A.J. Maciejewski
If you really want to flex your gaming skills then COGEN: Sword of Rewind will completely blow you away with its super-tough challenges and clever gameplay that'll keep you coming back for more. It may be short but it's jam-packed with greatness.
It may sound heretical to some but I actually enjoy Vagante more than Spelunky. With its variety of character classes and equipment along with full cooperative multiplayer support, this indie gem is easily one of my new favourite games. See you online!
As a long-time fan of SRPGs, I've never played anything quite like Reverie Knights Tactics before and I'm glad that I did. It can be a punishing and trying experience at times but once your strategies pay off; holy hot darn, is it rewarding stuff!
Shadow Man Remastered is a tough game to pin down because it features a brilliant game world that remains as immersive as it is sinister but it's also full of old-school baggage which makes it difficult to wholeheartedly enjoy in contemporary times.
Cannibal Cuisine is definitely a fun and irreverent couch co-op game that'll appeal to anyone with a sick sense of humour. With that in mind, it's a disappointingly short experience and it plays it rather safe by being a little too similar to Overcooked.
Guntech 2 is an indie hidden gem that deserves a lot of attention so if you enjoy physics-based twin-stick shooting in space then you'll love everything that it has to offer. Just play it with eye protection on because its many explosions may singe your corneas.
RPGolf Legends provides a solid golf-filled adventure set in a lighthearted game world that's a joy to explore. Although its combat could use some major tweaks, you'll still have a fun time unlocking holes and completing quests as you save the sport of golf.
If you enjoy classic challenging 2D platformers then you'll certainly have fun with Jack 'n' Hat. Even though some parts will make you want to rip your hair out, completing the levels in their entirety is a rewarding task for anyone who relishes difficult platforming.
Genre newcomers will relish the intuitive gameplay of Eschatos with its simple scoring mechanics that make the relentless shooting action even more satisfying. Plus, the fact that a couple of charming bonus retro games are included is a treat.
The amount of characters in SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters' Clash is absurd and when you consider just how fun its battles are, you're left with a winning formula. Some aspects are a bit rough nowadays such as the cumbersome interface but it's still a good time.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with DYSMANTLE and am looking forward to exploring even more of its expansive zombie-infested world. If you take pleasure in crafting things while smashing up everything in sight, I highly recommend grabbing your crowbar and giving it a go.
Blackwind is an enjoyable twin-stick shooter that features intuitive gameplay and a wealth of satisfying moves. That being said, if its campaign was structured in a more comprehendible manner then it would be a much more fulfilling adventure.
Nobody Saves the World does exploration and variety exceptionally well. At the same time, its heavy flow of rewards with very little challenge involved often makes it feel like you're mindlessly and unskillfully pressing buttons just to get another quick dopamine hit.
Heaven Dust 2 is perhaps the most amount of fun that I've had with a survival horror game in decades. Its retro sensibilities are absolutely spot-on. Plus, the rewarding campaign structure and intuitive combat that requires some strategy make it truly stand out.
It may be simple but QuickSpot is a clever spot-the-difference experience that contains much more variety than you'd imagine. Throw in a solid multiplayer component and plenty of Namco references and you're looking at one nifty little game.
Demoniaca: Everlasting Night provides a rocking good time via clever combat-focused Metroidvania gameplay. It may be rough around the edges with many frustrating moments but there's still a lot of fun to be had within its demonic boob-filled heavy metal world.
There's no denying that White Shadows' atmosphere and visuals are the stars of the show so I sincerely want to see the developers make a second game that hopefully offers a lot more substantial gameplay and perhaps a narrative that's open to some interpretation.
Nova-111 is quite a treat of an indie and I'm happy that it's finally available for Switch. Exploring its alien worlds as you outsmart all sorts of tricky foes and progress past seemingly impossible situations makes for some rewarding Mystery Dungeon-like gameplay.
Sword of Elpisia provides some good old-school RPG entertainment and its cute pets really liven up its intuitive battle system. Plus, there's a memorable cast of characters and upgrading your gear is always a treat so check it out if you enjoy RPGs from the good old days.
Chorus provides both solid space dogfights with intuitive controls and a distinctly presented story that remains engaging throughout. It may have its maddening moments that hold it back from greatness but it's still an impressively promising original IP.