Codi Spence
Utopia 9 is a short but sweet twin stick shooter. The plot of the game is shallow but a fun reason to be fighting. The variety of weapons and tools are cool, and I was excited to see what I'd find next. Offers a fair challenge, but nothing that difficult.
In the end, Ironcast is easily a fun game that you can get caught up in while playing. It keeps you engaged and planning, but not to the point where it becomes a chore.
Paws and Soul is a peaceful journey through the woods, filled with orb collecting and ghostly visions. You'll learn about David and his family along the way, and further exploration lets you learn about Michelle as well. The dialogue feels unrealistic and the gameplay can be repetitive, but the story keeps you going.
KARDS: Theaters of War is a great addition to an already enjoyable free to play card battler. The missions are challenging and feel satisfying to win, but they often put you in losing situations that are hard to crawl out of. Having to pay for an expansion to a free game may turn some players off, but there will be an option to purchase with in-game currency as well.
My Beautiful Paper Smile Chapters 1 and 2 drop you into a world where children are forced to be happy, and punished for feeling anything else. It may unnerve some people, so keep that in mind. The gameplay is simple, but some sections can be annoying and feel unfair. You're left on a cliffhanger, but the final chapters will be released later on.
KARDS is a free to play WWII card battler that combines card battling with resource management. You'll need to think carefully about what cards you play and when if you want to succeed. There are some balance issues, but nothing that ruins the game entirely. Online matchmaking is the quickest I've ever seen.
Bug Academy is a goofy game where you control four types of bugs in pursuit of wacky goals such as tossing cows, putting out fires, and much more. With a cartoony aesthetic and wonky controls, you're in for an insect filled treat. It doesn't last very long, but it's worth it.
Table Manners is a dating game with intentionally wonky controls that tests your ability to impress dates with only one hand. It may seem like a butler simulator, but the reasoning behind your actions doesn't ruin the fun. Some people may get annoyed with the game's controls and design, but fans of Surgeon Simulator are sure to love it.
Avicii Invector is a beautiful tribute to the late artist Avicii (Tim Bergling). With a fantastic soundtrack, sci-fi visuals, and challenging gameplay, you'll want to keep on playing. The lack of online multiplayer is a bummer and the length is short, but it's a great time.
Grid offers an enjoyable racing experience that tests your driving skills. With the nemesis feature, a ton of racing personalities, and the flashback feature, there's a good amount to make it unique. There are some annoying track designs that drag you down, but most of them are winners.
The Sojourn is a peaceful yet thought-provoking puzzle game with beautiful visuals. The only bits of story are told through dioramas, so it isn't spelled out for you. With a sense of wonder and interesting puzzle mechanics, you'll have a great time seeing how clever you truly are.
Daymare: 1998 is an interesting homage to the Resident Evil franchise, complete with 90s graphics, cheesy characters, and a tough difficulty. Inventory management forces you to think carefully, while boss fights can be tedious and unfair.
NHL 20 is a nice addition to the NHL franchise, with engaging gameplay and great visuals. The multitude of game modes will keep you occupied, even if several are very similar to one another. It gets as repetitive as the typical sports game, but that can be good or bad depending on your interests.
Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle is a great way to experience what it's like to be in the shoes of the scout regiment as they fight for humanity's sake. With wonderfully fluid movement thanks to the ODM gear and the strategic combat, you'll want to slay as many Titans as possible. The downside is that combat does get repetitive after some time, but this can be helped by taking plenty of breaks.
Super Neptunia RPG is a fascinating spin-off for the Neptunia franchise. With a switch to 2D and a reworked combat system, you get a nice change of pace for the series. At the same time, the combat system is simplistic and might turn off some players.
My Big Sister is a pixelated top-down game with interesting premise. The light puzzles and weirdly appealing cast keep the game fairly light-hearted, but be prepared for some serious topics to come up. It doesn't take long to beat, but it's worth the time.
Ritual of the Moon is a reflection of life, tranquility, and choice that is more of an experience than a game. The paper aesthetic and color palette fit the tone perfectly. There's not much in terms of content, but the short bursts are nice each day.
Weedcraft Inc. is an interesting tycoon game that focuses on the weed business. The premise may be controversial to some, but it offers an experience not typically known by people. The resource management can be challenging and fun, though the soundtrack may get annoying.
The Second Chance Strip Club is an odd yet surprisingly charming rhythm game about stripping. The gameplay is simple yet challenging, with a musical focus. The quirky characters and catchy beats are a treat, but don't expect much animation for the actual dancing.
Agartha is a charming, pixelated platformer that relies on blasting your way through the environment. There are plenty of levels and extra paths to explore, although the game doesn't take too long to get through. Buying and playing multiple adventurers is recommended.