Though levels are procedurally generated, Sparklite succeeds in building a cohesive world that feels as though it has been carefully designed, making it a great entry point for those apprehensive about this trait of roguelikes.
Cinematic animations are integrated beautifully with Driven Out's precise controls, but the game lacks polish when it comes to making you feel positive about progress. Still, its short challenges are great testing grounds for your sword skills and combat is clean, especially against the larger bosses.
Travis Strikes Again delivers a meaningful experience through meaningless actions. Its hyperactive changes of style and fun combat do plenty to curb some intentionally frustrating design.
A mesmerising co-op platformer with gorgeous artwork, Trine 4 has a dreamlike fluidity to its gameplay, an enchanting atmosphere and innovative physics-based puzzles, despite the sometimes underwhelming combat.
Aggelos is executed with the bright-eyed innocence of someone who loves Wonder Boy and Metroidvania. While it does little to innovate, it succeeds in providing a well-crafted, intricate world that leaves you with a lasting sense of discovery.
A fresh take on the Mega Man X formula, 20XX delivers great run-and-gun platforming in a modern context.
A game with guts and great platforming, Slime-san blends simplicity in design with precise controls. The easy to digest, bite-sized stages make it compulsively playable.
Hardboiled and undercooked, the story and tone of Milanoir are dead on target, but the shooting doesn't quite hold up against the tough difficulty.
A lovingly crafted 16-bit platformer for fans of Wonderboy and Ghouls 'n' Ghosts, Fox n Forests has enough style and addictive side-scrolling gameplay to ultimately outweigh its structural flaws.