Crashlands is a charming cartoony story-driven RPG. The Adventure mode is a near flawless balance of story, exploration, combat, and crafting, but if you have a preferred playstyle or want to try something different after you've beaten the game, there are three other modes to choose from. With its convenient gameplay mechanics and detailed design, time easily flies while playing this enjoyable game.
If you're looking to get your pants scared off, SOMA may not be the game for you, but for those who appreciate its brand of subtle horror, it is truly a masterpiece. Leaning towards the cerebral, the narrative has been set up to make you ponder all of the dialogue and question every decision, even one that moves you forward. It's a thought-provoking story wrapped in a stunning package.
Mushroom 11 is an elegant and innovative game that keeps surprising me. Though its central mechanics are impressive on their own, the entire game has been skillfully designed. It's easy to brush aside lofty claims, but Untame has delivered the distinctive gaming experience they promised and then some.
Layers of Fear is an incredible, mind-bending horror game. The gorgeous environments are both detailed and terrifying, and the story will captivate you as you work to unravel all the threads. What it lacks in polish it makes up for in how obsessed you'll become with finishing the masterpiece.
Kelvin and the Infamous Machine is a fresh take on time travel, with a diverse cast of characters thrust into hilarious scenarios. The puzzles aren’t so difficult that they’re maddening, but just enough to feel rewarding when it all clicks into place. You’ll be laughing out loud or scratching your head, but you won’t ever be bored.
While it may look simple and even a bit silly on the surface, The Final Station is quite the captivating game. The story and survival aspects have been blended wonderfully, and it leaves you with plenty to mull over long after the credits roll.
Beholder is a management sim and a moral quandary all in one. It’s easy to become consumed by the lives of Carl Stein and the apartment dwellers he’s been hired to spy on, with a story full of twists, turns, and terrible fates.
Orwell is a thought-provoking game about privacy, politics, and ethical dilemmas such as sacrificing a few in favor of the whole. With immersive visuals and a multi-layered story, it will instantly pull you in. This game offers high replayability and starts much-needed conversations in this age of technology.
Outlast 2 has all the makings of a good horror game: alarming visuals, intense situations, menacing antagonists, and an overwhelming feeling of powerlessness. Though I would have liked the world of Temple Gate to be developed more beyond Knoth's Gospel, I loved every minute of my playthrough.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a cute, simple game about space travel and the power of love. Though you have the option of flying solo, take the title's advice and play through this game with a friend for the optimal experience.
The Town of Light is a thoughtfully written, painstakingly designed walking simulator set in an early 20th century asylum. Though load times and sections that are less than intuitive cause frustration, they do not dissuade my recommendation. You'll quickly become caught up in the story of Renee, a young girl whose circumstances were depressingly real for many women during that time.
Dropsy is a bit of an oddball game, so I wouldn't bet on it having wide appeal, but those who love it will really love it. It's a point-and-click title without written hints, making it inherently challenging, but because the quests involve helping people, solving puzzles feels that much more rewarding. It's such a heartwarming game, it's easy to forget that the protagonist is an accidentally murderous clown.
While it may not have the most captivating of storylines, the game itself is fun and addictive. It's a great way to kill some time – no pun intended – and may leave you muttering things under your breath that make others question your sanity. Plus, you can count on new content being added in the future, which will increase the game's replayability and won't cost you a cent.
It feels odd calling a point & click horror game adorable, but that's what Bulb Boy is. Heartwarming moments are mixed with gross-out details without any friction. The surreal story has plenty of twists and turns, and the puzzles are enjoyable to work out. This little indie title is truly a gem in its own special way.
Punch Club is a game with a lot of personality. From its realistic gameplay to the little surprises it has tucked away, there's something special about it that will have you hooked. In spite of the moments that feel like a lot of grinding, it's an enjoyable title.
TurnOn is an enjoyable and heartwarming little game. With electrical wires instead of platforms, it offers gameplay that feels fresh, piquing your interest at every turn with whatever new adventure or obstacle you’ll face next.
Beholder: Blissful Sleep is an interesting prequel wrapped up in the package of DLC. Other than having more dialogue and changing one mechanic, it's essentially the same gameplay as the original. That doesn't bother me in the slightest, though, because I love the narrative style with its subtle humor and overarching feelings of hopelessness under an oppressive government.
Mythology fans that like a good challenge, including discovering everything through trial and error, will love this game.
The noir atmosphere is top notch, making it one of my favorite things about this game. The environment is more detailed than you might expect, and the mystery plot is fun to experience. Though some aspects of Calvino Noir can be frustrating or not as polished, overall it is worth the journey.
Albino Lullaby: Episode 1 offers a genuinely fresh take on the horror genre, with a bright color palette, a topsy turvy environment, and nuanced enemies. In spite of its low points, it's definitely worth experiencing. With time it should become more polished, but for now if you want to play it, you'll have to brace yourself for bugs.