Jemma Casson
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a faithful reintroduction to the series for new and long-time fans. It's great to have Advance Wars back in our lives, with updated visuals and voicework that bring this title to life. Hopefully, this means the beginning of all-new adventures for Orange Star!
Gematombe is a fun and simple block-breaking game. It's cute and colorful with an amusingly silly story. Despite a few modes to keep you entertained, they rely on the same block-mechanic, which can lead to tedium. hopefully the developer can breathe life into this one via DLC or other updates.
The Last Spell is a fun and complicated tactical RPG. The gameplay alternates between building components and turn-based fighting, providing plenty to do here. It's a lot to take in, especially initially, but there's plenty of fun (and horror) to be had.
Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories is a unique journey into an interesting world. There's a lot to uncover and enjoy as you explore, with neat retro graphics and soundtrack. This is one to check out, although a glitch (which is hopefully now patched) does mar things slightly-be sure to save regularly.
Pupperazzi is just as cute as it sounds. Taking photos of dogs is easy and fun, though its simplicity may result in a lack of follow-through. Still, there's something endearing and relaxing about snapping pics of happy pooches.
Nuclear Blaze is an absolute blast. The 2D platforming and fire-based puzzles keep you on your toes while unraveling a mystery. There's something satisfying about clearing a room of flames, not to mention rescuing cute kittens. Despite its short runtime, this one comes highly recommended.
Gripper combines adrenaline-pumping race sections with top-down boss fights. The high difficulty provides a challenge, though the gameplay sometimes works against itself to make it a little too difficult. The impressive soundtrack stands out, however this title is unlikely to have you coming back to after your umpteenth deathstroke.
Perseverance is a dark visual novel capturing three stories in one release. The typos and glitches are distracting, but the solid story and neat visuals will keep you entertained. A few more options would also go a long way.
Overall, Caverns of Mars Recharged is a fun reimagining of 1981 Atari classic. Rather than a rehash or a simple port, a lot of effort has been put into extending the original premise and giving players more to do. This score-chaser is likely to provide arcade fans with an addictive and engaging time despite some minor interface flaws.
Planet Cube: Edge isn't just another platformer; it's pure delight for genre fans. The simple graphics belie an addictive romp through a challenging world. And don't be fooled by the cute cuboid hero; this is a tough title that will appeal to anyone looking to keep busy for some time.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe takes our pink puff out for another platforming romp. While it's not a completely new game, there's plenty of content on offer to make it a worthwhile purchase.
Wave 4 delivers more of that sweet racing goodness to this near-perfect game. It's hard to criticize something so fun and fresh; in fact, the only obvious negative is that we're now down to the final two waves. Let's see what's next!
Gunscape is an attempt to recreate the oft-loved world of '90s first-person shooters. Although it reminds me of the '90s, it doesn't inspure to keep playing. In short, while there is some nostalgic value to be had here, this one is for diehard fans only.
Dust and Neon is a fun and engaging twin-stick shooter that set in a futuristic world featuring gunslinging robots. Its addictive action is sure to keep you busy.
OddBallers provides what you'd expect-an odd collection of multiplayer mayhem. Despite user interface flaws, there are plenty of laughs on offer in this quirky affair. Just don't play alone.
Go! Go! PogoGirl is a straight-up platformer with a bouncy twist. Its well-balanced difficulty, boss fights, and many collectibles provide a fun time full of action and replayability.
OmegaBot is a fun platformer that serves as a strong debut from this solo developer. The gameplay feels like a fresh homage rather than a mere clone, with interesting characters and terrifically retro graphics.
Melatonin is a dreamy rhythm game that hits all the right notes. It's compelling yet relaxing, with an addictive quality that will have you yearning for more.
Overall, Lone Ruin is a tough twin-stick shooter that hits the spot. The runs are quick and satisfying, with leaderboards and multiple weapons to encourage replay. It looks great and plays smoothly; just don't get too comfortable because it will all be over soon. Until you play again.
Bravery and Greed looks good and plays well, adding platforming and brawling elements to the roguelike genre. The characters are fun, the fighting satisfying, and the levels balance the difficulty to encourage replay.