Effie isn't the most complex action-adventure-platformer out there, and it isn't the most challenging. In this case, the lack of these features actually work well, as Effie delivers on a game where simplicity and nostalgia fuel a desire to continue playing.
The Great Perhaps provides a unique adventure puzzler with a story that is sure to surprise the player once completed. The hand drawn art style is endearing and the music fits the games ambiance very well. Unfortunately, The Great Perhaps is very short, with less than 3 hours of gameplay on its best day. With no achievements and no reason to revisit The Great Perhaps, this is definitely an adventure that you will only take once.
Darkwood for the Nintendo Switch will certainly scratch the itch of a survival focused gamer. This takes the premise of games like Don't Starve, then takes itself much more seriously and makes it somewhat spookier. The harshness won't appeal to everyone, and the horror themes wear thin before too long, but for the right survivalist, or glutton for punishment, this may be exactly what you were looking for.
Cranked Up is an interesting take on the puzzle platformer genre that incorporates some vertical and horizontal puzzle play with a difficult rocket-based movement style. For the right player Cranked Up could be a delight, but for the uncoordinated, this game may not be their best tasting donut.
Bandai-Namco hasn't deviated from their formula of arena fighters that follow strict, already told storylines, with simplistic gameplay mechanics that are hidden under flashy animations and combo counters. While there is much to love about the character designs and reliving some vital moments from the anime series fans have come to love, there just isn't that much substance to hold players captivated for any extended period of time. The animations are impressive, the sound and feel of the menus and characters rings true. Unfortunately there just isn't enough unique content that will entrance players to continue playing after the novelty has worn off.
Giraffe and Annika is a rhythm adventure game that is short on rhythm, and too heavy on the tedious portions of the adventure. Still, Giraffe and Annika manages to make the most of this title, with beautiful manga inspired panels, enjoyable dialog, and a very fun rhythmic battles, even if they are in short supply.
Shing! manages to take the beat'em-up genre, throw in some fantastic ideas, and squander it all on a twin-stick combat system that convolutes what would otherwise be a solid combo-mashing sidescroller. There is still a lot to like about this game, but unless you really dig analog stick combat, you may want to pass on this one.
Signs of the Sojourner is a slice of life deck building narrative game. If that was more than a mouthful for you, you may consider steering clear of this game as the conversation based game-play will careen you down a narrative driven path rife with haggling and sometimes fleeting relationships. For the right gamer, Signs of the Sojourner will provide the kind of unique game play that you can't find anywhere else. For deck builder fans, you may find it hit or miss to your tastes, but if battling is more your speed, this might not be up your alley.
When combat is in full swing and every move you make is gold, Disintegration feels like an experience worth having. Unfortunately, some of the higher difficulties may fail to hold your interest as some missions can take quite a long time, and the combat can feel very repetitive, with encounters rehashing a lot of the same enemies and experiences.
PLAYISM has cornered the market on crab battles with Fight Crab, and while they currently hold the title, uncontested, Fight Crabs cumbersome controls and awkward battle physics my lose its luster quickly for those that aren't enjoying the novelty of crabbiness.
There is no PvE or Bots that take the place of players, so if you can’t find others to play with, this has the potential to be a very lonely game. Luckily, Atomega is priced well enough that even the casual arena fan could find a lot to like here, for as long as the game stays populated. If you find yourself looking for a great stand-in while waiting for your next big arena game, Atomega could be the game you’re looking for, just don’t expect it to evolve into more than that.
Trident's Wake is a game often compared to premiere, popular top-down shooters like Helldivers, and for good reason. The gameplay is very similar in form, but Trident's Wake falters in its lack of a player base to keep the missions feeling fresh. In time, if and when the community grows, this game could potentially be a fun diversion from some of the other, well established titles. Until that time though, expect a good local co-op or solo experience.
Moons of Madness capitalizes on the Lovecraftian principles that made The Secret World such a great game. Unfortunately, the game play itself can feel tedious, and overly detailed in all the wrong ways.
Fly Punch Boom is a unique take on the fighting genre with a host of over the top combat effects, quick reaction button presses, and some zany characters that are quite entertaining. The rock paper scissors battle resolution system may not appeal to players looking for a more skill based fighter, but Fly Punch Boom is definitely a nice diversion that can keep you busy for several hours.
Sludge Life is a first-person, open-world platformer filled with strange sightings, childish humor, and a unique retro windows 3.1 UI. For the right platformer gamer, this divergence from the norm may provide several hours of enjoyment, but with no lasting draw to explore apart from graffiti tags and pictures, and no extenuating interaction with the world or characters, don't expect Sludge Life to grab you for more than a few hours.
With no true online multiplayer and limited level options, Munchkin: Quacked Quest feels like a starter pack awaiting expansions before it's ready for prime time.
Astellia is a tremendous, full-fledged MMO, with large areas to explore, tons of tiny features to fiddle with, auction houses, end-game dungeons, and more than enough to keep any MMO player busy. Despite some of the great features Astellia brings to the table, the Astel collection system, the detailed world, and a fairly balanced combat system, it isn’t enough to break from the sheer monotony, bugs, and lack of character attachment that would bring Astellia from being just another Korean game to being a bright star in a cloudy sky.
With a light hearted presentation for children of all ages, well rendered graphics on both the PC and Switch versions, and a few rockin' audio tracks that don't get bothersome after repeatedly hearing them,
Despite having some good, and simplistic game play, players may find that it can get repetitive and become frustrating with the one life per level restriction. Luckily for Fantastico Studio, they have done a tremendous job with the ambiance and hilarious levels that may be just enough to keep some players engaged until the end.
Whether you are just curious or just want to step into a new adventure, Bless Online is a fantastic game-bridge between your last MMO and the next one you are looking forward to.