If you’re looking for a stroll down “Where’s Waldo?” lane, or you’re a fan of hidden object games in general, Hidden Through Time is solid. The experience is pretty mellow and is a nice reprieve from a lot of current games that can induce anger with their difficulty or be ultra competitive.
Thankfully, the in-depth and engrossing story, the strong execution of the actors, and the sheer uniqueness outweigh these negatives. It appears that the genre has much more to offer, and Telling Lies exemplifies it greatly.
When all is said and done, Nexomon: Extinction is an enjoyable experience. At times it suffers from having time wasting fetch quests and backtracking, but makes up for it with refined gameplay. Combined with being an inexpensive and non-Nintendo exclusive alternative to Pokémon: Sword and Shield, this might be the best way for a lot of gamers to scratch that itch.
When it comes down to it, Morbid: The Seven Acolytes does a lot more good than bad. The music and gameplay are stellar throughout and it takes a unique visual approach to a well established genre. Because of all this, it fits right in with the rest and is well worth your time.
Monster Train is a good roguelite deckbuilder, but it doesn’t achieve top-tier status. With its rather monotonous appearance and gameplay, it doesn’t keep you coming back for more like the other great rogues. That being said, given its more forgiving nature, this could be a great starter for those that are new to the genre.
Remnant: From the Ashes is a fascinating game with a lot of well executed mechanics. However, there are numerous technical issues and creative decisions that mar the experience. Hopefully, these issues will be addressed in near-future patches that will allow the game to shine brighter.
The Sojourn doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does enough to carve its own identity and succeed. The story weaves nicely throughout each section and touches on the visuals and mechanics of each respective area very well. For puzzle game fans, this is a strong recommendation. It's not an all-time great, but it is worth the time.
Tokyo Dark -Remembrance- tells a compelling, albeit disturbing story and gives players a pretty strong handle on how it will all unfold. There are a couple of visual issues, but they’re not so unforgiving to make you avoid the game. If strong storytelling interests you, and you like making choices that will dramatically shape the outcome of a game, then this one is definitely worth your time.
The end result is a game that feels too familiar all the way through with fleeting moments of originality. That being said, it is still worth it for diehard Soulsborne fans and/or lovers of the original Nioh.
In the end, Shantae and the Seven Sirens overcomes its issues with a variety of fantastic visuals, tight controls, and a new cast of characters that mesh perfectly with the old characters.
Feather is a short and sweet game that is enjoyable if not purely for its mellowness. The art, music, and visual variety heighten the experience to make it even more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t provide a lot of replayability, bringing its value into question.
Overall, The Pathless is good, but not great. The game is really hindered by its repetitive gameplay and visuals, taking away from what is initially a very fun experience. A solid voice cast and great music definitely serve it well, but it only takes it so far. It’s more than serviceable for a launch title, but it never soars to the heights that the player hopes for.
As a big fan of Super Meat Boy, Super Meat Boy Forever didn’t live up to my expectations. It’s still a good game with new and interesting mechanics, but the game feels like more of a chore than it should. That being said, I’m still incredibly grateful Super Meat Boy Forever has seen the light of day. This is especially true when you consider the long and difficult development cycle.
In the end, Loop Hero is a good game that is held back from greatness by its repetitiveness. It doesn’t provide enough variety to try “one more run” like Slay the Spire or other great rogue-likes, despite its initial appeal. Ultimately, Loop Hero might be worth it for diehards, but not for casuals.
RAD is only kind of rad, not super rad...That being said, the art is very enjoyable, providing a visual treat throughout each run.
If you take Just a Phrase for what it is, an easy, budget twist on Hangman, it won’t disappoint you. If you’re looking for a game with depth that’s full with features and variety, it’ll be pretty underwhelming. In the end, it’s a matter of what you’re looking for.
Overall, One Finger Death Punch 2 is full of action and pleasing visuals. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough variety to keep the player coming back for more and more. It improves on the formula set by its predecessor, but doesn’t do a lot to distinguish itself.
For people looking for a “lite” version of a Souls game, this could be a good way of dipping your toe in the water. For veterans of the genre, Chronos: Before The Ashes is simply too basic and easy to actively seek out.
Overall, Disjunction has its moments and charms, but nothing amazing ever happens. And with no incentive to replay levels or to do a second playthrough, it doesn’t have much staying power. Even if it’s easier than Hotline Miami, it’s no Hotline Miami. In fact, it’s not even God’s Trigger.
If you are a die-hard fan of the series or genre, then it might be worth it. General gamers might enjoy the jump scares and various features of the game.