorials, and 17 scenarios to play through. The game isn't the most exciting experience, and sometimes leans towards monotonous and boring. If you love simulation games and trains, this might be right up your alley.
Dead Cells is an amazing rogue-like 2D action platformer. Fast, fluid combat is enjoyable, especially with the different weapons and tools you can find.
Tetra's Escape is an interesting little puzzle platformer that takes its basis from Tetris. The levels provide a nice little challenge, but they never get tough or frustrating. You can beat most levels in a short time, causing the game to only take a few hours to beat. If you have a few bucks to spare for a couple hours of Tetris-based platforming, then you may want to try out Tetra's Escape.
Strange Brigade is a fantastic third person shooter that is best enjoyed with friends. The 1930s tone and quirky charm are wonderfully crafted, adding more of a light-hearted tone to the experience. The variety of weapons and abilities are nice and offer something for every type of player.
Kentucky Robo Chicken is a cute 2D platformer that takes inspiration from Balloon Fight and Super Meat Boy. There's a decent challenge, but nothing too intense. The game doesn't take long to beat, but it's worth a few bucks to check out.
Freedom Planet is a wonderful Sonic the Hedgehog-esque game that mixes nostalgia with something new. The quirky characters, fantastic levels, and interesting story will make you not want to put the game down. Each character has their own advantages and disadvantages, encouraging you to test them all out. In the end, it's the whole package, and it's worth picking up.
Haunted Dungeons: Hyakki Castle is a clever twist on the traditional dungeon crawler, with a focus on the split-team function. Learning to work with separate teams can be tough at first, but it's well worth the effort. The combat is otherwise simplistic and easy to pick up, making it easy to jump in for hours at a time.